In ADVICE + THOUGHTS

I spent all night attemptingΒ to get my inbox down from 557 emails to zero,Β and I wanted SO BADLY to respond to every single one of you. But there just aren’t enough hours in the day. So, for those of you who took the time out of your busy schedules to write me a note or ask me a question – I just wanted to say thank you so much for making me feel so loved. I have some of the coolest, sweetest, most hard working girls reading my blog. I want to help out in any way I can whether it’s careerΒ or personal advice, so I’m working on figuring out a system to be better at responding to you guys. But in the meantime, keep following up with me if I haven’t responded yet – that’s the best way to catch me πŸ™‚

I thought it would be different to do a post like this so I don’t just seem like another random person you follow on the internet. Hoping this helps you get to know me a little more personally. If you read something you said ‘omg me too’ about, leave a comment aboutΒ how you came across my blog & introduce yourself!

 

I wish I knew how to ______.

Β Relax. I’m type A, OCD, and need to just learn to chill outΒ sometimes. Oh, andΒ speak Spanish.Β 

Quote to live by?

“Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it.” Amy Poehler

Night owl or early bird?

NIGHT OWL.

Favorite Instagram accounts to follow?

@beigecardigan, @townandcountrymag, @dametraveler, @dominomag, @juliahengel, @rosielondoner, @tezzamb, @alicelanehome, @thestylebungalow.

Drink of choice?

Champagne with cherries (8 year old trapped in a 26 year old’s body) or an extra dirty martini.Β 

Favorite dinner spot in Chicago?

The Ralph Lauren Restaurant downtown off of Michigan Ave. Romantic, candle lit, sophisticated, great french fries (v important in my book). Order the bananas foster.

A valuableΒ lesson you’ve learned?

Do not take one single moment of your life for granted. Every moment is precious, live your lifeΒ accordingly.

Last thing you splurged on?

A flight. Memories and experiences are priceless.

What doΒ you have your eye on?

A Michele watch I can wear every day. I’m looking at this gem.

Apps you use every day?

VSCO for picture editing & Evernote for organizing my life.

Favorite holiday?

There’s nothing I love more than a Rink family Christmas party at Nani’s house with jumbo crab legs.

#1 vacation destination on your list?

Paris.Β 

Favorite way to spend a day off in Chicago?

Wake up and walk the 606 running track in my neighborhood and people watch. Grab coffee and donuts at Stan’s Donuts in Wicker Park.Β Window shop on Oak Street & Michigan Ave. alone with an iced tea from David’s Tea. Grab a cocktail on top of Cindy’s Rooftop with girlfriends and enjoy the view of the city.Β Sit out on my back patio inΒ Bucktown with my roommates. Walk to grab a late night burger and fries at SmallΒ Cheval in our neighborhood — Β happily ever after the end!

Best relationship advice?

“Always play hard to get” – my grandma

Favorite dessert?

Chocolate covered strawberries & coconut sorbet.

Best advice when it comes to dealing with people?

Give everyone you meet the benefit of the doubt. Don’t assume, don’t jump to conclusions. Every person you meet is dealing with things you have no idea about.Β 

Favorite Starbuck’s drink?

MondayΒ mornings: blonde roast with cream

5:00 somewhere: unsweetened iced green tea with one pump of peach sweetener

In the summer: a can of the bloodΒ orange Pellegrino over ice.Β 

What would you tellΒ your 18 year old self?

Take the risk it’s worth it, dump him if he’s not the one, be more confident in yourself, and start thinking aboutΒ what you want to do after college the second you begin your freshman year. And pass on thatΒ Panama City trip.Β 

What do you miss?

Waking up in the morning when I was living with Nani, my grandma. Coming downstairs and having breakfast and coffee together every morning was like a dream. I wish we could’ve done that every day for the rest of our lives!

If I wasn’tΒ blogging I’d be _____ .

An interior designer.

Best advice you’ve ever received?

