Links + Loves

Mother freaking nature sure puts on one heck of a spring show

Halllooooo and happy Monday! Well is happy Monday actually a thing? Mondays are Mondays and I just don't think they're ever happy, more just motivational, which I really needed today since I woke up to the rain. But I bought myself some flowers and a latte, and got back a history midterm with a big old A at the top, so I can't say it was necessarily a bad Monday.

First and foremost, a shoutout to my clogs. They never got the blog attention they deserved. Bought them after hours of research (aka reading Grace's suggestions) and have never looked back. I may be the only 20-year old on the planet who loves Swedish wooden clogs but so be it.

I really love this video from Kate. Curling my hair is something I feel like I'm forever learning how to do correctly.

My dear friend Emma started a blog! I love, love this post about brunches in Boulder.  Mmm, if I could eat brunch everyday all day, I would.

A while ago, my mom sent me this article. Why yes, I do question my sanity all the live long day! But I can also tell you about each cranial nerve and the epithelium lining the esophagus or how to separate copper, barium, nickel, and manganese metal cations so that's pretty neat. Because obviously these tidbits of knowledge are useful in day to day life. #sarcasm

I've taken to working out right before bed. I was worried it would give me more energy/adrenaline but I assure you, I still fall asleep quite easily. I am loving this playlist to pump me up.

I got a new Fitbit Alta for my birthday! I love it SO much! I love that it has a watch function, I love that I can see exactly how many steps I've taken, but more than anything, I love that my texts/calls come through on it. During class, I put my phone on do not disturb, and have missed some important/time sensitive texts and calls. Now I can screen each message/call and it's freaking the bees knees.

I've got my eye on these Patagucci shorts.

I love stumbling across med student/residents Instagrams/blogs. Franish's is awesome and I love her day in the life posts.

Peeing. my. pants.

Guys, this is the perfect drapey v-neck. Old Navy does it yet again.

I think I'm going to have to head on over to Target to pick up these sandals for summer. I love the toe strap and that the simple laces.


Well now I should probably study some chemistry, seeing as I have an exam tomorrow. Solubility, crystal field theory, complex ions? I've got this. Or I will watch last week's episode of Grey's Anatomy. Decisions, decisions.

xo
Hannah

Seasons & Operas

Slightly dramatic picture, slightly dramatic post

Today was the weather was exceptionally "springy". It was overcast when I woke up and it rained/sorta hailed when I was walking to class. However, buds are covering trees and bushes and the grass is greening up again and the earth has a blooming smell to it. I spent most of the afternoon studying chemistry, and took the exam this evening. It's been a pretty good day, but just as the earth is doing its thing transitioning into the next season, I feel like life is too.

The past few weeks (but especially this weekend) I have been ridiculously nostalgic. I really, really miss my friends and family and the golden memories of high school. That feels crazy since high school was a good two years ago, but life has been so turbulent lately and honestly, pretty unstable, so I think I've just been clinging to my pieces of joy. I would give my arm and leg to go back to the freaking awesome surprise party the moms planned for us, or to Sonic stall 22, or to APUSH with Paisley, or to the tennis courts at the rec centers.

But at the same time, I'm so loving brunching with my gals, throwing myself into school, and learning the ropes of leading Wyldlife.

There is a magnet my mom keeps on the fridge at home that her grandma gave her. On it, there is a pumpkin surrounded by foliage and the words "To everything there is a season". Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 says "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens... A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance". This is my season where in the most random of moments, there is a lump in my throat. It's the time where I wish I was with my family simply out of comfort. Honestly, I want to say "oh I'm learning this or understanding this" but I don't know! I'm not quite sure what all of this is, other than a heaping dose of perspective and a realignment of priorities.

When I was listening to my Classical Spotify playlist in the attempt to keep my brain on chemistry not lyrics, "Nessun Dorma" (also love this version!!!) came on. My taste in music is seriously so all over the place, as I enjoy indie folk to opera arias to occasional pop to piano sonatas. My mood is very determinate of my music and in moments of focus, operas and classical music is my drug of choice. Last night I was listening to the Carpenters, this morning I was listening to The 1975, this evening it was Jackie Evancho.

