Over the centuries of different fashion choices and styles, change remains a constant. In today’s fashion styles, we often group ourselves into different aesthetic categories- finding similarities with others that allow us to label our unique fashion preferences…
Holy cow, friends! Can you believe it’s already 2022? After all of the ups and downs that last year held, I am grateful that there were many lessons that I learned during it all. One of the things I learned is how important it is to stay on top of my schedule and keeping a […]
I hope you are well and getting ready to put out your fall decorations! I’m so excited for the fall season this year because I really need that boost of serotonin! The weather is still hot and muggy in Oklahoma but here’s to hoping it changes soon, ha!
I made five new wallpapers this year to fit the spooky theme and hopefully get you in the mood for Jack-o-lanterns and candy corn!
Hey, Boo!
These two spooky friends are ready to say “hey!” when you check your phone!
I Need Coffee…like right now
Because coffee waits for no one, especially in college! PSL with Chai, anyone?
It’s Just a Little Hocus Pocus
When you awake from your 300 year dirt nap, this cute wallpaper will be there to greet you!
I Put a Spell on You
For the withes out there, this is for you, you magical thing.
Hedgie + Pumpkings
This lil guy has my heart.
These wallpapers are formatted in 828 x 1792 px to fit most iPhones, specifically the iPhone 11. They can be sized down to fit most screens!
Happy fall, y’all! Go get a cup of coffee and get your spooky season on!
There’s nothing better than coming home from work and cozying up to good movies! This month I had a lot of down time before I changed jobs and I definitely did my fair share of streaming on different platforms! This is my list of what I streamed this month and my recommendations for you!
Practical Magic
Hello, this is one of my favorite comfort movies! I found it on HBO Max and it put me in the mood for fall weather and fluffy blankets! Sandy B and Nicole Kidman star in this 1998 classic that spreads the love on the bond of sisterhood with a healthy pinch of witchy magic. It also brings an important awareness to being careful at what spells you cast and what type of witchcraft you are practicing. I love this movie anytime during the year!
Beetlejuice
Say his name three times and he shall appear! Hulu currently has this Tim Burton film ready for your enjoyment! Once again, another spooky film has made my favorites list. Any Burton film is a good one but I have always loved Beetlejuice the most. The humor, the prosthetics, the music, chef’s kiss!
Harry Potter collection
When I’m in the mood for a movie I’ve seen before that I can put in the background, I always watch Harry Potter! You can find the collection on HBO Max and Peacock while it lasts! I subscribe to both streaming services but I mostly watch it on Peacock! If you haven’t seen any of the HP movies, you need to at least see them once!
Leap Year
Leap Year has been on my list of go-to romantic comedies ever since I saw it years ago! Amy Adams and Matthew Goode star in this heartfelt film that makes my heart pitter patter. Peacock has this streaming now! Go pop a bag of popcorn and grab your best blanket!
Jaws
Dun-dun-dun-dun-dundundudndun…iconic, right? The full Jaws film collection is streaming now on Peacock for subscribers! The first film is my personal favorite by far! I remember the first time I saw our VHS tape, I was terrified! The boat scene where the head pops out made my soul leave my body! I think that was my first “scary” film experience growing up! If you’re a fan of the classics, it’s a perfect time to plan a movie night with the fam!
Pretty Woman
Believe it or not, Peacock isn’t sponsoring this post (but they totally can! My email is linked *wink), they just have a lot of great movies and shows (here’s to The Office fans!). Pretty Woman is kind of intense and pulls on my heart too much..but the piano scene! Woof! It definitely rose my expectations! Funny story- kind of- when I was around 11 or 12, my mom and I went to a flea market and I saw a VHS of Pretty Woman and I asked my mom if we could get it. She said no, of course, and the woman running the booth told my mom it would teach me what NOT to do. Little did that woman know I would be an accountant (briefly), ehehe. Anyway, Pretty Woman is fantastic and you should go see it!
Twilight saga
Yes, I am one of those people who started streaming it as soon as it dropped on Netflix! I was heartbroken with Amazon dropped it and it could only be rented but Netflix came in to save the day! It’s no surprise that as soon as it released, the movies shot to the top 10 movies on the platform in the US. We all missed the cringey and, honestly, problematic love triangle of Edward, Bella, and Jacob.
