Fourth of July Outfit Inspiration

It's the final countdown. Only one more day until the Fourth of July! The most American holiday there is- red/white/blue, stars and stripes, barbecues, parades, backyard fun, a day at the beach, etc. Regardless of how you will be spending the holiday, I'm sure you're looking for a fun outfit to wear. Well, I'm right there with you. I would love to go shopping for something cute to wear, but I'm trying to save money plus after a closet raid this weekend I realized that I have plenty of items I can pair together for the perfect outfit. So have no fear, I'm here to bring you some inspiration without having to go on a mini red, white, and blue shopping spree. 

My tips for putting together the perfect Fourth of July outfit:

Step one:

Put on your favorite playlist. It's always more funs styling clothes with a little music on!

Step two:

Raid your closet for anything that is red, white, or blue.

Step three:

Lay all of the items you found out on your bed.  It's best to categorize the items (bottoms, tops, dresses, accessories). 

Step four:

Use my outfits as inspiration to mix and match what you have to create a cute look. Don't be afraid to do some pattern play here either.  It's a fun holiday, so don't feel you need to be boring!

Once you create your outfit, don't forget to tag me in it or use the hashtag #ShoreLifeofM

Have a fun and safe holiday!
XOXO

Thursday Thoughts to Inspire Teachers

Teaching is not an easy task.  Some days are quite long and filled with stress.  Other days are fun and filled with happy moments. Each week has its ups and downs.  One of the things that I like to turn to after a bad day is an inspiration quote.  It's a nice pick me up and reminder to be happy.  Today I'm sharing ten quotes to inspire teachers. 

A nice reminder that might make you feel less guilty on those days when you come home and just want to put your pajamas on as soon as you walk in the door.

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This is to help fight off the Sunday scaries. 

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One of the perks to being a teacher is that you get to help shape the future of the world we live in. 

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The reality of being a teacher. A great lesson on paper can be fabulous or a total disaster. 

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A reminder that your bad day has to come to an end at some point. 

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The inspiration you will need on a Monday morning.

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The reason why you have to show up to teach each day. Your students are counting on you. 

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There's a reason you chose to teach.  It's the profession that speaks to you. 

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Friday is hands down a teacher's favorite day of the week.  One- it's closer to the weekend. Two- Fridays are usually casual dress down days. 

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A reminder that what you do is important. 

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What inspires you to go to work each day?

XOXO

Winter Workouts

Working out in the winter can be quite difficult. It's cold out and bing watching a series on Netflix, in your warm home, just sounds much more appealing than venturing out to the gym. The motivation piece is minimal, which makes a huge difference in the likelihood that you'll get a workout in. Additionally, your preferred workout method might be stopped thanks to the weather. If you're a runner, then you definitely know what I'm talking about. I like to run, but not when the temperature ventures down past the forties and it's raining or snowing.  

I think everyone has hit this winter slump before, but no need to worry. Today I'm here to provide you with a little inspiration and options for winter workouts!

Option 1:

Head over to the app store on your phone or iPad and download some fitness apps. These will allow you to workout from the comfort of your home.  

Sworkit

This is my go to app for when I'm home or in a place where I don't have gym access.  You can choose the type of workout and length.  The app shows you how to do each body weight exercise and times out the length you should complete the exercise for.  These workouts require zero resources, which makes them great when you are traveling or don't have any workout equipment at home. 

Keelo-HIIT

This is another great app.  These workouts are all considered to be high intensity interval training workouts.  This app is similar to Sworkit, but it provides you with different series of exercises. 

YogaGlo

This is a free app that provides you with yoga classes at home.  I've never used this app personally, but I've read great reviews on it. There are over 3,500 classes in various styles and levels available for you to try. 

Option 2:

Try a new workout video.  This requires very little equipment and allows you to stay home in the warmth.  There are so many great workout videos to try that are free, thanks to YouTube. 

