This post is a little different than my usual posts, but I figured it's a good time to start switching it up and trying new things - after all, that's why I opened this blog, didn't I?

After getting some bad news yesterday morning (I got rejected for a scholarship I really wanted that would apply to my study abroad program) I was just sad. I had had a rough week last week - I sprained my ankle for like, the eleventh time in my life which left me in bed for a few days and I wasn't doing really well at work because I was in pain, so I was getting increasingly frustrated with how things were going... and then, on top of that, I got this piece of news.

Luckily for me, I had yesterday off and didn't have to work, so instead of staying in and feeling crappy about it and comparing myself to everybody that may have gotten that scholarship, I decided to do something different - and much better, in my opinion: I took myself on a coffee date. As I've been trying to work on my fitness, I grabbed my bike and rode to one of my favorite spots in town: Java John's, our local coffee shop.

I parked my bike, went in and bought a cup of cappuccino and a piece of carrot cake. I usually sit inside, but today I decided to sit on their patio. I pulled out my book - I'm currently reading The Awakening, by Kate Chopin (slowly tackling my summer reading list!) - and read for what seemed a few minutes but realized only after I was done were a few hours. Then, I called my sister (whom I hadn't called in a few weeks) and caught up with her and just laughed.

After I was done with my coffee, my cake and my book, I went back home and I started cooking my dinner. I had bought some chicken from the farmer's market, so I cut it up, baked it and served it with salad and some rice. I took my time to cook it, and took my time to eat it - and it was by far one of the nicest meals I've had in the past weeks (may also be because I was talking to a friend while I was doing all that)

A coffee date with yourself at Java John's is never a bad idea. Decorah weather is prime today for that ☕️🍰 #coffee #cake #summer #vsco #vscocam #vscousa #foodporn #travel #travelblog #instafood #instatravel

It sounds so silly, but sometimes I get so caught up in life, in my little troubles, in my small frustrations, that I forget to enjoy the little good things: the landscapes, the weather, the book I'm reading or the food I'm eating. I take for granted the fact that I can bike from one place to another, that I get enough options for meals and that I have a job that I actually enjoy.

Today was exactly what I needed to remind myself that I only have one life to live, one body to take care of and 24 hours in a day to do all that I want to do - even if that means I'll be watching Netflix for two hours after work, reading a book in the sun, taking a needed nap or biking the trails in the area. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you I'm never going to get caught up on the little issues, but I can assure you - and myself - I'll try my best not to.

After all, in the words of John Lennon: "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans" 


Do you relate to any of this? What are your to-go activities to feel better? What's your favourite pick-me-up song? Let me know in the comments!

Got my @influenster #FrescaVoxBox and I'm loving it. There will be a review coming up on the blog this week. Have you tried any of these products before? My favorites so far are the Jafra perfume and the NYC lip lacquer!

A photo posted by Vicky Torrillas (@vickytorrillas) on Jun 5, 2015 at 5:03pm PDT

I have nothing but good things to say about these products. At first, I was a little skeptical about a few of them, but by the end of my trial week I ended up loving most of them. I will outline some pros and cons of them, but again, this is my experience and you should totally give them a try to see if they are your style!

• Lip Lacquer by NYC: I loved this product when I first tried it on. Everyone needs a red lipstick, and if you're not a lipstick person, this might be for you. The color is quite rich, and it doesn't leave your lips feeling sticky or dry while you have it on. It looks like a lipstick, but it feels like a thick lip-gloss. The pros of it is that it looks amazing on, it smells good and the red is vibrant. The cons of it is that unless you're not planning on drinking at all whilst you wear it, it won't last very long. It smudges quite quick and after it's completely off, it leaves your lips feeling a little dry. 
• Pure Silk Raspberry Shaving Cream: I loved this product! To me, there were no cons about it. It runs smoothly on your skin, it leaves it soft and smelling amazing and it does what it promises. From all the smells I have tried, I think the raspberry they sent me is by far my favorite one.
• Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Shampoo and Conditioner: This was the surprise of the box, to be completely honest. When I saw it, I got excited about the minty smell that the products have, but then I started reading the label and was happy to find out that they contain no chemicals (like sulfates) that affect our water and the packaging is recyclable! When I used them, my hair felt clean, fresh and soft. There were no cons with this product, to be honest!
• Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs: I was pleasantly surprised about this product. I never thought I'd be wearing foundation for my legs, but the finish that the Airbrush Legs leaves on your skin is amazing. Like any foundation, you have to make sure to spread it evenly and quickly enough to be able to blend it, but after it's on there's a visible difference between the leg with coverage and that without. I would probably not use this product on a daily basis, but it sounds great for a night out in which you want to show your legs off.
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Booster: I loved this product. I've been using Neutrogena products for a while now, and they always leave my face feeling fresh, clean, soft and non-greasy. What I particularly liked with this product is that a lot of times - after a few hours that I've use my face-wash - my face slowly feels dirtier and a little clogged, but when I used this product the clean sensation stayed for a longer time. I would totally recommend this product if you have a mixed-type skin like me!
• Jafra USA's Perfumes: Jafra perfumes were by far one of my favourite products on this box. The minute I took these perfumes out of their little boxes I fell in love. I received the Violet Pomegranate, Sea Salt Rose and Juniper, Magnolia and Blackberry perfumes. My favourite scent is by far the Blackberry, Juniper and Magnolia. For a lot of people it might be a little strong, but the tones these perfumes had worked amazing for my skin type and stayed for quite a lot of time. I would recommend this scents and I'm considering purchasing them from the company after my samples are gone

What about you all? What are your goals for June? What are your plans for this summer? 

Let me know!

Vicky