dis fromage

ends and beginnings

2012-01-19T14:04:00.000-08:00

i once heard a quote that said something to the extent of "where there is an end, there is a beginning". the more i ponder on this, the more i begin to realize this has a lot of truth to it. to begin, or, to end. which one sounds more appealing to you? before you answer, skim over these thoughts if you will.

take a book for instance. a thrilling novel chock full of words. the story draws us in and encaptures our attention. it takes us to a different world. it entertains us. we can't help but be reluctant to leave. but we know almost involuntarily that the binder will have to be closed, the book slid back on the shelf. its the simpliest thing in life, something we all are aware of. the end is unavoidable. and what we fail to remember is that there are more books on the shelf.

setting forth on an adventure, the first few steps on a journey. it is filled with the hope of discovery. mountians and hills, valleys and rivers may stand in the path, of which we pass by and climb over. traveling can be rough, but the journey is the prize, for along the way we are rewarded with experiences unlike any we could find at home. finally though we reach it. the destination surrounds us and the adventure has come to an end. suddenly feelings of accomplishment turn to boredom. although we can't see it, there remain unwalked paths and adventures yet to be had.

lights low, music soft, the dance begins. swaying slowly to the rythmn of the atomosphere. we can't help but we wish it would last forever. we immediately make up our minds that we can forget sleep altogether, that we can dance all night long. our minds slip into a gentle calm, completely lost in the moment. then our thoughts are interrupted as the music ends. we let go. its easy to sink back into wishing the dancing would go on. but as long as there is music left in the world, there will be more dancing.

(these were taken by a six year old. dang, my sister has talent i think.)

we might agree that beginnings are generally exciting and promising. though at the same time, endings aren't necessarily sad and depressing. of course there are a fair share of heartbreaks and let downs in life, which lead us to think that endings are bad. when you really think about it though, an ending to one thing is only a beginning to something else. the end is often thought of something that crashes down and destroys, where really, it is only a door that has opened to another place. sometimes the end comes unexpectedly, sometimes we're just waiting on it. the end can hurt, it can cut deep. but time can heal those wounds. what's more, we have the memories to hold us over until then. some memories will go so far to last a lifetime. we'll always have the recollections of the story, the tales of adventure, the sweet memories of the dance. nothing can take those away.

there's no denying that everything we have now will end. one day, these possessions will crumble to dust, the world will shatter. the sun, moon and stars will fail to shine. things will fall and be torn apart. but something will remain. my God, my Savior, who is not bound by time. and what an amazing thing... that death is not an end because of Jesus. it is the beginning of a beautiful forever.

i'm okay without the sunshine

2012-01-11T14:01:00.000-08:00

the past few days here have been accompanied with a constant drizzle of rain. outside my window, orange shriveled leaves quiver in the soft wind. the trees appear so barren and still, the sky is a sullen grey. drops of rain race slowly against the pane. a climate condition that would typically leave me pining for sunshine, strangely composes this tuesday in january. with the mini laptop resting on my legs, i cross my feet and lean back into the moutian of pillows around my shoulders.

the copy of of mice and men is closed and back in its proper place among a score of finished books. i just finished typing out a pretty dynamic essay (i'm not sure if dynamic is exactly the word to describe it, i can only hope it is). now i'm sipping a cup of tea. can i please point out the realization that i have unknowingly conditioned myself to drink tea at the end of my studies each day. yes, almost like a sweet award, a hot drink wraps up the schoolwork perfectly. i have become quite protective of my tea (in a house of seven, that's how it has to be) and have transfered it from the tea cabinet to my room. is it odd that i now keep a few boxes of tea on the headboard of my bed?

oh oh oh. i have news. a few of my friends recently have started tumblr blogs. i use to have my own until i became too ridiculously undedicated, so i wiped it clear. perhaps now that my friends have plunged into the art of tumblring, i can bring mine back to life. heaven knows if i possess the will power to keep up with it, but i shall give it my best endeavore. here it is.

something i like? discovering unfamilar bands and artists. unfamilair, that is, until i catch wind of them. then i tend to play their songs into the ground. my friend and i texted for almost hours, staying mainly on the subject of music. he passed on several suggestions and favorites for me to try. i then listened to various stations on pandora for a whole afternoon. the result? i have constructed an entire new playlist which is now streaming from my ipod. matchbox twenty, vertical horizon, rob thomas, lifehouse, 3 doors down, kings of leon, five for fighting, and red. i'm sort of in a music coma here.

my journal lies open next to me. i noticed last night as i was writing, that i have nearly broken the back of my precious sketch journal. trying very hard not to cry, i promised myself to take extra care when it comes to handling it. i suppose though, that in a way, it should make me smile. i have written so much since may of last year, that the hand-binded cover is wearing out. the pages are yellowed towards the front of it. a little more than half of them remain empty. i have loads of journals. loads of them. but this one remains to be my absolute favorite. writing out my thoughts is far easier than trying to say them.

and just because she's cute and french, you have to watch this. happy tuesday, friends.

oh, hello twenty twelve

2012-01-04T14:40:00.000-08:00

looking back on last year brings a smile to my face. wrapped in a web of fond memories, those past twelve months held so many things. some things changed, some stayed the same. although words can in no way fully express every happening, i can easily reflect on the moments that mattered most. to say that what went by was only time would be lacking. last year was a handful of lessons and little wonders. last year...i experienced that life could change in the blink of an eye. i learned to cope with that change. i tried to hold it all and piece things back the way they were. then i realized that i will never have everything together, and that's okay. i learned to let go. i crossed paths with some amazing people. i fell in love for the first time. i found that all i need is to rely on God, that's all i really need. there were so many things that only lasted minutes, those are the things that made the year what it was. time spent with people i love, silences, outbursts of laughter. those days i wished would last forever. those nights i cried myself to sleep. and like the end of a good book, it all came to a close. unsure of how long, another book is opened. the pages are blank and waiting to be written in.

as for resolutions, that's always been a hit and miss subject on my part. when i promise to shoot for goals or stop habits, rarely do i find myself completing what i so ambitiously began. exercise, health elements, silly little things i think to be important. however ,to be quite honest, i only have one wish for this year; to get closer to my Savior. the more i sit and think, it becomes clear to me that all my time and effort belongs to Him. not because it makes me feel better or it puts a positive note on everday. but soley because He is worthy of my everything, deserving of every praise from my mouth. this year, i want to fully devote myself to the teachings of Jesus. i want Him to have His way in me. because when everything is stripped away, only He remains. i want to know that more than anything this year. so here it goes...welcome twenty twelve.

what are some of the things you hope this year holds for you?

happy christmas

2011-12-24T09:37:00.000-08:00

it finally feels like christmas. to say that it feels like christmas seems so stereotypical. but as cliche as it sounds, we all are familiar with the moment it truly hits us. somewhere between the hectic rush of purchasing gifts and last minute tasks, i lose my head. a month that once seemed to crawl, now flashes by, almost racing to the twenty fifth. its then when i tell myself to breath in, breath out. wake up and smell the roses. roses? make that hot chocolate.

if asked to sum up the holidays in one word, what would it be? my mind is instantly filled with words like hectic, rushed, crazed. oh my. isn't that terrible? often i'm caught up in the materialistic side of christmas. as much as i tell myself not to, it usually happens anyways. there's that dreaded recipe list that seems to go on for miles. every year when i'm asked what i want for christmas, i hesitate. okay, so hesitate would be an understatement. i stutter and grasp for ideas and basically end up with my mouth wide open like a codfish. but this year is different. i know exactly what i want. and you won't find it under a tree or in any department store. it can't be put in a box or a bag. bows and ribbons won't do either. no, this gift i am sure to recieve on christmas day.

my little siblings will wake earlier than i'd like them to, my family will sleepily settle in the living room. opening presents in the dark, excited smiles will illuminate. at noon my family with gather at my grandparent's as we do each christmas. we'll drink and eat and be merry. the cousins will retreat to the sunroom to sit by the fire, while the adults chat away in the dining room. we'll laugh and act rather silly like we usually do, until a realative comes and tells us to quiet down. then in the evening, my family will load into the minivan and we'll travel an hour or two. the holiday station will stream from the radio as we sing like a ~~chior of angels~~ darling family attempting to sound glorious. christmas dinner will be waiting for us at my uncle's apartment. on the drive home, we kids will fall asleep with each other's shoulders as pillows. back at the house, comfy and cozy in new pajamas, we'll catch the last special on tv. this is my christmas wish in a nutshell.

i wish nothing more than for a simple christmas day. to be surrounded with the people i love most in life is all i can ask for. to remind the ones who are far away that i miss them most internally. to let the walls of materialism drop once and for all, revealing the image of christmas. a picture of a lonesome common stable that is cast into light by a star from above. with hay strewn messily across the earthy floor, the scent of cattle lingers. a newborn lays in a manger, not a cry comes from his lips. the mother and father sit close, smiling down at their son. priceless gifts are layed before the child, wisemen kneel before him. shepherds stand amidst their herds of sheep, in awe at the sight. the tiny boy is sent to save the souls of men. cause the blind to see, the lame to walk, the broken to heal. to be betrayed, to die on a cross. to rise again, forever conquering death and to give life.
happy christmas, everyone!

the beauty of silence

2011-12-15T21:33:00.000-08:00

as i relax here this december evening and reflect on today, i hear nothing. my home is rarely in this state (with three littles constantly scampering about). everyone is sleeping soundly in warm beds, worn out from a busy day. the lights of the christmas tree are blinking softly in the room, a pitch black night swallows the moonlight outside the windows. except for the steady hum of the ceiling fan and the untimed rythmn of my typing, i am encompassed by quiet. and so i muse to myself all that silence is.

i will admit that silence has its aggrivating elements. when my mouth runs dry of words to say, i get quite annoyed with myself. say something, just...anything. because of the pending limit of time i have, i think it should be filled with conversation. when sentences refuse to form, i begin to grab aimlessly for things to say. all to often though, nothing comes. and i have to remind myself that its okay.
silence can be a hurtful thing. mistaken for disinterest or dislike, the moments of quiet that are shared between people can form boundaries. these walls of silence sadly can form doubts which will often encourage even more silence. again, i'm reminded that its important to say what needs to be said. in a kind and honest way, pulling the silence on the carpet can break tension and erase the distance. looking back and wishing something would have been said is one of the worst feelings. and all too often, the regret of words said is usually lesser than the words not spoken.

in a matter of speaking, i consider myself a more quiet person than i am loud. although i have my obnoxiously outrageous moments, i enjoy nothing more than to listen. in a group of friends, i'm the one who likes to soak everything in, adding short bits to the conversation. while its true that i love my friends to death, i do adore a good one-on-one dialogue. an interest to me is found in analyzing words, dipicting their meaning and source. and i overthink most of the time, but that's just me. my mind is always spinning webs of one thing or another, of great importance or of little.

those with quiet mouths usually have the loudest minds. i really do think that just because someone doesn't say much, doesn't mean they have nothing to say. unfortunately, trying to interpret my thoughts is not one of my strong suits. the majority of the time, i'm quiet. honestly, i would rather say less and mean more. even if words don't come, the thoughts do. they come and come. if a mind could be peered into, you would see a vast maze of color and motion. there would be twists and turns, vivid pictures, a unique world of acute complication and simplicity. sometimes there are no words to describe what is being thought. when the quiet settles in, words are lost, and mouths are closed; there is a wonder that surrounds. in a way i cannot explain, the silence comforts me. the things not said make me smile. because every now and then, its nice to listen to the silence together.

a saturday morning story

2011-12-10T12:33:00.000-08:00

i woke up this morning. well duh, of course i did. the point is i woke up at eleven 'o clock. lets get this straight, it has been a long while since i've gotten up at such an overdue time. its an odd feeling knowing you've slept in later than you planned to. and yes, this being a saturday, i didn't bother setting an alarm to wake me. shocked to see the double ones glaring at me on the screen of my ipod, i fought myself to wake up. in the midst of my waking, my younger brother needed a ride into town. i ~~argumentatively~~ kindly agreed to take him in, although in the back of my mind knowing i most likely looked like a monster of some sorts. a glance in the mirror, seeing the hair on my head had doubled in volume, was proof enough. i groggily stumbled around my room, half awake, attempting to ready myself for the morning challenge.

as i drove down the familiar country roads, i pondered this late waking. my excuse? i am an adult who has had a horribly busy week converting oxygen into carbon dioxide. and on the serious side, i have had a boat load of senior-year-complicated school to complete. plus i don't fall asleep as easily as i used to. and i suppose that staying up until midnight all week long for no apparent reason has taken its toll on me. still, there's that certian tinge of guilt that comes with sleeping in. an overwhelming want to slap my forehead for not waking up sooner. those wasted hours of daylight that haunt me. i could have carpe diemed, completed chores and tasks, made good use of my time. instead, i quite literally buried myself in blankets and pillows. i tuned out of life for four more hours of dreaming.

