Take A Break

Sometimes, it’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to break down and cry and sit and watch Netflix for hours on end. It’s okay to lose who you are for a little bit, because you will find her again.

I admit that I have taken a break these past few months. From S&S, yes, but also from just… life in general. My college auditions, while they are fun and important, come with a LOT of exhaustion. All the traveling, lack of sleep, and waiting around anxiously has brought near my breaking point.

I knew when I started this journey that all of this struggle was part of the package, but I never imagined that it would truly be this difficult to live through. I’ve realized that “I know” is different than “I can.”

In this time of looming darkness, I lean on the Lord. Any feeble attempt at trying to survive this rough process without His support is unrealistic. I cannot do this alone and I need Him to restore my soul.

Now, in my final stretch of traveling and giving my all for these auditions, I’m trying to be done with my “break.” I want more than anything to be restored and feel energized again. But the truth is it’s okay not to be okay. Because one day, the break will end. Without my realizing it, I will find who I am at a deeper level. The fire within me will blaze. 

So remember, it’s okay to be a glowstick. Sometimes we need to break before we shine.

Sunday Songs: Autumn

Autumn is here, and so is its playlist!

Chill Out

Sometimes I have to remind myself to chill out. With college applications and the daunting idea of being pushed out of the nest in a few short months, life can be scary. There are days and even weeks when I become so overwhelmed with all the tasks I have to do that I'm not even sure where to start.

Then, I have to remind myself: Everything will work out the way it's supposed to.

Every time I have a bad day, I need to focus on the fact that tomorrow will be better. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! Each rejection is just leading the way to a different, better opportunity.

It'll all work out.

Teeth Whitening

As I sit here on a Tuesday night with a super attractive (not) mouthguard in, I've decided to share with you some of my favorite natural - meaning minimal chemical and product - beauty fixes:

For White Teeth

Baking soda and coconut are your best friends. You can get a super cheap mouthguard (like the one I have in) at Target for around $10. Fill it with some coconut oil and sprinkle on a little baking soda, and leave in anywhere from 5-20 minutes. I do this (well, try) about once a week.

For Clear Skin

Drink water! Agua, auga, H20! Dehydration, no no no! Seriously, though: besides a clever chant I learned at summer camp, that mantra is so important. Most of us are dehydrated without even realizing it, so drinking more water can only improve your quality of skin - and really, life.

For Long Eyelashes

Y'all. Vaseline on your eyelashes while you sleep WORKS. I swear. Get an old mascara brush, clean it off, and use it to apply vaseline to your eyelashes before you sleep.

For Smaller Pores

Rub ice cubes on your face. The cold temperatures will close up your pores, leading to less dirt infiltrating the skin on your face. Less dirt equals less acne, which everybody loves!

For Better Cuticles

Olive oil works wonders on torn and blistered cuticles. Just rub a small amount onto each nail bed and watch an episode of your favorite show on Netflix. Then simply wash your hands off with soap and water to remove the oil. Watch your cuticles heal in no time!

Up, Up & Away

Traveling is one of the biggest hassles, and is almost never painless. This school year I'll be traveling a lot. These trips, mostly one or two day expeditions, require the dreaded "carry-on bag." From my experience flying almost every other weekend I've crafted the perfect list of items to bring in you carry-on.

Life

Wallet: make sure you have cash, credit cards, keys, and your ID

Phone: and camera, if you need it for your trip

Technology

Big Device: laptop/iPad for movies or working if you're going on a flight longer than an hour - for shorter flights, you may want to opt for a smaller device

Little Device: phone or small tablet, for movies and music

Headphones: earbuds are my favorite, but some people prefer large noise-canceling ones for plane rides

Chargers: make sure you have these (maybe even portable versions) - your plane might have outlets, but if not you can recharge at the gate before/after your flight

Health

WATER: this is so important because planes dehydrate you so much, buy a big bottle before you get on the plane

Food: small energy/protein bars, goldfish, string cheese, etc.

