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Dealing with Injuries



For those of you who have been reading my blog for a while now, you know that I play golf and am a member of my high school's varsity team. I adore golf and truly love each and every girl on my team. I love getting to spend my weekends with them traveling to and from tournaments and watching everyone achieve their goals. I had told myself that this would be "my season" and that I would strive to meet and achieve all my goals. Sadly, I didn't get to do that.
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Exactly one month ago I was playing a tournament. I was playing one of my best rounds of the season & I kept telling myself "this is the day you achieve your goal." My goal was to break my record and shoot in the 70's. I was playing so well & I had my parents and brother out to support me which made the day all the more special.

I was playing so well that I had completely forgotten that earlier that morning I had woken up with a sharp pain in my right shoulder. Thinking it was nothing more then having slept on my shoulder wrong I took some Ibuprofen and headed off to the tournament. I played pain free until hole 6 when I hit a shot fat which caused the pain I had felt earlier that morning to instantly come back. Not wanting to throw away a good round I played through the pain and managed to make a 20 foot putt to save par on that hole.

While waiting on the 7th tee, we had a short but strong downpour. Enough rain to dampen the fairways and rough. Still experiencing the shoulder pain I was able to signal my dad and point to my shoulder to let him know that something wasn't right. But again, not wanting to throw away my best round of the season, continued to play through the pain.

My tee shot on 7 landed just off the right edge of the fairway, leaving me in the thick & wet rough. Once I got to my ball I saw how deep in was in the rough and knew it would take a good amount of effort to get it up. I grabbed my club and took a few practice swings, still feeling the pain. I then addressed my ball and swung.

I didn't even notice the ball barely made it out of the rough because I was doubled over clutching my shoulder. I don't like to cry on the golf course because it messes with my mental game but this day I did. And I couldn't stop crying. The pain I felt when I hit that shot was so awful I felt like I had torn something. To even try to move it was extremely painful.

Having not moved from that spot for a few minutes the girls I were playing with came over to see what was wrong. I told them, through tears, that something had happened in my shoulder and I was in severe pain. Both girls were super sweet and helped to calm me down a little bit. I then walked to my ball and looked over at my parents and pointed to my shoulder and shook my head. My dad then took off down the fairway to go find my coach and my mom and brother told me to hang tight and try to finish the hole. My next few shots were horrible and by time I finally had putted out I was in full tears and holding my shoulder because I was in so much pain.

By time my coach showed up I knew I had to withdraw from the tournament. It pained me to say it but I told my coach "I need you to withdraw me, I can't do this" and she simply nodded her head and carted me in the clubhouse to get some ice before my parents would whisk me off to see the doctors.

Being carted in only made me cry harder because I had to pass my teammates and seeing their confused facial expressions hurt. I hated having to leave without explaining what was happening. Although I know I wasn't, I feel as though I was letting my team down and that's the worst feeling ever.

Long story short, I was diagnosed with right rotator cuff tendonosis (basically inflammation of the muscles in my rotator cuff). I was told to sit out for a week or two and then I should be back to normal and out playing again. Two weeks passed and I felt no different. I was still in so much pain that I could barely hold a pencil to take notes during class.

Last week I was feeling so much better after going to physical therapy and having acupuncture done that the doctors cleared me to play again. I was ecstatic and couldn't wait to tell my teammates and get back out on the course.

My dad & I decided it would be a good idea to play a round before I go back to playing an official tournament so we headed out to play this past Friday. I was so excited to play and couldn't wait to get out on the course. I pared the first hole but after that I slowly felt the pain coming back. I then began to hit bad shot after bad shot and told my dad that I was in pain. My physical therapist had told me I would have some discomfort while playing but this was past discomfort, I was in pain.

Wanting so badly to be back with my teammates I continued to play. On the 5th hole I ended up in a bunker right up against the lip. Upon making contact with the hard sand and my club catching the lip of the bunker I instantly felt almost the same pain I felt the day I injured my shoulder.

I told my dad I was in pain and we decided to stop and head back in. I was an emotional mess because I knew this meant I would be out for the season. I couldn't bare to tell my coach but mostly, my teammates. I knew they were looking forward to me making my comeback but I'm just not there yet. Off the course, my shoulder seemed fine, but on the course, my shoulder isn't quite there yet.

Today I told my teammates that I am out for the season. I told them in person because I feel that this news is not something you can share over a group message. Tears were shed and lots of hugs were exchanged but we all know that it's better to completely heal my shoulder then to jump back in and risk a further injury.

I'm beyond grateful for all the support I've received from my teammates and family and can't wait to be back & fully healed for my senior season next year!

 
xoxo,



Fall Bucket List

Fall is finally here and that means so are the fun & festive fall activities. Aside from fun outfits and festive foods, there are a few activities I'd love to do this season!
 
What's on your bucket list this season?
 
xoxo,
 

Instagram Tips for Bloggers

As a blogger, Instagram is my #1 social media platform. I use it daily and could classify myself as an "Instagram addict". I've had a few of my followers direct message me and ask for tips on how they can grow their blog via Instagram. Here are my tips for those wanting to know how I've grown my blog via Instagram.