30 minute cardio and scupting terabit

40 minute full body workout

3 move circuit for tight and toned arms

Upper back exercises

Legs and Booty

Partner workout

15 minute total body tone up 

Burped Party

Yoga moves for runners

Power yoga for tight core and butt

Vinyasa flow workout 

15 minute slow flow yoga

15 minute yoga for PMS

Option 3:

Need some inspiration for the gym? Switch up your workout and head to a class. January is the perfect time to try a class.  It's the beginning of the year and lots of resolutioners (who are new to the gym) are filling up the classes. This means you won't be the only newbie in the class.  Most instructors give you the free pass to leave mid way through the class if you don't like it! 

Some classes to consider taking:

-Yoga

-Spin/Cycle

-Pilates

-Body Pump

-Insanity    

-Kick Boxing

-Barre

I started going to spin class and absolutely love it. It's a fun way to workout plus it's almost a full body workout. The only thing that would make it better would be if it incorporated more arms and core work.  The upbeat music and the ability to workout at your own pace are the two aspects I truly enjoy. I've also tried yoga and pilates classes. Both of them are great, but you need the right instructor to really like it. 

What's your go to workout during the cold winter months?
XOXO

Where Bloggers Get Their Inspiration

The irony in this post is just too great for me not too share. I was having a bit of a blogger's version of writer's block when it came to what to post for today. I have a long list of topics and post ideas, but none of them felt right to share today. I wanted to post something that was fun and not food related because I already had several food related posts planned for the week. I reached out to my followers on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Snapchat. I got a few replies back, but I still wasn't loving anything that came in. In order to figure out what to write about I went to my go to sources of inspiration. As I was browsing, it hit me! I finally figured out what to share with you guys today. I thought it would be fun to share how I get my blogging inspiration. Whether you yourself are a blogger or not, we all need some inspiration every once in awhile, so I thought it would be fun to share. 

One of the most difficult things about blogging and maintaining a blog after several years is producing high quality original content.  I'll admit that during the school year when I don't post sometimes it's because the thought of having to think up content sounds more overwhelming than relaxing.  I try to produce content that is relevant to my life, what would be interesting to me to read, what I find as eye catching, and recommendations from my readers, friends, and family. Blogger's writer's block is totally normal, but there are some things that can be done to prevent it. 

My sources of blogging inspiration come from a whole host of things. I get tons of inspiration from Pinterest. I use pinterest to inspire my blog photography, color schemes, DIYs and occasionally something sparks a post or two.  Another great source for me is magazines. I like to browse through all different types of magazines. They provide me with insight as to what others like to read about, what the in products are, new recipes to try, photography ideas, and design inspiration.  This week my mom brought home In Style  from her weekly grocery shopping trip, so this has been my most recent go to.  I'm sure many bloggers can agree that another great source for inspiration includes reading other blogs. It's fun to see what others are posting about. I never take the same post from a blogger, but sometimes I'll see a series I like, a concept I think is neat, or ways to establish themes in my blog. From reading others blogs I also gain more wisdom as to how the blogging world works and learn some tips & tricks from seasoned blogging professionals. A newer source of inspiration for me has become photography. I got a camera last year as a gift from Todd, but I never had the time to learn how to use the camera.  This summer I have spent some time learning how to take pictures. I have been using some of the pictures I take as ideas for blog posts. It's kind of like a backward design approach to a blog post because the photographs come first rather than the content. 

While I am browsing through all of these  sources of inspiration I have a pad of paper and a pen nearby. I jot down any ideas I have onto a brainstorming blog post list. This list is ongoing and gets updated as I find new ideas. As I begin to use the ideas, I will highlight them to signal that they have been used.  This list is also a go to when I can't think of what to write about. Sometimes just looking at my list will inspire me to add new topics to it. 

Feel free to use some of my sources of inspiration to inspire your future blog posts or moves in life. I'd love to hear what inspires you guys whether it's in the blogging world or in life!

XOXO

Motivational Monday

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What makes your soul happy? 

