how to live a more meaningful life

Hello!

Today I’ll be doing a short post sharing some ways to live a more meaningful life. I’ve done a lot of posts like this in the past, because it’s something I’m very passionate about!

Without further ado, let’s get into the post.

1 //  put away your phone

This is so important. Put away your phone–whether you’re going shopping or hiking in a deserted forest, turn off your phone and put it away! Don’t let the distraction of texts and Instagram notifications disturb the peace. I always find that whenever I force myself not to go on electronics for a few hours or even a few days, I find myself focusing more on all the small things in life–the cold breeze, someone’s laugh…..if you’re out in nature and you’re so focused on taking pictures or answering texts, you’re not going to be able to focus on how you actually feel!

2 // write in a journal

Whenever I’m out doing something and I want to remember little things, I store them in my head and write them down in a journal later. You can make your journal personal: write down the color of the sky that day, the way your friend’s hair looked, your emotions…talk about the things that you’re grateful for, anything like that! Just make it special, make it personal, make it meaningful so that even the most average days become something beautiful.

3 // focus on the small things

I’m a firm believer of focusing on the small, beautiful moments that fill our days. For example: someone smiling at you, a sunny day, an outfit you’re proud of…when you start to think about the small things in life, life seems so much larger. Focusing on the little things in your life can make a large impact on your positivity and mental health!

4 // don’t multi-task too much

Multi-tasking is extremely helpful and it’s something I often do–I mean, getting a few things done at once? Who wouldn’t want to do that? Unfortunately, a lot of people now multi-task while doing almost everything. Here’s my new goal: when you’re eating lunch, put aside your phone or book or music and just enjoy the food. Think about what you need to accomplish for the rest of the day, think about your goals so far…it doesn’t matter, just set aside time to focus on one task, instead of doing too many things at once!

5 // be more meaningful with your time

There are only 24 hours in a day, and a lot of that time is spent sleeping and at school or work! So, when you do have free time, spend it meaningfully! Read a book, spend time with family, go outside, work on a blog post….whatever you do, do it with purpose and meaning. You can watch Netflix later.

 

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Thank you for reading! I hope these tips were helpful. Have an amazing day!

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moments // 2

Hello & welcome to the second “moments” post, where I share some photos that I’ve taken recently! You can check my first post from this series here.

These photos are from my most recent photoshoot with my sister, Hannah! If you’re viewing this post on your phone, consider checking the post out on a laptop or computer, the photos will look better and have higher quality!

(Many thanks to my sis for modeling!)

There you have it! Thank you for checking out the photos + post!

Have a great week.

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All photos are Copyright © Freckled Fashionista

 

books to look out for this fall | collab post

Hello & welcome back!

Today I’m bringing you a post on the books you should add to your TBR for autumn! I absolutely love reading and always have a large stack of books to read, so I’m excited to share with you my picks. This post is a collab with the amazing Nonagon from A Living Metaphor!–make sure to check out her blog & follow it!

Let’s get into the post.

1 // an enchantment of ravens by margaret rogerson

I added this book to my TBR as soon as I heard about it. I haven’t read this yet but I can’t wait to get my hands on it! Fans of Sarah J. Maas & Victoria Aveyard will definitely love this book. It’s about our favorite immortal people: the fae. From what I’ve heard, this book features romance, adventure & fantasy!

2 // warcross by marie lu

I’ve only read one series by Marie Lu (author of the Legend series & the Young Elites series), but I wasn’t a big fan of her writing style. (I really enjoyed the series, though!) Nonetheless, I’ve heard so much hype about this book and it looks really good! Warcross seems similar to Ready Player One and The Eye of Minds–it features bounty hunters, a Tokyo setting, and virtual reality!

3 // girls made of snow and glass by melissa bashardoust

 This book is everything I need. Girls Made of Snow and Glass is a fairytale retelling with strong feminist vibes! It’s a loose mash-up between Snow White and Frozen. I’m a huge sucker for fairytale retellings, so this looks promising.

4 // one dark throne by kendare blake

I need this book right now. One Dark Throne is the sequel to Three Dark Crowns, and I couldn’t be more excited. The first book is so clever & imaginative and full of twists and turns. It’s really hard to explain, but here we go: Three Dark Crowns is about three sisters that each have a different “skill”, and are competing for the throne and the chance to be queen. In doing so, for one queen to rise to the top, the other queens must be killed.

