12 Days of Christmas

I was "tagged" by Seersucker + Stripes to do this 12 Days of Christmas tag. 

Let's get to it, shall we? 

1. What's your favorite holiday/winter Starbuck's drink?

I really love the Peppermint Mocha! It's by far my favorite. Of course, anything with caramel is also a drink of choice! 

2. Did you Instagram your first holiday red cup?

I actually did, without realizing it was my first "holiday" cup...it was more of how I was spending my night...studying...darn finals!

3. What's your favorite holiday/winter nail polish?

I have a few...

OPI - Polka.com is such a cute, glitzy glitter polish...perfect to jazz up any "plain" holiday outfit!

OPI - Cute Little Vixen is the perfect glimmer-y maroon color for the holidays. And, of course, it's maroon so it's a staple for me. (I pretty much wear maroon nails throughout the fall semester--must support my Ags!)

OPI - Lincoln Park After Dark is kind of a plum-y color and I love it! It compliments my darker skin tone well.

OPI - Yoga-ta Get This Blue is the perfect navy! It's beautiful, definitely a must have!

4. What is winter like where you live?

I live in Texas, so we really don't know what this "winter" is that everyone talks about. Haha, but it's been in the 30's-40's for about a week and that is nearly unbearable for us! The cold weather usually comes really late and doesn't stay for very long. 

5. Have you ever experienced a White Christmas?

If you want to get technical it did snow one Christmas Eve a few years ago, BUT I could still see the grass/ground underneath the snow...it was sad. 

My family and I used to go skiing every winter (we haven't been since I've been in college) and I absolutely LOVED being surrounded by snow. I wish I could experience it more often. Let's face it, clothes are just cuter during this time of year! In my part of Texas, though, it's not really practical to bundle under all of those layers! 

6. Sugar or gingerbread cookies?

Do I have to choose? I love both! My roommate filled me in on a secret last year for the perfect sugar cookie that included orange zest and I won't make them any other way now! I do love gingerbread though! I'm the only one in my family that likes it though, so I hardly ever get to make them because I'd be the only one to eat them! 

7. Favorite holiday/winter candle?

I looooove Bath & Body Works' Marshmallow Fireside & 'Tis the Season candles. I also have a Scentsy and the Christmas Cottage, Pumpkin Roll, & Baked Apple Pie scents are my favorite! 

8. Favorite Gossip Girl holiday moment?

I just love how young they all look! I've been obsessed with Gossip Girl for years now & the winter episodes always make me long to live in New York during the winter!

9. Candy canes or gumdrops?

Again, I love both. I really only eat gum drops when I'm sneaking them from making my Gingerbread Houses! 

10. Does your family have any special holiday traditions?

I always, always make a gingerbread house. We also, always have Christmas Eve dinner at my grandpa's, STILL make cookies for Santa once we get back, open my mom's, dad's, and my presents Christmas morning before we go to my Aunt's house for my mom's side of the family's Christmas. Also, our Christmas lunch at my Aunt's is always deer steak instead of your typical turkey/ham...oh, how I love the South...and venison! 

11. Favorite holiday memory?

My favorite holiday memory would have to be the Christmas I got my first puppy, a Jack Russel Terrior I named Milo. I was about 6 and Milo instantly became one of my best friends...he was always so full of life. We had to put Milo down almost two years ago, but I will never forget how happy I was when I got him! I miss that boy!

12. What is your go-to Pandora/Spotify playlist for holiday music?

I have two different Christmas playlists on my Spotify station. I have a Cowboy Christmas station with my favorite country artists singing my favorite Christmas songs. I also have a "Classic" Christmas station; who doesn't love hearing Frank Sinatra or Elvis sing Christmas music? 

For this tag, I am tagging YOU! Please leave a comment and let me know if you did this tag so I can read! 

Hope you have a very Merry CHRISTmas! 

xoxo, 

M

Finals Week

Let me just start off by saying that it has been a rough past few weeks. I'm sure every college student in the world right now is studying for finals and stressing about the possibility of failure. I know that I definitely fall into that category. My problem is that I stress to the max and anything that does not involve studying falls by the wayside. That includes, but is not limited to, makeup, hair, nail maintenance, eating proper meals, grocery shopping, and so much more.  I haven't even done laundry in over a month. I had to take my clothes home a couple weeks ago so that Mom could wash my clothes for me (thanks Mom!) because I just couldn't justify the "time it takes" to do laundry...even though the laundry room is literally right next to my bedroom. 

I'm telling you, all judgment is off during finals week. I definitely have had a couple of minor breakdowns in my room. And a couple more in the shower. And a couple more in my car driving home. And one at work. I don't think that I relieve my stress correctly...meaning I don't relieve it at all...I just let it pile up.  

While I was driving back to my hometown for the weekend, I just sat and talked to God. I told him about my worries, about my praises, I gave Him my thanks, I discussed and prayed over the family troubles I've had, and just had a conversation with our Lord unlike any conversation I've had with Him in way too long.  I finally had a realization that nothing is really  in my hands...it's all in His. As much as I would like to take control and let God take a backseat, I really have no power compared to his awesome, glorious, unwavering strength.  He has the power to heal me, to calm me, to make me feel relieved for the first time in weeks. 

Ever since our conversation I've had this sense of calmness. I've felt happier these past few days than I have all semester. I've relished in the little things in my life. I also came to a realization how much I take Lovebug for granted, and I don't let him know how much I truly appreciate how much he loves me and my family.  He'd do anything in the world for us and never asks for anything in return. Oh, how I love that man. I need to let him know how much he means to me more often. I think sometimes, especially being in a relationship for an extended amount of time, we can become complacent and not take the time to appreciate the little things we would do for each other. I'm going to start taking that time. 

Basically, I've realized I wouldn't be where I am today without the Lord's unending, pure, and faithful love. That revelation in and of itself has given me an entirely new perspective and refreshed me as a prepare for finals.  This weekend was the most eye-opening and enjoyable weekend I could've ever asked for. And to Him all the glory. Thank you, Lord! 

Have you ever had these eye opening moments? It's ah-mazing how opening your mind as well as your heart to the Lord can change your life in so many different ways! 

xoxo, 

M

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." 

-Psalm 51:10-12 

This is what my days have looked like lately. Lots and lots of coffee and Lyla ignoring me for not paying her any attention. 

Also, I've been trying to lay off all the extra sugars in Starbucks' lattes and have been getting the light roast instead. I must say it's a difficult transition...but I don't hate it!