I consider myself to be like the modern day Wendy. I know that I have to grow up, but I am holding on to every word Peter Pan has ever told me; To never grow up!

At this moment I am  28 and I've never felt so lost before. Don't get me wrong I like growing up, but there are a lot of disadvantages that people don't tell you about. Like, cleaning the bathroom, or checking your credit score, or one of the hardest realizations that you aren't going to be friends with people you've grown up with... due to life, a job, a boyfriend.
 Regardless, growing pains are a real thing, and I have had enough with them.

I am starting this new chapter of my life with a new outlook. That just because you are growing up doesn't mean you need to be #basic! 

One way I am letting my creative side show is by dyeing my hair purple, cause I'm 28 and I make my own decisions. I've always envied people who had to courage or flexibility to stand out.
 Confidence = Sexy. 

Pintrest has been a G*O*D sent and has allowed me to explore this fun new world of color.

Some of you might be asking, " But Kalie don't you work for a hair company?"
Yes...yes I do, but I also am a teacher so I've never really looked into it! 

So far, this is what I've come up with and am Loving the title:

M E R M A I D hair 

Like this Gorgeous look from Behind the Chair 

Or what about this Tumblr beauty

My Final Look ...done by the amazingly talented ( and also my hairstylist since high school )

 Jessica Lopez

--->FOLLOW HER! 

Love this girl!!! Play with your color! You can have it all! #Wella #kaduspro #licensetocreate

A photo posted by Jessica lopez (@jessicalopezhair) on Aug 3, 2016 at 11:45am

And of course if you aren't following me....Do so...you will not be disappointed

Somethings Different ✨💜🔮✨ . . . #hair #hairlife #hairstyle #hairstylist #hairstylist #inspire #inspired #licensedtocreate #pureology #product #blowouts #girl #time #girltime #girly #travel #longbeach #california #beach #beachlife #love #life #vintage #vintagestyle #vintagefashionkilla #purple #purplehaze #purplehair #yas

A photo posted by K A L Z B E R R Y 🍍 (@kaliecalder) on Aug 2, 2016 at 6:18pm PDT

Getting older doesn't mean boring...it means that life goes on and to make the most out of it
Love you all

// Beach Ready Books To Read This Summer //

Imagine...sitting on a beach, lounging in a comfortable lounge chair, a cool breeze sweeping across the sand, the faint sounds of seagulls gawking in the distance, and the creakiness sound coming from the binding of a new book!

Sounds like paradise to me.

Add a mojito and I'm good!

I have done my last research assignment for the semester and have complied a list of:

Kalie's Top 5 Book for Summer

(1)

 I Take You 

By: Eliza Kennedy

Out May 24

Meet Lily Wilder: New Yorker, lawyer extraordinaire, blushing bride. And totally incapable of being faithful to one man.
     Lily’s fiancé Will is a brilliant, handsome archaeologist. Lily is sassy, impulsive, fond of a good drink (or five) and has no business getting married. Lily likes Will, but does she love him? Will loves Lily, but does he know her? As the wedding approaches, Lily’s nights—and mornings, and afternoons—of booze, laughter and questionable decisions become a growing reminder that the happiest day of her life might turn out to be her worst mistake yet.
 
Unapologetically sexy with the ribald humor of Bridesmaids, this joyously provocative debut introduces a self-assured protagonist you won’t soon forget.

- Amazon 

(2)

 

It's Okay to Laugh (Crying Is Cool, Too)

By Nora McInerny Purmort

Out May 24

Nora McInerny Purmort had been through the dating ringer and wasn't sure if she would ever find The One — until she met Aaron. They fell hard and fast in love, but not long afterward, Aaron was diagnosed with a rare, terminal brain cancer. Together, they had to decide how they would spend his remaining months.

This gorgeous and insightful memoir holds up the lens to mortality and leaves us with a reminder to make every moment count and value what is truly precious: time — and laughter. 

-Refinery29

(3)

Rich and Pretty

By Rumaan Alam

Out June 7

Female friendships are a complex and beautiful thing. But what happens when your best friend — who has been like a sister to you for nearly 20 years — suddenly becomes someone you're not sure you even like very much anymore?

This delightful debut explores the longtime relationship between Sarah and Lauren, besties who have grown up and apart but still can't deny the tether that binds them. A charming and insightful meditation on what it means to mature and adapt to adult life while still holding on to our shared histories, Rich and Pretty is a perfect pick for book clubs and BFFs — and, of course, for a day at the beach with the most important lady friend in your life. 
-Refinery 29


(4)
KALIE'S TOP PICK!!!

