25 Things To Do Before Christmas | A Procrastinator's Guide

I swear that I've blinked December away. December 1st---blink---December 25th. What? When? Where---and how did this happen?! Before I know it I'll blink and be 25 raising 9.5 cat babies~ But, that's another story for another time! This is a little Christmas guide for any procrastinators like myself out there. Oh, you procrastinators---my people let's be real here are we really procrastinators? I think time just has a little thing against us. Is it really our fault that the internet and cats were invented---I mean there should be some liability warning you should sign, because once those two things enter your life kiss your work and responsibility goodbye~

I kid, kid~ We might be procrastinators, but we definitely have the Christmas spirit---cozy cardigans, hot chocolate, last minute Christmas shopping, and stealing a gingerbread man or two on the way. Bring forth the Christmas cheer and merriment! 

25 Things To Do This Christmas 

♡ Do Last Minute Christmas Shopping 

 With Christmas a few mere days away it can only mean one thing---last minute Christmas shopping. Stay away from online shopping and slip into your comfiest boots to hit up some of the local shops for the day. You'd be surprised, but here are still some hidden gems just waiting to be picked up for your loved ones. Well what are you waiting for? Hurry and get to it~ 

♡Drink Hot Chocolate  

Whether you make it at home or you have your barista whip up your favorite concoction---hot chocolate is simply a must have during this time of the year. Don't forget the whipped cream and cute marshmallows. 

♡Decorate A Gingerbread House 

With all the cute gingerbread house kits around you literally have no excuse. My family and I are making our first gingerbread house ever on Christmas Eve---I'm equipped with an icing bag and gum drops. No one can stop me now~ 

♡Be A Secret Christmas Elf 

There's no better feeling than helping your loved ones or even a stranger in need. Spruce up your roommates room, bake some sweets for a friend, or pay for someone's coffee. There's a whole lot of little things we can do that spread a whole LOT of Christmas cheer. It's the little things, right? 

♡Cuddle Up In Cozy Blankets + Christmas Pajamas 

After all that shopping and spreading the Christmas cheer you deserve to take it easy. Netflix and hot cocoa anyone? 

♡Visit Your Local Church 

It's easy to get swept up in the holiday chaos, but we shouldn't forget what Christmas is all about---JESUS~ 

♡Make A Gingerbread Scrub 

Still looking for a few last minute gifts? This cute holiday themed sugar scrub would make an adorable gift or a great little treat to yourself~ 

♡Host A Christmas Movie Party 

Nothing says Christmas more than a Christmas movie marathon cuddled up in your favorite pajamas with your closest friends~ Bring out the hot chocolate and holiday sweets and make a party out of it! I pinky promise it will be a hit~ Having trouble thinking of a theme? Check out this sweet get up and this movie list for some ideas. 

♡Christmas Coloring 

Call me childish or a kid at heart, but if you're having trouble getting in the Christmas spirit why not grab some art supplies and color that stress away. With this adult coloring craze there's limitless options to choose from. This Harry Potter coloring book is my favorite~ Don't have any extra money to spare? Check out these free coloring sheets~ 

♡Wrap Up Presents

Tearing away at gift wrap may just be the best part about opening presents. There's so many cute gift wrap options at the store, but if gift wrap isn't your cup of tea there's so many different tutorials on how to make your own which are just as special! 

♡Get A Christmas Manicure 

Perk up, butter cup with a little Christmas manicure! You can treat yourself to the salon or get your home girls together and make a night out of it. Chat the night away about holiday plans and give each other the perfect manicure. Need some nail art ideas? Here are a few just to get you started. Whatever you decide to do your nail beds will be singing with the Christmas spirit! 

♡Make Reindeer Chow 

Whether it's for the reindeers outside or for your own tummy---this reindeer chow will make any tummy happy. 

 ♡Decorate For The Holidays 

A little late on decorating this year? Like way, way late? Well it's better late than never---here's some quick home decor ideas to make your home feel a little more festive. 

♡Make Homemade Ornaments 

Speaking of decorating---is your Christmas tree missing a little something? Why not have a go at making some special homemade ornaments. These cookie cutter ornaments are adorable and super easy to make! 

♡Eat Rudolph Pancakes

These pancakes are just too adorable to resist! I'll have 20 please~ 

♡Write A Letter To Santa

No one is too old to write a letter to Santa. Maybe leave it out to give some loved ones a few hints. . .no list ever hurt no one! Well maybe the hit list. . .

♡Look At Christmas Lights 

Take a drive around your neighborhood with family and friends to ooo and ahhh at the pretty Christmas lights. If your neighborhood hasn't embraced the Christmas spirit take a stroll around downtown to gaze at the lights and decorations. Don't forget to snap a photo or two to keep for memory lane! 

