"Don't want to discuss it, I think it's time for a change. You may get disgusted, and start thinking I'm strange..."

How would you like to present yourself this upcoming fall season? As a chic, well-dressed, women who values individuality and style, or a bum who conforms? And that conformity is defined by sporting an unattractive, uncalled for, and completely unnecessary trend. No surprise, I'd pick the Madewell lookbook over Nike Tempos ANYDAY.

I am asking something of every female here at Mizzou, and I guess the world over. Respect yourself; stop wearing track shorts. Just stop. I cannot even fathom where this trend came from (not the chic East Coast I can guarantee you that), but it needs to be eradicated immediately. People have been dulled into this delusion that it’s appropriate and acceptable to wear attire that doesn’t pertain to your lifestyle.

Track shorts are for people who run track. While they’re running. Not while attending class or eating lunch. Honestly, the shorts are pretty cute as far as workout clothes go. I’ll admit it, I have two pairs, but I wear them to the gym. They’re workout clothes, unless you’re working out (at that exact moment), why are they on your body? And for about 78.24% of the population, they make your butt look really, really unattractive. Might I also add it seems really ironic that those who wear them almost everyday clearly don’t appear to even know where the Rec is located.

I understand that some people have very packed, full-schedule days and the Rec is one of a multitude of things they have to do that day. So, if you get up in the morning and have two classes and then plan on working out, it does make some sense to wear them to class to save time. If you already worked out I would hope you would have the decency to change. And shower. However, I highly doubt the TWENTY-SEVEN girls I saw wearing them from my short trek from Lowry Mall to Gannett Hall were all planning on working out later. Plus, I guess it’s the new “thing” to not only wear track shorts at inappropriate times of the day, but to also make sure they don’t match anything else you’re wearing.

I get it, it’s college, and it would be SO CHALLENGING to actually dress yourself in the morning. But consider this practice for, you know, real life. It’s fabulous you have 13 pairs of track shorts all in different colors. Yet when you get your first job and realize you cannot wear track shorts to work and look like a bum, what will you do? Your wardrobe will lack any seemingly professional clothing because you spent all your money building up your collection of non-workout-workout clothes.

As I mentioned previously, these shorts aren’t even flattering. Well, maybe if you’re a size 4 or smaller, but in that case you most definitely should be wearing cuter clothes to show of your figure. Stop being lazy. Grow up and get dressed for life. I cannot wait to behold the horror that will result when the colder weather comes and girls cannot wear track shorts everyday, will we see a god-awful combination of leggings with track shorts? Shudder.

I understand that many people are susceptible to peer pressure and ridiculous trends, but just because other girls don’t have an ounce of style does not mean you need to succumb to unattractive, random outfit choices. If everyone else is jumping off the bridge, guess what…stay on it. And you sure as hell aren’t wearing track shorts.

Oh and here's a little FUN FACT. These "new" Nike track shorts have been on the market for around for fifteen years. Same style, nothing new or special about them. FIFTEEN YEARS. And then all of a sudden every girl who can't dress uses them as her excuse to pretend she has style. Just goes to show you how people get caught up in "trends." Run away from these shorts, there nothing more than a sickening phenomenon.

“I miss New York. I still love how people talk to you on the street - just assault you and tell you what they think of your jacket.”

-Madonna

Just thought I'd share...

Stop. You're scaring young children. And me. And raccoons are not looking for a spokeswoman.

"Leave all your love and your longing behind. You can't carry it with you if you want to survive. The dog days are over, the dog days are done..."

I know it's really cliche and typical for me to be quoting a song that plays on the commercial for "Eat, Pray, Love" but I can't help it. I'm absolutely obsessed with it and I thought Florence & The Machine's performance at the VMA's was fabulous. Just like her voice, the song is distinct, yet so simple and it always puts me in a better mood without fail. Call me run-of-the mill or a victim of popular pop, but I'll be the first to happily admit it's one of my absolute favorite songs Because the dog days really are over for me.

I’m feeling my inner hippie coming out. I’ve just been in a really good mood, maybe because I’ve finally realized that being happy is independent of your current situation, and is really a conscious choice that you can make everyday regardless of you’re actual circumstances. I feel in control… because I’m letting so much go. I have to continue to chose to be happy, otherwise I never will be—after all I have too high of expectations (as I think most everyone does), absolutely everything would need to go perfectly, positively and always in my favor in order to make me happy. And that is inconceivable, but I can choose to be happy. I can remember that it’s my choice how I want to view the world and how I want the people in it to view me.

And OK, yes I did have a good week this past week, but honestly I am realizing the my “flying free” mantra is probably responsible for my constant state of serenity. Sure I’ve gotten extremely frustrated with outside factors, but overall I’m quite pleased with myself at the moment. I genuinely believe I’ve adopted the entire “mind over matter” concept and its been embedded into my psyche. And that seems to be making me a lot stronger than those around me. I understand that college is stressful, believe me, but at the same time, it isn’t the end of the world. Putting things into perspective is such a nifty tool! Did I forget to take an online geology quiz two weeks ago? Yes. Did I want to hit myself for forgetting? Absolutely. Did I want to scream when I saw a zero out of twenty? Uh-huh. Am I beyond pissed because I knew this information like I know my own birth date and social security number? YES. Is there anything I can do about this? NOPE. And you know what? Life goes on. I have to focus my energy in such a variety of places that I no longer have the time (or rather choose to have the time) to dwell on the negative. I just move on.

