real beauty in the modern world

Y'all, this topic just came to my brain and I'm going to try and calm it down and put it into clear, fully developed thoughts so bear with me. This is going to be a sort of "stream of consciousness."

I was just looking in the mirror, admiring my shiny hair that I somehow forced myself to straighten today and trying to overlook the massive red spots on my face. I've been struggling with cystic acne for the last few months and even with makeup it's really hard to cover up. Days where I'm not doing anything I tend to just not do my hair or makeup and just sit in my room and do nothing. If I make plans with someone, I rush to do my makeup and improvise with my hair. I genuinely enjoy putting on makeup and taking cute selfies in rooms where I know the lighting is flattering but it's almost not an option anymore to go out without makeup on because my acne is so bad. If someone Snapchats me and I'm not wearing makeup, I either try to cover the spots with my hand or I don't respond. I'm sure I have so many friends that wonder why my Snapchats always feature my hand resting in front of my mouth and it's for that reason. I'm really insecure about my acne and I don't like it when people see me without any makeup on.

I really enjoy makeup and I think makeup is such a fun thing to accentuate your beauty but you cannot let it define your beauty.

I wouldn't say that I think I'm only beautiful with makeup on but I know that I really don't feel all that beautiful when I have really bad breakouts all over my face. And this is tough. I let the world around me make me feel so insecure about something so minor. Someone told me one time that "no one notices your blemishes even when that's all you can see." Can even you imagine that? I remember laughing and thinking, "Yeah, right. No one notices all of this? *motioning to my chin area* I call BS on this one."

I feel like this is such a controversial topic and a really fine line to walk along because society is generally one way or another. Makeup either makes you beautiful or makeup is completely unnecessary.

I'm not saying that makeup is a bad thing. Not at all. Please, come and see the amount of makeup I've collected or follow me around on a trip to Sephora. I love makeup and I really always have. Makeup is cool but when you can't do anything or go anywhere without putting makeup on, I think that's where the problem lies.

We have let society tell us that a flawless complexion is the only way to be beautiful.

I feel like when I walk into a store, they don't see my face, they see my uncovered acne. When guess what? ACNE IS COMPLETELY NORMAL AND ALMOST ALL HUMAN BEINGS HAVE SUFFERED FROM IT AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES. (and if you haven't, go admire your perfect skin in the mirror while the rest of us complain.) When did we start ignoring that? I did not choose to put this zit in the middle of my forehead, people. And you best believe that I am trying to cover the zit in the middle of my forehead up as best I can. I did not attach it to my face and I am not spending time with it on the weekend because it's my best friend. Acne sucks, no one likes it, and sometimes it's not a matter of just washing your face regularly, it's a hormone thing.

Beauty is not your appearance, beauty is your personality and I think that's something we've all forgotten. Society tells us that in order to be beautiful we have to have the right clothes, perfect makeup, flawless hair and a bubbly personality. Well, guess what? Beauty is not found on the outside. Beauty is found in how you treat others. People who can be seen as "beautiful" on the outside aren't always beautiful on the inside. Beauty is found in your actions and how you love the world around you. Beauty is found in your kindness shown to others. Beauty is not defined by a number on a scale or what size clothes you wear but by your words and actions.

I think we've all gotten distracted along the way and we've let society and the media trick us into believing that you can only be beautiful if you look like the men and women who are shown in magazines or on TV and in movies. The world has so much possibility and if we all truly believed and bought into the idea of real beauty coming from within then I think we would see a drastic change in the media, in the beauty and fashion industries, in how we treat each other, and in so much more.

Just some food for thought. Hope y'all are having a great week and I hope you all know that you're beautiful in your own amazing and unique way.

xoxo, Molly

p.s. feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts on this subject! I'd love some feedback

30 new year's resolutions you can keep in 2015

What's the problem with the resolutions we set? They're vague or highly unrealistic so they're impossible to keep. Here are 30 resolutions that you can substitute for the traditional ones that we all break every year {and if that's not you, give yourself a pat on the back and join the minority here!} and some that I'm going to throw in! 

