Commitment.

I've always struggled with commitment.  When I say commitment, most people immediately think of relationships, but for me that isn't the case!  In this case, it is completely different.

I've always struggled with feeling comfortable in my own skin.  I've always felt, like many other people, that there were SO many things about my body that could be improved upon.  Many times I've "committed" to some kind of diet or cleanse that I expected to see fast results with.  Every time I've made this choice, my head has never been fully in it.  I would feel like I wanted it so badly, but as soon as someone offered me a cookie, I would decide that I wanted that more.  This has been a consistent cycle in my life for the last few years.  Especially in high school, I always felt like I needed to be watching what I ate, working out, and making sure that I was committed to taking care of my body, but I was NEVER serious about it.  I let myself "cheat" more than once a day, comforting myself when I felt guilty about cheating by telling myself that I obviously didn't want to deprive my body.  Every time I decide to try some new diet, it lasts for about three days on average, and then I cheat a few times and give up.

In High School I never felt as comfortable as I knew I should, and every time I failed at one of my quick fix diets, I felt worse about myself.  Going into my sophomore year of college, I plan to make an actual difference in my body this time. It's time to be serious about working hard for what I want, which is to lose the weight that I have let accumulate for so long, even if it's just a little bit.  Everyone has to start somewhere, and this is my somewhere.  This time, I am committing.

P.S. Obviously with this change will come recipes and different workout tips, so stay on the look out for those!

xoxo
-Lex

Things I Learned My Freshman Year of College

I just finished my freshman year of college, and it was definitely a year of growth, learning, and changes.  From living on your own, doing your own laundry, and taking care of yourself when you get sick, to nights of studying, hanging out, or going out with your friends, freshman year is definitely a time to figure out what you are all about and what you like to do.  There are some specific things I learned these past nine months that I want to share with all of you.

1. You have freedom to make your own choices:  I moved into my dorm three days early as part of the welcoming team to help people move in, and because of that, we had a ton of free time to do whatever.  I remember feeling like there was always somewhere I needed to be and it took a few weeks to realize that there was no one telling me where I had to be and when.
2. Freedom will be taken away from you when you go home:  When I come home for breaks, nothing changes.  My curfew is still the same, and I always have to tell my parents where I am, where I am going, who I am with, and when I will be home.
3.  Take Advantage of The City Around Your College Town: it's so fun to be able to be a part of a college town and experience the campus, but a huge benefit is going to school in the city, so take advantage of it and get out of your college town and explore the city nearest to you!
4. If Possible, Don't Take Friday Classes-Or Schedule Them Late: One of the most fun parts of college is having the freedom to go out during the school week.  When you look back at your college experience, you won't remember the nights you stayed in and studied, but you will remember the nights that you went out and had a good time with your friends.
5.  Get a Fake ID:  Honestly, you never know when you will need it and it's definitely worth the money.
6.  Who You Were in High School Does Not Matter:  People in high school spend way too much time trying to fit in with the "in crowd", when in reality, none of that matters once you leave your high school for the last time and all of your classmates go separate ways.  You will make new, good friends who will stand by you through anything.
7.  The Later It Gets, The Better Food Tastes:  This is a given, if you don't eat late at night, you're doing it wrong.
8. Some Things Will Take Priority Over Other Things:  Eating and napping will become more important than say...showering.
9. You Think You Know how to Operate a Microwave, but sometimes...: 
   
    
10. You Will Get Stressed, It's ok. You Will Be Fine.
    
    College is what you make it, so wherever you are, make the most of it and have the best time because college is the time to make mistakes and have the time to learn from them.
    

The List

I've always wanted to start a blog, but have never known where to start.  It's a pretty rainy, dreary day here in my hometown, so what could be more perfect than spending some time reflecting on life, and writing about it.  I thought I would begin this journey with a list of a few facts about me (lists are one of my favorite things).

• My name is Alexa Raye Dauphin, but anyone close to me knows me as Lex, Lexa, or Lexarayeraye.
• I will be 19 years old on July 29th of this year, and in August I will begin my sophomore year of college.
• I have one sister who is currently finishing her sophomore year of high school.
• I have a passion for things that sparkle or curl.
• My monogram is on almost everything that I own.
• I am an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
• some of my favorite things include: Chipotle, Monograms, Lilly Pulitzer, Jack Rogers, Pinterest, Panera, chunky necklaces, and crafting.

This blog will feature tips on organization, fashion, beauty, crafting, experiences, and other random things as I go through my college years. I'm just a sorority girl who has a love of preppy things.

-Lex