January Favorites

Can you believe that January is already over? 

I'm still managing to write '14 on everything & will probably continue to do so until 2016 comes around.

But with the ending of the month, it is time for my January Favorites!  

As you may notice, many of these products featured this month are from Target.

But hey, with the constant amount of snowfall thanks to #Blizzard2015 & the countless other snow storms, you can only venture out so far & Target is always the ideal destination. 

{Favorite Accessory: Jeweled Necklace}

I've been looking at the J.Crew crystal necklaces for over a year now, but I just can't justify spending at least $50 for one. 

Instead, I finally found a look-a-like for $4.87 at Target. 

That's right friends, $4.87

As in I could've bought 10 more of these for the price of one necklace.

Reason #6,576 why I love Target. 

The colors are absolutely beautiful & it adds just the right sparkle to any outfit.

{Favorite Lip Product: NYX Butter Gloss - Vanilla Cream Pie} 

I have been loving the NYX lip products lately & this one definitely has not let me down.

Searching for a nude/pinkish lips gloss that lasts a long period of time, & isn't too sticky has been quite a task. 

But this one is perfect.

I love wearing it alone as an everyday lip color, but it also layers fantastic on top of a nude lipstick. 

{Favorite Product: Glass Water Bottle}

Every day in high school I had a plastic water bottle with me, but was constantly buying new ones due to the funky taste they all seemed to have.

After giving up the search for a glass bottle, that I didn't feel like would shatter at any moment,

I happened to spot this one at Target. 

It fits tons of water in it, keeps it cold, doesn't taste funky at all, & the rope strap is super sturdy & makes it easy to carry without feeling like its going to break off. 

Plus, it's cute.

Which is always a plus.

{Favorite Art Supply: Watercolor Palette}

The only positive thing about these never ending snowstorms, is the fact that I get to stay inside, listen to countless hours of Spotify, & paint all day long with no contact to the outside world, 

& it be completely acceptable. 

I have wanted a watercolor palette with multiple different colors for a while now & while browsing the paintbrush section at Joanne's the other day I happened to see this one. 

This beauty has 36 colors & was only $5.99!

As you can see, I've only had it for a few days & it has definitely gotten its use. 

Now if only I hadn't run out of watercolor paper during a blizzard... 

{Favorite Food: Danielle Roasted Coconut Chips} 

My sister got me hooked on these coconut chips at her house a couple weeks ago & as a result, I obviously had to pick some up on my weekly Target trip.  

If you love coconut as much as I do, I guarantee you will be addicted. 

No preservatives, all natural, no trans fat, & the only three ingredients are young coconuts, sugar, & salt. 

Let's just say, maybe the bag was gone in a day...

{Favorite Moment} 

On January•10•2015 my oldest sister brought my handsome little nephew Eli Richard into the world. 

Already being an Aunt to his two beautiful big sisters & having the opportunity to see them grow into such extraordinary little human beings each day is truly a gift. 

I never thought that 3 people could fill my heart with as much love as they do. 

{Favorite Quote}

•Image source: Pinterest•

Day 1 of 365

{ A year ago today I would have never pictured my life to be what it is right now }

That's one of the things that I find most exciting about life.

No matter how much you plan, it's crazy, unpredictable, & magical all at once. 

•2014 was a year that will always hold a special place in my heart•

It held many momentous occasions including everything from winning my first drawing contest for a festival in my town, to my Senior Prom. 

    I had the opportunity to stand on a stage with the best Drama Club in the entire world celebrating our Regional One Act win. 

• A moment that I hold close to my heart & will remember for my entire life•

I even turned 18 & graduated high school this year. 

Which by the way, when I received my diploma I forgot to stop to take the picture & tried to walk away.

Embarrassing myself obviously seemed to be a common trend in 2014.

Lesson learned. Stop for the picture kids. 

Though this year held many positive & unforgettable events it also came with some very trying ones. 

I was faced with many decisions that I was unsure about & lead me to be pushed very far out of my comfort zone. 

I went through the challenging process of eliminating unhealthy relationships of my life. 

& started new.

 { Someone once said }

•Whatever happened over this past year. Be thankful for where it brought you. 

Where you are is where you're meant to be•

& I couldn't agree with this more.

Through all the tears & uncertainty, the decisions I have made this past year have resulted in me finally feeling like I am headed on the right path for myself.

We often go into things having a goal in mind, but when we only focus on the end game, when often miss the detour that can lead us to even better things. 

•Life is defined in moments & I am so blessed to carry each one of these moments & so many more of 2014 in my heart forever•

I'm a firm believer in not setting New Year's Resolutions.

I believe that if you want to make changes in your life, why wait until a day at the end of the year to do that?
Start now.
Don't wait around.
If you want something, go out & get it for yourself.

I set goals for myself that are worked on long before a day at the end of the year where I feel like I need to make changes. 

I'm not saying I hold anything against people that choose to make resolutions, that is their decision & not mine. 

However, I choose to make my resolutions day to day instead of year to year. 

The second half of 2014 was focused completely on my journey & where I wanted to go from there. 

{ For more information check out this }

 I am very excited to say, that after a long couple of months, there are many things that are in the process of happening in 2015. 

I'm not going to share exactly what they are just yet, because like I said, they are in the process 

& there is still a long way to go. 

But achieving little goals along the way to the bigger picture, is a sense of accomplishment like you would never believe. 

•Each year has been magical in it's own way, but I am ecstatic to see where 2015 takes me•

{ With that being said... Here's my 10 pieces of advice for 2015 }

 • Image source: Pinterest•

1.  You know all those things you've always wanted to do? Go do them. What better time than now?

2.  Stop relying on other people to provide you with happiness. You are perfectly capable of providing it for yourself.

3. Don't let the mistakes you make define you. Making mistakes means you're trying new things, whether they turn out to be a success or failure. You're pushing yourself & changing your life. If I hadn't made the mistakes that I did last year, I would never be on the path that I am today. Learn from them.

4. Be proud of yourself. At the end of the day, this is your life & your life only. Make the steps to create the life that you can be proud of & proud to be.

5. Put down your phones, computers, tablets, anything & everything, every once in a while. Open your eyes to the world that is sitting right there in front of you.

6. Define your own success. Whether it be big or small, make it completely up to you. Don't feel like you have to obtain goals that don't relate to your choice of life.

7. Don't waste your precious time on people that don't care about you. I have spent way too much of my time trying to keep relationships that only hurt me. Take that time & energy & focus it towards relationships with people that truly care.

8. Don't be so hard on yourself. You are perfectly extraordinary just the way you are.

9. Laugh often & love many. It's good for your soul.

10. Pursue your passions & dreams. If they're important enough for you to make them dreams in the first place, stop making excuses for yourself & make them a reality. 

This is your year to shine. Go out & make it extra sparkly.