tank {forever21} cardigan {american eagle} jeans {target} belt {aerie} oxfords {target}

after analyzing this whole business, getting a good laugh out of it, i popped in a cd. the transiberian orchestra pepped up my drive home, just about causing me to go faster than the speed limit. (also, i passed a very small car. the seats were filled with very short men with the biggest black mustaches i have ever seen. i'm not even joking. these things were almost bigger than their faces. and yes, i almost went off the road while second glancing.) my conclusion? sleeping in is not such a bad thing on the weekend. its healthy sometimes to break free of my schedule, the usual, the everyday quota. my day is not shot completely yet, there is still time afterall. even if i have to take an unexpected drive minutes after waking up. because a little adventure might turn out to be just what i need.

happy weekend! any big plans for you?

a december day

2011-12-05T20:55:00.000-08:00

it would be an understatement to say that this day was the best in a long time. as i sat at my desk a moment ago, finishing up some last minute reading, i got the strong urge to write up a post. my mind is running on pure happiness and i've had three cups of tazo zen tea in the past thirty minutes. so there's really no telling how graceful these words may be. bare with me, folks.

as i sit here, the rain is streaming down the windows in the dark. i can't help but wish that the temperature would drop and turn the pouring water to snow. a simple joy that's found in december for me? waking to a white covered wood. i live smack dab in the middle of the country, among trees and fields and hills. i can remember decembers from years back, waking up to an especially bright room. the light illuminating off the snow outside seemed to bounce straight into my room and off my walls. if it stayed cold enough to hold the snow over until later morning, i would throw on a coat over my pajamas. wrap my neck with a scarf and pull a hat over my head. slip on my boots. outside an unusually quiet world greeted me. there's something about the snow that makes everything seem so still and hushed. i look forward to the white mornings yet to come this december.

getting to see the face of someone who i haven't seen in six months? best thing ever. i've completely lost the ability to control my smiling muscles. everyone knows the feeling of missing someone, how difficult it is to wait and to be without them. but all that missing went away for a while today. smiling, smiling, smiling.

finding the same adoration for a music video as i do for the song? is something worth finding. sweet disposition has been on my list of favorite songs for a long time. it just sounds like december to me. and i don't know why, but i really do like this video. its so different and detailed.

the tree is up, the lights are on. and of course you'll need a story to go along with that short explanation. i was standing on the piano bench (as if i wasn't tall enough already) trying to wrap a string of lights around the top of the tree. somewhere during my brave attempt, my finger met up with a loose wire protruding from one of the lights. let me just point out that getting shocked is not a pleasant experience. as i stood there with surges of electricity pulsing down my hand and into my arm, it didn't quite register to me to release the handful lights which i was holding. about a minute passed and my senses came to me. lighting up the tree has never been so eventful. the ornaments are still packed away, waiting for an evening where the whole family can partake in hanging them. no matter. i have my lights which means i have my bokeh. and so i am happy.

oh, i was interviewed on simi's blog a few days ago! please stop by and say hello.

december rolls in

2011-11-30T14:43:00.000-08:00

light streams through the three paned window. particles of dust dance and weave through the bright rays of the setting sun. the wood floor cool against my bare feet, i recluse deeper under the warm throw on me. little loki curls up next to me and closes his eyes. the gentle breathing while he snoozes steadys the quiet of the room. a small stack of tasks to complete piled on my headboard. a few letters to write, sketching inspirations to draw out on paper, a classic novel needing to be finished. familiar songs stream through my headphones as i begin. november is leaving.

on days like today, a certian optimism hangs in the air. knowing christmas is less than a month away excites me for some reason. i will most likely go into a coma of happiness when the tree gets here. the scent of pine in the house literally makes me swoon. somehow the yankee candle we have burning in the living room just doesn't come close to the smell of real pine branches. and the music, oh the music. after calculating my recent listenings of approximately thirty songs per day, i have heard over five hundred christmas songs in the past two weeks. with many more to come.

(a welcome post is on its way for this little guy...)

i'm reminded once again that its the little things that make life wonderful. a mosaic of crystal snowflakes covering the porch railing. being told words that mean more than i can say. a game of yahtzee with my sister and mom, laughing at my apparently-much-too-loud method of rolling the dice. time for myself with a cup of hot tea and gingerbread pita snaps. sunshine that has been in hiding until today. watching my friend blow out twenty birthday candles the other night, being blessed to know her. my little brother's conversations with santa clause (who, according to solomon, appears to be waiting out the cold in our fireplace). a drive to the town post office, talking with everyone in the tiny building, realizing what a small town this is. observing neighbors hanging lights on their houses as i drive by. coming home.

iheartfaces {bust a gut}

2011-11-29T10:18:00.000-08:00

laughter. there's no denying the fact that we all love it. a few minutes of from-the-stomach giggles can brighten the whole day. as i write this, the laughing song from mary poppins is playing away in my head. we love to laugh, loud and long and clear. we love to laugh, so everybody can hear. laughter truly is the best medicine.

a bit of innovation

2011-11-26T19:54:00.000-08:00

thanksgiving day has passed. this means complete and utter freedom to commence playing christmas music. not that i actually obeyed that rule, who knows, i could have been listening to michael buble's newest album weeks before...but now i can do it without feeling a tinge of guilt. this also means that a touch or two of holiday decor is quite in order. instead of the usual hanging a few ornaments here and there, a sash of tinsle in some jars, and the miniature trees - this year's decoration will be far from the normality it use to be.
you see, my sister and i are rather addicted to looking at tumblr blogs (and kudos to you if you're one of us). the rooms displayed on these blogs almost always have a strand of lights vacating a wall or ceiling. so this year we thought to ourselves, why in the world shouldn't we try this?

after a trip to a very busy target store on black friday (might i add that was my first time shopping on this hectic day of the year) we returned home with a bag full of white christmas lights. sure, we almost were run over alive by shopping carts being driven by people who act like shopping is a matter of life or death. but we purchased the lights. i know better than to go hammering a bunch of nails on the walls of my room. as it turns out, scotch tape works just as well and gives slightly less permanent damage.
i honestly love it. i will lie in my bed with nothing but the hundreds of tiny glowing dots dangling around from corner to corner. they even give off enough light for me to read a book, which makes it even better. because who wouldn't want to read a novel while surrounded by christmas lights?

another tumblr fancy of mine? melted crayon art. a friend just happened to invite me over earlier today for this particular project. what luck! stripping the crayons of their paper wrappers, they are carefully lined up and glued onto the canvas. making sure that the glue is dried, simply use a hair blow dryer to melt the wax. angling the blow dryer towards the floor works best to fill the canvas up. it was amazing to watch the solid color sticks turn to liquid, splattering and running down the white backdrop. this has definitely become one of my favorite art ideas.

what new novelties have you found lately?

time to breathe

2011-11-13T19:34:00.000-08:00

i have realized something through the many months of keeping a blog. it is an easy thing to sit here and spill out pretty words, making everything seem perfect. not to misunderstand that my life is good; but life is also hard. i've encountered my ups and downs. and i think its important to share both sides.

every now and then, i get caught up with the negatives of my everydays. somewhere in the midst of natural routine, things can go very wrong. suddenly and without cause, bad things happen. there are problems that i can't outrun. there are doubts that seem to sink deeper within me. sometimes it seems like my world is tearing apart and that things are falling out of control. my worries encompass me like a trap. basically, i feel like a colossal mess. and that's when all i feel like doing, is getting away.

i slip into my grey rain boots and pull a warm sweater over my head. with my camera safely tucked under my arm, i step out onto the backporch that winds around the side of the house. arriving in the browning grass of our front yard, i find the long gravel drive awaiting me like an old friend. i start down the lane with long strides, breathing slowly to get use to the cold air. the trees are almost completely bare against the blue ceiling, their leaves layered on the wood's floor. meeting the treeline's end, the fields in front of me are open and clear. a songbird flies quickly across to the saftey of the timbers, leaving the scene quiet and still. the endless sky is darkening with only the west horizon left lit with soft hues of pinks. this is my place, my time to breathe.

true, it may sound like an exaggerated account of a stroll down the lane, but for me it is much more. this taste of momentary freedom is my cure. for as long as i can remember, i've always enjoyed it. i don't know exactly what it is, but an excursion down this familiar road has always been something i love. as i walk, my mind clears. i'm able to think at my own pace. taking a turn down the lane of memories, i recall old times that make me smile. times when i didn't have a care in the world. i'm reminded of things i've forgotten. truths and promises that are somehow lost in the commotion. learning slowly that things are never in my control, that this is the most comforting thing i could ever realize. this is my time to think of everything, or nothing at all.

what does a time to breathe look like for you? do tell.
oh, and welcome to my new followers! wishing all of you a lovely start to this week.

eighteen

2011-11-10T12:25:00.000-08:00

its official. this girl is a legal adult.

it honestly feels weird to write out those words. my perception on this is a mixture of fear, amazement, sadness, anxiousness, excitement, relief, and about ten thousand other elements which i couldn't even begin to explain. there's a certian sense of nostalgia that hasn't left me since my birthday yesterday. memories wisp across my mind like ghosts, as i remember the past eighteen years. granted, i ~~probably have short term memory loss~~ don't remember every moment. but the ones that i do are something that no one can ever take away. the everyday things that shaped me. the importances that i never want to forget. the those times i gulped for air as i cried my eyes out in my bed. those times i couldn't understand how i could be so blessed. that very moment i realized i was in love. the countless faces i've met. the ones i've had to say goodbye to. the wanting to give up, thinking i couldn't take another step. and then always being sure that there is a reason for everything, a reason for my existance.

eighteen years. the more i say it outloud, the shorter my life seems to be. while it quite literally is my entire span so far, it is a low number. ten plus eight, twenty minus two, however you want to say it. how could i possibly be an adult already? and at the same time though, i feel so aged. i smile as i write this, refusing to laugh because someone called me an incredibley old lady. its crazy to think that i'm considered to be grown up. to me, maturity is something that no one ever reaches entirely. i will always be my silly young self. and yes, a kid at heart. i will never be too old to swing at the park, to be a complete goof, to say the most ridiculous things. half the time i think i'm just a silly thing. but a number that labels your life? now that's the silly thing. you're as old as you feel, or as young as you feel. making each day count is something i've always tried to do, something i'm still failing at. taking every moment and making the best of it. doing what i was created for, loving Jesus through everything. because i've already spent eighteen of my years here. and i've got an eternity waiting for me after this life.

i heart faces | black

2011-11-07T17:11:00.000-08:00

its been too long since i've joined in a challenge over at iheartfaces! you could call the theme this week the new black. basically, black goes with everything. and i could also go into a long drawn out explaination about how black is actually not a color, but ~~that would not go so well considering i have no knowledge on the subject~~ i would rather tell you about the photo.
i'm an antique junkie. i love queer and seemingly useless things that nobody wants anymore, and so these things set on dusty shelves inside a store, until i come to find them. this pair of binoculars is one of those things. my little sister thinks they're the greatest ever. and so do i.

see that button up there? just give it a click to see some amazing photos.

happy sixth, little sister

2011-11-07T14:01:00.000-08:00

take it from someone who knows - six is much better than five. my sister's birthday was last thursday, so i'm a little late in getting this post up. nevertheless, she is six years old now. it really does seem like i was just at the airport, waiting on the plane from ethiopia to land. seeing her for the first time. so tiny and sweet in my dad's arms. with new faces greeting her all at once, you'd think she would be frightened and unsure. no, not esther, there was a grin on her face the whole time. during the long drive home, she fell asleep in her carseat, completely worn out from the excitement. it was a little past midnight when we arrived home. we surrounded her with an army of pillows in the center of our living room. and i kid you not, she jabbered for an entire hour. being only seven months, we had no clue as to what she was telling us. whatever she was saying though, it put smiles on our faces and her voice warmed our hearts more than i can say. this was her beginning, the very first time she blessed her forever family. and she hasn't stopped ever sense...

half the time i think we really should get her a contract with a modeling agency. and then i think she might just take the competition aspect out of the performance. the child adores anything with glitter or sparkles. she has natural style (or as she calls it, swag). i'm a tad jealous of her curls, i mean, who wouldn't be? in case you're wondering, yes, she likes to whip her hair. thanks to willow smith's adorableness, we were all a bit shocked when esther asked to shave one side of her head. she'll have to wait, twelve years to be exact, to take a razor to her hair. i think one day she will thank us for making her keep it.

the things i love most about her, however, aren't found on the outside. esther is a beautiful girl on the inside too. she has a glass-half-full way of thinking, always able to find the good in every little thing. she is one of the happiest kids on the planet, possessing the talent to belly laugh nonstop for minutes. while her tears can nearly tear down a room, her smile can brighten it back up. her giggles come straight from the silly side of her. and she is constantly ~~at the point of causing me to die of laughter~~ amazing me with the words she says and the things she comes up with. most of the time, she will utter something that is years ahead of her. other times, the phrases she picks up aren't used in correct context - but that's okay, she's hilarious either way.

i can't imagine life without my esther. in the short six years, she has honestly taught me so much. the world is a more colorful and beautiful place with her in it.