That’s it, y’all! That’s what I streamed this month! If you’re looking for a good film, or series, to spend your weekend watching, check these out!
One of my favorite things about Oklahoma City is the constant variety of restaurants and quick bites! If I’m in the mood for any type of food or dessert, I know I’m going to be able to find a delicious place in the matter of a few minutes! I put together a short list of my favorite places to eat in OKC if you are a local or visitor wanting a yummy bite!
The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen
Lord have mercy! The pizza is to die for and the drinks are always refreshing! My top two favorite slices are the Samwise (a heavenly blend of thinly sliced roasted potatoes, cream cheese, balsamic reduction, and caramelized onions!) and the Sweetness (a classic pineapple and ham pizza that is the best blend of sweet and savory! The rooftop is my favorite spot to eat when the weather is nice because Hall’s has the best view of the city! The service is also a 10/10!
2. Fassler’s Hall
My heart (and stomach) belongs to Fassler’s- an American-German eatery with a huge selection of wines and spirits in the heart of OKC! The deck here also has an incredible view of downtown OKC and never disappoints! For the kiddos, there is a spot outside for games and corn hole, and for the adults and big kids, there is a bowling alley downstairs. My favorite order is the Haus Salad (feta, veggies, and mustard vinaigrette) and an order of Duck Fries (fried in duck fat and golden to perfection!) with two sides of the garlic aioli and BBQ sauce. Fassler Hall has been my go-to spot with my sister and we always have a good time!
3. Cafe Disco
This one is for my Office fans! Cafe Disco is located in downtown OKC and serves the tastiest macarons and craft coffee in the city! This summer, they created a macaron ice cream sandwich that I had the pleasure of trying before it launched and wow, let me tell you! I have been craving one for days! I tried the caramel ice cream sandwich and it sweet and nummy! They are big so you can absolutely share with someone or eat it yourself, like I did! Plus the Office memorabilia floating around the store is fun to find! The lemon and pistachio macarons are my personal favorites.
4. Aurora
Calling all breakfast and brunch lovers! Aurora in OKC’s Plaza District is home to the most delicious French toast I have ever eaten! The environment is chill, relaxed, and cozy, and the staff is always welcoming and friendly, even on the busiest days. I love going here with my girlfriends before a shopping trip! The hardest part is trying to figure out what to order! The breakfast sammies on biscuits are huge and so satisfying! Aurora is the perfect place for Sundays with the girls!
5. The Collective: Kitchens and Cocktails
What’s better than a collection of restaurants that offer a taste of everything? Exactly! The Collective in Midtown OKC offers a host of dining options for every mood and craving! My pick is Phill Me Up cheesesteak and all of the mouthwatering goodness they dish up! In addition to Phill Me Up, there is Okie Pokie (poke bowls that are delicious!), Press Waffle Co. (it’s all in the name!), The Fried Taco (tacos!), Shaka(Hawaiin cuisine), Conley Coffee Co., Big Buns Bakery, and Edie’s Grill! The Collective is definitely the spot to be on a Friday night for dinner with friends!
If you’re in the mood for delicious food, OKC always has a place to go! Stay tuned for more OKC hot spots and digs!
One of the things I see all the time on Instagram and Pinterest are tips on how to make morning routines and daily routines happier or bring extra joy to them. I think as humans we are always looking for better things or how to increase our own happiness. Whether that’s making a cup of coffee in the morning before getting ready or spending 15 minutes of yoga in the morning, we are always looking for bigger and better. The past two years have been a lot, to say the least, and now more than ever we are on the hunt for making the best of our daily life. So here are five easy ways to increase your happiness every day. Small actions create big waves and change!
Buy flowers for your house!
I know it sounds odd, but this works! For the past month or so, I have made it a goal to have two bouquets of flowers in my house- one in my room and the other in a commonplace (I also buy these ones for my mom!). Having fresh flowers around has boosted my happiness because it adds beauty and they just make me feel better! I tend to buy a $5 small bouquet from Walmart and they last for right around 2 weeks!