With opera and classical, the deepest, most intense emotions that we can't really make sense of with words alone are simply thundered out with instruments and vocals. There's a great TED talk (I wrote a few thoughts on it a few years ago back here) that explains how classical music is transformative and captures magic in the most unique of ways. Tragedy is made beautiful and stories are told in their raw. So I guess my current state of life is that of a transitioning season, and an opera- unpredictable and glorious, liberated emotion. Thanks for sticking with me through this muddled mess of thoughts.

xo
Hannah

High Five for Friday!

This week has been nothing but happy. There was nothing in particular that made it so darn joyful, it just was. I had two midterms Monday and a lab quiz on Thursday which aren't always fun, but the weather has been something wonderful and warm and the sunshine has brought me so much happy! The forecast for the weekend is great (75 on Sunday!!!) and spring break is a week away. I woke up to the smell of rain and had a major dance party while getting ready. Spring is in the air! "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People always gets my day started right, along with a big cup of coffee. Classes went quickly, and Christine and I got Starbucks to kick off the weekend. I deep cleaned my room and am catching up on Grey's, and plan on hanging out with Em, Mack, and Mel tonight. I am on a roller coaster that only goes up!

I didn't do a great job of documenting the week, but my dad went to San Diego this week for business and made sure to send my family a million pictures that only made us very jealous. I don't think I could ever live in California, but the warm weather and beaches sure do make it tempting. Even though the weather here has been pretty amazing, I think my whole family was wishing to be in San Diego mostly just to escape reality. We had a wonderful trip there this summer and loved every second of it. So here's a glimpse into my dad's life this week.

1. View of the city from Coronado Island

 2. The Marina

 3. Coronado Beach- oh what I would give to be there now!

4. He went on a behind-the-scenes tour of the San Diego Zoo. What a rough life!

5. A beautiful, beautiful sunset

I suppose I am fine here nestled up to the beautiful Flatirons, I really don't have much to complain about;) But I am very much looking forward to the beach and warmth and humidity... only 103 days until Hawaii! not that I'm counting of course;)

Happy weekend, loves!

xo
Hannah

Hey May!

How on Earth is it already May?! Wasn't just yesterday the first day of school? Everyone always said senior year flies by, but man, I never realized how fast it would. They also talked about senioritis and I never would have guessed I would be hit so hard by it. I think I have a few ounces of motivation to get me through my last six days of school! On Friday, I took my first last final. Can I just shout it from the rooftops how ecstatic I am to be done with high school math?! The AP exam is on Wednesday and that's just going to happen how it happens (aka I'm not stressed because I know I'll take calculus again in college). Tomorrow I have my APES exam and boy I cannot wait for that to be over. I have never detested a class as much as that one (except maybe AP World).

You see, what I love about May is that it's a month of lots of ends, but a month of new beginnings. While the school year ends, the summer begins. While the cold spring ends, the warm whispers of summer begin. It's a magical thing, really.

Right now, as I blog, the windows are wide open and I hear the birds chirping, my dad in the backyard gardening and listening to Bohemian Rhapsody, and I listen to some old soul music because to me, it just screams spring. Right now is my favorite part of spring- the transition into summer phase. Everything is in bloom and the air smells SO good!

And because I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world to live in the most beautiful state, I thought I would share with all of you the beautiful colors and nature that are just in my yard.

It rained pink petals last night

Crabapple tree blossoms

Bees just swarm the tree, creating a constant buzz 

Nature's pretty pretty

The ONLY time in life I like pink is when it's in nature

Apple tree blossoms

The beginnings of Marvin's famous garden and the lawn boy Brandon in the background

 And the planting has only just begun. I can't wait to share the abundance of color that will eventually erupt!


