Yay for International Women's Day!

Happy International Women's Day!  Today, celebrate the amazing women in your life.  Do something to cheer on a fellow female.  Give a compliment to a stranger.  Help out a neighbor.  Call your mother.  Support female-owned businesses.  Grab coffee with your best friend.  Have wine night with the gals.  Blast your favorite female artists (Florence and the Machine, Haim, Adele, Beyonce, Lana Del Rey, Serena Ryder, Paloma Faith, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga to name a few...).  Remember, the future is female so a little bit of raising each other up can go a long way.  Today (and honestly, everyday), I'm truly grateful for the strong, supportive, encouraging, courageous, loving, and inspiring women in my life.  

Looking for a simple way to support women today that will make a huge impact?  I'm so honored to have partnered with strong, incredible women all over the world through Threads Worldwide.  These amazing artisans and business women are shattering glass ceilings and embracing freedom.  Browse and shop my online boutique of fair trade jewelry and accessories here:  Threads Worldwide - Allison Young

Below, you'll see a collection of strong women who I admire and look up to.  How are you celebrating International Women's Day today?

"Nothing is impossible.  The work itself says 'I'm Possible.'" - Audrey Hepburn

"You must never be fearful of what you are doing when it is right." - Rosa Parks

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

"A girl should be two things: who and what she wants." - Coco Chanel

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman

"Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are." - Mother Teresa

"The most effective way to do it, is to do it!" - Amelia Earhart

"I will not be triumphed over." - Cleopatra VII

"Be happy with what you have while working for what you want." - Helen Keller

"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same." - Anne Frank

"Men, their rights, and nothing more; Women, their rights, and nothing less." - Susan B. Anthony

Photo Sources:
Audrey Hepburn, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Coco Chanel, Harriet Tubman, Mother Teresa, Amelia Earhart, Cleopatra, Helen Keller, Anne Frank, Susan B. Anthony

{whatever wednesday}

{Best Instagram Account to Stalk:  Olsens Anonymous}

{Dream Series by Gray Malin}

Gray created the Dream Series to encourage people to stand out from the crowd and honor their unique individuality. The idea was inspired by a Scottish sheep farmer who dyed his sheep different colors.  Traveling to rural Australia, each sheep was professionally misted with a vegetable based, toxin free, washable dye to give them a bright hue.

"I hope to spark an idea; that we are all individuals, and should not be afraid to bare our true colors, dare to dream and shine for all to see."-Gray Malin

As an effort to help inspire ultimate dreamers, 20% of the proceeds from the series will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

{Beautiful Braids:  General Tips for Braiding}

{The Best Yoga Trend Involves Adorable Pets}

{Life's Journey:  Wednesday Wisdom}

They're all good.

Wednesday.  I had to conquer the dreaded trip to the license bureau for a renewal.  These trips aren't fun.  They're never fun.  Waiting in long lines, stereotypical grumpy people, antagonizing over horrible license photos, and of course (OF COURSE) you're going to fail to have at least one document required when you finally reach the teller after waiting in that horrendous line.

Now, I will say, this trip wasn't as painful as I exaggerated it to be.  Waited 10 minutes, scoured my car for proof of address, passed my sign test with flying colors...overall, pretty easy-breezy.

Sitting there, waiting to be called to have my picture taken, the woman snapping the photos told the man ahead of me the generic, "Have a good day" goodbye.  "Thanks, you too," wasn't the response that came, as expected.  What he said was, "Oh, they all are.  It's easier that way." 

It struck me at the time, but it wasn't until a day later that I thought about it and smiled.  What a pleasant, positive outlook on life.  It's a nice and somehow calming reminder that we all come from different paths of life, face daily struggles, and occasionally (some more often than others) have "one of those days" type of days.  Although every day may not be good, there is something good in every day.  Focusing on the positive things in life makes it all better, more enjoyable and gives you something worth smiling about.

They're all good.  It's easier that way.

Photo Credits:  Pinterest

{whatever wednesday}

{be 20something}

 {4 New Ways to Wear a Crop Top}

 

{8 Ways to Wear a Black Maxi Skirt }

 

 {Mother's Day Treat:  Pudding Poke Carrot Cake}

{17 Unconventional Occasions We Should Start Celebrating}

{whatever wednesday}

 {Spring Nail Art:  Stripped Nudes}

Love, love, love the nude and copper combination.  For this look, I've been using OPI's "Barefoot in Barcelona" and Sephora by OPI's discontinued "Traffic Stopper Copper."

{11 Ladylike Style Lessons from Audrey Hepburn}

In honor of what would have been her 85th birthday on May 4th, this was necessary to share.

{Garage Sale Gems}
Adorable vintage charms that I picked up on Saturday.

{Kimchi Blue Dazzled & Dazed Cami}

This airy, beaded Gatsby-esque top...I literally died.

{30 Things To Start Doing For Yourself}

Dear Diary.

This is the best post I've read in a while:
26, unmarried, and childless.

I've shared it and went the distance to text it to close single friends who are in the same boat.

