1989

I've been anxiously awaiting the release of Taylor Swift's newest album, 1989, and yesterday was finally the day to pick it up from Target (I had to get the deluxe version, obviously). 

After listening to a few of the songs, I was inspired to stop and pick up red lipstick, too.

Even though this album is quite different than her earlier ones, I was definitely NOT disappointed by it. I've been a Taylor Swift fan f o r e v e r (since 6th grade, same thing right?), and I've been to five of her concerts. My friends and I spent so many sleepovers dreaming up plans to meet her when we were in high school. 

As for 1989, I'm loving pretty much all of it. Some of my favorite songs: Blank Space, Style, Bad Blood, and two of the bonus tracks New Romantics and You Are In Love. 

(I actually got really emotional listening to You Are In Love, like big happy tears while driving. It's Lena Dunham's wedding song which makes it even more amazing, if that's even possible. "One night, he wakes Strange look on his face. Pauses, then says You're my best friend" I. Died.) 

Of course I realize not everyone is a Swiftie, but I think the haters should give this new album a chance. It's so different from anything she's ever done. I love that you can tell in her lyrics how at peace she is with her life right now. She's not really angry with any ex-lovers, or sad about anything. It's like she's finally realized she can just be single and happy in New York City (living my dream). 

SO GO LISTEN TO THE WHOLE ALBUM RIGHT NOW!!! I'm  o b s e s s e d. 

P.S. Please enjoy this picture from my 2nd TSwift concert (that one time she actually touched my hand!) and the last time I wore these cowboy boots. 

circa 2010

Loving With Your Whole Heart

Unrequited Love: (noun) love that is not openly reciprocated, returned, or understood as such.

I'm not just talking about that boy that didn't really like you back, either… 

What about the friend that, no matter how nice you were, never seemed to like you quite as much? Or the grandma that always seemed to like your cousins better than you, no matter how sweet you were to her? Some unlucky people might have even had a parent that just didn't have time to "do the parent thing"…  

Yep, that's all considered unrequited love, too, and it's certainly not fun. 

What are you supposed to do when no matter how hard you love someone, he/she just doesn't return it? 

Love. Them. Anyway. 

I mean, basically this is what the bible teaches, but I read this article and it really got me thinking about it. Even though it was probably meant to be a fluff piece, it's about love advice Taylor Swift gave to a fan recently and it blew me away. 

It's pretty short, and you really should read the whole thing, but in a nutshell, she said this: loving someone without expecting something in return is selfless, beautiful, and kind. She added that you should "Feel good about being the kind of person who loves selflessly."

That really hit home for me. As a girl who's never had a boyfriend, most of my relationships have been built on unrequited love… Taylor worded this so beautifully, too. She said, "I think unrequited love is just as valid as any other kind. It's just as crushing and just as thrilling."

So the next time you're feeling down on yourself for being twenty years old and still being single, (First, let me know I'm not alone), then think of Taylor's advice: Just keep loving everyone with your whole heart, and someday you'll find someone who loves you in the same way. 

Also, if you're feeling a little discouraged on this Monday morning, try reading this…

image source

I hope your week is off to a good start!