Tag: thoughts

24.

24.

Finding words & processing emotions is tough today. 
I know I’m not alone in feeling this. 
We are all shaken by this tragedy, being brought together because of it, 
but feeling it in our own way. 

We can’t imagine what the families are going through,
because no matter what we may feel,
it’s nothing compared to what they are now forced to endure,
for the rest of their lives.

My heart – all of our hearts – break for them.

It’s terrible that it takes horrific tragedies like this one to
remind us just how precious life is. 
I wish it didn’t take something like this to put things into perspective. 

But my gosh, what a punch in the gut this was to us all. 

In an instant, it woke us up from our own concerns, 
and made us realize the fragility of life, 
and the beauty of simply waking up to another day. 

Our daily worries & stresses that consume our thoughts 
instantly shrink or disappear when we are suddenly reminded that
the only thing that matters in life are those we love. 
Our people are the most important thing we have, 
and we are never promised tomorrow with them. 

It’s a sad, but also beautiful truth. 

The beauty of life is that we get to love. 
And the beauty of death is that it reminds us of this.

Love is a gift.

That truth doesn’t make it easier to deal with loss, 
but it gives purpose to the way we live.

I know what to do or how to feel no better than you. 

But I guess… we have to carry on with love.

Love our people harder. 
Show them & tell them every day. 

Love those who think differently than we do.  
Set aside our beliefs and listen. 
And love, even if we disagree.

Our country, our world, is so divided, 
but we have so much in common. 

We know this. 

But now we’ve been reminded.

We all just want to love & be loved. 
We can, and we have to, come together in that. 

No one is above death, 
and no one is unworthy of love. 

We’re all going to leave this world one day. 

So let’s love each other while we’re here. 

Let’s love each other while we can.

❤️

I’ll be living in Europe… Say what?!

Hey hey happy Thursday!

I hope you enjoyed reading about all the good food and fun I had while in the Cape! I’m really missing it and I’m not gonna lie, I’ve already gone back and read both the first and the second trip recaps… No shame!

Anywhoozles, as I said yesterday, I had written a ‘Thinking Out Loud’ post in the car on the way to Cape Cod last Thursday, but since we had zero internet all weekend, I couldn’t post it.

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Since I love linking up with Amanda on Thursdays to share a whole bunch of random thoughts (especially on things like being a crazy runner), of course I wanted to join the party even more this week since I couldn’t ‘attend’ last week! I didn’t want to trash last Thursday’s draft, so I edited it to make it more relevant (I had written a lot about the Cape Cod trip I was going on). So now I present to you my rambles…

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1) I am leaving for Europe in less than one month. 24 days to be exact. Just a little over three weeks and I’ll be en route to Italy. Like what??

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH. <- That’s an excited and slightly terrified scream.

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I’m going to Italy for a semester abroad and right now I have a crazy mix of excitement, nerves, and disbelief. It honestly hasn’t hit me that I’ll be living in Europe for four months.

All I know is that it’ll be quite the learning experience, and hopefully one I will always be grateful for. Hopefully in ~1 month I’ll be doing well and adjusting to my ‘new’ life abroad! All I can do now is begin to think about packing… that’ll be brutal.

Jamming a semester’s worth of clothes/ toiletries/ all the things I need to survive in one large suitcase + a carry-on is going to be a job and a half…not looking forward to it one bit. Plus it doesn’t help that I already loathe packing and it’s almost impossible to know everything I’ll need while I’m in a country I’ve never been to. I just keep reminding myself that I can always buy the majority of the things I’ll need (minus most of my clothes/ certain toiletries, etc.). Knowing that makes the task of packing seem like a little less of a monster.

Besides packing I still have tons more prep to do (getting the visa/ bank stuff, etc. has been quite the task!), and all the planning/ figuring things out (phone, etc.) just never seems to end!

I really need to start doing more now while I’m still relatively relaxed. Doing all those things while also being nervous about leaving will not be pretty. I should get on that…

2) On another note…The tan lines I now have are just plain awkward. Running outside + lounging on the beach makes for some odd skin-tone differences.

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3) I finally did my nails… Thank goodness because they were not looking too hot.

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You probably can’t tell but I did a few little blue polka dots on my pale pink ring fingers. Ya know, just getting a little artsy fartsy.

4) Last week I wore a maxi skirt for the first time to work. I will now be wearing maxi skirts every other day (when I’m not in workout clothes).

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Instagram @ fuelingfab

5) I know I said way way way back when that I’d be doing a “how to style a maxi skirt” post. I took tons of photos and wrote a bunch of stuff and it’s saved as one of many drafts, but I just never got around to taking pics in the different ensembles. The way I’m wearing it in the above picture was the main way I was planning on styling it, so since I’m not thinking I’ll finish that post any time soon, we’re just going with this one, mmkay?

