things to remember today.

At the end of all of this schooling, I will be an occupational therapist!

Waking up early feels good eventually.

Productivity feels good eventually.

Procrastination never results in anything good. 

Music is inspiration.

Writing is inspiration.

Coffee is inspiration.

Blogging is inspiration.

We're all in this together.

--
siddathornton through the years:
2011

love lists: june 2014.

Gasp! I have not shared a Favorites post with y'all since MARCH. How have I fallen this far behind? How have I let this go on for so long? Favorites posts are some of my very favorites to read [as well as some of my favorite YouTube videos to watch], so I'm excited to bring back this feature today. Read on to see what I've been loving in the sixth month of two thousand fourteen.

1. My Journal Composition Book. I know I've mentioned this nearly one million times, & I still haven't posted about my 2014 Organizational Suite [would you believe me if I told you it was coming soon?], but this little notebook comes everywhere with me. It holds my thoughts, my to-do lists, my blog post drafts... you name it, & it is in this book. I've recently mentioned that I've begun the practice of Morning Pages, & though sometimes they turn into Daily Pages [done later in the day], I can already feel a marked difference. They are like my therapy. I can't even tell you how good it feels to just sit down & brain dump onto three pages. And I never realized how much I had to say until I just sat down with a pen in my hand. Stock up on the classic black & white variety here . I certainly plan to.

2. My Blog Planner. I recently picked up a 17-month planner, which starts in July of this year & ends in December of 2015. It's the little polka-dotted spiral bound book you see in the photo. When I post my 2014 Organizational Suite [I know - I can't stop talking about it. Put it up already!] series, I will have a link to it for all of you, in case you're interested. It's really cute, & it's really helping me to organize my blogging schedule.

3. Carmex Lip Balm. I still have to credit Diane in my re-awakening with this product. I currently have two, one which lives in my makeup bag & is the sixth step in my daily makeup routine, & one which lives in my purse for near-constant daily application. I can't get enough of this stuff. I love the smell & taste of it.

4. e.l.f. Powder Brush. I had this brush in my collection for a long time before I really started using it. It's marketed as a powder brush, but it is a dense, flat top brush that I love using with liquid foundation. In fact, I've been using it constantly, with the foundation I'm about to talk to you about below.

5. Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation. I mix the shades 805 & 825 for my Summer color. I put one pump of each on the back of my hand, mix them together with the brush I just discussed above, stipple it all over my face, then buff it in to blended perfection. I absolutely adore this foundation. It is a full-coverage, flawless-finish, matte foundation, & its staying power is perfect for sticky, muggy, sunny Summer.

6. Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing Lotion. After finishing off my last tube of the Bath & Body Works Triple Moisture Body Cream in Honey Sweetheart, I knew I was looking for a basic lotion with intense moisturizing properties. This Vaseline selection is perfect for me right now. It has a light scent, it soaks into the skin like a dream, & it moisturizes like nobody's business. I bought a triple pack from Sam's, & the fact that I'm all stocked up brings me great joy.

7. Urban Decay Naked Palette. To say that this palette has been well-loved by me is an understatement. Just check the photos below for evidence. Pretty soon I'm going to have to buy a new one, since my favorite shades are disappearing fast. I plan to take a break from this baby for the month of July & put some of my other palettes to work, but I know I'll miss this one.

8. Bath & Body Works American Boardwalk Candle. I finally figured out why I love this candle so much: it smells exactly like one of my very favorite teas, which is Bigelow's Vanilla Caramel. Even if you haven't sampled that tea, you're still in for a rich, delicious treat with this candle. Truth be told, it could be an Autumn scent if it wanted to be; however, I like to think that I'll always associate it with this very Summer.

Not Pictured:

9. One Tree Hill. I know I haven't done a favorites post since March, but if I had, this show would probably have been on every single one of them. As I've mentioned in previous posts, this show is filmed in Wilmington, & our ooh-ing & ahh-ing over recognizing landmarks is a bittersweet way for us to wrap up our time in this city.

10. Coffee. Like, the kind you make in a pot. Is any further explanation necessary?

11. Drinking lots of water. I've been drinking between 82 & 110 ounces per day, & I feel wonderful.

What did you love in June? And what are you loving now? Have you written a Favorites post lately? I'd love to know - tell me in the comments!

my current favorite instagram accounts.

all photos are from my instagram account - follow along here!