♡Watch The Polar Express 

I don't care if you've watched this movie a million times you're going to watch it again and again and again. 

♡Go To The Nutcracker 

Seeing a live performance of the Nutcracker is supposed to be magical or at least I hear! Take your Christmas sweetheart or even whisk your best friend away to create a magical memory. 

♡Write Christmas Letters

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is making Christmas cards---writing sweet heart warming messages for your loved ones will most definitely give you the warm fuzzies. Accompanied with the perfect and thoughtful gift you'll definitely be giving yourself a pat on the back this season.

Write away I say~

♡Read A Christmas Story By The Fire Place

Have any kiddos around? Siblings? Nieces or nephews? Or maybe kids of your own? Reading them a little Christmas story by the fire place or cuddled up on the couch might be one of the most magical things you do this whole year. Seeing their eyes light up in wonderment is priceless. I recommend the good ol' classic Twas The Night Before Christmas. 

♡Give Those In Need

One of the best ways to spread Christmas cheer is donating to those in need. There are so many food and toy drives going around this time of year. You could be the reason someone smiles this holiday season. 

♡Listen To Christmas Music 

Fill your house with Christmas cheers with some good ol' Christmas carols. Rock out to jingle bells and Rudolph the red nosed reindeer and before you know it you'll be as excited as a kid on Christmas Eve. Here's a list of some good ol' classics to get your Christmas groove on~

♡Bake Christmas Cookies For Santa

Don't forget about jolly Saint Nick and bake him your best cookies. Don't worry---no one will judge you if you steal one or two for yourself~ 

♡Have A Mery Jolly Christmas

Must I explain? 

I hope you snow babes enjoyed this post and I was able to inspire you to get some last minute Christmas things checked off your list~ And, don't worry I checked you're on the good list. Santa said he'll let that one thing go so you don't have to sweat it no more, okay. Sending you babes so much love and peppermint bark your way this Christmas~ 

♡

Nerd Is The Word

Cutest. Makeup. Bag. Ever. I couldn't help myself, okay?! With all the sales going on how is a girl supposed to walk away empty handed?! It's impossible I say. IMPOSSIBLE. This cute little bag was on sale for less than a tenner---can you believe it?! Isn't the little catch phrase adorable?! Fits me perfectly---I'm just a nerd in disguise. I basically have my nose buried in books all day and if libraries didn't have closing hours I'd just pack my bags and move in. Besides a makeup bag practically qualifies as school supplies, right? Right?!

By the way guys I think I finally found my "niche" in the blogging world---well kind of. This little virtual place of mine is a whirlwind of life style, cute things, sweet treats, and of course cats. With fashion and beauty of course! Although, I really would love to do fashion way, WAY more for you babes, but not having a handy dandy camera man behind the scenes really puts a dapper on things. Why can't camera men just grow out of the ground?! That really would make things a whole lot easier. Oh, yeah and beauty of course too---you know what this little blog of mine is just a little bit of everything. A little diary into my world for babes and dreamers~ 

This was a bit more of a chattier post than usual wasn't it? I actually love talking to you babes like we're all chilling in my bedroom. Wouldn't that be super rad?! I'd serve you all yummy snacks and we could talk about baby unicorns~ There'd be chocolate of course! You know what I hardly ever write like this---especially not on here. Maybe it's because I'm writing this in the wee hours of the night, but I can't help but ask. . .What do you babes prefer? Miss chatty pants? Or a post that is much more formal and structured? I'd love to hear your thoughts~ 

By the way before I go---

Nerd is the word~

That could be our secret password if we ever had a clubhouse~

Did I just accidentally start a secret club? 

I am totally okay with this idea. . .

♥

Cat Therapy

Image via

Edit: me

Ever since my darling little kitty Pow Pow entered my life about 3 1/2 years ago my life has never been the same. With her constant kitty cuddles, her irresistible adorable paws that mischievously type away gibberish on my blog posts when I'm not looking (don't worry I edit out her little contributions---shhh don't tell her!), and our late night walks prowling around the lake---my life just wouldn't be complete without her. That purring machine is radiating happiness and sweet little kitty love 24/7. I swear being around her is like attending 1,000 therapy sessions except with cute meows for all the answers to your life perplexing questions. Why can't I be a millionaire? Meow. Why can't I eat chocolate for breakfast? Meow. Why can't my hair stop being a frizzy ugly monster? Meow. Boy, that really puts stuff in perspective doesn't it?