Photo Credit: Amazon

Garden of Eden

By: Ernest Hemingway

A sensational bestseller when it appeared in 1986, The Garden of Eden is the last uncompleted novel of Ernest Hemingway, which he worked on intermittently from 1946 until his death in 1961. Set on the Côte d'Azur in the 1920s, it is the story of a young American writer, David Bourne, his glamorous wife, Catherine, and the dangerous, erotic game they play when they fall in love with the same woman. "A lean, sensuous narrative...taut, chic, and strangely contemporary," The Garden of Eden represents vintage Hemingway, the master "doing what nobody did better" (R. Z. Sheppard, Time).
-Amazon


(5)

Photo Credit: Amazon

Paint it Black 

By: Janet Fitch

Josie Tyrell, art model, runaway, and denizen of LA's rock scene finds a chance at real love with Michael Faraday, a Harvard dropout and son of a renowned pianist. But when she receives a call from the coroner, asking her to identify her lover's body, her bright dreams all turn to black.

As Josie struggles to understand Michael's death and to hold onto the world they shared, she is both attracted to and repelled by his pianist mother, Meredith, who blames Josie for her son's torment. Soon the two women are drawn into a twisted relationship that reflects equal parts distrust and blind need.
With the luxurious prose and fever pitch intensity that are her hallmarks, Janet Fitch weaves a spellbinding tale of love, betrayal, and the possibility of transcendence.
-Amazon

 

 

// Three Reason why iReturned my Apple Watch //

I admit that I am a little obsessed with any new technology. Who isn't?

I mean, I have heard of people living "off the grid," and don't get me wrong, I have fantasized living in a rainforest, eating bananas, with  my amazing Brazilian tan. But I believe the reality  is more like the television show, Naked and Afraid. 

Back in 2014 Apple  came out with the Apple Watch, and the world went crazy for it! I wanted to give it some time before I leaped in arm first.

Moreover,  if I was going to pay... almost $400 dollars for a watch, it better be worth it. 

I already feel like I'm part of the apple family, it's quite depressing really. Let's just put it this way, i'm one step away from Tim Cook being an Uncle. 

A few weeks ago I was finally ready to cough up the dough and say, hell..WHY NOT!

 In addition, I splurged a little more and got the Sport 42mm Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Stone Sport Band. Cuz gurl i'm fancy.

Then, something changed. I mean I liked it, for the first week.

 Then I felt it became "just another thing" to charge. 

Here are my T H R E E reasons why I said, "Oh No Thanks":

1) The Battery Life SUCKS:

 I was excited when I read that the battery life lasted up to 18 hours... but they really should have emphasized the "up to" part. Most of the apps I would, and that are automatically placed on your Apple Watch  ran down your battery dramatically, which maked it really 8 hours instead of 18...

2) The Screen is Too Small

The overwhelming amount of notifications I got on my "small computer" was too much for me to go through on the small screen. I would wind up going to my phone or computer. 

3) Speaker Phone only 

I don't know what kind of friends you have, but I have some that I can't have on speaker phone. They are the reason why the memes were created. I didn't like to answer my "Secret Agent" styled watch because the speaker system was so lame that the person wouldn't be able to hear me unless I was screaming at my watch. 

So save your money FAM and splurge on some nice shoes instead.Like these...

O R.. get your life in order with Erin Condren...click here for $10 off! 

Life gets Messy....and an Apple Watch won't help clean it up.

Kalie 

//BREATHE IN BREATHE OUT//

 This was my attempt at Zen before I started to plan out my workouts...see how I felt un-grounded hehe

I've wanted to do a blog post for a while about working out on a schedule. For a girl on the go, heading to the gym or even try to cram one more thing into my day seems like that there isn't enough coffee in the world. 

I don't know how you handle stress, but for me there are three phases.

Phase 1) I realize my day is really full so I start talking to myself and try to prioritize my day.

Phase 2) Once I realize I've booked to much, I get many symptoms of a person who is hangry..i.e upset, yelling, snappy..the list goes on for a while so I'll spare you.

Phase 3) This is the point where I give up completely on life, I cry and watch Netflix..because what else do you do you when you've given up on life...hello

WELL no more! I have a new method to my madness..Ever since I got my Erin Condren Planner (click here for blog post) , I can see clearly now..the stress is gone!

Here is Kalie's Top 5 ways to incorporate working out into your schedule. 

1) Always plan a week in advance. I am not a fan of "planning as I go". I have a set schedule for my week which makes this a little bit easier, but I always plan on Sunday for the following week. This is when I do my meal prepping as well, cause Gurl bikini season is just around the corner. 

