Happy days ahead

This summer shall be jam packed with recipes and adventure.

I am ready, are you?

I don't wanna be

“Life is too short to waste any amount of time on wondering what other people think about you. In the first place, if they had better things going on in their lives, they wouldn't have the time to sit around and talk about you. What's important to me is not others' opinions of me, but what's important to me is my opinion of myself.”  - C. Joybell

If you ever are feeling low, and you need a quick encouragement - C. JoyBell C. offers some of the wisest thoughts in the world. I am exceptionally impressed by her ability to beautifully convey in words that help overcome all the encounters life provides. Man, what an inspiration!

Her quote leads me right into my post about someone else who is quite incredible with words - in lyric writing that is. 

I recently saw Gavin DeGraw in concert. Aside from a country singer opener, the night was fantastic. I stood singing and dancing to his old songs with one of my best-friends, Kendra. We let our hair down (ok, not literally, since it was so hot in the venue) regardless, we enjoyed the entire experience.

Gavin DeGraw is one exceptional artist. 

I highly recommend spending a few extra dollars to see him live. It will rock your world.

Andrew & Kendra - Engagement Shoot

Love makes me happy, and when it is people you adore in love the happiness is enough to make you want to explode. Kendra and Andrew are so madly in love. They've been dating for 4 years, and over Christmas break Andrew finally popped the question.

After seeing them interact as a couple it is so obvious they are best friends. I was so honored to be able to photograph an engagement shoot for them, despite the freezing weather - it was literally snowing that day. For me, the entire experience was a learning one and I can't wait to do it again!

So here's some of what I captured of this God-fearing, forever-loving and continually-laughing couple. Enjoy!

Oh, it is love.

Today I got to go out with one of my best friends and her darling fiancé.

I did my best to capture their priceless love on camera. Here's a sneak peak of what I was so lucky to be a part of!

Livin' on a Prayer

Today was the second day of class.

And for me to say I am terrified of what this semester holds would be an understatement.

Regardless of taking such intense courses, I know there is a reason I spend so much time devoted to my school work. That's simply to glorify God: study hard, give it all I've got, and keep my eyes on Jesus.

I realize I am so blessed to have scholarships, a campus full of friends, and the opportunity to share my faith. I am blessed to have an education in what I'm passionate about, and I'm blessed to even find parking in the morning.

And I'm blessed to still know how to have fun.

Last weekend I joined my new roommate at an 80's formal birthday party. We conquered the thift stores around town, put on tons of makeup, heavy amounts of jewelry and if we were around a fire the hairspray in our hair would have caught our head on fire.

However, upon arrival at the restuarnt, we had a moment like El Woods in Legally Blonde where no one else was dressed up.

Despite being the only ones looking hilariously tacky, we swallowed our pride and owned our floral dresses. Since we were the only ones that went all out, we even had a random woman enforce the fashion police on us.

Here's us in all our glory - shoulder pads included:

now if only I had these fabulous and vintage sunglasses to wear: oh how I love vintage sunglasses!

last minute

Sparkles, lace, confetti. That's what I hope my Saturday evening will look like when I'm surrounded by my best friends celebrating the end of something so memorable and the beginning of something new - 2012.

I decided last minute to invite my friends to come to my place and celebrate this holiday with me and I admit I eagerly look forward to it being 9:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve. 

To me, there is something so beautiful about New Year's. Some say it's overrated, and maybe it is to you, but the way I see it is this: who wouldn't want an excuse to celebrate the past and future with their dearest friends? 

That's why I plan on making Saturday night full of class, character and red lipstick. Well, that last thing is really meant for me, but it's relevant - I promise.

Here's some decorative inspiration I've found to carry into my personal celebration. I didn't find much, but I've got even more ideas in my head so expect pictures! 

I Design Love

Style Me Pretty

Everything Fabulous

Divine Party

Fiskars Craft

What are you doing to celebrate the ending of 2011 and entering into 2012? Anything memorable? If so, what are you cooking, or decorating?

Be safe, and let your light shine! 

Decking the Halls

I feel like a grown up, wanna know why? Well, I attended my first adult-like dinner party! It was delightful. My dear friend, Nadine, had us all at her house, where we ate a delicious meal and scrumptious dessert!

I brought bread, and made, yes MADE a pie recipe from my own mind! I didn't find a recipe for a "cheesecake pie" so I made one myself. It was alright, but just the fact that I braved the concept of concocting something that could be a failure.

On a completely different side note, I so don't recommend testing something that can't be cut into. I loath when I want to try something I've made and it's undoable. Cornbread, cake, pie - they all need to arrive at their location intact. Unlike cookies, which you can eat pieces of.

Anyways, here's some moments from such an amazing evening, with amazing friends celebrating such an incredible and meaningful holiday.

God is good, and I am so blessed.

Small Town Escapes

This weekend was our much belated fall break, and let me tell you if it wasn't this weekend I'm not sure I'd still be alive. I know for a fact I was suffering from an overload of due dates, midterms, and examinations that fall break couldn't come soon enough.

But instead of spending my break tucked in bed and eating nothing but brownie batter, I drove four hours with my fantabulous roomie, Allie, to visit my old suitemate from my Knoxville dwelling days.

Cara is the girl who lead me to Christ. She is a true woman of God who changed my lifestyle for the better, she's always challenged me, and I appreciate her wisdom and honesty. Despite her intimidating good-looks, she is one of the most down to earth people  I know.

Cara lives in a small town outside Greenville, SC - and since there's nothing to do where she lives, we spent the entire Saturday roaming the streets of the incredible downtown of Greenville.

Oh. MY. I want so badly to buy an overpriced flat and live here for the rest of my life. Here's some moments I capture from this sunshiny visit.