Lately, I've found myself inspired by Instagram, from both the perspective of uploader & viewer. I thought I would share the accounts that are inspiring me most as of today, as well as why!

1. lone hands - Lindsay's photos have a dreamy, surreal, "stormy" quality to them. ["Stormy" has come to be the adjective with which I attempt to describe my favorite type of photo editing. Does this make sense to anyone else? Does anyone have suggestions to better describe what I'm getting at?]

2. sleepinthegardn - This is Troian Bellisario's account. She plays my favorite character on Pretty Little Liars. I think she is a really interesting person, & I think her account is a reflection of that.

3. organizedjen - I have mentioned more than a couple of times that Organized Jen is a great motivator for me. Her Instagram account is a cheery, motivational, bright place on my feed.

4. wishfulnals - When I think of Natalie's account, I think of travel documentation at its best, to which I definitely aspire [and am still working on].

5. katezharvey - Kate's photos are simple, fresh, & inspiring.

7. nannerburns - I LOVE Anna's photos. She portrays a style that I would like to be able to emulate. Her blog is one of my favorites, too.

8. vestiges - Kristen's feed has long been a source of inspiration for me. I feel like she always posts with intention, which is something I am striving for in my own account.

Who are your favorite instagrammers right now? Who do I need to add to my queue? I could name quite a few more in this post, but I figured it would be best to share in smaller snippets. Look for more editions of this post in the coming months!

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Want to join me in blogging every day in June? The more the merrier. I even made a button to celebrate the occasion. Feel free to use it in your blog sidebar or in the body of your posts. Let's encourage one another to get back to our blogging roots. Happy blogging!

love lists: march 2014.

MARCH HAS definitely been a month filled with travel. 

At the beginning of the month, I found myself skiing in Breckenridge, Colorado. 

And only two days after we arrived back home in Wilmington, 

I found myself on a plane home to Shreveport. 

In the midst of all of this travel, I have noticed a few things 

holding true and catching my fancy. Here they are.

1. Camellias. And all of the other trees and flowers and plants we admired on our walks with the girlies during my Shreveport trip. [Red Buds, Magnolias... but mainly the candy-colored camellias - my favorite wintertime flower].

2. Sprite. I just can't get enough lately. I plan to wipe out this addiction upon my arrival back in Wilmington. It's time to get back to water, folks.

3.  NYX's lipgloss in Beige. The perfect, perfect springtime pink. This gloss, along with my trusty tubes of Carmex, have almost been the only things I've worn on my lips this month.

4. Reading the Bible. There is a kind of excited peace that comes along with finally embarking on this adventure. Well... actually... I've embarked on this adventure before, but I believe I was going about it the wrong way. You see, I picked up the Bible a few years ago and attempted to read it, cover-to-cover, in order. And, well, I didn't finish it. The app that I'm using provides four chapters per day to read, usually two from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. It's proving much easier to read!

5. Heart-to-hearts with my parents. Sometimes you've just got to sit down and get all of your feelings out. My parents were great listeners and great comforts during my trip home to Shreveport, and I am so grateful for that, and them. 

6. Pretty Little Liars. Yes. I said it. Truth be told, this show is a total guilty pleasure. In the past few weeks, I've spent time holed up on my iPad in bed, learning about Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna's totally dramatic lives. And I've really enjoyed it. 

7. House of Cards. This is the show that Justin and I have been watching together. We took a bit of a hiatus while I was in Shreveport, but now we are back to watching full-force. 

8. The Cuckoo's Calling. Such a great book, for real. I can't wait to read The Silkworm.

What were your favorites this month? Please do share.

[Photos: Camellias For Days | at The Ontario House | iPhone 3Gs]

march things.

a little shot from our road trip from Denver to Breckenridge

I'm writing this as I sit on the bed of a hotel room in Denver. There is snow falling outside, and I'm starting to get hungry for dinner. As soon as I finish tapping out this post, I will be pressing "Publish." There will be no scheduling, as this post is supposed to go up today, and it's already 6:30 p.m. We fly out tomorrow to return to Wilmington, and while I greatly enjoyed our ski trip to Breckenridge, I'm feeling quite homesick and ready to get back. Back to our apartment, back to our daily routines, and back to reading and planning and working out. You know, the stuff of daily life.