2. Get some stuff to make your house smell good!
Candles are my love language! I always keep a candle burning while I’m in my room because it is so relaxing and my room smell so good! My current candle is Ocean Driftwood from Bath and Body Works and I love it. I also have a few wall plug in’s around my house to make it smell a little better! I have pets and let’s face it, they don’t always smell the best- especially when they come in from outside! Wallflower plugs from Bath and Body Works (my fave!) are under $10 and they last for a month at my house!
3. Drink more water!
Listen, I know! Water, water, water. It’s tasteless and people are always saying “drink more water, blah blah” but it’s true! I used to drink a glass of water maybe once a day and I’ve started to drink at least 3 water tumblers a day now. It still isn’t as much as I should be drinking but it is a start in the right direction. My secret is adding freshly cut lemon slices. It’s good for me and it makes water not tasteless! I feel better when I drink more water and it makes me a happier person when I am actually hydrated!
4. Do one thing for yourself a day!
Whatever that looks like for you, take the time to do it! Whether it’s taking a bath, getting a coffee, or watching an episode or two of your favorite show, make the time every day to treat yourself to it! Treating yourself to small joys adds happiness in your daily routine and no, it is NOT lazy to take time for yourself every day! You deserve it by getting through every day!
5. Talk to people!
Something I noticed, especially this past year, is that I am happier when I talk to friends. Even if it is one quick conversation with a friend via text, it makes my day better! I think that since 2019, we have regressed in relationships. We had to quarantine, were told to keep distance from people for our health, and it was a hard time. Making sure to keep in touch with people and getting together with friends in person now is a great way to have fun and keep healthy relationships!
I hope these little tips help you add a bit of goodness into your daily routine and I really encourage you to do at least one thing to increase your overall joy. You are worth taking time out of your day to devote for yourself!
Something I have struggled with lately is finding joy in the majority of daily activities. With classes over for the summer, I am mostly just working. A huge issue, at least for me, is not being able to find joy in every day things. I compare my life and daily routine to others I follow on social media and it truly is a thief of joy. I often catch myself thinking along the lines of “I wish I had her body type”, “I’m so jealous of her life”, and “their life looks perfect. I wish I had everything they do.”
I saw a video recently where someone said that just because they didn’t have what they wanted, or things that their friends have that they want, it doesn’t mean that they are never going to have those things in life. That was an eye-opener for me. Everything I want out of life, I am working towards. Everything I have now is exactly what I need. When I compare myself to others, especially in terms of material objects, I’m not appreciating and respecting all that I have in this moment. It is such an ungrateful mindset to be in and it is a part of my attitude that I am actively seeking to change. I want to be appreciative of everything I have at every stage of life, even when I don’t feel like I have a lot.
One of my best friends recently reminded me to make the most of my day when I was complaining about everything. My morning, my environment, having to go to my job on a day when I wanted to stay in bed. It hit me upside my head! In a pandemic, I should be happy to have a job that pays me well and provides a good space to work in. That falls into what I call my “Ungrateful Category.” I don’t acknowledge all of the blessings I have and that’s sad!
So that leaves the question, “how can I find joy and gratitude throughout my day?” The answer is simple. To find them in my day, I look for it. When I am annoyed that I have to drive an hour to work, I try to reword it to myself. “Instead of being irritated that I have to drive somewhere, I am going to direct my energy toward being grateful that I have a car and the ability to drive.”
It all needs to start with redirecting that energy to something that is positive. It isn’t easy in any way, especially after being so negative for a long time. It just takes one step to start going in the right direction, it all begins with being intentional. Why do you (and I) want to start actively finding joy in life? What is the purpose behind taking this step? Identifying those answers will be a great aid in this change.
All that being said, it’s important to remember that in any type of lifestyle change, change isn’t linear and it’s normal to fall back. I don’t believe in toxic positivity and trying to shoot rainbows and sparkles everywhere. Bad days happen- that’s a part of life. But in the bad days, we can still stay grateful for what we have. The point of finding joy and gratitude is to keep them present in your mind even when you’re having a bad day.
Here are some things to be grateful for in your life:
I am surrounded by beauty in the world
I have the power to create change
I am receiving blessings and will continue to be blessed
I have the ability to make the best out of my day
I am smart and have so much knowledge
I have and give love
I hope these examples can help you on hard days when it’s hard to find joy and gratitude. It’s always there, I promise!
