tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11558712702575039762024-03-18T03:31:47.134-04:00A Sunny State of MindA blog on a mission to help women live their sunniest lives through fashion, wellness, and positive lifestyle content.Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-54962440372533684122022-04-09T17:29:00.002-04:002022-04-09T17:36:33.429-04:00This Week's Favorites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipkEO-rids0ESMSdXlBgKNHmFy8ei1ODoN3UbBZUzYvQ529PKQGgj7PESL9eomlL9r4Dm-3oGyDXA9IUMqFQdfN6hDKJ5wBdcIG-WU5ivDr_sBVx97k9c4DvtXQ4Yw6So30zgN2xJN3Dk13j98BbF4B3Ji2s9Z5bK_ThsgFx0hF_e3bomWluiQnm2jVA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipkEO-rids0ESMSdXlBgKNHmFy8ei1ODoN3UbBZUzYvQ529PKQGgj7PESL9eomlL9r4Dm-3oGyDXA9IUMqFQdfN6hDKJ5wBdcIG-WU5ivDr_sBVx97k9c4DvtXQ4Yw6So30zgN2xJN3Dk13j98BbF4B3Ji2s9Z5bK_ThsgFx0hF_e3bomWluiQnm2jVA=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">1. A NEW BOOK</span></b></div><div style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This week, I started <a href="https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-giver-of-stars_jojo-moyes/20492514/item/36191783/?gclid=CjwKCAjw3cSSBhBGEiwAVII0Z-PfGaf1cY81Mj2Ys3YQpPmebzDYmVEBkjbZUc8hsMojHmy4JtrFyBoCtA4QAvD_BwE#idiq=36191783&edition=21858327" target="_blank">The Giver of Stars</a> by Jojo Moyes. This is a book I typically wouldn't choose for myself because the historical element reminds me too much of the books I used to read for school! But I heard great reviews of this title from friends + Goodreads, so I decided to challenge myself to explore outside of my typical genres. I love it so far. It moves much faster than I anticipated and I'm already taken with the main character, Alice! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtoQEin9GOotp6JEq2aAnmvM9B7c8tXm9Widf1zULnne32SI_7-nRnKMLNRBnoglDdf8NpkO_K6XXNkUKSOymlvl9ryELc80ODkiCCbngVPhsxGwh25aUq0BCUFrDexbnkmrCZvCKZwEwAftBATictw0v_utqp1S0Bj4Fc7t5ZnIIA4llGOG74QJCkQ/s2048/IMG_1666.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtoQEin9GOotp6JEq2aAnmvM9B7c8tXm9Widf1zULnne32SI_7-nRnKMLNRBnoglDdf8NpkO_K6XXNkUKSOymlvl9ryELc80ODkiCCbngVPhsxGwh25aUq0BCUFrDexbnkmrCZvCKZwEwAftBATictw0v_utqp1S0Bj4Fc7t5ZnIIA4llGOG74QJCkQ/w400-h400/IMG_1666.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. SONIC SOFT PRETZELS</b></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not enough people have soft pretzels as part of their Sonic order. I consider myself a Sonic pretzel evangelist. Just like Auntie Anne's but more accessible and I am here for that narrative!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><h2 style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcGCFNfVpxf5AqJheexPeeAaXQkJhHRH81ifdGZMtFDo2J-7oHFLcQ0nwVe0fMraNvWawFuIQBfUTNAMbDjG75mG69U4fh7JJTB-8CglGxEAcSCr6wkxfbuAYBalHknC_8L3LPes1hhjZuaXOJNgYyA0_N9TWbY3yBLjuRP5C0508isu-kRadjD1i1g/s2048/IMG_1344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcGCFNfVpxf5AqJheexPeeAaXQkJhHRH81ifdGZMtFDo2J-7oHFLcQ0nwVe0fMraNvWawFuIQBfUTNAMbDjG75mG69U4fh7JJTB-8CglGxEAcSCr6wkxfbuAYBalHknC_8L3LPes1hhjZuaXOJNgYyA0_N9TWbY3yBLjuRP5C0508isu-kRadjD1i1g/w400-h400/IMG_1344.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></h2><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. BEST JEAN SHORTS EVER</b></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div>Jean shorts are tough... too short and you look like your middle school self and too long you look like Kenny Chesney? I love these from <a href="https://rstyle.me/+ysAW9p_axgQUuw-fZus4jw" target="_blank">Agolde</a>. Granted, they're pricey, but I got mine off <a href="http://fbuy.me/tzabO">Nuuly</a> then purchased so it was a better deal. Definitely give them a try if you're a Nuuly renter!</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><h2 style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyilBw1zFcWH9Q4YTvA7eLOeRO6VIEcU2AadTcpL6kwLBf5Fzkmor8ufjHtMQFykF1uPKypBBHmfOzmhr_nPpfAmCJsfqA1VWbppmNba6pC2TT4T7Zw_jr7vPi1e-h1TRSanegATncmvwm1E_M-saC33TT9pvEzCSeUplzRCwdKJwfDDPpqvkc0gvwA/s2048/IMG_1278.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyilBw1zFcWH9Q4YTvA7eLOeRO6VIEcU2AadTcpL6kwLBf5Fzkmor8ufjHtMQFykF1uPKypBBHmfOzmhr_nPpfAmCJsfqA1VWbppmNba6pC2TT4T7Zw_jr7vPi1e-h1TRSanegATncmvwm1E_M-saC33TT9pvEzCSeUplzRCwdKJwfDDPpqvkc0gvwA/s320/IMG_1278.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></h2><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. MEJURI CROISSANT RING</b></span></div></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div>I have been eyeing <a href="https://rstyle.me/+V_f2F2477aT8lqLEC6UDWQ">this ring</a> online for forever but my ring size can be iffy. So, when I saw there was a Mejuri store in LA, I had to go get one during <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbynD_cAoUj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">my trip</a>! The ring is super light and it's not "wear everyday" quality, but I thought it was a fun piece of accent jewelry. (Featured next to my PINK hibiscus margarita from Farmacy Knoxville!)</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><h2 style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5Jls97vuzz-LNgpZS7XT8ZZ1uBiEdw9FC8Gmsv4BKWBbYij-4Cv3um7M40fx6ZTKFq38ffndIBmGMyN4g3ZZSo0uJS3l9Dn3I2UJPmtbc1vIneR9zf5JkA5EPUCeOl0YqwH7fQshfLaGi02Dp1TeTfAgXAh90Hks_yaHhL_qQq3htrDKgLb0Xtp_oQ/s2048/IMG_1479.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5Jls97vuzz-LNgpZS7XT8ZZ1uBiEdw9FC8Gmsv4BKWBbYij-4Cv3um7M40fx6ZTKFq38ffndIBmGMyN4g3ZZSo0uJS3l9Dn3I2UJPmtbc1vIneR9zf5JkA5EPUCeOl0YqwH7fQshfLaGi02Dp1TeTfAgXAh90Hks_yaHhL_qQq3htrDKgLb0Xtp_oQ/s320/IMG_1479.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></h2><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. COLUMBIA FOOD & WINE FEST</b></span></div></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div>After absolutely loving Charleston Food & Wine fest, I knew I needed to attend Columbia's fest! My roommate Celie and I dressed up in loose dresses and sneakers (and the complimentary wine glass necklaces) to eat + drink our way through the festival. My favorite drink was a matcha cocktail with Japanese vodka made by Amy Winland. Must try to replicate it soon!<br /></div></div></div>Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-52419176716898469812021-12-08T20:24:00.004-05:002021-12-09T16:27:22.586-05:00Senior Year Room Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9KA2N_xVr5KCcASeauVYko34hGyBJ7I8Zv0Gq8FFiOluvyiuWMA5POCKUD5RPe0CVxZJDRxVSvrgr08wmP6zQlwB-rfYGzMroqeEcpW_qYC3mnKsqr4NnraW58fM9k88PNicGS9mRW_qwkQwiV_GZCP0_zQcBzKPYC3gHFbooSsG4b07fGboL_BD0tA=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9KA2N_xVr5KCcASeauVYko34hGyBJ7I8Zv0Gq8FFiOluvyiuWMA5POCKUD5RPe0CVxZJDRxVSvrgr08wmP6zQlwB-rfYGzMroqeEcpW_qYC3mnKsqr4NnraW58fM9k88PNicGS9mRW_qwkQwiV_GZCP0_zQcBzKPYC3gHFbooSsG4b07fGboL_BD0tA=s16000" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>So excited to be sharing my senior year room! This is definitely my favorite room of all of college, I am obsessed with the natural light, hardwood floors, and how all my furniture came together. When curating this room, I decided to go mix of natural materials like the rattan headboard and light fixture, vintage elements like my dresser, along with tons of fun elements like the mural, art prints, and blue desk. To me, it's the perfect mix of relaxing and inspiring!<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKNZDf7joGeetKQYtnBhkrBe_zJunQ06uPUpE7wADQr684LEnZy4yGMxOS0GdCC0bOoruOmMs0iqYev_KmUO-tWwJZpc3mGt48_Ng0aWiS5tmJxNOBrqS1COehtXU-vpVhYIVAZurxXvNSPhE9s3VVUW3N7n77YVIr4_PttmDgwCHtPvnFbUjg56F4pQ=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKNZDf7joGeetKQYtnBhkrBe_zJunQ06uPUpE7wADQr684LEnZy4yGMxOS0GdCC0bOoruOmMs0iqYev_KmUO-tWwJZpc3mGt48_Ng0aWiS5tmJxNOBrqS1COehtXU-vpVhYIVAZurxXvNSPhE9s3VVUW3N7n77YVIr4_PttmDgwCHtPvnFbUjg56F4pQ=s16000" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The dresser was from my favorite room at my grandparents' old lake house, so they gifted it to me! I'm obsessed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqxi-GXMycf9q1DwETvZFVfU7S9dc4hSzmUUWH3fin58z-9RydMjTbuOsFXuuKf0kO8AgG97NtUyedKnSXGmsXsuK_AjKZ3XPOcXIncO6yBj0OoqROT-7z_ViOCtcBNeo2bnfkUu2OS5orGjRgEM-f5NiEBzm_fxVmHQzkq-nEHQW7nWGG_b8pgla4EA=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqxi-GXMycf9q1DwETvZFVfU7S9dc4hSzmUUWH3fin58z-9RydMjTbuOsFXuuKf0kO8AgG97NtUyedKnSXGmsXsuK_AjKZ3XPOcXIncO6yBj0OoqROT-7z_ViOCtcBNeo2bnfkUu2OS5orGjRgEM-f5NiEBzm_fxVmHQzkq-nEHQW7nWGG_b8pgla4EA=s16000" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://englishelm.com/products/safavieh-vienna-cane-headboard?variant=36289022230695&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzMGNBhCyARIsANpUkzOBY1TQBHwBtpyPeq_BJs0kUnK2iVNkCV6gcuu3nCrm_FCjcxqYW5waAgyDEALw_wcB">HEADBOARD</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/+rUfIyiZvZ8CMK09ZS3R6Gg">QUILT</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/+PHJJ9vJxSslEZEcvO4iSlQ">PILLOW</a> | <a href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/torared-pendant-lamp-shade-sedge-handmade-20430382/">RATTAN LIGHT</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhigtx-A0fkW9cxY51hFcacchATRZJnkx6NSno7VAzxKCe_MTy9SG1WAkrf7bNpCeZIsfyLvgcAXKwH2TYspV9f49Gn12NtIsAaFqSfx7mE05Dptzv0UJWeshSpSxw-YoV4ACB25vavFrS5vLv7lyrHLrwjKDnDUSg4U1qy1UcNAbtgtpeIxrCXbORAxw=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhigtx-A0fkW9cxY51hFcacchATRZJnkx6NSno7VAzxKCe_MTy9SG1WAkrf7bNpCeZIsfyLvgcAXKwH2TYspV9f49Gn12NtIsAaFqSfx7mE05Dptzv0UJWeshSpSxw-YoV4ACB25vavFrS5vLv7lyrHLrwjKDnDUSg4U1qy1UcNAbtgtpeIxrCXbORAxw=s16000" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">See what I mean about the light!?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8zt1XhHnVaJyxPIg4fWQFBT0VIrfBmn8B5peagJ6oJBVoQpoUAl5W4yTSTgjYuRMv-7yqTfH4sC0eO957MPAshJ7NIDEybNVe7osNcsyE72vVpnZyf4pO5tYnKo90rejobVPdkr8WW85oFhIQrbQjBK573AE-0MhrVWkiGDu5ZBSWfmbkGXpto9mQRg=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8zt1XhHnVaJyxPIg4fWQFBT0VIrfBmn8B5peagJ6oJBVoQpoUAl5W4yTSTgjYuRMv-7yqTfH4sC0eO957MPAshJ7NIDEybNVe7osNcsyE72vVpnZyf4pO5tYnKo90rejobVPdkr8WW85oFhIQrbQjBK573AE-0MhrVWkiGDu5ZBSWfmbkGXpto9mQRg=s16000" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://rstyle.me/+xXH_DNIQSVHcMLPMShDfSw">HATCH ALARM CLOCK</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSeuHw0lhu7AkUkvQ1gZR8Zr7XtyNa3VK9ciGeSGo1vXEo7dkyhuGK_C6CJM1HOY4VqesqWcWwsHc-yZcLci3vrjRPnAEk3Qu-bjb2v3U30_Eo1zWg0HCc3bjgLDayyhPsrvw-lz-1i9ktR7b8kYIydw9p9b22ssbwhlVeTcNnJT5xRSzMaDptsBWO_w=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSeuHw0lhu7AkUkvQ1gZR8Zr7XtyNa3VK9ciGeSGo1vXEo7dkyhuGK_C6CJM1HOY4VqesqWcWwsHc-yZcLci3vrjRPnAEk3Qu-bjb2v3U30_Eo1zWg0HCc3bjgLDayyhPsrvw-lz-1i9ktR7b8kYIydw9p9b22ssbwhlVeTcNnJT5xRSzMaDptsBWO_w=s16000" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKmpAiz5Jp4LlGaQJok6iG0Bj1G3a5SP25Rynq_gxo9EwxxIR6wzV4559rA-0Xy7nniYDx2Q9Padkym3hMXSiKkcgF_4xC_8NqiaxxXEC_TN1P0CM2wHmrdHqF5GZ1SFEA3dibt_foihDuQR2e3e1PeXpD12TNO46k85upJo58pxMUpwpcNvI_gE2ljA=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKmpAiz5Jp4LlGaQJok6iG0Bj1G3a5SP25Rynq_gxo9EwxxIR6wzV4559rA-0Xy7nniYDx2Q9Padkym3hMXSiKkcgF_4xC_8NqiaxxXEC_TN1P0CM2wHmrdHqF5GZ1SFEA3dibt_foihDuQR2e3e1PeXpD12TNO46k85upJo58pxMUpwpcNvI_gE2ljA=s16000" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://carolynbowles.com/shop#shop">PRINTS</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIrF1K9uZs-wJ1U3aNHNf8xvi5le4cQWcstyPGtNSWY2RbmmA2W0EACNaQwMxfREcPcR_3d7MP_mu4zT6zxoYrmv3gTPLSORM0FadUcdBUixZXwzV006ZoltnNBWIAQGEXma_NYH2MR0yXVknWqk11hP5Mqk2aDINbOdnDKwtI_ZfnqkQEI8CwsaEjwQ=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIrF1K9uZs-wJ1U3aNHNf8xvi5le4cQWcstyPGtNSWY2RbmmA2W0EACNaQwMxfREcPcR_3d7MP_mu4zT6zxoYrmv3gTPLSORM0FadUcdBUixZXwzV006ZoltnNBWIAQGEXma_NYH2MR0yXVknWqk11hP5Mqk2aDINbOdnDKwtI_ZfnqkQEI8CwsaEjwQ=s16000" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SRRG81G?th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=megschwieterm-20&linkId=2d05d5ab94c55ee62b767c8bb051944f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl">SHELVES</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3ynIPWvOy_OCN10bfgi84A_KfHeqyasATk5cr99tBrgkf4asNAx0IrV7fcoFQxyKnmynFCYFf9owDdLNbHbcwkNw8MZ7o6WxNxufPE_BisjyYc_Q7whPTs7uAN4aWK9EllLFqNm96EqF0nlNAHG2IZztE15ON1U07mZud5j4TgjeedMviGjOhKMxo0w=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3ynIPWvOy_OCN10bfgi84A_KfHeqyasATk5cr99tBrgkf4asNAx0IrV7fcoFQxyKnmynFCYFf9owDdLNbHbcwkNw8MZ7o6WxNxufPE_BisjyYc_Q7whPTs7uAN4aWK9EllLFqNm96EqF0nlNAHG2IZztE15ON1U07mZud5j4TgjeedMviGjOhKMxo0w=s16000" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This desk was my sister's old desk from Target which I re-painted!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-A_Kp1hN79OWa5fArhSRLegoSqOBWXwRSSS5e99SzAWy7NXe8o8b4cq5SOkFnR3aKWyeiTKzgD88nc6RxwQGAX8iJ5PRH4JiLK-PEx5ID-q8o2AvVvK7pXlDqPZMyQDJB_1zdTaDkFLIJIymzjP6WKYp_Fg95bimeI9MOJHp_8nsAzUYNnPYfdBYIUQ=s1067" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-A_Kp1hN79OWa5fArhSRLegoSqOBWXwRSSS5e99SzAWy7NXe8o8b4cq5SOkFnR3aKWyeiTKzgD88nc6RxwQGAX8iJ5PRH4JiLK-PEx5ID-q8o2AvVvK7pXlDqPZMyQDJB_1zdTaDkFLIJIymzjP6WKYp_Fg95bimeI9MOJHp_8nsAzUYNnPYfdBYIUQ=s16000" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a mural I painted over a sticky piece of canvas inspired by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emmaboysdesign/">Emma Boys Design</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay Sunny,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meg</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-36067924406591409162020-12-16T21:20:00.040-05:002020-12-16T22:03:24.361-05:00A Sunny State of Mind Last-Minute Gift Guide<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztsNzdHnXLw/X9rAP-BjXbI/AAAAAAAAShg/DMPoYKVazGwxYP5h8J1qHAPI7SLQPwGfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Untitled-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztsNzdHnXLw/X9rAP-BjXbI/AAAAAAAAShg/DMPoYKVazGwxYP5h8J1qHAPI7SLQPwGfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>EEP! There are only EIGHT days until Christmas! At this statement, you're probably in one of two camps: excitement or excitement lined with anxiety because you haven't finished Christmas shopping. If you're in the second, have no fear -- here are my top ideas for yourself, your bff, aunt, sister, mom, girlfriend, or grandma. Happy gifting!<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>On My Wishlist</b></div><div><br /></div>1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/TILEMALL-Bathtub-Caddy-Laptop-Built/dp/B07SJRMP6H/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=bath+tray&qid=1606869374&s=home-garden&sr=1-12&linkCode=ll1&tag=megschwieterm-20&linkId=8c2bebf9b72bac93a33524c281ca9b71&language=en_US">Bathtub/Bed Reading Tray</a> | Amazon | $39</div><div>I'm pretty sure this is the most useful contraption I've ever seen. It's a bath reading tray that can fold into a laptop bed tray! Complete TWO cupholders.</div><div><br />2. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+A_M31UNNJSwO94psIwLDKA">L’ange Le Gloss</a> | Ulta | $109</div><div>My trusty Bedhead straightener from 2010 is nearing its final days... it only works with the cord at a certain angle (yikes!). So I'm asking for this Le Gloss straighter to replace it because it has the same wide plates that I love.</div><div><br />3. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+LbSc51PuJwkZwvYkwKfH-Q" target="_blank">Eva NYC Healthy Heat Blow Dryer</a> | Anthropologie | $60</div><div>My mom has this blow dryer and I figured it's time I stop stealing hers. It makes my hair the silkiest it's ever been -- basically a miracle worker. </div><div><br />4. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+CVJEBsvNEGKFsItAkaJMMg">FP Slippers</a> | Free People | $60</div><div>Upping my WFH uniform with these furry slides.</div><div><br />5. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+fnXzoXgZ88c-wwXt1anEHQ">Splits 59 Flare Leggings</a> (order by 12/20) | S59 | $98</div><div>I got these in gray earlier in the year and am asking for another pair in navy. I am obsessed with the high waist and the flare is a chic upgrade to normal leggings.</div><div><br />6. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0817QLT89/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=megschwieterm-20&linkId=6aa2716fda5f0a733c469c36374221b9&language=en_US">Claw Clip Set</a> | Amazon | $13</div><div>Just trying to embrace my Gen Z culture with these claw clips.</div><div><br />7. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Ksin1w">Velvet Headband</a> | Amazon | $9</div><div>I love this headband because it's a subtle color and the velvet is perfect for winter. </div><div><br />8. <a href="http://fbuy.me/qGaR5">Nuuly Subscription</a> | $68 (if you use <a href="http://fbuy.me/qGaR5">my link</a> for $20 off!)</div><div>If you know me, there's a 100% chance I've said "thanks, it's from my Nuuly!" to you. Nuuly is Urban/Anthro/Free People's monthly clothing rental box -- you get to pick 6 pieces per month!</div><div><br />9. <a href="https://www.garmentory.com/sale/boy-smells/candles/1103608-boy-smells-trio-votive-set-3-x-3oz-votives-les-plus-petal-plus-lanai?gclid=CjwKCAiA_eb-BRB2EiwAGBnXXk0Z2dCNKV4vKT135dhiCjMz0J4kjSynsfganjVfWdOM5AurDCvJgRoCHckQAvD_BwE">Boysmells Votives</a> | Garmentory (small biz!) | $48</div><div>I've grown a small collection of Boysmells candles over the past year. I love this votive set because it allows you to try 3 scents and channel SPRING!</div><div><br />10. <a href="https://shop.darlingmagazine.org/collections/merchandise/products/just-because-cards?variant=36741406982294">Just Because Stationery Set</a> | Darling (small biz!) | $25</div><div>Living far away from the people I love, it's fun to send snail mail to remind them that I'm not just a person on a FaceTime screen. This set from Darling is so stylish and fun. </div><div><br />11. Bath Favorites | <a href="https://www.target.com/p/the-honest-company-gently-nourishing-bubble-bath-sweet-almond-12-fl-oz/-/A-53840874#lnk=sametab">Honest Bubble Bath</a> $12 and <a href="https://www.target.com/p/dr-teal-39-s-pure-epsom-salt-soothe-38-sleep-lavender-soaking-solution-48oz/-/A-13417444?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012735304&CPNG=PLA_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Health%2BBeauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9053195&targetid=aud-554348707619:pla-895745642360&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=CjwKCAiA_eb-BRB2EiwAGBnXXoZY0RBu_DCwjIu5JtrHVeUqFHc0xG-evQaaP070BWv-sLQ6T1WEfRoCLEYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds">Dr. Teals Epsom Salt</a> $5 | Target</div><div>I have a routine of taking a bath every Sunday (aka a sabBATH), so I'm asking for bubble bath and bath salts to add even more luxury to the Sunday-scary-combatting routine. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Gifts I've Received/Given That Have Stood The Test of Time</b></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+T602BpaWXKCUIb87P4gXJQ">Madewell Zip Wallet</a> | $20 with code BIGTIME | Order by 12/19</div><div style="text-align: left;">At this point, most of my friends own this zip wallet. I've had mine for 6 years and I am NOT gentle with it (lots of water, scratches, rolling around in the bottom of my bag), and it's still in great shape. It's too late to get it personalized in time for Christmas but you can do it on the spot (for free!) in some Madewell stores. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />2. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+ptPQXz_VgMKp53yJ8dkqjw">Glossier Boy Brow</a> | $16 | Order by 12/21</div><div style="text-align: left;">My holy grail beauty product. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />3. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+hIHcDRqLMTQR7CawVZCqJQ">Artist Loft Journal</a> | Michael's | $7 </div><div style="text-align: left;">After trying PILES of different journals (even Moleskine), this has to be my favorite. The pages are super smooth and bleed-resistant but my favorite part is that it has TWO ribbon bookmarks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />4. <a href="https://amzn.to/3oWUez4">13mm Gold Hoops</a> | Amazon | $50</div><div style="text-align: left;">I got these for Christmas last year and have worn them basically every day since! They're perfect for looking put-together but are weightless. These hoops and a swipe of Boy Brow and I'm out the door.