When I reflect on my February Things, I realize that while I didn't stick to any of them completely, I did make some small lifestyle changes for the better. That's what resolutions are all about, right? I feel like the birthplace of my March Things is a good and promising sign - they were hastily written out into the Notes section of my phone while walking at my favorite park.

MARCH RESOLUTIONS

1. Get out of the house every day.

2. Soak up a little sun.

3. Choose healthy.

4. Yoga and/or Pilates daily.

5. Go easier on yourself and choose to be happy and upbeat.

What are your March Things?

love lists: february 2014.

February, oh February... it has definitely been a bit trying. But that doesn't mean I didn't find some things to get excited about during its cold, gray days. From the Winter Olympics, to one major fitness motivator, to organizational tools... I think I have all the bases covered in my February 2014 favorites.

1. L'Oreal Color Riche Balm in Nourishing Nude. I love color-rich lip balms, and that's exactly what this is. I chose the nude color on the recommendation of Jen's 2013 Beauty All-Stars round-up, and I love it, because it's so easy to wear, while also perking up my look a bit, which is especially great for simple makeup days.

2. Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Pinkberry. My mom gave me her sample tube of this shade when I was visiting over Christmas, and I have loved it ever since. Another nude - this one, as the name implies, a flattering pinky hue - this shade is easy to wear and one I have been reaching for often.

3. Sharpie Pens. I love handwriting, pens, paper, & fresh new journals. They're kind of my thing. And the discovery of my love for Sharpie pens happened over the summer. Couple that love with a stumbled-upon deal at Staples, and a slight obsession was born. Right now, I'm using a collection of different hues to color-code my Organizational Suite (which I'll soon be writing about... finally). I just love the way these things write.

4. Sex & the City. Ok, so I'm not totallyyyyyy in love with this series like I thought I was going to be. BUT, Justin and I did spend a large portion of this month going through all of the episodes. Neither of us had ever watched them before, so it was nice to finally have the whole story together. Maybe this is a weird thing to say, but I think I like the movies better. A breakthrough realization DID come out of this viewing, however: Miranda is, by far, my favorite character. She is hilarious.

5. The Winter Olympics. Need I say more? I am already feeling lonesome for dinner eaten on the couch in front of ice skating, slope style, moguls, and all of those other wonderfully wintery sports. The only good thing about the Winter Olympics ending? It means the Summer Olympics - and GYMNASTICS - is now only around two years away.

6. Post-its. Another Organizational Suite feature, I've been loving using these little things recently. Oftentimes, I will write my on-the-go to-do list on a small post-it and attach it to the back of my phone, ready to come along with me for my errands. I've also been using them in my planner and journals as well. I do want to add the full-adhesive variety into my routine, though, because right now I'm just using the classics.

7. My Fitbit! I think I'm soon going to put together a post discussing everything I love about my Fitbit Flex, so be on the lookout. For now, I'll address all of those asking me how I like it by saying I'm in absolute LOVE with it. It's a great motivational tool, that is for sure.

Tell me: what have you been loving this month? I'm looking to change up some of my current products in the near future. My sister has already sold me on the Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation. Have you tried this product? Did you like it? Spill!

february things.

I was struck by the infectiousness of the new year, this time around.

When we returned to Wilmington from Shreveport, I couldn't believe all the potential that seemed to lie before me in 2014 - this brand new year. I had already tapped out my resolutions, & I was ready to start "living right" - to bring all the planning that went into cultivating my goals & aspirations to fruition. I was ready to be the fantastic person I had built up in my head. And I was ready to take on that person's every different-from-me quality - all at once, of course. 

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that all of this pretty much culminated in a veritable sonic boom of frustration, about two weeks ago. 

Suddenly, it was the middle of January, & I didn't understand where the glittery New Year feeling had gone. Why was I practically stuck to the couch with super-human-strength adhesive? Why, instead of running every day, was I training for a marathon Oreo-eating contest instead? Why was my body actually sore & cramped as a symptom of my lethargy?

It's because I needed to push the "reset" button again.

