Things No One Tells You About Owning a Dog

As of this week I have officially been a dog owner for one year. I simultaneously feel like I brought Maci home yesterday and there was never a time before her being in my life. Being a dog mom has been one of the best experiences of my life (yes there is a magnet on my car that says "my child has four paws), but certainly not the easiest. The fact that I am a college student only makes things harder, Maci makes it all worth it though. She loves me unconditionally and  gives me support without ever knowing it. I have always had dogs growing but it is a totally different game when they are your own dog. I am so thankful for the attitude my parents taught me about having a pet, they are more than just pets they are family. So here are a few of the many things I have learned this past year of being a dog mom.

• How much money your actually going to spend. Vet visits, medicines, toys, treats, and food. It adds up very quickly. 

• The amount of love you feel every time you look at them. 

• How many times a day they make you smile. It’s countless.

• All of the things they are going to tear up. You think you are ready you really do, but you are never completely ready for all the destruction a puppy brings. Shoes, books, walls, floors, furniture, remotes, phone chargers, pens, literally you name they may chew it up. Here I would like to say thank you to my parents house for taking the worst of it.

• How overwhelmed you feel when you first bring them home. You are very excited but also so scared. You don’t know what you have gotten yourself into, all you know is theres no going back. They are in a new place and scared too. Give it time you are both still learning. 

• Half the time your boyfriend (or girlfriend) won’t know whether you are taking to them or the dog.

• Whenever you aren’t with them you are always, thinking, worrying, or wondering about them.

• 6 am wake up calls. Yeah, get used to them. When you gotta go you gotta go fast. 

• It’s okay to be upset with them when they do something wrong. Just remember they don’t speak english. Patiences will save you a lot of grief. 

• You say things like “no don’t eat that” or “thats not your poop” way too often.

• The only way your dog sees the world world outside your home is through you. Let them see as much of it as possible.

• Buy the puppy training! Yes it is expensive, but it is so worth it. You and your dog will grow closer together. Not to mention the things your dog will learn could be life saving.

• The size of your heart will grow exponentially.

Why Instagram is not Always a Good Thing + My Favorite Instagramers

Let me start off by saying, I love Instagram. I really do. I love seeing photos, happy photos from the best parts of peoples lives, but often I think people forget that is what Instagram is; a snap shot into the best moments of someones life. Life is not always as perfect as Instagram makes it out to be. That smiling couple probably had a fight about dishes or underwear left on the floor, the model-like mom with her children probably had a break down over whether she is raising them to be good human beings, the independent person that works for themselves probably stays up all night sometimes to meet a deadline. Not to mention the picture you are seeing is probably one of twenty-someting others like it. Sometimes the dishes have not been done in three days, and lets not even talk about laundry. Sometimes I stay in my pajamas all day and have Captain Crunch for more than one meal. Comparing yourself to other people on Instagram is not going to do anything for you accept bring you down. Comparison truly is the thief of joy. Especially when the people you are comparing yourself to have just as many struggles as you do, you just simply don't know theirs.

But guys I really do love Instagram so here are a few of my favorite:

@haileydevine

Hailey Devine and her little family are the cutest. Her and her husband, Brad, are videographers who like to travel. You can find their youtube channel, here, and her blog, here.

@heynataliejean

You can find her blog, here. 

@taza

Oddly enough this family and Instagram is the reason I started blogging. It is a little bit creepy how long I have been reading their blog, here. I just love her honest outlook on life. 

@apsynovard

Aspyn and her husband, Parker, are the cutest. They both make youtube videos and vlog. Parkers Instagram can be found, here. Their youtube channels are here and here. Aspyn's blog is here.

@thedogist

So I had this crazy idea when I got my own dog I would stop be obessed with other people's dogs. Yeah that didn't happen. Every time the dogist posts my heart melts a little bit. 

Ten Things I Believe

I believe I am strong in my own way.

I believe a smile can turn someones day around (including yours.)

I believe in being myself, even when I have nothing to say or I want to fit in.

I believe everyone is important.

I believe the world can be a better place with the choices we make everyday.

I believe love (of all kinds) can solve many problems. 

I believe that everyone should have equal rights despite race, gender, sexuality, or disabilities.

