Making Me Happy // 15

Nobody’s Perfect // Here’s 12 words even intelligent people get wrong.

Holidaze // A few fit tips for staying on track this holiday season.

Off the Hische // A quick career profile on letterer and designer Jessica Hische.

Back to School // On determining if grad school is right for you.

5 Minutes to Happiness // Improve your mood in five minutes or less.

Making Me Happy // 14

( via )

Perfect isn’t cutting it // The best brands are usually the most authentic, and in today’s market truth and honesty are crucial among businesses and individuals alike.

You are not your disorder // I am fortunate enough to have a positive relationship with food, but I believe the points in this open letter apply to diseases and disorders beyond food-related ones.

No Passport Necessary // International travel is always fun, but there’s plenty to see and do without leaving the country.

Lean In // This subtle running tweak may alleviate some unnecessary knee pain.

Good Morning, Sunshine // Daylight Savings may make it easier to wake up in the morning, but these 9 tips to wake up earlier may also come in handy.

Making Me Happy // 13

( via )

Toss It // My makeup bag could probably benefit from these tips on when it's time to toss.

Tech Overload // I recently caught myself in front of the TV watching a Youtube video on my laptop while scanning Instagram on my phone. Needless to say, these 7 truths about unplugging are necessary.

Why I Run // I loved this blogger’s take on why she runs. I can relate to her running journey and adore how she’s learning to see it as a reward instead of a checklist item.

Being A Grown Up // Some practical advice on accepting you have to work the rest of your life.

Fall Fashionistas // Out with the old ( jack-o’-lanterns ) and in with the most fashionable pumpkins ever.

Making Me Happy // 12

If only this was my home office.

Skin Is In // Your skin works hard for you, so make sure you work hard for it.

Madewell Resurrected // I found the history of Madewell rather interesting after making my first purchase not too long ago.

If Celebrities Looked Like Normal People // They’d look a little something like this. Can we talk about how bomb those Photoshop skills are?

Swanologues // The best of Ron Swanson.

Yoga Joes // Imagine if kids played with peaceful soldiers...

Making Me Happy // 11

( via )

Queen of the Gym // Seventeen times Disney Princesses totally felt our workout struggles.

Slow and Steady // I know I didn’t have a baby recently, but I’m definitely on board with this new mom’s three reasons to run slower.

Maxxinista Myth // We're all aware discount and outlet stores have their dirty little secrets, but I didn’t realize they slap designer brand names on products they produce.

Home with LC // I love Lauren Conrad and her style, so this sneak peek into her home has me swooning.

Little Spoon // Reese Witherspoon couldn’t be more down to earth as seen here at home with Vogue.

Making Me Happy // 10

( via )

Skip It // If it doesn’t feel right don’t do it – 10 reasons to skip the gym and work out at home.

#singlegirlprobs // But seriously...the struggle is real.

This Shit is Bananas // Breaking news – the iPhone 6 is not the first consumer product that bends and could potentially break.

I Just Wanna Dance // Like this kick-ass eleven-year-old girl.

For the Health of It // 10 things all women should know about health because we deserve to put ourselves first every now and then.

Making Me Happy // 09

Preach.

Sorry I’m Not ( Aziz ) Ansari // Nasim Pedrad killed it as Aziz in this unaired skirt.

Battlefield // I have newfound love for Gwen Stefani after seeing her with Blake Shelton on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in yet another epic lip sync battle.

Let Me Upgrade You // Have you updated to iO S8 yet? I hear it's pretty slick.

Money Matters // In an effort to be more fiscally responsible, here’s 12 things all women should know about money.

Marble Maven // This DIY marble tray is everything – and may just be this weekend's project.

Making Me Happy // 08

I dislike cats, but I don't dislike yawning kittens. #adorbs 

Breaking Character // The best part of SNL skits is when they find their characters so funny they can’t contain their own laughter.

Accepting Your Flaws // An honest take on appearances, beauty, and awkwardness – with a very darling ending ( prepare to sob ).

Size Chart // Pop-Tarts: The unofficial reference tool for size comparison of Apple devices.

Workday Wellness // Add some wellness to your workday with these 20 simple tips.

The Comeback Kid // Naturally Netflix sucked me in for at least another month because new seasons of Revenge, New Girl, and Parks and Rec were recently released, along with a slew of other TV shows and movies. And I was just about to cancel...

Making Me Happy // 07

Motivation By Andy // If Andy Dwyer quotes were motivational posters they would look something like this.

Sayonara, Toxins // In case we needed another reason to exercise, sweat sessions release toxins from the body like a boss.

