Inspiration

How To… Experience Self-Growth!

~ ogaidry ~ 3 Comments

Hi guys! I turn 17 this week (on the 12th) and I decided I wanted to do a post about things and life lessons I have learned at 16 years old. This has been a year of tremendous self-growth! As I prepare to start my senior year of high school, part of me wishes that I could just be in kindergarten again, but I know I’m ready for bigger and better things! That being said, I think I will experience even more personal changes in my 17th revolution around the sun, so I want to document some of the things I feel like I have learned this year and compare them to a future list!

  1. You can’t please everyone!! Growing up, I was the type of kid that always wanted to make everyone happy. This year especially, I’ve learned that what one person loves about you may be what another hates. In one of my earlier posts about authenticity, I said that by being authentic, you attract the people who you’ll have the deepest connection with. As cheesy as it sounds, staying true to myself was what enabled me to make decisions I knew were right for me. You are in charge of your own happiness. 
  2. You are stronger than you think! Guys, having a thick skin is so important. As an actress, getting used to hearing “no” is a tough but necessary skill. There’s a quote that says, “You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it.” Oftentimes, our biggest setbacks reveal the most about who we are!
  3. Quality over quantity. I can count on one hand the number of people who I consider my close friends. These are people who I know have my back no matter what. This year, I’ve found out that in times of personal hardships, you discover who your true friends are pretty quickly (and consequently, which friends are not true). Connecting with people can be difficult, but once you find your tribe, you’ll know it. Cherish those people, and let them know often how appreciated they are. 
  4. It’s possible that you’ll regret some things you did, but more often than not, you will regret the things you didn’t do! There have been so many times when I was on an adventure and I was scared but didn’t want to regret not taking advantage of an amazing opportunity! I have swam alongside sharks, made new friends both nationally and internationally, and introduced myself to one of my heroes, Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz. I can definitively say that I have had absolutely no regrets this year!
  5. Trust your instincts. They’re usually right. 
  6. There may be times when you would rather have a Netflix night than go out and party, and that’s totally okay. 
  7. Sometimes it’s best to be alone with your thoughts. Meditation is so important, especially for someone like me who’s constantly busy! Eliminate distractions by turning off electronics and take time to be at peace with yourself and your surroundings.
  8. Traveling can change your life. See what the world has to offer!
  9. There is more to life than fancy cars, houses, clothes, etc. 
  10. Swearing is only effective if it’s done properly. Using expletives in every other word makes it lose its emphasis.
  11. Turn your dreams into plans. You’ll feel more accomplished, I promise.
  12. Live in the moment. Take in all that life has to offer!
  13. Learn about the people around you! People can be great!! People can be super incredible!! All it takes is one conversation to find out more about someone’s journey through life.
  14. For the love of god, tell your mother you love her!! We may still argue sometimes, but at the end of the day, my momma is the most important person in my life!
  15. On that note, tell your father you love him too. My parents are my number one supporters! I got lucky in the family department.
  16. Being authentic can be difficult. How can I be myself when I don’t know who I am entirely yet?! It’s okay!! Take time to work on yourself! The road is rarely ever easy (at least in my case) but I am pretty proud of my development as a person over these past 16 years.

Above all else, challenge yourself to be a better person than you were yesterday. You’d be surprised how much change can occur in just one year. 

Until next time…

xo, Liv

Spooky in Salem!

~ ogaidry ~ 2 Comments

Hi guys, long time no see! With Halloween right around the corner, I had to make sure I got an extra-spooky post up!

Recently, my friend Penny and I payed a visit to Salem, Massachusetts in honor of the spirit of Halloween. We saw the filming locations of our favorite seasonal movie, Hocus Pocus, including Max and Dani’s house, Alison’s house, the cemetery where Billy Butcherson chases the kids and the town hall where Winifred Sanderson sings her iconic rendition of “I Put a Spell on You”. People all over town were dressed in their Halloween finery, which was so much fun to see as well. Check out the pics below to see a few moments of our creepy-fun adventure!

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Have a safe and happy Halloween! Until next time…

xo, Liv

Fall Bucket List 2017

~ ogaidry ~ Leave a comment

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Hi guys! It’s been such a busy couple of weeks, between recovering from the seasonal cold and adjusting to the workload at school, the blog has taken a backseat. Fortunately, I’m back and better than ever because I’m in FULL ON FALL MODE! October is my fave month of the year, so you can expect plenty of fun fall posts coming your way very soon. In the meantime, I figured I’d share with you my fall bucket list for this year. I get super inspired by reading other people’s bucket lists, so hopefully you can draw some inspiration from mine! Read on and enjoy!

