For Sale!

Vintage Levi Cut-offs For Sale

Ladies, this post is for you! (Or fellas... if you'd like to buy your girl something nice!) Anyway, I sadly have to part with an awesome pair of vintage Levi Cut-Off shorts that I purchased. They just don't fit me the right way and never will but I'm hoping someone can get some use out of them because they are gorgeous and perfect for summer and can go with a LOT of different shirts/sweaters/bathing suits.

As you can see, they are quite narrow in the waist (they are high waisted) W23 is about a size 0 or 1. They also feature a row of buttons instead of a zipper which is quite nifty. But, as they are vintage, you never know who wore them before you, and apparently this woman had a bit more junk in the trunk and I, unfortunately, do not. They were purchased in Australia (as full length pants) for 80 dollars and sold to me for 50. I am a bit flexible on the price, but since I've never had the opportunity to wear them, I'd love to get some profit as I'm saving up for a move. Let me know if you're interested, you can comment directly or just message me on facebook OR email me molly2869@gmail.com. I'd love to see these go to a great girl and not sit in my drawers collecting dust. Thanks so much love you all! Namaste!!!

A Friend In All Seasons

What's in a Best Friend?

     Ladies and gents, I'd like to introduce you to one of the kindest, smartest, most thoughtful, intellectual, hilarious, unique individuals I've ever met and have the absolute honor and blessing to call my best friend.
    Who would have thought the girl with the long, braided hair and braces from the first day of Mrs. Rollin's 6th grade history class would one day be the girl I share my deepest, darkest, innermost thoughts. The one that I trust above everyone else. The girl I know who has my best interest at heart, even when it might be the hardest pill to swallow. I can honestly say I've never had a friend like her, and most likely never will. To be quite honest... no one can match up to her.
   But what is it that has brought us from shy 11 year old polar opposites to best friends who ignore the texts of boyfriends in favor of texting each other? What about our friendship has stood the test of time and the test of growing up and going our separate ways in adulthood? There are a lot of factors, some a complete mystery to me, others that have taken hard work, patience and honesty on both of our parts.


    First, let me start by saying that Jasmine and I are very different people. Our relationship is not like the scene in Parent Trap when the twins find out that they actually really love all the same things and aren't all that different and then share peanut butter and oreo snacks (which I find revolting by the way). To be quite honest, when Jasmine and I first met, I was very conservative. If I had known myself then, I probably wouldn't have liked me very much. I also was very sheltered and had really only lived in one place my whole life. I had never experienced loss or had a wide range of life experiences and travelled away from East Coast. Jasmine, by the time I met her, had not only travelled a ton, but had lived in other countries. She also had spent a lot of time in New York City as a child which was a big sparkling foreign cool dream of a place to live in my mind. Middle school Jasmine was very into cool music I had never really even heard of. I thought she was definitely cool.


     Our relationship deepened in high school when we formed a close knit group of friends Kubesh (shouts out to the Kubes! Love you guys!). As high school progressed we realized that although we disagreed on a few big things in life, we still found a common ground in our senses of humor and our wild idealistic dreams of what the future should be like for us. I learned that she was someone I didn't have to be afraid of being myself around or making ugly faces, or have to wear make up at all times or the coolest clothes. As long as we could keep each other laughing and sane during class, we were happy. Let me take this moment to tell you all how incredibly smart Jasmine is. She thinks on a different wavelength than anyone I've ever known. I've never known someone to be able to think so intellectually about life and writing and analytical pursuits as well as be able to grasp higher levels of math and science like they are second language. I'm not trying to be falsely modest about myself either. Jasmine is really incredibly smart.
      I remember our first ever "fight" which wasn't even much of a fight as much as it was a marker in our friendship. I remember we used to always point out the fact that we didn't argue or fight. But that disagreement kind of awkwardly opened a door for us. It's OKAY to have a best friend that you disagree with. That doesn't mean your friendship is over. To be frank, I find it weird that some people never disagree with their friends or challenge the ideas of others.... it seems boring, in my opinion, to be dating/friends/hanging out with pretty much a carbon copy of yourself.
      Leaving for college without Jasmine was actually pretty hard on me. She was at a school that I really wanted to be at, and seemed to be having such a blast, making awesome friends without me. Sure, we still talked incessantly, but it just seemed different. I missed her all the time and told all my friends at my school about her. I could bore you all with the huge story of the past four years of our lives in more detail than you'd ever need, and that I don't necessarily care to share. Instead, I'll leave some words of wisdom or maybe some tips that can help in your current or future relationships (it doesn't have to just be with friends- it can be a boss, romantic relationship, family, etc). These are things I've noticed about Jasmine and my friendship that have helped us stand the test of time and grow stronger to the point where I know she will never be out of my life. Ever.

