What a slow week! I always underestimate how slow the week goes by when you have fun plans for the weekend. Does anyone else notice this? It drives me crazy! Anyway, for this five on Friday, I am sharing five links to videos, articles and such that I loved and/or found interesting this week! 

1. Lilly for Target

The new Lilly Pulitzer for Target look book came out this week and I had been so curious about what they were going to feature in this collection, and also, I was curious about prices! I poked around the website this week and unfortunately...I want everything. The collection screams the beach, the sun, whimsy and all the other good things about summer. The gorgeous dresses and jumpsuits are around $40, which is a pretty reasonable price. The bathing suits are all around $24 for separates, so $48 together. I am surprised that a bathing suit would be more than a dress! I marked my calendar and I'm counting the days until April 19th!

2. How To Get the Perfect Winged Liner // But First, Coffee

As some who has been struggling with winged linger for a long time, I learned so much from this video! But First, Coffee is a beauty channel and blog, and it is one of my favorites to watch/read. All of Kallie's tips, reviews and tutorials are so helpful and to top it off, she is so funny and sweet! 

3. Dance Scenes in Movies Compilation

I am a sucker for a good dance scene in a movie. All of my favorite movies have at least one in them! This video had me dancing along with it, and I swear, whether you are having a good day or not, this video will brighten it! Plus, its set to my favorite song of the moment, Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon. Its so catchy and I love that it sounds like an 80s pop song...it will most definitely make you shut up and dance too! (also, you win if you can guess how many times I listened to this song while writing this post)

4. The Myth of High-Protein Diets // New York Times

Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with opinions on diets and what is good/bad for us to be eating. Anyone else?? I just found this article to be interesting because of the statistics that were given relating premature deaths and the high consumption of animal proteins. What confused me was that leaner animal proteins were never really mentioned specifically in the article. I do try to stay away from red meat, indulging in a burger or steak every once in a while, so a major source of my protein intake comes from lean chicken and turkey. I am curious if these animal proteins also cause such bad effects on the body, like red meat does? 

5. Photos of 11 Women Who Are Redefining Beauty // Cosmo
I loved this slideshow! I am all for changing beauty standards and these women are beautiful examples of this redefinition!

What links are you loving this week?

Linking up today!  

Spring 2015 Playlist

I don't know if I have ever mentioned this before on this blog, but I really love listening to music...and I know, who doesn't right? I never mention it though because I tend to stick to music that isn't really played on the radio anymore so I just figured no one would be interested in a playlist. BUT in the past few weeks, I have caught the bug of a few catchy, pop hits so I felt excused to share my playlist for this spring! I included a mix of some new favorites and some old reliable songs that I can always be caught listening to. Enjoy!

Sugar // Maroon 5

Young Americans // David Bowie

Shut Up and Dance // Walk the Moon

Rascal King // Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Thinking Out Loud // Ed Sheeran

Dreams // Fleetwood Mac

Riptide // Vance Joy

Night Changes // One Direction

You're So Vain // Carly Simon

Let me know if you've been jamming to any of these songs lately (or ever!)

Spring Break? More Like Winter Break Pt. 2

Or so it felt like. This break was a much needed one to re-engergize and re-focus myself for the rest of the semester. I am back at school now and already back in the swing of reading textbooks,  going to class and clinicals! Before spring break, I made myself a little to-do list that you can read here. I wanted something I could look at over break when I had free time or needed something to do. I didn't accomplish everything on my list, but I would still call it a successful break! 

Here's what I did (and did not!) accomplish!

1. Learn to braid my hair like Amber Fillerup Clark of Barefoot Blonde. 

Why did I think I could intricately braid my hair when I can barely put it into a ponytail? Attempted, but unsuccessful.

2. Take my dog for a walk on the beach.
I took Reilly for a few walks, but none of them were on the beach because I was nervous about getting sand/wet dog smell all up in my car. 

3. Hit up the outlets...ya girl would like some new going-out tops!
My mom and I had some awesome coupons to Bonton...we had never been there before but the coupons were too good to pass up! $50 off $50 for clothing, $35 off $35 for shoes, and $15 off $15 for beauty! I got a jumpsuit, a dress, a pair of shoes, and an eyeshadow for $30. SCORE!

4. Read 3 books.
Fail. I only read one!

5. Wash my makeup brushes...(its been awhile). 

The second I had free time at home, I was washing my makeup brushes and now they feel like new!

6. Publish 3 posts. 
DONE! Check them out!
A Very Special 5 on Friday
Winter Wonders and Woes
Netflix Picks #1: Independent Girly Comedies

7. Cook my family dinner. 

It wasn't very exciting, but I made tacos!

8. Go to at least 2 restaurants that are participating in Maine Restaurant Week (March 1st-14th).

I only ended up going to one for brunch, and it was delicious! I wasn't a good blogger and forgot to take a picture, but it was my first meal of the day so I was starving!