I believe in the end its all going to be okay, no matter how hard it is right now.

I believe it is okay to question yourself and others.

I believe you are in total control of your life regardless of others expectations of you. It’s your life, its your choice.

xoxo,

        MK

Inside My Planner

My planner is my life. I would be lost without it, I'm not even sure I would remember my name. I have been like this for a few years now, everyone has a way of keeping up with things, this is mine. I have tried a few different types of planner (here, here) and I mentioned in a earlier post that I was looking to invest in a Erin Condren this year. Well I didn't that. I began to struggle that I was carrying both my planner and blogging notebook but still didn't have everything wanted. So I took on the enormous (literally over 40 hours of work) task of making on my own planner. It was so worth it, I AM IN LOVE.

For the cover I picked out scrapbook paper that I like, added some stickers on the to personalize it. Then I had the sheets laminated at Office Max.

As soon as you open the cover there is a two pocket folder that I made out of card stock. In the front pocket I store all of my stickers and washi tape strips. I safe the back folder for important paper that I may need that day or in the near future. 

At the beginning of each month I have a goals page. I don’t know about you but having something written down makes me more likely to do it. I’ll be flipping through my planner and it reminds me what I want to accomplish this month and helps me stay on track. At the end of each month I plan to go back and reflect on how my goals went for the month.

Next is the monthly view, this one is partially planned out. I like to use wash type to mark out any traveling or days that I know are going to be completely booked. I also put wash type on the side to give the page some extra color. I really like using colored pens in my monthly spread because I don’t use as many sticker there. 

Since I made my planner the weekly view is customized to fit my lifestyle. Each is split up into morning, day, and night. I found this world best for my current schedule. I also have a spot to keep track of my water intake, sleep, and excise. This helps me because each time I look at my planner I can remind myself of the healthy choices I want to make and keep track of how I am doing. The lines at the bottom of the page are flexible lines, sometimes I put what I’m going to put for dinner, other times its something I am grateful for or a happy memory from the day. I like it not being set in stone (i mean ink), because it allows me to go with whatever I am feeling that day. I have a do to list on the side where I write things I need to get done that week but aren’t really scheduled. Also something that I don’t do that most people with planners do is color code things. I found it way to hard to keep up with I was always forgetting what color went with what activity and it was just a mess. I really like the organized chaos that comes with not having a color code. 

At the end of each month I have a place to keep my budget. This being the first year I really having to keep track of the money I spend and how I spend it this is super helpful. I have a page for bills that i need to pay and I write down when I pay them so I don’t have to worry about them anymore. 

I have three pages for expenses. I just write down everything that I buy and how much it cost so at the end of each month I complete my budget graph so I can see where I am spending all of my money. Again because I made my planner its customized to mr and has a Maci spot in the budget graph. 

The last page in each month is a notes page so I have somewhere to jot down notes on…well really anything. 

After all twelve months I have notebook in the back for blogging. I keep my post idea and planning back there. This alleviates the need for me to carry around both a planner and I blogging notebook, which makes my load lighter. 

My stickers and wash type are from all over the place. Some of the stickers I had left over from my last planner, some are from the Create 365 line, other just from the craft store, and the dollar store.

Although making my planner was a lot of work it was completely worth it because it is exactly what I need and want! I hope that is inspired in some way shape or form. 

xoxo,

        MK

How to be a Morning Person

With school starting soon I thought I would share some of my tips and tricks for having a better morning. Doing these things puts me in the right mind set to take on the day!

Drink Coffee
- Yeah, yeah don't do that. Caffeine isn't good for you, but hey, you are trying to be a morning person and nothing is going to wake you up faster than a quick cup of coffee. Honestly I don't feel like myself without my coffee in the morning...(cough cough...addict...)

Establish a Routine
- I cannot stress this enough. It will make it a thousand times easier to get up at 7 am if you always get up at 7 am. You need a sleep routine so your body knows when to go to sleep and when to get back up, but it goes farther than that. Create a before bed routine as well. This will allow your body to know when it is settling down for the night. Use your favorite face wash, put on some comfy pajamas, and read a good book. Just let your body wind down.

