Under the same sun

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"Under the bright sun, many of us are gathered together with different languages, different styles of dress, even different faiths. However, all of us are the same in being humans, and we all uniquely have the thought of 'I' and we're all the same in wanting happiness and in wanting to avoid suffering."

-Dalai Lama-

Photo by Tina Sonsa, on Flickr.

B+G flower tattoo

I'm really loving the look of these tattoos. I love black and grey tattoos anyway - I don't think I'd ever get a color one (then again, I said I'd never get a tattoo with words). These flower ones on the shoulder are calling out to me! I love the middle one. Find more on my Pinterest!

"It's a helluva start, being able to realize what makes you happy." -Lucille Ball

The other day I got the book that I ordered by Dakota Wint, A Nervous Wreck That's Faking Fine. I'm so excited, you guys! He signed it and everything!! Now I just need to sit down and take it all in.

How are you guys doing? Tell me about your life! What's something you're super happy about right now?

P.S. I really appreciate all the views my vegan diet post got! Thanks, search engines, for bringing readers to my blog to read up on my plant-based thoughts ;)

Warm breeze

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Honestly, what's better than the sun shining, the windows open, and the Summer breeze coming through? This picture makes me feel something happy!

By Hailey DeRoo, on Instagram.

Vegan Diet

Hey all! So I was thinking about what to post and then I said 'duh!' Lately I watched a movie called Unsupersize Me and I just found it to be so eye opening and interesting. I've heard and thought a lot about doing the plant-based diet and I feel like the movie answered a lot of questions I had about the whole thing.

Have any of you tried it? Even for a short time? The only question I really had was, does it work even if you don't work out for more than an hour each day? Does it require a vigorous exercise routine to actually take effect? I'll have to do more research about that part.

I'm so interested!! I would really like to try it, especially seeing the results of the movie! I think that's it's good because you're just eating organic things from the Earth, rather than animal products. It's not boring either, which is something I was worried about! There are SO many vegan recipes, it's crazy!

I'd really like to stop putting junk into my body and just take a few months, at least, to gain back my health. I think it would be great for my body, skin, mood, and just overall happiness.

This Summer there's a new movie coming out called Unsupersize Us, which involves 5 people doing the pan-based diet and how it changed their life. I can't wait! So, let me know what you think! I'd love feedback!!

The photos are from my Pinterest - they're some examples of vegan recipes!

5 happy things

1. Healthy Living

I've being trying to drink more water, eat more veggies, and go to the gym more. I actually love going to the gym while I'm here because the one I go to is small and always empty. It's basically a personal gym! I'm struggling a little bit with eating better, but with the help of being home and my positivity Instagram, I feel like I'm doing an alright job!

2. Best friends

I love being back because, while of course I have friends at school, my best friends of 10+ years live here and it's so fun getting together, hanging out, and doing what we love. Card games, movies, adventures. So fun!

3. No stress

With the school year being over, I don't have to worry about homework and balancing school with work. While I definitely do need a job this Summer, I'm not stressing about it. I really needed to just take some time to myself - pamper, bake cookies, see old friends. Once I feel ready to take on a responsibility, I'll head out to the job!

4. Expressing myself

This one is so random, but the other day I went to a dinner party with family and my nose piercing and tattoo because a huge part of the conversation that evening. Who knew! I honestly forget I have half this stuff because I don't feel it, you know? I never really thought about how I'm the only one in the family with piercings and tattoos. They weren't dissing me, but it was just a lot of "why would you want that?" and "why go through such pain for that?" Stuff like that. I encouraged my little cousins to express themselves! Maybe not in the same way, but I love my piercings and tattoos!

5. Nice weather / no allergies

The weather has been super iffy lately - rainy and chilly. Every now and then it gets really nice, though! AND this is the first year in MANY years I haven't had terrible allergies! I still had them, but they barely bothered me. It was so crazy! Hopefully this happens every year ;)

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For healthy skin, healthy body, and healthy mind!

Photo from here.

PS. Last night I drank soda for the first time in a little while. Wow, I can feel it! All that sugar really threw me off!

Currently

Loving: Being back home. While, of course, I do miss Boston, it's nice having home cooked meals and a private, clean bathroom. Those are things you can never get enough of! While I would rather be in Boston a majority of the time, I also really love the little things about being back in PA.

Watching: Suspect on MTV. Have you seen it? I heard about it and then started watching it on Hulu and I finished season 1 in less than a day. It's so good! 

Reading: I just finished Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and now I'm starting Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm so excited! I've heard such great things about this book and just skimming through the pages, it looks super interesting.

  

Anticipating: All the Summer adventures! My friend, Alexandra, and I have so many things on our to-do list. We have so many beaches and road trips to take! It's going to be a fun Summer.

