Guest Post: How to Cope With an Existential Crisis

Hello Lovelies!

Last week Lucy from BuzzEssay contacted me wanting to do a guest post on the blog. The last time I had a guest blogger was last year, so I was really excited to see what she had in mind. So today she is writing about how to cope with and existential crisis.

Life Update: Demi Lovato, Promotion, Holiday World

Hello Lovelies!

I cannot believe it's already the end of September! So much has happened this month, it started out really good and then of course the bad had to happen and ruin some of my happiness. I'm still really happy and so far, September has been the best month of 2016!

September 6th & 7th
On the 6th, I found out that I had won tickets to see Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas in Nashville, Tennessee at Bridgestone Arena! First of all, Demi is my all time favorite musician, I love her and her music so much. I was freaking out, I decided to take my best friend Morgan with me. I've never drove in a big city like Nashville, so she offered to drive.

I know they were free, but the seats we got were awful. Thankfully my best friend is much crazier than me and she decided we were going to seat hop. We started out being able to see behind the stage and not being able to see the screen. After walking all the way to the other side of the arena we ended up in some really good seats.

Eventually, later on we were joined by some other seat hoppers and they made the concert even better, even if one of them did give me a headache by screaming directly in my ear the whole concert. Our new friends were two very drunk, very gay guys, and I love them and I wish they were my friends!

When Nick Jonas came out on stage, the one standing beside me started screaming at the top of his lungs, "Daddy! That's daddy!" Even though he was hanging all over me, screaming in my ear, and booty bumping all night, it was the best night of my life.

By the end of the night the total line up for the show was Cord Overstreet, Mike Posner, Nick Jonas, and Demi Lovato. Also, Demi performed her duet with Brad Paisley, then Nick came out and they all three sang a song. And then, (yes there's more) Nick Jonas performed with Thomas Rhett, before Demi came out to close the show.

September 9th
As some of you may know I've worked at Walmart as a cashier since June 2015, I've been trying to transfer departments for a while now. On September 9th, I got the good news that I got the position I applied for. On September 17th, I started my new position as a jewelry sales associate.

September 10th
This was the day I got to go to Holiday World, I had only been one other time and it wasn't a good experience, I almost drowned on my first visit. I ended up not going to the water park this time, (I still can't swim), but I still managed to get completely soaked.

My advice if you ever go to Holiday World, make sure you go on the Raging Rapids, it is my favorite ride in the park. I went with my mom and my two little cousins (ages 5 &12) and they loved it too, we ended up riding it 7 times, and they wanted to keep going.

September 13th
This is the day the bad decided to come back into my life. I was going down stairs to get ready for work when I fell. I fell down 10 stairs and I have no idea what happened. I ended up with bruising from my neck to my back, thankfully nothing was broke. But it's been a week and a half and I'm still in a lot of pain. My neck and my hips/butt got most of the impact, my chiropractor says it's going to take time for me to heal.

Overall, it was a pretty good month, I'm gonna do my best to get back on track with blogging starting tomorrow!
How has September treated you? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

BLOGLOVIN  INSTAGRAM  PINTEREST  TWITTER  TUMBLR

Things That Annoy Me: Driving

Hello Lovelies!

As you may know if you're a regular reader I just got my driver's license in March. On top of that, in May I bought a new, used car, I signed my life away for 75 months, three down, 72 more payments to go!

 Being a new driver I know I have a lot to learn, I've already learnt so much in the past few months. But I have also noticed a lot of things that really annoy me when I am driving. So when I was brainstorming for blog post ideas, I though why not share my annoying driving things!

1. People who don't know how to use a blinker. This is my #1 pet peeve, I've started getting used to it, but when I first got my license and was allowed to drive alone it really freaked me out. I was so used to having my mom with me when I had my drivers permit, and she would help keep and eye out for stuff like that, now it's up to me!

