What My Heart Beats For No. 3 | Holiday Edition

Pictured: Olivia Velvet Heels, White House Black Market & Albeit Lipstick, Anthropologie

Happy December, friends! I brought in the arrival of the season last night by writing Christmas cards (if you would like one, DM me your address on Instagram!) and watching The Holiday (aka one of the  b e s t  Christmas movies ever). The tree, which is especially glittery this year, is up and I couldn't be more ready to bake to my heart's desire. In celebration of the holidays, I wanted to share what I'm loving this season:

What My Heart Beats For

1. An excuse to dress up! I couldn't resist the heels (pictured above) from White House Black Market. They are so beautiful and perfect for the holidays.

2. Eloise at Christmastime. I remember adoring this movie when it first aired and I've loved it ever since. It is so full of innocence and adventure.

3. Gift-giving. One of my absolute favorite things is surprising loved ones with thoughtful gifts. I already found the perfect presents for a couple of my friends which I can't wait for them to open.

4. The Lizzie McGuire Christmas episodes. Need I say more?

5. The fact that New Year's is right around the corner. New beginnings are always exciting... I've already been daydreaming up the possibilities 2018 may hold. 

6. The holiday decor that seems to be everywhere ✨

7. Choosing a new planner. I have my eye on this one!

8. Baking & Sweets.

9. Cozy weather. It's not too often that Southern California experiences cozy weather. In fact, it was 92 degrees on Thanksgiving just a week ago. I'm looking forward to bundling up when winter arrives.

10. The feeling of a full heart. This time of year is about giving & loving. The moments slow down a little bit when you take the time to reflect on what you're most thankful for ❤️

Please share with me what you love most about this time of year - favorite holiday movies, music, activities - I want to know all about it!

Wishing you a beautiful season ❄️

The Stories Inside Us | Artful Blogging Magazine Giveaway

Friends! I am so thrilled to share "The Stories Inside Us," featured in the winter issue of Artful Blogging Magazine! I absolutely adore this publication (along with the rest of Stampington & Co.'s collection of magazines) and am so excited to have written such a personal piece for this issue. "The Stories Inside Us" is particularly special to me as it details how I've faced one of my biggest obstacles: performance anxiety. As a singer-songwriter so inspired by the meaningful connections made through storytelling, it would seem that the stage should feel like home to me. Oh how I wish it did. Writing this piece reminded me of the reason I always head back to the stage and the magic of jumping into endeavors that challenge you most.

"Although part of me only ever wanted my bedroom walls to know about the songs I had written, a bigger part of me wanted to share them. I'll never forget looking in the mirror, moments before I walked on stage for the first time. With sweaty palms and loud thoughts, I took a deep breath and asked myself a question: why am I doing this? The answer was simple: because I have stories to tell." 

- The Stories Inside Us, Artful Blogging Magazine Winter 2017

Although I may have discovered ways to make the anxiousness before I walk on stage more bearable, I am by no means an expert at overcoming fear. Performance anxiety continues to be something I have to work quite hard at to overcome. However, my hope is that this piece encourages you to pursue any passions you might have that seem too scary or overwhelming or out-of-reach to try.

I am a firm believer that if I can stand on a stage and tell stories, then you can do just about anything. 

The winter issue of Artful Blogging is now available at Barnes and Noble and other locations that can be found here! You can also enter to win a copy by leaving a comment on this post. I would love to hear about a time when you were presented with an obstacle and how you overcame it.  

Thank you for being lovely and taking the time to read my words - they always come straight from my heart ❤️

"It Was June, and the World Smelled of Roses..."

Hello friends! I'm writing you from a porch swing on a beautiful June morning...there isn't one single cloud in the sky, the birds are singing, and the pool couldn't look more tempting (especially because I recently made an obligatory Target purchase of cherry-shaped inner tubes). I just added a few items to today's to-do list...number one is: write to you - because it's been too long! How have you been? Has anything exciting happened in your life? Tell me your stories!

"It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside." 

The past few months have been lovely - I released my first EP, "It's Still You," made memories that have turned into new songs, I've been spending early mornings at ✨Disneyland ✨, reading books written by admirable souls, finding inspiration in new places, enjoying late sunsets and more than anything, I've been excitedly anticipating the arrival of summer. Summer is the season I've always believed holds the most potential for magic. When I look back at my happiest moments & most cherished memories, I've realized they've almost all occurred during the months of June, July, or August. I'm sure this year will be no exception ❤️

Needless to say, I couldn't be happier to greet this beautiful season once again - here are a few wonderful reasons why...

S u m m e r   L o v e s:

1. Bougainvillea.

2. Ice cream cones (with rainbow sprinkles).

3. Singing happy songs at the top of my lungs in the car, lately it's been "Legends" by Kelsea Ballerini 💕

4. Trips to Anthropologie... this one is a year-round favorite, but I have a special Anthro collaboration in store this summer that I can't wait to share!

5. Funfetti birthday cake...

6. Staying up all night & Movie marathons.
7. Creating. This season always has a way of refueling creativity. I recently spent an afternoon collecting photographs & quotes and made the inspiration board in these pictures. 
8. Browsing through the poetry & biography sections of Barnes & Noble. 
9. Discovering new music/making a summer soundtrack.
10. Going to brand new places, trying brand new things, and making brand new friends...summer somehow seems to make escaping your comfort zone more exciting. 

