// Dating Yourself (+10 Cheap and Easy Ideas!)

What's the last, nice thing you did for yourself "just because" you deserved it? Last week I decided I wanted something to brighten up my living room so I bought myself flowers. Just a cheap, $5 bouquet of pink florals, but that little bouquet made a world of difference. I enjoyed trimming the stems and preparing my vase once I got home. I allowed myself 10 or 15 minutes to just experience the process. And when I found a little home for them on our entertainment center, I snapped a quick photo to share my own personal sunshine online. Maybe that sounds like a weird way to go about things, but that small, tiny gift to myself improved my mood tenfold that day. And I wanted to share that with others to inspire them to treat themselves! I realized that I deserved those flowers and I didn't need to wait around for anyone to buy them for me. Don't get me wrong, Mike used to shower me with flowers on the regular, and now he'll still surprise me every once and again. But why should I wait for someone else to give them to me? Fresh flowers make me so happy, and I owe it to myself to be inspired while I live and work. And so do you!

Maybe your last gift to yourself was a manicure (either in a salon or at home!), a new book, or even a long, uninterrupted bath. We don't have to shower ourselves with grand gestures or elaborate gifts... sometimes something so small can make such a difference. Sometimes we have to supply our own sunshine in life.

Here are a few cheap and easy ways to date yourself!

1. Enjoy a long, relaxing bath. Maybe throw in some bath bombs or bubbles, and light some candles to set the mood. Bonus points if you treat yourself to a glass of wine, too!
2. Spend some time giving yourself a fresh new manicure! Try a new color or get artsy with some DIY designs.
3. Cook yourself a nice meal! Whether you have a household to feed or just yourself, spending time trying a new recipe that just sounds delicious can be a great treat!
4. Browse your local library, bookstore or even Amazon for a new-to-you book to read. Get lost for a few hours. Don't feel guilty if it's a cheeky chick-lit book! (Those are my favorite!)
5. Write yourself a little love letter or pep talk. Kara did a really cool version of this and I love the outcome! You can always go back to it when you need a boost!
6. Buy yourself some flowers! This is obviously my favorite way to treat myself because I feel like it really adds to my environment. There's something so dreamy about fresh flowers! You can even pick them from the side of the road.
7. Treat yourself to a matinee movie date! Is there a film you've been wanting to see? Go! Why not right?! I love settling in for a movie with my own popcorn and drink. It's such a great 90-minute escape from the daily grind.
8. Learn a new skill or hobby! Workshops and classes are all over the place these days! Both online and off, it's so easy to find a class that helps you learn a new skill. Everything from weaving to jewelry design and sewing, and even things like web coding... This "date" is a great way to invest in your interests and your future. You might even find a new passion!
9. Go to your local animal shelter and spend some time with the animals. You can volunteer to walk the dogs, feed the cats, etc. Not only will you be making the day of the animals in the shelter, but you'll also get those warm fuzzy feelings from being surrounded by precious little furry friends.
10. Have a little impromptu photoshoot with yourself! Maybe this one sounds silly and self-indulgent, but just think about how good a new, gorgeous profile photo makes you feel! Find your favorite outfit, throw on some lipstick (if that's your kind of thing), and snap some selfies! Celebrate your beauty and set the tone for your online presence.

Whatever you do this week, just remember to date yourself! Treat yourself kindly and enjoy the little things. Don't wait for someone else to do it. 

What's your favorite way to "date" yourself? Today I'm going to spend time giving myself a mani/pedi, and maybe later this week I'll take myself on a froyo date. Why not, right?!

Confession: I'm Having an Affair

It's true. I am. I'm cheating with 3 brilliant works of art... 3 charming, endearing, wonderful creatures. Oh, I didn't mean I was cheating on Mike.... I meant I'm cheating on my ruffled black flats! Okay, okay, okay... so just two weeks ago I had to defend myself (twice) on why I chose to wear black flats every single day. I chose to wear them because they're comfortable! They're easy to walk in. My feet never tire. They match everything. Yeah, sure, I was tired of seeing them, too, but here's the thing... my feet are terrified of heels. Seriously. Terrified. I walk like a drunk penguin and everyone stares. I vowed to be a "flats girl forevz". Well the very next day Mike and I found ourselves in Target, perusing the aisles as usual, and I had a sudden inclination to go to the shoe section. This isn't unusual, of course. I look at the shoes every time we go. But this time felt different. I felt bold. I felt like trying something new.

What did I do? I picked up a pair of wedges that I most certainly never would've picked up in my life, and I put them on. What happened? I fell in love.




There's no denying the fact that under any other circumstances I would have scoffed at these shoes and said "Ha! Really? Never!" because they're quite obviously not my usual style. Even if I did go for heels, I went for ruffles and suede and pretty things. These looked too hard... too odd. They had a "clog" feel to them and if anyone hates clogs, it's this girl! At least, I used to... I think I still do? Oh bother... I have no idea what is happening to me! I'm being awfully over dramatic but this was a big deal for me. I don't like heels. And I certainly don't find them comfortable. Then I walked in them. I exclaimed to Mike "I bet I could jump rope in these!" and at that moment, I was sold. In the buggy (yes, buggy!) they went!




Well, I was inspired. Up and down the other aisles I ran. Then I found these. A strange orange brown, sure, but the heel and platform spoke to me. Sister shoe, I said, You're coming home with me! Into the buggy they flew!




Then I stumbled upon these. The chunky brown straps were something I was comfortable with, and I knew the wedge would make it easier to withstand. Mike was not sold, however, but I quickly talked him into giving them them benefit of a doubt and he obliged. They're the only ones I have yet to style up but I'm patiently awaiting the day!

My point with this post was to document a transformation in myself. Not only in my style, but also in my ability to open up to new things and just try them... even if they have failed me miserably in the past. I can't tell you how many pairs of heels I've bought and throw out or lost simply because they ended up being too uncomfortable. I'm willing to try things, sure. but I stand by my word that if they're far too uncomfortable I just will not wear them. I refuse to believe "fashion over function" or "fashion over comfort" and while you may disagree, that's totally okay! You can have all the uncomfortable shoes for yourself! I'm just excited that I found three cozy pairs in just one trip!

Another point I'd like to make with this post is that you should have an affair. Not by cheating on your significant other, but by branching out and trying something new! Maybe you'll fall in love with it! Hate brussel sprouts? Try them one more time... with an open mind. If you still hate them, don't eat them. But maybe you'll surprise yourself. We learn something new about ourselves all the time... Here I am at almost 23 years old and I just now realized that I like shoes. It's a whirlwind revelation for me, so you should try to learn something about yourself! Who knows? It might even change your life forever! (I may be pushing it with that one, but seriously! What do you have to lose?!)

If you should be loving anyone on Valentine's Day (and every day!), it should be yourself. So go out there, try something new or something you thought you hated. Have an open mind. Be willing to accept change! Sometimes it's fun!