17 Ways to Conquer 2017 // Guest Post

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to Sanjana’s blog. Today I have the honor of posting on her blog.

I am sharing 17 ways to conquer the new year with y’all:

Create a new skincare routine.

Skincare is so important. I started using skincare products from Tarte’s Rainforest of The Sea collection. My skin has never been clearer.

Take lots and lots of pictures.

Last year, I took so many pictures. When I’m bored before I go to bed, I just scroll through them. It’s nice looking back at the memories.

Take a class.

I’m actually going to start a kickboxing class in the near future. I’m looking forward to not only the new experience, but alleviating stress.

Try something new.

I’m going to be trying lots and lots of things this year: prom, college orientation, etc. Embrace new things.

Let go of toxic people.

And sometimes it can be so hard, but it’s worth it. I did this once-- and I suffered some consequences. After letting time heal wounds, I felt incredible… Like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

Pray.

Sometimes I pray a lot and sometimes I don’t pray at all. When I pray, I feel good. 2016 was a year where I truly grew in my faith. I want that to continue.

Get creative.

Express yourself. I do it through writing… maybe you do it through art.

Manage time management.

I live off of to do lists. It’s really helped me manage my time more wisely. If you can manage your time better, your stress is history.

Stick to your fitness routine.

Every year, I think it is the year that I’m going to go hardcore. It’s not practical. It lasts for two weeks- if I’m lucky. Make it practical. And stick with it. One to two times a week is plenty.

Drink fruit water.

I started drinking lemon water over the summer. It has a ton of benefits. Read about it here.

Come up with a financial plan.

Now, I’m not going to lie. I stink at financial budgeting stuff. This year, my family is putting $1 away the first week of January, $2 the second week of January and so on… until we’re at $52. We’re going to use this for a fun filled vacation!

Strengthen your confidence.

I’m serious: wear what you want to wear, dance to the music you want to dance to, follow your heart. That’s the real way to strengthen your confidence.

Do your hobbies.

People have always told me that having a blog was dumb.  You know what, it’s not. Because I enjoy it. I love coming up with blog post ideas… I love drafting them…. and editing them… and making graphics… and connecting with people. It’s kinda indescribable.

Stay motivated.

I’ll be completely honest… sometimes I lack motivation. In order to stay motivated, download some apps. The Holy Bible app sends verses to you everyday-- I love that.

Keep a journal.

I definitely recommend keeping a journal. I started one in April of 2015. I was really able to analyze my pieces and understand myself a lot better.

Set goals often.

I love setting weekly or monthly goals. It makes me work a little harder for the things that I truly want.

Say yes more often.

Zoella is one of my idols. 2016 was the year of saying yes for me: I told my boyfriend I loved him, I applied to three colleges (and got accepted to all of them), took a public speaking class and got an A, etc. For me, that’s motivation enough to say yes more often this year.

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Thanks for these tips, Guilianna! I know I will be using them to help make the most of my year. 

Guilianna is the sweetest and always has such great advice. I was so excited to have her guest post on my blog to kick off the new year. She is an amazing lifestyle blogger, so you should definitely check out her blog if you haven't already! You might remember her from the Blogirl collab last summer.

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season filled with all the people and things you love. Here's to a happy and prosperous 2017. Happy New Year!  ♥

Room Decor Essentials

As I  Black Friday shopped, I couldn't help but gravitate toward the room decor and got some serious inspiration. I personally love changing up my room and finding simple elements to spice it up, so I wanted to share some of my essentials with you. Who doesn't love cute room decor?

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Marquee Letter 

I got a an "S" marquee letter sign for my room last year, and I think it is the perfect way to dress up an empty wall or shelf. These signs look great for the holidays and are bright enough to serve as a reading light.

French Bulletin Board

Again, these are great to fill an empty space in your room. I don't have one of these yet, but I've heard that it is pretty simple to DIY it. When I make mine, I plan to tuck photos, letters, greeting cards, and notes that make me happy and hold a special place in my heart.

Trinket Tray

Trinket trays like this one by Lauren Conrad are so dainty and pretty! They are a great way to display odds and ends and look sophisticated on a nightstand or dresser. My crown-shaped tray stores my favorite earrings, some hair elastics, and a couple of charms.

Lantern String Lights

I have a couple sets of colored lantern lights, and they are so bright and cheery! I love how they make my room look so cozy yet add a pop of color to my walls. You could even string these across your headboard or mirror.