(i love that these kids can hold still for pictures. and that they can multi-task by taking a picture of me at the same time. kudos to you, little photographer. keep up the good work.)

blogging about blogging

2011-11-01T20:05:00.000-07:00

november is here. my most favorite month has arrived, welcoming new starts and fresh beginings. with the year of 2012 approaching so quickly, i am feeling the urge to challenge myself to something i should have done this year. lately i have been dissapointed in my blogging pace and style. it has never really been what it ought to be. while there is always room to improve, i honestly crave to scratch out the old and build from a new perspective. while i have considered erasing my blog, i cannot seem to convince myself this would be a good choice. no, i shall instead start right here in the little corner of my world, my blog.

i suppose i could begin by saying that every blog owner has felt this at least once. but that would be avoiding centering my problem as a result of who created it - me. somehow i have let my blog slip away. posts have dreadfully become yet again a once-a-week occurance. i never really walk away from a post feeling completely satisfied with my choice and length of words. sometimes i can't find the time. other times i simply just don't make an effort to fit blogging into my daily schedule. me? i am a worlds class procrastinator. things i wish to complete rarely happen, or if they do, at the very last possible moment.

but its high time to break free from this humdrum mold. i splurged a little this morning to boost myself, with a notebook i found hiding on a clearance shelf for $1.75. in this spiral, i will write out my posts, word for word. (inspired by the lovely carlotta) jotting down ideas will push me to think harder and save me the trouble of writers block when i sit at the computer. i have been penciling letters all day, of which i am now typing out. and boy, does it feel good to get organized. also, i have laxed in my language for much too long. i'm ready to seek out fresh terms, ones i rarely use, words that are not found in my everyday vocabulary. after all, it couldn't hurt to branch out a bit.

this excursion of mine will hopefully take dis fromage to greater heights. i would really love to have a few of you participate and guest post here every once in a while. i want to share more of my thoughts (not necessarily halting my pictures) and pour out the words to the best of my ability. and finally, i will hopefully eventually get around to hosting a giveaway for all of you. because you deserve a little something special for putting up with me.

any thoughts on this?

this is as spooky as it gets here

2011-10-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

i shall admit it - i'm not a huge fan of this holiday (although i do adore the weather that accompanies it). with october thirty first just hours away, i'm getting a little bit of a head start on my "spooky post". and yes, i put that in quotes because this post will be anything but scary. i can barely make it through a thriller film (i nearly ran out of the theater while watching harry potter...and that's not even classified as a scary movie), much less create something ghastly to read. besides... wouldn't you rather hear about costume parties, hay rides, sugar highs from all this candy, witchly musicals, and thoughts on halloween from a few littles? i thought so.

just ignore the blurriness of these, if you will. these three are utterly stoked for trick or treating tomorrow. what you see them sporting currently is church attire from this morning. their costumes are not yet quite complete. in other words, i will have the task tonight of somehow transfiguring a clotheshanger into a hook fit for a four-year-old pirate. a five-year-old's face will soon be painted to puuurrfection. and due to the three-year-old's indecisiveness, we are going to use our mad skills to throw something together last minute. pictures promised of this delightful little trio after the big day.

i won't give you the names of these people, but i will tell you that they are all amazing. old faces and new ones gathered yesterday for a party at a nearby church. the costumes were pretty much epic, i have such creative friends. we sat at tables in the warm building, eating and talking and laughing our heads off. some of us ate absolutely too many sweets and left the party with the potential of having a sugar coma. some of us woke up this morning with, what i like to call, a sugar hangover. and by some of us, i mean my sister.
anyway, back to the party. when the night turned pitch black and the sky filled with stars, we changed from our costumes into warmer clothing (thank heavens for people who bring extra coats for people like me). gearing up with glow necklaces and hand warmers, we climbed onto the trailer lined with hay bales. under mounds of blankets and sitting close to eachother, we we rode down the backroads and woods of the countryside. and of course, we had to stop by a graveyard and an old abandoned house for scare appeal. it was such a fun night with friends.

that would be me, dressed as the fantastic mister timn. if you've never watched julian smith, i suggest you do so now and no longer go without seeing such brilliance. that goof you see there in the background would be my little brother, dressed as pedro. if you've never watched napoleon dynamite, i suggest you never do to save yourself from seeing such pointlessness.

wicked was last weekend. it had been forever since i had the priviledge to see a play. and boy, was this one incredible! although the dragon head above the stage did give me the creeps at times, the play was completely beautiful. there's just something about sitting among hundreds of other people - all eyes on the stage, all ears listening to the voices filling the theater - that is so magical. i haven't the slightest clue as to how the cast keeps track of their lines as perfectly as they did. the first thing i did after getting home from the play? i got the soundtrack on my ipod. because its just that good.

me, my sis, my mom. and our forheads are not like mirrors in real life, this is simply the essense of a disposable film camera.

i'm wishing all of you a happy thirty first! so who's dressing up this year? i would love to hear.

iheartfaces "let them be little"

2011-10-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

This is going to sound cliche, but that doesn't make it any less true.

The kids of today's world are moving along quickly. If only they'd just slow down and love every second of being little. Seeing them grow up is a blessing and yet a sad thing...for they will never be little again.

All of you fellow photographers know what a great advantage we have - to capture these little moments, these little wonders. I took this on one of the last days of summer this year...these boys make me laugh.

homecoming

2011-10-15T22:53:00.000-07:00

let me start off by saying that this post is not meant to be vain in any way. doing outfit posts is a huge leap for little ole me, i rarely like posing for the camera because i feel like a goof. i'm not the kind of girl who likes to rant on about her clothes and shoes, and, well, girly stuff like that. (i'm laughing over here) i wasn't even going to write about tonight in the first place, but my sister convinced me that i absolutely and completely needed too, this being my first formal dance. and i'm sure some of you wanted to see photos of my dress, due to the fact that i cannot describe clothing worth a flip. anyway, here it goes.

a friend asked me to his school's homecoming dance which took place tonight. to say that i love dancing is an understatement. so with three straight hours of non stop bouncing-shaking-hair flipping-hand clapping-wildness with the occasional awkward-sweet slow dancing, i quite enjoyed myself tonight. being surrounded by dozens of old friends is even better to me. you can dance like crazy and nobody cares because they're doing the same and we're all just there to have a good time. laughing our heads off and dancing our hearts out, that's a nice combination for any occasion.

(my hair decided not to cooperate with me tonight. and so after a solid half hour of attempting to curl it, i gave up and let it have its way. i'm slowly learning that i cannot tame this frizz.)

dress||rampage, shoes||marshalls, clutch||target

(and here we have my slightly crazy twin. props to you, sis, for taking the pictures!)

falling for fall

2011-10-06T20:40:00.000-07:00

yes, yes. i realized i may have dubbed myself winner for cheesiest post title. but i'm sitting here feeling quite accomplished for finishing an essay this morning - one who's completion at one time seemed quite impossible - and therefore i must reward myself by jotting down the corny phrase above. so with a cup of hot cinnamon hibiscus tea in hand, the temperature outside dropping to a low of fifty six, i will continue to fill this page with my appreciation for this season.

a couple days back, i went with my siblings and some dear friends to a local farm event. there were all sorts of things set up to do. a giant hay bale maze threaded its way through one of the fields, in which i had quite a good time running after squealing-with-excitement littles. the barn was filled to the top with hay blocks, also constructed as a crawl through maze for those of us who didn't mind getting hay on our heads. sadly, my allergies were acting up at the time. basically all i could do was stand and watch as the children played to their hearts content. i didn't mind in the least though, for my camera was there to occupy me.

and oh my goodness. there was a hay ride. sitting on the bales of hay, the straws sticking into my bare legs and tiny pieces of chaff floating around us in the afternoon sunlight - it was like a rush of nostologia. every single october as far back as i can remember, i've ridden a trailer pulled by a tractor. no matter how many years are added to me, i never seem to get too old for it. we rode this one twice across two country fields under a cloudless blue sky. i honestly did enjoy watching their faces as we passed by some cows grazing, or the pumpkin patch. as slowly as the tractor pulled us, they were soaking in every moment of it.

fall has only just begun to arrive here in tennessee, and i am awaiting everything it has to bring. the leaves are crisping slowly and turning deeper shades, filling the treetops with splashes of color. as the days are still warm, the evenings quickly cool off, promising chilly weather as a constant. there's just something about autumn that draws me in - like everything from summer can fade away and begin again, new and ready. fall, like spring, is an inbetween season. it is not bitterly cold as winter is, so spending time outdoors becomes a pleasure more of now than ever. campfires will be lit and marshmellows will be roasted brown. pumpkins will be carved and their seeds will be oven roasted with salt. all in all, this season is absolutely wonderful.

happy fall y'all!

please, inspire me

2011-10-03T18:59:00.000-07:00

so we all know the feeling. the utter lack of pep, like ever drop of spark has been drained away. rainy days, good ole' allergies, loads of homework - it doesn't matter how, all i know is we get like this every now and then. at times like these all we crave is inspiration -v. the urge to create, the condition in which there is a want to feel or to do something. you don't have to stand at the edge of a canyon and gaze out onto an amazing view to find it. you don't need to spend money or travel hundreds of miles. you don't even need to go anywhere. simply look around you, because its always there.

its hidden in the little things.
finding money in your jean pocket. being told that you're beautiful. coming up with a good idea. when little kids reach to hold your hand. getting into a freshly made bed. when someone gives you a hug for the first time. the smell of coffee in the morning. hearing your favorite song in a store. stretching after a long car ride. good dreams. rereading your favorite book. getting a letter in the mail. seeing sunshine fill the room when you open the blinds. hearing stories about when you were a little kid. immature moments with friends. dancing your heart out.

there's always that one person who never fails to make you smile. you can be in the gloomiest mood, having the roughest time, where absolutely nothing is going the way you want it to. and just like that - a few sweet words from them can turn your whole day rightside up. somehow they know exactly what to say to inspire you. the thing is - they don't have to even try, because they really are some kind of wonderful.

a song or two can sometimes be the best ways for inspiration. when i can't find words - most of the time the lyrics of a melody speak it for me. truth be told, i keep music playing around the clock. whether in my room or in the car, you can bet that my ipod is nearby. it helps pass the time, it helps to inspire. where my list of favorites ranges from the beatles to jack johnson, i'm sharing several of the ones i love best.

somewhere only we know - keane

valentine - kina grannis

you make my dreams - hall & oates
life after you - daughtry

let it be - the beatles

somewhere over the rainbow - isreal kamakawiwo'ole

chances - five for fighting

better - regina spektor

little wonders - rob thomas

angel - jack johnson
yours to hold - skillet

crazy love - michael buble ...okay, so really anything by buble will do
sweet disposition - temper trap

little house - amanda seyfried

you and me - lifehouse

watching tv isn't always the best alternative, i would much rather recommend a walk in the great outdoors. but there are just some films that are too good to pass up when inspiration is needed. (500 days of summer) (the sound of music) (the notebook) (finding neverland) (secret garden) (where the wild things are)

what things inspire you? i'd love to hear!

chin up, beautiful

2011-09-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

i've always loved that saying. always. its just a little reminder to stay positive simply because of who you are. its an expression to let you know that you should keep your head up, reguardless of how you feel. i've been thinking a lot on beauty lately, so i thought i'd share a little.

i was watching a rerun of a goodmorning show on television a few weeks ago, on which was the topic of young girls and how they view themselves. several girls were interviewed on the show that morning, and i'm telling you - these little girls were simply gorgeous. they were each asked questions, simple questions about themselves - and i was shocked at their replies. each girl admitted she did not feel pretty. most were concerned about not being the right shape or having the perfect body. the girls talked about the different things they would change about themselves if they could. longer hair, a different height, straighter teeth, a freckless face...the list just went on and on and on. they said that when looking into the mirror, they didn't see beauty, instead they wished to be replicas of the models on magazine covers and on television.

chin up, beautiful.
oh how i wish every single little girl could hear that. because in today's world, beauty has somewhat lost its meaning. today beauty is basically defined outwardly. flawless glowing skin, ideal silky hair, long thick lashes...these appearances are constantly pressuring upon girls. it tends to capture their attention from a young age too. i've noticed that even my five year old sister is picking up on these fads and ideas of beauty, because they're portrayed everywhere. she's often asked me if she will grow up to look like the model she saw in a commercial add, or like one of the barbie dolls in her room.

when words don't come in reply, i let truth speak.
you are fearfully and wonderfully made. psalms 139:14
charm and beauty fade, but praise to her who fears God. proverbs 31:30
its not whats on the outside that matters, for precious is the heart in our Father's eyes. 1 peter 3:3

so here's the thing. you don't have to wear makeup and be a size zero to be stunning. there is no such thing as a perfect body, or perfect anything for that matter. we all have flaws - i have countless- but that's what makes us who we are. i tend to struggle with self value and worth. i'm constantly worrying about what other people say about me. and sometimes i find myself trying to change who i am just because of their words. but this is wrong, so very wrong of me. if God only sees us from the inside out, why should any other opinion even begin to matter? i believe that beauty comes from deep inside of you, and nothing can outshine that.

i want to hear your thoughts on this! do share.

long time, no see

2011-09-21T22:26:00.000-07:00

Holy. It has been quite a while since I've sat here and blogged my little heart out. Oh my, eleven days to be exact. But I'll make up for it, promise. Blogging regularly is something that's always on that little mental list in my head. And at the same time its always going to be something I procrastinate. As I type this, the phrase just roll with it comes to mind. In all reality, that's what I will have to do because I can never really tell what life is going to throw at me. By the way, I wanted to shout out to my new followers. I'm really really glad y'all are here and hope you'll stay a while.

