With so much going on lately, it's hard to process it all and not feel overwhelmed, at least speaking for myself. It's very important to stay calm and use this time to our benefit, if any- panicking will only cause more problems and stress. I'm using this time to recharge and do things I enjoy indoors. A good book can whisk me away me for hours! Here's a few of my favorites that are perfect for staying indoors. 

An interesting take on technology and the relationship we've created with it. This one quickly became a favorite, making me think of my views on how much I value my privacy and social control. 
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Most of us look forward to ending the day in a comfy bed… except for Christine. I love a good mystery thriller and this one had me hooked by the first few pages.
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Another heart breaker alert! This will have you grabbing tissue by the end, but in the best way. And there’s a movie that’s just as good as the book to watch after you finish!
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I love a book that lets you think you have it figured out and then completely turns you upside down, leaving you back at square one. 

You either hate or love this (imo, great) story of how the environment around us impacts our relationships and how we view ourselves. A quick, easy read- perfect for commuters!

*Currently Reading: Something in the Water

Next to read list:
Educated by Tara Westover
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo

Read any of these? LMK, I'm always down to talk about books! 

Back then, if you weren’t married and having children by 25, something was up. Not the typical holiday relatives asking “what’s up,” but a whole town shaming you kind of “what’s up.” Fast forward to today where if you’re married and even remotely thinking of kids at 25, you will most likely get silently shamed for rushing. How fun it is to keep up with societal norms; a good mental exercise, I suppose.

As a 25 year old married woman who is currently terrified of having kids anytime soon, the thought of focusing on myself instead of creating a love child with my partner is becoming less enticing. As the years roll by, it even seems, dare I say… comforting. Comforting in the sense that there’ll be more to my life than yin yoga and Law and Order: SVU reruns. Quickly After that comforting thought comes the paralyzing thoughts of saying goodbye to my alone time. Forget vacations with JUST my guy and I and random midday sex (not that it’s a super regular occurrence now but hey, w/o a kid, it’s a weekend option!). Then the scarier questions flood in: will I be a good mother? Will I be a PTA, cookie-baking mom or a career-driven mom? Will my kid be a serial killer or worse, hate me? Which then floats me down the worry river of my biggest concern regarding kids before 30: Am I giving up on my career too soon? 

We women have made tremendous strides in empowering each other and inserting ourselves where we belong: on the boards of big corporations, politics, and starting businesses. I can’t shake this feeling off of an unspoken shame around starting a family before focusing on a career but the biological clock doesn’t stop ticking and the thought of being a relatively young mom is so alluring. 

But if I focus on my career longer, will I get too comfortable not having kids? I often look at all the amazing women role models in my life, some mothers and other childless and running shit at companies. It’s like nervously picking a side to play on but rooting for the other team, simultaneously. I want my children to grow up with not one but two career role models. I want my future children to be proud of their mothers choices and success in what I enjoy doing, my contribution to this world.

I’m sure moms and moms-to-be are shaking their heads like “you idiot, your life doesn’t STOP with kids.” Sure, it pauses and eventually slows down in certain areas but I hear a lot of moms say that they’re more confident in their skills after kids and even have a bigger flame of motivation to kick ass for their families. 

With that sweet and motivating sentiment, why can’t I stop feeling guilty when I smile at a toddler on the subway and think that I’d like one of those (as if I’m confusing a child with chic pair of boots). Then it starts crying and yelling and it quickly reminds me: 1. I’m in no mental position to handle that yet and 2. That I just compared a child to chic boots and referred to them as an “it.”

Not to say one can’t have it all, but personally I know I can’t have it all at once. So I’m left sitting at my desk contemplating, do I savor the rest of my 20s, climbing the work success ladder or swallow the unspoken shame of pausing my career and starting a family. Interesting enough when I was much younger, I was pretty certain that by 25 I’d have kids and be done reproducing by 30. As I turn 26 next month and not where I’d like to be career wise, I find myself focusing more on the stress of it all rather than the actual gift of motherhood.  Oy vey!

-signed an anxious 20 something year old  

The holidays are HERE and hopefully so are the gifts you ordered for everyone on cyber Monday. If not, this is for you my beautiful procrastinators! I think we can all agree when I say the holidays are great but so stressful. Nothing's worse than being the worst gift giver at a white elephant party, boo. I want to share a few gift ideas and the best places to get them if you're drawing a "gifting" blank! 
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Bath Salt / bombs | Defrizz-ing towels + Hair Mask | Face Masks  ​

Bar Cart Recipe Book | Cocktail Mixology Set | Bottle with Accessories/ Fancy Glasses ​

Himalayan Salt Lamp | Oil Diffuser | Coffee Table Books 

This another good unisex option because who doesn't want to live in a calming sanctuary?? Men may not vocally admit it but you know they love a good candle and mood lighting. These are great gifts that people love to receive so they don't have to buy it for themselves- especially those really cute but, kinda useless coffee table books.
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​Wrap up your useful, crowd pleasing gifts in festive wrapping or a bag with glittery tissue paper and you're good to go! Another thing to cross off the list and a step closer to relaxing. Happy holidays everyone! 

xx,
​Gabs

First of all, hey everyone! It's been a minute since my last post and I have so much to share with you all! It's no surprise that I got married this past month! AH! I'm Mrs. Gabriella Seviya Schultz now, how regal. ;)
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With all the ~wisdom~ that I've learned from planning our wedding on my own, from a different state, and on a budget, I feel like I have to share it and of course share (some of) the pictures!!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY BABES!!!!

Women rock and there's absolutely no denying that! Every single day I'm so proud to be a woman and be surrounded by powerful, inspiring, and beautiful women!

Thinking of all these baddies around me, it really made me think, "What is women empowerment and what does it mean to me? Is it solely supporting other women and pumping each other up to be the best versions of ourselves?" It is but it doesn't start there. Women empowerment should start within. You can’t love and support others without loving and believing in yourself first.

This year Mike and I finally start traveling again since we won't have to save every single penny for the wedding, yay! We have a few trips in mind and not to mention, our honeymoon in June! 

I kicked off the new year exploring New Orleans for my first time. Eight of my closest girlfriends and I celebrated my bachelorette party in NOLA and it was one of the best trips I've been on! When people say that city is lively and has amazing food, they aren't kidding in the slightest. This is my first travel guide and I'm sharing my experience in this wonderful city! 
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First and foremost, we made it! It's FRIYAY! Now we can only hope for rain free weekend. To celebrate the best day of the week, I want to share my experience at Femme Fair 2017.
It was so amazing, filled with drinks, sweets, bad ass boss ladies, shopping, and girl power music.... Uhm so basically it was HEAVEN.