Happy November!

Hello, Lovelies

Happy November! I am so excited for November this year. More so than most other years. One of the reasons: I can finally feel normal about listening to Christmas music. Stores are getting ready for Christmas, too, putting out decorations and playing Christmas-y songs. I love it!

I love thinking about what I want to give to others and then buying it or making it. I love giving/ getting homemade/ handmade gifts. It adds a special quality and means so much more. And then I get to wrap them up. This is one of my favorite part about giving gifts for any holiday or birthday or event. I love making the present look pretty. Presentation is important.

Although it is November, the weather has been unusually warm the past few days. I'm talking 70 degrees! This has been a nice change since October seemed to be especially rainy. No matter how much I love the rain, it is nice to be able to wear shorts in November. The past couple of days I have been taking advantage of the weather change and spending time outside. Mostly I've been raking the leaves. Raking really isn't a chore for me (despite our huge yard full of trees). I love being outside, and I don't mind being a bit sore the next day from doing yard work. Raking is a great arm exercise! So is shoveling which I also enjoy doing (unless some tells me to do it). I especially love how it doesn't seem like I an exercising (and I don't feel guilty for not running -because I hate it!)

However, the unexpected rise is temperature won't last long. It is forecast to be in the 40's in a couple days. Not really a bummer for me, but surely for a lot of others.

Anyways, I hope everyone had a fun Halloween. Mine was pretty good as I spent it with my dad, visited my great grandma, and did a little bit of Christmas shopping. Now we can all sit back, relax, and enjoy some really funny "I told my kids I ate all their Halloween candy!" videos thanks to Jimmy Kimmel.

HW<3

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

1. Happy Halloween! I hope all of you are having fun and continue to have fun this weekend. I, on the other hand, don't have any plans for Halloween. No parties, no hanging out, no movies or dressing up or passing out candy. Literally nothing. That's okay, I guess. There's always next year. Maybe I'll go to haunted houses, hang out with friends, carve pumpkins, dress up, all the stuff I didn't do this year. Here's to hoping.

I might go out and take photos tomorrow, but I believe it is supposed to rain. I love the rain, but it's not so great for my camera. 

2. On a positive note, I finished editing Kaitlynn's senior session tonight. I even went to the effort of making a collage of some of her photos. I thought it would be a nice little surprise. I really hope she likes the photos. I mean, her entire family and all her friends are going to see them. It would be extremely beneficial to me if I received positive feedback about them. It has the potential to help me get to the next level with my photography business. 

Anyway, I am dropping off the disc with her photos on them tomorrow. I will also be uploading them to my photography page  on Facebook. So, check that out. I'm excited for everyone to see them.

3. This past week I have been back to baking and cooking. Not a lot, just more than I had been. I tried out a new recipe for homemade apple cinnamon muffins. They turned out pretty good. I did add extra cinnamon to the recipe. I think I am going to have to make them again because my dad really liked them. They have apple in them, so they're healthy, right? His logic. I am also going to be trying out a recipe for pan fried drumsticks this weekend. I have wanted to try out this recipe for a while, and even though I don't eat it, my dad is pretty excited to see how it tastes. I'm also making more delicious zucchini bread! 

4. A few days ago I noticed a video about marriage and waiting for God's time. I clicked on it. Although a bit long, pressing on twenty minutes, I watched the entire thing. From there I checked out the rest of the videos on the Youtube channel by Autumn Miles. I learned that she started her own conference ministry and quite a bit about her life as a Christian. I was hooked on her videos and watched one after another. After a bit of time passed while watching her videos, I subscribed to her channel. While watching I felt something inside change. Part of me was so moved, so encouraged. I grabbed hold on this feeling.

I picked up my bible and followed along to the scripture she was reading. I really thought about what she was saying. I really felt like God had me find that first video for a reason. I was curious and eager to read more of God's word and learn how I should be living. It had been an honest while since I picked up my bible and read. I'm so glad I did. Something in her words and the passages she read spoke to me in a way different from anything else recently.

If you are interested in checking out Autumn Miles' videos, you can click HERE.

5. I'm not sure I have a five this week. But.... I'm super excited for the Christmas season and snow this year. Last year it was snowing on Halloween. Not this year though. Maybe in a few weeks Michigan will have some snow dusting. That would make my day.

HW<3

What's on My Phone?

Hello, Lovelies

Almost everyone in this day and age has a phone. It may not be the latest iPhone or even a smartphone (I'm looking at you, Dad. Also known as: the guy with the flip phone). But hey, it gets the job done.

Along with the greatness a phone brings of being able to contact people from (almost) anywhere, there are also many ways to personalize a cell phone. From apps downloaded to the background photo, to ringtones, you get to choose it all. It can all be very exciting and liberating to have that this-my-phone-and-I-am-in-control-of-this-if-nothing-else feeling. It's great. Really.

With that said, I am going to show you, my readers, just what is on my phone and how I have marked it as my own. Let's get started, yes?

I have the Maxx Droid from Motorola. I got it July 19, 2014 and will have it until at least July of 2016 when I can upgrade.

This is what the front of my phone looks like when I'm not using it. The screen is black, but flashes the time when it detects motion (like when you pick it up). There is also the option of opening it with the lock on the touchscreen. If I have any notifications, they also show up here. I can check them without opening my phone.

 Once open, the lock screen is shown. This screen has the time, date, and alarm (if it is set). The battery, service, wifi, alarm, and notifs are seen at the top. 

Once the correct password is entered, the home screen pops up. Here you see my background set to a tree with fall leaves, a clock, Google search at the top. Starting at the left, I have a folder labeled tools which came with the phone. Help, Voice Mail, My Verizon, Maps, Calculator, Mobile Hot Spot, Calendar, and Settings shortcuts are found here. Then I have the Google Play Store, Google app, and the recently reinstalled Blogger app. The phone, contacts, text messager, and camera are at the bottom and show on all screens. The middle circle takes you to all the apps and widgets on my phone such as Heads Up and Gmail.

Sliding left, I have a shortcut to Google Keep where I keep the grocery list among other lists and writings. Sliding right, I have the apps for Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, Pinterest, Gallery (photos), Goodreads, a folder for books, and the Spotify app. These are my most used apps.

My phone case is just a plain purple. Lately I have been keeping business cards for my photography in the back. I have also been known for keeping money and photos in the back for safe keeping. Well, kind of safe. Safe until I can't find my phone. 

Another way I personalized my phone is setting contact photos as random photos in my phone such as waffles or sunsets or flowers. I have my old high school set as a yawning cat. Get it? Because school's boring. 

Anyway, that is what is currently on my phone. I hope this post wasn't too boring for you. Talk later.

HW<3

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

*Oops, this post is late.

1. Wednesday = library

Honestly, I just really love time spent at the library. It is relaxing and nice to browse the books. The librarians are incredibly nice, even a bit funny. Nothing like all the movies with mean keepers of libraries. Also, there are books for everyone. This is not a bad library. In fact, it is probably the best library I have ever been too. I may be a bit biased. This is the library I have been lucky enough to go to since I was little. I came with empty arms and left with a handful of books.

