50 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

Happy hump day friends, I hope your week has gotten off to a great start! Guys, can I be real for a second? Every time I turn on the TV, despite the channel, the conversation is often nasty and political; I can’t even watch ESPN without getting a heavy dose of argumentative nonsense. I mean I get it, the division and hatred in our country spreads far and wide and while I recognize and believe that many of these matters deserve a spotlight and a conversation, I’m sick of constantly reading/hearing bad news. I just want to see cute pictures of puppies and fall décor fill my timeline…am I asking too much?! With that being said, I thought I would change the narrative today and share 50 things that make me happy! In a world where people are losing hope and feeling incredibly helpless, I hope you are able to identify some things (big or small) that make your soul happy by the end of this post!

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  1. My family! My mama is crazy (in the best way), Thelma and Big H are a hoot and Grandpa is a gem.
  2. David (and his family <3).
  3. Backstreet Boys…don’t judge me, they are the best!
  4. Sports. All of them.
  5. New makeup!
  6. My cat, Ginge!
  7. Alpacas…come on, they are ADORABLE!
  8. Mac & Cheese.
  9. Sporcle. If you haven’t played, give it a whirl, you might like it!
  10. Concerts!

  1. Christmas…seriously, I’m obsessed! Come on December.
  2. Fall weather.
  3. Atlanta. #FILA
  4. The Holiday. Jude Law is swoon-worthy…#amirite?!
  5. Ameera. She just gets me.
  6. Fall scented candles.
  7. Bestie. 20+ years and still going strong.
  8. Glowsticks.
  9. Naps…they are simply the best!
  10. Gilmore Girls. #TeamLogan

  1. French Onion Dip. No football season is complete without it.
  2. Bubble Baths.
  3. Dancing.
  4. Stationary…seriously, I’m obsessed!
  5. Shopping…duh!
  6. Skating, specifically roller skating!
  7. Summer nights; there’s nothing quite like them.
  8. The smell of freshly cut grass.
  9. Chicago. If you’ve never been, GO!
  10. Fireworks!

  1. Country Music. It always makes me smile.
  2. “Old school” R&B music. Throw on a little Whitney and dance with somebody!
  3. Seeing my friends happy.
  4. Giving. Seriously, there’s no better feeling.
  5. Blogging!
  6. Ugly (but oh so cute) Christmas sweaters!
  7. Justin Timberlake.
  8. Little Brother. Technically he’s Bestie’s little brother…but it still counts!
  9. Karaoke. It’s my favorite!
  10. Jesus. <3

  1. The day I met Chris Daughtry.
  2. Orangutans. Seriously, look at him, isn’t he cute?!
  3. The Braves…despite the heartbreak they cause.
  4. Pineapple, it’s easily my favorite fruit.
  5. Board games. I know, I’m a nerd.
  6. Homemade hot cocoa. My moms is the best!
  7. Road trips.
  8. Pamper nights. Think mani/pedi, face mask, massage, etc.
  9. Long nights with friends.
  10. A new handbag…guys, I might have a problem!

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I hope you guys enjoyed this fun, light-hearted post and were able to think of some things that fill your soul with happiness! Remember, the world is cruel and life is hard, be kind to everyone you meet, you never know what they may be going through!

-B

MAY FAVORITES

Holy cow, it’s already June…how did this happen? Well with a new month, comes new favorites! I have a decent amount this month so let’s just jump right in!

Parenthood: David and I are approaching the third season of this delightfully sad(ish), but funny TV dramedy and I still love it. Lauren Graham stars as Sarah Braverman and she has vast similarities to the loved Lorelai Gilmore.

White Gardenia 3-Wick Candle ($11.50 – 22.50): Let me start by saying that I typically I steer clear of floral scented candles as they tend to give me a headache, but this one has changed the game. It’s strong (in a good way) and lasts for hours. I usually only light 2 of the 3 wicks because my space is a bit small and I don’t want it to become overwhelming, but even with only 2 wicks lit, the scent packs a pleasant punch! If you like a floral candle, give this guy a wiff, and bonus, it’s on sale for $11.50!

Mahogany Driftwood Candle ($4.95): GUYS!!! This is a TRUE DUPE for the Bath & Body Works Mahogany Teakwood 3-Wick Candle ($24.50). Seriously…and it’s only FIVE DOLLARS!!! If you like a musky scented (boyfriend) candle, please go and buy this. Like right now, you won’t regret it!