Have a Good Breakfast
- This will give you something to look forward to each day. I am ten times more likely to be happy when I am about to eat good food. Even if you have to make it the night before to save time in the morning, it is worth it. So whether its a smoothie or oatmeal, eat a yummy breakfast. Seriously though just looking at this smoothie bowl makes me want it to be breakfast already.

Pick Out Your Clothes the Night Before
- This will  your morning so much it isn't even funny. I have late too many time to count because I couldn't decide what to wear or I decided I hated everything in my closet. Having your clothes picked out will allow you to relax and let you look forward to putting on your cute clothes in the morning.

Go Outside
- The fresh air and sunshine does wonders for your sleepy eyes. Luckily for me Maci makes sure that I go outside as soon as I wake up every morning, but even if you don't have a dog just go outside and look around, be thankful.

Exercise or Stretch
- I know this is not realistic for everyone and certainly not every morning, but getting your blood pumping is such a wonderful way to wake up. The endorphins make me happier and I feel as if I can think clearer afterwards. So even if it is just for 5 minutes, do it.

Make Your Bed
- I feel like such a hypocrite typing this. I never, never make my bed, but I am working on it. If you make your bed you are less tempted to climb back for "just 5 more minutes." The real kicker for me is you feel so much more important at night getting into a made bed then an unmade bed. Its awesome for self-esteem.

Plan Your Day
- When you wake make a To- Do list or write down all the things you have to do that day. For me knowing everything I have to get done that day relaxes me, it makes me feel more in control of my day. This will also keep you more organized.

Don't Snooze
- For me this is a daily battle, sleepy mind vs. real me. Very day the I win I feel so much better about myself. This is a mental game every time you press snooze your trick your mind into thinking you are really going back to sleep which makes you even more groggy when you actually have to get up in ten minutes. So get up the first time.

Choose Music over Tv and Social Media
- This gets your mind in the right mind set. When you look at social media earlier in the morning you immediately are comparing yourself to others and are thinking enviously, but when you listen to music you give your self time jam out and be yourself before facing the real world.

xoxo,
        MK

My Favorite Books

Books take you on a journey, teach you a lesson, open your mind to new things, explore your heart in ways you never thought possible. This is a list of all my favorite books. There is no genre or age limit, just stories to fall in love with. There is literally something for everyone in here, pun intended:)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 

The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna

The Giver by Lois Lowry

An Awesome Book of Love by Dallas Clayton

Room by Emma Donoghue

Kisses from Katie by Katie J. Davis

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Anthem by Ayn Rand

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by Willian Joyce

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

Paper Towns by John Green

Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt

xoxo,
        MK

In My Carry-On

Summer is the season for traveling. These are what I take pretty much everywhere with my during the summer! For me carry-on's aren't just for planes, I like to keep my essentials with me all the time.

1. Book Bag - I prefer to bring my book bag over my purse because it has so much more space. Most of the time I put my purse in my book bag, so I can have both when I get where I am going. I love North Face because they are so ...

2. Camera - I like to keep it with me just in case a picture perfect moment arises. I have the Cannon T3, but I am upgrading (replacing) to a T5. It is an affordable option for a quality camera.

3. Snacks - You never know when you are going to be hungry. Normally with traveling you don't know when food is going to be available, so it's important to carry some with you. Will says I am the only person he knows that eats mints like they are candy.

4. Sunglasses - This one is pretty obvious.

5. Computer - Clearly I need this for blogging, but it is also great for watching Netflix (if you have internet available). I always have my hard case on my laptop to keep it from getting scratched or protecting it during rough travels.

6. A Book - I love books! I almost always have one with me. My favorite are mystery books, I adore trying to figure out the ending before I am there. I believe there is a book type for everyone (picture books count).

7. Emergency Kit - This is perfect for traveling because it has just about anything you could ever need in it! You can find it here.

8. Phone - Yup you should pretty much take this everywhere.

9. Planner - I have used the PlumPaper in the past and loved it! But I am going to switch to Erin Condren because it works best for my life right now. My planner is my life line, I keep everything I need to get done in it. I would be lost without it.

10. Wallet -Yup you should pretty much take this everywhere too. Mine is from Fossil. I have had it for 5 years and still love it.

xoxo,
        MK