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
{Substitute for eat healthy}

2. Go to the gym 2-3 times a week.
{If you don't work out at all, this should be an attainable goal to set}

3. Minimize caffeine intake.
{Insert your own realistic goal here, you soda/coffee-freak (i'm talking to myself here too)}

4. Set a budget for each month.
{Substitute for spend less money/spend money wisely}

5. Work on being happier.
{Kind of vague but happy people are fun to be around. This was my 2014 resolution and I can't tell you how many times I heard "Wow, you're so happy. How are you always so happy?" and Y'ALL, it's all in your mindset. I have bad days just like anyone else but it's how you choose to move on that show your true character. Fake it 'til ya make it, guys. (if I'm having a bad day, I like to avoid other people so I don't spread my bad vibes!)}

6. Get more sleep.
{Five hours of sleep every single night = an unpleasant and unhealthy person.}

7. Keep in contact with family and friends.
{This goes for those who are no longer at home, keep in contact with those who aren't around you because it feels so nice to have a long chat with someone you care deeply about and who deeply cares about you.}

8. Find your real friends and hang on to them.
{2014 was the year of this statement for me. College really tests your friendships and shows people's true colors. Find the friends who like you for you, not just your Instagram posts, and ones that will cheer you up on a bad day, help you get ready for special events/dates, and ones that you can talk for hours with and not ever get bored. You are an awesome person and you deserve awesome friends.}

9. Find new music to listen to.
{Further your collection, find someone or something new, and make really really good playlists. Oh and follow me on Spotify while you're at it?}

10. Get your eyebrows "on fleek."
{This saying was born in 2014 and I'm not letting it die just yet. Eyebrows frame your face and they really tie your whole face of makeup together when they look good. Tweeze them, wax them, fill them in, whatever you want to do.}

11. Get involved/give back.
{Join an organization, donate money/clothes/time. Helping others makes you happy and it doesn't cost a dime.}

12. Read at least one more book than you did last year.
{How easy is that? One book. If you can't read ONE book in an entire year, this resolution is not for you.}

13. Spend at least one more hour studying and one less watching Netflix.
{Again, one hour in your entire week. Set incentives. Your GPA won't get where you want it to be without studying. Trust me, I wish it would, too.}

14. Find your style.
{Find what you like and wear it. It's okay for your style to change because you aren't exactly the same person as you were in junior high, are you? Be brave and try something you wouldn't normally wear, too. Fashion is fun, don't take yourself too seriously.}

15. Start clearing out your Instant Queue on Netflix.
{I'm guilty of this too, y'all. My list is way too long and I haven't made time to watch half of it. Make this new year one where you try to finally clear it out. Words of wisdom: Don't start with Grey's Anatomy.} (if you're looking for something to watch, I suggest Gilmore Girls! :))

16. Travel.
{Go to a nearby city, another state, or a new country. You can learn so much from traveling.}

17. Take more pictures.
{Take pictures, print them out, and hang them somewhere you'll see them.}

18. Don't settle for less with boys.
{The boy who is meant to be with you will be with you and remarkably enough, it usually happens when you aren't looking for him. Set your standards high and if he doesn't meet them, he's not for you. It doesn't mean he's a bad person or not worth being friends with, he just isn't someone you should date. This resolution will save you some heartaches, awkward situations, and will make the long awaited "right guy" so much sweeter.}

19. Drink less.
{Lets all agree to remember our nights, drunks aren't fun to be around.

20. Go to more concerts/sporting events.
{Go with a friend or a group and make some good memories. You don't need good seats, just good company.}

21. Start a blog/YouTube channel.
{Have an idea? Start writing/filming. You don't have to have it all figured out, just start.}

22. Use social media less.
{You can look at a sunset without Instagramming it, you can think of something funny and not tweet it, you can hang out with friends without Snapchatting it. I'm guilty of all of the above, too.}

23. Put your phone away when spending time with people.
{It's actually pretty rude to ignore the people around you and stare at your phone screen all the time. I'm guilty of this one, too, okay? I'm not perfect, okay? Go on a date and leave your phone in the car. Ignore a text and give your date a kiss. Or don't, I'm just trying to help.}

24. Spend more time with your parents/family.
{Let them know you love them and spend some quality time with them. They love you, they raised you, they're the reason why you are where you are.}