I found this to be a really good book & I can’t wait for the second one to come out!

5 // renegades by marissa meyer

Finally, we have Renegades! Marissa Meyer (author of The Lunar Chronicles series & Heartless) is my all-time favorite author. I am so excited for this book–it’s the start to a new series that features adventure, prodigies, danger, and betrayal.

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There you have it! Make sure to follow Nanogen’s blog and check out her post on this as well! What are some books on your TBR?

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five photography struggles //

Whether you’re a professional photographer or you just love taking pictures as a hobby, you’re definitely going to agree with these five photography struggles! Let’s get into the struggles.

1 // finding models

If you’re a professional photographer, you probably don’t have to deal with this, since you can hire models to be a part of your photoshoot. But if you’re just practicing photography and can’t afford a model, it’s really hard to find someone! A lot of people say, “I can’t be a model, I’m really bad at posing” or, “I get too flustered when I’m in front of the camera.” It’s really hard to find someone that’s actually willing to model for you and look natural behind the camera!

Of course, you can always take pictures of landscapes and flowers and whatnot, but there’s something about taking pictures of people that I find to be really fun!

2 // checking the photo before uploading

You take a picture, and check how it looks on the camera screen. It’s beautiful! The photo is perfectly focused, the lighting is balanced, and the model has a good expression. But then, you upload the picture to the computer…and, of course, it’s awful. The model’s eyes are actually closed, there’s a shadow over her face, and it’s blurry.

This happens to me all the time. 

3 // the camera battery

I almost always check to make sure the camera battery is charged, but there are countless times when I’m taking pictures and the battery unexpectedly dies! This is so frustrating, especially when you’ve just begun shooting.

4 // bad lighting or weather

Oh, weather. How you ruin my plans.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been excited to take pictures, but I wake up and…the weather is awful. Either the sun is behind a cloud, it’s raining, it’s too bright outside…I feel like the weather is never in my favor!

5 // things getting in the shot

I can’t tell you how many times this has happened to me. The picture will look fine on the camera screen, but when I upload it to my computer, lo and behold…someone is walking in the background. My hair is hanging over the lens. There’s a crooked, ugly tree branch right next to my model.

I know you can always edit pictures, but this is so frustrating to me!

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There you have it for today’s post! As always, thanks for stopping by.

Until next time!

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how to create a cozy autumn atmosphere

Autumn is here & I couldn’t be more excited–It’s my favorite season! Everything feels so fresh, so crisp and cold. After a long fall day, it’s time to unwind, and to be able to truly relax, you need a perfect atmosphere! Today, I’m going to be talking about some things that are essential for a lovely atmosphere.

1 // candles

There’s something about candles…not only do they fill the room with yummy scents, but they create a feeling of warmth. I always have at least two or three candles going at once. A lot of candles have very strong, artificial scents that fill your home with chemicals that you don’t want to be breathing in, so make sure you buy a candle that isn’t too strong!

If you’re feeling creative, you can even make your own candle. My mother makes candles with beeswax and essential oils and they always smell so delicious & warm, plus the essential oils will fill your home with healthy scents instead of chemicals!

2 // fairy lights

Aren’t these lights adorable?

Candles & fairy lights will give your house/room a feeling of warmth and comfort! There’s just something about filling your room with lights–it instantly makes the space feel more cozy and warm.

3 // cozy blankets & throw pillows (plus a cute dog)

I have an obsession with large, fluffy, cozy warm blankets. (Admit it–you do too.) On a chilly autumn night, there is nothing better than climbing into a clean bed filled with warm blankets and pillows.

4 // soft music

Music can really help to make your house/room feel more inviting and warm! I have a playlist on Spotify dedicated to soft, low music, and I love turning the playlist on in the evening while stretching, relaxing, and unwinding after a long day. Treat yourself, people.

5 // decorations

Don’t forget your autumn decorations! This adorable little pumpkin is from Target for only a few bucks–and it won’t go rotten like real pumpkins! This is too cute, guys.

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Hope you enjoyed the post, thank you for reading!

Catch you on the flip side.

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guest post: what two months of blogging has taught me

Hello & welcome back!

Today we have a guest post from a new(ish) blogger, Ellie, from Ellie’s Coffee Dates. Isn’t that such a fun blog name? Anyway, make sure to go to her blog & check out her content! Without further ado, let’s give Ellie the spotlight.

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Hello everyone!

