How Do YOU Define Success

Hello!

So recently, I watched a video on YouTube by Gabriel Conte describing his reasons for thinking he is successful and how he became so successful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmQTyuQWJBc

This video really got me thinking, how do I define success in my own life and how does my definition of success alter the way I view my life.  Success, as many people think of it, is reaching a point of great wealth and popularity.  Yet so many of these wealthy "successful" people fall into negative habits, depression, and some even commit suicide.  Conte describes his success in terms of the relationships he has developed and the effort and time he has placed into those relationships in order to allow them to flourish.

I fell in love with his view of the world.

No, this does not suddenly make me the world's most positive person. No, I am not enlightened. No, I am not perfect.

But, my perception has shifted.

Success is not a one-size fits all.  We all measure success based on our own accomplishments and our own goals.  The main idea around this video and this post is that success does not equal wealth but rather how you take in all the blessings in your life and take advantage of those blessings in a positive manner.  Life is a great culmination of our actions and it really requires all of our efforts to reach a point of ultimate success.

So I ask, how do YOU define success?  Does your malformed definition of success make you out to be less than you are? Can you modify success to fit your life? If you have yet to reach success, can you modify your goals to attain realistic, true success?

A.

Envy.

Hey.

Recently, I came across a troubling realization.  I am envious.

My mother is probably reading this and flipping out because envy is such a terrible thing and its one those seven deadly sins and its just generally not good.  But, we all do it.  We all envy.

In today's society is it so easy to go online and peek into someone else's life.  It is so simple to see all that everyone has, all of their material possessions, all of their relationships, their lives essentially.  It is incredibly easy to compare what you have to what they have.

Personally, I was really depressed about having to make the tough decision to enter FIU rather than move to Washington DC for college.  I had a difficult time finding a reason to get out of bed.  Sometimes, I lost my appetite and even lost a few pounds over my saddness.  I didn't really tell anyone about how I felt until one night I just couldn't hold it in anymore and I walked into my parent's bedroom, sobbing like a child because I felt everything in my life had gone wrong.

Truthfully, life just isn't always perfect. Things were not going my way and seeing everyone around me so happy, filled with so many amazing opportunities and new experiences, I felt like I was being held back from reaching my full potential.

Then, out of nowhere, all the signs that I kept praying for came to me.

It all began prom night.  Prom was incredibly expensive.  Don't get me wrong, it was an unforgettable experience and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to be part of the tradition that is "Prom" but I regret paying so much for one night.  I regret feeling like I had to be beautiful for everyone around me rather than feeling beautiful for myself.  I mainly regret feeling sad for myself about not having a date because despite being dateless, I had an awesome time with my friends.

That night taught me that I was so concerned about what others thought about me that I did not stop to think about what I thought of myself. I needed the elegant dress, the beautiful hair, the long nails, everything had to be perfect (@ Sharpay Evans).  By the end of the night, my makeup was streaking down my face, my hair was frizzy, and my heels were in my hand.  None of the other stuff mattered because I danced with my closest friends and had a good time while still being sober.

After prom, I realized I didn't need a mans nor did I need all of these excessive and expensive things to make me happy.

Then, the following night I went to church and a lady went up to my mother and started speaking to her about a new radio station which led to the conversation about a Puerto Rican prayer group and then led to the conversation about a young adult ministry.

One of my main concerns about going to FIU was that I would not be involved in my faith as I would be at CUA, especially considering my recent hindrance in my faith (we all have moments where we question ourselves and our connection to God, but that's a whole nother topic).  When I found out that there was a youth ministry near me of students my age that sought the Lord in the same way I did, I knew it was a sign.

So, the point of my anecdote was not to spark sympathy, because I am getting better, but to show you that sometimes life sucks.  Sometimes, we see that others are enjoying their lives and we see all that they have but even once we reach a similar point we still see what we don't have rather than all of the blessings around us.

Look around you.  Right now, you are probably envious and jealous of someone who has more, who has more money or more friends or more time to relax.  Let it go (@ Frozen lol).  Focus on all the amazing opportunities, even if they are small.  Things may not be going your way right now, but if you continue striving for your goals you will have all that you need to fulfill your own journey towards happiness.

