Thursday's are for Giveaways!

Happy Thursday! Today I am teaming up with some amazing bloggers to bring you an AH-MAZ-ING giveaway! I mean it's just so good! Get moving so you can get in on the winnings. You gotta be in it to win it right?
  Grow Your Blog Social Media Giveaway

Social media is an integral part of any blog's growth. Without social media, it is very unlikely that you will grow at all, because who will even know about your blog? My friends and I have decided to help you out with your social media success. We are going to provide you with the tools that you need to succeed on every social media platform! That's why we've come together to offer you some great prizes.
  Grow Your Blog Social Media Giveaway Hostesses
First, an Apple iPad Mini 4 (in GOLD, of course), so that you can work and post on social media from anywhere you are. While sitting on your couch watching TV, while waiting in line at the post office, even while sitting by the pool! Having it all in one handy place will help you manage everything. Second, access to Helene in Between's Instagram for Success e-course! For those of you unfamiliar with Helene, suffice it to say that she is the social media master you've always wanted to learn from. And now is your chance! Thirdly (and lastly), a one-year subscription to Board Booster, which is basically the best tool ever for growing your Pinterest account.

Can you imagine the butt-kicking you'll do on social media with these prizes? So enter now and good luck!

Giveaway details:
  1. Although we're saving you time by not requiring you to give us your username at each entry, your entries will be verified before you can qualify to win! So be sure to give us your info in the "free entry".
  2. Board Booster subscription will come in the form of $60 cash, which will pay for 500 pin level for one year.
  3. Open to all entrants, including international. International winner will be given cash instead of iPad due to shipping.
  4. Total value of prize approximately $600.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I dream in ambition

Some people dream in color.. lately I've been dreaming in ambition. If I could make all my ambitious dreams come true, this is what my 2016 would look like:


  1. Become a part-time blogger that is bringing in supplemental income. This income would go towards my $10,000 wedding  budget. 
  2. Attend a Wanderlust Festival and be able to go for the whole festival. As of right now I am working on attending a day or 2 but can't seem to swing a full festival. 
  3. Travel across the USA via train. I've always wanted to take in all of the beautiful scenery this country has to offer, and what better way than via train?
  4. Start a subscription box. I have a fabulous idea, just not confident enough in myself yet to start working on it. Maybe I'll find that spark somewhere soon...
  5. Start a movement to kill mental illness stigma. I know this isn't new, but I feel like everyday I am seeing a story from someone I know struggling with it. We need to take a stand and get all of the hurting souls some help. Who's with me?

In a perfect would this would be my year. Just as everyone else has road blocks, I know I will run into some. Hoping to get as close as possible to reaching these ambitious dreams this year. If not.. there's always 2017 right?

What are your ambitious dreams?



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Sunday Snaps :)


Sunday already? I can't believe how quickly this year is already zooming by. This coming week is the last full week of February and then we all start looking forward to Spring. I shouldn't be complaining to much as this winter has not been all that bad. How was your winter?

So let's see what you missed this past week:

I wrote about going back to your roots and doing things for you: Find the You, You're Meant to Be

This week was Random Acts of Kindness week and I sent a reminder to love yourself and do nice things for yourself as well.

I ended the week with some silly thoughts that were on my mind while brushing my teeth.

I'm still working out what I want to share with you all this coming week. So many thoughts buzzing on my mind. So many things from upcoming travel, live with a kitten, to catching up on The Bachelor.

How did you week go?

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Mind dump: Brushing my teeth edition

I got up this morning to a beautiful sunrise as Grace raced across the bed making sure we were up. It's Friday and it feels like it came at the perfect moment. I got up to start my day and had the most random thoughts while brushing my teeth. I thought it would be fun to share on this fun Friday morning.


"Ahh it's cold. Why does it have to be February?"

"Which toothpaste should I use? The coal treatment or the minty fresh? Wait I did coal last night..."

"Grace get out of the sink!"

"I wonder when the first episode of Gilmore Girls will debut?"

"Grace! Out of the sink!"

"Is it May yet?"