Maintaining, Keeping and Deepening Friendships

                                                                                    Be the Real You

     Flat out. If you have to pretend to be someone you're not just to be around someone or you feel uncomfortable sharing truths about yourself or your opinions to someone, whether it be because of intimidation, fear of judgement, whatever... then I'd advise you to take a step back and assess whether this person is truly worth your time. Anyone that you can't be honest with is only going to cause stress in your life. Sure, you don't need to tell all your friends your deepest, darkest, innermost thoughts. But if it comes to the point where you feel like you need to dress up or wear make-up everytime you hang out with so-and-so and you normally don't.... that's a red flag. Be honest about yourself first and foremost.


Honesty  
       Honesty is a huge thing in my book. As I've said in my previous post, I feel judged a lot of the time. Although I know Jasmine never would want to hurt me or judge me, I sometimes feel that way. It's taken some hard talks, awkward conversations, hurt feelings and a few days of silence for us to really be able to be honest about certain things in our relationship. But if hard truths and honesty is what it takes to be stronger, take the plunge. If your friend doesn't appreciate your humble honesty, they really aren't your friend.


Apologizing Isn't a Sign of Weakness

   In my life I kind of live by this philosophy that I never say "I love you", "I'm sorry" or "I forgive you" unless I truly mean it. And I know that this can cause a lot of frustration in my relationships, especially with my close friends. I've had to learn that apologizing (especially to Jas) is not a sign of weakness and does not give her "the upper hand" because that's not even what she's searching for in the first place. Apologies go a long way. Swallow the pride of wanting to be right or say your piece or defend yourself and realize that you've hurt a person who you not only care for, but who cares for you and was vulnerable enough to approach you in their time of hurt.


Share Yourself
   Relationships are fun to have, even the shallow ones. But as most of us know, the shallow ones don't go very far and leave us feeling empty and bored. Part of deepening a friendship is taking that step to show the other people the real you. Not just the funny, activity partner but the real person who has a past and thoughts about the present and future. Sometimes I find myself feeling the closest to Jasmine when we are talking about our futures and the big scary things that are ahead. Although we have different ideas of the future and what we want for our respective lives, it's comforting knowing someone is in the fight with me and I'm not alone in my thoughts of fear, apprehension, not knowing what my next steps are and so on. Sure, you don't need to stretch yourself thin and tell all your friends your deepest feelings and life story, but find the one or two people who you feel closest to and don't be afraid to open up. Chances are, they are feeling the same ways you are and those conversations will only bring you closer together. And the bounce back from a deep conversation to a conversation about farts or jokes or silly voices is astounding.


