Write it, see it, believe it

Lately, I've taken to writing on my mirror. I used to do this some when I was younger--that or I'd stick up cards with quotes, verses, or goals. It's amazing how much words on the mirror can improve my day, as it is one of the first things I see every morning.

A couple weeks ago, I was kind of letting some things consume me. While my head knew what I should do and my friends were telling me exactly the same thing, I couldn't get myself to hold to what I knew. I guess we all secretly enjoy ignoring what we know to be true sometimes. Anyway, I thought through the best advice I'd received and decided it was going on my mirror, so it could really sink in. I didn't have a dry erase marker, but I had some cheap eyeliner that I never planned on using. Now, I'm kind of in love with writing in eyeliner.

You can write so many different types of things on your mirror. Here are a few secrets from my own mirror writing. 

* Words of affirmation
I don't know about you, but I love compliments. There are certain ones that I've never forgotten--ones that continue to encourage me daily. I recommend storing away nice things people say to you in a cute little journal. When bad days come, pull out that journal and be reminded of the lovely person that people see in you. And...write it up on that mirror and be encouraged!
     You are ridiculously beautiful, charming, fun, interesting, and smart.

* Advice received
Taking good advice to heart means actively pursuing it. Back in high school, I received some especially great advice regarding relationships that still directs my thoughts and actions. Seriously, that advice has served as my point of reference for worthwhile relationships ever since. Listen to those people who are not afraid to be honest with you (aka, don't run to those friends who tell you exactly what you want to hear).
     If it's meant to be, it will be.

* Goals
Ambitions cannot be achieved if you don't remember what you're aiming to do or where you're wanting to go. Have daily, instantly-achievable goals and longer-term, challenging goals. When coming up with goals, I always ask myself, "Where am I now? Where do I want to go? How am I going to get there?"
     Make your bed today.
     Backpack across Europe. 

* Quotes
I can't go through books without underlining hundreds of lines or folding down pages I like. Lately, so many articles have been hitting home with me, and I keep sharing them with all my closest friends.
     Pretty is a mutually enriching balanced combination of beauty and projected innocence. (source)
     Don’t get stuck in the past, and don’t try to fast-forward yourself into a future you haven’t yet earned. (source)

Happy writing!

xoxo,
Sarah

Image Source

Who is a gentleman?

Robert E. Lee’s classic Definition of a Gentleman.

The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.

Okay, confession is that Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy is the first person that comes to mind when I think of a gentleman. So gorgeously handsome. I love the picture above because it was captured during the part of the movie when he has been doing everything he can to forget about Elizabeth Bennett, and then she shows up at Pemberly and throws him completely off. Oh gosh, I love A&E's super long version of Pride & Prejudice!

Anyway, a friend sent this quote from Robert E. Lee to me a few months ago, and I came across it again while I was cleaning out emails today and had to share. :)

xoxo,
Sarah

You go, girl!

No surprises to anyone that Zooey Deschanel was my favorite on the red carpet of the Golden Globes this year. One of a kind Prada gown and tuxedo manicure. Loving it. And how cute that she came with her sister, Emily. Gotta love sisters! :)

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. Happy birthday to Zooey!!! 

The Paris Wife

I love a long holiday weekend. As of lately, I've started enjoying quiet afternoons relaxing on the couch under a blanket, reading a good book. As I mentioned a few posts back, I recently joined a book club, so this group has been keeping me accountable in actually reading for pleasure--not a usual choice for me. 

Our current book choice: The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Plot: Without giving away too much, this book documents the courtship and marriage of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley. 

While I'm not even halfway through the book yet, so much of it has already struck me really hard. Whenever I read anything, I automatically look for ways to relate what I'm reading to my own life, even if that just means finding parallels between a character's actions, feelings, emotions, or thoughts and those noticed or experienced in my own life. The portrayal of Hadley definitely brings to mind lessons I've learned and people I've known. Just reading her thoughts and wonderings about her relationship with Ernest makes me want to stop her. But then, when is attraction or love logical? It makes us do crazy things and doesn't let us think straight.

During a portion of the book, Hadley is discussing with a friend, like all girls do, what to do about Ernest. It's one of those times when a serious DTR (define-the-relationship) discussion with the guy is needed, but all you have is your friends to analyze the situation way too much.

Excerpt from Chapter 7, page 49 of The Paris Wife:
   "I think I'm too old to fall in love sometimes." I said to Ruth one afternoon. We sat in my room on the bed, a plate of tea biscuits between us, while outside it snowed like it might never stop.
   "You're too old--or he's too young?"
   "Both," I said. "In a way he's lived more than I have, and he's certainly had more excitement. But he can be awfully romantic and naive too. Like this business with Agnes. She did break his heart, I believe that full well, but he carries it around like a wounded child."
   "That's not very fair, Hadley. You suffered over Harrison Williams, didn't you?"
   "I did. Oh, Ruth." I put my head in my hands. "I don't know what's gotten into me. I think I'm just afraid." 
   "Of course you are," she said gently. "If you honestly think he's too young for you, all right then, make your decision and stick to it."
   "Do you think I'll stop worrying when I know he loves me for sure?"
   "Just listen to yourself."
   "There's so much to lose."
   "There always is," she said.
   I sighed and reached for another biscuit. "Are you always this wise, Ruth?"
   "Only when it comes to other people's lives."

Isn't that the truth for every woman? We're so great at giving advice to each other and seeing a situation clearly. But when it comes to our own predicaments, we allow our hearts and emotions, rather than our heads, to lead our decisions. At least, we're prone to that course of action--no matter how much common sense and life experience we have. It's part of being a girl I suppose. Furthermore, even if we don't act upon our emotions, there's no denying that we think about it.

Anyway, I just had to share...because I'm a girl. Back to my book. :)

xoxo,
Sarah

Ernest Hemingway & Hadley

Steal His Heart

I love when I come across new artists and find a new song that I want to play over and over. Today, I discovered Emily and the Woods, and I can't get enough of her song "Steal His Heart." I'm especially loving her cute little music video.



Some of those cute lyrics...

Get in my boat 
We'll sail away 
I've always been scared, scared of the sea 
I'll give you some string, you'll find your way home 
And I will be waiting when you return

I can't steal his heart, but I can steal back mine 
I can steal back mine, I can steal back mine
I can't steal his heart, but I can steal back mine

Happy weekend!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. I love her thick eyeliner. It looks awesome. 

Falsity

So I'm just a little obsessed with false eyelashes right now. I'm fortunate to have naturally thick, long lashes, but sometimes I feel like more drama. Besides, with all the Christmas parties and get-togethers this past month, I decided it would be a fun little something extra. I definitely hit up Forever21 for pretty much every pair (only $1-3/pair).

While I'm sure I'll probably continue wearing false lashes here and there (as special occasions allow), I stick with Falsies Mascara by Maybelline on a daily basis. I wouldn't be surprised if I was one of the first thousand customers of this lash magic makeup. I grabbed it the moment it hit stores and have never felt the need to switch since then. And believe me, I'm known for always switching my mascara out of want for trying something new. Currently, there are three versions of Falsies: 
Original
Black Drama
Flared
I have all three, but I'm using Flared the most right now because it was most recently introduced. I think Black Drama is my favorite though - absolutely high on the drama.

Love your lashes, lovelies!

xoxo,
Sarah