FRENCH, FRANCE AND JESUS: THE UPDATE.

I'm sure this has kept you up at night. You've been tossing and turning wondering, "What did she get on her French final?"

Or you didn't even know I was taking French! That's another very likely possibility.

I wrote about it in this post (and included some very favorite photos from The Paris Market in Downtown Savannah!) but basically, my grade sucked. And yes, we all get bad grades from time to time, save a select few of academic angels. But for some reason, this grade was especially disappointing to me, and I was probably a bit salty about the fact that I didn't fall into the academic angel category probably. At any rate, French was my least favorite topic. Yet the one I needed to study most for.

One day as I was studying (sort of) (mostly just dozing off) I had a weird thought "What if I actually get an A? If I do, I'll buy myself a nice lipstick." The thought was mildly motivating and kept me awake for another solid study session. But still, an A? That seemed pretty far fetched.

The thought of a lipstick at the end of the road was enough to motivate me slightly. But also I knew it wasn't a reality, so I wouldn't have to spend money on it at the end of the day. Kind of a win-win! Except a lipstick (and an A) would have been cool.

Directly after my exam I came home for bible study. I knew I had done okay on the test, but also knew I messed up a lot as well. We prayed, talked, potentially cried but I can't remember, watched the bachelor and I checked my grade.

For some perspective, the last test I got a 73.
Yet somehow on the final, I ended up with a 114. Bringing my grade from a C to an A! Also bringing my jaw to the floor.

(photos from paris in 2014)

My point in writing this post isn't to publicly celebrate my grade of flaunt my Phoenix abilities. I'd been discouraged about this class for months. I had mentally accepted the final B or C. Life would go on. God would still be in control. Really, it would all be fine.

But then God said, "Wait, I have something better in mind."

The beauty of this situation, and the life lesson I hope to learn and remember, is that God always waits till the right time to work. If he had given me a great grade from the get-go, I probably wouldn't have prayed as much. Had I started off with a higher standing in the class, I wouldn't have been humbly driven to my knees. He held out on me, until I was fully sold out for Him.

God want's our best days and our worst days. He loves us through bad grades and good grades and He will bless us when HE knows we are ready for it. Not when we think we deserve it.

This is just a small situation in life, but one where I saw God moving and working so clearly. And on that note, I know it won't be the last time God waits to bless me, even when it seems like its too late. It wont be the last time I see Him moving and working in my life. And while I've already forgotten every word of French, my hope is that I never forget what Christ has shown me through this situation.

Now obviously it's not really practical to put up a pillar of stones in my bedroom, but hey! This lipstick is my proverbial pillar of stones. So naturally, I had to go all out.

I ended up picking out a YSL lipstick. I mean, after passing french, a French lipstick brand seemed only fitting. After spending 14 years in Sephora going back and forth (cute or practical? Fun or extra wearable?) I settled on Smoking Plum, a rich purple with a glossy finish that I truly love/want to wear everyday. 

It sits on my vanity now. For one, the packaging is ridiculously pretty. And secondly, the price tag is high enough to quality this as not only a lipstick but also a piece of decor. And thirdly, every time I pass it or use it-the lipstick seems to say, "Hey, remember the time that God to bless you and you passed French? And not because you deserved it either, but because He is the epitome of goodness itself."

So yeah, I guess you could say it's my proverbial pillar of stones. In all honestly, it's a way better reminder of God's love than stones would be. I use lipstick everyday! And what else do I need daily?

To be reminded that God is in control and He will move when He is ready, not when it's easiest or most convenient for me. 

KRYN GOES TO COLLEGE: THE UPDATE

I told her I was taking a gap year and her response wasn't quite what I expected.
"Enjoy your last year at home!" she said, "It's so special."

I laughed really hard. And then I cried.

But I cried a lot harder than I laughed.

Kryn goes to college!

Kryn goes to college!

(and comes home two hours later)

Community college is pretty anti-clamantic, and very unlike the typical college experience. There is no rush week, no picture perfect dorm rooms with color coordinating trash cans, wall art and lofted bed storage. No football team, few clubs and idk, really no motivation either.