It’s frustrating to be surrounded by so many people who can’t put their lives into perspective. Everything trivial becomes the biggest deal, and everyone else needs to know the saga that is his or her life. I’m truly sorry if you’re having a bad day, or week, or month and I’m extremely empathetic, but don’t be surprised if my mood doesn’t drop in sync with yours. Misery loves company, but I hate misery. So I apology if I’m still smiling and pleased with my life when you feel like yours is falling to bits and pieces. It isn’t an insult or anything of that sort. I just feel like I have so much going for me, why should I waste my time being anything but happy? I’m 19. I’m fortunate enough to be attending a University, I’m a part of the Greek system and I don’t need for anything. Why wouldn’t I be perpetually happy? Instead of searching for something to make me happy, why don’t I just appreciate all that I’ve already been blessed with?

And I do. This past week, actually this past month, has been living proof that I’m the one creating my happiness. When I choose to have a good attitude, everything else seems to shine a bit brighter. Sure, I will no doubt encounter days when I am anything but happy, and I’m allowed, but for the most part I’m retaining my happiness regardless of what life throws at me. And I’m completely over feeling guilty for enjoying my life. Lately I feel like I’m being punished for being happy, and that’s ludicrous. If others want to choose to focus on the negative and depressing possibilities of the future, well then fine. But don’t take it out on me.

I feel very content and focused; even as I wonder everyday “What the hell am I doing here?” “What am I going to do with my life” and “What’s the point?” Simply because I’ve chosen to banish any limiting thoughts and feelings, I’ve been propelled into happiness and I’ve been flying. And the view from up here is too good to ever give up.

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”

“If you find serenity and happiness, people may be jealous - Be happy anyway.” Mother Teresa.

“Stop seeking in vain to arrange circumstances that will make you happy. Simply choose to be happy, and your circumstances start to line up around that happiness.”

“Your happiness is your choice. Choose it any time you wish.”

Fa La La

“Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.”

"Hey, she's a piratey soul full a' vinegar and glitter. She is a song of her own from down the wrong end of the river. Wild, like the lily-a-passion."

Thanks to a fabulous sorority sister and my inexcusable negligence of this blog, I am creating a two-week challenge for myself. My lovely sister is challenging herself to dress up and look presentable for class everyday and that inspired me to write something, anything, once a day for the next 14 days. I claim to never have anytime to blog, but I know that is only a lame excuse. In fact, these next two weeks promise to be some of the most hectic I’ve confronted in college thus far, so I’m purposely doing this challenge during them, to prove that I can not only efficient my time between school and my obligations but with writing as well. Even if it is only a quick little blurb, a montage of my favorite magazine ads or something as simple as a quote, I need to make a post everyday. No excuses. I have to make the time, because if I can’t even manage to write for pleasure as a little college student, how the hell do I plan on making this my career? This really shouldn’t even be all that difficult, I love to write, I enjoy blogging, I just need the motivation to make myself sit down and do it. I suppose I found it. (And for the record this declaration completely qualifies as blog post 1 of 14).

Gotcha! Of course I will be oh-so-sweet as to deliver a post that has a bit more substance in it then the promise to write something of interest in the future.

If you know me well (or even if you don’t—this is something you will probably pick up on quickly) you know I have an obscene obsession with the show Gilmore Girls. I cannot even begin to express my love and devotion for that mother-daughter team so full of wit, humor, and knowledge of pop culture. As much as I love the show and think both Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel are gorgeous, I will admit Rory Gilmore’s wardrobe left much to be desired. Frumpy sweaters and mom jeans made me want to die a little every time I had to watch Rory do something slightly awkward on screen, because her outfit choice moved her form the ‘slightly awkward stage’ to the ‘she’s quite bizarre stage.’ Rory, I love you, your intelligence, your love of the written word and your ambition, but the fugly outfits have got to go. The end of the season brought much improvement and relief, but as her outfits got better her intelligence seemed to wane, which I find quite insulting.

Luckily, the real-life Alexis seems to have really grown up in the past few years since the end of Gilmore Girls. Yes, she has always been strikingly beautiful with her flawless complexion and bright, beautiful eyes, but now she’s on the cusp of well-dressed woman, and I couldn’t be more pleased. Just in the past week along she has nailed every outfit. She’s proving she has style (or a stylist) and she isn’t just wearing the clothes, she truly looks more graceful and put together. She looks fabulous I can’t even pick a favorite outfit—except I can. The black pencil skirt and chic top wins out, although she looks strikingly sophisticated in the blue J. Mendel dress and she reminds me of a grown-up Madeline in the eye-popping red little dress. I love that one of my favorite actresses is becoming one of my favorite “best-dressed” icons. And I actually like the hair color change, it’s fresh and different, nice change but nothing drastic.