Don't ask me why, but I cannot get enough of this. I mean look at him. It should be a felony to be this cute without even trying to be. My siblings have always had the gift to make me smile, because I love seeing their happy little faces. Don't get me wrong, they definitely don't smile all the time. Who does? There are the tears, the frowns, the downright sassy expressions that I get every once and a while. But that's what makes me appreciate the grins and laughs even more.

"You make me smile all over my face" -Ian Hobson, age five.
I recieved a greeting card a while ago with that quote printed on the front in a kid's handwriting. I may not be very good with words, but I think when it comes to expressing oneself, children do it better than any of us.

(look no further, you've seen some sas here.)

(this is his signature silly face. he does not actually want to tackle me.)

Fall is officially coming in two days. Although it feels like its been here for a while now, I'm going to celebrate the first day of autumn with a cup of hot apple cider and a long walk down the lane. Colors are popping here and there, reminding me to look closely at every little thing. Sadly I haven't had my camera out as much as I usually do. Somewhere in between school and life, my time for photography is becoming lesser. But I know that nothing worth having comes easy, so I'm just going to have to make an extra effort to take pictures during free time. Its not something I feel like I have to do either. There's just no feeling in the world than having my camera in hand, capturing anything and everything I want. In my own style at whatever angle I wish, at my own pace.

Hope everyone is having a nice week so far!

a weekend on the river

2011-09-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

honestly, some of my best remembered memories are made at this place. my uncle owns a house by the river and every now and then my sister, cousin and i will tag along. an hours' drive through the country's winding roads is worth the destination. with a soft breeze in the air, the clouds beautifully patch the sky promising rain to come in the morning. the house sits right on the river's edge, with a balcony overlooking the miles of sparkling water. there are no bustling sounds except for the occasional boat or jet ski passing by, the tiny chirps and beating of wings of the hummingbirds. what a perfect way to spend the weekend.

sitting on the dock with the sun on our backs, feet hanging off the edge in the cold water. watching the fish surface and splash. wishing i hadn't watched so many shark films, for the water becons us to jump in, but only my cousin is brave enough to do so. later that night, staying up late. talking about old times with my two very best girlfriends, back to our childhood days which we are so fond of. laughing like there's no tomorrow, acting like goofs because we're so comfortable around eachother. praying together, and knowing i am blessed to have these girls in my life.

enjoying ever moment of life, hoping we will always remember to. remembering our loved ones that were lost ten years ago today, september eleventh. knowing that their bravery is something we will never forget, that our country is great because of those who have and will step in during hard times, and sacrifice so much for one another. living as a free nation who stands strong because of the people. being truly thankful for everything we have been given, especially life. realizing how much i take for granite every single day, how precious every breath is.

how did you spend your weekend?

the post in which i ramble quite a bit

2011-09-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

if i could, i would always blog without uppercase letters. not because its easier to avoid pressing the shift button, but because i love the simplified appearance of it. and besides, every now and then its nice to have a little change. i will warn you, this post will be drawn out and stretched. it will contain who knows what because i feel like rambling, so please bare with me as i let my thoughts spill.

if quoting is considered a hobby, then its one of mine. things i hear in movies, songs, from the people around me, or the things i see in literature. my ipod contains more photos of quotes than music. i love writing out words in various fonts and hanging them around my room. they're a form of inspiration for me on days where i lack creativity. they sometimes turn out to be exactly like the thoughts inside my head. quotes are pieces of life, things that spark even the faintest of memories or the greatest of times. they cause me to remember the moments i never want to forget.

what are some of your favorite quotes? i really would love to know!

maybe its just me, but its seems that my siblings are growing at a considerably fast pace. this girl is on her third week of school and is loving every minute of it. she brings home the most intesting experiments and creations. a replica of the substances that make up blood - jellybeans, peas, and corn syrup in a container. she recites the most intesting facts as well. "the heart happens to be the longest bone in the human body." what can i say? these children keep life interesting for me. they are always surprising and astonishing me with their words and thoughts. often i find them on my last nerves, but these kids are without a doubt wonderful blessings to me and my family. and there's also just nothing like a three year old telling you that you're cute.

i very much enjoyed reading this post by carlotta. and you will too.

this is probably the last summer themed outfit you will see on me. i am thoroughly going to miss the carefree days of shorts and flip flops, especially floral prints. with the weather now in the mid sixties, i dug my sweaters out of storage and placed them in my closet where they are ready and waiting to be put to good use. i do so appreciate a soft oversized sweater on a cold fall morning.

top {american eagle} shorts {target} belt {forever 21} glasses {elle} shoes {target}

over the summer, i can say without shame that i have embraced messy hair. giving up all leave-in products, i decided to let it dry naturally and remain that way all day long. throwing it up into an unkept bun, loosly braiding it. its quick and its easy, and i like that i don't have to spend too much time fixing it. oh, look at me, blogging about hair.

i know, i know. i am a complete goof. i even crack myself up sometimes. flipping through a few fashion magazines, studying the models on the pages seemed like a good idea to get inspiration and a few pointers. this most obviously proved to be uneffective with me. and so, accepting the fact that i may never master this whole posing art, you at least can get a few good laughs from my awkward stances

i thought i would give you a glimpse of how my mom is coming along. she is having her fifth chemo treatment tomorrow, and after this there is only one to go. i can honestly say that i am so proud of her. she has shown me that by having just a small amount of faith, getting through hard times is very possible because of a Father who loves unconditionally at all times. she has given me an example of true courage, that it doesn't mean being brave all the time, but choosing to keep going reguardless of the situation. mom, i love you so so so much. you're so close to the end of this.

upside down photography, i think i'm in love. there's a whole different world that can be seen by simply flipping the lens of a camera. i notice things i would have usually overlooked in this style of angle, it almost draws the details out more. i've never really been one to experiment with different photography angles, its much more secure using the ones i'm use to. and sure, i more than likely look like a loon when i bend in half to snap a few shots, but i would say that in the end, its worth it.

and just because i couldn't possibly go without sharing some more from my fisheye...

the water has become icy cold from the chilly nights. its safe to say that my days of lounging by the pool side are far gone. soaking up the suns rays and the scent of sunscreen, hearing sounds of splashing and underwater laughter are just a few of the summertime treats i will miss during the next several months.

the fisheye debut

2011-09-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

Here's a story.
Girl walks into walgreens to pick up film. The nice lady behind the counter looks at girl strangely and tells her that her pictures are very interesting. Girl gets worried and asks if something is wrong with the pictures. Nice lady tells her that she's never seen pictures like these before in her life. Girl gets even more worried. Lady tells girl of how she had to go get the walgreens manager and show him the pictures too. Manager says he is extremely impressed. After the ten minute chat, girl looks at the pictures and is quite impressed herself.

Girl drives home and, naturally, she blogs about it.

I think I really love this fisheye camera.

Thank you for all of your sweet comments on my last film post! For those of you who asked, I don't really remember what exact brand of disposables I bought, but they were the cheapest ones I could find, purchased at walgreens pharmacy. I'm really excited that so many of you were inspired to use disposables too!

iheartfaces | white

2011-08-30T07:52:00.000-07:00

I so enjoy the color photo challenge themes. This week at iheartfaces, its all about white. May I just say, I think my 'lil brother is the most handsome guy ever in this color... like freshly fallen snow against his chocolate skin. Be sure to take a look at the other entries!

the two dollar kind of camera

2011-08-28T20:13:00.000-07:00

It feels almost like betraying my precious Rebel, buying a new camera. But when that camera only costs me two bucks, I guess I could get over it. Some of my friends take all of their pictures with disposables, and I've really fallen in love with the vintage feel to their appearance. While there's absolutely nothing like a good quality photo, sometimes its good to take a break from the pro equipment and have some good 'ole fun.

My thoughts on disposables? I really like how convienient their size is. Tuck it in my purse and its good to go. I can whip it out whenever there's something that catches my eye. There's basically no hassle. You never know how the pictures are going to turn out, which adds an element of surprise to the experience. Turning in the little camera today, I knew I was going to get back something much more than just a stack of prints. I was getting back memories. Moments in time frozen on paper, to remember as long as I look at them. And isn't that what photography is really about?

Do you ever use disposables? I'd love to hear!

lately

2011-08-25T09:11:00.000-07:00

Lately, my life has slowed down. The days have become slow paced, giving me time to think and breath. Taking the usual strolls down the lane, I can mark the tiny everythings that summer is leaving behind. Somewhere between the colored leaves and notably cooler nights, fall is rushing in...I can smell it in the air. I have the time to lay in bed and read to my heart's content, finishing the books that I started when summer had first begun. Every now and then, the work is tedious, but I can already tell that my senior year will be somewhat of a breeze. I don't have to concentrate as hard as I once did, knowing the finish line is in clear view.

Lately, I've felt the need to rearrange the things in my room. After a thorough dusting, I replaced the wilted vased flowers with the last of summer's fresh vibrant green branches. I moved my desktop objects around. I set my necklaces on a moss covered stone that I found, it makes the perfect jewelry display and keeps the chains from being tangled. Too anxious for fall, I went ahead and filled in the September days on my wall calendar. Its amazing how fair and cozy my room is now that I've completed these subtle changes.

Lately, I have known what it feels like to truly miss someone. To know they're somewhere else away from you is an absence hard to bare. The verb "to miss" is something that makes you hold onto every word they say, and you find yourself traveling back to the memories of them inside your head. You catch yourself smiling because of something they said. And then, sometimes remembering is the only thing that lets you carry on.

{via}

Lately music has become more and more important to me. In the morning, I wake up and routinely turn on my favorite playlist to start the day. At night, I fall asleep to the melody of a piano streaming through my earbuds. I have never realized how much of an essential music is to me. Just imagine a world without it. Music lets people connect, it gives everyone a chance to have something in common. What are some of your favorite artists/listening pieces?
Hope everyone is having a lovely day.

iheartfaces {pets}

2011-08-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

The challenge theme this week at iheartfaces is "pets".
As little the cat person I am, I like this guy a lot. Mr. Cat has stuck around for a long time and has quite a personality. He believes he is a dog, follows the family on walks down the lane. His carefree nature is clear in the way he lies in the sun for hours, soaking up every moment of each summer day.
Click on the button below for more pet photos!

firsts

2011-08-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

By now, you're probably noticing something new. I'm so uber excited about the amazing work Olivia has done around here! Its my first time having someone remodel this little blog of mine. It took a lot of courage and procrastination for me to finally admit to doing this, I have been debating it for a long time now. Honestly, it turned out to be better than the pictures inside my head. What do you think?

Yesterday I made tomato soup completely from scratch. It may not seem to be an accomplishment to some, but it is for a girl like me {who can barely take edible ingredients, put them together, and have an outcome which is still edible}. The deep red piece of fruit waited in the kitchen windowsill for days, and finally at its ripening peak, I diced and blended it. Adding cream, onions, herbs from the garden, and a dash of sea salt - I heated it to perfection. Its taste was so satisfying, but creating a delicious dish that is nutritious and entirely basic is a reward in itself.

I recieved two precious objects a while back; a fisheye and a pentax camera. This is my first experience with film and I'm anxious to develop the rolls. It feels so right to be branching out in my photography journey. I've found that film has slowly disappeared, making room for the era of digital. There's something about doing things the original way though, something sentimental and nostalgic.

The ground is slowly being scattered with fall colors. Leaves golden and surrender to gravity - painting a spotted masterpiece against the dark piles of last years' leaves. Soon the rakes will be searched for amonst the clutter of lawn tools, brought out and for the first time be put to work, building towers of foliation to be

jumped into.
p.s. I thought that while my blog has changed so rapidly, I might as well throw in another little surprise...you now know my real name.

summers end

2011-08-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

It is an understatement to say that summer flew by right before my eyes. The cool water of the swimming pool on countless humid days, wearing the casual shorts and tank tops, eating juicy watermelon slices with friends; there's so much I'm going to miss. As my senior year starts, I'm flooded with anxiousness and excitement, anticipating college but ready to wrap up highschool once and for all.

