Can Social Media Cause You To Live A Cooler Life?

The other week some friends and I were sitting at dinner when I posed the question 

“do you guys think that social media can cause you to live a cooler life?”

The boys rolled their eyes and my girlfriend kind of tilted her head for a minute which is the normal response I receive for most of the questions that come out of my mouth. This time however I pressed the issue a little more. You see, I believe 100% that yes, social media causes people to “up their coolness factor” so to speak. While this may sound ridiculous, I really don’t think that this is such a bad thing, but rather a pretty good thing. Something that should be celebrated rather that frowned upon.

Before I begin my arguments on why I think there is some greatness in this whole “my life is cooler because I can plaster it all over social media” let us not get confused with the whole painting a false picture of your life online. There is a difference. I am not encouraging you to hide the “real” in your life (ie: dirty clothes all over your bedroom floor from four nights ago in the background of your filtered self-portrait, McDonald's fries for dinner-although really that is more something to be proud of, or spaghetti noodles dumped all over your kitchen for the 3^rd time in two weeks), but to rather look for additional activities/moments/crap to buy/etc  because you can put it out on social media. Okay so maybe don’t look for more crap to buy strictly for social media purposes unless you want to wind up broke and spouse-less.   

I got a small taste of this very early on in blogging. There was a 5K that was happening in our area and a few of my guy friends were running in it. Somehow I was asked if I was going to run and like always, my first response to anything that included physical activity was “haaaaaaiiil no” (looking back it was a pretty fitting answer because it did hail for a portion of that run). But before committing to my firm no, a thought crossed my mind “Well wait. If I run in this thing I will be able to blog about it come Monday.” So I ran. 2% because I wanted to, 98% because I thought it would make for good blogging material the following week.

And so it has continued from there.

That clothes drive that I have hosted the past two years? Again, quality blogging material. This doesn't mean that I didn't want to do it to also bless the lives of others, because I certainly did. However, knowing that it could later be displayed on a public platform to inspire others gave me the additional motivation I needed to actually act on the idea.

I may have a cocktail mid Saturday afternoon when sometimes I maybe wouldn't have. I will say “yes” to going out to dinner with friends even if there is a small part of me that would rather stay at home in my pajamas. The craft project that normally makes me want to kick people in the shins suddenly looks a teeny tiny bit more appealing to do. Choosing to eat waterside instead of inside at the air conditioned bar on a hot Summer day. Taking a risk with an outfit as opposed to wearing the same thing you wore the day before. Going to that concert on a work night when normally you would prefer to get a solid eight hours of sleep. Making cookies from scratch rather than buying them from the store. Choosing to fly to another state for a conference even though the thought of it makes you want to puke. Ordering a burger with macaroni and cheese on top rather than choosing the 4,000 calorie less option. Getting your nails done instead of chewing them to the core. Going on a run rather than sitting on the couch all evening. Attending book club even though you never read the book. Going to church Sunday morning even though sleeping in sounds way, way better. Sitting in a restaurant for six hours too long just to get two minutes with Giuliana Rancic. The list goes on and on.

Do you see where I am going with this?

Social media can (and most likely does) enhance your life.

We make decisions to actually act on an idea, get involved in an activity, do something that scares us a little, all because in the back of our minds we know that it will be something “neat, different, or fun” to post on social media. Decisions that lead to more enjoyable mornings, days, and evenings.

I can honestly say that if it wasn't for blogging and social media I wouldn't have made a lot of the decisions I have in the past two years. Decisions that have fulfilled, uplifted, satisfied, and have helped shape and mold me into a more social, outgoing, eager to learn from life and the people in it, type of person.

Rather than giving social media a bad name, maybe we should embrace the fact that in a lot of instances, it is changing our lives for the better.

Just some food for thought today.

Tell me your thoughts—agree or disagree?  

P to the S. With social media comes the whole comparison thing. Steer clear of that game at all costs. It doesn't help you, it doesn't help them, it doesn't help anybody. Your life is good enough.

Titles Are Annoying

its cool guys--the face was for instagram making it totally normal

And yet again—a blank canvas just waiting for words to fill it right on up.

Wouldn't you just love to sometime show up to your blogger account, click on “new post”, and have it all written out for you complete with edited pictures, affiliate links placed all in the correct spots, and like the funniest // most thought provoking // viral material just sitting at your fingertips?

Yeah me neither. I’d much rather put in the time and energy myself ;)

I could ask what’s new with all you here but it’s a little disheartening when you throw out a question and get no immediate responses. So never mind, I don’t care how you are doing right now. I mean I do, but you won’t tell me right when I ask so really now it’s all your fault that I've become a heartless blogger. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Moving onward—tonight I am attending an Aaron Lewis concert at a local night club. The last time I was in a local night club was never. No but really, I haven’t ever been. I did almost go one time because it was “skirt season” and a dear classy male friend of mine was shouting about it in the vehicle after a trip to a bar a few years ago. I am pretty sure that was the same evening that lighters were being swayed back and forth inside of our friends parents vehicle. In case you ever have the strong urge to wave a lighter around in your friends parents car, fight it. Just don’t do it. Stick to your glow sticks. It’s a lot less flammable and makes your friends a lot less grumpy. Now that we have that life lesson cleared up…

So I just bought this Moroccan oil for my hair. 