9. Have a really fantastic margarita (or two). 
I only had one margarita, thanks Texas Roadhouse! I also had some delicious prosecco with my mom during our GNI...it goes great with Thai food!

10. Go skiing. 
Check! Only fell once, on the last run down obviously!

11. Find a new home for the clothes I have sitting at home.
While I pushed this exact activity off until summer break, I was able to leave some clothes at home which means I have less winter clothing at school! 

12. Eat seafood...because I don't trust the seafood here that's three+ hours from the nearest ocean. 

I am bummed about this one...I never got the opportunity to have seafood while I was home!

13. Go to open lap swim at a local (indoor) pool.
Even though it would have been indoors, I decided it would have been too cold for me! To make up for it, I went on a lot of walks with Reilly and my mom! 

14. Work on my photography skills.
I played around with my camera a bit. Its a point and shoot, and I have been trying to learn how to use it so I can get the best quality pics from it! Also, I took a ton of pictures on my iPhone trying to turn my dog into a model...

I had a blast with my family over break, and thats the best thing I could have asked for!

Netflix Picks #1: Independent Girly Comedies

I've been thinking lately about a series I could incorporate into this blog that I could really get into. So I was thinking..."Meghan, what is something you feel like you could offer great advice about?!" And then it hit me. MOVIES. I have always been obsessed with watching movies and learning about the actors/actresses in them, the meanings of them and the production. I love discussing movies and recommending them (or not!) to my friends and family. I just think there is something so magical about losing yourself in another story for an hour and a half. 

I love all kinds of movies, and I am not one to shy away from any genre. So from now on (if you'd like!) I will be incorporating reviews of random Netflix movies that I have watched recently. Over this break, I have been in the mood to watch a lot of independent, girl lead movies. Let's take a peek!

Not Another Happy Ending

via Netflix

Plot in one line: In this British rom-com, the main character successfully writes a best-selling novel but runs into trouble with her second novel as she is suffering from a severe case of writer's block. 

Thoughts: I really really wanted to like this movie because I am obsessed with England (and all products from England) so I thought I would just love this movie. However the story line, while promising, just doesn't flow together seamlessly and I just found myself checking often to see if I was near the end. I feel like the actors/actresses had a lot more potential and I felt left hanging in some scenes. I would have to say that my favorite part was the end, not because I was happy to see it over, but because it was clever. Although this isn't the happiest review, I am glad I watched it because it was very pretty...the actors/actresses and the set up of the scenes especially!

Mood to be in to watch: Patient, as this is a slow movie. 

Food pairing: Any baked good and a cup of tea!

My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Save the Date

via Netflix

Two sisters struggle through the ups and downs of long and short term relationships.
Thoughts: I picked this movie because I like Lizzie Caplan (Mean Girls!) and Allison Brie (Mad Men, The 5 Year Engagement), and thought they would be an interesting contrast on screen. They definitely played opposite characters but did so while portraying a true sisterly bond...meaning they loved each other, but don't always see eye to eye! What I liked most about this movie was how easy it was to understand the characters. While I didn't find them necessarily relatable, I was able to get a feel for their mindsets and put myself in their shoes. I wouldn't call this a must-see, but one that is worth watching if you have the time!
Mood to be in to watch: Willing to explain to your non-rom-com-loving S.O. that this is not a rom-com that will make them want to pull their hair out.
Food pairing: Tacos
My Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Girl Most Likely

via Netflix

A New York woman fakes her suicide to gain attention from an ex-boyfriend, only to wind up back with her unconventional and quirky family in New Jersey. 
Thoughts: This plot line did not follow what I had predicted whatsoever! I initially chose it because its been recommended to me on Netflix for a while now, and then I thought "hey, it has Kristen Wiig, so its got to be okay, right?" Overall, I liked this movie because it made me laugh out loud and it felt like a late bloomer coming of age story...and who doesn't love a coming of age story?? Some parts I found to be comfortably uncomfortable, and was squirming in my seat with secondhand embarrassment. However, I believe that the best movies are the ones that give us great feeling...even if that feeling is embarrassment!
Mood to be in to watch: Definitely a good GNI (girls night in!) movie
Food pairing: Fried dough
My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Let me know if you've seen any of these and if you would like more Netflix reviews! Also, can we laugh about how similar the second and the third pictures are??

Winter Wonders and Woes

As winter is slowly rolling to a close, I have been thinking about how I have such a love/hate relationship with these cold and snowy months. I'm looking forward to the weather turning warmer, outfits getting brighter and the beach becoming my free time, however there are a few things I will definitely miss about the winter (and a few things I most definitely won't miss!) 

Wonder: Sweaters and scarves!