"If I have to hear one more thing about Kanye I may lose my mind!"

"GRACE! Get out of the sink!"

"This toothpaste tastes funny."

"It is Friday right?"

Have a great Friday all!


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Random Acts of Kindness



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Find the you, you're meant to be

Do you often find yourself doing something because someone else is doing it? Does it feel fulfilling to you? I often find myself doing these things and wondering why I thought it was for me. I mean we all have our moments when we have to jump on the bandwagon for one reason of another. Maybe it will bring us more attention. Maybe we think it will fix something in our lives. Maybe it is just as simple as "well, so and so is doing it and she seems to like it so I am going to do it too".



I can see this pattern in myself just by looking at my past blog posts. When I first starting blogging I did it for me. I had a purpose to start. I had never really read a blog in my life. Not one I followed regularly at least. I started my blog as a way to showcase something I had interest in. It was the right reason to start a blog in my eyes.

As time went on I could see the changes I had made. They stuck out like a sore thumb. I had jumped on one trend or another to stay in the game. I made the decision that I wanted to be popular. I wanted thousands and thousands of people to read my blog daily.

In reality when I started doing what everyone else was doing, my blog didn't do as well. I didn't see the numbers as I had when I was writing with my purpose. I didn't see many comments. The traffic was slowing dramatically. This was not what I had envisioned when I decided to up my game.

But was I really upping my game? Why didn't I feel empowered? I thought I was writing what everyone wanted to read. Then it hit me. I had focused on what everyone else was doing that I was not putting any  heart or purpose into what I was writing. I didn't find much enthusiasm in my writing anymore. I was even bored reading some of my posts.

When I look back at 2015, it was when I really started making some of these changes. I also recognize 2015 as a shitty year as a whole at the moment. I realize now that there was a lot of transition going on in my life. A lot of change. It makes things rough. They always say hindsight is 20/20 right? I can see it all clearly now.

I have decided I need to make changes again. But this time the changes are to fit more comfortably in my life currently. I want to be able to find the me I am meant to be rather than continue to look back at the person I was 5 years ago or even 10 years ago. We need to all learn to live in the present and make things better moving forward, rather than continuing to look back.

Be a better person. Be a better blogger. Find the you. you want to be.

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Feel Good Friday: Valentine's Edition

Happy Friday all! Welcome back to another edition of Feel Good Friday. This is a space where I will share articles, blog posts, pictures, and anything else that can be inspiring, feel good, or just down right cute. Last week I mentioned this was a new series for me and I wasn't sure where it was going to lead me. I have found myself drawn to positive, uplifting content on the internet, and I wanted to share for all of you who need a little positive in your lives. This week is a theme of Valentine's day and love:



I have been squealing like a little girl over the fact that the Gilmore Girls revival is officially coming to Netflix. So much feel good vibes coming in this week with all of the announcements of returning characters! Anyone else excited? (Okay this isn't Valentine's related per say.. but for so many fans, this show is like the loves of their lives, so this is such a great Valentine's gift)

I love this article by Like a Boss Girl: Be Your Own Valentine: 5 Ways to Show Self Love. It is so important to find time for yourself and be truly in love with everything you are. It is a really hard journey sometimes to get there, but just like everything else in life, the more you work at it, the easier it becomes!

I always love when I come across a cartoon or something that mimics the relationship I have with R. This article of cartoons sure sums us up: 12 Reasons Why I Love Him.

I love that this blind little girl made braille Valentine's Day cards! It is so sweet and such a cute idea.

There are so many great feel good things out there on the internet if you look for them. I could of posted thousands of things in this spot today, but these are the ones that touched me the most!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!



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Lover's Loot


Supporting local business is really important to me. They make each city and town special and one of a kind. When we have cute little coffee shops, boutiques, and do good businesses sprinkled in within the bigger chains, it makes a community unique. Every town has its “must visit” locations, and most of the time these are local businesses. 

When I made my goals for February, I set a theme of love. I did this as a way to bring awareness to being kind and loving to all things around you. This includes yourself and animals. Today I want to share some love on a local non-profit that is near and dear to my heart. The Tompkins County SPCA. I grew up always having a pet and come from a family of animal lovers. I just recently adopted Grace from the shelter, a cute and spunky 6 month old kitten.

