Currently.

Obsessing over planning. I won't go into too much detail, but Blake and I are in the process of figuring out details for our honeymoon. We want to get all of those plans out of the way first, so then we can focus on wedding details. We are so excited! I can't wait to share more... I have a blog post planned for the occasion. :)

Working on nothing, really. The semester is over (thankfully), and I have a reading list to attend to. Let the lazy commence.

Thinking about moving soon. Our lease is up in September, and unless I continue living with Anna and Isaac (which I think they are moving out as well), then I can't live here as a student (silly restrictions!)... so, I've been searching for apartments. Breigh and I would like to live together before Blake and I get married, so I'm trying to work with that, but I think it's in my best interest to move in with the family I work for (in the nanny apartment). We'll see. I'm just not sure of anything yet!

Listening to Beach House's Teen Dream. Because I refuse to listen to the new album. Call it weird or whatever, but I will never let go of Teen Dream. #favoriteforeverandever

Wishing for ice cream... or better yet, Pineapple Whip!  I'm ready for a good summertime treat.

I don't have much to say these days. I have been so consumed with work and school (and reading up a storm lately), that I haven't really made time for much else. I do have something to share with you all once I'm done sharing the news with everyone else... I'm excited about this!
xo Haley

Currently....

*I had an insanely casual Sunday. Outfit post coming soon, soon, soon!*

Obsessing Over: The Hunger Games. For cereal. I am racing to finish the book so I can go on to Catching Fire (eeeek!) and I seriously want an HG tattoo. I'm not even joking. I have the perfect idea (and yes - it is the famous quote "May the odds be ever in your favor." What else would it be?!)

Thinking About: All the homework I have to do tomorrow. Spring Break was great - now back to the reality of insanely difficult Hospitality & Service Management classes, an 8 week Sociology course, & business math. My life is crrrazy right now. 

Anticipating: making my first real trip to the post office tomorrow. I have a very special package to be sent out to Miss Carly (which I have a few more things to gather up for it, first. Excited!) but then it'll be on its way... is it weird that I'm excited to be able to go take this to the post office? From what I hear it's like the cousin of the DMV. 

Listening To: Well, at the moment, Secret Life is playing in the background while the kiddos nap, but other than that, my playlist this weekend has most definitely been the Hunger Games soundtrack. It's so perfect!

Wishing For: a reason to spend $110 on a swimsuit. I'm trying to bargain with myself, and come up with a valid excuse to add a 6th swimsuit to my summer wardrobe. Everything in this etsy is so beautiful. I need, I need. 

I'll be back tomorrow with a recap of my weekend. It ended up being an impromptu Brother + Sister weekend. It was so much fun! We ate lots of food, played old school arcade games at 1984, and saw Hunger Games! It was a blast. Can't wait to share! 

xo Haley

*I've done a "Currently.." post before, but after seeing Lydia's today, I think I'll make this a usual thing. PS... SUUUUPER did not know Lydia is 22 (happy birthday, mama!) She's only a little over a year older than me! CRAZINESS! ;)  

Currently.

My BFF Colby recently blogged this fun little post, and I thought that I would join in the fun since I'm currently lacking major inspiration and desire to blog. Sad face.

Obsessing Over the new reading corner in my bedroom. I bought my first piece of furniture a few days ago, and I'm in love! I had a bit of buyer's remorse (like I always do), but I got over it quite quickly when I saw how well it fit into my bedroom! My next goal is to actually achieve one total look for bedroom. Yikes. I promise to share it soon!

Thinking About what I'm going to eat for dinner (probably Ramen noodles...) and how I have to be up at 5:30 to get to work by 7 tomorrow! Yucky. I've also been up in the middle of the night a lot lately trying to think of people that my boss could hire this coming winter as a new nanny! I don't know why, but I'm stressing over it!

Anticipating getting my scholarship money back so I can finally get a new Macbook Pro. I need it. Badly. I also need wifi in my apartment. NEED. Also, anticipating the DVD release of The Swell Season documentary. Somehow... I totally missed that one. Not sure how!

