Full of Grateful

{sweater: Gap, dress: Everly, boots: Minnetonka, across-the-body bag: Forever21, ring: I cannot remember for.the.life of me where I got this cutie... probably F21}

I am so utterly grateful to be in South Dakota with my best of friends, my sister and mom.  To laugh about the oddest, silliest things and eat (way too much) and pester each other and sip coffee together in Starbucks and visit sister on her lunch while she bites the bullet of working on the holiday.  

I'm grateful for the cool, breezy fall weather and these socks my grandma knit me to keep my toes warm and fuzzy when those breezes get nippier.  And for the quick phone call I had with her and my grandpa today.  To listen to their sweet voices that I don't pick up my phone and dial often enough to hear.  

I'm grateful for the hurt and hard times that only bring me closer to the people I love, and make me a stronger, smarter individual.

I'm grateful for my opportunities. My TCU education, summer internships, jobs, privileges, traveling.  For the comfort in knowing I'm rich- no no, I'm not talking in the monetary sense, but rich in love and laughter. In health and hope.  I'm rich in support and solace.  And, above all, I'm Bill-Gates-rich in family and friends.

Lastly... I'm grateful for The Hunger Games. Those books are so stinking good.  They're taking over my life (for the second time) and I'm really, really okay with it.

Happy Thanksgiving, beauties.

Birthday Blessings

{birthday cookie cake; the tastiness of it compensated for the teeny misspelling of my name}

I feel so lucky to have such amazing people in my life to celebrate my 20th year with.  Two decades of my life complete; how does that even happen?!  I had such an incredible birthday week, and even though I was hit with a bit of the post birthday blues yesterday- as well as an oncoming, brutal cold- I can't help but just be thankful for the celebrations held all for little old me this past week!  Even the littlest things mean the world to me.
And now, I only have two days of school to power through until I get to jet off to South Dakota to see my sister, who has to work on Thanksgiving, unfortunately.  My friends always make fun of me for being excited to go to South Dakota; "I forgot that was even a state," is one of the most common reactions.  My mom and I are going to keep her company around her work schedule, and, regardless of friends' remarks, I couldn't be more elated to get to spend time with just those two, even in South Dakota!

{new boots from my amazing mama} 

{what I like to call my "birthday cake nails": OPI- Bring On the Bling & American Apparel Nail Lacquer- Coney Island} 

{brown-sugar cinnamon apple crisps. so delicious. the simplest recipe ever found here} 

{a few of my great friends at my my birthday dinner Friday night} 

{a gorgeous bouquet of tulips from my mom}  

{birthday present to myself: new piercing. hellloooo industrial} 

{such a stunning sunset that I got to witness on a run last week. I took it as another birthday gift} 

{the cutest fold-over Ugg socks, knit by hand by one of my heroes, my grandma}

Pretty Words & Nostalgic Pictures

... that really don't go together whatsoever.
Oh well.  These are currently a couple of quotes and old pictures from the summer that make me oh so happy.  Enjoy, and happy Tuesday to everyone.  Who else thinks it should be Friday already?


"Today is never too late to be brand new." -Taylor Swift


"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13


"I'd rather be working at something, than praying for the rain
So I wander on, till someone else is saved." -James Vincent McMorrow

{my beautiful (and much tanner than me) sister. such a strength in my life.}

 {a view from Brooklyn Bridge Park at sunset of the city that I find myself missing more and more everyday}

My One True Love: NYC

A Year In New York

If you've ever visited, lived in, wanted to go to, felt akin to, or dreamed about New York City, you must watch this video.

My skin shivers with chills every single time I watch it.  The images with the incredibly beautiful song get me.  It truly defines the magic of New York City and makes me itch with anticipation to be back as soon as possible.

Cancer

Consuming you from within,
A black, unexpected disease.
You lose control of your health,
Of your days,
Of your actions,
Of your hope,
Of your life.
The illness thrashes like waves against your insides,
Sanding down those once solid foundations.
It causes emotions you never believed would be part of you.
That is, before the sickness enveloped your being.
Rage, depression, excruciating pain,
They change everything, everyone around you.

What is this cancer?
It's uncontrollable.
Dangerous.
Lethal.
Destructive.
Unpredictable.
The cancer of addiction.


