Love, Tanya

Hello loves <3

     Earlier this week Tanya Burr's book, Love, Tanya, was left on my doorstep...anddd I finished it in less than 24 hours. 

     Yes, it has been out for quite some time and I preordered it in mid-January, but as I live in the U.S., it took a bit of time to get here. It was actually sat in my dad's office a whole day before I realized what the package was. Basically, it was sent with another item my mom had ordered so I never opened the box because it was too big to be a book. I tracked the package the next day and Amazon said it had been delivered...so as you could imagine I was like whatt? 

     Every time I click play on one of Tan's videos, she instantly brings a smile to my face. I can relate to her in a lot of different ways and she just makes me so happy. I really hope she goes to Playlist Live next year so I have a chance to meet her, that would be a dream come true!

     Anyway, reading this book was so surreal. I am so proud of you, Tanya! It is a true work of art. She writes about a range of topics, some personal (like childhood & love) and some you can keep coming back to (like recipes & hair/makeup/fashion tips). Its basically got everything.

     Here are some of my absolute favorite pages/pictures of the book. 

If you haven't got the book yet and would like to skip past the pictures and see them when you open the book yourself, scroll down <3 

HOW CUTE?! This picture is one of my all-time favorites :)

     This book has a bit of everything, and there is something for everyone. It's honest, versatile, informative and just really comforting to read. I just want to say (again, lol) how proud I am of Tanya and the things she has achieved are incredible. I love you, Tan!

     If you don't have the book, what're you doing?? And if you're not subscribed to Tanya, what're you doing??

     Lol, but seriously: click here to order the book off Amazon, click here to go to Tan's YouTube channel, and click here to visit her blog. If you've already read her book, what is your favorite chapter, picture, or page?

     Thank you for reading and I'll talk to you soon.

*computer hug*

p.s. Any post requests? Leave some in the comments! April Favorites coming soon :) xx

Use Your 'And'

Hello loves <3

     Before I get any further, I just want to recognize the very talented Esmee (her post is linked here) for creating this blog tag. I think it's a wonderful post idea for bloggers, or just people in general. Louise - SprinkleofGlitter - partnered with Venus in their 'Use Your And' campaign and made a video about what it means to use your 'and.' Watch both Venus and Louise's videos below!

Venus ♥

Louise ♥

     Both these videos, I think, are so uplifting! They just have a feel-good vibe and make the person watching feel empowered. In Venus' video, the woman's voice is so strong and just makes me want to get up and do something incredible. This concept of Using Your And needs to be shared all over the world!

     Thank you to the lovely Izzy (blog linked here) for tagging me to write this post! Definitely check both her and Esmee out because their blogs are fantastic!

     Steps to complete the tag:

• copy and paste the 'Use Your &' logo from the top of this post and share your list of qualities
• if you get stuck, ask friends and family to help describe you
• thank the blogger who tagged you and include Venus' video
• tag as many people as possible and encourage them to use their 'and'
• and an extra step (but a very kind one!) is link back to Esmee's blog as she is the creator of this wonderful tag

What Am I?

♥ a blogger &

♥ a writer &

♥ a sister &

♥ a daughter &

♥ a granddaughter &

♥ a cousin &

♥ a niece &

♥ a YouTube fanatic &

♥ a Potterhead &

♥ a student &

♥ an aspiring author &

♥ a math lover &

♥ a friend &

♥ funny &

♥ hard-working &

♥ loyal &

♥ honest &

♥ emotional &

♥ caring &

♥ creative &

♥ curious &

♥ imaginative &

♥ adventurous &

♥ a lover of the outdoors &

♥unique

     What Are You?

     I tag:

♕  Chloe - Professional Daydreamer

♕  Vicky Wright

♕  Mikayla Oelschlegel

♕  Anyone & Everyone who would like to do this tag!

     Please share this tag wherever you can. I think that it is a brilliant message to everyone. Whether they have low self-esteem, are being put down by others, or may not even be in a bad situation at all, share it with your friends, your family, etc. It'll definitely bring a smile to their face!

     Thank you for reading and I'll talk to you soon.

*computer hug*

The 25th Hour

Hello loves <3

     Thank you for all the love on my last post, especially to those of you who commented; as always, it means a lot!

     My post today is in response to Chummy's post which I will link here. You should definitely give it a read and write a response post or comment. Basically, what would you do in the 25th hour of the day if there was one? Would you treat it just like all the others, or would you take the time to do something meaningful or important?

     I'd like to say I'd get off my computer in that 25th hour and detach myself from Netflix and YouTube...buuuttt, I don't think I would. I'd like to think that I would take the time to go outside and have an hour to myself just to think, or spend some time having a nice conversation with my family, but I have this inkling that it wouldn't be any different to the other 24 hours in the day. I'd probably use it to catch up on any YouTube videos I haven't watched, or start a new TV show, or sleep.

