new year - new you.

I know that's so cliche, and I say it every year. But I have good intentions.
The usual boring goals include getting fit and cutting back on the soda.
I'm giving it a twist this year, so I'm hoping to see change in this year.
I'm not one for change, typically it would scare me to even think about change.

This year I want to focus on me and try to better myself.
I want to help others, and give back as much as possible.
I want to volunteer somewhere & do something from the heart. Something that would make a difference.
I want to volunteer at the humane society and help the animals feel more loved, because that is what they deserve.
I want to help others whenever I get the chance because the world needs more of that. ( you don't need a reason to be nice to others. )
I want to get a pedicure more often because I deserve that little bit of down time it gives me.
I want to focus on my health, because you only live once. and I want to make the most of it.
I want to eat healthier and give my body the nutrients it needs because the body is an amazing thing.
I want to learn about new things, because knowledge is power.
I want to be adventurous and try new things (example: new foods & ziplining) because I owe it to myself.
I want to be more positive & put out positive energy in the world, because there is too much negativity.
I want to travel & see the world, because there is so much to see.
I want to cut my hair short, just for a change, because it will grow back.
I want to be more outgoing, because life is too short to be shy.
I want to become more active and exercise more, because I want to prove to myself I am capable of doing much more than I thought I could.
I want to strive to be the absolute best I can be, because why try for anything less?

2014 is going to be a great year. I can feel it in my bones.
I am confident that this is my year to shine.

with that being said, I have officially decided on my word of the year.
And that is balance.
Honestly, that is the best word for me this year. I need to focus on balancing my life & my financials.
I need to balance out my time between school, work, family, and all of the other things that life entails.
I need to balance my budget because I'm done spending money on things that I don't absolutely need.
my definition of balance:
-a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amount of importance.

so there it is.

-b

what am I doing?

the fact that I haven't updated since August is kind of upsetting.
Honestly, I don't even see the point. Instagram and Facebook are my main sources of communicating and documenting my daily life. I feel as if blogging is pointless now of days.

So just an update:
-I am on my third class in college & I am still loving it.
-Christmas is in 15 days & I believe I am way too excited.
-Wesley and I will be dating for four years tomorrow! <3
-Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson is my favorite Christmas song right now.
-I have done my first ever December Daily book & I love it.
-Adam Levine was named the sexiest man alive. made. my. day.
-I am finding great joy in buying Christmas gifts for others.
-I have learned the family recipe for cornbread dressing from my grandma.
-I am a few weeks behind on project life.
- I go bowling every Monday : my score is improving every time.
-I bowled my first turkey ever! woot woot.

& that is about it. this is my life. one day at a time.
I will post pictures of december daily when I get pictures put in.

-b

currently: 8.17.13

watching: nothing. I haven't had the time to watch anything.

reading: the arrangements series. these books are a really short read, and they aren't the greatest books I've ever read. BUT they catch my attention...so I HAVE to find out what happens next.

eating: healthy. I've gotten really serious about eating healthy again. I was doing good and I kind of slipped up a little...but now I'm serious. I'm so excited to get fit! 

needing: sleep. vacation time. 

obsessing: school supplies. it's that time of year again...and I'm obsessed with anything office supplies. 

learning: patience, though it's really not working out in my favor. 

loving: starbucks. there is no way I would survive the mornings without my starbucks! 

looking forward to: september 30th. surprisingly, I can't wait to start college. 

pinning: e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. 

record timing.

So, this is really big for me. I've never been much of a runner...I despised it as a kid. Pretty much for the sheer fact that it was mandatory in school, aha! Now I love to do it. For me. It's a good way for me to clear my head. Believe it or not, for me running is a "de-stresser."

This quote is it...I couldn't' have said it better myself! 

I made record timing for ME on July 31st! I ran my fastest mile...8 minutes and 2 seconds! I know it's not all that impressive but for me it is! I'm so excited about my accomplishments, I can't even explain it.

-b

update on life.

I've had so much on my mind & haven't had the time to post.

working. cleaning. pinning. researching. making lists.

That's what my life consists of. I really love being out of school. Not having the stress of getting up early going to school, keeping up with everything. I get so much more done in a day than I did in high school.