2. Thursday = grocery shopping

Thursdays every other week is shopping day. I enjoy the time at the store most of the time. Picking out ingredients to foods I want to make is nice. I know not everyone feels the same and maybe they aren't very good cooks. That's okay.

This particular trip to the store was great for another reason. I got Chinese food for dinner! I love the vegetable egg rolls and vegetable fried rice. Not exactly healthy but definitely delicious. I don't feel too bad about it though since I don't get it that often. If only.

3. Friday = football game

It was so, so good to socialize at the last game of the season and be back at the field even though I'm no longer performing in the color guard. It was fun, freezing (figuratively), and the home team won. Yay! It was a bit surprising because we aren't known for winning.

I am so glad I went. The weather held out for the most part (only a sprinkle of showers here and there), and I was able to see some people I haven't seen in... a year or more. Wow. I hadn't realized that it had been so long. My sister, niece and dad came with me which was also nice. I even borrowed a flag from a guard member to spin a little.

4. Saturday = fall festival church event

Tomorrow, today technically, I am going to the fall festival at my sister's church. She is volunteering and was begging me to go with her, so I could see the church and get a feel for it. It should be fun, and I'm taking my camera (I take it everywhere). I'm hoping I will get a few good photos while I'm there or maybe of the foliage on the way home. Opportunity awaits. Who knows? Maybe I will really like the church and will ride along on Sundays in the future.

5. Lastly, I thought I would share about why I haven't posted a new video in a few weeks. Here it is: I want to go in a less generic direction with my videos. For me, this means more time editing and preparing for videos. But also, I believe it will be more rewarding. I have ideas I am working on now, but some ideas involve more than I can do now. I should be able to work on them soon (or so I hope). I think it will be good, what I plan on sharing. Anyways, that's where I am with that.

Good night (morning), HW<3

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

1. My friend, Cierra, is currently at boot camp. In boot camp? In/at, who cares? Anyways. I am currently in the process of writing her a letter. As of right now, it is mostly a lot of writing about current events about bands we like. For instance, I told her not to fret because Drew (from the Tide) still looks like Cameron Dallas' twin. Real interesting stuff going down. I'm not finished yet, but I think she is really going to appreciate it.

2. Today, my dad and I went shopping. We were looking for some Christmas gifts, a gift for my great grandma's birthday (the party's Sunday apparently), and I needed a few things too. We found a few gifts for Christmas that are really cute. Dad bought a chair. We bought grandma an Olaf soap dispenser. Here's a picture of it:

Bad smartphone photo. Oh, well.

We also bought her some good smelling soap to put in it. Pomegranate scented, I do believe. What do you give a 91 year old lady for her birthday? We thought this would be a hit.

3. Tomorrow I am taking photos of my niece and Kaitlynn and her friend. They asked to do some BFF photos as part of Kaitlynn's senior shoot. We took the majority of her photos Monday afternoon and will be finishing up tomorrow afternoon. I am going to have ton of photos to edit after that. I'm going to be super busy. I already started editing the senior photos from Monday, and they are looking pretty good. I'll be posting photos on my Facebook page soon, so check that out.

4. In other not so important news, I have recently started watching Gilmore Girls again. I just finished watching the first episode of season three. Gilmore Girls is probably my favorite TV show ever. I remember coming to my grandparents house when I was in elementary school, and I would watch it while sitting on the TV room floor. I have seen some of the episodes a dozen times and others only a couple. I don't think it will ever get old. I will be upset the day it is taken off of Netflix.

5. Lastly for this five, I made dinner on Tuesday. I really enjoy making dinner sometimes. There is something really nice about it. I play some music on Spotify, maybe dance a little, and cook. This time I made potato soup, baked chicken (for brother and dad), and corn on the cob. It was delicious. I'm sure I'll be making more potato soup this fall/winter for my family, and maybe I'll post the recipe for potato soup on my blog sometime.

Okay, I'm going now. Need to finish that letter to Cierra.

HW<3

Struggling.

It's 1:30 am, and I am sitting on my bed crying.

I'm here thinking about how I felt like my writing pieces were getting better, and now I'm stuck and don't even want to look at them. I'm here thinking about how I wish my photography was better. I can take a, one, really great photo and the next five are passable but not nearly as good. Sometimes I just hate them all. I'm just sitting here thinking about how I feel like I can't talk to my dad like normal because the past week he hasn't been paying attention when I try to talk to him. It feels like he just doesn't care. I feel like I have no one to talk to at all right now. I'm sitting here thinking about how I don't have a mother who really cares and how I wish she didn't try to buy my love. I'm here getting really overwhelmed and anxious for all that I have going on this weekend, and it's still half a week away. I'm just here thinking about how I'm not a good person, how I'm not nice. I'm thinking about how I'm never going to have the future that I hope for. I'm here thinking that I wish I had just one friend that would listen and understand perfectly. I'm thinking about how fat I feel. I'm thinking that I wish I could be over this stupid breakup with this stupid guy. I wish I could say that I'm over it since it's been over two months, but I would be lying.

I feel like a bad Christian, daughter, sister. Just bad. And I'm struggling with it all at once.

I wish that I didn't compare my writing or photography with others. I wish that I didn't compare myself to other people at all. I wish that I had a better relationship with my family, but I'm just not good at it. I wish that I didn't get completely overwhelmed and completely anxious ridden. And I'm not even in college like most everyone my age as people love to remind me. I just wish that all the things I think of and want to do to help others could actually happen. I wish that I had more patience to wait for what God has planned. I wish I had a friend. I wish I was twenty pounds lighter. I really just wish that I was over this guy, over everything, like I want to be.

But I'm not, and I don't have patience, I do compare myself and my work to others, I do get completely overwhelmed and anxious and feel like I'm going to puke.

I know that time won't stop. I know that I will get through it all because even though I don't feel like I'm able, I have to. I don't have a choice. Life keeps happening and this will just be one little bump in the road. But right now at this very moment, I don't know what to do. I am just one big struggling mess.

So, I'm going to think about all this and cry until I finally fall asleep.

HW

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies 

1. Okay, so I was having a really nice day. Nothing in particular that made it super great, but I felt good and everything. Then, well, I wasn't having such a good day. The past three and a half hours (it's 10:30 now) were kinda ruined for me. But, I pretty much had this post done before that. So, the rest of it is pretty happy go lucky. So... Read on.

2. Halloween is only three weeks away, and I have got a pretty good start on my costume. I need more supplies for it though. Once I go to Walmart and buy more, I should have it done pretty quick. I will definitely post photos when I finish. I may not be doing anything for Halloween, but I still want to dress up. That's not weird is it? I haven't truly dressed up for the holiday in years. I really just want to for me. 

In other Halloween news, I convinced my dad to buy me three little pumpkins at the store yesterday. They cost three dollars total and make me totally happy to see on my desk. My family never really decorates for the seasons other than Christmas. This is just one little bit that stands out and brightens my day. A couple of quick snaps with my phone:

3. Tomorrow I am planning on a senior photo session for Kaitlynn, ex boyfriend's sister. I am excited but nervous. Also, Kaitlynn was really hoping for the leaves to be colorful. Not many trees have leaves that turned to the gorgeous Instagram worthy red, orange, and yellow colors yet. Most are just green. That said, she might want to reschedule. If not, cool. I also have a few ideas to still get the colorful backdrop she wants. There are a couple of trees in my yard that have turned and would look so great bokehnized. Yup, made up that word. Seriously though. Bokeh fall leaves would be so incredibly gorgeous in her photos. Whichever, rescheduling or searching for color, we'll make it work.