2.People that text and drive. I hate getting behind someone who is visibly on their phone. Just last week I was headed home in a 55 and the person in front of me was barely doing 40, they were swerving and then I noticed they had their phone in front of their face. It made me so mad because they kept swerving and slamming on their brakes for no reason. 

3. Parking! I'm not even gonna lie, I suck at parking, I always have to pull in, then back out and straighten up. I prefer parking lots that have arrows and the slanted lines ( not sure what they're called), it makes my life so much easier. Our old store had that kind of parking lot and I loved it, now our new store has the kind where you can enter anyway and I have so much trouble!

4. Having to get gas. This one isn't too bad, I can handle it, but sometimes my car likes to play games with me, and it's usually when I'm getting gas.

5. People who ride your ass, but won't pass! This is right up there with #1, to be honest I'm not sure which is worse. This one is definitely worse at night, especially if the person is being a first-class jack ass and has their high beams on! If for some reason I have to slam on my breaks and you hit me, I hope your insurance skyrockets!

That's all for today, I hope you all enjoyed the post!

XoXo,

Lori

BLOGLOVIN  INSTAGRAM  PINTEREST  TWITTER  TUMBLR

20 Before 20

Hello Lovelies!

Well, what can I say, the fact that my birthday was in March and I'm just now posting this isn't very promising...

I was looking through my drafts today and I realized that for some reason I never posted my 20 Before 20 list!

Plan a trip.

Visit somewhere new.

Read 20 books for pleasure.

Purchase my first pair of high heels.

Lose 30 pounds.

Get my nose pierced.
Get a small tattoo.
Buy a new car,

Start apartment hunting.
Pay off my credit card debt.
Save $400.
Start college.
Maintain a good GPA in my first semester back in a traditional school setting.
Visit a trampoline park.
Go to my first concert.
Be able to run a mile.
Get a real haircut instead of a trim. (Maybe go red too!)
Say yes more!
Actually do what's on my list!

I'm gonna try to do an update in a few months to show my progress, I've actually crossed a few off already! It's go time! Can I complete my 20 Before 20 challenge before March 13, 2017!

Have you attempted a challenge like this before?

Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

BLOGLOVIN  INSTAGRAM  PINTEREST  TWITTER  TUMBLR

May Playlist

Hello Lovelies!

I've been listening to a lot of different types of music lately, there's definitely a few that have been on repeat and a few that are new finds that I'm obsessed with now. 

Here's my May Playlist!

Luke Bryan & Karen Fairchild - Home Alone Tonight

Carrie Underwood - Relapse

Sugarland - Joey

Ron Pope - A Drop In The Ocean

Plumb & Paul van Dyke - I Don't Deserve You 

Francesca Battistelli - It's Your Life

Britt Nicole - Safe

Keith Urban - For You 

Dierks Bentley - Say You Do

Christina Aguilera & Blake Shelton - Just A Fool

What have you been listening to this month? Let me know below, I'm always looking for new artists and songs!

XoXo,

Lori

Weekly Inspiration

I have wrote and re-wrote this post too many times, the truth is I have a lot of things I want to say, but I just don't seem to be able to put it into words that make sense. I don't even know if that makes sense.

Basically what it comes down to is I'm at a moment in my life where I'm starting to realize that I have some changes that I need to make. There are way too many to list, so I'm gonna share one small goal with you and we'll see how it goes.

Goal: Go take a look at the two newest gyms in town and decide which one to buy a membership to.

I think I know which one I want to go to, but I have a friend that goes to the other so I'm going to give it a shot and see what they have to offer compared to the other.

XoXo,

Lori

Happy New Year + Goals for 2016

Hello Lovelies!

It's Day 4 of the New Year, and as promised, I have my goals for 2016 ready for you! I did pretty good with my goals last year, you'll see some have made a reappearance this year, and I'm gonna do my best to get them done!

Here's my goals for 2016!

Blog Related

- Reach 100 blog followers.

