Christmas, in NYC!

My biggest regret in life is not being signed up for dance lessons at 3 months old. I've ALWAYS wanted to be a dancer of some kind (jazz, ballet, hip hop! whatever!) but it never happened (no matter how much I tried!) I had, for the most part, laid my dance dreams to rest but OH MAN. As the Rockettes kicked and tapped and danced my only thoughts were along the lines of  "I should be on stage, not sitting in this seat! I can get my leg that high, right!? YEAH!" (ahem, I can't).

After the show was over, I googled the height limit and found out that I was 1/4 of an inch too short. Which was sad! But it was also kind of a relief because at least I felt like my entire childhood hadn't been wasted by not taking dance, I wouldn't have been a rockette anyhow. Darn you, genetics!

So since I can't be a Rockette, I'll just have to settle for being the Rockettes biggest fan!

(but I'm still working on my kicks....just in case they change the height requirement! I mean, it IS the 21st century after all!)

I can't even tell you how glorious it felt to witness something as wonderful as the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Besides having my room redone by Ty Pennington, seeing the Rockettes in person was one of my first childhood dreams. And I have now! With my own eyes! Blessed and blissful doesn't even begin to describe it.

You know those moments where you want to freeze time and just sit back for a bit and take in how wonderful life is?

Christmas in NYC was one of those times.

What really should have been on insta...

This is one of those moments that you DON'T see on instagram!

Let me explain.... There's this online shop called ban.do and it's like a unicorn and a fairy joined forces and created this magical little cotton candy colored world with the cutest (also most pointless). things.

Cute and pointless, is it possible describe me in fewer words? (I think not!)

Well it jus so happened that Ban.do was having a pop up shop over the holidays and we happened to be in town during opening hours and you know! We went and we walked in and it was a slew of outrageously dressed women in the most L.A outfits I'd ever seen. The air was heavily scented with the sweetness of cotton candy and then I brushed shoulders (accidentally) with the owner (who has pink hair) and I got this weird case of startruckness and literally FROZE.

(talk about awkward!)

I was shaking for like 2 hours after...so cupcakes were in order! Anyone who knows me knows that sprinkles cupcakes was responsible for 90% of the calories I consumed as a pimply pre-teen and to this day they are still another beloved extension of my soul. We got to use the cupcake atm which felt very futuristic and yet pointless. And the a photo op by the Ice cream store and I was set for life.

Thank you Sprinkles Cupcakes for always making me happy. And thank you to Ban.do for keeping my accessories shelf stocked and my heart rate up!

THE PURE MAGIC OF CARMEL BY THE SEA.

I have many talents, but one is picking really lame movies. Literally every time a friend and I go to the movies...the best part is how terrible it was.

Nearly 12 months ago, Emily and I were eating pizza and perusing netflix for a movie, as you do way too many nights as well. Somehow (somehow) we managed to stumble upon the movies Josh Huterchson has been in and we found a perfect, cheesy, pizza worthy movie. (watch it HERE. Actually don't...it's almost TOO cheesy.)

The movie was set in Carmel by-the-sea and at once I was intrigued. Anything with the word carmel involved grabs my attention and the fact that it was in California helped it hold my attention for a verrrry long time. I honestly don't even remember the movie too well, but I will forever associate it (and josh huterchsons chin and Carmel, California) with the happy memories of one of the last times My EXBFF (Gosh! Doesn't that sound dramatic.) and I spent together.

Soap Opera, over and out.

It was actually a really magical few hours spent in Carmel by the Sea (and not at all sad and without lonely "i lost my best friend!" feelings!) After lunch, dad was on a work call and mom was napping in the car and I was left with a deliciously wonderful town to explore alone. I ended up spending my time chatting with some random people in a cosmetic and it felt really fun. Actually no, it was fun! Plus, I was shopping too! I mean, what more could I want?

Thank You Carmel By The Sea, for everything. You were a dream (i didn't know I had!) come true!

SAN FRAN DISCO, Forever in my heart.

This view is one I might never see again.

It is also one I will never forget.

(also, i'm not dramatic at all.)

Welcome to December, part 2! Where I blog about everything that happened in december and where i also, won't judge you for the Christmas music you're still listening too! First we are winding back the clocks to a time far ago where I got my last glimpse of the Golden Gate! She's been good to me this year, I'm sad to see her go!

And with that, December begins (again!) Isn't that magical?

BLOOPERS OF 2014

This is gonna be pretty shocking, but I actually DON'T look good all the time! WHATHAHTA? I know, you all thought I was a crazy model, what with all these perfect poses, photoshopped skin and an overall air of perfection.

Well, you're right!
(on opposite day!)

Contrary to popular belief and media bias, I do have a side of me that's very human and VERY unphotogenic. It's a shame really, because that side comes out way too often. I mean, we could blame the photographer....but really.

I don't know about you, but I'm giving Mona Lisa a run for her money with my model status.

Anyway, bloopers 2014, over and out! Feel free to refer to this post any time you need to boost your self esteem.

Cancel your plans, it's time to Reminisce

(Don't mind me, just winking with both eyes at once. Flirting level: Expert.)