Gum: a small pack of gum goes a long way, and you never know when you'll need it

Hand Sanitizer: or cleaning wipes

Medicine: bring advil, vitamins and any meds you usually take

Beauty

Makeup: just the basics, like extra concealer, lipstick, and mascara

Lip balm: bring chapstick or a small vaseline

Deodorant: perfume also, if you have a small sample size

Hair Ties: or headbands, if you prefer

Extra

Magazine/Book: bring these incase your devices die or you don't want to use them, and bring pens/highlighters

Warmth: socks, sweaters, scarves, and more incase you get cold

Sunday Songs: I'm Just Feelin' This

These are some of my favorite dubstep jams. When I listen to these, I shout, "I am FEELIN' this song!" and jam out. Here ya go:

Sunday Songs: Slow Traffic Keep Right

Sometimes, you just need to take a chill roadtrip and chill out.

Sunday Songs: Squat Sunday

This pump-up rap playlist is perfect for your weekend workout.

Sunday Songs: I'm On A Boat

Only play these songs when you are actually on a boat - this list is the perfect combination of viral pop, timeless hits, and classic country so that you can jam out this labor day weekend.

Online Shopping Sites You Can't Miss

The Golden Rule: Always judge an online shopping website by its dress selection.

I love dresses. I love wearing them to class, on dates, and especially to formal events. So when someone recommends a new store for me, I head straight to the dress department and check it out. In this post, I've included some of my favorite online shopping selections (complete with fabulous dress options) for you to peruse. They are in 3 categories: Tried & True (sites I'm 100% loyal to that always produce great products and have great customer service), Hidden Gems (sites that not many people know about, but actually have some nice stuff) and The Price is Right (sites that focus on the lowest possible price with less focus on the quality of the merchandise or customer service). Under each site (each is linked!) I have my favorite new merchandise from these sites - my personal recommendations. Enjoy!

Tried & True

LuLu's

Final Stretch Ivory Dress, $44

Perfect Situation Dark Green Long Sleeve Shift Dress, $38

Bariano Special Effects Purple Floral Print Maxi Dress, $268

Wrap-phrodisiac Dress, $39

BB Dakota Giselle Dark Grey Sweater, $79

All Lined Out Taupe High Heel Booties, $43

ASOS

ASOS Soft Woven Wrap Romper, $72

River Island Asymmetric T-Shirt, $51

Ultimate Chunky Sweater, $51

Reclaimed Vintage Off Shoulder Dress in Floral Rose Print, $73

Weekday Small Stone Ring, $10.50

Nordstrom's

Front Scallop Body-Con Dress, $42

Short Sleeve Swing Dress, $48

Frenchi Floral Jacquard Peplum Tank, $34

Scallop Hem Miniskirt, $45

Crochet Off the Shoulder Top, $38

Hidden Gems

Sophie & Trey

Pleat Zipper Tank White, $29

Scoop Neck Romper Powder, $33

Tan Belted Felt Hat, $19

Ice Snake Flats, $20

Nasty Gal

Speechless Floral Shorts, $138

Glamorous Juku Jacquard Dress, $88

Take A Chance Crop Top, $108

Crush On You Cutout Dress, $58

Revolve

Emorie Dress, $365

Don't Wait Short, $130

Mira Nail Polish Oversized Sweatshirt, $158

Marcia Sweatshirt, $187

Liz Romper, $229

The Price is Right

Forever 21

Trapeze Dress, $20

Faux Suede Fringe Top, $20

Cutout-Back Blouse, $13

Brooklyn Nylon-Blend Leggings, $13

Marled Knit Dolman Cardigan, $16

Urbanog

Stripe Quarter Sleeve High Low Shift Dress, $32

Dollhouse Metallic Toe Ring Cutout Flat Sandal, $16

Tulip Back Suede Sleeveless Top, $16

Pineapple Nylon Snapback Cap, $8

Tobi

Sippin' Cosmos Shift Dress, $32

Kandi Cowl Back Tank, $24

So Plush Skater Skirt, $20

Edie Off Shoulder Top, $24

Heavenly Touched Cropped Top, $14

Sunday Songs: Sinatra Sunday

Disclaimer: I. LOVE. SINATRA. I've put together some of my favorite songs of his and added a few of his contemporaries. This is my jam... enjoy!

