All Paths Lead to Wonderland: Mondays in Wonderland

Why hello, you lovely thing! I was planning on giving you a tutorial for a little photo editing today, but as usual, am running behind. Even though it's late, it is still Monday and I haven't missed a Monday in Wonderland yet!

For now, here is a lovely little download, as well as a sneak peak at what I am going to show you how to make soon--without Photoshop! Is all the gold, pretty texture, and promise of free and easy getting you excited yet?

Anyway, I hope you love this lots and lots, and that your week is absolutely amazing! Got any exciting plans to chat about?

Stay lovely,

PS: Notice anything different around here? I'm soooo excited about some new little design changes, and will soon be sharing about those too!

Monday in Wonderland: Leslie Knope Quotes

You might be getting tired of watercolor everything ‘round here, but I’m sure not getting tired of making it! This week, my trusty Crayola watercolors became some beautiful quotes by the one and only Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec. If you haven’t seen the show, Leslie, played by Amy Poehler, basically kicks butt in life by being her hardworking, excessively positive and driven self. Also, if you haven’t seen the show, you probably haven’t recently finished the 7^th season on Netflix and don’t have a gaping hole in your life where the Pawnee, India Parks and Recreation Department used to be! (Yeah.. so that’s me right now.)

Anyway, obsession aside, we could probably all use a little more Leslie Knope mentality in our lives. Don’t believe me? Behold her wisdom.

I don’t always talk to myself. But when I do, I try to say nice things :)

Forget the haters, cuz somebody loves ya. (Yes, I am very sorry for quoting Leslie by quoting Miley. No, I am not taking it back.)

Girl code reigns supreme.

This also might be me. I should probably go take a bubble bath or do some yoga right now.

Translation: Press pause, and take it all in graciously.

I hope you have an amazing week, filled with an extra serving of Leslie’s optimism and ferocity! What’s your favorite P&R quote? Also, TV show recommendations, please!

Stay lovely,

Monday in Wonderland: Seriously. Love Yourself.

I haven’t done a classic Monday in Wonderland recently, ya know, with just a doodle and some rambling, but this message seems to be popping up at me everywhere recently! I also know I put the same mantra in some littleprintables a few weeks ago, but loving yourself is just so incredibly important. Not easy by any means, but pretty dang important. It even was addressed in my Women’s Health textbook today! And what with Valentine’s Day passing, I figured it could never hurt to give a little reminder!

I could also go on and on about this nonsense, but I think you know the drill. It’s hard work and you do have to consciously approach such a thing unless you are Beyoncé and never really have a bad day! (#flawless) Plus, so many people say it so much better than little ol’ me. Here’s a super cute video, if that’s what you are feeling, and a list of 55 ways to do so, full of linked articles that really are something special. (Thank you to Courtney’s Little Things for directing me there!) We also have a self-love challenge here, and an entire internet full of reasons and ways to love little ol’ you.

There really is a little bit of movement to this mantra and I totally love it. I as much as anyone else need to have patience, acceptance, and grace for myself. And when I do so, I feel a heck of a lot better :)

Have an absolutely amazing week! And if you haven’t done it yet, Valentine’s blooms and chocolates are bound to be on sale! Pick some up for your bestest buddie—AKA YOU! (I would also suggest wine, but I’m not really old enough to drink that so…)

How do you love your own beautiful self?

Stay lovely,

Monday In Wonderland: Quotes + Mini Gallery

Well he we are, once again at the start of another week! (Well pretty much a whole day into it by now, but you know the drill.)

I was a little lost in terms of my own words this week, so I thought I would give some wiser people and a few positive affirmations a try, and ended up making some wall art while I was at it! Plus, wall art for me means free downloads for you too. Now don't be shy--click away!

"To believe that you must hide all the parts of you that are broken, out of fear that someone is incapable of loving what is less than perfect, is to believe that sunlight is incapable of entering a broken window and illuminating a dark room."
-Marc Hack

"Everything is so beautiful when you stop looking for flaws."

"What most people don't understand is that passion is the result of action, not the cause of it."
-Mark Manson

"When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves."
-William Arthur Ward

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song."
-Maya Angelou

In case you were wondering, the quotes were collected from either recent reading or really old pins that I just so happened to be feeling at the time I painted these! I honestly have no clue who any of the authors are, other than Maya Angelou, but that doesn't mean they can't say beautiful and wise things. I painted these on watercolor paper with black acrylic paint and Crayola watercolor paints (the 24 pack cuz I'm fancy), then hung them with gold washi tape!

Bonus: That little plaque was a gift from my parents and reads "Act like a lady, think like a boss!" How fantastic is that?!

