20 Thoughts in 20 Years

Happy 20th to me! I'm keeping celebrating my birthday really simple this year (like most years, actually). No party, no huge dinner. Just lots of laughs, loved ones, and positivity. To celebrate via Prep Northwest, I decided to make a list of 20 thoughts I've gathered in 20 years (okay, not all are from when I was 10) and share them. Enjoy!

1. Surround yourself with people who have your best interest in mind and bring out of the best in you. Don't waste time with people who bring you down, who intentionally (or often unintentionally) make you feel bad. You deserve better.
2. Splurge on yourself every once in awhile. It's okay to buy those Steve Madden sandals (guilty), just don't make it a habit to spend so much so often.
3. Find a hobby that you really love and put your energy into that. I love crafting and painting! I'm also really interested in gardening and plants. If you're starting to feel stressed out, it's okay to take a break. You owe it to yourself to do what makes you feel good, not anxious.
4. Do all the fun stuff that you can while you're young. Get that prom party bus, go to school out of state, learn to sail, backpack through foreign countries. There will come a day where time is a luxury and you won't get to do whatever you want whenever you want.
5. Live in a dorm. They sound gross and small, but my best college memories revolve around living in a dorm and the people I met living there. You learn a lot about yourself when you're forced into a small space with another person. You'll survive, I promise.
6. Mental health days are valid. Put you and your health first, and do what you can to be the healthy and vibrant person you are.
7. Take lots and lots of naps. 
8. Don't worry too much about boys, dating, and some friendships right now. You're what, not even 25? We have so much ahead of us and we'll find the people we're supposed to be with. Don't stress so much - this time in your life is not a depiction of your entire future.
9. Eat breakfast (especially brunch on the weekends). Nothing else will start your day off better.
10. Take that selfie. Heck, take those 20 selfies. Don't let people make you feel bad for taking photos of your beautiful face and feeling confident. You do you.
11. Buy yourself flowers once a month (or twice, or every week). It's amazing what a difference a beautiful bouquet does.
12. Spend your time and energy creating great memories! Clothes and knick knacks are fun, but going out to eat with your loved ones, seeing your favorite band live, and going on a mini getaway are far more important.
13. Getting intimate with someone does not make you (or anyone) a bad person. Don't slut shame, don't harass, and don't worry about someone else and their sex lives. It doesn't concern you.
14. Navy is always first choice.
15. Learn how to cook three of your favorite meals. You'll free great about yourself and feel great about eating something other thank boxed mac and cheese.
16. Plant flowers. Recycle. Walk where you can. Compost. Take shorter showers. Do what you can to preserve the earth and take care of it. It's doing everything it can for you.
17. Don't underestimate the power of winged liner and a high pony (my favorite).
18. Take baths. Read, watch Netflix, or chat on the phone, but take baths. Use that time to treat yourself to a body scrub and relax. You deserve it.
19. Stop putting people into boxes. Try to break away from gender roles, stereotypes, and judging others based on their race/sexual orientation/religious views/gender/ability. Be kind to everyone.
20. Break out of your comfort zone into your growth zone. Take small steps and do something new every week. Go to an exhibit, take a walk in a new (and safe) area, take a class (cooking, painting, ceramics, pole dancing), visit a gym, go to the farmer's market. It will feel great.

Thank you so much everyone for reading this! These are thoughts that I experience daily and use as comfort when I'm feeling especially lost, stressed, or confused. Share with me what you remind yourself - maybe we're thinking that same thing.

Cheers!

Talking Health: Away at College and Really, Really Unhappy

My first year of college taught me one thing: you might not love your college, and you might be really unhappy there. I've mentioned it before (here, on leaving and here, on rejection advice) and am perfectly open to talking about it. I hated my college. I hated being a student there, I didn't feel welcomed, I lacked a lot of motivation, and felt very lost (not growth lost, but scared and hurt lost). My biggest motivation for attending this school was the fact is was a four year school. It wasn't the best reason to go, but I learned a lot from my experience. And plus, a lot of people I know went to schools because they were four years and ended up loving them. Whatever the reason is up to you.

Education and going to college are tricky matters. Making the decision on what school to go to, learning to live in a new environment, building new relationships and keeping the ones you already have, and balancing school work is a lot of change and a lot to deal with in those first few months (or years). Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and mindset is hard, too.

Discussing mental health openly is not as prioritized as it should be. In my experience, many young people don't feel that their problems or feelings are important enough to talk about. So often we're told "someone has it worse" and our problems are constantly being compared and devalued. Remember this: that is not okay. It is not okay for someone else to tell you that your feelings aren't as important as someone else's and that you need to take the back seat to others. 