*Update: It's 6:30 and I just got back from her house. We had a really good talk about photography, cats, and other random things. It was great! I'm really excited to take her senior photos. Also, she wants me to take more photos for her throughout her senior year including prom and graduation. Yay!

4. So, I love the fall. It is my favorite season. I can't get enough, but a small part of me wishes it was Christmas already. Every year around this time I get really excited for Christmas. I don't know why. There's just this feeling I get. It's hard to put in words, I guess. I have a confession. I have already started listening to Christmas music a little. I know this is probably making you, the reader, cringe. The other day I was upset, and it was the only thing making me feel better. So, no shame.  

5. I was wondering if my readers had any blog post suggestions. Any video suggestions? I would love to read them. Leave a comment if you want to read/watch anything in particular. If so, I will try and incorporate them into what I am working on now. At the moment, I am trying to do something really special to me, but it won't be up for a while. Anyways. Talk later, Lovelies.

HW<3

Who Sees This?

Hello, Lovelies

I've just had a thought. I wonder who sees this and how you have stumbled upon my little piece of the internet over here. Do you know me from school, are we related, maybe you live halfway around the world, and you happened to stumble upon this blog by complete accident? Is this the first post you have seen on this blog or do you come back to see what I am posting about? I curious. I'm curious about who sees this and where you happen to be from. Am I, an 18 year old American girl, really that interesting?

I would like to do an experiment. If you have stuck with reading thus far, I would like you to leave a comment answering the questions above.

Each post of mine gets at least a handful of views. Some more than others. Are the views from all the same person? Is each view a different person reading from their laptop, tablet, or smartphone? I don't know. But I would like to. Just because I'm curious.

Okay. Go comment. Thanks.

HW<3

Friday Five... On Saturday. Oops.

Hello, Lovelies

1. Happy birthday, Great Grandma Rose! Today (Friday) my grandma is 91 years old. When I asked her how it felt to be celebrating her 91st birthday she told me she didn't expect to live so long. Anyways, shout out to her for being a trooper!

2. Tuesday, I received my yearbook for my senior year of high school. The yearbook cover looked great and was really interesting. It was even embossed. The theme for the Viking Voyager volume 52 was all things travel. This meant passports, postcards, travel themed title pages. The works. I enjoyed that aspect of the yearbook. As for the photos representing the year, not so much.

There were many repeats of photos of people and none of others. This happened to me. For instance, there are three photos of the same two people on the color guard page. The only photo of me on said color guard page was in the very blurry group shot. One of the photos on the page is the same girl on the same night in the same exact spot on the field taken at very similar angles. Another example is the fact that they yearbook staff choose to feature a select few is with homecoming. Normally there are photos of all the homecoming court members. Not this year. They put photos of three of the couples that were on court and none of the rest. There are literally so many pictures of the same couple. It was so redundant to look at.

Anyways, I find it incredibly annoying that the yearbook photographers take the same photos of the same people (mostly their popular friends) all year long, and that is all that ends up in the yearbook. It will always happen though. This is part of why high school and their yearbooks are overrated. In ten years I could be going through my high school yearbooks, and all I will remember is how I wasn't popular or friends with anyone popular.

3. Moving right along, I tried a few new foods this week! First up: butternut squash. I made a butternut squash veggie burger with carrots and garlic. I was hesitant to try this because I had never had any kind of squash before. I became especially so when cutting the butternut squash open because it smelled a bit like pumpkin. I'm not a fan of pumpkin anything food wise. Once it was cooked, I took a bite and it was actually pretty good. Something I think I will eat more of in the future. Next was pomegranate. I had wanted to try pomegranate for such a long time. After learning how to cut it without a huge mess, I was pleasantly pleased with the taste. It is definitely one of my favorite foods now. I even had my dad stop at the store today (Saturday) to pick up more. I eat it like candy. Lastly, tomorrow I am making zucchini bread for the first time. I love the taste of zucchini bread, so hopefully it turns out and my family has another tasty treat to eat.

4. I took photos last weekend of my sister and her daughter for a mommy and me session and the baby's five month photos. The turned out so, so great, and I had a lot of fun while taking them. Now I have to edit and finish them before next weekend. I have a senior session planned. Hopefully the weather cooperates for that (currently a rainy forecast). I'm excited but also slightly nervous since it is my ex boyfriend's sister who I am taking photos of. Whatever. I'll make it great. *stands in superman pose for confidence*.

5. Today was Cedar Springs Red Flannel Day. That meant waking up and going out in the wind and cold to watch marching bands compete. After that there was plenty of walking around to last me through tomorrow. There was... Well, I'll just let you watch my video on Monday because I vlogged.

Okay, I'm tired after such a long day. Good night, morning, whatever it is where you are.

HW<3

Random Thoughts I Have

| I lost a lot of hair in the shower. Should I check for bald spots? | Should I really rewatch all of Gilmore Girls? | I ran out of hangers for all the clothes I have but don't wear. | I always read "prefects" as "perfects" in Harry Potter... | I love chilly, windy fall days. | Who really wants their picture in the yearbook anyway. | Yearbooks are so impersonal. | Look at all the extra pages in the back for signatures. It's going to stay nice and blank. | What should I blog about today? | I can't sneak as long as I'm wearing glow in the dark nail polish. | Is that a pimple on the back of my neck?! | I want to walk the 3.2 miles to grandma's house. | That picture is so great! Oh, and that one! And that one! | I wish I could marry his voice. | Do I really talk to my self that much? Yes, yes I do. | Really, Holly? Really? | I should drink more water. Milk will do. | Why would I go outside when there is a perfectly good bed right here? | I really want to go for a walk, but I would have to change out of my pajamas. So, no walk today then. | I really hope my phone doesn't fall out of my hands and hit me in the face again. | I accomplished a lot yesterday. I can take it easy today. | That is the weirdest and potentially the most creepy photo I have seen in a long time. | Why, why, why, why, WHY?! | I'm so stupid sometimes. | Genius! | That definitely has a negative two percent chance of happening. |

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

1. Happy Friday! I really just want to start today's five off on a positive note. It's the end of the week. I'm sure that some of you reading this have had some ups and downs, maybe some stressful moments. Hopefully, you will get to relax since it is the start of the weekend. Personally, there have been a few setbacks for me and my family, but there have also been some good things happening. I am choosing to focus on the good. I feel better this way. Happier, excited.

2. I cannot explain how happy I am that it is finally fall! It is my favorite season without question. I started the autumn tag on Instagram this week, I have been seeing more and more Halloween and Thanksgiving decor/cards/costumes/foods, I bought glow in the dark nail polish that I am wearing now until at least Halloween, I have my Halloween costume planned, I am planning on trying new fall recipes, the leaves are changing colors, ABC Family will start playing Halloween movies! I am just really happy. I wish it was fall all year round. Who's with me?