It is so difficult with all of this negative energy and this push to lead an idle life but God calls us to keep pursuing greater goals.

Today, I am focusing on the small victories of just going to the gym and the sun shining beautifully outside because life is too short to be envious.

A.

P.S. - I looked like a little princess at prom and I had such a fun time!

Science.

Hello

My two favorite subjects in school have always been science and mathematics.  As a young girl, I was often teased and bullied for doing well in school and enjoying these subjects (even when I myself did not understand them).  Females are told from a young age that they do not belong in the STEM field because of their gender, because of women's predetermined role in society.  Furthermore, the entire discussion of science is seen as something to be discussed by people who lack the knowledge to be adequately part of the conversation.

Obviously, I consider myself a laymen, someone who lacks proper specialized knowledge in a particular subject.  I am still a student, still in the process of learning.  But this makes my role in the conversation that much greater, it makes me and all other students part of the future.

This weekend the March for Science was held in more than 600 cities across the world on Earth Day.  I learned more about the subject, as it is directly related to the field of engineering in which I plan on going into.  The movement is based "on informed advocacy, community building, and accessible education" (according to the March for Science website homepage: https://satellites.marchforscience.com).

Instantly, I thought about the great impact science and learning has on our community.

It is so important to be part of a conversation and to establish a connection with the world around us in a more coherent and specialized manner.  So, I encourage all of you reading this to become more aware.  Science may not be your best subject, sometimes the material is difficult to grasp and the lessons are hard to apply but it impacts every single one of us on a daily basis.

Learn. Be present.  Establish yourself as a member of society.

This world, it is not going to be here forever.  We must learn not only to care for it but to evolve in it.

If you have any topics or things that you wished to be discussed, please leave them in the comments below.

A.

P.S. - I wrote this a while ago and simply forgot to post it (lol) but I still believe the message is pertinent and hopefully sparks a discussion.

Evolving.

Hi.

Recently, things in my life have changed.  I have changed.  My perspective, my priorities, everything about me has matured and grown up into a small, concise package that is Ana Valentin.  When I began writing my blog, I made it in the hopes that I could share some of my high school experience as well as my love for fashion and other super girly things.  As crazy as it may seem, I am not the same person I was as a freshman in high school.  I have grown up a little and honestly, fashion is no longer a priority of mine (mostly due to lack of funds, but we will ignore that).

There is so much more I want to discuss and put out into the world (even if the only people that read this are my parents, hi mom and dad :).  Point being: my blog is a piece of me that will continue evolving as I do.

Quick Update:
So yes, I have chosen to change my blog and eventually the style and look will change too.  As I go into college and face the real world, I will have new experiences with new people and a whole new life.  Right now, things are changing drastically and not in the way anyone expected them to.  I will be remaining at home, living at home, commuting to college, studying biomedical engineering, while *hopefully* working part-time nearby.  No, I haven't decided if I will go to medical school or grad school or anything else for that matter.
But I am getting a new car and its beautiful, I will share at a later date.

Some of you may be wondering, why has Ana suddenly decided to make such a drastic change? Well my dear reader, because a drastic change was made in me.  I want to have fun times and be goofy and at the same time be able to uphold a meaningful conversation with another person, and I want my blog to reflect that.  I attempted to emulate people with a totally different life perspective than mine previously.  Now I am creating my own content that makes me happy and sparks a discussion that I want.

For a long time, I did not use my blog or write anything because I did not know how to tie in my life to my blog.  This time I can share my life, the reality of what college is like from my perspective and make a place where my ideas and my thoughts can flourish and my experiences can be shared without the overwhelming need to make everything perfect like all other social media seems to force us to do.  I realize I am not attending a college like Stanford where different minds come together in a melting pot of brilliance, but I've come to the conclusion that anything you do in life is up to YOU to make the most out of it.

I hope you all can support me in my decision to change this blog into a more lifestyle-discussion piece.