I have to say, blogging has become pretty natural to me. It's slowly been shifting its way from "work" (per se) to a natural habit. I eat (more like inhale) cookies? Blog Post! I get a new shirt? Blog Post! I go somewhere cool? BLOG POST!!!

In my mind, I'm not a blogger. I just keep a journal that happens to be online and public and has a comments section.

There's a big difference! ;)

So shall we reminisce together? I think yes. And naturally, you do too.

JANUARY// Obviously Paris was a wonderful way to begin the year. And don't even get me started on that (terrible, dumb, cheesy) video I made because my mascara is way too expensive to waste on that, if you know what I mean! (From Paris, With Love)

FEBRUARY// My first Teenpact event! That was monumental on so many levels. It was one of the scariest, most wonderful weeks of my life. Isn't it funny how scary and wonderful always seem to go hand in hand? (TP as in Teen Pact)

MARCH// A tribute to our wonderful art class. We both still take from the same teacher....just different classes now. It's a little sad, but I'm glad I have these photos from the good old days.
(Art that we heart!)

APRIL// Do you want to know how to make a Kryn happy? Take her to DC to see the Cherry Blossoms! Also, skip school. That's always a fool-proof plan. (Let there be Cherry blossoms)

MAY// I went all over the world in May, but one of my favorite memories was a chill day downtown with my girl Sarah. It also resulted in beautiful photos, so that might be why....maybe. ;)
(hashtag babe on the beach)

JUNE// A post for all of us artists who can't draw......aka, the eternally misunderstood!
(On Being a Maker)

JULY// I GOT MY BRACES OFF! LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. THANK YOU TO MOM FOR PAYING FOR THEM, AND GOD FOR HELPING ME SURVIVE 5 YEARS WITH A MOUTH FULL OF METAL. ALSO, SHOUT OUT TO SOFT FOODS FOR BEING BAE.
(Only been waiting 1825 days for this....)

AUGUST// Moral of this post: no friendship can last forever! Read between the lines my friends...it's how you get all the info. ;) (Forget Forever, I'm Thankful for Today)

SEPTEMBER// Our church sleepover was traumatic for me (17 girls is way too many...I ended up in the corner on the concrete floor...yeah fun,) but the video we made was the absolute best! Editing till 2 am with Rebebah is something I want to do a thousand more times.
(Summer of all Summers, List to top all lists....)

OCTOBER// I shared my "End of Everything" which was a dramatic, drawn out saga of my friendship woes. But all's well that end's well, and I'm so glad I shared it, it was good for me.
(The End of Everything tag.)

NOVEMBER// Let me tell you about New York in Fall. New York is my spirit city, I have such a deep connection to the cafes, litter lined subways and people in zebra suits.
(Brooklyn Via the Bridge)

DECEMBER// I didn't get to blog much, but a busy Kryn means a happy Kryn so I'll take it. Probably the best day of the year was my birthday....which sounds so cliche but oh! I've never been happier. (December First, Done Right!)

There! Do you see why 2014 was so good??! HOW WAS YOU YEAR?! TELL ME.

(also, thank goodness we only write these once a year because that was intense.)

2014 + KRYN= LOVE

It's funny how many dreams came true this year - I'm almost out of dreams! I've seen the Rockettes, The Eiffel tower, made new wonderful friends....now what?!  2014 was a wonderful year for me. I feel very lucky and blessed to have been able to live it. Do you know how much my life has changed? Do you know how much I've changed? Change is wonderful friends!! 

THINGS I LEARNED:

God is the only thing that is FOREVER.

Friends come and go, but PIZZA is eternal.

Confidence will take you far.

When in doubt, DANCE. 

Don't underestimate the power of a hug.

Instagram is a game.

You've Got Mail is always the answer to every question.

What can't you see but is everywhere? GOD. 

Boys: not dramatic but always disappointing. 

Being friendly is the best way to make friends.

Travel shows you how small you are.

One of my all time favorite chapters is Psalm 23, which is cliche, but its also really good, so I feel justified! This has been my year of green pastures, in which God lead me to still waters. He knew my soul needed to be refreshed...and it has been! He is too good, sometimes.

2014 was a grand restoration and I'm grateful for it.

 "He makes me lie down in green pastures; 

He leads me besides still waters. 

He restores my soul."

16/35 (Good Day to be a Bae)

Being busy is a wonderful problem to have!

Previous Christmas seasons have been slow and jolly....all the days leading up to the 24th spent carefully decorating every inch of my room, the house and my instagram feed.

This year, not so!

Our tree has been in the house for a week now, yet to be graced with lights and ornaments! Every day is a battle between which event will win (3 things at the same time every day! how can i pick!?) but you know what? I'd rather have that problem than just sitting at home, petting our christmas tree...as i have spent many christmas season past doing!

Our last day of school was probably the best one (I wonder why....ha!) but as we hugged goodbye, we all at one realized, we wouldn't see one another for 3 weeks!! Somehow, we are managing but I love these girls, and the boys of course ;)

Every week at class I waltz in with a cup of tea and sip it loud and obnoxiously through out the day...and the boys love to mock me for it! But I was certainly the only one laughing when our Teacher announced a Regency Tea Party (like, can we get ANY more homeschooled? I think not.)
And those outfits? They have extra credit written ALLLLL over them.