Erin Condren Life Planner ($55): Fun fact about me; I am obsessed with all things planner and stationary. I just had a birthday this past Saturday and my cousin surprised me with the Erin Condren Life Planner in Pretty Petals. It’s colorful, has my name on the front and is so good for helping keep me organized. I can do everything from plan out grocery trips to scheduling blog posts; I would definitely be a mess without it! Before receiving this little gem I was using the Classic Happy Planner ($29.99) from Me & My Big Ideas and was loving that one as well!

Sun Bum Clear Zinc Oxide Lotion – SPF 50 ($9.99): This stuff is gold, it’s one of the only sunscreens that doesn’t break me out. A couple of years ago I had a TERRIBLE reaction to the sun/sunscreen that I was using and it took about 16 weeks, a lot of tears, and a retinol gel to get my skin back to clear up and go back to normal. Ever since then I have been on the hunt for something that would protect my skin and not break me out…and I finally found it! If you are someone that has trouble finding a sunscreen that doesn’t irritate your skin, this may be a good product for you!

90 Degree By Reflex Power Flex Capris ($19.99): Ok, another fun fact about me; I HATE regular clothes. Leggings, running tights, sweats, and any other form of comfy clothing is what I tend to gravitate towards. Don’t get me wrong, I love to pin and fantasize about these really cute outfits that I see all over Instagram, but the reality is that I prefer to be 100% comfortable all of the time. Because of this obsession, I have quite a healthy supply of leggings. I love these particular leggings because they have a multitude of colors, are thick and sturdy while still being breathable, and are extremely comfortable. They are good for a nice gym workout and have held up quite nicely for me. If you are looking for new leggings or workout apparel and don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for Lululemon tights, then these might be a good option for you…And at just under $20/pair, you can’t really go wrong!

Lightweight by Victoria Sport Bra ($29.50): I love this sports bra. It has medium support, holds up incredibly well (I’ve had mine for over a year) and has a ton of color/pattern options to choose from! If you’re in the market for a new sports bra, then look no further, because this one is awesome! **They also have a variety of styles and support options if you’re looking for a little more or a little less!**

Printed Shirred Cami ($17.99): Ok, in the spirit of full disclosure, I just bought this tank top a couple of weeks ago because I had a high school graduation to attend and wanted something flowy and floral…and I love it. I love it so much that I bought it in 2 colors: Xavier Navy and Sour Cream. If you’re in the market for something flowy, floral and relatively inexpensive, check this out, you won’t regret it!

Colourpop Lippie Stix – Lumière ($5): I absolutely love this lip color! I have mentioned before that I rarely wear lipstick and typically just stick to a lip balm or a gloss, but I am obsessed with Kathleen Lights (on YouTube) and when I saw that she did a collab with Colourpop, I knew I had to snag this little beauty. It’s a lovely dusty mauve shade with a matte finish and compliments my skin tone really well.

Milani Baked Blush – Luminoso ($7.49): What is there to say about this blush? It is a cult favorite among YouTubers and bloggers alike. I love it all year round, but think it’s exceptionally lovely in the summertime! It is a beautiful, shimmery blush that creates a natural flush to the skin and has the ability to compliment a number of skin tones!

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster – Medium to Dark ($14.99): Another cult favorite. I’m sure you have seen this EVERYWHERE, but it’s just that good. For a pale girl like me, bronzers and contour powders can be a bit scary. This delivers a nice sun-kissed glow without making me look like an Oompa Loompa, and for that, I am grateful!

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber & Green Tea ($7): I’ve had this spray for about a month now and I have been using it NON-STOP! The scent is pleasant and it gives me enough hydration without making me a greasy mess. It is calming and hasn’t irritated my skin in any way. I typically use the spray after washing my face before going in with my daily moisturizer, and I have been loving the results! Oh, and bonus, you can use it as a makeup setting spray! 🙂

**Honorable Mention:** MY NEW SELF-HOSTED SITE!!!! As many of you know, I have been trying to transition to a self-hosted blog through wordpress.org for the past few weeks, and well, I think I’m finally nearing the end of that long and complicated journey. David has worked tirelessly to get it up and running and is helping me tweak the theme (spacing, fonts, colors, etc.), which should be completely finished sometime this week! So as I continue to transition I want to say thank you to all of you who have been patient with me and my intermittent posting; I truly appreciate it! In regards to all of my followers from my previous site, I’m not sure you are automatically following the new site (I don’t think you are), my posts may still show up in your reader through wordpress.com, but I don’t think you will get email notifications when I post new content and I don’t see any of you under my followers list…boo 🙁 In any case, I will try and figure out all the ins and outs and I will be sure to post a full update sometime this week outlining my experience with the transition and the link to the new site (it should be the same http://southernlightsatlantanights.com)! Thank you again!