That being said, I still made a huge deal about which agenda I would use. Because it's tradition!

And by tradition I mean that it's a tradition for me to be as ridiculously un-practical as possible.

You'll see what I mean in a second...

This year there were two winners! But unlike last year, I decided to go ahead and keep them both. Logical? Practical? Resourceful? NEVER. But at least this year, we don't have to add unorganized to the list. I'm planned out to till December and man, I love it.

I'm using the Day Designer Agenda this year. It was sad to bid farewell to the saturated sunshine hues of the Lilly Pulitzer agendas, but HOURLY agenda in the Day Designer made the bittersweet break up a whole lot more sweet than bitter. 

My favorite portion of this planner is the small G R A T I T U D E section. Theres a big enough space to write down a couple things, but generally I just jot down one great thing about every day. Sometimes it's a big thing, other days it's something simple like taking a good photo or not getting caught at every red light on the way to work. It's easy to think we have nothing to be grateful for but in reality, if I really listed everything, I could fill ten of those little boxes every day.

And so, another unorthodox school year is upon us. (old habits die hard?) I've got a good routine, I actually enjoy all of my classes and to top it off, my study buddy is really cute (even though she sits on top of my textbooks....while I'm reading them.)  

May good grades and extra cups of coffee be ever in my favor!

(No thanks to you, Sophie.)

PS: 2014 Agenda and my 2015 Agenda. My shorts are J.Crew, bralette: Urban

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Graduated-ish

HOLY CANOLI! I graduated High School in the most homeschooled way possible!

How? I'm sure you're curious. No I didn't walk down the aisle in a denim skirt and you're right, I'm not one out of 10 siblings who all happen to be proficient in greek, latin and violin. But we homeschool kids have this joke that we never know what grade we are in. Someone may look like a simple tenth grader, but don't be fooled. They're actually still finishing up last years algebra and they're three years ahead in literature...so don't judge a book by it's cover or by a homeschooler and what grade they're in.

So anyway, I graduated from high school, threw my cap into the air and got emotional about school ending...a week before finals.

This picture makes me so happy. Our mothers are best friends, we've grown up five minutes away from one another, we've been on field trips and actual trips and my first sleepover was at their house! He literally drove me everywhere for like 10 years when I refused to get my license, and even let me choose what we listened too once or twice. I cried a little when he gave his speech. Even though I'm three days older, my little brother isn't so little at all!

I just have to say that if my experience with saying yes to the graduation dress is any indication of how it will be when I go shopping for my wedding dress...I'm never getting married. Because wow! First of all, i placed a ridiculous amount of significance on one dress but on the other hand, I love dresses! And at that, I have a lot. So this one needed to be special. 

(And for once, need is not a relative term.) 

After buying 3 and trying on at least 20 others, I settled for this one. And I use settled very loosely because I love it a whole lot. It was comfortable and classy and I looked like a senators wife. Speaking of senators, check out my best friend! My best friend who I literally tell EVERYTHING but we've only hung out twice lol. Life is funny, so is Jonathan and I didn't even trip on stage in those $20 shoes that happened to go well with my ridiculously overpriced dress.

It isn't every day your boss speaks at your graduation. It isn't every day that you pick which tie goes better with the grey pants for your best friends dad. It isn't every day that you get to feel this loved and this special.

Many thanks to the incredible people in my life who have helped me reach this point. My opening prayer, well it still rings true. I'm incredibly grateful God gave my parents the heart to homeschool me and sacrificed so, so much for me to walk across that stage...a week before finals.

So you can continue to pray for me and deliver chocolate at my doorstep, because I've got one final date with High school and you can bet it's gonna be a darn good one. 

PHOTOS: 90% by @imsarahchristine who is the best human ever

DRESS: Lilly Pulitzer

SHOES: Target haha

GOOD FRIENDS: All mine. 

12/35 (I haven't died yet!)

