LIFE UPDATE | 10 THINGS I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

Hello, world. It's been a while since I've posted anything of substance. Sorry about that.

I've been up to a lot lately. The quarter's almost over and it will finally be summer again. It's been almost a year since I started this blog and I really don't have too much to show for it. I say again and again that I'll start blogging more, and I never do, but hey — at least this blog still exists! I have a good number of drafts and unfinished posts; I just never actually get around to finishing them or posting them. I changed my banner from "big. blonde. beautiful." to "short for alexandra" (I'm learning things like InDesign!! I CAN DO THINGS) and tried to clean up my layout a little bit to make it a little simpler and prettier. Can u tell????

Since I last posted, I've been a pretty busy lady. I was hired as a features editor for my school newspaper which has been a 24/7 job, but I love what I do and I genuinely have fun doing it. The people I work with are great and I couldn't ask for a better team. As I said a few posts ago, I was also on the Relay for Life committee this year — the event was last weekend and it went so well, I can't get over it. Seeing everything come together was totally worth all the work put into it.

The point of this post was to be a little bit of a life update as well as a more blog-y post. I found a list of writing prompts and found "ten things I can't live without"and thought it seemed cool, so without further adieu, here are ten things I luuuuurve and can't live without.

1. My computer.

It's pretty terrible that this is my number one item I can't live without, but I don't even care. I love my computer. The 15" screen is absolutely stunning and lets me make pretty things with InDesign and Photoshop and also lets me browse tumblr for hours on end. Oh, computer. You are so versatile. You've always been there for me. Thanks for dealing with me as I type way too loudly and bring you everywhere with me. I love you, computer.

2. My iPhone.

Without my phone, I feel naked. I need it on me at all times. Similar to my computer, I can use it for work purposes (email on email on email), but I can use it to send adorable ugly selfies to my bff's, check the twitterverse, facebook and all that jazz. What did I ever do before I got an iPhone? I don't even know. I can't imagine not having it now.

3. Makeup.

Call me superficial — I. love. makeup. I can go from feeling "meh" to "haaaay" within 20 minutes with the stuff. Not only does it make me feel gr8, but it's fun to put on. I literally look forward to spending time in front of the mirror every morning and putting on my war paint. Plus, makeup gives you control over how people see you, which is aaaaaaaawesome. I could gab about makeup for hours.

4. Candles. 

You have NO IDEA how obsessed I am with candles. This fall, I started a collection of Bath and Body Works candles and the addiction has only become worse with time. I literally bought four candles this weekend alone. As I write this, I've got three burning in my room and it's a trifecta of fruitiness.


5. Coffee.

I don't know why I didn't put this up higher —I'm addicted to coffee. I have a cup every morning and usually buy at least one a day (the newsroom happens to be conveniently close to the campus Starbucks — ooooooops!) and I have no intention of quitting this addiction. Usually I just grab an iced white mocha americano but lately I've been enjoying just some plain iced coffee with cream. Plus, it's beautiful to watch the cream and coffee blend together. Is that weird? I hope not.

6. Food. 

Duh. No need to explain.

7. Music. 

Pretty cliché, I know, but still. A day without music is a day wasted. My family engrained a love for music in me when I was little; I remember going on long drives and jamming out to my mom's, uh, eclectic mix (sorry, mom!) and my dad's blues-y/rock-y CD's that he would burn me. Nowadays, I definitely get my money's worth with my Spotify subscription. My roommate and I will 'share' songs with each other frequently. It's pretty neat when someone hears a song and thinks "Wow, I thing Allie would like this" because a) it made them think of you, and b) they're usually right. I love hearing new music, listening to old music and yelling "THIS IS MY JAM" ten times a day whenever I hear a song I like. (Side note: currently obsessed with "Battles" by Hudson Taylor and "Wait So Long" by Trampled by Turtles.)

8. Clothes.

Again, cliché but clothes are just another form of expression. In the fall/winter months, I find myself wearing nothing but black, olive and leopard print with the occasional mix of grey or denim and I'm trying to get out of that little pattern. I've been a little more risky lately — AKA, wearing my Forever 21 pink maxi dress at every possible occasion — and trying to incorporate more color into my wardrobe for spring and summer... but I'm going to have to ignore the fact that I did a haul at Torrid today and bought only black, olive and white.

9. My friends.

Seriously. My roommates and friends mean the world to me and I don't know where I would be today if it weren't for them. I'm lucky enough to have kept friends that I made so long ago I can't remember a time without them (Stacey! Carley!) and have made new ones along the way. Luv u all. <3

10. My family.

Hanging Out with the Holzmans

Ever since my dad passed away last January, I've learned to not take family for granted. This group of goofballs is my family, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.


Well, those are 10 things I can't live without. That was a hard — but fun — post to write.

What are 10 things you can't live without? (I bet my blog is one of them. Ha!)

xoxo,

allie