sometimes

I am joining some lovely bloggers and participating in doing a *sometimes* post....

check out Sam's from young people in love! 

Sometimes...

I just want to eat double stuffed Oreos with a glass of milk for dinner

I have been panicking about the future and where the mister and I will end up

I dream about the day Aaron and I will have grown-up jobs and be able to have little ones running along, but then I snap myself back to reality and focus on the present

I wish I could see what I would look like as blonde

I love blaring music and singing out loud when no one is home

I need to curl up in bed, under the covers, and just breath so I don't freak out or overreact to something

I know I should be doing homework, but there are so many more appealing things to be doing like reading or excessively pinning lovely wonders on Pinterest. 

Anyone else linking up and doing a *sometimes* post?!

Christmas...a little late.

As I was thinking about what I wanted to blog about today I realized that I never shared what Aaron and I got each other for Christmas, so it's way past Christmas but I felt like sharing anyways! 

Aaron got me a bunch of new books to read, some really beautiful handmade and hand painted earrings, and parenthood season 1 (can't get enough of the show!). I got Aaron some boring things like business casual clothes, some DVD's, and The Big Bang Theory on DVD (secretly more for me than him, but we both love it). I also bought him an antique map from 1906 of the USA-it's adorable and I was so happy I was able to find such an old map, it certainly took a lot of work. The idea was that we would frame the map on cork board, and together we would take one color map pin and pin all the places we have been together, and in another color he would pin all the places he has been. The map came from England which also added to the coolness factor. It now hangs on our wall as a decorative piece and looks perfect! 

The pictures are not the greatest, it certainly does not do it justice, but that's what I get for not wanting to get my camera and using my phone. When we were pinning things we noticed that some places are not on the map like Orlando which we thought was interesting. I wish I could take credit for the creative idea-but I got the idea from Sherry, at young house love. It was my favorite present that I gave Aaron this year! 

xoxo

dream big

Meet Christianna from The Girl with the Blue Bow!

Age: 23

"The Girl With The Blue Bow" is a blog full of the amazing things that fill my life.  I write about my main love, music, as well as movies, books, fashion and random life happenings.  I have a link up called "What The Hell Wednesday" in which I share moments and things that made me say "what the hell" every week.  So, if you like to laugh, find new music/live shows to go see, or any of the other things listed, come stop by and say "Ello"!  

Top three personal dreams you have and how you hope to reach them? 

1. To one day run my own independent record label, or my own music magazine.  

2. To see the world

3. To become a truly successful music journalist, and maybe run P.R. for a band on the side.

Wait, was that kinda 5 dreams?  Oops.

Well, the only way to see the world, is to do it.  You have to stop saying "one day I'll see that" and you have to just buy a plane ticket.  Though I've been to a few places, I'm kicking things into high gear this summer and spending 7 weeks in Europe, seeing all I can see.

As for my music business related dreams, you could say that I'm already on my way there.   I'm a music journalist, but at the moment I can't quit my day job.  So, I'll be sending out resumes soon and I'll keep blogging away.  The rest will come with time and all the connections that I make!  I'm excited to see where I end up, and how things keep changing!  

What is the inspiration behind your dreams?  

I've always loved music.  It's a part of who I am.  It took me years to find where I fit into the music world, but now that I know where that is, everything is starting to make more sense.  I get a kick out of seeing bands and music artist succeed at what they do and there is nothing better then sharing their music with the world.  Or at least with the ones who want to listen.  There is also nothing better then finding a new band that you can't wait to tell everyone about, and  knowing that you actually get to.  It's brilliant!  

Best advice for someone trying to reach his or her dreams. 

Honestly, just do it!  Don't take no for an answer.  The answer you get, might be something you never expected.  See, you might wake up one morning and realize that you don't actually want to be on stage, singing music, you want to write about it.  The dream is still the same, it just changed a bit.  So if you have something that you love deeply, it will chase you around relentlessly, until you figure out where you fit in.  So also pay attention to the things that hunt you down relentlessly, because that is most likely the direction you should be taking!

Favorite Quote

 "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might just find, you get what you need."

- The Rolling Stones

A BIG thank you to Christianna for sharing her amazing dreams!

a lovely weekend.

It was a LONG week so I was more than looking forward to the weekend. Aaron and I ventured home to NH so we could be there to celebrate his brothers birthday! We took the bus home and by the time we got there we were exhausted and hungry, so my mom took us out for dinner. We went to the Barley House and I enjoyed a delicious cheeseburger. I then went home and was attacked by my adorable dog who was full of kisses! Saturday Aaron and I went to see The Descendants, it was so good, but incredibly sad! We then went out for birthday dinner at the Outback, it was nice to be surrounded by all of our family this weekend. We ventured back to Boston this morning and have been relaxing since. We played some cards, ate lunch, took a much needed nap, and are now watching Merrimack kick butt in hockey against Providence. Unfortunately I have some homework to do later, but it has been a perfect relaxing Sunday. 

