7 Easy Ways To Change Things Up

Sometimes we all need a change. We go through ruts, we get tired of the same old things, and we feel like we need to change aspects of our lives in order have a refreshed approach. Recently I felt like I was in a rut and decided to make some necessary changes, and these changes seemed to do the trick and put me back on track! If you are in need of a refresher, try some of these easy changes and get yourself feeling shiny and new!

(image source)

Changing up your style is an easy, yet incredibly effective way to switch things up. Start with going through your closet and getting rid of things that you don't wear, aren't your style anymore, or no longer fit. Doing this will make room for new pieces that suit you better. Plus, getting rid of excess always feels amazing. I went through my closet recently and tried on everything that I haven't worn in over two months. I finished with a huge pile of clothing that no longer worked for me and I was left with room in my closet for new things. I have been changing up my wardrobe by adding new pieces that go along with current trends that I have been loving, such as the athleisure trend and the more minimalistic style. 

(image source)

Organizing is always something that helps me to regroup and get back on track. Whether it is organizing things in my room, my closet, or just organizing my life, it makes such a difference. If you feel like your life is chaotic, take some time to slow down and get things together. Buy some new storage and arrange your clothes, makeup and accessories, or get a planner and organize your life and your schedule. Organization is the best way to stay on top of things. 

(image source)

My room is where I spend the most of my time when I am in my house, so after a couple of years I felt the need to make a couple of changes. I decided to go a really easy route to switch up my room by purchasing some new throw pillows to replace the ones I have had for the last 4 years. Just getting three new pillows made my room feel new again! If you want to make a bigger change you can always get new bedding, make a new gallery wall, or rearrange your furniture. 

(image source)

Lipstick is something that is inexpensive, fun, and it can easily change up your whole look. If you are like me and tend to rotate between the same couple of lipstick shades, go out and try something different to give you a new look!

(image source)

Finding a new hobby or activity that you love is such a rewarding thing. Depending on what you choose, it may have a huge impact on your life. I recently discovered yoga and now I am so happy that I chose to try it out. I do it twice a week and already feel such a difference in my life since I have started doing it. So find an activity or hobby that interests you and try it out!

(image source)

As healthy as I try to eat, sometimes it can be hard to truly stay on top of a completely guilt free meal plan. However this past month I have made a lot of dietary changes and I plan on making even more in the near future. Since doing so, my body has felt so incredible and so refreshed. Not only does my body feel great, but it is also looking better!

This is definitely the most drastic and most noticeable change out of all of these. If you want to really change things up, then take the plunge and go for the look that you want whether it be a new cut or color, or just a simple change in the part of your hair or the way that you style it everyday. I have had long hair for the longest time and recently found myself just itching to change it, so I chopped off 8 inches of it and was able to donate it to make wigs for children with hair loss. 

          What will you do to change things up?

How To Have Killer Confidence

Over the years I have been a very self-conscious person, lacking any type of confidence. I have a disability called Cerebral Palsy, and would often times think that everyone was looking at me because of how I walked or I would allow myself to think negatively about myself because of my condition or the way I looked. I came to the point where I realized that life is too precious to be dwelling over things we cannot change and that it was time to start living the right way. I can say that I now consider myself to be an extremely confident person. I have put together a list of things that help me to have killer confidence. I hope you can take something away from this!

I have discovered that one of the most important things you can do is to simply compliment yourself. I know that may seem weird or narcissistic, but it really will boost your confidence. As humans we often like to harp on our flaws, but instead we need to focus on the positive things about ourselves. Look in the mirror and tell yourself something nice, and believe what you are telling yourself. As you walk down the street, silently tell yourself positive things. By doing this, you are building your own self-esteem. This is important to do because everyone should love and believe in themselves.

Unfortunately, what other people think and say about us can have an impact on the way we perceive ourselves. If you don't pay attention to what other people think of you, it won't affect you at all. I know that this sounds hard, but it is easier than it seems. I tend to get caught up on what random strangers that have no importance in my life at all think about me. I get self conscious when people stare at me, but then I have to think and tell myself that I should not be letting people that I don't even know dictate how I feel about myself. If someone doesn't like who you are, they aren't even worth your time or thought. What other people think of you, does not determine your worth or value.

