Browsing Tag:

2019

The realities of living out of a suitcase for 9 months…

Posted in Lifestyle
on 04/01/2020

So yeah, the time has FINALLY come for me to recap my year (or technically 9 months) of living out of a suitcase. I cannot even believe that the 9 months have flown by so fast. I swear it was just yesterday I was crying into my mom’s arms at the airport so scared to leave home for the unknown. Here I stand today, 14 states, 17 schools, and 45 flights later. I’ve been all across the country in the past year. From stretches of beach in California, cold little Northeastern towns, to big Southern schools — I’ve seen so much. I’ve grown so much. 

I’ll admit, I definitely grew up in my little Louisiana bubble. I hadn’t seen too much outside of what was home and the occasional vacation to the usual places. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have the ability to travel and get out of my comfort zone. I thought I was sooo ready to be done with Louisiana but as it came closer to leaving, I realized I am so so thankful for my home. Being SUCH a sentimental person, I found myself getting sad to leave home.

My first few months on the road were a pretty rough adjustment. Just picture getting so used to a routine of seeing friends and family so easily each and every day and then one day you don’t have the ability anymore. It honestly broke my heart to be away. I felt like I was missing SO MUCH back at home and each time I went to visit, it made it harder to leave. Hey, I guess that saying you don’t know what you got until it’s gone rang SO TRUE for me.

Once I got adjusted to consistent Facetime calls, texts (I’ve never been much of a texter), and lots and lots of sad song jam sessions/journal pages — things got better. I still struggled being places so different from home. I’d consider myself a people person, but sometimes it’s just hard to click with people who are so different from you, build a relationship and a rapport, and then to leave a few days later. But that was also the beauty of it. Every few days, I got a fresh start. That was something I always looked forward to. New faces, new places, and a new set of challenges.

The more you travel, the more you see. You need people and their stories. You need grace that reminds you that you are free to keep exploring and you are not out of place. – Morgan Harper Nichols

Without fail (and I was not shocked to learn this about myself) I thrived when I was in a consistent environment. That consistency that I so wanted to get away from in exchange for spontaneity was what I craved in the end. I am a creature of habit what can I say? University of Georgia was where I got that and more. Thank god I had those girls in my life this year. In total, I spent about 3 months out of my 9 month contract (with one month off for Christmas, so really 8 months) in Athens. It brought me back to the reason I wanted to do this job. To make an impact. I grew to know (and REALLY know) these girls and leaving them was like leaving 290 little sisters behind!

Now that I’m getting into the nitty-gritty of this post, I realized I never addressed the question I get most. What is it that you do? Essentially I travelled to different chapters across the US and helped them with operations like recruitment, finances, and programming and education. I got to work with volunteers from all walks of life and the best (and sometimes worst) part is I got to form relationships with collegians! I worked a lot with big picture strategy and implementing it on a smaller scale within each chapter. Many  people were asking questions about having a home base (technically UGA was mine), asking me if I really lived out of a suitcase for 9 months (yes m’am), and whether or not this was going to be my forever career (no, the fashion industry is callin my name).

So while this 9 months was extremely challenging, it reaped so many benefits. I learned so much about myself. Being alone with myself and my thoughts for too many hours a day lead to lots of journaling and self-assessment. I have always been so independent but I learned how I can’t do it alone. Support is necessary, even when you don’t want to take the help (helloooo type A control freaks). I learned my way around an airport, how to pack a suitcase for months on end, and how to do an expense report (adult things).

At the end of all of this, I am grateful for the opportunities I have gotten this year. I would’ve never been able to see the US if it weren’t for this job. Because of this job, I am forever changed! I appreciate all of the trials and tribulations that got me to this point in my life. What a 9 months it has been! I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

In case you’re curious, here’s all the places I visited during my contract:

san diego, ca // los angeles, ca // san bernardino, ca
ann arbor, mi // athens, ga // austin, tx
witicha falls, tx // waco, tx // atlanta, ga
cortland, ny // south orange, nj // troy, ny
shippensburg, pa // new haven, ct // oxford, ms
oklahoma city, ok // witchita, ks // chicago, il
newport news, va

If there’s anything y’all are wondering that I didn’t touch on, let me know! It’s hard to summarize 9 months of your life into a few short paragraphs. For now, I’ll be awaiting this quarantine to end so I can get myself to NYC for the next stage of my life!