I'm not married, I don't have children, I'm 27 and feel that "sad/worried/concerned" emotion when people ask me if I'm dating anyone and feel the need to reassure them that I'm fine...I'm not here to throw a pitty party.  I'm single and finally happy, have a dog, living life how I want to rather than consistently living to please others.  I'm going out, meeting people, enjoying myself, having fun, isn't that what your 20's are for? (after all, my sister swears I was born to be a socialite, it may have just taken me longer to accept the fact).

No, this isn't where I figured I would be in my life.  When I was 7, 21 sounded old to me.  As a little girl playing with Barbies, I pictured I would have the scenic, flawless grey house, red shutters with the white picket fence in Kirkwood, married at 22, children by 25 and living "happily ever after."

That didn't pan out according to plan and I can honestly say I'm thankful it didn't.  I'm glad I didn't end up with the guy I dated at 16, at 18, at 21, at 26.  Not that I wasn't happy with them, at the time, I was.  Like every relationship, you have the highs and lows, which leads you to question your happiness and whether the lows are really worth fighting for and whether the fights are worth the battles.  I still haven't met the one worth fighting for and vice versa, and that's okay.  I appreciate the heartbreak, the chaotic roller coasters, the losing myself only to find myself, and the amazing family and friends that have put up with me through thick and thin.

"sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together"

Some days, you question why things didn't work out, why you're here, what the reason is and then you have to remind yourself that you may never know why and while searching for the reasons, you're never going to find them.  Yes, some days are harder than others but on those days, all you can do is stop, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you are lucky, lucky for being here, being alive and well and that things could always be worse.  I'm sure one day (or can only hope) that I'll figure out my place, find that one that truly matters, thinks I'm the world and live that happily ever after fantasy life.  If not, I've accepted the fact that I'll adopt an Asian and Russian baby, have dogs, and be the best friend mom that I learned the best from.

{whatever wednesday}

{Cocktail Choice:  Black Dog Flip from Taste Bar}

{Best Instagram Followed this week:  dog_dada}

Barista chihuahua?  I mean, who wouldn't love viewing pictures of this sweet, long-haired pup on the daily?

{Honorable mention: dozerandluna}

{Most fashionable family photo of the week:  The Beckham brood at Fashion Week}

{Workout must have:  "I don't Sweat, I Sparkle" Slouchy Oversized Sweatshirt}

{Inspirational Words}

Pay attention to the little things, because when you really miss "the good old days," you miss the little things the most, like just laughing with someone special.

More Fun, Less Fear

"Today I realized that I actually enjoy doing things by myself. My goal for 2014 and years on is to do at least one thing a week that I've never done before. I went thrifting and got tea alone, found 3 amazing gems, and made friends in fitting room hallways that would give honest opinions and vice versa...as bad as I wanted these shiny thread embroidered GORGEOUS shorts to fit, they made me look like I had a diaper on (nobody likes a chick in a diaper..and my "friend" told me straight). So I finally found my life resolution: To do whatever I want, be more independent, always enjoy the little things, and smile...a lot."

Suddenly, it hit me.  I realized I've missed out on so many things I really wanted to do, due to no one to go with, whether it was schedule conflicts or I just felt uncomfortable going alone since I wasn't familiar with the area.  Had I not decided to go yesterday, I would have missed out on black sequin harem pants...every girl needs a pair, right?...along with 2 other items I've been searching for.

Granted the tea thing may not be a big deal for many people, but the fact if the matter was that I had no idea what I was going to order or if I was even going to LIKE my drink.  I'm typically "I like to study the menu before I decide to go somewhere" type of person.  That's a decent accomplishment, a step out my boundaries and I enjoyed my bubble milk green tea very much.

 

I want to better myself and spending time focusing on insignificant matters is just a waste of life.  Every day, adventure and chance to live is a gift.  Meeting new people and learning new things is an adventure in itself, after all, if you never try, you'll live your life without knowing.

This year at least once a week, I'm going to go somewhere or do something I've never done before (insert a little influence from Breakfast at Tiffany's).  I plan to document every milestone, whether it's a new fitness class, new restaurant I've tried, new meal I prepared, and so on...This way, looking back a year for now, I can recall all the things I did and how far I have come.

{whatever wednesday}

{Amazing Store: Widow Surprises Couple}

Enjoy every moment, every dinner and appreciate everything.  This sweet, heart-warming, inspirational story brought tears to my eyes and is a reminder that a simple gesture can make a massive impact.

{Wise Words}

{Fun Little Wordsearch:  What are your three?}

The first three I found:  Fun, money, intelligence.  Sounds like 2014 will be a good year.

{Urban Outfitters:  Pins and Needles Bomber Jacket}

Teddy bear like, super soft, fuzzy and adorable.  I'd be okay braving this bitter weather snuggled up in this bomber (AND it's currently on sale).

{Runway look I love:  Burberry Spring 2014}

Monday Muse: Crop tops and Maxis

Monday Muse by missallierae featuring low heel black boots