What to do when… Wanting to survive the (Texas) Heat

Now, I know not all of y’all live in Texas so I’m not going to get super specific with this post. However, it doesn’t take a meterologist to know that the state of Texas and the majority of country is dealing with some ridiculous amounts of heat. Some days I feel like not even two Texas sized thunderstorms will be able to cool me down. Considering that, I’m sure a-lot of y’all are also facing the same problem with trying to survive (and maybe escape) the heat. So below I have listed out a few things that have helped me with the heat I’ve dealt with while being in the South for a good twenty years–enjoy! (:

Drink it up, baby! 

A sure fire way to cool off definitely is by pouring yourself a glass of your favorite summer drink. Lately, I have come to find that Lemonade and Black Cherry Juice go great together and comes together to make something tasty real tasty (plus, both are good for you in moderation). If you are interested in something with a little bit more oomph then go to the link provided below, Women’s Health magazine will definitely help ya out with that!

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/healthy-drinks-0

Cool off in the water! 

The local pool may not be a favorite spot during the day, but at night it may be a totally different situation. You will never know until you go and find out for yourself!

Have a movie night in! 

Whether with your sweetie, family, or some friends, having an inside movie get-together is a perfect way to get away from the heat. As much publicity as summer blockbusters in the theaters get, watching a movie in the comfort of your own place allows for the movie watching experience to be more enjoyable. Plus, you don’t have to pay those ridiculous prices for your favorite snacks and drinks! Also, when in a movie theatre you can’t make have your own commentary (like Romy and Michelle had while watching Pretty Woman) which is definitely no fun.

I know it isn’t Wednesday, but tomorrow being July 4th and all i’ll be quite busy all day so I am posting this a day early.

I hope y’all have a lovely July 4th wherever y’all are! (: 

 

(image 1: womenshealthmag.com; image 2: shorewood-hills.org ; image 3: rottentomatoes.com)

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What to do when…. You wanna get your prep on

For many, Summer is creeping on you faster and faster. Such summer classics like the bikini, shorts, and flirty summer dresses having been given a preppy punch to them. Being from the South, I tend to adore the preppy style. However, most who know me would have never guessed this since I keep that fact generally to myself.

Well, now that the cat is out of the bag lets talk brands! Obviously you cannot talk prep without mentioning Lilly Pulitizer or Ralph Lauren, who could be crowned the king and queen of preppy style in my mind. What has given these two their staying power really is how they stick to a classic shape and then just re-invent it.

If you are wanting to achieve the preppy style, it’s definitely best to stick to the basics. As stereotypical as a polo is, it definitely works for most (unless of course you’re large in the chest area). Another basic would have to be a button down shirt, which can be dressed up or down. Chambray has become a recent prep staple and you can pair a chambray shirt with shorts, white jeans or with a flowy maxi skirt in a pastel color. Definitely can’t forget the color pink, either!

Even though I do admire a girl who can pull off the looks below, I don’t think i’d ever be able to as well as them. Hopefully y’all can in your own unique way!

Also, who wouldn’t want a guy that dresses like this?!

Sorry again for yet another short post, this term is much more hectic than last. So, considering I have another paper and some oh-so wonderful reading awaiting me, time to say adios!

Have a wonderful rest of the week y’all!! (:

What to do when… Wanting to change things up a bit

It’s been a while since i’ve done a What to do Wednesday…  post. Honestly, I have just been so busy doing some spring cleaning around the apartment (still not fully done!) and getting set up for my Spring Term classes. So far, I am loving my classes and am especially enjoying the yoga class I’m taking at the Student Rec Center.

Spring is an amazing time of year. Birds start to come out all a-tweeting, flowers are beginning to bloom, and here in Oregon it isn’t raining every single day (now just every other day). Also, Spring has come to represent a time of change for many people. I have come to embrace change recently. Even in the simplest ways I have changed things up, with buying some new, bright-colored jeans and some new mint nail polish. I have also cut my hair to an even shorter pixie.

It’s traditionally hard for people to embrace change, which is understandable. For instance, having a dad who went to college for a Ranch Management program and who later owned a ranch, I have constantly eaten red meat. Now, my previous statement might lead y’all to think I have turned to a more vegetarian route (umm…no, never) which is not the case. However, I have come to being okay with not eating red meat every day. I also have been eating more and more vegetables and fruit. Already I am starting to feel better and not as ‘heavy’ and have much more energy (though the rain does seem to drain that quite quickly..).

Now, I’m not saying that y’all should go and change some major aspect of your life after reading this. My advice really is just to be open to change and embrace it if it feels right. In my personal opinion, you really aren’t living life if you close yourself off from new opportunities that, in the end, can help you learn something new about yourself. However, I am going to also give a slight warning that what I am saying is to embrace the YOLO (you only live once) attitude that has seem to gone viral. That type of attitude actually hurts you instead of helping you, leaving you with bad consequences and regrets later on down the road.