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Skincare routine for a traveler

Posted in Beauty
on 12/04/2019

WOWIE. HI. SO many of y’all requested a travel skincare routine so here I am, delivering. I was trying to think of the best way to organize this so I guess I’ll just go through my AM/PM routine and share a few extras I use when I need a boost. Since I’ve been travelling for work and coming in contact with a variety of different climates my skin has been all over the place. For a little history lesson: I have done Accutane twice (and LOVED the results!) which has made my skin a bit drier than it’s usual super oily state. I don’t struggle with breakouts too much anymore but my main concern is normally dulless and dry skin since we are now in the THICCCCK of winter.

am

Wash face with this cleanser. Sometimes I use my Clarisonic if things are looking a little dull. After cleansing, I use this solution. It’s pretty much a toner and I really like how it makes my skin feel. I follow that with a hydrating serum and some moisturizer. Most days, I add a few tanning drops to give me some color and help my ever present line between my body/face color. Hehe.

pm

Take makeup off with this balm, this lotion, or this micelluar water. Not really a big makeup wipe girl because of how expensive they are and my access to the drug store while I’m travelling is limited, so I try to stick with a makeup remover that lasts a while. I cleanse after that with this cleanser. Sometimes with my Clarisonic, sometimes without. The cleanser is my favorite and I’ve been using it for 8 years so it’s PRETTY DAMN GOOD. After that I use that same hydrating serum and follow with this mask. It’s def my favorite skincare find of 2019. SO WORTH THE MONEY. I’m on my second tube it’s that bomb.

etc

If you know me IRL, you know my obsession with facial sprays. I am a fanatic. This one is my favorite and it’s super cheap. I use this after my makeup, after moisturizer or just for a pick me up when my skin is feelin dull. Not really a big eye cream gal, but I use this mask as an eye cream sometimes! It’s really an all purpose kinda thing for me. For lips, I love this lip mask before bed and this chapstick is my ALL TIME FAVE. I go through tubs of these like nobodies business.

LINKING ERRYTHANG BELOW FOR Y’ALL

 

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It’s 2019, I’m still single, + it’s gonna be ok!

Posted in Lifestyle
on 11/10/2019

IT’S 2019, AND I’M STILL SINGLE (AND IT’S OK)!

These days there’s such a stigma around being single. Do I just think this because I am? Lol. But I am here to shut those negatives doooown. No we don’t all sit on the couch and eat ice cream for dinner every night, watch rom-coms, and cry all the time. Just occasionally. Being single means power. A woman who has complete and utter control over her life. While she may not have it exactly together (yeah that’s def me), she has the power in her life.

I don’t know about y’all but I for one am the token single friend/family member. Have been for years! Would’ve thought by now, I would have a boy but ya know things don’t always work in your favor sister! Not a holiday or family gathering goes by without someone asking me if I am in a relationship. My answer is always: “HAHAHAHAHA no, not this year!” My relationship status is always the butt of the joke and I laugh along, but I’ll admit sometimes I get nervous. God, are you there it’s me, Madison?! DON’T LET ME END UP ALONE WATCHING ROM COMS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. That feeling of complete doom is normal. It’s hard not to get psyched out sometimes. We’re human! Let yourself feel the feels, but don’t wallow in them. There is more out there than being able to change that relationship status on FB (do people even do that anymore?).

THE REALITY

Even though I complain like 12 hours out of every day about boys — I constantly have to humble myself and bring my dramatic a$* back down to Earth. No one wants to be the crazy, desperate single girl (even though I could possibly be nearing that it’s fine)! There’s nothing wrong with being single. Hey, being single is cool! You get to work on yourself. And even when you think you’ve done enough work on yourself, you get to do more! It’s really so fun.

In all seriousness though, being able to grow as a person before bringing someone else into the equation is the biggest prize! Take yourself on a lil date! Travel alone! Build an empire! You don’t need a man for any of that now do you!? Speaking from experience (I’m really good at being single if I do say so myself), alone time is the absolute GOAT. I have learned so much about myself in this past year travelling and I accredit it to being alone. I get to do things for me because of me, and that’s what’s it allllll about.

“Maybe some women aren’t meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them” – Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

I often say that anyone would be crazy to date me. But maybe that’s just an excuse? Jokes aside, I have a very strong personality and I can be alot at times. Settling has never been appealing to me. Until someone who can keep up with this hot mess comes along, I’ll keep ridin solo. It’s 2019 ladies, don’t take anything less than what you deserve!!

BUT FOR THOSE DAYS WHEN I GET DOWN IN THE DUMPS ABOUT RIDIN SOLO I REMEMBER ALL THE UPSIDES

I do what I want when I want

I don’t have to spend money on another person (more for me and my new shoes hehe)

I can sleep diagonal in MY BED (y’all know it’s actually a proven fact that no boy has all three: more than two pillows, more than one blanket, a headboard)

My phone stays charged the entire day because I don’t have anyone blowing it up (except for probably the 15 all girl group messages I’m in but we are looking past that for the purpose of this post)

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT KEEP YA SANE SOMETIMES.

