Happy Spring!! So happy that it’s finally official ha!
Has this been the longest week or what?! I know that ALL of us are feeling the effects of the virus situation right now and it’s just such a crazy time of uncertainty so this season’s bucket list is going to look a little different. For those of you that need a positive pick-me-up, make sure you read my recent post, 26 Quarantine Ideas to Boost Your Mood. I hope that it brings a little bit of joy into your life and alleviates the anxiety, even if it’s just for a moment <3
Read on for an update on my current situation and my spring 2020 bucket list & intentions!
Outfit Details
Needle & Thread Dress via BHLDN c/o (shorter version here) | Bella Belle Heels via BHLDN c/o | Whiting & Davis Handbag (similar here) | BaubleBar Headband c/o
As of this evening, California has officially gone into lockdown mode meaning that only essential businesses are open and we are strongly recommended to stay home. At this moment, no end date has been announced. I know that many of you are in the same situation and if you’re not, you will likely be there soon. I wasn’t really planning to talk much about this situation because it’s honestly everywhere but I really do think it’s going to be one of those moments that defines history so I’ll update as needed but won’t go overboard. My mission has always been to bring joy into other’s lives so that will be my focus. You can still expect the same type of content but I do want it to be more meaningful because I truly do want to help. I’ll be doing the same on Instagram and am toying with the idea of posting a daily vlog while quarantined so you can see what I’m up to! Let me know what you think 🙂 Although this situation is less than ideal, I’m trying to stay positive and am taking advantage of the free time I have by doing things that I don’t normally get to do. In fact, this past week, I arranged flowers for the first time, played music and started re-learning french. I hope that inspires you to do the same! After all, we really are in this together and I know that we can help one another get through this <3
And as if that wasn’t enough for one week, my poor husband has been in and out of the hospital and urgent care since last Thursday. He originally thought he was having a heart attack but the blood tests, chest x-ray and EKG all came back fine. They thought it was stress, anxiety or a result of him working out everyday. Then it got worse so we went to urgent care and was told it could possibly be asthma. The inhaler he was given worked and he was recommend to see his PCP. The PCP performed allergy tests, which came back positive for various food and environmental allergies (for whatever reason, they decided not to tell us what these allergies were). Meanwhile, as we’re waiting for the specialist to contact him, he starts to break out in hives, feels like he’s going to pass out and his throat felt like it was closing up. He told me that he thought he “was dying.” So we rushed back to urgent care last night where he was given a breathing treatment and an allergy shot. It’s so crazy because he’s never had issues like this before. It’s been a very recent change and it was scary to see such a severe reaction. And now he’s afraid to go to work because he works in an environmental lab where they handle tons of different chemicals everyday. But the silver lining in it all, is that we know what the issue is and he will be okay! 🙂
But it’s not all bad news. Yesterday was the first day of spring!!! 😀 And honestly, I have a lot of favorite dresses but this might be my ultimate favorite. *Dress of my dreams* Sequins, florals and tulle is my literally my favorite combo haha! Just looking at it brings a smile to my face and I hope it brings some cheer to you as well! It reminds me that brighter days are ahead (for all of us) and regardless of what happens, we already have so much to be grateful for. The power of fashion is incredible, isn’t it?
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What I Accomplished from my Winter Bucket List
- Learn a New Skill – I learned how to create a gallery wall and how to use TikTok lol!
- Start a New Project – I started working on my newsletter!
- Wake Up Early Enough to Watch the Sunrise – I did it haha!
- Find Time to Do Something Creative – I arranged flowers for the first time, recorded my own music and started filming my YouTube trailer!
- Try a New Tea or Hot Cocoa Recipe – I made a pomegranate blueberry green tea! So yummy!
- Bake Some Holiday Treats – We baked pie crackers for the first time (so easy and delicious!) and baked/decorated holiday sugar cookies!
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SPRING 2020 INTENTIONS
Prioritize Myself
So many times, I’ve prioritized other people over myself and it just hasn’t ended well. If I could go back in time, this would be the one thing I would change. While I have this opportunity, I’m going to prioritize my health, my creativity and my hunger for learning. I’m going to meditate, start a gratitude journal and schedule self-care time everyday. I’m going to learn new skills, try new things and revisit old hobbies that I once loved but had to give up once I started working. I’m going to work on projects that have been on my to do list for years. I’m going to start sketching again and learn how to use my sewing machine. I’m going to start writing the book that I always wanted to write. I’m going to finally launch my YouTube channel lol! I’m going to live my life for me 🙂
Connect More with Others
Working from home can be a bit of a bummer sometimes. Although I’m an introvert and enjoy my alone time, I do crave spending time with others outside my home. When the lockdown is lifted, I want to schedule time with friends, new and old and I want to plan trips to see family that I hardly get to see. I also want to connect more others on here and on Instagram, especially on stories. I’ve actually been pretty good at getting things up lately and I’ve actually been talking while showing my face (something I never did before) haha! But I want to genuinely connect with others, especially right now because we all need it. We all need to feel loved, appreciated and reassured. We just need to know we’re not alone. I’ve always felt that my sole purpose to help others so I’m definitely going to take advantage of this by spreading cheer and positivity and in return, getting the connection that I crave from others as well.
Savor the Moment
I think this applies to most of us but so many times, I get so busy that I forget to look at the beauty that surrounds me. I’m very much a future-oriented person and I’ve always been that way. I love dreaming up different scenarios and making goals but I’m not so great at just living in the moment. I started doing an exercise recently when I go on my walks. I put all my senses to the test and immerse myself in how things look, feel, and sound. I really concentrate on these things instead of just tuning them out and it’s really helped to give me a heightened sense of gratitude and appreciation for things that I normally take for granted. And now that I have this free time (silver lining), I’m going to use it wisely.
Story time:
Right before I got married, I lost my job. We had just found an apartment and paid for our wedding. My husband didn’t make much at the time and I was so worried about how we would pay our bills. This is actually during the time that I found blogging and when started my first blog. I was a stress case but by some miracle, we were okay. We made it work and things got better. Looking back, it was actually the sweetest time in my life. I made the most of my time by hanging out with my little brother and taking him on picnics, showing him how to make pasta from scratch, teaching him how to decorate cupcakes, and teaching him how to play guitar. I had time to spend with my husband. I had time to sit on my patio and just watch as the leaves fluttered from the breeze. I had time to lay on the couch and read magazines. I had time to create a skirt pattern and sew my tulle skirt by hand – one of my most prized possessions. But I was scared. I had difficulty finding a job and the stress didn’t allow me to enjoy this time in my life. I eventually started subbing. Then I started my blog (this one). Then I opened an online boutique. Then I started teaching over 20 guitar students. Then I started a handful of other businesses. All at t he same time. And I was too busy to even have time to relax. Looking back, I wish I would have enjoyed the time that I had to myself and had faith that things would work out because they did 😉
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SPRING 2020 BUCKET LIST
- Go for a Bike Ride
- Visit the Flower Fields
- See the Wildflowers (fingers crossed!)
- Try a New Lemonade Recipe
- Clean Out My Closet
- Read a Good Book
- Read a Magazine
- Start Journaling Consistently
- Meditate Everyday
- Do Something Creative
- Learn a New Skill
- Workout 5 Times a Week
- Finish Up All of My Projects
- Get Outside More
- Schedule Time with Friends
What’s on your spring 2020 bucket list?
xo
Shop the Look
Also, let me know if there’s anything specific you’d like me to write about in the coming weeks!
Please stay safe and healthy. Sending you all lots of love and positive thoughts always <3
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