Loving myself...

I find it ironic that today's post for the Valentine's Day linkup is about loving yourself, because that's something I've struggled with for a while now. I live by the phrase, "if you want something right you have to do it yourself". I like getting things done, and I like to be in control. The problem is, I've always been a perfectionist. And eventually I became 'not good enough' for the high standards I had set for myself. I won't go into much detail, because I can't exactly keep track of who reads this and there are things that I'd rather not spread around the Internet. But just know that it's become very hard to love myself. I'm always trying to get better instead of being happy with who I am. And wanting to improve yourself is fine, I'm not saying that's wrong. But it's become unhealthy for me. I'm trying to change my mindset, and currently struggling in the fight of my life. I don't want to be unhappy. I just want to love myself. It's just not easy. So I've taken to collecting some inspiration to replace the "thinspiration" I had been collecting. Here are a few of my favs:

{A small part of me really wants this one as a tattoo}

All of that being said, my favorite feature is my eyes. They've never changed my entire life, and they're always the first thing people comment on. They give me a great innocent look, and give away my emotions even when I'm trying to hide them. No matter how tired I am, or how fat I think I look, or how badly I think I'm doing in life, my eyes are always the same. They always stare back at me in the mirror with the same look. They hold back tears and burn with anger. They sparkle when I'm happy, and I love them.

All bundled up in Colorado

At a Stars game with the boy who always makes me feel beautiful

(plus aren't his baby blues gorgeous? i'm so jealous haha)

It might be a long journey. I might struggle my whole life. But I'm not going to give in. I'm too strong for that. I will learn to love myself. <3

Makeover Monday

Today for Makeover Mondays I'm looking at my kitchen. I'm in a (small) apartment with a (small) kitchen that I'm honestly not a huge fan of. But slowly and surely I am working on fixing it up, since I'll probably be in this apartment until I graduate (which is a year and a half away!). 

Here's a few photos of my kitchen...not very impressive. Not even clean right now, ugh. This was right after I finished cooking, for the record. I'm not messy and gross all of the time!

Here are some small ideas from various websites (click for the link!) that I plan on implementing to improve my space:

Loving the pegboard idea for pots and utensils. I don't think I would paint mine bright green, although it's a pretty awesome color. Just wouldn't go with the rest of the kitchen/living room. Fairly cheap and easy storage for my quickly growing collection.

I love how these jars are all different. I've definitely started scouting the thrift stores for some, along with Hobby Lobby and Michaels (they're cheap with a 40% off coupon!). I don't have a pantry, so I figure if I have to show everyone my food I might as well show it off in girly containers!

My garbage can is black and already a bit yucky, so I think I'll grab a can of spraypaint for plastic and get after it this weekend. I'm thinking a dark brown/bronze color...maybe it will hide the fingerprints and food residue better. :P

I had the idea last week to frame some of my grandmother's and great-grandmother's old recipe cards and hang them in the kitchen. It's art that I can also use as a reference when I'm trying to re-create those recipes. Then I found that someone else had this idea as well...great minds think alike!

I'm quickly running out of drawer space in my kitchen, and am looking for alternate ways to store my kitchen utensils. Someone was selling this on Etsy, but it's not there anymore. But it would be so easy to make, and how cute would it be filled with spoons and spatulas?

That's it for now...Anything you're "making over" for Makeover Monday?

I love to be creative...but sometimes it's hard

Every year I say that I'm going to make/give Valentines to everyone around me. And every year I lose track of time, V-Day sneaks up on me, and I don't send them out. The same thing almost happened this year, but I happened to look at my planner tonight and realized that I have 8 days to figure out what I'm doing. I'm just at a total loss for what to do. I feel so UN-creative right now it's not even funny. I don't even know what I'm going to do for the Boyfriend yet! (shhh don't tell him!) 

Here are a few of the ideas I've compiled so far 
CAUTION - Extreme cheesiness ahead (because I think it's adorable)

I'm lucky to have you - too bad I can't find mini-boxes of just this cereal. Good for the cereal-loving sweetheart, though

You rock - This would be so cute for a classroom or other situation where you have to make a lot of Valentines

This "I love you" card is adorable...and photos aren't expensive if you're making a few of these (buy 25 get 25 free at Walgreens this week!)

