Things I love: Hearts & Sparkles

I hope you all are having an amazing Holiday season. My Christmas was filled with some Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga and Audrey Hepburn goodies. I love having inspirational TALENTED ladies as my heroes and idols. My Christmas was also filled with toys, gadgets and games because I believe you should always remain a kid at heart (however, emotionally you should ALWAYS be growing!!).

I love this time year because all my favorites come back to town and all my high school friends hang out just like they used to. I managed to squeeze in time with my high school clique, neighborhood gang, and reconnect with my guy friend crew.

They all make me feel young again, and there's a reason I've kept them around & so close for so long.

Being around those whom I love & respect shined a light on as to why I was keeping people close to me that were only bringing me down.

Never be afraid to remove people from your life that truly don't deserve your time, energy or love. It's not easy and it's a hard pill to swallow but sometimes it's just necessary.

Angie is my favorite Britney Spears fan and she's a LOV-ar & I heart the sparkles out of her!!

Today I'm off to LA to spend time with all my SoCal faves. I have very little planned besides an amazing white party on New Years Eve (my first time out celebrating since I was 20!!).

So excited to rock this hot little thing:

So seriously, if you're in LA and have some time I'm ALWAYS down for a coffee (or cocktail) you should hit me up.

And in the meantime watch me live blog from LA on Facebook (Amber Lane - friend/subscribe me or fan me Ambersnotebook) Twitter and on Instagram (Ambersnotebook).

I hope you use this time to think about what goals you would like to accomplish this year, BIG & SMALL.

My Goals, you ask?

-apply for Survivor

-continue my mission of spreading positive energy around

-attend as many parties as possible

-learn a new photobooth pose

-start making more money

-find a more permanent living situation

-hop back in the dating pool (SCARY!!)

-continue to ROCK MY THANG OUT!!

Things I Love: Half Birthdays

Today I turned 29 & a half.

AND A HALF.

And let me tell you, that half matters. The past 6 months have been a whirlwind (Tornado? HURRICANE?).

And I've gone through probably the biggest life change I have had thus far. My 29th birthday on June 14th marked a year since I sick with pneumonia.

During the two months that I spent in & out of the hospital, I began to reflect on why I was so unhappy with my life and I began to make some changes.

I decided I didn't want to be a teacher anymore. And I took a leap of faith that I could propel my blog into something more then a hobby.

I grew a pair (Mom, just Urban dictionary it) and started going to every party, event and meet up I heard about.

It might look easy, but it's hard to do. Going blindly into an event, party or situation is scary, and I'll be the first to tell you that.

{You don't even know how many times I got back in my car, drove away, and FORCED myself to go back and go inside}.

But I did it, and it paid off.

A year later I go to parties and events several times a week, and I couldn't be more gracious and excited about EVERY single one I attend.

And I am MORE then grateful & blessed with all the new friendships I've made, all the reconnecting I've done with old friends & all the relationships that have grown stronger these past months.

I have met some AMAZING people these past six months, and it's been unreal.

I'm looking forward to my next 6 months and you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be celebrating every SINGLE last day that I have in my Twenties.

It was a decade in my life that shaped and changed me into the woman (a Grown Ass one, obvi) that I am today.

I hope you're living the life you love, and if you're not, try to make some changes.

Big & small.

Loving your life is an amazing way to feel, trust me, I haven't always felt this way.

Don't be afraid.

Time to start party planning, my birthday party is going to be a doozy!!

Photobooth's are going to be necessary, duh.

Things That Make Me Smile: Down to Ride Till the Very End

Here are a few things that are making me smile today:

I'm super excited about the Leopard + Lace Poshmark Party that I am co-hosting tonight.

Will You be joining in? Dooo it...

I am stoked for my Halloween costume, fingers crossed it all comes together in time...

Just a little hint... (more hints on my Facebook Wall).

And since I love having costume changes and rocking more then one costume, last night's movie sparked a new costume idea and um well, obsession.

After watching Bonnie & Clyde I am currently on a last-minute search for a handsome fellow to be my Clyde, because I'm almost certain I was made to be Bonnie.

They were bad asshes who took the wrong route, but they knew were more then their small towns boxed them in to be.