 

It’s obviously easier said than done, but just know your time will come. My biggest fear in the world is ending up alone, but I have been assured MANY times that I will not. So before you decide to go full on cat lady on me just be optimistic. Utilize your single status to your advantage!  You don’t have to answer to anyone or anything, you’re free to live your life without anything tying you down. That’s a good thing, is it not?

 

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The realities of post-grad life

Posted in Lifestyle
on 08/28/2019

HI MY FRIENDS. I missed y’all so much it hurts. It’s been TWO months since I’ve posted. I have been one busy girl. Post-grad life is happenin. IT’S HAPPENIN PEOPLE! In the midst of all the crazy, I’ve been collecting my thoughts for another #girltalk post. We’re adding another one in the series of transition, new beginnings and life updates.

Post-grad life. Let me just say it’s weird? Kinda scary too. I’m all the sudden supposed to be an adult and have it together? How rude! Growing up is hard, that’s for sure. Having a full-time job, saving money, being responsible, time management, etc… it’s just A LOT.

Now to clear the air, I am in no way trying to complain about post-grad life because I truly am so grateful to have the opportunities that I do. This year is something so special and I don’t want to take it for granted. I’m just here to say I feel ya. If post-grad life has you feeling a bit unfulfilled, I feel ya. If post-grad life has you missing home, I feel ya. If post-grad life has you questioning everything, I feel ya. I really do. What I will say is that it’s a season of unparalleled growth. It’s a season to test the waters, really figure out who you are, and what you want to do. It’s a scary time, but I just know the growth I’ll experience in this season will be so worth it.

I’m also here to say it’s all about the mindset. YES- this season is hard and it’s challenging but it’s what we’ve been working towards our entire lives. Remember when we would say “when I grow up I want to do/be…” like it was nothing! Like the world was still in our hands! Knowing we’ve reached that stage of life where we are “grown up” brings me an odd sense of calm.

THIS IS IT. Seize this season! There will never be another time to explore, create and take risks in like this one! Failure is eminent, but it’s what is so appealing about this time in our lives. Try and if it doesn’t work, try again. The time is now to do all the things you said you would “when you grew up.”

The adjustment has been challenging! I won’t lie. I’ve been feeling super homesick, nervous, and unclear of what’s to come. I miss all my friends and family and GOD DO I MISS COLLEGE. Between all the struggles and ups/downs, I’m going to promise myself to be grateful for this season. Things will never be like this again! Take advantage of it.


PS: I started LGIP before I got to college, so to be able to sit down today and write a post encompassing all the feels towards post-grad life is ABSOLUTELY INSANE. It’s a been quite the experience growing up on the internet!

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All the puff sleeves | My go-to top for under $30

Posted in Fashion
on 06/27/2019

OK TODAY IS TOO EXCITING BECAUSE THIS TOP IS AMAZING. Pink. Puff sleeves. What more can you want?! No joke three ladies at the grocery store asked me where my top was from. That’s how you know it’s a good one! Let’s dive right into it and discuss my new favorite trend: puff sleeves. 

puff sleeve top | distressed shorts | earrings | sneakers (on sale)

I’m on a puff sleeve kick and I have this top to blame. Seriously, so obsessed with EVERYTHING puff sleeve since this top came into my life. Did I mention it’s under $30 too? Basically what I’m saying is you have to have it. OK? Ok. Today I went casual and did it with jean shorts but I am super excited to style it with jeans or a skirt for a dressier look. This would be a fab work top (for all my working ladies) or even a good top for your upcoming trip! I’m definitely packing it for my travels this year (post to come on that considering packing for 9 months is gonna be a learning experience). In case y’all wanna hop on board the puff sleeve top train I’m linking some similar below.

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Why beginning is the hardest + how to conquer it

Posted in Lifestyle
on 06/23/2019

Ya know when you get a thought? A thought so great you HAVE to get out a pen and paper (or in my case my notes app) and write it allll down? Coming home from my weeklong trip had me drained and frankly I wasn’t even sure what I was going to write about this week. Then it hit me. Beginning.

There’s something so beautiful about beginnings. They’re fresh, new, and can bring a sense of fulfillment. But sometimes they’re daunting, scary, unknown. You’ve got to go through some of the bad to get to the good. So today we talk: beginnings.

I visited the JFK museum two weeks ago in Boston, and while the entire thing was dazzling there was one quote in the last exhibit that struck a chord with me. JFK once said, “All of this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days… But let us begin.” That got me thinking: beginning is the hardest part.