Did I mention in all the travel time I got addicted to scramble with friends and temple run!? Anyone else playing scramble with friends?

How was your weekend?!

xoxox

Friday favorites

I have never been more excited that it's Friday. I hope that some of my favorite things from the week lift your spirits or inspire creativity!

favorite quote:

favorite kitchen: I have been watching way too much HGTV!

 favorite DIY: obsessed with mason jars

 favorite laugh:

 favorite video:

xoxoxo

the good and the bad

(source)

So I started school this week, I am SO close to being done with my prerequisites for occupational therapy school. I am not sure if school was the reason for me having a lousy week, but it just seemed to be one of those weeks where NOTHING went right. The days were long...and I think I got to see Aaron for a total of 2 hours each night, someone really should have put a warning label on PT school saying he would have time for nothing else. My hatred for the school I am at now combined with the lack of time spent with Aaron created a very unhappy me. Things slowly turned around when I heard back from one of the schools I applied to for my masters in occupational therapy... I got in!! Yes, I was very excited and happy...it's not my first choice for school, but at least I know I have somewhere to go to get my degree, its a huge relief. I am looking forward to today, one of my best friends from home is coming to visit! We are venturing out of the city and finding ikea and a target- I swear there are weeks I feel stranded in the city and this was one of them so I cannot wait to get out! I did learn a few things this week...

• Cake for breakfast makes everything better, for about an hour... before you hate yourself for eating so unhealthy.
• Going to bed after an argument just leads to a headache in the morning.
• Technology is great I love texting and Skyping with friends, but I really need to make more friends in Boston!
• There are not enough hours in the day.
• Actions speak SO much louder then words.
• Sorry starts to lose meaning when it's said to many times. 
• A hot cup of coffee/tea is my favorite stress remedy.
• There is always a song to fit your mood.
•  Reading comments from all of my lovely readers is certainly a mood booster!
• No dream is too big, and just because you can't see how you will get there doesn't mean to give up hope.
• Waiting for graduate schools to accept or reject you is slowly killing me and making me more and more anxious. Apparently I am more impatient than I thought.
• As much as I HATE reality TV sometimes is nice to watch a dumb show and zone out- Dance mom's anyone?
• I am addicted to house hunters on HGTV
• Never say something out of spite or simply to hurt the other person- it never ends well. 
• No matter how much I keep on top of the dishes, it seems there is always a pile waiting for me.

XOX

a lovely award.

A big big thank you to My Favorite Pieces for this award for my blog. I am excited to share it with others and I am so happy to be sharing it with my readers. Check out all the incredible posts on my favorite pieces, its hard not to find inspiration and spend hours looking through her archives! 

The Rules

1. Mention the person who gave you this award in your blog. 

2. Share 7 random thoughts about yourself

3. Send this award to 15 blogs you love.

7 Random Thoughts About Me

1. I am getting married in September

2. I am a perfectionist through and through 

3. This is the year I plan to stick to my resolutions

4. I would do anything for my family

5. I am addicted to my iPhone

6. Blogging has become a huge outlet for me

7. I am constantly trying to find myself and what make me happy

15 Blogs I am sending this award to:

1. finding clarity 

2. dear friend

3. A dreamers daze

4. Oh Mishka

5. Surprise High Five

6. A thoughtful place

7. busy bee lauren

8. cakes, tea, and dreams

9. Curles and Coffee

10. honest to blog

11. Julianna Morlet

12. Life is a canvas

13. tea talk

14. the girl with the blue bow

15. young people in love

words of wisdom

I never realized how much the little things in life meant, like....

Cuddling on the couch with the Mr. and watching a movie
Sleeping in an extra half-hour
Being able to watch the sun rise on the train
Curling up in bed at night with my best friend

Hope Wednesday is treating you well!

things that make me happy

lovely music / getting back into dance / sleeping late /

 I am that girl / warm weather / finding new blogs /

 coffee with friends / smiling until my cheeks hurt / 

cake for breakfast / embracing life / cuddling with Aaron

What makes you happy? Find it. Do it. 

XOX

photo source: (weheartit)

Dream Big

Today kicks off the first Monday of my 'Dream Big' series! The Mr. and I have spent a lot of times these past few months talking about our hopes and dreams and it gave me this idea. I want to get to know my readers dreams, the dreams of my favorite bloggers, and anyone else who wants to share. So what are your dreams?

Meet Clair from Finding Clarity.

Age: 25

My blog is where I explore my path to overall health, happiness, and wellness. I share a lot of healthy recipes and advice, but I also write a lot about the day-to-day things that inspire me. It's all about finding a little "clairity" in a busy, busy world!

Top three personal dreams you have and how you hope to reach them?

