INSANITY | Day 1

The "Freshman 15" is REAL, and it is unforgiving. Being a fairly active teen in high school, weight was never a problem for me. I arrived at college a 5'2" 109 lb happy 18 year old, and now as a 2nd semester sophomore: I'm pushing 130. It may not seem like a big deal, but it's put a rather large damper on my self-esteem.

I'm no gym-goer, I never was, I don't think I ever will be. I've tried to go to the free gym here at school, but the judgmental stares and snickers at my lack of finesse and endurance forced that plan to take a back seat. I thought of what else I could do to get the same effects without actually going to the gym. I tried several Pinterest workouts, but not one stuck with me and I felt like I never got any results.

Today, my roommates decided to go to the gym after breakfast, I knew I needed to and probably should have gone with them, but instead I decided to stick with my daily routine of laying in bed and watching Workaholics. Shortly after, something finally hit me and I looked into Insanity.

Day 1 complete, I realized how out of shape I am, and I'm honestly in complete embarrassment. I chose this 90-day (hopefully longer) plan simply for convenience - it's only 30 minutes - and I can do it in the privacy of my dorm room, no judgment. I also like the idea of a daily plan and routine, so I'll feel especially guilty if I don't follow through every day.

I've taken some pictures to hopefully show my progress each week:
(This is actually a flattering angle, don't be fooled)

Party Like It's 1918!

Halloween + World Series = no posts...whoops. If anyone knows where I'm from, they know I rep Boston sports hard, even if I'm a little "fair-weather" with baseball. But seeing a team progress and move from worst to first is really inspiring, it makes you want to watch them fight 'til the end. This year the Boston Red Sox clinched the series at home for the first time since 1918.

Saturday, my friends and I decided to take the T up to Boston for the parade. I had already been to a Bruins parade, so I knew how hectic and awesome it was going to be. I was a little reluctant to wake up at 4 in the morning after a nice, relaxing 2 hour sleep, but I knew it would be worth it. We trekked over to the station and hopped on the train filled with red, white and blue clad passengers and arrived in the city in just an hour. As expected, it was utter chaos, but in the best way possible. We headed over to Boylston Street to watch the parade (which was quite the spectacle) and got be up close and personal with my man, Jacoby Ellsbury.

After the parade ended, we ventured down to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market (one of m favorite places in the city) to grab some grub. Naturally I craved pizza, so I got two heavenly sausage and pepper slices from Pizzeria Regina. As if we hadn't eaten enough, we then ventured to the North End to Mike's Pastry on Hanover, because I mean, who isn't obsessed with those cannolis?! Unfortunately, my phone died before the day even really started, but I was able to capture some of the memories.

Don't Call Me Perfect.

Today whilst exploring my Tumblr dash., I came across a piece that really grabbed my attention.

Throughout the years, I've had my share of people tell me I'm "hot", "perfect", "beautiful" and even some things I consider highly offensive. If someone calls you beautiful behind the screen of a computer or iPhone, do you really consider it a compliment. Sure, an occasional instance serves as a short-lived confidence boost, but will you hold on to that thought for a while or just dismiss it?

"Beautiful" doesn't mean much now, it's just a simple slip of the tongue, just another word. I have reached the point where there's no allure, no such thing as a term of endearment. Pick-up lines don't do the trick, when the thought of "I wonder how many times he's said that tonight" is running through my brain. Where is the chivalry? Is it really that dead?

From my own experience, I can tell you that compliments that mean the most are those that come from the heart. To be admired for a personality trait or my unique features. It means so much more knowing that a compliment is sincere and well thought up. A stranger's compliment on a photo calling me "perfect" does not make me feel unique or special. What is your idea of "perfect"? What do you really see in me? That is what I want to know.

Halloween | "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody..."

If you've noticed, there's been a lack of posts the last couple of days. There are two reasons behind this: one, it's the weekend...and two, it's the weekend... This weekend also happened to commemorate the start to the ever growing university tradition of "halloweek".

Now, I don't think it's humanly possible to be more "broke" than I, so I had to get a little inventive. If you can't tell by the picture, I was going for a 1920's era flapper/Gatsby look. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a picture of my full costume in great lighting, so you won't get the full effect. But basically I chose to wear an old drop-waist top I had from Forever 21with a ruffle at the bottom (as a dress of course!) I paired the dress with some fishnet tights, a black garter, and some black mary-jane stilettos. I happened to be fond of headbands in high school, so thankfully I had this black sequin one lying around that really completed the look.