I have always admired Abigail’s blog, and when I asked her if I could write a guest post and she said yes, I was so excited! (So big thank you to her!) before we get into the post, here’s a couple things to know about me!

•I’m homeschooled! I have been my entire life and I love it!

•I loooove dancing! I’ve been taking classes since I was 5.

•I have the BIGGEST sweet tooth! I love pretty much every kind of candy.

Ok, now that you know a little about me, let’s get on into the post!

I started blogging July 5th, 2017. When I first started, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. My friend had started a YouTube channel a couple months before then and seeing her making content she loved and gaining subscribers, well, I wanted that too. I wanted to make content I loved and to interact with my readers. So, one day I decided to check WordPress.com and start a blog! I didn’t know how to do anything, I barely knew how to design my blog. Then I started to comment on other people’s blogs and I started gaining a couple readers. So, what has blogging taught me?

• Bloggers are amazing

The blogging community is absolutely incredible! Everyone is so supportive and encouraging! From the very beginning, other bloggers have supported me and offered me amazing advice.

•Quality not Quantity

The posts I spent the most time and effort on, are the ones I’m most proud of. The longer I spend planning and writing the more likely I’m going to like it. (And my readers enjoy it too)

•Publish only if YOU love it

I’ve posted a couple blog posts where I really didn’t like it, the pictures had bad lighting and the writing was mediocre. Guess what? Those posts NEVER did nearly as well as when I took my time and created something I genuinely loved.

• Experiment

Try out different writing styles, or new photography skills. Find out what’s gonna make your blog different! If you publish one bad post, it’s not the end of the world! It’s YOUR blog and ONLY YOU decide what gets put up! If you publish a post and it does terribly, at least you tried!

•Keep going

Never give up, just because you got a negative comment, or because a post got 0 likes, doesn’t mean your blog’s a failure! You are capable of amazing things!

And that’s what blogging has taught me! I hope y’all enjoyed, and it would mean the world to me if you could check out my blog! Thank you all so much!

Thank you for the guest post, Ellie! Make sure to check out her blog. Have a great day, and I’ll catch you in the next post!

moments // 1

Hello my beautiful readers & welcome back!

I am very excited to share this post with you. I’m starting a new series where I’ll be sharing recent photos that I’ve taken, as well as photos from my week & life.

The photos in today’s post come from my recent photoshoot–many thanks to Carynn for modeling! If you’re viewing this post on your phone, please check it out on a computer–the photos will have higher quality & look better! Enough chit-chat, I think the photos speak for themselves.

I think this photo turned out cool. It’s intentionally blurry, so the colors will blur together and make the photo look whimsical. I had Carynn carry these beautiful wildflowers to add a bit of color to the picture.

I took a pre-photoshoot selfie! I’m loving this sweater, it’s so comfy and easy to move in, which is perfect for when I’m taking pictures. To the right, you can see my Canon camera bag, which has all of my equipment and lenses. 

All photographs taken by me. Many thanks to Carynn for modeling!

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As always, criticism is really appreciated. I have thick skin and I’m trying to get better, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts. Thank you for reading!

 

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august wrap-up + favorites

Hello & welcome back! How are you?

August has been a really good month for me. Soccer started, I’ve been getting ready for school, plus my birthday was on the 26th! (I’m officially 14, people. I don’t feel any different so there you have it.) Since I’ve had some time away from blogging, I’ve had a lot of time to think about how I really want my blog to be.

I recently received a new camera as a gift from my grandmother (if you’re reading this: thank you so much), so I’ll be doing a lot more photography posts. (Stay tuned!)

I really want to start doing more minimalistic posts, and start sharing some moments & pictures of different things that have inspired me and hopefully will inspire all of you too! I want my blog to become more meaningful. I want my posts to be well thought out and inspirational.

Thank you for sticking with me as my blog continues to grow and change, I really appreciate it! Anyway, let’s finally get into the post, shall we?

My first favorite from August are these lovely makeup brushes! I received this set on my birthday and I’ve been loving the brushes so far. I’ve only had them for a few days but I’ve been using them like crazy and practicing different makeup techniques.

The air is getting crisp and cool, and you know what that means: bring out the candles. I’ve been loving this sweet peony candle, but I recently traded it out for an apple cider candle to get myself in the fall mood! There’s nothing better than a cool evening with a good book, a warm sweater, and a candle.