-B

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

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We don’t know them all, but we owe them all! Thank you to all of the brave men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect this great nation! You’re selflessness and generosity will never go unnoticed or be forgotten!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend full of good food, great company and wonderful weather! Talk to you all soon!

-B

THURSDAY THOUGHTS

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I just wanted to jump on here and quickly remind you that YOU are enough! Don’t plague your mind with comparisons and unrealistic beauty standards and expectations, it’s not worth it. Ladies (and gentlemen), be kind to your bodies and always remember to show yourself the grace you deserve. I am certainly not perfect and still struggle with this concept myself, but I am definitely trying! Today this week has been hard; my negative self-talk was front and center and has put me in quite the funk (don’t worry, I’m feeling better today). Despite my mental setbacks, however many there may be, I will always continue to push forward. I will remind myself (and ALL OF YOU) that my self-worth is not tied to my dress size or how good I think I (or anyone else) look in a bikini. I am loved just the way I am, and so are you. So if no one has told you that you are perfect just as you are, then I will! You are beautifully and wonderfully made, and I hope you never forget that!

-B

SELF-HOSTING WOES…

Wear it. Bear it.

Good morning guys! As many of you know, I am in the process of going self-hosted!!! With that fun news comes a bit of learning curve, at least for me. I am trying to figure out how to get everything transferred over and make sure that my followers come with me! I will be honest, I don’t understand any of it, but David has been working very diligently on this and really helping me with every step along the way. I will definitely come back and let you know when everything is all setup and ready for your viewing pleasure, but until then; please, please, please bare with me! You guys are the best and I appreciate all of the support you have given to Southern Lights!

Oh!!!! WE FINALLY HIT 100 followers!!!! Yaaaassssss! As promised, I will be doing a little giveaway to show my appreciation! I am still waiting on a couple of the prizes to come in the mail, but they should arrive this week so a giveaway will be coming your way ASAP!! Also, I will probably wait until the new site is up and running before launching the giveaway; but as always, I will keep you posted and come back here to update you if anything changes!!!

-B

MONDAY MOTIVATION

Happiest of Birthdays

Let’s face it, Mondays can be hard…like really hard. However, in the spirit of being more positive about my least favorite day of the week, I thought I would share some motivational thoughts to help get you through this gloomy (at least in Atlanta) Monday!

“Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life”

We all fall short sometimes and things don’t always go the way we envision them going. We don’t always hit our life/fitness goals when we want to and sometimes we cheat on our diet…but you know what? That’s okay! It’s all about progress. If we waited for everything to be perfect before enjoying ourselves and our lives, we’d never enjoy anything. I certainly wish I was further along in my fitness/healthy lifestyle journey; I wish I had started sooner, but I didn’t, and that’s okay. I will just take what progress I’ve made and remind myself that my self-worth is not linked to my dress size, or whether or not I think I look good in a bikini. I have tons of people that love me regardless of what I look like and how healthy I ate over the weekend! We’ll all get there eventually, let’s be kind to ourselves and others as we move through our respective journeys!

“Start each day with a grateful heart”

Goodness, I’m not always good at this one. I complain about having to get up for work and having to walk from the overflow lot in the rain to get into my office; but sometimes I have to remind myself that these things that I consider a nuisance, are truly a blessing. I am fortunate that God woke me up this morning and feel lucky that I even have a job to come to. I’m grateful that I have a car to drive and two working legs (and feet) so that I can walk from the parking lot into my office. Would I like to park closer so that I didn’t have to walk in the rain? Yes…but I’m lucky that I have somewhere to park at all. I am by no means perfect when it comes to being grateful, but I’m definitely trying to get better!

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind”

Life is hard, I’m sure I didn’t need to tell you that. I challenge all of you (as well as myself) to lift one another up instead of tearing each other down. You never know what people are going through at home and in their personal lives; show grace and mercy when someone is less than pleasant to you. I can tell you that I have been on the receiving end of unconditional love and mercy when I did nothing to deserve it and it completely changed my day. You know never know how your smile and kindness can help others; give it a try, I promise the folks on the receiving end will be forever grateful!

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**Always remember that you are worth it! You are beautiful, strong, intelligent and deserve all the happiness that this world has to offer. Don’t let anyone (including yourself) strip you of your joy, smile and always remember that you are loved!**

FRIDAY FAVORITES – EP 4

Friday favorites

Wooooo hooooo, it’s Friday; we made it! I don’t know about y’all, but it’s been a looooooong week over here in my little world. I hope this week has treated you well, and I hope you’re ready for another edition of Friday Favorites. I don’t have much so let’s just jump right in!

