The Power of Positive Thinking

I have been busy. Like, not in a cute 'I'm so stressed' kinda way….I mean literally, overwhelmingly busy. And it seems like every day a new big project/task is added to my list of things to do.

Yesterday, I was almost sick from thinking about everything I needed to get done. All throughout the day, I just kept looking at my to-do list, and deliberately ignoring it. As if I could just will it away. I got a few things that were timely done, but all-in-all I wasn't very productive but still felt tired and defeated.

But today, I had an epiphany -- these tasks I've been dreading, well they exist because I've accomplished so many other incredible things! [Yes, I'm talking taxes] So instead of approaching my long list with a dreadful attitude, I made myself get excited & be thankful that I have a wildly successful business that requires me to do taxes. YAYYY!

Better than not having it, right?! 

Here's to the power of positive thinking! 

Simple but profound.

I know it's nothing new and you all know this already, but sometimes it's nice to have a reminder. And even better that I was able to pull myself together and remember that I already knew this. Is that what growing up is all about?? ;)

Today's takeaway:

 use the power of positive thinking to stop treating your to-do list as a tragedy  

[click to tweet!]

XOXO

[ps] - I know that green juice looks gross, but it's absolutely delicious and serves as a fabulous on-the-go breakfast

Life + Love Lessons

Every time I come across a quote I like, I pin it. Every time I come across a quote I LOVE, I save it in a little folder that holds thousands of pictures that I may or may not ever look at again. But I find a certain peace in knowing that it's there on my Mac's desktop, holding hidden treasures of inspiration. 

This morning, I was browsing through that folder and came across this one.

I think it's timely considering Valentine's Day is tomorrow and some of us are lucky in love and some of us are still searching. But I think this is so perfect for a broader life lesson too….it's easy to get discouraged in so many daily tasks from meaningful to mundane. We can't find our keys, we can't find the super important document, so many things seem to be eluding us on an everyday basis. 

So just keep looking. Smile a little smile, keep your head up and march on.

You'll find it. One day. 

And if I may add my own little advice, sometimes what you're looking for is really right there in front of you -- you just can't see it because you forgot what it looks like….or perhaps, thought it would look completely different.

lots of love to you my dears

x

mullings + musings // perfection

(image)

A couple days ago, I posted a photo to Instagram just like I usually do about twice a day. The likes started trickling in & filling up my screen. But when I went back to respond to a comment, it dawned on me that I could have cropped the picture in a way that would have made it look much better. Make it look perfect. I was immediately stressed out. My picture had been "validated" by likes, but my need for perfection was taking over. I wanted to delete it and repost the newly cropped version. I resisted that urge and won a (very) small battle that day. But the thought stuck with me. Why was I so obsessed with creating perfection? 

Perhaps it's part of my culture. I grew up in a Persian family, almost all of my cousins are doctors or lawyers. I am a lawyer. I thank my lucky stars every single day that I have supportive parents that allowed me the freedom to do whatever I wanted and supported my million random ideas, but the fact of the matter is: I still felt the pressure from peers, society, myself...and I went to law school. And then law school was highly-competitve and I strived for perfection even more. Never-ending cycle.

Perhaps it's my own ego. I firmly believe we should constantly be striving to refine ourselves, our character, our actions, our speech. But when does that desire to become a better version of ourselves turn into an obsession with perfection? Maybe motive is an important factor. And we can't forget we live in a society that is always promoting the next best thing, where for the right price it seems you can buy perfection. 

Oh and don't even get me started on the blogging world and the images of pure bliss we seem to be subjected to on a daily basis. Now please read this next part with a grain of salt, and remember I love love the blogging world, but it's far from perfect. So are we pushed to perfection because we feel competitive? Or jealous? After all,  someone will always show up at Target just at the right time to grab that last designer-collab blazer right before it sells out and then blog about it. Someone will always have better outfit photos because she has a hot husband who just happens to know how to take incredible shots as the sun is setting and her hair is blowing in the wind.  I realize this is a discussion that has been had many times before; and I do believe many bloggers have raised the issue and are striving for authenticity and transparency (myself included) so I won't go further into that here. (Plus this is more about me taking individual responsibility for spiraling down the perfection black hole.)