What is your favorite quote right now? And yes, it is okay if it changes every day or less!

Stay lovely,

Monday in Wonderland: Savor the Good

Gooooood morning! I can’t believe I’m actually posting this before noon! That hasn’t happened in months! (Sorry for my laziness on that account by the way.)

This fine and sunny morn I am sitting in my pj’s under a super fuzzy blanket, enjoying a relaxing morning before I begin a day of crafting and blog post drafting! (Yeah, so I am basically Dr. Seuss now.) And after that concludes, classes resume again tomorrow and I head into semester two!

So with all that in mind, I thought it would be good to spend some time this morning taking in some final moments of a fantastic winter break and this lovely 3-day weekend before the college craziness ensues once again! My lazy side is totally bummed to have to do work again, but all good things must come to an end! Especially when those good things aren’t actually good for your physical or mental health... (Thanks, Netflix.)

That said, heading into this semester I want to take more deliberately relaxing moments in my days. To savor a well-lit morning and drink some tea or something! To take the time, even if it’s only 30 minutes, to actually cook a meal in the evenings. And no, microwave chicken nuggets and PB&J don’t count. Maybe even to open a book again, just for a chapter or two every evening, and sit down to read something. I need to indulge in my favorite ways to unwind just a little more, the idea being that I am doing something productive that also makes me happy. Sitting in front in the telly or exploring the realms of Pinterest is great for study breaks and the like, but often times I feel like it is delaying the stress rather than alleviating it. Instead, I need to aim for intentional rest and purposeful brain breaks in which I can think about the good little things in my life. Because there are so, so many of them. (Ok, and maybe just watch 1 episode of The Flash a day?)

Savoring the good could be anything for you—a book, a meal, a chat with a friend, or even an all-day shopping trip if that is your style! Whatever it is though, you and I should invest a little more time in those things. I’m planning to give it a try and I’ll let you know how it turns out!

Stay lovely,

PS: If you need a moment to savor today, here’s another post definitely worth reading, especially for young “adults” such as myself! (Adults—ha!) Finding good articles for you babes should totally be added to my purposeful relaxation. I really dig other people’s beautiful thoughts.

Monday in Wonderland: Just Be Happy

This past week I posted some of my favorite ways to stress less, and those tips were really important for me. The thing about stress, especially when it comes to worries about the future and other things out of my control, is that it can easily kill a good mood. While letting my worries and such bum me out, this was the lovely little piece of advice I got. And it is certainly true! It takes a lot of effort to stay fixated on those sources of discontent, and boy is stress and sadness exhausting!

My goals as I head back to school pretty soon are to stress less and therefore be positive more. I had pretty good luck last semester with keeping my spirits up, but I know there is so much more I can do! I wish you luck as well. Being happy and relaxed feels so great when you can make it happen!

Stay lovely,

Monday in Wonderland: 2016 "Resolutions"

When New Year’s rolls around, everyone starts talking about transformations. We set these giant goals to be a “new you,” and while I don’t disagree with changing for the better, I think we use starting points like New Year’s to wait to start working on our goals. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to start a transformation, but if a change really matters to you, and it’s something you really want to participate in, then why are you waiting?

There’s also this attitude that if you miss one day of this magical New Year’s resolution, you have failed and may have to wait ‘til next year to really make that change. Any change is a process, so I think it’s silly that there’s a belief that we will magically and completely change just because the date now reads differently. You won’t suddenly start eating more vegetables every single day, and you will miss a daily journal entry. Or maybe you will get it, right away, and never go back to whatever old habit you were trying to break, but most of my experience with New Year’s resolutions does not suggest that outcome at all.

I know this is sounding really pessimistic, but that’s not my intention at all. Rather, I say why not change whenever you want to! I know, I’m as bad as anyone about delaying the start of a change, but I do believe that if you are truly committed to something, the start date shouldn’t matter, and a stumble or two shouldn’t be the end of your progress.

I’ve never been good at making or keeping New Year’s resolutions. It’s like New Year, SAME me, and I’m really ok with that. If anything, I want to make smaller resolutions, and take baby steps toward those elusive goals. I also want to make sure that if I am going to commit to a change, I really am motivated by it, and not for the wrong reasons. If I resolve to eat healthier, it should be to feel better and not to satisfy some vision of a healthy and fit me. If I resolve to create more, then it shouldn’t become a suffocating stressor on my life, because that kills my creative spirit completely.

And so, if we are speaking in terms of tiny and ever-changing resolutions, my resolution right now is to keep taking baby steps and keep moving forward. And if a big change comes along that I can reasonably be committed to, I resolve to take steps toward that change, no matter if it’s January 1st or next December 31st.