I LOVE HERITAGE.

I don't love the stress or the crazy Wednesday nights or the constant feeling of  "I should be doing homework!" but other than that, I want to kiss it and marry it.

That's a strong way of saying, I love it.

We've now incorporated a  run to 7-11 for donuts which I think now might just be the icing on the cake. I don't necessarily love reading 100 pages of boring books each week, but I love the sense of satisfaction I get. I like saying I go to a school. I like having teachers other than my mom. I even get a small thrill from putting on the uniform....I've never loved khaki so much in my life!

Now if I can only get Sarah to do it next year... lets start a petition!

I'M ALIVE, BLOG'S A FRESH!

We're already 7 weeks into school! 7 weeks! I wasn't even sure I'd make it one so I'm pretty impressed that Heritage hasn't killed me yet. Not sure what I've learned really though, a bit on feudalism and a fair amount about misplaced modifiers. BUT what I've really learned about, through detailed study and careful observation...and some experience, of course, is procrastination. I mean, by the end of the year I'll probably deserve a PHD in this fine study.

Anyway! You may have noticed that things are a tad bit more fresh, a little simpler and just a bit less homemade. Which homemade is fine when it comes to cookies but something about September just begged me to freshen up and make things a bit less humble around here. Have fun looking around, if that's your thing.

And if not, then what are you doing with your life anyway?

Off to pour my heart and soul into some painful poetry...and of course, pinterest.

(that procrastination we talked about? You know it's happening.)

1/35 - LET'S DO THIS.

First day of the year is done!

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I joined a one day a week classical school this year. And of my own free will, surprisingly!

Heritage has been an option for me for the past few years, but at the same time it wasn't really because the Lord wasn't leading me there. This year though! Man, He had billboards and neon light and the whole shebang (which was exciting!) No doubt this year will be challenging beyond words, but the Lord brought me here and I know without a doubt, He will bring me through.

(that being said, I'm still counting down the weeks till summer!)

1. ) Check out my uniform! Felt a little Walmart Cashier -esque, but then again, that's always been my dream so on second thought, this will do nicely.

2.) BOOKS?! For those of you who know me, reading is not my cup of tea. Over the summer I read 10 books. Granted, they were all fluffy and light and especially cheesy...and now I have to transition into books that  my nerd of all nerds, genius of all genius's brother couldn't even finish. Wish me luck!

So excited to see what The Lord has in store for me. I'm SURE you'll hear me moaning about homework once or twice...a week. And with that, I'm off to begin my 1st assignment....

It's gonna be a long year!

Back to School with Lilly!

UGH SCHOOL IS HERE.

I mean, YAY TIME TO BUY NEW THINGS.

It's all in your perspective, my friends!

Okay, with the school year fast approaching (as in, TODAY.) I am gearing up for the most intense year of school ever. I'm joining an umbrella ish-classical-education- torture group and I hear I might die. Multiple times.

Anyway, when I saw planner on the list of supplies you can bet all your broccoli that I began to search high and low for the perfect one. And huzzah! Lilly Pulitzer saved the day. And for those of you curious, bored, or googling....here's a little overview on my little slice of heaven.

I mean, my agenda.

Basically the same thing.

Okay, here's the basic overview for those of you who love facts!

-17 months (including weekly pages, for all 17 months!)

- A Monthly Lilly Print (new month, new print, new you!)

- Spiral bound (which makes everything better.)

-Comes in Small, Large (pictured here) and Jumbo.

- Dates to remember, contacts and note pages (more to doodle on, yay!)

Have I mentioned that it's Lilly Pulitzer? So that means it's automatically perfect!

It's a little pricey at $30, but I figured that since I'm gonna be using an agenda ALL YEAR, I might as well spend a little and actually like it. Plus, I was in a Lilly Pulitzer store in Savannah Georgia and I mean, How could I not?

Moral of the story: I'm so excited to use my Lilly Pulitzer Agenda this year. It's a uniform school ya'll (khaki and polos so hard that Jake from State Farm would be proud!) so I'm doing my best to sneak a little color in wherever I can. Thanks Lilly for helping me out!