2) Chose only 3 days that you are going to work out. Monday, Wednesday, Friday/// Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. You chose, that way you aren't going to burn yourself out. 

3) It's OK..(clear throat) I repeat.. OK if you only workout of 30 minutes. I don't understand why people need to work out of 1-2 hours. Just relax..unless you are training for a marathon or are in a bikini competition you don't need to seriously pump iron.

4) Make your hobby a workout. I love yoga, and have been practicing for 6 years. I'm not an expert and still need help with my Warrior I at times, but I enjoy it.  It makes workout and strengthening my body that much easier. My mentor, if I can call her that is named Adriene Mishler. She is that master mind behind Yoga with Adriene.. If you don't know now you know. FOLLOW HER!! I seriously never though I would love yoga as much as I do, and it's all thanks to her. She is from Austin, TX and makes you feel more like a friend than a struggling wanna-be.

AND FINALLY

5) ADD FRIENDS...always ask your friends if they want to work out with you. A girlfriend and I just started Barre Releve (Click here for a Groupon...cause who doesn't like a deal).

I couldn't survive the class if it wasn't for her support! 

Well there you go my friends. I hope this post helps you organize your workout schedule a little better, cause we all know...life gets messy, but here are the messes that matter!

Kalie

/My Bestfriend/

The circle of life. We're born, we live, we die. 

It is one of the hardest things a person has to come to terms with.

I consider myself very lucky. 

I am 26 years old and up till now, I've never had to face the terrifying fact that, one day, I will die. And with the subject of death coming up in every other conversation I've had for two weeks, I've really started re-evaluating a few things about my life.

 Like:

1. Letting go of trying to control things.

2. Letting go of being a people pleaser.

3. Letting go of a sense of entitlement.

4. Letting go of resentment.

5. Letting go of my pride.

6. Letting go of negativity.

7. Letting go of an attachment to money.

8. Letting go of expectations.

9. Letting go of fear.

10. Letting of yesterday and tomorrow.

Wait a second...

Why am I be talking about such a depressing and un-entertaining subject like death on my blog? 

Well, I'll tell you why...

The precious gem that I have the honor of calling my grandmother is named Raleigh Schultz. She was born in 1933 in Minneapolis but grew up in Hollywood, California. 

Two Fun Facts about Grammie:

One: she had the fortune of walking down Wilshire Blvd. past the La Brea Tar Pits every day before they built the museum. 

Two: She met my grandfather at a party when she was 19 years old and they eloped a few months later. 

What can I say, the women goes after what she wants! She has been the sassiest, most independently strong women I've ever known.

She is now 82 years young and until now I considered her to be immortal.
I am the first grandchild out of six, so, of course, I am her favorite.
Wait ... that came out wrong.
 Let me try again... (Clear throat)
 I am the first grandchild, therefore, I assume that I am her favorite/most perfect grandchild.

Ok, now that it's been covered, let's move on. 

My grandmother, who is my best friend, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This cancer attacks your lymphocytes, which are part of your immune system. She had been in recession for 10 years and a day before I left for Seattle, the doctor's told us that it had come back with a vengeance and to expect only six month to two years left with her. The doctor's explained that the cancer had become very aggressive and that it had invaded 90 percent of her right lung, 50 percent of her left lung, had moved into her blood stream and is now attacking her spleen.

When I arrived back from Seattle, the doctor's told me that she has been given a month. A MONTH!! Hearing that made my heart stop. What am I going to do without her?  I know that it's just a timeline and that sometimes they are wrong, but the fact that it is inevitable, makes me speechless. 
So, for the past two weeks, it's been doctor appointments, chemo treatments, anxious phone calls and no sleep for this girl.

Today I needed some inspiration. I posted some pictures to help me know I'm not the only one going through this.  If you need some inspiration, I hope this post will help you know that you are not alone. If you need someone to talk with, comment below! My friends and family have been so supportive throughout this whole process and I hope that I can do the same for someone else. 

 To find out more information about Non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma CLICK HERE. 

This is my grandmother! Isn't she beautiful!

This is my MANTRA

This is how I feel on a daily basis

 This is how I feel about my mother, who has been so strong for all of us.

 This is how I feel about my friends

This is how my view on life has changed 

Please keep her in your prayers
xoxo
@Themessthatmatters

If you want to know the colors for the many different cancers: 

/Take me out to the... 5k/

    On your mark, get set, run! 

I'm coming upon my 2nd month of being smoke free, and man do I feel great. My lungs are in the best shape they've been in a while, my breathing is longer and deeper, and my skin has a nice glow. 