Anything my mom has ever told me. She has been my guiding light for the past 26Β years of my life. She always reminds me thatΒ ‘everything is temporary’ and to rely on God for comfort.

Nike or Adidas?

Nike

Coolest celebrity moment?

That one time we lost at the final four when I was cheering for Kentucky and Drake whispered in my ear “we’ll get ’em next year baby”……….

Advice for someone dealing with heartbreak?

CS Lewis said it best, “Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. There are many things below it, but there are also things aboveΒ it. You cannot make it the basis of a whole life. It is a noble feeling, but it is still a feeling. Feelings come and go.” He is not the only one for you. You will meet so many other compatible loves. Take this time to explore your life outside of a relationship & fall in love with your work, your friends, your family, your passions.Β Prepare your heartΒ for your true love down the road.

Weird things about me:

I don’t sleep with a pillow and I like driving in the car in silence.Β 

 

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Showing 35 comments
  • Annaliese
    Reply

    I loved learning more about you- these posts are so fun! I’ve been following you for a few years now and your blog is one of my favorites for fashion and especially beautiful photography inspo!

    xoxo A
    http://www.southernbelleintraining.com

  • Annaliese
    Reply

    I loved learning more about you- these posts are so fun! I’ve been following you for a few years now and your blog is one of my favorites for fashion and especially beautiful photography inspo!

    xoxo A
    http://www.southernbelleintraining.com

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Hi Annaliese, thanks for stopping by to say hi! So glad you’re following along πŸ™‚

  • Davida
    Reply

    I love these types of posts! Thanks for sharing!

    http://vidafashionista.com

  • Whitney
    Reply

    Somehow I came across your insta account a while back and was like “omg she’s my size” ha so I decided to follow. It’s nice to know where girls my size shop!! All of my friends are giants lol. I have a blog, but because I’m in marketing (for physical therapy) I don’t have the time to write/ brainstorm as much as I would like. So I live vicariously through your cute posts! Keep up the good work sistaπŸ’—

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Thank you so much Whitney! Glad you’re following along and I’m happy you’re liking all my petite posts πŸ™‚

  • Keri Bench
    Reply

    Now I’m dying to know what do you sleep with instead of a pillow?? Lol how do you support your head or neck?? Love the post! Thanks for sharing and getting to know you:)

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      I just don’t use anything, haha! Thanks for stopping by to read Keri!

  • Lisa Podewell
    Reply

    I found your # on LHChicagp & decided to follow your blog, as I’m a chi town girl (born & raised), but now living in London w/my hubby & JRT.

    I can really relate to ‘what you miss’. I miss mr grandma more everyday. I used to spend the wknds @ her home. I would wake up to breakfast being prepared & the cofffee percolator going.

    I would give anything to see, spend those wknds again with her. Thx for allowing me to share my memory of a rock star woman!

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Hi Lisa! Hope you’re enjoying London, that sounds amazing. I’m so glad you came across my blog via LHChicago πŸ™‚ Those memories with her are pure gold – so glad we have them!

  • Kate Donovan
    Reply

    I don’t sleep with a pillow either although I have a bunch on my bed lol. I follow several Instagram Bloggers, but you’re work is the best. You give the best advice and seem like an all around awesome person. It’s super awesome how humble you are with all your success. #RoleModelForLife

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Seriously I think I have about 20 bed pillows and don’t use one, lol. Thank you so much for the nice comment, that means the world to me. You are so sweet to take the time to write me! xo

  • Amanda
    Reply

    Yesss Team No Pillow! I’ve never met anyone else that doesn’t sleep with a pillow haha. Everyone thinks I’m so weird!

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Team no pillow!! Haha πŸ™‚ Thanks for stopping by to read Amanda!

  • Dina Boroian
    Reply

    Omg I don’t sleep with a pillow either!!!! Everyone thinks it’s so weird!!! You’re so inspiring and such a great role model!! A year ago I was looking on the popular page on Instagram and saw this girl with the most beautiful blonde hair I’ve ever seen and from then I just started following you and love your page and your blog!!

