Is Anyone Alive?

being a lover girl around men who only want me for sex is like being a lamb surrounded by wolves and im being eaten alive again and again and again because i think they're different and they're not

Elle Woods is my absolute favorite female film character of all time. There has never been a single character that I have related to more or who has inspired me like she has. I post a lot about my love of school and the 8-12 hour study days I frequently partake in, which lead to @awesomefitgirlstuff asking for some study motivation. I figured, why not use the queen of beauty and brains as a perfect model for the topic? Without further ado, here are a few tips on how to study like Elle Woods 💗💓💕💘

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

You do not know everything. No one does. One of the most honest and courageous things we as humans can do is to admit that we are lacking knowledge and seek help from others. People want to help! They want you to succeed! If you need help studying, ask for help. If you need a better explanation, ask for help. If you need to see an example or two, ask for help. You have friends, you have classmates, you have teachers, and you have the internet. Help is there. Use it. Seek help as often as you need it. Even if it takes a village, who cares? As long as you end up knowing the material confidently and independently, it doesn’t matter how many sources or methods of assistance it took for you to get there. The results are what’s important.

Keep your chin up when others look down on you and just focus on your educational goals

Some people feel personally attacked when they see others putting in hard work to achieve their goals. Sometimes it’s jealousy, sometimes it’s a feeling that their position is being threatened, and sometimes they’re just afraid of losing you when you reach a new level. No matter what the reason is, you can’t let it stop you from pursuing your academic endeavors. Firstly, you can’t take it personally. Just let it go in one ear and out the other. Secondly, you must keep in mind that if you bend to their naysaying, you are letting your dream life slip away. That’s certainly not a good idea. Unfortunately, you may have to disappoint a few people on your way to the top. Just keep your nose in the books, forgive those who have malice towards you because of it, and study study study.

Beauty & brains

Just because you are making studying your top priority doesn’t mean it has to be your only priority. Don’t let your personal grooming slip or use school as an excuse to forgo your beauty routine. You can still make time for nail appointments, hair treatments, a bit of shopping, and putting together cute outfits even when you are deep into your toughest semesters. Plus, it will make you feel better! When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, your performance is good. Nothing beats a nice hot bubble bath after a satisfying day of answering every single flashcard correctly. Typing up a 10 page essay is a lot more fun when you have the sound of your new manicure click clacking as a soundtrack.

Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.

Exercise is very beneficial to our ability to use our brains so intensely for long periods of time. Make sure you stay sharp, stay fit, and stay active. You’re gonna really appreciate the extra movement when it gets to a point where you’re spending 10 hours at a desk everyday. And like the I said about beauty, you won’t want to use studying as an excuse to let your fitness goals crumble. Even a 30 minute workout will lead to big results in your studying and keep you on track. Not to mention, exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don’t kill their husbands. They just don’t!

Success is for those who believe it already belongs to them.

Do you think I study all day and night with just the hope that I will get good grades and a mastery of my skills? No!! I already know that a perfect score is in my future. I already know that high salary job opportunities are waiting on me. I already know that success belongs to me. I just have to go take it. You must have 100% faith that excellence is in your future. You can’t doubt yourself for one second. This is no time for humility. Set your goals high and be confident that you will reach them with hard work and diligence. You can achieve it.

Don’t let anyone outwork you.

Being known for your insane work ethic is such an honor. It means you’re putting in so much effort that no one can deny it or ignore it. You must be dedicated to your studies. You must be passionate about mastering the material. You must have a true craving for knowledge. You have to put in long hours day after day after day. You will earn the top spot in your class because you’re putting in top spot work ethic. You will receive an A+ on your exams because you’re putting in A+ work ethic. Make such a large gap that no one can even come close to you. If a survey is conducted where they ask your classmates, “who studies the hardest?”, make sure that you’re the uncontested #1 champ. Be the shining example. Be the one they aspire to emulate.

Dont study until you get it right, study until you can’t get it wrong.

To be a master of your field, you need to study like one. You can’t “kinda” know. You can’t “mostly” know. You need to be 100% sure that you have the right answer. When you perfectly understand the material and can easily teach it to others. When there’s no chance of you getting the wrong answer. That’s when you’re done studying. Strive for excellence, not to just “pass”. Remember that a perfect score is absolutely possible.