While my academic break is long lost, the warm air outside reminds me that summer is lingering for a bit. It is never too late to savor every moment the trees stay green, knowing that soon the leaves will crisp and fall. Cool, sweet lemonade beverages will soon be replaced with hot apple cider in the season to come. As much as I'm wistful to see summer end, I welcome fall with all the wonder it never fails to bring.

top {old navy} shorts {forever 21} belt {fossil} bracelet (antique} shoes {sperrys} necklace {etsy}

photo credit {my sister}

Lately, I've felt that my inspiration for blogging has been lacking. Sometimes finding something to write about becomes a task for me instead of a pleasure. The best remedy to this, I've found, is to walk outside with my camera and start shooting. Capturing even the simplest things gives me motivation to keep moving on, it shows me there's always something.

I'm always up for trying new things. Upside down pictures, for example, an idea Carlotta shared a while back. I'm embarrassed to admit that while taking this I got rather light-headed and had to stop. Ha!

To conclude this post, thought I would share several more from the shoot this morning. It was honestly the best little brother alliance ever, S did an amazing job. You can view the one I chose to enter here.

Happy Tuesday to you! Any big plans for the week?

iheartfaces {beautiful eyes}

2011-08-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

The challenge theme this week over at iheartfaces is all about the eyes. Little S was so coopertive during the shoot for this one, he even played along by using his bee blanket as a prop. I absolutely love capturing eyes, for I believe they are all beautiful and unique.

to see more photos from this shoot, click here please.

i heart faces | friendship

2011-08-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have never seen such a precious bond between two than with my grandpa and his granddaughter. All throughout the week long vacation, she stuck to him like glue. I think this kind of friendship is so beautiful, two people so diverse in age but yet so inseperable.

{be sure to visit iheartfaces for more friendship photos}

fifty years later...

2011-08-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

Just this week, my grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their six children and twelve grandchildren. We gathered in a colossal house located on the outer banks of North Carolina. It turned out to be the perfect escape spot, with the mighty white waves billowing, the wild mustangs roaming the dunes. I really cannot express the time I had in words, so I will let the photos do it for me.

We spent the mornings as early birds and late sleepers, the afternoons as pool swimmers and beach walkers, the evenings as night owls and tired outers. But whatever we did, we did it together. Being with family has made me realize how blessed I am to be surrounded by an incredible group of people who I can trust and rely on. From seeing aunts and uncles I haven't seen in years, to meeting my young cousins for the first time, abiding with family feels so utterly right. Missing them terribly, I am already looking forward when we can all be together again.

three

2011-07-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

SJ's birthday was yesterday. He's been talking about turing three for a long time, because to him, three is ultimately better than being two. I think it has something to do with holding up three fingers when asked how old you are, because two just isn't enough.We celebrated the big day with presents, family, and vanilla cake topped with heavenly icing.

the interview of favorites with sj.
animal? giraffe
food? hamburger
place to be? beach
movie? elf
color? orange
song? i don't know

This little guy has shown me so much in the little time he's been here. He never ever stops smiling and can always find a way to make us laugh. His never ending supply of energy radiates through his personality, one of the many things I love about him. Although being the baby of the family has its advantages, he will settle for nothing less than being a "big boy" and doing things all by himself. Independent, sweet hearted, and loving little brother, I love you more than I can say...
I wouldn't trade you for the world.

I'm going out of town for several days, but promising a long post when I return. Wishing you all a great week!

life is beautiful

2011-07-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

{note to reader: this one of those posts where you have to sing a little song in your head while reading, because it fits perfectly. life is beautiful by vega4. It is truly one of my favorite listening pieces.}

My life is far from perfection. Serenity is something I must search for, quiet is something rare. But realizing that if I constantly lived in the surroundings I want here and there, I see how dull it would become. Reaching for something that you don't have at the moment gives you the strength overcome. It sometimes even adds a little adventure to the day.

Probably the most important moments to me are the silly ones. The seemingly passing happenings that turn out to be the most treasured ones. I honestly don't know how I could get through the day without that amazing function called laughter. When you really think about it, a laugh is something unique. No one teaches a baby to laugh. She grins for the first time and giggles burst out, warming hearts all around her. Laughter is contagious, it is spontaneous.

i digress

2011-07-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

I have a lot to say but sadly, there doesn't exist a catagory into which all the subjects fit. Digressing, better known as rambling, is something I do quite well. My words flow freely and sometimes not entierly smoothly, causing me to wish for the ability to string them together like beads on a string. As imperfect as my vocabulary skills are, I digress again, so please bare with me.

Summer has flown by too quickly. It seems like just yesterday I finished my text books and tucked them underneath my bed, hidden from summer bound eyes. The commencement of my senior year is just around the corner, and dare I say it, I'm eager to finish highschool. All too soon I will have to break my summer habit of staying up late at night, which will lead to early rises and more coffee needed than ususal. My educational load here at home looks light for the most part. The trick will be searching for colleges, deciding which one is the one, and finally settling on a major. Oh boy. I will try not to stress myself out, but embrace each moment as a gift and look forward to moving on.

Back to talk of summer, its not completely over yet. Next week I will be traveling to the beach for my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary, which is ultimately a family reunion gathering. I have four new little cousins which I will get to meet for the first time, and realatives that I have not seen in forever. Needless to say, I'm rather excited.

Big news, and probably the best news so far. My mom is halfway through her chemo treatment! This process has been long and hard on everyone, especially on her, but knowing that we are so close to the end is hopeful. Thank you all for your prayers and encouraging words through this.

Do you have any thoughts? Do share. c:

iheartfaces {props}

2011-07-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

Wowzers. It has been quite a while since I've entered a contest over at the wonderful iheartfaces. The theme this week is something we photographers know and love... props! We throw them in with our subjects because sometimes they give the photo just the right pop! My three little munchkins and I had an amusing photoshoot for this one. Their personalities are very different and they used their props to show it... and that's why I love this photo.

the outfit post

2011-07-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

I literally sighed with relief just writing the title of this. Promising you a clothing-centered post long ago, I fell back into my usual procrastinating style of blogging. I guess the truth is I'm not use to being the subject. I feel much more comfortable behind my camera capturing instead. But I know every photographer deserves to be photographed (despite my many flaws and awkward posing).

{top: american eagle} {shorts: tj maxx} {shoes: toms}

This is obviously the most casual outfit on earth, but I love it none the less. After an afternoon at the pool, there's nothing better than to slip on a lightweight button up shirt. I've had those grey shoes for three years now, proof is the hole worn in the toe of one. Comfy shoes are a must for me, and holes are just a sign that they've been loved.

A touch of saltwater from swimming, completely sun baked dry, and a window down on the drive home later...the perfect messy updo. Ha.

What does your perfect casual outfit look like?

the weekend

2011-07-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

I found myself rearranging my room late last night. I clipped from magazines, ripped pages from some of my old field guides, and scowered my desk drawers for note cards and pictures. My dad hung two pieces of twine on the wall above my desk, on which I hang clothespins to hold various snippets. I do rather like how it all turned out. (sorry about the bad quality of this photo)

I found this little beauty at Target this morning. The square shape, light chesnut color, long shoulder strap, the clasp. Every now and then, I'll find something completely out of my style range and absolutely fall in love with it. I think this means I'm beginning to branch out?

Its been far too long since I've shared some of my little brother's words. S was enjoying an afternoon snack of animal crackers and milk, when he started to tell me something.
"My bandaid loves crackers." He stated, lifting his knee, pretending to feed his bandage the remains of a zebra.
"It does?" I tried not to laugh.
"Uh huh. But he can't chew them very well."

Hoping your weekend was lovely!

the fourth

2011-07-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

I know this post is late. Yesterday was the 4th of July and, as usual, quite a busy day. My family always gathers at my grandmother's house on this holiday, a tradition we've kept for so long. The scents that rose from the grill smelled so good you could almost taste it. Laughter and loud voices of relatives filled the house as we all sat together and conversed. Booms and crackles could be heard indoors of the fireworks commencing in the neighborhood outside.

It made me take a good look at what being an American means. It means having the freedom to join hands with loved ones and pray before a meal. It means being able to worship anywhere and everywhere, and not being stopped. It means having the incredible blessing to live as free men. That's something I will never forget.

The blackberries that grow down the lane reached their ripe peak today. The sour and yet sweet taste of the juicy dark fruits will always bring back feelings of nostalgia, from my childhood. I can remember hiking through waist-high weeds on a hill, holding my dad's hand. Being scratched by the little wicked thorns on the bushes, but seeing the handfuls of berries in my tin pail that made it all worth it.

My sister planted some seeds in a few eggshells that she placed inside an empty egg carton. They sprouted so quickly in clusters. I don't know exactly what it is, but seeing new life, the baby green plants makes me smile. I guess its the satisfaction of seeing that the tiniest effort can bring something wonderful.

How did you spend the fourth weekend? Please share!

p.s. Carlotta is having a giveaway, and because you really don't want to miss out on it... click here.

just faces

2011-06-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life gets out of hand. Things run amuck, people change, and time seems like its creeping by. One of my favorite quotes is life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass, its about learning how to dance in the rain. I've learned that dealing with the present and living in the moment is the way to go. And I've sometimes been surprised to actually enjoy it.

On a whim, I took a walk down the lane with two of my siblings. We ended up having a hilarious photoshoot together. Their faces make my day, everyday. I can honestly say that boredom would crash on me without them here.

These summer days just scream black and white to me. I love the timeless feel to the two clashing colors. Speaking of black and white... I took my little sister to see the new film Mr. Popper's Penguins earlier today. The cast was fantastic. The story was magical. Overall, a really good film. What movies have you seen this summer?

me, the absent blogger

2011-06-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

i really feel like i've been neglecting my blog lately. the blogging world, for that matter. granted, i still avidly read through my favorites. eating up each word and gushing at ever photo. but there's something about missing out on commenting on other posts, because i always have something to say. it feels strange not nestling in the comfy chair in front of the computer, letting my mind spill words and sharing my photos at the end of the day.

my photo editing program has flunked out on me. its the worse feeling not knowing what's wrong or how to fix it. i keep procrastinating telling myself i'll call the repair man, but i never get to it. i love my pictures to have a lot of light, something my program can offer. being made to shoot without knowing there's not backup to edit with is sort of frightening. but its making me go even farther to capture good photos.

i'm going to make more of an effort to blog. whenever i feel like it, which is often. maybe i'll make a few posts and save them for the days i don't especially feel like blogging.

what does your blogging schedule look like? i would love to know!

looking back on florida

2011-06-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

there's something about being woken up at 4am, feeling the rush of excitment colliding with the flood of sleepiness. that's how it began. fifteen of us piled into two mini vans after loading our luggage. the sun rose, streaks of morning light across the sky. our pillows became the best car buddies ever. we were on our way to florida.

(that's me in the front on the right, the one with the crazy expression)

anytime i go to the beach, i always look forward to seeing that first palm tree sticking out like a piece of gold among the other common trees. i crave hearing the sound of sea gulls, spotting their white bodies against the blue. seeing the ocean, gurgling waves like whipped cream and the sound as they crash.

a few of us were brave enough to get tatoos down in florida. i was not one of them.. but i'm already thinking of ideas for next summer. it made the trip more memorable. being there all together, squeezing hands, and talking eachother through it.

the golf course where our house was located had many walking routes. we discovered a "hobbit village" next to the lake. come to find out they were in fact cyprus roots, but they did look enchanted surrounded by the sparkling water underneath a canopy of trees.

on our night out, we ate at the back porch. there's nothing like eating spinach crab dip and fried shrimp upstairs, with a gorgeous view of the sea. all in all, it was a fantastic vacation. being with my beautiful amazing friends is something i'm missing already.

vaca time

2011-06-12T15:32:00.000-07:00

i'll keep this short and sweet.

the reason for my lack of posts. my photo editing software has taken a drastic turn, and has decided not to cooperate with me at all. i'm working on getting it back up and running. once that's done, i promise hearty posts more than once a week.

okay, time for big news. i'm literally walking out the door, leaving for a little place i like to call the beach. oh yes. hot toasty sand that slides in between my toes, hours of practically doing nothing, and being with a group of amazing girlfriends. i've been looking forward to this all year long, and somehow still ended up in a frantic packing frenzy which began yesterday. i'll be back this weekend, with a bucket or two of photos to share. infact, you will probably die from picture overloaded posts here. until then, i'll leave you with this sweet face. have another lovely summer week, you!

guest posting

2011-06-05T10:27:00.000-07:00

you can find me here today. it's my first time guest posting, so i'm pretty darn excited.

hodge podge

2011-06-03T22:15:00.000-07:00

I'm not really sure what to say, words somehow aren't forming in my head the way they usually do. I'm just going to write what comes to heart...

Today around noon, an ambulance pulled up in front of my house. The driver got out and my Dad went outside. They talked for a minute or two and my Dad came back in. He told me that the driver had run over my dog who was on the road. Hodge Podge passed away instantly, he didn't suffer.

Those scary words hit me like a train, I can still feel the weight of them. Hodge is gone, something inside of me is missing. He was more than just a pet, more than just a dog. I never knew that the day we adopted that white rescue dog, would be the day I gained a precious friend.

He shared my love for walks down the lane. Running, trodding, walking, or jogging - he was always sure to keep up with me. His carmel brown eyes looking up at my face, his tongue hanging lazily out of his mouth never ceased to bring a smile to my face.