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Terrible excuse but it now seems silly to take more pictures in this outfit plus a few other combos. However, I WILL definitely be doing more posts in the way I was going for with that “how to style” idea once I have things all figured out on my blog. I’m still experimenting/ exploring/ LEARNING! Thanks for being patient and sticking around 🙂

6) Speaking of clothes… On Thursday I literally felt like I was in pajamas (and simultaneously felt like a genie) at work. Not a bad feeling if you ask me!

Instagram video @ fuelingfab
Instagram video @ fuelingfab

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I am loving my Old Navy drapey tuxedo pants that I got back in May. If you like to be beyond comfortable while still looking chic, pants like these are the perfect style for you!

7) I think I chose my blog’s name for when I become self-hosted!

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Instagram @ fuelingfab

Thank you @wthwhynot2011@faithfulaly, and @gabsessions for giving me some great input on Instagram!

I’ve thought a lot too much about the title and am currently leaning towards ‘Fueling Fab’. I think it works better for multiple reasons, but I won’t be self-hosted for a little while, so I’m still totally open to your input on the whole great debate (in fact, I’d love to hear it!). You can read about the current title here and here and about ‘Fueling Fab’ at the bottom of this post!

8) I really miss everything about Cape Cod. The beach, the pool, the time with family and friends, the food, oh and sipping some post-run coffee while looking out at this wasn’t a terrible way to start a day…

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Now don’t get me wrong, I love my hometown, but nothing can really compare to this view.

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9) I know I said it back in June, but seriously, the freckle face is out in full force these days.

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10) I’ve been Instagramming (is that a verb?) basically all my work OOTDs, so if you’re here for the fashion, be sure to check out all the outfits I’ve been wearing to work at J.Crew @fuelingfab!

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Instagram @ fuelingfab

11) And just for kicks and giggles…#tbt!

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Have a great rest of your week!

xo’s

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Questions of the day:

  1. If you’ve been to Europe, what is your favorite country/place to visit?
  2. Fave memory from this summer so far?
  3. Any fun plans this weekend?

And in case you missed them, here are a few of my more recent posts…

Ten Thoughts

Good morning! Today I’m doing another “Thinking Out Loud” post because I had so much fun with last week’s!

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Thanks to the amazing Amanda for hosting this link-up!

Unlike last Thursday’s haul post, this week I’m just purely writing my random thoughts! Here we go…


1. I love my hometown.

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2. I also love this shirt. I got it last summer (and wore it to a John Mayer concert), and it’s still one of my faves! I just think it’s so flattering and perfect to dress up for a night out with friends, or dress down for an effortless summer look. I know, kind of a random thought, but I was going through pics from this past school year, and I noticed I’ve worn it quite a bit!

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3. I’ve been doing a longer run on Sundays for a while now. It’s just a great time to zone out and be alone with my thoughts. Sounds deep, but all my fellow runners out there know what I mean 😉

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4. Marathon Monday was incredible this year. There was so much Boston spirit, genuine happiness, and touching, respectful remembrance of last year. And look at these pics I got of Shalane Flanagan zooming by! I took a video, but my friends and I (mostly me…) were screaming so loudly, I didn’t want to burst anyone’s eardrums. You’re welcome!

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5. I made this little “signature” that, if you’ve read my blog for a while now, you may have noticed I’ve been using lately. I’m not sure I love it, but I think it adds a personal touch, and I like having a consistent little sign off at the end of each of post. My blog is a work in progress, so we’ll see if I keep it!

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6. I was looking through some photo albums from when I was in middle school and I came across this little gem from the first day of 7th or 8th grade. Yeah… I wasn’t awkward at all… Love the bermuda shorts and polkadot shirt… Wow. Just wow.

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7. Do not purchase this roller, or one that looks anything like it. It gave me awful bruises all over my legs. Not a good look – I don’t even want to know what people thought happened to me. Target, I love you, but this was not a good purchase. Luckily I only used it once, and still had the tags and receipt, so I was able to return it.

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8. Can I just share something super strange? The other night I went out for ice cream with friends, and this car was sitting in the parking lot with its front door wide open! I noticed it when I arrived, then an hour later it was still there! The owner wasn’t in it or even near it. What the heck? Good thing nothing happened, but come on, how do you forget to close your door?!

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I mean, hey, maybe they were just so exited to get their ice cream! Especially if they were getting anything like this bad boy (vanilla soft serve, rainbow sprinkles, toasted coconut, and chocolate crunchies).

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9. Is it bad I’m already regretting cutting my hair? It’s not like it was super long (nor is it super short by any means now), but I like having longer hair. Oh well, what’s done is done. I just wish it grew faster!

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10. Tomorrow is my old high school’s senior prom! I cannot believe it’s already that time of year, and that the kids who seem so much younger than me are already SENIORS! Ahhh I’m getting old. Since it is Thursday and all, here’s a little #tbt to my senior prom!

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I have many more random thoughts and things to share, but we’ll leave it at ten today!

I work tomorrow and Sunday, so as always, I will try to snap some fashion photos to share with you guys!

Oh, and be sure to leave a comment below and follow me on Twitter @fuelingalife – I’d love to connect!

Enjoy the day, and I will see ya back here soon (:


xo’s

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