This also might be because I've been training for the last month for the Angels 5K tomorrow. It helps support the Angels Baseball Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of children in need in our communities, and provides funding for youth in crisis, youth health initiatives, youth baseball programs, and youth education.

My brother, who is seven, plays baseball. He is in his third year and is absolutely infatuated with it. I try to go to his games every Saturday morning, so tomorrow is going to be special for me. I won't be able to go to his game, but the photos and stories I am going to share with him will hopefully inspire him to be a great baseball player, like his favorite player, Mike Trout. 

I'll get to show him what it looks like from the field looking up into the stands and hopefully that will spark a passion in him that could turn out be something.

You never know.

 My girlfriend, Allison, her dad, Mr. Macaninny, and me will be walking/running to show our support for such an amazing cause.

If you are interested in running a 5k, 10K or even a marathon, check out Runners World. 

They have everything from shoes, to clothing, to local races. It's a runner's paradise. 

I have been going off of their 5K for beginners timeline, which has been so influential on how I pace myself, how I breath, and to see overall improvement. There is also a 5K for intermediate runners , I didn't want to push it too hard, I mean this is my first 5K.

Leave me a comment and let me know if you've ever run a 5K before, or better yet a marathon (which is one of my long-term goals!), and if you have any tricks that might help.

If you would like to donate to this amazing cause... CLICK HERE 

Thanks for all the support :)

/New Me = New Blog/

 Anyone can agree that new is always better! 

Well, I decided it was time for my blog to get some pampering and with that came a whole new look. Comment below with a thumbs up or thumbs down and let me know how you feel about this new and improved look!

 This is available for purchase by the lovely:

 Miss Poppy Design Shop.

/Smoke free = 5K/

On February 28th, I made the hard decision to quit smoking.
Two days ago, I celebrated my ONE month of being SMOKE FREE, and it feels amazing!

This accomplishment has made me realize that I am much stronger than I give myself credit for, and that I can do anything I set my mind to!

To reward myself for this major milestone, I am going to do what I've been dreaming about since I first made the decision to stop smoking, I am going to run a 5K!

I know it's not that far, or hard, but to a smoker of 10 years, the idea of running for more that five minutes is like asking a fish to breathe without water.

 I am scared, but  thankful that I was athletic for most of my teenage years.  All those 5 am morning workouts for water polo, and 2 hour beach runs for volleyball sure paid off for something!

I am really counting on my muscle memory to help a sis-ta out!

I am going to post weekly about my progress and will call it Fitness Friday!

I need all the support I can get on this one, and hopefully I feel inspired to one day do a 10K or even a whole marathon.....but baby steps first!

Here is my GYM SCHEDULE for the first week!

Here goes nothing...

/Inspiration + Weekend/

This week has been especially hard for me. I've spent the last two weeks on the road and trying to get back into the swing of things at my other job has been more than draining. It's daylight savings time and jet lag all rolled into one for this girl!

So, I needed some inspiration to help me get through this weekend and get ready for Monday morning.

Here are my FOUR Favorite inspirational quotes PLUS a bonus one to prepare myself for the weekend!

/Indian Summer = Bathing Suits/

Is anyone else hot?

Here in California it has ranged from 80-90 degrees for the last week or so. Um did mother nature forget that it was March and just cruise right into July? Never the less, I do have to say that because of the heat during the day, it is magical at night. It is the perfect temperature to drive with the windows down and just start that bonfire obsession early!

/We truly are blessed in the West/

For those on the East Coast or in the Midwest, the sting of winter is still in the air, but here in California, it's bathing suit time!

Check out my top FIVE favorites for Summer 2015

Orchid Label

Teeny Black Marvie

Bikini Top+Bottoms $82.00

Available at Orchid Label

Orchid Label

Marvie Daisy Sassy

Bikini Top+Bottoms $82.00

Available at Orchid Label

Bocas Top 

Bikini Top+Bottoms $74.00

Available at Revolve Clothing

Hera Bikini 

Bikini Top+Bottoms $60.00

Available at Revolve Clothing

Aerie Label

Bikini Top+Bottoms $74.00

Available at American Eagle 

Happy shopping!

/Cigs + Coffee/

I was a smoker for 10 years. I loved it! I loved the image of smokers, the relaxing puffs while sipping my morning coffee, how I could get out of any situations because I "needed to have one".

Well, that time has come and gone.

 As I am closing in on my thirties I have realized that my party days are over. I don't need to tell you how gross cigarettes are and  I've been dreaming of the woman I would be when I quit; Athletic is the word that always came to my mind. More specifically, running. I told myself I would run all the time when I quit. 

