Slipping from reality

How do you spend your free time?

 Do you read a book, take a nap, exercise (as if), or do you hangout with your best gal pals? Well, my answer is probably the same as every other college student, Netflix. There is nothing better than coming home after a long day of school or work, grabbing a coke from the fridge, popping my leftover pizza in the microwave, and planting myself on the couch to binge watch Netflix for the rest of my evening (because homework can wait). 

12 years. That's how long One Tree Hill has been around and I just so happen to be re watching it for the second time. I can't imagine my junior high and high school self without OTH. I literally spent the most emotional and crucial years of my life watching that show and it without a doubt helped contribute to my overflowing of emotions (because puberty, right?). You would think that after watching the entire show once, that the second time wouldn't be as heart tugging, but no. I still cry every other episode even though I know what is about to happen, and I still root for the same couples to be together even though they never will. Does that say something about me? That I still hope for different outcomes when I know the ending will never change?  

 I want you to think about a show that you watched when you were younger and think about how it affected you. Did it inspire your daily behaviors or life choices, or even your wardrobe? It absolutely amazes me how a television show can have such an impact on our lives. And how a group of fictional characters can become so real even though we watch them through a screen. I can remember going to get my hair cut in junior high and taking in a picture of Brook Davis because I wanted my hair to look just like hers, creepy huh? I can also remember feeling like I belonged in the show whenever that boy from high school broke my heart. OTH does an amazing job of connecting with its audiences. The show goes from everyone in high school to everyone growing up and getting married and having children and facing real life challenges. How can you not find someway to connect to that? I feel like the show is so cheesy that it is almost inspiring. At the end of the entire series every character accomplished their goals and dreams in one way or another. As someone who practically grew up with these characters it inspired me in more ways than one to go after my dreams.

I feel like everyone can somehow relate to a television show. I mean, there must be a reason that we were intrigued to watch it in the first place, right? It might start out that vampires just so happen to interest you, so you start watching a series about vampires. But I honestly believe that you have to connect with a character inside the show for it to keep our attention. That's the magic of television. It helps us to place ourselves inside a fantasy world because we are bored of our own. It has the power to completely transport us away from our own problems and let us live inside a false world to help characters face their own.  For a brief moment we are able to slip away from our own reality and become a part of something bigger. And that in my opinion is amazing. 

A picture's worth a thousand words... or likes

Why do we take pictures?

Do we do it to capture a moment in time? Is it to hold on to memories for years to come? Or did you and your friend just so happen to look really cute that day? 

In a world that has been taken over by popularity and social media, I think the answer is simple. We take pictures so we can post them on social media and pray to get a lot of "likes" on our photos. That is the honest answer. 

I am just as guilty as the next person when it comes to worrying about the number of likes you get on Instagram. We all know how it goes.. especially my lady friends. We spend probably a good 30 minutes picking out our favorite photo out of 20 that we took in a matter of 3 minutes. Then we go back and forth between filters and exposure and cropping only to finally come up with our finished product. What's sad is that what we just did isn't even the hardest part. That's right, next is choosing a caption! So, today my goal is to help guide my fellow Instagram lovers on how to get more likes on your photos in a matter of 3 easy steps. Disclaimer: These steps are for the mediocre Instagramer like myself trying to step up their Insta game, and for the people who refuse to pay for their Insta likes. All others are more than welcome to follow along! 

Step 1.) Timing is everything.

Believe it or not, it has been proven that there are "peak" times throughout the day that will determine how many "likes" you will receive on a photo. I was mind blown when I discovered that people actually took time out of their day to study Instagram (probably for advertising reasons). Think about it, if you post a photo around 6 p.m. when everyone is having their "me" time and scrolling through their Insta you will most likely receive more likes because they are seeing your picture then and now. No one wants to be a creeper and like a photo 10 hours after it has been posted. Well, except that one creepy guy that we don't know, but always likes our photos. Other good quality times throughout the day include 10a.m. to 1 p.m. (because of lunch breaks) and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. I know it sounds a little bizarre, but these proven times really will help with your Insta likes, according to the Instagram gurus. 

Step 2.) Filter me this.

There is nothing better than having your go to filter. You can make almost any picture look insta fabulous with the correct filter, and thats what makes Instagram fun right?  Instagram currently has 24 filters to choose from and they are all fabulous! My personal favorite is Lo-fi. Some advice I have is to make sure you have your go to filter. I promise it will make Instagraming a lot more simple and easy. Some people are completely against using filters, but they are obviously boring people with no soul. I understand that originality is an important characteristic to have, but come on people, Instagram in itself is no where near original. So that being said, go outside (for lighting purposes), snap a pic, and filter away! 

Step 3.) Captions make all the difference.

The hardest part of posting a photo is also what mostly determines how many likes you will receive. Life would be so simple if our captions could literally say what we were doing at that moment in time. For example, "Hey, I'm walking my dog". But unfortunately, it doesn't work that way anymore. Instead, we have to say something like this, "Snoop Dog got nothing on my pooch" (creative right). There is so much pressure that comes along with creating the perfect clever and witty caption, and it is very important that we follow societies idea of what these captions should be in order to gain those likes. I have literally not posted a photo before because I couldn't think of a clever enough caption to go along with it, how sad is that? A couple of tips I would like to give you are as follows; keep it short, keep it cute and keep it clever. If you follow these three tips the chances of your Insta likes going up will increase greatly. It completely baffles me how creative people can get with their captions. And I am guilty of borrowing (stealing) captions. I guess I wasn't blessed with the creative gene that runs in my family. Thanks mom.



Hopefully these tips will inspire you to step up your Insta game and go after those likes. I mean, that's what all the cool kids are doing, right?


