January Favorites

Cold weather, warm wishes.

The Artist Is Present || Movie Suggestion

{Netflix Link}

pop your popcorn, and get ready for an interesting flick.

Marina Abramovic is one of my favorite artists, even if you don't know her art,

this film offers an interesting insight into a beautiful mind.

♡A Movie Just Isn't A Movie Without It♡

stay curious,

until next time.

x kirst

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How To Form New Habits || Habit Chart

21 days.

That's how long it takes to form a habit...well at least according to the Google search I just did.

Setting goals for yourself is an incredibly important practice, you should always be working towards making yourself into the best version of you. It doesn't have to be big things (yah girl over here is still trying to manage to remember to wear her retainer every night). Sometimes it's just the little things that over time add up to make a big difference. This chart is the perfect way to physically see just how often you're doing what you set out to do. Being able to add a check everyday and seeing the paper with all my goals adds just a little bit of incentive that for me just works. 

Here are some of the goals I've set for myself, just as an example for how to use this chart.

Goals, Goals, Goals

➸ meditate

I try to take a little bit of time to myself to center my thoughts every day. Even if it just means taking 5 minutes to sit and just be, with no phone or interruptions, just me, my thoughts, and I.

➸ drink water

I'm takin' meeting that 64oz marker. Staying hydrated is so important to your health!

➸ exercise

Okay so this one is definitely not an everyday thing, let's be realistic... but it's nice to be able to visualize how many times I actually hit the gym in a week.

➸ read 10 pages

Reading is something I genuinely enjoy to do, so this one is almost an automatic at this point. But sometimes you need that little reminder to reach for a book rather than an electronic.

➸ practice a language

Learning//practicing languages is something I really enjoy doing, it's one of my favorite subjects to study. I'll do a full length post on how I practice and study language at some point. It's honestly my dream to one day be a polyglot.

➸ journal

Writing just a little bit each day gets my brain thinking in a different way. I've never been much good at keeping up with journaling but, hey why not throw it on the list.

➸ wear retainers

okay, okay, I know this should be an automatic but IT'S HARD TO REMEMBER ALIGHT!

➸ smile

because it never hurts to have an extra reminder to turn that frown upside-down.
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How The Chart Works

Every time I do one of the things on my list, I take a different color marker and scribble in the box of whatever it is I just did. It's simple, easy, and it works for me. To download a copy just click either {here} or the button below. The download includes my goal chart, as well as a blank chart for you to put in your own goals. This method may not work for everyone, but this is just what I do to hold myself accountable for the habits I'd like to reenforce. Maybe give this a try and see if it works for you too. It definitely can't hurt, sometimes the simple act of seeing the paper is reminder enough to take action.

dream big,

until next time.

x kirst

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October Favorites

hi everyone. admittedly this month was not a very exciting one for me. i laid pretty low, and didn't really adventure too much. i officially (barely) survived my first round of midterms as a college student, so yay to that! here's to hoping that November will hold a little more excitement.

That being said I still managed to find a few new loves the month of October.

1.) fashion

nude heels.
so sexy, so classic, such a must.
that is all.

2.) music

i went on a little bit of a trance music bender in the month of october. with all the studying i've been doing i like to just throw on music that doesn't require much thought in the background. Tipper is one of my favorite trance artists, this album in particular.

3.) food

check out (this recipe) for vegan black bean "meatballs". i've made this recipe a handful of times already, it's perfect to just throw in the microwave with a little bit of sauce. 

simple & easy, it's the college way.

4.) reading

this month i've definitely been putting some extra focus on my mind, body, and soul health. reading is one of those things you can always find a reason not to do (usually the things at the top of that list are also the items at the top of my  Netflix cue). i set a goal for myself to read 10 pages a day, i'm not quite to achieving that goal consistently yet. but it feels good to be reading again, with at least some level of consistency.

this is the book that i've been reading lately.

♡Shop my Favorites♡

wishin you an adventurous november,

until next time.

x kirst

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Mountain Air Makes Me Feel Alive // Inspiration Board

The mountains have always called me in faint whispers through the crisp air, sending echoes through the woods, and sparks flying through my heart.