Comparing yourself to other people is something that is so harmful to our self-esteem. You have to remember that everyone's life is different and that we each have good things and bad things in our lives. Comparing your job, grades, money, social life, looks, and body to other people will do nothing but make you self-conscious. Focus all of your time and energy on being the best, most confident version of yourself. 

Everyone has something that makes them unique and I believe that we all should embrace what makes us different. I have Cerebral Palsy and I love to dance. Instead of hiding my disability and something that I love doing, embrace it and show the world who I am. Here is a video. So don't look at your differences as flaws, look at them as what sets you apart from the billions of others in the world. If everyone was the same, life would be pretty darn boring. So find whatever makes you stand out, everyone has something, and own it!

Everyone goes through things and is self-conscious at some point in time. Maybe it is just one of those days where you are not feeling comfortable in your skin and you feel like everyone is noticing whatever you are feeling self-conscious about. However, chances are that everyone else is worried about their own things going on...because we all are just human.

For me, looking at the bigger picture is really something that helps me to stop dwelling and start being more confident. There are so many more important things happening that you can focus on instead of being self-conscious. Make every day a good one and live life to its fullest.  We only have one life to live and each day is a day that you can never get back, and do you really want to spend your days picking yourself apart or dwelling on minuscule things? 

A Dash of Ash: February Playlist

I've decided to start a new series on my blog, featuring monthly music playlists! My good friend Ashley will be providing the playlist each month making her the very first guest contributor on A Dash of Dayna! Her playlist for February is listed below, along with a link to the playlist on Spotify. Make sure to give her a follow on tumblr: http://www.chicago-belle.tumblr.com

Listen to the playlist on Spotify

My Guide to Chicago

*the illustration above is by Evelyn Henson.

The city of Chicago is an incredibly beautiful place and I am so happy to say that I have grown up in the Chicagoland area for my entire life. There is so much to see and explore in the "Windy City", so I thought that I would share some of my personal favorite places with you all. I have a mix of the quintessential tourist attractions, along with some little finds that are a bit more obscure. I have broken things down by the area they are located in, since Chicago is rather large. Whether you are visiting Chicago soon or you're a resident looking for new places to visit, I hope you enjoy!

(image source)

(image source)

Cloud Gate, also known as "The Bean", is a huge tourist attraction located in Millennium Park. The stainless steel sculpture that debuted in 2006 is a great photo opportunity. 

(image source)

Speaking of amazing photo opportunities, Buckingham Fountain is the perfect backdrop. Constructed in 1927, it remains one the largest fountains in the world. It is located in Grant Park and is the most beautiful at night.

(image source)

Located on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is host to some really fun things. While spending a day here you can ride on a boat (my favorite is the speed boat), take a boat tour of Chicago, eat (my favorite is Bubba Gump's), and go on rides (the infamous ferris wheel is currently under construction). If you are visiting Chicago during the warmer months, this is a must see!

(image source)

While I am personally not a huge beach person, I know many would enjoy spending a day lakeside in the city. Even if you aren't a beach fan like myself, it is still fun to soak up the sun and take some pictures on a hot summer's day. I would recommend Oak Street Beach or North Avenue Beach.

(image source)

Chicago is home to several well known museums. My personal favorite is the Art Institute which is home to paintings like The Old Guitarist by Picasso and American Gothic by Grant Wood. The Museum of Science and Industry is another favorite of mine. Some other Chicago museums include The Field Museum, The Adler Planetarium, and The Shedd Aquarium. 

(image source)

Chicago is obviously home to many famous skyscrapers, offering a unique opportunity to explore the city from high above the ground. Pictured above is the"skydeck" in the (Sears) Willis Tower, which allows visitors to step onto a platform that is suspended 103 floors up, offering incredible views extending to four states. If you are a baby about heights (like me), but still want to experience a breathtaking view I would recommend visiting the 360 Chicago Observatory at the John Hancock building. While their you can have a different view of the city and also grab a bite to eat!