Grace came into the shelter as a stray with some tummy issues. She was very small for her age and very much underweight. The Tompkins County SPCA got her healthy and she now spends her days spoiled and with more food than any little kitty should need. She is happy and it makes me happy knowing we have such a wonderful shelter who is willing to take in kitties like Grace and get them adopted into a nice home. 

(Credit)

The Tompkins County SPCA was the first No-Kill shelter in the United States. No animal is ever turned away due to no room. Because they are able to do this, they need the funds to keep the shelter running and productive. I wanted to share with you their Valentine’s Day fundraiser.

Lover’s Loot is the gift that keeps on giving. For $50 you can purchase a sleek and modern travel mug packed with Life’s So Sweet chocolate and a slip of paper with a number. Each number corresponds with a number between 1 and 225. Each number has a prize attached to it which will be revealed on Valentine’s Day on the Tompkins County SPCA’s website. Each prize is guaranteed to be worth $25 or more. 

The lovely Grace modeling out the new mug!
Each prize was generously donated from both local and national businesses. You can expect to see gift cards from places like HarmonyMassage, Gimme Coffee, Firelight Camps, <---(Glamping!)  Rasa Spa, Target, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, and many more! You can even win a lunch with Ithaca mayor Svante Myrick! Swoon!

If you are local to the area you can pick up your mugs from Both SPCA locations (Ithaca Mall and Hanshaw Rd), Rasa Spa, 15 Steps, and The Ithaca Coffee Company.
If you are not local and want to make a generous donation I will personally ship you your mug and prize the week following Valentine’s Day. 

Valentine’s Day is only 6 days away.. Hurry and get this unique gift for your sweetie before they are all gone!

Grace Approves!




*This is not a sponsored post. I just love the organization! <3


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Make memories this Valentine's Day

Ahh Valentine's Day.. you either love it or hate, are into it, or not. For me Valentine's Day has a different feel. I don't feel like you need a day to tell your loved ones you love them. Some people buy chocolates and candy which is nice, but they don't last. If you're in a meaningful relationship and you're happy and in love, keep that and fill it with special moments.

Is there something you've wanted to do with your significant other, but have been putting it off? Maybe you do want to go out to eat and there's that restaurant that means a lot to you. Or maybe there is that activity you have been meaning to try, but just haven't made the time. Valentine's Day would be an excellent time to make the time for these things.


Life gets busy. We all put things off. Unfortunately one of the parts of our lives that seem to get neglected is our relationships. Use this Valentine's day to rectify that. Spend a day doing new things and making memories. Do the things together that make you both happy. If you can't think of something, don't worry, I have some ideas for you.

The weather has been pretty warm this year here in the north, but that's not going to stop me from recommending ice skating. Whether you can find a place to do it outside or have to go to an indoor rink, ice skating is pretty romantic and can bring back childhood memories. A very playful date.

Go to lunch. Pick out that fancy place you have been meaning to try. Lunch will be cheaper, have less crowds, and you can still dress up with your sweetie. After lunch you can head home to your sweat pants and Netflix and call it a night. Romantic right?

Take a hike together. Nothing brings 2 people together like a nature walk. Especially if it's cold you will have plenty of opportunities to snuggle with your sweetheart.

Head to a karaoke house and rent a private room. You and your love can belt out songs to each other. Nothing is more romantic than that right? Or you can invite a few couples out and make it a fun date night with a group. The ideas are endless!

Volunteer with your significant other. Nothing makes a person feel as great as when they are helping someone else out. A good option would be volunteering at your local animal shelter. You can snuggle cute kitties and puppies. Who knows, maybe you will meet another love of your life and take a new furball home!

So what do you think? Will you create some new memories with your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? You still have time to plan! Sunday isn't that close right?