Thank you for all the loyal few that continuously read my work, and to the new readers I hope you stay to find out what I am all about.

A.

Being a Leader

Hello Lovelies!

As I have stated before, I am in a position of leadership at my school as the Battalion Commander of  Junior ROTC program of 250 cadets.  This past year has taught me so much about being in charge of a large group of people and being held accountable for everything that happens concerning the group. Leadership is so much more than just delegating and commanding people, it is so much more than just telling others what to do while you sit back and take the credit.  I am held responsible for all the good and bad that happens in the Gator Battalion.  So, stemming from this experience that is about to end in less than a month (wow, that's actually crazy) I wanted to let you all know some of the lessons I have learned this past school year!

~ 1 ~

Always be part of the process, but learn to delegate.

So, the majority of the time people that are placed in high authority have type A personalities.  From a psychological perspective dealing with stress, type A personalities are more competitive and self-critical.  It is important to know, you cannot control every little detail.  But that does not mean you must delegate every single task to someone else and just watch them do all the work.  Have a balance between delegating and doing thing yourself.

~ 2 ~

Be passionate about what you do.

People around you, particularly those underneath your leadership, will notice any changes in your enthusiasm and will mimic whatever you do.  If you are having a bad day, they will have a bad day as well.  If you lose passion for what you do, everyone around you will feel the same way.  I have watched projects fail because the participants lose passion due to bad/lack of leadership.  Remember, you are the foundation of whatever your in charge of.

~ 3 ~

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Whatever you do, never compare yourself to other leaders.  There is a stigma that you must be better than the last and you must be the best in your group, but that is not necessarily always the most optimal viewpoint.  You are not in a competition with anyone but yourself.  So focus on what you have to do and do the best within your own capabilities and everything will turn out fine.

~ 4 ~

Learn from those around you.

Despite being chosen for the position of Battalion Commander, I take the time every day to speak to the freshman in the program and converse with them as I would with a friend.  This is something that so many leaders overlook, the power of the smaller majority.  Everyone underneath you is dependent on you and it is important to know who they are and to learn from them.  They have ideas and concerns and they can bring a new perspective to the table. Do not underestimate anyone.

~ 5 ~

Trust yourself. Only yourself.

I once said, "Loneliness is an easy thing to come by on the road to success." That is true.  Being in charge and accountable for everything that occurs to a group of people forces you to make certain sacrifices.  My best advice is to keep things to yourself concerning the leadership role you are in because many people will want to see you fail.  Obviously do not hold things in and speak to trusted advisers but be careful about who you choose and acknowledge that you are in a position others want and may envy.

~ 6 ~

There is more to life than what you are leading.

As much as people tend to make their entire lives about work or about something very important to them, it is essential to maintain a balance among all aspects of life.  There is still family, religion, friends, and simple daily tasks that can be put on the back-burner.  Do not feel bad or selfish for occasionally saying no or taking a day off.

Leadership is such an important skill to have in life and I think everyone should have the basics of leading a group of people.  I hope this post will help some of you out in any upcoming leadership roles you may encounter.  If you have any questions or need some advice, I am always available so do not hesitate to ask.

Have a blessed day!

xoxo, Ana

Cardinal Preview Day 2017

Hello Lovelies!

As you are all now aware of, I will be attending the Catholic University of America in the upcoming semester.  This past weekend I attended Cardinal Preview Day in which I got to explore the campus, speak to prospective students, and check out the Biomedical Engineering program.  I absolutely loved the experience and it really confirmed my choice in attending that institution.

I will be getting back into blogging as I've truly been missing writing and want to share the college experience with all of you.  Lots of things will be changing as I enter university, obviously I will be moving from Florida to Washington D.C. which is a completely different world.  This is incredibly exciting and I am honestly really happy.

Here are some pictures from the trip:

I really hope that I will be given the opportunity to remain consistent on my blog and hope that all goes well throughout the next four years.

xoxo, Ana

P.S. - Not sure if you noticed, but I did cut and color my hair.  I still have mixed feelings but I may go blonder next time!!