25. Stop being so judgmental.
{People-watching is one thing, picking people apart without so much as one word between the two of you is another. Everyone has their own story and their own problems and their own walk through life and you never know where someone is in that walk. Someone they know could have just died, they could have cancer, they could be the CEO of a company, they could be absolutely brilliant. You don't know them, stop acting like you do. Give people a chance this year.}

26. Read a book of your Bible.
{Okay, this is a religious goal but it deserves its place on this list. I think it's tough to get through this one but a book of the Bible is doable. Pick one that has relevance in your life and read a devotional along with it so you can really get the most out of it. Read it with someone so you can compare thoughts. Read it with someone for accountability purposes.}

27. Set a goal; personally, academically, or at work.
{Set a goal that you can realistically obtain by the end of the year. Ex: If you're a student, set a realistic GPA goal. Don't set a goal that you can't reach because it will be a resolution you won't work for.}

28. Find someone to talk to.
{If you struggle with a mental illness or anxiety (or if you just want to talk to someone!), push yourself to go and talk to a professional or just an adult. This isn't something you can handle on your own and you really shouldn't bottle everything up. Find someone you can trust and talk to them regularly. Pushing yourself to go is the first step to getting help, coincidentally it's also the hardest.}

29. Take care of yourself.
{Take your makeup off at night. Eat a little better. Surround yourself with good people.}

30. Love yourself this year.
{Do things that make you happy and don't stop for people who get in the way of that. People who want you to be happy are worth your time and people who just want to get in the way aren't. Don't date guys who don't fit your standards. Guard your heart. Read more. Talk to your parents. Listen to good music. Listen to bad music. Do things that excite you. Do things that scare you. Go on adventures. Take a road trip. Be happy, make others happy, and spread your happiness.}

There are thirty resolutions in this list. You cannot tell me that you can't or won't keep one of these this year. Like come on, find music and read a single book are individually listed here. I've got faith in ya. Oh wait! I'll list another resolution that you can definitely take part in!

31. Read every post on doodleollymissmolly this year.

Y'all. I could probably count on both of my hands how many times I posted this year and that's going to change. (I probably shouldn't announce that it's going to change, that's usually when it doesn't work out.) Hopefully this little blog leaves you feeling a little happier, gives you a little laugh (my sense of humor isn't always laugh-provoking, I'll be the first to admit that), or inspires you a little. It's just whatever comes to my brain and I enjoy writing so it gives me a little outlet. I promise to throw in a joke every once in a while if you promise to half-smile or give me a pity laugh. Ooh, and maybe comment when you do it so I can get a visual? That would be great. Well, have a great 2015, y'all. I still haven't gotten over that. 2. 0. 1. 5. It looks weird. Have a great year, you deserve it.

xoxo, Molly

holiday gift guide 2014 | teen girls

Teenage girls are hard to shop for. Am I right or am I right? I'm a teen girl and I can definitely vouch for this one. I know what I like but gifts are just hard and I know it frustrates friends and family when they ask "So what do you want for Christmas?" and I reply with "Umm, I don't know." Here are some foolproof gift ideas for that lovely teenage girl in your life!

my time in college so far | fourteen weeks

Y'all, college is so much fun. So much fun but so much work and stress. I'm loving my time here and here's a picture update!

my parentals (minus one!) came for parent's weekend!

daddy + toomer's corner lemonade

post-LA Tech win with mama

first SEC game as a student in jordan-hare! #allorange

I went home for a quick fall break and saw one of my

best friends and favorite people in the whole world!

it's not the state fair of Texas without a corndog, y'all

I got to go to one of my high school's football games and I

got to see some of my favorite band kids...how am I an alumni already?

my sorority's semi formal!

girls + dates

some of my favorite sorority sisters

cherry on top was getting my brother and dad to do a theta kite with me!

It's been so fun, y'all. School is stressful and I've been super busy but I really love my school and I love the people I'm meeting and all the stuff that comes along with it! Thanksgiving is coming up so so soon and then I'll be home for Christmas so the semester has flown by!

How's your semester going? What's the hardest part about college for you?

xoxo, Molly

how to survive your first few months of college

Back and at it again with a college post, y'all! These things are just some pointers and things I've experienced because I'm in no way an expert.

