Do Good, Feel Good Phenomenon

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about how impatient, frustrated and basically bitchy I can be. 

Alturism-unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others.

Hardly.

The feeling you get when you do the right thing, or do something just to be kind can boost your mood drastically.

It's not selfless at all, it gives you a great feeling.

Make it a bit selfish. 

Being happy and feeling good is not just handed to you.

I hope that makes sense?

Just recently I was on vacation with my family. 

One afternoon I ran into a convenience store to get a drink. 

Maybe I have $1.35 with me? 

I was in line waiting to check out.

In front of me was a woman struggling with her baby in her arms, credit card in one hand and completely frazzled buying her groceries.

Typical Annie would be SO annoyed.

-I hate children.

-I hate waiting.

-I hate convenience stores?

But for some reason I smiled at the baby, picked up the bottle and toys she kept repeatedly dropping. 

The woman apologized 100 times. 

I simply said, "Don't worry about it!"

This alone made me feel great.

It was my turn to check out.

The man scans my drink and I didn't have enough money.

I put my drink back and headed toward the door.

Turns out the woman heard that I didn't have enough $.

She handed me a dollar and said,

"Thank you." 

Do good for others and good things will come your way.

Little things.

A.

Autumn Changes.

Each and every year I have looked forward to going back to school.

Sure, summers a ball. But after I get my share of the sun-I'm basically over it.

I love being on a schedule and getting involved. 

Keeping organized, taking notes and picking out supplies gets my so giddy. It's almost weird? 

This is my brother, Will.

He the youngest of the bunch and he started Middle School today!

So exciting, nerveracking, bittersweet and a new turning point in his life.

He's growing up. I'm growing up.

Things are changing. 

But in my opinion, good change.

"Without change, there is no opportunity for new greatness."  

Tim Jahrling 

This was once said to me when I made my transition into a new high school.

It changed my outlook completely.

I left my graduating class of 50 behind and shuffled in with 500 other students at the public high school in my town.

Basically, I was given lemons.

But I made lemonade.

;)

 To fellow student bloggers, it's a new year. 

Time to make things count.

A.

Favorites: L - Upbeat Music

Some of my favorite songs to listen to when I'm in a good mood.
I fly back to the US on Tuesday evening; it's a big landmark: I've turned 15, and so I can fly alone! I'm really happy about it.
Some updates soon on my sickness, my birthday celebration (or lack thereof) and some things I've bought to get ready for school. 

Cheers on the dregs of summer!
L

Favorites: L - Lush shampoo and conditioner!

As a burgeoning vegan, I've been on the hunt for cosmetics and beauty supplies that don't test on animals, and, incidentally, are vegan. And I ran into Lush! Lush and I first began our amorous love affair in June of 2010; I was in Santa Monica on the West Coast, and as I was walking around the promenade I walked into Lush because it looked so hip and cool!

The first thing I bought was the honeycomb bar soap, called honey waffle. It smells really, really nice, and you have to follow up with a moisturizer after, as with most natural soaps, but the smell is to die for.

Then, this year, I started getting on with Lush, again, as they have a small counter here in Shinsegae, the big, big department store here in Seoul. I fell in love with two products:

American Cream conditioner. Not vegan, unfortunately (even though Lush swears that they don't test on animals, so it's one small sacrifice I'm willing to make), but by golly, the smell! Vanilla, strawberries, honey... And it makes my hair super, super soft. 

AND

Rehab shampoo. It's fruity and it cleans my hair like none other - not going to lie, I have some pretty bad hair after a few days without washing. It smells like, obviously, papaya and kiwi, but also some surprising other factors: jojoba and olive oil for conditioning. AND, it's 100% vegan. So much love! 

Look into more of Lush's amazing products - the bath bombs are to die for, the moisturizing bars are lovely, and this bottled body wash called flying fox is perfect for fall and winter. I'm also dying to try their face masks - tell me if anyone gets the pleasure! :) 

xo

L

Favorites

Music

Certainly, you may find a few randoms in this mix. But good randoms. 

Rock on.

a.

Back to School Necessities

These are only a few of my essentials for my school bag.

-A 'One Blue Hippo' Eraser, just like the small statue at the Met.

-An array of Sharpies

-Staples Better Binders have been my absolute favorite since 6th grade!

-Rhodia Legal Pads, perfect for note taking. Found at Barnes & Noble.

-Pilot v5 pens. So fiiinneee.

-'One Blue Rhino' clicky pen
-Though this is a 2011 planner, it's still adorable and I'm looking for anything along the lines of it for this coming school year (11/12). 

I like to keep my books, binders, pencil and personal items all in my LongChamp. I never use a backpack. Using a tote like this gives you the option to just carry it from class to class. 

I try to switch the colors of the bag periodically. 

Phone

Chapstick

School ID/$5.00

Small Makeup bag

Water bottle

And anything else you might possibly need during the school day.

Supplies Not Shown

-5 Subject Notebook

-Mechanical Pencils

-Felt tip pens

-Post-its

-White Out

-Highlighters

-Loose leaf

-Dividers

-Notecards

a.

Favorites: L - Moisture Surge

Annie and I'll be starting (with perhaps some select guest bloggers) a series concerning our favorites, whether they be clothing, accessories, music, movies, or beauty supplies. Get excited!

Here's one of my favorite beauty/skin products - maybe of all time. It's called Moisture Surge and it's made by the all time favorite beauty house Clinique.

As anybody who lives in New England can attest, winters are really, really bad. Terribly bad. Horrible. All charming during the Christmas/Hanukkah season, but after the glitz and lights and ornaments have come down, and gifts have been received, the cold just becomes annoying. This is my savior every season, but especially during winter. It keeps my skin well moisturized, oil free, doesn't make me break out, and feels so good once you put it on. Love. Buy immediately!

L.