3. On a more serious note (kinda), I have my own channel on Youtube now instead of the collab channel. For me, it wasn't working because we have different ideas and styles of doing things. It is better for me this way. It is in no way meant to be a bash at Cierra because I didn't think it was working out. I was getting kinda frustrated. We're just different, and that is perfectly okay. Our styles don't mesh very well. It's okay. It's just how it is.

I'll be posting my first video on Monday. You can check out my channel, HollySays17, if you would like. I'd appreciate it.

4. Going along with a social media platform theme, I made a Facebook page for my photography business a couple days ago. I'd love for you to go and like my page. It really does help. If you're feeling really generous, you might consider sharing my page with your Facebook friends. I would really appreciate it. Photography is one dream of mine. I love it, and want it to be my career. Your help with that would be incredible.

5. I am so ready for the next phase of my life. Since graduating and breaking up with him, I feel kind of stuck. Like I'm going nowhere. I am ready and waiting (a little impatiently) for what God is planning for me. I wish I knew what was coming next for me. It kind of feels like something is going to happen, like something is brewing as I type. I have absolutely no clue what! I hope it's something good! I will go read Jeremiah 29:11 now... Peace out, Lovelies.

HW<3

Autumn Tag on Instagram!

Hello, Lovelies

In honor of the start of my favorite season tomorrow, I will be doing the Autumn Tag from Tumblr. I have decided to post a fall themed photo and answer to one of the questions below on my Instagram (hollysays17) instead of just answering all the questions at once. I start tomorrow and will be randomly posting from this tag until the winter solstice, December 22. I did have to adapt this tag slightly. Since it was from Tumblr, there were some Tumblr specific questions. I don't have one, so I changed the questions so they were Thanksgiving related. This tag was made by a user in the UK, so Thanksgiving wasn't included previously. It just fits me better this way. All the questions are below. Join in if you please! I'm really excited to get started! I'm using the hashtags #TheAutumnTag and #50DaysofFall.

1: What is your favorite ‘ber’ month (Sept-Oct-Nov-Dec)?
2: What is your favorite autumn leaf?
3: What did you dress as for Halloween last year?
4: What is your favorite fall food?
5: Do you have any holiday traditions?
6: Ever been to a Halloween party? Describe it!
7: What music do you like to listen to during fall?
8: What is your favorite fall outfit?
9: Favorite spooky movie?
10: S’mores or pumpkin pie?
11: Hot chocolate or warm apple cider?
12: Do you like Pumpkin Spice Lattes?
13: What is your favorite day of the year?
14: What would your familiar be, if you had one?
15: What is your favorite part about fall blogging?
16: What is your favorite food at Thanksgiving dinner?
17: What is the best thing about your town during fall?
18: Favorite Christmas song?
19: Tea or coffee?
20: Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas?
21: Cats or bats?
22: Do you enjoy carving jack-o-lanterns?
23: What is your favorite fall color?
24: Favorite fall activity?
25: Favorite snow related activity?
26: Spooky or sweet?
27: Trick or treat?
28: Do you enjoy visiting graveyards?
29: What is your favorite fall memory?
30: What was your best fall ever?
31: Gloves or mittens?
32: Do you enjoy ice skating?
33: If you could spend fall anywhere, where would you choose?
34: What’s your dream Halloween outfit?
35: Favorite autumn quote or song lyrics?
36: Do you enjoy the other seasons?
37: How do you plan to spend this Halloween?
38: In ONE sentence… WHY do you love fall so much?
39: What is your favorite fall makeup look?
40: What is your favorite fall candle scent?
41: Do you enjoy Christmas?
42: What is your favorite store during fall?
43: Do you enjoy cold weather?
44: What is your least favorite thing about fall?
45: What is your favorite/least favorite Halloween candy?
46: What is one thing you’d love to try during fall, but haven’t yet?
47: What do your friends and family think of your fall obsession?
48: Be honest… Are you already planning your fall-themed wedding?
49: Do you have fall/Halloween boards on Pinterest? Link them!
50: Do you enjoy rain or snow?

HW<3

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

1. So, I should start off with explaining why I didn't post on Tuesday, right? Here it is: I had the worst weekend that turned into the worst week. Okay, well, not the worst that could ever happen, but in a pretty bad place mentally. Really rough. I was pretty depressed, irritated, just felt really bad and useless. I was tearing myself apart and being really critical. Emotionally, I was all over the place. I couldn't shake the negativity I was feeling. Everything was bothering me, and I couldn't change how I was feeling no matter how much I wanted (and, oh, how I wanted).

But, there is an up side. I am feeling mostly like myself again (better, even) after a week of all of that. It feels so good to not feel like my brain was locked in a tiny white, claustrophobic box without a way out! I know we all have those days. We don't feel good enough or strong enough to handle all of the emotions, everything going on in our lives. Almost daily I have to recite Jeremiah 29:11 just to keep myself going. God has a great plan for me and for you. You'll get through it. Promise. It may not feel like it now, but everything will work out in the end. Something that looks like a burden at the time might actually be a blessing. But, you should still pray about it.

2. When I realized I hadn't wrote anything to publish Tuesday, I kind of freaked out. I kind of had something, but it wasn't going to work out. I didn't want to pretend I was better than I was. Anyways, I went searching for inspiration (or just something to put up) through old blog posts I never published. You would not believe how many blog posts never got published. I have something, like, 28 posts started in my drafts. They range from just titles to practically finished. Oops... I guess there was something stopping me from putting them out for the world to read. Not sure what. I really honestly don't know. Some of said drafts are completely irrelevant now, but some of them have potential to make it up on the blog. Once I finish them, of course.

3. Along with some of my old blog post ideas, I have been thinking of new ideas. First, I have an idea for a series. I'm not sure if anything will come of it. It will be titled: Just A Girl if I decide to pursue the idea. Also, it would take my blog in a bit of a different direction than anything I've done before. It has me really excited. Second, I would really like to do more poetry and personal writing. It would kind of fit in with the new series. The only problem is that I'm not sure where to really start with this. I used to do this all the time with ease. The words would just pour out of me and end up on the paper. Not so much now, although I still write in the notebook dedicated to letters to my (now) ex boyfriend. Don't judge. I'm actually considering posting some of my extremely personal thoughts I have wrote in it. But I'm a little scared. But I think it will also be good for me and help me to connect with my readers on another level. So torn!

4. On a lighter note, it happens to be birthday weekend (Yay for cake!). My family celebrates all the birthdays in one month at the same party. Most of the time anyways. Autumn happens to hold most of the birthdays in my family. Here's the rundown of all the birthdays my family is celebrating this month in order:

-my aunt Betsy, the 14th
-cousin Hannah, the 17th
-Dad, the 21st
-brother Zach, also the 21st
-cousin Andrew, the 24th

Is that it? Umm, let me check Facebook real quick. That's it as far as I know! And for those of you wondering what I decided to give my brother as I mentioned worrying about in a previous five, he's getting five bucks in a card. He's hard to buy for, okay? At least I'm making the card myself.