-Comment on other blogs more.

-Post more. Get back to a normal blogging schedule.

-Clean up everything, blog content, blog design, social media profiles, EVERYTHING!

-Increase Social Media Reach
-Read More ARCs, request less.

School Related

-Study more.

-Start college.
-Work extra hard in Math.

-Stop being so antisocial and make friends!

Health Related

-Lose 60 pounds or more.

-Be in a size 10 by the end of the year (Currently 18)

-Cut back on desserts
-Worry less and live in the moment.

Okay, so you've seen my new years resolutions, here's a few more things I want to do this year!

Things I Want to Do:

-Open a savings account.

-Buy a new laptop

-Read 30 books.

-Meet with an Army Recruiter.

-Buy my blog URL.
-Buy a pair of high heels.
-Closet clean out party!
-Budget better!
-Backup my photos more often!
-Redecorate my room.
-Diversify my blog.
-Buy a really nice bag.
-Be more present and social online.
-Kick  my snooze button addiction.
-Live more than I work.
-Be Happy

That's it for today, I haven't figured out what my new blogging schedule is going to be so just bear with me a little bit longer. I have three days off next week, so I'm gonna do my best to get things back on up and running!

XoXo,

Lori

REVIEW: SLIMQUICK Pure Extra Strength

Hello Lovelies!

Today I will be reviewing SLIMQUICK Pure Extra Strength Drink Mix !

SlimQuick Pure is a weight loss drink mix designed just for women's weight loss. SlimQuick Pure is designed to increase metabolism, reduce your appetite,  boost energy, reduce bloating, support hormones, and reduce stress, which is a big contributing factor to weight gain.

My Thoughts?

When I received this product I didn't know what to expect, but after trying it I really liked it. Plus, before I tried it my mom found the box and tried it while I was at work.

I've really noticed that since I started using this product that my appetite has really diminished, I get full easier and I don't get hungry as often.

I've been using this product for about two weeks now, and since I started using this product I've lost about 4 pounds. On top of the drink mix I've been walking, going to physical therapy, and watching what I eat.

Personally I love the sweet taste and I think it tastes even better when you put it in the freezer and let it get slushy!

Will I repurchase? 

I already have and I'm thinking about trying the gummies too! I got two free gummies in my sample box and I really liked them and I think with my busy schedule it might be easier for me to keep up with the gummies than it is with the drink mix.

What do you think about SlimQUick drink mixes? Will you be trying this product?
Do you have any questions about the product? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori
FTC: Sponsored by BrandBacker and SlimQuick.

Happy Labor Day

Hello Lovelies! Happy Labor Day!

Today, I'm going to be busy planning blog posts and making a schedule, last month I didn't really put much time or work into blogging and I made a lot of excuses for not blogging. 

This month I'm turning things around, I'm done making excuses for not doing what I should do. Yes I work a lot of crazy hours, but I CAN blog and do schoolwork too. I just have to learn how to manage my time and plan things out. S

That's my main goal for this month, I'll be sharing my monthly goals with you tomorrow, so that's all for today, I hope you have a great day!

XoXo,

Lori

Meet My New Puppy - Buddy

Hello Lovelies!

Today I would like to introduce you to the newest member of my family, Buddy! He's a  week old Black Lab and I've had him for two weeks now.

So far our time together has been amazing, I've wanted a puppy for so long and he really is too cute! He's a sleepy boy and I love it. He falls asleep in the funniest positions, he loves sleeping on his back and he likes to bury himself in my pillows. 

Yes that's right I let him sleep in my bed, I couldn't help it. I let him sleep in my bed his first night home to make him more comfortable, but  I've started moving him into his own bed at night. I don't want him to get used to sleeping in my bed, because in just a few short months he's going to start getting huge!

Last Saturday he went to the Vet to get his shots and he got a clean bill of health! He goes back in two weeks for another set of shots.