     And that is why I want to try and take an hour out of the day, a couple days during the week where I don't have a mass amount of homework or videos to watch, to just relax and think about how valuable this hour is, and how much I could do. I want to take some time to clear my mind of all the crazy stuff going on, whether it's stressing me out, making me overwhelmed with anxiety, or making me overwhelmed with happiness, I want to take the time to be grateful.

     Let's see if I stay true to my word...

     What would you do in the imaginary 25th hour of the day?

     Thank you for reading and I'll talk to you soon.

*computer hug*

p.s. My next post is going to be the 'Use Your And Tag' which I am super excited for! So look out for that the next couple days :) Have any of you watched Louise's 'Use Your And' video?

Body Image Issues Make Me Feel Isolated?

Hello loves <3

     Two days ago was my first day of gym (of this year), well it was the first real day where we actually have to change into gym clothes and do the warm-up, etc.

     

     So the warm-up at my school involves 14 stations, each being 1 minute, and you and your group rotate from station to station. There is one station involving scooters - the kind you sit on instead of stand, and hold on to the handle bars on the side and push with your feet. You do as many circles around the gym with your scooter as you can in a minute, or you can jog the perimeter. 

     My group decided to jog around. So we all start running and in less than 10 seconds, everyone is ahead of me.  20 seconds - I'm behind the rest of my group, trying to catch up. 40 seconds - someone is one complete lap ahead of me and the rest still somewhere in front. I felt so out of place. All these girls running together and I'm behind them, my face practically tomato red. 

     I literally felt like all eyes were on me. And I just wanted to GET OUT OF THERE. Run right through those doors and straight into the huge mass of trees. That minute was one of the longest in my life. I was the odd one out, the oddball. The one everyone notices, and not in a good way. 

     I feel so out of place in gym. A majority of the girls were wearing shorts, I was in leggings. And the ones wearing leggings were wearing the ones that come up to your shins while I was wearing ones that looks like they were connected to my shoes because I don't have the "cool" ones. I didn't feel like my sneakers were as cool as everyone else's. All these long, tan, and toned legs around me while I'm trying to cover my legs up. The shirt I was wearing was a bit tighter than I'd have liked and I felt like it showed my belly fat. All in all, gym is not where I want to be.

     In the past, I've written posts about weight. And I feel like I feel better about myself then I did when I wrote them, but events like this happen and I don't know if I can take it. I feel alone, and out of place. I was miserable in just that one minute. And by the end of the warm-up it felt like I was sweating so much more than everyone else. And I hate it. I hate it so much.

     Writing this was hard. I don't want to come off as someone who just thinks about themselves, I'm just expressing what I felt in that moment. I created this blog to write, and that's what I'm doing, so I might as well be truthful :) 

     The constant reminders of "What are you talking about? You're beautiful." or "You're talking complete nonsense, you're not fat." from friends and family don't do anything to change my mind. They just make me feel worse because I know they're not true.

     I have gym again tomorrow andI don't want to feel that way again. Or ever.

     Yes, I have body image issues. And yes, I hope they go away with time. And yes, I want to work to get the body I want and know I can achieve. It's just moments like these that I feel so isolated and ugly and that just ends with me being unhappy. And I don't like being unhappy. So, if you have any motivational tips, please share them with everyone in the comments.

     If you ever want to talk, please email me:  harelrziv@gmail.com

     Thank you for reading and I'll talk to you soon.

*computer hug*

Persevering & Chasing After Your Dreams

Hello loves <3

     Awhile ago I wrote a post about dreaming big, and I wanted to follow up on that and write about a somewhat related topic, not only chasing after your dreams, but being persistent.

     I've just recently started watching The Fosters (I'm on episode 9 of season 2 in case you were wondering x), on Netflix, and one of the main characters, Brandon, is a pianist. Every time there is a scene of him playing I become mesmerized and just think - I want to be able to do that.

Brandon Foster

     I started playing piano back in 2010 when my parents bought me a keyboard for Hanukkah. The want for a keyboard stemmed from discovering Emily Bear on YouTube. I'm almost positive I saw a clip of her on The Ellen Show playing so beautifully and at a very young age. Again, I got that feeling - if I could do that, that'd be amazing. I played for almost 4 years, and last year I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. I was certainly better than when I first started, but I just wasn't enjoying it as much as I wanted to. Thinking about it now, I think I wasn't enjoying it because I wasn't "good". I wish I could tell my past self to KEEP GOING. You're never gonna get anywhere if you don't try and once you try, don't stop there...persevere.

Emily Bear

     So now, I'm thinking about getting back to playing. My keyboard is still in my room, and everyday I look at it with guilt. As if I'm saying, I'm sorry, I should've never stopped. I'm sorry that you have to sit there everyday with out being able to stretch your legs...well, in this case, keys ;). You know?