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />5. <a href="https://blessedisshe.net/product/the-catholic-journaling-bible/">Blessed is She Bible</a> | $50</div><div style="text-align: left;">For your best friend, mom, or self -- this is my favorite bible with huge margins for art and journaling. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-15442080076831870452020-10-16T18:04:00.000-04:002020-11-07T11:12:20.429-05:00Spirit + Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-473i9QoWlKQ/X4nq0v7rOXI/AAAAAAAASU4/-vrpStETsCsLK4LSxxsT1_W9eFYdnkVOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/rush%2Bfits.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-473i9QoWlKQ/X4nq0v7rOXI/AAAAAAAASU4/-vrpStETsCsLK4LSxxsT1_W9eFYdnkVOACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/rush%2Bfits.png" /></a></div><br />I have school spirit, I love South Carolina, I'll go to a football game... but that doesn't make me *sporty.* You will not find me in a football jersey and rarely in a USC t-shirt -- but I still want to visibly support my school! Enter: <a href="https://kylecavan.com/collections/vintage?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=CollegeVault&utm_term=Meg">Kyle Cavan X College Vault</a>.<div><br /></div><div>I first got to meet some lovely ladies of the Kyle Cavan/College Vault team at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2K81Y9gk2C/">NYFW 2019 </a>(time of my life), and I've loved the brand ever since. They specialize timeless, every-day-wear-worthy jewelry that reps your school or sorority. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since summer, I've been collaborating with the team to help them design and launch their newest jewelry line featuring vintage college logos -- <i>so </i>chic. I love how I can represent South Carolina at my internship, while traveling, at home, and with any outfit. Kyle Cavan is the only jewelry brand that can offer this vintage line, making their pieces such a special gift to commemorate your time at school. </div><div><br /></div><div>In this post I'm showing two ways how I wear my Kyle Cavan jewelry to show my Carolina love every day. </div><div><br /></div><div>For my first look, I went for business casual internship wear with a black silk shell, <a href="https://www.zara.com/us/en/plaid-blazer-p08658119.html?v1=71112441&v2=1549286">patterned blazer</a>, <a href="https://rstyle.me/+9RNU12P10YQ6e862P7eqMw">jeans</a>, my <a href="https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/veja/net-sustain-campo-leather-and-vegan-suede-sneakers/1235636">Vejas</a>, all topped off with a <a href="https://kylecavan.com/collections/vintage?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=CollegeVault&utm_term=Meg">KC Carolina Vintage sunburst necklace</a> and <a href="https://kylecavan.com/collections/vintage?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=CollegeVault&utm_term=Meg">South Carolina Florentine Seal necklace</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7g1X5GQ0_O4/X4nv4R2vdfI/AAAAAAAASV0/Wf9bMqfEJPcCJSUB18mB1uoNUFwFqTuSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1050/IMG_1569.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7g1X5GQ0_O4/X4nv4R2vdfI/AAAAAAAASV0/Wf9bMqfEJPcCJSUB18mB1uoNUFwFqTuSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_1569.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7fv2FYmWiWI/X4nwGMqgYHI/AAAAAAAASWM/ISWCSHZYhPUzDv-YvyJ82PrMSefp1wYZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s965/IMG_1566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7fv2FYmWiWI/X4nwGMqgYHI/AAAAAAAASWM/ISWCSHZYhPUzDv-YvyJ82PrMSefp1wYZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_1566.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5mNWZsZt_Y/X4nwGHxYLsI/AAAAAAAASWI/cNsro0fG01EgBSxI6UYt5hO9MQZd0lOnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/IMG_1577.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5mNWZsZt_Y/X4nwGHxYLsI/AAAAAAAASWI/cNsro0fG01EgBSxI6UYt5hO9MQZd0lOnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_1577.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5h0y4lUd1dA/X4nwGdiHzaI/AAAAAAAASWU/Q5fREQy1J1gXd5_uSaidkg0AKrDnb6TYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1003/IMG_1645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5h0y4lUd1dA/X4nwGdiHzaI/AAAAAAAASWU/Q5fREQy1J1gXd5_uSaidkg0AKrDnb6TYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_1645.jpg" title="This outfit is going to be on repeat all of fall." /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm going to have this outfit on repeat all fall long!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ijVV0YhcOk/X4nwGrM0rOI/AAAAAAAASWY/3UD8aaT-igsdY00w90TMKaQdyWSJcKA-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1087/IMG_1650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ijVV0YhcOk/X4nwGrM0rOI/AAAAAAAASWY/3UD8aaT-igsdY00w90TMKaQdyWSJcKA-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_1650.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKnr6XawGIg/X4nwGgvTdfI/AAAAAAAASWc/8RKkYORL_vgZiQsrq9tZa_FS9Epovo0GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1050/IMG_1735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKnr6XawGIg/X4nwGgvTdfI/AAAAAAAASWc/8RKkYORL_vgZiQsrq9tZa_FS9Epovo0GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_1735.jpg" title="How good do they look against black!?" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Loving how the gold looks against black. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For my second look, I went with a <a href="http://fbuy.me/qfo1C">casual dress</a> I'd wear out to dinner with friends, my <a href="https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/veja/net-sustain-campo-leather-and-vegan-suede-sneakers/1235636">Vejas</a> again, and my go-to duo of <a href="https://kylecavan.com/collections/vintage?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=CollegeVault&utm_term=Meg">KC Carolina Vintage sunburst necklace</a> and <a href="https://kylecavan.com/collections/vintage?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=CollegeVault&utm_term=Meg">South Carolina Florentine Seal necklace</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hW063ePnXZ0/X4nxPBO0NdI/AAAAAAAASW8/mE08QdrMBGU2lImCKubjJwJGqQ_tvCHTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1050/IMG_1830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hW063ePnXZ0/X4nxPBO0NdI/AAAAAAAASW8/mE08QdrMBGU2lImCKubjJwJGqQ_tvCHTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_1830.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-veJl91D-NQw/X4nxP-SaZFI/AAAAAAAASXI/HCkOv3tkpn8Xs_C9Gpt6WWrcff1MwCqsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/IMG_1948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-veJl91D-NQw/X4nxP-SaZFI/AAAAAAAASXI/HCkOv3tkpn8Xs_C9Gpt6WWrcff1MwCqsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_1948.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xymKzd1q3Q/X4nxPsR4fsI/AAAAAAAASXM/SC7nrLmwMeMt3Wwd9Wj_1C58lk_OwxyeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/IMG_1852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xymKzd1q3Q/X4nxPsR4fsI/AAAAAAAASXM/SC7nrLmwMeMt3Wwd9Wj_1C58lk_OwxyeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_1852.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The necklaces are the perfect accent to a collared shirt/dress!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E4_jQ2Hj6w/X4nxPM5kN5I/AAAAAAAASXE/8dxENWs7J1gsrlm4j4ufZP0-GMQm-WvGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1050/IMG_1843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E4_jQ2Hj6w/X4nxPM5kN5I/AAAAAAAASXE/8dxENWs7J1gsrlm4j4ufZP0-GMQm-WvGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_1843.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fuAwk_yCbQ/X4nxPOLmJ7I/AAAAAAAASXA/zzu9BRsKtmoQeIflqNd12W3r2dHDHwxkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1190/IMG_1811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fuAwk_yCbQ/X4nxPOLmJ7I/AAAAAAAASXA/zzu9BRsKtmoQeIflqNd12W3r2dHDHwxkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_1811.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I had so much fun with this styled shoot and seeing the progression of the beautiful vintage line. Thank you, <a href="https://kylecavan.com/collections/vintage?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=CollegeVault&utm_term=Meg">Kyle Cavan</a> and College Vault, for sponsoring this post. Go Gamecocks!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay Sunny,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Meg</div>Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-40292001835781806492020-07-21T17:29:00.001-04:002020-11-07T11:12:20.429-05:00Photo Diary: ParisWith canceled trips, closed borders, and the danger of COVID, traveling abroad right now is nearly impossible -- not to mention unsafe. That means for many of us, we have an unfulfilled desire to adventure! Looking through old photos of Greg and I's Paris trip has satisfied *some* of my wanderlust, so I'm hoping that scrolling this photo diary will do the same for you. Plus, you can get inspiration for your Parisian getaway when it's safe to travel again. Consider these unshared photos from my time abroad as a sort of virtual vacation! So grab a Whole Foods croissant (it'll do for now) or a glass of French wine, crank La Vie en Rose, and enjoy!<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C36kSX1YF9Q/Xwy50DtlZwI/AAAAAAAASNo/ZpBPEl2nZR0Tgiq17Iua50NxfDCosT4bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/FD17BD64-1463-46FC-A39C-73815AA9B816.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C36kSX1YF9Q/Xwy50DtlZwI/AAAAAAAASNo/ZpBPEl2nZR0Tgiq17Iua50NxfDCosT4bwCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/FD17BD64-1463-46FC-A39C-73815AA9B816.JPG" title="The most excited I have ever been!" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most excited I have ever been!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQwQ51kXEQI/Xwy4ClcZxDI/AAAAAAAASLE/aOwDrHlXzNEnchmX4ygDTeF7mOvwVv1EQCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/4AD5A7BD-BA5B-46BA-8A42-9A3BC19A7E71.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" width="469" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paris was EXACTLY what I pictured<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7JqobpCT0w/Xwy4Clnpl4I/AAAAAAAASLI/3WUQW3f2HA0S00J6uikXeablV_hoIzZqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4A6BCC1B-BC97-4425-B685-A55F7FB542C4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7JqobpCT0w/Xwy4Clnpl4I/AAAAAAAASLI/3WUQW3f2HA0S00J6uikXeablV_hoIzZqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/4A6BCC1B-BC97-4425-B685-A55F7FB542C4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="469" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First crepe! (of many)</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfOvcm8XKbI/Xwy4Cx8Do0I/AAAAAAAASLM/wJC6GFEVzPwBq-zJvMDGq_dCYTiRcITgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4BC88985-0A6B-4E40-82B7-328F6EDE56BD.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfOvcm8XKbI/Xwy4Cx8Do0I/AAAAAAAASLM/wJC6GFEVzPwBq-zJvMDGq_dCYTiRcITgQCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/4BC88985-0A6B-4E40-82B7-328F6EDE56BD.JPG" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding my chocolate croissant addiction</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls-rX68NnzU/Xwy4DqewuyI/AAAAAAAASLQ/Tggc1zWxVqQnkVb_Z35Mr8SYqogeP-G9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4C8AABA1-3077-4D2F-8FDB-E8B75FA5F1C1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls-rX68NnzU/Xwy4DqewuyI/AAAAAAAASLQ/Tggc1zWxVqQnkVb_Z35Mr8SYqogeP-G9ACLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/4C8AABA1-3077-4D2F-8FDB-E8B75FA5F1C1.JPG" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best meal we had -- L'as Du Fallafel</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JueVEqWDS-w/Xwy4F_GS9QI/AAAAAAAASLg/DXOQMnkCn_oE975KLGwKBpVnRc-DQqR-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5C79232E-EAC4-42C8-8198-506C511C2158.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JueVEqWDS-w/Xwy4F_GS9QI/AAAAAAAASLg/DXOQMnkCn_oE975KLGwKBpVnRc-DQqR-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/5C79232E-EAC4-42C8-8198-506C511C2158.JPG" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Degas Statue at Musee D'Orsay</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avxKUb5_2MQ/Xwy4HLUlNtI/AAAAAAAASLk/uTzSUZ-PTk4cjHFAHlgmUVzewJ0TNB2jACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6ACE9BE9-C5A7-4E93-B687-24205464F8F1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avxKUb5_2MQ/Xwy4HLUlNtI/AAAAAAAASLk/uTzSUZ-PTk4cjHFAHlgmUVzewJ0TNB2jACLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/6ACE9BE9-C5A7-4E93-B687-24205464F8F1.JPG" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first Laduree -- my 8th-grade self is quaking.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiaVFP2rKe8/Xwy4HOloKzI/AAAAAAAASLo/DLSjgv-pnygXQ562ZdbsgBUZfTMe2Gf-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6FB73D26-DB83-4A37-AE06-1CC054A54E77.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1446" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiaVFP2rKe8/Xwy4HOloKzI/AAAAAAAASLo/DLSjgv-pnygXQ562ZdbsgBUZfTMe2Gf-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w443-h625/6FB73D26-DB83-4A37-AE06-1CC054A54E77.JPG" width="443" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite art we saw -- Monet's Water Lillies at Musee L'Orangerie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiOD1LLIqzQ/Xwy4JF8S2II/AAAAAAAASL4/VUSCFXujNxk8kiCmHrWqqEZnNk-OQ_xDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7C3FEA7B-B771-4845-B4F8-1B389CDF22A7.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiOD1LLIqzQ/Xwy4JF8S2II/AAAAAAAASL4/VUSCFXujNxk8kiCmHrWqqEZnNk-OQ_xDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/7C3FEA7B-B771-4845-B4F8-1B389CDF22A7.JPG" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many precious cafes!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axj2Vq5zwkU/Xwy4JGrwZSI/AAAAAAAASL0/ZxLH50FlEBowMI7kGJHwuun_9xe_7G7eQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8A4C571E-42A3-4662-B3FA-2D66A29620ED.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axj2Vq5zwkU/Xwy4JGrwZSI/AAAAAAAASL0/ZxLH50FlEBowMI7kGJHwuun_9xe_7G7eQCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/8A4C571E-42A3-4662-B3FA-2D66A29620ED.JPG" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pKcHVn0ymVI/Xwy4MutYwLI/AAAAAAAASMM/vyAQOxJ7tccpGbiNoCpcsTz2BncqfFHcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9B07AAA0-26A5-4DCB-B87C-8D1114C687FD.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pKcHVn0ymVI/Xwy4MutYwLI/AAAAAAAASMM/vyAQOxJ7tccpGbiNoCpcsTz2BncqfFHcgCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/9B07AAA0-26A5-4DCB-B87C-8D1114C687FD.JPG" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcuirDjQXDE/Xwy70Y384cI/AAAAAAAASOA/d81ud84ASFIN4J23SOdLejDZu-yP5nHtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4896F2D2-6A55-443A-B168-B19B08695DE2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcuirDjQXDE/Xwy70Y384cI/AAAAAAAASOA/d81ud84ASFIN4J23SOdLejDZu-yP5nHtwCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/4896F2D2-6A55-443A-B168-B19B08695DE2.JPG" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUtHborcDG4/Xwy4AKtTlfI/AAAAAAAASKw/Gtc0kZGxQsor_HQ4-FmrIkPyBNFoxy15gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/33D3A1EE-4739-4B68-A135-3DB12AC3F462.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUtHborcDG4/Xwy4AKtTlfI/AAAAAAAASKw/Gtc0kZGxQsor_HQ4-FmrIkPyBNFoxy15gCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h375/33D3A1EE-4739-4B68-A135-3DB12AC3F462.JPG" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Les Deux Magots -- where Hemingway used to go and write<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-leXbsIiClzQ/Xwy4BChrgjI/AAAAAAAASK8/Cxzt-7Cs5F4Fyat57kXMe4KPd6npsPgzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/36F34B33-F660-4540-BB55-B1E63A5DC61F.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-leXbsIiClzQ/Xwy4BChrgjI/AAAAAAAASK8/Cxzt-7Cs5F4Fyat57kXMe4KPd6npsPgzgCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/36F34B33-F660-4540-BB55-B1E63A5DC61F.JPG" width="469" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uwqoyOPrCs/Xwy4EpN41MI/AAAAAAAASLU/NJc_xAyZL9UDZ9pjX55tXsiD6GwQJHzgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/50E3F75B-72E9-451B-8D25-ADD8837784AD.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uwqoyOPrCs/Xwy4EpN41MI/AAAAAAAASLU/NJc_xAyZL9UDZ9pjX55tXsiD6GwQJHzgACLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/50E3F75B-72E9-451B-8D25-ADD8837784AD.JPG" width="469" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjybnuWO-Zo/Xwy4LIDljNI/AAAAAAAASME/185Me0r2WvodBRqp2glqZAXhOusIM_mOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/97C91A64-CA4D-4613-91F2-DD5BE60B901F.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjybnuWO-Zo/Xwy4LIDljNI/AAAAAAAASME/185Me0r2WvodBRqp2glqZAXhOusIM_mOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/97C91A64-CA4D-4613-91F2-DD5BE60B901F.JPG" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So ~Parisian~</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqrn3RgYYUc/Xwy4FJ-_pDI/AAAAAAAASLY/YQVZLKQDCoMdVQrezh-EgMY9gxsw3tThACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/570C87F7-359C-482F-80C8-8BEDA321A0DC.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqrn3RgYYUc/Xwy4FJ-_pDI/AAAAAAAASLY/YQVZLKQDCoMdVQrezh-EgMY9gxsw3tThACLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/570C87F7-359C-482F-80C8-8BEDA321A0DC.JPG" width="469" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3e31TpedMlc/Xwy4HN_YLEI/AAAAAAAASLs/7-Dz3MOHNN8OUKuGBqEYK_GdQdwCq_LJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6326BEBE-F7F4-4FD5-82F5-CF5E91978691.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3e31TpedMlc/Xwy4HN_YLEI/AAAAAAAASLs/7-Dz3MOHNN8OUKuGBqEYK_GdQdwCq_LJwCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/6326BEBE-F7F4-4FD5-82F5-CF5E91978691.JPG" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Louvre! We went on Valentine's Day night</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKIyu8MITIo/Xwy4FBdUQkI/AAAAAAAASLc/EW0_ixcwhsMA4M6dTmd4gTlyQdKFUOh2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/58879BC6-A348-40F9-93C5-C7F1F5790E13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKIyu8MITIo/Xwy4FBdUQkI/AAAAAAAASLc/EW0_ixcwhsMA4M6dTmd4gTlyQdKFUOh2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/58879BC6-A348-40F9-93C5-C7F1F5790E13.JPG" width="469" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhKNsvI0WJc/Xwy4IuTcn5I/AAAAAAAASLw/XeYBx1uLVycorzKWMPjqRzA0enY3Ahy3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/71853F24-F86F-492C-8029-795562348BDD.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhKNsvI0WJc/Xwy4IuTcn5I/AAAAAAAASLw/XeYBx1uLVycorzKWMPjqRzA0enY3Ahy3wCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/71853F24-F86F-492C-8029-795562348BDD.JPG" width="469" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d9zHlB4-gq4/Xwy4NlHcgaI/AAAAAAAASMU/-ixFk5msrFoqKQYxDSIovBZ24SyZ5DfnACLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/BAA08022-5860-4C60-B0EA-0BF61A45E494.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" width="469" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sainte Chappelle -- so beautiful!