Master of Discipline // Repetition is the most important factor when training yourself to be more disciplined. 

Ikea Hack // This hilarious spoof seems fitting since the Apple keynote is scheduled for tomorrow.

Fit Fashion // I received the Athleta fall catalog and I want to emulate their fierce, fit, fashion-forward attitude.

Making Me Happy // 07

Ole Ole Ole // I attended my first Sporting KC game on Saturday and it was by far one of the most enjoyable sporting events I've been to. The stadium is smaller, but much closer to the action. Plus the environment is upbeat with continuos chanting from the cauldron.

The New Normal // How I went so long without seeing Modern Family is beside me. Every episode is hilarious, and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite shows. Let the binge watching commence...

Remembering Iyengar // One of the pioneers who brought yoga to the West passed away last week. B.K.S. Iyengar was a proponent of alignment-based poses, and believed yoga was for everyone. If you've practiced yoga in the US, chances are the class is influenced by Iyengar – especially if you use props like blocks or straps.

Doh // The Simpsons will always have a strange place in my heart for whatever reason. Here are 9 times The Simpsons was strangely beautiful.

Payback's a Bitch // As if John Krasinski and Emily Blunt weren't cute enough, their ice bucket challenges reinforce they indeed take the cake for one of the best celebrity couples.

Deja Vu // No, you're not seeing double. Virtually every man you know owns  #thatjcrewginghamshirt.

Making Me Happy // 06

Fair Food

// Deep fried Snickers on a stick. Did you feel your arteries clog up a little as you read that? I can officially cross fair food off my bucket list because I indulged in a whole lot of it during my first visit to the Iowa State Fair on Saturday.

Not Amanda Knox

// I started listening to an audiobook loosely based on the Amanda Knox case. Cartwheel, a novel by Jennifer DuBois ( an Iowa Writers Workshop grad! ), is a thrilling tale about an American foreign exchange student arrested for murdering her roommate while studying abroad in Argentina. I have to keep telling myself this is fiction and in no way represents what really happened in the Knox case...

Little Pink Houses

// Being in Iowa brings out the country girl in me. At least musically speaking. Cannot get enough of Kenny Chesney's American Kids. Such a catchy tune.

Barely There

// Totally splurged on an unnecessary pair of Lululemon running shorts, but I have to admit they are probably my new favorite pair. The waistband on these puts my Nike pairs to shame.

Cool Mornings

// Mornings are darker and cooler which means fall is near. And while that's sad, it's equally exciting. Especially because fall is the perfect time to introduce pumpkin back into your flavor rotation. I'm looking forward to trying this pumpkin pie protein overnight oats recipe I pinned.

Making Me Happy // 05

Seedless Juicing // I’ve been cooking with lemons a lot lately and, without fail, almost always end up squeezing seeds into the dish. This little lemon life hack is so simple. Instead of cutting the lemon in half and squeezing, puncture the lemon with a knife at one end so it creates a self-contained filter, maximizes the juice, and minimizes the mess. Genius.

Turn Toward the Problem // A great reminder that facing problems head on is crucial for change. Whether we avoid our problems out of fear or annoyance or self-doubt, facing the problem takes the power away from whatever you’re avoiding, and gives you control over whatever is holding you back.

Yoga Takes Time // If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. This mentality should be applied to your yoga practice among other obstacles you face. If your first ( or second ) shot at yoga just isn’t doing it for you, don’t give up. Here’s 10 things to know before giving up on yoga.

Science for the Win // A simple blood test is showing remarkable promise for determining whether or not patients have cancer. This type of test would save time, money, and reduce unnecessary invasive procedures. More testing is needed, but a test like this could create major momentum toward how cancer is diagnosed and treated.

Fridge Facts // Did you know there are different environments within your fridge? Me neither. Here's some tips to maximize your food's freshness.

Making Me Happy // 04

From Altoids to Yankees // A video montage of all of the brands mentioned in Sex and the City. Nine minutes long, and in alphabetical order. Can you guess some of the most-mentioned brands? Now women around the world can blame SATC for sending subliminal messages that made them buy the Manolos.

Fifty’s First Look // Hoda and Kathy Lee’s reaction to the Fifty Shades of Grey trailer was spot on. Seriously, though. This film looks intense. Naturally I’ll need to see it so I can compare it to the book.

Beyond the Frame // It’s so easy to envy the endless amount of perfect pictures on Instagram. Here’s one Instagrammer’s take on what goes on outside of that fabulously-filtered square. The reality of Instagramming is fairly ridiculous when you start to analyze some of the classic shots that constantly fill your feed.