I'm sure I'll be sharing more about him in the future, today I just wanted to show him off because I'm in love!

XoXo,

Lori & Buddy

20 Little Facts About Me

Hello Lovelies!

It's been a while since I last did an about me post, so I thought it would be fun to do one today!

Here's 20 Little Facts About Me!

1. I can't sleep without a fan.

2. I can't swim.

3. I was born six weeks early and weighed nearly 7 pounds.

4. I'm a pro on crutches.

5.  I've never been to a concert.

6. I can't leave the house without my iPhone.

7. My bookcase is overflowing.

8. Due to #7 I've resorted to storing books in shoe boxes.

9. I own a ridiculous number of cardigans.

10. Pinterest is my guilty pleasure!

12.  I secretly watch Keeping up with the Kardashians! (I'm Sorry!)

13. No one in my family knows I have a blog.

14. None of my friends know about my blog.

15. I love pickles, I can eat an entire jar in one day!

16. I love history, it's my favorite subject in school!

17. Titanic is my favorite movie.

18. Winter is my favorite time of year, I love the snow!

19. I love the sound of rain and thunder.

20. I've never had Starbucks coffee!

I hope you enjoyed today's post, I'll be back tomorrow with my weekly Links to Love!
XoXo,
Lori

Currently: July 2015

Hello Lovelies!

I was planing on posting this yesterday, but it just didn't happen. I've been so busy lately, I just haven't had the time to get any writing done, thankfully I have Thursday off and I only work four hours Friday, so I'm hoping I can get some blog posts scheduled for next week, then.

It's been a while since I last did a post of things I currently going on in my life, so I decided to do one today. I think I might start doing one every month, but we'll see!

Reading: Remind Me by Ann Marie Walker
So far I'm really enjoying this book and I'm hoping I can get a review up wither later this week or next week.

Watching: Gilmore Girls & Grey's Anatomy
I restarted my Netflix account last week and so I'm continuing where I left off on these two shows!

Listening To: Cool for the Summer by Demi Lovato

Dreaming Of: Fall & Winter!
It's too hot! I can't wait for fall and winter to get here, boots, hot chocolate, pumpkin everything!

Planning: For the ACT.
I'm retaking the ACT later this year. I didn't do so great on it last year, so I decided to retake it so that I can get more scholarships and financial aid.

Stocking Up On: Simple Cleansing Wipes
I've been having trouble finding these wipes here in the US, so when I found some last week I bought two packs!

Trying: New foods.
Last week I tried broccoli, I still hate it!

Goal Setting: Next month's goals!

I'm making goals for August and I'll be sharing them next week

What's currently going on in your life? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

A Little Bit of Inspiration + A Big Life Decision

Hello Lovelies!
Need a little bit of inspiration? I've got you covered. I've been feeling a bit uninspired lately, so I thought I'd share with you some quotes that always get me inspired.

I've been thinking and I'm tired of putting off things I want to do and I'm tired of settling. I've been working on myself and I'm trying to do better for me, I'm doing what I think is best for me mentally and physically at the moment.

Lately I've been feeling a little bit down, I feel like every time someone asks me about my plans for the next few years all I get is negative feedback or snotty remarks. But I'm done with that. I'm done caring what other people think, I'm going to do this my way and if they don't like it then I don't need them in my life.

I think the biggest decision I've made that is causing me to get the most negative comments from the people around me is that I decided to put off college for a year. I didn't come to this decision easily, but at the end of the day I think it's what's best for me and my health.

I'm going to spend this next year working, saving money, and studying so that I can retake the ACT and get a higher score so that I can get better financial aid and scholarships.

It's taken me a few months to make this decision, but I think I'm finally at peace with it and hopefully everything goes the way I want it to.
XoXo,
Lori

Links to Love

Hello lovelies!

I hope you all had a great week and a great weekend. This week was slightly insane, I worked 33 hours and I finished two online classes! The good news is I was able to bring my GPA up .4 points and hopefully when I finish two of my current course,s I'll be able to bring it up even higher than that.