Jewelry Organizer

I received one of these for Christmas one year, and I've found it to be very useful as well as decorative. Mine is a pink-and-green paisley print, but I think this Paris-themed one is just as pretty. Jewelry organizers are a great way to show off your favorite jewelry and keep it from getting lost.

Quote Wall Canvas

It is great to wake up to a saying that you love. You can easily DIY your own quote wall art, but looking at ready-made ones gives me some inspiration.

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Changing up your room can be a great way to transition into the new season and refresh your life without breaking your wallet. What is the theme of your room? What color are your walls? Leave me a comment below because I love hearing from you. 

Fall Recap // GOMO Campaign

Hi everyone! First of all, I'm extremely sorry for my blogging hiatus - I've been busy with school and clubs. Now that my tennis season is over and I have more free time, I'll be able to spend more time blogging and catching up on your posts. I'm glad to be back!
It is no secret that we spend way more time on our phones and social media than we'd like to admit. Along with social media comes FOMO, or the fear of missing out and staying up-to-date. When Eventbrite reached out to me with their GOMO campaign, I was ecstatic to participate and encourage young people to get out more often. Today I'll be sharing some things I did over the last few months to make the most of life.

Homecoming - Homecoming this year was such a blast! My friends and I all got ready together, went out for dinner and photos, and enjoyed some ice cream before heading to the dance. Everyone looked so beautiful and it was an unforgettable experience.

Nephew - I have family all over the place, and my cousin and her family came to visit us all the way from California in September. My little nephew just turned four and he is adorable! One of the most memorable things we did together was take a day trip to explore some Native American caverns, even though he was scared of ghosts the entire time!

Volunteer - I volunteered at a Halloween festival with a friend in October. We made paper ghosts and passed out candy to all the trick-or-treaters, and all the kids' costumes were so cute! It was freezing but very enjoyable!

Nature - Every year, fall colors are in abundance where I live. I love taking day trips to parks with my family and taking lots of pictures. We love to take walks and visit the nature centers at the parks. It was a mild fall with nice weather this year, so we were really able to take advantage of all the cool afternoons and weekends.

What can YOU do to make the most of every day? Think about organizing your own event or participating in one through Eventbrite! Take part in summits, expos, workshops, performances, and more!

Life is all about real-world experiences, so I hope you'll take some time to put down your phone and step outside. Life has so much to offer and none of it should be wasted. I encourage you to share a photo of your favorite fall experience using the hashtag #GOMO to show how you're living in the moment. As always, thank you so much for reading and a special thanks to Eventbrite for sharing this wonderful campaign with me. Visit their website here. x

Blogirl // Collab

Hey, everyone! I'm so thrilled to share my first collab on Peridot Cove with you. I've worked with three amazing girls and fellow bloggers to bring you Blogirl. Blogirl is a real-life discussion on topics that affect girls (and guys!) all over the world. Amy, Guilianna, Paige, and I will each elaborate on a subject of our choice to motivate and encourage women everywhere as they start a new school year, job, etc. You can participate by leaving a comment below, and make sure to visit their lovely blogs!

Self-care is a very important topic that doesn't get talked about enough. To me, taking care of myself is all about staying the best that I can both inside and out. I'm no expert, but I thought that I'd share some things that work for me in hopes that they can help some of you!

The first point that is really important is to take time for yourself. You can take a relaxing bath or shower, paint your nails, or put on a face mask. Even if you do something small, it's important to have time for yourself. Another way that I take care of my mental health is by meditating. I always feel so grounded and at peace after I meditate. This app is currently my favourite way to meditate.

One way to avoid stress if you have a heavy workload is to take breaks. If I'm studying, I like to take 15 minute intervals, so that I study for 15 and then blog or relax for 15. I find that otherwise I can't concentrate after a while! Another way to deal with having lots to do is to make lists. Mapping out what I need to do helps me to visualize it, and it makes tasks seem more manageable.

A part of staying healthy that is often overlooked is staying hydrated. Plant Nanny is an app that I use to remind me to drink enough water, and it is super helpful. Another important part of both physical and mental health is getting fresh air. Being outside always makes me feel refreshed, and even a walk around the block gives me energy.
Visit my blog here.

Self-love doesn't just play a role in depressed persons. It plays a role in each and every one of us. Self-love is a life practice. So, where do you start? First, know the three elements: what you say, what you do, and what you think. Now ask yourself some questions: If you really loved yourself, what would you do? What do you admire and enjoy? Where do you want to be in a year? What is something you can do for yourself today?

