LOTS OF LITTLE THINGS

Sometimes I think the big secret to a happy life is just creating lots of little things to look forward to.
— Mackenzie Horan (@mackenziehoran) August 8, 2013

 First of all, I have no idea how I survived long car trips or even coffee lines before the advent of Twitter. Lately I've been doing a better job remembering to tweet little tidbits of my day or random thoughts that pop into my head. I posted this a couple weeks ago and have been thinking about it a fair amount since. There are plenty of things on our calendars we all dread — deadlines, dentist appointments, etc. — but giving yourself lots of little things to look forward to can totally offset the nagging obligations. 

Around the same time, I stumbled upon this quote: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." Gretchen Rubin's book (which I highly recommend!) repeats over and over, "The days are long, but the years are short." Both of these are such obvious sentiments that totally escape me in the day-to-day grind. Letting even one day pass by without fun or inspiration or progress is such a waste! Going a couple months without seeing friends turns way too quickly into "oh, I haven't seen her in years." Putting off goals on our bucket lists just makes it less likely that we'll ever cross everything off (hence my 101 in 1001 list!).

I'm trying to be more conscious about filling my days and weeks with lots of happy little moments: coffee with an old friend, dinner dates at new restaurants, happy hours with bloggers from out of town, meetings I'm actually excited about, and of course bigger goals and projects like those on my list. I miss so much when I decide I'm too busy or too tired to go out. It's way, way, way more rewarding to approach each day with energy and enthusiasm and collapse into bed each night exhausted but totally content. Now that I'm more aware of it, it's definitely something I'm going to make a concerted effort to improve about myself.

A few of the things I'm looking forward to right now? A Red Sox game with my dad, New York Fashion Week, a fall jaunt to Nantucket, a weekend trip to New Orleans, and — at the end of September — the start of my next list (wooohooo!).

Does any of this ring true for you? What's one thing you're looking forward to this week or this month? P.S. You can follow me on Twitter here if you're interested in more daily musings! 

Sometimes I think the big secret to a happy life is just creating lots of little things to look forward to.
— Mackenzie Horan (@mackenziehoran) August 8, 2013

 First of all, I have no idea how I survived long car trips or even coffee lines before the advent of Twitter. Lately I've been doing a better job remembering to tweet little tidbits of my day or random thoughts that pop into my head. I posted this a couple weeks ago and have been thinking about it a fair amount since. There are plenty of things on our calendars we all dread — deadlines, dentist appointments, etc. — but giving yourself lots of little things to look forward to can totally offset the nagging obligations. 

Around the same time, I stumbled upon this quote: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." Gretchen Rubin's book (which I highly recommend!) repeats over and over, "The days are long, but the years are short." Both of these are such obvious sentiments that totally escape me in the day-to-day grind. Letting even one day pass by without fun or inspiration or progress is such a waste! Going a couple months without seeing friends turns way too quickly into "oh, I haven't seen her in years." Putting off goals on our bucket lists just makes it less likely that we'll ever cross everything off (hence my 101 in 1001 list!).

I'm trying to be more conscious about filling my days and weeks with lots of happy little moments: coffee with an old friend, dinner dates at new restaurants, happy hours with bloggers from out of town, meetings I'm actually excited about, and of course bigger goals and projects like those on my list. I miss so much when I decide I'm too busy or too tired to go out. It's way, way, way more rewarding to approach each day with energy and enthusiasm and collapse into bed each night exhausted but totally content. Now that I'm more aware of it, it's definitely something I'm going to make a concerted effort to improve about myself.

A few of the things I'm looking forward to right now? A Red Sox game with my dad, New York Fashion Week, a fall jaunt to Nantucket, a weekend trip to New Orleans, and — at the end of September — the start of my next list (wooohooo!).

Does any of this ring true for you? What's one thing you're looking forward to this week or this month? P.S. You can follow me on Twitter here if you're interested in more daily musings! 

SOCIETY SOCIAL GIVEAWAY!