I can't tell you how many times I have made myself sick with worry trying to find the perfect solution to a business issue, or I have complained because I can't find the perfect outfit for an event, or I have stayed up late trying to create the perfect collage for my blog. There's constant emphasis on being perfect. Even our daily speech revolves around it. I can't even count how times a day I type 'perfect!' or 'perf!' on Twitter and Instagram. Typing that actually just made me laugh out loud! ;)

As with all of my random musings posts, I would love to hear from you!

Do you face these same challenges? 

How do you quiet the voice that is pushing for perfection? 

Is perfection even a bad thing? 

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!

xx

ps- another giveaway coming up next Tuesday

If you thought the lipstick print tea cup is cute, what til you see this!

I'm in love. Oh and there's still time to enter the tea cup giveaway...it ends Monday

{mullings & musings} Is blogging dead?

I may be way off here, but I'm starting to think that as Instagram and Facebook gain more and more popularity, blogging has begun its decline. What do y'all think? We're such a mobile society, always on the go. It's so much easier to interact and engage through platforms with apps. Who has time to sit and scroll/read through blogs anymore? In fact, I may take it a step further to say that even Facebook is on the way out and Instagram reigns supreme. People have full-on conversations, make new friends, exchange information and get their daily dose of pretty...all from that little app. It's definitely the first one I click on when sitting in a waiting room! Although there are advantages, blogging offers a richer experience complete with as many full size pictures and words that you want. There's only so much you can fit into that little square on Instagram. To me it just seems more instant and engaging to put up a picture on Instagram. I don't have to invest as much coming up with the content for a post, I can do several Instagrams pictures a day and the gratification is instantaneous. I love blogging, but sometimes it feels too far removed. I even have an editorial calendar, I know what I'm going to post days (sometimes weeks) in advance. I'll be honest, this might all be sparked by the fact that I've been feeling a bit burnt out with blogging lately. My life has just been so busy that I haven't had a chance to really create the content that I want and know you all deserve to see! So maybe that's why I'm loving Instagram so much, I get to create something pretty for my friends and followers and it's not so high pressure!

I'd love love to hear your opinion on this....is blogging a dead or dying art form?

xx

{image via}

{mullings & musings} I've decided not to tan...

I've been thinking about how to start this post all weekend long. As most of you were probably (hopefully!) frolicking in the water & under the sun to unofficially welcome summer, I thought it would be the best time to bring this up. This may seem trivial, but I think it's critical.  Ok I know this sounds ridiculous, but I've decided not to tan this summer. 

Let me tell you, I'm not thrilled about it. But, I am determined that this is the smart and healthy choice to make. My self-confidence has always been tied to how tan I am. I instantly feel better/skinnier/prettier when I'm tan. Funny enough, most all other cultures value white, porcelain skin whereas ours promotes a tan, leather-like color. BB cream, that has become so popular in the US lately, has been around for ages in Asian cultures and is known to bleach skin. 

I'm from a Middle Eastern background where most everyone is darker skinned, by comparison I'm Snow White! I was always upset about this growing up, wondering why I didn't get the tan gene. So, I would lay out every summer and go to tanning beds for every special occasion. Always within a few days, I turned a rich, deep dark tan. 

Well, as of this summer, no more. I feel a responsibility as a life and style blogger to talk about this subject. I know that some bloggers have started safe sun campaigns, and that is wonderful! I'm not here to tell anyone not to tan, just please be safe. Please wear sunscreen! I can only imagine the damage I have already done to the layers of my skin with all those years in my 20s when I didn't wear sunscreen and just baked under the sun. 

This summer is going to be a real test of my dedication, resolve and most importantly my self confidence. I hope that I can still feel the summer fun, without those golden rays. I still plan on going to the lake, of course! But I will be smart, I will wear sunscreen, and I will not bake in the sun! 

I will not actively seek out a tan.

Really, I'm writing this post so that I can hold myself accountable. Y'all gotta help me out! Because I must be honest, I do love laying out in the sun, the warmth and that beautiful carmel color. But you know what, I love myself and my skin and my health more!

So tell me, what's your sun care routine? 