Before I even left for college, I was already sad about it. I was heartbroken that I didn't get into my first choice school which, looking back on, I wasn't even that eligible for. I went to school with the mindset that I didn't want to be there, which didn't help my situation. I built a lot of really great relationships, met some really amazing people, and have some really fond memories of my time there. But, feeling low so many days out of the week, skipping class because I "felt sick", and coming home almost every weekend wasn't healthy. I wasn't in a positive place and I knew staying there wasn't going to help me. Luckily for me, I had a great roommate (who I'm still very close with) who understood me and was there for support when I really needed it.

The stigma on mental health and illness that is so prominent in our society made me really anxious while I was at school. Four years ago, when I was a sophomore in high school, I was diagnosed with depression. I went to therapy and took medication, and eventually I felt better. But going away to school, a school I didn't feel happy at, triggered my depression and it gushed back. I felt too embarrassed and nervous to seek out on-campus resources (though they really do help), so instead I skipped class, cried in bed, wrote about it on Tumblr, and took long showers. It really wasn't healthy or fair to myself to stay in that environment. It was important I left.

It wasn't until after I officially decided to leave and took a gap year (I'm not currently in school) that I realized how depressed I was away at school. There are days I feel really low and embarrassed that I'm not currently enrolled, until I remember that I now feel healthier than I ever have before. I'm working full time, get to spend time with Chris, my closest friends, and my family, and don't feel the same pressure I did while away. 

I'm sharing this because I think it's important that people know, especially new college students, that not everyone is going to have a blast at school. It's easy to feel isolated, lonely, scared, anxious, and experience depression. Talking about it is important. Your feelings, your health, and your experiences matter. Seeking out the right help and optimizing on-campus and local resources is so, so important. It's only fair to do what's right for you and your well-being. If leaving your current university and transferring, taking a gap year, or whatever is what will put you in a safe and healthy place, then do it. You matter. You owe it to yourself to do what makes you happy.

Cheers.

Instagram Lately

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I've been gone for awhile now. I've been dealing with a lot of personal issues lately and knew that, in order for me to work towards a healthier life, I needed to step away from blogging for awhile, guilt free. Blogging is not a full time job for me, but a fun hobby and a creative outlet. I've met some really great people via blogging, and I'm very lucky to have them as friends and supporters while I've been away.

As we're close to the end of March and spring is creeping up, my goal is to prioritize blogging again. My intense work schedule makes it hard to blog (I worked 26 days in a row!), but now that the days are longer, I'll have more time. 

In the mean time, here's my recent Instagram feed. If you're not following me, please feel free! I try to be pretty active on social media (well, Instagram. I'm still not very good at up keeping my Twitter!). Seattle has had some really special weather lately. I'm talking upper 60s, sunshine, shorts, and sunglasses. Fingers crossed we get a lot more of this!

Thanks for sticking with me, even when I'm not the most consistent. I really appreciate it.

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What's your Instagram link? Any favorite Instagrammers out there?

Cheers!

Delts Formal 2015

mirror pic because dang - look at that eyeshadow (and how handsome Chris is!)

Lilly Shift Dress (sold out, similar dresses here)  ||  Tory Burch Wedges

If there's one thing I love, it's getting dressed up. Chris' fraternity had their winter formal this past weekend, making it our third winter formal we've been to! Formals are so much fun and I'm so glad we've been able to attend so many of them together. If you're ever invited to a formal, go! 

I bought this shift dress (in Sea Oat Escapades in the Everglades) during the After Party Sale from Lilly Pulitzer last month and have been too excited to wear it. Even though it's bright and a very spring-y print, I thought it was too cute to wear. The wedges I'm wearing are actually an older Tory pair that my aunt used to wear and handed down to me. 

If you're ever in the Seattle area and are looking for a great weekend getaway, Leavenworth is your place to go. Chris' winter formal is held there every year! It's the cutest little bavarian village - you'll actually think you're in Germany or Switzerland! Check out the München Haus for delicious bratwurst and the hat shop for silly hats and laughs. It's located right in the Cascade mountains, so it's calm and surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Cheers!

2015: The Year of Self Celebration

{View this outfit here}

Let's start this bluntly: 2014 was not my year. There were a lot of amazing experiences, like visiting my aunt on the east coast, working full time, helping Chris move into a house, finishing my first year of college, and celebrating many birthdays, special occasions, and holidays, but I don't think this is going to be a year I look back on and admire. Even though it's just a different year and nothing is actually changing, I have hopes for 2015. I have attainable goals, plans, and many wants that I hope to accomplish and attain this year. My first goal: learn to be more loving of myself, understanding of my accomplishments, and feeling secure on my pride.

"Pride" is a strange word. I believe in humility and learning not to brag, but I also believe we should be proud of ourselves and give ourselves the recognition we deserve. Too often we are told not to "so full of yourself", hide our successes, and dismiss compliments, especially as young women. Pride is often associated with a negative connotation, often with being stubborn and full of oneself. Why? Why are we shamed for being proud of ourselves?

