dress: borrowed // tights: walmart // socks: target // shoes/gloves: forever 21 // photos by Matt
Today is the big day, people! I have one more final this morning, and then it's off to the airport to fly home for Christmas. This semester has been so jam packed, I'll be thankful for a little snowy break. (My friend Amy wants me to put the word "Potato" in here somewhere, so there's that. Oh, I just received word that it has to be in context, so ... I like potatoes. Happy now, Amy?)
But anyways, it's so interesting to look back on this post to see just how much I've grown in a year. I'm definitely more confident, more secure in who I am as a person and who I want to become, and a lot more focused than I once was. Of course, I'm a firm believer in the ability to always improve, and I know there are a lot of areas for me to grow into. I've been thinking just a bit about new year's resolutions, and even though I'm a failure at completing them, I still like the idea of self-improvement. There are just a couple things I really want to focus on in the upcoming year, such as being more organized (to include organizing my schedule), being more focused on my art, and continuing to be more diligent in school. It's been pretty good this semester, but I want it to be even better. As for the art, I've sort of taken a small break, in part because of school, but I hope to create a few photos over the break. Next semester will also be helpful as I'm taking Intermediate Photography and Intermediate Ceramics AND Writing Fiction, so I will be producing a lot of art!
And here is my wonderful photographer and the most handsome guy in the world. I won't make this paragraph too mushy gushy, but I am so so thankful he is in my life (and has been closer to me this semester), and for all the things he's helped me through this semester. It's nice to be close to your best friend and I love him so much.
So in just a few hours, it will officially be Christmas break and I will be surrounded by beautiful Alaskan mountains and my wonderful family and pets. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday season. I probably will take a few days off of blogging, so I'll see you next year! (that joke is still funny, right?)
shirt/leggings: borrowed // polka dot shirt: thrifted // shorts: forever 21 // shoes/socks: target // scarf: ASOS
// photos taken by Bekah
It's now legal to start celebrating Christmas! There was a time in my childhood when the holiday season was the greatest season of them all. And it seems that my love of the holidays has only grown with age, because I am extremely excited for Christmas this year. Yesterday a couple of my friends and I went to Portland for the parade, and ended up spending the entire day exploring the city. I hadn't planned on doing it, but I ended up doing a lot of Christmas shopping thanks to the Little Box event put on by several local businesses. It was so much fun being able to go from store to store, looking at all the lovely handmade items, getting free food and drinks, entering tons of raffles, and getting to support local vendors. That's my kind of black friday shopping. It's so great and satisfying to not only be able to get some unique presents that I know my loved ones will love, but also to be able to support the community here in Oregon. All the companies participating in Little Boxes are filled with wonderful people. The event is still going on tomorrow, and after you visit your first "Little Box" participant, you automatically get 10% off all the other places you go to. Then there are raffle drawings at each of the places, and a grand prize drawing for all who submit their "passport" to facebook. So if you're in the Portland area today, I highly suggest you check out this wonderful little community!
I love being able to wander the streets and stores, people-watching and pretending we live in the cute little apartments and overhearing conversations and making some conversations of our own, all while drinking warm coffee and listening to people along the streets playing guitars or cellos or accordions. Portland is seriously one of the most beautiful places. I also finally got to eat my first Voodoo doughnut, and it did not disappoint! I got the Butterfingering, and the Peanut one is still sitting in the box waiting to be devoured. There's also Chinese food in the fridge from Chinatown, many photos stored on my phone from adventures in the MAX, cool store finds in my possession, and hilarious encounters saved to my memory. It was a beautiful day filled with beautiful people.
Have a wonderful day!
dress: Someone like you // shirt/shoes: borrowed // tights: forever 21
This post could also be titled, "The anti-hipster" or something with a similar connotation since I'm the last person in the world to jump on the grand bandwagon that is the Three Wolf Moon Shirt. Matt was all too kind in making fun of me for being such a flaming hipster, he's probably scared that my life will soon be overrun with mason jars, tacky sweaters, and weird music (too late, that's already happened. But in my defence, I was doing the whole mason jar thing long before it became a thing because my parents love to can--easy access--and I love random jars with which to put random crap inside. I can't say anything for the music and fashion choices though ...) But needless to say, the moment I put this shirt on, it truly did become the luckiest day ever. First of all, my class got canceled leaving me with a free evening. That was normal enough, but then I got an email saying I won the European lottery and was immediately given money by a guy who came to my door in a fancy black suit. Then during dinner, the kitchen staff came out and brought me a giant plate of macaroni and cheese and garlic mashed potatoes, a starchy heaven. Then a wizard came to me in a vision, which granted me powers to call upon ancient dragons and harness not only their powers, but themselves. So with my love beside me, I flew into the sunset on the back of a golden dragon. All while wearing the Three Wolf Moon shirt.
So next time you need a really fantastic day, just wear this shirt, and all your dreams will come true.
Sunday I got to go to the state fair with my parents. They're pretty great. We got to go see Bill Cosby, King Tut, and some lumberjacks. I got to eat my weight in gyros, funnel cake, and my favorite, cotton candy. It was super fun getting to hang out with my parents all day, especially since I'm leaving for college in just a few hours! In fact, if you're reading this, chances are I'm in the air right now, sitting next to two awesome guys! (Matt and his brother Ben.) I guess I should finish packing now. My friend Lauren described it perfectly, I guess I'm kind of afraid that my first year was just a dream. I'm not as nervous for school, but I'm also not as excited. To help with this, I watched the videos I made for first and second semester. Those made me pretty excited to see my friends again. :3 They make me smile.
Welp, I've been rambling for far too long. Time to pack some more. Oregon, here I come!