5. Gosh, I really don't have a five for today. This post is pretty long anyway, so I'll just say goodbye now. Goodbye! See you Lovelies Tuesday.

HW<3

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

1. First up for this five, lipstick! This past week, I have fallen back in love with wearing lipstick. A classic red, something bright and fun, I love how it looks. I have a nice pinkish red color that is just so great. I can't wait to buy a plum colored lipstick for this fall. I love how it feels, how it looks. It really adds to an outfit. I feel weird without my lips on!

2. Once Cierra has gone to boot camp (no technology), I am going to be recording videos and posting them all on my own. I won't be able to bounce ideas off her, so I made a list of video ideas for myself. The great thing was, I was able to decide all the videos I am going to be recording and which days I am going to upload them. I have the next two months lined up, and I feel great. I love having a schedule planned out. Perfectionist/ anxious personality coming through.

3. Slowly but surely, the leaves are changing color and falling to the ground. The first official day of autumn isn't until the 23rd, but it already feels like fall to me. There are pumpkins and decorations for sale in stores, and everyone seems to be thinking up cool costume ideas. I have even seen a bunch of recipes for creepy Halloween themed food. This is all not to mention the perfect sweater weather Michigan is currently experiencing. Time to get cozy. I love fall, and as I said yesterday while shopping with my dad, "I want to cuddle it and hold it close to my heart." Yes, I really said that. Yes, I know I'm weird. I don't care. Who's with me?

4. The past couple of weeks my family has been eating more junk food. Normally, I don't let anyone buy junk food and therefore my nickname has become the "Food Nazi". Now, after a couple weeks of having sugary, unhealthy snacks and treats, I am really trying to get back to my regular healthy eating self. Yesterday my dad and I went shopping. I loaded the cart up with fresh fruits and vegetables because I am determined to be healthy this fall. I am also trying to get my dad to go on more walks with me. It's a work in progress.

5. Lastly, I couldn't go without mentioning how significant this day is to America. 14 years ago today, events occurred that would change this country forever. Although I personally don't remember much as I was only a four-year-old preschooler, others were impacted much more significantly. Many lives were lost (nearly 3,000) in the attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Let us not forget Flight 93 that crashed into a field when brave passengers attempted to get control of the plane by attacking the hijackers.

So many lives were changed. Being the emotional person I am, I get teary eyed just thinking about those who lost their lives or family members and friends of those in the attack. It's time to say thank you to those who risk their lives for this country. I feel blessed to know that they are keeping the country where I live safe.

America was attacked, but came together. Let that be our silver lining. Here's to never forgetting.

HW<3

What I Love | Rain

Hello, Lovelies

I am one of those people who loves the rain. Although sunshine is nice, rain just has me so excited. Anyone else love the sound of rain on the roof? The smell? Rain has a very distinct smell to me. I'm not talking about the wet dog smell. Rain smells so... fresh. It's relaxing and wonderful and everything good.

Let's not forget that rain is necessary for plants to grow. Plants give us food. Food is necessary. Everybody likes to eat, right? Rain is wonderful.

So many people complain about the weather. They hate it when it rains. They hate it when it's sunny and hot. They hate it when it's cold and snowy. They hate it when it's windy. They are never happy with the weather. You'll never hear them say, "I got you sun!" and embrace it or, "Let's go dance in the rain." I guess they never heard that life is not about waiting for the storm to pass.

Whenever it rains, I think of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight when Bella complains about the rain and everything being "too green". I would love it! I want to be there! Call me crazy.

I love a good thunderstorm with booming thunder and rain coming down in heavy sheets. I love watching the rain come down, dancing in the rain, or cuddling up to a good book while it's raining cats and dogs. What's not to love?

For all those people hating the rain, maybe you'll appreciate the sunshine more once it's back. Just saying.

HW<3

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

1. Devote followers and friends know that my friend, Cierra, and I started a new channel on Youtube titled Trying Two Adult a couple weeks ago. After starting the channel, I looked into buying a Canon Powershot vlogging camera. I just wanted something other than my phone with decent video recording and was pretty light. With a little bit of searching on Ebay, I found one and bought it for a really good price.

This is it!

I was really excited and anticipating its arrival in the mail. Just five short days later (and over a week ahead of the estimated delivery date), I received my new vlogging camera! I can't wait to make some videos for our channel using it.

2. Changing direction a tad bit, I want to chat about my photography for a minute. This past week I finally started pinning my photos on Pinterest. I had read blog posts from other photographers that gave tips about having a business (incidentally found on pinterest), and one tip was to pin your own photos. This way your followers see them and have another platform for your work to be displayed. It took me a while to start. Now that I have, I realize just how smart it is to do this. You can follow me on Pinterest here. I have over 2,000 pins varying from photography to food to color guard. A little bit of everything.

3. I had quite the busy week. It started with following a new schedule and filming a video. Editing photos took over the rest of the week until Thursday. Thursday I visited my great grandma Rose and went to Big Rapids for a little shopping. My father, brother, and I also visited my sister while in Big Rapids. That was a pretty busy day. Today we headed to Grand Rapids to pick up my brother's new suit. It is really snazzy. Zach looks great in it, and I can't wait to take photos! Just thinking about it makes me smile. I will post photographs on my photography blog within two weeks, so keep your eyes peeled!

While in GR, my dad, brother, and I went to World Market per my request. We found a few fun treats there. We visited a couple more places before headed home including IHOP where we ate lunch (and I talked with someone I knew from color guard in high school). I vote: a good day.

4. With a busy week comes a busy weekend. Tomorrow is the Trufant Jubilee! The Trufant Jubilee, for those who don't know, is pretty much this little town's special day that happens the first weekend of September every year. There is a special breakfast that is really good and NOT expensive at all, a parade in the afternoon, a flea market, and a ton of little booths to buy from. My dad's favorite booth is run by a sweet Amish lady that sells different flavor pies. He always comes home with a Pecan Pie.

I am also watching my niece for the entire day which is going to be... fun. Tiring. Just all around interesting. She can be really fussy and cry a ton when her mom isn't around. So, I'm prepared for that, but at the same time not so much. I'll be a long day for the both of us for sure.

5. After all of that fun happenings tomorrow, I am painting and rearranging my room on Sunday. Why I chose to do this on such a busy weekend? I don't know. It is something I have been wanting to do because I painted it a couple summers ago, and I absolutely hate the color on three of my walls. So much that I didn't even finish with the color.... It reminds me of two things I do not like with a passion: puke and salmon. I am painting it to match the other wall and ceiling a light green which reminds me of springtime all year round. It'll look SO good when it is all finished. A lot of work, but worth it. Maybe I'll post photos after it's all done.

Thanks for reading this week's five. I'll be back with another post on Tuesday. Have a good long weekend!

HW<3

Little Brother All Grown Up?

Hello, Lovelies

As you can tell by the title, this post is all about my "little" brother. He may be about six inches taller than me, but he will always be little to me.

Anyway, my brother's first day of junior year was yesterday. He's the only one left in high school. That's crazy (not that I want to be back there. No, thank you). I remember when we were little, and he would eat potato chips with ketchup piled high on top. And also when he and our sister put ketchup on Cheez-Its and stuck it in my hair before picture day. Weird that both of the memories I chose to write about involved ketchup. But he loved it as a child so...

