What I Wore: Friday 2/28/14

Sweater: Garage, Skirt: Forever 21, Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Today’s officially the first day of my spring break and I am so happy and relieved to have a week off to relax and spend time with my family at home. I have no major set plans and I am happy that way. With no stress, I am going to let each day happen as it may and accept it for what it will be. With my family and close friends and the feeling of happiness I get when I am home, I know this break will be nothing short of wonderful.

This week I thought a lot about mistakes. I had been thinking a lot about how certain things could have worked out differently if I had made different choices or done things another way. We may love the wrong person, cry about the wrong things, stress about insignificant things, and believe we make the wrong choices sometimes. One thing is for sure: mistakes help us find the things and the people that are right for us.

We all must realize this: You are not your mistakes. You are not your struggles. Though every person has their fair share of both, these things do not define you. We are all here now and have the ability to shape our day and our future. Choose, instead, to reflect on the lessons you have learned from these so called “mistakes” and realize that every single thing that has ever happened in your entire life has served to prepare you for both a glorious moment and for a lifetime that is yet to come. 

Here's to learning lessons- not "making mistakes"

- Alissa 

My Weekend and What I Wore: Sunday 2/23/14

Hat: Zumiez, Coat: Forever 21, Shirt: Urban Outfitters, Pants: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Charlotte Russe, Glasses: Tobi, Bracelet: 66 Links, Watch: Michael Kors, Lipstick: Ruby Woo by MAC and Rebel by MAC, Lipliner: Vino by MAC

Over the past few weeks, I've come to realize that making others happy is important, but making yourself happy is vital. I am always trying to make the people around me happy- so much so that I often lose sight of the importance of my own happiness. It is not a crime to be selfish with your happiness. At the end of the day, that is ultimately what everyone is seeking- their own happiness.

Doing things for other people makes me happy. Seeing other people happy makes me happy. At some point, we will find that spending every minute of our days only doing things to ensure someone else’s happiness will sometimes drain us of our own. This week, vow to find out what your source of happiness is. Focus on making those around you happy, but don’t allow yourself to be unhappy.

I find it so important to sometimes focus on some “me” time. Spend some time alone to gather your thoughts, sort out where you are at in life and where you would like to go next. Focus on what will make you grow and what will make your journey more worthwhile in the end. Making others happy will come so much more easily when you are happy yourself.

Here’s to focusing more on our “me” time.

-          Alissa 

   PS: This weekend, I went to the Kanye West concert in Connecticut with my sister and my cousin. He is so, so talented and such an amazing performer. On Saturday, I went to the cutest little place called Sweet Indulgence. They have all different kinds of desserts and drinks (my favorite: frozen hot chocolate). I recommend it to any and all of my RI readers!

What I Wore: Friday 2/21/14

Dress: Forever 21, Shoes: Dr. Martens, Socks: Urban Outfitters 

"Make room for good things and good things will come your way." Although we are only two months into it, this year has been one of the best years yet. I have focused my attention on the things that truly matter and the things that are important to me. I've made an effort to ignore any and all negativity and remove toxic people from my life. If you focus on the things that you value and appreciate, and the people that value and appreciate you in return, everything will fall into place.

Life is too short for anything that isn't beneficial. In two short months, I've realized a number of things.
1. Don't waste time on people that don't want to see you happy.
2. Don't stress over the little things.
3. Don't get caught up in seeking the approval of others.
4. Good things take time.
5. A bad day does not mean a bad life.
6. Be open to trying new things.
7. Take advantage of every opportunity you have.
8. You have to get up, go out and go after what you want. Nothing you desire in life will be handed to you.
9. Things will only bother you if you let them.
10. Make the most out of every single day. Appreciate the people in your life. Focus on what you do have rather than what you don't have.

Here's to making this year a good year.

- Alissa 

A Week of Good News

This week was full of good news for me. My blog was featured in my college's newspaper on Wednesday and I was ecstatic about it. My sister and a few of my friends shared their thoughts about my blog and how they are inspired by what I am doing. I'm so lucky that people find joy in what I am doing here, because it's the thing that has brought me endless amounts of joy, as well. When you find what it is that you are passionate about and you share it with others, you inspire them to discover their passion, too. I'm doing what I love and I am inspiring others along the way- therefore, I'm achieving so many of my goals all at once.

Yesterday, I found out that I have been accepted into the study abroad program for the fall semester. I will be studying in Italy for four months (!!!!!!) and I could not possibly be any happier or any more excited about it. At the start of this year, I vowed to take advantage of every opportunity that I possibly could. I have always wanted to travel but haven't had many chances to. I'm so lucky that I have a family that supports me every step of the way, wants to see me happy, and will do all that they can to help me live out my dreams.

I'm so excited to take Vogue and Vibes to Italy and all around Europe with me in six months. There is so much in store for me, my journey and my blog and I'm happy I have a place where I can share stories every step of the way.