Are you careful to wear sunscreen? Do you love to tan? 

I hope you're enjoying the last of your Memorial Day weekend!

My best friend's wedding was absolutely stunning! Those of you who follow me on Instagram saw a few snaps from the celebrations. 
My heart is full, what a magical love-filled weekend.

here's to a fabulous week,

xx

Just another quick disclaimer

I'm not trying to be on my soapbox here, as always I just want to start a discourse so that collectively we can consult on the real issues that face us all. Especially those that are perpetuated by the business of style. I would love, love to hear your opinions on this topic.


{image via}

{mullings & musings} Why I Blog...

A few months ago, I wrote about an aspect of the blogging world that I've been thinking about a lot...Google Friend Connect, specifically and following blogs, in general.  Well I'm back today to examine an issue at the heart of it all: why I blog. Like many others, this started as a creative endeavor. Just for fun!  As this blog has grown, so have my skills and it's been even more fun learning to make this blog just a little snazzier. A lot of time goes into it, so at first I was excited and eager to attempt to monetize my blog. While I do still have some affiliate links and marketing, I have started to re-examine. I struggle some with the materialistic aspect of blogging. Please don't get me wrong, I love to shop! And I love to find good deals online and stylish new pieces. I get this inspiration from where else but other fabulous bloggers. I even have an online shop so I'm contributing to this culture too. 

But for me personally, I have to find a way to reconcile and balance this with my desire to help make the world a better place. (I donate a percentage of all my profits to a charitable organization that works with children locally & internationally...so I hope that helps, but it's still not a solution.) 

I don't have all the answers, I just know it's a process and I'm still trying to figure it out.  That's why I wanted to open it up to you all.  I would love to hear your thoughts on why you blog and what you think about the culture we create as bloggers.  Even if you don't have a blog, do you constantly feel the urge to go buy something because you saw it on your favorite fashionista? Bloggers and readers a like, do you feel you have to constantly purchase the next it item to stay current and on trend?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts, input & observations!

And now, the obligatory pretty picture! ;)

lots of love

xx  

{ps}:

As I said last time, I'm just trying to open a discourse and bring another level to blogging. 

I sincerely hope this doesn't offend anyone!

{mullings & musings} google friend connect

I've been thinking about writing this post forever.

This is a life and style blog so that means flowery words and pretty pictures, design tips and styling advice.

And I love that stuff. All of it.

Additionally the blogging world offers so much more...a community. A wonderfully supportive community.

There are certain aspects that I'm a little uncertain about though, so I wanted to open it up to you all.

One of the biggest things I've been mulling over is Google Friend Connect.

What's up with this competition about the number of followers a blog has?!

Does anyone actually care? Is it indicative of how creative an individual is? Or is it just a popularity contest? Does it 
affect advertising and sponsorship opportunities?  Isn't it kind of like cheating to just go around following other random blogs 
in Poland or Italy so they'll then come follow you?

Honestly, I join every single blog that has that GFC widget, whether they have 7 followers or 700. 

{Mostly because I've been there before. Well, never at 700, but certainly at 7}

I want to support those ladies, and I don't want anyone to have hurt feelings because they only have 50 followers. 
But I have to wonder, do they have hurt feelings? Maybe it doesn't matter to them? Are there actual benefits to joining a blog 
both for the reader and the blogger? I'm just confused about the point of this whole thing.

So tell me, what's the deal with GFC followers? Is it a marker of success? 

Does the number make you want to read a blog any more or less? 

Does it affect the way you view the blog? 

And more importantly, the blogger herself?

And now I leave you with some gorgeous Spring outfit inspiration. This is a style blog after all. ;)

enjoy your day loves,

xx

{ps}:

I acknowledge this was a totally, totally random rambling. I apologize if it was offensive to anyone in any way, that's not my intention.  I think it's important to open a dialogue because if there's one thing I know it's that bloggers are incredibly talented, intelligent and creative women. It's our responsibility to examine what's happening around us and strive to make it better, in all aspects of the world and our lives.  Ok, don't worry...back to our regular routine tomorrow! :)

Linked: Rolled Up Pretty

(love this linkup!)