Music: My Favorites of 2014

Dear Diary,

I know this is a little late seeing that it's already a month into 2015, but I think this is necessary to discuss.

I think 2014 was a great year for music. I don't really listen to the same music as a lot of other people my age do. I'm not really into rap, dubstep, or a lot of country. I like indie music folk-rock, 80's rock, and alternative from the 90's and early 2000's. My sister likes to say I'm a "wannabe hipster," which isn't too far from what I am, if you define "hipster" as a thrift store shopper, unpopular music listener, and self-claimed loner.

Anyway, let's get to it.

10.) Hozier-"Take Me To Church" || I'm going to start of with a more popular song from Billboard's top songs of the year. We've all heard this one play over the radio millions of times. Check YouTube for some great covers, too.

9.) Fitz And The Tantrums-"The Walker" || This song was released in May of this year and I can't get it out of my head.

8.) Angels & Airwaves-"The Wolfapack" || Who doesn't love Thomas DeLonge from Blink-182? If you were a fan back then, you'd definitely love this song as much as I do.

7.) Josiah Leming-"Long Gone" || Josiah is one of my favorite singer-songwriters ever. I got to meet him back in early 2013 at one of his shows. He is one of the nicest, most genuine people I have ever talked to. This song is definitely a display of how far he's gotten. I'm so proud of him.

6.) Alex & Sierra-"Little Do You Know" || I spent the third season of The X-Factor cheering this couple on. I love them so much, and I have so much pride for them.

5.) The Kooks-"Bad Habit" || Easily one of my favorite bands. If you haven't heard of them before, then I feel completely sorry for you. Flashbacks to 10th grade rush to mind. Love this song!

4.) Foster The People-"Best Friend" || I loved "Pumped Up Kicks" from 2011, and this song definitely tops that! Foster The People really know how to make a song a hit, that's for sure.

3.) The Script-"Superheroes" || This is currently the song I get ready to in the morning. Super catchy and easy to listen to.

2.) Real Estate-"Talking Backwards" || Folk-Rock at it's best. I love the sound that Real Estate has made for themselves. I have been listening to their tunes for a couple of years, and I swear they just keep getting better.

1.) McBusted-"Air Guitar" || Busted and McFly together. There's nothing more I can really say except that all of my dreams have come true. This song rocked my world in 2014, and is my top song of the year!

I hope you guys liked taking a look into what I enjoyed listening to this past year. Maybe I have even introduced you to something you haven't heard of before! 

What were your favorite songs of 2014?

Until next time,

Eliza Grace

Say Goodbye to 2014: New Year's Resolutions

Dear Diary, 

It's that time of year again. Each year I decide on making a New Year's Resolution. Now the problem with this is that I either start off fantastic and and forget about it by March, or I forget about it until March-and then start.

I have a problem. 

I need to stop this pattern of resolution destruction. Picking easier resolutions could help, but so could better motivators.


Here are some resolutions I believe everyone should try to make this coming year:

1.) Take a walk each day. || Not only can this make a stressful day a little bit easier, it can also take the place of your daily physical activity. Take a 45 minute break and walk briskly around the block. You can do this first thing in the morning as a wake-me-up, or try it in the evening after work. 

2.) Stop drinking soda. || I'll be the first to admit that this one is the hardest for me. Unfortunately, these sugary drinks are bad for your teeth, let alone your waistline. If there is one food you cut out in 2015, let it be soda. Try infused water, tea, or soy milk (I love almond milk!).

3.) Go on a technology diet. || I don't mean completely cut technology out of your life, but take an hour from each day and don't look at your phone, laptop, TV. I know it's hard. Spend quality time with your family and friends, read a book, or maybe you can use this time for your walk.

4.) Sleep more. || I'm not giving you an excuse to sleep during the day. I mean try getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night. As a college student, I know how difficult this can be. Sleeping has so many great benefits including focusing more, fighting of sickness, and improving your physical and emotional health. 

"Sleeping can do all that?" you may ask.

         Yes, yes it can.

Here are some tips to keep you motivated all year long:

1.) Start a Pinterest board! || I can literally write for hours about how much I love Pinterest. They have amazing articles about working out and healthy recipes (If that's your resolution), as well as motivational signs and posters you can hang up. 

2.) Let your friends in. || Don't do this on your own. Friends and family make a great support team.

3.) STAY WITH IT!! || Experts say it takes approximately 21 days to turn a new activity into a habit, and 6 months to become apart of your personality. Be sure to remain patient and reward yourself when you reach your goals. 

Hopefully this helps those of you who were wanting some help deciding on what to do this year. 

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Until next time,

Eliza Grace

The Holidays: Overplayed?

Dear Diary, 

My views on Christmas time are a little bit different than other girls my age. My sister adores Christmas. When I say this, I truly mean it. She starts listening to Christmas music in March. She wants to put up decorations on November 1st (although earlier would be more ideal to her), and she has a countdown started on or before New Year's Day. 

I, on the other hand, get rather tired of it. The meaning of Christmas is amazing. I am a Christian. I grew up with the stories of Jesus Christ and the Christmas ceremonies, complete with plays, at church. I love Christmas, so please do not get me wrong when I say it is somewhat played out.