I hope that y’all embrace the vibe that Primavera gives off and that you have a wonderful Wednesday! 

And now for some inspirational (and never, ever cheesy) images!!! (: 

(first image: motivationintohabit.tumblr.com and the rest are from my Pinterest page: http://pinterest.com/christendp/ )

What to do… When you’re stressing out

We’ve all been there. Working hard the last few days before having some time off and reaching levels of stress that are just so unnecessary. However, when in a stressful situation or by putting stress on yourself due to procrastination (heh heh) there are ways to cope and relax.

While studying for the finals I have next week, I have definitely already have had a few bouts of stress come my way. So I did a Google search, like I always do when dealing with something, on stress. Below are some things to do when stressing out that I found helpful and easy!

Cook! 

Smile! 

Get outside! 

Remember to get your zzz’s!

Take time out to be with friends and family!

Hope these few key tips help y’all. I do believe though the most important thing to do when stressing out is to remove yourself from the situation or environment and do what makes you happy. Oh and do always try to surround yourself with positive things! 

Sorry I couldn’t get into this more but as previously stated, finals are next week. Time to get busy! While of course remembering to take breaks in between studying for myself.

Oh and psst… See that person there on the right in the last photo wearing a Beatles shirt? Yeah, that’s me back in my senior year of high school and one of my best friends. I look so young!

have a great week y’all!! (: 

(photos: 1-glamquotes.com; 2-google search; 3-myself; 4-wrinkledchiffon.com; 5; N. Troxell)

What to do… When you wanna get in shape

Girlies, bikini season will shortly be upon us. Even as I type this I have friends off from their colleges for Spring Break. Don’t panic, the real time to show off our beach bods in our polka dot bikinis is still quite a few weeks away… So chin up!

I’ve always been one to promote a healthy lifestyle–I don’t smoke, drink or do anything really that can harm my body. So it really makes me sad when I see some girls go to such extreme measures such as dieting, fasting, and so forth in order to lose weight. There are so many more options out there to get in shape or lose a little that don’t harm you.

One of the key things to remember if you are trying to get into better shape is that your diet (what you eat) is the main component of getting fit. The phrase “you are what you eat” comes to mind, actually. You can’t to eat junk food a good number of times a week or other fatty foods and expect a better body, even if you do exercise. So it’s best to eat a mixture of foods that are high in vitamins, fiber, and protein.  Also, many times people make the mistake to eat so well and then when something goes wrong they head straight towards the junk food (aka emotional eating). Please don’t do this! It is okay to have a sugary snack every now and then but when you succumb to emotional eating you binge, which is not okay.

Another thing to take in mind is your exercise regiment. Obviously not every program is designed for all and it is best to find the one that suits your body and what it can handle. I, personally, can handle the P90X program though I know many cannot. For some going to their college’s Recreation Center (or nearby gym) work, where they can go on the elliptical machine or the treadmill. Some may prefer to do Yoga or Pilates. Just find what works for you and stick with it. It may be a good idea to do one class of every thing you wish to try and evaluate it down to one by which one you felt did the best for your body and that you also enjoyed the most.

Last, but not least, if you are trying to get in better shape you need to be doing so for yourself and not anybody else. Sounds really corny, I know. However, the results and the feeling of accomplishing this type of goal is so much more amazing if you do it for you and only you.

Below are some images that I hope help and encourage you. Also, please take in mind that I am just like you and the advice I give is not professional. Good luck!!! 🙂

(all images from tumblr)

What to do…. When it’s ugly weather outside

Introducing: What to do…. Wednesdays

So far, I have only done some random posts that project thoughts that constantly whirr in my head. I would like to switch it up a bit by introducing a “stable” post for every Wednesday called What to do Wednesdays. 

Recently, there has been snow (more like slush) storms that have hit Oregon. This leaves for awful weather to walk twenty minutes in just so you can get to class. Also, apparently those who are prone to allergies, such as myself, end up getting sick due to such ugly weather.

In light of this, I have been thinking of things to do to preoccupy myself while avoiding the weather outside. It is never good to depress yourself even further by doing things that won’t lift your spirits, so do things that make you happy. Things that make me happy are:

• Chowing down on Girl Scout cookies until I have had enough (Thin Mints=heaven)
• Skyping with girlfriends whose pretty faces I haven’t seen in forever due to distance
• Organizing my apartment (potential candidate for OCD)
• Watching a Classic movie–anything directed by Hitchcock or anything that has Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly in it is preferred
• Playing some happy music like Sinatra or the Beatles
• Reading a good book
• Making some hot Apple Cinnamon tea and muffins
• Eating a yummy bowl of oatmeal with blueberries in it
• Pinning so much amazing stuff that I find off the internet

The best thing to remember when the weather gets miserable, is that you don’t have to be as miserable as it. Also, bad weather always provide a good opportunity for having some “me time” 🙂