I could say anything to him, tell him everything. I know lots of people talk to their dogs, its just what we do. But there's something about having someone just simply listen. He didn't critic me or throw opinions to me. He would just listen.

He never cared what mood I was in. Sometimes I felt irritated at his never-ending trying to lick my shoes habit, that didn't stop him from loving me. At other times when I felt frustrated with life, his gentle nature somehow showed me peace.

Hodge was in a way, a guardian angel. He protected his family, barking to alert us of visitors and nearly attacking the mailman. He never was in any way aggressive to my little siblings, he was in every way a loving companion.

I love you, sweet boy. Your loyalness to your family has blessed us each and every day you were with us. You won't be forgotten.

best face photo

2011-05-31T07:38:00.000-07:00

It's time over at iheartfaces to vote for the best face photo of May 2011. I'm entering this one again, probably because it's my favorite photo taken of my 'lil sister.

Be sure to look at all the fabulous faces captured this month!

recital time

2011-05-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

I think I owe a quick explaination to you of why I'm not posting much this week.

Yes, you guessed it. It's that magical yet oh-so-exhausting time of the year... recital performances. E had her dress rehearsal this morning and I dance in my first (of four) show tonight. On the way to the theater this morning, E whispered to me from the backseat of the car "I'm kinda nervous". To which I replied that its completely normal to have pre recital tummy butterflies.Once she was on the stage and the familiar music began to play, her fears flew and she had more fun than ever.

Afterwards she insisted on driving to Wendy's to try some of their real sea salt natural cut french fries. She had seen a commercial for them on tv... she also always keeps laughter very fluent for us.

{apparently there can be no presentable face photos outdoors because of the blinding sun}

I'm off to mold my uncontrollable hair into a bun. Have a splendid Wednesday, lovelies!

iheartfaces || yellow

2011-05-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

The challenge theme this week at iheartfaces is yellow. For me, this color is nostologia. It is a warm day with the sun gently peeking over clouds. It is the soft feathers of a day old duckling. It is the knit flower in a girl's hair as she giggles. It is the hushed peace you feel at the end of the day.

What does yellow mean to you?

{click on the button above to look at other yellow entries, please}

make each day count

2011-05-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

That phrase has been floating around in my head lately. Each and every moment I'm given is truly a gift. Sometimes I catch myself taking those precious moments for granted.

I do admit that time by myself is enjoyable. Secluded, cozy on my bed, reading a good book is something I'm usually up for. But I've realized that I need to spend more time with my family. Even if it means not doing something big - just simply being there with them.

Making each day count isn't as easy as it sounds. Digging a little deeper beneath the surface of everyday life can be difficult. But once you find the beauty that's underneath, you know its worth it. Going beyond the usual effort you give is hard. But the good it brings makes you know its the right thing to do.

I don't want to look back on my life and see a bunch of what if's. I want to look back and see that I did live each day to the fullest.

so many words, so little time

2011-05-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

I think its only fair to warn you that this post is quite lengthy and drawn out. I just consumed two chocolate truffles and am feeling chipper {did I just say chipper?}. There are probably more words in this post than pictures. I'm not positive though. Anyway, its a pretty long post. I suggest you drink coffee while reading, or eat truffles.
a note to new followers: Hey guys! I'm so so so happy you're here. Hope you'll stay a while, (and that I don't scare you off as my chocolate hype wears off...)

First off, school. Doesn't that seem to be every teenager's preoccupation? I have one week remaining and then my junior year will be complete. Looking back on it all, I can honestly say it went by so quickly. In the midst of it though, I would have told you time was as slow as a snail. School has a way of doing that... Anyway, summer break is days away. My plans have changed a bit, but that's alright with me. I still have incredibley hot days ahead, promises of traveling to the ocean, and life's everyday surprises along the way. Summer always feels like a new start, something exciting.

Give a child a cape and a field to run around in, and you will capture some epic action shots. I couldn't help but share the one above with you. That obviously must be his superpower; spitting.

{please, someone que the Avett Brothers' song 'Swept Away'. these three photos would go perfectly with it.}

My dance recital is coming up quickly, the end of May. Huge rehearsals are to commence shortly, building up the intense excitement of the big day. Recial day. sigh. There's just something about it - the smell of hairspray, countless numbers of bobby pins, being with friends, oh. And recital nightmares. I'm sure those of you who dance know what I'm talking about. I've already had my first nightmare, in which I had to recollection of the choreography whatsoever. Eh. Also, my ballet costume is hanging in my closet. Each time I walk in and see it, I seriously have a mini heart attack. Guess I'm a little excited?

So. You must click here and take a look at the new place I found. The Beauty Department has become one of my favorite websites. I'm taking more and more interest in fashion {although clearly not seen in my attire} and I love looking at all the great hair and makeup ideas.

You know what I've realized? I really do love taking pictures. Okay, so that might be an obvious statement. I mean, this is a photography blog and everything. But everytime I get my camera out, it always feels so refreshing and freeing for me. When someone asks me to take a picture, I do it and love it. Photography never feels like a chore to me. And I think that's a wonderful thing.

This lanky post can not end without me sharing a Julian Smith video with you. Mr Timn is possibly the best thing since sliced bread. Here it is, 'yall.

So enough about me... I want to catch up with you lovely followers! Tell me about what's been going on in your life lately.

Okay. One more thing, I promise, this will be it. What do you think of the new header? Do you prefer the font only, or a photo background?

just another monday

2011-05-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Well, its Monday again. Surprisingly though, today doesn't feel like the crazy, hectic stereotypical Mondays I ususally have. Usually, there's homework to be finished or somewhere to go. Today the sun is beaming outside and there's a gentle breeze rippling the tree branches. I've abandoned my shoes and been barefoot all day.

Today wouldn't be what it is without my little siblings. They live in the moment, discovering new and exciting things each day. Through thick and thin, their little hearts always bubble over with joy. They never cease to bring a smile to my face.

I'm linking up to Allie's Happy Monday challenge. I absolutely love this photo of little S's hands covered in bubble solution. The challenge theme is green, so, I think this photo fits in pretty well. Be sure to head back to Allie's blog and look around.

jessalyn || senior shoot

2011-05-07T13:35:00.000-07:00

Can you think of a better way to start the weekend off, than with a senior photo shoot? This morning I shot Jessalyn's senior pictures at my house. We had a nice day for the shoot, with lots of shade and not too much sun. Jessalyn is such a sweet person and friend. She has crazy crocheting skills. She's always full of life and laughter. Here are a few of my favorites...

i digress

2011-05-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

All those loud claps of thunder and pourdowns of rain have turned for the better. The trees and grass have turned to a vibrant hue of greens. May is here, with the promise of more flowers and life. Occasionally, I'll stumble upon a birds nest in the woods on one of my walks. A cardinal couple has chosen the forsythia bushes next to my house as their nesting destination. Mr Cardinal apparently finds the front porch a perfect place to perch during the day.

These spring days are made for bare feet. There's no feeling like the grass between your toes, the warm earth beneath your heels. It brings back child-like memories of playing in the garden hose and eating orange cream popcicles.

Sometimes the way I hoped for a picture to turn out, doesn't happen. Sometimes that picture ends up being a masterpiece by accident. Photos like this remind me that photography is a reward all in itself. The feeling of capturing moments effortlessly is so freeing, because its what I love to do. No matter how the photos turn out, they're my work. My mistakes to learn from. My style that no one can take. Through each picture taken, my journey is growing and memories are being captured.
What do you love most about photography?

I thought I woud share a blog that I came across the other day. Things Organized Neatly is possibly my favorite tumblr blog. The uniqueness and simplicity just appeals to me. I love little tidy things.
This photo most likely defines the opposite of tidy. Crayola colored bubbles are messy yet fun.

i heart faces || soft and sweet

2011-05-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

The challenge theme this week over at iheartfaces is soft and sweet. The boys were playing on a blanket in the front yard this morning, despite the clouds and mist of rain. When they saw me coming with my camera, they both pretended to be asleep... but S just had to take a peek.

let's start may off with a post

2011-05-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

reality.
i could go on blogging about all the happy things occuring in my life right now, but i know that's only avoiding reality. you followers deserve to know why my posts haven't been so frequent.

my mom was diagnosed with cancer two weeks ago. long story short, she underwent surgery and the cancerous tumors were removed succsessfully, but there's still a small count left in her bloodstream. the doctors are requiring her to have a full 6 month treatment of chemo therapy as soon as her immune system is back up and running.

anyway, its been a scary time for all of us. we're not sure what's going to take place, or what could happen. but trusting that God knows the answers and is holding her in His hands is our peace. we're praying for healing and comfort, we'll get through this.

a birthday.
may 1st is my mom's birthday. she's in the hospital right now, undergoing some more surgery, which makes this harder because she's not at home on her special day.
mom, i love you more than words can express.
you've taught me pretty much everything i know, one way or another, you've help mold me into the person i am today.
your willingness and hardwork never seems to end, you're always thinking of your family.
you're a fighter, mom, and together we'll get through this.
i love you.

a senior shoot.
i was asked to take my friend's senor pictures this year. emily is a beautiful person, inside and out. her bubbly and genuine personality is what i love best about her. oh, and she's also got some gorgeous red hair, gorgeous. emily and i took a sunday afternoon to walk around mainstreet and snap shots. emily shares my love for photography and was a complete natural in front of the camera. we had a splendid time altogether. i'm sharing here just several of my favorites from the shoot. here's to you, my lovely graduating friend, you'll rock college!

easter.
in somewhat of a blur, this day went by. there was, of course, the traditional egg hunt at my grandparent's home. i've concluded that the children's inner expressions come forth during the search for the eggs. {these make for great pictures.} the golden egg was filled with the donning prize of forty dollars, courtesy of my generous uncles. pretty much everyone joined in the great search for the golden egg. after much wandering and tedious scouting, it was discovered by my twelve-year-old brother, who found it under a prickly bush.

despite the excitement of the hunt, easter would not be what it is without family. it is a time to gather and eat, share in eachothers lives. a day to remember the reason we have hope - because He is risen.

iheartfaces || pets

2011-04-26T18:37:00.000-07:00

The theme this week over at iheartfaces is pets. I love the simplicity of this picture of my mutt, Hodge Podge. Be sure to check out the other entries!

bittersweet

2011-04-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

My computer is out yet again, and just when I thought I had it back too. I had second thoughts on even posting this, because a post without pictures is like a dog without a bone, a picnic blanket without ants, a- well, you get the idea. Sadly, it looks like it will be a while before I can start posting regularly again. I probably wouldn't be this upset about it, but I'm just about dying to post the pictures from a senior session I took last week. Keep your fingers crossed and they'll be up hopefully soon.
On the brighter side... I'm being featured here! Its my first time being blog featured, so I'm pretty excited about it.
And a big welcome to all my new followers! I'm really glad you're here.

Well that's about it. Wishing you all a Happy Easter weekend!

a better day

2011-04-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

I'm doing a lot better after yesterdays happenings. Thank you for your sweet comments & encouragement. I surprise myself sometimes, for I don't usually post so frequently. Infact, I don't think I've ever posted two days in a row. Gasp! But taking and sharing photos gives me such a great feeling.

I'm seriously considering putting a book together of all of the kids' quotes. They say the funniest, craziest, most intelligent things ever. While trying to catch a butterfly this afternoon...
"Arrr! It won't hold still! I can't catch it!" -E
"Lets just pull his wings off." -S

The stream behind our house is gurgling over from all the April showers that keep falling. This happens to be the challenge theme over at Allie's blog.

Oh. And I found these. Lets just say that breakfast mixed with art makes me happy. I've been looking around on this blog for a while now, and there are some really neat DIY's that I've been wanting to try. I'm hoping to get something like this up soon- so I can put up some photos in my polariod frames I made a while back.

that bad blogger feeling

2011-04-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

I'll just come right out and admit it. I am a bit discontent. With my header that is. A post ago, I thought I had found the one and proudly announced it. Now I'm feeling like such a traitor going back on what I said and changing it. I have that awful gut feeling of guilt. Ugh. In the big scheme of life, its just a header. I should be able to stick with one for more than a week. For some reason, that seems to be impossible for me. I would go as far to say that this one feels right, but you know how that goes... sigh. Honestly, I have that "I'm a bad blogger" feeling. I lost two followers today, much to my dismay. Sure, it probably happens once in every blogger's life, but still its sort of dissapointing. It makes me wonder if what I write isn't interesting enough, or just the whole header deal I have going.
And then, I just thought of something. You guys are still here, all 148 of you. You put up with me and my undecidedness and my talking myself through it. Thank you lovelies! And Carlotta redesigned my blog columns to my heart's content. Another thing to life my spirits.

Do you ever have blogging blues?

the weekend and a photo challenge

2011-04-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

This was truly a spring weekend. The sun was out every day along with a nice cool breeze. Butterflies came out of hiding and covered the flowers all over the yard. The trees around my house are now bursting in a full green bloom. My feelings about this weekend can be summed up with these photos...