Unfortunately, I grew up with my sister wearing out Christmas for me. I don't blame her for being so spirited about the holiday, honest. I just don't get as excited as I used to about it. 

Christmas is a special holiday for me. The family all comes together, and no matter how much they annoy me year-round, Christmas day is full of love and patience and kindness. 

Each year, though, it seems as though Christmas loses its flare. People start celebrating earlier and earlier, causing them to forget the true meaning. Don't worry, I won't relay the story to you-hopefully you know it. 

To me, Christmas should be celebrated with the extradorinary specialness it deserves.  

Does anyone else feel the way I do?

Until next time,

Eliza Grace

Makeup Monday: What is an E.L.F.?

Dear Diary, 

At a very young age,, I fell in love with makeup. As a young girl, my parents did not allow me to play with makeup, let alone wear anything associated with it-nail polish, lipgloss, or even ear piercings. So I snuck my friends' eyeshadow, powder, and I would even pay for them to buy me an eyeliner pencil.

I spent my early teens watching makeup tutorials and trying to find my own "look." 

Eyes, Lips, Face. We all know the brand. E.L.F. offers just about everything needed in the makeup realm, including palettes, brush sets, lip glosses, foundations, nail polishes, gifts sets, and even custom orders. I, myself, own a mineral face primer, flawless finish foundation, liquid eyeliner, concealer, and much more. I am constantly recommending these products to my family and friends. Not only are they inexpensive, they have such great quality comparable to other high-end products. In my opinion, they are one of the best quality makeup companies available in “drugstores.”

Unfortunately, the word “drugstore” has been used to downgrade many great makeup brands. Drugstore products are amazing. Not everyone can afford a $67 foundation (i.e. this one from Chanel), and they shouldn’t have to! Drugstore products offer great alternatives to those expensive products that, let’s face it, we wish we could afford it.

You can watch my E.L.F. haul here.

You can buy E.L.F. at K-Mart (this is where I buy it from except when I am online), Target, and even some Rite-Aid’s, and CVS’s.

What are your favorite makeup brands?

Until next time,

Eliza Grace

P.D.A.: How Far is too Far?

Dear Diary,

Something has been bothering me lately.

PDA (public displays of affection).

No matter how hard you try to avoid it, you will see it. 

My boyfriend and I have discussed our views on the topic. This is on our list of things we actually agree on. There are only a few "acceptable" public displays of affection in my book:

1.) Holding hands || So sweet.

2.) Hugs || Obviously cute and nothing too touchy-feely.

3.) Hand kisses, kisses on the cheek || Anymore is cutting it a little too close for me.

There are also a couple of unacceptable ways to show your love in a public setting. These include, but are not limited to:

1.) Making out || Let's face it: that is disgusting. I do not want to see tonguing on my way to class. I am sorry.

2.) Fondling || We know you love each other, but do you have to grab on your significant other's body to prove that you do?

As a person in a committed relationship, I honestly do not understand why some couples deem it necessary to show their affection in inappropriate ways. 

Basically, if you would be embarrassed for your older family members to see your "affection," do not do it in public. 

Leave the more "private" things for more private time and areas. Make it something that is special for the both of you, and not for the crowd around the subway station. 

What are your views on P.D.A.?

Until next time, 

Eliza Grace

Freshman 15: Workouts That Work

Dear Diary, 

I have gained weight. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I know I have. Those Starbucks runs-sometimes 3 times a day, staying up until 4 a.m. working on that Psych paper due at 8, and running to the dining hall to get my curly fry fix has finally all caught up on me. 

If you are in the same boat I am, you need to workout. Sometimes it is hard to get over to the gym, especially when you are taking 6 classes this semester-I apologize for that. 

Here are some easy workouts you can do when you don't have time for anything else:

1.) Arm circles. || Stand straight up and extend your arms out at a 90° angle from your body. 
     1.) Start turning your arms from your shoulder clockwise for 30 seconds.
     2.) Keep your arms up throughout the entire exercise, no matter  how hard it becomes.
     3.) Repeat first step, but counterclockwise. 
    On average, you can burn between 15-20 calories per 40 arm circles!

2.) Jump rope! || If you don't own a jump rope, they aren't expensive at all, and this can be
     a great workout. If you don't want to buy one, try jumping jacks, or burpees. Jumping
     rope for 5 minutes can burn up to 68 calories!

3.) Burpees (Alternative to jump rope) || Stand up with your feet shoulder-width apart.
     1.) Kick your feet back in a push-up position and do a push-up
     2.) Kick your feet back to your original position-jump and clap your hands in the air
     3.) Repeat. 15 reps=1 set 
     Burpees can burn up to 15 calories per minute!

4.) Lunges. || Do walking lunges down the hallway.
     1.) Stand up with your legs shoulder-width apart. Keep your hands on your hips.
     2.) Step forward with one foot about 2 or 3 feet from your stance. Keep your back
          straight
     3.) Bend both knees to a kneeling position. Do not allow your knee to touch the ground. 
     4.) Pause at this position, then repeat. Can burn up to 45 calories.

5.) Dance! || Turn up One Direction and rock out for a bit. This is definitely a de-stresser, as
    well! Grooving can burn up to 26 calories!

I hope this helps any of you college gals, or just us that have put on a few pounds-no shame. 

What do you do to burn a few calories?

Until next time, 

Eliza Grace