(image source)

Maybe I'm biased because I have grown up eating it, but deep dish Chicago pizza is simply the best kind of pizza. My favorite is Giordano's, which has many locations downtown and in the suburbs. Other pizzerias that have mastered deep dish are Lou Malnati's and Gino's East. 

(image source)

The caramel and cheese popcorn mix is referred to as the "Chicago Mix" for a reason. If you visit Garrett Popcorn, your taste buds will thank you. 

(image source)

If you've grown up in the Chicagoland area this is a staple in your life, if you're from out of town this is a must visit. Portillo's is a Chicago based fast food chain offering incredible beef sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and more. While Portillo's has been expanding to other states in the past few years, it is known as a Chicago classic.

(image source)

Michigan Avenue and The Gold Coast neighborhood are premier shopping destinations in Chicago. Just walking up and down Michigan Avenue is an outing since it is lined with stores from Topshop and Zara, to Chanel and Cartier. 

Grand Lux Cafe is a great place to eat if you want to take a break from shopping on Michigan and enjoy a nice view of street. Grand Lux is owned by The Cheesecake Factory and has other locations, but the location in Chicago has such a great atmosphere. The portions are big and delicious and the creme brulee is to die for. If you go, try to sit in the room in the front with the window. This is one of my favorite places and where I typically eat lunch on my birthday!

(image source)

Water Tower Place is a great indoor shopping mall that is located right on the "Magnificent Mile". Although this is pretty much your average mall, it is a great place to spend some time shopping if you are in the area. The mall has glass elevators that are stationed in the middle of each floor, which is a very cool touch. The food options at this mall are also amazing. I am obsessed with Food Life, which is a restaurant that has several different stations featuring a bunch of different types of foods.

(image source)

The 900 North Michigan Shops are another indoor shopping center located along Michigan Avenue. The shops here are a bit less run of the mill and include Bloomingdale's, Kate Spade, Kendra Scott, and J. Crew!

Located right around the corner from the 900 North Michigan Shops, Sprinkles is the perfect place to go for a sweet treat, because everyone likes cupcakes, right?! Stop inside to see all that they have to offer, or just use the convenient cupcake ATM located just outside and available 24 hours a day. My favorite cupcakes are the banana, red velvet, vanilla, and s'mores. 

(image source)

Lincoln Park is hands down my very favorite area in Chicago. I love it because it feels smaller than other areas of the city, yet it still has an urban feel that you cannot get in the suburbs. Everywhere you turn there seems to be something that would make a great photo for Instagram. Lincoln Park is so amazing that the famous OPI nail "Lincoln Park After Dark" is named after it. If it is  Saturday afternoon, you can most likely find me here!

                  

The Lincoln Park Zoo is my absolute favorite way to spend a summer day in the city (I am slightly obsessed with looking at animals). Founded in 1868, it is one of the oldest zoos in the country, and one of very few zoos with free admission. The thing I love so much about the zoo is the fact that you feel like you are in an exotic place looking at giraffes, but when you walk out of that area you can look up and see the skyline. The zoo is very clean and offers visitors a wide variety of animals to see. My favorite house at the zoo is the one with the Apes, because you can get so close to them, while at other zoos they are harder to see. I also have an obsession with farm animals, so the petting zoo area is hard to get me out of. In addition to the beauty of the animals, there is one of the best photo-op areas in the zoo. In the middle of the zoo there is a walkway that has the most perfect view of the skyline...perfect for photos!

 

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is such a unique place to explore. It is located right across the street from Lincoln Park Zoo, making it easy to find. The coolest thing about this nature museum is the butterfly garden, which offers guests a chance to wander a room filled with thousands of  beautiful butterflies. They also have an elevated rooftop walk way that is incredibly picturesque. 

(image source)

If you need a blowout, Drybar is the place to go. My whole last post was about Drybar, so go check it out for more info!

(image source)

The Urban Outfitters Outlet is a somewhat hidden gem right on Clark Street. I found out about this outlet store about 4 years ago while browsing the internet. Soon enough, word spread around my high school about this place and then everyone starting going here. This store is basically filled with Urban Outfitters clearance and surplus items and everything is at a pretty fair price. They also run a lot of sales where the store is an additional half off. Not everything in the store is my style, but I have found some absolutely amazing pieces for such a steal!