And lastly:

getting ready for…

       𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑

a winter post on getting through the winter flawlessly, warm, and cozily as a dream girl ♡ if you’re interested, look at my dream girl guides for summer and autumn!

my winter looks like traveling, cabin stays, new york, adventures and activities all the while staying cozy and warm inside surrounded by christmas lights, hot chocolate, candles, shopping music, and keeping to myself looking out my floor to ceiling windows with my books and loved one.

♡ table of contents

what does your ideal winter for this year look like? ideas, moodboards

physical: winter essentials, what to wear, beauty products, winter reads and bucket lists

mental: wellness, book recommendations

   ❄️ what’s your ideal winter? ❄️

like i always say: you create the definition of dream girl and it can always change. so what does your ideal winter look like? 

have a balance of attending holiday parties, walks in the city to see the lights, indoor shopping and staying inside, in your cozy space while keeping warm with a hot beverage and a good movie/book!

♡ bucket list ideas

create a winter routine! make sure to get your daily fresh air, staying physically & social active and uplifted to stay away from the winter blues. wake up earlier.

pick up a new hobby

spend more time away from your phone

make it a priority to avoid isolation

go skiing, snowboarding, ice skating

attend a ballet/musical

go on late night drives

take a drive to see the christmas lights

attend or host holiday parties or small gatherings with loved ones. have a game night!

try new recipes, bake goodies

most important of all: follow your gut. keep your safety your #1 priority.

♡ cozy winter habits

christmas movie marathon

playing classical music

sitting by the fireplace

making your christmas wishlist

take up crochet and knitting. make a hat, scarf, headbands, book sleeve, etc!

donate old clothes and toys

playing in the snow

wearing fluffy socks

make a new year vision board 

movie nights

try new ways to make coffee, hot chocolate…

buying christmas themed pajamas. match with your pets.

reading winter books and classics

go on a youtube throwback binge and watch bethany mota and meredith foster’s old christmas videos

keep writing in your diary

shopping or browsing through the city and malls to take in the holiday atmosphere

candlelit bubble baths

turning on the radio to listen to christmas music

                        physical

♡ winter essentials

moisturizer. with the colder seasons come with drier skin. make sure to invest in a good heavy moisturizer that soaks into your skin well. recommendations below.

sunscreen. it doesn’t matter what the season is, spf will always be important! don’t forget your neck and hands.

a pretty blush of your choice

get a new signature scent for winter

candles

cute onesies 

classic pink silk robe

a cute winter mug for when you add in mini marshmallows + whip cream/sweet foam for your beverages

♡ outfit essentials + my personal favorites

chanel earmuffs

santinni “an affair to remember” + “roman holiday” + “an american in paris” coats

chloe betty boots 

a cute fur + puffy jacket

black vivienne westwood leather gloves

ralph lauren cable knit sweaters

baker boy/fiddler hats

mini skirts. yes. i said it.

demonia boots (vigilance/camel line)

fur mini bags

oversized scarfs!

victoria secret silk robe

new and fresh bed sheets

knitted mini skirts

sam heidi bib puffer jacket

santinni “harlow” fur headband with bow

fur trim everything and anything. coats, boots, gloves, hats…

fur empty top hats

microfiber and leather ankle boots

leg warmers

tweed + knitted blazer and cardigan sets

moon boots

prada monolith combat boots

the arrivals moto jacket

bow tights

ugg earmuffs 

fleece tights that keep you warm and cute

hair bows and headbands

scarfs

sweater dresses will never not be my favorite

sunglasses

baggy denim 

half zip up pullovers

uggs (with bows) 

long trench coats + wool coatigans 

tote bags, small crossbodies 

trousers

the basics to layer. turtlenecks, mocknecks, wool crewnecks, leggings, long sleeves, thicker socks

and… the bear hat and scarf. i love it. don’t look at me.

                     beauty

♡ the colder weather calls for soft, sparkly and blushy looks!

blushed and flushed or nothing comes out in this post as well! the cold look is the absolute cutest.

glittery eyeshadow and highlighters

gradient lip combos

plum colored makeup looks for the holiday season

♡ beauty tips for the colder season

gear towards creams instead of gel moisturizers. creams are heavier, gel will hydrate your skin but it won’t last you through the whole day. you’ll eventually start your skin tightening and dry mid-day.

i always go through my sheet masks fast during the winter! run the extra serum on your neck, chest and hands.

Invest in face masks, a good face cream and lip product.

keep hand cream and lip balm on you!

