a stormy picnic.

During spring break, I set a few personal goals for myself. I realized that I was spending most of my energy on my job and wasn't leaving time for much else. The result was me becoming a skeleton of myself, which served absolutely no one — in my work or in my personal life. So upon returning from spring break, I told myself that I needed to do some more things just for enjoyment.

We're lucky to live in an extremely beautiful place and yet we're so quick to take it for granted. One night, Jeffrey prepared our dinner to-go and we ate it at the waterfront park at the end of our street. Perhaps our favorite part was that a storm was rolling in and we had (perfectly safe) front row seats. xo

my favorite face wash.

Hello, friends! Let's talk face wash today. I've always found myself a bit in love with beauty products and I can spend hours (truly!) researching this stuff. When I found EWG's Skin Deep database, it was like a holy grail for me. Believe it or not, many beauty products are full of cancer-causing agents and toxins that could hurt an unborn child. What's more, manufacturers aren't required to write all ingredients on their labels, which means some pretty scary stuff could be making its way into your products (I've spoken a little bit about that here). Something seems wrong with that picture. That's why it was such a dream when I found Skin Deep. It provides its users with a scale from not hazardous to hazardous, tells you what exactly is in your product, and rates it on a numerical scale (for your reference, it's best when a product gets a zero).

I dealt with moderate acne for the entirety of my college career and I spent countless hours wishing it away. I thought the only answer to better skin was slathering on doctor-prescribed creams, but it turns out that just taking care of my body is what truly changed my skin. It wasn't until I started healing my body from the inside out that I noticed a big difference (and I ditched those creams ASAP, by the way). That certainly doesn't mean I don't use a product or two on my face. I do, but I've simplified everything and my skin's never been happier.

I found Acure Sensitive Facial Cleanser on a whim and I love it! It's gentle and you only need a pea-sized amount to get a foamy lather. The brand Acure gets a great rating on Skin Deep (although I haven't found a rating for my actual face wash). I use an organic facial sponge about three times a week and just use my hands on the other nights. Plus, I use good old coconut oil to remove my makeup. Works like a charm!

I'd love nothing more than to chat beauty products with you! Let me know what products you use (and love!) on your face! xo

back in the saddle.

Hi, Friends!

It's been awhile, hasn't it?

My blogging hiatus and time away from this space was completely unexpected and unplanned. I've loved blogging from the moment I started nearly 6 years ago (back when I still blogged at this space).

I've been pretty open about the struggles I experienced when I entered the working world at the end of Augut 2013. I wrote about it here, too. I think the newness of all of that kind of made me resistant, but the truth is that writing soothes my soul, whether I'm rambling on about our wedding (and how to get married on a very small budget) or sharing the shocking truth about what's in our makeup. I've been constantly pulled back to this space, and yet I've been hesitant to write anything here. Why? It's my space and I make the rules here! :)

With that said, I've got some ideas for this blog and I hope you'll join me in this imperfect journey of fun and honesty. I'll continue to write about the things that matter to me most, which might be a trip to a local burger joint or an honest post about my simple (but difficult) new year's resolution. I hope you'll stick around! xo

dearest love of my life,

Today we have been married for one year. My heart is full. Each day I am surprised to become closer to you. I never knew I could know someone in all the ways I know you. And I never knew that someone could know me in all the ways you know me. You have taught me more in this one year of marriage than I could have ever hoped to learn.

It is still a wonder to me that you chose me. And that you choose me everyday. Thank you for loving me, even in my unlovable moments. Thank you for giving to me every single day. It appears that your well is endless.

Life with you is an adventure. You have taught me to take the leap and have confidence in my heart and gut, a lesson I must learn from you over and over again. You speak words of kindness that uplift my soul and fill me with sunshine. And your thoughts are of me, constantly.

Your light heart is so good for me, especially on days when I am thinking too much. When I look at you, I almost feel like I could burst. My memories with you are so fond and so sweet and it is a gift I cherish daily to know that I will be married to you for the rest of my life.

