I'm Gonna Stand Tall

Yesterday a lot of bad stuff happened. A lot. I'll just leave it at that.

And yet.. I'm still finding things to be happy about.
Life is just THAT good.

I am truly happy; for a lot of reasons too. And I don't think anything will get in my way.

I'm gonna stand tall.

"Happiness is a journey, not a destination."

Bet You're Jealous

Okay, maybe not, but this is so unlike me.

I have all my Christmas shopping DONE. Word.

So this week I have been grateful for many things. I have just felt so overwhelmingly blessed. Here are a few grateful spotlights of the week:

Red Lipstick [The dance performance went smoothly. I felt great about it!]
Florence and the Machine and Tegan and Sara. Couldn't have gotten through the week without them!
An amazing father who knows how to put a spare tire on in the freezing cold.
Big O Tires, for fixing my tires for free. Y'all are the bomb.
Tyler Ward and his amazing covers. And he is pretty cute.
A mother who takes my weird eating habits into consideration.
A washer and dryer. All my laundry is done! Now i just need to put it somewhere..
A really soft couch to sleep on while my room is.. an unfortunate sight, to say the least.
[I was going to take pictures so y'all could see what is going down. Buuut. I seem to have misplaced my camera in all the mayhem.]
Snail Mail!

So I have been trying and trying to come up with a reason that I can show you wonderful people this photo, and finally I thought: 'Screw it Lar. It's your blog, post whatever you like.' So I hope you guys enjoy this. Just imagine being there. Go to your quiet place. And as you go there, read this quote! [Ya might have to click and enlarge it for the full effect.]



"For just a while, calm your thoughts. In this moment, simply be.
There is much in your life, and there is much more to come.
Yet you have always been, and you always are, more than enough.

For a moment, let go of the way you appear and the things you’ve done. Feel the truth and power of who you are.
...In silence, there is much you can know. Beyond thought, there is much you can understand.

Touch the person who always lives inside the person you are. Be immersed in the beauty and wonder of being.
Feel the strength that is always there. And know that whatever may come, all is well."
— Ralph Marston.


Isn't that fabulous and wonderfully breathtaking to your soul? Mine too.
Thank you so much for all my followers who read and enjoy.
Hang in there y'all.
xo- Laura.

Stuck

This is a good kinda stuck.
I'm stuck in this really happy place. Where nothing gets to me.
No, not everything is perfect, which is unfortunate.
But.
I am mature and calm about things that frustrate me.
I break rules; I've been wearing black with brown, and yes, gold jewelry with silver jewelry.
I say goodbye, I smile, I know things will be okay.
I don't worry about calories, I focus on my style, I have my Christmas shopping done.
I'm so excited to give to others.
I've been dating. -this song is perfect for this post bee t dub.
I've been blasting much a lot. Happy music, mind you.

[Don't get me wrong, I'm my normal, crazy, immature self. Just a much better version.]

It's like an epiphany. An explosion of perfection. A settling of contentment.

This week I did a lot of shopping. Scratch that, this month I did a lot of shopping. Shopping makes people feel good. At least it makes me feel good.

A beautiful, purple, Nat Kaplan vintage suede jacket.
A vintage gold watch.
Black ankle boots.
Feather Headband.
Chunky knit scarves.
Much more. Too much more?

So what is on everyone's Christmas List?
I couldn't think of much this year. But if I had all the money in the world, I would by myself these babies right here: Jeffrey Campbell Roks Wedge. Mmm baby.

So one of my greatest friend's took this picture below. Unedited. Cool, huh? No, I don't have a pink streak. Thanks for that sun.

It's absolutely how I feel right now. The sun is shining, and life is good. Long Live.


Life is joyful, and I'm downright pleased.

Right now my main challenges are keeping my attention focused in school, getting the dances down for our concert, and deciding on a college [Weber, the U, or SUU. Whichever will pay for me to dance there].
Oh, and I need to prep a solo for my college auditions.. Bleh.
But I'm happy and grateful to be here for the ride. I feel like this contentment is going to stay for a while.
Thank heavens.

Thanks for listening to the rant. Love and happiness to all.

P.S. Purple = links
P.P.S. New music playlist. Yum.

What I Love(d) About This Month

making new friends, ones who you feel will keep your secrets for all time.

going to the movies with friends. [Harrrrry Potta]

the sweet kid who wiped my whole car off when it snowed, while I sat inside.

my great friends who visited me at work on the slowest night ever.

looking at the snow; not driving in it, not going through it, just looking.

genuinely good, funny people.

learning from life lessons.

this song.

Nicky, for letting me borrow her dress for Christmas. It is beeeautiful.

when I delete someone's number from my phone and I can't remember who it was.

buying wonderful accessories from urban and forever21.

lookbook.

amazing comebacks by the jazz.

the fact that my Ali Boo:) is coming home this week. I need her gracious smile and warm heart.

buying cookies.

black friday shopping at the end of this week. tradition my girls!

getting notes of gratitude from people who are close to me and who aren't.

the chance to be grateful.

accomplishments in my small little world.

The fact that I am wearing a black shirt in the picture below is most likely meaningless to everyone on the planet. Except for me. The significance of this shirt: I am now a supervisor at the place of my employment. [Okay, getting a raise is great too!!]

I feel like I work in a dead end job.

But a job, is a job. And there are so many people out there, grown adults as well, looking and hoping and wanting a job, any job, even my job.

I am so grateful for income. And my job truly isn't that bad.
I'm also trying out this whole "attitude of gratitude" thing. How's it working out for me?
P.S. Don't mind my work hair.


I would also like to express how grateful I am for comfortable clothes. Comfortable clothing is SO UNDERRATED.

Pants all the way from Georgia, ACDC tee shirt, and my dorky glasses. I feel so much better. Barefoot of course. (Again, please don't mind the work hair.)


Life seems so hopeful in some moments. Although I'm trying my best, I'm making mistakes too. [I definitely have my fair share of them so far, and many more to come, I'm sure.]
But I feel like I learn and grow every day.

The past few weeks I've loved..

visits from old friends.
comments on my blog.
the smell of my dad when I hug him.
when I photoshop a picture.
pictures from the missionaries.
saying exactly the right thing, at exactly the right time, to exactly the right person.
watching karma bite people in the butt.
emails just saying a friendly hello.
wearing my favorite bra, newly washed.
THE FEELING OF GETTING OVER THE STOMACH FLU. Yes.
having the perfect ratio of m&ms and chex mix in my mouth.
being a peacemaker.
imaginary games with my little sisters.
believing I can.
telling someone no.
my brother testifying to me that miracles are real.
finding things to love.

Life has been okay. Ups and downs, but that is life.

Love to all.
Laura.