Every year, we make all these grand plans for the coming 365 days. And every year, we all ask ourselves why, by February, we have fallen back off the wagon. And it's because we are forgetting that that excited, look-I'm-starting-a-brand-new-year feeling is one of the key ingredients in the recipe for success in resolutions.

So, why not press reset each month? Why not come up with sparkly, confetti-dusted February things? That's what I'm going to do. Because we have a new month lying before us, ready to be filled with productive, wonderful things. 

And it doesn't even have to stop there. Why not hit the reset button each week? Each day? Each hour? There is still so much to achieve. And there is still so much time to achieve it all in. I'm going to stop creating my own road blocks. I'm going to barrel ahead, making my way to the future.

FEBRUARY RESOLUTIONS

1. Move. Sweat. Every day. No excuses.

2. Open your eyes. Open your ears. Pay attention to right now.

3. Get lost in books.

4. Indulge in the Type A characteristics you do possess. Schedule the hell out of every day, even if you don't follow it. Clean your house like the Queen of England could pop in for a visit at any moment. Keep records like you're a librarian. Write it all down, just because. These comprise your very own, unique brand of healthy perfectionism. Own them.

5. Stop worrying. Just stop. And just relax. Otherwise, your forehead is quickly going to become a wrinkled mess.

What are your February things?

some links of note.

I try not to post these lists too often, but today, I had to share. I seem to be coming across a lot of interesting, inspiring blog posts recently, & I want to spread the love. So that's what I'm going to do.

I'm a sucker for stationery. So I think I'll be making this gold dot variety very soon.

I need all the help I can get, in a lot of areas. But especially with cleaning.

Stumbling across some Australian bloggers has awakened me to the fact that Christmas happens in the summer over there.

Can someone teach me how to make these kind of stitched hoop creations?

I'm a homebody, but this year, I also want to be a doer.

I like almost all of these old person things.

I love when bloggers switch gears into vlogging for a moment. And perhaps now I've been inspired to do my own vlog version of The Sunday Currently.

I've vowed to read twenty-four books this year. Maybe some of my selections will come from this list.

The gold version is my laptop background. The black version is my iPhone background. Thanks, Allyssa.

We are all enough, & we are all worth taking care of ourselves. Remember that. 

Have you stumbled upon anything that inspired you lately? Please, really do share. I'm in one of those moods where I'm finding inspiration around every corner, & I derive great joy from being in that kind of mood. Help me perpetuate it?

love lists: september 2013.

September 2013 was a month of nose-to-the-grindstone, blood-sweat-and-tears kind of work, in school as well as in other aspects of my life. It was a month of unrelenting to-do lists, days with far too few hours in them, & some - unfortunately - tearful moments spent in front of Statistics homework. But, I've made it through to the other side, & I'm ready to begin October with renewed hope, renewed enthusiasm, & renewed faith. But first... let's talk about the things I loved in the ninth month...

1. Archer Farms' Pumpkin Spice K-Cups. I'm a big lover of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte [yes, I'm one of the very many who line up the first day of September - or really, whenever it's released - to taste that first sip of fall-time-in-a-cup], but I've found this to be a lovely little alternative, which is much more cost-effective than a $4-per-day cup of joe. Thank you, Archer Farms.

2. NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in 723A Pink Cheek Glow. With the cooler months comes me wearing even more makeup than I already do. This, of course, means more blush, which is probably one of my favorite makeup items. This particular selection gives a rosy glow. Perfect any time of year, really, but especially beautiful for right now.

3. elf Contouring Blush & Bronzer Duo in blushed/bronzed. Another bargain, this bronzer has been compared to Nars' Laguna, & I can see why. I've really enjoyed it this month, & I find its pigmentation a pleasantly surprising experience each time.

4. Victoria's Secret Pink Body Lotion & Body Mist in Warm & Cozy. This one is a quintessential fall-time scent for me. Sweet, warm, & soothing, I've been slathering & spritzing it daily.

5. Homemade "Do" planner. Sometimes it just feels good to take matters into your own hands & design a planner. That's what I've been doing for the past couple of months, & it's something I plan to continue. Even though I'd like to add a Filofax to my organizational ranks come 2014, I will still be cranking out these homemade planners, to function as both a journal, as well as a rough-draft-planner, to map things out before neatly documenting them in my Filofax [hello, nerd alert].