For my brothers.  I love you.  I'm continually praying for your health.

From Day to Night,

with denim on denim.

{denim button-up: A.N.A., denim shorts: See Thru Soul, belt: Target, sandals: Bamboo}

Versatile pieces fill up the majority of my closet.  Hence the repeat of a couple pieces in this post from recent outfit posts.  Can you find them?  It's perfect for days like today, where I can go from a casual, loungey, daytime outfit and swap a few ingredients to create a cute, sassy, nighttime getup.

On a side note, my family is going through a bit of mess.  Every family has them.  No family's not dysfunctional.  I know, a double negative.  But it's true.  Even knowing that, though, I can't help feeling a little disappointed, sad, and above all else, worried.  Sorry for the vagueness; I'm still kind of sorting out my feelings.  All I know is that this prayer has been getting me through my day.  

The Serenity Prayer

"God grant me the serenity 

to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference."

{jeans: H&M, scarf: Ann Taylor LOFT, wedges: Guess}

Life Saving Sandals

{cardigan: Scrapbook, dress: Buffalo Exchange, belt: Target, sandals: Forever 21}

Funny story about these shoes.

My first day interning at Teen Vogue last summer, I was absolutely terrified, euphoric, nervous, unsure, ecstatic, and, above all else, I was in 5-inch pumps.  Hey, I wanted to look professional!  Professionals wear high heels, right?  As it turns out, I was reminded very quickly and painfully that I wasn't a professional yet; I was an intern.  The lowest of low in the office; the coffee getters; the errand runners; the closet organizers; basically, the people without offices, desks, or even chairs at all.  

Needless to say, about two hours into my day my pinky toes began going numb.  By the time my 3 PM lunch break rolled around, blisters were popping and food was the last thing on my mind.  Instead of using my 30 minutes to scarf down a sandwich, I hobbled to the Forever 21 a block away as fast as possible and snagged these bad boys.  My feet have never been happier.  

Oops, did I say that was a funny story?  I meant tragic, with a hint of graphic.

{Thanks, little guys.}

Lumberaud

{flannel: Forever21, tank: Forever21, shorts: Nordstrom, boots: Lucky Brand, headband & stud earrings Forever21, cheesy laugh pic: me}

Today consisted of sleeping through my alarm, getting a midterm back with a big fat C on it, skipping the gym (for the second time this week...it's only Tuesday y'all), crossing absolutely nothing off of my day's to-do list, consuming my water weight in coffee, and committing carbicide all day long.

Regardless, I still look at it as a good day.  I got to start my day with a phone call from my mom, who got me up in the knick of time to get ready for classes.  Speaking of classes, I miraculously made it to all four, consecutive, hour and a half classes that demolish beautify my Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I got to watch Sleepy Hollow in my popular culture class (such a Halloween treat, especially that Johnny Depp. Yum.).  I broke out my veeery favorite lumberjack-esque flannel that was totally inappropriate in the 80 degree weather, but I was so comfy it didn't even matter, especially during the six hours of class in which I normally freeze my booty off.  Not today!  And above all, after an devastating reminder yesterday, I couldn't help but just be thankful for life today.

I hope your Tuesday was as beautiful as mine.

For Alex

Today I found out a boy I went to high school with died.  I went to my sophomore year homecoming with him.  I call him a boy because that's all I know him as.  I don't know the man he was becoming, or even the person he was yesterday before the car accident.  I only know him as a friend I had four years ago, who asked me to homecoming by surprising me at soccer practice with decorated goals and a pink soccer ball that he had his mom write on for me.  As the kid I had a giddy schoolgirl crush on leading up to the dance.  And as the boy I slowly lost touch with as high school years carried on; people changed, relationships changed, friendships changed.  It happens with everyone, right?  Even though I couldn't tell you the last time I spoke to Alex, he remains fresh in my memories.  I can't explain to you the palpable heartache I feel not only for him and his family, but for the knowledge that I let a friendship that once meant something big to me fade to something so small.

So I invite you to take a challenge with me.  To keep in touch with the people you care about, even those who have touched your life in less obvious ways than your immediate family and closest friends.  Or maybe you're like me, where even those dearest relationships seem to slip to the wayside as daily, often mundane, tasks push their way into the top priority slots.  One of the toughest things for me is balancing the people in my life with the things in my life-- to-do lists, projects, school-- when in actuality, people should always come above the things.  Sometimes it's easier said than done, but hearing about Alex's passing today brought the realization back to me again full force.

