Monday Musings

Welcome back to my Monday Musings.
These are things I've been thinking about and it's a fun way to discover new music, books, tv shows, etc...

What I'm Listening To: Coldplay's New Album, specifically the song 'Amazing Day'

I wish they had an official video out, but they are so good live.

This whole album is amazing.

My boyfriend hates Coldplay...what's wrong with him?! :|

I love Coldplay and would pay so much money to see them live!

What I'm Reading: Brit + Co

I got the app a few days ago and have been reading everything.

The topics range from DYI and fashion to food and health.

It even offers online classes on photography, calligraphy, nail art, beer brewing, and more!

It's just a fun website/app to read articles about whatever interests you.

What I'm Watching: I just finished watching 'Chelsea Does' on Netflix.

Pic

I liked it a lot.

I've always thought Chelsea was hilarious, but I liked how she was able to go al little bit deeper, especially with the racism episode.

I really hope there is a second season!

My boyfriend also got me hooked on 'The Jinx'.

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Holy moly.

This was intense.

I'm very interested to watch his upcoming trial.

Now that I'm done with both of those, I've started re-watching 'Game of Thrones' from the beginning.

I haven't seen the last few seasons, but I forgot where I left off, so I just started over.

What I'm Eating: Fruits & Veggies!

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At work we're doing a wellness challenge.

We get points for eating fruits and vegetables, weighing in, losing or maintaining weight, working out, and various other things.

Admittedly, I do not eat enough veggies.

I'd pick a fruit bowl over broccoli and carrots any day.

A personal goal is to eat 3 vegetables a day and only 1 or 2 fruits.

What I'm Wearing: Hempz Creamy Papaya & Shea

Found here

I found this at Ulta and fell in love.

It's not there anymore though!

I had to buy pomegranate this time, which I'm hoping I'll love just as much.

It doesn't leave me feeling greasy, and keeps my super dry skin feeling moisturized and soft all day.

I'm hoping I find the Papaya & Shea again soon!

Let me know below in the comments what you're currently loving!
XO

Oh Happy Day!

Today was tough, but I was determined to find happiness.
I desperately needed new running shoes after obliterating mine from hiking the past few days.
They are covered in mud.
They're also almost 1 1/2 years old and I put a lot of miles into those shoes.
I love Brooks so I decided to stick with them...

Nordstrom

I was torn at first because the shop down the street had these shoes in a really pretty coral/pink ombre color, but they were a little more expensive.

I went home and decided since my last pair of shoes were super bright pink I would go for purple/blue ones.

Plus, it kind of reminds me of a mermaid...so that got me excited too! haha

They should be here in about a week and since it's supposed to snow soon {EEEK!} they will stay nice and pretty longer from just being used at the gym.

The reason today was so tough was because it's been officially a week since my last boy debacle.

I can be really hard on myself after relationships end, even if I know the guy is just a jerk.

I obsess over every text, conversation, meetup...what I did wrong, what I could have done instead.

I know, it's not healthy and I'm working on it!

The truth is, the right guy won't make me wonder if I did something wrong.

I have a lot of emotions to process right now.

I'm the type of person who associates my emotions through music.

I've been listening to a lot of Sara Bareilles lately.

Her songs are heart wrenching, honest, gutsy...

Girl just gets it!

She is so, so talented and seems really fun!

How could you not love her?!
*Warning* Curse words galore in this next song.

The first time I heard this song I was listening to Sara Bareilles station at work through my headphones.
At first, it seemed so cute and fun...then she just started to dropping f-bombs and I laughed so hard.
But isn't that song so true?!

Anyway, I have to be at work bright and early tomorrow and have a fun Saturday night planned, so this girl needs her beauty sleep!

Night loves!

XO

Monday Musings

It's been a while since I did a Monday Musings.
Basically it's a jumble of randomness, so pretty much the same as all my posts.
I really want to log more about my weight loss, as far as exercise and nutrition, because I've had some questions about it.
So hopefully I will get on that soon!
Until then, I leave you with these thoughts...

What I'm Listening To: Dierks Bentley's Riser Album

Seriously, his entire album is amazing.