6. The Wet Brush. A gift from my Mother-in-Law, I'm so glad to have this brush as part of my routine now. It can brush through the most difficult, tangly hair [read: mine] with ease & comfort. Note: your hair doesn't have to be wet to use it. That's just what it's called.

7. New Girl. I have a big love for Zooey Deschanel, so it didn't really surprise me when I took a liking to this show. But beyond her, the supporting cast is fantastic, hilarious, & lovable. Justin & I spent many-a-night laughing in front of this show. Love.

8. Glade candle in Fall Hayride. My new favorite candle. Go smell it & see/smell for yourself. It can easily compete with all of the Bath & Body Works favorites [the fall selections of which I need to stock up on soon].

Into watching vlogs?

Check out my corresponding September 2013 Favorites video here, or simply watch below!

What were you loving for the month of September? I'd love to hear about your favorite things.

LSC

august 2013 love list.

As I prepare for my month-long blogging sabbatical, which will start in September & end in October, I wanted to leave you with a little post, the likes of which have been a recurring theme in my posts of yesteryear. If you read the title of the blog post, you guessed it: it's a love list! And I wanted to put one up for August, so that I could let you all know that when I'm back to hardcore blogging in October, the love lists will be back for good!

I blogged about how I was having trouble coming up with a love list for each month, but when it comes down to it, that was just laziness. There are plenty of things to love each month, & I will be sharing them towards the end of each month for the foreseeable future. 

And it's not just the rebirth of the love lists that has me excited: I've also decided to return to doing videos for these monthly favorites. I think I may have a little bit better of a filming situation now [read: no more videos on my macbook, where everything is a mirror image]. I also plan to learn how to edit videos in iMovie, something I've long had my eye on accomplishing! 

As you can see, I'm already excitedly planning post ideas & upgrades for my October return. You can look for one more non-TSC post, coming tomorrow, which will provide ways we can keep in touch while I'm absent from this space. And, of course, The Sunday Currently will be going up every Sunday at noon eastern. Those aren't going anywhere! So, come link up! 

Alright, now on to the love list. Here are the things I've been loving in this birthday month of mine...

1. Coconut Lime Breeze Fragrance Mist from Bath & Body Works.The perfect simple summer scent. 

2. Honey Sweetheart Triple Moisture Body Cream from Bath & Body Works. I stocked up on these during the sale, & I'm so glad I did [And which is a good thing, because it appears that this scent is currently unavailable. Boo.]. This cream is exactly what it says it is: moisturizing. Plus, I really like this scent.

3. Composition notebooks. I've been creating my very own custom planners, & these are the ticket.

4. Long text threads with my friends. Self-explanatory. But suffice it to say, my friends are hilarious.

5. St. Ives Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer. At first I worried this was too greasy, but it's the perfect night-time moisturizer. I LOVE the texture it gives my skin.

6. Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me. I've been wearing this nearly every day. It's just so easy, &  it provides such a flattering color payoff. Not to mention the SPF & conditioning factors. This product is just an all-around win in my book.

7. Organized Jen. I've been so inspired by this girl recently! I love her attitude, her routines, her organizing... she's just a great person.

8. Home-made smoothies. Inspired in part by the girl mentioned above, Justin & I have been replacing one meal per day with these delectable treats. It's been a great way to sneak a little extra fruit into our diets.

9. My brand-new iPad. Thanks Justin, Dad, Mom, & Kara!

10. School. Even though it's stressing me out.

What have you been loving this month?

getting through monday.

a photo i took last week before one of my classes

This morning, I rose at 6:30. My alarm went off at 6:15, but my eyelids refused to stay open, even though I was trying to read emails. The longer I laid there, the more I told myself I had to get up. And at 6:30, I popped right out of bed to get on with the day. 

Even with the morning I've had since the moment I got out of bed [a wheat bagel with strawberry cream cheese, a cup of coffee in my favorite mug, the viewing of my favorite vlog channel, a couple of workout videos, blog-reading]... Mondays are still a little bit hard. Especially after being wrapped up in the comfort of home for the past couple of days,  I think it's necessary to supplement Mondays with a spot of good reading. 

And in the spirit of that notion, here are some things I think are 'a spot of good reading' worthy:

+ Megan shared a bit about being homesick this weekend. As someone who is no stranger to this particular emotion, I found this post comforting, especially the quote she shared at the end.