Happy 2017: I'm Back and I'm Better

Hello Lovelies!

It has been so long since my last actual post.  I honestly feel as if I have abandoned one of my favorite aspects of my life.  I have been extremely busy.  There has been many events that have occurred since we last spoke.  I want to quickly fill you guys in on some of the things that have occurred since I last wrote before I let you all know about the future, especially concerning my senior year of high school! :D

Well, I have participated in countless events such as the Freedoms Foundation Valley Forge trip as well as an awesome program called H2O to Go at Florida Atlantic University.  Those were more educational trips concerning history and marine biology, respectively.  I also went to Washington DC for Academic Team and made 16th in the United States.  Then, as a senior in high school so much has happened.  I am the Battalion Commander of my JROTC program so that's been so much work but I have also done Raiders (we made it to states! :) and other events throughout the year.  It has been very stressful but rewarding.  In my personal life, I had a boyfriend and then realized that neither was prepared for that kind of commitment and broke up with him shortly after.  Now I am spending time with my closest friends.

The biggest news has to be my acceptance into The Catholic University of America in Washington DC.  I have placed my enrollment fee in and will officially be attending in August 2017 in the school of Engineering to study Biomedical Engineering with a focus on pre-med.  I am super excited for the opportunity to study at such an amazing and religiously fulfilling institution.

The year 2016 was really difficult for me and very enlightening.  I am ready to go into 2017 with a new perspective and insight into what life is really about.

I hope you all had an amazing new years and holiday season and are prepared for another year of new experiences and obstacles.

xoxo, Ana

Long Time No See

Hello Lovelies!

It's been almost two months since my last post and I feel horrible.  Life has honestly been such a whirlwind of events and studying and working that I haven't had much time to do anything.

I hope you all will forgive my lack of posts recently.  I will be working hard to post new content as soon as I can. Right now, I am in the midst of AP season and I am taking three exams so please bear with me.  I plan on getting a new camera soon so that I can bring you all quality, unique content.  This summer is going to be an interesting one, so you all should be able to come on this journey with me.

Hope you're all doing well and can have patience with me.

xoxo, Ana

Big Things Coming

Hello Lovelies!

As those of you know who read my second to last post, I have kind of been dealing with a lot lately and life has kind of been a whirlpool of new experiences, both good and bad.  For a minute I felt very hopeless and like things were never going to get better.  God, as always, has proved me very wrong.

Sometimes, God has an unconventional way of showing us that life has it's difficult moments but it always gets better.  He will never put us through anything that He feels we cannot endure.  And as a teenager in today's society, those hardships become a lot more public.  He is always pushing us, testing our limits, helping us to go in his path.  If you are as stubborn as I am, sometimes that requires a little push.

The last couple of weeks served as a BIG push.  God most definitely tested my limits and although I failed in some aspects, I got back up on my saddle and pushed myself toward God's path.  Now, I am reaping the rewards.  My life is taking a very busy turn for the better.  {As if I wasn't busy enough...}

I am finally going to Philadelphia on Thursday and I couldn't be more excited !!!

My academic team made it to Washington DC !!!

I might be getting a job.... or I at least applied !!!

In a few months I start college applications !!!

So basically, my life got really exciting, really fast.  I am super pleased at how everything is turning out, although I am exhausted and stressed {good stress guys :D}.  New opportunities are so important to take advantage of and make the most.  You can always learn something new from even the simplest of moments.

Hopefully my new job means a better wardrobe which means more fashion posts.  And hopefully I will take lots of pictures in Philly and Washington and life will be great because you all have new content and I get new experience!

I hope you all are having a great February and ill talk to you in a few.

xoxo, Ana

Relative Happiness.

Hey Lovelies!

Today I have a post for you all that is a bit more intimate.  I want to talk about happiness, specifically "relative happiness."

Most of us live in a place where no real poverty exists, only relative poverty.  We compare ourselves to other people and we compare what we have to what others have.  But we have a choice to live a happy and fulfilled life, and yet many of us are not proud or glad at their current position in life.  We are never content, we always want more, seeking perfection.