Liv’s Foolproof Fall Bucket List 2017:

  • Try a new soup recipe (done!)
  • Decorate pumpkins
  • Have a Halloween movie marathon
  • Bake an apple pie
  • Take a bubble bath
  • Have s’mores by candlelight
  • Take pictures in fall leaves
  • Light fall scented candles (done!)
  • Enjoy a scenic fall drive (done!)
  • Host a Thanksgiving dessert night
  • Make pumpkin pancakes
  • Visit farmer’s market
  • Go for a walk in the brisk autumn air, latte in hand
  • Get festive for Halloween (done!)
  • Give myself a fall-themed pedicure (done!)
  • Go to a concert

Let me know in the comments what’s on your fall bucket list! Stay tuned for the next post!

xo, Liv

 

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How To… Free Yourself!

~ ogaidry ~ Leave a comment

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Hey guys! Today’s post is all about confidence. This is a mindset that I was not born with, but nurtured and developed over time. However, in middle school, I found myself caring about really insignificant things. I hope this post allows you guys to free yourself from other people’s opinions and your own self-doubt. I hope you will feel comfortable in your own skin and just live your life on your own terms. When you free yourself, you are able to live up to your fullest potential. I have become so much more positive since I stopped worrying so much about what other people think of me. I am free to be ME!

  1. Remember who you are…

Stay true to your roots. I did a whole post on authenticity in March 2017, so feel free to check it out for a more in-depth look at this tip. Don’t stay hung up on your flaws. Accept them and move on. You are a unique individual with unique qualities. There is nobody on this earth just like you. Love that about yourself. The French fashion designer Coco Chanel once said, “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” It’s so important to come to terms with who you are, but don’t let it define you, because we are constantly evolving. Never lose sight of who you are in an attempt to please other people. It takes time, but don’t give up on yourself. You are enough.

2. People are just people…

Everybody is human, and thus, everybody is flawed. Don’t allow your motivation to be defined by other people’s journeys. Everyone has their own unique path in life. Humans are just humans. Do not be intimidated. You do you and let them do them.

3. Let go of societal norms and expectations…

Sometimes I have to remind myself that I don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. What’s stopping you? DO THINGS YOUR WAY. Be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons. The greatest people in history were the ones who thought differently and lived their lives outside of the norm. Always listen to guidance, but don’t waste your time living someone else’s life. Never explain yourself to anyone. You don’t need anyone’s approval. Be kind and considerate to everyone but do NOT feel the need to have to please anyone else. Live your life, believe in yourself, and go where you feel most alive.

4. Have some me-time…

When you focus on self-growth, you stop comparing yourself to others. Your well-being should always come first. Anything that costs you your peace is too expensive. Take time to do what makes your soul happy. A healthy mind gives you a positive life. Love yourself, because self love is the greatest medicine.

5. Cultivate a mindset of detachment…

If there is a person in your life who wants out, let them go. You are going to be okay. Let resentment and jealousy go. If something doesn’t work out, whether it’s a relationship, a friendship, or a job, it is for the best. Stay away from people who make you feel like you’re hard to love. I love this quote from Gordon B. Hinckley that reads, “Those who move forward with a happy spirit will find that things will always work out.” Inhale the future, exhale the past. Breathe. It hurts to hold onto something that doesn’t want to be there. Anything that is meant for you in life will find a way back into your life. Let go of an idea of how life is supposed to be. When you rid yourself of the “I need this or I won’t be happy” mentality, your life will instantly become more positive, and happiness looks gorgeous on everyone. Everything happens for a reason. All we have is now. Life is too short to worry about things that we can’t control. Instead, focus on the things you do have control over and relax.

I hope that this post helped. Know that you are unique and beautiful. Your true beauty, worth, and power come from within. May the change of seasons be a period of magnificent transformation. Talk to you soon!

xo, Liv

Summer 2017 Bucketlist

~ ogaidry ~ Leave a comment

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Summer is officially here! So of course, this gives me every reason and impulse to tap into my list-making obsession and curate a bundle of things to check off before these breezy, green leaves change to orange and yellow.

Every summer I try to come up with a list of activities to do, not only to make sure the summer is killer, but also to keep on track and not let the whole summer slip away right before my eyes (which seems to happen every dang time!).

Feel free to read it and add some ideas of your own creation.
I’m also debating starting a YouTube channel as a continuation of Liv’s Life, so if you would be interested in further content through videos, let me know in the comment section below (or text me) and I’ll find some creative ways to keep you guys up-to-date, inspired, and entertained all year long.

