TAKE MY HAND, HOLD ON FOREVER.

Well, take each others hands, not mine.
I'm just the photographer.

You probably remember Rebecca and Brandon because how could you forget a couple this cute? I'm happy to report that this time around my hands did not shake like a level 5 earthquake so that was very nice. I picked a location I wasn't totally sure of but it turned out to be MAGIC and the light was also magic, which happens to be a very desirable combination.

After taking their photos twice, I've decided to designate myself as their official family photographer. I also didn't ask their opinion on this, but hopefully that won't be an issue. They'll get used to it after a couple years.... when I show up for every holiday and special event.

Rebecca, Brandon...and Karissa? Sounds good.

SEE THEIR PROPOSAL SHOOT HERE

Karistian rules April Fools.

My mother called me around 10 am. Get dressed, put on some makeup, and maybe some heels! I for one, can't ever say no to an order to wear heels. But this occasion was better than most, because this occasion was April Fools.

Creighton (behind the camera) and Christian (faux boyfriend, see above and below) are basically my brothers. I used to be at their house all the time as a kid, and now (still kids ;) we've graduated from the treehouse to doing school together. On the one hand it would have been cute if it was true....childhood friends falling in love. But on the other hand, we've all been family-zoned since age 5. So that would be awkward.

The whole process of taking the photos, deciding which ones to post, discouraging friends from thinking it was April Fools (never bribed so many friends in such a short amount of time) and of course, pranking my father was so exciting and exhilarating that I ended up throwing up at 2 am!

(I don't get out much.)

But, if a fake relationship can do that to me, I don't think I want to know what a real one could be capable of.  But the reactions made it all worth it - they were hilarious and ALL over the place. I knew something would happen with them! She's engaged!? (sorry, uncle not so!) wait....is that Christian...or Creighton? 

To those of you were disappointed it wasn't true...thanks for believing it was possible for me to be in love with something other than chocolate. Maybe if his name started with Hazelnut and ended in Spread we would have a better chance of lasting more than 24 hours. But no promises.

Night (and life) changes

We're only getting older baby

And I've been thinking about it lately

Does it ever drive you crazy

Just how fast the night changes?

(I thought that today, of all days, One Direction Lrycis would be appropriate. )

Walking back into class after a break, my friend Tricia mentioned not wanting to cut her hair. Being the only advocate for short hair in our circles,  I demanded to know why she wouldn't just go for it. Because she said, we graduate so soon! It won't grow out by then. I brushed off her excuses (Hair Grows! Its so far away anyway! It doesn't really need to be long either!). I could forgive her for prejudice against short hair....but I couldn't forget the fact that graduation is closer than I realize.

I turn 18 this year. Which by law means I'm an adult. By the worlds standards I am capable of making my own decisions. By my mothers standards I should be able to clean my room in a reasonable amount of time. As a child I always assumed that the older you got the more life made sense, the easier things got and the more you felt sure you were making the right choices.

But no! Every passing day life confuses me more, I'm not sure about anything really and the choices I make? Heck, I can't even decide what to order at McDonalds! (besides a sweet tea Do I want to go to college? Go Overseas? Pursue underwater basket weaving?

13 months till graduation, which seems like a split second eternity. 13 months to trust in GODS plan for my future, not my Pinterest infected view of reality. Either way, I hope it involves sweet tea from McDonalds. Because as of today, that's the only thing I'm sure of.

“It's about a girl who is on the cusp of becoming someone... A girl who may not know what she wants right now, and she may not know who she is right now, but who deserves the chance to find out.” 

On representing America well.

 On our second night in Paris, a French cafe was in order! Geeze guys, the Paris cafe's are what DREAMS ARE MADE OF. And when the waiters say bon appetit it actually sounds good, not like the cheesy people at Denny's who say it and sound extremely pathetic. And you will be  happy to know that I did my best to accurately represent the American teenager by texting the entire meal. Nothing like a little American Pride!! Shout out to all my homgirlz, please pass the iPhone.

Spot the Kryn in her silly Paris Hat! It's a fun game to play.
XOXO! And American Teenagers ahoy!

FROM PARIS WITH LOVE.

Ever since coming home, Paris is all I can think about! At my first social event I felt a great urge to share with everyone of my amazing experience in Paris. Person to Person was an option, but I felt like a little presentation (with pictures! everyone loves pictures!) would be more interactive option. You know, and then EVERYONE would know how magical that city is.

But since I hadn't had enough time to prepare some cheesy jokes, I just stuck to my usual plan of bringing every conversation  back to Paris. Talking about snacks "They have the best food there!", commenting on the pretty house we were in  "The houses in Paris were BEAUTIFUL!" It was a good plan! It worked! Though I'm pretty sure everyone was sick of Paris and that is a sad thing indeed.

