'resolutioners'

         I think, whether we're prone to writing down concrete resolutions or not, we are all apt to reflect on what we can change in our lives when a new year rings in. I am no exception and while I don't set much store in a full life turn-around occurring with an arbitrary date, I see no harm in using it as a time for a fresh start. With my finals schedule ending blessedly early, I've actually had quite a long holiday break and as it comes to a close it finds me fairly restless. Tomorrow my long lazy days come to an end when my father drives back to my city to cart me around to grab groceries to stock my cupboards and see me frenziedly clean my apartment. But I'm looking forward to it. Without the structure of work or school I end up left to my devices for too long and I get restless and idle. My muscles are stiff because my crazy prior semester saw me abandon my yoga and regular gym schedule. I'm a little more tired from heavy holiday foods and little to no coffee. So, naturally, finding myself a little shriveled and tired from too much free time I find myself planning on little things I plan on getting back to with my winter semester just around the corner. 

~

          My physical health needs to take a priority again. Between not eating enough and finding time to get my heart pumping and muscles burning I lost a lot of muscle and flexibility and I definitely didn't sleep as well as I did in months prior. I miss my muscle-ly legs and ability to hoist myself into headstands. My skin has been suffering as well, drying out with another cold atlantic winter sweeping in. So I have planned for early rises to get in gym time with my jam-packed schedule. Food wise I want to cut back on processed food and and try eating close to plant-based and continue to keep caffeine to a minimum. Skin wise I'm going to revamp my whole routine and find a new evening ritual to get my skin back to glowing.

~

          My mental health also deserves to be taken care of a little more in the new year. Just being a generally anxious person than most I need to absolutely make the time to cut off screen time in the evenings and have a restful night-time routine in place where I can light a candle, grab a cup of calming tea and write down my reflections of each day. Being naturally introverted means I am apt to bottle things up and carrying everything doesn't allow for mental clarity. I also pledge to myself that if it turns that I cannot seem to do my mental health justice on my own, I'll make the time to turn to a professional.
        Another mantra I plan to live with this year is the idea that while connecting with people is something I love doing, since I am pretty social, it doesn't mean that everyone deserves a seat at the table of my life. I tend to be very quick to invest emotional energy into other people rather than knowing the limits of my psyche and often expend too much into being a doormat to other people at the expense of my own worries. I often feel a lot of guilt there because I often feel obligated to put myself out there for other people in every possible way but I need a gentle reminder that saying 'no' when I need to and picking and choosing where I invest myself doesn't make me a bad person, just one with priorities. This year is about choosing the things that are best for me and bring my dreams forward, rather than being dishonest with myself and others. Doubting my gut and intuitions and my own abilities to achieve my dreams doesn't do anyone any favours, myself especially.

~

             Lastly my financial standing is also going to become a priority. The plan is to pick up a part time job and be a 'real' adult and open a savings account. I do in fact have student loans but they only really cover the cost of living. I'm tired of having to overly plan ahead for social events or dating, or things like studying abroad taking an absolute back burner to my bills. It sounds like a simple goal but focusing more on becoming independent and finding new ways to take care of myself is something that is important to me. 

            So my goals are few but they entail a lot more smaller tasks and organizing than I wanted to lay out here. Something about writing it down always makes the possibility of success more real, somehow. I hope the new year finds you in good stead.

xx. r

Weekly Musings #6: february blues

Hello again - a valiant effort to stay on track this evening with my review failed miserably since I wanted so awfully to touch base here and kind of just do a round up of the stuff that's been going on in my life recently. February hasn't been what I'll call overly kind to me so far, so it's living up to its cliche, one would suppose. Nothing in particular coming up on the horizon and its just felt a little down in general what with the butt-tonne of snow and lots of school work. To try and counteract these gloomy moments, I've been trying to actively write down or point out the more positive things that have happened thus far.

David's Tea strawberry rhubarb parfait // slippers at home for midterm break // bus stop loveliness // vegetarian meal prep

Midterm break-breather: Such as it always happens with me, I dip suddenly after a few weeks/month of being back at school. I know I've touched on how important home/family is to me a few times here and I doubt I'll stop bringing it up. A few days back around the blustery ocean to play scrabble and drink wine with my parents and sister was lovely. And catching up on sleep and work without feeling completely bogged down did wonders for my general sense of peace and mental clarity. Plus, time with my lovely cats is something I can never say no to. 