In honor of my apartment tour on Glitter Guide today (!!!) , my dear friend Roxy of Society Social has offered to give away one Piper bow chair to one of you! This is literally my favorite item in my whole apartment and I couldn't be more excited to see one of you end up with its twin! To enter, simply follow the steps in the widget below and I'll contact the winner on Friday. Good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In honor of my apartment tour on Glitter Guide today (!!!) , my dear friend Roxy of Society Social has offered to give away one Piper bow chair to one of you! This is literally my favorite item in my whole apartment and I couldn't be more excited to see one of you end up with its twin! To enter, simply follow the steps in the widget below and I'll contact the winner on Friday. Good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

6 DRUGSTORE BEAUTY BUYS

When it comes to makeup and skincare, there are definitely some things I deem worth the splurge. For instance, this tinted moisturizer will change your life and I literally get separation anxiety from this magic tool when I travel. But there are a few things I'm content to pick up at the drugstore — I'm totally the girl who stocks up on chapstick at the checkout counter then goes home and puts one in every bag, clutch, wallet, etc. Here are a few cheapie finds that work just as well as their $$$ counterparts:

Aquaphor healing ointment, $7

The small (3.5 ounce) size will last you months if not years. I put it on my lips every night before bed but I've found it also works wonders on dry hands come winter.

Covergirl Spellbound lipstick, $4

I don't wear lipstick often but, when I do, I love this bright pink shade. There are so few shades I feel I can really wear as a redhead that, when I find one I like, I buy multiples!

Maybelline rocket mascara, $7

The colors look pretty sitting on my bathroom counter and the brush makes for an even application and longer looking lashes every time. 

Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser, $11

I use it with my Clarisonic every night. I refuse to spend money on something I'm quite literally washing down the drain and this leaves my skin feeling super soft.

Neutrogena sunscreen, $10

I've always been pretty good about wearing sunscreen but lately I've been keeping an extra tube of this in my bag to apply to my hands before gel manicures. Better safe than sorry?

Nivea touch of renewal body scrub, $6

An inexpensive exfoliator that works all over... I'm sold.

Nivea olive oil & lemon chapstick, $3

I wasn't so sure how I felt about putting olive oil on my lips but one swipe and I was addicted. The texture is amazing but I'm seriously obsessed with the smell. I have made all my family and friends try it and the verdict is always the same: Must. Have.

Tell me: what are your favorite drugstore beauty buys? Most worthwhile splurges? Let's hear it!

P.S. Pop back over for an exciting announcement this afternoon!!!

When it comes to makeup and skincare, there are definitely some things I deem worth the splurge. For instance, this tinted moisturizer will change your life and I literally get separation anxiety from this magic tool when I travel. But there are a few things I'm content to pick up at the drugstore — I'm totally the girl who stocks up on chapstick at the checkout counter then goes home and puts one in every bag, clutch, wallet, etc. Here are a few cheapie finds that work just as well as their $$$ counterparts:

Aquaphor healing ointment, $7

The small (3.5 ounce) size will last you months if not years. I put it on my lips every night before bed but I've found it also works wonders on dry hands come winter.

Covergirl Spellbound lipstick, $4

I don't wear lipstick often but, when I do, I love this bright pink shade. There are so few shades I feel I can really wear as a redhead that, when I find one I like, I buy multiples!

Maybelline rocket mascara, $7

The colors look pretty sitting on my bathroom counter and the brush makes for an even application and longer looking lashes every time. 

Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser, $11

I use it with my Clarisonic every night. I refuse to spend money on something I'm quite literally washing down the drain and this leaves my skin feeling super soft.

Neutrogena sunscreen, $10

I've always been pretty good about wearing sunscreen but lately I've been keeping an extra tube of this in my bag to apply to my hands before gel manicures. Better safe than sorry?

Nivea touch of renewal body scrub, $6

An inexpensive exfoliator that works all over... I'm sold.

Nivea olive oil & lemon chapstick, $3

I wasn't so sure how I felt about putting olive oil on my lips but one swipe and I was addicted. The texture is amazing but I'm seriously obsessed with the smell. I have made all my family and friends try it and the verdict is always the same: Must. Have.

Tell me: what are your favorite drugstore beauty buys? Most worthwhile splurges? Let's hear it!

P.S. Pop back over for an exciting announcement this afternoon!!!