Anyway, I made a video! It's pretty rough (someone send me a tripod ASAP) but it's perfect in it's own way because its Paris and Paris is perfect so it all works out in the end. Please enjoy a blurry view of the city and get ready for 80 million blog posts to follow, all with an underlying theme of "I WANT TO GO TO PARIS AGAIN."

Not to shout or anything, but really!




Okay, I'm gonna go cry now. Really guys, Paris is incredible, even when blurry and shaky cam are in full swing. Now, does anyone have any tissues handy?

HEY FALL, NICE TO MEET YOU.

Oh Fall!

To be quite honest, this trip was miserable. Now hear me out, it wasn't ALL miserable, of course! Therefore, I will only be highlighting the non miserable parts, and you will wind up thinking I had a magical time, ALL the time! And go ahead and think that if you like. It's probably a lot prettier of a thought than me bawling in Panera.

No joke.

On a side note, I was wearing waterproof mascara, so all was well!

But FALL....Fall is beautiful. Seeing the trees change, and the air beginning to chill, it always reminds me that God is a VERY loving God. He gave us Fall to enjoy, to frolic in, to take pictures of. Yes, and even to cry alligator tears in Panera! Fall is full of good things, if I'm willing to look.

Now, on to the fun!

“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.”
― Yoko Ono

C is for citron

 

Is it weird that lemons and limes give me cuddly feelings?

I don't think so!

That being said, citron is just as cuddly! It's like a good old quilt and a steaming mug of cocoa on a rainy day. And of course, a good bit a procrastination mixed in. Those rainy days, shoot.

Anyway! Citron is one of my faves and yeah I could say yellow but I could also be boring, and that's boring. I could also try using some logic, but maybe not! Thumbs up for citron and that this ramble fest is coming to an end.

1. J.Crew   2. Anthropologie    3. Kate Spade Saturday     4. Target     5. Anthopologie

Pink dresses and peonies...

Oh peonies.

You know, I kinda think flowers are heart breakers. I mean, they are SO GORGEOUS and then poof, you wake up one morning and they are a soggy, floppy mess. I thought flowers were supposed to mend broken hearts...not rip out the stitches!

I kinda think I might get overly attached to flowers. (and also have really lame analogies.)

And also, sorry for totally interrupting your majestic moment with the peonies. What's that...MY FACE? I don't know, I just thought that peonies and pink dresses deserve to go side by side.  So here's to summer, peonies and pink dresses to boot.

PS: I crossed off some things on my summer list....i mean syllabus! Check it out, cause you know you wanna.

Humor me, it's a bloggy birthday!

 Hi blog, happy Anniversary! Although, I didn't know you were married!?

Seriously, why do we call it anniversary anyway? Did I unknowingly marry my blog the day I started it? Does that somehow make my blog...A BOY! Eeek, this is getting awkward!

So anyway, 3 summers ago I started my happy-go-dorky little blog and I love it to bacon bits and pieces. I've shared an obnoxious amounts of typos and embarrassing stories and somehow have managed to wrangle a reader or two to comment some. (thank you for sacrificing your sanity! I promise, I won't tell your friends!)

And I also promise that while I appear to not take things to seriously here on the blog, I do in real life.

Except when Justin Bieber songs come on. Then I just have to dance.

(and maple leaf rag! I was totally jigging in lego land once...and my thighs were jiggLING too! They know what's up!)

Although three years is mere and tiny, it seems ginormous to me, so since I like to give advice...three blogging tips for you for three equally odd blogging years from me!

BLOG BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT.
I used to try and do certain things because I thought people would think I was cooler. Now, I've totally given up on that. (Although, maybe it wouldn't hurt to try a l-i-t-t-l-e?) I find that I get more frustrated with myself and blogging and stuff in general when I'm worried about how many comments or yada yada. The biggest joy I get from blogging is going through my posts, so I totally base my posting on that. It's made it change a little, but in the end it's better to go with your blog gut.

Blogs are getting more human by the minute. What is this, cyber Star Trek?

I don't think that related at all.

INSPIRATION DOES NOT FALL FROM THE SKY
And what is inspiration anyway? A person, a photo, a feeling? If you do want to blog, YOU are going to have to blog. And not be so heavily inspired by someone that it's not really you anymore. Inspiration is like a snowball, once it starts, it keeps getting bigger and bigger. So take it in stride and spend time coming up with posts, ideas and so on. They won't fall from the sky.

FIND YOUR STYLE
I seriously think I spent the first 2 years of blogging finding my style, and I've only recently found it and began to hone in on it. If you haven't figured out your groove yet, you will. Just give it time and keep plugging along - even when it's rough!

