Hello kidlets!

First off, thank you for all of the birthday lovin'! Each and every one of you have made this birthday better than I could have ever expected! That said, I'm going to let "the good times keep on rollin'" and will be taking the night off to enjoy a birthday-tastic evening with the BF. I will report back tomorrow--promise. In the mean time, check out The Life Muse.com! Lot's of good reading material should you still need your nightly "Linds fix" (kidding, kinda).

Later gators!

Well my friends, it's official: in less than two hours, I'm going to be 23! In other words, happy birthday to ME! Actually, it's kind of funny because in the past, I haven't exactly been the biggest fan of my own birthday. Now, don't get me wrong, I love other people's birthdays...especially when I get to make cakes for them! Case in point, the cake I made for the BF on his birthday back in February...

Yeah, the madre used to have her own baking business back in the day (Mommy's Morsels)...can you tell that we share the same DNA?! But back to my "I love other people's birthdays but not my own" story. So, while I enjoy celebrating with others, I tend to hate my own birthday. I've "explored" my lack of enthusiasm for my b-day and I've pretty much come up with the following: I only like getting attention for things I feel I have worked for, and thus rightfully deserve. And, seeing how I didn't exactly do anything to "earn" attention on my birthday (I mean, my mom was the one who did all the hard work back in '89), I tend to feel uncomfortable with all the usual b-day hoopla. That's not to say I don't enjoy the presents that often come along with said "hoopla." #sorryimnotsorry.

Nevertheless, this year I must admit that I'm actually somewhat, dare I say it, excited for my birthday! It's crazy how, when you're happy, everything just seems to be a little bit brighter. 

But excited about my birthday or not, I feel as though today's QOTD is of extreme relevance...

...105 minutes until it's May 2nd. Gotta go!

Today's quote of the day (QOTD) is pretty much my life motto. Then again, I've pretty much spinned it to fit my own mental schema...

My entire life, my dad has always said to my brother and me: "if you're going to do something, then DO IT!" In other words, if you're going to do something, give it all you've got--no half-assing allowed! Now, I'm pretty sure that when my dad used to say this to me, he didn't mean it in an "if you're going to eat dessert, EAT DESSERT" kind of way. Actually, I know  he didn't mean it that way but, different strokes for different folks. 

Either way, my dad's advice has, over time, pretty much turned me into an "extremist" of sorts. Whereas I'm definitely not the kind of person who's going to go skydiving on a random Tuesday (although that is on my bucket list--told you I was a "list" lover), I am the kind of person who, if I decide I'm going to do something, then I'm going to do it in a drastic, overtly crazy kind of way. So, rather than opting to choose NO evil (since the lesser of two evils is still evil), I happen to be the person who instead drops the middle option (the lesser of the evils), instead opting for one of the two extremes (umm, did that last sentence even make sense?!). Just goes to show you that, while most quotes are full of wisdom, sometimes you've got to contort said quotes to fit YOUR lifestyle, YOUR beliefs, and YOUR wellbeing.

Happy Monday, all! Got some fun stuff to share with you tomorrow!

PS, if you haven't done so already, try heading on over to my other web baby that launched earlier today--TheLifeMuse.com!

A self-proclaimed "to-do list" queen, one of my favorite feelings in the world is the one that surges my body after I cross something new off of one of my never-ending lists. Seriously though, there really is no better feeling. I know that nowadays most people just make lists on their phones, but I'm old school and still go the paper and pen route. Heck, that's also why I still use a paper planner rather than the iCal app on my Mac. I know the delete button serves as a pleasurable one for most (yeah, that probably came off wrong...oops), but nothing beats the pen and paper scratch-off--swoon.

Oh planner, how I love thee! ...You know what else I love? What that planner scratch-off means: another time-eating task is officially done! So, with Monday morning only a few hours away, remember this: "you may delay, but time will not!"

Yeah, that Benjamin Franklin was one smart dude! Talk about a new "BF" in my life, haha...oops!

