The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Happy Friday Everyone!  I had a great date today thanks to my friend Ingrid.  We went to see The Perks of Being a Wallflower at the BAM theater.  This film was amaaazing. It truly resonated with me.  Anyone who has ever felt like they don't belong or don't feel "normal" can relate to this movie in one form or another.  The characters were charming.  The story-line is realistic and the underlying issues throughout the film engages the audience from beginning to the surprising end.  I'm not going to say anymore...go out and see it.   I warn you, it may spark Inspiration =)

P.S. Alive is my new favorite word. 

 FACEBOOK 

 TWITTER

 PINTEREST

Recipe for a Happy Morning

I'm a morning person.  There I said it.  People closest to me hate that I'm smiley and talkative so early in the a.m. (you know who you are).  I definitely have my grumpy morning days but I think it is so important to start the tone of the day with a positive outlook.  For me, how I start my morning usually determines what type of day I will have.  If I forget my keys, leave my umbrella home on a rainy day or run into mean people on the train, odds are I'm going to be frustrated.  So,  here are a few things I do to ensure a good morning:

• Wake up at least 30 minutes earlier.  By waking up a little earlier, you eliminate the chance of rushing.  I don't know about you but I hate being rushed.  Use this extra time wisely.  To start the tone positively, do something that puts you in a good mood.  Drink coffee while reading a newspaper or magazine.  Meditate if it relaxes you.  Take a warm bath instead of rushing a shower.  Find what makes you happy and do it.
• Breakfast! I can not stress how important breakfast is.  You want to kick start your metabolism so you don't over eat and feel sluggish by lunch.  Eat something balanced, not greasy.  Greasy food will only make you feel bloated and lazy.  Oatmeal is a good choice because it keeps you full longer.  I like drizzling honey on mine. If you're not into breakfast, at least grab a fruit.  The point is to have something in your tummy to jump start your body (and mind).   
• Prepare. One thing I'm guilty of wasting time in the a.m. is looking for an outfit.  If your closet is disorganized, it's going to take double the time.  Try prepping your outfit the night before.  I struggle with this but I'm a work in progress.  I'm sure we all wish we had Cher's mechanical closet in Clueless but we have to make do with what we have.  Accessories are always part of an outfit so if you're anything like me and switch purses like underwear, it is key to prep your purse the night before as well.  If you do choose your outfit in the a.m., at least put the important stuff in a pile so you can dump the items in chosen purse.
• Entertainment. Music is vital to a good morning for me.  I don't know about you but I like to use my morning commute to zone out and daydream.  That is usually when great ideas are born so keep a notebook handy.  Whether it's sudoku, a book or music like myself, find something that puts you in a great mood. 

What are some things you do to jump start your morning, or do you wing it?

Follow me on FACEBOOK 

Follow me on TWITTER

Follow me on PINTEREST

25 smiles all around

Today is my 25th birthday.  This year has been interesting.  I've learned a lot and I am looking forward to learning more.

25 things to do before I'm 26:

get my driver's license

Source: threadsence.com via Meg on Pinterest

Form a book club (any suggestions??)

Go on a road trip to somewhere I've never been

visit Europe or at least book my flight

Source: lodgingtourismtravel.com via John on Pinterest

Blog at least 3 times a week

decide on grad school

Source: weheartit.com via Sheri on Pinterest

change something about my look

Source: fuckyeahyoga.tumblr.com via Allison on Pinterest

Take more style risks

keep a photo journal

Source: abeautifulmess.typepad.com via Amanda on Pinterest

color coordinate my closet

Source: oprah.com via Lee on Pinterest

Post a video blog post

Source: weblogsurf.com via Dawna on Pinterest

Make all of my meals at home for one week

Dance in public like no one is watching

Meditate every morning

Source: theopositeofadults.tumblr.com via Ariel on Pinterest

See a broadway show

Figure out what to do with the spare room

Write a letter to my future self

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Kent on Pinterest

Skydive

Get fit

Rent a cabin with friends

Make my own dumplings

Source: yummyworkshop.com via Alexis on Pinterest

Have more girls nights

Source: Uploaded by user via Erica on Pinterest

Host game night

Source: allthingskatiemarie.blogspot.com via Sally on Pinterest

Learn the features on my new dslr

Get a new laptop

Source: google.com via Connie on Pinterest

What do you think of my list?  What are some of your goals?

Follow me on FACEBOOK 

Follow me on TWITTER

New Beginnings

New gal pal, Kat from katskull.com Isn't her DIY camera strap fab?!

Thanks to IFB, I met a new friend and fellow blogger, Kat.  It was lovely meeting you.  Thanks for hanging out with me in a sea of the unknown =)

In an earlier post, I hinted that I wanted to take Charisma in Bklyn in a slightly new direction.  I still want to blog about fashion and style, but now I want to incorporate self care.  Self care is something I feel strongly about.  I like the idea of it but I don't put enough energy into practicing it.