Oh, and what's this? A bonus tip!

DANCE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.
Especially to cheesy music.

But really, what would this blog be without you? NOTHING! So thank you for reading and commenting and making my day, like, all the time. You are the bestest of the cat's pajamas. Maybe even footie pajamas.

Mucho love to you and another fab year of blogging, however many typos that may entail!

What dreams are made of

People  people, if you don't own a pair of polka dot jeans, something is terribly wrong in your life.

That being said, I guess my life was pretty terrible until 3 days ago! But now? It's pure heaven and sunshine and lollipops. Everyday I go bathe in frosting, frolic in peony fields and feast on bacon and ham and cheese and bread and cheesy bread.

And then I don't fit in my jeans anymore.

But anyway! I'll probably keep these jeans even if they don't fit ever again. Because when you find 70 dollar jeans for 12 bucks, you're keepin those babies forever. And i mean FOREVAH. Or something hiperstish like that. I'm seeing tea cozies and wall tapestries in the future for these suckers...

(ps: they are from heaven i mean Gap. Same deal.)

A day in Chicago Town

I would like to start this by saying that when you read the title, you MUST pronounce Chicago correctly. Well, actually, you must pronounce it the way I say it, and we can debate about correctness later. Basically, it's "CHICK-AGO". Really stress the O guys. And southerners, don't feel left out! If Georgia is your home, "SHICK-AGO" is your game.

Now, proceed to read about Chick-ago. And say Chick-ago a few more times, because it's fun!

 Up and at 'em for an earrrrlllyyy morning!

Okay fine.

It was 10:30! But still! A traveler needs her beauty sleep. And plus it was freezing outside, so staying in a warm cozy bed seemed way more attractive.

Then we went shopping!

And then I was broke!

Chicago does do beautiful things, no?

My favorite thing about traveling to different cities is that I know no one there, so therefore I can act like a dork and no one will remember! It's bliss! No more shame as I trip on the sidewalk, no more embarrassment as I have food dripping down my chin. Cities don't care! That being said, I do think Chicago has kind of an "I'm spying on you!" attitude. Get with the program, Chicago, you ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO CARE!"

I think I will end this conversation between me and Chicago. I always like to have the last word.

Oh hey, it's me! Oh hey, it was also 40 degrees and I was in a mini skirt! Now Grandma, don't worry, I wasn't really. But I might as well have been naked because I would probably have been an ice cube either way.

Like I said, cities don't care.

To end our blissful day we went to THE BEAN. I mean, it's a bean! In Chicago! At sunset?! What is not to love!? It was magical....and freezing. But I digress.

After beaning it up, we walked a few more blocks to check out the art museum. There was a gala going on so lots of ladies in formal evening gowns and men driving BMWs. I totally fit right in....except I was wearing all Target. Practially Oscar de La Renta for the middle class! YEEAH!

Our last stop was Navy Pier, mostly to re-live my Vera Bradley Dreams and pretend I was
Liz on Location since that's about all I did in the 13th year of my life. And then we went to our happy hotel to watch sponge bob and eat applesauce.

duh.

Happy Adventuring to you - and you can see my last trip to Chicago HERE. (PS: No celebrity sightings this time though...next time? It's on.)

For the love of cacti...

Some gawk at boys and shoes. Some coo at babies. Some cheer for outstanding performances.

And some do all these for cactuses. And by some, I mostly mean me.

Maybe it's because Arizona is my one true love or maybe it's because it's PINK (probably) or maybe it's because 2 years ago I finally figured out that cactuses don't attack you with prickles, but whatever it is, I LOVE CACTUSES.

Also, I giggle and gawk and reassure them they're the bees knees about every 3 seconds. Those poor little cacti, such sensitive souls. They need a boatload of affirmation. Or I just like blubbering.
 Probably not that.

Here's to a plant that loves black thumbs! Amen Amen!

PS: if I spelled cactus wrong, I'm sorry. My mother was napping and spellcheck is having a bad day.

A story about love

I'm not the mushy gushy type. At all. Mush and gush is fine for pea soup but romance? Please! And so while I love Valentines Day - mostly because of the chocolate and roses....hello, I also kind of don't like it.

It's really a very difficult thing to navigate. Thank you for your sympathy.

So my story about love is different. 
Because well, so am I.

As you all know, I am a firm believer in smelling nice. Perfume, lip gloss, body lotion - you name it. (also reason 155456 why this store is my wallets worst nightmare.) The amount of perfume I use a day is quite embarrassing, but somehow, I'm sheepishly proud of it.

ANYWAY!

I like to smell good, and I normally do.

so as the love story goes,

An 8 year old friend of mine walks into a room that smells very lovely. She smiles to her mama "This room smells so nice.....it smells like Kryn!"