Xo- Mel

A Love Letter To Iced Coffee

Dear Iced Coffee,

You brighten my world. Vanilla, Caramel, non-fat milk, soy, macchiato, mocha... You are seriously life changing, and I promise I don't discriminate. You help me conquer my longest days and hardest mornings. All of the late night studying wouldn't have happened without you. You might possibly be my better half. I am not me when I'm not sipping on you. My love for you started as a young freshmen girl in college just trying to find her way in this coffee infested world. I walked up to the Starbucks counter in my schools Nigh University Center and the rest is history. The day we met forever changed me. Whether I order you from a coffee shop, or brew you up at home, you never fail me. You are there for my mental breakdowns, or when I just need a pick me up. You are worth every penny that comes from my bank account. The limit of how much I drink of you does not exist. This is why you are also responsible for my sleepless nights, but it's okay, I forgive you. I promise to never sway away from you when I order.. no matter how tempting the other items on the menu might sound. I look forward to going to bed at night because I know I get to start my next day with you. You say a lot about me iced coffee, you say that I am assertive, outspoken, and I obviously don't let seasons dictate how I live my life. You are my one and my only.

Forever yours,
XO-Mel

Falling Into Fall..

1 word. 4 letters. Say it and I'm yours. FALL. Just the sound of the word makes me want to run(walk briskly) to Starbucks and pick up a PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte). How can Fall not be your favorite season? I literally think this every time I look in my closet and see my favorite sweaters and fall boots. I find myself daydreaming of fallen leaves and cooler weather on my long hot walks to class, but then I snap back into reality and realize it's probably all the sweat that's causing me to hallucinate. Dreaming never hurt anyone though! There are so many great things that come along with Fall that I thought I should share with all of you something to look forward to! P.S. we are only 12 days away.
Enjoy!
1. College Football



Kyle and I's first date

Ahhh.. There is nothing better than sitting in the stands with thousands of other fans, screaming at the top of your lungs for your favorite team.  If going to actual games isn't your thing, that's okay! It's even more fun to get a watch party together and binge eat your favorite game food. My personal favorite is Rotel Queso with sausage in it. It has actually became a staple in my game day routine.



2. Leggings

Leggings make life better. They are a must have for every college girls closet. They are comfortable and cheap, so what's not to love about them? I love that in the fall I can throw on a pair of leggings, a long shirt, my favorite cardigan and riding boots and be ready to head out the door. Fall weather makes it so easy for us girls to look cute AND stay comfortable. Here are some of my favorite brands of leggings:


These can be found at Runway Seven in Edmond

These are great because they come in multiple colors, are machine washable and are fleeced lined to help you stay warm during cooler weather! And they are only $12. Get them while they last.










                                  



Old Navy in store or online

  




 Here is another brand I enjoy. These can be found online or in store at Old Navy. Hurry and snatch your pair because they are on sale for $10!!   












3.) Thanksgiving

We all know how it goes. Eat until you can't eat no more. Then have a slice.. or two.. of Pumpkin pie. Then everyone claims "their" spot in the living room for nap time. Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday right behind The Fourth of July (because America). I love spending quality time with my family and helping my mom and grandma prepare everything. Plus, taking home all the leftovers literally gets me through the rest of the month and halfway through December. And before I know it it's December and there are more leftovers coming my way from Christmas dinner.


XO-Mel

                    

Dear Past, thank you for all the lessons...

Dear Future, I am ready. 

Two more years. That's all I have left of my undergraduate career, and I couldn't be more excited to move forward. The idea of starting a career and becoming an "adult" is pleasing and frightening all at the same time. 

The way I think and feel about things has changed dramatically over the past few years, and I have grown so much and have taken on so many more responsibilities than I ever thought possible.  I have let go of bad habits, and probably started more (thanks Netflix), and have pushed myself to new limits. I use to fear the idea of growing up and trying new things, now I welcome it with open arms. Well.. Maybe not the getting old and wrinkly part..  

It is crazy how moving away from home and chasing new dreams will change a person. Here are a few things I have realized:

It's okay not to be okay. Cliché right? I can remember my first day at UCO and how all of the older students seemed to have their lives together. IT'S NOT TRUE, I promise. We all walk around like we know what we are doing, but it's really just a comedy show. I Currently live off of frozen pizza, Taco Bell and Coca-Cola (because Diet Coke is for quitters ), Nutritious right? 

On top of being broke, handling school is a completely different story in itself. Now that I am finally into all of my major courses, I can easily say I have never been more stressed out in my entire life. Working 25 hours a week, taking 16 hours this semesters and holding multiple exec positions can do a lot to a person. But in all honesty, I enjoy the chaos. So... a little advice to future college students, GET A PLANNER. You'll thank me later.

I need sleep. It use to be fun staying up all night binge watching Netflix or going out with all of my girlfriends. I use to be able to run on 2-3 hours of sleep and make it through the day with a smile on my face. Now, I need a minimum of 7 hours and a iced coffee in my hand to get me out the door. I wouldn't have drank coffee my freshmen year if you had paid me to. But a late night study sesh and a early morning will turn anyone into a coffee drinker. I can thank Starbucks for my empty bank account.

College brought me my soul mates. Seriously though. College just so happened to bring me my best gal pals. From shoulders to cry on, people to laugh with (or at), to my future bridesmaids, my girlfriends are literally the best. It's crazy to think that all of our paths were meant to cross at some point in our lifetime and I am so thankful that they did. In high school, everyone is kind of forced together and you don't have very many options of who you can spend your time with. This is especially true at my high school with a graduating class of 39. GO COMETS! So to the high school students who are ready to expand their friendships, hang in there! Because there are WAY better days ahead. And to the college students, cherish every moment spent with your friends. They might end up becoming your soul mates.