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Feel Good Friday Vol. 1

I'm not sure if you noticed, but I am trying to lead my life with a better attitude. I am working on being grateful for the things around me, and working on making my mind and body healthier. I decided the one thing that makes me happy is engaging in feel good activity. I am going to start posting some of the things that bring a positive message to me. Feel good material per say. They may be magazine articles, blog posts, or inspirational photos.


I am feeling great after a really positive yoga session this week, as well as some good reading. I posted a few of my favorite articles and posts from the week. I hope you get something out of them like I did!

I would love for you to add to the feel good vibe here, so maybe in time I will offer a link up if this is something that works out.. taking risks here.. It makes me feel good... Here we go..

I really love Ember Grey's 12 Months of Bliss: Sharing Kindness over Negativity prompt for February. If we could all take as step back and be kind to one another, we would live in a happier, healthier world.

I found an article on Wanderlust called The Power of Saying No. As a society we feel guilty when we say no. Letting down people in our lives makes us feel bad, however the more we agree to things we don't always have time for the more we wear ourselves down.

One of the most humbling things I saw this week: People wrote down their biggest fears for all of New York to see. Such a brave thing to do!

And of course the cutest thing I saw which is apparently pretty old is shelter cats being mingled with a yoga class. This is near and dear to my hear as I work in a shelter and I really enjoy yoga. Think I should get Grace involved in this one?

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February Short and Sweet Goals

Last year I started setting myself goals that related to a theme every month. My happiness project per say. One of the things I learned was putting to many goals into effect doesn't help. It stressed me out and burned me out. I'm taking a new appoach this year.

January's goal was to educate myself on the goals I wanted to set for the year and I think I accomplished that pretty well. February is a month of love so I want to focus my theme on all things love which includes self love folks. So onto February goals..


  • My new planner has arrived. One of my goals this year is to be a better planner. February is already looking like a busy month so I am going to set planning and organizing my month as a goal. 
  • Make time for my relationship. Maybe reintroduce a date night every other week. 
  • In January I posted 11 blog posts. I want to up that to 12 this month. I'd love to strive for 15 but again I don't want my goals to stress me out. 
  • Be the best cat mom I can be. Grace was an unexpected surprise but a good one. She is already helping me destress. 
  • Read 3 books. At least one self help book mixed in with 2 fun books. 
  • Find things to be grateful for daily. Write them down as a reminder. 
  • Maybe, just maybe get back into wedding  planning.. We shall see. 
Short and sweet goals for the month. I figure they are something I can achieve and to me accomplished goals are better than stressed out goals. What are you planning this month?

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Tales of being a (kitty) Mom

When your child is sick, the days seem to take a toll on you. Grace (yes my kitty is my kid) had a seroma form around her spay incision that doubled in size between Thursday and Friday. I got super nervous that something was wrong that I asked a vet tech from work for some advice.


One of the fabulous shelter vets was able to see Grace on Saturday morning. She wasn't in any immediate pain or distress but I felt better having it looked at. She was calm the whole way and even came out of her carrier on her own.

Let's just say the second someone touched her belly she was not a happy camper. She became very agitated and her natural survival skills kicked into overdrive. Very upset girl.

The doctor decided to do an ultrasound to rule out a hernia. She was not a fan of that at all. The next step was to decide what to do. It was very unclear if she was herniating so the next step was to aspirate the lump. I stepped out of the room for that part.

Good news was the lump was full of fluid. Bad news is she would need to restrict her activity and stay away from the wound. Enter kitty sweater. Grace rocked a purple camo sweater to keep her away from her incision.

She got home and slept for hours before getting up a bit to eat and play. She seemed to be doing okay. Enter Sunday morning and Grace refused to get out of bed or eat. She stayed up in my bed until close to noon before making it down to the litter box.

It was slow moving from there. She didn't want to eat or drink. I was stressed.  I talked to the vet and they said it was pretty normal but to keep an eye on her. By late afternoon she seemed more like herself but was still moving slow. I fed her some of her favorite treats and left it at that.

She "killed" her bird
I am happy to report that this morning she is back to her old crazy self. Lots of purrs and snuggles in between hunting her toy bird. She's a real treat.

How was your weekend?

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