Listening To The Civil Wars, at the moment. I've also been listening to a ton of Lana Del Rey. I bought both The Civil War's Barton Hollow and Lana Del Rey's Born to Die on vinyl last week, and they're so good.

Eating nothing at the moment, but I just finished a tasty Chick Fil-A lunch! I'm addicted. And to think that once I used to hate it... silly me!

Wishing for lots of things right now. But most notably: wishing I'd hear from Janel about baby Amelia! She's coming today!!

I hope you all have a good day, and I promise to be back soon... as soon as inspiration hits :)

xo Haley

Valentine's Day Cuteness

Happy first day of February! I'm so excited for this month, I have way too many plans for my own good! 

I am not Valentine's Day's biggest fan. At all. I love the idea, but based on past experience with the "holiday," I'm not a fan. Blake is slowly changing my mind. Slowly. I'm getting excited about the idea of decorating for Valentine's Day. I think I might spend the next few days crafting up some cute decorations & V-Day Cards! :) 

Here are a few of my favorite things I've spotted here and there...

 Sweet shoe clips

 The sweetest heart print dress, styled by Elsie

 Cute, cute, cute idea for handmade Valentines

Sweet "read between the lines" Valentines

I am currently watching Sesame Street (fun, I know, right?), and Jimmy Fallon is the celebrity guest... it's only slightly creepy. 

I'll see you tomorrow with a new outfit post (finally!) You can see a few of my past outfits here.

xo Haley 

What's on My Desk

The other day, during my room tour, I showed a little peek at my desk, so I thought it would be fun to do a weekly feature based on what is on my desk at the moment. For the first installment, I cleaned up my desk and made it "presentable," which I'm pretty sure Blake was making fun of me for*. But after this one, I promise to show you the true colors of my desk. ;)                

1. Yes, I still have my 'stocking' up from Christmas. I just love Christmas so much. Oh, and the sweet little "I love you" bunting was made by my cute boyfriend. 2. I keep a few of my books on my desk, mainly the ones I'm reading at the moment, or wanting to read soon. And that little photo is of my mom and me when I was a little one! 3. I am obsessed with all of the cute little containers in the $1 section of Target. I seriously buy them every time I go! I have a cute felt one in my bathroom. Obsessed.  4. A little stash of yarn. I'm currently *attempting* to learn how to knit. Attempting, being the key word. 5. My mom got me the book, "Where's Mom Now That I Need Her?" for Christmas, I think as a joke. Well, I will not lie to you... this book has helped me a TON. I have things highlighted, corners bent to save a page, and bookmarks all over this book. It's amazing!

*and yes, this is my desk when it's clean.

So, what's on your desk? :)

xo Haley

2012

source

I have so many hopes for 2012, but then again, that's how I feel at the start of every new year. 

But I'm confident that 2012 is going to be one of the best years yet. 

2012 has so many things in store for me.. 

*spend time with friends like Colby and Breigh more often, especially since they live so close to me. It's silly that we never see each other. 

*I'm starting a new semester at school, after taking a semester off. I'm excited to go back, but so nervous, since I'm starting a new program of study. But, if everything goes as planned, within the year, I'll be completely certified and able to work in a bakery. 

*This blog is getting a makeover soon! I'm excited for all the changes I have planned, including a new layout, and a brand new concept!

*I'm vowing to read more. I need to just make a list of books I want to read and stick to it. 

*I'm turning 21. This is a big deal.

These are just a few of the big things that are happening in my little old life. 

But in the meantime, I'm at work (45 hour work week, killinggg me) and I'm hungry. So I think I'll get started on lunch for the little ones and myself. 

So what are your new plans for 2012. I want to hear. :) 

xo Haley

All I Want For Christmas...

