Average?

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I've been reading a lot of advice about how to get ahead in your career or how to be a better blogger or how to be more more, and it's made me really stop and think about life.

I think that we're so focused on always becoming better (being the best in our industry, becoming a famous blogger, being that girl who does it all) that we're actually all forgetting to live in the now. I know I'm totally guilty of doing this, and I know I'm not the only one.

I think we need to learn to accept and love ourselves as we are.You may not be the top seller in your department, but maybe you have a side hobby/business that's doing really well or you're in a really great relationship. Or maybe you're really really happy having a good work/life balance. All of those things are great.

For myself, I would love this blog to become hugely successful, but if it doesn't ever expand beyond my core 15 or so readers, that's totally fine. I would much rather have a super-engaged, small, strong blog readership than a lot of readers who aren't engaged or communicative. I want to have a successful career (or a career in general right now...), but if I'm not ever the CEO of a company, it's totally fine too.

I have dreams, goals, ambitions, ideas of where I'd like to be in 5 years, but I'm also starting to realize that not being "the most ______" is okay. Being average is okay. Self-improvement is good, but being happy with myself as I am, flaws and all, is okay too.

What are your thoughts?

Viva Colores!

Kate Spade's new campaign lauched recently (this week? before? I have no idea) and it's partially travel-themed, partially summer-themed, partially Mexico-themed. I'm totally in love and I have so many needs wants from the newest arrivals!

Popsicle Coin Purse: I die. So. Freaking. Cute. What a fun little gift this would be!

Bottle Opener Necklace: Part of me loves how handy this would be (camping! parties! bonfires!), part of me cringes at the thought of being "the girl who wears a bottle opener around her neck". Totally cheeky, if you're up for that.

Lou Heel: The combination of snakeskin and neon is so chic but these shoes are totally wearable and not at all obnoxious like the rest of the neon trend. I need.

South of the Border Tote: Popsicles! Spanish! What could be more summery? I'll take a mango pop and a cafe pop, in addition to this tote, por favor.

Tatiana Top: That. Floral. I was juuuust talking about how I don't own any florals and here comes this perfectly bold, bright floral top that would be perfect under a blazer or by itself. What a beautiful coincidence.

Starwoods Par for the Course Tote: Did you know I took two semesters of golf at Auburn to meet boys to get some sunshine? Did you know I was actually pretty decent? #humblebrag All of that means that I think I need this here tote bag, because I've always loved the cheeky sayings but this one actually sort of applies to my life!

Ole! Let's all go to Mexico and lay on the beach while eating popsicles!

Poll: Fashion Inspiration

I've already talked a little bit about my own style here, but I was thinking about personal style today and I got to wondering: does everyone have a fashion inspiration when they get dressed in the morning?*

I don't, not really. I don't attempt to recreate outfits I saw on Pinterest or other bloggers**. I only do that if I have an out-of-the-ordinary item like printed pants and I need a little help coming up with ways to wear them. When I get dressed for an event, I go on instinct: what looks right, what looks wrong, what looks right but feels weird, etc. On a lesser scale, I do this on a daily basis as well. I have some "tried and true" outfits that I can pull out if I'm short on ideas, but I don't really have a difficult time putting outfits together.

Does this mean I have innate style? Maybe, but I think it's more just the fact that I really have multifunctional pieces in my closet or pieces that can easily work in different settings. I don't ever want to look "styled" or overdone as so many "fashion bloggers" do, at least in my opinion.

What about you? Do you borrow liberally from bloggers and Pinterest for outfits or do you go on your own instinct? Or are you somewhere in the middle? Obviously there's no right or wrong answer, I'm just really interested!

*That sounds so Carrie Bradshaw...now I can't not hear SJP's voice reading that question.
**This made me actually go back and look at my style Pinterest board...I don't buy specific items thinking "oh, now I can recreate that outfit I saw in X pin or on Y blogger!", I buy items because I like them and my board is an extension of that--it's outfits and things I like but don't necessarily wear.

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A Comment Question

the best part of Lucky Charms

I've been responding to comments that y'all write on posts via email, but I'm not 100% sure that they always get to you! I love interacting with readers and I really enjoy and appreciate your comments, so I want to make sure that you're able to read my responses.

If you've commented on a recent post and gotten a response from me by email, would you do me a favor and comment again on this post saying so?

Conversely, if you've commented and haven't gotten a response from me, let me know as well so I can figure out why and what's the best way to solve the problem.

I know it's frustrating to comment on posts and then never have the blogger respond or follow up or anything, so I'm trying to do my very best to avoid that and I think that this will help me see if there's a problem or not.

Thanks guys!

The Holy City

I've been fascinated with the city of Charleston, South Carolina for a looooong time. I dated a guy who's from Isle of Palms (up there on that handy-dandy little map) and hearing him talk about his hometown made me fall a little bit more in love with the city itself. It's so quintessentially Southern--genteel and cultured but also a little bit rough around the edges. There's so much history, culture and iconic food there.

I had an internship opportunity in Charleston offered to me back in January (see this post), and while I didn't take it, I haven't been able to get Charleston off my mind. Since my job search is not going well at all, and the internship opportunity is still available, I've pretty much made up my mind that I'll be heading down to the Holy City in the very, very near future to apartment-hunt and look around.

So. I need some help from y'all. What should I see while there? Where should I live? What's a must-do, must-see, must-eat? I have a few friends in the city I'm planning on meeting up with, and I'll be there an undetermined length of time. I'm excited! If everything pans out, this will be a totally new adventure but one that feels so right.

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all images from my friend Emily's amazing Charleston Pinterest board...definitely one of the things making me fall in love with the city!

Friday Inspiration

 Keeping this verse in my heart/mind today and for the next few days.

this too.

ha.

it totally does.

pretty much.

Here's a little inspiration to get you through Friday. Have a lovely spring weekend!

Chocolate Chip Cookies Solve Everything?

delicious cookie photo and recipe from here

I'm tired. I'm physically tired, mentally tired, tired of worrying about what's next, what I should be doing with my life and/or this blog, tired of not feeling successful...there's a lot going on. Lots of potential big decisions are floating around and it's exhausting trying to weigh the pros and cons of each.

As a way of feeling successful about something in my life, I made this cookie-in-a-mug recipe yesterday afternoon. I was skeptical because I've heard lots about mug desserts that were terrible, but I was pleasantly surprised that the cookie was so good! The next time I make it (which will probably be today, let's be honest), I'll probably add a bit more vanilla and make it in a little ramekin instead of a mug. Quick and easy and so chocolatey...it's a keeper. I'm also looking forward to trying this brownie-in-a-mug recipe.

What you should take away from all of this rambling: make the cookies, because they're yummy.