Friday Finds No. 6

Happy Friday my friends!! Another long week done and in the books, thank goodness. The end of this week was exciting for me because it means I officially have only six more weeks left of nursing school! I really cannot even begin to believe it, but I am so happy about it (!!).

Hope you all had a wonderful week, and are making the most of the summer - it's flying by! It is crazy to think we are already (sadly) halfway through July. With that being said, there is still plenty of time to do so much more with the rest of the summer. Go get out there and soak it all up!

Happy weekend!

NYC Summer Bucket List // I guess everyone is getting into the bucket lists this summer, and I'm not surprised! They really are a fun way to make the most of your summer. I thought I would share this New York City bucket list, because even if you aren't a (lucky) resident of the city, these are all things that could be done on a weekend getaway into Manhattan. As I always say, any excuse to get into the city! Some of my favorites are numbers 1, 5, 10, 12, 15, oh and how could I forget 21!

Blackberry Jalapeno Margaritas // Do these not just sound amazing!? I mean YUM. I stumbled upon this recipe the other day and my mouth was literally watering as I read through it. Not only is it beautiful but it looks like it would be so refreshing on a hot summer night. I am definitely adding this one to my list of new cocktails to try. That list is getting long - I'm going to have to plan a cocktail tasting party one of these days to try them all!

Lights Down Low // Where are all of my country fans out there!? Is anyone as obsessed with this song as I am? It has seriously been stuck in my head for the past week. It's so catchy I just can't help but keep singing it. And this video... I mean come on, can we say perfection. Serious #goals right there!

xo. G 

Summer Glow

With summer upon us and officially in full swing, I thought I would share some of my favorite beauty products to get that sought-after summer glow!

Growing up, I would spend my summer days bathing in the sun desperately hoping that I would one day have that deep, dark, bronze glow. Well after many unsuccessful attempts (& one too many sunburns), I came to realize that my Irish skin was not going to change anytime soon, and that I should learn to love what God gave me. To be honest, as I have gotten older I have come to love my fairer skin and wouldn't change it for the world. However, with that being said, I still do enjoy a little sun kissed glow during the summer months. I have found that the key is to keep it as natural as possible, and to most certainly not over-do it.

Below are some tried and true products that have become my go to whenever I am looking for that 'just in the sun' look. They have really become some of my favorites, and in the warmer months I find myself reaching for these the most. Give them a try to create a little sun kissed glow or to enhance whatever tan you might already have!

Shop here.. 

 St. Tropez Tanning Essentials // Gradual Tan Everyday Tinted Body Lotion 

Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder // Bronzer in Radiant Finish 

 Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment // Illuminating Wand

Happy Friday! Hope you have the most wonderful weekend, enjoy! 

xo. G 

Perspective

I run for a lot of reasons. The obvious being for the many physical benefits it provides, but also for the not so obvious - the immense mental clarity it gives me. Running has the ability to clear my head and put my thoughts into perspective in a way that nothing else can. It is a blessing and truly a gift.

I was running last night, and doing a lot of thinking. It was a beautiful, warm summer night (my favorite time to run), and I couldn't help but feel so very blessed in those moments. There was the most beautiful sunset, the kind that only a summer July night could create, and something about running in those idyllic summer conditions just really put things into perspective.

It is not uncommon for me to stop and think, 'wow, what a beautiful world I live in', while running but last night it was different. It was different because today I start my first day of pediatric clinical rotations, which means I will be spending my day surrounded by sick kids. I have seen sick adults, I have seen people truly suffering, and I have seen people taken away after their time here on earth is up. What I see today will be no different than that, but these are sick kids we are talking about, and that puts just about everything into perspective. 

These are children who may or may not have spent their entire short lives up until this point surrounded by the walls of a hospital. Children who don't get to enjoy some of life's simple pleasures like eating an ice cream cone as it drips down your hands on a hot summer's day. Children who may never be able to see those beautiful July sunsets, listen to the 'pop' of fireworks, or know what it feels like to fall in love. It breaks my heart that some of them will never know what it feels like to run. 

Nothing about it is fair, but it is perspective. Hundreds of thousands of children are sick and suffering, and whatever tiny troubles we encounter in our day to day lives pale in comparison to the battles they fight every day. I might not know which city I want to move to next year, but at least I have the ability to choose and the opportunity to go. I might still be brokenhearted, but at least I had the chance to experience love. I might be tired and rundown, but I am privileged to have the opportunity to go to school for a career that will allow me to help others. In the grand scheme of things, I am doing more than alright and I'm sure you are too. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's all about perspective. I am not saying that whatever hardships, troubles, or stressors you have going on in your life are unimportant, because that is far from the truth. We are only human and we are allowed to feel any and all emotions that come our way. Acknowledge what you feel but don't let it consume you. Deal with it and move forward. I promise you in the grand scheme of things it just doesn't matter all that much. At the end of the day remember to count each and every one of your blessings, and never take for granted the beautiful life you have been given. 

xo. G