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PfiU7pI-ayk/Xwy4N2iMxaI/AAAAAAAASMY/MZAcPKuSMGUcSGD_9KH0T5BOw4-rYLySgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C3653E49-DEF8-4F85-A915-3363B31D938D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PfiU7pI-ayk/Xwy4N2iMxaI/AAAAAAAASMY/MZAcPKuSMGUcSGD_9KH0T5BOw4-rYLySgCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/C3653E49-DEF8-4F85-A915-3363B31D938D.JPG" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentine's Dinner! You can see the fear in my eyes about eating escargot haha</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDfpzEfDReE/Xwy4PbDXaGI/AAAAAAAASMg/1NSVb-pan2EgpAHLmFKNMMpY1bgqaWnSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DDFA01E9-5CD8-4F43-9C9B-1E5BE2A131D8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDfpzEfDReE/Xwy4PbDXaGI/AAAAAAAASMg/1NSVb-pan2EgpAHLmFKNMMpY1bgqaWnSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/DDFA01E9-5CD8-4F43-9C9B-1E5BE2A131D8.JPG" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdKUDXVIloQ/Xwy4PdrBzFI/AAAAAAAASMk/QPiSaR9zXAI9SWt-y5mxEsw0qxRKLibSQCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/E5C1E328-3220-44E1-BB91-712E3D9B55E3.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="469" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqIeRpqhWDQ/Xwy4PEwbGXI/AAAAAAAASMc/ZbLYDTFaBYEmPOBQnVb0x9V-cxFGUNE_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D2A58C3E-09CF-4857-9EF3-D6F08C1B7A4C.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqIeRpqhWDQ/Xwy4PEwbGXI/AAAAAAAASMc/ZbLYDTFaBYEmPOBQnVb0x9V-cxFGUNE_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/D2A58C3E-09CF-4857-9EF3-D6F08C1B7A4C.JPG" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">En route to our picnic at Luxembourg Gardens</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dptQ7fR08TM/XwzC7itlnII/AAAAAAAASOM/MT2T-b0DepYpi_-hXkXUUECXdIzrDWwpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/946096CB-7358-4CC4-8AC0-CB5BC1A3BC66.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dptQ7fR08TM/XwzC7itlnII/AAAAAAAASOM/MT2T-b0DepYpi_-hXkXUUECXdIzrDWwpwCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/946096CB-7358-4CC4-8AC0-CB5BC1A3BC66.JPG" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SIMPLY THE BEST!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Acxfs4aNwJc/Xwy4Q1zsf2I/AAAAAAAASMw/_6eUt-vcDD8rjN74nH1Z-cTmXC25ZiNQACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F822AD3F-13CC-4421-BCA5-1EA07FF68F75.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Acxfs4aNwJc/Xwy4Q1zsf2I/AAAAAAAASMw/_6eUt-vcDD8rjN74nH1Z-cTmXC25ZiNQACLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/F822AD3F-13CC-4421-BCA5-1EA07FF68F75.JPG" width="469" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope these photos brought some wanderlust and joy to your day! If you have questions about specific locations or products pictured above, feel free to DM me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/asunnystateofmind/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay Sunny,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meg</div>Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-61419652879652940162020-07-16T17:34:00.004-04:002020-09-28T14:45:18.052-04:00Wallet, Keys, Phone, Mask<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e7UIkLfk3T4/XwzJLwsYLaI/AAAAAAAASOY/FQEe_hc0BmoAX_QlU_wjCbRG93yBEeckwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1350/Untitled_Artwork%2B10.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="864" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e7UIkLfk3T4/XwzJLwsYLaI/AAAAAAAASOY/FQEe_hc0BmoAX_QlU_wjCbRG93yBEeckwCLcBGAsYHQ/w691-h864/Untitled_Artwork%2B10.JPG" width="691" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I'm sharing the products have been my go-to's lately. I hope this post brings some lighthearted fun during scary times but also serves as a reminder to <b><i>WEAR YO MASK!</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are the things bringing me joy + why:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+Xk48lHiI0oYBQUpbJa4Jew" target="_blank"><b>Dr. Bronner's Lavender Hand Sanitizer:</b></a> I'm tired of the hand sanitizer that smells like tequila -- that's why I keep this lavender hand sanitizer in my purse at all times. *Plus* as an added bonus, the lavender scent will calm your COVID anxiety down when the woman behind you at the grocery store is definitely not 6 feet apart! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+YAPp1msPKu8jMiLttUDVoA" target="_blank"><b>Cocokind Chlorophyll Face Mask:</b></a> I feel like we all have a few stress breakouts lately, or we're at least in need of a good self-care moment. I've been loving using my Cocokind Chlorophyll Face Mask -- it comes as a powder so it lasts for forever and doesn't have any preservatives/chemicals in it! You can mix it with water, rosewater, essential oils, etc. to customize your mask. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. <b>A MASK (DUH):</b> The more important type of mask! Wearing a <a href="https://kirakids.com/collections/new-masks/products/adult-mask-swirl-tie-dye-candy" target="_blank">mask</a> has been the *easiest* way to love the people around me lately. So stay strapped with your mask, keep it over your nose and mouth, and opt for reusable when you can!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWciuP5qdtM/XxC6WMAq5pI/AAAAAAAASOk/n5twskQ-K4sT4ujyV0GheEXUnEhpCaxnACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/41627127-7026-4AFC-A169-C736F07AD0D9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWciuP5qdtM/XxC6WMAq5pI/AAAAAAAASOk/n5twskQ-K4sT4ujyV0GheEXUnEhpCaxnACLcBGAsYHQ/w416-h625/41627127-7026-4AFC-A169-C736F07AD0D9.JPG" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+oBeWOnTh2_1hORCQi5ltSA"><b>Glossier Boy Brow:</b></a> When wearing a mask, your brows are the true star of your face. When people can't see your mouth's expression, your brows do the talking of course! This is my absolute favorite brow gel for subtle, daily use. My brows are rowdy and this tames them while keeping their natural shape and size!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. <b><a href="https://rstyle.me/+rFZ04OFpKKLLlnYEg4vn5w">Diptyque Baies Candle</a> </b>(use code FREESHIP): My friend gifted me a coveted Baies candle last year, and I maybe burned it once for the entirety of 2019. Well, this pandemic has given me a reason to STOP saving things for "special occasions" and USE THE GOOD STUFF because life itself is a special occasion! I love the clean scent of Baies and it always boosts my mood to use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay sunny,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meg</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-13972147115986020292020-05-12T15:09:00.000-04:002020-11-07T11:12:20.429-05:00Get Out of Your League<div>At the beginning of the semester, I signed up for an intermediate photography class. The twist? I had never picked up a DSLR camera in my life. My school reached out to me because I didn’t submit a portfolio and asked me if I had the skills necessary to take the class. So I fibbed, “yes! of course!” I was up for the challenge and really wanted to take the class, so I wasn’t about to let a pre-req stop me. On the first day of class, I realized how <b>truly</b> out of my league I was. Most of the other kids were photography majors and this was their bread and butter. On top of that, there was a VERBAL skills assessment on the first day which I, by the grace of God and my very kind professor, was able to fumble my way through and pass. It was clear to everyone that I did NOT know what I was doing.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the rest of the semester, I learned how freeing it is to take yourself out of the running for being the best. I didn’t have to focus on proving myself or looking over my shoulder because I already knew I was the worst one there, so I was able to take photos that expressed my passion and I was very free to fail. And I failed a lot! As an Enneagram 3 and someone who sometimes focuses too much on appearing “competent” (as if that is the highest virtue), I got uncomfortable. But just on the other side of that discomfort was a lot of FUN and joy. </div><div><br /></div><div>I turned in my final project, and I’m still the worst photographer in the class. BUT, I put my heart into it, improved immensely, and came out with a new skill. By having very little attention on me I felt the freedom to choose a topic near and dear to my heart. The prompt for our final projects was about Eros and Logos — love and reason. My project is about the thing that sits beautifully right on the tension between love and reason: faith. More specifically, it’s about the pursuit of God out of love when it makes very little reasonable sense — AKA in the middle of a pandemic! Below are a few of my favorites.</div><div><br /></div><div>SO — what would happen if you got out of your league? If you took yourself out of the running? If instead of focusing on being the best you allowed yourself to fail and therefore experience freedom?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsQPY6lhMMk/Xwy2_Y72UOI/AAAAAAAASJ8/xYZ63OhJv6QV-l7s9iwN3fBRS09_bZVqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_MG_1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="333" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsQPY6lhMMk/Xwy2_Y72UOI/AAAAAAAASJ8/xYZ63OhJv6QV-l7s9iwN3fBRS09_bZVqQCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h333/_MG_1170.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="333" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrKEkdX_4Cw/Xwy3H56rKLI/AAAAAAAASKI/q_hxOuB5KmYGwn9WEMikt05tTruONwrzwCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h333/_MG_1272.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="500" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="333" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EdPabHmdDcM/Xwy3H6yNpgI/AAAAAAAASKM/FURRxGHh2ccIHRHk-qzMk929J2vztOF7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h333/_MG_1167.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="500" /></div><div><br /></div>Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-14766759526406419292020-03-11T06:00:00.009-04:002020-07-13T15:29:10.881-04:00A Letter to The Girl Who Got Sent Home Because of COVID<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKuRs6nYARE/Xwy15i05aCI/AAAAAAAASJw/rwGpCRqOtnI5_P1C4a8V2GxpCR7AzKsaACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKuRs6nYARE/Xwy15i05aCI/AAAAAAAASJw/rwGpCRqOtnI5_P1C4a8V2GxpCR7AzKsaACLcBGAsYHQ/w375-h500/IMG_5031.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Dear College / Study Abroad Girl,<div><br /></div><div><div>So because of Corona, your university and/or study abroad program is shut down and you have to go home. I know it sucks, this was never part of anyone’s plan.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Christian/Catholic circles we talk a lot about being “sent” by God, even to places we don’t want to go or that don’t look like what we envisioned the future to be. In the past when I would hear this, I’d picture going on mission in a foreign country or making a large/dramatic physical move. </div><div><br /></div><div>But what if the place He sends me isn’t dramatic at all? What if He just sends me home?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, that’s what’s happening by circumstance and I am leaning in nonetheless. God’s plan takes a lifetime to complete. And this is indeed part of it, He has something to show me here! And He has lots to show you, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>My dad has encouraged me to think more about the opportunities that this season will present instead of the ones that it has closed. and so I encourage you to do the same! with more free time/time at home, try to rediscover old parts of yourself and make them new again. Were you a kid that read whole series of books in a week? start reading for fun again! 📚 Paint, draw, run, sew. Go on walks, ride your bike, get into nature.</div><div><br /></div><div>Be with your people. 💕 We have been given the gift of time to spend with our families before we move away from home for good. Use it!</div><div><br /></div><div>We are called to live our vocations and love those in front of us no matter where we may be. No matter if where we are is different than the plan in our heads. There is joy to be found here! ✨</div><div><br /></div><div>It breaks my heart to have my study abroad cut short, and I promise I’m not always this positive about it, BUT gratitude turns scarcity into abundance and it’s all we have to get through this.</div><div><br /></div><div>For now, I’m just grateful to have been where I’ve been (like beautiful Venice pictured above!), to have seen what I’ve seen, and still have my health. Cheers to that! 🥂</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Stay sunny (even if it's pretty cloudy right now),</div><div>Meg</div>Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-49217873150522101852020-01-19T12:28:00.001-05:002020-11-07T11:12:20.430-05:00Winter + Spring Capsule Wardrobe<div style="text-align: left;">
If you follow any style blogger, you've probably heard the term "capsule wardrobe" at least fifty times by now. Simply put, it's a small collection of high-quality clothing that you can mix and match to create outfits and spice up with seasonal/trendy accessories. They have become re-popularized lately as a sustainable alternative to fast fashion and encourage people to put more thought into their shopping.<br />
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I decided to create my own capsule wardrobe because of my upcoming semester abroad. As much as I want to, I can't fit my whole closet in my suitcase. So, out of necessity, I'll be wearing my most tried-and-true pieces from February till May! I've never been a minimalist, so this will be a challenge, but I love the idea that every outfit I wear will be a favorite. It's also made me a more intentional shopper because I am considering if each piece will fit with my daily wardrobe and if it's worth the space in my bag.<br />
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Here's what's in my capsule wardrobe:<br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">1. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+4KSWaXQQ7Y0j1OVCRQXSzQ">Straight leg, high-waisted blue jeans</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">2. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+2mMFacy914SFaKfI1evjRg">Raw hem skinny black jeans</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">3. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+f051k0IS8uJc0PbMguzX6w">Faux leather leggings</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">4. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+T5uwr52lPpUOli3FapvFnA">Cream cardigan top</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">5. <a href="https://www.zara.com/us/en/mock-neck-sweater-p06687102.html?v1=34229463&v2=1445718">Black mock neck long sleeve tee</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">6. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+PEcZ0WADc1qFiNB9NkinmA">White short sleeve collared shirt</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">7. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+wIGl6Pdy9EHWGoMpNOX_MQ">Black sweater</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">8. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+m5JLJ14SrzpCYjDjdhC6YQ">Pink cardigan</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">9. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+Jrcw0MBkxs7-fA98-ByfTA">Sweater blazer</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">10. <a href="https://www.us.rains.com/products/curve-jacket?variant=31175540310039">Rain coat</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">11. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+duuexOQcU-cHdI1Pov_sSA">Chelsea boots</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">12. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+EHn0n5K2N4eCC0H53SKMEg">White tennis shoes</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">13. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+mh6pRbZWineWb_9-3JJlpw">Brown purse</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">14. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+CClNesxb7RoZogki0OuP9g">Black purse</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">15. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+2lmf2Nc_Y_4o2Y8GfQONMQ">Belt bag</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">16. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+vN1sQR6_RJ7xV7d4uBsCcw">Silk scarf</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">17. <a href="https://rstyle.me/+UQfOtKlj4FKMygTtBVQ2cg">Pom pom hat</a></span><br />
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There are endless ways to mix up these pieces, but here are 8 of my favorite looks!<br />
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Check out my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/asunnystateofmind/channel/">IGTV</a> video for more on my capsule wardrobe!</div>
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Stay sunny,</div>
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Meg</div>
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Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-1388135484223091272019-12-31T17:27:00.003-05:002020-11-07T11:12:20.429-05:00My Year in Instagram Stories<div style="text-align: center;">
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Happy New Year's Eve to you! What a year, what a year 2019 has been. In this year, I leaned into creativity, rest, joy, sunshine, and what it looks like to be a daughter of God. He has cracked my heart and filled it so many times this year, and that is what the true growth is! </div>
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In 2019 I turned to Instagram to share content much more often than my blog, and to Instagram stories much more than posts in my feed! My first form of creativity is drawing and I LOVE manipulating words + fonts to make something beautiful. That's why sharing stories is my FAV. I feel I can be more real, too, (working on bringing more realness to "polished" posts), which makes it all the more fun. Stories are what they sound like -- storytelling. And telling a story is all I am trying to do with this blog. </div>
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However, stories are fleeting! And so I think that giving some of my favorites a permanent home through a yearly recap is the perfect way to reflect and share. I got the idea from my friend Gabby -- read her post <a href="https://gabbyinthecity.com/2019/12/27/instagram-story-year-in-review-2019/">here!</a></div>
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LET'S BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING!</div>
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JANUARY</div>
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I kicked off my year at SEEK - a conference for Catholic college students! It was SUCH an awesome experience shared with my best friends in Christ. The rest of January was spent getting re-acclimated to school (Google calendar always) and having fun with friends before the semester got too serious. </div>
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FEBRUARY</div>
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Starting to eat lunch + dinner at my sorority house was a very joy-filled part of 2019. I mean -- seeing my friends twice a day AND getting to eat a corndog in between classes? Sign me up.<br />
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Greg and I spent Valentines day in our local 24hr donut shop at 1AM because I had a TERRIBLE (and tearful) flight. But I made it home and we CELEBRATED in an imperfect but really quite lovely way.<br />
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I got to speak to my favorite student org, Fashion Board, about brand authenticity. What an honor!</div>
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I also soaked up some sun at USC and was reminded over and over of how lucky I am to get to live this life. </div>
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I spent a long weekend in Tennessee on this gorgeous lake for a FOCUS retreat. It felt like a deep breath for my entire life. Following the retreat was USC Fashion Week madness -- the most fun!</div>
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MARCH</div>
