National Coffee Day

Ah, coffee: the only legalized ecstasy in the world.

It’s bitter. It’s sweet. It’s the only “good” in mornings. It has a hold on our souls.

Coffee is the #1 addiction in the world. So, of course, this special beverage gets its own day. Let’s celebrate all of the greatness surrounding coffee!

To the plain, black, bitter original. Thanks for keeping us focused for exams, papers, presentations, and life all together.

To the sophisticated, a tad sweet, iced coffees. Thank you for cooling us on those hot summer days, while simultaneously giving us a little buzz for the day.

To the lattes, cappuccinos, expressos, and macchiatos. Thank you for making us feel pretty while we drink you. Thank you for the artistic flare, the foamy froth, the acceptable moment for pinky-up sipping.

Thank you coffee for all the times we were mad at Starbucks for spelling our names wrong and making us think we have a speech impediment. The name is “Shayla”, but I guess it’s harder to sound out than I think.

                          

Thank you for the ability to show off our uniqueness through coffee mugs and traveling cups. Without these accessories, how else would we be able to express ourselves?

Thank you for the ability to flood our Instagram with these types of photos and annoy our followers. What could be a more perfect subject-matter than my feet and top of the coffee lid? Coffee, you are so photogenic.

And most importantly, thank you for initiating our intestinal processes for the day. We love having to rush to the bathroom moments after arriving to work. But it’s always worth it…anything for you, love.

We will be forever indebted to you, every single day of our decaffienated lives.

xOx

9 Instagrams You NEED to Follow

While perusing my Instagram feed on my photography account (zachrielle_photo), I have come across some really extraordinary work. Some photographers out there are REAL GEMS.

Other photos I scroll through are okay (if even that, sometimes), but they get hundreds or thousands of likes. I refuse to click that little heart button out of pure stubbornness. At the same time as seeing these photos, I see some real gorgeous work that has less hearts clicked. It boggles my mind how this happens. Are the “okay-photo” accounts paying for their likers? I call those cheaters.

Therefore, I’ve decided to showcase some of the accounts that I believe should have more love. Go love them.

(These aren’t in any specific order)

Ready to be amazed?….

1. Fieldgurl

I mean is this from Jurassic Park? Or maybe it’s a scene from an urban-Hogwarts train ride? It can’t be real, right? IT IS.

2. PeaceInArtPhoto

I feel so at peace when I look at this. Can’t you just feel that mist flowing over you? I CAN.

3. SethVDL

This is fake. JUST KIDDING! I can’t look away from this one. It’s perfection.

4. ekl222

This reminds me of some sweet romantic story. The purple hue makes me feel thankful for some reason.

5. bakersamantha

Artsy? Check. Colorful? Check. Geometric? Check. Urban? Double check.

6. ancient_sky

So I first saw this and thought, “Not real” but is in fact VERY REAL! It’s actually a national monument, fancy, huh?

7. gsolvang

Yes I know. Speechless over this beaut. Those colors are on point. Everything about is on point, actually.

8. jrice.photography

First, how does one even think of such a great position for a photo?! But she nailed it. And the lighting, magnificent.

9. alpine_amy

Definitely thought this was from a post card until you notice her entire Instagram feed has photo like these. YAS.

So you’re welcome for making you wanderlust. And you are all very welcome for showing you how to make your Instagram feed much more beautiful and colorful.

xOx

OMG, Add Me on LinkedIn?!

Now that we are…how shall I say…older, we are evolving in our social media standards.

First, our generation was judging incisively on MySpace. Then, luckily, Facebook entered our lives and saved some – only some – of our humanity. Instagram crept into our lives, igniting our competitiveness for the ‘coolest’ filtered photo. Snapchat made us realize how annoying people were with their incessant need to send snaps of their food. Thanks for helping my diet, jerks.

Now, LinkedIn is the new and coolest thing for us twentysomething, young adults. It is definitely the one social media account we should be using (seriously). This is a great way to stay in touch with professional connections and find new ones. You can also look for job postings and search companies on this site, which is great for you poor (literally) unfortunate souls.

But there are a few thoughts that will cross your mind as you begin this phase in your life. A lot of self-judgment will occur, and in retrospect, you’re going to have some regrets of how little you actually did with your life up until now. Sorry, but best of luck!

1. Cool, I get to make a new profile

Oh wait…I have no real experience or past work. I look like a lazy brat now.

2. Oo, I can upload a profile picture

Which shall I use: the totally not-sober one from senior year shenanigans or the ratchet one of me dying from heat
stroke at a football game? Let’s face it, no one has real headshots already done…that requires money.

3. The skills section should be easy

Wait, what kind of skills are these? Excel, Leadership, and Management? What happened to eating, sleeping, and
being frugal? (You will begin to question even the most basic skills you think you have…like spelling)

 

4. Profile is complete

This is the most boring profile of myself. I look like an eighteen-year-old, who has to repeat senior year.

5. Finding connections

Oh I know her! Woah…she’s done that much with her life so far? Liar. Fraud. Still, she makes me look bad, so I will
not be requesting her.

 

6. Someone looked at my profile!

Wait a minute, you can see who looks at your profile? I’m suddenly regretting my stalking. Why didn’t someone tell me
first?!

 

7. What the heck are second connections?

Too much brain power is needed for this ‘social media’ site. My brain has the hurts.

8. Can this be like a dating site, too?

Finally found a nice professional-ish photo; not one of those ‘professional’ shots that include the perfected deer-in-
the-headlights look, old-lady hair style, and shoulder-padded suit. Time to scout out the cutest connections!

 

If you do not have a LinkedIn profile yet, take these points as warnings. Go out and do some stuff with your time and fill up that resume! If you already do have a LinkedIn profile, you understand what a mental struggle this point in life really is.

—

xOx