Maybe that wasn’t the type of resolution you were looking for, but that’s where I am right now. Just don’t forget, no matter how big or small or wavering your resolutions are, you don’t have to wait to start them up or keep them going! You are awesome, and every little step you take is moving somewhere!

Stay lovely,

Monday in Wonderland: Be Lovely

Click here to download (Do not right click and save as)

Happy Monday in Wonderland! How was Christmas? Goooood?

Just a reminder to be a great human being this upcoming week, whether or not you think other people deserve it! Be sweet and be good and be your lovely fine self!

Stay lovely,

Monday in Wonderland: Blessed

Happy Monday! Sorry this is super late—Christmas crafts are calling me!

Click to download

There something about this time of year that never fails to remind me just how blessed I am. I love being surrounded by family, hanging out with friends, and laughing all the way! The holidays are just simply magical and beautiful and full to the brim with love.

I encourage you to count your blessings this holiday season and never forget the reason we are all here—because of love and family! I as much as anyone tend to forget this simple truth and get caught up in finding/making the perfect gift for all those I love and whether I'm spending enough time and money on people! But as my parents pointed out recently, the most fun I have had recently is hanging ornaments on the tree, blasting Christmas music, and eating all the M&M’s (as our family tradition goes)! It really is the little things, isn’t it?

I pray that your Christmas is truly blessed, and that you take a minute along with me to see those blessings in your life. Because cheesy as it sounds, the best gifts have absolutely no monetary value at all! Merry Christmas, babes!

Stay lovely,

Monday in Wonderland: Kindness is Contagious

Some recent interactions in my life have caused me to think a lot about basic kindness in everyday life. It seems like the common behavioral response to stress and threat is to take out that behavior on others, and I understand that behavior because I’ve done this many times myself. To an extent I think it’s a natural outlet for pent-up negative emotions.

That said, this world could use a lot more kindness all the time. I guess all I’m suggesting is that in daily encounters, even with strangers, it would be so amazing if we as humans were accustomed to showing more compassion. Keeping needless comments to ourselves, sharing genuine smiles and conversations, and treating other humans as just that, even when we may be struggling ourselves.

Because kindness is contagious. Happiness is reciprocated. And you never know who may be needing a little simple kindness even more than you do, regardless of holiday shopping or finals or even the big things you are very likely facing. We are all humans and we could probably all benefit from a little more love.

This Monday in Wonderland was short, but the message is pretty simple, and how I intend to approach things, at least until the end of the semester. (But hopefully for much of my life!) Care to join me?

Stay lovely,

PS: If you are looking for some ways to increase your kindness and support for others, I found out about the Dressember foundation and moreloveletters.com in this past week. Check out the websites if you are interested! And good luck in all you may be up against right now. *virtual hugs*

Monday in Wonderland: December To Do List

Hellooooooo! Happy Monday!

So I try to keep these Monday in Wonderlands somewhat relatable to the general population, but let’s face it: I am a college student and the central conflict in my life right now is a handful of hard tests. Actually, I feel like high schoolers and even middle schoolers from my hometown are feeling the pressure of finals too. And even if you’re past those “hectic years” (yeah, I know, adulting is way harder) then maybe replace “finals” with “Christmas shopping,” “a visit from the in-laws,” or “white elephant gift exchanges.” (Obviously the bootie-kicking you need to do regarding gift swaps involves getting the most random, awesome gift out there.)

However you spin it though, December has the potential to be simultaneously the most stressful and most wonderful time of the year. (See what I did there?) And with the month starting tomorrow (crazy, right?!) this year I’m hoping to fight this stress with the Christmas spirit! At the end of the day, the holidays are supposed to be a lovely and relaxing time, no matter what Grinch-y professors or TV ads tell you. So here’s to a magical month full of cheer!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a few things on my to-do list to attend to. I’m thinking that numbers 1-3 look pretty appealing at this moment. (Or any moment of December really.)

Stay lovely,

Monday in Wonderland: My Style Philosophy

Happy Monday in Wonderland!

As you know, No Pants November has been up and running, and so this Wonderland will be a little different. I wanted to chat this morning about personal style and about why I bother putting together “cute” outfits at all! To me, it’s an important part of my day and I want to express why that is And let’s start this all with the weekly doodle and quote to keep in mind, because it’s kinda my style philosophy:

Pretty deep, right? Let me elaborate.