And lastly, please say a prayer for Alex and his family.  No one deserves death so early in life.

You are loved and missed, Alex.

Broke College Student Confessions

{blouse: Forever21, jeans: Urban Outfitters, heels: Forever 21, necklaces: Brooklyn flea markets}

I'm pretty sure I'm legitimately in love with these shoes.  I caught myself staring at them multiple times rather than looking at the people I was actually having conversations with.  And at the end of the night, I was sincerely sad to take them off.  Every girl knows that if you're not ready to kick your heels off and across the room by the end of the night, those shoes are miracle workers.  Five and a half inch heels were not created to be fun to wear, but these, ladies and gents, were like an amusement park for my feet.  Yes, they are even worthy of such strange analogies.  The arguably best part about them?  The price tag: 25 stinkin' dollars!  That's it!  

Do you own any equally adoooorable and wallet pleasing pieces like these cat-licious heels?  If so, please share!

PS, fun fact: this was the first time wearing my hair straight since I trimmed it myself last week.  Not too shabby, eh?  Confessions of a broke college student, right here.

Long Day Made Better

{cotton T: Gap, scarf: Old Navy, boots: Forever21, jeans: Nordstrom}

You know those days where you wake up and only one word comes to mind: crap...?
That was today.  Thursdays are without a doubt the longest days of my week.  What with a few hours of work in the morning, followed by six straight hours of classes, and usually (if I'm feeling particularly crazy) ended with a solid workout or run outside, Thursday never fails to completely and utterly demolish me.


But there's something about putting on a simply cute yet comfortable outfit that can really pump me up, even on a Thursday.  I don't know if anyone else's wardrobe has these kinds of magical powers... Just me?  Ugh, thought so.


There is one more thing might work to get you going on days like these that works for me: cutting yourself some slack.  Prime example?  Skipping my last class.  Sorry I'm not sorry!


Happy Thursday, xo!

{mismatched Forever21 studs}

Marvins Room

{original (naughty language warning, FYI)}

I just stumbled upon Drake's song, Marvins Room, today when I was downloading another one of his newest singles.  He comes from a perspective where he's missing a woman that he let go, and he painfully and regretfully wishes he wouldn't have.  He talks about how he parties his sorrows away with drinks, clubs, and other girls, but nothing can get this one woman off his mind.  Completely encompassing the bad boy persona, Drake expresses his intense desire to have her back and his intense hate for the guy she's with now in the song.  His lyrics, albeit pretty blunt and crude at points, elude to the fact that he drunk-calls this woman he can't get over, just to tell her she belongs with him.  For some unexplained reason she actually answers his phone call.

As someone who seems to consistently go for guys literally exactly like this, I resonate with this song.  I've been clicking replay on my iTunes for probably an hour and a half now and have forced all my roommates to fall in love with it, too.  After doing a little YouTube search, I found an almost perfect cover by the adorable Conor Maynard.  His version, while just as emotional, is for sure the PG-13 rated version.  Subtract Drake's excessive cursing (okay Conor still uses the F bomb, but you'll forgive him I'm sure); and add beautiful piano acoustics for the instrumental.  While I love both versions of the music videos, emotional qualities, and song approaches, I think I might actually prefer this latter version.

Do any of y'all seem to go for this kind of guy, slash is anyone else thinking why don't these guys realize what they have when they have it?  Just making sure I'm not the only one...  Also, which version of the song do you like better?

{Conor Maynard's cover}

Healthful Habit

{granny smith snack}

I will be the first to admit that my sweet tooth is out of this world.  I could literally eat ice cream, preferably Rocky Road, everyday of the week and not get sick of it.  And honestly I would if I had the metabolism like some lucky ducks out there do, where they can eat anything and everything and still be a teeny little twig.


For me, though, it takes hard work, commitment, and self control to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  I can workout everyday; that's not really the problem.  See, for me, running, yoga, resistance training, or really anything else that gets my blood pumping is what keeps me functioning in the rest of my life.  Exercise, sweating buckets with music pumping full blast into my ears and body, this acts as my de-stresser.


