More Beautifull than You Believe // Daily Outfit

It feels like I haven't written in forever and a day. I've been in a weird place, emotionally, but I feel like I finally have a sense of clarity about what I want to do with my life.

For as long as I can remember I've wanted to help girls. Every single time one of my friends was going though a hard time I wanted to be the one to help her. I've learned so much about eating disorders, sexual abuse, and the like in trying to be there for my friends.

I used to feel guilty because I had never been through anything like that. I guess you would call what I was feeling "survivor's guilt." I wondered why God had given me such an "easy" life. It wasn't fair while my friends were going through so much, but it makes sense to me, now. Those issues just aren't who I am - not that someone is less than me for having them, those just aren't my battles to face.

I used to want to be a councilor, but then I thought that I got too emotionally invested to do something like that. I had to take a big step back to realize that I think that's what I'm supposed to do.

I love girls. I love being around little girls, I love hanging out with girls younger than myself. I love feeling like I'm making a difference in someone's life. Because even though I'm not the wisest person in the world, I have been around the block once or twice, and I do have some knowledge I can pass on to girls younger than myself.

I used to be so scared, nervous and so insecure, but I've come a long way. I'm doing things now that I still can't believe. Things I know I wouldn't have had the nerve to do two years ago. I don't think that coincidence. I don't think it's an accident. I think that God has a plan for it. I want to teach

♥ ♥ ♥       

shorts: Top Shop via the Buffalo Exchange

blouse: Maurice's

cardigan: c/o Conversation Pieces

necklace: flea market

stockings: Forever 21
shoes: c/o Blowfish Shoes

necklace: flea market

title: More Beautiful than You Believe by Summertime's End

Lake Forest // Daily Outfit + Adventure

{blouse/Conversation Pieces :: jeans/Old Navy :: wedges/ModCloth :: jacket/TopShop :: bag/ModCloth :: sunglasses/Xhilaration :: bracelets/gift + vintage}

Last week I took an afternoon to just walk around this cute little town called Lake Forest. It's about twenty minutes from my house, and though there's not a lot of shopping to do there due to the fact that it's ridiculously expensive, it's really fun to walk around, look at, and take pictures of. (I saw a salon that had all of it's locations printed under the name. Apparently it's located in Lake Forest, IL; and Beverly Hills, Ca. Wha??)

I had a really lovely afternoon. It was just what I needed. This town reminds me so much of France, and I just walked around the whole place taking pictures of anything and everything that caught my fancy - and also got my first cake pop from Starbucks. (Delicious!)

I took a ton of photos but I didn't want to bog the blog down with them, so click after the jump to see the rest of them, if you fancy.

What do you/where do when you go when need a break?

Easter Brunch // Daily Outfit

{blouse/Conversation Pieces :: skirt/thrifted :: shoes/Target :: sunglasses/Xhilaration :: bag/ModCloth :: bracelet/Old Navy}

Are you all as tired of blurry photos as I am? I've been having trouble with my mum's DSLR camera. I thought something was broken but after a quick Google search today I realized that it was just on the wrong setting. Now I'm really wishing I'd googled it sooner...

Anyway, how was your Easter? Mine was good. We celebrated twice with both sides of the family so we ate a lot. I don't think this was the right skirt to wear for that, but I think it looks so pretty with this blouse Audrey from Conversation Pieces sent me. I'm totally loving this pinky-coral color lately. ♥

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

Fighting Dragons // Daily Outfit

{skirt/made by me :: sweater/courtesy of Conversation Pieces :: shoes/ModCloth :: purse/ModCloth belt/courtesy of Conversation Pieces :: makeup/this tutorial} 

I finally got my So Choice Wedges in the mail today! I originally got them last week, but the size nines were too small (so weird - I'm always a nine!) so I had to return them, and then I snatched up the last size 10 after someone returned them! I'm sooo happy with them! My summer wardrobe has been seriously needing a pair of black wedges, and I love the alternating bows. Tomorrow I might wear them with the bright green ones. So fun. ♥

So how's everyone doing? I'm dealing with some dramma lately, but I know I'm going to get through it, and other than that I'm generally in a really good mood. I've had to make some difficult decisions lately, but I'm confident I've done the right thing; I feel so much more independent now that I can drive; and I'm so excited to graduate this year! Basically, life is pretty good right now.

Hope you all are having a lovely day. ♥

Across the Universe of Time // Daily Outfit

{dress/thrifted :: cardigan/Lace Affair :: tights/Target :: boots/Blowfish Shoes :: belt/courtesy of Conversation Pieces :: flower clip/gift}

Isn't this little scotty belt just the cutest?? Audrey from Conversation Pieces was sweet enough to send it my way and I smitten with it! I love getting packages from Audrey so much. Not only does her shop carry some of the most adorable/lovely clothes, but everything always comes wrapped so pretty with tissue paper and a lolly-pop tied up in some ribbon. One of these days I'm going to not be impatient and take a picture before I unwrap the package. ♥

This is what I wore on Monday. I can't even begin to express to you what that day was like - I was so mood swingy all day, and then finally lost it later that night. I learned a lot, though. One of those things is that I had no idea just how much I still need my mother. Luckily I'm feeling better now, and even though my hopes, dreams, and plans for the next couple years of my growing up has changed drastically, I'm more excited than ever!

Last night I took the time to tweek my Twitter and FaceBook pages after reading this very helpful article on personal branding. I'll admit that I still have a lot to learn about personal branding and what exactly I want to do in that area, but I feel like every day I'm getting closer to it, and what I want my "brand" to be for myself - even in real life - and it excites me so much!

Until next time, lovelies... ♥

P.S. Get free shipping from Conversation Pieces now until April 1st!

Quite Charming // Daily Outfit

{Dress//Shop Speedy Girl :: cardigan//courtesy of Conversation Pieces :: belt//thrifted ::
tights//Target :: necklace//Charming Charlie via my littlest sister :: boots//courtesy of Blowfish Shoes}

Someone told me recently that I’m “quite charming.” It’s probably the coolest compliment I’ve ever got. ♥

I wore this outfit to shooting with my dad, my uncle and my cousin, and then to my cousin’s birthday party afterward. I got this lovely cardigan in the mail a couple weeks ago from Audrey of Conversation Pieces. Isn’t it just adorable!? I love the fact that it has pockets (perfect to wear with dresses that don’t) and the bows are just too cute. Usually I go for more color than this, but I sorta loved the monochrome look - especially with my bright red lipstick.

Also, I have bangs now! What do you think??