ten truths tuesday #9

1. Listening to music is the ultimate remedy for just about anything.

2. Put a lot of time into planning what the space you live in looks like. You have to spend a lot of time there, so make sure it's somewhere comfortable that you're happy to be in.

3. Write everything down. Thoughts are fleeting, and you don't want to lose some great idea.

4. Mix patterns.

5. If someone tells you a secret, please keep it secret. They are giving you the ultimate compliment by putting their trust in you, and you should prove you're worth it.

6. Indian food is so good. Give tikka masala a chance!

7. It's okay (and refreshing) to be alone.

8. Thrifting is awesome; and no, you're not too good to shop in a thrift store.

9. Don't treat waiters/valets/retail employees like shit! Their jobs are not easy, and they're doing what they can to make your life EASIER!

10. Think before you complain.

monday musing: spring-cleaning and how to let go of things you love

Personally, I think spring-cleaning is an essential part of every year. Sure, we all make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, but I think we all really need a time where we can force ourselves to just let go. Yes, it’s hard, but it’s worth it. Sometimes, it’s hard to see how old stuff is dragging us down- whether it’s old clothes clogging your closet or old thoughts and feelings bogging your mind down. Breakups, death, abandonment- there’s a wide range of shitty things that can happen in a year. But, before spring has officially sprung, let’s brainstorm ways on how to stop dwelling and start living. Whether you’re cleaning your mind, heart, or closet, spring is always a good time to move on from the old and make room for everything new the year has to bring. Spring is a time of rebirth, not only for nature, but for any aspect of your life that you feel could be improved, as well. While literal spring-cleaning is much easier than mental cleaning, it is equally important. The organization of your space and the way you feel in it has a huge impact on your life. You will most likely feel a lot better in a space that is open, airy, and free of unnecessary junk than in a space that is so crowded that navigating it is a task in and of itself. Sometimes, though, cleaning and clearing can be hard. Not just because it can be boring, but because it’s often hard to let things go, even if they’re just material. This part of life, letting go of things you love, is something we constantly have to deal with. So, my suggestion is start small. When faced with the arduous task of just getting rid of things, start with what you know is unimportant- toss out old scraps of paper and file away old receipts (the season of cleaning is also the season of taxes, unfortunately). Slowly make your way towards the harder decisions: your childhood teddy bear, for example. While you may not really want to part with it, do you really need it sitting out in the open? Probably not. Find a place for it that’s out of sight but not out of mind. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that every object should have a place it belongs. So, if there are things out not in their place, put them there. If there are things out that don’t have a place, find one. The goal is really to de-clutter. A de-cluttered space can be congruous with a de-cluttered mind, or at least help you get there. Keep your short term and long-term goals in mind. If you’re cleaning your closet, think about what your style is now, what you like and don’t like about it, and what you want to change. That way, you have a clearer vision of what exactly it is that you want to keep or get rid of.  Another example is cleaning your pantry. If you want to lose weight, get rid of your junk food. If you’re not trying to adjust your diet, just get rid of things that are expired or you don’t like. It’s important to be thinking about what exactly it is you’re trying to achieve with your spring cleaning, so that there’s a sort of method to the madness. Now, spring-cleaning of the mind is a subject completely different, yet at the same time, conveniently similar. Again, think about what you’re trying to achieve here. What is it that you think is holding you back in your life? Laziness? Memories? Old emotions? Whatever it is, you have to remember that all of these are things that comprise your being. They are a part of you. So while you may not be able to get rid of them in the same way you can that old pair of jeans or expired food, there are ways to move on from them and make room for all the new ideas, emotions, or habits to come. Keep a practical goal of moving forward instead of forgetting. Chances are, you can’t just completely wipe that great romance out of your memory, nor will you be able to root an old habit completely out of your system. The key is to find newness to focus on and to think about why you’re trying to move on. If it’s about a person/group of people, think about who they are, how they affected your life, and why you’re trying to move away from them. Once you figure out all the why’s, it will be easier to pinpoint exactly what it is you’re looking for. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good and you genuinely want to be around. If you’re trying to separate yourself from someone, think: is this person an asshole? If yes, then you’re already half way there. You know that they’re not worth your time, nor are they worth spending time feeling hatred towards. Separate yourself from the negativity, and move on to spending time with people who are worthwhile. If no, then maybe this is a signal that you should learn how to accept criticism and use it to be the best you can be. However, don’t accept animosity as criticism. If something is flat-out mean, then they probably ARE an asshole, or making some serious mistakes, and you need to give them space to deal with their own issues. Getting rid of old habits can be harder, but don’t let that scare you. Picture what you believe the antithesis is of whatever habit it is you’re trying to break, and start working towards that. This is definitely easier said than done, but you can do it- just take baby steps! For example, if you’re trying to be less lazy, start by doing an hour of whatever it is you have to do before you spend an hour on Facebook. Little by little, you can build up from here to keep yourself on track. I also recommend writing schedules, reminders, and helpful notes to yourself that you know you’ll see throughout the day. For some reason, seeing something written down (especially in my own handwriting) helps me stick to my goals. Emotions are going to be the hardest thing to move on from, by far. The most important thing is to start by distracting yourself. Keep yourself happy. Happiness is always the best distraction. Go out into the world and do whatever it is that makes you happy! Go to a concert, bake cupcakes, read a book! Yes, it’s important to please those around you, but you won’t be able to live your life with a clear head unless you’re happy. The goal here is that your happiness, which starts as a distraction, will become the primary emotion you feel. Once you’re happy, it’s a lot easier to gain some perspective on what is important versus what’s not, especially when it comes to dwelling on your past emotions and feelings. I know this is cheesy, but happiness is and always will be key. From there, you can better organize your feelings, see light where there was pain, and hopefully carry that with you into the future. A little hard work and determination can go a long way, and hopefully this spring will be the beginning of keeping your space, mind and heart clean. Good luck!

music mania

The playlist for tonight's broadcast was one of my favorites so far.