He is probably my favorite right now.

Even amazingly attractive, successful country stars have heartache too.

Who knew? ;)

What I'm Reading: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Yes, I know I'm way late to the party on this one.

I'm still finishing up Gone Girl and the list of books I have on my Kindle is semi-embarrassing

I've always kind of jumped around when it comes to books.

Read a few chapters then read another book, then back to the first.

Unless I'm instantly hooked on a book and I read it in 2 days {ahem, Twilight...}.

So far, the list looks something like this:

The Single Woman by Mandy Hale: I can relate so much to her, it's scary. Fun fact, she isn't single anymore.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple: I heard so many amazing things about this book. I can't wait to read it.

Divergent by Veronica Roth: Yes, I still haven't started it...

The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks: I have been half way through this book for months now. It's a great story though and it'll probably be the book I finish next.

I have 3 books by Shauna Niequist waiting for me - Bittersweet, Cold Tangerines, and Bread & Wine. I truly love her writing. There's something calming and inspiring about it. Which is probably why I bought all 3 books and haven't read them yet...haha Oops! 

What I'm Watching: Orange is the New Black Season 2

I guess you could say I've been binge watching this.

The show has been out 3 days and I'm already on episode 10.

I love it!

What I'm Eating: Baked Chicken & Black Bean Tacos from Simply Taralynn

I've made these before and I plan on making them this week.

They are sooo delicious.

I am addicted to Mexican food and these were amazing.

They come out crunchy and full of flavor.

Even my dad, who normally sticks his nose up at modified recipes to make them healthier, liked them.

I love Taralynn's blog, and anyone looking for inspiration for health and weight loss should definitely check her out!

What I'm Wearing: Honestly, my fashion has been kind of boring lately.

I wear my Sephora uniform and workout clothes a lot because that's what I've been doing with my time.

Now that I'm losing weight, I need to find some cute clothes that fit well.

Here are some Pinterest outfits I'm loving for summer {keep in mind, Alaska summers can still be chilly}:

I've always loved the mix of structured and flowly.

Skinny jeans with a ruffly top and blazer over a baggy tee.

Just enough to make an outfit look put together without being dressy.

I hope you all have a great day.

Happy Monday!

XO Linds

Monday Musings

What I'm Listening To: Mindy Gledhill's Little Soldier

Oh my gosh, so amazing!

What I'm Reading: Buzzfeed

I love my Girls

I Love Orlando Bloom SO MUCH

I Love Cats

What I'm Watching: Christmas Movies

So far, I've watched Elf, Home Alone, and Bad Santa {at the request of my brother, of course.}

I will definitely also watch The Holiday, Christmas Vacation, and The Muppets A Christmas Carol, which are my absolute favorites!

What I'm Eating: Kastle's Kreations

Dark Chocolate Peppermint, Gingerbread, and Salted Caramel

I went to school with Kastle.

She has a cupcake truck that she parks in different places on different days.

Recently she was on Cupcake Wars and WON!

It was the first team from Alaska to make it and it was so fun to watch her.

Before I even saw her on Cupcake Wars I tried her cupcakes and fell in love.

If you know me at all, or have read my blog for a while, you would know my love for cupcakes.

These are the best I've ever had!

What I'm Wearing: Layers Upon Layers

'Cause baby it's cold outside!

This was Saturday the 14th on my 26th birthday!

 I definitely got a lot of snow even though I didn't wish for it...

I hope your week starts off amazing and stays that way.

Getting closer to Christmas!

Yay!

Stay warm, dears.

XOXO

Monday Musings

What I'm Listening To: Say Something by A Great Big World Ft. Christina Aguilera

I'm a sucker for songs/music videos that make me cry.

This did just that.

I'm in love and have had this song on repeat for over a week.

I think Christina can be a bit of an attention whore {especially on The Voice}, but you can't deny her voice is KILLER!

Especially knowing she had a pretty bad childhood makes this video and her emotions even more real.

What I'm Reading: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Amazon

I hadn't heard anything about this book until recently, but apparently it's really popular.

I'm about 4 chapters in and hooked!