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Not a ton of Insta stories for March (busy time!) but two things happened that I'm really proud of.</div>
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1 - I wrote my <a href="https://theeverygirl.com/i-used-self-care-as-a-cop-out-for-self-love/">favorite and most personal piece</a> for The Everygirl and they even have me a graphic for the feature! Dream!</div>
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2 - I GOT SPONSORED BY A KOMBUCHA BRAND. Dream x2!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1dP3XrybxYI/Xgq6DXIowgI/AAAAAAAARz4/o2s0SaO8F1IYcg2IKkLzdgX1ipfMf2gqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/EFF7302A-8858-4F18-B4C8-E2EC71FC41BE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1dP3XrybxYI/Xgq6DXIowgI/AAAAAAAARz4/o2s0SaO8F1IYcg2IKkLzdgX1ipfMf2gqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/EFF7302A-8858-4F18-B4C8-E2EC71FC41BE.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AlCn_x2LBdU/Xgq6Y8P_k5I/AAAAAAAAR0A/zass_1twkLE65m-chtnsV74sA2XzrjOpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/19FA7E39-4C34-43CC-A53D-E328B2C41F8E.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AlCn_x2LBdU/Xgq6Y8P_k5I/AAAAAAAAR0A/zass_1twkLE65m-chtnsV74sA2XzrjOpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/19FA7E39-4C34-43CC-A53D-E328B2C41F8E.jpg" /></a></div>
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APRIL</div>
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I drank all of the above kombuchas, worked the MASTERS, and spent 7-8am every Thursday with my girls talking about life + Jesus. No complaints here. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jUPsSQcK6Y/Xgq6cRWuIcI/AAAAAAAAR0M/C5QZPGf4vzAjN9WrMID5xrCzcWGOkfxbwCEwYBhgL/s1600/FCC771F8-8C73-4B72-B081-0676F6A6F3D6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jUPsSQcK6Y/Xgq6cRWuIcI/AAAAAAAAR0M/C5QZPGf4vzAjN9WrMID5xrCzcWGOkfxbwCEwYBhgL/s1600/FCC771F8-8C73-4B72-B081-0676F6A6F3D6.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6mpIFFnFN0/Xgq6hW07BpI/AAAAAAAAR0U/LQ0QSqKr85EsTdds7hTrQq9I6ga_vcZaQCEwYBhgL/s1600/CE735741-93BF-46DE-B6E8-6F9E0E5522F3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6mpIFFnFN0/Xgq6hW07BpI/AAAAAAAAR0U/LQ0QSqKr85EsTdds7hTrQq9I6ga_vcZaQCEwYBhgL/s1600/CE735741-93BF-46DE-B6E8-6F9E0E5522F3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxKUP9nrVv0/Xgq60V6tcLI/AAAAAAAAR0k/N6nAgwTJITAcV_iH9kYsjsroMHNOC7mBACEwYBhgL/s1600/D4E7B68C-E7C8-492F-8CE2-67D6DCF36AC6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxKUP9nrVv0/Xgq60V6tcLI/AAAAAAAAR0k/N6nAgwTJITAcV_iH9kYsjsroMHNOC7mBACEwYBhgL/s1600/D4E7B68C-E7C8-492F-8CE2-67D6DCF36AC6.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdIjBwDjsbU/Xgq6w8C2RnI/AAAAAAAAR0g/dX5EyNNb7DES6_CCxco1pYN4RsafNMsVwCEwYBhgL/s1600/49F79E74-43E8-4266-8785-7FDD25FCB1A8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdIjBwDjsbU/Xgq6w8C2RnI/AAAAAAAAR0g/dX5EyNNb7DES6_CCxco1pYN4RsafNMsVwCEwYBhgL/s1600/49F79E74-43E8-4266-8785-7FDD25FCB1A8.jpg" /></a></div>
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I got to meet my family in Rosemary Beach for Easter and wore way too many tennis skirts despite playing no tennis.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFX-hBJ3rxo/Xgq6_wCK2SI/AAAAAAAAR0o/xguNnPQPAnEsop07Djw2WIlvlrnsqvkGQCEwYBhgL/s1600/42791D30-7377-47BC-A14A-AE4EA136C433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFX-hBJ3rxo/Xgq6_wCK2SI/AAAAAAAAR0o/xguNnPQPAnEsop07Djw2WIlvlrnsqvkGQCEwYBhgL/s1600/42791D30-7377-47BC-A14A-AE4EA136C433.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HL1BI2yX9pM/Xgq86GK9GbI/AAAAAAAAR1A/wjW3XiLP-U8KXT1KUefVN_nZvljVmTx1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/685B115B-9BB6-40B7-A1FB-BB34A738A7F6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HL1BI2yX9pM/Xgq86GK9GbI/AAAAAAAAR1A/wjW3XiLP-U8KXT1KUefVN_nZvljVmTx1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/685B115B-9BB6-40B7-A1FB-BB34A738A7F6.jpg" /></a></div>
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MAY</div>
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I said some really hard goodbyes in May! The hardest being to my freshman year floor -- floor 6 you are missed! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vx3ZacWGcZQ/Xgq8UiWbaXI/AAAAAAAAR0w/PBRp4sQB4zAW-8r_pdQKI6X2pSg1jmfpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A3DB2534-B64F-4A94-97AD-609994357C5C.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vx3ZacWGcZQ/Xgq8UiWbaXI/AAAAAAAAR0w/PBRp4sQB4zAW-8r_pdQKI6X2pSg1jmfpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A3DB2534-B64F-4A94-97AD-609994357C5C.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYWiLQM2PD8/Xgq8eBW9PfI/AAAAAAAAR00/CZ4gJVnBZQELuU2COkJ7r1LWNlXjNkQ8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/500E1AB3-F440-4F55-8E37-3A46827A989F.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYWiLQM2PD8/Xgq8eBW9PfI/AAAAAAAAR00/CZ4gJVnBZQELuU2COkJ7r1LWNlXjNkQ8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/500E1AB3-F440-4F55-8E37-3A46827A989F.jpg" /></a></div>
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I got home and immediately picked right back up with my best friend <a href="https://www.resurrectedcollective.com/">Caroline.</a> I visited her at Miami University for her AMAZING final presentation of her entrepreneurship class and then spent her 20th birthday watching the sunrise while Greg made us chocolate chip pancakes on a roof. 5:30 wake up calls are welcomed when it's for this!</div>
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I started my summer internship which has been my favorite job to date. Creative freedom for all social media channels of a fashion business? SIGN ME UP. I did some of my other favorite job, babysitting these cute kiddos, as well!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EfVmwgncTQ/Xgq9zyo-24I/AAAAAAAAR1Y/ugBxz04OI5I-NiFO2sbtMnBlx-RyXoCogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/B18FB5EC-FF98-44A0-83DC-FD69FAA279C8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EfVmwgncTQ/Xgq9zyo-24I/AAAAAAAAR1Y/ugBxz04OI5I-NiFO2sbtMnBlx-RyXoCogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/B18FB5EC-FF98-44A0-83DC-FD69FAA279C8.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3eEUT6MVsB8/Xgq9_5SSCBI/AAAAAAAAR1g/kvp-rrOGQr0AnPMXSmCyNSP2SjUsTR2pQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/8F4E37D3-03A2-43EB-A569-E7E3995B4652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3eEUT6MVsB8/Xgq9_5SSCBI/AAAAAAAAR1g/kvp-rrOGQr0AnPMXSmCyNSP2SjUsTR2pQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/8F4E37D3-03A2-43EB-A569-E7E3995B4652.jpg" /></a></div>
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JUNE</div>
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Greg and I met up with my cousin Grace in Chicago to see Anderson.Paak in concert! We SPRINTED to get front row spots and it totally paid off. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sy2MhA9BWDo/Xgq-00FILDI/AAAAAAAAR1w/G9OddUzNdXgfkMLr2pZQlDmCxXzROWwdQCEwYBhgL/s1600/5F3E828E-A26C-44F9-BF8C-6F3EED666F6E.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sy2MhA9BWDo/Xgq-00FILDI/AAAAAAAAR1w/G9OddUzNdXgfkMLr2pZQlDmCxXzROWwdQCEwYBhgL/s1600/5F3E828E-A26C-44F9-BF8C-6F3EED666F6E.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ2_79gL2e4/Xgq-1IDpGmI/AAAAAAAAR14/GHVE3KUN7D8C1zJgxNJyC5QgfE_ym8AWQCEwYBhgL/s1600/38EF931E-9BDE-40E9-966F-653FFA034A83.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ2_79gL2e4/Xgq-1IDpGmI/AAAAAAAAR14/GHVE3KUN7D8C1zJgxNJyC5QgfE_ym8AWQCEwYBhgL/s1600/38EF931E-9BDE-40E9-966F-653FFA034A83.jpg" /></a></div>
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Doing all the summer things!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itD3k8Rgs-g/Xgq-1C3l2sI/AAAAAAAAR10/JC-iqSdjiG86KjjH9b5c19Kt3m19RdGPQCEwYBhgL/s1600/7DD383EC-0A41-42BF-A1EC-56C3528EC96F.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itD3k8Rgs-g/Xgq-1C3l2sI/AAAAAAAAR10/JC-iqSdjiG86KjjH9b5c19Kt3m19RdGPQCEwYBhgL/s1600/7DD383EC-0A41-42BF-A1EC-56C3528EC96F.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5eGQxf3X69I/Xgq-1gtdLGI/AAAAAAAAR18/KUsNdK8EP_Y956eFaLprfyf9pgu-jvSJgCEwYBhgL/s1600/8A44A41E-1551-4C1E-8A45-C0A34E25CB05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5eGQxf3X69I/Xgq-1gtdLGI/AAAAAAAAR18/KUsNdK8EP_Y956eFaLprfyf9pgu-jvSJgCEwYBhgL/s1600/8A44A41E-1551-4C1E-8A45-C0A34E25CB05.jpg" /></a></div>
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Greg turned 21 and I made him this cooler (my pride and joy).</div>
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JULY</div>
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Had lots of sister dates to coffee shops and the pool. Embraced my summer queen lifestyle!!!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XGGhCleTd1k/XgrAlJbVg7I/AAAAAAAAR2Y/IgrO9zzfRZALv-ybI6S1Q1-YQLJyaGFkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A6EB5520-D996-4E04-8D8D-8C6B3E13C220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XGGhCleTd1k/XgrAlJbVg7I/AAAAAAAAR2Y/IgrO9zzfRZALv-ybI6S1Q1-YQLJyaGFkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A6EB5520-D996-4E04-8D8D-8C6B3E13C220.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofeVZwXAZOM/XgrAlDwWZfI/AAAAAAAAR2c/V_8pgszPQUAPZFl58cDPdN3Hmxi-mQmxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/B7FF8329-F801-43A2-ADF4-3B7AC1054A3C.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofeVZwXAZOM/XgrAlDwWZfI/AAAAAAAAR2c/V_8pgszPQUAPZFl58cDPdN3Hmxi-mQmxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/B7FF8329-F801-43A2-ADF4-3B7AC1054A3C.jpg" /></a></div>
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VISITED A LAVENDER FARM (best time ever).</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy_gDOsDwzA/XgrAuQXKcII/AAAAAAAAR2g/slV0RXDKpNgsXC3E3abNjN9kN_yBBQUdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/8EDC2307-D748-42A6-BA63-E211A2D9D4A0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy_gDOsDwzA/XgrAuQXKcII/AAAAAAAAR2g/slV0RXDKpNgsXC3E3abNjN9kN_yBBQUdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/8EDC2307-D748-42A6-BA63-E211A2D9D4A0.jpg" /></a></div>
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Went back to my happy place in Michigan. I learn a lot from slow lake days!</div>
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More summer fun shopping with my friend Ashley!</div>
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AUGUST</div>
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August was a very long very warm blur. Recruitment happened, and although I wasn't a fan I still got to spend lots of time with friends!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8PWi86NapLA/XgrB4EnQMOI/AAAAAAAAR3Q/e-vlrWKLzuI-SUxbIk6UQNMXhs_Qz7aAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/FEFC27F3-D9DA-4AD1-A0BC-2CC700203FCC.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8PWi86NapLA/XgrB4EnQMOI/AAAAAAAAR3Q/e-vlrWKLzuI-SUxbIk6UQNMXhs_Qz7aAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/FEFC27F3-D9DA-4AD1-A0BC-2CC700203FCC.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6dmzhaAIUU/XgrB4Ho4mJI/AAAAAAAAR3U/7jg65ev2_accfD857qQyZDmDhEdfIFlJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A11E35FC-549E-4821-958C-45A353B702A6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6dmzhaAIUU/XgrB4Ho4mJI/AAAAAAAAR3U/7jg65ev2_accfD857qQyZDmDhEdfIFlJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A11E35FC-549E-4821-958C-45A353B702A6.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iF2jCGMaxQ0/XgrB4CaBBII/AAAAAAAAR3M/77R7K0hMykEL8eZK7ULMZH9bpg0u6idIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/4AD0B1AC-50F0-4947-9F2D-CE3247657AB0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iF2jCGMaxQ0/XgrB4CaBBII/AAAAAAAAR3M/77R7K0hMykEL8eZK7ULMZH9bpg0u6idIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/4AD0B1AC-50F0-4947-9F2D-CE3247657AB0.jpg" /></a></div>
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SEPTEMBER</div>
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<a href="http://nymag.com/strategist/article/status-college-gear.html">New York Magazine</a> flattered me by asking me questions for one of their "ask a cool person" articles. Does this make me objectively cool? The jury is still out. I also got to visit Charleston with my girls and eat biscuit sandwiches as big as Charleston itself.<br />
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A TRUE DREAM COME TRUE! New York Fashion Week. AHHHHH! Still not over it, still don't really believe it happened. Here are pictures to remind me of the best time of my life. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vfbuPgsS8Mw/XgrDFvoOxLI/AAAAAAAAR4M/kb-RpQidCfcHO3CSjUP8T3lVg_j0rZbjACEwYBhgL/s1600/910EEADC-B39D-4E90-B848-5D1139FE141D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vfbuPgsS8Mw/XgrDFvoOxLI/AAAAAAAAR4M/kb-RpQidCfcHO3CSjUP8T3lVg_j0rZbjACEwYBhgL/s1600/910EEADC-B39D-4E90-B848-5D1139FE141D.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qAJ0X5a29c/XgrDFswx6LI/AAAAAAAAR4c/nBs68GgVS8cVBkHYGnDBzIVGfmfxFnmcACEwYBhgL/s1600/05657004-7B16-4FE4-8617-83C82B8837F7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qAJ0X5a29c/XgrDFswx6LI/AAAAAAAAR4c/nBs68GgVS8cVBkHYGnDBzIVGfmfxFnmcACEwYBhgL/s1600/05657004-7B16-4FE4-8617-83C82B8837F7.jpg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qu8cFOdkz2I/XgrDGHgzD1I/AAAAAAAAR4Y/QfNKH3-A32ICtl-hK18lOrlHI4GHZVCOACEwYBhgL/s1600/D121A30B-A6F8-4014-BE97-31316C8200D7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qu8cFOdkz2I/XgrDGHgzD1I/AAAAAAAAR4Y/QfNKH3-A32ICtl-hK18lOrlHI4GHZVCOACEwYBhgL/s1600/D121A30B-A6F8-4014-BE97-31316C8200D7.jpg" /></a></div>
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Greg visited and I took him to his first SEC football game! And went to an ADPi Tacky Prom function with my cute little. Wholesome college fun!</div>
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OCTOBER</div>
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Celie and I went to our jungle themed mixer together as a last hurrah before fall break. </div>
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Fall break was awesome! Catching up with my friends (and my dogs) is the best thing.</div>
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USC continued to flirt with me every day, making me fall more and more in love with the school!</div>
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NOVEMBER</div>
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Cute coffee shops, breakfast sandwich runs, semiformal, and finally signs of fall!</div>
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DECEMBER</div>
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Said some super hard goodbyes in December (I'm studying abroad next semester!) but also said lots of happy hellos to my hometown faves! Who couldn't just love December and all of its festivity? </div>
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If you made it this far, I am impressed! Thank you for that. Please let me know in the comments your favorite little moment from 2019!</div>
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Stay sunny & all the best in 2020!</div>
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Meg</div>
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<br />Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-24995732264350193402019-10-29T13:25:00.002-04:002019-10-29T13:25:28.942-04:00College Apartment Tour - Sophomore Year <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33LoF8js590/XbXhDfx8Y2I/AAAAAAAARrw/KMOIjzvwKeU0RgFa_CPtQ0dwdcPKNtYcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A3C31E29-F31D-4878-A5AC-D14BD29D543F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33LoF8js590/XbXhDfx8Y2I/AAAAAAAARrw/KMOIjzvwKeU0RgFa_CPtQ0dwdcPKNtYcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/A3C31E29-F31D-4878-A5AC-D14BD29D543F.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Welcome to my (possible) favorite post of the year -- my sophomore year apartment tour! Living with my two best friends in an apartment close to campus has seriously been the best part of my sophomore year so far. I love having my own room again, having a kitchen, a bathtub, and huge windows. I have had so much fun getting to decorate my own space. </div>
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I was originally sort of overwhelmed by the fact that I would be decorating my room from the ground up -- layout, color scheme, bedding, wall decor. At the end of summer, I tried to plan as much possible in advance. This really stressed me out because I hadn't actually <i>seen </i>my apartment yet! So, I decided to just get to school, bring the basics, and figure the rest out once I arrived. It worked out for the best because I could take my time creating a space to relax, study, and just "be" in. I repurposed a lot of things from home and <a href="http://www.megschwieterman.com/2018/09/dorm-tour_17.html">my dorm</a> and added some new items to give the room flair. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BED</span></b></div>
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The star of the show! Bedding really sets the tone for a bedroom, and so I wanted to make mine simple yet fun. My apartment came furnished but without a headboard, so I used some hefty square pillows to create a mock headboard. Over my bed I re-purposed a vintage mirror that used to hang in my family room at home. I use a metal cart from my dorm as a bedside table. I store extra blankets on the lower shelves and have the top shelf for my lamp and charger. Blackout curtains were my saving grace last year, so I knew I needed them in my new room. I don't have a ton of floor space but wanted a rug, so I went with a fun runner next to the bed. </div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Microfiber-Comforter-Duvet-Pillow/dp/B01H7NLCOU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=white+duvet&qid=1572364633&sr=8-6&linkCode=ll1&tag=megschwieterm-20&linkId=11c7bc27301ab8c652e72dfdf2e31e64&language=en_US">duvet</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074SMFQ8F/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=megschwieterm-20&linkId=546193fb39a5579100328e19e5b21545&language=en_US">runner</a> ($30) | <a href="https://rstyle.me/+508z-vutn45pCxvgyUUQ6g">cart</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/+rmEufastuMUH-c-xRXr2hA">square pillows</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/+OV3ExbPl-ZlI332RlvDZFA">rectangle pillow</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/+bwRb1d6qcl346pNGudr-ug">curtains</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DESK</span></b></div>
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I firmly believe that an inspiring + non-cluttered desk space helps productivity. To achieve this, I hung a corkboard and motivating print on the wall, used a <a href="https://rstyle.me/+sHykmKuUs5iVqCTr3YMNqA">gold desk organizer</a>, and added frames of some of my favorite people. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BATHROOM</span></b></div>
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MY! OWN! BATHROOM! This is the first time (ever) that I've had my own bathroom, and it is game-changing. I feel so spoiled! Of course, I had to decorate it with my favorite colors. I hung prints from my childhood nursery and grabbed some super cute bath mats. I had this shower curtain saved for months ever since I saw it on <a href="https://www.forthelonghall.com/blog/2019/10/27/guest-ready-with-serena-amp-lily">Meg Hall</a>'s Instagram -- I love it. Keeping a candle in the bathroom adds such a sense of luxury, I feel like I'm in a spa.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gOoCSlhgEbc/XZOW_GbB4sI/AAAAAAAARoo/AEI9tXPDGsk35OhI5xBcBFQM_APxWVsWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/bathroom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="970" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gOoCSlhgEbc/XZOW_GbB4sI/AAAAAAAARoo/AEI9tXPDGsk35OhI5xBcBFQM_APxWVsWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/bathroom.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://rstyle.me/+FYLOXm3Jqin22Vpafgqcnw">~rise and shine~ mat</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/+sCHrZ6ZuBEILbgHrmrETQw">pink mat</a> (on sale) | <a href="https://rstyle.me/+EtQ5AlRmxEglkSxLhThP6A">shower curtain</a> (on sale)</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">LIVING ROOM & KITCHEN</span></b></div>
