Santa Monica

She fills my bed with gasoline
You think I wouldn't notice
Her mind's made up
The love is gone
I think someone's trying to show us a sign
That even if we thought it would last
The moment would pass
My bones will break and my heart would give
Oh, it hurts to live

And I remember the day when you left for Santa Monica
You left me to remain with all your excuses for everything
And I remember the time when you left for Santa Monica
And I remember the day you told me it's over
(Theory of a Deadman: Santa Monica)

I Am Imperfect...

With such an emphasis on "perfection" in society, I decided to write 15 reasons why I am completely imperfect. I encourage you to do the same because when you really look at the list, your pretty damn awesome and you have a lot to be thankful for. 

1. I hate doing my hair, my makeup, and working out but do it anyways...

2. I prefer the taste of cheap wine & cheap champagne.

3. I clean once a week and don't really care...

4. I often cry for no reason...

5. I don't wax my eyebrows or get them plucked at a salon...

6. My nails? Could use a manicure...

7. Sometimes, I wear a pair of jeans more than twice without washing...

8. I believe peanut butter should be eaten by the spoonful.

9. I walk into walls yet can run in 5 inch stilettos.

10. I do not understand politics...nor do I care (at times...)

11. I blog incessantly...

12. I tend to whine when I am really hungry or overly tired...

13. I am sometimes really bad at parking or making 8-point turns

14. I am a Pinterest addict (no really, I "Pin" every chance I can)

15. I truly believe that cold pizza doesn't have as many calories as hot pizza does. 

& calories don't count if they are not in your plate. 

Happy Hour Readers: What Makes you "imperfect"

-Kristina

Just Relax

We spend a majority of our lives worrying about things that we truly do not need to worry about. We complicate our lives with pettiness that will in fact, not matter a day from now, a week from now, a month from now, or even a year from now.

I drew upon this conclusion from a quote; a seemingly brillant quote that I'd like to share:

"If you want to test your memory try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today."-E. Joseph Cossman

For a moment I sat. I could not recall what I was worrying about June 27 of 2011, nor could I remember what I was worrying about that month. I remember the month of June, but the particulars of what I was worrying about? I drew a complete and utter blank.

At that moment I thought: Why do I worry then? Worrying wastes time, and time my friend, waits for no man.

It was then I realized that life has a funny way of working through the kinks and getting you out of the dark tunnel. Some way or another you will stand after you fall, bills will find a way to get paid, and success can arise from a seemingly disatrous pile of failure. The end is not near; the end is merely a beginning.

Now, I may have completely misunderstood what  Mr. E Jospeh Cossman was trying to portray, but my interpretation stands: Life is too short to worry...a solution is near. Just Relax....

Pinterest 

Love: Can You Explain It?

“Love doesn't give you very many choices. When you love someone, you just want to be with them. If they break your heart, you will still love them. Because hearts are easy to break, and though love is tender and sometimes fragile, love isn't. 

Love sort of envelops you. It covers you like a giant shadow, then pulls you in like a blanket. You are so warm. The feeling surrounds you, and no matter how you feel, it is always there. You can't escape it. But you wouldn't want to. You are so, so safe. You can't remember the last time you were this happy. Were you ever? This happy? 

Every second you are apart feels like hours. Sometimes, right before you fall asleep, you miss them so much it hurts. You ache for them. Their warmth. Their touch. Their smell. You need them. When you can't sleep you wish and wish and wish that they would wake up and talk to you. When you dream of them, you wake up smiling. When pain stabs into you, you reach out for them. You cry to them, begging them to hold you and make it all go away, make everything go away. 

Love addicts you to its feeling. You never, ever want to lose that feeling. Sometimes the fear of losing love drives people to do crazy things. Like buy a plane ticket. Make a phone call. Run out of a class. Cry. Write. Laugh.

Because when you love someone, you really love them. You give them your whole heart. You trust them. You never want to be away from them. Sometimes, you don't even need their words. You just need them there.

Love is such an amazing thing, and too many people take it for granted. If you're in love, don't let it go. Don't you dare let it go.” 

― Alysha Speer

Daily Advice

“Laugh, even when you feel too sick or too worn out or tired. 

Smile, even when you're trying not to cry and the tears are blurring your vision. 

Sing, even when people stare at you and tell you your voice is crappy. 

Trust, even when your heart begs you not to. 

Twirl, even when your mind makes no sense of what you see. 

Frolick, even when you are made fun of. Kiss, even when others are watching. Sleep, even when you're afraid of what the dreams might bring. 

Run, even when it feels like you can't run any more.

And, always, remember, even when the memories pinch your heart. Because the pain of all your experience is what makes you the person you are now. And without your experience---you are an empty page, a blank notebook, a missing lyric. What makes you brave is your willingness to live through your terrible life and hold your head up high the next day. So don't live life in fear. Because you are stronger now, after all the crap has happened, than you ever were back before it started.” 