Happiness is a choice, a feeling.  Not always is happiness available for us, sometimes we have to feel sad, upset, even depressed.  What we cease to realize is that joy and great pleasure is a lifestyle that you can commit to.  Life does not always hand you lemons, life will have hardships and you will suffer.  But that does not mean that you can never be happy again.

You can choose to go about living your life dwelling on the things that did not happen and on the things that you did not have.  Or you can choose to dwell on the people that love you and the happiness you gained from simple things, like a lovely sunset.  Focus on the fact that there are people out there with so much less, who are living in real poverty, spending days hungry and alone.

Did you know that generosity releases hormones that make you feel better, happier?

Give back to those who have less.  Give back to those who have helped you.  Give back to those who have hurt you.

Live a life of joy!  Live a life worth living.  You only have one chance, you only have this moment to make it count.  So choose happiness!

We all have someone who cares for us, even when you feel as if you don't!  If you are reading this, know that I love you and I appreciate you.

xoxo, Ana

Merry Christmas!

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas filled with blessings and great joy.  Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus, the coming of our savior.  It's always important to keep that reminder that Christ is the reason for the season and we celebrate Him today.

My heart goes out to all those that spent the holidays alone, far away from their families, without a home, without food, etc.  People don't like to address it, but I find it important to keep others on your mind since {as some of you may already know} I've always wanted to do missionary and charity work.

Happy Holidays!

Let me know in the comments below what your favorite memory this past Christmas was.

xoxo, Ana

Christmas Wishlist

Hello Lovelies!

As I stated last year, Christmas is definitely not about the gifts or the material things.  Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to be with family and give thanks for all the wonderful blessings.  But a part of this celebration is giving gifts.

Although I already know what my present is going to be and it is already under the tree, I wanted to make a list to give others ideas for what to give the girly girl in their lives.  So without further adue, my christmas wishlist:

Pandora $65

~ ring ~

Pandora $65

Last year for Christmas I got a ring that unfortunately began to rust throughout the year and eventually half the ring turned black.   So this year I asked for a new ring to replace the old one, and I decided to invest in a good ring that would last me the rest of my life essentially. I will give you all a sneak peak into what I am receiving this Christmas by showing you all my wonderful new ring.


~ running shoes ~
Running shoes are another item that I need to replace.  My current running shoes have lasted me a year {quite a while for an avid runner}.  They are old and very, very well used.  I love my running shoes and want the same exact ones but they need to be replaced since I am constantly running typically three to four miles a day.

Skechers $65

~ happy planner ~

Pandora $65

This year I really want to focus on my time management and being able to complete many tasks in a day, outside of just doing the minimum in school and going to practice.  With so many exciting things happening this upcoming year, a new planner to organize my thoughts would be a very thoughtful gift.

Pandora $65

Michaels $24 {only $16 with 40% off coupon!!!}

~ stickers ~
To go along with the planner, stickers would be super cute!  If you know anything about the planner community, you know that stickers and sticky notes and accessories are a must for the planner.  It adds a little something to your planner and gives you personalization.

Etsy $2-10

~ clothes ~

Honestly, what girl doesn't want new clothes for the new year? Clothes is an essential and as I do write a fashion blog I find it fitting to include this in my Christmas wishlist.  Since I will be doing lots of traveling {yay!} this upcoming year I will be needing clothes for those trips that are coming up sooner than expected. :D

JCPenny $42

I hope you guys get some inspiration for to ask for this Christmas.  As I stated before, I will definitely not be getting all of this all I am getting is my ring.  Eventually I will need new shoes and a jacket for my trip but those will come in their designated time.  

If you want to leave suggestions below for some things others could ask for this Christmas, don't be afraid to leave a comment.  I personally would've also added a new computer to my list but I know that isn't feasible for most people (not even myself).

Happy Holidays!

xoxo, Ana

Holiday Cookie {FAIL}

Hello Lovelies!

