Motivational Quotes Monday: On the Beauty of Blooming Flowers

Blooming FlowersGood morning! I’ve been remiss in celebrating Flower Crown Filter season this year. My sincere apologies, friends!! So I wanted to correct that right now, and of course, it got me thinking about beauty and blooming flowers…and today’s motivational quotes. There’s something so beautiful about springtime blooming flowers, don’t you think? This time of year, everything comes back to life in full bloom and it’s such a rejuvenating, joyous feeling, especially after the long, harsh, cold, Polar Vortex winter! It just makes you want to celebrate and lounge in the sun like a cat all day long. Ahh, yes, that would certainly be the life! Here are five quotes all about the beauty of flowers…

Blooming Flowers Blooming Flowers Blooming Flowers Blooming Flowers

When It’s Time to Spring Break (Yes, That’s a Verb)

Spring BreakThat’s right, friends!! I just used spring break as a verb in the title of this post!! And, honestly, I did so for one very specific reason…

One of the hardest parts of being a freelance writer is making a clear distinction between my professional and personal life. Because I essentially work from home, those two worlds tend to blend together and it’s not always easy to “turn off” the work part of my brain. How do you clock out and unplug when your work desk is also the kitchen table?

Janelle is constantly asking me, “Are you going to actually take the weekend off?” because there’s always something I could be doing. And, unhealthy as it may be, I usually choose to do that thing. So it means that I don’t have many clear-cut weekends, and this, well, only leaves me frustrated and feeling like I’m running on empty.

Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love freelancing, but since I make my own schedule, I’m not always the best at the whole work-life balance thing. I’m trying, though, to make more of a concerted effort to strike a better balance.

And guess what? There’s no time like the present, right? So I’m starting this week! I thought spring break would be the perfect time too — spring is in the air, the season of renewal and growth, and that definitely applies to mind, body, soul and spirit too! To work on ourselves, to make better choices, to take some time to just relax and unwind, even if it’s only for a little bit.

My mom is on spring break this week, so I’m taking the week off too. It’ll be hard not to think about writing, ideas, blog posts, pitches I want to send, emails I need to follow up on, how my inbox is getting so out of hand that it might crush me like an avalanche…

NO, NO, NO.

Come on, Melissa, remember to focus on the present. I know. The work will still be there when I come back next week. But just please, can someone make sure Trump doesn’t do anything too outrageous or something that requires me to come out of hibernation and write an op-ed? Thank you!

Spring BreakI hope you all take some time this month to sit back and smell the beautiful spring flowers starting to bloom. And be sure to send me photos if you do! My hair may be a mess in this photo and I may be stressed to the max, but it’s spring!!! I wore my favorite bubblegum pink sweatshirt on the first day of spring so I pop just like spring!!

As I’m writing this post, I can hear my mom listening to music in the bedroom and Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” came on. And I was immediately transported to all our days in Alabama, where we literally sat on the dock of the bay. That was our paradise and that’s what I want to feel again — those happy days of just “wastin’ time.” Maybe this week will be a good first step.

I’ll be back to regular posting on Monday, April 1st — ACK, that’s April Fools’ Day!! As always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin! See you there, friends! And, please, don’t forget to take some time for YOU… xoxo

Motivational Quotes Monday: On the Beauty of Springtime

Happy Monday, friends!!! Do you hear those birds chirping? Do you see that blue sky? Do you feel that warm sun? It can only mean one thing: Springtime is on the way!! At long last, if you ask me!! To paraphrase The Beatles, it’s been a long, cold winter!! I’m happy to say goodbye to it!! This Wednesday is the first day of spring, so for today’s motivational quotes, I’d like to usher in the season accordingly!! Everything feels like it’s coming back to life and soon enough, everything will be coming up roses — literally!! So let’s open those windows and let the springtime fill our heart and soul. Here are five quotes all about the joy and beauty of the season ahead…

Springtime Springtime Springtime Springtime

An Ode to Flower Crown Photo Filters

Flower CrownNormally, this would be the time of year that I’m rocking the fabulous polo shirt look. You remember all my past looks, don’t you? I’d ham it up for the camera in my colorful polo shirts as I welcomed the spring season. Well, this year, I’m excited to share something else that has swiftly caught my attention. BEHOLD, it’s Flower Crown Filters season!!

Yes, pretty flower graphics have replaced my love of polo shirts! I know, I know. Now, I know this news might come as quite a shock to you, but I assure you that this is definitely something to be EXCITED about! Just think about it. Polo shirts will only take you so far, with their limited color options and their sometimes-heavy fabric. But flower crown filters? Those little things just swing the doors wide open on a whole new array of possibilities — from vibrant to subdued colors to the specific types of flowers featured.

In other words, it’s like adorning your head with magic. A very magical superpower that you can beam out into the world. We could all use a new superpower every now and then, don’t you think? It just adds a little more oomph to our step — or, a little more oomph to my roll, in my case! And, really, it just brightens the day and makes me smile, so you know that you can never go wrong with that.

Flower CrownAs you can see from these photos (the second one isn’t specifically a flower, but I thought it was pretty nonetheless!), this is going to be a very colorful spring and summer for me, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve also been meaning to write a proper blog post on my newfound obsession with Snapchat, so be looking for that coming soon!

Do you have a favorite flower crown filter, friends? Or maybe a favorite photo filter app? I’d love to find more flower-y options!! Here’s to flower crown filter fun!! xoxo

(Please note: This is NOT a sponsored post. I just really, really like flower crowns, obviously!)

Style Guide: Garden Party

garden party styleYou know what they say, don’t you? April showers bring May flowers! And this year, that statement has never been more true. In some parts of the country, the old thermometer reached high temps over the weekend, but in the Midwest, the weather remained cold, wet and rainy. For two solid days. But on the bright side, we now have lots of green and everything is blooming beautifully, which got me thinking: What’s better than a laid-back garden party? Answer: The fashion that goes with said gathering, of course! So pull up a lawn chair and enjoy these picks brimming with garden party style…garden party style

Vintage floral casual shirt dress, $22.99 | Floral clutch, $29 | Straw hat, $42 | Floral serving tray, $45 | Pink umbrella, $48 | Colorful pillow, $50 | Bright yellow pitcher, $55 | Rose enamel pin, $10 | Flower crown, 22 | Turquoise vintage locket, $38

Are you in the mood for a garden party, friends? Which party pick is your favorite? With the weather getting so nice, all I want to do is sit outside in the sunshine…what about you?? xoxo

P.S. More festive Style Guides…