Healthy food recipes, exercise routines (my struggle), time management, balancing personal/work/social life is what I will be incorporating into Charisma in Bklyn.  I like to toy with change.  It's fun.  Isn't life about evolving and experiencing new things?

My goal is to try something new every month.  I will try yoga, eating at a new restaurant, meditating and anything else that will make me happier (and healthier) in life.  I will tell you all about my new experiences here.  I hope you share your thoughts as I am interested to hear what things you do to live a happier, healthier life.

Until next time...

xoxo

Kay

Follow me on FACEBOOK 

Follow me on TWITTER

100 things (Part 5)

Here are some little things that make me happy...you can find previous 100 things posts here:

Tribal Prints

Source: bangstyle.com via Christina on Pinterest

Vacation

Going to Grandma's House

Girls Night!

Cup Noodles...sooo good

Source: Uploaded by user via jackson on Pinterest

New beginnings

New Girl

Source: tumblr.com via Kayla on Pinterest

Statement Necklaces

Source: preebrulee.com via Kayla on Pinterest

Reading

Source: pichshop.ru via Kayla on Pinterest

Fridays

Source: media-cache0.pinterest.com via Kayla on Pinterest

What are some things that make you happy?

100 things (Part 4)

Hello! I know I haven't blogged in a while but it's been carazy busy.  I'm very excited because I I finally received my new camera as an early birthday gift (thanks dad).  After weighing my options, I leaned toward a Canon Rebel T3.  Can't wait to post some new photos.  Here is my fourth installment of the 100 things series of my favorite things that make me happy.

Clean sheets

Source: purevanilia.tumblr.com via Kayla on Pinterest

Victorian Homes

Source: fineartamerica.com via Kayla on Pinterest

That moment you realize a new friendship is born

Source: paloma81.blogspot.com via Kayla on Pinterest

Staying home on a rainy day

 

 Finding new recipes to try out

Source: getthefoodfast.in via Jon on Pinterest

Bubble baths

Source: lauralizabeth.tumblr.com via Ti on Pinterest

Cracking up for no good reason

Source: special12.com via tennille on Pinterest

Accomplishing a goal

Source: smodelfl.blogspot.com via MIAMI on Pinterest

Finding the perfect everyday bag

Source: ln-cc.com via Kayla on Pinterest

Getting a good night's sleep

Source: stumbleupon.com via Lia on Pinterest

What are some things that make you smile?

Hello Monday

Source: piccsy.com via Deena on Pinterest

This is needed on a Monday morning.  

• If you woke up on the bright side of the bed, smile, compliment someone, take pictures,call your best friend...spread your happy.
• If you didn't want to get out of bed, try something new today.  See a movie, take a whole lunch hour and actually enjoy it.  Do some online shopping (I'm a bad influence).  Do anything that makes you happy.  It'll cure your crap mood.  

Have a wonderful week full of random moments, smiles and love =)

xoxo

Kay

100 things (Part 3)

Good morning!  I hope you all had a great week.  I am so glad it's over.  It was a long one.  A long-time friend invited me to yoga tomorrow.  I jumped at the chance.  I'm always thinking of ways to improve/excite my life.  Can't wait =)  

You can read Part 2 here and Part 1 here.

Online Shopping!

The Brooklyn Bridge

Source: via Kayla on Pinterest

Quotes

Source: naynayblog.com via Kayla on Pinterest

Helping someone solve a problem

Beautiful Scenes

Source: savearecipe.blogspot.ca via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Lake Welch (family tradition)

Source: alpsroads.net via Kayla on Pinterest

Watching a sunrise

Source: sabino.tumblr.com via Taylor on Pinterest

Zoning out with my music

Source: google.com via Ellen on Pinterest

Road trips

Source: thelittlefrenchbullblog.tumblr.com via Rob on Pinterest

Candles

Source: imgfave.com via Anna on Pinterest

Stay tuned for part 4 next week!

xoxo

Let's Talk

I have to admit I am guilty of doing this.  Lately, I've been complaining about unnecessary things.  I justify this by thinking it's the way I process information so that I handle it better.  Uh, it's BS.  All I'm doing is torturing a willing ear about issues I can resolve on my own.  We all know in some form or another that I'm not the only one who does this.  I think people do it for one of two reasons:  either complaining is a habit for them and have no intent on actually fixing the problem or they really don't know how to resolve the issue and they're searching for answers.  According to Webster's, complaining means to express grief, pain or discontent.  There really isn't anything wrong with that except when you do it without intent to change the outcome.  Don't get me wrong, venting is necessary sometimes.  Okay, a lot of the time...I guess my lesson in all this is to remember to appreciate that life is full of solutions and it will all turn out okay.  Yes, I am an optimist. =)

Thanks for listening!!
Kay