― Alysha Speer

Protect Your Skin This Summer

Tip #1: Avoid Excessive Exposure to the Sun!

Harmful UV rays can not only lead to skin cancer but can lead to premature aging. Did you know that up to 90% of the visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun? (Source) But if that is not enough to scare you, consider these facts:

Each year, more cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S than new cases of breast, lung, and colon cancer combined.

• One in  five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. 
• One American dies from skin cancer every hour. 

Melanoma, one of the most serious forms of skin cancer, affects adolescents and young adults ages 15-29. According to The United States Environmental Protection Agency, "UV exposure and sunburns, particularly during childhood, are risk factors for the disease." 

So how do you protect yourself?

Solutions:

Protect your skin by using sun block with SPF protection:

The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) refers to the products ability to screen or block out the sun's harmful rays. 

To read more about SPF protection and guidelines and the best SPF protection for you, click HERE

Cover Up:

It seems almost self explanatory, but if you want to protect your skin from the sun, cover it up. Wear light-colored, loose fitting clothing that will keep you cool and help prevent sunburn. 

To take further precautionary measures click: HERE

 If you must have a tan, protect you skin by using a sunless tanner

Every Woman Should...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

enough money within her control to move out

and rent a place of her own even if she never wants

to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her

dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to

retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....

a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black

lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who

lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone

else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a

recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

HOW TO QUIT A JOB,

BREAK UP WITH A LOVER,

AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,

the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

whom she can trust,

whom she can't,

and why she shouldn't

take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...

be it to her best friend's kitchen table...

or a charming inn in the woods...

when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she can and can't accomplish in a day...

a month...and a year...” 

Pamela Redmond Satran

Love In The Eyes of Bob Marley

Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you have never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.” 

Bob Marley

Nothing Is Original

Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. 

Select only things that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. 

Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don't bother concealing your thievery-celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case always remember what Jean Luc-Godard said:

"It's not where you take things from-it's where you take them too."

-Jim Jarmusch

10 Reasons Why You Should Run

In honor of National Running Day

Innovative minds require a healthy dose of physical activity according to John Ratey, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School and author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and Brain. "Exercise is the single best thing you can do for your brain in terms of mood, memory, and learning." He goes on to say that "even ten minutes of activity changes you brain." Amazingly enough we fail to reap the benefits of cardiovascular and physical activity because we claim that we are too busy. But in doing so, we are actually being detrimental to our health! 

With that being said, here are Ten Reasons Why You Should Get Up and Run!

(compiled by theruniverse.com)

1. Its a top calorie burning exercise. 

2. It revs your metabolism even when you are not doing it.

3. No expensive equipment is needed

4. Solo runs provide time for self-discovery 

5. It lifts your mood

6. It boosts creativity

7. It reduces stress

8. Increases self-esteem

9. It fights depression and anxiety

10. It gives you goals to work towards to. 

Sources: US News/Health News

TheRuniverse

50 Things You Should Have Never Stopped Doing {Part Two}

Sorry for taking so long to post Part Two, but here it is:

If you missed the first post, here it is:

http://heybartenderhitmewithadouble.blogspot.com/2012/04/50-things-you-should-have-never-stopped.html 

{source: Jessica Knoll, Cosmopolitan}

26. Choreographing dances (or just re-learning the Britney "Baby One More Time" routine that you nailed in your talent show.

27. Sleepovers! Cover the living room floor w/ blankets, pillows, snacks, and now that you are of age, lots of wine and adult beverages.

28. Shopping with Mom (she has coupons!)

29. Playing makeup artist on a friend.

30. Picking out your outfit, accessories and all, the night before an important event.

31. Treating September like the beginning of the year. Who doesn't love shopping for school supplies?

32. Conference calling your three best friends on a weeknight.

33. Taking up an activity you loved at camp.

34. Spending all day in bed watching Lifetime Movies starring Tiffany Amber Theissan & Tori Spelling.

35. Keeping a list of everybody you've ever fooled around with!

36. Tickle fights.

37. Instituting Taco Tuesdays, Pizza Thursdays...

38. Getting picked up from school, only now you can hop into your sweethearts car for happy hour!

39. Wearing ridiculous party hats.

40. Writing mushy "Where are you now" letters to yourself.

41. Going by the trendy name you only wished your parents had named you.

42. Marco...polo

43. Planning your snacks!

44. Making the mall your "night-out" destination

45. Watching TV with your "Oh-so-comfy" body pillow

46. Storing make-up in your Caboodle

47. Trying on Prom Dresses & fancy evening gowns.

48. Taking a yearbook picture of yourself.

49. Make-overs!

50. Being totally infatuated with buying new bras! (Remember your first training bra)