Well, this Friday will be a month of being smoke-free. I am so happy to close this chapter of my life. 

The idea of writing this post is because I've gone through a lot these last four weeks and hope I can be the voice of reason or a helping hand if you're trying to quit or have thought about quitting.

Here are the 5 things I've learned while putting out the cig for good.

1. TIME HEALS ALL!

I have been told that it will take time for me to feel like myself again. I've lost my best friend, my other half, the thing that has been with me for almost half my life. 

 In the beginning of the month I was very optimistic about quitting. I would handle my cravings like a champ by holding a pencil, chewing gum, or going for a walk. Well, that all change after the second week. I knew that there were other withdraw symptoms besides irritability and mood swings.  I had no idea that anxiety was one of the withdraw symptoms. But it's true, by the second week I started getting anxious,not wanting to go anywhere (which is very unlike me), and cried all the time. I had to ask myself "What is wrong with me?" 

If this is happening to you ; DON'T WORRY, IT IS TOTALLY NORMAL!

By the second week your body is still trying to figure out how to calm itself down.  You no longer have a crutch to hold onto in a stressful moment  and are now working through them organically.

 IT WILL PASS! 

I can tell you that my anxiety has lessened tremendously in the last week and it only get's easier. 

2. FIND A HOBBY! 

 I'm telling the truth when I say I've actually Googled different hobbies because I didn't know how to have one. I loved to work but knew that it couldn't be my hobby. So I thought about things that made me happy. I loved cooking, and watching movies, and organizing. Well, boom. there are three hobbies right there! What I am saying that during this tough time, find things that make you happy and do them everyday!

3. START A JOURNAL

It's really exciting to look back to my first days of not smoking and see how far along I've come. It gives me the motivation I need to keep going. I keep my journal on my side table and before bed I write down my goals, dreams, sketches, and amazing occurrences of the day. If you don't have a journal/ diary.....buy one!

 Its free therapy!

4. FIND SUPPORT

I can not stress this point the most!! Either through a professional website like http://www.nobutts.org/ or find a therapist who will help you through the hard moments and will cheer you on during your victories. You've heard that quitting smoking is harder that heroin. HEROIN!!!! People go to rehab for that! Meanwhile you are still suppose to go along like everything is fine in your everyday life. You're doing great! How I think about it is when you seek wise counsel, you in turn become wise. Find someone to talk to about any struggles you might be having with quitting. It will make you stronger in the end, I promise you.

5. BREATHE!

I read this poem the other day that I want to share with you. I helped me out so much thus far and hope it helps you to:

Breathe

whatever you are doing right now. 

take a deep breath, than another.

you are so beautiful.

has anyone told you that lately?

and there's something more important.

you're strong.

sometimes it feels like you're not.

maybe even most the time.

but please don't ever forget.

you're stronger than you know.

everyday, you wake up, no matter what, no matter what you've gone through

you wake up in the morning, take a second and appreciate that, after all these 

years, you still have hope.

maybe it's buried inside you.

maybe that sounds ridiculous.

but you keep going every goddamn day.

and that makes you incredible

but breath today, breath right now

sometimes things are too much

and I want you to know that's okay

there will be times when you want to break down and cry, sometimes when you want to fall asleep

and never ever wake up again

that doesn't make you weak

it makes you human

and that's beautiful, too

after all that you've been through, you can still feel 

never underestimate that

because you know what that means?

there's hope

It means that you'll feel love and happiness, it means you'll feel pride and joy

It means you're still alive, but more than that, it means you're still living

Stay strong

Stay beautiful

never stop feeling

and sometimes all you need to do it Breath! 

/Bagels + Coffee: NY edition/

A toasted cinnamon raisin bagel, thick cream cheese and a caramel macchiato.

That, my friend, is my perfect breakfast. I almost wish it was 6 AM again, and that is saying something!

For the last day of the IBS New York International Hair Show we decided it was time to enjoy something New York does best: bagels.

We owed ourselves for working so hard those last 4 days.

 I'm talking 14+ hours a day! I earned those carbs! 

Caffe Bene has chains all around the nation but started in South Korea in 2008. They are primarily based in Los Angeles and New York. So if you're ever craving a delicious Bagel + Coffee, stop on in and enjoy their warm and inviting environment!
 It's almost like you never left your own living room.

MOST POPULAR CAFFE BENE LOCATIONS 

161 Broadway                                             3287 Wilshire Blvd #B

New York, NY 10019                                   Los Angeles, CA 90010