This will totally make your day brighter...I have no doubts. Watch this playful chimp have fun in a bathtub! It's the little things in life! 

Happy Thursday my lovely readers!

Here is the quote of the week!


"People think of you often. They think of you fondly. They think the world of you. There are office managers and baristas that think about you. There are facebook friends you haven't seen in 15 years and weirdos in your building that think about you. There are detists and high school lab partners that think about you. They would be devastated to hear the news of your death. They would mourn you. There are people that would be uncomfortable ever telling you how highly or how often they thought of you and vise versa because we live in a world that eschews intamacy and affection in favor of the allegedly "comfortable" distance we choose to keep that is actually making a large portion of the population feel crippingly lonely.
-Alana M.

----Moral of this quote you are never EVER alone....ever. Someone is always thinking of you and your well being. You are ALWAYS loved by someone.

Keep Calm and Carry On
xoxo
Melissa

I am an organized person...and I mean organized. I go a little crazy if I am surrounded by a mess or something that is just too discombobulated. I like order and things and I like to go to bed knowing that I was able to accomplish as much as possible! 

 I make a list for every compartment of my life, I have school lists, home lists, long term lists, short term lists, lists of things I want, lists of things that should get done for work, I mean this list could go on for a while! 

I think one of the reasons I list so much is to feel like I have accomplished something in my day...sometimes I lose track of all of the things I get done in a day and I somehow...forget? I know, how strange! So I like the ability to check my calandar and see that I did most of my tasks, then look at my many, many note pads to see that I have successfully completed at least something off of them. 

It is like a reward to cross something off of my list or planner. 

Of course, my lists are not just written with black pen all over the place! First off....good god is that boring. Secondly, I prioritize my various lists and planner by what color it is. Making it easy for me to know what NEEDS to get done, what is important but can wait, what needs to get done around the house, ect. 

I like being able to know at a glance how much needs to get done and what can wait. Plus it makes adding things easier I don't have to 1.2.3. I can just add the color accordingly so its a working list. I find that doing the priority 1.2.3 list makes me compulsive because then if I figure out I have something with more priority I make a new list...it was becoming a huge waste of paper! 

Needless to say...with out listing I would be one long lost girl! I think I would go a little crazy and someone would have to put a white straight jacket on me and give me a pen and paper so I could come back to sanity! 

These are just some of my essentials to my daily listing! Do you make lists to stay organized?! 

"The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today." -- Elbert Hubbard 

Keep Calm and Carry On! 

xoxo 

Melissa 

So as I have stated (a couple of times) I am on a journey to a skinnier, healthier, better me! I also had knee surgery about seven(ish) months ago. After the surgery I was unable run, walk or do anything fun [in my eyes]. I gained weight, experienced the ups and downs of physical therapy and was needing to realize that my surgery was TELLING me to slow down and listen.


I was ready, and I mean READY after my second week of physical therapy to run a 10k, and go to the gym and get back in shape. I was anticipating the day when my doctor and physical therapist gave me the okay to start working out again.


The days passed by and they were not giving me the okay, and I was getting very, very impatient. I had to restrain myself from breaking their advice because at the end of the day...they knew what was best (they went to medical school/further schooling I did not) It was a constant battle. Realizing that I was being forced to slow down.

But by slowing down it showed me my eating habits were just horrible, like- absolutely horrible I wondered where all the weight gain came from.....and then I realized the cake (four times a week), the excuses that at the end of the day I'd be able to work all of it off (which it is taking forever to do!) I lost sight of that healthy eating track, by slowing down it taught me that I needed to reevaluate my lifestyle habits when it came to eating and I did. Now, don't get me wrong I still eat what I want I just don't eat it every day or even every week. I am learning this thing called moderation AND my life style change has allowed me to appreciate and like black coffee like actually enjoy it. There are so many little things that I am learning about how to live healthily.

Post-surgery I could not even walk a mile with out my knee feeling achy, running was out of the question, and even the elliptical was a machine I was having to work with...starting with level one (I Was at level 15 talk about a little set back!) Anyways, on Friday I took a trip to my  high school track and I started off telling myself you will run a mile, you will run a mile and I was determined, however my knee was not ready to run a mile at the track (I was able to successfully complete a mile on a treadmill at the gym) but this was a whole new ball game!  I was able to run two laps(ish) with walking in between and my knee was aching and I was not sure if I should be pushing it like I had been during my track visit. I walked the majority of my visit and I was feeling discouraged but I kept telling myself that I was not a bionic woman, even though my knee brace makes me look like one! After a mile of walking and running (mainly walking) I decided to do one more lap and I felt like this was the lap I was going to push myself and try to sprint...And I did sprint....TWICE! I was beyond proud of myself I was having my own Rocky moment-- I had did it, I sprinted. Of course it was only a quater of a lap both times but it was me. sprinting. seven months out of a major ACL surgery.

