2012. A Look Back.//

From traveling to South Africa, Paris, and Nicaragua, 

to putting on Dashing Emancipation;

2013 has been filled with much accomplishments and adventure.

Of course, there were some storms as well,

but life is a mixture of both at times, eh?

Here is a look back through my twenty-twelve:

Nicaragua

Seattle

Lake Tahoe

Florida

South Africa

Paris

Dashing Emancipation 

Paddle-boarding

Sailing

New York Fashion Week

Last but not least: My 21st! :-)

I also want to take a moment and remember my dear Grandmother who went home to be with Jesus this year, in her 91st year of life.

I miss her so much, and am so honored to have known her as much as I did.

She taught me about life in all it's beauty--the mountain tops & the valleys.

Margaret Shea was a woman of love, compassion, and strength.

[Such a stunner she was.]

Peace. Love. Joy

Audacity.//

When aren't the Olsen twins inspiring...

I mean, really?

ADORE.

Images Via: marykateandashley.tumblr.com/

Peace. Love. Joy.

Let's Get To The Heart Of It.//

"Where sickness thrives,

Bad things follow."

A quote from The Hobbit, of which my dear sister drug me to the theater to see ;)

This quote was in the beginning of the film, and it really struck me--

keeping our hearts in a place of wholeness results in health, joy, peace, and all things good.

Everything flows from the heart.

Images Via: Ellesapelle

Peace. Love. Joy.

INSPO.//

Kate Bosworth covering C magazine in October of this year.

Definitely one of my favorite spreads from 2012.

Peace. Love. Joy.

Hiatus. Over.

Hello, Friends.

I am back from my long break.

Sometimes, you just need a breather.

I am back and ready for an amazing year ahead of creativity, inspiration, and hope;

all documented here on my blog.

I hope you'll stick around :-)

Peace. Love. Joy.

Thanks. Giving.

Here I am again. 

Sorry, it's been a bit.

I've been on a bit of a hiatus, you could say.

Taking time to rewind, and focus on some things that don't involve all forms of technology.

Sometimes silence in the sense of; personal reflection, writing, enjoying the little moments around you;

that can transform a heart like no other.

(but, that is a whole other blog post in and of itself--ha!)

It's Thanksgiving--

and yes, I know, we have listened to everyone, friend and foe, talk about what they are thankful for ALL day long.

So, as everyone else is running into shopping malls to get their black friday deals,

I will sit here on my couch with my green tea--the green tea that is going to help with the consequences of all the yummy food, and dessert I just ate. ;)

Cliche, or not, I am going to write a blog about thankfulness.

Hopefully, though you hear my heart and the uniqueness of my soul, 

instead of merely a list of items I proclaim once a year in gratitude.

This past year, as every year, has been marked with unique journeys and adventures.

Although, I can't say I'd like to replay this particular year--

alas, I've taken away a great many treasures of wisdom and journey from it.

I think when you've been through the raw, the dirty, the mired events of life it does make thankfulness and what matters to one a very real & meaningful thing.

I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to let unforgiveness go.

That, I can look loss in the eye, and know I can feel it--

the whole of it. The pain. The deep pain.

And, from that comes some of the deepest, most beautiful, moments of life.

I would be lying if I didn't say it wasn't difficult, though.

I can look at the injustices in my life and not allow them to rob anymore of my time.

I can look at what has been sadness in my life, 

and realize although very real,

there are countless human beings on this earth right now who are going through injustices and loss that make my seemingly huge moments look wimsy.

I am thankful I wasn't born in deep poverty.

I am thankful I have never had to sell my body to help pay for my family's next meal.

I am thankful I have never been the "property" of another human being.

I am thankful I can sleep at night, not fearing who I may have to give my body to next.

I am thankful I was given an education,

and am not oppressed as a 'female' in society.

I am thankful I have shoes and clean feet.

I am thankful I don't spend my nights being raped repeatedly by unknown men.

I am thankful I can dream.

I am thankful for that thing called 'hope' we all have access too.

I am thankful for true friends, and family.

Because, at the end of the day, when all is sad and done--

the greatest loss is to not be known, 

to not have a voice.

And, yet each one of those things above are things that can not be spoken for countless in the globe tonight.

They are individuals living in the same world as me,

seeing the same sun, moon, and stars as me...

yet, living completely, different lives.

Truly though, they are the unsung heroes of the day--

they are the ones who inspire me everyday.

They are the reason, in my darkest of days,

I still hold on to the glimmer of hope I have.

How can these heroes of the night,

be such courageous souls & yet so unknown?

Lastly, tonight, in all my thankfulness,

I pray for the God of all hope to be the light for those in the cess pool of darkness tonight.

I pray for those who are being used to boost other mans ego, and wallet at the cost of their own soul.

I pray for those who are living in fear tonight.