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Having a living space to have friends over, watch movies, and decompress in has been the best. Our apartment came with very modern furniture, so we made it more homey with plants, a funky rug, a tiny embroidered tapestry, and throw pillows. The kitchen is a basic set-up, complete with our coffee and espresso machines!</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Blue-Signature-Volcano-Bubble-Pink/dp/B07F2NT496/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=AQRVX34UHY7F&dchild=1&keywords=pink+volcano+candle&psc=1&qid=1572364430&sprefix=pink+volca,aps,142&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=megschwieterm-20&linkId=ca46a9c417924a920cc839b637c9a3a4&language=en_US">candle</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/+D061k8m37_U1pMuM2uqO5w">pillows</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/+Hqz-4mlFI7YpZMq-EkRv0g">rug</a></div>
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Living in an apartment has already taught me so many "adulting" things -- how to install a curtain rod, split responsibility with roommates, sign a lease and so much more! I hope you all enjoyed this look into my living space.</div>
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Stay sunny,</div>
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Meg</div>
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Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-35387924785197223502019-09-20T14:04:00.001-04:002019-09-20T14:04:59.819-04:00How Are You? : The Simple Self Assessment That Has Changed My Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Twice a day (while I brush my teeth) ask myself a simple question: how are you?<br />
It seems silly, and definitely felt awkward at first, but these twice-daily check-ins are the bookends of my day. Along with a few other q’s to practice gratitude and self-love and ending with a little prayer, this daily practice surprised me with its power in such a simple way!<br />
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So many times I found myself rushing to bed at night and rushing out the door in the morning without ever taking the time to analyze (or even notice) my emotional state. This lead to me winding up anxious and wondering why I was so stressed all of a sudden. However, through checking in with myself, I've noticed that stress is rarely an "all of a sudden" occurrence.<br />
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Whenever someone asks me "How are you?" my immediate, automatic response is "Good! How about you?" This isn't always honest and rarely leads to a conversation beyond the surface level. But what if we were honest and vulnerable with ourselves and others when answering "how are you?" What if we made it okay to say scared, sad, exhausted, confused? Or even excited, happy, joyful? This can begin in your own bathroom mirror ;-)<br />
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What follows "how are you" on my morning and nightly examen is just as important and I want to share that with you, too!<br />
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<u>MORNING</u><br />
<b>1. How are you? </b><br />
<b>2. 5 people you're grateful for - </b>Take account of all the people in your life that make it better!<br />
<b>3. One thing you're looking forward to - </b>Every day has a reason to live it. Think of one thing (as simple as your daily coffee!) in your day that you are excited about.<br />
<b>4. One thing you like about how you look - </b>The mirror can become a place of self-criticism if we aren't careful. By saying one positive thing per day about our appearance (I'm having an amazing hair day!), we can combat insecurity in a small way.<br />
<b>5. Intention + Deep Breath - </b>Name an intention for your day. For example, "today I will greet every opportunity with joy!" By saying our intention, followed with a deep breath, we can give more purpose to our day.<br />
<b>6. A Hail Mary!</b><br />
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<u>NIGHT</u><br />
<b>1. How are you?</b><br />
<b>2. One thing you're proud of from today - </b>Small victories are real, people! And it's important to notice them.<br />
<b>3. One way you saw God today - </b>Did you pass a friend just when you needed someone most? This is your chance to notice God working in your life!<br />
<b>4. Smile! - </b>A simple smile can <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/smiling-can-trick-your-brain-happiness-boost-your-health-ncna822591">actually boost your mood</a>!<br />
<b>5. A Glory Be </b><br />
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I hope this post helps you to check in with yourself daily, I promise it will go farther than you think!<br />
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Stay Sunny,</div>
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Meg</div>
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This content originally appeared as a shortened version on Instagram.Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-51028348286628664432019-07-31T12:00:00.000-04:002019-07-31T12:00:05.588-04:00Answering All the LDR Questions (with Co-writer Greg!)<div>
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Today is the first time I have a CO-WRITER on a blog post, and a very special one indeed. My boyfriend, Greg, is joining me today to talk about our experience having a long-distance relationship and what we've learned!<br />
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Sometimes I feel like I should rename my blog "Things-I-Wish-I-Knew-But-I Didn't-So-I'm-Telling-You" but that doesn't have quite enough ring to it ;-) instead, I'll just start this post by saying that sharing this experience is so exciting for us, and we are not experts but perhaps you can learn from our failures, or at least give our insights some thought!</div>
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So let’s start with a little background information -- Greg and I will tag-team this!</div>
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<b>Greg:</b> Meg and I became friends through our best friend, Caroline, during Meg's sophomore year of high school. We later started dating when I was a senior and Meg was a junior. When we started dating, we both knew that we had the tough bridge of me going to college next year, but we decided to be present every day, taking one day at a time, and cross that bridge when it comes to us. </div>
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<b>Meg:</b> Greg decided to go to college in our hometown (go flyers!) because the program was perfect for him -- not because of our relationship! But I was grateful to have him close nonetheless. That year of adjustment -- not quite apart but not quite together -- was great to prepare us for the next year of me going 8 hours away to USC.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first picture together in 2016 -- ugly brown school uniforms and all! We started dating half a year later.</td></tr>
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G: We just want to let you know that long-distance is a process, not a destination, and we are very much not arrived. We don’t have it all figured out, but over the last two years, we feel like we have learned a lot of tips that might help you or your loved ones. </div>
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M: Long distance is hard, really hard, but it’s worth it so long as you don’t compromise your joy, peace, and contentedness in your life. As long as you feel like your LDR is life-giving, even when it’s hard to miss the other person at times, I say go for it! I’d rather have Greg in my life from a distance than not at all, and we’ve found ways to support and love each other through the distance.</div>
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Today we’ll be answering some questions that you all asked!<br />
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<b>Q: Do they actually work?</b></div>
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M: Studies say <a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/number-one-reason-long-distance-relationships-end">about half</a> of long-distance relationships work out in the end, and we’re willing to take those odds! <a href="https://jordanleedooley.com/for-the-girl-in-a-long-distance-relationship/">Jordan Lee Dooley</a> has great advice as well that helped guide how we were going to live out our relationship.</div>
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G: We’re so lucky to have great LDR role models in our life: My sister, Ashley, and her husband, Jake, who started dating in high school as well. They got married after 10 years of dating, five of which were distance! </div>
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<b>Q: What’s the best way to coordinate talking with different class schedules?</b></div>
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M: SHARED GOOGLE CALENDAR. We both shared our g-cals with each other so we could see our class times compared and know when each other would be unavailable. Be creative and don’t discount little blocks of time that you know you can depend on. For example, we had a ten-minute block of time every MWF morning where we would be walking to class at the same time. I looked forward to these calls and counted on them as a time to say good morning and briefly catch up!</div>
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G: Don’t take ten minutes for granted! You’ll soon learn that the hard way ;-)</div>
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<b>Q: How do you communicate besides texting, FaceTime etc.?</b></div>
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G: We like to get old-fashioned! Turns out, giving and receiving mail is a thousand times cooler than texting. Be original. I loved sending Meg cards that I would buy while grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s. Sending packages, like Meg’s favorite cookies from home, was a way to make our relationship more tangible. One of the greatest surprises was receiving a box of small goodies and a note from Meg. </div>
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M: We would also email each other articles, send Instagram DM’s of cool things we find (it really does go down in the DM’s), send voice memos, and Venmo each other a few dollars for coffee on us when the other person needs a little extra encouragement.</div>
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<b>Q: What communication issues did you face?</b></div>
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M: Trying to catch each other up on EVERYTHING happening in our lives. At the end of the day, what boring lecture I had or what temperature it is outside isn’t crucial. </div>
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G: Getting out of the habit of saying go-to cliches like always starting a conversation with “how are you?” I would always try to be spontaneous and different in conversation. It’s also important to be patient on the phone and try not to interrupt the other person. Talking without body language or facial expressions is hard so Facetime instead of call when you can.</div>
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M: When you’re on the phone or Facetiming, treat the other person as you would if you were really together. Don’t be on your phone or doing something else. </div>
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<b>Q: How can you be intentional with the other person?</b></div>
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G: We had so much fun going on Facetime “dates” to the same restaurant. I looked up places that were in both Dayton and Columbia and we would go to them and eat a meal.</div>
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M: On our anniversary, we dressed up and went to Whole Foods. We started Facetiming as soon as we got into the parking lot, picked out our meals on Facetime, and ate “together.” </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The virtual Whole Foods date!</td></tr>
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<b>Q: How long did you go without seeing each other for a time?</b></div>
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M: Nine weeks! It sucked! </div>
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G: We were apart more than we were together. But that doesn’t mean that we grew apart in our relationship, we just had more time to better ourselves which ultimately makes us a better couple.</div>
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<b>Q: What’s the hardest part?</b></div>
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M: The hardest part for me is the anticipation of saying goodbye and actually saying goodbye. Once I get back to school and can focus on studies</div>
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G: The constant wanting to be together, especially when you see other couples out. You have to learn to be okay with it. </div>
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M: It can be frustrating to try to find time to connect, and that's okay! Honestly, a lot of the time I looked like this:<br />
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G: Long distance has totally refined us as a couple. We don’t sweat the small stuff, it has made us more mature, grateful, and better able to value each other’s time. It reminds us of the universal truth: you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone!<br />
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<i>Thank you, Greg, for co-writing with me! And thank you to everyone who asked us questions -- you got this!</i></div>
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Stay Sunny,</div>
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Meg</div>
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Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-2121394791415794362019-07-24T21:50:00.003-04:002019-07-25T22:04:03.829-04:00MY CLEAN BEAUTY PICKS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Get this: the skincare industry in the U.S. is worth HUNDREDS of BILLIONS of dollars -- but is only regulated by a ban of about 20 ingredients. In the E.U., more than 1,300 are banned. </div>
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At the beginning of high school, I learned that <b>not all beauty products are created equal</b>. Since then, I have been dedicated to slowly cleaning up my routine. It's not perfect, but I have found natural/organic alternatives to my old go-to's. I feel <i>good</i> about what I put on my skin and body, and I think it's just as important as what I put into my body. </div>
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So here's the break down of my favorites:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FPv-nrD5UE/XTjwtvGWF4I/AAAAAAAARb8/g_6BYvYgwQc0gw5hshbYCs5d6oMvAV_AgCLcBGAs/s1600/essentials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FPv-nrD5UE/XTjwtvGWF4I/AAAAAAAARb8/g_6BYvYgwQc0gw5hshbYCs5d6oMvAV_AgCLcBGAs/s1600/essentials.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.cocokind.com/products/mymatcha-organic-moisture-stick?_pos=1&_sid=6afb8f6df&_ss=r"><b>Cocokind MyMatcha *:</b></a> One of my very first "clean beauty" purchases -- that I still use every day! I use this as a chapstick and under eye balm. The caffeine of the matcha helps brighten and reduce puffiness under the eyes!</div>
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<a href="https://rstyle.me/~aU6Ov"><b>Dr. Bronner's Lavender:</b></a> My everything soap. It's so clean I use it as face wash while traveling, body wash, dish soap, a spot treatment on laundry, and even to clean my retainers! Bury me with this soap. </div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/32MtaZ1"><b>Swish De Coco:</b></a> Natural, whitening mouthwash made from coconut oil! Oil pulling pulls toxins from your body and can reduce inflammation, including acne. All I know is that it makes my teeth white and my mouth feels super clean!</div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2Y0qMiN"><b>Alaffia Lotion:</b></a> Unscented lotion to lather up in! Not much more to say about this -- it's a straightforward moisture godsend.</div>
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<b><a href="https://rstyle.me/~aU6Mz">The Healthy Deodorant:</a> </b>The only natural deodorant I can use! It has an awesome, clean scent and it actually works -- even in the South Carolina sun. It goes on smooth and lasts me for months (worth every penny). </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMp_X3DeJrI/XTdMW-NNLWI/AAAAAAAARa0/a3pd2IcPP_wjgaapvlGfciSBODNUp8aWQCLcBGAs/s1600/save%2Bface%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMp_X3DeJrI/XTdMW-NNLWI/AAAAAAAARa0/a3pd2IcPP_wjgaapvlGfciSBODNUp8aWQCLcBGAs/s1600/save%2Bface%2Bcopy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.cocokind.com/products/organic-ultra-chlorophyll-mask?_pos=1&_sid=7a28d0263&_ss=r"><b>Cocokind Chlorophyll Mask *:</b></a> THE BEST MASK EVER. It comes as a dry powder so it's preservative-free, and you can mix it with water, rose water, or facial oil based on your needs. The chlorophyll is oxygenating and brightens my skin and it also helps to detox from breakouts. It makes me look like Shrek when I have it on and I have scared wayyy too many people in my dorm, but it's worth it for that fresh-faced glow. </div>
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<a href="https://www.cocokind.com/products/turmeric-spot-treatment?_pos=1&_sid=56ce63e51&_ss=r"><b>Cocokind Turmeric Stick *:</b></a> Layer this under the chlorophyll mask or use it by itself to reduce redness and inflammation. Sometimes I sleep with this on and just cover my pillow with an old t-shirt!</div>
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<a href="https://rstyle.me/n/dp68w3ced3f"><b>Thayers Facial Mist:</b></a> Holy grail. So good my whole family and boyfriend have started using it too! It refreshes and tones without overdrying your skin and the spray makes it super easy to apply. </div>
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<a href="https://www.cocokind.com/products/organic-sea-moss-exfoliator?_pos=1&_sid=651cdb8c1&_ss=r"><b>Cocokind Sea Moss Exfoliator *:</b></a> A gentle yet effective exfoliator that adds minerals to your skin with sea moss. I always turn to this little guy when my skin looks dull or just feels congested.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHiCHGFouSY/XTdMb64RvAI/AAAAAAAARa4/gXS_TiaqdxAzd2Mow1ASHmQijjvp6D6NwCLcBGAs/s1600/makeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHiCHGFouSY/XTdMb64RvAI/AAAAAAAARa4/gXS_TiaqdxAzd2Mow1ASHmQijjvp6D6NwCLcBGAs/s1600/makeup.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.cocokind.com/products/mai-light-1?_pos=1&_sid=cf0453b25&_ss=r"><b>Cocokind Mai-Light Rose Highlighter:</b></a> My dream highlighter: you can use it DAILY and it delivers hydration while combating skin stressors with adaptogens! Is this real life? </div>
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<a href="https://rstyle.me/+sftzmGzqEIx8HKOB6y5d2Q"><b>Bareminerals Powder:</b></a> This baby is made without sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. Now I don't know what all that means, but I do know that it's literally ground-up minerals with no synthetic fragrance or dyes.</div>