1. I have had my eye on this beautiful Anthro bed frame for years... sigh. The $6,000 price tag has this wish on hold for a while. 2. I love anything and everything Bare Minerals. Get me a gift card to Bare Escentuals, and I will be in heaven. Seriously. 3. The Complete Sex and the City series. Yes. Puhlease. Not to mention, the SATC/HBO gift shop has Samantha inspired fake lashes. Adding that to my wish list... 4. A REAL Orla Kiely bag... I have a fake that I got in NYC last summer, but a real one would be a dream. 5. Hunter wellies. I absolutely love these boots. Need them. 6. I don't think a Dior diamond would be out of the question, right? 7. I want, want, want tickets to see West Side Story in St. Louis next February! Ah! Favorite musical, I need to see it live!

Not to mention, Breigh and I also found this gorgeous, GORGEOUS purse on Etsy today, and I am drooling over it (drooling, I tell you!)...sad to say, it's been sold, and I want it so badly! I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for more..

What's on your Christmas list this year? I know Blake's gonna have an awesome Christmas this year! I'm just freaking out about how soon a few of the gifts will be shipped. I'm cutting it close this year! :)

xo Haley

p.s. coming soon on the blog - new changes all over the place! a brand new design, concept, and schedule! I'm so excited to share this with you all... I'm having so much fun developing it (during naptime at work!) and I hope you all like it! ♥

While the boyfriend is away...

I wear his band's t-shirt (you should get one too, they're mega cute) and indulge in way too much McDonalds.

On second thought, I'm pretty sure I eat too much McDonalds every day...

Anyways. Mr. Blake is on his way to hop on a big boat to go on a cruise.

And I am in Springfield. In my apartment. Alone. Watching Sex and the City & eating ... McDonalds. I did, however, come up with a to do list for a week without Blake.

*Go back "home" to stay the night with Breighann, so we can watch the Bachelorette together.

*Chill out with my papa, talk him into finally getting some Krispy Kremes with me (I've been at it for about a week now. Apparently his diet is getting in the way. Bah).

*Watch the rest of Season 3 & possibly most of Season 4 of Sex & the City, and maybe even some Mad Men... (too much tv via the internet...)

*rearrange my bedroom (for the 3rd time in a month)

*paint my nails (of course)

*finish blogging my "Mr. Right" series over at After Your Heart

*go grocery shopping (I desperately need food in my home)

*write letters to a few key people I've been missing lately

*go to ArtWalk and see Anna's photography show at the Hub (Yay Anna!)

*get a smoothie

*get more smoothies

I have been on a huge smoothie kick lately. The new coffee shop downtown that I blogged about recently, Boca Mocha, has the most wonderful peach smoothie. Sadly, it's closed on Sunday's, so I resorted to the new mango/pineapple smoothie at McDonald's. Mostly because I had a $1 off coupon and today was the last day to use it. #imjustlikemymom

The upside to that, though, was getting a free redbox rental. So in the end, it's all good.

So, my week without Blake is starting today, and tomorrow afternoon, all communication ends until Friday or so. Blah, blah, blah. No bueno.

But I'll be fine! I've got Sex & the City and lots writing to finish up.

Be sure to check out After Your Heart - a lot happened this week!

And check out Breigh's blog, too! :)

xo Haley

On my last day of being a teenager..

Just fyi... this post is h u g e.

Tomorrow, I will turn 20 years old.

Not that 20 is the most exciting of ages, but this is a big deal to me.

I have been a teenager for so long - it's weird to think that I won't be one tomorrow.

I've decided to share a little timeline of sorts, just for fun.

And please know that I am sharing these pictures with you out of pure love for you guys... because some of these are embarrassing. Like the first picture below for example. Absolutely atrocious.

In 7th grade, little 13 year old Haley had brace + glasses + really bad curly hair + was a Jr. High cheerleader. I was one big awesome mess. *I'm sorry Breigh* .... 15 year old Haley lost the braces, found the wonders of a flat iron, but kept the glasses. Breigh and I were the best of friends that year...and in all honesty, have been ever since. We're quite inseparable. Colby and I became friends the summer I turned 16. I didn't know he was gay. We were both in our local production of The Music Man, and although we instantly click, we quickly became best friends.I spent almost every Monday night of my teenage years with my grandma. This will forever be one of my favorite memories of Jr. High & High School. I love my grandma so so much.I got my first tattoo. It took 7 minutes, and didn't hurt a bit. So for the people that ask me if tattoos actually hurt, I'm the worst person to ask.