What makes you smile like this?

Carlotta is having a photo challenge, and the theme is spring. I took this one yesterday afternoon as the sun
beamed through the canopy of trees above the lane. To see more spring entries, go here.

i heart faces|shadows

2011-04-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

The challenge theme this week over at i heart faces is shadows. I was out with S, enjoying the beautiful spring weather the other day. He saw his shadow in the lane and began jumping around. Another moment captured. Be sure to look at the other entries too please!

bits and pieces

2011-04-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

a piece of life.
Lately, life has been a rollercoaster. That sounds so stereotypical, like a lyric from a song. But it honestly has. Full of highs and lows. Laughter and tears. Sometimes it all feels like its about to unravel. But there's peace. There's hope. I can rest in knowing God's in control all the time, everywhere. Even if I can't see it, there's always a bigger picture to what is happening, something greater and for His glory.

a bit on the header.
Okay. This might be the one. Ahem, let me back up a bit and explain. As you might have noticed, my header changes quite frequently and rapidly. This is mainly due to my extrememly almost always undecided mind. I've been creating headers for the past few hours and I think this one will stick with me for a while. What do you think? I would really love it if you gave me some advice, suggestions. Because I pretty much thrive on your comments.

a bit of julian smith.
Ha. {slaps forehead} I don't really know why I haven't shared this with you sooner. You might have heard of this guy, Julian Smith. He makes short films and releases them on youtube and his blog. He's a genius, really, and has become realatively famous. Rightfuly so too, for his films are hilarious. Anyway, you can click here to go to his website. You'll either find yourself in a histarical fit of laughter, or raise your eyebrows and begin to think I'm strange. c:

a piece of spring.
Sigh, the weather has warmed up yet again and spring has decided to grace us with her presence. I have the feeling this weather won't last too long though. I overheard my grandfather saying that we still have three or four more "winters" to come. Blackberry winter, locust winter, redbud winter, dogwood winter... who knew? I'm not sure if I should feel sad that spring might be leaving again, or to shrug my shoulders and take a good long laugh at these winter titles.

a bit on spelling.
Just so we're clear, I am definitely not the world's best speller. And when I got my computer back last week, I lost that wonderful, wonderful little beauty called spellcheck. I feel lost without it. So if you see a word that doesn't fit into context or, ha, maybe isn't even classified as a word, you'll know why. For the record; I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to "your, you're" and "were, we're". Not sure why, but I always have been. Do you have any grammatical pet peeves? Do tell!

the zoo

2011-04-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

We took a little trip to the zoo this past Saturday.

The meerkats will never cease to be my favorites. I would totally have hopped right over the fence, scooped one right up, stuck him in my purse and carried him home - if not for the fact that he just might bite the hec out of my hand.

Even graffiti can be done on bamboo.

My sister's guy came along for the trip too...

I've decided that flamingos are some of the most photogenic animals out there. Graceful, and experts on posing.

When we walked up to the elephant exhibit, S pointed and shouted, "Look at the tall big one!"

All in all, it made for a serene getaway.

P.S. Carlotta is having a giveaway for a little camera necklace that is uber cute. So click on over to enter!

P.S.S. Brooke has been entered in a contest for a free photographer for her wedding, and needs your votes. It's super easy, so please go here to find out how!

just an ordinary post

2011-04-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

no joke.
Here I sit, blogging on April 1st. Originally, I would have fooled you all with an epic April Fool's joke, but sadly my creativity is at a standstil when it comes to pranks. So instead, I'm going to bore you with a completely ordinary post.

garb glance to return.
Wow, its been a while since I've posted one of these. Ha, I've only posted one of these. And sadly I'm not even posting one now. (Oo. Now. Does that count as a prank?) But in all seriousness, garb glance is going to be returning soon. I'm going to make a point to get more of my outfits posted. How do you feel about seeing more of these?

there goes the sun.
I am tired of this weather. Its the kind where the sun somehow manages to light up the sky without being seen, creating a blinding effect of cloud-covered sky. Not a ray of sunlight can make its way through the grey. I'm ready for some good ole sunshine.

tall.
Hm. This is sort of a weird one, but I feel the need to share it. I recently discovered that I am infact taller than our kitchen fridge. gasp! It's very weird, being so tall. Today a realatively shorter person in TJ Maxx asked me to grab something off the top shelf for them. Ha ha. I'm going to resolve this by a complete no-heel diet of shoe wearing, and perhaps even a bit of hunching over and knee bending.

blogs.
I promise promise promise I'm not a stalker. Okay, well maybe a little bit. But I'm so excited that Carlotta is back! Her photos always bring a smile to my face, her words always inspire me. She now has a "frequently asked questions" page up too, which is great.

If you're searching for something to bake this weekend, take a look at Elyssa's scrumptious post. Oh holy yum, is all I can say.

weekend event.
Tomorrow is a big day. Big day, people. We're going to the... {insert drumroll} ...zoo! I haven't been since I was twelve years old. Some of my fondest childhood memories were spent pressing my hands to the cold glass aquariums or leaning over the bar fences, admiring the amphibians and mammals inside. This will be little SJ's first time to visit & he's almost as excited about it as I am.
You can be expecting photos of this magnificent event soon. Until then, have a lovely weekend!

a photo challenge and spring

2011-03-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

Allie is having a photo challenge, and procrastinating me waited until the last minute to enter. The theme is pets, and so naturally, I've chosen this one of Hodge Podge. He's been my walking companion during these warm spring days. His muzzle is always to the ground as we walk through the woods, turning over leaves and whiffing flowers. He's a gentle and loyal boy, he makes my life complete.

Spring. I could just forget about the rest and blog about this season from here on out. Sound good?

These wild irises bloom every April up on one of the hills behind my house. Yesterday I hiked up to see their progress. The new greens have covered the ground, promising purple blooms to come soon.

Spring makes everyone happier. It's such a simple thing. Like a smile. Seeing it makes you feel better inside.

What do you love best about spring?

i heart faces - a slice of life

2011-03-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

The challenge theme this week over at i heart faces is a slice of life.

I captured this one of Sienna as she sat on top of the monkey bars, gazing off across the playground. Her expression puts me at a loss for words, I can only wonder what she's thinking.

Be sure to take a look at the other entries too please!

its kind of like a homecoming

2011-03-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

Oh boy. Ready to catch up? I sure am.
Here's what's been happening. My computer decided to give out suddenly, leaving me with a completely unplanned-eleven-day blogging break. Never would I have though that I would miss it so much. Photos remained inside my camera, daily begging to get out and be displayed. No joke, I would wake up in the mornings with blog posts all thought out in my head. I even wrote a few out on paper. Needless to say, I've been blog deprived.
On the bright side of all this, not having my blog for over a week has given me time to think things through. My conclusions?

-I need to write more. Not just the pretty synopsis to go with the photos. I want to go deeper, something I've been wanting all along. Sadly, I have the vocabulary range of a five year old and am not usually good at getting my thoughts into words, so bear with me.
-Overall, I need to post more regularly. It's not that I don't want to do this, but sometimes life is a little busy and I simply don't have time. Hopefully I'll find time to blog three times or more in a week.
-When it comes to my photos, I want to try harder. Uniqueness can be found in anything, that's what I want to capture. Experiment with different angles and views, search hard for the beauty in the little things.

With all that said, who's ready for some photo overkill?

Let me start out by showing you my new camera strap I won from Elyssa's giveaway! It's super comfortable. Plus, its cute.

I went for a walk after one of the almost-April showers had fallen. These drops caught in a spider's web amaze me beyond words.

I absolutely love this one of Hodge. He looks so majestic.

Who else besides me is loving every moment of spring??

Some friends came over this weekend for a visit. Isn't she precious?

Sigh, there. I finally have my picture fill. Now I'm off to finish a bit of homework.

Wishing all of you a nice weekend. Any plans?

i ♥ faces "sun flare"

2011-03-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

The challenge theme this week over at i ♥ faces is sun flare. For me, sun is a must when it comes to photography. 

Be sure to head back and check out the other entries.

awkward and awesome thursday

2011-03-10T17:20:00.000-08:00

awkward.

Seeing this on the kitchen counter...

...it looks a lot like pound cake, yes? I felt pretty awkward taking a bite and realizing it was in fact a loaf of homemade bread.

Not being able to pass the word verifications when commenting on blogs. sigh. That kind of awkward can turn into frustration pretty quickly.

Showing my little brother how to cut a piece of paper. He's watching intently, taking in every single step. And then the scissors decide bail out on me and not slice through.

awesome.

My new pair of earbuds. Bright cherry red, enough said.

SJ's dance moves. He can jump towards the floor and hold his legs in the air using only his hands. I'm expecting break dancing sometime in his future. His favorite song artist is a tie somewhere between Taio Cruz and Bob Marley.

The baked macaroni & cheese I had for dinner tonight. so. delicious.

Being clean. Whoever said boys were messy? This child washes his hands all the time. I highly doubt he'll ever catch as much as a cold with the amount of soap he uses.

Now it's your turn to share those awkward & awesomes.

big news & other things

2011-03-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

some big news.
To start things off, guess who got her drivers license?? This girl. So sit back, relax, and let me tell you about it. I took the test this morning. I was too nervous for my own good, but I guess the woman testing me was pretty use to that kind of behavior from teens. It was really no biggie. Through a neighborhood, one green light, down a highway, and two sweaty palms later I was back at the driving place getting my picture taken. Can I just say that was the brightest flash ever? My photo turned out better than I thought it would & I laid my hand onto the signature machine when signing my name. I don't know what's better, having a nice photograph or a nice hand signature. It doesn't really matter. I have my license and that's what counts. I want to hear your drivers permit/license story. Do tell!

one hundred thirty.
Why do I feel like I blog about the number of my followers too much? Maybe because I get so physicked whenever the number goes up. And because you guys deserve it.

buds.
They've covered the trees surrounding my home. The tiny green buds are barely visible through the wet brown woods, the colors of spring. It excites me. What do you love about spring?

adoption announcements.
I'll be shooting for SJ's adoption announcement photo. And guys, I'm really excited for this. It'll be the first real announcement photo I've done for anyone. He has definitely got the smile down to a perfection, all I'm waiting on is a warm, sunny day. I must have natural light for this photo shoot. For now though the cold is settling in and the rain is pouring down. Maybe this weekend...

thoughts on rain.
Drops are pounding on the roof as I type these words. There's something about rain at night. It makes the atmosphere relaxing and cozy. I'm so tempted to abandon this post and go curl up with my new copy of Pride and Prejudice.

this room.
I can totally see myself studying in this room. The colors draw me in. I love the wood letters. The clutter stand with fresh flowers & plants. And I know I would have way too much fun with the giant chalkboard.

drawing lessons.
Decided to post one of my many lesson pages. Drawing has always been a passion of mine, and this year I'm getting to take lessons in school. They might be just the basics, but it is so freeing. My cousin recently gave me a nice electric pencil sharpener, and boy has it come in handy the past few weeks.

P.S. There's a pretty sweet springish giveaway going on here. So click on over and enter!

a photo challenge

2011-03-05T19:02:00.000-08:00

This is one of those last-minute-to-enter situations for me, which almost never happen.

Ha hem anyways, Carlotta is having a photo challenge. And the theme is 'self portrait'.
Be sure to head back to her blog & check out the other entries, please.

i digress

2011-03-03T19:57:00.000-08:00

spring is here.
The signs are everywhere, its quite obvious now. It's finally warm enough to go outside without a bulky winter coat. The birds chirp in the early morning outside my window, a sound I've not woken up to in a while. Tiny white flowers are sprouting up all over the place. It makes me so happy to see spring once again.

if you have a minute.
Please please click here and then click the like button {scroll down to see it} to vote for Katie's photo, she's entering in a contest. I really wanted to help her out, plus her photo is so creative and it should definitely win. Thanks!

shake it like a polaroid picture.
I've always been in love with polaroid photos. Check these out, aren't they cute?! One day I'll own my own polaroid camera, but for now I was inspired to create my own frames. They're no where near as perfect as these , but still. Thanks to the magnificent paper slicer, I didn't have to cut a single piece by hand {lazy much, huh?}. Now all that's left is to order my photo prints. I'll be sure to show you the finished product once they're finished.

listening to.
You guys have to check out this song. Every Season by Nichole Nordeman. It's beautiful and pertains so much to my life right now. {I'm not sure how to make links work for music, sorry.}

the bokeh bat.
No, not the wooden swinging kind. The squeaking-black-winged kind. Yep, you heard me right. I stood outside with my dad tonight and photographed a bat flying in our yard. It was fun actually. My camera doesn't operate very well in the dark as I'm learning, but capturing the basic blurred bat shape was good enough for me. I call it the bokeh bat. Hehe.
{sorry for the space here, my html is being funky}

just because he's cute.
I'll end this post with my favorite shot of SJ so far. He told me 'I love you' in English, completely made my day.

i ♥ faces "anything but a face"

2011-03-01T15:17:00.000-08:00

The challenge theme this week over at i ♥ faces is "anything but a face".