My main struggle is commitment to healthy food choices.  Does this happen to anyone else?  So you go through your day, eat balanced and nutritious snacks and meals, get home after a long one, and you just grab anything/everything in sight to devour.  It's like, why don't we just get a bulldozer to make this food-in-mouth-shovel-fest a little easier?  I think I have these days more than I care to admit; it's so disappointing to know that all those good choices from my day just went right down the drain my throat!


I've discovered, though, a method that seriously has made a difference in my eating habits.  I'm a big to-do list person;  I love the satisfaction of being able to cross off items on my lists, not to mention the utter elation of finishing an entire day's list.  I've found making a sort of food to-eat list for my next day is extremely helpful.  I create well-balanced meals and snacks at night and follow that list exactly to par the next day.  Having things pre-planned out eliminates the whole refrigerator scan that we all know and love: searching through the fridge frantic and hungry and ending up choosing maybe not the healthiest option.  My kryptonite happens to be quesadillas, high in both fat and carbs; but if I write down salad with a side of rice, beans, and veggies, then I've found the fridge scan the next day will be much less tempting to grab the cheese and tortillas.  I promise it's just as easy to do and follow as it sounds.


I'm curious, what are some health habits you live and swear by?  I would love to give them a shot!

{a divine lunch of fresh spring greens, sauteed asparagus, apple, chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, & strawberry vinaigrette}

Scarves on Scarves on Scarves

Regardless of the weather app on my phone so rudely telling me that today's high is a whopping 90 degrees, I decidedly chose to ignore that scorching news and, as per usual for me, look forward to tomorrow.  Tomorrow's beautiful forecast reads a high of 68, low of 46 degrees.  Yum.


Can I just mention real quick how much I LOVE fall?  No but seriously.  It's my favorite season of... all... time.  Crunchy leaves to stomp on in knee-high boots, nippy breezes that inspire cozy flannel button-ups to be pulled from the back corners of closets, pretty assortments of colored scarves magically appearing in stores everywhere, and, above all else, it's my birthday season.  I mean I'm just sayin'...


So today, anticipating autumn right around the corner, I broke out my winter clothes from boxed storage in my closet.  I use the term 'winter clothes' loosely, mind you.  Growing up in Vegas and going to school in Texas doesn't exactly yield the same winters as, say, my (slightly crazy) sister in South Dakota has to endure.  I don't even think I own a winter coat...  Nonetheless, as I hung pretty pea-coats and leather jackets and comfy sweaters and thicker leggings, I couldn't help but get so excited for this new season approaching us.  Scarves have always been one of my favorite accessories, and breaking them out of the confinements of their summer storage almost even made me a little giddy.  Is that embarrassing?  Wait I don't even care.  That's how much I love them.


Keep calm and scarf on, y'all; I hope you're looking forward to the season swap as much as little old me!

New Kid on the (Blog) Block

Let me just start out by saying I do NOT like change.  Or new starts very much, either.  That being said, I wanted to make this new blog regardless of my contempt toward change for a two reasons.


a) Pure procrastination.  Okay, this might seem like the epitome of lame reasons, but hear me out.  I have things to do that I actually NEED to do.  Don't we all?  But where's the fun in being responsible?  I work much better under pressure anyway... That's my validation for putting off all my homework, working out, and other deadlined writing commitments on this lovely, lazy Sunday.  Does anyone else relate?  Can I please get an amen?


b) Inspiration and new directions.  As an aspiring writer, I look for inspiration all over the place: books, blogs, people, magazines, photos, you name it.  But my problem is that I haven't been utilizing these inspirations to my advantage lately.  I had a fairly steady style blog that I kept up with all last year (click here if you want to check it out), but what started out as a fun and creative side project became slightly stressful and more of a burden than a creative outlet.  So with this new start, I'm going to take a more multidirectional approach when it comes to inspiration.  Rather than sticking solely to fashion and style, I'm going to pull from inspiration from anywhere and everywhere: travel, food, health, music, and life in general... But of course fashion will still be a big feature; I couldn't give up on the love of my life thaaat easily.


I can't really believe I'm saying this, but those reasons alone actually make me excited for a change...  Maybe I'm not as phobic to it as I thought.  Cheers to new beginnings!