Lastly I have some of the BEST blog friends, loyal readers and cheerleaders.

This morning I received an email that brought me to TEARS:

I LOVE YOUR BLOG! YOU REALLY MAKE MY DAY BRIGHTER

I just want to let you know that when I checked your blog post from yesterday it really struck a chord with what's going on in my life right now..My sister's best friend was just diagnosed with breast cancer.. for the 2nd time..and we keep talking about positive thinking ..and health is the one thing I think is really easy to take for granted and get caught up in the everyday details of life..but then all of that seems like nothing when your health is compromised..anyways..i shared your blog posting about J brand and thinking positive and life is all about how you react to the situation, etc.. with my sister, my cousin and her best friend through facebook messaging..My sister in fact lives up in San Francisco and I told her she should start reading your blog b/c I'm sure she would recognize some of the places you do your posts at.. (I live in San Diego)..

Anyways..just wanted to let you know that you made a positive difference in my day/week- (I read your blog daily) and keep doing what you are doing! :) Hope you have a great week!

-Katie

p.s. next time I'm in San Fran and if you are free I'd love to meet up for coffee or something :) Not sure when that would be though!

I can't imagine a bigger compliment then to receive such kind words from someone I've never met, and I also can't imagine being diagnosed with breast cancer not just once, but twice.

That's a hand no one should be dealt and my thoughts go out to Katie & her sister, as well as her sister's friend and family.

Honestly, my thoughts are also with ANYONE who has been dealt a hand no one wishes for. Being positive and keeping yourself happy isn't easy, especially when you've got reason to be anything but.

I am more then touched that my words could brighten up someone's day and I'm BLESSED to have Katie's words brighten my day!!!

See the power of positive energy? It makes people HAPPY!! It makes YOU happy.

Why would you ever waste your time being negative? Well, I know I'm one HAPPY FREAK!

{freaking happy at the san francisco blue grass festival}

"Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be..."

Things That Make me Smile: Dance Your Cares Away

In my eyes positive energy makes the world go round. Sure I've wasted plenty of time being negative, mad, angry and frustrated; but recently I've realized how positive energy can be much more powerful and makes me feel SO much better. Smiling, laughing, and reflecting (oh and being silly) all make me feel a heck of lot better then complaining, being mean, and getting pissed off.

And you know what? I like to feel good, so I've figured out how to accept that things aren't always going to go my way, I will disagree with people, and sometimes you're dealt a hand that isn't quite my thing or maybe that just plain sucks (having my phone & computer break last week AND having my car broken into and my bike stolen did in fact SUCK). But when those types of things happen, I check myself and remind myself that I can only control my own emotions and how I react to situations. And keeping my head up (things are gonna get easier -- Word up Tupac) is usually my best option.

And no matter the situation, I feel better when I find a lesson learned, or something to take away from the situation. I may cry a few tears but I don't let it drag me down. Instead I turn on my music and dance my cares away (worries for another day...) and then like Nicki Minaj I'm flying higher, higher, higher...

That said I couldn't be more excited to spread some positive energy around with one of my favorite brands... J BRAND!! First of all I am a LOYAL J Brand girl and I can't get enough of their jeans. Oh and I have I mentioned their jeans are made in the good old California, U S OF A? You know that gets me going!!

I am more then excited to announce I have been asked to help spread the word about their collaboration with City Year. J Brand will be selling exclusive colors for Women and Girls and 100% of the net proceeds will be donated to City Year to help prevent high school students from dropping out. J Brand's collaboration with City Year's is aiming to sell 1000 pairs of these jeans; so if you're inclined to purchase some new fall jeans think about making a difference and purchasing some of JBrand's exclusive City Year colors.

You know you'll be seeing me rock them on the blog shortly.

About the Collaboration -- lots of positive energy talk!!

The exclusive jeans and tips on how to style them, I can't wait to rock these!

Do your part to represent and define your generation (in a positive way, duh).

Don't ever let anynoe box you in. Nicki Minaj sure as heck is out of the box -- and I love it.

Happy Monday all -- I hope you kick your week off with a smile!!

And if you need a smile on Tuesday (and want to win $50 to shop with) join me at my Posh Party!!