The sky broke like an egg.

Don't forget these walks, Kimberly. The ones you take nearly every evening after dinner -- after the last dishes are being rinsed and the stray crumbs are brushed off the counter. When the thin and worn slippers are slid on and the creaky front door swings open and closes with a bang. As the brisk or humid air hits your cheeks, and you loiter around the yard, waiting for Michael to come down the stairs and pull out one of his ear buds to hear you talk as you stroll down the sidewalk.

The way you form a line as you pass someone, and the way you usually only say "Hello" to the ones that say "Hi" first. The way your left slipper gives your foot a callous, but you've gotten used to it after these past few months. Remember how everything seems less hopeless outdoors, with the crisp air, the strong wind, and the way you skip on occasion just because you can. The same trees you pass, tall, staunch, and dark against the bright sky; the same green golf course, set ablaze by fiery sunlight.

Don't forget that you're living in paradise, and that your days are numbered.

New favorites.

dress: target // shoes: ross // feather earrings: handmade // bracelets: etsy

Maxi dresses are skirts are new favorites. The new black sandals are already showing signs of wear-and-tear although I've only had them about two weeks. It's too easy to want to wear them everyday.

Now, has anyone else watched the movie Warhorse and come close to crying their eyes out six times while succumbing to the overwhelming tears twice in quiet shame on the couch? I don't relish crying in front of family, but seriously, that movie broke my heart about three times. The happyish ending couldn't even bring me to terms with all the heart-wrenching parts. It's been over two days, and I'm still struggling with shrugging off the groggy feeling of finishing reading or watching something that left you changed.

A new favorite movie? I think yes.

Look at how we've grown.

It's been ages since I saw this DIY project online, and after months of thinking about it, I've finally done it. Amongst the messy piles of books, half-done jewelry projects, scraps of paper, and constantly tumbling objects -- this wall art was born. It actually turned out much better then I had anticipated; as lame as this may sound, I am smitten by clothes pins. They're just the dandiest things, and because they're made of wood, they are even more charming.

(shamefully messy bedroom. no, you don't want to know).

inspired by hannah

Now, I hate to sound sentimental, but when browsing for pictures, I literally got choked up while turning through old baby books and photo albums. I finally wrote the poem that had been stirring in my heart the past few days. Hope you guys like it.

Look at how we’ve grown.

I guess I should have known.

This moment isn’t forever-home.

How the time has flown.

When the baby pictures are shown –

Memories set in stone –

Faded pictures, grainy tones –

Look at how we’ve grown.

Look at how we’ve grown,
Unharmed, no broken bones.
Childhood was our safe zone;
Adulthood’s calling with a low groan,
No more orange safety cones.
New seeds must be sown.
Goodness, look at how we’ve grown.

-Kimberly Hanson

Outside the house.

I relish the days we leave the house and go outdoors. The sunlight, fresh air, and wind do something to liven my soul. All the worry about to-dos and lists dissolves away in the reverie of the moment. I think it's something we all need. To get caught up in the moment -- not living for tomorrow, but living for today.

And can I get a big applause for film grain? The stuff is magical. I want to sprinkle it over all of my photos like sparkle dust. If that even makes sense. Forgive my absence of mind. It's been a gloriously lazy Sunday.

Everyday life.

Maybe it's the way that little girl smiled and laughed and jumped around and gave free hugs. It made me want to write. The brushes and murky water strewn and dripped on tables, soaking newspaper. The way I asked a girl if she wanted to "wipe the blue paint off from her chin and mouth" and the way she said "when I go home." The constant buzzing noise, the warm sun on my skin contrasting the arctic air conditioned room. A clogged glue bottle, two clogged glue bottles, three clogged -- unscrewing the cap and using sticky fingers to paste the fish on the paper. Glue everywhere. It made me want to write.

Evening walks with Michael; laughing hysterically for no reason. Constantly passing dog walkers; more dog walkers; loathing dog walkers. The sun dipping behind a cloud. Taking pictures of the trees and the sky; taking pictures of Michael; instructing Michael to take pictures of me.

Running home; devouring coffee and cake; doing absolutely nothing and regretting it.

It made me want to write.

Easter colors.

My pants were yellow and my beads were blue. The colors seemed to feel like Easter. Bright, happy, and celebratory. I've been having a wonderful time making jewelry over the weekend, and I finally found a black and white striped shirt! I want to wear it constantly now.

Oh yeah, and before I forget, it's Easter today! Our family never really did the Easter-egg-decorating and candy-eating thing. I can only recall one or two Easter egg hunts we did when we were little; my mom hid the colorful plastic eggs throughout the house and my brothers and I darted around and searched in cupboards and under the bed. Mom knew the allotted amount of eggs, and when one of us began to find too many, we were ordered to stop and allow the others to continue until they found the rest. It would eventually end in mom giving enormous hints about where the last one or two eggs were and we'd all end up happy with a few pieces of candy, change, and stickers afterwards. Then there was the scary Easter bunny; yes, my brothers and I were terrified of that huge, furry thing whenever we came across it. I remember taking a picture with the Easter bunny one year, but my brothers were too scared to join. I can't help but want to laugh whenever I see the old polaroid of it.

I'm glad that now, Easter is not really any of those things to me (though I don't mind the candy a bit; heck, I'll take a chocolate bunny any day). The best part of Easter is no longer the sugar, though. Today at church, I was reminded about the significance of the sun rising everyday; it's such a wonderful reminder to look up at the sky each day and remind oneself that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and then He rose after three days. He conquered death for us. That's something I want to remember everyday.

The awaited vlog.

Finally, it is done; I had no idea a vlog would be so much work! Hah. After working all afternoon making and editing the video, I realized it was still too long. In fact, it was so long that I couldn't upload it to any websites without first cutting it in half. Therefore, I bring you two videos instead of one. I am glad to say that I did keep the video under thirty minutes (just barely, I know). There were just so many questions; or maybe it's just because I talk too much. It's probably due to the latter. All things aside, I really hope you all like the video. Honestly, watching it makes me cringe because of my constant verbal clutter and dry humor. Vlogs are so goodness-me embarrassing; but so long as it's entertaining to somebody, it was worth it.

Watch part two over here!

P.S. I have no idea why the video is so tiny. It's really quite annoying, but I've already spent so much time trying to make this vlog that I have given up the hope of perfecting it. The next one will be better, I promise!

Mixing prints.

shirt: jeans warehouse // skirt: handmade // shoes: target // necklaces: etsy // ring: a gift

My life consists of midnight pep talks and late mornings. I found myself seated at the computer last night, shrieking to myself through the screen in all caps. I was trying to work on a scholarship essay which I've procrastinated far too long, and found myself unable to write anything I was satisfied with. My ability to focus exasperatingly vanished a few weeks ago, and I find myself ADD when it comes to anything involving school. So rather then type an essay, I wrote a pep talk to me. It went quite well, though it didn't help my essay much.

Today, I tried to make the vlog for you friends, but I'm afraid it was over thirty minutes long. Yes, I'm serious. Now, not even I want to listen to myself talk for half an hour in a video, so I am going to try to make a shorter one sometime this weekend. I will probably plan out concise answers so I don't ramble; and I'll cut out the similar questions because goodness-me a thirty minute vlog would be embarrassing.

P.S. Mixing prints in outfits it so much fun! Give it a go.

P.S.S. And thank you so very much for all of the sweet birthday wishes on my last post! I read every single one!