Let's Talk About Passion

Do you ever look at someone and think, "I wish I loved anything as much as they love what they're doing right now."

I use to be one of those people. Well both of those people actually. When I was a music major in college I was completely absorbed in music. It was 24/7 of performing, analyzing, studying, and practicing music. I loved every minute of it, even when I hated it.

Yet I had days where I would be the other person too. I'd watch how other majors would get to spend their days and instantly get jealous. I mean have you ever seen a Computer Engineer correctly code something they've been working on for months? It's like witnessing a shooting star, rare and brillant.

I didn't always want music to be my life. Believe it or not I almost quit when I was 13. I was convinced that I was going to be an astronaut, but somewhere along the way music won me over.

They say if it's the first thing you think about in the morning and the last thing you think about before you fall asleep then you're in love. That was me and music. It's all I talked about, all I learned about, and all I wanted to do (besides sleep.) I was obsessed, and it was 100% just a honey moon phase.

My decision to make music my life wasn't taken lightly by any means. In fact if I wanted to make my life infinitely easier I'd just become an astronaut like I originally planned. I had to fight to study music at every turn. It wasn't just my parents I was fighting either, it was school counselors, professors trying to make sure it was the right decision, barrier exams that were nearly impossible to pass, and so much more.

To say it was a hard road is a bit of an understatement. Where I went to school you have to know it's what you want or you won't stay. My class started off with 75 bright eyed and bushy tailed freshman. It graduated seven. You read that right seven. A typical day was three plus hours of daily practice on top of 6:00am daily quartet rehearsals, along with several hours of required ensembles, all while being a full time student. If you weren't going to succeed they were going to make sure you'd fail. 

Fast forward four years. It's my last year of music school and I no longer eat, sleep, and breathe just music, it's now music education. I sleep more than I eat and I teach more than I play. I was no longer in the honey moon phase and now into the Dear God what am I doing with my life phase. (Enter Gap Year)

Forward three more years. I'm happy to announce that we are nearly seven years from the beginning of my journey into making music the rest of my life. I'm still madly in love with what I do. I'm no longer in a honey moon phase or a panicked I made the wrong choice phase, but in a comfortable this is what I love phase. I teach music and I can't tell you how great it is to talk about what you love all day.

I guess what I'm trying to say is...it's worth it. Fight for your passion. Do what you love. The people/things that are making it a hard road are just there to help you. Think of it this way.

If this is as hard as it gets, you are going to OWN it.

My partner in crime affectionately named The Phoenix. My major instrument, the saxophone.

A Nashville Room-tine's Day

Valentine's day has so many names. Valentine's Day, Singles' Awareness Day, and Gal-entines Day just to name a few. As a career single woman I usually spend the day alone or on rare occasion with good friends celebrating in style.

This year was probably one of the best Valentine's Days I've had. Lucky for me I have beautiful single friends who (shockingly) choose to spend the day with me instead of chasing off their many admirers with clubs. This year my former roommate and I took Nashville in style.

One of my life goals was to visit the wonderfully hilarious Olan Roger's soda parlor. Cleverly named...The Soda Parlor. It's a beautiful place, and this year for Valentine's Day Olan had a special "I Vow to Like You" float for anyone who knew the secret code (it was on Instagram.)

The Soda Parlor is housed in a renovated Marathon Car factory. Along with being a hipster mecca we were lucky enough to visit on the exact day they were having a one day only gathering of local Handmade Small Business owners. Simply put, it was the right place at the right time.

We had gourmet food truck tacos for lunch and really, REALLY good floats from The Soda Parlor for dessert. Keep scrolling if you want to see my picture story from the day.

After such an awesome day it was great to come home and relax BUT THEN THIS HAPPENED!

Thanks to Emily for spending the day with me so I wouldn't be in a ball of depression on my floor lamenting my fleeting youth. It was definitely much better this way.

DIY Modern Antique Frame

I've become very fond of white and antique frames lately. I was able to purchase a few at our local Hobby Lobby. Unfortunately I wasn't able to afford anymore. As luck would have it, after patrolling Pinterest for a few hours I realized I could make my own!

If you'd like to find out how to make your own Modern Antique Frame just keep scrolling, scrolling... scrolling.

 What you will need:

• Thrift Store Frames (These beauties were found for just 25 and 50 cents each.)
• Paint Primer
• Paint colors of your choosing
• White Spray Paint
• Sponge Brushes
• Coarse Sand Paper

50 Cent Frame

 25 Cent Frame

 

Step 1:

Remove all glass and any parts that may come off. Then clean off any debris and apply a light coat of primer over the entire frame. (Yes that is a cow print drop cloth...don't judge.)

 

Step 2:

After the primer has dried paint the frames with a thick coat of paint in your choice of color. Allow to dry over night.

