No complaints here

This is a grumbling and complaining free zone please.

At least that's what I learned at church this Sunday morning—we all complain whether we deny it or not.

 We are all guilty of those "but what have they ever done for me?!" grumbles. 

Or those "I have too much work to do. Ugh Monday again? Why can't it be the weekend already?" complaints. 

What I learned today is that we only grumble and complain when we fail to see the bigger picture—all the things that we have already been blessed with. 

I know I don't have to be afraid, or grumble because I am told to be considerate in all that I do. As I also was told today the Bible tells us that;

"He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong."

-Deuteronomy  32 : 4 

So, as we start this week, I am going to dive in with the intention of having a "grumble and complaint free" week—and I encourage you to give it a whirl with me.

-Alex

Sparkles on a rainy day

Who doesn't love a little bling?

I am alllll for touches of embellishment—whether it be embroidery, color, or of course bling. 

To me, it adds a special unique touch of style and a pop of interest to an outfit. 

I can never stay away from bold earrings, necklaces, or shoes in a store—I feel pops of interests are a staple in any wardrobe. 

My mom—who knows my guilty and "sparkly"pleasures to too well—bought me this top from Ann Taylor for my birthday. 

Well...simply said I am in love. 

{Just to name a few other things I am in love with...}

These

&This

Oooh and that!

-Alex

Cozied up in my corner

Welcome to my little nook.  

This is just a quick glimpse into my dorm room—a different perspective from my mirror OOTD "selfies"...still sorry about that.

The collages that you see on the wall and next to the calendar, I made myself. 

It's something I enjoy to do with my magazines, style catalogs and any other odds and ends that inspire me—I just can face the fact of throwing them away.

Collages are a great way to display things that inspire you, make you smile, or that make you want to save your pennies (i.e. the striped sweater in the above photo is #1 on my to-buy list!)

Soon I'll show you guys my own bedroom at home where I was originally inspired how to style my dorm room.

What are your favorite, easy, and DIY ways of styling your rooms? 

-Alex

Kickin' it back on Saturday

What a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

If you haven't stepped outside yet...I highly encourage you do so. Right now.

Close the laptop for the day and enjoy the sunshine—just like I did on this beautiful Saturday in Providence. 

I laced up my Cole Haans this morning and spent my day strolling around the city, sipping on a venti iced coffee, and of course doing some damage with the spring break sales.

We all need a day off to recharge—I tend to do school work all Saturday so today was a refreshing change to my usual zombie-homework daze.

As it says in the quote above—think positive thoughts—it can turn around your whole day.

Whether it's a walk outside, a piece of chocolate or buying those emerald green chino shorts at full pop (not saying that I did any of those things today...) that boosts your mood, do it. 

-Alex   

Sportin' sporty stripes

Happy Happy Spring!

The sunlight has changed, days are growing longer and my spirits are lifting higher!

I recently bought this top from J. Crew and I think it's already one of my favorite pieces.

It's made from a crepe material making it quite warm for these sunny yet a little chilly days.

I wore it with a pair of navy J. Crew minnie pants but I'm also envisioning it with white shorts, or a blush skirt. 

The beginning of spring always makes me happy—and eager to break out my Jack Rogers.

It's a mix of anticipation for a 65 degree-shorts-worthy day and green sprouts on the trees.

The many local ice cream shops opening days and the boys throwing a baseball on the front lawn.

I love spring—the atmosphere, changing scenery, and not to mention the fashion of course!

What's your favorite part of the springtime?

-Alex

Viva el Peru

Flying into Lima

Maca de coca made from coca leaves

My little street—avenue Baja

inside Saint Dominic chapel

Some of the students at the school

Downtown Cusco

Salt baths 

Enroute to Machu Picchu 

Home sweet home.

As good as it is to be back in the USA, I already miss Peru.

I had the trip of a lifetime and I'm still on cloud nine.

Trying to choose which pictures to share was very tough—especially since I took around 1,000 pictures...literally.

The green mountains, scattered clouds and Machu Picchu are all things I will never forget, but most of all I fell in love with the people in Peru.

I worked at a school every morning and the children everyday never failed to make me laugh and smile despite our language barrier. I also went to an orphanage in another town, Oropesa. 

The boys there transformed me—they made me realize that happiness is not found in physical things. Even with the little that they had, they were glimmers of joy, hope and happiness because they lived by this verse inscribed on their building, "Hebroes (Hebrews) 12:1"

"Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us"

Those 16 boys and 4 girls—more than half of them about half my age—set and example for me. They amazed me with their spirit and kindness and forever have left an impression on my heart. 

 I want to transform their lives just as they unintentionally did to mine—Peru is not just another stamp in my passport, or country on the map.

It's rather a place where the people are still filled with joy even through hardship, and that is what transformed me.

Counting down to gold

Here we go...only 24 hours left to go!

My excitement is building up like a Thanksgiving plate moving through a buffet line.

Or like a J. Crew shopping bad when there is a 40% off sale and cute shoes needed to be bought.

The hour is coming closer and closer for me departing to Peru.

This is my last post until I return home March 18th—believe me when I say I will have hundreds of pictures that I will be itching to share with you guys.

If you are already on spring break, then I hope you are having a blast! 

If you were just let free off the reins of mid-terms and research papers then cheers—enjoy and have a wonderful break!

Until next time,

-Alex