You color my world - I am in LOVE with the idea of taking old crayons and using them to make new heart-shaped crayons

Pretty frosted sugar cookies are always a good way to go...because who doesn't like sweets?

I love you to pieces - So presh (did I really just say presh?), and really inexpensive. Also great for larger groups.

Any other ideas? Let me know! No, seriously please let me know haha. I can always use more inspiration!

Oh, Monday

I am a sucker for these survey things. I found this one earlier tonight (while procrastinating  taking a break from studying), and decided to fill it out. Feel free to fill it out as well and comment below so I can see your answers as well! :)

Answer the following with two words

1. Where is your cell phone? ....................blinged up

2. Your significant other?......................biggest fan

3. Your hair?....................................visible roots

4. Your mother? .................................too far

5. Your father?..................................watching football

6. Your favorite thing?..........................good music

7. Your dream last night?........................don't remember

8. Your favorite drink...........................iced coffee

9. Your dream/goal?..............................help kids

10. The room you're in?..........................quiet library

11. Your children?.....................................none (yet) ;)

12. Your fear?...................................forever alone

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years...........with him

14. Where were you last night?...................hockey game

15. What you're not?.............................patient, confident

16. Muffins...................................... chocolate chip

17. One of your wish list items?.................fondue pot

18. Where you grew up?...........................south texas

19. What you read last........................the Bible

20. What are you wearing?........................comfy clothes

21. Your TV?.....................................pretty old

22. Your pet(s)?..................................my baby

23. Your computer? .............................. right here

24. Your life?...................................so busy

25. Your mood?...................................stressing out

26. Missing someone?.............................Fun Lauren

27. Your car?....................................needs cleaning

28. Something you're not wearing?................my jewelry

29. Favorite Store?..............................Target dog

30. Your summer?.................................Fort Worth

31. Like someone?................................Of course!

32. Your favorite color?.........................royal purple

33. Last time you laughed........................after church

34. Last time you cried?.........................during church

Fashion Friday: Go Red

As you may or may not know, today is National Wear Red Day to raise awareness for heart disease, specifically in women. This cause is close to my heart, because my grandmother had heart problems and died a year ago this month. So today, I wear red for her. I wear red for the other strong women (and men) who battle heart disease. It's not a lot, but it's something simple I can do.

Today I'm linking up with Kori for fashion Fridays, and the theme will obviously be red.

Head over to Blonde Episodes and link up with us...and have a Fabulous (and Fashionable) Friday! :)

I Love Weddings

Today is my first day to link up for the Fabulous Valentine Challenge, and it's "I Love Weddings".

While I haven't gotten married yet...and am not even close to tying the knot, I have no personal photos to show y'all. Instead, I'm going to share some cute wedding photos that I am currently in love with (and would love to incorporate into my own wedding when that day comes).

The love between the Boyfriend and I is simple and romantic...and I want my wedding to be the same way (preferably with him haha). 

This photo is actually taken at our university...the sun behind the water is a gorgeous backdrop

A cardigan, sweetheart neckline, bouquet with a homemade feel, and simply lovely hair

I'm a sucker for the whole "don't see the bride" tradition...and this totally feeds into that!

LOVE this photo of all of the wedding guests, or close friends/family

Love the idea of a dessert bar

Along with a simple cake (PS: loving all of those vintage accents!)

This is the most precious cake topper I've ever seen

These hanging lanterns are to die for!

And obviously some adorable photos with the new hubby would be in order

{all photos courtesy of Pinterest.com, except for the wedding cake one from the always wonderful Kate's Cakes}

Photo-a-Day

I heard about the "Photo a Day" challenge yesterday while looking through everyones' blogs, and knew immediately that I had to join up. I feel like I don't take nearly enough photos of my everyday life, and maybe this will help me appreciate the little things more. Looking forward to big events is nice, but we were not meant to dread the "everyday grind" as Gary Henry says in his book Reaching Forward. 

{side note: it's a pretty good book, with one-page devotional readings for each day of the year...a group of us are working through it for our girls' Bible study every other week and it's really helped me to apply the Bible to my daily life}

Anyway...look for my photos at the end of February. The link/button is above. Feel free to join and comment on my post at the end of the month! :)