I long to be where the wild things are and to dance among them,

even if only for a few fleeting moments.

Clouds whisp, and create a fine divide between us and what's hidden in the sky above,
but from that elevated view point,
everything seems to be closer to your grasp.

stay adventurous,

until next time.

x kirst

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Marbleize Your Life || Inspiration Board

Hey from my dorm room (in pajamas with Skinny Pop crumbs all over myself)

In all the craziness that has been my first week of classes, it feels nice to just sit down and sift through tumblr and pinterest mindlessly. 

I keep finding myself drawn towards the white, bright marble images.

There's something oh so soothing about the calmness of the print, which is good because it's slowly been creeping up more and more in every day fashion.

This trend is definitely something to keep your eyes on in the upcoming months.

until next time.

x, kirst

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High School Advice || Things I Wish I Knew

High School SUCKED.

Okay, okay so it wasn't terrible... but there are definitely some things I wish I knew that may have improved my experience, if only marginally.

My last senior assignment was to write a letter to incoming Freshman with my advice, below is the condensed version.

This tips are nothing revolutionary, but these are the things I wish I knew earlier.

1.) Fill Your Time Up

At risk of sounding like a hover mom, people use their time best when it’s a limited resource. 

 Join clubs, do sports, get a job, find a hobby, it doesn’t really matter what you’re doing as long as you’re doing something. 

One of my biggest regrets from high school is how much time I had to burn.

I spent a lot of afternoons sitting bored in my room when I could have been making new friends, exploring new interests, or helping out the community.  

I know it can feel intimidating to walk into a club for the first time, or to try out for a sport you’ve never played before, why not use high school as a time to try out as many new things as possible.  

Explore as many outlets as you need to until you find your passion, and once you find what makes you happy don’t let it go.

2.) Take Care of Yourself

Friends may come and go, but you have to live with yourself forever, so do what makes you happy and worry about the rest later. 

 Try to spend as little time as possible worrying about gaining the approval of others, wear whatever clothes you want to wear, raise your hand in class if you have something you want to say, don’t be afraid to participate in gym even if you may not be the most athletic person out there.  If it makes you happy, there’s not a reason in the world not to be doing it.  

Happiness is a lot like those oxygen masks on airplanes, you have to help yourself before you help others.  Once you find the happiness within yourself, that happiness will radiate and project itself on to others.  

 Live your life for you and you’ll find yourself surrounded with like minded people.

3.) Be Present

It’s really easy to get lost in everything that is going on in your life and just end up passively moving through your day, without ever being truly aware of what’s going on all around you.  Try to live your life aware of every breath you breathe, of every step you take, of every interaction you have.  

I truly believe that there is beauty in every moment, and if you pay close enough attention, you can always find something to smile about. 

 One of my favorite quotes is,

 “No matter the amount of negativity you are presented with, 5 minutes from now could be the best moment of your life.” 

 Even if you can’t find positive in that instant, keep your heart open to all the good surrounding you and something positive will come your way, you just have to believe it will.

until next time.

x, kirst

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August Favorites || 2015

August has definitely been one of the craziest months of my life. Between college and the S&S relaunch, I've definitely been keeping busy.

Through all that I still managed to find a few things that make my heart swoon, from fashion to health here are my August favorites.

1.) Boyfriend Jeans

If you haven't already, go out and try on a pair of boyfriend jeans.  

They're so freeing!!! (Who knew girls were allowed to have jeans with functional pockets?)

I tried on tons of different pairs and for the longest time I was put off by how they looked on me, but it was just because I wasn't used to seeing myself in anything but skin tight jeggings.

I finally got over it and bought a pair (and then another, and then another after that...you get the point)

They're comfortable, functional, and by Fall will be all anybody is wearing.

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{check these out}

2.) Oversized Sunglasses

Okay, okay, you caught me. I'm a bitch at heart!

What can I say?

It just makes me so happy to throw on some oversized shades and bop out the door and onto the big bad streets of Manhattan.

I feel so large and in charge... maybe I'll get over it but until then check out this funky babies I've have my eyes on.

