It's the Little Things

Sometimes I feel like the little things in life can be overlooked and ultimately I think those are the best things in life. They make each day more enjoyable and add variety to life, so I’ve compiled a list of little things that I enjoy that maybe are overlooked too often.

Belly-aching laughter

I’m not talking about a normal laugh. Not the kind that happens when you watch your favorite Will Ferrell movie. Or the kind that happens when you watch a comedian do some stand-up. No. I’m talking about much more than that. I’m talking about the kind of laughter that you have absolutely no control over. The kind that maybe starts out on the level of pretty standard controllable laughter. But it escalates. Oh, does it escalate. It escalates to the point where tears well up in your eyes and pour down your face, bringing all your mascara with it. It reaches the point where you are snorting, wheezing, probably not even making any noise because you are shaking so hard with uncontrollable laughter. The kind that happens when you feel like there is no stopping it and that you must give into the laughter and let it succumb you in its entirety. The kind that works your abdominal muscles more than a 30-minute abdominal workout does. The kind that leaves you feeling completely exhausted but totally amused, entertained, and fulfilled. That kind of belly-aching laughter. 

Doing a good deed

One of the best feelings in the world is doing a selfless act. Whether it’s giving a dollar to a homeless man, returning a lost wallet, or even just treating a friend to a meal. It makes you feel like you, one person, can make a difference in someone’s life. Maybe you just made them smile, or maybe you changed their terrible day into a good one, or maybe you even saved their life. Doing something without expecting anything in return is some of the deepest, most gratifying things that anyone could possibly imagine.

Peeling off nail polish in one piece

Every girl out there that has painted her nails knows exactly what I am talking about. Sure, maybe they look pretty for a day or even a week if you’re lucky and used a clear top coat. But eventually you will get that first small chip. And that first small chip means one thing. Time to chip off the nail polish. Now maybe you are bored at work, or sitting in a large lecture hall, or maybe you’re just watching TV one night. But it’s bound to happen. The worst is trying to chip and only getting small bits. Not only is it unfulfilling, it takes forever and makes a mess with little nail polish bits flying everywhere. Even in your eye if you’re especially unlucky. But lo and behold. You pulled off an entire nail of polish in one piece. One whole piece. At the time there can be no bigger or greater accomplish for those few precious seconds of peeling it off. You peel so slowly and cautiously and bam. You did it. Awesome. 

A hug

Hugs are underrated. I mean kisses are great, don’t get me wrong… but hugs… man, hugs are just fantastic. Feeling someone else wrapping their arms around you and just embracing you for a few short seconds (hopefully not longer cause then it could get to the creepy factor, which is no fun). So much comfort. So much kindness. So much love. 

 Feeling the sun on your back while wearing a black t-shirt while laying in a lush field of grass

Pretty self-explanatory.

Sexual innuendos

Now I may have the maturity of a 13-year-old boy at times; I’ll admit it. But hey, it makes life so much more enjoyable and can even induce bellyaching laughter if done properly. I will never tire of ball jokes, “That’s what she/he said”, or trying to misconstrue serious statements into inappropriate comments. Nothing gives me greater pleasure or entertainment than pointing out how something sounds sexual or cracking a joke myself, even if I’m the only one laughing.

 Singing while driving

I cannot sing. I mean I can sing, everyone can, but in no way shape or form can I remotely carry a tune. Which is why I absolutely adore singing while I am driving. I get some of my best singing done on the road. Since no one is there to criticize or judge my off-key tunes, I am convinced I can hit Mariah’s high notes and keep up with Celine. I harmonize with Taylor while we get emotional about relationships ending and the feeling of heartbreak. I rap with Luda and Nikki and don’t miss a beat. Sure, realistically, I probably can’t do any of these things and people next to me at red lights can probably still hear me even though my windows are up (yes I can get into it), but I like to think I can and they can’t.  It taps into the 6^th grade me who for some reason told the yearbook that I wanted to be a singer when I grew up. Just for those few miles I am doing just that. 