 ♡ product recommendations

philosophy - snow angel, white cherry, and candy cane shower gel (or all of them tbh)

victoria secret - warm & cozy line

o’keeffe’s - working hands cream

fenty skin + dior addict lip oil

nature republic - fresh herb peach cleansing foam

laneige - cream skin toner & moisturizer

tatcha - the dewy skin cream, water cream, and overnight repair

amlactin - rapid relief restoring body cream

créme de la mer - ultra rich cream

etude house - soonjung 2x barrier intensive cream

kopari - ultra restore body butter

♡ nails 

pale, muted colors with decos! pinks, winter blues, nude, ombre, etc.

lots of deco and designs are my favorite

i usually go for coffin but with designs i love to recreate, long almond.

examples for both makeup and nails are in the photo above! ♡

♡ winter scent recommendations

voltaire zadig - this is her

ysl - mon paris

carolina herrera - good girl 

killian - angel share & love don’t be shy

fresh cream - warm cashmere

gucci - bamboo

chanel eau tendre

juliette has a gun - not a perfume

replica by the fireplace & jazz club

eilish - billie eilish

burberry - her

victoria secret - warm & cozy

              for the mind & soul

♡ reminders

keep up a routine and structure. switch it up when you feel called to. it can be hard when it’s cold and the days become darker but remember the feeling that comes with being active and getting things done.

take a list and write things down that you can enjoy in the winter and focusing on bringing more of it into your life for the season.

make yourself cozy and romanticize life! stock up on sweaters, get cute blankets, bake goods to enjoy and have your house smelling heavenly, play music in the background, and whatever your heart desires. 

♡ winter reads

sit by the fire or window, cuddled up in a blanket and dive into another world with bamb’s recommendations!

before the coffee gets cold - toshikazu kawaguchi

little women - louisa may alcott

murder on the orient express - agatha christie

one dark window - rach gillig

a christmas carol - charles dickens

the bear and the nightingale (winter trilogy) - katherine aden

sorrow and bliss - meg mason

sleepless nights - elizabeth hardwick

frankenstein - mary shelley

from lukov with love - mariana zapata

wuthering heights - emily bronte

six of crows and crooked kingdom - leigh bardugo

echo north - joanna ruth meyer

for the wolf - hannah whitten

disorientation - elaine hseigh cho

the winter duke - claire eliza bartlett

tinder - sally gardner

an unwanted guest - shari lapena

shiver - allie reynolds

the picture of dorian gray - oscar wilde

the overnight guest - heather gudenkauf

lapvona - ottessa moshfegh

murder for christmas - francis duncan

i want to die but i want to eat tteokbokki - baek sehee

behind closed doors - b.a paris

snow - orhan pamuk

the invisible life of addie larue - v.e schwab

lakesedge & forestfall (gothic fantasy duology)

- stay safe, warm and cozy. kisses from bambi ♡

the lowest grade I've ever gotten at university is a B, and that was on my most severely procrastination-brained, low effort given, under prepared assignment. I have never once gotten lower than a B on any single assignment/exam/class and I don't plan on it happening anytime soon. I mentioned before that I treat academia like a sport. It's something that I literally train for and give it the effort that an athlete would. B's are F's in my mind bc I know that I am capable of getting A's if I put forth A-student effort and training. I have a lot of school related asks to go through when I get some time for them and I'm gonna help y'all out with a nice long 'study like 2pretty' masterpost. we do beauty AND brains around here, I can't have y'all falling behind!

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why is tumblr so dead??? did everyone die???

✧˖° romanticizing discipline: why your study aesthetic matters more than you think

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heyyyy angels, mindy here!

okay, listen. we need to talk about something that people love to roll their eyes at. making studying aesthetic. every time someone posts a pretty study setup, there’s always someone in the comments like, “you don’t need pastel highlighters to get good grades 🙄” or “discipline is about hard work, not vibes.” and okay, sure. but also?

if your study routine feels like punishment, you’re gonna run from it.

the way something feels matters. if you walk into a cozy, candle-lit café with soft music playing, you’ll want to stay there for hours. if you sit down at a messy desk with harsh lighting and a chair that makes your back hurt, you’ll last 15 minutes max. same work, different environment, completely different experience.

so why wouldn’t you make your study sessions feel good?

the truth is, romanticizing discipline makes you want to be consistent. and when you crave the work instead of dreading it, that’s when everything shifts.

so let’s make studying feel like an experience instead of a chore.