This whole event showed me that anything. and I mean anything is possible if you try. While I did not run a mile and I did not feel like I was doing any good...I did. I got myself out there and did not one...but two sprints!
"Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice!" - Wayne Dyer

Do you ever push your limits?

Keep Calm and Carry On!

Sorry this is so late! I have been busy, busy with my internship! But let's face it...isn't this quote just perfection? It's from one of my all time favorite movies. He's Just Not That Into You! 


"Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, Every story we're told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe... it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is... just... moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the un-returned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never ever gave up hope!" --He's Just Not That Into You! 

 So I am the one person where something I love to do is shop I can do it practically with out a doubt every day of the week if I had the means to do so. I can find some of the best deals, sales and some of the cutest things.

But, my boat has hit a giant rock and I am stuck...like really stuck. 

 I am on the hunt for shirts, shirts I can dress up and dress down and wear to work and on the weekends. Obviously not looking for all of these things in one type of shirt I am looking for various shirts and when I tell you I have struggled...I have really, really, really struggled. I have gone at least 5 times to different malls and consignment shops in search for shirts. Needless to say I have walked out with dresses, skirts, more dresses, jewelry, shoes, books, a small child (not really)...but no shirts. Some have a hard time finding dresses or jeans I am fine...absolutely fine in those categories but shirts...this is basically my kryptonite. I try on shirts and they fit in one area and not the other, then I try on the size up and I am now a fashionable parachute (not attractive). I have come to the conclusion that if I am going to find shirts I am going to have to just go mindlessly shopping..which surprise I can't plan but whenever I leave the house to go shopping one of the first things I think about are shirts. I would prefer not to look like I can't dress myself or a giant parachute. 

I am not giving up because I do need shirts...I need shirts something awful. The amount of dresses that I have in unbelievable I could live off of them for a month if I so wanted to! However shirts are also a nice thing to wear with those things called pants. I am going to try just shop around every once in a while with out an agenda in hopes to find some fantastic, cute and fashionable shirts. 

 Do you know where to find some cute shirts? Do you have a shopping kryptonite? 

Keep Calm and Carry On! 

xoxo 

Melissa

So I have reached a point where I need to do something change up my eating habits because I am thinking I am getting bored with sandwiches and vegetables for dinner every night. I am a little anxious for tomorrow I weigh in and I am bordering my 10% goal with weight watchers but I of course gained a pound last week. Which while I was discouraged I just got back up and dusted myself off and thought of ways that I can not get bored with my food. Thinking of trying some Weight Watcher recipes  over the next week to see what I can make. I am going to take some pictures (of course) and post them. I took a mid point picture of my progress in the same outfit last night and woah boy! I guess I have not been giving myself enough credit.

Looking back 12 weeks ago I was 21 pounds heavier. While I haven't reached my 10% goal I know eventually I will get there.
A 10% goal is where you have reached a good amount of weight loss, its a goal they make for you. Then after you have reached your targeted 10%, Weight Watchers will generate another goal...this goal being your halfway to life time (life time being your ultimate weight loss)! While I am not all the way there yet I am feeling a little better knowing that I have lost two large babies.
Have you been rocking some summer weight loss?

Keep Calm and Carry On.
xoxo
Melissa

"Marry your best friend. I do not say that lightly. Really, truly find the strongest, happiest friendship in the person you fall in love with. Someone you can laugh with. The kind of laughs that make your belly ache, and your nose snort. The embarrassing  earnest, healing kind of laughs. Wit is important. Life is too short not to love someone who lets you be a fool with them. Make sure they are somebody who lets you cry, too. Despair will come. Find someone that you want to be there with you through those times. Most importantly, marry the one that makes passion, love and madness combine and course through you. A love that will never dilute - even when the waters get deep and dark" N'tima


If you think about what makes a relationship the foundation to any good relationship is friendship, after talking to some mentors and friends it is agreed all around that if you want a meaningful lasting relationship there has to be friendship. The best husband is also the best friend...or heck even the best boyfriend is also the best friend. 

