Reasons to be Fit

I must have been hiding under a rock. Only recently did I discover the "Reasons to be Fit" tumblr. I love checking up on it every so often to remind myself why health and fitness is important. Some are silly. Some are serious. All are important. Here are some of my favorites of the moment:

 

 

 

 

 

What are YOUR reasons to be fit?

Saving Up Our Wishes

“I’m a dreamer.”

Ever said that? I have. It’s a pretty common statement to make, especially for those of us in our 20s and 30s. We’ve been told that we can accomplish anything. That our hopes can be fulfilled. That dreaming is essential to change the world.

And it is.

But what about action? At the end of a dream – right before a new dream begins – is a goal. We often forget that part. We save up all our wishes. Pack them up in jars and admire them from afar. Because if we take them out, then that little jar isn’t so full of neat, pretty ideas.

When we actually try to make something happen, things have a tendency to get ugly. Challenging, if you will. But remember this: fruition is far more brilliant than fantasy.

Sure, that jar of dreams we shelved so long ago won’t look as full and pretty. But it's replaced by something better and far more beautiful -- the fruits of our labor. The truth is, things get messy. The truth is, we don’t always know what we’re doing.

I can't pretend I know your situation, or to understand just how difficult it will be to achieve your dreams. Trust me, I have my own issues. But if you haven't started, begin to chase them -- regardless of how small that first step should be. Sometimes all it takes is putting one foot in front of the other.

Video Round-Up: Curls, Whales, Babies and Poetry

Like most of you, I encounter a plethora of media on a daily basis that I think might be interesting to share with my readers. Most of the time it's articles, however I've come across a lot of really great videos lately. Here's what made the cut this week:











*thanks for pointing this one out Jolene!

Have you come across any interesting videos lately? Feel free to share the link in the comments below. =)

Seven Links

The "seven links" tag floated throughout the blogosphere last year, and I always appreciated reading what other bloggers valued about their own stories. It's a great way to read posts people may have missed otherwise. Since I haven't seen the tag surface in a while, I brought it back for your reading pleasure. =)

Most Beautiful Post

Marriage Advice from a Newbie - Tidbits of wisdom I picked up after two years of marriage. Some are silly, all are true.

Most Popular Post

Everything is Sweeter with Sprinkles, Better with Glitter - After one of my photos was featured on The Glitter Guide tumblr, the blog's traffic spiked.

Most Controversial Post

You Smart, Gorgeous Thing You! - My thoughts on whether a woman's confidence may be connected to how she was addressed as a little girl.

Most Helpful Post

Work it Out - A brief post about my journey with self-discipline, plus some tips to stay out of a health and fitness rut.

A Post Whose Success Surprised You

DIY Glitter Shoes - While there aren't many comments, this post has received the most page views in Swift as Shadows history so far. Guess people really like to bedazzle things.

A Post You Feel Didn't Get the Attention it Deserved

Book Sugar - A look into how my love for books and sweets are connected, as well as my book-selection antics.

The Post You're Most Proud Of

Let it Shine: Boudoir Decor (Part One, Part Two) - I put a lot of time and effort into this post, and it's a good example of working/decorating with what you have.

Now it's time to tag all of you -- yes, YOU. Or, if you've already completed the tag, link to it in the comments below and I'll check it out.

The Sweetest Surprise

As I continue to celebrate my husband's birthday, I thought I'd stop by the blog for a quick post about the sweetest video I've seen in a while:




I tear up every time. =)

Let it Shine: Boudoir Decor (part 2)

(read part one)

Fashion is my favorite. Whether it's shopping, putting together outfits, helping friends with their personal style, organizing my closet or watching fashion-related TV/YouTube videos, I live for this stuff. I was never intuitively stylish. In fact, I went through much of seventh grade wearing baggy corduroy pants and grey tshirts. But I always appreciated good clothes. As a kid, I distinctly remember shopping trips with my aunt to Neiman Marcus or Bloomingdale's and admiring the quality of silk blouses, cashmere dress socks and tweed blazers. Not that I can afford to shop at high-end stores. I'm happy frequenting places like TJ Maxx, Forever 21 or thrift shops to do a bit of treasure hunting.

It wasn't until college that I really tried to understand the essence of fashion and style vs. trends.  I certainly don't know it all, but boy does it make me happy to try.

I love having a rainbow of clothes to display, especially because they also vary in texture and fabric. The sharp red dress bought for me by my sister is so different from the ruffled blush pink frock just a few hangers away -- yet they are both so lovely. And the sequin-sleeved shirt is world's apart from the floaty tie-neck blouse right next to it -- but I admire them equally. Is every piece my favorite? Yes. Do I completely romanticize my clothes? Shamelessly. ;)

And now for the shoes. Oh, the shoes. I lined up my four best and brightest -- including the sparkling champagne hued flats I wore during my wedding, a pair of black platform stilettos, smart tweed pumps with bows and my beloved DIY glitter flats.

Creating this little space has helped me segment my wardrobe into only the most necessary (obviously a subjective word in this case) items. While my main closet is still occupied with more basic pieces, I have a pile of clothes ready for Goodwill, and a few more waiting for the next garage sale. Onward and upward folks!


Which clothes/shoes in your closet do you consider a favorite? Do you have any closet organizational tips to share?

Let it Shine: Boudoir Decor (part 1)

You were able to sneak a peek of my boudoir on The Glitter Guide tumblr recently, and I've been eager to show you the rest of it. As I mentioned in a previous post, I converted a small corner of our room into an area where I can display all of my prettiest, most prized pieces -- from my favorite perfume to the Chanel-esque coat I adore so much. I wanted to let them shine, so to speak. Inspired by Alex of HRH Collection, I set out to put a little "fancy" back in our very humdrum room.

