the sound & taste of summer

These Girls Know Summer Very Well, They Wait For It, Like They Wait For Love, All Winter. Summer Is Not Just A Season To These Girls, It’s More Than Holidays, Beaches, Sunny Weather, More Than Just Heat. It’s Barefoot On The Cement As You Rush Through The Sprinklers Like When You Were A Kid, It’s Bikinis On The Floor Of The Shower And Strewn Over The Hot And Cold Taps, It’s Ripping Pages Of Makeup And Products From Vogue And Pasting Them Into Large, Blank Notebooks To Share And Read Together On A Blanket In The Grass. It’s The Smell Of The Grill, Friends Laughing, Chopping Pineapple And Skewering Shrimp, It’s Stringing Christmas Lights Over The Backyard And Turning Them On At Night To Lie Under And Talk About Boyfriends. It’s Sand In The Bed After A Long Day At The Beach, Stretching Out In A Vintage One Piece On A Quilt Made From Patches Of Your Favorite Colors, Reading Weetzie Bat Out Loud And Waiting For The Boys To Come And Share The Shade Of Your Umbrella. It’s The Taste Of Salt From The Ocean As You Rinse Off Under The Outdoor Showers, Turning Your Head Upside Down And Letting The Fresh Water Pour Down Your Face.

Via // Orangie

Via

Happy Friday: Change

Today is Friday. Today is the last day of my Episcopal Convention. Last day after working 18 days in a row. I just got a mani/pedi. Today is payday! The sun is shinning, therefore today is a very very good day.

I'm just going to let my thoughts flow with this post. Originally when I started this blog I had an idea with the direction I wanted to go with it. Now not so much. I kind of just post random stuff about what is going on in my life, music I like at the time, different quotes and other things I find interesting. I feel as though I need more structure because I feel like I could turn this into something more. No, I might not be the most eloquent writer but I do think I have some good ideas and a good eye for (what am I trying to say) creativity? beauty? I don't know but just a good eye to what others would find interesting per se. That is just my opinion though. I have received some positive feedback from my blog. I just need to make it a more consistent thing.

With all that being said I am going to go off onto a totally different tangent. Just the other day I was on my way to the gym and thought to myself you are the only one who can change yourself or something you do not like. 

<--- I thought of this quote here. And it is so true. I can put up with a lot and I am a very forgiving person but it has come to a point where my eyes are open. It has finally clicked in my head that some things are just not going to change. And I cannot accept that. I am 25 years old and I do not want the next 5 years of my life to be a repeat of the past few years. Not saying I didn't have a great time. Not saying I didn't do exactly what I wanted at the time. Not saying that I didn't learn any lessons or grow up. It is just time to do something a little different.

Yes, I am terrified and sad at the same time but I more so feel indifferent yet exhilarated. Not in what I am losing but more so in what I am gaining. This is a huge stepping stone for me. It is in my nature to not let go. It is in my nature to give people and things the benefit of the doubt and keep it moving. but no. Now, today, is time for me to move forward.

I recently read Jess Graves (from The Love List) post on dating. She stated,

"We aren't always the best version of ourselves. We're all stumbling around blindly, trying to figure it out and do the best we can. Sometimes though, you can't just win and you aren't going to. You have to suck it up, buttercup. Collect yourself, forgive yourself, and move on."

This is so true. It is okay to let things go holding you back and not holding you down. And by holding you down I mean things that are progressive or have your best interest at hand.  I will cry about it. I will pray about it and just have high hopes that I am making the right decision in my life for ME right NOW!

These next few weeks I will be traveling to six different states. I will focus on turning my mindset from what it is to something better. I'm excited.

I JUST read this tweet:

"I guess I must hurt in order to grow, fail in order to know, and lose in order to gain. Some lessons in life are best learned through pain."

There is not much more I can add other than that. So LET'S GO!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

XO

"Sweet Life"

Why hello there. Happy JULY! Happy Tuesday. I have been so extremly busy right now I have had no time for myself let alone time to sit and write up a post. This is my 15th day in the office. But as my show, The General Convention of the Episcopal Church, is finally coming to a close as of this upcoming Saturday I have found some time on my hands.

Did you do anything for the 4th of July? I know I am late as ever LOL. I went out on my uncle's boat for a little while then my girlfriends, Britt & Laura, came to pick me up and we did the most! We attempted to watch the fireworks from Lucas Oil Stadium Balcony but clearly we were late. #FAIL! But we ended up going out downtown and also Broad Ripple. It was a good time so I can't complain too much. I def. regretted it the next day when I had to be up for work at 6AM! I guess this is an appropriate time to throw a YOLO in there. LOL.

I am finally on book 2 of '50 Shades'. There are so many things about this book that have been pissing me all the way off. but I guess that happens. I think the books are just okay. What do you think? They def. have my attention and I will more than likely read all three books. And I can't life that they have me feeling some kind of way... those of you who have read them for sure know what I mean. Thoughts?

July 7th was my father's 50th Birthday. His wife threw a surirpise birthday party for him at Pat Flynn's Bar. (tacky) But that is her. She asked me to make a collage for him, one of my talents, plus he loves them. But I just haven't had the time. And she decided to make one herself and cut my grandmother (My dad's mom) and I out of every picture. LOL but whatever. It was still a good evening. I enjoyed myself. I have never once had a drank with my dad. He doesn't even drink So I thought it would be a nice gesture to buy him a shot... of tequila. lol. A good way to bring in both of our monmumental years.

Have you seen any good movies lately? I recently saw Spiderman, Savages, & Ted. I liked them all. Seriously. I kind of fell asleep in Spiderman but I was just so exhausted. But it was good (the parts I did see). And Savages was really good. But I am biased because I love love love Blake Lively!

That has really been all that has been going on in my life. I leave for LA 2 weeks from Friday. I so can't wait. so today I will get back on my workout grind! I need to read this every day! 31 Ways to motivate yourself to hit the gym! But this is more like me. LOL

This morning I download Frank Ocean's 'Channel Orange' album. I am excited to go home and listen to it all the way through today! Especially after all the publicity he has had lately. Check out my friend Greg's thoughts on Frank Ocean "coming out". If you do not want to pay here is a link to the album. I just recently downloaded Maroon 5 & Chris Brown I can't wait to check them all out also. Hopefully they will be as good as Dom Kennedy's latest piece of work.

Link lovin:

- Want to know what happy people have in common?

- Want to keep up with upscale trends? here is how to not spend a ton of money!

- I have found a new love for, "The Simply Luxurious Life" blog. I have followed it for awhile but I guess never paid attention. But it is great! Here are some tips on how to uncomplicate your life.

- Twilight Saga is about to come to an end this November. Here is the preview. It honestly looks stupid. I will still go see it just because. But UGH! & WTH is the deal with Kristen Stewart being the highest paid actress? I seriously cannot stand her! ANYTHING about her!

- The Atlantic talks about why women STILL can't have it all. #hmph

- Oh wow. Here are some pretty cool photos that will help restore your faith in humanity.

- Why more people should Promote from within.

- I still can't do the smoky eye look. Here is a 2 step video. Lets see if I can get it down now!

RIP Nora Ephron-

"And then the dreams break into a million tiny pieces. The dream dies. Which leaves you with a choice: you can settle for reality, or you can go off, like a fool, and dream another dream."

Have a wonderful rest of the week.

XO, Linds