Thoughts on Simplicity

Source

Simplicity. Living simply. What does this mean exactly? I can honestly say that I don't know. I'm used to a busy lifestyle. I'm always working on a show, going to class or work, hanging out with friends, making things to no avail. I like to get involved in things. But lately, I've been thinking about redefining some areas in my life and figuring out what I need and what I don't.

I'm tired. And this has been a transitional period for me as I might have said before. Right now I want to focus on living simply. Because I feel that with my overworked, busy, hectic lifestyle--I haven't been living at all. Or living to the fullest.

I want to make things. I want to enjoy being by myself. I want to appreciate what I have. I want to cook delicious meals. I want to appreciate the small things. I've tried to stop and smell the roses a bit in the past week, and what a difference it makes. Sometimes you just need to take a moment and appreciate the little things in life, like the perfect grilled cheese or 30 minutes to read your book. I don't know what this post is about exactly. I guess I just want to think about what is important. I don't write a ton on this blog, which is funny because writing is something I love dearly.

But for just a minute, I'm going to share with you about who I really am. In a few weeks, I will be done with performing for the semester. And then what? I've got nothing to do. So I intend to find joy in taking this spring to love the little things. Some of the things I want to do include reading my bookshelf, playing my banjo, making crafts, cooking, and riding my bike. I'm going through a season of my life where I don't like taking time for myself, but I think this spring I'm going to try to make the effort to enjoy myself. To live simply. So that's my little tirade. Thanks for listening oh blog world. I hope your evenings are merry and your days delightful!

When the Rain Washes You Clean, You'll Know

 First. I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the day. The rainy dreary day. But despite the gloom, I had a cheery day. I drank blueberry green tea (guys, find this stuff cause its great) and I made the best grilled cheese and soup for lunch. In my book, yummy eats constitute a cheerful day. 

Second. We found the GREATEST place to take pictures. This was a piece created by a student at my school. Its made completely out of tape! Way cool! Art rocks. Except when your design teacher bashes your own artistic expression...but that's another story... It happened this week, so its still fresh on my mind, sorry!

 I'm awkward. I've accepted it. 

Outfit Details:

Sweater- JcPenny

Jeans- New York and Co.

Rain Boots- Target

 My Grandma bought me these rain boots at the beginning of this semester. Aren't Grandmas the best? Mine is my favorite. We have a lunch shopping date coming up in two weeks and I can hardly wait. One time she told me that she prays for fictional characters. Isn't that the sweetest/funniest thing you've ever heard?!

 I told you guys, I have a polka dot problem. But if polka dots are wrong, then I don't think I want to be right.

Sarah and I like to jump. So thanks for enduring our goofball jumping photos. We have to find some way to entertain ourselves!

Also, I just want to say thank you for all the sweet comments on my previous scrap-booking post. Its sometimes scary to show your creations to the world, especially when you are just starting out. But I loved the encouragement. I think everyone should try some new craft (especially scrap-booking!). See you soon folks! Hope all is well in your corner of the world!

Gettin Scrappy With It

 Here's a little peek at some of the scrap booking pages I've done lately. Guys, I'm obsessed. Sorry these pictures aren't the best quality. But for now, it'll have to do. The above photo is a page I did on some summer adventures to the Farmer's Market.

 More Farmer's Market...

 Sagwa!!! Yes, Sagwa is an ornament. And yes, Sagwa is my best friend. And yes, I know I'm crazy.

 Eats and talks!

 Luigi's trip to Bobby's Dairy Dip.

 Just celebrating me. I've got to document my life somehow! Even if it is a little self-absorbed.

 My 20 before 21 list.

 My mom sent my the cutest Valentines Day gift. She really does rock.

 The Valentine's day adventures with the Fab Four.

 I found some old pictures from high school...so here's a page I did on the Beach Trip from hell. It was not a fun time, but at least a few of us survived!

 I made a page for my very best friend, Sadie. She's a doll.

I turned 20, so I creatively documented it!

Life Lately...

 So, I thought maybe a fun way to get back into the blogging game would be to do a sort of "life lately" roundup. These are some of the happenings from this past month. Can you believe February is almost over?! I'm kind of glad, this has been a not very fun semester for me.

 I made a new banner for our house! It replaced the "Its Fall Y'all" banner that we've had up since September. Did I mention that our baby Christmas tree is still up. We like our holidays around here.

 My life has pretty much revolved around scrap-booking. And I'm completely okay with it. I go through phases of what craft obsessions. This is the scrap-booking phase I suppose. Also, the above picture is what my living room looks like...I know, I wouldn't want to live with me either...