Overall it was a great week, I worked hard, I studied hard, and I finished a book. So on next blog schedule is a book review and a Influenster VoxBox Review! (If  you follow me on Twitter then you already know what VoxBox I received).

Anyways, here's this weeks Links to Love! 

5 Mistakes To Avoid On Social Media

7 Obsolete Social Media Tactics You’re Wasting Your Time On

Quiz: Which Taylor Swift Lyric Best Sums Up Your Love Life?

What American City Should You Actually Live In?

How to Prioritize Your Website Tasks to Make the Most Impact + A Printable Task List

That's it for today, I hope you all had a great day. And I'm sorry this post is up a little later than it normally is, I had to go in to work at 7am, so I just now got home!
What links have you been loving? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

July Goals

Hello Lovelies!

I hope y'all had a great 4th of July weekend, sadly I had to work the whole weekend, but thankfully I have today off. Honestly I needed a break, the past four days have been rough and last night was it for me.

I just want to take a minute and ask all of you to please be nice to cashiers, we go through a lot on a daily basis and have to deal with some really awful people. If you're having a bad day, stay home, don't take it out on us, we're just trying to make a living.

So that's my little rant for the day, just be nice! Here's my goals for July!

10 Goals!

Finish College Prep Algebra II Part 1.
I was hoping to finish this last month, but it just didn't happen, but it will get done this month!

Finish College Prep American Government.
I'm actually enjoying this one, but at the same time I'm ready to move on to my next course.

Start & Try to Finish English 3 Part 1.
I'm just waiting for my final grades to be posted from my last two courses and then I can start this class, it should be pretty easy.

Raise My GPA.
This is a big goal for me this month, last month my GPA dropped to the lowest it's ever been, thankfully once I get my final grades back for my Vocabulary Studies course it should be back to where it was, if not higher. But still I want to get it even higher than it was before.

Read three books.
I think I read two books last month and I bought four. I think I need to read some more!

Save $100.
I was able to save $30 last month, this month I want to save more. I really need to buy a new laptop, so my plan is to spend the next few months saving money so that I can get what I want and that's going to last for years.

Blog Consistently.
So far this is not off to a good start, this post was supposed to be up yesterday, but that didn't happen.

Get Ahead With Blog Posts.
This month I want to focus on getting ahead with some blog posts, I used to schedule my posts 1-2 weeks in advance, but since I started working I've been letting that slip which is why I only had 15 posts last month.

Start Writing Again.
Can I let you in on a little secret? The truth is, I haven't written a single word for my book since December! I have a very serious case of writers blog going on, I thought that maybe if I stopped worrying about it and gave myself a break from writing it would be easier to figure out the kinks, but it's not working. I think I'm going to just move on and try working on another project, I just want to start writing again.

Read & Comment On More Blogs.
Last month I didn't read that many blogs and I didn't leave that many comments either, I hate that. I hate not reading and commenting on other blogs because it makes me feel like a bad blogger.

What are your goals for July? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

Links to Love

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you all had a great week, my week was very interesting at work, VERY interesting! I had moments where I wanted to quit and just go home, but I made it through the week and I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of it!

Sadly, I have to work this weekend and next weekend, but I had Yesterday off, so I'm okay with it. Thankfully my schedule for next week is super simple, the week after is insane, so hopefully I can make it out alive!

Anyway, here's this week's Links to Love!

7 Tips for Running in Humidity

7 Ways That Being Raised By a Single Parent Has Benefited You

A Little Seersucker Sass: Wednesday Wisdom: Playing Nice Online

This Is What Its Like To Get Fitted For A Bra At Six Different Stores

The Sweet Moment A Toddler Says Goodbye To Family Garbageman, His 'First Friend'

That's it for this week, I hope you all have a great weekend!
What links have you been loving this week? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

19 Before 19!

Hello lovelies!