This year is about celebrating myself (remember, this blog is about celebrating everything). I think it's time I no longer dismiss compliments with phrases like "oh no way!" or by redirecting the conversation elsewhere. It's important for all of us to understand that accepting a compliment is both good and healthy. It's not saying "I think highly of myself" (which is okay, too) or "Yeah, I know." It's understanding that loving yourself and feeling good about yourself should be an everyday occurrence, not an occasional one. It's okay (and quite awesome!) to feel beautiful or hot and to acknowledge that. Take selfies (one of my 2015 goals: take more selfies), look at yourself in the mirror as much as you want, and smile! As silly as it sounds, taking selfies is not a bad thing - it's fun and makes you feel like an A+!

I'm also working on acknowledging my successes, skills, and personality traits. It's too easy to avoid acknowledging that yes, you are good at something. I'm good at my job - I have a lot of experience in retail, but I also really enjoy talking with customers and I have really great customer service skills. It took me a long time to realize and acknowledge that yeah, I am good at my job! I should feel good about that. Sharing how you are a great writer, are good at making small talk, can run a 6 minute mile, or have aced a really tough exam doesn't make you bossy, controlling, or conceited, words that are often used to describe women who understand their strengths. Its' time we destroy that idea and we become proud of who we are. 

Self love and becoming comfortable with yourself is an ongoing project. There will be days that we wake up feeling crummy, insecure, and need time to stay in bed with ourselves and Netflix, and that's understandable. There isn't anyone who wakes up every morning feeling 100% amazing about themselves. It's a battle that will never have one peak. But that's what this year is about: celebrating myself and knowing that working on my self love.

Cheers!

Merry Christmas from Prep Northwest

I love Christmas. I think it's safe to say that most of us who celebrate the holiday do, too! Even though I work in retail and deal with crazy holiday shoppers, I love the energy that December brings. It's cheery, full of love, and people seem to walk with a little more spring in their step. In honor of the holiday, I thought I would share a few of my favorite photos from this year and a few of my family traditions! 

Every year on Christmas Eve, my mom's side of the family gets together for the holiday. We always have a really great buffet-style dinner and open the presents we've gifted to each other. It's really great to be able to spend it with my mom's side of my family and my nephews (I have the cutest nephews around, not to brag). It's become a really special tradition! We don't do pjs or anything - when my mom moved here from the Philippines, I don't think they knew it was really a thing. But that's fine with me, I love how we do Christmas.

Christmas day is spent with my immediate family. This year, my brother wants to open our presents in the evening instead of in the morning, so we have something to look forward to (haha). I think we're gonna try! I'm also lucky enough to be invited over for dinner at Chris' with his parents and to stop by to visit with my best friend Paul's family. 

Family (and friend!) traditions are fun, unique, and interesting. Every family does Christmas differently, so it's fun to hear about and experience how another family celebrates. If you have special traditions, share them with me! That kind of sappy stuff makes my heart glow.

How fun is this "balloon" ornament?

Every year, the Sheraton hotel hosts a gingerbread house contest, and the "houses" are always amazing! This year, the theme was "Christmas Songs" - my two favorites were the Seattle and Hawaiian ones!

Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy Holidays!

Cheers!

Absence + Links

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It feels like it's been a long time since I've been able to really sit down and blog. Don't get me wrong - I love my blog and being a part of the blogging community - but I haven't been able to prioritize writing and reading posts the way I'd like. Working full time has it's perks: I'm making myself money, it's great experience, and my coworkers are awesome. The downside? Not feeling like I have all the time I need to do what I'd like (like blogging). It's crazy - I'm 19 and feel like I don't have enough time to be me. 

With the holiday season coming up, I only see myself having less time to "be me." Working retail in a popular mall in December is a crazy time (it's December already?!). There are constantly people who have questions, clothes to fold, and lines to stand in. Don't even mention mall parking... I'm hoping I'll have more time to shoot outfits, create recipe posts, and simply write more as my store gets more associates. 

Anyways, I'm here today to share some fun links I've found. A lot of bloggers do these on a weekly basis (I tried, couldn't do it - I don't really like having a blogging schedule) so I thought I would share one this week!

This Instagram is run by a woman living in Seattle - it's all about cute coffee shops, cafes, and shops that she likes! Her feed is too perfect. 

Okay, how cute is this sleeping mask? I can't stand wearing them but I might need this anyways... 

I'm dying to try this Pumpkin Soup recipe (featured on The Undeniable Report!). It sounds like the perfect way to warm up from all this cold winter weather.

Um, #brosbeingbasic - might be the funniest thing you see this week.

The best food bank donation list I've seen - especially with the holiday season in full swing, donating is so important. Spread that holiday cheer by helping your community (I know I will be!).

Forget Pinterest (just kidding, I love Pinterest). DwellingGawker is the way to go (but seriously, I love both). 

Two things I need in my closet right now: this fur snood and this fluffy scarf.

For the other public health lovers out there, a studded pill as a needle alternative. Crazy, or?

Have a great week, everyone! Happy Monday!