Tuesday, December 14, 2010

60 Things to Make Life More Simple


1. Don’t try to read other people’s minds. Don’t make other people try to read yours. Communicate.
2. Be polite, but don’t try to be friends with everyone around you. Instead, spend time nurturing your relationships with the people who matter most to you.
3. Your health is your life, keep up with it. Get an annual physical check-up.
4. Live below your means. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need. Always sleep on big purchases. Create a budget and savings plan and stick to both of them.
5. Get enough sleep every night. An exhausted mind is rarely productive.
6. Get up 30 minutes earlier so you don’t have to rush around like a mad man. That 30 minutes will help you avoid speeding tickets, tardiness, and other unnecessary headaches.
7. Get off your high horse, talk it out, shake hands or hug, and move on.
8. Don’t waste your time on jealously. The only person you’re competing against is yourself.
9. Surround yourself with people who fill your gaps. Let them do the stuff they’re better at so you can do the stuff you’re better at.
10. Organize your living space and working space.
11. Get rid of stuff you don’t use.
12. Ask someone if you aren’t sure.
13. Spend a little time now learning a time-saving trick or shortcut that you can use over and over again in the future.
14. Don’t try to please everyone. Just do what you know is right.
15. Don’t drink alcohol or consume recreational drugs when you’re mad or sad. Take a jog instead.
16. Be sure to pay your bills on time.
17. Fill up your gas tank on the way home, not in the morning when you’re in a hurry.
18. Use technology to automate tasks.
19. Handle important two-minute tasks immediately.
20. Relocate closer to your place of employment.
21. Don’t steal.
22. Always be honest with yourself and others.
23. Say “I love you” to your loved ones as often as possible.
24. Single-task. Do one thing at a time and give it all you got.
25. Finish one project before you start another.
26. Be yourself.
27. When traveling, pack light. Don’t bring it unless you absolutely must.
28. Clean up after yourself. Don’t put it off until later.
29. Learn to cook, and cook.
30. Make a weekly (healthy) menu, and shop for only the items you need.
31. Consider buying and cooking food in bulk. If you make a large portion of something on Sunday, you can eat leftovers several times during the week without spending more time cooking.
32. Stay out of other people’s drama. And don’t needlessly create your own.
33. Buy things with cash.
34. Maintain your car, home, and other personal belongings you rely on.
35. Smile often, even to complete strangers.
36. If you hate doing it, stop it.
37. Treat everyone with the same level of respect you would give to your grandfather and the same level of patience you would have with your baby brother.
38. Apologize when you should.
39. Write things down.
40. Be curious. Don’t be scared to learn something new.
41. Explore new ideas and opportunities often.
42. Don’t be shy. Network with people. Meet new people.
43. Don’t worry too much about what other people think about you.
44. Spend time with nice people who are smart, driven, and likeminded.
45. Don’t text and drive. Don’t drink and drive.
46. Drink water when you’re thirsty.
47. Don’t eat when you’re bored. Eat when you’re hungry.
48. Exercise every day. Simply take a long, relaxing walk.
49. Let go of things you can’t change. Concentrate on things you can.
50. Find hard work you actually enjoy doing.
51. Realize that the harder you work, the luckier you will become.
52. Follow your heart. Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires.
53. Set priorities for yourself and act accordingly.
54. Take it slow and add up all your small victories.
55. However good or bad a situation is now, it will change. Accept this simple fact.
56. Excel at what you do. Otherwise you’ll just frustrate yourself.
57. Mature, but don’t grow up too fast.
58. Realize that you’re never quite as right as you think you are.
59. Build something or do something that makes you proud.
60. Make mistakes, learn from them, laugh about them, and move along.

Have a lovely day!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Yummy Treats

Lately, I have been really missing cooking. Well, not really cooking but baking. So I started browsing all kinds of foodie blogs! For the record that's a terrible idea when you have no kitchen. Anyway, I found these delectable looking treats that are very easy to make and perfect for holiday get togethers, edible gifts, and just munching! Bon appetit!

Golden Grahams with Chocolate Drizzle

Yields: Enough for 8 - 10

1 box of Golden Grahams
1 12 oz. bag of semi - sweet chocolate

In a double boiler melt the chocolate. On a cookie sheet, spread out a single layer of the golden grahams. Once semi - cooled but still melted, pour into a normal ziplock bag and push it to one edge on the bag. Snip the corner of the bag and drizzle the chocolate over the layer of golden grahams. Repeat. Let cool until the chocolate hardens. 
Nutty Crunchy Chocolate Covered Pretzels

 Yields: Enough for 8 - 10

1 medium bag of salted pretzels
1 12 oz. bag of semi - sweet chocolate
1 cup of walnuts (pecans or almonds would also be fine), chopped 

Over a double boiler melt the chocolate. Using a butter knife spread the chocolate on the pretzel (it doesn't matter how messy it looks). Repeat. Before the chocolate hardens, sprinkle the chopped nuts all over. Let cool completely.