 

Step 3:

Once frames are dried, coat with white spray paint until the entire frame is white again. Allow frames to dry over night and paint to harden completely.

 

Step 4:

Once the paint has dried and hardened completely use very coarse sand paper to sand off the top layer of paint where you choose. You can sand as much as you like. No two frames will be the same.

 

Step 5:

It's all finished! Add some hangers to your frame put in a lovely picture and you're all set to decorate.

Or if you're feeling really adventurous go ahead and use some string and miniature clothes pins on bigger frames to give it a more homemade look. Enjoy!

The Recent Loves of my Life

 My last favorites post was back in February of last year. I decided it was definitely time for an update. Here are a few of the things that help me get through my days. My favorites range from my all time favorite mascara to my biggest purchase in years. I hope you enjoy. If I can help you find anything just let me know!

Lush Collection Review

It has come to my attention recently that I may indeed have a bit of an addiction. At least it's a healthy one...for now.

I am addicted to Lush Cosmetics. I love everything about their products. Our introduction was made while abroad last summer. I blame my very lovely travel companion and my favorite beauty YouTubers for all of their influence.

You can check out Lush Cosmetics here and learn about all of the great things they are doing through their products. Hint: It's not just making you feel good.

This post is a complete list of my current collection, and what's to come. I'll give you a review of each product and if I loved or hated it. I hope to inspire the same enjoyment in others.

Note: This is a completely unsponsored post. I bought all of these products or got them as gifts. They're all worth it.

1. Tender is the Night: Massage Bar 

I bought this one in my local Lush (Nashville) store. After going through and smell testing each massage bar individually, the scent of this bar was undeniable. Although meant to be used by more than one person I use my massage bar on my arms and legs after a hard day. This massage bar melts instantly on contact with skin and glides on like butter. It's so nice to fall asleep smelling wonderful.

2. Sympathy for the Skin: Hand and Body Lotion

This is probably my favorite Lush product. It came in a gift set that I got for Christmas. If you're anything like me your hands start to fall apart during cold months. They're probably really dry and rough, or in extreme cases cracked. This lotion can fix that. It smells wonderful (like bananas) and magically turns any dehydrated skin into silky smooth baby skin. I can't say enough good things about it.

Although I have the smallest pot, I have used it almost every night on my hands. So far I haven't even made a dent in the product. It lasts a long time.

3. Sparkly Pumpkin: Bubble Bar

In case you can't tell, mine is chopped in half. I believe in getting as much as you can for your money. This bubble bar is soft and sparkly. It will turn your bath water orange and cover every inch of your tub in bubbles.

 

4. Yog Nog: Soap

As you can see this one is still in the wrapping. (Not for long.) This soap is next on the chopping block. Lush does not disappoint with their soaps. Every one smells uniquely different and equally as yummy. Their soaps have a wonderful lather without dissolving quickly. My last soap bar was Honey I Washed the Kids and it lasted for over a month.

5. Honey Trap: Lip Balm

Granted Honey Trap is a little pricy for a lip balm, but when I say it's worth it believe me. I have used this lip balm for just under a month and barely any product is gone. It's very moisturizing and it lasts. You won't feel the need to keep re-applying.

6. Butterball: Bath Bomb

I've been saving this bath bomb for a special occasion. It smells like a vanilla-y heaven and I can't wait to use it on a relaxing Sunday in the future. Word of caution: Bath bombs are not bubble bars. I know that seems pretty self explanatory but just learn from my mistakes. If you want a bath that's bubbly and smells great go ahead and combine them with a bubble bar.

7. Butterbear: Bath Bomb

Unfortunately this little guy came beheaded in the package. He's very similar in smell to the Butterball bath bomb but with a Christmas-y flair. He's reserved for a very special "extra relaxing" day.

8. Jumping Juniper: Shampoo Bar

Can you be physically in love with a shampoo? No? Well I'm pretty close. I started at the end of last year trying to use more organic products on my hair. That's when I decided to try the Shampoo Bars from Lush. Jumping Juniper is a re-purchase. I loved it so much the first time, it's become my go-to shampoo. My last bar lasted over two-months on my medium length hair and the lather is something from fairy tales. Just rub it a few times over your hair and you have more lather than a handful of regular shampoo.

9. The Sunblock: Solid Sunscreen Wash

For my American readers this one is a little unfortunate. This product is only available in the UK. Due to Lush's refusal to test on animals it doesn't meet US standards and is not available in the US.

However, this product is certainly amazing and worth the spontaneous trip to England. This sunblock is a 30 SPF. It is meant to be applied in the shower by wetting your skin and applying a light layer all over the body. I used it by wetting the bar and rubbing over any areas I was afraid of getting sunburned.

If you're asking if it works, the answer is yes. I took it on vacation to Tybee island. I used The Sunblock as my main form of UV protection and supplemented with a higher SPF sunscreen where needed. I am happy to announce I spent the entire trip sunburn free.