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<a href="https://www.cocokind.com/products/macabeet-tinted-moisture-stick?_pos=1&_sid=64fbd14ec&_ss=r"><b>Cocokind Macabeet Stick:</b></a> Blush and tinted chapstick powered by beets. Subtle color plus antioxidants. If you would've told me a couple of years ago that I would be using BEETS as makeup I wouldn't believe it, but I truly love this product!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhZLy6OTOos/XTjxB2d6oKI/AAAAAAAARcE/Zk_ysBqQA10oUjXZXx3OodWqi6Wxb11BgCLcBGAs/s1600/resources.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhZLy6OTOos/XTjxB2d6oKI/AAAAAAAARcE/Zk_ysBqQA10oUjXZXx3OodWqi6Wxb11BgCLcBGAs/s1600/resources.jpg" /></a></div>
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Wanna know more about clean beauty? Here's how to start:</div>
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<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/think-dirty-shop-clean/id687176839"><b>Think Dirty Shop Clean App:</b></a> Probably the best app on my phone. You can scan barcodes on products and it tells you about the ingredients and their level of toxicity.<br />
<a href="https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/"><b>EWG Skin Deep Website:</b></a> The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit that protects the environment and human health. This is their site that tells you about the ingredients in your products and rates them on a scale! In my experience, they have a little bit more products than the Think Dirty Shop Clean app.<br />
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You deserve a beauty and skincare routine you can trust and feel confident in. Try things out, do your research, and don't forget to aim for improvement, not perfection!</div>
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Stay sunny,</div>
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Meg</div>
Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-89591494256724456932019-06-21T17:32:00.000-04:002019-07-06T13:39:13.776-04:00COLLEGE T-SHIRT, BUT MAKE IT FASHIONFashion communicates. It can show the world what you love and who you are in a split second. I see this especially with college spirit wear. When you sport your college logo on your clothing, you identify yourself as a member of a community, loud and proud.<br />
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I love wearing my USC gear with comfy shorts or leggings around the house or to run errands. However, it can be dressed up to do so much more! When it comes to spirit wear, it's all in the styling.<br />
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So, I bring you HOW TO STYLE A COLLEGE T-SHIRT!</div>
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This is part of my entry to be selected to represent UofSC at New York Fashion Week this September! You might remember <a href="http://www.megschwieterman.com/2018/11/gamecock-gear.html">my previous entry</a> from winter. </div>
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LOOK #1</h3>
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For my first look, I styled the UofSC t-shirt with a trendy lace-up skort, sneakers, and simple gold jewelry.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1u2ycCbN-A/XQ_XpjZcUwI/AAAAAAAARWE/CHtqK3F69fMy9u4H3KV60iS18D7_RJjhwCLcBGAs/s1600/look1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1u2ycCbN-A/XQ_XpjZcUwI/AAAAAAAARWE/CHtqK3F69fMy9u4H3KV60iS18D7_RJjhwCLcBGAs/s1600/look1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vWJSa5Bo0D8/XQ_Z4OVA54I/AAAAAAAARWY/GJ2cJ-LIudcXVH_lUJB_IcVVfiVKZTAwACLcBGAs/s1600/look1pt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vWJSa5Bo0D8/XQ_Z4OVA54I/AAAAAAAARWY/GJ2cJ-LIudcXVH_lUJB_IcVVfiVKZTAwACLcBGAs/s1600/look1pt2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VJuH20-R2s/XQ_Z9VTftvI/AAAAAAAARWc/nO8wPvFDxLcHw_kdigkigmHUfc25c7HVQCLcBGAs/s1600/gocockslook1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VJuH20-R2s/XQ_Z9VTftvI/AAAAAAAARWc/nO8wPvFDxLcHw_kdigkigmHUfc25c7HVQCLcBGAs/s1600/gocockslook1.jpg" /></a></div>
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LOOK #2</h3>
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For look #2, I paired a UofSC logo tank with white denim culottes, leather slides, and gold hoops. I tied the tank because the culottes are high waisted.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ed-HP7azF8A/XQ_fZBZOZ4I/AAAAAAAARWs/sIlpewHo8o46SY7zTDdsllP4bIRayRPEQCLcBGAs/s1600/look2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ed-HP7azF8A/XQ_fZBZOZ4I/AAAAAAAARWs/sIlpewHo8o46SY7zTDdsllP4bIRayRPEQCLcBGAs/s1600/look2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ExMBxG_3v7s/XQ_fZCbv9pI/AAAAAAAARWw/BRvZV_4CqToBRWeH2cJiS5CpyKjB-tpPQCLcBGAs/s1600/look2pt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ExMBxG_3v7s/XQ_fZCbv9pI/AAAAAAAARWw/BRvZV_4CqToBRWeH2cJiS5CpyKjB-tpPQCLcBGAs/s1600/look2pt2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Getting to wear your college gear is as sweet as ice cream!</div>
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LOOK #3</h3>
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For the third look, I paired a tee with an overall-style jumpsuit and platform espadrilles. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aZi1w0UMks/XQ_jXlmlhBI/AAAAAAAARXA/oAPREyssSfMFX_kWY0QMW0pNPBmkr376gCLcBGAs/s1600/look3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aZi1w0UMks/XQ_jXlmlhBI/AAAAAAAARXA/oAPREyssSfMFX_kWY0QMW0pNPBmkr376gCLcBGAs/s1600/look3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPKyumXvHgU/XQ_jXvMXuFI/AAAAAAAARXE/8Z4bp73yi9Yt1wOcf2zWsK05-HG3nLgNQCLcBGAs/s1600/look3pt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPKyumXvHgU/XQ_jXvMXuFI/AAAAAAAARXE/8Z4bp73yi9Yt1wOcf2zWsK05-HG3nLgNQCLcBGAs/s1600/look3pt2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Go Cocks & Stay Sunny!</div>
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Meg<br />
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Photos by Rachel Issler<br />
Graphics made using Adobe Photoshop</div>
Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-53457474949264245052019-05-26T13:59:00.000-04:002019-07-06T13:39:25.049-04:00I'M SO TIRED<h3>
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How Low-Quality Rest Leads to High-Level Burnout</div>
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And True Rest Leads to Full Life</div>
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“I’m so tired.” We hear this phrase as a greeting, a conversation starter, a complaint, and a whisper to ourselves. And a lot of times, it’s true. We ARE tired. Over the past year, I have found myself utterly exhausted more days than not. I used to not understand why. I get eight hours of sleep, drink two cups of coffee a day, and eat well - why should I be tired?<br />
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The equation didn’t add up for me until I read <a href="https://rstyle.me/+lFLKCxqFQAoOKsW2IMwYtg">Present Over Perfect</a> last month. I realized I was missing a key component of feeling energized: genuine rest. I found that even though I was taking time to “rest” each day, I was engaging in a low-quality form of rest I call “busy resting.” Busy resting is sneaky. You may look like you’re resting, and even feel like you’re resting, but it is not recharging or refilling. <b>Busy resting is when you are devoting energy to both rest AND productivity</b> - the worst form of multitasking.<br />
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In fear of falling behind or not doing “enough,” I busy rest a lot. For me, this looks something like cleaning my room while watching Netflix, doing homework in my pajamas, or blogging from bed. Truthfully, using my blog to “rest” (even though it is more of work) led me to feel burnt out on blogging. <b>Work that you enjoy is still work! And it requires rest. </b>I was slapped in the face with this reality when I was on spring break with my friends this past March. We were laying on the beach, listening to music. My friends were napping or sunbathing without a worry in the world and there I was -- trying to write a blog post on my phone. ON THE BEACH, trying to get work done.<br />
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Busy resting isn’t worth it.<br />We need genuine rest, and pockets of it. </h3>
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It’s easy to try to race through your day in hopes of a little rest before bed. Culture tells us to push through, produce, and keep working. But you see, this life is about rhythms, not races. Finding a daily rhythm of work and rest is what it takes to feel sustained, content, and get this -- NOT tired!<br />
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"This life is about rhythms, not races"</h3>
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So, what can genuine rest look like in your life? A friend once told me to rest like I vacation in order to build a life that I don’t need to vacation from. What do you like to do when you’re on a break, completely free? Read a book for fun, lay outside, walk your dog, turn off your email? Make THAT part of your everyday!<br />
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Genuine rest for me is Airplane Mode, sitting on the kitchen floor, having my hair brushed, watching home movies, beach naps, going to the grocery store with my mom, cooking for pleasure (not necessity), neighborhood walks, deep breathing, petting my dogs, taking a bath, reading for FUN, flipping through a magazine, watching a show for the sake of watching the show, sitting on my porch, PRAYER, stretching, going on an ice cream date, and just sitting still, taking in my surroundings. All things that do not involve a computer, a task to cross-off, or a glance at a to-do list. Rest does not include social media, something which causes us to constantly analyze, compare, and try to see it all.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjvJnE88f_Q/XOrSz5FQDPI/AAAAAAAARUc/1l6Il6AQ5qkD2I_Ac21DZqhIYoe6_o4cQCLcBGAs/s1600/21BECDC3-110D-42A0-BD60-931B141D1F66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjvJnE88f_Q/XOrSz5FQDPI/AAAAAAAARUc/1l6Il6AQ5qkD2I_Ac21DZqhIYoe6_o4cQCLcBGAs/s640/21BECDC3-110D-42A0-BD60-931B141D1F66.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I’m learning to rest in rhythms and it’s making all the difference. I let go of the expectation of constant work, it does not serve me or my lifestyle. Resistance to rest comes from a place of fear, while true rest comes from a place of self-love. I'd much rather have the latter. Resting feels unnatural at times, foreign even, but I love that tension because to me it means growth.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7pmWhsBByY/XOrTZpl3u0I/AAAAAAAARUo/UONqaa23yFAu_VWJI2B10we0qqbfjEfxQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7pmWhsBByY/XOrTZpl3u0I/AAAAAAAARUo/UONqaa23yFAu_VWJI2B10we0qqbfjEfxQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2658.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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GET SOME REAL REST, PEOPLE.</div>
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Stay Sunny,</div>
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Meg</div>
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Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-64483762398059997882019-04-01T11:34:00.000-04:002019-04-03T16:13:55.092-04:00Clearing Headspace: How I Effectively Manage My Events and Tasks <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Hello! It’s been a minute since my last post! I feel like lately something always comes *first* before blogging, and I hate that I haven’t been able to prioritize it lately. But hey, that’s life, and I have to live it even if that means dropping off the face of the internet for two months. I missed y’all, though, and I’m excited to talk all things scheduling, tasks, and calendar.</i><br />
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Girls like us have a lot going on. Whether you're in high school, college, or beyond, there's always a lot -- and I know better than anyone that it can be overwhelming. Keeping straight what you have to do and where you have to be can take up a lot of headspace.<br />
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<b>But shouldn’t we be able to devote that space to actually doing those things, implementing those ideas and being present in those places instead of just thinking about them? I certainly think so. </b><br />
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That’s why it’s so important to me to “automate” my tasks and keep a tight hold on my calendar. Of course, it takes time to set these things up, but I promise the methods pay dividends by saving you time and reducing anxiety. Until I started unloading everything into my organization systems, I didn’t realize how much I was lugging around inside my head, constantly ticking off boxes and racking my brain for my next assignment due.<br />
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I’d love to share with you how I do this, with effectively using technology and a classic paper planner or notebook to seamlessly organize the chaos. It’s not perfect but it works for me, and I welcome all of your suggestions and how YOU manage your calendar in the comments below!<br />
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<b>Tool 1: Google Calendar</b></div>
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I’ve used Google Calendar for at least three years now, and I love it more and more as time goes on. It’s flexible on how much/little you want to use it, but through trial and error, I’ve found a method that works for me.<br />
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Here is what goes on my “master calendar,” each under a different colored “sub-calendar.”<br />
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Main calendar (this is what comes automatically set up on G-cal): this holds club meetings, meetups with friends, non-school related deadlines, and random events and reminders that don’t fall under a category below.<br />
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<b>Assignments/quizzes:</b> this holds every assignment and quiz that is on any of my syllabi or brought up in class. I put them in as soon as I get each syllabus from the professor. I typically title the event with the “Class name, assignment, assignment number,” such as “RETL 268 TREND REPORT 2.” I often make abbreviations for recurring assignments and add the time of day it is due in the notes section of the event, instead of in the time slot, so that the assignment will still show up on top of the calendar.<br />
<b>Exams:</b> pretty self-explanatory, but I give exams a color to themselves so that they stand out! I’ll put the chapters that the exam is over and the format in the notes section.<br />
<b>Readings:</b> when I have to read chapters or articles for a class, I put the class and chapter number on this calendar.<br />
<b>Classes:</b> I put my class schedule on this calendar with each class’ section number. This also makes it easy to delete a class if it gets canceled and add notes, such as when we are having guest speakers, for different class times! My calendar also alerts me 30 mins before each class to make sure I’m not late.<br />
<b>Blog:</b> This is where I put goal dates for blog posts and other blog-related deadlines!<br />
<b>Sorority:</b> This is where I put all ADPi related events -- chapter, philanthropy events, functions, etc.<br />
<b>Church:</b> I put all the mass times/event times for my church on this calendar!<br />
<b>Travel:</b> Anytime I am going to be out of town, I like for the event to be a different color to indicate it and make it easy to see visually when I won’t be at school.<br />
<b>Shared calendars:</b> I also have the Google calendars of my boyfriend, Greg, best friend, Caroline, and roommate, Abby, shared with me! This makes it especially easy to know when Greg will be able to talk on the phone (#LDRLife) and where Abby is when I get home and she’s not in our room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hSOvz6YKK-Q/XKItCO-OIiI/AAAAAAAARPA/Vm8DqLHXFsMt5UdOefUoZ3LZQH7zDAHugCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-03-29%2Bat%2B4.20.23%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hSOvz6YKK-Q/XKItCO-OIiI/AAAAAAAARPA/Vm8DqLHXFsMt5UdOefUoZ3LZQH7zDAHugCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-03-29%2Bat%2B4.20.23%2BPM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what my side tab with all of my calendars on it looks like!</td></tr>
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<b>Tool 2: Google Tasks</b></div>
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This one is newer to me, but it is so well integrated with Google Calendar that it’s been a total breeze to use. Google Tasks is basically my new secret weapon/BFF. How it works: it’s a side tab that you can easily enable on Google Calendar, but it also has it’s own iPhone and Chrome app -- making it super easy to add your tasks right when they pop into your head.<br />
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You can organize them by date, manually, or just in the order which you add them. By tagging them with due dates/times, Tasks will remind you when you have something due that day or something overdue.<br />
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You can also make separate “lists,” I have one for main tasks, one for emails to send, and one for blog tasks. For me, everything goes on Tasks. Laundry, working out, lab reports, calls to make, etc -- it’s all there, but it feels so good to have it in one place! It also counts and keeps track of all of the tasks you’ve ever completed, which is so satisfying and reminds me of all the progress I’ve made, especially on days where it feels like I’m bogged down and getting nowhere.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y057Hs0ynz0/XKGFt9JCVPI/AAAAAAAARN8/HhBwVsvNfisUlWOH-mO5XGSreKNtQvlWgCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-03-29%2Bat%2B4.27.51%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y057Hs0ynz0/XKGFt9JCVPI/AAAAAAAARN8/HhBwVsvNfisUlWOH-mO5XGSreKNtQvlWgCLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-03-29%2Bat%2B4.27.51%2BPM.png" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what my side tab of Tasks looks like on G-Cal!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o3j10PIIGbo/XKIpcsigi8I/AAAAAAAAROg/72t991lK1_gk4VM7DHxoGV4wwVVpjVJrACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0114.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o3j10PIIGbo/XKIpcsigi8I/AAAAAAAAROg/72t991lK1_gk4VM7DHxoGV4wwVVpjVJrACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0114.PNG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look at the Tasks app</td></tr>
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<b>Tool 3: Good Old Paper</b></div>
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Admittedly, I am using my paper planner less and less -- and I could see myself getting rid of it in the future. That said, for now, it helps me to stay on track while studying and doing homework because it is a physical item that I can lay out on my desk and be reminded of my tasks, schedule, and gratitudes.<br />
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How I use it: At the start of the week and before each day, I write my events and things I have due on the days of the week. This gets my mind set on what’s coming up in the next week/day to make sure I am dedicating my time accordingly. At the start of each day or the night before, I will write in the four tasks that I need to accomplish during that day. As I’m referring to my planner during the day, I fill in my gratitudes and check my boxes for loving my mind, soul, and body. I also sometimes check off how much water I’ve been drinking.<br />
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My planner also has a page for each week. Here, I fill in my meals for the week (what my sorority house is serving), as well as goals and prayer intentions. My monthly goals (like from this post) go on the intro page to the month. If your planner doesn’t have room for this, I recommend writing them on a separate piece of paper that you cut to the size of your planner and taping it in the pages.<br />