It was so fun to spend an hour of class in my P&P costume, sipping tea and nibbling scones, and of course arguing over the greatness that is Pride and Prejudice.

I have a small section of my notebook designated for hilarious teacher/student quotes. But this one deserved a photo AND a mention on the blog because...you only spell YOLO with 2 L's once!!!

I've made it this far. I'm blessed and happy and proud and all the feels. Now, off to enjoy Christmas break.

("BREAK" Because we still have school.......it's okay, you can be jealous.)

CALI, I LOVE THEE

This trip to California has been long awaited and much anticipated! We were going to do it in March and then August but BOY AM I GLAD we waited till December because the weather was perfect. When dad rolled up in a convertible I was anxious (uh hair!) and excited (mostly anxious.) But as we were driving down the coast with the top down and the christmas music at full volume, I realized it was actually pretty perfect.

MORE PHOTOS TO COME.

But for now, here's a rockin' cotton candy sunset over Santa Monica Nostaligia was in full force guys!

(and of course, a few photos of me. Look at that folks, Christmas came early!)

December First, Done RIGHT!

I figured something was up!!!

I'm a naturally suspicious person, and my acute senses are always heightened around my birthday. I happened upon a few emails of my mothers that were oddly vague. Then when the plans were made with Sarah, I invited another friend to come a long and she was suspiciously busy. Then when mom went to drop me off at Sarah's I noticed an extra pair of socks....and right as we were leaving we got a snap from our friends and what do you know! They were going somewhere too...!

As I walked to the skate rink Sarah and her sister kind of fell behind me and suddenly it was just me walking in to find nearly everyone I love in one room, with cheesy grins on their faces.

Isn't that all a girl can ask for!?

It wasn't exactly a party more like a -let's-go-skating-on-Kryn's-birthday-and-how-about-we-surprise-her sorta thing. Which honestly, that's what I'd have wanted if I was planning it myself! Official parties give me the creeps! They didn't sing, they didn't dance, we just skated to christmas music and I exercised birthday rights by butting into every possible conversation.

(Also, They can't wait for my next party!)

(Also, can i just say how FUN it is Ice Skating to Christmas Music?!?!?! Thanks.)

This girl is the one to thank for playing it cool and keeping my suspicions at bay! She's also the one to thank for the majority of my happiness this past year - SARAH YOU'RE A GEM.

Sometimes do things you don't really love (Volleyball) and you meat people you REALLY love (Kayla). This girl is unlike any other. When I say she is perfect...I really mean it!

And best of all, I didn't have lipstick on my teeth! It's the little things in life that are the best!

Thank you to everyone who came, to everyone who helped and made December 1st a wonderful day. Cheers to the season!

HAPPY KRYN DAY

A few weeks ago I was on Instagram, attempting to wish an online friend happy birthday. But because my independent streak refuses to to be tamed and actually SLOW DOWN and type at a human speed, my skill of typos is a force to be reckoned with. So, as luck would have it....My horrendous spelling of "Happy birthday" turned acidentally (and hilariously) into "Happy Kryn day!"

And then, Kryn Day was born!

HAPPY KRYN DAY! 

I hope you celebrated.

Here's to my 17th year on this lovely earth.

Thank you to the Joe's and Rose's

Not to be redundant, but there's this one scene in You've Got Mail that perfectly describes today. It also, as a matter of fact, happens to be about Thanksgiving! But then again, when is You've Got Mail NOT appropriate? 

The scene I'm thinking of  is the one where Kathleen Kelly's credit card is causing all kinds of problems and unexpectedly Joe Fox (with the help of Rose! And Henry!) swoops in and saves the (Thanksgiving) day from disaster and doom. Because, that's just what Joe Fox does my friends.

And so on that same note, I'm thankful for the little, unexpected saviors that change my days from terrible to not so terrible. God has put people in my life who shine even brighter on my darkest days. Sometimes it's a close friend, sometimes it's a stranger. (Sometimes it's one of those people you only half-know and it's really awkward when you run into them in the grocery store). It's all so sudden (and in the oddest ways!). how God can stop me in my tracks and show me that things are not so bad after all.

Yes, I'm thankful for my house and my family and health and all that. But I'm also thankful for the unsung heroes, my Joe Foxes and my cashiers named Rose who come in all sorts of forms (special Chocolate, a good book, a nice complement, an extra hug at the just the right time... to name a few.) 

Sometimes it doesn't seem like I've got a lot of substantial things to give thanks for. (No 25 days of Gratefulness for me....or so I thought!) But somehow, all those Joe's and Roses add up faster than I can count and I realize, I've got a whole darn lot to praise Jesus for.

Happy Thanksgiving to You and Yours! Hope your day was brimming with pies of pumpkin and stuffing of stuff.

Now, It's your turn to say Happy Thanksgiving back....?

PS: Photo by Sarah. She's one of my Roses.