 Warm socks

If you have ever had cold feet, you can really appreciate the absolute joy of warm socks. Warm, thick, fuzzy socks that are sold in hiking and outdoors stores that are made for 30 degree and below weather. They are absolutely heavenly, no other words. They are a personal fleece blanket for your feet. 

 Scars

Now maybe I’m just thinking of scars because I will probably get another knee surgery over my winter break, but scars are pretty great. Sure, initially you may not like them and find them ugly. But I think scars are one of those amazing things that may seem ugly but are really beautiful. They make a person unique and tell a story. I can tell you that the wrinkly scar on my right knee is from my childhood when I was racing on a scooter and wiped out and scraped my knee open. Or a scar on my left hand is from 7^th grade when a friend was dragging me through American Eagle and my hand whipped around and hit a table. The huge scar on my left knee is from my ACL surgery and reminds me of how far I’ve come since then. All scars tell stories and are beautiful if you actually think about it. Plus Harry Potter has one and he’s pretty cool, right? 

 

Chapstick*

If you’ve ever had chapped lips, you know the power of chapstick. That smooth lip balm that provides instant relief to your dry, cracking, thirsty lips. Nothing more immediately gratifying.

Being in an awkward situation and having no one to share it with and laughing by yourself*

Story of my life. Maybe you tripped in front of a group of people and they all turned and laughed. Or smacked a stranger’s ass because you thought it was a friend, only to be very very mistaken. Whatever the case, it’s hilarious. And while you may yearn to share it with someone that can find the situation as hysterical as you, it’s kinda awesome that you share this hilarious moment with yourself.

Good Smells

Imagine a life without good smells. Can’t do it right? Most people probably underestimate the awesomeness of good smells. Walking into your house back home and smelling the cinnamon of an apple pie right around Thanksgiving. Waking up and the scent of your Christmas tree instantly hitting your nostrils. The aroma of coffee helping you most just a little bit faster in the mornings. Good smells mean good memories. 

*pictures not included because who wants a picture of chapped lips? And if an awkward situation happens to you alone, there wouldn't be any pictures.

XOXOXO

Nostalgia

I am knee deep in grad school apps/recs, scheduling for my last semester at Temple, and applying to graduate and it's all making me very nostalgic for the past and finally hitting me that I have to grow up and be a real person whether I want to or not.

I totally miss the days when summer meant being lazy and getting super tan and sleeping in til noon. Where my biggest worry was whether I'd have enough change for the snack bar at the pool to get a chipwich. Now summer means no class... in other words time to work as much as I possibly can to save up to pay for bills or forgo saving money and attempt to stack my resume with an internship and some valuable volunteer experience. Given my collection of freezer-burn popsicles currently sitting in my freezer at school, I think I'm trying a little too hard to hold onto those ideal summers and not hard enough to figure out what city and state I'll be living in this summer... as a college graduate.. womp.

I totally miss the days where I could afford to go to movies at the movie theater. What is this $10 a movie ticket crap? Remember those days when tickets were so cheap that maybe, just maybe, you could afford some popcorn. Or in my case.. if you were lucky.. you'd get "the yellow bag".

 Yeah that's right. We asked for popcorn and got the yellow bag. Aka all the extra popcorn that they trash at the end of the night. Best late night show of Napolean Dynamite ever.

I miss the days when homework meant doing a crossword puzzle and maybe a study guide if it was a bad night. Or when I'd be so stressed about projects where I only had to bake food (my mom really made it) and I would dress up as a Renaissance princess.

I miss the years when people would play in the snow with me and build really awesome snow forts, complete with slides that twisted around my entire yard and huge snow climbing walls. How about lemonade stands? And when I thought making $10 from a long day of standing out in the sweltering heat screaming "GET YOUR LEMONADE" was a great profit. I totally miss the days of shopping only at Limited Too because it just made everything so much easier. Shopping in one store. Everything was bright and neon so it all matched. Made dressing myself so simple. Although in retrospect I do slightly question why my mom bought me lime green pants that I literally wore every week.

