Hey there

Ciao! I'm Alex

This might be old news for some but for those of you who just happened to mosey by and are new to my blog, let me catch you up on

Who Alex is.

I enjoy sunsets and long walks on the beach...JK I have a passion for

good writing and literature (I actually kept all my literature and history books) and would never start a post with a cliché—but as a disclaimer I really DO like those things.

Let's restart.

When adventure calls, I’m there.

Whether it's trekking Machu Picchu—check, climbing Sydney Harbor Bridge—check.

You can always find me leading the pack or lending a hand to those behind.

Summertime sun on a beach, sand squished between my toes, salty sea in my hair equals bliss in my heart.

Painting, early mornings, J. Crew, family, surfing, yoga, & Italy all tickle me pink.

A day is not complete without a to-do-list, coffee, a run and an Instagram.

Top-knots are my signature hair-do but as are blow-outs.

It’s safe to call me a health-nut.

I’m that girl whose soul food is oatmeal and splurges on double helpings of broccoli.

I always try to see the positive side of situations, "I just like smiling, smiling's my favorite".

Enthusiasm, optimism. & kindness fuel me.

All these things make me, me.

But the key detail to know about me is my Faith and walk with God.

That’s why I love sunsets & why beautiful things make me smile because in a magnificently created world like this, what reason don’t I have to be a soul filled with joy.

-Alex

Mojo Monday

"Ok where did this chick find FLOWERS in the midst of this snow?" -you right now

Yup, she's got her season mixed up

*read caption above*

This is my fifth Monday off.

Yup, I have yet to have a full week of class.

The snow is falling out my window and our snow stock piles around campus just keep growing by the week & inch.

Cooped up in my room with all of campus shut down is well—it's a debbie downer.

I've got that cabin fever.

 So I felt a little bit nostalgic about spring today, hence the throwbacks to sunshine colored tulips (my favorite), bunnies and Easter eggs, and legs out for days.

But there's not much more I can do but be wishing, waiting & wanting for that spring smell in the air to arrive—so I brought back my Monday Mojo for us to work up some energy to fight through this snowy time.

The snow might be a bump in the road...or a mountain if you've seen Boston lately...but obstacles and troubles are expected—aren't they?

The answer is yesss.

It's up to us to lift ourselves up & out of our mopey, dopey mood pit and stay positive, look ahead and face our challenges head on—knowing that there is something better for us at the end of maybe a different road, maybe not exactly the one we had in mind to go down.

When we know the Lord our promises are held true & have eternal value.

& that's just a dang beautiful thing let me add in there. 

In my 19 (21 days till 20 !!) years I've tripped over an innumerable number of bumps in my road.

I have learned—through trial & error & personal experience—that truly the best thing to do is to stand back up, and look ahead but before continuing on, turn to God for His guidance.

Wouldn't you want the insight from the mighty mapmaker & road-builder Himself?! 

I have a little tidbit take away for ya before I have to go and who knows—laundry, coffee, then gym? 

Def not homework—hulllloo it's a snow day. 

"I will never leave you. 

I will never stop helping you. 

Be Strong & Brave.

Don't ever be afraid or doubt!

For I am with you wherever you go."

-Joshua 1:5-9

-Alex

A handwritten hello

Some call me old fashioned.

I believe that the way to properly thank, wish, note-take, & remember, is by hand.

Stationary, pretty paper, to-do lists, fill in the Q&A-a-day books all tickle me pink.

I have started a scary collection of pens, markers, notecards and anything else simply pretty I've collected along the way.

My desk is my haven.

It's where my "me time" begins.

I always start with my Q&A book—fun, short questions for everyday which I answer in four lines for five years—seeing how things have changed (or sometimes not) is always fun day to day.

Can you believe I've been eating the same breakfast for three years straight now?!

I gotta mix it up, jeez Alex.

After the Q of the day I open up my devotional book—hand-covered by yours truly in that blue sea-life fabric...very easy DIY and turned a florescent orange eye sore into something I put on display.

Then it's from devotional to Bible—I always try to read a few verses a day, even if it seems I only have five precious minutes to spare—they are never minutes wasted.

In fact it's when I do put the time aside to open up the word when I am restored & uplifted & reenergized. 

My Bible is a special little guy—he holds all sorts of meaningful memorabilia squished between his pages. I've got all sorts of things hiding in there so whenever and where ever I open up to, I'm always reminded of something special to me.

The dried flower is from a little girl that I spent time with on my mission trip in the Dominican. 

The hand-cut paper heart is from my mom on last Valentine's Day with a verse that carries hope & a story behind it that reminds me of my faith everyday.

The list can go on and on of all the little things I have tucked away in there.

Maybe I'm too mushy...or maybe I'm a keepsake hoarder. 

I have always thought that it takes just one peek at someone's personal desk to look straight into who they are, what they like, organized orrr somewhat chaotic, colorful or corporate.

A desk is your own world.

Create it as you wish.

-Alex

Touchdown

Navy & white for the win!

If you're new around here I'll fill you in.

I love navy and white.

Like New Englanders love their Pats.

[disclaimer: I am not responsible for any comment-tiffs denying this]

But really, I have a thing for the dynamic duo.

Forget black & white—that simply won't fly around here.

That's like standing in the middle of Boston screaming "GO YANKS!"

No, no, no—it's just simply not done.

N & W are classic.

The winning color combo signature to the Yankees—sorry sox fans, you've got a yankee fan on your feed now.

They are the colors of summer—the blue of the sea and the white of the waves and foam crashing.

Or the blue of the sky, the white of the sand & that sad white skin that doesn't get any lovin' from the sun.

It's timeless.

It's easy.

It's always right & always wins out.

Anyone wanna take bets on what winning colors I'll be wearing tomorrow?!

-Alex