The Sunday Social 01.13.12

1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging? I am a southern girl living in southern California - so I decided to call my blog Southern California Belle.  I've been on inconsistent blogger for a couple of years, in the past I've read blogs more than focus on my own.  But I'm working on it ;) 2. Why do you blog? To write type my thoughts.  Sometimes putting them out their for the world to read makes them more real.  It will be nice able to look back one day and see who I was in my twenties and where life takes me.  I enjoy reading blogs of people from all walks of life.

3. What is the first blog you ever followed?

Jamie at This Kind of Love

4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2012?

See this post.  It explains why all my prior blogs posts were deleted.  I think it is a worthwhile for all bloggers to read and be aware of copyrights and blogging.

5. What are your blogging goals for 2013?

To blog consistently. Comment more and be a sincere blogger. Develop more friendships with blogs. Meet a bloggy friend in real life.

6. Top 3 favorite blogs to follow?

There are some many wonderful bloggers I admire for all wonderful reasons here are a few of my favorites ... 

Amber @ Bugs, Barbies & Wedded Bliss 

Mandy @ Tickled Pink 

Jesslyn Amber @ Heart Like Mine

Dreaming of Spring

I've been under the weather the past week with a cold, thankfully not the flu, which is awful this year.  I am on the upswing, but nothing like an icky cold to make you daydream of warmer weather.

This Wednesday I was going a little stir crazy and it was an absolutely gorgeous day outside so I indulged in some retail therapy before I went to a work meeting.  I stopped by Ann Taylor Loft to peek at their new spring pretties, plus they had $25 off a $50 purchase, which never hurts.  Loft is one of my favorite stores, I always find great pieces for both work and play.  I purchased the top and denim pants, I've been lusting after some Pinterest outfits with gray and pink, so this did the trick for me.  I think the outfit would look great paired with some fun wedges and helped cure some of the post Christmas blues.

Dreaming of Spring by southerncabelle featuring seychelles

A little about me & a giveaway

If you are stopping by from Becky's blog From Mrs. To Mama, welcome to my little space in the blogging world and thanks for taking the time to stop by!  If not, make sure you stop by Becky's blog because me and some other wonderful bloggers are giving away some fabulous items!  Click here.  Mine is in this box waiting to be sent to the lucky winner :)

Here's a little about me.  I'm twenty-six years old, and still coming to terms with the fact I'm in my mid-twenties.  I live in southern California, but grew up in the south and I am complete southern girl at heart.  I went to San Diego State University and graduated with my degree in liberal studies (elementary education).   Right now I am bar tending and substitute teaching to pay the bills and while looking for a full time job.  Most days I want to wear jeans and converse but nothing makes me feel prettier than heels and a girly dress.  I love all things crimson and houndstooth - ROLL TIDE - and I am proud to say I can talk about college football with the guys and not make a fool of myself.  Relaxation to me is driving the hills by my house with the sunroof open listening to George Strait, or browsing Target.  I love Jessica Simpson, own way too many of her shoes, and wish I could raid her closet.  I also own all three seasons of Newlyweds on DVD, which is slightly embarrassing and I probably should have left that out.  I don't drink wine but I drink whiskey just fine.  Sit & stay awhile...

Falling Into Place

I've always maintained a strong faith that the pieces will fall into place.  I still maintain that strong faith.

But I've come to realize that a lot of those pieces falling into place are dependent on my actions.

When I graduated college I was optimistic that if I subbed a full time teaching position would fall into place.

I feel like I have been in a standstill since I have graduated college - floating in this post-college years funk while waiting tables and waiting for things to fall into place.

It has taken me some time to come to terms with this decision.  I may be slightly stubborn hard-headed strong willed.
But for my own personal happiness I think it is time I move forward and broaden my ambitions.

It is a tough pill to swallow.
I've struggled with it a lot.
Part of me feels like I am throwing in the towel and giving up on my dreams.

But a bigger and stronger part of me is realizing maybe I have other dreams and shouldn't limit myself based on what my bachelor's degree reads.

This year I am resolving to move forward with my life.  To break free from the standstill so the pieces can fall into place.

A little decorating & nail polish steal

In response to my previous post - the article linked is not intended to scare bloggers.  I think it is important that as bloggers we are aware of the possible repercussions of blogging.  I also think it is importants for bloggers to be informed.  This is going to change my style of blogging, in my opinion for the better, the content will be more original and uniquely mine.  You will still see some pictures that are not mine - but I will be making for damn sure I am not violating copyright by including them on my blog.  For example the picture of nail polish below is directly from Zoya's Pinterest board.

Now that is officially the New Year, I have packed away my Christmas decorations.  I didn't feel like I bought a lot of new Christmas decorations - however the three plastic containers I had to purchase from Target to store everything in say otherwise.  I will admit I do suffer from a bit of post Christmas blues.  I was not thrilled to see lawn chairs where Christmas trees were at Target, however I am not a fan of the clutter Christmas decorations sometimes bring.  I am in the mood to purge and taking complete advantage of it right now.  I've also been rearranging and doing some decorating.

Since my brother and I have been living in my parent's old house I haven't done much with my mantle. It drove me nuts, my brother is twenty two and could care less.  He would probably would think it was great if I decorated it with bottles of beer.  I avoided dealing with it by decorating it with seasonal decor for Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and then Christmas.  That bought me a good three months.  When I took down the garland this is what I was dealing with.

So I took a little trip to Homegoods and Hobby Lobby to remedy the situation.

Not a total betty but a vast improvement... name that movie.

While I was at Hobby Lobby I also snatched up some burlap - which is half off this week.  I say snatched because I was beginning to believe my Hobby Lobby actually didn't actually carry burlap because every time I went there they never had any.  Apparently I live in a very crafty area.  I don't even know what I am going to do with it yet - but I bought it because it was there.

If you like a steal of deal keep reading ...

Source: zoya.com via Zoya Nail Polish on Pinterest

I know most bloggers are hoarders of nail polish, myself included.  Zoya has an almost too good to be true promotion coming up.   Go here to get the details.

New Year - New Blog

This morning I woke up and was scrolling through Twitter on my iPhone when I came across a link that led me to this post.  I think it is a worthwhile read for all bloggers.  My initial reaction was blogging is not worth getting sued.  But I also know blogging is still very much worth it.  So it inspired me to change the way I blog.  I'll admit blogging can be a struggle for me.  Sometimes it is hard to find your own blogging voice.  But that is what I am going to do.  

From now on this blog will be about my life and will be glimpses of my life not cluttered with pictures from Pinterest, etc.  I am very much looking forward to challenging myself to making this blog more about me personally and less about the fluff.  I think it will be a more rewarding experience and also being more open about my own life will help me connect with more of the wonderful bloggers out there.  Cheers to a New Year and a new blog journey!