 I've been going home almost every weekend this semester and as a result I've enjoyed many wonderful sundays with my mom. We've been enjoying some yummy oatmeal at a local coffee shop before Church. Its been a nice tradition that I wish I could partake in every weekend.

 I made some uber adorable valentines for my far-away friends. I thought they turned out pretty cute!

I made this adorable valentine banner from card stock and combined it with a banner I picked up from JoAnns. Holidays...banners...is this a running theme? I think yes. 

 For valentines day, the fab four went out to take advantage of the buy-one-get-one-free deal at Starbucks. Jocelyn, the one member of the fab four that never makes an appearance in our pictures, was my valentine. We played connect four. Aren't we romantic ;)

 For my birthday my sister and I got pedicures. It was something I'd been wanting to do since camp and I'm so glad I got to have a few minutes of being pampered. 

 Selfies for days guys. Sorry for the face spam...

 So I guess this is one secret that just can't be kept. I am 20 years old...and I like My Little Pony. I have liked my little pony since the 5th grade (I kept it a secret then too!) and it turns out the ponies are back. I have (I can't believe I'm admitting this) started watching the adorable tv show on netflix while I craft. I just can't help it! There is something so adorable about those ponies! 

And lastly, I had the big birthday. And I became obsessed with the Over app. Seriously you guys should check it out, best $2 I've spent in a long time. And your instagrams will never be the same. 

So there you have it folks! My life lately! Thanks for sticking with me!

20 Before 21

So, I finally hit the big 20 on Friday. What will my 20's bring I wonder? I don't know, but they better be more fun than my teens! In light of making this milestone, I've caved and created a 20 things to do before I'm 21 list. Some of these seem pretty trivial, but HEY! these are things I want to achieve. Also I'm totally that person that wants to mark off everything so I make sort really attainable goals so that I'll have the fulfillment of reaching all of them. So here they are 20 before 21:

1) Take more pictures.

2) Wear pants. (This one seems a little weird, but I honestly detest wearing pants and almost always wear a skirt of a dress. So this is my prompt to not only own more pants, but also to wear them more regularly.)

3) Read 10 books outside of school.

4) Make another granny square blanket.

5) Become a better cook. (There will be a post about this one soon!)

6) Learn to knit socks.

7) Go on a trip.

8) Make a scrapbook. (I may have already completed this one, but no worries, I will make many more!)

9) Get all A's (at least one semester!)

10) Make a new friend.

11) Write letters.

12) Put together a look book or a look book video.

13) Learn to play my banjo.

14) Have a picnic.

15) Write short stories and/or a one act play.

16) Sew a dress.

17) Pet a squirrel (or even better, own a pet squirrel!)

18) Watch ALL of Wes Anderson's movies. (Actually the only one I haven't seen is Life Aquatic, so this is sort of a lame goal.)

19) Kill a snake. (This is a camp goal.)

20) Go to a super amazing concert (I'm looking at you Justin Timberlake!)

That's all folks! Tune in next year to see how well I actually complete these!

Merry and Bright

 I have been bit by the scrapbooking bug so hard! I recently printed off a bunch of pictures from Christmas and thought that I must scrapbook my lovely pictures, so I thought I'd share some of these pages.

 One thing I love doing with my pages is incorporating old book pages with my layouts. I think they add just the right touch of nostalgia to each page.

I can't stand this page. It turned out nothing like I'd hoped, but I'm new to scrapbooking, so I guess its a learning process. But I'm so happy with how the others turned out!

The Fab Four

 Have I ever talked about the "Fab Four" before? I don't know if I have or not, but nevertheless...I have a great gaggle of girlfriends and we refer to ourselves as the Fab Four. We are the only ones left in our class in the theatre department (scary right?!) and we have formed a wonderful sisterhood.

So the Fab Four includes me, Fiona (my ever fabulous partner in crime when it comes to outfit pictures), Sarah, and Jocelyn. We all decided to snap some pictures together after our acting class and goof off a bit. It was lovely.

 Pictured is Me, Fiona, and Sarah. And in case you are wondering where Jocelyn is...well...she's the photographer. She doesn't want to be photographed ahahaha. Poor Jocelyn. We make fun of her a little too much.

 Outfit Details:
Blouse: Target
Jeggings: New York and Co.
Boots: Steve Madden

 I had to show off my beautiful painted ring that I got from aerie several years ago. My mom and I bought a pack of them and split them. I still love this little beauty.

Have a fabulous weekend! I know the Fab Four will ;) Also really sorry for the white space...my bad...