Sometimes things feel bleak. You are my constant reminder that it will pass, that a bright spot can always be found in the darkest of moments.

You are my bright spot.

To you, my love and to the best first year of marriage I could have ever dreamt up and more.

Yours always,
Rox

survive your early morning wake up call!

When I started teaching, waking up at 5:20 was the least of my problems. As a matter of fact, there was a list of problems that trumped this one and it was 10+ miles long. But now that I've finally gotten my teaching-groove on, I can honestly say that waking up before the sun is a very difficult aspect of my job. There is just nothing like waking up in the pitch dark only to see a husband and dog pleasantly slumbering and frolicking through dreamland. And as a person who naturally runs cold in almost all seasons and temperatures, leaving the comforts of the duvet is a hard reality that feels slightly impossible to endure when it's only minutes after 5. And if you're thinking I sound dramatic, it's because I am. Drama must happen to be my specialty right before dawn. However, after three years of facing this wake-up time, I'd like to think that I've collected some helpful and easy ways to — at the very least — make its acquaintance.

1. Buy some slippers. Little luxuries can be truly helpful when trying to pump yourself up for the day at hand. For me, that means slippers. My slippers find their home right next to my bed and every morning I'm greeted with their cozy comfort. It's a small victory, but a lovely one.

2. Dedicate five minutes to yourself. Leisurely mornings are my bread and butter, so it was important for me to come up with some way to at least infuse my 5:20 mornings with a bit of goodness. That means that I dedicate the first five minutes of my morning to myself. Typically, that means checking my Instagram feed, but that could occasionally mean spending a little bit of time journaling or writing if the mood strikes (which — in the interest of honesty — isn't often).

3. Tone with witch hazel. Many years ago, my mom let me in on a little secret: witch hazel as toner. It revolutionized my skin care routine and I've used it religiously for the last 4 years. (I use and love this brand.) It is so revitalizing to my skin and gives me a little boost of energy. As an added bonus, it's also great for reducing puffiness around the eyes.

4. Think positive thoughts. While I'm getting ready, I think about my day. I picture it going well. I picture myself being happy, calm, and confident. I hope this doesn't sound too cheesy, but it actually works! I think positive thoughts for my loved ones and try to remain in a peaceful and prayerful state. I ask for strength, patience, and compassion (three really important qualities that I need in my day-to-day job), and imagine myself bestowing those qualities onto others. I know this might sound a little contrived, but it really prepares my heart for the day ahead and helps me shift into a positive, happy mindset.

5. Play some music. After about 10 minutes of quiet reflection, I like to put some music on. I don't always do this and I have to keep it quiet (I share a wall with neighbors and have a sleeping Jeffrey in the bedroom), but I find that it often peps me up quite a bit, especially if I'm feeling extra sluggish!

6. Make breakfast ahead of time. Personally, I know that preparing breakfast in the morning means no breakfast at all, so I make my breakfast the night before. I often make steel-cut oats and follow the recipe that's on the canister for overnight oats (all you have to do in the morning is heat it up on the stovetop). Sometimes, I'll make something like muffins or banana bread for the entire week. Just in case, I always have this on hand. It mixes nicely with almond milk, and is super quick and easy. It took me about a week to get used to the flavor, but now I truly enjoy it! It is my go-to breakfast option and what I typically end up having on a weekday morning.

7. Do something special once a week. Because I do have a difficult time waking up so early, I like to give myself something to look forward to, so once a week I treat myself to Starbucks. This usually comes on Fridays as an end-of-the-week treat, but sometimes I like to stop midweek if it's a particularly trying week.

8. Make a morning playlist for the car. My commute is only about 15 minutes, but that gives me plenty of time to listen to some of my most loved songs. It's an acceptable time to listen to some of my current favorites on repeat and I often listen to my dad's music, which always puts me in a tip-top mood! I actually look forward to my morning drive simply because I get to listen to music and create a calm start to the day.

