Link-Up: Sunday Social.

Today I decided to link up with A Complete Waste Of Make-Up for their 'Sunday Social'.

 

 

 

1. What do you miss most about being a kid? 

 Being able to have all the free-time in the world! I miss being able to just lounge about and do whatever I wanted, when I wanted without having all these different responsibilites and being as busy as my life currently is. Oh, to be a kid again!

2. Did you have a nickname growing up? If so, what was it?

My parents called me 'Rissy', but my family called me by my full name 'Marissa Faith', but because they simply loved the way it sounded. But, I guess that's not really a nick name!

3. What was your favorite thing to do at recess?

When I was homeschooled with my cousins we would play really long rounds of hide and seek around the neighborhood, or we would play old card games with my Aunt. When I was in public school I was a loner alot, so I would just walk around with a few friends that I had. 

4. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a beautician for a little while, then from about the age of 9-now, I want to be an actress. Realistic, right?! Ha, but that's why I am in college. To find something practical. I hope. ;)

 

5. What was your favorite toy?

This little rag-doll baby that I just so cleverly named 'Baby'. I would cry when I couldn't find her. My parents actually bought two of them that looked alike so that when my mom needed to wash one, I would always have another one so I wouldn't have a fit, and I never even noticed!

6. What was the funniest thing you did as a kid that your parents still remind you about?

I had this little toy clock that would say "can you tell time?!" and I would always walk around the house screaming that. So, now parents will still randomly bring that up whenever we are talking about time.

 

In honor of all the questions about my childhood, here I am! Wasn't I a cute little blonde thing?!

 

Guest Post: Fall Favorites with Margaret!

I know all of the many things that I love about Fall, but I wanted to ask some of my fellow blogger friends what they like about this season. Today, featured is the incredibly sweet and totally humble Margaret from Floral & Frayed. Please go and check her out! She is an absolute sweetheart and takes her blog and her readers very seriously. So, here are some of the things she likes about Fall!

 

-    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   -    -    -   -

 

Margaret's Fall Favorites

 

1. Pumpkin spice lattes: Because, come on, who doesn't love a PSL?! Try and tell me you don't wait outside Starbucks the very day they come out...yeah, I thought so.

 

2. Cozing up to a fire: Fall reminds me of everything warm. I love cozy socks and flannel. Snuggling up to the fire with my love is my ideal way to spend a fall evening.

 

3. Soup: Because soup tastes so much better in the fall. I could eat it all day every day.

 

4. Apple Picking: Fall is the perfect time to head out to your favorite orchard or farm to pick apples, pumpkins, and fresh veggies. Not to mention most markets have fresh donuts and hot cider! It's the very best way to spend the weekend afternoon.

 

5. Candles: The soft warmth and light, accompanied by the aroma of Fall? Nothing better.

 

Fitness for Christmas.

Normal people (which is clearly not me) usually try to lose weight in the springtime so they look good for summer, when they will be in the bathing suits and things like that. But, no no no! Not this girl! I am going to try and lose weight for Christmas; the time of year when you are in baggy sweatshirts and jeans for the season.

 

I have been wanting to get into shape for a while and I have just really needed the kick in the butt. I have been talking for my co-worker and good friend Michele about wanting to lose weight, and we both had the same goal date of Christmas. So, we decided that since today is September 25, which is exactly three months until christmas, we would work our hardest to achieve our goals. We have decided that we are going to: stear clear of junk food, watch our sugar and carb intake, excercise daily, drink tons of water and forget late-night eating. This is a hard task, especially for always-busy college girls. On some weeks we may cleanse, or try different diets, but we are highly motivated to reach our personal finish lines together.

So, my goal is 10 lbs! I am hoping that I can do this and stay strong and just know that in the end it will be all worth it. Hey, maybe I can buy myself a pretty little Christmas dress a few sizes smaller!

 

And who can't resist Ryan Gosling?!?! (insert swooning)

 

The Great Shift.

 

The past few days have been an absolute wirl-wind. I have had so many different experiences happen that have just confirmed so many things in my life that I were so unsure and uneasy of.

 

This past Thursday I had a meeting with one of the pastors of my church who I have gotten to know quite well over the years and have built a good relationship with. We chatted in his office over some coffee about my life and what has exactly been going on. To make a long story short, I talked with him about how my long term goal was to start coming back to that church and be rooted there. My pastor then began to tell me about how when he was praying for me one day he said he saw a tree that was planted, and over time it grew into this big, beautiful tree, full of life. He told me that if I become a permanent attendee of the church, he can see so many big and wonderful things for my life. I was completely blown away. He also suggested to me that if I was serious I could seek membership in the church.

 

When the meeting was over I had a sense of peace come over me, like, this was the right thing to do. That night we had an amazing service with all the youth and our guest speaker prayed over me and I just broke right there. I began to ball my eyes out and just hysterically cry. I was in that state for about fifteen minutes, until I stood up and just started worshiping. That night I felt like I was torn apart and put back together in the most amazing way. I saw this as a confirmation.