All joking aside though I swear cats make any crummy situation 1000 times better. Now I know not all of us have a little furball in our lives so I did you all a little favor---I brought the cats to you! Here are the top links that I could find across the whole internet land so all of us can participate in a little bit of cat therapy. So what are you waiting for?!
Click em'!

Mr. Kitty's Cleaning Service
Is your computer screen a tad bit dirty?
Well this cutie will get that screen sparkling clean lickity split~

Cat Island
Deep in Japan exists Aoshima Island where cats outnumber humans SIX to ONE. These kitties are everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE. If this isn't cat lovers paradise I don't know what is.

Cat Bounce
These may be the CUTEST bouncing kittens to ever exist. Be forewarned though you may be staring at this for a couple hours. Neon bouncing kitties are oddly addicting~

Mimitos The Virtual Cat
Ever wanted your own cat? Mr.Mimitos to the rescue! Feed him, play with him, and even dress him up in his adorable funny costumes! It's the cutest little app you'll have on your phone---I promise~

Kittens v.s. Puppies
Ever dreamed of owning a kitten AND a puppy? Worried about those two little furballs not getting along? Don't worry this cute little video will answer all your questions plus put a smile on your face!
Kittens? Puppies? I just CAN'T choose! They're too cute~

Well this concludes our kitty therapy session!
Are you dying from the cuteness yet?!
I hope these little guys put a smile on your face like they did mine~

♥

☼ My Top Five Summer Essentials☼

While everyone is ready to accept school with open arms I'm still grasping on to the last straws of summer. I don't think there will ever exist a long enough holiday away from those tedious term papers. While back to school commercials are slowly creeping on us that doesn't mean we can't enjoy every last bit of those long lazy summer days and sun kissed rays. And, if I'm not mistaken some of you lucky babes are escaping on holiday so I'm definitely not the only one who is running away from those summer blues. Well enough chit chat and on to the essentials~

Sunnies
A super rad pair of sunglasses are a staple during the overwhelmingly hot summer months. Not only do they protect your precious eyeballs, but throw on a pair of these bad boys and you'll look effortlessly chic in no time. I bought these insanely adorable heart sun rays at American Eagle---perfect for festival season~

Summer Fragrance
I don't know about you, but when the seasons change I love my fragrance to match. Currently I'm loving Pure Seduction by Victoria Secret and Daisy by Marc Jacobs. Both are very sweet scents with light floral undertones~

Summer Book
The summer was meant for catching up on your reading. Whether you're taking a dip with Ernest Hemingway for the first time or sinking your teeth in that thriller of the year---there's nothing compared to reading a good book. Currently I'm re-reading one of my favorites---The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories by HitRecord. These tiny stories come from voices around the world and will sing to your heart in a beautiful, but ironic way. I highly recommend it!

Sunscreen
While this isn't pictured above it may be the most important! All I can say is if you think you've put on enough sunscreen you probably haven't. Go ahead and put on that second or third coat on---your skin will thank me later. Looking for a new sunscreen? I've heard tons about tarte's new Tartegaurd. Definitely on my wishlist~

Sun Hat
I'm obsessed with sun hats---the floppier the better I like to say~ They are so cute and just scream beach babe. Plus they give your noggin some extra protection. It's a win-win situation.
Beach babes for the win~

I am so not ready to say goodbye to summer yet. I think I've got the case of the summer blues. Well maybe I'm ready to say goodbye to the insane heat wave we've been getting, but I've got my summer essentials to back me up so I think I'll survive.
What about you?
What are your summer essentials?


  ♥

♡Grateful Heart♡ | Chapter 1

PHOTO CREDIT: PINTREST 

Many of us today get caught up in this world---but we all seem to forget that our problems, our difficulties, our worries are a mere breath---a mere moment in our lives---but, instead sometimes we let these dark moments consume us---our thoughts, our bodies, our souls. We forget our inner child. We forget our purpose. We forget the melody of our moments---the happier moments, our best moments---our breathless moments. 

I don't want to forget. No matter how small a moment may be I never want to forget that I'm grateful. No matter what I may be through or what you may be going through. No matter how dark, no matter what desperation settles in, no matter the hills of chaos---I refuse to let it poison my melody. 

Your melody is precious---treasure it. 

My Melody

1. My cat

A.K.A. My ferocious monster disguised as a bundle of furry joy~ My cat POW POW is literally my heart---this week the little monster got lost until she magically reappeared under a car several hours later. Searching the neighborhood like a mad woman with snot dribbling down my nose are only one of the many things I do for the little beast, but more than ever am I grateful for her kitty cuddles and her little footsteps treading behind mine. She will always be my miracle cat~

2. Walking on the beach with my mama

My mom has been here for me since day one---I honestly have no idea what I'd do without that amazingly strong, kind, and glorious woman in my life. We don't even need a sandy beach we could be walking on garbage for all I care---well she would definitely care. The point is I love her to death~ 

3. Reunited with my Best friend

I shouldn't even say reunited, because he's never left me. God is always reminding me I'm never alone even when there's no one. Always whispering there's still so much to see. His hand never leaving mine. I am beyond grateful for every moment we share dancing on this melody. 