1. A family, and time for them

This is the sort of dream that comes true when you prioritize. My boyfriend and I invest a lot in our relationship, and I hope to make this dream come true by continuing that investment in our future and in our family. I want my children, my marriage, and my home life to be just as important as my career.

2. To write a book or have a column

The key to being successful with writing is to keep writing! My blog is a source of inspiration for my writing goals, as well as a place of practice. And pursuing my doctoral degree right now provides experience and expertise that will likely contribute to what I can offer as a writer in the future.

3. Become a certified wellness coach and apply it in public schools

I am passionate about health and education. And if I ever hope to be a part of both, I need to know a lot about them. So while this dream involves a lot of practical, little steps, the big picture is about learning more about the things I love, and practicing self-education.

What is the inspiration behind your dreams?

My own experiences. All the big dreams I have are built from the best and worst experiences in my life. They are all an intrinsic part of who I am and stem from a very personal place. Maybe they will change a bit in form over time, but they will always reflect who I am, which is what motivates me to continue pursuing them.

Best advice for someone trying to reach his or her dreams.

Be present. Yes, you should plan for the future. Yes, you should dream your dreams. But living happens in the moment, and you will do your best work and live your happiest life if you are mindful of what you do, moment to moment.

Favorite Quote

"Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think that you’ve lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time."

–Asha Tyson

A BIG BIG thank you to Clair for kicking off the series. Dream big and never give up on yourself!

weekend wrap-up

(source)

I spent the weekend with the love of my life and it was magnificent. We went to Rhode Island to visit his grandparents. We took the train and enjoyed some very relaxed reading time. Cards was the main event on the snowy Saturday- we played rummy with his grandparents and enjoyed some delicious steak! Today we hopped back on the train and made it home in time to cuddle on the couch, watch the Patriots kick butt, and whip together a cake that we enjoyed as we celebrated the Patriots heading to the Superbowl. Now we are watching one of my favorite comedies Baby Mama and unwinding before starting my spring semester tomorrow. Hope you had a lovely and relaxing weekend.


XOXO

Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday!! I just realized this post is my 100th post, woohooo! This week consisted mainly of catching up with friends, getting ready for the semester to start, relaxing with Aaron, and unwinding from Colorado. Here are some of the things I feel in love with this week!

favorite quote:

favorite video:

favorite wedding idea:

favorite DIY project:

favorite office space:

favorite hair style:

Did you come across anything lovely this week!?

XOX
J

DIY wall hanging

I was completely inspired by some pins on Pinterest, as well as by the very talented Elise Blaha. I attempted my own free hand script canvas, I was hoping it would spice up our walls a bit. Well I am TERRIBLE at script and my paint brush was to thick!! It did not come out as beautiful as all my inspirations, but hey...it was my first time and I am trying to stop beating myself up for things that are not perfect...so I am accepting it for it's flaws, putting it on our bedroom shelf, and hope to attempt another one soon.
I took a simple white canvas, some acrylic paint, and a pencil. First I VERY lightly wrote out the quote I chose, I did it all scripted and very free handed...I wanted it to have the not-very-strait-uneven-free-spirited look.

So now it sits by our bed with a candle where I can look at my not so perfect painting every day, at least the quote is lovely!

XOX
J

Words of Wisdom

(Source)

"Being in a couple is hard. And committing, making sacrifices; it's hard. But if it's the right person, then it's easy. Looking at that girl and knowing she's all you really want out of life, that should be the easiest thing in the world. And if it's not like that, then she's not the one."

-Marshall (How I Met Your Mother)

XOX

J

Dream Big

(source)

After reading so many blogs and blogging for a while I decided I wanted to do a series, because so many of you have amazing blogs and ideas, I want to help spread them! The series is called 'Dream Big' and is about 6 questions about you, your blog, and your dreams. Each Monday I will post one of your responses, my goal is to help you promote your blog, get your creative juices flowing while thinking about your blog, and to introduce you to some new bloggers! Email me at simplisticlivinggirl (at) gmail (dot) com or comment below if you are interested! 

XOXO

J

Colorado

I have returned home from my Colorado adventure! It was such a great trip seeing my sister and my adorable nephew who is going to be 2 next week, I can't believe how fast the time goes. It was a short visit but my mom and I spent quality time with them, we ate ice cream, went shopping, and chatted. I also watch more Micky Mouse, Caillou, and Elmo's world then I have ever in my life. I brought my camera and never even took it out of my bag, whoops! I snapped a few with my phone though, mostly of my favorite adorable little nephew! 

Words of Wisdom

{source}

I hope everyone is having a lovely Wednesday. The mister and I were talking about our dreams the other day and this quote played in perfectly to our conversation. It also inspired an upcoming blog series I am going to be doing about dreaming big! Let me know if you have interest in taking part in it! I am heading to Colorado and so I will be back posting regularly next Monday.