✧˖° why aesthetics actually matter

people like to pretend that discipline should be cold, harsh, and mechanical, but your brain doesn’t work like that.

➼ your brain loves sensory rewards. if your study space looks, smells, and feels good, your brain will start associating it with pleasure instead of stress. ➼ habit-building depends on emotion. if studying is something you enjoy (even a little), you’ll do it more often. if it always feels miserable, you’ll avoid it. ➼ your environment shapes your identity. if your space and routine reflect the kind of person you want to be, you start stepping into that version of yourself.

this isn’t about making everything look cute just for the sake of it. it’s about creating a feeling that makes you want to show up.

✧˖° how to romanticize discipline (without making it a distraction)

because let’s be real... if you spend two hours making an aesthetic notion template and zero minutes actually studying, you played yourself. the key is to set up your space and then get to work.

✧˖° 1. make studying a full sensory experience

romanticizing discipline isn’t just about visuals. it’s about creating an atmosphere that makes you want to sit down and focus.

➼ sound: play a study playlist that makes you feel productive (lo-fi, classical, rain sounds. whatever works). keep it consistent so your brain recognizes it as a “focus” trigger. ➼ scent: light a candle, spray a room mist, or use an essential oil diffuser. scent is one of the strongest memory triggers, so pick one that makes you feel calm and focused. ➼ touch: make sure your chair is comfortable, your desk is clean, and your study tools feel good to use.

it’s about tricking your brain into thinking, this is a space where we focus.

✧˖° 2. design a study space that makes you want to sit down

your environment dictates your focus. a cluttered, uninspiring desk will make you feel restless. a cozy, minimal, well-lit space will make you want to stay.

➼ keep only the essentials. a clean, distraction-free setup makes it easier to focus. ➼ add a little inspiration. a vision board, a cute calendar, a motivational quote. just something that makes you feel like that girl when you sit down. ➼ lighting matters. natural light is best, but a warm desk lamp can make nighttime study sessions feel cozy instead of exhausting.

again, the goal is to create a space that makes your brain want to work.

✧˖° 3. make discipline feel like a lifestyle aesthetic

some people make discipline look miserable. but the people who actually stay consistent? they make it look effortless.

➼ romanticize the act of opening your books. make it feel cinematic. the soft scratch of your pen, the glow of your laptop, the warmth of your tea. make it feel like a movie (mean girls, gossip girls... etcc) ➼ dress like the best version of yourself. even if you’re studying at home, wear something that makes you feel put together. ➼ upgrade your study tools. if you like the way your planner, pens, and laptop setup look, you’ll actually want to use them.

this is about shifting your identity. when you see yourself as the kind of person who enjoys discipline, you become her.

✧˖° keeping the balance: romanticizing vs. actually doing the work

okay, but let’s not pretend like aesthetics alone are gonna get you an A. you still have to put in the work. the key is to use aesthetics to enhance your discipline, not replace it.

➼ set a “setup time” limit. you get 5-10 minutes to set up your space. after that? no more tweaking. just start. ➼ use a study timer. 50 minutes of deep work, 10-minute break. repeat. this keeps you from getting stuck in the “pretty but unproductive” trap. ➼ reward yourself after real progress. light a candle before studying, but don’t let yourself scroll Pinterest for an hour instead of doing the work.

discipline first, aesthetic second. not the other way around.

✧˖° final thoughts

romanticizing discipline isn’t about making things look good for the sake of it. it’s about shifting your entire mindset so studying feels good.

when you make your study space feel warm, inviting, and yours, you stop dreading it. and when you stop dreading it, you show up more often. and when you show up more often? you actually get sh*t done.

so go romanticize the process. set up your space. light the candle. play the playlist. and then? open your books and do the work. because that girl you’re envisioning? she’s already you. you just have to step into her.

do not fall into the trap of "aesthetics over work" because there will be NO reason for you to romanticize studying, if you don't actually study.

with love,

mindy

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I’M TIRED OF SMUT, I WANT TOOTH ACHING FLUFF AND HEART SHATTERING ANGST.

self-doubt simply doesn't exist within me. no matter how impossible something seems or how hard it will be to achieve I'm always like "okay and?" and then I make it happen. maybe it's bc I have a proven track record of getting what I want but like nothing seems impossible to me. why would I doubt myself? I can have whatever I want, it's that simple. if other people have made it happen, that means it can be done so why would it not be able for me to get it too? no self-doubt. no need for it.