REVIEW: Built-in Spotify Running

If you’re not on Spotify, you’re missing out. Spotify is a music platform that will let you access millions of songs and organize them into endless playlists. Spotify also offers a “Browse” section that offers information on new releases, music recommended for you, and pre-made playlists in 32 genres and moods. Spotify also recently introduced a new built-in feature on mobile devices simply called “Running.” As the name implies, this option was created for users to take advantage of pre-made playlists when they go on a run. The program bases its song choices on the number of steps per minute the user wants to run.

PROS

• Detects your steps per minute. Once you pick your playlist, Spotify automatically detects your speed. This setting encourages you to keep a consistent speed throughout your run, and I really liked being able to have a constant reminder of my pace. I also felt like I was less fatigued throughout my run, because I wasn’t shifting from going really fast when I had bursts of energy to slower when I got tired.
• Has a “Recommended For You” playlist. I LOVE this feature because my music taste is all over the place. I listen to everything from alternative to showtunes to pop. Usually when I go running, I play my normal “gym” playlist that's full of popular upbeat songs that aren't really "my jam." Spotify now crafts a playlist made of songs I listen to a lot and are actually the perfect speed for me to run to.

CONS

• Doesn’t play entire songs. The one drawback of this is it starts songs based on where the beat picks up, not at the beginning, and ends the songs by fading into the next one at a random point within the song.

TIPS

• Change your pace throughout your run. If you get tired, slow down your steps/minute by 5 or 10. That way you can use less energy and give your body a rest, but not slow all the way down to walking. You’ll finish your run faster, burn more calories, and feel better afterwards. On the other end of the spectrum, if you get a sudden burst of energy, you can speed up your steps/minute without attempting a full-out sprint.
• Pick your playlist in advance, and make sure you like it. If you pick a playlist you enjoy, you'll be in a better mood during your run and have a more lively and motivated attitude.

SUMMARY:

Spotify Running is a great program that will let you have a smoother run and keep you on pace. I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it to anyone who likes to run regularly.

Let me know what you think of Spotify Running!

Sunday Songs: #TBT Workout Playlist

Songs that were once the jam, are now the gym jam.

5 Steps to Time Management

Being busy is super common in today’s society. Everyone is always doing something, and life can get a little crazy when your schedule gets hectic. I have so much to do and really take focus on managing my time! Follow these few tips to lower your stress levels and manage your time.

1. Keep a Digital Calendar

My iCal keeps me going. I schedule each of my events on there, and sync my calendar to both my computer and my phone, so I always know what's on my schedule for the day. Sometimes I'm so frazzled after school and forget that I need to bring my dance bag with me the next day, or I realize I have extra time to schedule a pilates class later. It's SO helpful and I always what know my schedule is in advance - this is especially great when I need to schedule a doctor's appointment or something. The iCal technique also lets you visually understand how you spend your time.

Here's what my iCal looks like:

2. Block Out Distractions

Yes, I'm asking you not to go on Instagram or Snapchat when you're doing something important. While I know they're tempting, sometimes you just have to practice self-control. When I'm doing homework or practicing for theatre, I put my phone away. Like, on the other side of the room away. I can focus, finish what I'm doing faster and better, and then when I get back to my phone I usually have a lot of notifications.

3. Plan Out Your Homework

THIS. THIS IS A LIFESAVER. Instead of planning 3-6pm as "Homework Time," plan out what you're going to do for your homework within that time. You can even take the first 10 minutes to do that. Here's a sample schedule:

4. Schedule Things Ahead of Time

Lastly, plan out your life. If you want to work up to running 3 miles, plan out which days you're going to run and label them "Run 1 mile," "Run 1.5 miles," and so on. If you need to start stretching more, add in 30 minutes of stretching to your schedule every other day. Planning out your schedule will help you plan out your life and add in (or take out) things. You'll be able to spend your time how you want instead of just taking each day by storm and being stressed all the time.

School Supplies: The Vitals

I start my last year of high school tomorrow. Although I’m constantly wondering how I grew up so fast, I’m excited for this year. It’s going to be full of crazy memories, lifechanging moments, and a lot of hard work. I remember right before I started freshman year and my mom took me to Target to buy school supplies. And, like every nervous and excited freshman, I bought WAY too much stuff. Stuff I didn’t need and never used - when was the last time you needed a tape dispenser or mini stapler remover in class? Each year, my list of supplies dwindles down a little bit. This year, I think I’ve finally gotten it right. So I present to you the only school supplies you need to make it through the year.