Get your agenda HERE!

DUN DUN DUN, September!

And so, it' is September and I'm not sure how I feel about it. But! We are one month closer to fall leaves and Christmas so I guess I can handle it. MAYBE. But, have I told you about drama club? My dear mother decided it was high time I put my drama to good use (I swear, I'm not dramatic at all! Except about candles, grilled cheese and everything else in life. Sheesh!) and so here I am in drama. But then, there is this tiny thing called, oh I don't know, A BRITISH ACCENT, in which we must master and actually USE in public.

No comment.

So my main goal for September will to be survive, British accents and volleyball, thank you very much. Not like I'm complaining or anything! But, feel free to bring me cupcakes at any point and time, okey dokey?

-WORK ON BRITISH ACCENT

-Not miss any serves in a game

-post one outfit post (i have a feeling i might regret this, but we shall see!)

-play tennis

-get a succulent

-write more letters

- do fun things with friends.

And now, would you like some tea? Because I feel like when homeschoolers try and do British accents, that's all they say. That or some uber romantic line from Pride and Prejudice which I guess is fine by me.

Have a great day, and If it were possible to type in a British accent then I totally would. Cheers!

Hey, I'm all artsy.

Welcome to a post where I hope you don't notice all the photos are blurry and I try to convince you my art is not horrific.

For the record, I'm really not a very good liar.

 Last week I started art. And FYI,  It's WAAAAAYYYY better than track. First of all, it involves sitting. Not on a couch, but I can handle chairs. Second, it involves watercolor, which is basically just coloring for grown ups (and dorky teenagers).  You see, track and art really don't mix which is exactly why (hey mom!)
I should stick with just ONE.

I'm gonna let you guess which one I'd pick.

(hint......the one that involves sitting.)

Summer is over

 We were supposed to start school yesterday. But with mom being out of town, I opted for going to a friends and having fun instead. Sadly, today came and so did school. Although, I did learn some French, so it's not ALL bad.

Tomorrow, it really, REALLY will start. We have our first classes of the year. Weirdly enough, I haven't even planned what I'm wearing. Last year, on Thursday night I would talk to Emily about what we were wearing on Wednesday. Even one time, she told me she was wearing a cardigan and I said "oh, how are you buttoning it??" Now days, I'd like to say I'm not so shallow. But sadly, that's not the case! I'll probably be into hair or shoes or something equally silly.

And now, I'm reading PW's favorite names. Because it's the cool thing to do! It's hilarious, my moms first name and middle name are on the list. (for those of you that don't know, my mom and Ree were best friends when they were kids.) I call it my "connection." Problem is, she's never met me.

It's a bummer when things like that happen.

Have an amazing first day of school! (If you've already started school, have an amazing tomorrow. Okay, I'm being weird.)

Slurpee Happiness

 (This post does not have much to do with slurpee's.)

I am so happy! Having our final class be today is just so amazing! I stress really bad with homework. On Friday I start worrying because I only have 4 days left till class and It was just obnoxious. But now - no more deadlines, no more early mornings (not really true, but i like to think so.), basically its all good now. Oh, and I got to have soda. Major woot. I think the last time I had it was July. It was so nice of our teacher to bring us all Slurpee. And Coke ones at that! And now, I have so much free time. I have a feeling my time will be spent taking pictures, messing with Sophie and hopefully sewing. And don't worry, I will do a celebration soon! I've been meaning to celebrate all week. (Oh, Happy World Penguin day!)

What things are making you happy today? Hope your day was just as great!

Happy {Fri}Day:: 4/13

 

This week I've been studying up for testing. I'm actually kind of excited. I was always the "I wanna go to school" homeschooler, mostly because I wanted to have a locker and ride a bus. (and the tissues. Of course.)  So testing is sort of my  yearly little schoolish adventure. And in case you were wondering, I do get giddy when riding buses. It's the deprived homechooler in me.