+ Betsy is married! I loved reading about a tiny glimpse into her wedding day.

+ Sometimes I just really like looking at simple - but beautiful - photos. Rachel certainly offered some up in this post.

What have you stumbled across today, that made Monday a little easier? I'd love some more inspiration for the week. Please do share.

things i like.

I have no idea how it is Thursday already, but somehow, it is. And I have a test in one of my classes today. The coffee is on to brew, my alarm went off at precisely 6:15, & I couldn't be more thankful that today is my Friday. Call it the post-holiday-weekend blues. Call it exhaustion. It doesn't really matter what you call it... All I know is, I've been walking around like a zombie this week. And I don't like it.

Here is a list of things I do like:

HOT CHOCOLATE

There is a little coffee shop across the street from school, & their hot chocolate is ooey gooey & probably one million calories & absolutely delicious.

FOUNDATION BRUSHES

Sometimes I put my foundation on with my fingers, & sometimes I apply it with a flat-top powder brush from ELF. Lately, I've been reaching for the brush - & it is working really well with my foundations of choice [Namely: CoverGirl Clean & Rimmel London Clean Finish - reviews coming soon!].

DARK HAIR

I have plans for this mane of mine.

THE NEST

I never really got into The Knot, but The Nest is intriguing me with its community boards.

LIVING HEALTHY

No need to explain this one, really. Although my definition of healthy seems to stray a bit from others', considering I devoured a banana cream pie that Justin brought home from a dinner last night... [oops?].

BARE NAILS

I should clarify - I mean bare fingernails. Bare toenails are something I avoid at all costs. But bare fingernails feel fresh & free latey... and undeniably summer.

DRAWING COFFEE CUPS

See above.

What do you like right now?

photo | coffee cups drawn during developmental psychology | iphone

beach reading.

After Allyssa posted her Summer Reading List, I knew I had to create one of my own. Above are my picks for throwing into your beach bag, picnic basket, or to arrange on your coffee table. Oh, &, you know, to read. 

one: J.K. Rowling, I love you. Still missing reading this book. It was that good.

two: Loved it, but not as much as The Kite Runner. An emotionally draining, poignant read.

three: Of course I'll have to round out the trio of Hosseini novels. I love his writing style. 

four: I read this book in a weekend. I still can't stop thinking about it. Loved its witty quirks. 

five: Looking forward to finally devouring this modern classic.

six: This will be my first Sedaris sampling. Pretty excited about it. 

seven: Just want to finish this. Been reading it for what feels like forever.

And from the blogosphere...

- Joelle has always inspired me with her bow-festooned up-dos, so of course I am loving her Sunday Bun Day posts. I mean, seriously, how cute? I've always been a fan of buns, but I really need to invest in a little bow collection.

- I loved this post from The Londoner on The Anti Diet. I'm always looking for fitness inspiration, & this one is a gold mine.

- One of my favorites photo blogs - Afternoons & Coffeespoons - recently posted a collection of photos from Charleston. Since Justin & I are headed there for our One Year Anniversary in October, I got excited as I pored over the images. I've only been to Charleston once so far, but my love affair with it already runs deep.

C H E E R S  T O  T H E  W E E K E N D .

weekender.

It's been the kind of week where I wake up & sleep-walk to the coffee pot. Yes, believe it or not, not every single week is like that for me. Weeks like this leave me wishing for long, lingering weekends in which I can wear outfits like those below, flitting around to antique shops & beaches & swimming pools, just being lovely. And while this week's Friday's Fancies theme revolves around wedding guest wear, I thought I'd share a lazy little summer outfit.

summer scarf | flip flops | shorts | top

The top is a pretty great value - thinking of ordering one in every color.

beach reading:

- Sometimes I need to read quotes like this one that Betsy meditated on, on Sunday.

- My style muse & namesake, Lauren, reminds us not to get caught up in the numbers.

- Julia's pattern mixing party has taken my summer wardrobe inspiration to new heights.