As I mentioned in last weeks post, I celebrated my 18th birthday last month, I've been thinking for past few weeks, and I finally decided on 19 things I want to do before I turn 19 next year!

The following list is 19 things I want to do before my 19th birthday on March 13,2016!

1. Do something that scares me!

2. Donate blood.

3. Dye my hair a crazy color!

4. Redesign my blog.

5. Lose 60 pounds.

6. Learn to crotchet.

7. Learn to drive.

8. Read 80 books.

9. Go someplace I've never been.

10. Spend a weekend in Nashville. (Maybe move there!)

11. Go to the Tennessee State Fair (or Kentucky).

12. Give beauty college a shot.

13. Get a small tattoo.

14. Go to a concert.

15. Grow my blog to over 100 followers

16. Suck it up and buy a Macbook already!

17. Say YES to everything for a day!

18. Plan a trip to NYC.

19. Go someplace I've never been!

That's it for today's post, I hope you'll stick around to see me finish these 19 things!
XoXo,
Lori

I'm 18, Now What? College? Gap Year?

Hello lovelies!

As some of you may know my 18th birthday was on March 13th and since then I've been thinking a lot. I'm an adult now, but I don't feel any different. 

I've been thinking over the past few weeks about what I want to do with my life, and honestly I have no freaking idea what I want to do!

Do I want to go to college this year? Or Should I take a gap year?

The problem isn't that I don't want to go to college, I do, but I don't want to settle and go somewhere that I'm not going to be happy at.  I only applied to four colleges, and I'm only seriously considering two of them, one I've been accepted to, and one I'm still waiting to hear back from.

Here's what really got me thinking, I got my financial aid package for the college I've been accepted to a few weeks ago and it looks like for freshman year alone I'm going to have to take out a $15,000 loan just to attend. Next year will be worse because my mom just re-married. I don't want to be in debt for the rest of my life, and if I attend that college by the time I graduate I'll be over $50,000 in debt. I don't like that and since I'm thinking about going to Graduate school or Medical school after getting my bachelor's it makes the decision harder.

So what's the plan?

I'm thinking about taking a gap semester or gap year to get my finances in check and once I do I'm going to move to Nashville, Tennessee. Once I get there I'll spend a few months working and then enroll in college. If I get rejected from Belmont University, then I plan on applying to Nashville State Community College, it'll be cheaper and then later on I can transfer to a bigger school.

My other option is staying in my hometown for a year or two, attend the local community college, save some money, and then transfer out of state. However, I really don't want to do that, I want to be in Nashville, I've known for years that that's where I want to be and I want to make that happen.

Gif Credit

Honestly I don't know what's going to happen right now, I can't predict the future and there's nothing more I can do to convince Belmont to accept me. I just have to wait and see what happens. I have to let go and let God, it truly is up to Him at this point.

So my questions is, I'm 18, now what?

XoXo,

Lori

Weekly Inspiration

 "Great things never came from comfort zones."

Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone to achieve your goals. One thing that has always held me back in life is that I am very shy and I don't like talking to strangers, but I'm working on that. Blogging has definitely helped me become more comfortable with talking to strangers and I love that, I'm getting more confident and comfortable every day.

Goal: Get out of your comfort zone.

XoXo,
Lori

Senior Year Madness

Hello lovelies!

Today I want to take some time to talk to y'all about what's been going on. Recently I haven't been on as much and I haven't been keeping up with my blogging schedule. I feel really bad about not being on lately, but things are improving and things will be back to normal soon!

Honestly last month was horrible, I feel like I accomplished nothing and I'm not happy with how things went. But, it's a new month and I'm ready to get back on track.

Basically senior year has been really stressful, but I'm finally starting to get back on track and things are going back to normal!

So here's a little inspiration to get you through till next week! 

Next week I have a few special blog posts planned and I can't wait to share them with you!

XoXo,

Lori