This is the year I will. . .

Hello, lovelies!

Photo via A New Kind of Normal
 
This year I am making a promise to myself, a promise to work harder to love and *reasonably* improve myself. We currently live in a world where it's easy to doubt yourself. This past year, there have been more than a handful of moments where I was unsure about what I was doing, scared if I was making the right decision, and doubtful of my abilities when I couldn't fulfill my over-reaching expectations.

This is one of the reasons I actually chose to start this blog. Before creating this blog, I had contemplated blogging for around three years or so. I had met a few people who had their own blogs and they all gave me the same anecdotal advice: they started blogging as an outlet, both for a unique and creative hobby as well as to release their thoughts on their own terms. I love being involved and busy, and don't get me wrong, I love my days of Netflix bingewatching and yoga pants, but many days I feel like I need a slightly more productive way to relax. Voila, the Southwestern Prepster is born.

My goal for the new year is not to become a new me, but to learn to love me. I used to wonder how I could focus on changing a part of myself while saying "I don't want to change who I really am". I have realized that the changes that come from learning to love yourself are not ones that change who you are, but rather how you are. I hope everyone had a wonderful night, and have a wonderful new year! I can't wait to see what's in store for all of us.

xx

Catch you next time.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I spent my New Year's Eve cleaning, organizing, watching The Proposal before Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin, and then watching Pretty Woman. Kiss your dog, hug your family, and eat cake because 2015 is here to stay!

May your new year be filled with love, happiness, and endless opportunities. There is so much in store for us all - I can't wait to see how the blog develops (hopefully, well!). As you watched the ball/shoe/crab drop, what were you wishing for?

xx

Catch you next time.

A New Year's Eve Miracle

This morning I woke up to a miracle! For the first time in the ten years that I've lived here, I have never seen it actually get down to 2°C and snow here! (I believe it hailed in some parts of the city a few years ago, but that's not what this was!) Just thought I'd share a few pictures of this little miracle!

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How's the weather where you are? Do you love snow? Everyone here was bundled up but had huge smiles on their faces - what a way to end 2014, huh?

xx

Catch you next time.

A Visit to the Cake Boss Las Vegas

Very, very glad I found the bakery! My little sister and I had chocolate rugelach for breakfast and now my stomach feels a bit spoiled! Although this technically crosses off my visit to a Carlo's Bakery, I definitely still want to visit the one in New York if I ever have the chance! *fingers crossed*

xx

Catch you next time.

A Weekend Trip to Las Vegas

This past weekend, my family decided to take a quickie trip to beautiful Las Vegas! We live really close to Sin City, and we've been known to frequent it to visit family and (of course) shopping! During our first year after we moved to Arizona my family was taking day trips almost every weekend! Here are a few photos of what we did on our little mini vacation, enjoy!

The ceilings of the Palazzo are painted so beautifully, I couldn't resist taking some pictures of them! There was even a really nice man playing the accordion - talk about ambiance!

One of the things I love about Las Vegas in general is how there is so many different things in one area (i.e. the Strip!). You can take a quick walk down and visit many of the different hotels. The Wynn is right across the street from the Palazzo (and the mall just a kitty corner away!) so we thought we'd take a little walk since it had been a while since we'd done so.

Sure, I'd love to take a ride!

These Chanel boots are just beautiful, and I just loved how they are displayed.

I loved Popeye when I was growing up, so seeing this just made me squeal!

Gotta keep up that coffee fix!

I have a very eclectic music taste, in part due to my dad. I love country and classic rock about as much as I love pop and alternative. The show was interesting, but as I warned on my Instagram, it is a show intended for mature audiences - the production overall is pretty historically accurate, so I wouldn't recommend bringing the little ones to see it!

Here are just a few pictures from me crossing off one of my little life bucketlist items: visiting a Carlo's Bakery and buying cupcakes! I'll put up an extra little post with the rest of the pictures - I just couldn't resist because the shop was just too cute!

Don't they all look scrumptious?

Candid photo from when my dad made fun of my height in comparison to this tree.

xx

Catch you next time.