23!

Today is my 23rd birthday! I did a little pre-birthday celebrating over the weekend and am planning some birthday festivities for this weekend so today has been blissfully laid-back. Just some shopping and lunch with Jay (plus presents of course!) followed by some baking and just hanging out. A perfect way to start my 23rd year :)
Here's some old birthday pictures from years past: 

Second Birthday!

Fourth Birthday!

Sixth Birthday!
(Fun Fact: I've had that same Friendly's Watermelon Sherbet Roll ice cream cake every year since I was 6!)

Routine

Every week my work sends out an e-mail featuring a thought of the week. I almost always find something to take away from those e-mails but this particular statement really resonated with me. I've been going through a real transitional stage in my life and this e-mail came at the perfect time. I'm trying to remember it and apply it to my life in different ways, for example I've always wanted to get into running and this quote has helped me maintain the motivation to get out there and run every day. 
Is there something in your life you're trying to change? What's your favorite inspirational message right now?

Stuck in My Head

Can't seem to get this song out of my head lately. Can you say #guiltypleasure much?

New Favorite Hair Product: Heaven in Hair

If you've been reading this blog for awhile you know that one of my New Year's resolutions this year to start embracing my curls. It's been quite the adventure and learning curve at times but overall I'm so happy that I took the plunge! My hair is healthier then it's been in a long time and I just feel more "me" if that makes any sense. Something that has made the transition so much easier has been the Devacurl line of products. Made especially for curly hair Devacurl is hands down the best haircare line I've ever used! Lately, my curls have been pretty dry, probably because of all the sun and salt water I've been exposing them to lately. I decided to pick up Heaven In Hair, Devacurl's deep moisturizing treatment, to see if that would help.

image via

 Oh my goodness, it has been so great! It smells awesome and makes my hair feel so hydrated! Also all that added moisture makes my curls extra bouncy with no frizz, a definite plus on these hot, humid summer days! So far I've just been putting around a quarter to half-dollar size amount in my hair and leaving it in for around thirty minutes before washing out. I'm planning on trying leaving it on overnight to see if it makes any big difference. Either way though Heaven in Hair is definitely turning into one of my new favorite products!
Do you have any favorite hair products? Any suggestions for managing or embracing curly hair? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Life Updates

How was your July 4th weekend? I spent all weekend hanging out with my family and complaining about enjoying the heat. Now that it's back to work as usual I'm trying to stop myself from going into vacation mode! As of one o'clock this coming Saturday I'll be on vacation for two weeks and I absolutely can't wait! I'm excited for days spent at the beach, plenty of time to read, day trips, and trying a bunch of new recipes! Oh and celebrating my birthday of course! What are you looking forward to this week?  

theSkimm

image via

Have you heard of theSkimm? 
If not then you are absolutely missing out! theSkimm is a daily newsletter (sent Monday - Friday) designed for educated professionals. It includes headlines and news from politics and foreign policy to the latest Hollywood updates and sport news. Informative and helpful with a fun and witty twist, reading theSkimm is the perfect way to start your day!  One of my favorite aspects of theSkimm is it's "Repeat After Me" section. It is filled with great conversation starting news and also never fails to make me laugh. It's something I look forward to reading everyday.   Sign up here if you haven't already and give it a try, you'll love it!

Re-designed!

I recently had Brielle create a custom design for my blog. It was definitely time to upgrade the design and I absolutely love the direction Brielle and I decided to go in! I'm so, so happy with the work she's done and am delighted to have been able to work with her! She was quick to respond to any of my questions or requests, seemed to be able to almost read my mind (everything she designed was almost exactly as I had pictured it! She's awesome!), and was so approachable and friendly. Plus she works super fast, my blog design was completely finished and installed in just over a week! I highly suggest browsing her etsy shop; it's stocked with adorable prints and blog design listings. Thanks so much Brielle!