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Even though I’ve been relying on technology more and more, I really am a big paper and pen gal, so this is therapeutic to me!<br />
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Whew, that was a lot, but I hope it helps! Let me know below how YOU rock the planning game -- I’d love to hear it.</div>
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Stay sunny,</div>
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Meg</div>
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Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-53920252970547026212019-01-20T15:51:00.000-05:002019-06-14T17:08:17.300-04:00One Shirtdress, Three Ways<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The best items in my closet are those that are versatile. Being in college (and having a tiny closet) has basically forced me into having a "capsule wardrobe" -- wearing a few classic pieces that I can style with more seasonal/trendy accessories and garments. One of my favorite "classics" is a good shirtdress -- <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/devynhced3f">like this one</a>. I think they are so chic but appropriate for everyday wear, plus they can be layered for different seasons and styled so many different ways. To show just how much I love my shirtdress, I styled it in 3 different ways -- sporty + fun, cozy but cute, and edgy + understated. This post comes in perfect timing, too, because <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/devynhced3f">my dress</a> is $47, down from $98, with the code DOUBLEYAY. Double yay, indeed!</div>
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<u>Look 1: Sporty + Fun</u></div>
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For this look, I added some cute enamel pins onto the dress to give it flair and personality -- they're my favorite detail to add to outfits, especially denim! I paired the dress with some gold hoops and pink sneakers for a simple, relaxed combo. I would wear this for walking around a new city (like on vacation), going to class, a casual lunch/brunch or a shopping outing with friends.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcWU1uZ7N9s/XEH6KF12eTI/AAAAAAAARIs/73nGJV-9HPw7EihURQmx8366ODSL0SfdACLcBGAs/s1600/44B8B319-2F14-4A2C-AD9A-F6DEFCB1F8BD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcWU1uZ7N9s/XEH6KF12eTI/AAAAAAAARIs/73nGJV-9HPw7EihURQmx8366ODSL0SfdACLcBGAs/s1600/44B8B319-2F14-4A2C-AD9A-F6DEFCB1F8BD.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GwWLuUypl5o/XEH6KyPj9PI/AAAAAAAARI4/bwTex4U3_D0VGm_he9G0vPQNiyHBpmqLgCLcBGAs/s1600/EA1272AC-3ACF-4755-B4AE-1DA56E587B89.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GwWLuUypl5o/XEH6KyPj9PI/AAAAAAAARI4/bwTex4U3_D0VGm_he9G0vPQNiyHBpmqLgCLcBGAs/s1600/EA1272AC-3ACF-4755-B4AE-1DA56E587B89.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixkWRz82tPg/XEH7TW-X8RI/AAAAAAAARJk/EIiZTj0qTh4OJKWHkjJz-i0m1hYt0YrnQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixkWRz82tPg/XEH7TW-X8RI/AAAAAAAARJk/EIiZTj0qTh4OJKWHkjJz-i0m1hYt0YrnQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9707.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://rstyle.me/n/devynhced3f">dress</a> (use code doubleyay for 40% off) | <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/dex2juced3f">shoes</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/dex22fced3f">hoops</a> ($25!) | <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/dex2xxced3f">bangle</a> | <a href="https://www.bando.com/products/enamel-pin-dont-make-me-blush">similar pins</a></div>
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<u>Look 2: Cozy But Cute</u></div>
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To create this outfit, I belted the dress, added a long cardigan, simple jewelry, and booties. I know everyone probably has these items in their closet, especially with long cardi's being so popular right now, so it should be super easy to add this into your arsenal of outfits! I would wear this to church, work (in a retail store), formal chapter for my sorority, a nicer dinner, or just when I want to be more presentable but still comfortable. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0bjJGONq0xA/XEH7wOyexyI/AAAAAAAARKA/X9Pcib9G4moPX5_RSaTK3DMfCLnBQ9oXgCLcBGAs/s1600/A22B710E-1922-4893-AF21-CF0E2A4D2F82.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0bjJGONq0xA/XEH7wOyexyI/AAAAAAAARKA/X9Pcib9G4moPX5_RSaTK3DMfCLnBQ9oXgCLcBGAs/s1600/A22B710E-1922-4893-AF21-CF0E2A4D2F82.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bK_yEtHAZ8Y/XEH7hzPMmmI/AAAAAAAARJ0/mrK4SvAhZ7syK70cj8_KUuYAJ94mlCt6ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bK_yEtHAZ8Y/XEH7hzPMmmI/AAAAAAAARJ0/mrK4SvAhZ7syK70cj8_KUuYAJ94mlCt6ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9787.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://rstyle.me/n/devynhced3f">dress</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/dex2xxced3f">bangle</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/dex27qced3f">cardigan</a> (almost out of stock), <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/dex3guced3f">similar cardigan</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/dex3emced3f">belt</a> ($17) | <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/dex3dhced3f">similar booties</a> </div>
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<u>Look 3: Edgy + Understated</u></div>
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Adding snakeskin booties to this outfit is a perfect example of supplementing a classic wardrobe with trendy pieces. Black tights and gold jewelry polish this look off, and keep it simple enough to make the boots the focal point! I would wear this for any combination of events -- going out with friends for a meal, work, traveling, etc. </div>
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<a href="https://rstyle.me/n/devynhced3f">dress</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/n/dex3qbced3f">similar booties</a> | <a href="http://hoops/">hoops</a></div>
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I hope this post helped you to see something you already have in your closet in a different light :-) For 2019, my mission is to build on my classic pieces with new ways of styling!</div>
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Stay Sunny,</div>
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Meg</div>
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PS: thank you, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marielunne/">Marie</a>, for the photos!</div>
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Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-14336861622621180922019-01-19T23:41:00.000-05:002019-01-19T23:41:05.875-05:00Best of the Madewell Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SHOP MY MADEWELL SALE FAVES!</div><div class="rs-adblock"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">through jan 22, use the code DOUBLEYAY for 40% off the prices shown -- this type of sale doesn't come around often so take advantage :-)</div><br />
</div><div class="boutique-widget" data-widget-id="797333"><script type="text/javascript">!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + '://' + 'widgets.rewardstyle.com' + '/js/boutique.js';d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__boutique === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {window.__boutique.init();}}(document, 'script', 'boutique-script');</script><div class="rs-adblock"><img src="//assets.rewardstyle.com/production/d872dff3e98ee2d7c88532b9d42896d9a13ffb67/images/search/350.gif" onerror="this.parentNode.innerHTML='Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.'" style="width: 15px; height: 15px;" /><noscript>JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.</noscript></div></div>Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-7791723236326974112018-12-31T14:10:00.001-05:002018-12-31T18:07:10.967-05:00My College Search + Why I Chose USC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you'd rather watch a video on this topic instead of reading the post, check out my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/BsEWCm4Bl_e/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=owndktyj0tw2">IGTV @asunnystateofmind</a>!<br />
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I'll be real with ya: I do not miss my college search one bit. It was long, labor-intensive, confusing, and emotional. So if you're a junior or senior in high school and feel the same way: I totally get it and am right there with you. AND - I'm serious - <b>it WILL get better</b>! I absolutely promise you that. </div>
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During my college search, I looked into hundreds of schools, toured eight, and applied to six. After my fifth college visit, in September of my senior year, I started panicking. I didn't even <i>like</i> any of the places I toured. I couldn't see myself on any of the campuses I had been to so far and I felt deeply unsettled. I told my mom <b>I felt like a dramatic Goldilocks</b>: every school I visited was too big, too small, or not quite right in some way. And it exhausted me. After the fifth tour, with tears streaming down my face, I resolved that I was simply being too picky. I told myself that I should just choose a school and move on, that I was asking for too much and the perfect place for me just didn't exist. With this mindset, I applied to schools I didn't much care for and hoped that at some point it would become clear to me which to choose.</div>
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But then I realized something. <b>Never in my life had I ever settled, so why start now?</b> Why should I choose a college that was anything less than my expectations? So the search went on. I booked more tours at Wisconsin, South Carolina, and Georgia.</div>
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When I arrived at USC, <b>I did not have that "feeling"</b> that people talk about, where you step on to a campus and "know" it's your home. In fact, I'd challenge that the "feeling" actually doesn't exist and that some people think they feel that way because it's how society, movies, and their parents tell them they're supposed to feel. So let's just take away that pressure right now.</div>
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Making a college decision is so much more than a feeling. It's a special balance of <b>mental analyzation, forward-thinking, and yes, going with your gut. </b>In hopes of giving some clarity to those making their tough college decisions, I thought I'd share a bit on how I made mine.<br />
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<b>I distinguished between nostalgia and wanting to call a place home.</b><br />
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When it came down to it, my top two colleges were Wisconsin and South Carolina. When I thought back to the tours of each, I had two different types of positive feelings. With my Wisconsin tour, I had a memory similar to a vacation. I thought more about the fun times I had with my dad and <a href="http://www.franacciardo.com/">Fran</a> at UW than I did about the actual university. I felt nostalgic but didn't love how my life would be if I went to school there. I had positive feelings about USC because I knew it would support me, my needs, and my goals for the next four years.<br />
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<b>It was a career choice...</b><br />
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Ultimately, you go to college to prepare yourself for the workforce. For me, USC had the program that was most tailored to my career goals. Sounds simple, I know, but this is hard to define! I knew I wanted a program that had an even balance of business and fashion, and that's what USC could give me. I needed to be able to combine my love for fashion and mind for business in order to be satisfied.<br />
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<b>It was a lifestyle choice...</b><br />
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What really helped me narrow down my decision was imagining how I would be living my day-to-day life at each college. I considered things like clubs, the city itself, things to do, and other opportunities. I also felt out the overall personality of the campus. USC is very sunny, somewhat quaint, but still big enough to explore. And I loved that!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Repping at the World War II Memorial in DC! :-)</td></tr>
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I hope this post helps all you college-decision-makers with your choices. I know it's a stressful time, so take a deep breath and try not to overanalyze!<br />
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Good luck & stay sunny</div>
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Meg</div>
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Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-25627795143263831242018-12-21T14:58:00.001-05:002019-05-15T13:53:52.068-04:00First Semester Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>One semester down. </b>It's crazy to think that around this time last year, I hadn't even toured USC and was ridden with anxiety over the unknown. I had been on quite a few college tours and settled for the fact that I was picky and probably wouldn't ever find a school that I loved. Man do I wish my seventeen-year-old self could read this post. While my first semester had a couple growing pains, I barely noticed because I was having so much fun. I <i>love</i> my South Carolina home. It gave me the absolute best first few months, and I can't wait to share a little bit about them with you all (or y'all... as we say in the south ;-) ). </div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I went ADPi...</b></span><br />
Joining a sorority was definitely a defining factor to my first semester and I wouldn't have it any other way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bid day!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom is an ADPi too-- so she got to come to our initiation!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My awesome big, Hannah, and I before initiation </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I fell in love with my campus...</b></span><br />
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I feel like USC's campus is different from others I've visited because it doesn't have a real obvious beauty. Yes, it's pretty at first sight and I liked it when I toured, but most of what makes our campus beautiful to me is the hidden spots and comfort in familiarity. It's really hard to have a bad day when you call such a pretty place home. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean how could I not fall in love with this!?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our library -- which I got to know almost too well this semester</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Making friends on the way to class at the pop-up petting zoo!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I cheered on the Gamecocks...</b></span><br />
Ask anyone: I've really, truly, never been a sports fan. But this semester, I made an exception for Gamecock football and loved it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friends from my floor and I tailgating!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturdays really are for the Cocks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend, Erin, and I with our favorite gameday guys: USC Security and our live chicken Sir Big Spur</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I traveled...</b></span><br />
I've said it before and I'll say it again: one of the best parts of USC is the location. We're close to so many cool cities to explore! Being in a new city is energizes me and I'm so grateful for the places I got to go this year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charleston! Read the full post <a href="http://www.megschwieterman.com/2018/11/a-day-in-charleston.html">here</a>. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting Greg's sisters in Charlotte -- and getting my favorite ice cream ever: Jeni's!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting my bffs at Ohio State was so so fun</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I decorated my dorm...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">A definite highlight of first semester was getting to create and decorate this space to call my own. My roommate and I really had fun with it and I love how our tiny room turned out!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAPmZbh-U28/W52hl5Qk7cI/AAAAAAAAOfI/EMoOrTZDPwEqycFYdHj93O_Ne_680ta7gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_6402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAPmZbh-U28/W52hl5Qk7cI/AAAAAAAAOfI/EMoOrTZDPwEqycFYdHj93O_Ne_680ta7gCPcBGAYYCw/s640/IMG_6402.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I had some fun events...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">ADPi and USC provided me with no shortage of fun events to go to. I love getting to dress up, have fun, and meet new people. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeing my QUEEN Beyonce!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ADPi Biker Bash! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Little Reveal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mallard Ball </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Semi-Formal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A carnival for my residence hall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paint fight!</td></tr>
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If the rest of my next semesters at USC are anything like this one, I know I'm in for a good time.<br />
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Stay Sunny,<br />
Meg</div>
Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-82627347428485306972018-11-24T14:35:00.001-05:002018-12-07T10:49:28.725-05:00Gamecock Gear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you're a long-time follower of my blog, you know that I consider what I wear to be part of my identity (view my talk about it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDGn7cqozFc"><span id="goog_929863645"></span>here<span id="goog_929863646"></span></a>). To me, <b>fashion can speak volumes about your personality and bring you confidence</b> if you let it. When it comes to sporting your college spirit wear, it's no different. There's just something about being able to take pride in your school and represent being part of a community through clothing!</div>
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I still remember the first day after I committed to USC I was so excited to wear the t-shirt that I bought at the bookstore during my tour. I was delighted when people would ask me about the shirt and I could respond, "I'm starting school there in the fall!" </div>
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Since then, I've added a <i>lot</i> more garnet to my wardrobe and wearing the Carolina logo means so much more. It means game days, Clemson rivalries, screaming the Gamecock cheer, and it means home. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgJa_m5AHM0/W_mKc5jM_SI/AAAAAAAAQnY/RyrIDR8vAPAOGX4GeDFLQHyPuCVNJW1QQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgJa_m5AHM0/W_mKc5jM_SI/AAAAAAAAQnY/RyrIDR8vAPAOGX4GeDFLQHyPuCVNJW1QQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7195.JPG" /></a></div>
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Today on the blog I'm sharing how I style my Gamecock gear as part of a contest to represent UofSC at New York Fashion Week with IMG College Licensing! I'm so lucky to go to a school with such great opportunities like this one.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T-uJIDOf_MI/W_mQmQLwZlI/AAAAAAAAQo0/tt_4gUX7vrM-m9yGwINlc_c0F8yKkBM0wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T-uJIDOf_MI/W_mQmQLwZlI/AAAAAAAAQo0/tt_4gUX7vrM-m9yGwINlc_c0F8yKkBM0wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7210.JPG" /></a></div>