 
 
 
|have your email in your bio|
In the event that a company wants to reach out to you, it is so much easier for them to find your email right there in your Instagram bio rather than having to link to your blog and search it for your contact information.

|try & stick to a theme but keep it interesting|
I while back I had a blue theme going (it didn't last long) but I noticed that I am more likely to follow a blogger if their Instagram page is visually appealing. Choose a theme that reflects your blog and try you best to stick with it!


|post a variety of shots|
While it's easy to post photos of your newest Lilly purchase that you've laid on the floor, try to include photos of yourself, too! It allows your follows to get to know you and they get to see a glimpse into your life!

|post regularly|
This might seem obvious but posting regularly is essential to growing your Instagram & blog. I post daily and have found that by doing so it keeps my followers active and have seen an increase in my follower activity since posting daily.

|interact with your followers|
This is my number one tip! Engage with your followers! If they leave a nice comment, respond to them! Ask them questions and like some of their photos! By interacting with your followers, they're more likely to remember your account and hopefully spread the word!

|share some shots of your life. blogger behind the scenes|
As I mentioned earlier, share some shots from your life! I know I love to see what my blogging buddies are up too outside the blogging mindset! Show them what happens behind the scenes of your blog! (Like I did in the picture above!)

|create a hashtag for your blog|
My blogs hashtag is #NorthernPrepsterTravels which allows me to tag all the photos I take while traveling so my followers can easily see all my travel photos! It's just a neat way to organize your photos!

 
What are your Instagram tips? I'd love to know!
 
xoxo,


Healthy After School Snacks


Especially during the school year, snacking helps keep me & my mind energized and active. I love coming home from school and sitting down to eat a snack while I catch up on social media before starting homework. Although I am guilty of eating some not-so-healthy snacks, I do have some healthy go-to snacks, too.
 
 
||trail mix||
I love trail mix that has a variety of nuts, especially almonds and cashews. They are so filling and also really good for you! The ones that have little m&m's in them are also delicious as they allow you to have some chocolates in moderation!
 
 
||KIND bar||
I LOVE KIND bars! My favorite is the peanut butter dark chocolate. These are so easy to eat on the way to golf practice or throw in my golf bag to eat on the course.
 
 
||apples & peanut butter||
Hands down my all-time favorite after school snack. I love peeling & slicing the apple and then eating the slices with peanut butter! The peanut butter is a great source of protein and you can never go wrong with an apple!
 
 
What's your go-to after school snack?
 
xoxo,
 

Moscato & Monograms

A little over a month ago, the company Moscato & Monograms reached out to me and asked if I would like to style a few of their pieces. I gladly accepted as I knew their products would fit perfectly with my style and my blog. I chose to style their Monogrammed Athletic Shorts, Monogrammed Pullover Rain Jacket, & the Monogrammed Purse. Since all three items were being embroidered with my monogram, I expected it to be a while before I received my package. I was pleasantly surprised to see my package had arrived way earlier than expected. I eagerly opened the box and was SO happy with how everything turned out.

The monogramming is done beautifully and the quality of the jacket, shorts & bag are phenomenal! I order the rain jacket in a size medium which is big on me but it allows me to layer underneath on those chilly fall days. The monogrammed athletic shorts I also ordered in a size medium and are a perfect fit! The monogrammed purse is GIANT and holds everything I could ever need! I think it would make a perfect school bag or great for a road trip or carryon bag!

Make sure you Like Moscato & Monograms on Facebook and follow them on Instagram (@MoscatoAndMonograms)!

The weather today was absolutely perfect, sunny & perfect fall temps! I took advantage of this great weather and called up my two friends to come along and photograph how I styled these three pieces! Enjoy!

|monogrammed athletic shorts|

 

 


 
 
 
|monogrammed pullover rain jacket|
 
 


 


 
 
 
 
|monogrammed purse|
 
 










 




 
 
A very big thank you to Moscato & Monograms for sending me these wonderful products! I can't wait to continue to wear them throughout the seasons! Another thank you to Rachel & Jenna for being my photographers today!
 
xoxo,
 

August Recap: Let's Catch Up!

I feel like just the other day I was writing my July Recap post and now it's already September. August went by very quickly especially since a lot of it was spent golfing & getting ready to go back to school. Although I kind of failed as a blogger this past month (sorry) I was still active on my social medias almost daily. Here's what you might of missed this past month.

Instagram

Lilly Pulitzer & vineyard vines in the same photo? #preppy

This top was featured a lot on my Instagram this past month but it's just so photogenic! The adorable tassel bracelet is from the etsy shop Knot Your Grandfathers 
 
 

Pinterest

 
 

Northern Prepster: Behind the Scenes

This month I have so many fun posts planned, from partnering with companies & fun transition outfits to college football gameday outfit posts! I'm super excited to transition the blog from summer to fall & hope you are too!
 
How was your August? What's on your radar for September?
 
xoxo,