Quality over Quantity
   This is a lesson I had to learn in high school and again in college, and quite honestly am still learning now. It's something that I think girls in particular might struggle with (I'm not sure about guys-I'm not one) but women are emotional creatures who desire connection. The more friends we have, how is it possible to truly be connected in deep ways with so many people? When I was younger I thought "the more friends I have, the cooler I'll look, and the more people will want to be friends with me!" but then I realized I really didn't have many deep friendships and would go to bed wondering who my real friends actually were. I found that the fewer people I was friends with, the more I could deepen my relationships. Popular culture or media wants us to think the more friends, followers, subscribers, retweets, reblogs, shares, the better! But at the end of the day we don't lay down thinking "Wow, I got 25 likes on that instagram!!!!" We think about plans with our close friend or conversations we had that day. I'm not saying it's bad to have a large friend group, don't get me wrong. But I DO think it is important to have a few people who you can really trust and share a deep connection with. It's not that you can only have one best friend and no other friends... that's not realistic. But don't sacrifice true friendship and deep connection for the sake of having large groups of shallow friendships. Think about it as your wedding party. If you had to pick today who your bridemaids or groomsmen would be, who would you choose? If you're having trouble narrowing it down because you have too many people, maybe take some time to think about who those deep relationships are in your life. If you're having trouble coming up with more than just your best friend, maybe take some time to think about branching out and meeting some new people.

     At the end of the day, I know that Jasmine will  always be my best friend. We have had our fair  share of disagreements, laughs that make my abs hurt, laughs that make me throw up in public, cries on the phone, cries in Five Guys, late nights, sharing each other's heartache, exchanges of funny videos, and lastly I know that Jasmine is my first true love. I will never have another friend like her, and I'm sure that I want to. She will always have a special place in my heart, and as our lives change, so will our relationship, but I know that we will always make time for each other and that our kids will be awesomely dressed and talented and have playdates where we bore them with stories and give them cool names and laugh when they fall down because we might have had one too many glasses of wine.

You're the best, Defeo. Stay gold, Pony Boy.

Goodnight, Sweet Prince

Notes on Self-Esteem, Success, and Positivity

    Let's keep it real. We all have bad days. Life is nothing like a laundry detergent commercial nor is it like the Zoloft commercial where we all have a personal black cloud above our heads. Sometimes those bad days can lead to bad weeks, months, and hey, maybe even a bad year or two.
    I'll be honest, I've had a rough go at the past year and a half. Sure, there have been amazing, fantastic, wonderful moments, but for the most part, I've fought tooth and nail to keep my head above water. Some days I wallowed in self pity and let it get the better of me. Other days I picked myself up out of bed and forced myself to do positive things or take positive steps, and guess what... just because you try or just because you personally decide to make today productive, doesn't mean the universe always wants to give you a job, or money, or whatever it is you're seeking after. So what to do? Why bother trying to be positive or productive if things aren't going to work out in your favor anyway?
   Luckily I have some amazing people in my life who have given me advice I'll carry with me forever. I've had moments where I've had to look deep down and be honest with myself and realize some tough truths. Here is some wisdom that I'm currently trying to figure out and live by in my own life.

Self-Esteem, Success and Positivity

• Take everything a little less seriously

     There is no need to get frustrated by things or circumstances that are not, nor will ever be, in your realm of control. Flat out. Sure, they might not be pleasant or "fair" but guess what, your frustration doesn't change anything! Just let it roll off! On the other hand, don't find yourself getting frustrated over things you CAN control. Getting frustrated because you aren't perfect at your hobby or job or workout is only going to create a negative spiral of perfectionism. You will never ever ever ever ever be perfect. Sit back. Swallow that thought. Now... go enjoy yourself. The idea is to always be improving, not constant frustration. Taking things less seriously doesn't mean you can't and shouldn't do your best! But your best is just that... the best you can offer in that moment. Don't milk it though. Push to be strong and give your all every day. Some days will be easier than others, but you should learn and laugh with every failure.

• Nobody wants to judge you (at least nobody who truly cares)

    I'll be honest. I have a judgement complex. I feel judged by others constantly. Sure, I don't always call them out or say anything, but in my mind I'm a wounded dog. Things people say about me or things I enjoy, even in an offhand way, can be enough to make me feel stupid and worthless. I know that may seem irrational to some, but it's the truth. Unfortunately, when I'm hurt, I get defensive. This defensiveness leads to a whole other can of worms when it comes to my relationships the ones close to me. I've really had to learn recently that NO ONE I care about, or hang out with, or spend my time with even has the desire to judge me. I have to remind myself constantly that in the same way I want to make my friends happy and only want to support them, they feel the same toward me. I can't project my own insecurities on others and blame them or "judgement" for the reason I feel insecure. We all have to learn to LOVE whatever it is we do. Those who care about us, aren't judging us. They only want the best. And at the end of the day, there is a difference between constructive criticism and negativity. Pay no attention to negativity. Once again, let it roll. 