The anticipation that leads up to that initial moment of stepping into uncharted territory can kill ya. I’ve talked before about the waiting game and that in between season so many of us struggle with. But now the time has come to ACTUALLY DO IT. DO THINGS. SCARY I KNOW. 

You just have to get over that initial hurdle. Why do we build things up so much making us so anxious to start anything new? Anything different? Out of our comfort zone? I for one am guilty as charged! As a chronic over-thinker, this is something I deal with quite frequently. There’s always a voice in the back of my head that holds me back. Being out of your comfort zone is scary. You have to re-learn the ropes and it’s not always the easiest or most fun task. I get worked up before I even start.

One of my 2019 goals was to go more confidently. So I’m taking that into account when I challenge y’all to join me in beginning. Just start- no matter how big the jump. You won’t get anywhere if you don’t at least take a chance! All it takes is one step in the right direction. It may be something so minuscule you won’t notice an immediate difference, it may be something so huge is shakes you the second you start. Either way it’s a start.

Don’t be afraid to make that jump. There’s always something better on the other side. All you have to do is begin.

inspiration | motivation | empowering

SENDING Y’ALL OFF INTO THE WEEK WITH GOOD VIBES. 

More #girltalk reads:

Relinquishing control even when it’s hard

22 things I learned by 22

Knowing your self worth

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Not all jean shorts are the same.. | The best shorts for under $80

Posted in Fashion
on 05/29/2019

HIIIII. Wow, I have been gone for way too long. Lots has happened since I’ve posted last, but that update will be coming in a #girltalk post probably sometime next week (yas). Most importanly, it’s SUMMMMAA TIMEEE. Which means jean shorts season. Let me let y’all in on a secret: my favorite shorts for under $80.

high-rise distressed shorts | run a little small, I’m wearing a UK size 4

black high-rise shorts | run TTS, I’m wearing a 26 

mid-rise boyfriend shorts | run TTS, I’m wearing a size 26

So no matter the style, I’ve got a pair for ya. Jean shorts have always been my summer uniform and this year is no different. I’ve added a few pairs to my collection this year and I’ve been wearing the heck out of them. Would y’all be interested in some easy throw-on-and-go jean shorts outfits? Let me know!

Some of my favorite places for jean shorts:

Abercrombie & Fitch (hey, don’t knock it till ya try it!)

Revolve

Mavi Jeans

Topshop

Forever 21

ASOS

my picks

HAPPY TO BE BACK. MISSED MY LIL CORNER OF THE WEB. TILL NEXT TIME!

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32 hours in Dallas, TX

Posted in Lifestyle
on 04/18/2019

DALLAS, TEXAS Y’ALL. One of new favorite places to visit. There is endless amounts of food, drink, entertainment, and charm in this city. 32 hours just was not enough! We attempted to cover as much ground as we possibly could in such a short time span and I think we did pretty good! Dallas, you were good to us. Here’s how the weekend went…

FOOD

Torchy’s Tacos… so yum. Loved their marg and queso (of course)! Affordable and easy Tex Mex.

Henry’s Majestic for brunch. HOLLAAA. The best twist on breakfast classic and their “sparkle bar” has any topping you would ever want for your mimosa! Y’all have to go here.

My first In-N-Out burger experience and I was SOO SAD. Not as good as I had hoped but they were so busy I have a feeling that’s why our food wasn’t A-1.

Henry’s Majestic (brunch) // Bird Bakery //Torchy’s Taco // Mi Cocina (Tex Mex) // Sixty Vibes (uptown italian winery)

Storri // Hudson House // Honor Bar // Hard 8s (BBQ) // Overeasy // Yolk // Snooze // Breadwinners

DRINK

Truck Yard was so much fun and we really loved the vibe here! Such a fun kinda chill spot with food trucks too. Their drink menu was super fun too!

If you go to Storri, you have to get the frose!

Happiest Hour // Truck Yard // Billy CanCan // Standard Pour // Picole Pops (alcohol infused popsicles AMAZING)

SIGHTS

We spent most of our day on Saturday at Highland Park and it was by far our favorite. There’s nothing better than window shopping at Fendi, Balenciaga, Harry Winston, and Alice + Olivia with $5 in my pocket. Each store we went into we asked for recommendations too and it’s always nice to have a local’s perspective. I added all of the suggestions to my lists too.

Highland Park // Joule hotel // Grassy Knoll

 

Happy to check Dallas off my bucket list! I’m dying to get back there and experience a bit more of the city, hopefully soon?! Who wants in? I swear I’m a good time.

WHAT I WORE

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