I pray that they could look towards Heaven and hope, 

and know their lives are important;

that they are the true fighters of the day.

Peace. Love. Joy.

THE man; Gurung.

Two Words:

Prabal Gurung.

Yes, possibly my favorite new designer of our times,

is collaborating with Target to bring me and YOU a collection.

This is some of the best news ever.

I will put money down that this will be one of the best collections

Target has done thus far....

prepare yourself.

Until February gets here,

which in my case

I hope comes real soon;

here is a video to hold you over--

My heart is yelping for joy!
Peace.Love.Joy.

The Tides of Time.

There is so much inspiration found everywhere on a daily basis,

it's all about just having eyes to see the beauty.

I am currently at my dear Grandmother's home on the Gulf of Mexico--

it is certainly one of my all time favorite places.

She is an artist, so naturally the place has some amazing aesthetic,

which is something I have become quite fond of over the years.

There is nothing quite like walking into a room with character, elegance, and history;

it's the most perfect combination.

It's days like these I am blow away by the stories of those that have lived before me--

wondering if years from now, the future generations will look back upon my life amazed as well.

It's not so much "what" they did, although, I am constantly amazed by their personal victories,

hoping that I live up to such courage, and human spirit.

What amazes me more than anything though, is the adventures of life--

the moments they couldn't plan for,

and all the exciting stories that took place out of those moments.

It's amazing how some of the most amazing stories come from the "suddenlies";

the way in which we react to life.

It's truly in those moment's that human history is forged--

when our character arises from within us,

and marks the tides of time.

I pray that I live a life,

not merely marked and remembered for what I can accomplish.

Rather, I hope that the generations to come look back upon my life,

amazed at the adventurous life that comes simply from navigating the events of life.

I hope I arise to the occasion and allow those moments to be monumental,

and full of life and love.

Peace. Love. Joy.

The Forest.

The forest; this deep expanse of beauty

that beckons one to embrace the silence,

the awe, and the wonder all around.

It requires the vulnerability of your soul;

the quiet draws on your inner heart strings,

causing you to come into tune with the beating of your heart.

There is no noise to be made to cover up the loud banging of your soul.

No, just you, your heart, and the forest all encompassing around you.

Sometimes, I think it's so easy to ignore out hearts--

To allow life to come in and throw the cadence of our soul off.

It's a scary thing to turn that noise off,

and feel your heart,

become vulnerable to the silence,

and quietly listen.

It all flows out of the heart---

the wellspring of it all.

Yes, it's scary.

Yes, it can hurt.

But, until you listen, really listen;

come into the rhythm of your heart--

then, and only then, do you truly begin to live the way you were intended too.

The beauty truly does lye in the breakdown.

Peace. Love. Joy.

Rambling's of the Soul.

Sometimes, in life, we have to stop, hit "pause" and re-focus. 

I find I am currently in that place.

In the midst of wild dreams, and the most audacious of ambitions, I find myself having to "pause", step back and take a much needed breather.

Sometimes, I think in the midst of life, we can lose focus on why we started a particular journey in the first place. 

Life events come in from time to time, and cloud our hearts passions and desires. 

I am taking  a bit of a breather, to sit back, and ask my heart how it's doing; see it come alive once again.

Over the next few months, I hope that, in the midst of my schooling, I will be able to connect once again with the pulse of my heart, and begin to live life through it once again.

Until then, I am going to allow life to "stop",  and my heart to catch up...

because the state of my heart is more important than anything I could chase on the outside during this season.

To, seasons of re-focusing and re-evaluating.

There's a Meat Market Down the Street.

Here are some more pictures from Seattle!

I find I am drawn the "image" to the "landscape" to the "cafe"; whatever it may be. It's funny how the simplest, most oddest of things can speak volumes to our souls. I think life is really lived deeply and to the fullest when we allow our hearts to feel. I like that I can be drawn to a building or a street for no apparent reason, and yet my heart and mind can go on a deep journey through simply seeing with my eyes.

(First Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season--obviously, it was suitable to enjoy it in Seattle ;)

Berry Picking Galore!

Sunny Afternoon Reading.

Gum Wall--Gross or Artsy?

My life is about to take a wild, adventurous turn--

and I quite like it.

Peace. Love. Joy.

Seattle Adventures.

I was in Seattle last week for my cousin's wedding--it was such a lovely time to enjoy family, and take in the beautiful state of Washington (it didn't rain one day--woot!).

It was my first trip to Seattle, and I enjoyed the gorgeous scenery, and all the culture it has to offer. Enjoy some snapshots I took! :)

The most gorgeous scenery!

Ferry Lines: Boring. ;)

(sweater-H&M, shorts-LC Lauren Conrad, oxfords-South Africa)

Honestly, the best wedding cake I've ever had.

Wedding Attire- dress-H&M, tights-Target)

More to come in the next post--stay tuned!

Peace. Love. Joy.