Enjoy:

my polyvore

I felt like sharing my polyvore profile for absolutely no reason at all. Click through and (hopefully) enjoy.

(click here or the photo above)

ten truths tuesday #8

1. Go out into your community and HELP people. Reach out. Give what you've got to give. Yes, it is time consuming and no, it's not always exactly fun in the midst of it. But, the feeling you get when you're through is one of the most rewarding in the WORLD.

2. You can't win all the time. Let your failures make you stronger.

3. If you have bad vision (like me), don't immediately reach for a box of contacts. Go out and find a great pair of glasses; they absolutely have the potential to make you look fun/quirky/smart/sexy.

4. Finding some sort of outlet for your stress (other than watching reality television (guilty)) will definitely make you feel better.

5. Kids are OUR future. Teach them important stuff.

6. I'm all for tattoos, but PLEASE put a decent amount of thought into getting one (you would think this is common sense!).

7. Please don't kill chivalry (it's not dead yet!).

8. Stop being embarrassed to call yourself a feminist! Misogyny is overabundant; let's stop it together! Let's end this culture where feminist seems to be synonymous with man-hater.

9. You ARE the change you want to see! I know being one person in a big world can make you feel insignificant, but go out and be an activist anyway! "Insignificance" simply DOES NOT exist when it comes to fighting for a cause you believe in!

10. Speaking of that, don't let ANYONE make you feel insignificant! Just because you are 1/ 7 billion does not make you any less important! Even Obama was a "nobody" once!

ten truths tuesday #7

1. Being single on Valentine's Day can be just as fun as having a Valentine; go out with all your single friends and have a great time!

2. Become a tourist in your own city for a day.

3. Don't be embarrassed to let your inner health-nut shine. Eating foods like kale, chia seeds, açai, and quinoa doesn't make you a typical "white girl" cliché, it makes you HEALTHY!

4. Accepting yourself as you are is one of the first steps to happiness- stop beating yourself up!

5. If you complain about having a lot of things you need to get done after you've procrastinated and left them all for the last minute, no one will have sympathy for you, so please just stop and get your life together.

6. Being an impatient driver is scary and dangerous! Swerving in and out of traffic lanes (and making everyone else's commute that much more annoying) isn't going to get you where you need to go any faster.

7. Referring back to my first point; it's totally okay to be alone on Valentine's day. Make it a fun night for yourself- I'm thinking mani-pedi, bubble bath, and old movie marathon (plus, you don't even have to dress up for anyone)!

8. Please don't be that girl who buys the clearance Valentine's candy for herself.

9. I don't understand what everyone's issue with Instagram is. My philosophy: Instagram whatever the fuck you want, whenever the fuck you want! You should probably avoid being a feed-clogger, though.

10. NEVER let a boy tell you who you are (or anyone else, for that matter)!

monday musing: growing up in los angeles

One common question out-of-towners always ask me is, "What's it like growing up in LA?" I can't say that I ever really have an answer. I can't really define what it's been like, considering it's all I've ever known. People come to Los Angeles to chase their dreams, yet I've been living in this city of angels- city of dreams- for my entire existence. That must have affected me in some way, right? Growing up in any big city has it's pros and cons. I think I've really learned how to be independent, self reliant, and navigate through the world as a small fish in a big pond; but maybe I've lacked some quintessential life experience of being a big fish in a small pond. Here in Los Angeles, everybody is somebody, and it's hard not to get lost in that sea of somebodies. I think one of the greatest successes anyone could have in this city is self-expression. Finding a way to be yourself without getting trapped among the money-hungry wannabe's is a great accomplishment. I think that's my greatest quality that can be attributed to growing up here. I've learned, more than anything else, how to be myself. I have grown up tough enough to resist the magnetic pull of making yourself into a Californian clone. The problem with LA is everyone comes here to attain the same dream, and what's more important is figuring out how to attain your own dream. In a city filled with so much excess, the most important thing to do is dig down, find the roots- the heart and soul of the city, and build yourself up from there. Make the city your own, and find your own way. A geographic location can't change or shape you, but the way of life about it can. The most important thing I've learned from Los Angeles is not to pine over conforming to some idyllic lifestyle, but to create my own way of life using all of the wonderful things this wonderful city has to offer. Coming to LA for the romanticized Hollywood image leaves most people hopeless, but coming to LA and creating a unique image is how one can find happiness in the La La Land.

music mania

For some reason the embed code wasn't working, so here's a link to tonight's radio playlist.
Enjoy!

ten truths tuesday #6

1. American Horror Story is a great (read addicting) show, AND it's not even too scary to watch before bed!

2. Don't let one heartbreak make you give up on love.

3. DIYing is a great release of negative energy.

4. Fancy Starbucks drinks are just secret hideaways for calories.

5. The fact that someone looks/acts/dresses differently than you do does not mean you have the right to judge them.

6. Texting at social gatherings is rude. Instead of pulling your phone out during an awkward silence, use your WORDS to make it LESS awkward!

7. Just because something's "mainstream" doesn't make it bad. (ehem, I'm looking at you, hipsters!)

8. Eating or shopping should not be used as a form of therapy. Actual THERAPY is the best way to deal with your issues if you have them.

9. That does not mean, however, that eating and shopping aren't therapeutic. They're quick fixes for bumps in the road. Just remember: moderation, moderation, moderation.

10. If you want to be in a band, pick up that guitar. If you want to be a painter, buy a canvas. Don't let fear stop you from doing what you really love to do.