The other day, my dad, brother, and I even went shopping to get my brother a suit. That really got me thinking about we are all getting older. Even when I don't feel like I should be, I'm an adult now. Soon, he will be, too. It's time to face the facts.

Zach will be seventeen in 20 short days. I have to figure out what to get him as a present. I don't have any ideas. What do you get your "little" brother when he is turning seventeen? Surely not a toy car. I feel like he normally hates the gifts I give him. I guess I have some thinking to do... But I also have some shopping to do, and I like shopping. I'll be fine as long as I don't end up buying a bunch of things for myself and nothing for him.

Wish me luck!

HW<3

Friday Five

Hello, Lovelies

1. I plan on posting a lot more lately. One thing I want to do is a Friday Five every week. You are currently reading the first Friday Five! Along with posts every Friday, I want to get back in the hang of blogging starting with posts on Tuesdays. Eventually I hope to post at least a few times a week, but I'm going to ease my way back since I was gone for so long. I think that this is a great way to start. So, be expecting that!

2. Honey + Pimple. Let me explain. Earlier this week I had the worst pimple on my chin. It was literally the worst pimple I have ever had. Red, shinny, oily, painful, no way to cover up, and I was desperate for it to go away. That's when I decided to try a beauty trick I had heard of a while ago but never tried.

I grabbed a band aid and the bottle of honey from the fridge. One dab of honey on the band aid, band aid on face, time to go to bed. When I woke in the morning, I peeled the band aid off my face (ouch!), and the horrible pimple was half the size that it was the night before. I was very happy that this trick helped so much. I did it again that night, and the pimple that would have lasted days and days was pretty much gone.

If you ever have a really bad pimple, I would definitely recommend this honey trick to get rid of it faster. I also saw a lemon juice/honey paste that is supposed to help get rid of acne and prevent scarring. You would have equal parts honey and lemon juice mixed, apply to face for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off with cool water. Repeat 2x a week. Something to try.

3. This past weekend, I decided to try something different with my photography. I made the decision to stage and take photos of quilts my grandma makes. This helps her sell quilts with her business and gives me more exposure as a photographer. Pretty good deal, I thought.

So, more about these quilts my grandmother makes.

My grandma, Marie, loves to make quilts. She decided to start a business, Rosewood Quilts, in hopes to sell these quilts, so she could make a profit from something she loves doing. She makes many quilts with different themes, sizes, heaviness (summer vs. winter), even some with hand embroidery. Her quilts make great gifts for Christmas, birthdays, graduations, etc. There are different options to choose from pre-made quilts wise or even collaborate for a custom-made quilt. Check out examples on Facebook by searching Rosewood Quilts-MI. You can contact Marie at RosewoodQuiltsMI@gmail.com if you're interested.

4. My friend, Cierra, has been so great. We are talking and hanging out again after drifting apart a bit this past year. It is so great to talk to her any time I want whether it's about music, guys, whatever. She is a great friend, and I'm going to miss her once she leaves for boot camp at the beginning of October. Who am I supposed to tweet about Austin from The Tide or when uploading a video? Answer me that. But congrats to her for doing bigger and better things.

5. Speaking of Cierra and uploading videos, WE STARTED A NEW CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE! We mostly started the channel as a way to stay in touch while headed in different directions in life. She is going to be traveling a bunch in the Navy, and I am going to be working on my photography. We just don't know how often we will get to see each other. Seems like a pretty good solution to us.

We started our channel about a week ago, and have both uploaded one video to the channel. I upload on Mondays, and Cierra uploads on Thursdays. Click here to check them out (we are still working on the look of our channel). This past week's theme was the TMI Tag where we answer questions that no one really wants/needs to know about us. How fun!

With all of that said, thanks for reading! I'll be back Tuesday.

HW<3

Why We Broke Up.

Hello, Lovelies

Today I really just wanted to write about how my first (and only) relationship ended.

It is crazy how one minute you are my world, and the next you are completely cut from it. It doesn't matter the length of time you are with someone. The break up has the same general outline:

• problems
• tension
• the actual act of breaking up
• the small feeling inside
• cutting all strings attaching you to them

At least, that's the way I see it. Anything else is just added on top like toppings on a pizza. It just gives it more flavor... And costs more in the long run.

Now, more about my relationship.

The beginning of our relationship has us going back all the way to freshman year of high school. A friend of mine asked you to go to the homecoming dance with me.... Without me even knowing until after the fact. But you said you would, and we were both pretty excited. Who wouldn't be excited to have a date to the dance?

Flash forward to the dance where we hung out with each other and friends, got to know each other better, and, of all things, danced. Well, kind of. Dancing is a relative term for the awkward way you moved your body to the beat. It was a bit charming in a geeky kind of way.

At the end of the night, you almost kissed me. You knew it, I knew it. But in the end it just didn't happen (turned out that you were really sick that night). There were only awkward glances in class and from down the hallway from that day on. Or until the next year when we had Drafting class together, and a fellow classmate, Michael, was literally always trying to get me to date you. It didn't work by the way. There were a lot of moments where we were both uncomfortable.

It wasn't until junior year that things started looking up for us. Well, that too was tricky. We started talking around prom time when you gave me a ride home, and I was left to ask you if you would go to the dance with my friend. Even though she wanted to go as a friend, this left me in weird predicament seeing that I liked you. I was even thinking of asking you. If I had, the next month would have been a lot different.

Since I didn't ask you for myself, you went to prom with her as friends. You didn't dance together and barely said two words to each other all night. Then you started hanging out with some random girl that was there that graduated the year before and was in college. My accidental on purpose name for her: the 12 year old. She still looks 12, just saying.

The following week you started driving my brother and I to and from school every day. You would also flirt and hang out with me despite dating said 12 year old. I was very uncomfortable because I knew how I felt. You were doing one thing, but saying another. And you were having lot of problems with the 12 year old because she cheated on you one time when she got drunk. I knew this because one time while we were hanging out you let me answer your phone when she texted you. Also awkward. This story seems to have a whole lot of that going on.

I ended up telling you how I felt. You asked for a week. During said we you broke up with the 12 year old, saw all my indirect tweets to you, and told me how you felt about me. Then you kissed me. That first kiss of ours (and mine) must have gone down in history as the most awkward of kisses ever. I'm sure of it. It was also exhilarating and made my stomach do flips. I could hardly breathe, but it was also as if I was breathing for the first time in weeks. I got the guy. A seemingly perfect ending.

But not quite.

It wasn't for another two weeks and a day that we were officially in a relationship. I say relationship because our first actual date and not just hanging out at one of our homes wasn't for a whole month after that. Just being with you made me happy. Dates are nice, but just hanging out is nice too sometimes.

The summer went by like this, and we started our senior year of high school. We had a lot of fun times, a few with more tension, but everything was working out and going pretty great. You had taken over my world in just a few short months.

• Halloween
• Thanksgiving
• Your birthday
• Christmas
• New Years
• My birthday

These all went by with happy moments and some not so great moments in between. A lot had happened in those months, and I felt myself falling for you more and more. I knew it wasn't perfect. I knew you weren't perfect. That wasn't what I was looking for. I knew that relationships were hard, and I was willing to except you flaws and all.