Classic Crunchy Peppermint Bark

Yields: About enough for 10 - 15 people

2 12 oz. bags of semi-sweet chocolate
2 12 oz. bags of white chocolate
1 bag of starlight mints or 1 package of candy canes, 1/2 chopped and 1/2 pulverized*

To melt the chocolate you can use a double boiler or if you do not have one, you can simply simmer water in a large pot and place a bowl that fits in the rim on top so that the heat from the simmering water will hit the bottom of the bowl. Melt both the white and semi-sweet chocolate separately. On a large sheet of wax paper, pour the melted semi-sweet chocolate and spread evenly to about 1/2 centimeter thick. Mix the pulverized candy canes into the melted white chocolate, then spread over the semi-hardened semi-sweet chocolate and spread evenly. Sprinkle the chopped candy canes on top. Let cool and harden for 24 hours. Break apart and serve!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Lovely Bracelets

I'm not one to wear a lot of jewelry, but when I do I absolutely love it! Plus, even if you don't wear it, you can still admire it right?

Anyway, I think bracelets are an easy way to ease into wearing more jewelry. So, I've been searching and here's some I found...

Wilma Bracelet


Saturn Bracelet
Bright Eyes Bracelet

Fabric Flower Chain Bracelet


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Lauren Hutton On Timeless Style & Other Things...


I think this slide show is fantastic!

What a pretty clutch bag!

The Top Ten Internet Searches of 2010 - interesting.

I am determined to make these yummy Ultimate Jumbo Filled Chocolate Cupcakes!

Women in D.C. Power List - and their philosophy on style, manner & life.

 An article on The Button Store in L.A. - so cool! I want to go!

Such a cute blouse from B.R.

Norma Kamali is back at Walmart! I especially love this blouse!


Have a lovely evening! For me it's off to dinner then lots and lots of studying!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Things I Love Right Now

I am absolutely in love with these...

ASOS Premium Lace and Velvet Drape Dress
Gap Wool Blend Funnel Neck Coat


J.Crew Moonbeam Sequined Blazer
Ralph Lauren Dory Silk Ruffle Skirt

Friday, November 26, 2010

Christmas Season!

It's officially Christmas season! Which means Christmas music, frantic shopping and holiday get-togethers! And that is why I was so excited when I saw this beautiful red & white tablescape!




So festive! I can't wait for Christmas!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

ban.do

I just discovered this adorable website ban.do! They have fun accessories that feature bold colors and patterns. I love it!


Almost everything is twenty-five dollars so these are perfect for Christmas gifts and birthday presents!

Monday, November 15, 2010

bangs

I keep toying with the idea of getting bangs. Not side bangs, but the long, fringe-y bangs that keep popping up everywhere. The problem is that I am fairly certain that they will look horrendous on me.


I've tried simulating bangs with my hair - but we all know that always looks ridiculous no matter how long you spend trying to make the ends the same length and space the hair evenly across your forehead. 
After my Locks for Love chop I just want to grow out my hair, get it cut into a V-shape in the back and have princess hair. If only I could get bangs out of my head. Maybe I'll just go for it. If worst comes to worst I'll just have to hear a poof every day for the next few months!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

it's a beautiful day don't let it get away


Don't you love these? It's been a lovely weekend! 
Today was chilly and I spent the day snuggled up with some books, I made a headband and I realized that there are only forty-one days until Christmas!
 I'm going home for Thanksgiving in ten days! We're going to take a family picture, go to the museums downtown, go for a hike and of course do some shopping on Black Friday! I cannot wait!

Friday, November 12, 2010

J.Crew Spring 2011

Just in case you didn't know I'm obsessed with J.Crew. I love pretty much everything about it which is why I was so excited for them to release their new Spring 2011 collection! But it's even better than I expected! I can't wait to get my hands on it!




Thursday, November 11, 2010

9 Steps to a More Interesting Life

  1. Meet More People
  2. Take Up New Hobbies
  3. Be Spontaneous
  4. Tackle Your Fears
  5. Do Things You Know You Won't Like
  6. Add Spice to Your Life
  7. Orient Purpose Outside Yourself
  8. Abandon Dead-Ends
  9. Never Settle

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

P.S. - I Made This

Do you know about P.S. - I Made This? You should!