Ask yourself how you can take advantage of the opportunities in your life. What can you do to be sure that you live out your dreams? Is there something you've wanted to do but have never allowed yourself to do? Do it. You are only young once. Grab on to every opportunity that comes your way and make the most out of every single day of your life. Create something that matters. 

Here's to a week full of even more good news.

- Alissa 

Thursday Inspiration: 2/13/14

Today, I came across this amazing video. This short story in video form is based on Jeff Shinabarger's book, coming out in early March. Jeff leads a group called Plywood People (check out their site here). This group is doing some really awesome things to inspire social change. Plywood is a non-profit organization based in Atlanta that aims to inspire people to focus on positivity and find out what they can do to implement problem-solving solutions. Their site shares stories of the people they have met through their work for Plywood. They share how these people have made their lives better and have been helping to inspire those around them to do the same.

Jeff stated that with the story displayed in this video, he shares the way he desires to live and hopes to encourage others to find theirs as well. "Try to remember what it means to be instead of only what it means to do." We are so quick to share our problems with others and vent our current areas of stress and aggravation. Instead of sharing (and ultimately- spreading) negativity, shouldn't we all focus on sharing what is going well in our lives? If we find that we desire to vent about what is wrong- we must only do so if we are willing to discover our own "problem-solving solution".

The best thing I took out of this video is this: "Spend less time reacting to what is urgent and more time returning to what’s important." We all have responsibilities- whether they are related to work, school, clubs, etc. Do not focus all of your time on energy on the things that you believe you must do. We should all make a promise to ourselves that we will vow to focus more time and energy on the things that we want to do. We should do the things that will make us happy. Don't get wrapped up in how "busy" you are doing things that you feel you need to do, but do not actually desire to do. Do the things that you want to and enjoy doing.

Here's to a weekend dedicated to doing what we want to do.

- Alissa 

My Weekend and What I Wore: Sunday 2/9/14

Top: H&M, Sweater: Thrifted (Nostalgia), Similar skirt: Blue Fly, Socks: Urban Outfitters, Boots: Thrifted, Ring: Thrifted (Nostalgia)

I am headed back to school today after a nice and relaxing weekend at home. This weekend, I got to meet my best friend’s baby, Brody (who is the most perfect little man in the entire world), I got to spend time with my family, and I got to go to some of my favorite spots in Rhode Island. Today, my mom and I went to Brickway on Wickenden (my favorite breakfast place in Providence), went thrifting at Nostalgia, and picked up some delicious desserts at Pastiche.

After some rough days at school the past couple of weeks, some time home was exactly what I needed. One thing I constantly remind myself is this: A bad day doesn’t mean a bad life. Sometimes we find ourselves looking back on the things that once upset us and laughing. Our problems seem so insignificant when we look at the bigger picture. Life is meant to be enjoyed. The “bad times” are just lessons learned. We must look at them as learning experiences and move on.

Find something you enjoy doing and people you enjoy being around and everything will fall into place. Discover your passion and find people who are passionate about what they do as well. Surround yourself with people who are excited about life- the people who help you see that there really is so much to be excited about.

Here’s to a week full of excitement,

-          Alissa 

What I Wore: Friday 2/7/14

Top: Urban Outfitters, Tights: Urban Outfitters, Shorts: Charlotte Russe, Shoes: Charlotte Russe, Bracelets: Thrifted, Sunglasses: Tobi, Bandeau: Garage, Lipstick: Diva by MAC Cosmetics

I have come to terms recently with the fact that I am an absolute sucker for the inspirational quotes, articles, and lists online. Whether I see them on my daily Pinterest browse, on Thought Catalog, on Upworthy, on EliteDaily, or in Demi Lovato’s new book,  I find myself reading these motivating posts every single day and getting so much inspiration from them.

As cliché as some of these articles or quotes may be, there is so much truth in them. It is easy to get wrapped up in the everyday stress we face or what is currently bothering us. These articles and quotes are the things that we often need to help put things in perspective for us. One thing I hope is that this space has provided that type of inspiration for my lovely readers.  As an avid follower of these bits of inspiration, I hope that with this blog, I’ve been able to share my own inspirational little snippets for all of you.

These quotes allow us to be reminded of what we already know. We know that there is truth in the articles and quotes that we read, but sometimes it is hard for us to see it on our own. These posts serve as a reminder that life is good. We cannot spend so much time stressing over the little things. Will the things we worry about even matter in the long run?  The things we want to happen will happen- as long as we are willing to work for them. Look forward and carry on with your journey. Make your future one you will be proud of- and don’t sweat the small stuff.

“You never arrive at happiness, you just learn to live it.”  

Here's to a weekend full of happiness,

- Alissa

PS: I fell in love with these sunglasses and they finally arrived this week! Thank you, Tobi- nothing beats a new pair of shades! :)