Motivation Monday: Cupcake Edition

Now let me get started by saying, I've been thinking about these babies for DAYS. I've decided, and I would be so happy if you would join me, to make a whole day out of baking cupcakes.

Now I know it might sound silly, but when was the last time you baked a red velvet cupcake all on your own, ate it, and really felt pleased with yourself because of how crazy good it was!? A long time ago, if ever, I bet!

I made this little collage for myself to really motivate me to get through the week 'till cupcake Saturday, and boy, it's working so far. Four more days, four more days! It's such a nice reward, and I'll be posting recipes I'm considering during the week. Vegan, of course! Not to mention winter themed frosting... 'Tis the season to be jolly :)

♡ So maybe I'm a little over excited, but I gotta get through the week somehow! ♡

Any recipes you vehemently recommend? What was your motivation for the week? Are you going to use this as motivation with me? :)

Smile Sunday #2!

Hey lovies! I was so excited for Sunday all week! I have to say, I'm a little bit too excited for winter. I know, I know, I'll regret ever wishing the horribly cold winter on myself, but it's just so beautiful! I spent a lot of time on Etsy Saturday night, and that lead to most of my smiles. If you haven't checked it out, you really should! All homemade products from private little dealers, and I have to say, I've yet to stumble upon something I didn't want for my own. I hope you all smile at what made me smile this week! Have a great Monday, look out for an inspiration :)

♡ couple photography that gives me butterflies! ♡

♡ this exact hair pin i'm saving up to buy my grandmother for christmas! ♡

♡ beautiful christmas card sets just like these! ♡

♡ this handmade, winter themed hoop art! ♡

♡ quotes like this that will always be relevant ♡

♡ bunches and bunches of blueberries! ♡

♡ the intricate detailing on the back of this glorious wedding dress ♡

♡ the idea that a stunning boat fort exists ♡

♡ these adorable little winter boots from tom's! ♡

♡ these awesome little love notes you can send via lululemon! ♡

Anything important I missed out on? What made you smile this week?

Smile Sunday #1!

Mmm, my first Smile Sunday, I’m so excited! I started off modestly, nothing too taboo, just some adorable little happenings I came upon over the week. I hope you enjoy as much as I do, darlings! All that calmed me down, made me smile, and brightened my heart. I was scouring tumblr for quite sometime, so I should find a better way to find lovely images... but I'll figure it out! I hope you all had a lovely week.

♡ this etsy painting that reminded me how beautiful people can be ♡

♡ a simple little guide for slow pokes like me to meditating ♡

♡ how beautiful this watercolor paint looks, and the lovely tea cup it's place in ♡

♡ this list from Matthew Gray Gubler of good Halloween movies to watch ♡

♡ this quote my dad used to say to me every night before I fell asleep ♡

♡ this completely true, not to mention something I would do, iPhone conversation ♡

♡ this beautiful mint dress perfect for fall with just a cardigan and some tights ♡

♡ the inspiration this photo gave me to doodle a bit more! ♡

♡ these adorable little leaf earrings that have such detailed work, but look so comfy ♡

♡ these comfy ex-boyfriend pants from victoria's secret(psst, might make another post on that later!) ♡

My first Smile Sunday under my belt, and I'm sitting here jumping to do the next! Sunday come faster! I'll be collecting, maybe you should, too? Hope this made you all smile ♡
Anything I missed out on during this post-Halloween week? What made you smile?

My Secret Love For Victoria's Secret!

I know, I know, maybe it’s a bit cliché and predictable, but what can I say… I love Victoria’s Secret! Everything about it, from their comfy pants to their flashy bras, it’s all great! In the beginning as a bystander, it seems like pricey, unnecessary lingerie, and I didn’t want any part of that… but the closer I looked, the more astounded I was! Although, I really, really, really don't understand the difference between Pink and the ordinary Victoria's Secret brand! What can I say, something added to my "dazed and confused" list...
Now let me just tell you a little bit about my complete and utter love for anything that a girl can buy no matter how much of a fat day she’s having. Bloated? Victoria’s Secret. Bad hair day? Victoria’s Secret. Laundry day? Victoria’s Secret. Go in, and take a look around. I have quite a few accounts verifying this very hypothesis, and for you non-believers, I’ll share…

- One month ago- State: Bloated
Yet, my best friend, M, insisted I come to the mall with her. I moped around, entirely unhappy to be there, wanting nothing to do with anything that would touch my waste line. She decided she needed another pair of yoga pants because she lost hers(maybe they’re at my house…) and we popped in to VS. At first, I stood at the front, completely boycotting the idea. I needed to show her, and everyone else, I did not want to be there. This worked for a while until I say a faux spooky pair of boyshort underwear… I ventured further. Now, who ever told you that you have to try underwear on is lying. There are three sizes, and if you don’t know yours, go for a medium. It always does the trick. So I thought I would be able to stop myself at that one pair, but you see, there was a 5 for $25 deal, and I mean, if I didn’t take advantage, what kind of girl would I be?! So I scooped up five pairs, and headed to the checkout, feeling completely oblivious to my very bloated figure, and paid for those pairs with confidence.