P.S. - I Made This gives step-by-step directions on how to make trendy, fashion-forward items. The creator Erica Domesek is a DIY expert who strives to inspire readers to re-imagine, re-use and re-invent. Her motto is "I see it, I like it, I make it."


If you haven't seen it you should definitely give it a look! It really does challenge you to look at things a little more creatively.

Have a lovely afternoon! Enjoy the gorgeous Fall weather!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Autumn!

Yesterday was the first day it was cool here! I use the term "cool" in a relative sense. It was still seventy degrees. But, it was cool enough to start wearing Autumn-ish clothes! Yay! I love cardigan weather! Anyway, here are things that I love, love, love for Fall!



I love that you can layer everything in the Fall! I am all about sweaters over cute ruffle-y tops and scarves under coats!
The clothes are mostly from J.Crew (of course), Express, WetSeal and Banana Republic. They range from pretty expensive to dang cheap! I hope that you love all your Autumn clothes! Wear them while you can!

Have a fabulous day!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

tuesday, tuesday, tuesday

Today is a busy day! I have class in an hour then I get to attend several lectures by author Sonia Nazario! Then hopefully I'll get to do my laundry and squeeze in some studying!

While I was getting ready to start the day I found these cute things:


These cupcakes look delicious and who wouldn't be impressed?

This weekend my friend and I are going to the pet store to hold puppies! They're so cute and cuddly!

The most requested celebrity hairstyles in American salons...

Potentially my favorite Etsy shop!

I want to read Click so badly!


Enjoy your Tuesday!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Martha Stewart: The Women Who Dress America

This looks so good! Tonight Martha Stewart will be interviewing Diane von Furstenburg, Tory Burch, Donna Karan and Jenna Lyons (9ET/8CT on Hallmark). I won't be able to watch it live, but I can't wait to watch it later this week! It should be fascinating!

I hope you've had a lovely weekend!

Friday, September 17, 2010

ten best things about this week:

1. The weather was sunny and gorgeous all week long!
2. I discovered the dining hall has very vanilla soy milk - my favorite!
3. I got a rainy day care package from home!
4. I survived my first college tests!
5. I worked out!
6. I met another Marylander!
7. I found my study spot for the semester!
8. I got to write letters to friends at college!
9. I read Common Sense by Thomas Paine and felt very scholarly!
10. I found a breakfast buddy!

It's been a long week, but tomorrow I get to go to a football game (whooo!) and then going Texas Two-Stepping! Sunday it's back to the books, but that's okay!
 
Have a lovely Friday night!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

it's thursday!



I think these look so cute and yummy!

Don't you just love Marc Jacobs? Check out his Spring 2011 Collection

More reasons to love Vaseline!

I am obsessed with these earrings 



A man dedicated to saving Sea Turtles!

When you're living in a tiny dorm room, Breathing Space is a necessity!



Have a happy Thursday!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Monday, August 23, 2010

dorm room!


So I'm settled in! My parents have gone home, and I'm really missing them. They really helped me get everything together before they left though! My stuff is all organized, I have plenty of yummy snacks, and my floor is clean! Here is a picture of part of my room!

I'm so happy that I got the super bright bedspread! It makes my room just a little bit happier looking! 
Anyway, I'm here and I'm happy. This week campus is crazy with tons of events mostly featuring free food (fabulous!) and music. It's going to be awesome!

More updates soon! XOXO,
Molly

Saturday, August 21, 2010

I'M HERE!

After what seemed like an eternal wait i'm finally in college! I have had the most amazing four days! I love everyone, literally everyone, that I have met so far. Just when I was starting to really miss my family, my parents came into town. It's been awesome! 

Tonight my parents and I started the move in and set up process, so we will hopefully be finished by tomorrow night! I'll put up pictures! For now though, I have to get some shut eye. I'm exhausted!

xoxo,
Molly

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

scrapbooking

I love the idea of scrap booking. I love that you have all your pictures in this one place and it's pretty and organized and you can enjoy them. The problem is whenever I start a scrap booking project I lose motivation halfway through and then I never finish. So I waste a book and supplies and a lot of time. 

 

This morning I was on Martha Stewart's website (shocking, I know) and I saw the coolest scrap book ideas. I am now determined to make an awesome scrap book over winter break! That gives me plenty of time to work up the motivation, and plan out exactly what I want to do. Then, I can take my pretty scrap book back to college with me, and I will be able to look through it when I get homesick. I'm excited.

This is my favorite!