It Gets Better.

"It’s been decided. On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 6 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools. RIP Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase and Billy Lucas. You are loved." credit here. 

Magic Monday

This week's Magic Monday is from Celeste of Wanderlust, a fantastic blog on life and all of its wonderful components. Her pictures are stunning, her travels worthy of envy, and her musings charming and genuine.


Here is what she had to say...

"I've never been afraid of heights, but when I stood with my toes aligned with the cliff my heart skipped beats. The ocean was so big, and so blue. Thinking back now, I can still feel the heat of the rocks and my wet footprints evaporating in the sun. And I can feel my legs pushing off, my heart sinking, and the warm, welcoming blue as I fell into it.

This is how I'll always remember Greece. It's the clearest blue water you've ever seen. The refreshing ocean in the heat of warm sun. The saltiest water you've ever tasted- so much salt that you can just float and bask and think, "Am I really here?"

This photo brings back so many feelings. It was taken in Aegina, a beautiful island southwest of Athens, during my trip to Greece a year ago. To me, this photo isn't only of an amazing experience, but it also represents the leap into my wanderlust heart. It's understanding that there's always a little fear in what's ahead of you but going for it anyway because you don't learn when you hold back. 

(Also, if you look really, really closely, you can see a little green kayak out further in the middle of the sea. That's my friend, Jamil. And the little blob swimming next to him is my friend, Chris. Both wonderful friends I made that summer.)"

The Great Pumpkin

Saturday marked my first trip to a pumpkin patch in many, many years. I always have an incredible nostalgic yearning for all of the things I did when I was small, and the pumpkin patch was no exception. To finally get to go was just as exciting as I hoped it would be.

 

The boyfriend was far less picky with his pumpkin selection than I. Determined to find just the right one, we wound up in quite an ambitious trek around the length of farm patch. Eventually, I settled on one (which I named Philip), only for his stem to break off. No other pumpkins compared, and I came to overlook this handicap and take him home anyway.

The patch we went to had a petting zoo, bakery, and a pig show. But despite the tempting food options, such as fresh corn, we skipped eating at the farm and made our way to an adorable 1950s Diner.

It was a supremely lovely afternoon.

Frightfully Fall

Pumpkins, spice cake, and the crunch of leaves - these are the reasons I love fall. The lovely boyfriend and I took a trip north to visit a pumpkin patch, pet goats, and eat caramel apples (though we didn't actually eat caramel apples).

Photos and pumpkin details are to follow in the next post. For now, here is what I wore.

 

 Outfit:

Dress - H&M, Knit Cape - Secondhand, Leggings - Secondhand, Hat - Urban Outfitters

Wandering Days

It is easily forgotten how hectic the academic year can be in the heat of summer. However, in these turning leaves of fall, as I arrive on campus at 8 am to work, only to finally shuffle home after 6 pm from my exercise class at the gym, I could not wish for the leisure of summer more. Sure, there is a certain degree of pleasure in knowing my days are packed with pay checks, homework assignments, cardio classes, and lunch dates. But there is a lovely feeling derived from waking up and having the whole day to my whims. 

 

In an effort to keep my sanity, I will be trying to keep my coming weekend as laid back as possible despite pumpkin patch plans, yoga, a friend's surprise party (in which I am baking a cake), and volunteering at the NW African American Museum. I am so thankful for gcal.

Outfit:

Dress - Goodwill Outlet, Sweater - J. Crew, Belt - A&E, Shoes - Goodwill Outlet, Necklace - Old Navy

What helps you hold on to your sanity when your days are full to the brim?