If you haven’t heard billions of people say it, seen it a thousand times in your Twitter feed, or heard it on the radio a bajillion times, Christmas time is the BEST time of the year. People are happier, stores are prettier, and the food is well, fantastic. During the Christmas season i will admit i fall into the trance of winter wonderland happiness (even if that means purchasing every christmas related item ever) and find myself being happier than any other time of the year. which sure, sounds great until the christmas season is over and you’re left with a hecka lot of used wrapping paper and don’t have the heart to actually put away your gifts. (*please say i’m not the only one who lays out her presents all pretty for a good week before forcing myself to put them to use…)

I’ve realized this year that maybe Christmas time isn’t the only time we can spread so much cheer, to others, and ourselves. I like to think these past few months I’ve finally captured my true mantra. my motto. my ‘words of wisdom’ if you will. and although sprinkles, sparkles, and sass may be my short and sweet version, it’s truly so much more. so, as the littlest Christmas present i can offer to you:

wake up early, drink as much coffee (or as little) as you want, keep your priorities straight, always and always keep your head up, do well, live well, eat well, dress really well, do what you love, love what you do, pick the cupcake (or donut, or cookie) with the most sprinkles (it’s worth it), frosting is your friend AND food, eat veggies: lots and often, be super silly because it’s really fun, laugh a whole lot, love God and know that he loves you, grocery shopping is therapeutic, yoga can be fun (even if you fall over a lot, a lot.), make sure your best friends know they’re your best friends, hug your mom every day, attempt to use chopsticks if given the chance (fail if necessary), study hard and succeed, if you don’t succeed it’s okay, but try again, take a lot of pictures of anything and everything (even if it means looking like a fool instagram-ing your lunch),  buy the shoes even if you’ll only wear them once, don’t be afraid of people: they’re just people. love others, love yourself, love, love, love.

most of all: do you. and love it.

merry merry merry christmas to all of you, may it be filled with happy hearts and your favorite gifts from your favorite people (ps santa? pj sets. thanks.) i hope to be updating you on Christmas adventures as much as I can. if you have any love for these or any of my posts, or just wanna chat hit me up at:

xoxoallisonnicole@gmail.com

love you all so so much.

xoxo, 

Ally

i hate moving. a whole stinkin’ lot. i don’t HATE a lot of things. i dislike a few: meatloaf, sleeping without socks, when starbucks claims they’re out of whipped cream. but after these past few months i’ve decided one thing i hate has got to be moving. my family is moving from our home on December 27 and I’m not super thrilled. the whole “think of it as an adventure” speech has been given to me plenty and i’m just not quite buying it. 3 paper cuts on moving boxes and being forced to throw away things i swore i needed (birthday cards from my 11th birthday and 3rd grade report cards apparently aren’t worthy of the keep pile) and i’m done.

simple things like quick pit-stops to Starbucks with my sister on Goodwill drop-off runs and being able to re-organize my room in this new house are keepin’ me sane.

–fun facts with ally: if there is such thing as obsessive compulsive room organization disorder, i for sure am self-diagnosed with it. actually though, i can’t focus if my room is even slightly messy. those people who can live with a messy room (talkin’ bout you andie) i do not know how you do it. if there is a sock in the middle of my floor while i am trying to sleep i will force myself out of the covers to put it away in order to fall asleep. it’s sort of a problem. BUT the fun side of it is holy crap shopping for room decorations and organization shiz is too much fun.

alright enough of my little room rants and on to some quick fun.

although moving may be rougher than rough, luckily sweet dominic is just the opposite. the day his finals got done i wasn’t feeling too great and moving was getting the best of me so he decided to surprise me while i was practically still in my pajamas (pajamas @ 11:30 are totally acceptable on winter break, btw.) with a few of my favorite things: blueberry oatmeal from Starbucks, hot chocolate, and my Christmas presents just a little early. it made the whole day ten times better and he stayed to help me pack for a little while too. i was really spoiled with LUSH items that I’m super excited to use over break, thank you so much if you’re reading this (i know you are)

well there is the life of ally lately, as crazy as it tends to be. send some love my way and as many positive moving vibes (i’m gonna act like those are a thing) as you can.

sending lots of virtual hot cocoa filled to the top with marshmallows your way. have an extra merry holiday week!

xoxo,

ally

yeah I’m wondering how it happened just as much are you are…

not sure how in the world it is already halfway through December considering I’m pretty positive it was just August like a week ago. I finished my finals today and no one died or vomited and only a few tears were shed. 246 notecards, way too many cups of coffee, and and a whole lot of google translate later I made it through. finals can be rough on anyone but thankfully by my junior year i sort of (sort of.) know the ropes and like to think i have my routine down pretty nicely. so here are some of the things that got me through this semester and probably will get me through the rest of my life without going TOO insane.

baking// alright I’ve always known my mom would one day be right when she says I would do everything the way she does it now but I never knew that day would come so darn quick. needless to say, here i am relieving my stress in the kitchen as i’ve watched her do my whole life. my creations aren’t quite as tasty as hers (yet, don’t worry mom I’ll catch up) aaandd i admit a few of the treats may contain the words: “boxed cake mix” but hey, a cupcake is a cupcake am i right? and i must say i don’t think my family has minded the random muffins, cupcakes, and cookies constantly on our counter. (below you’ll see evidence of me yet again giving in to target…it’s a problem i’m perfectly ok with)

my agenda// i got my first Lilly Pulitzer agenda the summer before sophomore year from my grandma for my birthday and fell in love with it enough to get one again this year before heading back to school. nothing keeps me doing my homework like getting to write it down in a really cute agenda. organization is one thing but feeling organized is half the act

alone time// wowza this stuff rocks and where in the world have after school naps been my whole life? seriously though, having my own time to do whatever i want, whether that be blog or bake or cuddle with my favorite pup, i’ve found out i need this time to myself and allowing myself to have it has made such a difference in my mood this semester. so that paper due in 24 hours or that spanish play you have to memorize (don’t get me started) can wait. and i promise you’ll be a whole lot more motivated to work on them once you’ve had you puppy snuggles in for the day. like c’mon.

coffee// ok you all knew this was coming. there is nothing, nothing, coffee can’t fix. truly thankful i forced myself to like it last year and now loving it isn’t even slightly forced. falling asleep is ten times more exciting when you know you get to wake up to a vanilla latte. (alright, it sounds a lot more sad that i have that mentality when i type it out)

sweet sweet friends// luckily this semester was full of reminders of why my friends rock. one of my favs was rockin’ Laura who is on dance team with me was THE BEST secret santa in the world. literally. i have not left the blanket she made me alone since i got it, you rock LT.

well here’s to break, and to more semesters to come filled with lots of coffee and lots more finals. hope your break starts off perfectly.

ALSO!!!! if you have any comments, questions or anything really..feel free to hit up xoxoallisonnicole@gmail.com because i’m REALLY EXCITED to talk to you all!

xoxo,

Ally