I am obsessed with sweaters, to say the least. I love how you can put a sweater and a pair of jeans on and BAM, you have a put together and cute outfit. In the winter months, it's hard to get out of bed and change out of those warm pajamas, but the thought of putting on a warm sweater makes it bearable. Along similar lines, adding a scarf to an outfit immediately gives it a chic quality, while more importantly keeping me warm. I'm a sucker for a knit infinity scarf! 

Woe: Negative temperatures. 

Comment below if you need an explanation of why negative temperatures are a winter woe. I will respond by telling you to take an ice bath and then you'll know how I have felt walking anywhere these past few weeks. 

Wonder: Winter sports!

When talking about winter sports, I mostly mean skiing. I used to go all the time when I was much younger, but when swim meets and hanging out with friends took up my weekends in high school, I stopped skiing. However this year I have picked my poles up again, and I forgot how much I loved it! There is just something so serene about gliding down a snow covered mountain and being able to trust your body to maneuver the skis! I love the time spent with my family on the lift and the laughs on the way home about who had a silly fall that day. I love the rush of being a little cold but walking into a warm lodge that holds yummy food and hot drinks. There is just *snow* much more to skiing than just the sport of it! 

Woe: Shoveling.

Without a doubt, I always overdress myself* so I end up sweating buckets while shoveling. Its just a miserable activity that I feel the effects of for days (my lower back). 

*See previous woe to explain why

Wonder: Holidays!

With my two favorite holidays being in the winter (Christmas and my birthday), I can't help but look forward to the cold months! There is something so magical about these two holidays. Christmas, being a time to celebrate with family, and my birthday, a time to reflect back on the past year of my life and plan ahead for the next one. I feel like these holidays just wouldn't have the same meaning for me if they were celebrated in the summer months! 

Wonder/Woe: Snow...

I couldn't decide whether I love or hate snow. I love it when its snowing and I don't have anywhere to go. I hate it when its covered in dirt and taking up 3/4 of a parking lot. I love it when I wake up on December 25th to see a white Christmas. I hate it when I walk outside in the morning to drive to school only to see its snowing and I had no idea it was supposed to. I love looking at pretty pictures of it. I hate getting it in my shoes and soaking my socks. Since I haven't figured out a way to make the snow go away (besides moving...I'm working on it), I guess I will just continue this love/hate relationship with it! 

What are some of your winter wonders and woes? 

A Very Special 5 on Friday

Today is a special day...Its Friday, I'm headed home, and it's mine and John's fifth anniversary of dating! I can't believe we have been together so long, because I remember our first date just like it was yesterday. We have been through so much together and everyday I am thankful that he is in my life. 

I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures of us together over the past five years. Some are a few embarrassing, and I especially love the ones of us all dressed up. Hope you enjoy all the lengths of our hair and transformations from baby faces to adults! 

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

I hope you have a great weekend! 

Spring Break @ Home To-Do List

Oh, the famed college spring break...many of my peers will be headed south to beaches filled with other college students, concerts, and sunshine. However, I am headed 12 hours north to Maine (home!) as a spring break trip south was just not in the cards for me this year. To be honest, I am bummed that I won't be laying on a beach a week from today, especially since it has been so cold here lately. I am grateful to be headed home though, don't get me wrong! I am thankful that I do have a great family to go home to and that I have a beautiful state to call home too. The only thing I am maybe not looking forward to is how cold it will be (okay I saw that eye roll, I know you are sick of me talking about the weather)!

The closer I get to break, the more excited I get that I will have so much free time to myself. Or at least that's how I am trying to convince myself how to feel...Many of my friends do not have the same break schedule as I do (John included--he's in South Carolina on break this week!) and my family will be busy with school/work. The more I think about it, the more I am motivated to make a list of must-do's for this break so I can maximize my productivity and make this a break free from moping around wishing I was basking in the warmth of the sun with a cool drink in my hand. That was the last weather reference I swear!

This was at the beach near me at home last spring break.

 Here are some of my home-for-spring-break-must-do's:

1. Learn to braid my hair like Amber Fillerup Clark of Barefoot Blonde. 

2. Take my dog for a walk on the beach.

3. Hit up the outlets...ya girl would like some new going-out tops!

4. Read 3 books. 

5. Wash my makeup brushes...(its been awhile). 

6. Publish 3 posts. 

7. Cook my family dinner. 

8. Go to at least 2 restaurants that are participating in Maine Restaurant Week (March 1st-14th).

9. Have a really fantastic margarita (or two). 

10. Go skiing. 

11. Find a new home for the clothes I have sitting at home.

12. Eat seafood...because I don't trust the seafood here that's three+ hours from the nearest ocean. 

13. Go to open lap swim at a local (indoor) pool. 

14. Work on my photography skills.

Well that's it. 14 things for the 7 days I will home. I know these items on the list aren't the most earth-shattering things to do, but they are all feasible and I will be proud of myself if I cross everything of the list! 

I hope you all had a happy Monday and I wish you an even better Tuesday!