 

To top everything off, when I attended Sunday morning service, the announcer said that membership seminars will be starting soon for people who are interested in pursuing membership in the church. Could everything be any more perfect?!

 

So, to say the least. I am excited about what is happening in my life and where God is going to take me after I start to take these few steps that He has put in my path.

Autumn!

Happy First Day of Autumn!

I always love this time of year. Everything slows down and it all just kind of...mellows out. The weather gets cooler, which means you get to break out those comfy sweaters, boots, scarves and hats. You can eat all the seasonal foods that come out at the time. I am forever indulging with pumpkin lattes, and pumpkin pastries - delish! You also get to do a lot of fun things like going and picking apples and pumpkins, going on hay rides, doing "haunted" things and so on. I have never done any of those things, so my friends decided that some day they are going to kidnap me and we are going to do them all together. I especially love this season for all of mom and dad's amazing comfort food to come back; big heaping helpings of lasagna, thick and delicious beef stew, crumby and moist pumpkin bread and so much more! I also love that I can drink all the tea I want because, along with all the wonderful things of Autumn, there is also all the sickness that goes around. Yucky! I am forever sick in the Autumn, but I am going to try to stear clear this year. I am excited for the weather to get even colder and I can't wait to start on all the wonderful things I am going to do this season.

 

What are your favorite things to do in the Fall?

Fall Television.

I love coming home from a long day at school or work to just cuddle up in my bed and turn on the television and watch some of my favorite shows. I am so glad that all of my favorite shows are coming back, I can't even contain my excitement. I love talent shows, so I am obssessed with The X Factor and The Voice. It's crazy to watch The X Factor because my mom and I actually attended a taping when they came near us in Providence, Rhode Island. So, that is one of my current obssessions. It also doesn't help that I love Demi Lovato and Britney Spears and think they are just so stinking adorable as judges. Speaking of adorable judges, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton always have me in stitches during The Voice when they are at each other's throats to build their teams. It's so funny and adorable. Christina and Cee-Lo also bring the funny and the show is just flat out amazing. Then, there is my baby, Glee! I am so glad that it's back this season and I can't wait to see what is next for my number one girl, Rachel Berry! I have followed the show for years and now I am so glad to see my favorite glee-club members go to college - just like me!

 

What are your favorite Fall television shows?!

Stronger.

 (photo from WeHeartIt)

 

This whole week I have been struggling with strength; mentally, emotionally and physically. I am coming to a point where the stress factor in my life is peaking and I am begining to crumble under the pressure. I am trying to stay on top of the things I need to do and not let things get out of hand. I am trying my best to stay cool, calm and collected but it's a struggle a lot of the time. I have also been dealing with a lot of insecurities I didn't even know I had. I have been put into situations where I thought I would react one way, and do a complete turn around and do the total opposite. I have been learning about myself and where my strengths and weaknesses are in my own person. With the help of a wonderful friend, things were put into perspective. As this week also progressed, all of the pains in my body decided to amplify. This past weekend my back has felt utterly broken. Standing at work was unbearable and driving in my car for more than ten minutes was so uncomfortable. I spent my weekend in bed by 8 PM with an icepack on my back, hoping that this would all go away.

 

I am being tested in all areas of my life with strength and I am more determined than ever to kick all my weaknesses in face and come out a champion.

 

If any of you are struggling with strength, here are some of my ways that help me to be more possitive and gain more strength.

 

-   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -

 

1 // Talk it out. Sometimes it is very uncomfortable and even shameful to talk about the things that you weel are your weaknesses, but you need to have someone that you can trust and talk to about those things in your life. It's not good to keep things bottled up and haunting you. Admit your weakneeses and try and make them better.

 

2 // Practice your strengths. If you are good at something, brag about it! If you think you are a kick butt person, you shouldn't be ashamed of it! Be loud, proud and confident about those things that you are awesome at and work on how you can make them even better than they are now.

 

3 // Don't tear yourself down. If you are working on making your weaknesses better, don't beat up on yourself if things don't go as planned. Just know that there is another day, another day for you to try again.

 

4 // Reward yourself when you do it right. Be happy and rejoice when you gain a new strength! And know that if you can do it once, you can do it again.

 

 

How do you deal with weakness in your life?



Mid-Week Motivation.

(from Pinterest)

 

 

I have been having a hard time lately keeping myself motivated with things. I have been doing a very decent job staying on my health & wellness kick which included eating healthier, going to the gym three times a week and attending Zumba on a weekly basis. I am doing my part and I am waiting for results. I am glad that I am staying focused with that, but I am begining to fall a little behind with my organization with school - and we're only a few weeks in! So, today I sat down and wrote everything down in my planner and organized myself, planning my time. I am hoping that this works and keeps me on the organized track. I have all different activites highlighted in different colors with little Post-It note flags reminding me when readings need to be done, when I am having a quiz and when papers are due. I am making the effort to see a change. That's the first step. Staying on the right track and seeing better results down the line may be tedious and difficult, but the pay off will be so worth it! I will be less stressed and more put together. So, here's to making efforts for possitive change in our lives! (clinking of glasses sound inserted here)

 

 

Love One Another.