I literally could go on and on but alas I need to stop procrastinating and do something worthwhile with my time.

Things I'm Loving

Self-Explanatory.. Things I am currently loving...

Infinity Scarves

While I do love regular scarves cause they are a great accessory and pop of color, I am fashion-lly challenged and always struggle to wrap them correctly and tie them the right way and sometimes it just turns into a big mess and I end up ditching my original outfit for a sweatshirt (story of my life). Enter infinity scarves. They are a loop, like an infinity sign (oh nooow you get the name..), and theres basically no way to mess up wearing one. Therefore they get the Brie stamp of approval. 

"You're So Vain" by Carly Simon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQZmCJUSC6g
I am actually listening to this song as I write this. It's so fun to sing and I just love it. I highly recommend everyone fall in love with it so we can sing it together sometime.

Crew Neck Sweatshirts

Okay, everyone that knows me knows I have a serious obsession with hooded sweatshirts. But a few years ago I went through (and still am sometimes..) a flashdance phase where I took a crew neck sweatshirt and cut the neck off for the whole Jennifer  Beals look. Still love wearing that look but it got me to really appreciate crew neck sweatshirts for all they offer. You can have a cool logo on the front (or a solid color if that's your thing), no bulky hood, and you can dress it up with.. an infinity scarf! Win win situation for us all. Also bonus.. finding one at a thrift store because they are always the most random and hilarious.

Pinterest

www.pinterest.com 

Best. Website. Ever. Okay so I've had a few friends yell at me for introducing them to it since it results in hours of procrastination. It is literally the best website ever. Half of my inspiration for all my crafts comes from it. My halloween costume is inspired from it. I've found so many funny pictures on it. Basically best website ever. Go. Enjoy. Pin. 

White V Neck T's

Another staple to my wardrobe. Partly because I'm lazy. And partly because it's easy.. which I guess goes back to the laziness factor. I love buying packs of men's white V necks. They go with everything, can be accessorized with anything, and are so easy to just throw on. The only setback is that they are white so if you're like me you will be buying a lot due to spilling things all over them. The plus? Once you spill stuff on them and stain them, feel free to tie dye. My other wardrobe staple.. 

My puppy, Oliver

Honestly, dogs make every day so much better. He is the cutest baby ever and is always so happy to see me and it really just brightens my day. Love the little guy. 


To be continued..

So with Halloween around the corner, I've literally spent every free moment brainstorming costume ideas. Yes, I am aware it is a month an a half away but to me that is right around the corner. I prefer to make my own costumes so I need the prep time.

No hints as to what I am being (or going to attempt to be) this year, but the prep starts NOW! So pumped, you all have no idea. I love Halloween and dressing up and wearing things I've always wanted to wear but it's not socially acceptable. i.e. Wearing a tutu last year since I was a ballerina or dressing up like a dinosaur.

 So like I said last year I was a ballerina one night. I made my own tutu, wore my ballet slippers from elementary school ballet, bought cheap-o tights from the drugstore and wore a black tank top. Such a cheap costume! To make the tutu I bought a few yards of light pink and hot pink tulle and cut them into strips. Then I just knotted them around a ribbon. The more tulle I used, the fluffier/more perfect it got! I seriously love the way it turned out so much I am trying to think of costumes that revolve around a tutu. So much fun.

As for the other night I went out... yes.. I was a dinosaur. Okay let me back up, so for those of you that don't know me that well, I love dinosaurs. Not afraid to admit it. Growing up I had dinosaur figurines, knew different types of dinosaurs, and just generally think they're pretty darn awesome. After a making fun of my friend's failed Thriller dance attempt and calling him a dinosaur, my obsession with dinosaurs resurfaced. We kept joking that we were going to be dinosaurs for Halloween, except I was completely serious about it. However, how does one even make a dinosaur costume? No idea. Luckily for me I happened to be home one weekend going thrifting (surprise surprise) and stumbled upon this homemade child's dinosaur costume for $7. Since I am basically a midget, it fit me and I found my best costume in years. (It's a shame you can't see the pieces over my feet that made it look like I had huge claws). The only additions/alterations I made was to buy green fabric to make a stomach and cutting the arms so I didn't lose circulation. Voila! I am a dinosaur. (Not Yoshi or a lizard that you very much.)