I will leave you with this beautiful notion which I hope rings true for both of us this summer: 

"Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August." 

What do you love most about summertime? I would love to hear all about your summer loves! Here is to the wonderful stories we'll have written by the time September arrives...❤️

It's Still You EP - Out Now + GIVEAWAY!

I'm so thrilled to announce my first EP, "It's Still You" is out now!

It’s Still You is a small collection of songs that tell the story of how it feels when your heart relentlessly pulls you back to the same person. It’s a peek into the pages of my diary, a glimpse of my dearest memories, and a piece of my heart. 

As I reflect on the creation process of these songs - from the very first sparks that flew to the days I spent in the recording studio last summer - I’ve come to realize something I’ll never forget: 

Whether we’re on cloud nine or longing for the courage to tell someone we love them, we’re supposed to feel the way we feel. There’s no use in being afraid of what our hearts tell us. 

I hope these songs remind you of the things in life you simply couldn't live without, the ones that still make your heart light up after all this time. I hope you're reminded to cherish and celebrate those special things because one day you might wake up wishing you had. But most of all, I hope these songs inspire you to have the courage to listen to what your heart tells you. ❤️ 

Listen: Spotify |  Apple Music |  iTunes

                         

Let me know if you're listening! Leave a comment with your favorite song off the EP to be entered to win a physical copy :)

What My Heart Beats For | No. 2

Hello friend! You may recall I introduced a new post series last month titled, "What My Heart Beats For." As it is the month of February & Valentine's Day is tomorrow (!!!), I'm particularly excited to share what I've been loving lately. 

What My Heart Beats For

1. Thrift stores. I recently went thrift shopping downtown with my little sister and good friend  - we came upon SO many nostalgic treasures! That afternoon is easily one of my favorite 2017 memories so far.

2. Sugarfina candies (especially this time of year). 

3. Z: The Beginning Of Everything. I watched every episode of this series on Amazon and was so mesmerized by Zelda Fitzgerald's glamour and strong will. 

4. The Best of Mandy Moore album. There's not much more I can say. 

5. Kisses in the rain. 

6. Moments in life that feel as though they came right out of a movie. 

7. Meeting for coffee. 

8. The feeling of finding the perfect gift for someone.

9. Red lipstick. 

10. Valentine's Day of course! ❤️

I would love to hear what your heart has been beating for lately. Wishing you the most magical Valentine's Day!

Be My Valentine

Oh February, you're finally here! For as long as I can remember, February has always been my favorite month...admittedly due to the arrival of Valentine's Day. As a hopeless romantic, my heart always lights up during the time of year when heart-shaped everything is everywhere and I have a viable excuse to celebrate  l o v e.

February makes me nostalgic for the days I would bring a shoe box to school to adorn with glitter and fill with sweet cards from my classmates. It takes me back the porch step of my first boyfriend's house where he gave me my very first real Valentine's gift, the sweetest little teddy bear that made my teenage heart skip a beat. It makes me think of the people I adore most. But most of all, it makes me excited to think of ways I can make their 14th of February a little sweeter.

Over the years, I've found most of us have strong feelings about Valentine's Day. Some allow this holiday to make them feel sad if they aren't in love while others make extravagant plans with their loved ones. I've come to realize the reason I adore Valentine's Day so much is because I've never associated it with an expectation of any kind. I love this day because it gives me an excuse to celebrate all kinds of love. 

That being said, I've been so enjoying browsing through Valentine's cards and picking out favorites for those I adore as well as the lovely people who have sent sweet notes to my P.O. Box! I can't wait to send them out, celebrate, and make memories this 14th of February.

What do you love most about Valentine's Day? Share your favorite thing about this holiday to be entered to win the adorable "P.S. I love you" trinket dish pictured above ❤️

What My Heart Beats For | No.1

Hello dear friend! Today I'm welcoming the first installment of a new post series titled, "What My Heart Beats For." From cupcake recipes to songs that bring me back to another time and place, these posts will detail, as the title suggests, what my heart beats for.

I couldn't be more thrilled winter is in full-swing and 2017 has arrived. This morning I sat down with a cup of hot chocolate and (snowflake) marshmallows to reflect on recent special moments & inspirations I've experienced.

What My Heart Beats For

1. Moments shared with my little sister, singing 80's boyband music in the car.

2. The box of old things I kept from high school (love letters & embarrassing pictures included).

3. Grey's Anatomy. I'm just starting the 3rd season & am already grieving the loss of characters I know will inevitably be leaving the show via Tumblr spoilers. 

4. Everything glittery. These days, if it's sparkly, chances are I'm  o b s e s s e d  with it. 

5. The excitement of new beginnings: when you know something wonderful is about to happen, but you have no idea what it may be.

6. The Sugar Paper gift wrap collection at Target.

7. Hidden Gems. 

8. Going out to breakfast in the morning (and the moment you convince yourself the chocolate muffin won't be that bad for you). 

9. Open-mindedness.
10. The rewards that often come along with escaping your comfort zone ❤️

What has your heart been beating for lately?