- Jessica lets us in on a few beauty bargains. 

this week's posts:

weekender

the sunday currently

recognizing nostalgia

around here lately

After a bit of a trying week for both of us, Justin & I are excited to hit the beaches of Wilmington this weekend. There aren't many other plans for the next couple of days, other than that. I have reading to do - both school- & leisure-related. The house will - God willing - be clean by this evening. Add in some crafting, & you've got an accurate look inside my life. Here's to sand, ocean-views, words on pages, & spools of yarn, waiting to be made into something.

weekender.

Happy Weekend! Justin & I don't have any big plans for the next couple of days, other than soaking up some sun on one of the local beaches. Not long ago, we made a promise to ourselves that we would take complete advantage of our proximity to the ocean every weekend of this summer. And that is exactly what we intend to do this weekend. For that reason, I was thrilled that this week's Friday's Fancies theme revolves around sunglasses. Can you tell I've got Mad Men on the brain? Those shades are screaming 1960s.

headband | swimsuit | sunglasses | sandals | coverup 

p.s. don't forget sunscreen!

beach reading:

- Allyssa's Branding Your Blog series has me inspired to polish my layout.
- Bethany is home & happy & shared a bit about the hardships she's faced. And it's inspiring.
- This isn't reading, but I have a new favorite beauty guru. Here she is.

this week's posts:

beach reading

thoughts on blog every day in may

the sunday currently

on being a student again

shreveport snapshot: around here lately

favorites as of late

When I think about goals for this weekend, I think of relaxation. And that, of course, leads me to think of the beach. I do, however, need to pick up A Thousand Splendid Suns from our library, to tote with me when I plop down in the sand & the surf. We have also GOT TO FIND a wreath hanger this weekend. I know, it sounds silly, but this task has proven futile for weeks now. And do I really need to say that I plan to watch as many episodes of Mad Men as I can? Also on the docket? Finalizing Father's Day gifts & planning our Sowell Family Trip to Destin!

favorites as of late.

I used to indulge myself by creating a love list for each month of the year, but, truth be told, at times I felt it was a bit of a stretch. I was finding it harder & harder to produce an authentic list of ten things I was absolutely adoring for each month. So, when January Favorites time rolled around this year, I made the executive decision to hold off, vowing to compile a list as favorites showed themselves, publishing the list when & only when a collection of the ten most glorious things ever filled its spaces. Thus, I give you... favorites as of late.

twinkle lights on frenchmen street in new orleans

1. Pitch Perfect. Justin & I crave watching this movie all the time. And we sing the songs constantly, because they're in our heads constantly. And I haven't met one person yet who doesn't like it. 

2. Urban Decay Suspect eye shadow all over lid & smoked out. This is the easiest smoky eye on the planet. Suspect can be found in the Naked2 palette, or may be purchased as a separate eye shadow from Urban Decay. 

3. Vanilla Caramel Tea from Bigelow. This has long been a favorite of mine, but I've recently put my red Le Creuset teapot to use, indulging in a cup for many days in a row. This flavor is reminiscent of caramel popcorn. It smells - & tastes - delicious, no sweetener or creamer necessary.

4. Black & White Cookies. Believe it or not, I had never tasted this particular type of cookie until one of my Shreveport book club meetings over at Natalie's. The book we had read was If You Have To Cry, Go Outside, by Kelly Cutrone, & Daci brought black & white cookies, in keeping with the New York theme. Imagine my delight when I discovered that my local Harris Teeter makes these fresh, daily.

5. Aveeno Lavender Chamomile Lotion. I went through an entire tube of this in under a month, & trust me, that is saying something. This is my favorite lotion to apply after a shower & before bed. The soothing scent reminds me that it's time to put my phone and/or laptop away & go to sleep.

6. Light Pink Camellias. On our visit to Pinehurst earlier this year, I discovered an abundance of these beautiful blooms. I texted my mom, asking if they were, indeed, camellias, because I had an inkling that's what they were. She not only confirmed that they were, but also reminded me that they are blooming in front of our house in Shreveport. And now, well, they are topping my list of favorite flowers, right alongside hydrangeas & sunflowers.

7. Pastel Colors. As you may guess from the design of my blog, I've always been drawn to the softer range of colors; however, my love of them lately has increased exponentially. Blame it on the season, but I don't think that has much to do with it, really.