So, Summer 2017, let’s do this…

SUMMER 2017 BUCKETLIST

– Have A Beach Day (check!)
– Go On A Family Trip or Road Trip with Friends (check!)
– Make A Summer Playlist (check! give it a listen!)
– Have A Picnic (check!)
– Go To An Amusement Park
– Spend A Day In Pjs Baking
– Have A Summer BBQ (check!)
– Watch A Movie at the Drive-In
– Go Hiking (check!)
– Have a Bonfire – Vegan S’mores (check!)
– Get Adrenaline Rush — Skydive
– Go Kayaking/Canoeing (check!)
– Spend a Day Trying Food Trucks/New Restaurants (check!)
– Go To A Concert
– Visit a Farmer’s Market and Make Dinner (check!)
– Read 6 (or more!) Books (3/6 check!)
– Go Stargazing — Fill Truck Bed with Pillows and Blankets
– Have A Spa Day (check!)
– Go To An Art Gallery (check!)
– Be A Tourist In Your Town (check!)
– Watch the Sunrise & Sunset (check!)
– Get A Henna Tattoo
– Host a Boardgame Night
– Shop On A Boardwalk (check!)
– Plant Something
– Spend A Rainy Day Reading (check!)
– Make Homemade Vegan Icecream
– Go Mini-Golfing
– Plan An Epic Date Night w/ Friends (check!)
– Go Night Time Swimming (check!)
There it is.  Isn’t it beautiful?
If I think of anything else, I’ll update the list. I’m excited to hear what you come up with too.
ALSO, if you guys do anything on the Summer Bucketlist, make sure you send me pictures and perhaps be featured on a future blogpost! 🙂
Wishing you the best summer ever!
xo, Liv

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Standing Up To Bullies – Musical Style

~ ogaidry ~ Leave a comment

Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to audition and be cast in an amazing, new musical production. Her Song is an original musical aimed at fostering kindness and addressing the underlying causes of bullying. After several months of rehearsals, I was lucky enough to perform this exciting project with a group of amazingly talented people, in an absolutely gorgeous theater, the Ivoryton Playhouse. With thanks to the team at Stand Up and Speak Out and the Ivoryton staff, we enjoyed one week of hard work but fun-filled days, performing for local schools and the general public on an equity stage, alongside the awesome talent and friendly faces of Her Song.

After arriving at Ivoryton Playhouse, we headed straight to our dressing rooms in the backstage area, where we quickly got comfortable with sharing a room (girls in one, boys in another). From here, we made our way to the theater’s house and had our final dress rehearsal before opening.

During the time I was at Ivoryton, I can honestly say, it was the experience of a lifetime, alongside some wonderful people. We were lucky enough to perform every day, have Q&As with kids, and inspire people to take a stand against bullying. Each day we were able to enjoy something different, including fresh audiences, new energy, cast bonding, inspiring feedback and more. Could it get any better?

A huge thank you to the amazing team at SUSO for bringing me on this wonderful journey, my incredibly talented castmates for accompanying me and killing it together, and the team at Ivoryton Playhouse for providing such a great venue! So, whether you’re a teacher, student, parent, or just want to make a change, support the cast and crew of Her Song to bring the anti-bullying message to more communities in the future!

For more information on the musical and team, you can visit www.standupandspeakoutmusical.com.

Take a peek below at some of my favorite snaps from my Her Song journey!

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How To… Stay Positive

~ ogaidry ~ 1 Comment

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Hey everyone! I’m doing something a bit different on the blog today. Between the long, cold, days of winter and hectic school schedule, I’ve been feeling like January and February have been difficult to get through this year. Hopefully I’m not alone. Thankfully, February is reaching its end, but here’s 10 tips on how to stay positive. Read on!

  1. Start a journal. I am a huge fan of journaling because it’s where I can be honest and open with myself. Write out all your thoughts, hopes, dreams, feeling, etc. onto paper. Keeping a list of things that make you happy will instantly brighten your day.
  2. Do more for others. Volunteering is a great way to make others happy, which will in turn make you happy! Random acts of kindness are also a wonderful way to make yourself and people around you happy. Last week on Valentine’s Day, a girl at my school passed out lollipops throughout the day. Everyone seemed happier that day, which was so nice to see.
  3. Exercise, exercise, exercise! Your body releases endorphins when you exercise, which cause you to feel happy. Exercising doesn’t have to be conventional either. You can stay active by taking a yoga class, going for a walk in nature, or playing a soccer/basketball/tennis etc. game with your friends.
  4. Spend time in nature. The world is so beautiful that you can’t not be happy in nature. Chase sunsets and sunrises. Have a picnic on the beach. Go on hikes and adventures. Explore as much as you possibly can as often as you can.
  5. Simply release people or things that are underserving you. End relationships and friendships that don’t make you happy. Step away from toxic people and habits. Spend time with people who lift you up rather than tear you down. Hanging out with optimistic people will influence you to become more optimistic.
  6. Spend time with animals. This is a no brainer.
  7. Sleep. It’s so underrated but it’s vital. By getting more sleep, you will wake up refreshed, renewed, and ready for the day ahead.
  8. Smile more often. Smiling leads to positive thinking!
  9. Eat wisely. You are what you eat. If you eat food that’s full of life, like fruits and vegetables, you’ll be more full of life. Additionally, it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Eating healthy can do wonders for your body and soul.
  10. Take care of yourself. Listen to music that makes you happy. Start a new skin care routine. Get your hair or nails done as a treat for yourself. Take a bath. Do whatever makes you healthy that will benefit you. Remember your worth and strive to be better than the person you were yesterday.