My 18th birthday just passed last week, I had so much fun. I'm so blessed to have the wonderful people I have in my life. My parents & Paige made it such a special day, one that I will never forget.
We went to Chili's for birthday lunch and met Steph there, so glad I got to spend part of this day with her as well. Afterwards Mom, Paige, and I went to get a pedicure. Of course we had to make a starbucks trip, can't go a day without starbucks anymore. hah! We celebrated that night with cake and icecream. All in all it was a wonderful day, glad I got to share with the people I care most about.

I have finally found the motivation to start working out again. I can't even explain how happy I am about that! I have actually started running!! I use to hate running, I told myself I would never do it. & now it's a way for me to destress, I just run it all off. I find it relaxing, and a good time to just clear my head. I'm starting to make healthier eating choices as well. I recorded my first run today, I know it's not too spectacular but we all have to start somewhere, right? I will continue posting about my fitness motivation.


I have once again fallen behind with project life, but nothing to big this time. only four weeks! I really do love project life, I'm glad I have documented all of the memories that have happened thus far in 2013 that would have originally been forgotten.


I start college soon, it's really hard to believe that I'm already in college. It feels like I was just starting my freshman year yesterday, oh how petrified I was. And now that chapter of my life has closed, and on to the next one. I can't even begin to explain how excited I am to be going to college and making a career out of something I absolutely love to do.

Hope everyone is having a good great week.

-b

wordless wednesday: obsessed.

currently: 6.8.13

watching: the ladies crop at a She Deserves at work.

reading: Walking Disaster. It's the second book after Beautiful Disaster but it's in Travis's point of view. love love love this book.

eating: lunch. left over steak and potatoes. love steak off the grill. 

needing: a vacation. I need to go to the beach or to seaworld. Somewhere far away from this place just for a little bit. 

obsessing: vin diesel. oh dear, that man. something attractive. there is absolutely nothing wrong with him, he's perfect. aha.

learning: patience. I don't have much of it, but I'm trying. 

loving: vin diesel. Paige and I have a serious obsession, it's gotten a little out of hand...but what can I say? <3

looking forward to: september 30th. the day I start graphic design classes at full sail with my best friend. I'm so happy that I get to share this with her, something that we both enjoy. 

pinning: everything. http://pinterest.com/breannablair/boards/

and a new chapter begins.

It's hard to believe that my high school years are over. Within a blink of an eye. It feels like just yesterday I was starting freshmen year...so petrified. I didn't know anybody. I was the new kid. And yesterday was my last day of high school...forever. It's bittersweet. I'm very excited to begin my life, and start a new chapter. I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things. I'm ready to receive my degree in Graphic Design and continue my life. But then again, I'm going to miss certain parts of high school. I'm going to miss my graphic arts academy with my favorite teacher, J-Rod. I'm going to miss my senior year anatomy class with my other favorite teacher, Mrs. Colyer. A small part of me will miss walking through the hallways and having my scheduled routine. Most of all, I will miss my fellow classmates. As much as I didn't like everyone, and I was through with the drama, there is a part of me that is going to miss everyone. Everyone from my high school career has touched my heart, and they will forever have a special place in my heart. I hope that everyone will succeed, I know my senior class of 2013 will do great things.

I have my last few high school events this coming week.
-annual awards ceremony: 5/20.
-senior breakfast and graduation rehearsal: 5/23.
-baccalaureate: 5/23.
-graduation: 5/25.

It's hard to believe that my time is up. I have learned a lot of things through high school that will carry me all throughout life. and so my life begins....

-b

update: project life

I got so far behind on project life after week four, that it got overwhelming. I have learned that there is a lot of planning that goes into project life, and trying to finish out my senior year...that can make it a bit difficult for me to even accomplish anything scrapbooking related. Needless to say, I finally caught up to week 10!

Here goes nothin'...


Week 5:

Week 6:

Week 7:

Week 8:

Week 9:

Week 10:

-b

my new adventure.

finally. my dreams are coming true. For a while I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life, what path I wanted to go down. A few months ago, in the car with my mom, it hit me. I want to be a graphic designer. I knew right then and there that I wanted to go to Full Sail. I didn't know much about it, I just heard it was a fabulous school to attend. I did a lot of research before submitting an application. From there it just got better and better. I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I finally worked up the courage to submit my application. I have an awful tendency to worry. about everything. I hadn't heard anything back, no letter, no email. nothing. So mom and I called, it was then we heard that I was accepted. I was completely and utterly thrilled. My dreams are finally coming through, and I'm one step closer to being a graphic designer. I just have to finish out the last month and a half of my senior year. 