I went to New York, and I never wanted to leave. Although, I'd never been on a plane before, so I was super stoked to get back on one to go home. That was pretty darn exciting. Also, I'm pretty sure I left the purse in the picture above in the closet of our hotel room. Lucky maid who found it - I really loved that purse.

My dad, Cassie, and I have been to every midnight showing of the Twilight series so far. We've also had a designated t-shirt making night the week before the movie, as well. We're so serious about Twilight. I got my license 3 months before turning 19. To say this was an accomplishment would be an understatement. I took the written permit test 9 times before finally passing, and then barely passed with 71 on the driving test. You need a 70 to pass. I got super lucky with that one. I went to my senior prom with my best friend. I graduated. Breigh and I stayed to go to school in Springfield, Cassie moved to St. Louis to go Lindenwood University & is studying film acting, and Alyssa moved to Kirksville to go to Truman University, where I believe she is pre-med. I'm so proud of my friends. :)
I met some the best women I'll ever know through this blog. I'm so blessed to have such wonderful role models in my life. *love you JanellyBean & Jamie!*

I have the most wonderful boyfriend ever, ever, ever! He's too good to me.

Over the past few years, I've learned so much, and got to do so many things.

I battled depression and cutting for 2 years; I lost a best friend, but gained so many new ones in turn; I snuck a boy into my house at 3 am, and thought I wouldn't get caught, but did; I went through relationship hell, but it taught me some of the greatest lessons I'll ever learn; I had the worst case of pink eye my eye doctor has ever seen (I had pink eye in both eyes and cuts on both corneas. I legitimately had to wear sunglasses indoors. at night. for reals); I went through the application process at Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau twice before deciding I shouldn't move away; I've wanted to be a Broadway actress, a journalist, a mortician & funeral director, a mommy, and a record store owner; I went to a My Chemical Romance + Green Day concert at the young age of 14...note to parents: never let your 8th grade daughter see those two bands live; I've gotten to see all three brothers grow into such handsome young men (with the exception of my 12 year old brother, Tucker, who acts like he's 5. but he's still cute); I was with my best friend when she was diagnosed with a kidney disease, a cried with her through brain tumors, and countless stupid boys, all in one year's time; I moved out of my parents home, and actually entered the stress of the real world; I've realized just how blessed I am.

I'm excited for the next 10 years.

And I'm sure that I'll be doing a blog just like this a decade from now recapping my 20's.

I'm thankful for everything I've been through, every breath I've been given, and every opportunity that has been handed to me.

I'm also quite thankful for all of you - I have the best readers in the world. You all are so fantastic & supportive. I'm so lucky to have fallen into the world of blogging. Without it, I wouldn't have made all of these great friends. I love you :)

Today, I'm spending my last day as a teenager reading Harry Potter, watching silly girly movies, and painting. I have an interview later to be a nanny for a sweet family in town *wish me luck* and then Blake is going to make mac & cheese, and we're going to wait for midnight to come, so I can say that I am officially 20 years old. :)

Have a wonderful day. ♥

xo Haley

Today is For..

Today is for...

* a much needed My So Called Life marathon (I love you, Jordan Catalano)

* frozen pizzas for lunch

* cleaning out my car (maybe...)

* finishing up homework (BOO) (I have to read A Wrinkle in Time by Thursday. No bueno) (it is midterms week! blah blah blah)

* painting my nails and watching The Bachelor

* telling my boyfriend how much I liiiike him (hi boyfriend, I know you're reading this. I like you!)

* more Spring cleaning at the grandma's house to finish "paying" for my outfit (it's totally worth it, btw)

* Grandma night! (Quizno's in Marshfield closed. We're not sure where we're going to eat on Mondays now... sad face).

