My Secret to Life, According to Natalie

For a good portion of my high school and beginning parts of college career, I was severely unhappy with myself. I was always down on myself, and depressed about things that were out of my control, such as my weight (okay, you have some control over that), my relationship status (which is still single, in case you all were wondering. I know you all were), and of course, the feeling like I never really had a place in this world. However, recently, I realized that I have been happier now then I have ever been in my life. I am truly really grateful for that, because who likes being sad all of the time? I sure as hell don't.

My secrets? Cause I know that you all are dying to know. Even if you don't admit it because you are reading this blog so I am pretty sure that you care about what I have to say about life. Here's my secret to life. Read it and you will become as awesome as me. I swear it's true.

I don't take myself seriously. Like ever. If you friend me on Snapchat, I will send you the funniest faces ever. I find taking selfies to be obnoxious so therefore I usually make the most obnoxious faces ever. I think its important to laugh at yourself, which is something that I am able to do. I joke around a lot, and I believe that life is better spent laughing then crying.

I'm obsessed with little small things that make me happy. Like cookies. Cause cookies are like awesome, yo. Small things make me happy, especially cookies. It brightens up my day whenever I am down. So, future boyfriends. Get me cookies. I will love you forever. 

I stay away from negative people. You are who you surround yourself with. If you're with negative people chances are you are going to be more depressed. I know it sounds harsh, but I think that its important to be around positive people. Not only people who are going to bring you down, but people who are negative to begin with. I think that we can do so much, and by cutting down who you hang out with and consider to be your friends, its a start. 

Watch a comedy. I love sitcoms. Whether its Friends or the Big Bang Theory, having a show that makes you laugh until you cry to come home to is something that I treasure. For me, it's New Girl. That show is hella awesome.

So that's my secret to life. Watch out folks, my memior will be coming out soon to a bookstore near you. 

MOOC Week One Response-Pivot Point

The videos that I had watched for this week's MOOC reminded me of the novel Pivot Point  by Kasie West. The novel talks about how technology affects the future. The main character, Addie has to decide whether to continue living in the compound with her mother, or go to face 'normal' life with her father. The novel showcased several examples of what future life might be like. Cars had computers, and there wasn't such a thing as a doorknob. But, one thing that really stuck out to me, as a huge advocate of books, is that books became completely obsolete. Instead, they use tablets for reading and for everything.
I myself use my tablet for pretty much everything under the sun, from writing papers and notes for my classes to watching movies on the Netflix app. However, that particular one scared me, because I really do enjoy reading the actual physical book. It scares me that soon books, magazines and even newspapers might one day become a thing that are shown in museums for our children and even grandchildren to see.
This does raise the question of whether or not the society is headed towards this direction. I honestly hope that we don't become slaves to our computers and tablets, as you see in the video Bendito Machine. I think that technology has become a part of our lives to the point where we can not separate ourselves from it to the normal everyday life that our parents once had. It's scary, but that's how self control is being practiced. 

Society and the Single Girl: DTR

I can honestly compare having a crush or a thing going on with a guy to the way that we're sick and go to the doctor and have some sort of weird illness going on with ourselves. Define the relationship for me. Is serious enough that I should look into buying a dress and a plus one to attend your wedding, or will you be going out to the bars for a hookup soon?
DTR. Define the relationship. It's also known as that awkward talk that no one wants to have with their significant other in their lives because let's face it, it's not pleasant. Especially when there's a fear running around of putting yourself out there just to be flat out rejected. How do you define a relationship though, when each and every one is so different from the other how can you define it?
The question is, how do you sit down and have that talk? Well, you're dating a few weeks now, or hooking up. You're wondering if it means something to the other party that is being involved, or is it something that is just 'for fun' and not going anywhere.
It's awkward, but you've got to do it. You need to know where you stand, and lay out your feelings out on the table. Personally, I would rather be standing on a string than have that conversation because you have a fifty fifty shot of being happy, or a shot of being flat out rejected. Sometimes, feelings just get hurt.
Defining the relationship that helps you realize the amount of clarity that you need in a relationship. When you do there's no blurred lines, and there's no chances of saying 'well you did xyz and therefore you're my boyfriend/girlfriend.' If you keep it in limbo, then you're basically playing a game where everyone's feelings are at complete and total risk of getting hurt.
Everyone has to do it one way or another. It's kind of like loosing your baby teeth. Painful, but once it's gone you'll feel a lot better. And hopefully, be changing that relationship status on Facebook.