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3.) Adventuring 

Since I just recently arrived in the city last week I've been in love with just going out and exploring the area I'm going to be living in.

I ventured out to Central Park, The High Line (an absolute must!), and I've even stumbled upon a few pop-up art galleries.

It's safe to say I'm in love with the NYC lifestyle, let's just hope I still feel this way when the classes start up!

with all the adventuring I've been doing, I've had a chance to finally try out Uber, and let me just say... I get the hype!

It's awesome, and it's convenient, and you get your first ride free if you use this code "cf79b"
(not a sponsored post just trying to share with you, the things that have made my life easier)

{the High Line}

{art everywhere}

{never want to leave here}

{Mr. Brainwash pop up show}

until next time.

x, kirst

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College || Time To Be A Big Kid, Even If I'm Not Ready

look ma, I made it.

I successfully graduated high school and now I'm headed off to the college of my dreams in just 2 short days from now (crazy right!?)

{peace out high school}

{if this isn't the face of a done bitch, i don't know what is}

{I got by with a little help from my friends}

Where am I going you ask?

I'll be attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

Right now my major is Fashion Business Management, but who knows what the future holds. I'm so excited to start the next chapter of my life, and I can't think of a more perfect place for me to be.

Am I sad to leave home? ...Of course! I'm gonna miss my family like crazy (especially my favorite little furry friends).

But this is what's right for me, and it's going to be amazing.

As I sit here thinking of the one million last minute things I have to do (did I actually pack a phone charger?), I realize that for the first time in a long time, I'm sure I made the right decision.

These next four years are going to contain some of the most memorable moments of my life, and I can't wait to discover them one by one.

until next time.

x, kirst

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3 Things You Should Be Doing With Coconut Oil

{aka liquid gold}

Let me lay it to you clean and simple, coconut oil is the shit.

It truly is the be all end all of the beauty world.

Any problem you have, slap a little coconut oil on that sucker and you'll be good to go (...well not exactly, but you know what I mean).  There's about a million things you can do with coconut oil, but here are 3 things you ABSOLUTELY SHOULD be doing with it.

1.) Moisturizing

I used to have so SERIOUS Keratosis Pilaris (think eczema, but nastier and a hell of a lot more stubborn).  I tried everything, like seriously everything and NOTHING was working to combat these tricky little bumps on my arms, then I tried coconut oil, and...

BAM, my skin cleared right up!

I put it on really focusing on the trouble spots on my arms every night when I get out of the shower. If you don't mind the feeling, it makes for a great all over body moisturizer but,

I don’t like the feeling of being covered in oil so I only use coconut oil for some serious moisture.  It really nourishes deep down and keeps your skin super moisturized and lush.

2.)Makeup Removing

I'm a fan of waterproof mascara,

I like knowing that if I have a meltdown, at least my lashes will still be intact.

But, I am NOT a fan of waking up with raccoon eyes because your makeup remover didn't do a job well done (c'mon dude you have ONE RESPONSIBILITY). Coconut oil gets even the TOUGHEST makeup off, without too much effort.  A little bit goes a long way, so just put the tiniest bit on a cotton ball and you're good to go.  I like to do this before I wash my face, just so i can rinse off the extra oil from my lids and really lift that last little bit of makeup.

3.) Oil Pulling

If my Mom's reading this (hey Mama) she's definitely rolling her eyes at me, she thinks this whole thing is ridiculous but...

Whatever Mom, this isn't just a phase!

I like to take a tablespoon of melted coconut oil and get to swishing for 20 minutes.

It goes by quicker than you'd think I promise.

After you swish just spit out all that gunk in your mouth, JUST MAKE SURE IT'S INTO THE GARBAGE, NOT DOWN THE DRAIN (nobody wants to deal with clogged pipes).

There are endless benefits and I'll do a full post soon but for now just take my word for it, after all who doesn't love...

 ♡ whiter teeth

♡ healthier gums

♡ maybe even some disease prevention

{read full oil pulling post here}

Coconut oil, we salute you and all that you do.

until next time.

x, kirst

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