Listening: LEMONADE by Beyonce. Please tell me you're obsessed too! I love it, I've had it on repeat for weeks. I also love The Lumineers new album, Cleopatra.

 Working on: Finding a Summer job. I'm struggling a little, but I'm not going to stress about it too much! It'll fall into place some time. There are a bunch of things out there, but I also want to have fun with friends and go on adventures! I don't want to have to say "I can't, I have to work," every time someone asks me to hang out.

What have you been up to? Write your own 'currently' post and link to me! I'd love to read them! Thanks to Dani from Sometimes Sweet for this post idea and the picture above is from my Tumblr :)

Me Before You

Have you read Me Before You by Jojo Moyes? I've heard a lot about this author recently, so the first one I read was One Plus One and it was great! I have to say that Me Before You was SO good though. I leant it to my friend so she can read it before the movie comes out on June 3rd and we can see it together.

It's about a girl who is looking for a new job and stumbles upon one working with a guy who is a quadriplegic. He teaches her about finding adventure in life and doing what makes her happy. I don't want to give too much away, but I definitely recommend! You should definitely read this book before the movie comes out as well!

I hope you're having a great Thursday!

The photo is from The Reading Bee, on Instagram.

Summer break

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Hey guys, it's been a little while! I'm finally back in PA for Summer break and it's been a busy 2 weeks! The end of school was super busy because of finals, packing, saying goodbye to new friends, and exploring my last bit of Boston before I go back in August. Lately I've been hanging out with old friends and searching for Summer jobs. No luck so far, but I'll find something! I'm going to try not to stress about it - there's something out there, I just have to deal with my mom nagging me about it until it happens ;)

Right now I just want to sit outside, drink some iced coffee, read books, and eat homemade food! Let the Summer begin!

Photo from this Tumblr.

Belgium

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Bruges Market Square, taken by Thomas3667 on Flickr. I love photos taken at night! There's a certain comfort to them that I can't describe...

LEMONADE

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Have you guys listened to Beyonce's new album? I'm kind of obsessed. I listen to it pretty much every time I walk to class. And the video? Pure art! So great. If you haven't given it a listen - do it! Just get the first month for free ;)

Skincare

Readers: help! Recently I've been breaking out so badly and usually once I do a little something to bring attention to it, it clears up. I've been having trouble clearing it up! Here is my usual skincare routine:

I start by taking my make up off with Lush's 9 to 5 cream cleanser. I like using this before I wash my face because it really makes my face smooth and clean.

Then, once in the shower, I wash my face with Biore's Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser. I got this a week or 2 ago because my last face wash ran out. I've heard that charcoal does great things for your skin, so I thought I'd give it a go. I love how it makes my skin feel! You can tell it's really working.

Next, once I'm out of the shower, I LOVE the Cold Cream Cleanser by Pond's. I rub it all over my face and then take a wet wash cloth and wipe it off. This is, hands down, probably my favorite skincare product.

And then finally, when I'm breaking out badly or have 1 or 2 big spots, I like to use my Mary Kay spot treatment gel. I honestly can't tell if this makes a difference or not, but it's just kind of a security blanket when my face gets bad. Haha!

I feel like I have a pretty good routine going, so I'm not sure why it won't get better! Actually, I feel like I do know but I'm in denial. I think it's my eating habits. They've been so bad lately and I think it's showing on my skin. Maybe a combination with light stress as well. When I go home next week, I want to take a day and put on a face mask and just do a lot for my skin. It's been a while since I've had the time to take care of it that way!

What is your skincare routine? Does it work well for you? What are some ways you do self care?

Wallflower

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I found this photo set on Tumblr the other day and I loved it! I never really took in all the great lines in this movie. I know all the cliche ones, but some parts like this are so overlooked!

It's finals week, y'all! I'm SO busy with work, school, and packing. It's absolutely mind blowing to me that the year is ending. I've said it enough, but I'll say it again: I don't want to leave! I'm so not ready to pack my things and go back to PA. Ahh so sad!

I hope you have a happy hump day. May the 4th be with you!

Pretty Earth

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Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books. 

John Lubbock

Photo by Danielle Nelson

Happy May!

Wow, I can't believe this month is actually here! It comes with a lot of mixed emotions. I really don't want to leave Boston for the Summer. I love my room, friends, and pretty much everything. Agh, it's ending so soon I'm not ready!

On another note, what have you been reading lately? I'm reading Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. I've heard good things and wanted to get through it all before the movie comes out in June! I'm getting through it super quickly and I really love it. I think I'll read After You next, but then I'm going to need some Summer reading recommendations.

Hope you had an awesome weekend! Here's to May!

Photo by Cathy Sly, on Flickr.