Well kiddos, let's just say that, for some crazy-ass reason I decided it would be a brilliant idea to wake up at 6:30 am this morning. Yeah, it didn't exactly work. After 45 minutes of clicking the "snooze" button, I finally decided to surrender to my alarm clock and get the hell up. Twas a very hard and unpleasant process. Although once I was awake and fully caffeinated, it really wasn't too bad--dare I say, even enjoyable?! You just feel so accomplished when you wake up that early on a Saturday. I'll tell ya, it really is the little things in life that make a difference. 

Speaking of which, when it comes to "things that make a difference," the following really is the best piece of advice...

In other words, if you want sh*t to happen, you've got to make it happen. Oh, and if you want to go to sleep, you've got to say "good bye" and then close you're laptop.

GOOD BYE!

When I was younger, my dad would always come up to me after an intense workout and say: "strong like bull." I know it sounds semi-cheesy, but in all honesty, his saying this all the time is in fact one of my favorite childhood memories. Anyway, whenever I hear or read the quote pictured below, I can't help but have the phrase "strong like bull" run through my brain. I get it, I'm a little "out there," to put it lightly, but the fact of the matter is, all quotes involving the word "strength" really should include some sort of animal reference. For example, "the straw that broke the camel's back" OR, "a truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep." Like I said, use of animal references. So maybe my inclusion of my father's "strong like bull" isn't so bizzare after all? Kinda, sorta, maybe? ...Is anyone still with me?! 

Dangit, no more tangents for Lindsay...

Oh, and for the record (because I feel as though I need to have some form of accountability), in the middle of writing this post, I went and got myself another freakin' chocolate bar. My willpower is definitely not "strong like bull" these days! In other words, my name is Lindsay and I have a Cadbury addiction...

...yeah, there's only one word to accurately describe the above, pictoral occurrence: DEMOLISHED!

Well, it looks like my birth"day" started a week early this year! The BF surprised me last night with what he says is only part one of my b-day gift (see pic below). Looks like I'm going to be having a great birthday this year :) ...obviously not complaining!

If you're still confused as to what the above pictures actually depict, then you probably haven't been reading TQIW for that long (not that I've been blogging for that long, but alas, I digress). Basically, the BF had a coffee table type book made for me, each page filled with pictures of all the quote pictures I've posted on the blog! Adorable, I know. 

Oh, and for those of you who couldn't make out the book's title in the first pic, well, first let me say: "get glasses." Secondly, let me say: "It was appropriately titled:The Quote I Wrote: Birthday Edition." The BF is a clever one I tell you, ha! But seriously, I am a very, VERY lucky girl!!

Then again, the BF is a very lucky man because I make him tasty diner's such as the avocado and tuna sammy you see below. The Tasti D-lite, on the other hand, was eaten alone out of pure NEED for sugar. Yeah, it was one of those days.

But today was also one of those "I get to have lunch with one of my amazing friends" kind of days. And, obviously, all good hang out sessions end with one of the friends leaving a Quotation Inspiration Project post at the lunch table...

Obviously ;)

Well, hello there! I know, I know...long time no blog. Let's just say, life's been a little busy lately--and it's about to get a lot busier. In Monday's post I mentioned the fact that I had something up my sleeve called "The Life Muse." So what is "TLM"? Well, let's just say that, if you can't get your "Lindsay-fill" via The Quote I Wrote, then you're in luck because The Life Muse will indeed function as my second blog. But before I explain TLM in greater detail (tomorrow's topic of interest), let's get back to the whole "quote" thing that goes on on THIS blog!!

When I graduated from college in December, the number one thing people asked me was: "So what are you going to do now?" Despite my greatest efforts to explain that I was already working towards becoming a life coach, motivational speaker, and blogger, my response was never received in the positive and supportive way I would have liked. Instead, I tended to get a casual roll of the eyes followed by the comment "oh, you'll be in graduate school in a year." 

