Stop and Smell the Orchids

Wow June was one crazy month. With starting a new internship, taking 6 graduate hours (The most I have ever taken at once), trying to get eight hours of sleep, and surviving Mars' retrograde has not been easy.

Although I was somewhat active on the blog (posting a few times in June) I missed being here mentally. Writing about style and beauty with a little bit of my life thrown in is such a therapeutic way to get your thoughts out. I am ecstatic to say that I have been shooting new content that I'm really excited about and can't wait to share. Honestly I am so grateful to be back blogging regularly.

So here's things 6 things I learned during  June:

1. Focus on what you can do instead of what you can't. Somedays all the deadlines from school were so heavy. Instead of being proactive I would just focus on my current week and take the next week as it came. This was totally out of my comfort zone as I aspire to be proactive. However devoting all my attention to the task at hand ended up being better than trying to be ahead all the time. Sometimes you just have to do the best with what you have.

2. Take time for yourself. Although most weekends and days after work I spent in my room doing homework there were days where I didn't touch my homework at all, and I think those days were what kept me sane honestly. Getting to go to the Whole Foods Pre-Opening Party with my best friend Victoria, spending time with my loved ones, making time to go to Marshalls, and paint my nails kept me going. #Priorities.

3. Make time for meditation. I found my head spinning at the end of the night with deadlines from work, school, and life. Sometimes even making time for 5-7 minutes of guided meditation felt like a big deal and every time I was grateful I made time for it. I use Meditation Studio on my iPhone and on my Amazon Echo. 

4. You are stronger than you think. I look back and wonder how I managed to get it all done and how much I doubted myself. What's funny is that I've been through so much worse so I don't know how or why I underestimate myself. Never forget, females are strong as hell.

5. Sometimes you have to give up things that you love to get things done. During these past 8 weeks I basically gave up reading, watching television for the most part, seeing my friends, and online shopping (all four past times I enjoy). At first knowing I was going to have to put all these things on the back burner was a real bummer, but as time went by I didn't have that much time to think about the things I was missing out on. I just had to go on. However having so much to look forward too when I was done was a nice motivator.

6. Stop and smell the orchids. For real. My boyfriend and I celebrated our fourth anniversary and went to the beautiful Kauffman Gardens in KC. Although I had a lot to stress about I stayed present in the moment and enjoyed every minute with him. There is a lovely indoor garden with beautiful orchids.I wandered around smelling them for a good ten minutes. It really made all the difference.

I recently picked up this Maeve blouse from Anthropologie via Poshmark. It was super long because it is originally a tunic, and was quite big on me. My mom managed to trim it (thanks mom). The original style is called the Paseo Tunic Button Down Top Tie Waist. Its supposed to be tied in the front rather than the back. However, I prefer the bow in the back a lot. It really adds something to the classic sleeveless white button down. I do want to try it the original way it was created. However I feel like the shape is kinda weird in the front. I may be reading into it, what do you think? Nonetheless its definitely a fun take on a classic and I have been needing a blouse like this forever. I can wear it with loafers or with birkenstocks.

I'm still obsessed with this scarf I got back in the spring. You may remember it from this post.

I am also making some serious progress at completing my goal of owning this whole J. Crew berry print collection. Just need the heels and silk blouse!

The easiest way to tie a bandana scarf is to fold it in half into a triangle. Then fold it half an inch on both sides until you get a small rectangle. Then you can tie it around your neck. I love this page from J.Crew on how to style a scarf in 7 ways.

Right now I'm getting out of the school/work groove and getting into the work/relax groove which I'll take any day. PS what do you guys think of this lip color? Its a Kylie Lip Kit and its the real deal! Review coming soon.

June has taken so much out of me but I tried to make lemonade with lemons and am grateful for what this past month has taught me. Two passed classes later and I'm honestly just so grateful that July is here. It feels like a gift to be able to live fully in the present again. Time to revitalize and recharge during this month. I think we all need to take more time to stop and smell the orchids. 

Wearing: Blouse - Anthropologie (sold out, but similar), jeans - Urban Outfitters, scarf - J. Crew (sold out, but similar), lips - Kylie Lip Kit in Mary Jo K, watch - Marc by Marc Jacobs (exact)

Photos by the incredible LFTM Photography, seriously give Audley a follow here!

Similar: