I'll be home for Christmas

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?)

my week in instagram #65

putting up Christmas decorations // driving down the Oregon roads // viewing cool art at galleries // painting for class // petting the cutest puppy in the world // being fancy with the most handsome guy

Sorry things have been pretty quiet around here for the past couple of days. It's been a busy week, with not being able to go to bed until four in the morning most nights, thanks to the overwhelming amounts of final projects. But as you can see from my latest instagram photos, it certainly has not been without some good times! I have survived though, my sleep schedule is back to normal, and now there is just one more week of finals between me and Christmas break.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

words to live by

wrapped up in books

shirt: borrowed // belt: forever 21 // skirt: thrifted // tights: mom's closet // shoes: target // brooches: antique store/gift





Well, these photos were obviously taken before it got super cold and consequently snowed. This morning when I woke up, I just had a feeling that there was snow, and when I looked outside, it was a beautiful winter wonderland! Snow falling is seriously one of the best things in the world. I just love being able to lay down in the snow and look up at the sky or the tops of trees and listen to the silence. It's so calming and peaceful and really rejuvenating. I hope it stays on the ground, at least long enough to hold me over until Christmas break. Just two more weeks! If only things were winding down at school though. I think I have more projects to do this weekend than ever before. A ten page paper, five art projects (yes, you read that right), a science presentation, 100 pages of reading, and I won't even get into the tests. We're so close!






Since I've been getting into wearing lipstick for the past few months, I wanted to experiment on them a little bit. Thankfully, the Mini Penny blog had an awesome post on two-toned lips, and I really liked the result! She also had a very cool ombre lip tutorial which I've been doing as well.




Well, off to work on research papers and get covered in paint!