I don't know why, but I felt like I needed to share that with all of you. I mean if there is one thing that I know what I want to do with all of this---my writing, the content I create, my blog, or whatever I decide to do is to aspire to inspire. Even if I just inspire one soul out there I would be happy.

What are you grateful for?

Always carry a tender and grateful heart. 

 ♥

The Home Diaries 2 | Cute Things

[PHOTO HEAVY]

Remember that one time I said I was going to finally decorate my childhood room? If you don't. . .where have you been?! You can enjoy reading part 1 of the Home Diaries over here you cute little sloth you~ Although, I'm staying here a little bit longer than planned the project is still on and running~ With the project still going on and all I was beginning to think why not give you lovelies a little peek~ A little sneak preview never hurt anyone, right?
Let's get this show on the road then~

I've been buying some cute little knick knacks to liven the space up a bit over the past few months---well maybe buying is a bit of an understatement. I suppose the proper term would be collecting here, but it seems like every time I go out there's a little thing here or there that would be a perfect addition to my forever growing collection of cute things. I mean who can say no to an ice cream fan, people?! It's ICE CREAM~

Now, all there's left to do is the hard work---re-painting furniture, keep an eye out for some new bedding, and install some new lighting. You know what before I begin boring you with the details I'm just going to let the pictures do all the talking for now~
I can't wait to show you all the finished product!

♥

The Sweats Edition

Recognize this little getup? This post was unfortunately supposed to be posted quite a bit ago, but with the last month being sick and all it never made the cut. But, I'm slowly making my come back in the blogging world so here we are yet again~ Maybe you've realized the nifty title (I'm quite proud of it if you didn't notice when I said the corny word nifty), but we are here to discuss exercise. Don't you dare run away from me yet little missy or mister or maybe in the matter of this case click out of your browser~ That's right I said the wretched word. . .exercise. This semester in school I seemed to find myself in quite a pickle or maybe for some people their worst nightmare. . . I accidentally signed myself up for a fitness course. Raising your eyebrows at the word accidentally? I was under the false impression it was simply a health and wellness lecture. Oh, but to my surprise that was not the case at all. Oh, boy if someone had a camera the first day of class and took of a picture of my face when the professor started rambling about dead lifting and tread mills what a sight that would have been. Lets just say I almost bolted out of the room~ 

But, a few months in and I feel better than ever! I never exactly hated exercise I just never knew too much about it. I loved to go out for walks and I've always been crazy about jumping jacks for some odd reason that I still can't put my finger on. But, that basically was the end of my line on expertise on the subject. Since this class though I have learned so much and I thought it was only fair to share it with all of you!

Did you know exercise is able to reduce stress&anxiety? 
Many studies have shown that exercise is very effective at reducing anxiety levels. When you exercise your brain releases chemicals called endorphins which trigger positve feelings in ones body. Feeling a little stressed about some dead lines or maybe you just want to get away from everything for a little while? Try going out for a walk or maybe even a brisk run if you're feeling up to it! Who doesn't want more happiness in their life?!

Benefits of Exercise
A cup of happiness isn't the only benefit exercise comes along with! Oh, the list can go on and on. A few are a reduced risk of heart disease, reduced risk of diabetes, increased bone mass, increased longevity, and improved psychological well being~ Um, yes please!

"Lifting weights are for men"
Ladies, ladies I promise you that you will NOT become bulky if you begin lifting. Pinky promise! This is coming from someone who has twig arms and never touched a weight till I entered this class. FUN FACT: I can now bench press 45 lbs~ Strength training is so beneficial for the body improving your overall composition and flexibility.  You will build your strength as well as be one step closer to a six pack~ Lift dem' weights, girl!

Do squats! 
Trust me your bum will thank you later ;) Need I say more!

Work Hard, Play Hard
Are you working out? Don't forget that your body needs rest too! Being physically active has amazing benefits, but to reap those benefits you shouldn't forget to catch up on that beauty sleep~ Your recovery periods are just as important as exercise it self! So don't be shy to take it easy sometimes~

I hope you lovelies were able to learn a thing or two! Have any tips you'd like to share with me? Leave your comments below I'd love to hear them~  By the way am I the only one who's obsessed how cute work out gear is? That itself is enough to inspire me to exercise more~

♥