Loving people is so easy. Some may say that it's easy to hate people, but when you start out loving them first, you can look beyond the things that you dislike about them. Everyone wants to be loved, accepted and cared for. I always do what I can to make other people happy; whether I know them or not. Everyone deserves to smile at least once a day. Don't be the person that is rude to someone, says something mean or hurtful, and don't be the person to bully or tear down another person. Build them up with kidness, compassion and love. You never know how much your words and actions can not only affect, but hurt another.

 

In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Day, please, send a smile to someone who looks like they need it. Tell the people you love, that you love them. Open a door for a stranger. Be a kind person.

 

I have a personal connection to suicide, so I am in all supports of spreading the word that it is a problem and that everyday people can solve this issue by just being better human beings and treating each other with respect. I had a friend who contemplated taking their life, and when they tell you, it's not a fun story and they are very serious. In this particular case, everything ended up fine and they dealt with their issues and they are living a happier life.

 

If you would like to know more about Suicide Prevention Day or the organization To Write Love On Her Arms, visit their website: http://www.twloha.com/ 

Sunday Afternoons Alone.

Sundays are my only day off to really have a relaxing day all to myself. It's the only day where I don't have to go to class, I don't have to work and I basically have no cares in the world. I usually try to make plans on Sunday afternoons so it gives me something to do. The only structure to my Sundays are church in the morning and family dinner in the evening. So, what am I supposed to do for the rest of the day? On this particular Sunday, my parents are out doing a few errands and seeing some family, and I stuck in the house with nothing to do until supper time. So, I compiled a list of things I can do when I am alone on a Sunday afternoon. (You can also try it, too!)

 

-   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -

 

1 // Splurge on a coffee. I am a coffee addict, as you probably know by now. When I am having a day filled with nothing that special, I will treat myself with something I don't normally have. I usually go with Starbuck's Frappuccino. I am a creature of habit and I always get the Vanilla Bean one. I always get a "tall" sized, because it's just the right size for a little treat. So, try a blended drink, or if you are feeling adventurous try out an espresso, or a flavor that you don't normally like, or know you like!

 

2 // Paint your nails. I always feel so nice, pretty and polished when my nails are in tip-top condition. I have been pampering myself lately and buying Essie polishes which come in such gorgeous colors - it's a really hard time trying to pick which one I want to use. If you aren't a "do-it-yourself" kind of girl, or you want to treat yourself a little more, go get them done at a salon.

 

3 // Read. Pick up that book that has been sitting on yoru bedside table that you alway say that you will get to. Maybe when you are out getting your coffee, stop by the pharmacy and pick up a magazine or two to keep you entertained on what's new in Hollywood.

4 // Listen to music. I have been on an iHeart and Pandora kick lately. I have been listening to music like a maniac and I have found myself buying some of the songs I hear on the radio and putting them on my iPod. It's bringing me to different artist and songs that I would never listen to, and it keeps things fun. The fun with internet radios is that everything is shuffled and you don't know what's next! If you want to make your Sunday relaxation day a ritual, make a special "Sunday" playlist on your iPod and play that!

5 // Clean & Organize. I am one of those people who clammers through their drawers like an idiot and cleans everything down spotless. Granted I have to be in that kind of mood. But, if it's been bugging you the dust on your TV, the fingerprints on your mirror or the lipstick stained into your carpet; clean it! Get it over with once and for all. Then you can rejoice in a job well done.

What are some things that you do on a lazy Sunday?

September Skies & Pleasant Pumpkins.

September is already upon us and I can't even believe this! So much has been happening in my life lately, that I had barely had time to have a quiet relaxing moment just to myself until this weekend. Just starting my first year of college on Monday and getting into a new routine with balancing my school work, my class times, and my hours at work have been stressful; to say the least. I am learning how to manage my time and be on a new, strict schedule. I am also on this "healthy living" kick where I am trying to each much healthier and spend more time than usual working out, or just doing some regular excercises, and I have reluctantly convinced some friends to join me so I wasn't on the health road all alone. Starting this new portion of my life, I decided to change everything and rebuild my life the way I want it to be and embrace new and creative ideas and experiences. I am ready to make this next year a really wonderful one, really focusing on me and what I can do to better myself as a person.

 

Other than September being a life-changing mark for me, it also marks the arrival of Fall, which is my favorite season. I am not even going to lie, I love Fall for all the fashion: jeans, boots, scarves, hats and gloves, oh my! But, this year I loved that my dad decided to plant a little pumpkin patch in our backyard. So, today, we went out and cut all the pumpkins. They are so adorable! We have a total of 19 precious little pumpkins, some pictured above. And, ofcourse, I saw this as a photo opportunity! :)