- Two weeks ago- State: Bad hair day
But, I needed mascara. I was out, and it was necessary even though I didn’t want anyone within 30 feet of the mess on my head. Conveniently, in my mall, Victoria’s Secret is right next door to Sephora… Sign? Maybe. I sure took it as one. One my originally planned straight shot to mascara and the back to the car, I slunk into VS. I wasn’t particularly looking for anything, but my prior good experience gave me hope that without the bloat, maybe this trip would be even better. Immediately, boom, a sweatshirt caught my eye. Now, if you’re anything like me, you have 20, maybe more sweatshirts. Sports teams, school spirit, past clothing phases, to put it simply, you do not need another. But this sweatshirt convinced me otherwise. Soft, baggy, and vibrant. I could have a lazy day without looking like I just rolled out of bed, and that’s a first. After that quick thrown over my shoulder, I ran into the perfume… and wow. Let me just tell you, Sexy Little Things fragrance mist… wow. Just wow, and wow again. Now, I did my best to find a link to this right off the VS website, and the closest I came was Sexy Little Things Noir fragrance mist, which I can’t be sure is the same thing… There was also a perfume that looked much more similar, but was way higher up there in price than what I had paid! After a while I found what I was looking for on ebay, but I’m hoping they didn’t stop carrying it! Although with how striking this one was, I’m sure I could find another that was just as good… plus, it was the first bottle I picked up!

- Yesterday- State: Laundry Day
With my new found light to heaven that lies in this store, I decided that one more time couldn’t hurt… even if it was laundry day and I was on my last pair of clean pants. Now, I don’t want to venture into the “too much information” area here, but I’ll be honest, since first bra shopping with my mom when I was thirteen, I’ve been lost. I’ve never known my size or letter or number or code or however they’re organized. Now you might be reading this thinking, “Code? Really? Is she that oblivious? She’s close to eighteen…” But sadly yes, I am. If you told me they were organized by roman numeral and were wearing a convincing face, I would believe you. Normal bra shopping for me goes a little something like this: Drive to target. Run to women’s “personals” section. Grab bra that is smaller than a cup for my face would be. Run out. Drive home. Hope for the best. So I decided, well, it IS laundry day, might as well. So I asked for help. Did you know they did that at stores? Measured you? I’m sure you’re rolling your eyes mouthing, “Of course!”, but I didn’t. How helpful! After the wonderful woman did that little size up, she showed me my options. I won’t lie to you, I was overwhelmed. A bra apparently ISN’T just a bra… there are factors. But her help didn’t stop there! She walked me through every step, and I should have bowed down to her at the end of my shopping spree, she taught me the ways of the woman!

All in all, I’m enlightened! And I wanted to share with anyone who doesn’t know that Victoria Secret is flawless for any bad day which may befall you.
How are your experiences there? Maybe a better place that's a little cheaper? And my ignorant question... Can anyone explain the difference between Pink and the normal Victoria's Secret clothes to me?

A Little More In Depth...

I figured that maybe aside from my little blurb on the right, I should really tell you all about who's writing what you're reading! If you did take time to read "My Little Diddy", you'll know my name's Riann and that I live in Massachusetts.

There isn't too much to say about me other than that, although I'm sure I'll think of something to say here.

For a long, long time, I've loved to write and I've loved beauty. I swear since I was five I haven't shaken the ignorant, innocent, "everything is beautiful" idea, and I live my life my that. I have a hard time finding things I really don't love, and that goes for people, too. A little piece of me falls in love with just about everyone I meet, and I'm astounded daily by all the overlooked parts of the word that don't get any attention, even though they hold so much true beauty. As I grew up, I started to realize not everyone thought with that same outlook, which brings me down to this day. I've always thought, "Why not?" Why not see everything positively? You use just as much energy hating, why not love? And now as I almost turn eighteen, I've found an outlet to try to share some of my outlook. Not because I see mine as superior, but because I believe everyone should see through these rose colored glasses. This blog combines my two great loves, happiness and writing.

Along with all of the hubbub, I love to play the violin. I love my boyfriend very much, although he lives too far away for me to see him more that four times a year. I thrive on folk music and photographs, and even sometimes a few wedding magazines. I'd spend everyday traveling if I could, and experimenting with what the world has to offer in vegan cuisine. Watching foreign films and kissing my friends on the forehead.

