A La Mode

Burgundy turtle neck sweater, thrifted. Floral printed cords, Free People. Wide brim fedora, Gap. Patterned tote, American Eagle. Black boots, Lucky Brand.

      Sometimes a hat is just a hat. And then, more often for me, it is an outfit maker. I've been on the hunt for a hat just like this felt number from Gap since I made my "fall wish list" during the summer. I'm happy to report that it does not disappoint. While these pictures are more portrait based than outfit based, I had the perfect day to accompany the perfect hat. I wore this outfit on Halloween as a subtle nod to witches everywhere. But my question is...did the hat make my day great or was the hat so wonderful because of the day I had?

Instant Gratification

Patrick and I wearing matching shirts and nice shoes.

I bought a sequined dress because I'm nineteen and my years of being able to get away with that are numbered.

This is basically my backyard. I am constantly blown away by the place that I live.

The sky on the night before my conference championship cross country race.

This is where I ran for that meet, completely breathtaking. 

There's not much better than warming up next to old radiators in the classrooms of my favorite building on campus.

Record shopping was just one of the fun things I did this weekend!

     It's when I look back on my photographs from recent weeks that I realize how good that I have it. As an ambitious person, I often think that I could always be improving my current state. I'm not saying I'm complacent, but I would rather have the attitude of gratefulness that I've adopted this year than always trying to search for something better. I know I work hard, but the idyllic representation of my life through photographs reminds me that I'm so, so blessed. In every regard.

Actually...

     -This year has been the best school year of my life in almost every conceivable way. Then again, I think that every year.
     -I prefer to think that I've been pretty much the same person all of my life. But reflecting on a lot of things that happened my freshman year of college showed me how far I've come. And I couldn't be happier.
     -I will never stop writing and speaking formally. I think sometimes it throws people off that I actually speak using all the "big words" that I do when I write.
     -Running takes up way more of my time than I let on. While I definitely advise it as a form of exercise for anyone to get into, it sure wreaks havoc on being dressed up all day/taking pictures.
     -I owe a lot of my blog's recent improvements to Patrick. I know that I'm an independent woman and all that, but I gotta give thanks where thanks are due.
     -Sometimes, spending an afternoon with your roommate in the mountains instead of your studio class is exactly what needs to happen.  
     -Scary movies have no charm for me. Suspense thrillers? Sure. But Paranormal Activity just doesn't thrill me.
     -I used to think that summer was my favorite season for outfits- just throwing on a dress and heading out the door. But I absolutely adore the dip in temperatures that we've been experiencing lately and am not as excited about the seventy degree forecast for Saturday as I could be.
     -Getting new clothes is one of my favorite activities until I realize that I already have more in my wardrobe than I know what to do with.
     -I will always love helping people. Whether its paying for a meal or talking to them about their love life for hours on end, whatever I can do to be a positive light is what I'm going to do.