December was hectic. Between finishing up with finals, working during break and sorting out our family’s Christmas plans (and presents)—it wasn’t until two days before Christmas when things started finally slow down for me. I was able to catch my breath. I was able to be with family and finally enjoy the holiday.

And the Christmas present memory of riding in a horse drawn carriage. At midnight, in the freezing winter—but curled up next to Chris. Whispering, pointing out Christmas lights, and listening to the sound of horse’s hooves. I had that feeling, deep in the pit of my stomach, that I knew I didn’t want to be anywhere else with anyone else but him.


a (very special) new thing

[ Sigma 18-50mm lens ]

It was this time last year when I gave myself the goal “if I want to try something—just try it!”. I wanted to push aside my anxiety, and my fear of failure. A big part of that dealt with being more proactive and more creative with my blog. I’ve always been blogging, whether on tumblr or way back during xanga/livejournal days, and I wanted my blog to grow with me. If change hasn’t reflected in my blog, I can honestly say it has in my life.

It was this time last year when I gave myself the goal to try, and I have.

Photography: I picked up a camera. I experimented with different ones, via my college’s art department or my dad's, and was able to replace elements of my blog with real photos, photos I took. My blog became less of collection of random thoughts, rants, and reblogs and became a more cohesive tool for me to share my life with my family and friends as well as strangers.

Outfit posts: I stood in front of the camera. This part was hard—I felt silly and embarrassed. But I liked this aspect of blogging and wanted to try doing it for my blog. I started with a old snapshot camera and a tripod in a corner of my room. Then one afternoon Chris offered to help. Day after day, I slowly realized that I looked forward to putting outfits together—finding multiple ways to style something I’d usually only wear a one or two ways—and posting them. It was freeing. Whether I received lots or little feedback, somehow the mix of blogging and posting outfits I was becoming more comfortable in my skin and more importantly—becoming comfortable with trying new things.

School/Grades: I wanted a 4.0 for the fall semester. Something I had never gotten in college and I wanted to strive for it my senior year. I buckled down, hard. I said no to invites, missed (some) family occasions and lots of down time with Chris. I spent game days and long weekends in the library. I took 18 hours for the fall semester. I took 18 hours and got 5 A’s and 2 B’s. A 3.7! It wasn’t my goal, but given the amount of work I put into the semester—it almost felt like a 4.0


So thanks to my dad who gave me his camera for Christmas. Thanks to my family who came together and decided to buy me this new lens. Thanks to my readers and those who comment. I’d do this blog if I had no followers, but it means so much that I have support from you all.

with love, oklahoma

 [ Cardigan  - BDG via UO, scarf - gift, top and pants (old) - American Eagle, boots - local ]


Today I am so happy and honored to be guest posting for the lovely Charity of c'est la belle vie! I have attached my photos here for you to enjoy, but please pop over to her blog to see what I had to say about this look.

Hope everyone is having a great Thursday. I am so loving this time off work and school its not even funny!

i would swallow my pride, and choke on the rinds

Beanie - Old Navy, leather jacket- Forever 21, hoodie & jeans - American Eagle, tee - Chris’, flats - Buckle

With all the hype about the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books and the subsequent movie—which makes my list of top ten favorites, David Fincher made a truly amazing film—I finally gave in and bought/started reading the first book of the trilogy. And when I say gave in, I mean before we got up in the theater when the credits started to roll, I told Chris we were stopping on the way home to buy the book. And the second one.

So if you need to find me, I’ll be huddled in my snuggie reading for the rest of the week.


frohe weihnachten!*

 Cardigan  - BDG via UO, scarf - gift, top and shorts (old) - American Eagle, tights and flats - local
*(merry christmas! in german)

After an early start and a busy day, I’m finally relaxing with my family and on the couch cuddled up next to Chris and the pups. I’m now dressed in Rudolph pajamas (that’s right, matching top and bottoms gifted from my momma), eating sugar cookies and flipping channels between the Thunder basketball game and the Packers football game.

I couldn’t be happier!

Hope you are enjoying your holidays and the time with your families! :)

december lately part 2

 Look what Chris has stashed under the tree…

With the exception of Friday night, we spent the entire weekend huddled up at home. Towels lined against the door to keep the cold air out. TV marathons. Cooking together. Sharing a bottle of wine, and then drunkenly attempting to play RockBand.

Me on the vocals for the first time = bad. Chris pretending I was good on vocals = good.

Also worth mentioning: Full work of week starts tomorrow. Fall terms grades come out Tuesday.

am / pm #1

I’ve somehow revisited my Maroon 5 obsession from sophomore year of high school. Listening to them when I get ready, on my walk to classes, on my drive to work, and mini trips to the store. (“Chris, don’t feel down! Listen to this!” and I play Misery. Two times. Sometimes three.)

Awkward moment of the day: at work, explaining my changes to the proposal and further suggestions when suddenly I'm completely distracted. By distracted I mean I faintly hear an old Maroon 5 song playing in someone's office. My brain derailed and I was embarrassed because it took me like three to five minutes to pick up where I was.




Side note: am / pm something you guys like? I really love how Sara Zucker does her 8am vs. 8pm feature and wanted to do something similar. Worth keeping y/n?

december lately part 1


Still in the middle of finals, but here are some bits and pieces of life according to my camera.