I decided to try out the L’oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara (let’s be honest, I only bought it for the packaging), and I actually really like it! Of course, my favorite mascara will always be the Maybelline Great Lash, but this one comes pretty close. I have blond eyelashes, which means I don’t have eyelashes at all unless I wear dark mascara. This mascara has made my eyelashes so dark and voluminous–I would definitely buy it again, it’s pretty inexpensive too!

When it comes to drugstore makeup, Maybelline is my favorite brand, so it’s no surprise that I love their eyeshadow palette. I’ve been eyeing this palette for a while, and finally decided to buy it. I’m so glad I did!  I don’t like my eyes to be too dark (it doesn’t look good with my skin color), so this palette is perfect. The eyeshadow looks natural and feminine, and the palette has a good blend of fancy shades and neutral shades. I love it!

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That just about wraps it up. As always, thank you for sticking with my blog & reading.

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coconut oil & brown sugar exfoliating scrub

Heyo & welcome back to another post!

I was scrolling through Pinterest the other day and saw a coconut oil & brown sugar scrub. It looked cool, and I had the ingredients needed to make it, so I whipped it up really quick and, holy whoa, I love it! For the past year, I’ve only been using natural products on my face: essential oils, soft cleansers, etc. So, that’s why I love this mask–it only has two ingredients!

We all know what coconut oil is, and we all know how amazing it is for your skin, so enough chit-chat, let’s just talk about the results!

So, since this is a really gentle scrub, I’ve been using it every night. I’m always so excited to wash my face because it seriously feels so good–every night is pamper night! I splash water on my face, exfoliate with the scrub, then cleanse my skin, apply essential oils with a carrier oil, and moisturize. (Boom. You’re welcome.)

Is my acne gone? No, of course not. Blemishes don’t disappear after a week. If they do, what are you using?! However, I have seen and felt a change in my skin. My skin feels smoother and cleaner whenever I use this scrub, and I feel like it’s really helping my skin. I’m excited to see the results after using it for a few months. Baby steps, guys.

But this mask is not just for blemishes! It helps to make your skin glow and feel oh-so-soft. And it’s just for your face. Feel free to exfoliate your lips, hands, and feet for smooth skin!

All you do is mix equal amounts of coconut oil and brown sugar. And that’s it! Hello, fresh skin.

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not good enough | summer series #2

Hello & welcome back. I hope you’re all having a great summer so far! I haven’t been very active in the WordPress community, but I’m going to try and go through and read all of your amazing posts!

Let’s get right into the post, shall we?

I’ve wanted to write this post for a few weeks. I just haven’t been able to put my thoughts together. But now, I feel like it’s time to get these words off my chest and share these thoughts with all of you!

So, I’ve been missing in action. There’s no use giving excuses and saying I’m busy, because I haven’t been busy. I’ve lost motivation.

Every day, I wake up feeling like this will be the day. Today, I’m going to take new photos and write new blog content. And I haven’t done it. I’ve taken out the camera, only to put it back again. I’ve started drafts on WordPress and deleted them a few minutes later.

Every time I go to do something, this thought repeats itself in my mind: you’re not good enough. Your blog isn’t good enough. It doesn’t look good. Any photos that you take will look awful.

We’ve all been there. All you have to do is push the thoughts aside, right? But I still hesitate. Because it’s true, my photos are never going to perfect. And my blog is never going to be perfect. So, why am I bothering?

Oh, and it’s not just blogging. If you’ve gone through something similar to this then you’ll know that whenever you mess up on something, the taunting voice in your head will repeat you’re not good enough. 

So I put blogging aside. I put aside doing the thing I loved. I haven’t been on my blog in a while, because I couldn’t even stand to look at it. I haven’t been reading other blogs either, because my brain keeps reminding me of my failure to put up new posts, while other bloggers are constantly posting a few times a week.

But, I’m not doing that any longer. I love taking photos, so I’m going to take photos. Who cares if they look bad. I love writing posts, so I’m going to write posts, and try my hardest to make my content better and better every day.

If any of you have been through this, or are going through these feelings of doubt, let me say this: you are good enough. You right where you need to be. Some days you’re going to feel like you can’t do anything right, and those are the days when you will become stronger.

So. I’m going to try my hardest to post more, to be more active. I’m sharing all this with you, not for sympathy, but I feel like when bloggers share things about themselves, we all grow together! We truly are one big community, and I hope that you know right now, you are enough. You are enough. Let those words replace the doubt.

Everything gets worse before it gets better.

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