"Well, that's a wrap for 2013..."

Photo Credit: Courtney E. Carter

I honestly cannot believe that 2013 is coming to a close. I feel as if I say this every year, but boy did this year go by fast. It seems like just yesterday I turned 18, graduated from high school, and went on to college. I've come to understand that while we're in the moment, life seems to go by so slowly. However, when we step back and take a look at everything, it's easy to see that life is really flying by.

I've learned so much this year... the two biggest being "there's no place like home" and "family first." I've always known these things, but now that I've grown up (I know I act like I'm 2, but I'm 18) a lot this year, I've had a new appreciation for family. Growing up, I was always with my family. Going off to college really made me realize that I've taken so much for granted. While in college, I really realized that I've missed having dinner with my family every evening... every hug... every laugh... everything.

If I could sum up everything I learned in 2013 into one statement, it would be: People change, friends come and go, but, family is forever.

Well, that's a wrap for 2013. I usually go out to New Year's Eve / New Year's Parties with my friends, but this year I'm just going to stay home with my family, hang out, and watch the ball drop on television. Have fun tonight everyone and stay safe!

Photo collage by Courtney E. Carter
Photo of Dress: reddressboutique.com
Photo of heels: katespade.com
Photo of crossbody: rebeccaminkoff.com
Photo of necklace: Jcrew.com

           

xoxo, Courtney

My Youtube My Twitter My Instagram

________________________
Photo on left: taken by me
Dress: reddressboutique.com
Heels: www.katespade.com
Cross body: Rebeccaminkoff.com
Necklace: JCrew.com

"I Can't Be Mediocre..."

Sometimes I wonder if some people out there are just like me or if I'm just a bit strange? I'm the kind of girl that can (and does) spend hours and hours just browsing my favorite designer's (Kate Spade, J.Crew, and Tory Burch! And the pictures in this post are items I don't yet have, but am saving up for) websites. I can look over every jewel and every stitch, and not get bored. Some may call it retail therapy, I just do it for fun. It's not even that I'm materialistic. I just happen to love jewelry, purses, and clothes a wee bit too much. (Okay, maybe that's an understatement.) I love just about every thing girly. I believe that a girl can never have too many pearls and bows.

As I said in my last post, I'm a freshman in college. (Translation: I'm poor.) Right now my life revolves around working towards getting a good degree. I am following in my parent's footsteps. My mom went all of the way through Medical School and is now a hardworking Physician, and my dad went all of the way through Law school and is now running his own business. Now, it's my turn.

The fact that I have expensive taste is not a bad thing. Instead, it encourages me to work hard. I know that if I want to satisfy my taste, I can't be mediocre. I have to be the best that I can be.

One thing in particular really ticks me off. Some have the misconception that all "rich" people are snobby, lazy, and get whatever they want. While that is true about those who are spoiled, it is not true (at all) about everyone. Most "well-off" people don't have the money and wealth that they do just because it was just handed off to them. They worked hard in school in order to get a good job, and that is how they have what they have today.

People need to learn that being lazy will not get you anywhere. I believe that working hard is the answer to a happy life.

Work hard, give back, and love.

xoxo, Courtney
My Youtube My Twitter My Instagram

_______________________________________
I do not own these photos. The photos are from:
- www.katespade.com
- www.jcrew.com
- www.toryburch.com

Inhale. Exhale.

There should be many times in everyone's life dedicated to stepping back and just breathing. There should be times to just stop and look over one's life. Inhale. Exhale. Life is a busy thing. We are always on some kind of schedule, have a place where we need to go, or have a task we need to complete. Inhale. We are always going, going, going. Working, working, working. There is school, chores, work, cleaning, exercising, teaching, studying, cooking, building, creating. Am I right? Exhale.

Stop and breath.

Some things I use to relax are warm baths with bath balls, soft music, and tea or hot chocolate.

And once you have gathered yourself together, ask yourself where you are going. There is no sense in looking back. We will never get last year, last month, or even yesterday back, so where are you going? And what are you doing that will help you get there?

There's this cycle I have noticed... for me an almost robotic routine. I'm a freshman in college, and now that things have changed a little bit since I'm on winter break, I've had an ample amount of time to just think about my life. I have realized that in college I wake up, get ready, go to classes, eat at my sorority house, study, call/text my parents, occasionally go out for a party, shower, get ready for bed, watch Netflix and/or youtube and sleep. I have done that same routine over and over with a few differences depending on the day of the week. However, for the most part, that is how my life goes right now.

So, how is this impacting the Courtney I want to be in 10, 5, or even one year? How is it making the me that I want to become and be proud of? Who do I look up to? Who and what do I dislike. Who was I? Who am I?

Everything that you do has a positive or negative effect, so make sure what you're doing is worth it. We all have a purpose, but it is up to each and every one of us to decide how we are going to become the best rate of ourselves and how we are going to accomplish what we were put on this earth to do.

We all have to discover our own strengths, but it all starts with right here and right now. Stop, and think. Who were you, who are you, and where are you going?

Work hard, Give back, and love
xoxo, Courtney
- My Youtube - My Twitter - My Instagram

_____________________________________________
Photos were not taken by me. I used the photos from:
http://floorcrafthome.com/bath.html
http://www.lush.com
http://www.iherb.com
http://noliesradio.org