All About That Bass // As a fellow big booty hoe, I'm loving Meghan Trainor's hit song about embracing what your mama gave you. The lyrics ( and especially the video ) are cheeky, but exudes a positive vibe about working with what you've got.

Snail Mail // I received a short and sweet postcard from one of my college besties and was reminded how it's usually the simplest gestures that are the most meaningful. I've been wanting to put some DIY hand-lettering to good use, so I may have to return the favor sometime soon.

Making Me Happy // 03

Going Nuts I purchased my first jar of coconut oil this weekend and whipped it up ( using an electric mixer ) which resulted in an all-natural, luxurious body moisturizer that makes my skin smell like a macaroon. Love.

DVR On-the-Go One of my friends informed me about the AT&T U-verse app which allows you to schedule recordings from your phone. Life changing. And much more intuitive than using the remote.

The Candid Life Nicole Richie's came a long way from her days on The Simple Life, but her new show on VH1 – which is based on her Twitter feed and originated as a web series – Candidly Nicole, is hilarious.

Painless Heels Is it possible to rock a pair of sky-high stilettos sans pain? Maybe if you're Victoria Beckham, but for the rest of us commoners, here's a tip: Tape your third and fourth toes together to alleviate pain in the ball of your foot. Here's the science behind it.

Know-it-All Signing up for theSkimm was a good choice. Every weekday morning I receive a short newsletter in my inbox with a few of the top headlines, along with a bit of background knowledge and a quick synopses of why it's important. Kudos, Skimm.

Making Me Happy // 02

It's Monday, so let's start the week off with a few things making me happy at the moment.

Salted Caramel S'mores Like, really, if you want the summer indulgence of a lifetime, I think we've found it. Get the recipe here and then send your leftovers my way. Nom.

Kourt's Face I haven't exactly been keeping up with the Kardashians, but I do stay up-to-date on Kourtney's Instagram and it's embarrassing how hysterical I found this clip. Seriously, I replayed this at least 20 times ( and laughed til I cried ).

Game Set Match Busted out the ol' racket this weekend and hit the tennis court after a long hiatus. I forgot how much I missed playing. (Actually I had to buy a $10 racket at Wal Mart, and forgot to take the plastic wrap off, but it got the job done.)

An Abundance of Books I've been so fortunate to read a handful of good books in the past several weeks, so stay tuned for a round-up of some of my latest faves.

In the Know After hearing only good things about theSkimm I signed up and am expecting my first newsletter this morning. I'll let you know what I think.

Making Me Happy // 01

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was fairly low-key and consisted of a bunch of "me time" and it was much needed. Here are a few things that are making me happy.

Bookstores

| When's the last time you went to a bookstore? It had been a while for me, but I popped in a Barnes & Noble this weekend and I forgot how much I love that place. The second I entered the store I could smell the fresh-cut pages of the new releases. That smell combined with an endless supply of gorgeous cover design was enough to keep me occupied for a half-hour. I almost splurged on a hardcover version of The Goldfinch. It's been on my reading list for several months, but I'm like 200th on the hold-list at the library. Maybe I'll cave. I'm just so happy bookstores are still a thing.

Reading

| Speaking of bookstores, I'm finally reading again. I haven't really had too much time to read, plus I couldn't get into any of the books I had. But I started Gillian Flynn's Dark Places, a novel about a Kansas family murder massacre mystery, and I'm intrigued. Luckily it's fiction...

Window Shopping

| Another thing I haven't done in a while was window shop. Sure I stop by the mall every now and then, but it's usually just to run to Forever 21 to grab a new top or necklace for the weekend. I walked around an outdoor mall for a few hours over the weekend and didn't buy a thing. I can't remember the last time I didn't buy something or want to buy something. But because I didn't have anything I necessarily needed or wanted, it was nice to just to take it all in.

Black Dog Coffee

| Sunday afternoon I swung by Black Dog Coffehouse a local coffee shop in Lenexa. They serve almond milk lattes so of course I was sold. I even sat outside – which was pleasant for the first half-hour until it got windy. Regardless, I can definitely see this as one of my new spots.

Emma + Andrew

| Um, am I the only one who didn't know Andrew Garfield was English? He apparently fooled me. Anyways, did you guys see Emma Stone, Andrew Garfield, and Jamie Foxx on Ellen? I definitely didn't watch the episode, but I did catch the highlights – which was practically the entire segment. Ellen tries to get Emma and Andrew to talk about their relationship, which they avoid in the most adorable way possible. Seriously, watch this. And this, this, and this. #swoon