 I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful spring as much as I am! Happy May my lovely readers!

xo
Hannah

GRADUATION COUNTDOWN: 18 DAYS

{Style Files} Spring

These past few weeks, we have had dreamboat weather. Seriously the best. Warm, sunny, but not blazing hot. You know life is great when you can wear shorts and not feel freezing. These past few days have actually been pretty chilly with lots of spring wind. But luckily it's supposed to warm up Friday so the weekend will be nice and warm again!

This past weekend, Mackenzie and I had our seasonal style shoot. The place we went to take pictures could not have been perfect! So many blooms and so much green surrounded us! However, we went at the wrong time of the day when the sun was just entirely too bright, so our pictures weren't as top notch as usual. We still managed to get some great shots though, and will be taking our pictures at a different time from now on! 

I'm sort of loving the tulle skirt look this spring. Some of them are massive and a little too ballerina-y for my taste, so I got creative and layered a classic chambray button down over the dress I wore to Sadies, which had the perfect, not-too-big tulle skirt!

"Oh what a cute bridge"

"Aren't I so cute?"

"Hmm, what's in the water? A SNAKE?!" Cue Mackenzie and I running as fast as we could, screaming 

 Outfit Details

Dress: Macy's (similar)

Shirt: American Eagle (similar)

Necklace: J.Crew

Shoes: American Eagle

Bangle: Charming Charlie's

I am absolutely in love with Mackenzie's gingham skirt! Gingham is always a good idea! I love that she paired it with that bright sweater. It gives a perfect punch of spring.

too fab 

Outfit Details

Skirt: Madewell

Sweater: Target

Necklace: Kohls

Earrings: Target

Ring: Charming Charlie's

Shoes: Gap (similar)

 Skirts and dresses are for sure a favorite in the warmer weather. Plus, I love that you can dress up or dress down a skirt or dress. They are simply the best! Plus, I love to twirl like a little girl;)

I'm looking forward to more and more photoshoots, especially as it warms up!!

xo
Hannah

Fresh and Clean

I have a love/hate relationship with the spring. It's such a tease. One day, the weather is balmy and 65, and the next, it's snowing sideways. It's also the time of year that goes by the fastest. Soon, I'll be rereading this post and it will summer, and I'll be a high school graduate, basking away in the summer heat. But for now, life is full speed ahead. Senior boards are coming up, along with prom, a choir ski trip, AP exams, and lots of lasts. I'm reveling in all these final high school moments, but am excited for what the future holds.

Today, the birds are chirping and sun is out, and the earth is blooming. So it only felt right to give my blog a spring welcome. I sure can't wait for those summer days, where the birds never stop chirping.

via

xo
Hannah

PS- I apologize for my lack of posts, I have a concussion and am avoiding screen time so I can get better faster. Typing/reading/bright screens just make my headache and nausea worse, so I've just been lounging around lately. As soon as I'm feeling better, I have lots to catch up on!

Blessed

Happy Easter! Christos Anesti, He has risen indeed!

This past week was a reminder of all the good things in my life that I so often forget when busy and stressed....

Birthday surprises

and celebrations

Watching great movies all day with my mom that leave old songs in our heads

Movie days after sledding

The best pictures from a BF5ever

Exploring downtown Denver

and ending the day with lots of laughter at the Old Spaghetti Factory

Shopping/running errands with my mom all day...and laughing from pure exhaustion trying on pajamas on top of her clothes at Target

Another day just with my momma, my favorite- ending it with Wahoo's

Cleaning my closet and reorganizing all my clothes in OCD fashion

Purple loving little sister

Reading a great book in less than a day (you better believe I've got a lot to say about it too!)

Watching one of the strangest movies ever

Babysitting my favorite littles

Pictures for me from my cousin (btw, she made only me one! and told me I was her favorite! This is monumental!)

I was going to make use of my break and catch up on blogging- I've got a list of things to record. But I just let things roll, and made the best of each day, getting up by 9 and not going to bed until 12 because I was spending time with some of my favorite people. Life is really about enjoying the small things.

xo
Hannah