And one last thing is that I hate this time of year! Everything is ending the same week, and I'm going to have absolutely nothing to do. On second thought, it sounds kind of amazing. I think I could get used to being a lazy person. And by saying that I totally mean I'm not.... I think Ray Comfort would call me a liar. Happy Friday! What things made your week great?
 

Earth Cracking

I'm getting smarter. It may take a long, long, long time, but I'm getting there! Today, I made a few semi earth shattering discoveries. We could just leave it at earth cracking. The biggest earth cracking moment for me was (along time ago) When I was in the bathroom in a public building and figured out that Kanga and Roo  makes Kangaroo. (You know, from Pooh?)  I was so happy I figured it out I just started shouting "Kanga and Roo...Kangaroo!" It was so totally earth cracking. I didn't do anything that weird in public today ( and I'd hope so considering I'm  wearing tie dye - eek!) But anyway....my earth cracking discoveries:

• That KJ should always be around when I need the Vacuum brought upstairs.
• That I wish I could eat cookies all day long,
• That helium makes balloons float. 
• That I really love being organized.

By the time I figure everything out, the world will be in a million pieces. And in case you were wondering I really didn't know that about helium.(I actually found that out a few weeks ago, but it was so funny I had to include it.) I don't know how or why I missed that in preschool, but apparently I did. I was probably too busy solving the world hardest math problems and painting mini Mona Lisa's.

Or I wasn't paying attention. But I'm positive it wasn't that.

Happy things

Dad and KJ are out of town. Its party time! That is, if you consider reading economics or studying Greek partying. I don't.

So instead of thinking of terrible things, lets think of happy things shall we? Like Navy blue and white stripes?
All from Kate Spade, all over $300. All of these will never enter my closet. I thought we were supposed to be talking about happy things to get our minds of economics? This conversation is turning dismal.

Lets talk about glasses. Glasses are happy. I got my 2 new pairs. I love one. I have not worn the other pair enough to know if I love them or not. When I do wear them, I feel like I have goggles on and end up taking them off 5 seconds later.

You can sort of see them here.
Yeah, they're fairly happy glasses!

Also, I started to achieve one of my new years goals! Happy Happy thought. If you want to look back at them, click the lovely image with chevron stripes to the right of this. I'll let you guess which one I'm working on, I think you might know.

And if all else fails, I resort to Hand Sanitizer. A forever source of happiness.
And it happens to be a little cheaper than a Kate Spade dress. Like $298.50 cheaper.

The last week!

Yes! Another instalment in my online architecture course. I will be rid of my "peace bus" projects in a week. I am thrilled.



If you don't like that, you may as well leave. I personally am in love with all the retro people. I think this is a great ending to my wonderful architecture design.

Vintage Design

Since the Garden of Happiness went random, posts, sanity and everything else I hold dear went with it. Do not despair! I have much planned for you. And yes, it might just involve my feet.

I am participating in an online Architecture Class this semester. I really really love it. My favorite part has been designing my website for it. I decided make it vintagey (Is that a word? If not, it is now!)(These are alot smaller than I thought they would be, sorry!)

For the first page, I kept the background white and added a vintage piece of clip art. This paged turned out to be one of my faves. I do love little things.

Another favorite, week one. I used a simple scale background and added a cute post card. I do love post cards too. I love how colorful the background is and the cute design of the card.

Week Two has some cute floral's on it. I had some white space on the image I was using for the background. To work around it, I made the lines into "dividers" for the title.

This was by far my least cohesive page. I really loved the background- the soft grey and powered pink with little birds. But because this was a repeating pattern, I couldn't piece it together like I did some of the other images. I used the image 4 times to make the background and then used stamps to try and cover up the "seams."

More Postcards! Week 4 is similar to week one, different post card and background though. I centered the postcard to make if more of the focal, since I didn't have the dividing lines on this page.

Same scales as from week one. I decided to re-use them because I loved the colors.

So there you have it, my vintage graphic deign. Do you like it? Please share your thoughts! :)