best love

we're a band of thieves, us hopeless romantics. stealing the world of all its very best love. -meg

she is such a breath of fresh air. i stumbled across her blog a few days ago and fell in love. she is absolutely brilliant.

world, meet tuscan.

yes that little precious ball of fur in my arms is tuscan. she is a 6 week old chocolate lab who is so full of life and overly clumsy.  we decided to have a lazy friday morning together and snuggle on the couch. well, more like she sat at my feet whining until i picked her up and then would not allow me to finish my homework. we have become the best of friends/sisters. 

doesnt she have the prettiest eyes? i wish i could love on her all the time. i guess this post no longer applies although she is a different breed. hope you all love her as much as i do :)

this world

i realize that yet again i have been on a blogging hiatus.
i was hoping to wait and show you all pictures of the new puppy (coming soon because she is too cute to pass up).
instead i find something plaguing my thoughts over and over that i need to get off my chest.

two days ago a girl from my home town was shot and killed.
yet this girl isnt just any girl. jayme is the little sister of my junior prom date. she is the smiling face that greeted me at the front desk of OVSC every day during the summer. that same smile graced her face as i would drag out crying, grumpy children. she is a daughter, a sister, and a friend.
jayme happened to be in the wrong place, at the complete wrong time. stopped to use the restroom.  shot due to a dispute between two groups who could not control their anger. at 19 this girl lost her life in the back of a car because of a bathroom break and a bunch of idiots.

what in the heck is our world coming to? why do people have to attempt to solve their problems with violence and murder? have we not learned that problems are not solved by waving guns around and killing other people? i am seriously heartbroken by the world i am growing up in. the world that i will one day bring my children into.  i am also shocked at the amount of death i have encountered in the past year.  death of young people who deserved to live out full, beautiful, loving lives.

i hope that those people who left jayme in that car realize the pain and the heartbreak they left behind.  jayme is in heaven making a beautiful angel and watching down on us all, but it is not the way any of us wanted her to go.  youre so missed and loved, beautiful girl.

if you can give any information in the case of jayme please do. her family deserves some justice and closure.

awk and awes thursday

i figure this would be a great week for an awkward and awesome thursday.

awes:
- wearing flannel and lace together. favorite patterns/textures for sure. it was like this with a lace cami underneath. i would wear it every day if acceptable.
- today i watched a homeless man stop traffic so an old woman could cross the street with her walker. they parted ways once she made it safely across the street. that womans smile was so big. it's the little things.
- pizza and tv show thursday with this silly boy i know.  
- new puppies! i cannot wait to share this little chocolate bundle of joy who will soon be entering my life. her name is tuscan and is a 6 week old chocolate lab. stay tuned. 
- the word lovely. and when people use it in their every day vocabulary.  makes me smile. 


awk:
- missing two days of class then returning and having your teacher say "oh, so nice of you to join us again" in front of the whole class. uhhh sorry i had to fly to la for work and have not missed any other classes. i promise it wont happen again.
- that toy gun i spray painted black for halloween to make my swat costume cooler. i understand why it was manufactured in a camo color now.  the black made the gun look so realistic that i scared people. whoops.
- the word awkward and its spelling. also, using awk or awkies instead of awkward. 
- being able to see into your neighbors living room. mmm you may want to close your blinds or learn to wear clothes or at least your towel after your shower. nice to meet you! 


hope you had an awkward and awesome thursday/week!  

Dale Benfield

i am obsessed with this wedding shoot.
this photographer is fantastic. > dale benfield
i seriously would use him to take my photos. check him out.
anyway, this couple is adorable. i love the use of the yellow converse.

um, so perfect.