10. Snow Fairy: Shower Gel

Snow fairy comes every Christmas to Lush. It's a super sweet smell mixed with loads of sparkle.

The thing I love most about Lush's shower gels is that they are perfect for traveling. A lovely Lush worker I met in London told me that shower gels can be used as body washes as well as shampoos and she was completely right. I keep a couple of these around and whenever I pack for a trip I throw them in my bag along with a conditioner and I'm ready to go. You can see from the picture that Snow Fairy has already been on a few trips with me.
 

11. Hot Toddy: Shower Gel

Another unopened goody that I expect nothing but the best from. This shower gel has a more cinnamon spicy smell that reminds you of the winter months.
 

12. Cozy Christmas: Knot Wrap

I had been trying for a while to snag one of these nifty wraps. Luckily my mother was able to get me a gift set that included one for Christmas. This wrap was made from two recycled plastic bottles and is deceptively soft. You would never have guessed it was made from plastic. I can't wait to use it to wrap up my goodies for trips, or in my hair next Christmas. The possibilities really are endless.

Here is a short video to give you a closer look.

If you aren't completely sick of my raving reviews of Lush products then keep reading, otherwise you can stop here. Now I'm going to tell you about what's to come.

Lush is currently having a BOGO sale on what's left of their Christmas stuff. They often have sales on limited edition holiday items so keep checking their website. Currently I'm waiting for two pots of Celebrate body lotion, one Snow Cake soap, and one Gold Fun Bar. All of those came to a total of $14.90 before shipping. For Lush that's a STEAL. I can't wait to try them out when they come and I promise to update you on whether they were worth the hype or not.

I hope you enjoyed my collection and review. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask or go to a store near you. I promise once you go Lushie you never go back, and if you're in the mood to watch my Fall Lush Haul you can see me obsess over Lush products in moving pictures here.

DIY Upcycled Book Purse

I recently stumbled upon this gloriously easy DIY that turns beautiful old books into fashionable useful clutches. One look at the tutorial and I was sold.

You can see the tutorial here at abeautifulmess.com.

The instructions are super easy to follow and the results are stunning.

Here are some pictures from my attempt. If you'd like to see how I did it just keep scrolling, scrolling....scrolling.

If you need more detailed instructions please check out the link above.

What you will need:

• Old Hard Back Book
• 1 yard of fabric or two one dollar bundles of fabric from Walmart
• Marker
• Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun
• Purse/clothing snap
• Iron/Flat iron
• Needle and Thread

 

Step 1: 

Find an old hard back book. I tried to find a book title that was relevant to my life. As a traveler and thrift store discoverer I was happy to find this book for four dollars at a local used book store. Hint: The thicker the book, the wider your purse will open.

Step 2: 

Cut out book pages. I know it's painful, but the result is worth it.

Step 3:

Cut fabric to about one inch bigger than the book, and set it to the side.  Then line the inside of the book by hot gluing a thin layer just shy of the edges. Cut out side panels and hot glue them to the ends of the book.
This step is given in much more detail here.

Step 4:

Create a snap for your purse. They can be sewn or hot glued on to the first set of lining. Be creative with this step. the crazier the clasp the better.

I found my snaps at Walmart in the fabric section.

Step 5:

Fold lining set aside to be approximately the size of the book. Hot glue the final layer in. This step can be extremely tricky if your folded edges are not ironed flat. Being the non-ironer I am, I used a flat iron and ran it along the folded edges to create a crisp line.

Step 6:

Enjoy your cute new clutch!

I Had a Job Epiphany

A while back I read this wonderful blog post by Nina at the-littlenomad.blogspot.co.uk. It's about how our expectations about love change over time. Which probably leads you to your first question, "What does this have to do with a job?"

Simple!

On her updated list about what she wants in a man, one key point stuck out to me.

"Must have a good job he enjoys (non-negotiable)"

It got me to wondering... Why is this so important? Surely a man with any job at all would be a plus? It took me a while but I finally understood what she meant, or at least what I'm meant to take from it.

Just having a job isn't good enough. I've lived long enough to know that just having a job can get you anywhere from just plain miserable, to waking up everyday so excited just to see what you can accomplish.

Why does it matter?

It's the attitude. I'm  notorious for taking my "bad days" out on people around me. I come home in a terrible mood and almost anything sets me off. (Literally. I snapped on my brother once for trying to ask me something while the radio was on.) It's not fair to the people around me when I have a job I don't love or enjoy. It's also not fair when even now that I have a job I love my bad days always seem to destroy my attitude.

I guess what I'm saying is that it's only fair to be the type of person that I myself want in others. I've resolved myself to love my job, at all times. Even when I hate it. I'm going to do my best not to bring the bad days home with me.