Truthfully, I think waking up before 6 a.m. will always be a struggle for me. Luckily, I've had plenty of time to realize this about myself and find little ways to make that time in my day slightly more sunshine-y (even if the actual sun is nowhere to be found).

One thing I've learned is that it's truly a luxury to sleep in until 7! Several years ago, I would have found that statement totally absurd, but now it sounds like music to my ears. Once I get going and locked into my routine, 5:20 is really not that terrible, and these eight tried and true tips make it even better! Happy waking!

a resolution.

It's been awhile since I've felt motivated to sit down and write something in this space. Even now, I'm leaving the cursor blinking, blinking, blinking for moments at a time because I'm not sure what it is that I want to say – or if I have anything to say at all.

I guess in being truthful with you, I was forced to be truthful with myself. What I mean to say is that when I decided to be vulnerable here, it meant that I had to be vulnerable with myself, too. I admitted that my new job was not an easy transition and I admitted that optimism was not so easily found, and it was scary. When I look at those last few posts, I feel sad.

Because I write about my life, there isn't much room for hiding around these parts. My posts relate directly to how I'm feeling and how I'm living out my life. When I'm sad, the writing is sad. When I'm happy, the writing is happy. Naturally, when I flip back through the archives, I can relive the moments I wrote about. In reliving those moments, I can remember the happiness or sadness I felt as I wrote them.

In the interest of moving on, I don't want to dwell on the fact that a new career is hard, especially when it doesn't align with the original vision I had for said career. It's okay, though. I am building a life here and so that doesn't always mean that it will be built smoothly. Of course there's challenges and obstacles. Without those challenges and obstacles, there wouldn't be much to learn, would there?

People often choose a word to associate with a new year, which always seemed a bit contrived to me. These days, it's settling in quite nicely and I no longer feel that it's contrived at all, but actually quite a lovely way to view a new year.

My word for the year is this: Contentment.

I was gifted a book about inner beauty this year, and in it there's a big list of words. I had to circle the five words that most describe who I am. Then, I had to choose five words that I wanted to work toward. One of the words I'm working toward is content.

Content in everything, I think.

Content to stop rocking the boat and just be. Content to live life just the way it is now without feeling the overwhelming need to perfect it in a matter of days or minutes. Because of course I'm working toward building a life, but has it ever hurt anyone to stop and enjoy the scenery and the efforts of the hard work already put forth?

Content, content, content. Even the sound of the word brings peace to my heart.

Happy new year, friends. I'll be back.

what i know at 24.

Admitting to yourself that you don't have it all figured out will free you of the most ridiculous, unnecessary burden. Learning to be okay with the fact that you don't have it all figured out is what takes time and patience. Deep breaths, you will get there.

The noise at the side door — the one that sounds like creepy fingernails scratching on the pane — is, in fact, a branch. Don't let your mind wander any further than that.

The night you don't wash the makeup off your face is not the night that the world will end. The earth will keep spinning and it will be okay.

Patience takes practice. Over and over again.

When given the opportunity to make the brave decision, do it. Live with the consequences, whatever they may be.

Stop saying you're busy all the time and go do things that aren't directly related to your job.

A messy desk is a sign of a messy mind, which will freak you out at first, but some of the messiest minds are also the most interesting. Bask in that.

Don't get to the point where you need to tell yourself that two Cokes in one day is too many.

Be compassionate in all scenarios. Rise up and be the bigger person even if you don't really feel like it.

Cry at a Sigur Rós concert when they start (unexpectedly) playing your favorite song and be okay with the fact that sometimes you don't know what you're doing and it hurts to feel unsure and the jumping off point is unclear, but take the leap anyway. Enjoy the free fall for awhile.

Retail therapy may not really cure anything, but it sure does help.

Sometimes you might find yourself talking out loud in your car while you're completely alone and you might discover that you have really valuable things to say to yourself.

If you spend all your time worrying about how others perceive you, you have wasted your own time and allowed others to dictate the value of your life and how you're living it. Be better than that.

Sometimes something funny will happen and you will have to choose whether to laugh or carry on with the lesson. Choose to laugh, every single time.