Now, since makeup is the only thing that can be seen, I tried to do a more modern take on a historically accurate look. I started with my "holy grail" drugstore foundation, Revlon ColorStay 24hour Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin in the shade 310 Warm Golden. I used Maybelline Super Stay Concealer in light/medium to cover up under my eyes and around my nose. For blush, I used Milani's Luminoso Baked Blush, I didn't bother with bronzer because being pale was considered especially beautiful in the 1920's. I was going for a less harsh version of a smokey eye typical of the era, so I reached for my Urban Decay Naked 2 Eye Palette. I started with the silvery color "verve" all over the lid, then I blended a mauve-y/dark grey color "busted" all along the outer corner, toward the middle of my eye and through my crease. After, I went in with the  color "blackout", which is just a simple black, and started blending through the outer corner of my eye to really define and darken the look up. On the inner corner of my eye, I placed the shimmery cream color "bootycall" to brighten my eye up a bit. (I know the last two sentences kind of contradict each other, but believe me, it worked!) I added some cream eyeliner and winged out the ends a bit, as per usual, and used the same eyeliner to create a beauty-mark a-la Carey Mulligan in ...Gatsby.  I also threw on some fake eyelashes, because mine sure as hell don't look like that. For lips, I simply just blended a red lipstick I had lying around with some mauve colored eyeshadow pigment, and applied it with a lip brush.

If you're wondering about the hair, I just threw some product in my hair and used a curling wand. I also curled the front pieces of hair in the opposite direction, rolled them into pincurls, and allowed them to cool pinned up until I was ready to go out!

Try out this look at your next theme/halloween party, throw in a flask and you're good to go back in time!

Ink My Whole Body

If ever you've seen my Instagram, you'd probably know that I recently got my body inked (I don't give a motherf***). I've wanted to get a tattoo for some time now, and I FINALLY was able to draw up the perfect design. I never intended on getting a tattoo until I was absolutely positive it was the right time, and it meant something to me on a personal level. After some life changing events took place this past year, it seemed like fate.

I wanted something unique, that nobody else would have. I've been looking through Pinterest, and one symbol seemed to really stick out and I found myself pinning it multiple times; the compass. After split-second deliberation, I knew exactly what I wanted. I never usually feel the need to explain myself, but I feel like this is something that needs a little further explanation. 

Obviously the compass is a beautiful symbol in itself, but I didn't really want a simpleton's idea of a  compass on my body, I wanted it to be something a little abstract, something I could take part and pride in. I worked with my artist to draw up what I had envisioned, and it came out simple yet beautiful in my opinion. With everything that happened to me personally, I felt that a change in course was due. As a humble reminder, I chose a compass because no matter which path I choose to travel in life, I know that I have a strong support system that will help me find my way home (like a compass would a lost traveller). I also added the arrow element because everything that holds you back in life, tends to push you forward. The arrow is pointing north (or to the sky) to symbolize my faith and trust in God. It just so happens that a compass is also a symbol of navigation, travel, and my ever-growing wanderlust.

Sounds | Modern Vampires of the City

Today, my ears were finally granted the pleasure of listening to the full album Modern Vampires of the City by the ever-so-talented, Vampire Weekend. While I'm well aware of the fact that the album was released quite some time ago, I've never listened to it in it's entirety. Well, let me just tell you, I wasn't ready for what was in store. Being a Bostonite, it was Vampire Weekend's love and admiration of the city, and of Cape Cod, that initially drew me in way back in 2007. Judging by the cover art for MVotC, and the lyrics to Step, it seems they've coveted a new love in New York. But I mean, honestly; who could blame them?

Focusing on the important matter at hand, the album is fantastic. With the flair of previous albums, and wordless chorus', the boys never disappoint. The lyrics however, have come quite a long way; not overtly, may I add. Songs such as "Ya Hey" while a cheerful little ditty, has much spiritual meaning behind it; "Ya Hey" standing for "Yahweh" a term for God. Religion is not the only important subject they cover. Under gospel-tinged synths and soothing melodies, the lyrics touch on rather touchy subjects, (see what I did there) such as love, age and death.

While being the Vampire Weekends more mature album, I must say I consider it one of the best. Any VW fan would be proud of the album in it's entirety. From indie/pop releases at the likes of "Diane Young" to the complex and beautiful sounds in the album's high point "Step", there's something incredible happening here. Don't miss out. 

Myself

Welcome!

My name is Jenna, or j-souz as some prefer to call me. I created A Spotless Mind in order to satisfy my love of all things social media related, whilst radiating positivity and good vibes. I've had some blogs in the past and have had my share in the YouTube community, among many others (unsuccessfully, may I add). Believe it or not, I still run and operate a Tumblr blog I've had since middle school entitled "midsummer-sun" which you can find here. My Tumblr's main focus has always been on items, images, and sayings that please me aesthetically; color, nature, bohemianism, wanderlust, tea. Still, I've always had a strong desire to pursue cataloguing my hobbies, interests and important life events. It's a combination of all these things that have brought me here today and I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I will!