 * Lily Pulitzer Tumbler ($16): I recently convinced myself that if I had a cute tumbler with a straw that I would consume more water…so far so good!! My water intake has increased greatly and I look much cuter while staying hydrated! It’s a win, win!

* L’OREAL Air Dry It Line ($4.99): I decided to try this line because Kathleen Lights (on YouTube) put it in one of her favorites videos and well…I love Kathleen and will basically try anything she recommends. She nailed it. I love this stuff. I have thick, frizzy, hair and have a hard time finding something that will create that beachy, wavy look without having to use my diffuser and 354674 products. Don’t get me wrong, I love the look my diffuser creates, but I just don’t always have time for that extra step. I was looking for something that I could put in towel dried hair and just go…and well, I found it! If you’re in the market for an affordable, wind swept, beachy look in a  bottle, then you should definitely give this a try!

* Anne Klein Maya Zip Satchel ($45.60 – 95): I absolutely love Anne Klein handbags; they are incredibly durable and always look classy while still being fun! I love the shape and color (deep azure) of this bag and I think it’s great for every season. It’s currently on sale for $45.60 at Macys, and if you’re in the market for a new bag, you could definitely do worse than picking this beauty up!

* Tarte Double Duty Beauty Contour & Highlight Palette ($30): I have talked about this palette before so I won’t say too much…but I love it. It’s perfect for warmer weather and I find myself reaching for it almost everyday!

* Parenthood – I think I previously mentioned that David and I gave up on watching One Tree Hill and have since moved over to Parenthood. What a GREAT choice. Lauren Graham is great as Sarah Braverman in this funny, yet heartwarming TV dramedy! If you are looking for a new show that highlights the highs and lows of parenthood and familial relationships, then look no further, this is your show!

* Brett Young  – Brett Young – Okay, so I know county music isn’t for everyone, but if you’re someone who enjoys a nice southern voice and a swoon-worthy country song, then you should definitely check out Brett Young. His self-titled debut (studio) album is chock-full of emotional, pop-country hits. His crossover appeal is undeniable (IMO) and his voice is so buttery and smooth. Some of my favorite tracks include: “Sleep Without You,” “Olivia Mae,” “Mercy,” & “Left Side of Leavin’.”

* Chris Stapleton – From A Room: Volume 1 – I know, another country artist…but I can’t help it; this album is incredible (shocker). It’s bluesy, soulful and emotional; Stapleton stuns once again. His debut album, Traveller, received numerous accolades at the ACMs, CMAs and the Grammy awards over the last couple of years and his sophomore effort is primed to do the same! If you like country, blues, rock or anything in between, then it’s worth a listen.

* Chris Young – Losing Sleep – Okay, last country artist, I promise. The latest single by Young is catchy and well, I just love it. I’ve always loved Chris Young’s music, and this single is no exception. I’m sure when the album comes out I will be just as obsessed as I was with all the others. This certainly carries less crossover appeal than the previous 2 albums and artists I mentioned above, but if you like a true country song, then check it out!

* James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go – I’ll be honest, I haven’t listed to James’ full album (Back from the Edge) but I certainly love the single, Say You Won’t Let Go. It’s soulful, pop-y, and just down-right catchy!

* Bruno Mars – 24K Magic – Yes, I’m still obsessed with this song and the album. It’s chock-full of fun, spirited, pop-r&b songs that you can’t help but dance to. I’m crossing my fingers he makes an appearance at Music Midtown this year…because well, that would be lit!

What have you been loving this week? Month? Any products, TV shows or songs I should check out? Let me know below!

-B

GIVEAWAY TIME…ALMOST!

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I always told myself that if my blog ever took off in any capacity, I would incorporate giveaways here on SouthernLights. I am happy to report that as I sit here and type this out, I am inching toward 100 lovely followers; and I plan to keep my word and do a giveaway as soon as I reach that milestone! I can’t believe that I’ve only been (consistently) blogging for 3(ish) months and that I’ve been able to make so many great connections. I absolutely love interacting with all of you and hope you stick around for the long haul! With that being said, if any of you are interested in some skincare, makeup and Kate Spade goodies, then stick around and be on the lookout for my official giveaway post! Thank you again for all of your love and support here on Southern Lights, it doesn’t go unnoticed!! You guys really are the best!

-B