At the time, I just shrugged these naysayers off because, as I saw it, it wasn't worth my defense ...It wasn't worth my while to try and explain to these people that I, unlike so many, hated school. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly: I hated school. Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely, positively LOVE to learn--this is certain. However (and I "hate" to say it), I was not a fan of college and would probably be even more turned off by grad school  if I ever had to attend. 

That said, I can't deny the fact that deep down these remarks bothered me, and not because they suggested that I'd be back in school in no time. Instead, what really got to me was the fact that these remarks implied a lack of belief in my dreams, as well as my ability to pursue them. And seriously, who were they to judge my intended career path? Who were they to tell me what it is I should be doing post-college? Well, the answer is simple: they were outsiders who weren't, aren't, and will never be ME! They don't know what makes me tick. They don't know what fulfills me. They don't know what makes my heart beat out of my chest, makes my brain race at all hours of the day, and/or makes my fire within ignite. Fact is, these "commenters" don't know what makes me come alive! ...But I do, and according to today's quote, that's all that matters (PS, I happen to agree--wholeheartedly).

Heck, that's why I started The Quote I Wrote, so that I could do what makes me come alive; and hopefully, while igniting my own inner flame, I can ignite yours as well...one post and one quote at a time.

Happy Hump Day!!

Hey kiddos. For those of you who follow me on twitter, you know that my night has pretty much consisted of this:

SO good, yet so bad. Good thing the BF was nearby because, around two-thirds in, I decided pawning it off on his lovely self would be the best way to go (oops). The couple that eats chocolate together, stays together, right?! 

But my chocolate loving ways aside, tonight's post is going to have to be on the short side. I have A LOT up my sleeve and am in the middle of working on something called "The Life Muse" ...but more about that tomorrow. In the mean time, allow me to leave you with some glorious, quote-tastic advice. 

Don't you think it's slightly ironic that the word "imperfections" didn't fit in it's entirety on one line?! I'm going to go with a big, resounding YES! Speaking of imperfections, I'm no superwoman and can't do 100 billion things at once. So with that, I must say later gators. 

Gotta go make sh*t happen...

As promised, here are my "purchase pics" from yesterday's Ann Taylor LOFT sale shopping spree...

The jacket, while not exactly spring season apparel, is a definite classic and was one huge score, price wise (originally $110, I got it for $26). Also, seeing how mother nature is still going a little banans and making the weather jump from sunny and in the 80s, to rainy and in the 60s, to just plain cold and in the 50s, it looks like I might just get the chance to get a wear or two out of this little number before I have to hang it up and push it to the back of my closet. "Boo" for bad weather, but "yay" for a new fashion find, first wear opportunity! Love it.

As for the animal print crop pants, well, let's just say I swoon for anything cheetah, snake skin, and, on occasion, zebra print (says the girl who begged for creme on creme zebra carpeting in her room at her parents' house). You can love them or hate them, but these pants are definitely a great statement piece! Seeing how my main clothing color palate consists of black, black, more black, and touches of navy, grey, royal blue, and some fun patterns here and there (the above crop pants=case in point), my obvious "fashion advice" with these babies would be to pair them with a fitted black top; black, nude, or metallic sandals; and perhaps a fun and colorful bangle bracelet or necklace. Personally I'd go with the bangle, but that's largely due to the fact that I am allergic to most "fake" jewelry...and no, I'm not making this up. So, unless I plan on buying some super expensive, 14K gold, colorful necklace in the nearer future (which I don't), the cheap colorful bangle that is less likely to give me a rash is definitely the route that I will go. 

And now that you have a better understanding of my fashion sense (not that you need it, or perhaps even want it), I think it's time to move on to some quotes. I mean really, that is what you come here for. And, if I may say so myself, today's quote is one of my best. Yes, it provides great advice, but even better, it does so while looking pretty freakin' awesome in the pic below. See what I mean?!

And with that, I think it's time that I take a "single step"...on over to the couch that is. Homegirl NEEDS some "chill in front of the TV time." Yeah, it's been one of those days.

Nighty night, all!