Contemplation: This one is vague and kind of abstract I'll admit, but I've just generally found the "noise" in my head is less of a flurry and more something I can actually manage and actually process recently. Of course, more often than not it's still all kind of overwhelming and harried, but I've been finding I've been having more clear days than anything else. Even if whatever I'm contemplating isn't the most lovely thought to be thinking, at least I'm being honest with myself, and that does a lot for my mental health in the long run.

homemade waffles (midterm break)

Honorable mentions: ● trying out new ideas for my weekly meal prep and having them be insanely delicious ● peppermint coffee ● finding long forgotten favorite novels ● new pillows ● toast with peanut butter and honey ● finding the time to actually do my makeup nicely and feeling like a total fox ● the lovely people I volunteer with ● safe spaces for critical debates and feminist fun ● prioritizing my yoga practice again and it not being about anyone but me ● a tidy bedroom ● getting into watching the old Twilight Zone ● earplugs (hallelujah) ● successful new note-taking methods ● days that feel like spring ● anticipation for treating myself to a new piercing ● more anticipation for an upcoming performance ● feeling in touch with music again  ● OPI's "love is hot and coal"; such a rad nail colour ● compliments on my Blundstones from a bus driver ● Binge watching How To Get Away With Murder

Link love: ● Someone please buy me these stunning white cat-eye shades for spring? (!!)

● Holla' at me for Valentino's Pre-Fall 2015 collection because oh my god, my obsession with astrology is soaring to new heights. (The capeeesss)
● I've also finally found a way I really enjoy eating salmon, so I'm telling you all to go try this now.

That's all from your slightly forlorn blogger for now, folks; back to the books - has February likewise gotten you down? What silver linings have you found? Much love!

r.

style: winter blues

Hello babes! So I took the advantage of my free morning to actually post an outfit. This is something new to me and I'm doing it in the hopes it'll help me reflect and refine my style. Part of being on campus (and also living in Newfoundland) is striking the right chord between practicality, comfort and style. I'm still trying to figure out what elements feel the most 'me', which is more of a challenge than I thought. I've always been a big believer that your clothes and personal style are an excellent form of self expression and I was always slow to the game on it. I can always recognize uniqueness and originality in others but I find it hard when it comes to me because I want to wear 50 different identities at once. 

So, yeah, it's a slow process. Reflecting on this outfit: I like the layers; as a busty girl finding ways to dress your boobs (let's be frank here, that's what you have to do) is not always easy and I'm drawn towards more masculine aesthetics anyways. Again, striking the right chord isn't always easy. 

This is just casual-ness for a day of volunteering, picking up some odds and ends and running to my psychology of sexual health class. Button up shirts are my best friend, not going to lie. As are the Blundstones I'm going to throw on with this. I'm going to do a review of those real soon, truthfully because they are SUCH a cold/wet weather essential. 

pearls & earrings - gifts // jeans & oxford button down -GAP // sheer gardigan - F21

Not pictured, the kickass vintage cabin sock I threw on after. Coziness is key. 

Apologies for the mirror pics, I'll try to find a better venue for photographs soon! Hope you're all having a lovely day!
r.

  

Bedroom Inspiration

I ended up moving to a new house after my first year in university, and am now in a place with 4 other lovely roommates and have a new bedroom to think about decorating. Such is the case that I will be heading back to move in within a couple of days, I thought it prudent to put together a little post summarizing what I'd like my space to be.
I've upgraded to a queen bed, and that combined with the fact that my new room is a mite bit smaller than my old one I want to use my space more efficiently for storage, study, leisure as well as keeping to minimalist, more mature aesthetic.

The general idea I want it light and cozy; white and cream with pops of bright color and warm lighting which make the space inviting. I have  few DIY projects I'm going to attempt as well for keeping me organized as well for wall art and such. I will surely post pictures once my room has totally come together but for now I thought I'd post some pictures I've accumulated of spaces & particular projects and room elements I like.
(Side note: all of these pictures come from tumblr or pinterest so I do not claim to own any of these, rather, the credit goes to the respective photographer. Collage app credit to PicMonkey.)

       

      

This just happens to be the few images I liked the most. I may or may not add in some more as I find them.

What do you lovelies have planned for your back to school digs?
r.