For me, getting ready in the morning is like playing dress up. I mean, only for like 5 minutes (because I like to sleep), but regardless, Kate Spade was pretty en pointe saying, ““Playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends.” For me, putting together a cute outfit is part of my morning routine. It honestly makes me feel more awake and human at 6:30 in the morning (thanks, 8 AM’s) to start with a little creativity and color mixing.

And that’s exactly what style is for me—an outlet for creativity and personality. I was watching a video with one of my favorite makeup YouTubers JKissa (because I like pretty makeup, okay?!) on personal style and she commented how color is her method to express internal traits because of her shyness. For me, it’s much the same. I’m an introvert by nature—as I’ve seen more and more in my first college semester—and for me, style is my way of opening up to people a little. While I love meeting new people, I prefer one-on-one conversations, and if people in a group are talking, I prefer to listen rather than interject. This means that maybe you won’t “get to know me” very quickly at a large social event, but I think my style reveals a lot about the person I am without words.

At some point in my childhood I turned from a “tom-boy” to a “girly-girl,” hence all the dresses and even a fuzzy sweater or two. But my girly-ness isn’t exclusively part of my appearance. That girly, feminine side reflects my personality, because I am sensitive and tend to be vulnerable and caring, maybe even a little too much. But I love that part of me. I love “momming” people and caring about them.

I also feel like a lot of times I really am a little naive and childish. I won’t always outright act like a kid because I do get shy and fearful of judgement, but a lot of the time I feel like I think like one. I like to look on the bright side and ignore the bad stuff and, for better or worse, that is who I am.

I also love mixing colors and patterns, and for me that’s a portrayal of my desire to be bright and happy. Even if I seem like the girl who doesn’t say much at first, in a way, my style expresses that side of me that has a whole lot to say and be joyful about. I express my fun-loving side through possibly senseless outfits even if I’m not the girl out partying on a Friday night.

Most importantly though, style is a form of courage and self-love for me. Like most teenage girls, I went through a lot of years trying to be like every other girl, and being unhappy when I couldn’t pull it off. It just wasn’t me. And when I stepped out of my comfort zone at first, wearing dresses and vintage accessories and even my naturally curly hair, I was scared. I was worried of judgement until I learned that my friends honestly didn’t care if I experimented a little unconventionally with my clothes. The joy I felt in being myself this way was addicting, and even though some of those 9^th and 10^th grade outfits were not quite all together, I loved that I got to keep experimenting with clothes until I could find something that was all my own. I was even nominated for the “Miss Teen Vogue” band superlative a few times and it really surprised me. Honestly I was only dressing for myself, as you should, and people liked my weird style anyway!

I think that’s all why now, in a sea of comfy t-shirts and tennis shoes, I decide to wear a dress and heeled booties. Style gives me confidence. I am actually more likely to be comfortable wearing what I want to rather than what’s conventional. I’m not gonna lie, college has been a little challenging at times being an introvert, but wearing what I want and not caring what anyone thinks is my form of bravery. It’s my way of expressing myself even if you’ve never heard me say a word.

Not to say that if you do dress in conventional or comfy ways you are unoriginal! You may have the hilarious personality, some crazy talents, intelligence, kindness, classiness, strange quirks, glorious imperfections, and any number of ways to express those things unique to you! And I think that’s amazing! Self-expression is so powerful, and for me style is so much more than putting on clothes. It’s part of those things that make me individual that I may not tell you right off the bat. It’s my way of saying “this is me” without saying a word, because maybe, sometimes, I’m too shy to do so.

See, you do you, babe. My boy and older sis tell me it all the time, and I think it’s wonderful. It’s honestly some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten when I start worrying about what I “should do” or what people will think. For me, “doing me” starts with how I get up and get dressed every day, and ends with the big (and possibly foolish) future I sometimes daydream about. But I’m happy to be a dress-wearing, pattern-loving, color-coordinating, day-dreaming fool. You should be too. Wear what you want, be crazy if you want to, and let your personality, interests, and bravery shine!

Stay lovely,

Monday in Wonderland: Make it Joyful

Happy Monday, once again!

This week’s message may seem a little repetitive, as I think my Monday in Wonderlands can be, but I like to base these on what’s going on in my life. When I stay up late Sunday night writing these, or am rushing to do them amidst my homework on Mondays, I find the most joy and the easiest, most fluid and beautiful writing I can create when I write about things I understand, and things that are happening for me. Additionally, I write these as much for me as you all, because every Monday is like a new start, and it gives me a chance to look back on recent events, see where the holes in my positivity lie, and try to correct for them as I move through life to a happier me. But because I am a human (just makin’ sure ya know), and a college kid, I think maybe things like this will be relatable to other people too. Plus, a little reminder to smile never hurt anybody.