I hope you are all doing okay and enjoying the nicer weather we have been getting! I know it has been such a relief here from the cold and ice!
Something I have been working on at home lately is turning more of my spaces into cozy ones. My bedroom is still a work in progress but I’ve gotten my bathroom turned into a cute little space that I like! This is my list of all the best things to turn your room into a cozy space where you enjoy spending your time!
Candles!
Candles are my favorite addition to any room because they are super cute and one candle has the power to fill an entire room with a great scent! My favorites are from Bath and Body Works, and they have sales pretty consistently so the candles get priced to $16! They are big 3-wick candles and $16 each is a steal!
Get a Plant!
A plant is going to cozy up your room instantly! Depending on the lighting of your boudoir, I highly recommend a plant that doesn’t require a lot of light. My favorite plant for a bedroom is a lucky bamboo pot. It doesn’t need a lot of light (6-10 feet away from a window!) and just needs to be watered pretty often. That’s it! If you are scared to keep a plant alive, feel free to get a few fake ones and put them in cute pots! Hobby Lobby has cute pots on sale for 40% off and they have coupons on their website. TJ Maxx and Home Goods also have affordable fake plants!
Incense
Another great way to add fragrance and cleanse your room is by lighting incense! You can find a big selection online, on Etsy small businesses, and at local crystal shops! I love cleansing my space before I go to sleep and when I need clarity!
Here’s an Etsy shop that has affordable incense in bulk!
Throw Pillows
Throw pillows are a cheaper way to add a little color and texture to your space with minimal effort. My favorite places to find cheap pillows are Five Below (they are mostly $5!) and At Home. Ross and TJ Maxx are also great places to look and while they are a little bit more expensive, their pillows are stylish too!
Soft Blankets
The power a soft blanket has on a bed is amazing. I have a soft white blanket that I drape across the edge of my bed and it brings up the style by ten points instantly! Pro tip: a white blanket makes a great backdrop for pictures and flatlays! I picked mine up at Ross for under $15! They have a ton of different blanket sizes and textures to choose from and they are all in a good price range.
Essential Oil Diffuser
Whether you believe in the power of essential oils or not, they are one of my favorite things to put in a bedroom. I love diffusing lavender oil before I go to bed and it sets the vibe and mood for sleep.
Cute Signs and Decor
My room changed once I started decorating with pieces that I actually liked! I have been able to curate my spaces based on my taste and how I feel. My style tends to change every two or three years, and I like to donate items when I want to get new things! I also recommend trying to sell unwanted items on Facebook Marketplace. It’s an easy way to get extra cash and you can opt to only sell with porch pick up or shipping for no contact with strangers during the pandemic!
I like to check local small businesses for decor and wall prints, but if I can’t find anything that I like from there, then I go to TJ Maxx or Target! The Bullseye Stop area at Target is always bringing new seasonal styles for tech gear, decor, and kitchen items, and everything is typically under $5!
When you find super cool finds, tag me on Instagram! I love seeing what you guys buy and decorate your home with! My IG is @mimiolson08!
I hope are staying safe and warm! If you are in a part of the country that is getting snow right now, I feel you! We started using our wood stove this past week because the heater went out, so that was fun! I know this trend has been around for a while but I wanted to do my take on a Day In the Life! My days are kind of jumbled right now because our university is doing online classes right now due to the weather being so icky, but we’re going with it anyway!
Wake Up
I tend to get up anywhere from 7:30-8:30 depending on the morning. Like most people, I grab my phone to turn off my alarm and then I stay on my phone for roughly half an hour before getting out of bed to get ready for the morning. A really cool tip I found out (I’m late to the party!) is setting my phone to the “Bed Time” mode on my clock. It sets me up to go to bed and turns my phone on Do Not Disturb and sets my regular alarm (7:30) automatically. If you have an iPhone, you’ve got to try this!