• Stop Over-Analyzing Your Success & Failure in Life

      Okay let's be frank here. Chances are, you compare yourself to others. It's normal, "everyone does it", blah blah blah. Here's the thing. It's stupid and NOT helping you at all. Looking at the perceived success or failure of others with envy or longing just isn't healthy. Sure, some people have inspirational stories or success that is admirable, but that's their success, not yours. You will never be in exactly the same spot as someone else... you aren't them. You have to find your OWN idea of what success (and failure) truly looks like in your life. Maybe those ideas of success you had at your high school graduation have changed 5 years later. That's completely normal, and those ideas probably should have changed, with maturity. Nothing you did in the past was for naught. Even if you feel like a failure in some areas (didn't graduate college, got fired from that job, broke up with "the one", quit that sport that you loved, etc) every single thing you pursue in your life has meaning and value and can teach you something. Ultimately your success is your own. Sit down and write out what makes you feel successful daily "I feel successful when I _________,__________,___________ everyday." Maybe those blanks read "get out of bed" or "run 10 miles" but I gaurantee they are different than everyone elses. Comparing your own success to that of others is futile. Take your time. Relax and think peacefully about your next steps and what you truly want from life. Not what society or the actions, money and words of others tell you that you should want from life. 

• Do something with passion!!!!!!

     I can't stress this one enough. Everyone is a newcomer at something at some point in life, ALWAYS. Don't feel awkward to pick up a new hobby and immerse yourself in it and be the new kid on the block. Be humble, ask for advice or help from people you know or people who might intimidate you. Trust me, someone who is essentially a master at what they are doing wants to share advice or tips and wants to see people excited about what they are doing. If it means you go out and buy all new gear to become the best cross country skier this world has ever seen... do it! Don't let all that gear sit in your house though because you are too scared to really try. People will know you are new, so what? Who cares, right? We've all been the new person to a sport, activity, hobby, whatever. We weren't born being high level climbers, or skiers, or yogis... we worked to get to where we are. So when it comes to trying something new, don't be afraid to be passionate about learning and progressing and maybe even falling down or embarrassing yourself a few times.


    I hope these few tips can give you a little boost or something to think about in your own life! We all want success and happiness, but the road is long, and changes constantly. Good luck! Stay positive. Namaste.
 

 

Welcome!

         Here we are! Another blog amongst the fashion, music, television, gamer, cooking and whatever other subject of blog you can think of. To be quite honest, this blog is more for me than it is for you. I don't mean that in a selfish way, I promise. I realized recently that my life has had many twists and turns in the past two years, and its fair share of ups and downs. I find myself trying to commit to keeping a journal or taking pictures everyday or having some sort of set resolution, but those always fall through and I always end up getting bored.

         Anyway, I've found myself recently at a crossroads. I have a lot of decisions to make, some small, some scary "big girl" decisions. I know that I can't do it on my own strength and I have wonderful friends and family that do the best they can to help me and guide me toward the best decision. When it comes down to it though, I have to make strong, resolute decisions for myself. This is where blogging comes in. This blog will serve as not only an outlet for my thoughts, and a place where my friends and family and hopefully NEW friends can read the goings on of my life, but also a place where I can sort through the jungle of being a 20 something in 2014.

         I hope that my past, present and future experiences can serve as an inspiration, a flashback, a warning, and hopefully a smile and a laugh on a tough day that we will all face. I hope that my ramblings on serve as some sort of coherent look into my mind as well as a possible new way of looking or approaching your own life and thoughts.

        I can't wait to share my journey with you all. Namaste

Here's a picture of my puppy just because

                                   

Wyatt Earp Bruiser McDowell

8 months.... 85lbs