Keep Calm and Carry On
Xoxo
Melissa

So sometimes I get so caught up in the big picture of everything that I forget that there are all of these little things that are just as important


Imagine if life was just based on the big events that happen to us....our lives would be so boring and honestly kind of depressing and uneventful...minus the far and in between significant and large moments.
The little things in life keep us on our toes and make us appreciate all that is around us.
It's not that the big things aren't important but they happen in longer increments of time.
When you look back on lets say the past week there were probably a lot of little things that happened that equated to you having a better week.

I find that there are always little things that I can do especially for myself that automatically put me in a good mood.

Here's a mini-list..(in no particular order)

1. Paint my nails
2. Take a bubble bath
3. Go to the gym
4. Knit 
5. Drink a nice cup of tea or coffee
6. Listen to some of my new (or old) favorite music
7. Read a good book
8. Cuddle with my dog
9. Catch up with friends
10. Work on my book (where's my other shoe)

While these are not all of the little things that make up my week they are some of my favorites. Sometimes I forget that just because big events are fun and exciting like getting a new car, getting accepted into a new school, getting a new job, and so on; they happen every once in a full moon and I can't sit around waiting for the next big thing.  So it's important to not get too set on the big moments/things because the little moments/things at the end of the day make up more than they appear.

The little things show us how to appreciate every day life and live in the moment. Sometimes the little moments matter more than the bigger moments in time. 

 

"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen" --John Wooden 

 

Do you prefer the little moments or the big moments? 

Keep Calm and Carry On. 

xoxox

Melissa

Balance.
Its a hard thing to achieve.
Do you spend more time on school and grades/work or more on your social life.
To me this one is a bit of a ob
Do you spend more time spending time on making yourself a better and stronger person or making your relationships better and stronger?
Do you run from the things that scare you or do you face them head on because they will make you wiser and stronger?

So many things go into balance.
Especially balancing life.
If you put too much on one side of life you will topple over.
It's a difficult process.
Life gets sticky, for whatever reason sometimes when it rains in pours, then I find myself making list after list, planning day after day trying to manage the days to come....freaking out a tad because I can't control what comes next (but then realizing I can never control what comes next).
I try so hard to plan out each event.
While also balancing all aspects of life.
Social-educational-recreational-tv shows-and so much more.

However you have to have a little bit of everything because too much of one thing can cause you to topple over, you can't forget about yourself and your success.
You can't abandon your personal needs either. All are very important. I find that I still have to list everything out, and my planner has all my events little and small..is it weird that I mark even the littlest lunch date in my planner? Maybe to some but to me it's just one more way to know that I have little and big things through out the day.

If I spend so much time thinking about all the things I have to balance I get way to stressed out for anyone to handle.

I guess that's how I've been feeling the past week. Like I have no control and realizing that I don't have any control but my actions can change the future.

Sometimes finding the perfect balance is impossible all I can do is try to find the right balance for me.

Do you have a hard time balancing work life, school life, and your own needs?

"I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can't truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles." -- Zig Ziglar


Keep Calm and Carry On.
xoxo
Melissa

Lets talk about blazers

So I know way back in the day, women wore blazers...but they were well....a tad ugly. Whoever decided that shoulder pads were a good thing, one could say they were a bit disabled. I mean what purpose did they really serve? Broader shoulders? Protection from things falling down from the sky...? I have no idea. They were just not a good idea.

Anyways...recently I have been noticing this trend of blazers and I have to say...I love it. I am a girl who also loves cardigans but blazers are getting up on the list of staple items every closet should have.

You can dress a blazer up and make it professional or you can make it a casual Saturday outfit or even a date outfit. Making blazers an amazing staple to a wardrobe. Recently, I went to Jcrew  (one of my favorite stores) and they were having a sale worth writing home about. I found this PERFECT blue and white striped blazer. It is classy and nautical all at the same time. plus it was the perfect price of $30...talk about a Jcrew bargain. I felt like I had found the gold at the end of the rainbow.

Anyways I think I am falling in love with it more and more every day because I am finding that it goes with so much more than I thought. And, thank goodness blazers now a days do NOT have shoulder pads.

p.s Picture to come of it with a couple of fabulous paired outfits! Keep your eyes peeled! 

xoxo

Keep Calm and Carry On. 

Melissa