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Here I am with our beloved mascot, Cocky!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rvRClHrR4qc/W_mQm-1fSII/AAAAAAAAQo4/b8UR6GPyKbYcxOLVtKRxPAo-ue-RAf7MQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rvRClHrR4qc/W_mQm-1fSII/AAAAAAAAQo4/b8UR6GPyKbYcxOLVtKRxPAo-ue-RAf7MQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7222.JPG" /></a></div>
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Snakeskin has been trending this season, so I added these snakeskin booties to my look to spice things up.</div>
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Behind me in this picture is Capstone, my residence hall! It's the best and I hope it glows garnet after the Clemson game today-- signifying a win!</div>
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Fuzzy coats like this one are my favorite way to stay cozy during the chilly months.</div>
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Spurs up!</div>
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I love my Gamecocks and I love my spirit wear -- all available at the Bookstore!</div>
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<u>SHOP THE POST</u></div>
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T-shirt, sweatshirt, and pennant: <a href="https://sc.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/BNCBHomePage?storeId=10052&catalogId=10001&langId=-1">UofSC Bookstore</a></div>
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<a href="https://rstyle.me/~aIspt">Jeans</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/~aIswg">Booties</a> | <a href="https://rstyle.me/~aIsnA">Coat</a> ($25!) | <a href="https://amzn.to/2Rd04M7">Belt</a> ($13!)</div>
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Stay Sunny,</div>
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Meg</div>
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<br />Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-33623609925533854022018-11-21T05:00:00.000-05:002018-12-07T10:49:11.930-05:00CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Time for one of my favorite posts of the year... my Christmas gift guide! I love putting this together with a mix of items I've had forever and adore and things I would love to get or give this year. There's bound to be something you like on this list, so I recommend opening a Google doc or notes page to save the links to your favorite items.<br />
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<b>TO START, CHOOSE A CATEGORY:</b><br />
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Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-45321891083707107622018-11-12T05:00:00.000-05:002018-11-13T10:22:49.053-05:00A Day in CharlestonOne of the things I've loved most about going to USC is how close we are to so many neat cities for day trips. This past Saturday, my friends and I decided to head to Charleston. They had all been before, but it was my first time, so I had so much fun letting them show me around. It was so refreshing to see the ocean and explore a new city-- it felt like I was there for way longer than a day!<br />
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Charleston is one of those cities that you can really make the most out of with only a little bit of time. Today I'll be sharing what we did and where we ate in Charleston for our 8 hour trip.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>STOP 1: BKeDSHoP</b></div>I saw these <a href="https://www.eatbkedshop.com/" target="_blank">gourmet donuts</a> on Instagram and knew I had to try them. I got the sea salt chocolate and I tried some of my friends' who got strawberry and the OG. They were all super yummy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8oyltg-JHY/W-hdTGq6yLI/AAAAAAAAPzE/wC_-A4pEmyAWygTSfJhVVxBCfUq8MGsjQCLcBGAs/s1600/donutpic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8oyltg-JHY/W-hdTGq6yLI/AAAAAAAAPzE/wC_-A4pEmyAWygTSfJhVVxBCfUq8MGsjQCLcBGAs/s1600/donutpic.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abO28N1pSzU/W-hb2-n-IvI/AAAAAAAAPx0/85XK6TCLoBMHWLpSo9htEzb0l0Q8yfmDQCEwYBhgL/s1600/A4A13DC6-0A72-4661-82AA-A7F87BDD76C8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1195" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abO28N1pSzU/W-hb2-n-IvI/AAAAAAAAPx0/85XK6TCLoBMHWLpSo9htEzb0l0Q8yfmDQCEwYBhgL/s640/A4A13DC6-0A72-4661-82AA-A7F87BDD76C8.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>STOP 2: SHOPPING</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">After we were fully fueled by donuts, we headed down to King Street to do some shopping. We parked in a lot at 31 George St and it was pretty centrally located to everything. We shopped at Madewell, Lululemon, Candlefish, Anthropologie and a few other stores, then we stopped in Gucci just for fun. We also walked through the Historic Charleston Market, where there were tons of vendors selling things like art and jewelry. </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5reAO9AMqZY/W-hboqXpvHI/AAAAAAAAPyc/7_Zi7dwIzkYsdH-_W3ZMWs-YdxjLlpYPgCEwYBhgL/s1600/396A3AA1-6606-40B4-AB09-07858A684E20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5reAO9AMqZY/W-hboqXpvHI/AAAAAAAAPyc/7_Zi7dwIzkYsdH-_W3ZMWs-YdxjLlpYPgCEwYBhgL/s640/396A3AA1-6606-40B4-AB09-07858A684E20.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madewell</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6p6Z8f_GJuY/W-hb3V_oRbI/AAAAAAAAPyc/m1rTkGQvycEFTN64M2uuF7_T6CgCd2hXwCEwYBhgL/s1600/B48C403E-ACB7-4DF5-B423-6E94B3A1323A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1128" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6p6Z8f_GJuY/W-hb3V_oRbI/AAAAAAAAPyc/m1rTkGQvycEFTN64M2uuF7_T6CgCd2hXwCEwYBhgL/s640/B48C403E-ACB7-4DF5-B423-6E94B3A1323A.JPG" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candlefish</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh72GRy3I5o/W-hbkkmF_5I/AAAAAAAAPxw/9TP7g3WiGaMA17HLC44ypcXIhxLcerwhQCEwYBhgL/s1600/327D6BA0-0CC1-428E-B021-EF03B4138B72%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh72GRy3I5o/W-hbkkmF_5I/AAAAAAAAPxw/9TP7g3WiGaMA17HLC44ypcXIhxLcerwhQCEwYBhgL/s640/327D6BA0-0CC1-428E-B021-EF03B4138B72%2B3.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--1f4USP21jQ/W-hb8YhPqpI/AAAAAAAAPyo/4CMGevW-lvge1hM67HTHkCMMH4RZqKIzwCEwYBhgL/s1600/EC5F38C7-8168-4684-84AC-2233C94A23F4%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--1f4USP21jQ/W-hb8YhPqpI/AAAAAAAAPyo/4CMGevW-lvge1hM67HTHkCMMH4RZqKIzwCEwYBhgL/s640/EC5F38C7-8168-4684-84AC-2233C94A23F4%2B2.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gucci</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6BOxSTHPLs/W-hbogsM6NI/AAAAAAAAPyA/bkXoK87DTywJosWGgwoqv2-CbC2pYUC-gCEwYBhgL/s1600/689E9478-A698-4A41-83EC-31530532EA15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6BOxSTHPLs/W-hbogsM6NI/AAAAAAAAPyA/bkXoK87DTywJosWGgwoqv2-CbC2pYUC-gCEwYBhgL/s640/689E9478-A698-4A41-83EC-31530532EA15.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>STOP 3: LUNCH @ GOAT SHEEP COW</b></div><br />
<a href="https://goatsheepcow.com/" target="_blank">Goat Sheep Cow</a> is basically a restaurant that revolves around cheese. What could be better!? We started off with what they call "crack cheese," marinated feta with spices that you can spread on a baguette. So good. I'm a big fan of hot dogs, so I ordered "le hot dog"-- the most boujee hot dog you could ever get. It was amazing. My friends all got the "monger's grilled cheese," which was also super yummy. We sat outside on their cute little patio but the interior was really cool too. Make sure you go to the <b>north</b> location if you want to sit down and eat, the south location is just a cheese shop! (We made this mistake lol)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DictmvSlYtE/W-hb77WC7OI/AAAAAAAAPyk/YTWCc5Rjqyg7oWC0mS_wjnlLmSVUYudeACEwYBhgL/s1600/DE2A6C72-3B7B-4DC9-952B-81AF62A8BC25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1163" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DictmvSlYtE/W-hb77WC7OI/AAAAAAAAPyk/YTWCc5Rjqyg7oWC0mS_wjnlLmSVUYudeACEwYBhgL/s640/DE2A6C72-3B7B-4DC9-952B-81AF62A8BC25.JPG" width="464" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H_2HE1MgMyo/W-hbUaYDiTI/AAAAAAAAPxQ/5cJSN0ulYDYFXGKINW0hrdJefo2GdSoPQCEwYBhgL/s1600/22C5755C-76E8-4DCA-97D0-D3917DCE0514%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H_2HE1MgMyo/W-hbUaYDiTI/AAAAAAAAPxQ/5cJSN0ulYDYFXGKINW0hrdJefo2GdSoPQCEwYBhgL/s640/22C5755C-76E8-4DCA-97D0-D3917DCE0514%2B3.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crack Cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kLzROoF9go/W-hbrdSn31I/AAAAAAAAPyM/o9Yo3u3WP9wNDnq77um8g_F05hq_KBsewCEwYBhgL/s1600/81E0AFA0-6CD1-4252-8848-8A0372883F11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kLzROoF9go/W-hbrdSn31I/AAAAAAAAPyM/o9Yo3u3WP9wNDnq77um8g_F05hq_KBsewCEwYBhgL/s640/81E0AFA0-6CD1-4252-8848-8A0372883F11.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Hot Dog</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu6JYiPBUvA/W-hblD3mV0I/AAAAAAAAPxw/KfPkLZ-cSv4ORJ8M5vbTQafHDu1m-BGxACEwYBhgL/s1600/107502F1-14C8-422E-9BDE-371EAE4716DC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu6JYiPBUvA/W-hblD3mV0I/AAAAAAAAPxw/KfPkLZ-cSv4ORJ8M5vbTQafHDu1m-BGxACEwYBhgL/s640/107502F1-14C8-422E-9BDE-371EAE4716DC.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monger's Grilled Cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>STOP 4: THE BATTERY/PIER/RAINBOW ROW</b></div><br />
After lunch, I was ready to see what all the buzz around Charleston architecture and history was about. We parked and walked out on the pier, along the battery, then through Rainbow Row and the beautiful neighborhood behind it. Since Charleston is in their off-season, it wasn't crowded at all which was great for exploring. We were geeking out over the pretty houses and the historical plaques on them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EhQX3f4LGk/W-hblO0lnAI/AAAAAAAAPyg/BQP2jJkpHJIl6JkZ7sPDrg1j7Dvy7S8bwCEwYBhgL/s1600/33D78A69-275F-4284-BA41-350225CA94C5%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EhQX3f4LGk/W-hblO0lnAI/AAAAAAAAPyg/BQP2jJkpHJIl6JkZ7sPDrg1j7Dvy7S8bwCEwYBhgL/s640/33D78A69-275F-4284-BA41-350225CA94C5%2B3.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oYI9w7NNLyk/W-hb7B27tbI/AAAAAAAAPyg/2FMbhW_1-n8XwhAKW87yo2m88GszW4xTACEwYBhgL/s1600/E69D8BDF-C2F1-467F-9320-5FF1F48FDBC9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1194" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oYI9w7NNLyk/W-hb7B27tbI/AAAAAAAAPyg/2FMbhW_1-n8XwhAKW87yo2m88GszW4xTACEwYBhgL/s640/E69D8BDF-C2F1-467F-9320-5FF1F48FDBC9.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8mSFw8OQP8/W-hb6adYxSI/AAAAAAAAPyk/tiXMnK1BjC0VGYyl19zLN2UlJnNecjhkgCEwYBhgL/s1600/D9183E76-4E60-40DC-8442-623A7E6644FF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8mSFw8OQP8/W-hb6adYxSI/AAAAAAAAPyk/tiXMnK1BjC0VGYyl19zLN2UlJnNecjhkgCEwYBhgL/s640/D9183E76-4E60-40DC-8442-623A7E6644FF.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wedB07h4il4/W-hbUQsa0TI/AAAAAAAAPxA/NoPR8kUjRXU3tSypANG9GmyHdvWgXgn1ACEwYBhgL/s1600/08F21CC9-CCC3-41ED-8FE8-3814ED618E7A%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1195" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wedB07h4il4/W-hbUQsa0TI/AAAAAAAAPxA/NoPR8kUjRXU3tSypANG9GmyHdvWgXgn1ACEwYBhgL/s640/08F21CC9-CCC3-41ED-8FE8-3814ED618E7A%2B2.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UgVvKxODRJI/W-hbX5plZ-I/AAAAAAAAPxQ/OITFMjTgRJAzmRIiJyLsOEL5ed0C61bJgCEwYBhgL/s1600/3FF124B6-B380-4FDF-9345-C676169DFCF9%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1194" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UgVvKxODRJI/W-hbX5plZ-I/AAAAAAAAPxQ/OITFMjTgRJAzmRIiJyLsOEL5ed0C61bJgCEwYBhgL/s640/3FF124B6-B380-4FDF-9345-C676169DFCF9%2B2.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>STOP 5: DINNER @ BUTCHER & BEE</b></div><a href="https://butcherandbee.com/" target="_blank">Butcher & Bee</a> is a Mediterranean-style trendy restaurant. Not only was the aesthetic and branding immaculate, their food was AMAZING. After a big lunch we weren't super hungry, so Abby and I split the "mezze" platter with falafel, roasted beets, and chipotle-lime sweet potatoes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXVxMIGXmAg/W-hb303FJ-I/AAAAAAAAPyg/pDGdnB-eVHwm57XssK5HxgS2hg44RTrRACEwYBhgL/s1600/AB2D894A-38CB-4443-B767-B524EEC2B074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXVxMIGXmAg/W-hb303FJ-I/AAAAAAAAPyg/pDGdnB-eVHwm57XssK5HxgS2hg44RTrRACEwYBhgL/s640/AB2D894A-38CB-4443-B767-B524EEC2B074.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QVWmepEflMA/W-hboaUywyI/AAAAAAAAPyM/J1LUPiAIRSIhvb1H_ya6TKEUiP9V21cegCEwYBhgL/s1600/41C854FB-1130-45AE-8964-110A339573F0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QVWmepEflMA/W-hboaUywyI/AAAAAAAAPyM/J1LUPiAIRSIhvb1H_ya6TKEUiP9V21cegCEwYBhgL/s640/41C854FB-1130-45AE-8964-110A339573F0.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GC7k16vg4DI/W-hbUDG-LHI/AAAAAAAAPw8/dCFGBrpygIYkASfP1DpTDcPEEAGZucGJgCEwYBhgL/s1600/3D508F0C-AD6C-4CA4-B76E-3811CB242A21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="1600" height="514" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GC7k16vg4DI/W-hbUDG-LHI/AAAAAAAAPw8/dCFGBrpygIYkASfP1DpTDcPEEAGZucGJgCEwYBhgL/s640/3D508F0C-AD6C-4CA4-B76E-3811CB242A21.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Tired and with full bellies, we drove home. I already can't wait to go back to Charleston!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Let me know in the comments: what Charleston spots should I try next?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br />
</i></b>Stay sunny,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Meg</div><!-- Begin Mailchimp Signup Form --><br />
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Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155871270257503976.post-48107922580446019922018-10-30T05:00:00.000-04:002018-10-30T05:00:10.853-04:00How I Set Monthly Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About six months ago, I began a practice that changed how I live: monthly goal setting. Since then, I have begun living more on purpose -- <b>I stopped feeling like life was just "happening" to me</b>. I treat myself better, I love people better, I am less stressed. I invest in my current and future self. Setting goals helps me to <b>tangibly step in the direction of the life I want to live and the person I want to be every single day!</b><br />
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I hope you'll join me in this endeavor because today I am sharing just how I set monthly goals. It's not a quick one-size-fits-all operation, but I assure you the process is <i>well </i>worth it.<br />
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<b><u>STEP ONE: BRAINSTORM</u></b><br />
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Brainstorming is the first way to outline what you need to be doing better or differently in your life. I do this by considering five categories and a corresponding question with each. I like to read the questions, mull them over for a day, then create a brainstorming page. Here are the categories I use and questions I ask myself:<br />
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<b>1. SELF-CARE</b> | mental + physical well-being<br />
<i>"What do I need to do to feel my best mentally and physically?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i> <u>Some examples from this category:</u><br />
Write down three things I am grateful for every day<br />
Meditate four times a week<br />
Include veggies with each meal<br />
Remember to take my daily vitamin<br />
Work out x number of times a week<br />
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And I always include: "make sure to actually track goals" as a goal in this section!<br />
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<b>2. LEARNING</b> | school + self-betterment<br />
<i>"How can I learn more and learn well?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i> <u>Some examples from this category: </u><br />
Stay off my phone during class<br />
Read a non-school related book<br />
Practice writing each day<br />
Go to one review session a week<br />
Watch one TED Talk or lecture a week<br />
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<b>3. LOVED ONES</b> | family, friends, and everyone<br />
<i>"How can I show up for those I love?"</i><br />
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<u>Some examples from this category:</u><br />
Call my grandma once a week<br />
Send snail mail to a friend each week<br />
Say hi to someone new every day<br />
Help someone daily<br />
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<b>4. FAITH</b> | pursuing a relationship with God<br />
<i>"How can I be a better daughter of God responding to a love that I know?"</i><br />
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<u>Some examples from this category:</u><br />
Go to weekly Bible Study<br />
Write in my prayer journal daily<br />
Invite a friend to mass<br />
Pray a decade of the rosary each day<br />
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<b>5. TIME, MONEY, ENERGY</b> | spending all three wisely<br />
<i>"How can I allocate my resources in an intentional and smart way?"</i><br />
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<u>Some examples from this category:</u><br />
Look ahead for each week to avoid procrastinating<br />
Track spending<br />
Set a monthly budget<br />
Stop worrying about things out of your control<br />
Spend 1 hour or less on social media a day<br />
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<b><u>STEP TWO: PLAN</u></b><br />
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The next thing I do in this process is to look at the goals I have brainstormed and decide what is most important at the current moment. I choose anywhere from 1-5 goals from each category based off of what I think I can handle! Make sure not to overload yourself or all of your goals will suffer. It's okay to remove a goal as the month goes on if it gets to be too much to handle.<br />
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I'll then move on to creating my goal tracking sheet. To do this, I'll write the category, then the goal, and then a "say no" statement. For example, I would write, "Self care" then under it "Remember to track goals" and then under that "Say no to setting empty intentions."<br />
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The reason I include a "say no" statement under most goals is because setting goals can feel overwhelming and like a huge undertaking. But if you think of it as <b>saying no to some things so that you can say yes to other things that serve you better</b>, the goals will feel much more attainable.<br />
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<b><u>STEP THREE: TRACK</u></b><br />
Tracking your goals is just as important as setting them. To do this, I draw a "progress bar" instead of a checkbox for each week of the month. On Sundays, I fill in the bar to correspond with how well I followed through, or how often I attempted to follow through, with my goal. If your goal has a numerical correlation, like a number of times you worked out or amount of money you spent, write it in the progress box.<br />
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<b>And that's all...</b><br />
<b><br /></b>I hope this post was helpful to get you on track to setting your own goals. It's changed my life-- now go change yours!<br />
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<b><i>Let me know in the comments: do you set monthly goals or intentions? What has been your most life-changing so far</i>?</b></div>
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Stay Sunny,</div>
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Meg</div>
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<br />Meg Schwietermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00182220926753990096noreply@blogger.com1