 

I started with the small IKEA dresser that was collecting dust on the other side of the room. I may stain the dresser eventually, but for now I kind of like the earthy feel the wood's natural swirls give in contrast to the decor. I chose to display my lipgloss in a jar because the bright colors remind me of candy sticks on display in an old-fashioned sweet shoppe. A decorative shell holds some of my favorite bracelets, while a buttercream-scented candle makes the whole room smell as if it was covered in vanilla frosting.

While I'd love to take credit for the nail polish display, it's all Alex. The key is a cheap Christmas ornament from WalMart that I placed in a thrift-store candle holder because I didn't know what to do with it. But I like the way it turned out. Love when that happens. =) I added the mirror (another thrift store find) to reflect light and add dimension. My favorite perfume, Miss Dior Cherie, was the final touch to the dresser. While I don't have a mirrored vanity, I certainly don't let that stop me from embracing my little corner of the room. Who says putting on makeup in front of a compact mirror while sitting on the floor isn't glamorous? ;) 

The rest of my makeup hides in this turquoise mosaic box and the top dresser drawer -- along with the rest of my jewelry. And I always keep a few of my go-to magazines around (Glamour and Fitness). If you've read this blog for a while, you probably spy my inspiration board in the background too. Still trying to find a place for it, -- preferably a spot that I'll notice every day. I don't want to just tack it into the wall, so maybe I'll get a nice frame for it. Let me know if you have any other ideas. =)

Part two (about how I display the clothes) will be up tomorrow!

If you had a makeshift boudoir, what beauty items would you display? Or if you do have one, how did you decorate it?

Everything is Sweeter with Sprinkles, Better with Glitter

Just found out that one of my photos is featured today on The Glitter Guide tumblr! I was saving the photo for my next post, but here's its early introduction:

What is it, you ask? A very small corner of my (also very small) boudoir. Sharing a room with my husband -- while it has its advantages -- was threatening my femininity. We're using his childhood dresser set, after all. I'm nearly finished with the whole boudoir, and it's blossoming into the perfect place for me to display all of my prettiest pieces. Full decor post to come. ;)

Make Your House a Castle

I was going to do a Simplicity List today, but the things on my list weren't that simple. This is more of a "these things are awesome and I want them" list. Feast your eyes:

 A giant backyard with pretty lights and cushions. And a movie about trucks? (photo source)

Nothing will ever beat real flowers, but these paper ones come pretty close. Also adorable when made with sheets of music. (photo source)

A chocolate waterfall. Need I say more? (photo source)

This is basically the birthday cake of my dreams. (photo source) 

 
An update on my "Marriage Advice From a Newbie" post: My sister works at a preschool, and the 4-year old class did a "marriage advice from us" bulletin board for their teacher, who is getting married this weekend. Here were their responses, with my thoughts in italics:

• Eat lots of candy (And ice cream. Lots of ice cream.)
• Remember to kiss (Yup)
• Remember to stay married (Good, simple advice.)
• Don't forget the flowers (I'll take poppies. Thanks.)
• Turn the lights off (ummm...ok)

...but the best response of all came from a little boy named Max, who said "Remember to make your house a castle."

Oh. my. goodness. How sweet is that? He will make his princess very happy one day. =)

Marriage Advice from a Newbie

Today is my grandparents' 49th wedding anniversary. They got married on Cinco de Mayo because my grandpa won my grandma's heart much to the dismay of her then-boyfriend, who was French. So, just as the Mexicans defeated the French on May 5, 1862, my grandpa "defeated the French" on May 5, 1962.

Although I still consider myself a newlywed, I have picked up a few tidbits of helpful info during these last two years of marriage.

• Don’t be rude.
• Listen to him.
• Laugh at stupid stuff together.
• Trade massages.
• You’re not always going to like each other. That’s ok.
• Do not laugh at the way his ear lobes are attached to his head. Apparently these things are normal.
• If you do happen to laugh at said ear lobe deformity trait, compliment him on something else.
• Hold his hand in public.
• Learn his love language. Make sure he learns yours.
• Discuss money. Establish mutual guidelines. Finances can be boring, but they’re important.
• Don't finish the bag of Trolli sour gummi worms
• Be honest.
• Never forget your identity. Even though two become one, you are still unique. Celebrate this.
• Embrace the butterflies from the early days of dating.
• Remind him that you’re proud of him.
• Don't underestimate him.
• Spray his cologne in the air when he's not around. 
• Figure out ways to have fun together.
• Figure out ways to have fun separately.
• Establish traditions. Advent calendars at Christmas, quesadillas on Saturdays, etc.

What is one thing you've learned about marriage, or relationships in general? 

Inspiration Board

Earlier this year, I took the cue from Gina to make an inspiration board. Here's the finished product:

I tried to include everything on here -- from health/fitness to finances to fashion/makeup. The result is one very glittery, colorful, all-encompassing collage. Cheesiness aside, hanging this up on my wall has really helped me reach my goals and figure out who the heck I am. =)

One thing this little board can't fix, however, is the sad fact that my birthday Disneyland trip may not work out. It's our *special* place, and we haven't been since our honeymoon in 2009. But we can't really justify spending a bunch of cash on three nights in a hotel if we're already spending money on two-day hopper passes. Our friend lives close, but she'll be out of town this weekend. Bummer of all bummers. =( Sorry to be a downer...it's just top of mind right now.

At least I have a four day weekend ahead! =)

Have you ever made an inspiration board?
What's your favorite Disney movie and why?