As far as I can tell it's a mystery and about a mans wife who goes missing.

The town starts to suspect this man, Nick, of killing her, but Amy's diary shows a side of her that would make anyone go crazy.

It's really interesting so far!

What I'm Watching: Breaking Bad...still

And I'm not stopping!

What I'm Eating: Moose

Hopefully no one gets upset that I used a picture of Bullwinkle...haha

Ok, this might sound funny to all you non-Alaskans, but moose is really good!

It's very lean and doesn't have a "gamey" taste if cooked certain ways.

I'm willing to bet most people wouldn't be able to tell much of a different between it and beef.

Don't be grossed out...I promise, it's good!

What I'm Wearing: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation

I wear shade N1-2 {yes, I'm that pale}

I was skeptical at first because I oily skin and hear that this foundation works much better for dry skin.

The reason I decided to give it a try was because my skin becomes super dry during the winter months and can look flaky and dull.

Not with this foundation!

My makeup looks really pretty and gives my face a healthy glow all day long.

I do have to set it with powder, but it doesn't end up looking caked on at all.

I put on a light layer and would describe the cover as sheer-medium {maybe more on the sheer side}

It probably wouldn't be buildable up to a full coverage and again, if you have really oily skin, probably start with a mattifying primer and set with a powder afterwards.

Sometimes I get a little more shiny than I'd like, but I'd prefer that over dry, dull looking skin.

Well, guess what?!

Only FIVE more days till my birthday!

I'm so excited because it'll be my first birthday in Alaska with my family in 7 years years!

Looking forward to it.

I hope your Monday started off fantastically!

I'll see you again soon!

XOXO

Monday Musings

What I'm Listening To: Charity Vance's cover of Drake's Hold on We're Going Home

Love this cover!

What I'm Reading: Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist

Via

I'm not very far into this book yet, but I really like the way the author writes.

Her books are so honest and open.

I bought two of her other books and flipped through them and they're written really beautifully.

What I'm Watching: Breaking Bad

Wow, I'm only 6 episodes into the first season and I am hooked.

It is so awesome!

What I'm Eating: Thanksgiving Leftovers

Stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes and gravy to be exact.

I am following a healthy eating plan now so the leftovers will have to stop.

Sad times.

What I'm Wearing: Miss Dior Eau de Toilette

After Miss Dior Cherie was discontinued, I didn't know if I'd find something I liked just as much.

The girls who worked at the Dior counter swore to me that Miss Dior Eau de Parfum was the same as Miss Dior Cherie, just in a new package.

Well, to me it smelled different and I was super sad about it.

Recently, I decided I wanted a new fragrance...because I don't have enough apparently.

This scent is perfect!

Because it's a toilette, it is very light, but the scent will last.

Throughout the day I thought maybe it was fading, but every now and then I would be able to smell it.

It's perfect for a date because to really smell it you have to be close.

The fragrance smells of citrus and a bit floral, and sparkly, if that makes sense.

And I love the pink bottle!

I hope the start to your week is fabulous!

Just a few weeks till Christmas!!!

Have a great Tuesday!

XOXO

Monday Musings

Happy Monday!
I just wanted to share some of my favorite things at the moment.
I know my last post was the same thing...I'm boring ok!
Enjoy!

What I'm Listening To: Birdy - Without A Word

This song is so gorgeous and sad and beautiful.

I'm obsessed.

What I'm Reading: Candice Kumai's cookbooks Cook Yourself Sexy & Pretty Delicious

Via

This woman is my idol!

She was a model and then decided to go to culinary school.

She is just plain fab.u.lous.

Every single recipe in these books look amazing.

I am so excited to try them out.

A few I can't wait to make: lamb ragu with zucchini pappardelle, pear and onion flatbreads with gorgonzola and walnuts {YUM!}, and maple chicken and waffles.

Could you just die?!

I will post pictures as I make these.

Also, she has a book coming out next year of clean green drinks!

I am SO excited!

What I'm Watching: The Voice

Via

I don't watch a lot of reality tv, but my mom and I love this show {well, I love that I can tivo it and fast forward all the unnecessary junk...like the judges talking}.