After 9 months of avoiding a hair salon, I took the plunge and went. Of course she had to go and use this smell good shiny stuff on my hair which led me to inquire about it which automatically led me to buy it. Here’s the deal with this stuff-It’s legit. I know this only because it costs like $45 (although hey-I just found it here for you for $33). Anything that costs you $45 and  is intended for the sole purpose just to be slathered on a few strands of hair has to be legit. I don’t really know why I bought it at the time but I felt like if I made the purchase it would make me seem like an avid salon goer. And because I sometimes believe that if you spend a lot of money on a beauty product it really will make you more beautiful. Common sense people. Enough about this though, all I know is that I am hooked for life. People keep telling me I smell good and I’m all like “it’s my hair!!! I rubbed oil in my hair!!” Which now leads me to my next bout of common sense. If you buy this oil stuff, you can cut back on your laundry duties by at least 65%. We call that winning around these parts.

Well on that note, I am not sure if I quite reached the whole “this post is going to go viral” point yet but my time is drawing to a close.

This is going to be so awkward now if I up and die all of a sudden and the last words on my blog were “but my time is drawing to a close..”

I love macaroni and cheese.

There. That’s a better life finale.

**It should be noted that this post was originally written during the day. It is now evening and that concert got postponed for some reason or another, thus resulting in girls nights full of cocktails and some type of pasta that was hard to pronounce. The end.**

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Today's featured sponsor is the ever so hilarious Mia from The Chronicles of Chaos. I mean please just read some of her answers below. I was busting up laughing and it's not even the wines fault. 

What is your favorite form of social media?

I know it gets a bad rap sometimes, but my favorite form of social media is still the big EFF-BEE.  Facebook, that is.  Where else can you make fun of other people's passive-aggressive posts and check out their bathroom selfie/duckface pics? Kidding. But seriously, it helps me stay in touch with some close friends that I otherwise don't get to see very often.

If you could summarize your blog in three words or less, what would you say?

Extreme nerdiness always. :)

What does your ideal outfit consist of?

I'm sooo not a fashionista, so it would probably be sweatpants and a hoodie. I like to be comfortable and I spend a lot of time at home with my 2 boys, so that's definitely my ideal outfit 99% of the time. :)

You just won a million dollars. What's the first thing you would buy?

A really big hose... to put out the fires from all the bridges I'm about to burn... mwhahaha!

Hahahaha..I mean who says that for the first thing they would buy with a million dollars? Mia, that's who :) If that doesn't make you want to read her blog I don't know what will...

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That One Time At Elevate...

It just dawned on me today that I have yet to show off all of my pictures from Elevate conference. 

Who goes go to a blogging conference and then forgets to actually blog about it? Two thumbs pointed at this girl. Don't worry though. To make up for my lack of pictures of the conference over the past week and a half I am bombarding you with hundreds (or millions) of photos. All professional looking ones come from the ever so talented Lora Knight and all of the non-professional looking photos come from well, me. If any of you ever get the chance to attend this conference, you must. The beauty, the attention to detail, the intimate setting, the girls in attendance, the fun had..it's just all too good to miss out on. So don't. Summer, Jenn, and Nicole did the most fabulous job ever. I am still trying to comprehend how they make things look so freakin' cute. It was so much fun to meet all of you who were there and I hope to make it back some day ;)

Here's what I took away from this conference:

--Bloggers are real people with real hearts, real stories, real laughter, real tears, just real, real, real. I don't know why I sometimes forget this fact but surrounding yourself face to face with these people is where it's at.

--Be yourself..it's the only thing we have to offer

--Sometimes blogging is hard and downright sucks. sometimes you will want to quit, some days you will forget why you do all of this..take some time occasionally to remind yourself why it is worth it. 

--Donuts are so much prettier with glitter all over them

Let the show begin... 

julie // nay // natalie

 i was so excited to see her face again, ashlee 

allena and kristine..equal amounts of precious and hilarious 

my favorite little sparkler, chrissy

 the most gorgeous momma ever--megan

 little miss pink on the cheek

 I tend to get really attractive when speaking...

 the speakers for the day--Kimmie, Sarah, Ashley, Moi

one of my absolute favorite moments of the day--talking to Pamela 

we basically made out..it's a good thing she is cute, Robin

Til next year ;)

10 Reasons Why You Should Judge Me

1. I hide from 99% of people that I know when I see them in public. It's not that I don't like them, it's just I don't really want to see them. Or something. I thrive on efficiency people. Stopping while juggling 3 boxes of shoes, 4 dresses, and two scarves while at Target isn't really what you call convenient. Next time you see me and I am hiding behind a mannequin just play along and act as if you didn't see me either (it will be a lot less awkward that way). It will be like an unspoken game of hide and seek. 

