I scream for ice cream!

dress: handmade // shirt: target // tights/shoes: thrifted





It seems these days that literally every person I know is getting engaged. Kids younger than me, kids from my class, it stopped being funny at around the tenth couple when three different couples got engaged within a four day time span. Now it's just really annoying (except I am excited for one because she's one of my photo friends and she's actually been dating her guy for a considerable amount of time and they both -appear- to be prepared for marriage). I'm not even twenty yet and people younger than me are getting hitched? Staaahp. But don't worry, I'm not gonna turn this into a complaining post. I save those kinds of things for tumblr, hehe. It can easily be said that I won't get married until I have enough money to pay for such an event and subsequently keep myself alive for at least a couple of months. Also having a job that actually pays might be a good idea too. I don't think anyone (not even me) realizes how hard it is until they actually tie the knot and actually have to live with someone else and all their flaws. But flaws are part of character, and I also think marriage would be a grand adventure! Doing fun things with your best friend all the time? Sign me up! But at the same time, don't sign me up just yet. I know I'm not ready for it. I'll just suffer in silence while everyone else around me gets married.




On a totally different note, I recently submitted this outfit to H&M's 50 states of style contest on instagram, and I would love it and be forever in your debt if you liked my photo here! If by some miracle I actually won the regional section, you can guarantee there will be a fun giveaway for those who liked my photo! Thank you so so much! (Also, I apologize in advance, but I'll be encouraging people to "like" the photo every spare moment I get, haha.)




I hope you have a great day!

july photos

"cloudmaker"


"as the fog rolls in"


"I cry for the earth"


"crazy cat lady"


"Laurynne"


"mourning shall come"


"all that power"


"the benders of light"


"it's up in the air"


"severed tie dyes"

This month my photography has been all over the place, and I don't like it. It's not that I'm not proud of any of these pieces, it's just that they aren't my best and had I not been doing a 30 day challengeI would have never made some of these, much less uploaded them. But it's a learning process. I guess it just goes to show that there are some times in your life when you shouldn't do a "# day challenge" and I discovered that (at least for now) I am beyond that point (or sick of it, whichever way). But August has at least two photos that I am incredibly excited about, and if it all works out the way I envision, they will be some great portfolio pieces. So here's to August, I hope you hold some fantastic photographic adventures!

january/february // march // april // may // june

july in review

July has been a long, weird month, but for a reason that I can't quite put my finger on. I think about a third of the way through the month was when I was ready to go back to Oregon to see my friends, but I still had 1 2/3 months to go so there was a lot of "friend-home-school-sickness" going on. But now July is over (so weird half of the year is over with now!) and I only have twenty seven days in Alaska before I hop on a plane (next to Matt and his brother this time!) and fly to beautiful Oregon. Let the countdown begin.

blogger of the month: tieka of selective potential

Today I am very excited to introduce you to Tieka, the beautiful blogger behind Selective Potential! She kindly allowed me to interview her, and it was so fun getting to know a little bit about her, her love of lighthouses and seasons, and of course her personal style! I love how she often incorporates bright colors into her ensembles and loves to be matchy matchy with her surroundings.

First things first, can you tell just a little bit about yourself?

Well, my name is Tieka and I run the blog, Selective Potential! I graduated with my BFA in digital media and I work full-time as a graphic designer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In my free-time when I'm not working or blogging, I spend time with my boyfriend, Eric, and our puppy, Winny. We listen to a lot of music, play music, travel around the state a lot and watch a lot of movies! I also am in love with my mint-green scooter, lighthouses + confetti cake. :)



You've been blogging for a pretty long time (almost four years now!). What has been the craziest or strangest thing that has come from blogging?

I've had some pretty crazy experiences - all good! But one of the oddest ones was... I was checking out at an Urban Outfitters in Chicago. The girl looks at me and smiles and goes, "Tieka, really? Do you really need another one of these cardigans?" I was absolutely stunned! It turned out she was a blog reader and knew I had already owned two of the same cardigan from UO. Haha! I died laughing. It was surreal to be noticed in public, especially in a big city four hours away from home!

I've been loving your lighthouse series! What's your favorite lighthouse you've visited so far?

I absolutely love all of the lighthouses in Michigan. One of my favorite ones has to be Big Sable Point in Ludington, Michigan though. You have to walk two miles to get there (so rare!) and it's black/white striped and so unique. Plus it's on a bay, so it's facing water on the west and north side of it. I love it!



What's your favorite outfit, and why? (hard question, I know. :)

One of my favorite outfits of all time was from a post called "An old silo". It was when the Delightful Dozen was in full swing, and we all styled this adorable floral skirt from Julie of Orchid Grey. I just thought the patterns went together so well + I felt so great wearing it! I ended up spotting a picture of Susan's inspiration board from ModCloth and this outfit was posted to it. I was so flattered!



You're very talented at matching outfits to seasons (such as this one.) Do you have any advice for people who want to dress to match the season?

It's honestly pretty easy! I just think of the best parts of each season and dress for the place I'm going. Like, I knew I was going to be taking photos at the pink trees, so I grabbed pink items from my closet and [saw] how they worked together. Typically if you're dressing to match nature, the outfit will probably go together pretty well. If nature intended it, well then... it must work! When I think of spring, I obviously think of florals, pastels, bright colors. In autumn, I'm constantly dressed in burnt orange, browns, etc. Winter and summer are a bit trickier, but it gives you more freedom to perhaps dress outside the seasonal box?



If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want to have with you? (Other than Eric and Winny of course.)

Well, if I had Wifi, 1) I'd for sure be bringing my Macbook Pro - ha! Netflix, Internet, The Sims 2? That'd be pretty perfect. I'd be entertained for months! 2) Burt's Bees chapstick. I cannot live a day without it. 3) An unlimited supply of daily contact lenses. I have the worst eyesight in the world and I absolutely loathe wearing my glasses. ;)


What's one style or type of clothing that you wish you could pull off?

Well, this is going to sound odd, but clothes that require small boobs. Haha! Like strapless dresses, or deep v-necks, sweetheart necklines, etc. I've always had such a hard time pulling those off and there are so many items that I've had to put back on the rack because they just don't fit my boobs!



I recently wrote an article on confidence and happiness here on Introvert's Introduction. Do you have any tips for someone to become more confident with themselves?

It's all about accepting yourself, to be honest. And if you aren't willing to accept yourself, you have to be willing to change. And in order to change, you have to accept that you'll be working really hard. I felt completely self-conscious before I lost 35 pounds. I refused to buy any type of cute clothing that'd show off my body in any way, or draw attention to myself. I wasn't willing to accept myself in that way, so I had to work really hard to change. And even after I lost all of the weight, I had to really work hard at finally "accepting" myself! But once I did, I felt confident enough to do anything! It's something I still struggle with ALL the time, but on the days you can accept yourself and who you are (and not compare yourself to others), you'll feel so much happier.


Thank you again so much for letting me interview you! It was so fun getting to know just a little bit about your life and some of your insights.

And be sure to check out Tieka's beautiful blog here and show her some love.

Have a great day everyone!


*photos (copyright 2013 Selective Potential) are used with permission.