I just captured this one of my little brother & my Dad during their hike this sunny afternoon.

Head on back to i ♥ faces for more amazing photos.

the simple things

2011-02-27T19:44:00.000-08:00

Today, another wonderful day. Wonderful in the way that the simple things are what matter most.
We spent about an hour just exploring in the fields, having stick wars, and throwing rocks into the creek. My sis's guy came down for the afternoon too, so that was nice. It was incredibly warm and dare I say it; humid. I am so excited for spring. Seeing new life excites me. I'm experimenting with my camera's functions yet again, and found a more natural setting I really like to use with my new lens. What do you think? Hope you all had a splendid weekend!

there's no place like home

2011-02-26T11:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon, we stood at the gate in the airport. We waited anxiously, handing out balloons and finishing up last minute welcome home signs. Their flight landed. We squealed with excitement when we saw them walking towards us. It was an indescribable moment when SJ was finally home.

At last, I can get some photos of my own of sweet SJ. This kid is awesome. He smiles every time I have my camera out. And not just any smile, a from-the-bottom-of-my-heart smile.

awkward and awesome thursday

2011-02-24T09:58:00.000-08:00

awesome.

- the fact that my baby brother is coming home from Africa tomorrow. eeeeee!
- my little siblings' conversations; "don't yawn!" "uh, why?" "because if they see you yawn, they'll think you're tired. and then we have to take a nap. so whatever you do, do. not. yawn."
- amanda seyfried. Her acting, her voice, and oh yeah, her gorgeous hair. I'm just a little jealous.
- my dog. may i just say that mutts rock?
- this website. oh, and this one too.
- baking homemade oatmeal cookies. it feels so good to bake something from scratch every once in a while.

awkward.

- this only slightly creepy photo of hodge {below}. somewhere between a yawn and a stretch, the devilishness of him revealed itself.
- my elbows colliding with the door frame when i walk into a room. ouch.
- halfway through brushing my teeth, realizing that the electric battery has died, and it isn't vibrating like i thought it was.
- those silent moments on the phone where no one can think of anything to say. uh...

{why not link up? you know you want to.}

wednesday wishes

2011-02-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

1. fresh flowers
I honestly cannot wait till we start our gardening. This is probably the most amazing part of springtime, seeing the flowers sprout up and bloom. I constantly have glass vases and jars filled with luscious blossoms during the spring/summer seasons. Flowers bring such joy to me, they always have.

2. the beach
This one makes me laugh a little, because who's not wishing always for a getaway to the ocean? I was flipping through magazines this morning, and saw this.

3. long hair
My hair is obviously way shorter than hers. I actually recently got mine cut. And now I want to grow it out again. Maybe by this time next year?

4. mineral eye colors
This wish definitely comes from the girly girl side of me. But I can't help it, out of all the different make up tools, eye colors have to be my favorite. I so enjoy experimenting with different looks and styles when it comes to my eyes.

5. hair flowers
Need I say more? These things are adorable. {these are my sister's, which means I'm only allowed to photograph them, not wear them}

6. miniature bobby pins
This is a wish that has come true. I just had to ~~gush~~ blog about it for a minute. I have a love for anything little and tiny. When I saw these in the dollar store, I was overjoyed.

6. fashion change
I want to try new things when it comes to my clothes. Maybe wear more frills, or mix patterns together. Maybe even wear that pair of magenta cords that's in my closet. Being bolder when it comes to fashion is something I'm not good at, so I want to improve it.

7. that you'll link up too
You can help out with this one. Why not click on the link below & link up to Brooke's Wednesday Wishes with your own? Thanks!

scavenger hunt sunday

2011-02-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

1. chocolate
Or, as I like to call it, the food of the gods.

2. numbers

Now, I know what you're thinking. But I'm not at all a television fanatic, these were just the first numbers that I found around the house. Okay, so maybe I do enjoy a good show every now and then.

3. canned food

I could eat this amazing stuff anytime, anywhere.

4. music

This sheet of music sits on the piano in our living room. Sadly, I can't read a single note much less play one. Do you play?

5. stack
This stack of Eric Carle's books has been a popular collection of reading material for E & S lately. The Lonely Firely has always been my favorite of his.

fairy houses

2011-02-18T16:05:00.000-08:00

Do you know any fairies who are looking for a home? I think we have what they need. Just this afternoon, E and S created two beautiful fairy homes. Constructed with hardy shoe-box walls, the houses are perfect for those oh-so-windy spring days. Complete with furnishings, mini forest trees, and moss carpet, these dwellings would be perfect for any winged person.

p.s. if you have a minute, would you please vote on my poll there on the top right column? thanks!

wednesday wishes

2011-02-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

It is high time I join in on this. Every Wednesday I read Brooke's wishes and always forget to link up. Things are different this week though. I only have one wish. Most of you know that my family is in the process of adopting a sweet kiddo from Ethiopia, Africa. Two-and-a-half year old SJ has been waiting for us a long time.
And... this Wednesday, my wish came true. Early this morning we got the news: my little brother is clear to come home!! For privacy reasons, I can't tell you just exactly when, but I will definitely tell you that SJ will be home soon, very very soon.

{photo credit does not belong to me.}

i ♥ faces "red"

2011-02-14T14:27:00.000-08:00

The theme this week over at i ♥ faces is red. Why? Because today is that very special holiday {throws a handful of heart confetti at the computer screen and wishes you all a Happy Valentine's Day}! And because this is a week to support women who are bravely fighting heart disease. So click on over to i ♥ faces for more amazing red photos.

new lens, baby!!

2011-02-13T19:20:00.000-08:00

Guess who got a new lens today? Me, me! That's who. Remember when I mentioned it way back in December? Well this morning I got it. I was surprised at how small sized it is compared to my other lens. But it fits nice and snug in my camera bag, plus my Rebel is way cuter now that it has a tiny lens to go with it. Thanks so much, Kristin! Ready to see the very first picture I took with it?

Yes, it is quite a charming shot of my little sister. I'm really liking how the lens handles the backdrop in bokeh and how it composes color.
I don't really have any more photos for now, but never fear- I promise you'll be seeing more soon. Until then, I'll leave you with this darling little face. {no, this isn't my dog. but oh how i wish he was.}

thank heavens for the weekend

2011-02-11T19:41:00.000-08:00

The title says it all. I'm looking forward to a nothing-but-relaxing, peppermint-tea-drinking two days. To kick off this end of the week, I just finished helping my parents clean out the space behind our kitchen fridge. What was behind there, you might ask? Dust, and lots of it. Regarded we three don't come down with some sort of horrible allergy attack, this weekend should be fine. Now for some randomness from this week...

I wore my rain boots tonight to the movie theaters. Seriously, I couldn't stop smiling. I don't really know why, but they make me feel so cheery.

Holy cow. Holy cow. 92 followers. Can I just throw a thank you out to each of you? This blog is just 8 shy of a hundred readers. And I'm pretty excited. Thanks peeps!

This is one of those films that I can watch seven times in a row, and not get sick of. The magic and wonder of it never ceases to capture my attention. Johnny Depp plays this role, in my opinion, perfectly. The scenes in this movie are my absolute favorites. What are some of your most loved films? I'd love to know!

I must tell you, there's an amazing store in our mall. It's full of ethnic things from around the world. Okay, so they're probably all really made in China. But that's beside the point here..
There's a wood mushroom carving that I've been ~~stalking~~ waiting to go on sale. No luck yet. In the meantime, I purchased this little beauty. You can't see the whole thing in the photo, but anyways, it is a white wood angel wing catch-all dish. Or that's how I describe it. At the moment, I have some magazine cut-outs lying in it.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

P.S. You might have noticed that I went a little color happy in this post. What do you think? Should I stay with my usual black font or mix things up a bit?

awkward and awesome thursday

2011-02-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

So, its my first time linking up to one of these. For more awkward and awesome click here.

Awkward.

- Vacuuming back and forth over the same spot on the carpet for minutes, until my hair is scraggly and my face is perspiring... only to realize that that spot is actually part of the carpet. Oops.

- Putting my earbuds in and turning on my iPod, to get a full-fledged-volume-has-been-turned-all-the-way-up blast of music. And being so shocked I just stand there not even thinking to take them out of my ears.

- Replying to a sales employee of a store when they're not actually talking to me.

- The word awkward. I mean, look at how its spelled. Really.

- Writing out 2010 as the date on school essays.

Awesome.

- My rubber boots. I've wanted a pair all winter long and finally found some at TJ Maxx. What's even more awesome is that they were on clearance for $15. And they're gray, the marvelous color that goes with just about anything.

- Having a clean house. So what if the cleaning takes all morning? By the afternoon, its lookn' clean & smelling fresh.

- How bright it is on a snowday like today. The sun is reflecting off the white ground so much, it almost blinds me when I walk by a window.

garb at a glance {& other things}

2011-02-08T17:39:00.000-08:00

1. garb glance Alright, its about time I start this idea of mine. Well, I really shouldn't say its my idea. Because a lot of people in the blogging world do this already. I've been thinking about doing it too for a long time, just never got to it. So I'll put my own personal style twist to the try. Here we go. {For the two photos of me, the credit goes to my sis. Thanks A!}

Tank {forever 21} Lately, I've fallen in love with floral prints. They remind me of spring, and oh how I wish for spring.
Cardigan {forever 21} A girl can never have too many cardigans. This girl can't, at least.
Shoes {charlotte russe} If I were to have seen these shoes a year ago, I would have said they were totally not my style. I might have even laughed at them. But this was one of those crazy occasions when I just went for it, stepped out of my comfort zone of style, and purchased the snake skin shoes. And I'm so glad I did. By the way, I got these babies for the price of $12 during the after holiday sales. Nothing beats a sweet deal.
Jeans {tj maxx} Even though they're not in the photos, I still love my skinny jeans.
My Face {this one's from God} So. I really don't know how else to say it, but I wanted to ramble about my face garb, if you will. I wear mostly Mary Kay make up; mineral powder foundation, vintage gold & honey spice eye colors, black mascara. And finally, suggested by this girl, Revlon's Just Bitten in Gothic lipstick/balm.

2. new books If you were to ask me what I enjoyed most about this Tuesday, I would tell you that it was dropping by the Half Priced Books store. I would tell you that the smell of fresh new books made me want to stay in the store for hours. I would tell you that finding a hard copy of Peter Pan made me happier beyond words. And I would also tell you that holding a copy of Pride and Prejudice in my hands made me quite happy too. I would tell you that their together grand price added up to $7.
Well, you can ask me this because these two new lovelies are sitting on my book shelf at this moment. And I'm telling you, having new books makes my day.

3. wings for your candle I have the feeling this is going to become a regular on my blog posts. Sharing what I find makes me happy, so whenever I come across a piece of decor that catches my eye, I capture it and I put it here.
Aren't these just the uniquest things ever?!

4. more snow on the way The forecast predicts snow for tomorrow. Two to four inches. Which means {drum roll please} classes are canceled! I'm not gonna complain about the snow when it saves me from a week of trudging through Anatomy and Advanced Math homework. No way. No, I'm going to watch with thankfulness as the flakes fall, as I curl up with a book snug and warm on my bed.

5. my pencils Oh yes. I finally have them. Ever since last year sometime, I've been wanting a set of colored pencils, but not just any colored pencils, wood colored pencils. You know, the kind with the natural brown bark on them. They just turned out to be a lucky finding for me at the mall today. Score. {I also found some here.}

i ♥ faces "hearts"

2011-02-07T12:09:00.000-08:00

The theme this week over at i ♥ faces is hearts. And why shouldn't it be? It's February for goodness sakes, my most loved month! So, for this challenge E came up with a spectacular idea. It involved stickers, smiling, and some beautiful natural light from the window.

Be sure to take a look at the other entries, you're sure to love them.

happy friday

2011-02-04T17:38:00.000-08:00

A battle was fought in our living room this evening. No worries, the soldiers were not over an inch tall. Let me just point out one of the great advantages of having younger siblings: you get the privileged of reliving playtime. It's wonderful.

Meet the newest addition to the collection of nature decorations in my room. This glass jar was originally filled with pine branches, but I needed something a little less holiday-ish. So naturally, I chose a random branch today on my walk.

I probably look at too many home decor magazines, tear out too many pages, tape too many of them to my wall. What can I say? They're my inspiration. Sigh sigh sigh. Just look at this bed. The design is so me.

Happy Friday, my lovelies!

love love love

2011-02-03T18:06:00.000-08:00

It's February. Don't know why, but I love this month way more than the other eleven. I look forward to it all year long. The stores in town suddenly fill up with bouquets of dreamy flowers, sweet cards filled with mushy gushy sayings. Reds and pinks become the popular colors. And then there's this incredible food of the gods I like to call chocolate.
And even though I haven't found that one guy yet, February can be thought of as a reminder to love the people around us.
Oh, and right now you're probably listening to my new favorite song. I've listened to it probably twenty times in the past hour. Her voice is beautiful. Here's where I found it, so go stop by Haley's blog please.