The next few months were going just as the others had. Now we were close to graduating, celebrating with open houses, attending your brother's wedding, and planning a trip to your sister's on the east coast. It was all so fast paced and exciting. I thought we were doing great, but this is when the story takes a turn.

During the month of May, you were struggling in our relationship. Maybe I was just naive and completely oblivious, but I thought we were doing just fine. Two peas in a pod. Life was good.

Not so.

This was made clear to me during the last week of May while visiting your family for your brother's wedding. Talk about culture shock. I learned just how different our families truly are. This is not to mention that you barely talked to me the entire trip, and I was surrounded by strangers trying to make the best of it. Trying because I wanted to be with you, and I knew that getting to know your family was important for our relationship. In the end, it didn't even matter.

You were participating in things I would rather not mention. Things that truly disgust me; you know this. I told you before you even did them. It didn't matter that you were doing it to lose the little brother title or if you actually wanted to and thought that it was okay. Maybe both. I was nauseous and could barely eat or sleep the entire time.

The day before your brother's wedding, I gave you back the promise ring you gave me. You were not committed as you said you were. I just didn't realize how true that was until the next night. At the wedding you were flirting with other women. There's no denying it. There is also no denying the fact that you got completely wasted within the first hour of the reception, were grinding on everyone, didn't want to dance with me, lied to my face, and broke promises. Oh, how you did so.

By the end of the night, everyone in the bridal party knew how upset I was at you. I was outraged at your behavior and the way you were treating me. They all thought I was being stupid. They all thought I was ruining the party. They all said that we could "hash it out tomorrow". They -and I -didn't know the half of it.

That night you broke my heart. You shattered me into a thousand pieces. Everything that you lied about from the start came out. Everything that you were struggling with all month came out. Everything that you were hiding came out. Everything came out that night that would break my heart. But I was still willing to try to work through it. What I didn't realize was that how broken I was would alter every moment in our relationship from then on. There was no fixing it.

We carried on with our plans to go to your sister's for a week despite the constant tension. It actually became part of relationship. Every moment was a balancing act, like walking on egg shells or walking a tight rope. Even the seemingly happy moments we knew could come crashing down at a second's notice. We were so careful. Trying to keep the peace and not let on to anyone that everything wasn't rainbows and sunshine was exhausting. It led to you not communicating and me forcing it upon you. That didn't end well either.

After getting home, you asked for a week to think since you didn't know what you wanted. If you wanted me or if you wanted to break up. Funny how our relationship began and ended with you asking for a week.

There was a lot of tears the last two and half months we were together. A lot of acting as if everything was fine. A lot of awkward moments, but that was our whole relationship. Once you said that you didn't want to be together anymore, that I deserved someone "more perfect", I was left with picking myself up. I'm actually doing pretty good though. I'm over the initial shock and therefore can clearly see the flaws and write about them.

I would have done anything for our relationship. That's the kind of girlfriend I am. I wanted us to work so badly, I would have done it all. But that wasn't enough in our case. I see that now. Even if I gave up everything and completely lost who I was, it wouldn't have been enough to save us. The saddest part about us breaking up was knowing how you didn't feel blessed to have someone that would give you the world or die trying. That you didn't feel blessed to have someone love you so much.

It's been three weeks since we went our separate ways, since we spoke. It's been four weeks since you asked for the week to collect your thoughts. I still don't know what to do with your things that you don't want back, but I think I'm actually moving on. I don't know if there is a future for us at all even as friends. Right now, I'm not thinking so. But maybe someday it could be possible.

The year and almost three months with you taught me so much. For that I am thankful. I wish things could have been different for us, but choices were made. They can't be changed now. I guess, it just wasn't meant to be...

HW<3

Song Update!

Hello, Lovelies

It's been a long time since I wrote an update on my current favorite songs. So, here they are in no particular order:

1. Love Myself -Hailee Steinfeld

2. Let You Drive -Manafest

3. The Power of Love -Ben Rector

4. What Do You Want from Me -Forever the Sickest Kids

5. Long Way Home -5 Seconds of Summer

6. Sugar -Maroon 5

7. That's What's Up -Lennon and Maisy

8. Whatever It Is -Zac Brown Band

9. I'm Yours -Ron Pope

10. Forever -Chris Brown

Some songs are old, some new, but these are the songs that I really can't get enough of lately. And that is pretty much the order of top ten. Not really in no particular order, I guess. Whatever.

I am really going to try to post more on this blog. Also, since starting my photography business, I have started a photography blog and instagram. Click on the tab at the top of the page to see some of my work and for contact info!

Have a good day,

HW<3

Vacation, Here I Come

Hello, Lovelies

In just 90 minutes (and counting down), I will be headed to vacation. My brother, grandparents, and I are headed to Virginia to visit my aunt and her family. A supposedly 14 hour drive may turn into 18(it's happened before), but I'm excited. I have just a few items left to pack and put in the car before we leave.

My grandpa, grandma, and brother will be staying in Virginia for about three weeks while I will be staying only until the 12th. On the 12th, I will be picked up by Tristan and his sister, Chelsea, and going to Maryland for a week. I am so ready for swimming in the ocean for the first time and visiting family. It will be so nice to have a long vacation out of Michigan.

I am going to miss my dad, sister, niece, boyfriend, friends, but getting away for a while and seeing new places will be really nice. I have been to Virginia once before, in the middle of winter, but never anywhere else on the east coast. I'm excited! Not to mention the awesome snack food I bought for the car ride. It was necessary.

I just wanted to let you all know what I will be up to. After the trip, I should be posting about some of my adventures for you all to read about. Can't wait. Don't forget to check out my Instagram and Twitter for updates and photos! Talk later, Lovelies

HW<3

What I Love | Shopping and Cooking

Hello, Lovelies

I thought I would try something new for my blog. Basically, it's going to be a little snippet about something I love to do or be a part of and why. My thought process behind it and what I am hoping it will lead to in the future. I would like for this new feature to be what I am thinking about at the time or go with a theme for a month or holiday. Plan on reading a What I Love post about once or twice a month.

.....

There is something that I feel every time I go to the store for grocery shopping, something hard for me to put into words. I love taking the time to think up meals for myself and family and trying to get my brother and dad to try new foods. This is not to mention eating healthier. I love having so many options to choose from. I can try new recipes, experiment with flavor, prepare something delicious and healthy. 

My favorite part of any grocery store is their produce section. Fresh, non processed food is a staple for me. A market would probably be good also, but my family normally goes grocery shopping at Meijer. For those of you who don't know, Meijer is a Michigan department store similar to Walmart. I'm not completely sure why I prefer grocery shopping at Meijer, but I can tell you this. I don't like the milk from Walmart. 

Grocery shopping now makes me think of how I will be grocery shopping for my own children and husband some day. I think of what I will prepare for them for dinner and teaching my kids to cook. 