Summer is the perfect time to figure this out.  The month of July allowed me time to begin to figure this out for myself. I had a ton of free time and was able to just chill out.  During the school year I am constantly on the go and don't have much time to just be.  This summer I have been figuring the things out that make my soul happy.  These are the things that I do for fun, not the things I have to do. During the past month I have been reading The Happiness Project, which I have found to be very inspiring. I would like to think that in the near future I might do my own variation of a Happiness Project.

So what are some things that make me happy?
Spending time with family and friends
Iced Tea (preferably sweet)
Inspirational Quotes
Reading
Blogging
Doing something that makes others happy
Crafting 
Afternoon Naps
Playing field hockey
Volunteering
Running
Laughing
Good Food

What are some things that make you happy?
XOXO

Currently

Eating: Lately I have been eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables from the local market.  There is just something about summer that makes me want to eat healthier (most of the time). However, right now I am indulging on a homemade breakfast sandwich (sesame bagel, scrambled egg whites, and a slice of american cheese). Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and I had the morning off so I decided to treat myself.

Listening: Spotify's Daily Lift playlist 

Reading: Currently I am not reading anything, but I am searching for recommendations! (hint: give me some good books to read!) My two most recent reads have been Dirty Rush and Paper Towns. Neither book was fantastic, but they made for great light reading.

Enjoying: The time I have been spending with friends and family this summer and the perks of being 21.

Inspired by: 

via. 

Watching: Odd Mom Out is my new favorite TV Show. A episode comes on Monday nights via Bravo TV Network.  Each episode is thirty minutes long and essentially mocks the crazy moms of New York City.  Shout out to my mom for providing me with my newest addiction.

Buying: I am currently working to save my money this summer. However, my latest purchases have been clothing for sorority recruitment. We are required to purchase certain items, so I have been looking to find things that I can wear for recruitment and other events as well.

Wishing: I was able to spend a whole week at the beach this summer. I am dying for some quality beach time. The beach is my happy place.

Planning: To blog more. I am working on drafting posts so that my blog is no longer neglected.  This week I am up to three posts, which doesn't sound like a lot but it's an improvement!

XOXO

Wednesday Words of Wisdom: Pinterest Style

I am a huge fan of quotes and inspiration.  I have an entire Pinterest Board full of "Words Worth Reading".  It has all different quotes about a variety of things.  Some of the quotes in this post came from my board.  If you ever need some inspiration or a pick me up, reading quotes is the way to go.

Hope you enjoyed a little inspiration.

xoxo

-mQs-

October's Daily Inspiration

Quotes are something that I find incredibly inspiring.  I have them posted all over my room, bulletin boards, and my agenda.  Those days when things just are not going your way, they are a nice little pick me up.  I have tweeted quotes in the past, but mid way through October I developed the concept of #dailyinspiration.  You are familiar with this if you already follow me on twitter. 

Just about once a day I try to post a quote or inspirational phrase.  I do this to help motivate myself as well as my followers. 

Recently, I have noticed that a large amount of people use twitter and other forms of social media as their own personal diary.  Some people say literally whatever is on their mind, and this can sometimes be hurtful to others, intentionally or unintentionally.  Regardless, some nasty things are said about/ directed toward people, and this is unacceptable. By posting daily inspiration, I am trying to incorporate more positivity into the social media world.  After all, negativity isn't going to get you anywhere but stuck in your bad mood. 

October 9: 

"Nobody is in charge of your happiness, except you."

October 14: 

"Success is not what you have but who you are."

October 16:

"Integrity is doing the right thing when nobody is watching."

October 17:

"Life is meant to be a challenge, because challenges are what make you grow."

October 20: 

"Don't wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect."

October 21: 

"Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you will criticized for it anyways." 

-Eleanor Roosevelt

October 22: 

"If you desire to make a difference in this world, you must be different than the rest of the world."

October 23: 

"Two things define you: your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything."

October 24: 

"Once you've excepted your flaws,nobody can use them against you."

October 25:

"Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

October 28: 

"People with a good sense of humor have a better sense of life."
October 29:

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway."

October 30:

"If plan A doesn't work, don't worry. There are 25 other letters in the alphabet."
October 31:

"We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

Look For my daily quotes on twitter!

Xoxo

mQs