2. I will carry on a conversation with you while my mouth is full of food (even if you ask me to stop). I have this problem where I really love food. No but really. And to be quite honest here, it seems rather rude that you would expect me to put my ultimate love on hold just to finish a sentence. My husband has threatened to buy me a groupon for an etiquette class (really husband? really groupon? DOES NOBODY ELSE OUT THERE LOVE FOOD AND TALKING AT THE SAME TIME?) Again, it's all about efficiency but I digress.

sex to the y. or would it be e? sexy is what i'm gettin' at.

3. I peel off entire shellac manicures in a matter of minutes. This may or may not have happened today. Have you ever peeled off shellac? Well apparently you are supposed to pay like $5 bucks at the nail salon to remove it for you. Something about the words “it destroys your nails”, I don’t know.

4. I long to be the salsa dancer emoticon. Like really bad. I know it’s not good to have idols but how could you not idolize that ball of fiesta goodness? I've always wanted to have a little person in my pocket and she just happens to be the exact person I want. She’s just always so happy. And so darn dancy. It’s gotten to the point that I now catch myself getting into her character while eating dinner out, watching TV, making dinner, etc. Plus, she is the perfect response to ANY text message. Don't know how to handle your friends bad day, husbands request to stop by the hardware store, or dad's random questions? Just send over the salsa dancer! She's gotcha covered. 

5. I have a dirty mind. If there is a gutter to be found, it finds it. I would go into detail here but I don't think it would all fit in this post. That's what she said. 

6. I am way better at being unproductive than productive. It's true. I am a blogger school dropout all of a sudden. I used to hold on my own for the most part around here with getting things done, responding to social media, etc. AND THEN I DISCOVERED SATURDAY AFTERNOON NAPS. Mind blown. 

7. I never lock my car doors. Well, I used to not lock my car doors until just now when I broadcasted that tid bit of information all over the world. Now I lock them like a dang fool. Or will lock them. Whatever. It's just something that takes time and I mean yeah sure I may have had a car stolen before but still. That's like 7 seconds every time you want to enter and exit your vehicle. For the love of all that is holy, who has time for that shaz?

8. I don’t recycle. I know. I just got plastic water bottles thrown at computer screens across America. Here's my deal with this. I am still trying to figure out what constitutes as cardboard, glass, plastic, paper, etc. Throw in the "PAPER ONLY!" signs and my brain can't handle it all. Which is why I love the trash. It just sits there all peaceful like with no threats staring me in the face. I mean think of the anxiety those obnoxious signs cause somebody like me who can't tell if their Snapple bottle is glass or plastic. I swear an alarm will go off and that whole recycle bin will blow up in my face if I get it wrong. At least put a smiley face behind the "PLASTIC ONLY" message. Trash for the win on this one. 

9. Instead of getting groceries one time for the week, I stop at the store every day for that day’s needs. For somebody who thrives on efficiency and saving money, this one makes zero sense. I think I just like being tempted by candy bars every day at the checkout line. I say no to them 99.9% of the time and if that's the only victory I can get in a day's time, you better believe I'll take it. You must do things daily that challenge you kids. Staring a kit kat in the face and overcoming that temptation is challenging and so rewarding. Small victories. It's worth it. Not. 

10. And if for no other reason, judge me because I lied to you and can only come up with 9 valid reasons at the moment on why you should judge me. Except now I think I just gave you 10. Mission tell the world why they should think I am bat ___ crazy accomplished. 

What is one thing I should know about you? I'll try not to judge but if you even say something like "I think Keith Urban is ugly" there will be judgement and it won't be pretty. 

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Today's featured sponsor is Lisa from Daily Style Finds. Lisa has a fabulous blog that is all things fashion. The way she pairs outfits is like outta this world and truly, I have found some great outfit ideas from her. Read a little bit below to get to know Lisa better and make sure to check out her blog..you are doing yourself a service by doing so. Seriously. 

When did you start blogging and why?

I started blogging in January 2012.  I love shopping, and I wanted to share with others my finds and deals.  I think we all struggle with what to wear and how to put things together, so I wanted to find a way to help others and share my ideas.

If you could offer one piece of advice to a new blogger, what would it be?

Be true to yourself.  It is so easy to start thinking that you need to be like everyone else to be successful.  

What does your ideal outfit consist of?

Jeans, leather jacket, and heels.  I am a jeans girl, and other than flip flops, I am always wearing heels. 

I mean how great is this whole ensemble Lisa put together?

If you could summarize your blog (or shop) in three words or less, what would you say?

Online Shopping Stylist  

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