Share this with whoever you think needs it. Let me know what you thought of this different type of post in the comments. See you soon!

xo, Liv

P.S. Special shoutout to my talented photographer friends, Maddie #closelove and Jewelia, for taking these amazing photos and Abby for her fun-loving self!

New Year’s Resolution Ideas

~ ogaidry ~ Leave a comment

Hi everyone! It’s Liv, and yes, I am still alive. After taking a much needed hiatus from blogging to focus on school, I am back and better than ever with posts for you all!

So you may or may not know that I love New Year’s resolutions. To me, the new year is a time of fresh starts and positive changes. So, to kick off 2017, I have come up with a few resolutions that hopefully inspire you to make this the best year it can be! To see them, read on!

  1. Eat more fruits & veggies.
  2. Drink more water.
  3. Read more books.
  4. Eat organic and less processed foods.
  5. Spend less time on your phone.
  6. Make more friends, and get closer with your old ones.
  7. Befriend someone you know is lonely.
  8. Challenge yourself to do one thing every day that is outside of your comfort zone.
  9. Keep a journal that you can read by the end of 2017.
  10. Strengthen your relationship with your family.
  11. Wear clothes that make you happy, don’t follow the herd.
  12. Make eye contact during conversation. Chin up!
  13. Go for more walks, and take in nature.
  14. Take better care of the earth – don’t litter!
  15. Try to be a better person than you were yesterday.

Don’t forget to leave a comment down below saying your resolutions for this year. Kill it in 2017! Talk to you soon!

xo, Liv

New York Minute Photo Diary

~ ogaidry ~ Leave a comment

Happy November everyone! Autumn is flying by without a doubt, and with winter rapidly approaching, I wanted to upload at least one more fall related post before I hear jingle bells (get excited)!

This past weekend I went into the city with my bestie, Jill. We had so much fun walking around, talking, and seeing Dead Poet’s Society, our favorite movie now an off-Broadway play! It was such a gorgeous autumnal day that we took so many pictures, and, naturally, I wanted to put them on the blog. Enjoy and stay tuned!

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Coffee to start the early day
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More coffee… and an amazing brunch at Peacefood Cafe downtown
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Peacefood Cafe
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Adorable apartment in Greenwich
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Walking around in the beautiful Greenwich Village.
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NYU- my dream school!
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Outside Classic Stage Company – the perfect OOTD for the perfect fall afternoon!
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Buildings’ fall hues bring out the best in the season.

Have you ever been to New York City before? Let me know in the comments.Follow me on instagram at @howtoliv_  if you haven’t already! See you soon!

xo, Liv

Autumn Bucketlist

~ ogaidry ~ Leave a comment

Hi everyone, Liv here! It’s time for autumnal-themed blog posts! I wanted my first fall post to be a bucket list, so that throughout the season you could be inspired to try a few and see what other posts I may have planned. Stay tuned and read on!

Fall bucket list:

  • Go apple picking
  • Get lost in a corn maze
  • DIY fall room decor
  • Make vegan treats (pumpkin spice latte, caramel apples, s’mores)
  • Take a hike and photograph pictures of the colorful fall foliage
  • Rake leaves, make a pile and jump in (bring out your inner child!)
  • Paint and decorate pumpkins
  • Roast pumpkin seeds
  • Go on a hayride
  • Visit a pumpkin patch
  • Carve pumpkins
  • Bake a pie and/or pumpkin bread
  • Get some fall scented candles
  • Visit a haunted house (I tell myself every year I’ll do it but it never happens)
  • Watch a scary movie with kettle corn
  • Cozy up by the fireplace
  • Indulge in fall fashions (wear flannel, cozy sweaters, beanies, hats, scarves)
  • Go to or plan a Halloween party
  • Try new nail polish colors for the season (…dark nails anyone?)
  • Go to a bonfire

    How many things can you cross off in a day? My amazing friend Abby and I were able to go apple picking, visit a pumpkin patch, search for the exit in a corn maze (it took us 40 minutes!), and eat some kettle corn, all within a few hours.

Follow me on instagram @howtoliv_ to see my all of my autumnal adventures! Happy Autumn!

 

xo, Liv