8. Twinkle Lights. I mean, who doesn't love twinkle lights? But lately, I've had an increased affinity for them. So, that's what earned them a spot on this list. The fact that they are now used in abundance - not just for the Christmas season - makes me so very happy. I want to use them in our home decor soon.
9. Spring-time Scarf-wearing. Not only is the room that my afternoon class is held in a frigid scene out of Antarctica, I truly just love the wearing of scarves in spring-time. And I'm calling it spring-time because the first official day of summer has not come yet, though it both feels (& looks) like it has here in Wilmington.
10. C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint. Basically, I sit in class & apply this stuff over & over. Its minty quality is quite addictive, I'd say. My mom loves this stuff, too.

beach reading.

- These weekend snaps from Natalie were the perfect way to start my week on that early Tuesday morning after the Memorial Day festivities. Now, when is my trip to London?

- Lauren is basically my fashion icon. And the shoes in this post are inspiring me in a big way.

- I always get excited when I see that Laura has put up a new post. There is a simplicity in her writing that is endearing & enchanting. I love the writing workshop posts she has started, & I'm looking forward to participating soon. I loved this past week's workshop on detail.

- Allyssa's summer reading 2013 post has me jonesing to put together a warm-weather list of my own. You know, for beach reading.

more about me.

Greetings from the road to Shreveport. Since I'll be driving all day today, I thought I'd leave you with a little post, divulging some facts about me that you may not know. Enjoy! And here's to safe travels & seeing loved ones soon!

After reading Tina's post a while back, I became inspired to share a few little tidbits about myself, that you may not know...

I like sleeping on couches.

I am horrible at reading maps.

I struggle a bit with defining my personal style. I have a big place in my heart for structured, classic clothing, but I also relish wearing an edgy piece or two. I guess my ultimate dream wardrobe identifier would be romantic preppy with an edge.

I struggle with anxiety. I plan to stay off of medication for as long as possible, but I'm fairly certain I'll find it necessary at some point in my life. At this point, I cope by journaling, praying, & meditating. 

I am an Alpha Chi Omega. I was initiated into the Beta Psi chapter at Louisiana Tech University in 2004.

I used to be a competitive gymnast, until an injury inspired me to quit & take part in a normal high school life. I started taking classes at age nine, after watching The Magnificent Seven win gold at the 1996 Olympics. When I quit at age 13, I was training to compete at Level 8. I dislocated my elbow while throwing a new skill - a one-and-a-half twist - on floor. I didn't have to have surgery, but I almost did. Months later, I quit my team, but competed at the high school level for two years, as team captain.

I have never traveled out of the country.

I met my husband as a freshman at his fraternity house. We bumped into each other coming around a corner, & I told him he looked like someone I knew. I have a picture of us from that night.

I later became sweetheart of that very fraternity. 

I love animals. Puppies & kittens make me extremely happy. I show Justin almost every photo of a cute animal that I come across. I call all dogs 'puppies,' regardless of their age.

I enjoy mixing metals as far as jewelry is concerned, the combining of black & navy, as well as the combining of black & brown. I guess this is one of the most rebellious aspects of my nature, because I am a rule-follower at heart.

I am a book nerd, coffee fiend, & perpetually curious about everything.

That's me, folks. I may do more of these every few weeks or so - I think it's interesting to find out little bits about everyone here in the blogging community. Sometimes I get caught up in the photos-&-outfit-boards routine here, & I like to try & infuse more of my personality when I can.

what kind of person do i want to become?

yesterday, i sat down with a pad of paper & a pen & wrote the words,  

'what kind of person do i want to become?' at the top of the page. 

being a person who is conflicted about their career, 

obviously it would follow that i am also unsure 

about exactly the kind of person i'd like to grow into. 

in response to my self-imposed question, 

i came up with some answers. here they are...

someone who is quick-witted.

someone who is in great physical shape. 

someone is a great blogger - who can inspire people through sharing ordinary life & pretty photos.

someone with a successful career.

someone who is a morning person.

someone who cooks dinner. 

someone who reads every day. 

someone who is healthy, but knows how & when to indulge.

someone with good fashion sense, who always looks put-together.

someone who is crafty & creative.

someone who is a great listener, who has a great relationship with family & friends.

some of these goals have obvious fixes, but others are not so clean-cut. 

i'm not sure where some of these goals are going to take me, 

but i know they'll serve as a excellent jumping-off point - a great inspiration.