positive – Jaclyn Grace

1. Blogging

The first thing I’m loving is the fact that I have decided to continue with my blog! I am hoping to document my entire study abroad experience on here so that my family and friends can follow along on my journey. I am not leaving for about a month and a half, but I want to get into the habit of writing each week. I hope you continue to follow along. 🙂

2. Mix and Match Mama & Pinterest Told Me To

These two blogs have quickly become favorites over the past few weeks. Over on PTMT, Sheaffer recreates cute outfits that she finds on Pinterest, reviews and recommends amazing must have wardrobe pieces, and keeps track of great deals that come up at Nordstroms, The LOFT, and other similar stores. I have just recently become more focused on dressing fashionably and comfortably! Following this blog has helped me to do just that, basically serving as my personal stylist.

I came across Mix and Match Mama through PTMT and am so glad that I did. Shay not only posts incredible and easy recipes – she also has an extremely positive attitude and energy (& not to mention the cutest kids ever). She’s extremely open about her faith and even just reading her blog inspires me to be a better person.

Check these two out and I promise you will not be disappointed!

3. Neila Ray Abs

With my big trip coming up soon, I have been trying to eat healthier and get in better shape. I did this workout the other night with my dance team and it was a killer! It has been two days and I still can’t laugh (or move)! It doesn’t take long either – quick and effective.

4. Loose Leaf Tea

My mom and I have been on a tea kick lately! “Forever Nuts” by David’s Tea is possibly one of the most delicious things that I have ever tasted. It turns bright pink once it is brewed so that’s pretty cool too! I am also a huge fan of the tea lattes that are served at David’s Tea, though they are a bit expensive and hard to make at home. Since being back at school, I have been brewing a cup in the morning and bringing my Teavana Travel Mug with me for the day. It keeps my tea hot ALL DAY, so hot that I usually can’t even drink it until around lunch time. It’s perfect for a little afternoon pick me up. 🙂

5. Reveal

As a female at an engineering school, I am often surrounded by all guys. Because of this, I joined a sorority my freshman year. It was not something I had ever imagined myself doing, but I wanted to have a group of ladies to enjoy my college years with. My sorority sisters provide me with a permanent support network and a home away from home. Tonight we will be getting the littlest sister in our family! She loves Disney so my little and I spent most of the past night making these Disney themed family shirts.

I am so excited to make even more memories with my Alpha Xi Delta family.

Enjoy your weekend – I’m hoping for a cozy snow day tomorrow!

xo,

Jaclyn

I just wrote a longer version of this entire post and then my computer crashed :(. So, I’m going to shorten it up a bit.

Yesterday I spent the day at the beach with my family. We had a great day with perfect weather! There was a slight breeze, huge waves, and the sun shined all day long. 🙂 We got there around 10 AM and didn’t leave until 4 PM. When my family has a beach day, we always make it last as long as possible!

Around lunch time Conor and I took a walk down to a little ice cream shop by the water. I got a delicious chocolate caramel milkshake and he got an ice cream sundae. I can never turn down a milkshake, it’s one of my major weaknesses. On the way back, we ran into my best friend’s dad – what are the chances?! He told us that Victoria and her boyfriend were at the beach too, so we got to meet up with them for a little while.

During Conor’s usual time napping (he can never stay awake at the beach), I flipped through my mom’s O Magazine. Every month I look forward to this coming in the mail. It is so positive and inspirational- it is hard not to feel good about yourself after reading it!

One article that stuck out to me yesterday was a question to readers: What is one small change you have made that has greatly improved the quality of your life?

There were many different answers, as expected, but one specifically stuck out to me. This reader said that she keeps a gratitude journal. Everyday she writes down three things that she is grateful for – regardless of how big or small- and why.

I thought this was a fantastic idea. It really would put things into perspective and help find the positive in each and every day. For the next month, I am going to challenge myself to keep my own gratitude journal and see how it affects my life. I encourage you to take on this challenge with me – I would love some company 🙂

Q: Have you ever made a small change that has greatly impacted your life? If so, what was it?

Tag: positive

Friday’s Fabulous Five

Gratitude