Get Those Teeth Brushed
I don’t know about you but the first things I do in the morning are brush my teeth and use the bathroom! My favorite toothbrush ever is the slim GLEEM power bush. I really feel like this helps clean my teeth better than with a manual toothbrush and it’s super easy to replace the brush heads and batteries when they run out and need to be changed! After my breath is all fresh and clean, I wash my face and moisturize! My current skincare routine I’m using is from Curology (*not sponsored) because I am desperately trying to get my skin to clear up! I’m using the trial sizes right now and my fingers are crossed that it works! If you have used Curology, let me know in the comments! Lastly, I quickly throw on some brows and eyeliner, and I’m good to go!
Brekkie
I’m a huge breakfast person and one of my favorite things about waking up is making a yummy breakfast! My simple and fast breakfast is scrambled eggs, toast, and a yogurt or fruit. It takes less than 15 minutes and it fills me up until lunch! Iced coffee comes next and all I do is pop a K-cup in my Keurig and add ice, Torani vanilla syrup, and a little bit of half and half for creamer. I eat my breakfast in bed (we don’t have a kitchen table lolz) and scroll through Insta stories while I’m nomming. Nothing too interesting!
Time To Work
By this point in my day, it’s around 8:45 AM and I set up with my laptop and notebooks. I’m trying to use my desk more but I’ve gotten into the bad habit of always working in bed and I tend to stay here all day. If you have tips on how to stay productive and get out of bed, please let me know! I have been having migraines and headaches more frequently so it’s easier to stay in bed and then take a quick break when I need to. Once I’m set up in bed, the first thing I do is check my emails. With the weather like it is, I’ve been on top of my emails way more than I have been in the past so I’m always looking to see if there are new updates with our campus.
I start my classes at 9 and then take care of homework in between classes. My afternoon isn’t as busy because my class ends at 2 so I tend to take a quick nap and then work on more projects and check my deadlines to make sure that I’m all set.
Evening
I like having my evenings free so I can watch Netflix or just relax. A few hours before bed, I like to set the mood in my room to be able to get some sleep. I light candles or incense and turn off bright lights. During the evenings I also like to study and get ready for any tests or quizzes I know are coming up. Making a list of things I will need to get done the next day is something I have started to do that helps keep me organized. After all that, I do my nighttime skin care routine and take a shower. Then I do it all the next day!
What does your daily routine look like? Let me know in the comments!
A new year always brings hopes for new beginnings and making resolutions. I don’t see making resolutions as a tacky thing because I feel like people are always wanting to grow and try to better themselves, and a new year is great motivation for healthy goals! Mine are centered around self care and learning how to love myself more than I ever have. A few of my posts this year have already been about self care and some fun little tips on how to improve, so I will have those linked in this post too!
Drinking More Water
I know right? How original! I don’t drink enough water daily and it definitely shows in my skin and overall how I feel. I get the majority of my water intake through coffee and even though I would like for it to count, I don’t think it does, haha. I have a few cute reusable water bottles to wash and then I’m carrying water with me everywhere I go!
Getting More Sleep
I do not get enough sleep! The majority of Americans don’t either, especially with the state of our country. I know I am worried about current events and it works its way into my sleeping schedule. Burning candles, diffusing oils, and wearing a sleep mask are things that help me sleep better at night! Make sure to blow out candles before you go to bed! For more tips on how to get a better night sleep, check out my latest post here!
Protecting My Peace
What does this mean? To me it means that I am protecting myself from things that are going to take away from my energy. This could be putting a barrier in a relationship for things that drain my energy or turning off the news when I begin to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to step back from the news when it takes over your emotions! If my family starts to stress me out or I begin to feel irritated, that’s a sign for me to distance myself and regroup my emotions so I don’t do/say something I don’t mean and that I will regret. Part of protecting my peace is also letting things go when I can. I like to consider the 48 Hour Rule when it comes to being angry. I take 48 hours to try to let things go and if I am still upset after that time has passed, I calmly approach the situation and have a conversation about my emotions.
Nourishing My Body
I don’t eat as well as I should. There, I said it. My goal is to eat better to fuel my body so that I feel my very best. I tend to not eat as much as I should depending on my mood. If I feel fat, I won’t eat as often as I need to. It’s not a healthy habit and I am trying to break it. My body is beautiful at any size and it deserves to be nourished.
What are some of your goals for 2021? Comment down below!
Mimi In Motion 