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Haha, we are so weird! Thank you so much for the comment and I’m so glad you stumbled upon my blog πŸ™‚

  • Caitlyn
    Reply

    I have been following you since you were a Kentucky cheerleader! You’ve always been a role model for me and you continue to be to this day 😊 Loved reading this post! I prefer driving in silence too!

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Hi Caitlyn!! Thank you SO much – I’m so glad you’ve been following along for so long! <3

  • Rachel
    Reply

    I love silent car rides!! Haha best thinking time!

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      YES exactly haha πŸ˜‰

  • Emyy
    Reply

    Loved this! Just wondering how your Panama City trip was. My family was thinking of going there this summer, but I want to know how it really is.

  • Morgan Bullard
    Reply

    I’ve been following you for a couple years now and originally I don’t even know how I found you! Thank you for your constant words of encouragement and being such a genuine and Godly woman! I love reading your blog, and you were a huge inspiration in me creating mine! Also, chocolate covered strawberries are my fave too! πŸ™‚

    Much love from Georgia,

    Morgan Bullard
    http://morganbullard.com

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Hi Morgan! Thank you so much for the sweet comment, that makes me so happy! I’m glad you’re following along and I wish you the best of luck this year with your own blog πŸ™‚

  • Jade
    Reply

    I loved reading this! You are such an outgoing woman and you’re a true inspiration to young girls and women everywhere! It is so awesome to see someone who is in love with Kentucky, too! Sometimes I do not sleep with a pillow either!

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Thank you for reading Jade! You are so sweet. Haha can’t believe you don’t sleep with one either!

  • Reply

    This is such a GREAT post!!! I love the Drake part hahahaah!

    Love seeing posts like these!!!

    xo,

    Kelly Hoover
    http://www.theglamorousteacher.com

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Haha, thanks Kelly!! <3

  • Lilia
    Reply

    I absolutely love the Ralph Lauren restaurant in Chicago! I’d have to say our desserts are parallel as well – I love Choco strawberries and anything with fruit πŸ‰. Wonderful post Olivia! 🌸

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Ahh it’s my favorite of all time! I’m going to New York next week and wanting to try the RL restaurant there to see how it compares πŸ™‚ Thanks for reading Lilia!

  • Sarah McWilliams
    Reply

    I definitely relate to having the type A personality that can’t relax! I started following you on insta after meeting you at a Kentucky cheer clinic! I always watched what you did to prepare for 2014 tryouts. It’s an added bonus that im close to same size as you and can always turn to your blog to find a place to buy clothes.

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Hi Sarah! So glad we had the chance to meet at UK cheer clinic, thanks for stopping by to say hi πŸ™‚ So glad you’re reading my blog!

  • brett
    Reply

    I found your blog a little over a year ago through the Purdue cheer Instagram account. I cheered at Purdue (long ago – I graduated in 2009) and I started following you since you are an Indiana girl and a cheerleader too. I’ve stayed for the cute fashion, fun posts, and that hair! 😍 Haha! Cute post – I enjoyed reading it!
    http://www.giltedgeblog.com

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Hi Brett! I’m so glad Purdue cheer lead you to my blog πŸ™‚ It’s nice to hear from a fellow college cheer alum! Thanks for the sweet comment <3

  • Emma
    Reply

    Olivia! I loved this! So many of your “facts” made me smile because I can relate so much. You are such an inspiring person to look up to, I’m hoping to be like you someday (driven, Godly, and fashionable ;)). xo, a college sophomore

  • C Brown
    Reply

    I’ve been following your blog for a while now. I am also a U.K. Grad and Kentuckian. I’ve loved watching you grow into this beautiful kind woman. I see your confidence growing and seeing that in other women is a rare sight these days. I share your style with my 18 year old and 13 year old daughters, your love of family touches my soul and I pray I have that with my girls. Best wishes and never ever give up your dreams!
    Kentucky momma

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