♡ ♡ ♡

New Plans, New Future!

Morning loves, it's so beautiful out today! Ah, I’m so excited to get this blog up and running! I have so many ideas bumping and crashing into each other inside my mind and not even a list can contain them in an orderly fashion! I never knew it would be possible to place all my inspirations, loves of fashion, art, food, travel, color, weddings and happiness into one compact place, not to mention others may enjoy it also! To get started, I want to have a few weekly entries, just because I’m not much without a little bit of order! So, a few I’ve thought of and am all butterflied up about are…

♡ Smile Sundays! ♡
I’m not sure if I’m the only one, but Sundays are less than relaxing for me. I’m rushing around, trying to get everything in order for the coming Monday, and the last thing on my mind is just relaxing, reading, maybe taking a bath, or just doing the little things that make me happy. Considering all of that, I’ve seen on a few other blogs things like “Things I Love Thursdays”, and maybe I’m a little bit of a copycat, but I want a day that I can have an hour or two that I dedicate to putting something together full of all kinds of things that make me smile, and hopefully make you smile, too!

♡ Recipe of the Week! ♡
Now, I’m not claiming to be any sort of cook, but I do swear I’ve been keeping a vegan lifestyle for going on seven months now, and daily I’m finding interesting new recipes through beautiful blogs who’ve been doing this vegan thing for year and have a few notches under their belts. I thought(maybe even for my own motivation) that vowing to make a new recipe at least once a week and taking photos of the process would really open up my horizon to understand the whole vegan food world, which I would love!

♡ Motivation Mondays! ♡
A person, a photo, an article, a quote. Whatever will get me, and you, through not only Monday, but this week. Something that really made me smile and want to press forth, and will hopefully do the same for you!


Here's to new horizons! I hope anyone reading this is as excited as I am for the future, but I can’t expect that many to be reading just yet… But I’m ready to sit tight and press forth, because the amount of happiness this is already bringing me is worth it!Anything you think I'm missing, darlings? Any suggestions for another special day?♡♡♡

Finally Understanding Hermès

The average person whom isn’t very cultured in the making of French luxury goods(myself included) could really only related the famous Birkin bag to the episode “Coulda Should Woulda” of Sex and the City when Samantha uses a client to avoid a waiting list for the thousand dollar bag, or maybe even going all the way back to your teenage years watching Gilmore Girls, when Roary’s boyfriend Logan presents her one as a gift. The initial thought that I had, and maybe some of you, too, was “Wow, what is so great about that bag? Why is this such a big deal?” And up until now I can assure you I kept that state of mind. Personally, I have never understood the large following of high end, designer purses, scarves, shoes, or anything for that matter. I would always ask myself, what’s the point? I have a quality pair of nikes that get the job done, and my backpack from L.L. Bean is completely satisfactory. Why is there so much status assumed when you see someone with a Louis Vitton? The real question being, although taboo to ever ask a true fashion loving woman, why waste all that money?

Now the answer to that question is a complicated one, dating back centuries. To sum the legacy up, it all started with a man by the name of Thierry Hermès who created Hermès as a harness shop, nothing more nothing less. After a few generations had passed, the Hermès Frères era began, beginning with simple saddle making. As time progressed, they eventually gained right to produce products containing the zipper, which included clothing and leather goods. Finally, in 1922, one of the men’s wives requested a purse to be made for her, and so began the long journey that this French luxury goods company has been through.

After reading through pages and pages of information much more detailed than that short sum up, it all started to make sense. There is a firm story behind this, and it all pieces together, but still, why? Why are woman like Martha Stewart and Kate Moss willing to sign themselves up to wait years for one of these bags? Although the story does make sense and the legacy has firm back-up, still, why not respect it from a comfortable distance? Why be so willing to throw so much money at one simple product, no matter how lovely a back story it has?

With these questions in mind I had to think that there really must be something beautiful about these products. Something one of a kind that could never be replicated. Even though a bag is a bag to me, maybe these will change my mind.

As it turns out, they did change my mind. These bags are hand-sewn, buffed and painted, and take up to 48 hours to finish. No factory work here, but real, true blue dedication. At the risk of sounding cheesy, they may even be made with love. They come in varying hides including calf leather, ostrich, crocodile, and lizard, and there is a plethora of colors to choose from. Every bag comes with a lock and key, they all lack any actual logo.

Take it from me, an especially fashion-blind teen, just a little reading up can change your outlook. I’ve developed a new found respect, and maybe even I will put my name on one of those waiting lists. You never know.

Did you have any misconceptions, too? What did you think? Surprised by the truth?