XOX

organizational hoarding.

I am not a hoarder, I promise. I do however have a hard time letting go of certain things that I consider memories, so I keep them. I love saving cards from certain people especially when there is something special written in it, I love saving ticket stubs and other little trinkets from dates with Aaron or nights out with friends. As cards started to collect this past year from graduation to birthdays, I tried to think of what to do with them, I just couldn't throw them out. So I decided to start a 'box of memories'. I picked up a pink photo box and some stickers, then I got to work decorating it-the only thing missing on the box is the year 2011, which I will add soon. I put all of my memories from 2011 in the box, including cards, random pictures I had printed out, ticket stubs, and some other little things. Every time I had something that I knew I couldn't part with it went in the box.

How do you store your memories?

my weekend

This weekend consisted of being lazy, and it was perfect. We have been hooked on The Big Bang Theory lately so we  pretty much watched it all weekend. On Saturday before Aaron went out with friends for the night I finally talked him into a little morning coffee date. There is a small cafe called Temptation's not to far from us in Brookline and they have such yummy sandwiches, and of course coffee. The picture above is my delicious vanilla latte, the chicken pesto sandwich we split, and Aaron's cappuccino. When Aaron left for the night I cleaned up a bit, then popped in Eat, Pray, Love and didn't move until he got home. Sunday we basically did more TV watching, card playing, reading, and I baked homemade Oreos! I am more than half way through Catching Fire- I can't seem to put it down! It was a great relaxing weekend which we both needed before school starts up.

How was your weekend?

cha...cha...cha...changes!

Changes for simplistic living...

My blog has been a mess today! I have been trying all day to make my own header for the blog, I finally made one I am very happy with. Sorry if you visited early and everything was scattered. I will be adding some new pages soon, but I am very happy with the changes that I accomplished today. Check out the about me page and contact page!

I want to make a FAQ's page- so throw some questions at me!

XOX

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! I have been so busy brain storming ideas for the blog this week and reflecting on 2011 and my resolutions for 2012 that I almost forgot to post my favorites from the week, so here they are.

Favorite piece of DIY decor:

 Favorite style: Love the back of this dress.

 Favorite quote: (and much needed this week.)

 Favorite item: photo strips with instagram pictures, LOVE this.

 Favorite DIY decoration: Perhaps for the wedding! Thanks Martha :)

Favorite recipe: I made a delicious antioxidant smoothie with frozen mixed berries, Pomegranate green tea juice, and plain greek yogurt, SO yummy!

Favorite wedding idea: handmade activity books for the kids, how cute!

Favorite Blog this week: Finding Clarity- she has some great recipes and her posts are always fun to read!

Anyone else have any delicious recipes they found this week? Or some other favorites they would love to share??! Also, I am still trying to put together a FAQ's page for the blog, so throw some questions at me! There has to be something you want to know!

XOX
J

perfect timing.

So tonight was a really crappy night and so I flipped on the television to lose myself in some terrible reality TV, but then I came across an hour long special called 'Independent Women', made by PBS. It was all about strong women leads in TV, starting from before I was born all the way until now. My favorite part was about Grey's Anatomy with Christina and Meredith. I HIGHLY suggest taking an hour our of your time to watch it! It's motivating, uplifting, and was exactly what I needed at the moment.

I can't embed the video, so go watch it HERE.

Goodnight my lovely readers, hope your night was better then mine!

get to know me...

(photo source)

Hello lovelies!

I am hoping to do a lot more revamping of the blog this year and really put my heart into it. I started it back in September as an outlet, and never thought I would love it so much! So today I wanted everyone to get to know me a little better, and I want to get to know YOU!

My heart belongs to NH, but I am currently residing in Boston MA with my best friend and love of my life Aaron! I am 22 and I graduated from Merrimack College in May with a BS in Health Science, I recently finished applying to graduate school for occupational therapy (hopefully I will hear back soon, cross your fingers!). We are tying the knot in September with 100 of our closets family members and friends, I have never been more excited and anxious! I love all things comfy and cozy, I love baking, cooking, running, napping, dancing, thrifting, blogging, crafting, and picture taking. My book collection is overwhelming and I have made a deal not to buy any books in 2012 until I read at least 30 of the ones I have.

Want to know more about me, follow me on Twitter, check out my boards on Pinterest, or email me at simplisticlivinggirl@gmail.com

Now tell me about you! I love hearing from my readers and building new friendships. I am putting together a FAQ's page for the blog and would love to hear what questions you have for me!

XOX
J

Words of Wisdom

"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that is your own self."

-Aldous Huxley

Instagram Love.

I love Instagram, it is fun and easy. I figured I would share some lovely pictures from my visit home for the holidays!

I am thinking about re-vamping the blog a bit and possibly doing a series soon! Any ideas on layouts or anything I should consider adding?! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

XOX
J