Seriously, could Tessanne be any more amazing?!

Also, in the "watching" category would be my crush on a trainer at my gym.

Yeah, that's kind of creepy, but seriously...he is so attractive.

Just wanted to put that out there.

That's all.

What I'm Eating: Eggs

Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs

I love eggs so much and usually eat them for breakfast.

I want to try this recipe soon.

It combines three of my favorite foods!

What I'm Wearing: Old Navy Compression Pants

These leggings are so comfy.

I wear them under boots, with heels, under long shirts...basically anytime except for working out.

I prefer to wear cropped yoga pants to workout.

Anyways, these are thick so you can't see through them which is a plus because we all know leggings aren't real pants...

Well, I'm going to finish watching 27 Dresses and try to find anything in my panty that even sort of resembles "junk food".

Hope your Tuesday is terrific!

XOXO

Miranda Sings

I almost was having a bad day.

And then I watched this...

I've always love Miranda, but imagine my surprise when I realized her name is Coleen and she is so pretty.

And she can actually really sing.
This is Coleen and her alter ego Miranda singing together.

HAHA!

Crazy.

#Mindblown

Guys, I move into my own place in EIGHT days!!!

Cannot.Wait.

I've been looking for furniture, decorations, tips, and ideas.

I've never lived on my own so it'll be fun to just play around with setting things up.

Anyways, I'm going to attempt 5:30am CrossFit, so it's time for bed!

Goodnight friends!

XOXO

What Up Wednesday!

Hi lovies!

I'm hope your week is spectacular so far.

I've found some new music/YouTube vids lately that I'm loving.

Just wanted to share with y'all!

I love this song.

And the girls hair makes me want to go back to blonde!

HAHA!

Oh my gosh, I have said almost all of those things!

#FREEDOM...Tweet!

hahaha

This song is my JAM right now!

I'm so diggin it!

This is my new running song.

The beat is sick.

My computer is going to die any min and I'm too tired/lazy to plug it in, so this is it, folks!

Until next time...

XOXO

Music Love

I recently stumbled upon this song and it's been on repeat ever since.

I love that the front man and woman are married.

You can really see how much they adore each other when they sing!

I like that the video is really simple so you can just focus on the music.

Beautiful.

...

I hope you're all watching the Olympic Opening Ceremonies!

It is super interesting I think.

I had a pretty low key night and I have to work tomorrow for a few hours, but I'm going to a wedding tomorrow night and I'm so excited!

I will get to see a bunch of old friends I haven't seen in a while.

Too bad I already know all of the single guys that will be there...

;)

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Until next time.

XOXO

Yes, I Love Music

Sometimes you hear a song and it just speaks to your soul.

Tonight I heard such a song.

Ok, so it was on the Twilight Breaking Dawn soundtrack.

The soundtracks are awesome and I just can't get over this song!

It is beautiful.

I wish I had my piano in Virginia so I could learn to play it.

The instrumental version also came on the soundtrack, so I, along with every other girl who gets married within the next 10 years will probably use it as the musical piece she walks down the aisle to.

Just. Like. Bella.

Haha oh my, how absurd, but still...probably going to happen!

Ok, I have to go play my move on Words With Friends before my brother sends me another text about it being my turn.

XOXO

Uhhhbsessed

Some of my current obsessions...

The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco

Someone Like You - Adele {I like to torture myself with sad music sometimes}

Marry You - Bruno Mars {But really the Glee version}

Speaking of Glee...

I just got 2 of their latest soundtracks.

I love those crazy kids and their awesome music!

I ate enough this past week to feed a small country, so I will be walking tonight with a friend.

She always wants to walk for hours so that'll be good!

And hopefully I'll go see Water for Elephants next week.

I LOVED the book and I love Robert and Reese so I'm totallllly stoked!

Well, I'm going to go listen to some more Adele!

Happy Easter Friends! :)

Amazing Music Alert!

I have loved The Civil Wars for at least a year now.
They are just amazing and sound beautiful together.
This is my favorite song they sing and the video is great too.
The song is sad, but so pretty!
Enjoy!