Cooking can be relaxing or stressful, time consuming but fun. It brings me joy to be in the kitchen. I look forward to having my own house and my own kitchen in the future. I can imagine everything that I will cook and bake for my family, friends, neighbors. I am excited for when I will be able to host a dinner party. I am extremely excited for this all. When I am doing these things, I feel right where I belong. Right where God wants me to be. 

Most people my age probably haven't thought much about this at all shopping, cooking, homemaking future, but here I am. So ready.

HW<3

Summarizing My Year Away From The Blog

Hello, Lovelies

With only a few random posts in the past year, I have lots to say. LOTS.

I'll start off with saying that I graduated high school a few weeks ago. I'm done, free, out in the scary "real world". And I didn't even cry.

From graduation night. My cap reads: Strength and honour are her clothing
and she shall rejoice in time to come. Proverbs 31:25

This seems like a good of a time as any to say that I'm not going to college in the fall. I am staying in this tiny little town where I have grown up at least for now. Not entirely out of choice, but that is the way it is going to be. even with financial aid college just doesn't fit into my family's budget without a lot of future debt. For this and a few other reasons, college just didn't work out for me. I may still take some classes in the future. Technically I don't even need college for what I want to do. Photography, writing, and in the future after I'm married, take care of my family. I don't need to go into debt to be able to improve my skills in these areas and be successful no matter what everyone is telling me.

Moving on to my next tidbit, I am starting my own photography business! I want to capture important moments for my family and others. I have even started a blog as an online portfolio. Click HERE to check it out. Also, I had business cards printed. I am ready for business. If you know anyone who would like photos taken, send them my way.

This is my logo! I made it in Photoshop. Thoughts?

In the mean time, I will be looking for a part time job. It's good for many reasons. All I'll say.

Backing up to the 16th of April, I witnessed the birth of my beautiful niece, Addalynn. I love her to piece, and if you follow me on Instagram you probably already know this. ^.^ Don't worry, it didn't work as a birth control. Sorry, Dad! It was actually really amazing to witness it all first hand. God is good came to mind a lot that day.

My boyfriend and I are still together. It will be one year since we officially started our relationship on the 23rd of this month. He has joined the navy and will be leaving for boot camp January 6. I am proud of him for his decision and the thought he put into it, but I am going to miss him a lot. After two months at boot camp he has six months of training in South Carolina and then a year in New York for the program he chose. Will be missing him a lot but also thought of a blog series that will keep me going. Or at least in theory. 

What else to say right now? Um, I'm still overwhelmed with everything the past year has brought. I can't seem to wrap my head around it. I'm glad it's summer and the fact that I'll have time to relax and let it all sink in while I work on my tan. I am liking the sounds of that. My hopes are that I will also be back to daily blogging. We'll see.

 Talk later, Lovelies.

HW<3

What's in My Day Bag?

Hello, Lovelies

Since my niece was born in April(crazy that I didn't post about any of it), I have felt the constant desire to see her and my sister. I love that little girl so, so much and my sister, too. Family is really important to me even when we aren't always getting along. Anyways, I want to visit and help my sister with the baby because I know she needs a break sometimes. Not to mention that she is still going through a lot. With that said, I have made the decision to make it a weekly thing to visit for the day on Thursdays. I have done this twice so far and it is really good quality time that we get to spend together. Talking, hanging out, taking photos of the baby, catching up. It is really a great time I spend with my sister. I hope that even as we go our more separate ways that may or may not include moving out of stat that we will continue what we have started, making time each Thursday for a phone call or Skype when we can't be face to face.

So, getting to what the title of this post implies, here is a list of the essentials I take with me when I go to my sister's for the day.

1. Canon Rebel EOS T3 -I must take my camera pretty much everywhere. Especially with me to my sister's. Who knows when I might have the most perfect photo opportunity of my sister or niece? 
2. HP Laptop -My laptop is always taken with me because if I have any down time, I can edit a photo or two, make a collage, or organize photos on my computer. I have Photoshop CC on my laptop because I am starting my own photography business(different post), and it is essential for any kind of editing. Plus, I have been doing a lot of different photo related things for my sister lately, so it is just good to have my laptop...Just in case. 
3. Book I am Currently Reading -Also in case of any down time I may have, I like to have a book handy. I am almost finished rereading To Kill a Mockingbird, and I'm not sure what I will be reading next. What ever it is, it will be in my bag.
4. My Clutch -Instead of carrying it separately than my bag, I just toss it in for safe keeping. And and extra hand. 
5. Snacks -Instead of eating all my sister's food, I prefer to bring a couple snacks with me. This can be anything from an apple to chocolate covered raisins to granola bars, etc. I also make sure to eat breakfast before hand and have coffee for the super early mornings(I ride with my dad to work at 4 in the morning. Crazy!).

That's about it. There may be other little random things certain days, but that is the gist of it. Thanks for reading, and I hope to have more time to blog in the future. I have quite a lot of ideas and things I want and need to write about. Please, stick with me.

HW<3

Nighttime Tips (To Help In The Morning)

Hello, Lovelies

(It has been a while since I have typed that!)

I'm not much of a morning person when it comes to getting out of bed to go to school. Especially in the midst of winter. It is a definite struggle. With that said, I have a few tips for you that I follow to help me save time in the morning and allow me to spend more time snug under the covers.

Here are my tips for a more hassle-free morning.

1. Shower at night.
Showering at night is such a time saver for myself. I don't have to worry about rushing, and I can take time to relax in the hot water. I would recommend to shower at least an hour before you go to bed so your hair has time to dry. Which leads me to my next point of advice...

2. Braid your hair. 
Combing and braiding your hair before you head to bed is great. It is a way to style your hair for the next day(who doesn't love beachy waves?) and helps keep your hair from breakage since hair often snags while sleeping. When you wake up the next day, all you need to do is take the braid out and ta da! Gorgeous, tangle free hair.

3. Make your lunch the night before.
Whenever I can, which is not so much in the winter(never know when you might get a snow day while living in Michigan...), I pack my lunch at night. This generally takes me ten minutes in the morning. Ten minutes I could be using to do something else that I may have forgotten to do, eat breakfast, or just get to school a little bit earlier(I'm almost always walking in as the warning bell goes off for first hour). If you do decide to follow this tip, I would recommend to only pack pantry items such as a granola bar, crackers, pudding, an apple, etc and not a sandwich(can get mushy) or something that needs to be refrigerated. I always wait until morning to pack those types of foods into my lunch. Also, you could make a lunch calendar for what you are going to take which days.

4.  Lay out the next day's outfit.
Instead of changing outfit ten times in the morning wasting valuable time, decide what you are going to wear the next day and have it laying out. If I don't lay my clothes out, I at least know where to find them in my closet or dresser. Such a huge time saver, this one is!

5. Put everything back in your bag.
There are days when you just completely forget take something you needed for school that day. It happens, but if you pack your bag before you get into bed for the night, there is a lesser chance of you forgetting something essential at home the next morning. A tip: once you have done your homework or have finish using something from your bag, put it back. This way you won't have to worry about finding everything you left scattered around your room or house when you are half asleep in the morning.

Those are five tips and tricks I use for a smoother morning without rushing and to sleep in an extra ten minutes. I hoped you found this helpful and gave you a few time saving ideas. Thanks for reading!

HW<3