So for this Monday, I am left reflecting on a week where I was a little bit of a grump. My circumstances weren’t the most favorable to a happy mood, between stress, that “really-need-a-break” exhaustion, and feeling a bit under the weather again. And while I can’t fault myself for responding negatively to inherently negative events, I can internally reprimand myself for perpetuating those grumpy feelings!

I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets in a bad mood and thinks every little thing is bad. Even when my sister made me food, and let me commandeer the TV for an evening to watch the Pixar Shorts collection on Netflix (I do recommend), I remained pretty morose, by equal parts the world bringing me down and ME bringing me down.

I don’t want to look back and think, “gosh, my first semester of college was hard. I was so tired and depressed all the time with school” because that’s not accurate! It’s actually been pretty great. No super hard classes, a handful of new friends, and living with my big sis, which has honestly been really fun. (It’s amazing how you grow up a little and suddenly like your siblings!) However, I know if I keep myself in the grumpies for the next 4 weeks or so (that’s it y’all!), that’s what I’m going to think. It was hard and I was sad.

I honestly have no reason to complain so far. And dancing my butt off at a quinceañera Saturday night, then singing at church this weekend with group of lovely ladies reminded me of that. I will seriously never cease to be astonished by the little reminders of joy God brings me when I start to think that life is the pits.

Guys, time for a challenge for me and you. Next time your world seems to be falling apart and you’re just plain morose, try to look around for the simple and beautiful things. I mean, it’s hard. You’re psychologically inclined not too. (I learn things in my psych class!) But I didn’t have the most fun I could’ve this weekend at home with my family and on the car ride back yesterday with Sammy because a part of me was wallowing in self-pity that only made “I’m not feeling great” feel 100 times worse.

I’ve only got one first semester of freshman year, and as a matter of fact, one life to live. I don’t want to waste it being sad—that’s just not me and it’s just not fun. We got this guys. We have the capacity to fight the grumpies with joy. I mean you’re wherever you are in life anyway right? Might as well try to make the most of it.

Stay lovely,

Monday in Wonderland: You Are What You Love

Happy Monday Lovelies!

I saw this week’s #MondayinWonderland quote on a sticky note stuck to my older sister’s bathroom mirror a little while ago, and it’s one of those phrases that I haven’t been able to get out my head since! I quick google trip informed me that this witty phrase is a from a Fall Out Boy song (no surprise there), but it’s really just a nifty way of proclaiming a humble truth (apparently in preteen slang): Forget the haters and do yo’ thang. (This would be very amusing if you heard me saying it. Or if you heard me try to rap it!)

I’ve already kind of talked about why not to be a people pleaser. So I guess apply all that nonsense to your passions too. If you spend all you time doing things you don’t enjoy just to make people like you, you won’t be having any fun. You may have a bajillion (guys, this is actually a word!) friends, but your friends don’t make up who you are--your passions do!

I mean, at least as far as I’ve seen, it’s all kind of a cycle. You do the things you love, meet the people you end up loving, and, if you’re lucky, find a way to manifest your love and friendship for them WITH the things you love doing! And then you are just killin’ it.

So translation and then some: Forget the haters (seriously though) and do WHAT you love (that undefined “thang” I referred to) for THOSE you love (bffls).

Stay lovely,

PS: Haters gonna hate. Potatoes gonna potate.

Monday in Wonderland: Hugs

All this #MondayinWonderland really says is that Corin is a total cheeseball. But I am totally okay with that.

For reals though, hugs are great. As my bestie quotes from Pushing Daisies: "A hug is like an emotional Heimlich. Someone puts their arms around you and they give you a squeeze and all your fear and anxiety come shooting out of your mouth in a big wet wad and you can breathe again."

And so for some reason, I'm thinking of that today, and the cold weather, and the copious amounts of blankets i want to be cuddled under right this second, and this is how my brain put all that nonsense together.

Now go hug someone you love. (Not in a creeper way. Just enough of a squeeze so that you can breathe again. :P) I promise you'll feel better!

Happy November <3

Stay lovely,

Monday in Wonderland: Rejoice

Happy #MondayinWonderland!

Today's doodle was created by my amazing sister dearest based on the theme for an awesome retreat I went on this past weekend! And well. God is good. All the time. ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD. And that is all! <3

Have an amazing week!

Stay lovely,

Monday in Wonderland: Take a Chill Pill

Happy Monday!

You probably didn't notice but I kind of dropped off the internet the past few days! The generic October illness came right on schedule, so sleep and survival have been my main priorities.