Now, go do the things you love! Please, write poetry or even try out for the football team! Who cares? Secondly, letting yourself fall in love with someone and/or something is the best feeling ever. It's incredible! Surround yourself with people who will love and care for you. Thirdly, list your goals for where you want to be in a year. Maybe it's college or the air force. Lastly, do something for yourself, whether it's a five-minute meditation or a walk around your neighborhood. You'll feel a million times better dedicating yourself to yourself and your needs.

With all that being said, please do practice self-love. Do take care of yourself. You're all worth it!
Visit my blog here.

I've decided to write about gender equality, a tricky topic to discuss due to some peoples' views on feminism and empowering women. However, gender equality is making females and males equal.

Gender equality is discussed frequently in religions and beliefs, but nothing is really said about gender equality in everyday life, whether that be in the workplace, at school, or in free time. This sprung to mind when I was watching the news and there was a story that the Royal Troon Golf Club has only just started accepting women as members. I was blissfully unaware that in a developed country like the United Kingdom, there are still places where changes are only just being made, and many others still remain one gender typical.

My message to anyone reading this is to strive for equality - Stand up for what you believe in. If you see an act of exclusion between genders, put a stop to it. This collab is primarily for females, but I say if males are victims of inequality, help make the world become more accepting of each other. Every little difference makes a massive impact in the long run.
Visit my blog here.

The best accessory a girl can own is confidence. I wanted to share some tips for developing and maintaining confidence with you, because it's such an urgent issue facing girls today. Self-confidence can be affected by several things, but it is most important to stay true to yourself.

Dressing well has a lot to do with self-confidence - It means looking and feeling your best. You don't need to dress up to dress well. Go through your wardrobe and find what you love. You could even sort through your clothes and find new homes for things that don't make you feel good.

Getting good rest is also key to confidence. I find listening to calming music (like this or this) before bed really helps me wind down. Designate time to yourself at the end of the day.

Eating healthy is essential to how you feel. It's a common misconception that eating healthy is synonymous with dieting, but that's definitely not the case. Eating healthy just means eating right. Buy foods that are good for you, Google recipes, and don't be afraid to indulge in something sweet. Cold, ripe fruit can be very refreshing and help your mood. Eating well can lead to a happier, healthier lifestyle. 

Last but not least is exercise. Walk on a treadmill, play a recreational sport with your friends, or try some yoga using Adriene's Youtube videos! Start small and don't make it feel like a chore. It'll make you feel so much better about yourself and relieve stress!

In turn, these things will help you make the most of your education, perform your best, and be a fresher and happier person. Never forget that a confident girl is a successful girl.

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Thanks so much for reading. I'd also like to give a big thank you to Amy, Guilianna, and Paige. You three have all been so supportive over the past year and I am so grateful for our friendship!
Please do start a discussion in the comments below, or leave your feedback or questions. What is an issue that is important to you? As always, I look forward to hearing what you have to say. ♥

5 Must-Reads This Summer

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As a little six-year-old, I would impatiently listen as the teachers droned on and on about the importance of reading a little each night. Instead of nagging me to read, people told me to take a break! I would spend hours on end reading Nancy Drew or Junie B. Jones.

As I've gotten older, it's harder and harder to find time to read. Now that I'm on summer break, I've had the chance to kick back and enjoy books like I used to. Here are my top five summer picks.

1. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys is number one on my list. It is a gorgeous historic retelling of the Baltic Genocide from fifteen-year-old Lina. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will open your eyes to the hardship and struggle in Lithuania.

2. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins is an excellent love story. It features Anna and Etienne, two confused high school seniors in Paris, and their small group of friends. It truly has the most dreamy, imaginative characters, and I found myself so into it that I finished it in a day!

3. The Heir by Kiera Cass is next on my list. America's daughter is now going through her own Selection, and she's not happy. I loved going on Eadlyn's journey with her, and comparing her to her mother and father. The book is a little slow-paced, but I recommend it if you're a fan of the original trilogy.

4. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher is a sad but poetic story. Hannah, who Clay Jensen loved so much, has just passed away, and the school is left shaken. Hanna's pained voice tells the dramatic story set in an average town. It will truly open your eyes to the silent struggle the people around you may be going through.

5. Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery is the final book on my list. There's nothing like a good classic to relax on a summer's day, and this is the one you're looking for. If you loved Gilbert in the first book, you'll definitely be seeing a whole lot more of him in this one. ;)

What is your all-time favorite book?