     The one thing is, I'd like a new environment. I wasn't as comfortable with my teachers/professors as I would've liked. But even if I'm not comfortable with my future instructor at first, I'm not going to let that stop me for pursuing this interest. And who knows what it could grow to be...

     If you play or would like to play a musical instrument, tell me which in the comments! I'd love to chat <3 And if you watch/have watched The Fosters, let me know! Who is your favorite character?

     Thank you for reading and I'll talk to you soon.

*computer hug*

p.s. I am listening to the 'Peaceful Piano' playlist on Spotify as I'm writing this. Piano in general is so nice to listen to, and very relaxing. So there's a possible studying trick!

My Spring Bucket List

Hello loves <3

     Spring is one of my favorite times of year (after summer). Not just because of spring break, but also the sun starts to come out of its hiding place a bit more and everything just seems to bloom. So many new colors come to life outside right before your eyes. The pink and white buds start to come out and even though they don't stay for awhile, they're such a beauty.

i didn't take this ;) thank you, Google

     I was roaming the inter-web trying to find a spring related post and I came across this post, which you should definitely check out if you're stuck this season! The first idea is a spring bucket list and I really enjoy bucket lists because they're just like setting goals for yourself and that makes me want to do them even more - plus, checking the boxes by each goal is so rewarding :)

    So, here is my Spring 2015 Bucket List:

<3 start going to the gym and yoga (I took a hot yoga class today and SWEATED OUT)
<3 shop for a new wardrobe and change up my style a bit
<3 spend most of break OUT of the house and not cooped up at home with my laptop (I said most not all ;) )
<3 TAN
<3 watch the sun rise
<3 go on a long bike ride
<3 have a game night
<3 visit the zoo
<3 buy a succulent, or 2 :)
<3 create more than one spring DIY (which if I do, I will definitely post about!)

didn't take this one either :/

     Leave some the things you want to do this spring in the comments!

     Thank you for reading and I'll talk to you soon.

*computer hug*

March Favorites 2015!

Hello loves <3

It's been a bit since I've last posted, but I'm excited to share with you my March Favorites!

Skincare & Beauty:

• I didn't try anything new this month skincare/beauty related, but my skin has been acting up a bit (especially towards the end of March) so I've definitely had to conceal some spots! My staple drugstore concealer is the Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer and I like to blend it in with my beauty blender. This concealer provides an amazing amount of coverage and comes at a fairly low price!

Fashion:

• I tried something new this month: boot cut jeans. They flatter me a lot more than skinny or high waisted jeans and it's been kind of weird getting used to them but pairing them with my heeled boots and a slouchy sweater has been a reappearing look for me this month.

• One thing missing from my wardrobe is a staple black belt. So, my mom and I popped into Marshall's and picked one up, The silver detail matches the bling on most of my jeans which is a plus, and it's reversible!

Music:

Sleep Baby Sleep

• Last month, you may remember, I put Sarah Close's cover of Bridges by Broods as a favorite of mine and I have decided to further explore Broods. I am OBSESSED with their song Sleep Baby Sleep. If you haven't listened to their music, you definitely should! Their sound is so unique and so relaxing.
• Link To Evergreen Album Playlist: click here.

Book:

buy the book here

• I got Alfie's book a while ago, but I've filled it out a lot more this month. I discovered some new pages I didn't see when I first got it and the whole thing is so fun to fill out! And fun to do with friends!

YouTube:

• Last Saturday was Zoë's birthday, I wrote a letter to Zoë that day if you'd like to read it, click here, and Alfie and her friends threw her a surprise party. A lot of them vlogged it and I have been absolutely loving watching the vlogs from each person's perspective. Even though it's the same event, it was such a beautiful surprise and I could rewatch the day forever.

Zoë's Vlog

Alfie's Vlog

Joe's Vlog

Jim's Vlog

Marcus' Vlog

Those are just some of the vlogs from her birthday, definitely check them all out!

TV:

• Gossip Girl: I've gotten back in to Gossup Girl, guys! I went on a bit of a Gossip Girl hiatus and finally decided it was time to go back because I really missed it. I'm just a bit into season 4 and so much is happening, it's so hard to keep track! But, I love it nonetheless. It keeps you on your toes and you just have to click on the next episode!

• Grey's Anatomy: I don't watch this show myself, but I've been hanging out with a friend a lot lately who is currently watching it and I've been watching along with her. It's so good! I love how there is humor and romance and it all occurs in a hospital. It's not hard to catch on because each "story" doesn't go on for very long and there's always something happening. One day I will finish all 10 seasons...or is it 11?

     Those were my favorites from March! Let me know some of your favorites in the comments below!

     Thank you for reading and I'll talk to you soon.

*computer hug*