-b

currently: 3.29.13

watching: the ladies crop on a Friday night at work.

reading: Immortal Hearts...part of the Vampire Kisses series. 

eating: I've been craving chocolate chip cookies. but I'm still trying to stay on a healthy path.

needing: sleep. an acceptance letter.

obsessing: shoes! I love my shoes.

learning: shortcuts in photoshop.

loving: life. Things are going pretty well around here. good grades. happy family. family time. wonderful boyfriend. amazing friends. support from everyone. and wonderful memories being made along the way.

looking forward to: may 25th. graduation. I'm so over the high school business. there will be some things I miss of course, but I'm ready to move on with my life. 

pinning: quotes. shoes. home inspiration. 

on a different note: 

it's officially Spring Break. I have been in desperate need of a break. 

I don't have any exciting plans, but the fact that I don't have to go to school all week...that's all that I needed. 

So excited. Have a good weekend. happy easter. 

-b

forreal?

It's becoming very real to me that my time in high school is quickly coming to an end. It's bittersweet.
I'm totally excited about my time after high school. and what I'm going to end up doing with my life.

I think I have decided that I'm going to "community college" online, to get my main courses out of the way...and transfer over to Full Sail online to major in Graphic Design. I love being creative, I love being able to express myself through several forms of art. It's my passion, and it's what I'm good at.

I have to admit, I'm kind of scared all at the same time. I've been going to school for twelve years. twelve years of the same routine. twelve years of the same schedule. twelve years. gone. just like that.
It's overwhelming to think that soon I will be graduated and then turning eighteen. & soon after that I will be in college. college!

It's crazy how time goes by so quickly. cherish every moment of it that you get, these are the important times.

-b

thankful thursday.

Happy Valentines Day.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Valentine's day this year! 

this week I'm thankful for my parents. I don't know what I would do or where I would be without them by my side. They have caught me when I have fallen, they have helped me through rough times, they are always there to support me. I honestly I would be completely lost without both of them by my side. I love them dearly. thankyou mom and dad for everything you have done for me.

-b

techy tuesday.

knowing this little trick for photoshop has been absolutely wonderful. I lovelovelove the way this looks on just about everything!

-b

motivational monday.

"Don't let the opinion of others consume you"

This quote I have learned to live by throughout my high school career. I don't really care what people think of me. I'm not here to please others, life is too short to worry about the little things like that. People will accept you for who you are, and if not they aren't worth your time. We limit ourselves to living life to the fullest because we don't want to "look like an idiot" or have people make fun of you. Forget all of that, just be you. You only have one shot at this thing called life. 

-b

ps - this is a day late. better late than never. 

motivational monday.

"I think I like who

I am becoming."

We tend to compare ourselves to others, and believe that we aren't good enough. That's wrong. You are beautiful, you are amazing, you are perfectly you. Be-you-tiful. Keep that in mind. 

-b

motivational monday.

"You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger." 

-b

favorite friday.

My favorite class is graphic arts. I absolutely love everything about that class. the teacher. the students. the work. the curriculum. It's my passion, I love designing, though I may not be that great as of right now but I'm working on it and improving.

I have this class for two hours a day, due to the fact that this is my academy class. It's the last two hours of the school day, what better way to end the day.
The past two days we have had a dance party! Two great friends of mine and I have been dancing and singing around the classroom, getting work done and cleaning around. It has been such a fun time...I know this class will definitely be one thing that I will miss after graduation.

-b

thankful thursday.

My mom left this morning to go on a business trip to California. She's been talking about it for weeks, and she is really excited that it's finally here. Her and her friend went on this business trip together to CHA-W! For those of you who don't know, this is the biggest scrapbooking convention of the year, where stores go to look at the brand new products being released for the New Year. I'm really excited because I know they will pick great stuff!

I'm very thankful that her and her friend had safe travels throughout the day today, via plane. I'm thankful that my mom's job is what she loves doing...it's her passion. Do what you love and you'll never have to work another day in your life. So true. 

I'm thankful for the amazing friends I have, they help get me through the days as I finish out my senior year.

What are you thankful for this week?

P.S- didn't get to do a wordless wednesday this week...considering it's wordless I got lucky. haha.

-b

techy tuesday.

Look at these arrow brushes for Photoshop. When I found these I was beyond excited about it, there are several different arrows in this package. 

She gives you a tutorial on how to download them if you need assistance! 

Here is the link: 

http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/2012/4/12/free-download-arrow-photoshop-brushes.html

enjoy!

-b