1) You aren't going to have friends immediately.

Once you realize this, you will be so much happier. If you're going out of state for college, this is something you're going to experience in the first few days through the first month of college and to be completely honest, it sucks. In high school, you have a group of friends already because you've lived in the same city your whole life so it's completely normal (and super common) to not have friends right away. Just think about it, would you rather have 15 friends who don't know your name and you don't really get along or 4 really good friends who can make you laugh until you cry and give you advice and are always there for you? Really good friendships take time and from what I've heard (I can't actually vouch for this one), the friendships you make in college are the friendships that will last a lifetime.

2) Be open to new things.

Your first semester of college is going to be dealing with new things left and right. New city, new place to live, new places to eat (new diets?), new teachers, new friends, new church, etc. With new things come new opportunities and experiences. This being said, get involved on campus. You are not allowed to complain about not making any friends if you just sit in your dorm room and watch Netflix all day everyday. People aren't just walking in and out of your dorm so get out and meet some people! Find out what you're interested and see if there's a way to get involved on campus. Greek Life has treated me and lots of people well but it's not for everyone. There's Student Government, clubs, volunteer groups, intramural sports teams, campus ministries, and so many more ways to get plugged in. You're more likely to meet people who share your interests or people who are similar to you if you get involved in things that interest you.

3) Don't rule everyone out based on appearance or what they're involved in.

This is so critical, y'all. College is not the place to come and be judgmental. Just because you heard there's one sorority that likes to party a lot, it doesn't mean every sorority parties a lot. Just because you heard one frat guy "got so wasted this weekend that they had to take him to the hospital," it doesn't mean they all drink. Just because you heard something about someone, don't let it ruin or influence your opinion of the whole group. I'm using Greek Life as an example because it's an easy one and it's what most people who aren't involved usually see. While you can hear something about one sorority/fraternity and assume things about all of Greek Life, it's also not fair to assume things about the chapter as a whole. Ex: "I heard so-and-so took advantage of that girl...I'm not hanging out with that fraternity ever again." "She failed Biology? Wow, that sorority is really dumb." It's not okay and honestly, it makes you sound ignorant and pretty rude. No one in the group has the exact same DNA and no one is the exact same person so don't assume they are, because you know what happens when you assume. (Ha, you get it? Okay, nevermind.)

4) School matters...

I know college is supposed to be "the best time of your life" and it's jam-packed full of social stuff and football games and chances to make friends, but the reason why you're here is to go to class. Your parents are paying a lot of money for your education and it's not okay to bomb tests and skip class everyday just because they aren't here to push you. This being said, it's not the end of the world if you don't do well on a test or if you need to skip class one day because you need to work on something and it won't matter if you miss, but don't let it become a habit. Your grades determine whether you pass or fail a class and if you have to re-take a lot of classes, it can get expensive and can delay your graduation date. 4.0's look really good to future employers.

5) ...but take some time to have fun.

Don't over-stress about school. Study as much as you need to get your business done and reward yourself with some Netflix or time to hang out with friends. After a little while, you learn how to balance your academic life with your social life and it's really key in being happy and stress-free. If you have a long week of studying for a big test and working on a huge project, give yourself the weekend off.

6) YOU HAVE TO SLEEP.

When I went home for fall break, nearly everyone I saw would say, "Molly! I watch your Snapchat stories all the time. You pull a lot of all-nighters...do you ever sleep?" And the answer is, I try to! Sleep is pivotal in my mood and how productive I am and I can imagine it's like that for most people. (Duh?) But really. It's easy to stay up until 3 am every night but it's really hard to wake up for 8 am's so sleep is essential. You also start to look gross the less sleep you get. Stop skipping showers for more sleep. Showers make you look presentable and keep you from looking like a hobo. (That might have been a note to self, don't judge, y'all.)

These are just a few things off the top of my head and I'm definitely leaving out a lot of stuff but there should be a post at the end of my first year with things that I learned along the way so this was just a few ways to survive the first few months. Let me know if you have any tips I didn't mention!

xoxo, Molly

P.S. Does your school have a fall break? {also, follow me on Instagram for updates on my life @mollysandlin, shameless plug}