Things I Love Tuesday-Etsy Finds

Ahh, Etsy. It can be so addicting and easy to go on there, and waste all of your time...and paycheck. Recently, I've made a couple of cute purchases. The first was an Audrey Hepburn phone case (see above.) The second was a beautiful tiny heart ring. Both of these purchases, with shipping, were about twenty dollars. What a deal!
925 Sterling Silver Tiny Flat Heart Ring
I got this from the Etsy shop Stella and Bosco. I love this shop because I've bought a tiny cross ring, and a cross bracelet for my mom. Both of those products get heavy wear, so when I got the ring, I expected nothing but great quality. I was impressed by this ring, and for a grand total of $12, I got a ring that was of amazing quality.
Audrey Hepburn Phone Case
I got this phone case because I am obsessed with Audrey Hepburn, and I am so happy that I bought it. I used to have a Snoopy phone case, but after a year's worth of wear and tear, it needed to go. The shop is called Hot2Own, and it has a lot of phone cases. They are really awesome and stylish, and the best part, very affordable. I recommend this shop to anyone looking for a cheap phone case, and the best part? It took less than a week to get here.
Have you ever used Etsy? If so, let me know in the comments below.

Music Monday: 1989

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Taylor Swift is my not so guilty pleasure because she's awesome and I'm not afraid to own it. After all, her music is actually pretty good. When I first heard 'Shake It Off' back in August, I became obsessed and I constantly listen to it. (I thank my good friend Gabriel's father. He decided to show us the video, and then the song just grew on me. #hatersgonnahate)
Between the singles 'Shake it Off', 'Out of the Woods', and 'Welcome to New York', I became obsessed with her songs and her new style, since she's no longer a country star.
1989 reminded me of the eighties era that I am obsessed with and I couldn't wait until October 27th came so I can see what else she had in store. And when it came last week, I was impressed. I think I've had it on repeat ever since, and I really don't care.
She's just really awesome, and she writes in a way that is raw and authentic, which is something that only Taylor Swift can do. She's known for her breakup songs, (ahem 'We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together'), and her songs that make you wonder whose it about. Although 1989 has some of those components, it's an album that has lyrics that anyone can relate.
All of the songs on her CD are really good, however, my favorite is 'Style.' It's amazing, and I've had that song on repeat two or three times. It's such an amazing song, and you all have to listen it. Like stop reading this review and listen to it right now. It's that good.
Overall, listen to 1989. Just do it. It's that good.
Favorite Songs: Welcome to New York, Out of the Woods, Style, Shake it Off, Bad Blood, How You Get The Girl, Wildest Dreams, I Wish You Would, & This Love 

Favorite Parts of Halloween!

Happy Halloween readers! Halloween is here, and I hope that you all have a safe and happy Halloween. I'm going to be home, just because I have cellutitus and am finally getting over that. However, there's some parts about Halloween that are just my favorite and I will not be passing up on.
The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! 
Candy Corn 

Chocolate Pumpkins 
Pumpkin Flavored Things
Do you have a favorite part about Halloween? Let me know what yours are in the comments below!

#doitforthegram

True life, I am addicted to Instagram. Like seriously addicted to it. I can not go a day without posting something, because well let's face it, it's a fun way to spend the time. I even bought apps to enhance my photo-making experience. Let's take a look about how Instagram has impacted my day to day life.
"Let's take pictures of food before we eat it!"Before I got an Instagram, I would have thought that taking pictures of my plate was silly. It still is, but I do it anyways. And I get somewhat good amount of likes on my lattes, and other baked goods. It's obnoxious, yet I really don't care.
Hot chocolate from a  while ago.

I baked cookies once and it was lovely. 

"But first, selfie." Ah, yes selfies. Who doesn't take them? It has kind of taken over, has it not? Whenever you get a new hairstyle, or feel pretty, what do you do? Take a selfie! Or, is your friend back in town? You take a selfie! Selfies are something that you do alone, or with a friend. However, it's not going away for a long time.
Gabriel and I! 

I sometimes take selfies by myself.

Griffin and I at the beach! 

Elisia and I at a sporting event.

"Nature photos to make me look artistic!"Who hasn't taken a walk around a pretty neighborhood, or gone to the beach without taking a picture of something? I haven't. #sorrynotsorry
On a photoshoot with Verenized back in May.

"#throwbackthursday" Remember Prom? Or when you had blond hair? Or that time that you graduated high school, that was like three years ago. Sometimes, you take awesome pictures and they just need to be bought to the surface..on Thursdays nonetheless.
Griffin and I were the best at prom. 

Oh yeah, I also graduated high school. 

I also had a graduation party. This is Gabriel and Griffin playing with my point and shoot camera.

"Showing off something that I bought because I'm obnoxious and I want to show stuff off" Whenever I buy something new, whether it's a book or a bracelet, it ends up on Instagram. Cause, I want to show off the pretty things that I shouldn't be buying because I should actually save my paycheck for things like getting a car. However, I saw this pretty bracelet, so therefore I shall buy it and share with you all so you can be jealous of the things that I buy.
CDs are better than MP3 because then you can post them on Insta.

Juicy was once an outlet before going to Kohls.

Can't live with Instagram, can't live with out it. However, if you have one you should follow me so therefore you can see those photos..do you do it for the gram?