Thankful Friday

time to bring back thankful fridays!
ya know, that time where i post a bunch of little things we should appreciate.
i sure did miss these.  they always put a big smile on my face.
theme this week: boys and like and love. can you guess why?

what are you thankful for this week?
hope you have a fantastic weekend full of little things.

hello?

hello? anybody there?
its me, the worst blogger in the world.
i know, i know. its been 10 days since ive last blogged.
i blame it all on school and homework.  it does not help that i have senioritis and am taking 18 credits. or that my classes are actually really hard.
but i promise ill be better about posting!

anyway, i arrived in la yesterday afternoon. im spending another week with the winters and baby jack.

we spent yesterday playing hide and go seek in the curtains, wearing neck pillows as hats, and playing with rocks. i spent yesterday picking up broccoli from the floor, putting away clothes, and cleaning bottles.

this morning i woke up to the sound of jack screaming in the hallway. yes, by now i know the sound of his voice and the high pitched tone of his scream.  uhm, good morning to me and to you as well jack. goodness. 

also, california is not that nice right now. i am slightly disappointed about the lack of sunshine. i thought i left oregon?

hope you have a wonderful thursday!

happy birthday

today is my papas 82nd birthday. thats right, 82 years old and still going strong.
he is absolutely everything to me.  while most girls are their daddys girl i am my papas girl.
he has been at every important event from my first drill competition as captain to my high school graduation.  he was there for my first real heart break. he loved me after i kicked him in the foot and broke his toe. yeah, i was that kid.  he is the man i hope walks me down the aisle some day.  he has always been around for all of his kids and grandkids with a smile on a face and a tear in his eye.  and although at times he pulls out his teeth just to freak me out i cannot imagine a time when he is not around to do it. i love you papa and i cannot wait to celebrate with you tomorrow night.

.

this just sums up how i am feeling.

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

yes, i have been a terrible blogger lately. i missed thankful friday, but its because i had school, then spent four hours driving home, and finally got to play catchup with my wonderful mother who i hadnt seen in a month. thus, i apologize.

anyway, my weekend at home was wonderful and relaxing.  while i was there i visited my friend evan who is working on a wonderful project called "love still wins project" and decided to help him out.  last month i made (this) post about my wonderful friend carly.  her slogan was 'love wins' and since she took her own life in october 2010 it has been used in remembering her.  the 'love still wins project' is another fun way to remember carly and to inspire the world.  we have started playing love still wins stickers in beautiful places around our cities. here are some examples:

(this is evan and that is a love still wins sticker)

(spreading the love in all cities)

be on the lookout as i post my own pictures of the places i put my stickers. would you like to join and place stickers in your own town? you may not know carly but it is important for everyone to know that love always lasts and triumphs over all.
also, have i mentioned that school is kicking my tush? senior year of high school was amazing. senior year of college is ridiculously hard.  so hard that i spent my monday night baking cookies instead of doing homework. lets take a look shall we?

they are delicious! if youd like the recipe you can find it (here).
you can also use different cake flavors. they are all amazing.

hope you had an awesome monday.

excited!

so today i just so happened to stumble upon this wonderful picture on pinterest. < (follow me)
isnt it perfect? love. love. love. it.
i also got a very exciting email about the new design of my blog.
this means i soon be putting this baby out there for others to see!
ive been waiting to sponsor people until i am completely happy with my layout.
thus, i am uber excited for this project to be under way.
be on the lookout because i will soon be spreading my wings.

thats really all i have to say today.
hello, i may be the worst blogger in the world.
thank you for reading anyway.

love always.

adele

sing your heart out girl.

I heard that you're settled down
That you found a girl and you're married now.
I heard that your dreams came true.
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you.

Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light.

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
"I'll remember", you said,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,
Yeah.

You know how the time flies
Only yesterday it was the time of our lives
We were born and raised
In a summer haze
Bound by the surprise of our glory days

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over, yeah.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
"I'll remember", you said,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.

Nothing compares
No worries or cares
Regrets and mistakes
They are memories made.
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
"I'll remember", you said,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
"I'll remember", you said,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead. 

rainbows, not thunderstorms.

+(this) little collage on my bathroom mirror is the perfect way to start my day. i suggest you make one that will encourage, inspire and jumpstart your day.

+(this) story brought tears to my eyes. adoption, miracles, and a race against the clock. guess youll have to read it to find out the rest.