Which of course made my heart gush and bubble and do back flips. What a compliment!  What an honor! Who cares if my clothes match now and who cares if I've got bacon stuck in my braces, I've got my perfume to fall back on.

For the record, my heart is the only part of me that can do a successful back flip and not injure itself or others. So instead of pretending to be a gymnast, I think I'll just stick to bathing in perfume daily - I seem to be better at that.

What is your story about love?

HAPPY SPRING! Amen.

Unlikely duo

Last year I was positive I was the most crafty person around. I made these little rosettes and at the time, they were the bomb. I made them out of a -get this-  a VINTAGE cookbook! How fantastically hip is that? And naturally, I selected recipes about sausage to be front and center. Sausage and Valentines Day - OH THE ROMANCE!

PS: Say happy birthday to my friend okay?

Graffiti by Yours Truly

I could go ahead and re-name this blog "I HAVE TEN THOUSAND JOURNALS" and for once I really wouldn't be exaggerating that much. As you read here, I have a lot of journals. And recently I added 3 more to the mix.

(Kinda like a real life version of my tumblr)

This one is my art journal. It was supposed to be for school, but if there's one thing mom has learned after homeschooling me for 10 plus years is that I have a way of hijacking things. If I've got a good pen, all surrounding books and papers are subject to graffiti. Although, what graffiti artist writes "I LOVE CUPCAKES" all over everything?

Anyway, my new journal. Filled with quotes and random goodness.

Do you have a journal like this?


PS: Anyone hit their limit with blog photo space? I AM ANNOYED. Sorry. It's okay to rant on ones own blog...right? Just say yes. And while you are talking, please tell me how to fix the problem.

We photobomb

I'm not sure what I was taking pictures of, but whatever it was, Soph thought she was WAY more important. She photobombs all the time...

Speaking of photobombing, while we were ice skating, I did some myself. Sorry proud parents, yes, Jill and Joe are amazing at ice skating, but who's that dork doing pirouettes in the background? Just think of all the coffee table photo albums I'll be gracing. I'm famous!

THANKFUL 2012

What, another dog picture AND a hash tag!?!? Seriously guys, I wasn't joking when I said I had problems. But admitting it, that's the first step to recovery...RIGHT?

Well for one thing, I know I'm not super serious here on de blog. I'm not really a serious type person, so well, I don't get serious too often. But anyway, here's for a change! (kinda sorta.)

#THANKFUL 2012

FAMILY - Wow, this is SOOO cliche. But they are kind of awesome so, duh. They put up with my whining and boo hoo-ing and failed jokes and still buy me chocolate milk....WHAT?! I'm keeping these people, FOREVER. (frem, you're in here too)

*PUPPIES- Okays, so MAYBE I just got finished watching the dog show, but I would have brought it up anyway. These puppies (CLEARLY) are my favorite. Without them, I would take zero pictures, not have a snuggle buddy (I sound really cool now, I'm sure.) and basically my bff. Dff? yes.

EXPERIENCES- I've moved a ton, sometimes didn't see my dad for months at a time, and my mom has been sick ever since I was born. But honestly, these things have shaped me into who I am today. It's fun to look back and see how God worked, even when we had NO IDEA what was going on. He's just like that. We're at a point now where we can see the good that came from it. I'm truly grateful for that.

HEALTH - Our family has been going through some health problems recently this year, and I'm thankful that I'm healthy (clearly, not at the moment, but for the most part.) I mean, I have a cold. Not  cancer or a broken arm or sickle cell anemia. I can handle a cold.

BIBLE STUDY- Before we moved, I was involved in a REALLY awesome bible study (girls, if you are reading this, I love you!) I didn't realize HOW MUCH I missed it until I started going to one here, it's amazing. I love the studies and have absolutely learned so much. It's amazing.

HANDWRITING- This is going to sound weird, I LOVE my handwriting. It's not fancy or really even that nice. I just kind of love how it's mine and unique to me. No really, I'm not a stingy person. (um....what?)

ENJOY LIFE- I have this mini project I've been doing for the past few months. It has been so fun. And by fun, I mean eye opening and literally amazing. Maybe I'll show you sometime, it's so different than what I blog here.

AMERICA- It's changed so much, even since I've been alive. It almost makes me sad to talk about it, but I just LOVE IT. I was writing something for my project about it on election day, and I was bawling (not that that's unusual or anything.) This is my country, I'm an American, and I am SO PROUD of it.

That's it, at least for this list anyway. Now it's your turn, what would you put on your #THANKFUL 2012 list? I'm all ears!

(and all cheese.)

*Sophie ran away today, but thankfully we caught her. If we hadn't, she would have seriously messed up this list.