This weekend my little sisters and I decided to make cookies for the family as a surprise and a fun way to get into the holiday spirit.  We researched a new recipe and found an italian cookie dough recipe and decided to make some festive cookies.  To say the least, we made the cookies and they tasted very floury and undercooked.  I wanted to share the process anyway because the pictures came out cute, but I don't plan on making cookies from scratch anytime soon.  

I do want to let you all know that midterms are in two weeks and that's why I have been extremely busy lately.  After midterms there will be more consistent posts as I have some exciting events coming up so watch out for those!

Let me know in the comments below some traditions and fun things your family does during the holidays to celebrate.

xoxo, Ana

Giving Thanks

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you had a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving.  Yesterday, I had a lot of time to think about my life and what I am grateful for.  Although I try to practice gratitude on a daily basis through prayer and journaling, it still brought me great peace to have a day dedicated to physically taking time to give thanks.

Sometimes it is incredibly easy for us to overlook the man amazing and wonderful things God has placed in our paths.  As my priest said yesterday, we must all have an attitude of gratitude and stop taking things for granted.  Today's society seems to value negativity and complaining, especially among the younger audience.  One thing God has taught me and I continue to learn is that complaining gets you nowhere.

It is so important to be thankful and appreciate the little things.  Take the time to appreciate a beautiful sunrise, to tell your mother how much you love her, to do something kind for another person even if you don't get a thank you.

Life is so much more than material things and about what you have.  I believe in doing things for others without getting any physical appreciation because the feeling of giving is so much better.  So be grateful and give back.  Appreciate everything you have and try your best not to envy others because we all have a struggle.

I love all of my wonderful followers and I am incredible grateful for my wonderful blog.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

xoxo, Ana

Peek Into My Planner

Hello Lovelies!

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST WAS WRITTEN IN AUGUST AND NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED CONCERNING MY PLANNER SO I WILL STILL POST IT, BUT I DO PLAN ON MAKING ADDITIONS TO MY ORGANIZATION SOON. :D

As you guys know, I am an extremely busy person, especially when it comes to school. A popular topic among bloggers and YouTubers lately has been planners.  For some reason, these little guys have become increasingly popular.  I personally have always loved them.

Before, I had an obsession with making my planner very colorful and full of super-duper-extraordinary-amazing organization skills.  Over the years I have learned that it is absolutely useless to do this.  So now I just use black pen because it's simple and stands out.  This year I am using a planner from the brand Mintgreen that can be found at WalMart.  In terms of organization everyone has something different.

What works for me is using a weekly/monthly planner.  Each section their own tab, the month is the pink tab and the week is the blue tab.  In the month part I list the most important things as well as anything that is scheduled.  For example, doctors appointments, tests, quizzes, and after school activities are listed on this page.  On the side of each month I also have an inspirational quote that lifts my spirits each month.  Then, on the weekly page I strictly use that to write my homework.  As you can see I will write the class then follow with the homework assignment and {unless it is due the following day} I will write the date it is due in parentheses.  Once I have completed a task I just cross it off my list.

Everyone has a different way of organizing themselves.  I used to use sticky notes for every class (I still use sticky notes but only to write extra information), I also use to color code using pens and highlighters, one year I completely disregarded the monthly pages, some people use their phones to write a to-do list.  It is all personal preference.  So explore different options and don't limit yourself until you find what helps you be most productive.

xoxo, Ana

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Hello Lovelies!

I cannot believe this day has come.

Two years ago today, my life completely changed.  Two years ago today I made a commitment to myself.  Two years ago today I created Fun-Sized Fashion.

The amount of pride and dedication I have to my blog is indescribable.  Although life may not always make it easy, I find a way to never desert her, no matter the circumstance.  It has been difficult being a full-time student and having other priorities, but my blog is my safe place where I can express myself freely.  Sharing my life has been a wonderful experience and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to create my own little haven.

My gratitude goes out to all the people that have supported me and continue to support me, even though I may not be consistent due to the ups and downs of life.  Hopefully, with your support I can make so much more of the blog I have and can continue to make consistent content for all of you.