LILLY PLANNER

My Lilly Pulitzer planner is my favorite thing ever. I always have it in my backpack and it’s so helpful with keeping track of my assignments. It’s also super cute!

FLAIR PENS, WRITING PENS, PENCILS + KATE SPADE PENCIL BAG

I love the way writing with Flair Pens feels, so I keep all 20 of mine in my bag at all times. However, my teachers don’t allow me to turn in assignments written in colorful pen, so I bring my favorite writing pen - the Pilot 10. The tip is just bold enough to write comfortably! Then, I have my favorite Papermate pencil and Sharpie highlighters.

FIVE STAR NOTEBOOKS

These are my favorite notebooks because they’re college ruled, simple, slim, and the binding never gets messed up. They’re great for taking notes or studying.

The Lilly Pulitzer planner can be purchased at www.lillypulitzer.com, and everything else can be found at any office supply store.

Sunday Songs: Are We There Yet?

The combination of alternative and classic pop hits in this playlist is great for any roadtrip, especially your drive to college!

Get Up & Get Active

Back To School Makeup: Your Daily Look

It’s August now, and soon everybody will be prone to the classic First Week of School Syndrome: wearing the cute outfits you planned out over the summer, spending an hour curling your hair, you try out that new makeup contouring technique you discovered last week... However, after those initial mornings of excitement, the tiresome routine of balancing your looks and your studies begins to take a toll. As much as you deny it, you’re going to wake up later and spend less time on your makeup. So to make your mornings easier, I’ve crafted the perfect 10 minute makeup routine: a natural look perfected so that you’ll look awake and beautiful.

CLEAN

Start your morning by washing your face with whatever your favorite cleaning wash is - because of acne, I use the Proactiv+ 3-Step System (Proactiv, prices vary) to clean my face each morning and night. It’s important to wash your face each morning to get rid of dead skin cells and apply makeup to a fresh face.

FACE

Start with a tinted moisturizer - this will even out your skin tone without creating a cakey foundation look. My favorite is Miracle Skin Transformer ($48, Birchbox). Tinted moisturizer is also a great way to avoid putting on lotion before your makeup and then spending the rest of the day with an oily face.

Next, highlight under your eyes. Hide sleepless nights spent studying with a bright undereye concealer that is lighter than your skin tone. Benefit’s Fake Up ($24, Sephora) is perfect for this - it’s meant to conceal your dark circles and comes with a moisturizing ring around the concealer to reduce puffiness and invigorate your skin.

Coverup your zits or dark spots with your favorite skin-matched concealer. I personally like to use Maybelline’s FITme! Shine-Free Foundation ($9, Walgreens) because of its great matte quality. It doesn’t leave oily residue and stays on ALL DAY, a quality you need for a long day of classes. 

CHEEKS + LIPS

Go for a light tint cream blush. NARS’s The Multiple in Orgasm ($39, Sephora) works really well for this. Blend in with your fingers underneath the area you just highlighted.

A natural look isn’t complete without the perfect nude-ish lip color. I say nude-ish because completely nude will make you look washed out, while some tint will simply enhance your natural lip color. Clinique’s Chubby Stick ($17, Clinique) moisturizes and colors super well. Some great neutral shades are Whole Lotta Honey, Super Strawberry, Mighty Mimosa, and Bountiful Blush.

EYES

If you like to wear eyeliner, try lining your eyes very thin and close to your lashline. The tool you want to use for this is a pen-type liquid eyeliner. For this, I recommend STILA’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($20, Sephora).

Pick a mascara that will make your eyelashes longer and therefore your eyes seem bigger. You’ll definitely look and seem more awake.BeneFit They’re Real Mascara ($24, Sephora) is heaven-sent and perfect for this!

This quick and easy routine will help you look your best with less work in the morning. I wish you all the best this school year, and send me your feedback on this look or pictures of you trying it out!

Sunday Songs: Summertime Sadness

This perfect end-of-summer playlist will help you jam out in your last few weeks of freedom.