honestly

I'm not really sure where to begin in writing this, and my apologies for getting serious on a Monday. I've been keeping things very light on the blog for some time now, but it doesn't feel very truthful or transparent considering what I've been battling internally. This is not meant to be a pity party or anything of that sort, just a way for me to let off some pressure in my mind. 

A year ago today, I jumped on a plane to London to backpack through Europe for 4 weeks {and it turned out to be the most amazing adventure!}. A year and a week ago from now, I walked across the stage at commencement and finalized my college graduation. At the time, I had the highest of expectations for my future. I dreamed of a fulling, independent lifestyle and came to expect it of the real world. Now, I'm still cautiously optimistic about what my future holds, but the reality I've faced this year is nothing like what I imagined I would. All of you who have been in the 'real world' for years are smiling and nodding along.  

The year {beginning when I came back from Europe} started off innocently enough. Things were off to a slow but good start as I sat comfortably in my student loan grace period. Come December, I began paying monthly student loan bills. Yikes. If you're like me and have a hefty sum of student loans, you understand the pain of paying back your loans by the hundreds each month. This was all fine and good until I hit a major bump in the road in the middle of February. A shift in hours at work meant I had to take on a second job to make ends meet, and even then was not - and still am not - as financially stable as I was prior to the shift.

hair files: change in routine

For months on end now, I've been feeling a change in my hair care routine coming on. Essentially, I have ADHD when it comes to my hair. I want a short bob! I want long flowing locks! I want really blonde hair! I want dark sultry hair! I want natural looking hair! I want bangs! I want nothing to do with bangs! You guys, I am exhausting myself. I've been doing this little hair dance for well over 5 years now and I'm over myself. I have switched between bangs and no bangs, long and short hair, and blonde and dark hair for far too long. I am extremely lucky to have very naturally healthy hair that has been able to withstand all of this {bless you, dead veins on my head} but I want to start doing right by my hair.

This is going to be extremely difficult for me to break the bad habits that I've had for years, but I'm really going to give it my best effort. Looking at taking these steps.

{ image source }

1. Long hair, don't care. Interpretation: I want to actually grow my hair out. Not like half way, then chop it, then grow it, then chop it again. I've going the distance baby! And using these tips to get me there. 

2. Once a blonde, always a blonde. Telling this to my future self: yes, you look o.k. with dark hair, but no, it's not necessary to dye it dark for 5 months because you have a sudden urge to take a break from blonde. I'm sticking with blonde. I know it works well with my complexion, and I'm sick of ping-pong hair color on my head.

3. Getting on the dirty hair train. This is BY FAR going to be the hardest change I'm making. I still wash my hair 5-6 times per week {almost every day}. Yes, I know this is "horrible" for your hair, but I just don't know how to not have clean hair every day. I've done so much research on not washing every day, and I just need to go for it, even if I look like I dunked my head in a tub of McDonald's fry oil at first.

4. Lay off the heat. This is something I'm slowly getting better at, but I haven't quite fully quit my blowdryer and flatiron yet. I don't straighten my hair every day (I have quite naturally wavy hair) but still do a few times per week. This is going to be an easy step to implement if I can nail down step 3. *IF* being the key word there folks.

Ok, so does anyone have tips for me? Because I'm like a lost little puppy in this whole healthy hair care world. I know I've mastered health in many other areas of life, but my healthy hair skills are quite pathetic.

Thanks gems.

x

Molly

tank talk

I'm going to have to be honest with you today... the creativity is not exactly flowing this week, and this post is no exception. I'm just coming to you with a little wardrobe update this morning {groundbreaking, I know}. With a big week at work and still waiting to hear some news, my mind resembles a pile of mush, I suppose. I'm just sorry you have to witness it.

So anyways, quick update: I am desperately trying to revamp my summer tank collection. Right now it is a bunch of hand-me-down or old tanks that haven't seen the light of day in 9 months and look that way too. Essentially none of my tanks are appealing to me right meow, so I'm slowly but surely stocking up on some pretty tanks that aren't cheapies. It's hard to spend the money up front, but I know I won't regret these investments years down the road!

A pretty little J.Crew number that I can't stop daydreaming about. I have so many outfits planned!

A pretty crochet Zara tank that I can't wait to pair with distressed denim {this was actually gifted from my Mother... good taste Mom!}

Told you... boring stuff today. Anyone else stocking up on summer tanks recently?!

x

Molly