Now for a few throwback halloween moments that I just happen to have on my computer for all your enjoyment..

(Sorry for not rotating it.. Not too sure how to do that.) Preschool. I was a princess. I had a boy haircut.

Sophomore year in college. Tom Cruise form Risky Business. (With Lil' Wayne. Crazy that HE came to my party, right?) Easiest costume ever.

I made my boyfriend in high school dress up as Peter Pan to my tinkerbell, senior year. 

Freshman year in college.. Not sure what to label this as.. Jazzercise? I just threw together a bunch of things mainly cause I wanted to wear blue spandex pants really bad.

I wish I had some pictures of my costumes from elementary school and middle school but alas I am at school and don't have access to old photo albums. I'll leave the costumes to your imagination but I've been... Madonna in the 80's, a superhero, butterfly, Miss America, a tiger, a 50's girl, pink power ranger, baby, Grim Reaper (I was too scared to wear this to school since all the boys are always the grim reaper so I was a baby for school but grim reaper trick or treating.. but the mask got too hot so I basically wore a black robe..), a hippie, and a few others that I am forgetting about.

Hope everyone's getting their costume ideas together and if you need any inspiration, use pinterest.com that's where I got mine for this year.. hint hint.

xoxo

Finally a Free Moment

I have literally not had a second to sit down and write on this, let alone do fun crafty things that I basically spent my summer doing. Since I do finally have a free moment I wanted to share all the little personal touch/homemade things that I've put around my room to make it my own.

Earlier in the summer I posted about how I had an idea to make my own chalkboard. Well ladies and gentlemen, this is the finished product and I love it. It's not perfect looking and a little rough since I didn't sand it enough but hey homemade things never turn out perfect. I do love it though. Originally I bought chalk but I found that I couldn't really write super legibly so I had to buy chalk markers which are definitely a better option since they don't rub off and it's really bright. So yay! One project from this summer successfully completed!

This is a project I did 2 summers one night when I was incredibly bored (clearly) and it's probably one of my favorite things that  I've ever made. ( I apologize for the glare from my window) I used cut up ads from magazines and grouped them based on color. I saw a painting that was kinda similar to this.. circles and squares and stuff.. so I put my own spin on it. I love the colors and how when you look at it up close you suddenly see all of the magazines. The best compliment I think I ever got on my stuff that I've made was someone asking me where I bought this piece :)

One of the things I get every Christmas is a calendar and I always insist that it be "weird and artsy" so I usually get whatever Whole Foods is selling. Love their stuff. But anyways each month always has really great pictures and quotes and I've saved the past few calendars I've gotten. I like to use the pictures and hang them around my room, not only are there great quotes but the pictures are really unique. The top picture is hanging on my wardrobe and I have a few others from that calendar around my room. I used black electrical tape as a 'frame'. Super cheap. The bottom picture is above my desk and I love how the 4 are placed so it's like individual pictures but also one big piece.

This year my windows have really deep windowsills (love it) but I'm on the first floor so I have bars on them. Boo North Philly! I did luck out though and get these pretty bars rather than typical jail looking ones. I also lucked out because the bars are spaced just wide enough so I could fit some things on them to decorate it and add a pop of color. I'm obsessed with Arizona Green tea and also fake flowers so I've got 3 vases, photos of my parents and old dog Lacey (rip <3), candles (LOVE candles!), a card my mom gave me a few years ago, and other odds and ends.

One little last touch in my apartment. I dabbled in grayscale painting this summer cause I was bored and I practiced on this little 4x4 canvas. Such a baby canvas I love it. Thermostats are kind of ugly and boring so I threw this little painting on top of it and bam, it's more interesting.

Hopefully my schedule will continue to give me a day now and again so I can keep updating everyone on all the fun things going on during my senior year at Temple!

xoxo