+dutch bros surprised me this morning with (these) cups. its not officially holiday season until the coffee cups say so and this morning they said so :)

+(this) is my dream jeep. the old kind. without doors. perfect for summer. some day it will be mine.

+(these) little beauties came in the mail today. in black and cranberry. not only are they adorable but they are for a great cause and an amazing girl. i will be wearing mine proudly on the 6th.

+(this) video means the world to me. especially this week. cannot believe its almost been a year. miss you carly. love wins.

+powderpuff practice starts tonight and i could not be more excited. time to release some pent up aggression. go off campus!

Thankful Friday

at last it is friday and that means the weekend. it means hanging out with friends, meeting new people, and finishing homework last minute on sunday night.
it also means another round of thankfulness.
as i write this post i am also coloring my hair and thus this weeks theme:

arent these amazing little things?
hope you have an amazing weekend!

awkward and awesome thursday

seriously, sydney from 'the daybook' does the best awkward and awesome thursdays.

they always make me laugh and cringe. you should check them out!

they also inspired me to fill out my own on this wonderful thursday. so here we go.

Awkward:

- sleeping on your own couch because you forgot to put your sheets in the dryer. 

- almost running into vera wang with a grocery cart. first star I see up close and i almost do serious bodily harm.

- having a bartender offer to comp everyones drinks as long as i get that kid out of the bar. first and last bar of the night.

- everyone else realizing you have a flat tire before you realize you have a flat tire. uhm hello, why didnt any tell me till after i posted a facebook status asking for someone to change it?

- my neighbor who believes running up and down the stairs at 2 am is a fantastic idea. did i mention it has happened the past 3 days?

- my teacher/advisor telling me he knows i am a good student and immediately thinking of 5 instances he should think otherwise.

Awesome:

- scones from the puyallup fair. especially when your friend pulls one out of his car and says “my mom bought extra and I know you love them’. yes, yes I do.

- having my apartment back to myself. as much as i loved having two new roomies i don’t love grown boy things everywhere. 

- having the bartender offer to comp everyones drinks as long as i get that kid out of the bar. what a nice man.

- when the barista knows your coffee order and has your drink waiting when the car in front of you leaves.

- this wonderful, messy, fun photo shoot i am planning with my splendid friend Jayce . 

- the word splendid.

polaroids are instant.

currently i am not in love with anyone.
similarly, no one is in love with me.
it is almost a fresh feeling. it seems very freeing.
i feel like i have all the time in the world to love myself and only myself.
and that is precisely what i shall do.
well, until my perfect polaroid comes along that is. then ill take a polaroid picture of us.
seems very fitting.

Mixed Metals

i got a few of these little beauties today.

i.love.them.

i thought you might love them too!

the colors are so vibrant and they are a great accent piece.

you can chose one or five in order to create your own look.

you can wear them individually or you can stack them.

you can add them to other rings for pops of color.

they mix and match so well!

you can find them here on etsy.

what a wonderful little monday pick me up.

what made your monday that much better?

the force

because who wouldn't want a kid with this much imagination? 

i hope i have a kid just like this some day. 

and a husband who indulges his kids imaginations. 

seems perfect to me.

Kelly Hicks

here is another photographer that i have fallen in love with > kelly hicks.
these maternity photos are so classy and so beautiful.
her blog is also brilliant. i suggest you check it out through that link up there ^.

so fantastic, right?

Thankful Friday!

another friday has come. these are honestly my favorite days to post.

i thought in light of my new job that this weeks theme would do with kids.

here you go!

have a thankful friday!

hey you.

love this. 

love everything about yourself.

be your own biggest fan. it is a wonderful feeling.

anyway, i am currently on my way back to oregon and my last full term of school.

leaving beverly hills and the winters family behind is bittersweet.

ill be seeing them again in a month but in san francisco and napa valley.

yesterday as jack rubbed the side of my face he kept saying "e boo boos". i didnt have any cuts on my face that i knew of. come to find out he was talking about a zit that had formed on my cheek the night before. thanks sweet boy, as if i wasnt already aware.  

oh i am going to miss that kid and the constant laughter he brings me.

have a wonderful day. 