I woke up in the best of moods because my mom didn't leave me a list of things to do, but... that doesn't mean she won't call me eventually. Let's cross our fingers and hope that phone call doesn't come.

Have a happy Monday!

xo Haley

I Follow You (Tyler, The Creator Remix) - Lykke Li

Today is for..

image via We Heart It

Today is for:

*taking my time getting ready

*making rice krispy treats

*taking my crafty projects and hanging out with my high school art teacher

*spending my evening with my grandma (its grandma night!)

*having a good day

Mondays have never been my favorite until I started college. I don't go to school or work on Monday, so this is my day to completely relax and do whatever I want. I love it. :)

I hope your Monday is just as relaxed and hopefully stress free.

I'll see you tomorrow! :)

xo Haley

december.

this december i will:

*make it a habit to hang out with family more than friends

*find the best christmas present ever for blake. and colby. (and i suppose i need to find presents for my brothers too..)

*go see the pretty lights at silver dollar city

*watch too many christmas movies and drink too much hot chocolate and apple cider

*hang out with grandma as much as possible (and totally dominate at jeopardy)

*stop procrastinating about the end of the semester things i need to do

*stop complaining about the cons of next semester

*be thankful for how wonderful november was

*make december even better than november

its going to be a good month.

now if you'll excuse me, i'm going to drive 30seconds down the road to get Sonic for breakfast, before i go back to sleep.

♥ haley

30 Day Challenge

I have decided to participate in Katie's 30 Day Challenge!

I've had a few new followers here & there, so I thought this would be a fun way to introduce myself... plus this gives me something to blog about every day. Which definitely helps the English grade.

Soooo here goes:

Day 1: Introduce Yourself/15 Facts...

Hello!! I'm Haley and I'm a 19 year old (community) college student. I absolutely adore sweet treats and hope to make a career out of cupcakes someday. :)

Facts about me...

1. I have changed my mind on careers so often, I can't keep track of what I've wanted to do. (Mortician, fashion design, journalist, Broadway actress... the list goes on & on).

2. I only live 20 minutes away from Springfield, so I'm suuuper close to Red Velvet Art. (so excited for the new store opening!)

3. I have two favorite bands: Underoath & Band of Horses. I've seen Underoath live once (at Warped Tour last summer), and I'm seeing Band of Horses for the first time on Thursday (with my dad!)

4. Speaking of dad... I have the coolest parents anyone could ever ask for. My Dad loves taking me and my friends to see the Twilight movies at midnight. My mom harmonizes with whatever is on the radio. Told you they were awesome.

5. I met one of my very best friends via Myspace. Creepy? A little. BUT she has a sister & brother in law that go to my church, so I was connected to her a little bit before we even started talking!

6. Most of the photos of me come from my best friend Colby. He has a blog too! He is grrreat at photography and has a cute boyfriend that goes to London a lot.

7. My favorite movie is Gone with the Wind. It has been my favorite since I was 13 years old.

8. I spend the night at my grandma's house every Monday night. We've done this since I was in Jr. High or so.

9. I have about 3 more major tattoos planned. One of which being a dreamcatcher. I'm 1/8 Native American (my great-grandma was a full blood Indian!).

10. I cannot crochet to save my life. I tried. Many times, actually. But I just can't get the hang of it. My DAD can crochet better than I can.

11. I have a texting problem. My phone is permanently attached to my hand, I'm sure.

12. I have this odd obsession with owls. Of course, I realize this is not uncommon. I just really like owls a lot. But not real life owls. Those are scary.

13. I love to watch scary movies by myself. I hate watching them with other people though.

14. I love Jesus Christ with every ounce of my being. He's such a cool dude. And He hands out blessings like its candy.

15. I write letters to my future husband. I used to write them to a certain person. But, silly me, how can I know at 19 years old who that person is?

So there it is! Day 1 of the blog challenge complete!

:)

xo. haley