I promise to continue blogging and sharing my life and showing the world how a young girl matures.   I have come such a long way from the fourteen year old young girl I was two years ago.  I have developed my own fashion style, a sense of priorities, and an incredible work ethic, all because of  a simple web site I created.

This blog may not be important to anyone but myself.  This blog may be completely irrelevant.  This blog may seem silly.  This blog is ME and I love it and cherish it so much, words cannot explain. This blog is all my hard work summed up into one small piece of the internet.

I am so happy to celebrate blogging for two years! I cannot wait to see what the future holds in store for Fun-Sized Fashion.

xoxo, Ana

Book Nook: The Elite

Hey Lovelies!

So we are now back to my regular posts.  I recently bought a book at the airport coming back from Puerto Rico.  Although I have been stumped and overloaded with lots of books and things to do for school, I felt it important to take a little bit of time to do something I love and haven't had the luxury of doing in a very long time.

I promise I will try my best not to give any spoilers in this in depth review, but if you haven't read the first book The Selection by Kiera Cass then I suggest that you not read my review until you have read it, but to answer the questions:  Yes, I recommend the first book.  Yes, I recommend the second book.
To be quite honest these books intrigued me because of their covers.  The model is absolutely gorgeous, the dresses she wears are spectacular, and the colors really draw attention.  I am in love with old dresses and the ornate styles they used in the late eighteenth century, very similar to the ones they use in the series.

As for the writing style of the book I believe it was phenomenally written.  The scenes were described beautifully, both in the first and second novels.  The characters {here are many to pay attention to in this book} are well developed and each have their own flare that continually follows the plot.  It can be a bit difficult to pick apart each character as they continue to increase in relevance.  At one point I had to stop to think , in my head, who are the maids, who are the competition, who is the queen, and who is the advisor.  So many female names are introduced it was difficult to keep track of them at one point.

I promised to no spoilers.  But I will say this, I fell in love with this book.  Few times are romances so realistic and intricate as in this novel.  Cass did a fantastic job at bringing the reader into America's world.  I felt part of the Selection.

The plot is intriguing and wonderful.  I recommend this book 100%.

xoxo, Ana

Puerto Rico: Day 40

Hello Lovelies!

Last day on the island and I definitely had mixed feelings.  My sister and I were upset because we had to leave our family and island behind, but ready to come home.

Our flight got delayed five hours {you read correct FIVE hours}.  So we got a good look at what it's like to be in an airport alone for the first time.  The flight was great and relatively empty.  Thank God we made it home safely.

Ready to go home!

At the airport.

We ate Auntie Anne's as a snack.

Waiting at the airport.

Finally on the plane! We had lots of snacks.

Yes I bought a book.

I read half of it in the day I was at the airport. ;D

Home Sweet Home!

I am so happy that I got to document my trip to Puerto Rico on my blog.  This just goes to show that I can complete my goals and that with motivation anything is possible.  I hope that you guys enjoyed my last 41 posts.  They weren't my usual posts of fashion and fitness and that sort of thing, but they were entertaining and it honestly brought me so much joy.

xoxo, Ana

Puerto Rico: Day 39

Hey Lovelies!

So as I sated in the last post, nothing exciting will be happening in the upcoming Puerto Rico blogs because it was the last few days and they were filled with a lot less fun and a lot more preparation.  I am currently back home and I did take a few days break just because I was exhausted from the flight and exhausted from the trip in general.  I am slowly getting back into the rhythm of things.

Starting the packing process.

We made some super awesome brownies!

A lizard in the toilet... poor guy got flushed down.  oops.

Have an amazing day!

xoxo, Ana

Puerto Rico: Day 38

Hey Lovelies.

Unfortunately there won't be any more cool, super-fun posts coming up but I want to finish this series so I will tell you all how my day went.

Today I made another sewing project for my aunt because she needed it.  I made her a cosmetic bag using the same pattern as I used for mine.  It came out much better because I fixed mistakes made in the other bag.  I also worked out!!! It makes me really happy but my diet hasn't exactly been the best but it's okay I will fix it when I get home.

xoxo, Ana