My Cage

{Via We Heart It. Original source unknown.}

Sometimes I feel like a caged animal. I can see all the world before me, but am unable to obtain it - unable to even reach out for it. My life is become a monotony. Every passing day is just another number to mark off, while I am going nowhere. I spend my days doing the very things I did when I was fourteen with very little change.

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In five months I will turn eighteen. I have looked forward to this birthday for a long time, as I will finally be able to start my life, but I fear it will not be as I have hoped. The chances of me getting my drivers license is slim to none as I have but five short months to learn how to drive and I haven't even got my permit yet. What's the good of having a birthday if it is nothing more than a reminder that you are not, in fact, experiencing a time loop.

{Via We Heart It. Original source unknown}

I want to have adventures. I want to open my own shoppe. I want to fall in love - with life, I want to fall more and more in love with my Savior, and, of course, I want to be married some day. But in the mean time I sit at home. School. Chores. School. Chores. The only break from the tedium I get is when I blog. Only then do I feel like I am actually living - not just surviving.

{Via Favim.com. Original source unknown}

So that is what I do. I hide in my room and try to imagine the bars of my cage away. I dream of all I do when the bars fall away and I am free. I love my family, but I can enjoy them from the freedom of my cage. I can fly away and return at night. I can love and be free.

{Via Favim.com. Original source unknown.}

Friday Favorites - Bow Ties

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First of all I would like to apologize for my long absence. My big sister came for a two week visit. While she was here we watched lots of Doctor Who - and while Mat Smith isn't quite my favorite doctor, it still got me and Heather very much interested in bow ties. Here are some of the lovely, bow tie themed things I've found this week:

Bow tie earingsBow tie calendar

How adorable is this calender?? If it wasn't already half way through the year I'd be very tempted to get it. If they make one for 2012 I think I just may have to.

Bow tie ring

Bow tie props

Ok, this thing is seriously adorable. I really want to have a photo booth at my wedding, and if I do I will definitely be getting some props like this.

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Speaking of weddings, how ferociously awesome would attire like this be for the groom + grooms men?? I really hope God blesses me with a boy friend with impeccable style.

A Photogenic Walk

Saturday my friend Christina came along when I walked down to a local park to get some pictures of my outfit. Here are some of the (lovely) shots she got:

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Romantic Adventure

Saturday night my family went to Ravina Festival to see Joshua Bell preform with an orchestra. my two littlest sisters and my mother are big fans of Joshua Bell - my oldest little sister, Maddie, and I, are not so much. We were more interested in picnicking and walking around taking pictures of the grounds. Here's some of the pictures from that night:Those last two were taken by my father

Maddie went with me to get some outfit shots before walking around the grounds.I love the almost double exposure look of this one Maddie took. <3

We both just happened to have travel tooth brushes in our purses! And Maddie even had a travel size tooth paste! So, naturally, we just had to use them. *winks*{skirt/thrifted ~ tank/my moms ~ belt/thrifted ~ shoes/H&M ~ hat/H&M ~ necklace/vintage ~ picnic basket/thrifted}

Laying in the dusk air. *sighs* It was so peaceful. I wasn't very keen on going to a classical concert (I'm not really a fan) but Ravina is such a different place than I was expecting, that it made it fun. I think all the coolest people in my area go there. I saw so many girls there with lovely senses of style! I even saw a group that had tables set up with with table clothes over them and candles sitting on top. Several of the girls in the group were wearing maxi dresses (one was this lovely shade of pink). It all looked so elegant! Needless to say, I enjoyed it tons and cannot wait to go back in August!

Hidden Away

This title has absolutely nothing to do with this post. Why did I chose it, then? Because I like Josh Groban, and Hidden Away is my favorite song of his, and it reminds me of my big sister, since we listened to it about a million times on our road trip this spring, and I am excited to see her on Wednesday. How's that for a run on sentence??I wish I was one of those smart girls who wrote down their dreams. I wish that when I was younger and longing for a big sister I had written down everything I would do with her. I think I've probably done a lot of them in the past few years. But then, my list would have changed - the few things I do remember wanting to do with a big sister certainly have! I wanted her to teach me how to do make up and hair, and now I know more about it then her! But I don't care - I like getting to teach her, instead. And watching Dr. Who together while doing our nails wouldn't have been on it, but I am so excited to do that with her this week!I guess maybe this title is appropriate for this post. I think I was hidden away for a long while - I was so insecure and frightened I was afraid to be myself - and I didn't even know it. I did things just to get attention. I needed a big sister to pull me out of my shell - and I got the best one in the entire world!I think girls with big sisters don't realize how much of a blessing it is. How much I would have done anything in the world to have one when I was younger. I'm so, so thankful to have one now, and I can't wait to see her on Wednesday - I am going to run up to her, throw my arms around her and give her a huge hug. And then we are going to ride the train back to my house, giggling and pretending to be Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson all the way. <3

{shirt/borrowed from my mom ~ skirt/thrifted ~ shoes/thrifted ~ necklace/ModCloth ~ sunglasses/Deliahs via my little sister ~ bow headband/Plato's Closet}

But about this outfit: my family always celebrates Independence Day on the Sunday before - the day the parade in our town is on. So in honor of it I wore this, very patriotic, outfit. I'm so pleased with how it looked. I love the gingham skirt - it reminds me of picnics and barbecues, so it seemed just perfect to celebrate the 4th in! What did you all do and wear this week end? Please tell me! :D

Music Monday - Josh Groban's Hidden Away

I didn't want to like Josh Groban. I vowed I wouldn't. Why, I don't remember, but when I make up my mind about it I stick to it!- until my big sister gets to me, that is. The very first time I heard this song I liked it - and the extra million times I heard it on our road trip this summer (which was partially from me playing it, as well) only added to it. Needless to say, I am a pretty big Josh Groban fan now.

One of the things I love about this song is that it isn't depressing. It's not hopeless. It's about someone who is hiding and untrusting because of (I assume) some past hurt, but he is not giving up. He is still hopeful. I think that's pretty cool.

One last note, you should all go search "Josh Groban on Ellen" right now. They are hilarious together! As my big sister is fond of saying "he's such a nut!"

Friday Favorites - Etsy

I know I'm late to this party, but I have seriously been loving Etsy lately. These are just a few of the gems I've found on it. <3

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Isn't this just a darling necklace??

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This dress is designed by the lovely Jennifer Lilly. I am so in love with all her dresses. They are so elegant, and girly and light and perfect for summer! I want one desperately

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A perfectly mod, vintage pattern

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Fabric that is much prettier than anything I can find at Joann Fabrics - and for the same price!