Happy Tuesday!

"Well life is calling but you need healing now, for all good reasons change is coming"

One of these days I will be able to start a blog post without profusely apologizing for my neglect and absence. But that day is definitely not today, so once again I’m sorry for my lack of consistency. I guess I’ve just been too busy living life to sit down and write about it, which is a bit of a lie since I always seem to have time to nap and watch ridiculous online webisodes that delve into the inner workings of creepy sorority life. Yet, looking back on this past week I’ve realized how busy I really have been and how I came to a conclusion this week based off random, seemingly unconnected events. And these events would normally be extremely taxing and cause me a great deal of emotional stress, however I dealt with them as I digested a recent piece of advice. It’s my life, and I need to put myself first, I cannot be afraid to be selfish. Let me clarify, by putting myself first I need to remain aware that this is my life and my day to day existence is my own way to change and grow. I should be experiencing new things, I should be surrounding myself with different people and moving on from those who no longer belong in my life. I have the ability and the right to change who I am and my life as I see fit, I should not feel guilty for wanting to make changes, or for the way life has changed me.

I received some wise words of wisdom one Thursday night, “Things change people, and people change things.” We are constantly being thrusted forward and developing further as individuals, it is a never-ending process. As a day-to-day calendar informed me once, “No matter one’s age we are all in the research and development stage of our lives.” We never cease to grow and change, no matter how comfortable we might become with the person that we are. And that’s the true beauty of life; that we are in a perpetual state of metamorphosis, and anything and everything can the power to impact and influence us to become better individuals. But out of that vast multitude of ‘anything and everythings’ it is the people we meet throughout our lives that have the most profound effect upon the person we become.

I learned that this week that not everyone is going to be your best friend, but that does not mean they don’t have something valuable to offer you. In the end, people change people. We are influenced by our friends and we strive to emulate their strengths and in return we help them banish their weaknesses. No doubt, you envy something different about each of your friends, or even just acquaintances, and that instigates you to be more like them, not in an unoriginal way, it simply brings to light a means for personal improvement. I am always enchanted by the friends of mine who just light up a room with their entrance; they are so outgoing and at ease that I wish I could have just an ounce of that comfort . There are those whose style and natural grace I would kill to have, those whose wit never fails and those who always make a positive impression on everyone around them. College has exposed me to such a wide array of people with different strengths, that I find myself constantly pushing myself to improve, constantly finding ways in which to further better my self. And I owe that all to the amazing group of people that I have suddenly found myself surrounded by. They are all so different from me, yet that is helping me in the long run, as it polishes off facets of my personality that I never knew existed. Everyone is so different from me that is offering so much room for improvement and positive change and I’m grateful for every second of it and for every one of these great individuals.

Even those I don’t personally like still have a major impact. It is by spending time with those with less than desirable personalities that I have been made aware of what I will never want to be. They have influenced me in that I have noticed what I want to avoid becoming. And that is just as valuable as those that bring joy and happiness. But as I change more and more into the person I want to be, I’ve come to accept that I can’t, and don’t, and shouldn’t hold on to those that are holding me back. It is OK to move on, to rid my life of that which is causing me harm. “I’m currently making some changes in my life. If you don’t hear from me, you’re one of them!” As I strive for improvement I have no choice but eradicate those that are holding me back. It isn’t mean or vindictive, selfish, sure, but then again I have the right to be selfish with my own well-being. Sometimes people come into your life just to help change a small piece of you and then they exit. And that’s OK, and I’ve finally come to accept that as well.

And, although I might love an individual and I might have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, all the while we were both changing and it’s very possible that our influence on one another begins to wane when we find our lifestyles diverging from one another. It isn’t snobby or elitist to follow my own path, to continue to change and take on new challenges and do what feels right to me, even if that means sacrificing time with an individual. People change things and things change people. Although I might still be really close with someone, in the end, our lives can become very different from one another and instead of grappling for the past and the way things used to be, I need to move forward and let things work out as they are and will be. I cannot let the past hold me back from moving forward. I need to continue to let other people influence me, otherwise I will never make an ounce of progress.

As Barefoot Truth explains, “you need healing because change is coming.” Change cannot come forth if you aren’t healed— "Healing may not be so much about getting better, as about letting go of everything that isn't you-all of the expectations, all of the beliefs -and becoming who you are."

I’ve learned a lot this past week about relationships and the way they really influence and impact my life, for better or worse. People constantly have the power and ability to make me a better individual, therefore I will continue to surround myself with a great bunch of people and not feel guilty when I cut off those that have nothing to offer. Life is too short for me to struggle to influence others who are too stubborn to receive help, I’d rather focus on myself and move forward, embracing all of the positive change that it entails. And I cannot allow myself to remain frozen in time, hoping to preserve something that has long since slipped through my fingers, as life probably intended it to, life goes on, things change people and people change things. And I fully understand that now. More importantly, I accept it.