Prince Charming

remember this post? 
well, i havent forgotten to miss him yet.

the good news? my paper crown has got me feeling like this.

i know some day husband will come along. i just havent met yet him yet.

some nights i can almost imagine him tapping on my window.

i hear him call out "just open your eyes, i'm right here" but he is never there. 
the wonderful part is that i know he will be sooner or later.

i dont really need him yet. i'm going to live my life that way too.
i will be content, at ease, and happy with the way things are.
god has big plans for the two of us. he is just teaching me patiences.
good things (or men) come to those who wait, right?

anyway, hope you have a wonderful wednesday. 

name change!

i think i have changed the title of this blog 3 times.

first, miranda's summer escapades.

then, living an awful beautiful life.

finally, wearing my paper crown.

yes this blog started out as a way for family to track my summer adventure.

i stopped blogging when camp ended because i felt like i had nothing to say, but then i felt like something was missing. 

so, i started blogging about my beautiful life.  realized right away that blogging makes me happy. i dont care if anyone reads these (although it would be nice) because i love doing it. 

well finally i just got bored with that name. my life is still beautiful, but i have decided to make it even better by always wearing my invisible paper crown. 

after all i am my biggest fan.

i think i shall keep this name and have an awesome blogger > christa.jae make me a fabulous blogger design to match. (poor girl, ive been bugging her for weeks)

moving on!

today jack told me i have nice ears. now if only i could get a boy my own age to think the same thing!

i have also learned that ceiling fans are the coolest thing ever. jack can be entertained by them all day. i am slightly jealous and wish i could be amused so easily.  

my favorite thing is when i ask him "is that yummy" (referring to whatever he is eating at the time) and he says "no" and still eats it anyway.  if only i could do that with foods i do not like.

thankfully being around jack has me eating a lot healthier.  i find myself going on morning walks to the grocery store to buy fruits. i also find myself walking to the shopping stores and running down hallways after jack. 

this job never fails to make me smile. 

hope you had a smiley monday. 

photo by geri

being around kids all day has inspired me.

i am starting a new series of blog posts. 

it will feature photos i admire from photographers i think are amazing. 

these pictures were taken by a fantastic photographer > geri over at photo by geri (seriously go check out her work).

this first set of photos is actually from a blogger i love > sydney over at the daybook.

not only is her style flawless but her pictures are unique and beautiful.

they are a mashup of couple pictures and maternity pictures (better then the run-of-the-mill shots which include naked bellies and scarves.)

i hope i have wonderful pictures like these some day. 

Expressions of Love

i cannot wait to have this.

Jack and Jill went up a hill...

in case you were wondering this little guy ^ is Jack.  adorable right?
he is the reason my new, wonderful, out-of-this-world job exists.
he is also the reason i am currently finding sand in my shirt and shorts.
we went to the park this morning and played. well, playing = jack throwing sand.
regardless, it was a blast and it allowed me to feel like a kid again. i also learned that i am a little old to be crawling through the plastic tunnels.
we play the "whats that" game most of the day. two yr olds are so curious!
in the past day i have learned that 'no' is the new 'yes', squirrels "eat" sand (well not really but jack believes so), an 'E' comes before every word, and lollipops are called 'sorries'.
it is safe to say that i absolutely love this job and i would not trade it for anything else.

hope youre loving your life just as much!

Making it big time

this nice man was waiting for me at LAX today.
he is the beginning of my new adventure/life.
the family i am travel nannying for is wonderful, and beautiful.
the hotel i am staying at is high class.
it is also where brad and angie had their affair, and where stars come to get away.
also, did i mention the emmys are this weekend?
hoping to meet someone famous. keep your fingers crossed for me, please? :)

hello beautiful, welcome to the life of the rich and famous.

Thankful Friday

i am currently posting from 10,000+ feet in the air.
thank you alaska airlines for having inflight wifi!
anyway, back to thankful friday since i missed last week due to moving.
since i am on an airplane right now i figured these little things were fitting :)

enjoy your friday and weekend!