shirt: target // skirt: thrifted // shoes: target // belt: forever 21 // necklace: forever 21

My brain is officially fried (so I apologize if nothing makes sense) and I'm exhausted, but my sophomore year is finally over and summer is here. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. I wish I could have enjoyed them more, but it was just rush-rush-rush, work-work-work, try-to-get-everything-done-in-time. June is looking pretty busy too, but I'm looking forward to having a bit more time to--gasp--relax.
And yes, I feel like a broken record, so I'll stop talking about summer now.

Things to be happy about...

warm summer nights || chocolate ice cream with brownies || carrots from my garden || spontaneous mid-morning adventures || ballet performances || simplifying and reorganizing || my beautiful mama || exciting summer plans || good hair days || dancing in the front yard || being done with school (obviously)

What's on your happy list?

Have a beautiful day, friends!

As the wind blew fiercely and the sun wove in and out between a threadbare blanket of clouds, we took a morning a few weeks ago to head down to our favorite spot by the river. It's only a few miles from our house, but it has such a different feel from our neighborhood and it's so nice for a change of pace.

But trips to the river lately have been scarce, what with the craziness of that May tends to be. It's properly hot, too, as ninety degrees farenheit, and I have a hard time believing it's already this time of year again. Summer is looming tantalizingly close--I just have two finals to take until this school year is officially over. Plans for these next few months are in place, which include heading to Germany for two months in July and August to visit family (I haven't been since 2010 and I can't wait to go back!), visits with sweet friends, and working on some photography and design work. Come Tuesday, I'll be a free woman and I'm so excited.

What plans are on your horizon?

much love!

I've gotten a number of requests for a post on my journal, so here it is! Since January I've been keeping a little book that I fill with pretty things and bits of my writing. I've written in a diary for a few years, but it's nothing special; it usually consists of a few scribbled words every night and, unless you consider the chicken scrawl that is my handwriting artistic, isn't exactly aesthetically pleasing. My journal, however, is something I don't mind other people seeing. I don't write in it every day, but when I do, the pages consist of song lyrics, poems, and beautified lists; it's like a physical version of my tumblr. I take pleasure in collecting pretty bits and bobs (my favorites include paint chips, lace, and old book pages) and putting it all together until it flows--it's such a creative release.

Do you journal?

ps I spruced up my sweet friend abbey's blog a few days ago--take a look and give her some love?

There are many things I could crown as my favorite part of our house. It could be the cozy aura that transforms the house when the sky takes on a pallid hue and threatens to cry. Maybe it's the shadows that are painted thick and rich on the wood on sunny days. Perhaps it's the secrets this house hides--there's something wonderfully special about living in a house built almost eighty years ago. It could be the breakfast room where dance parties take place or the basement that's perfect for sleepovers or the guest room off the garage that I flee to when I need a change of pace. Maybe it's the cool minty tile in the bathroom, the wood floors that creak comfortingly, or the backyard that begs for cartwheels across its surface and picnics on the grass.
But mostly, I think my favorite part is the fact that it's a home. It's decorated with memories and filled with love and laughter. And the people I share it with? They really can't get any better.

What's a favorite part of your house?