Spontaneity.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post about the wonderful memories you make if you just go out on a limb and live in the moment...

Hold On, We're Going Home.

"I got my eyes on you.

You're everything I see.

I want your hot love and emotion

endlessly."

-Drake.

Literally, this has been playing in my head on repeat for the past week. I wake up and it's the first thing I think of. I drive to the grocery store and it's on the radio. I have it on Spotify on the daily. Maybe my mind is gearing up for the new album coming out on Tuesday, but I gotta give it up to my boy, Drake, for this killer jam.

On this gloomy and rather annoying Friday, I've been pondering what study abroad life in London a year from today would look like. I'm pretty sure it would be a lot colder than the Tennessee autumns and raining every other day, but I'm still stoked beyond belief. I'll have to find a new aesthetic in my fashion identity and I already have an icon to emulate: Miss Alexa Chung.

I'm wrapped up in her boyish yet classic style and I want to use this Friday Five to focus on her best looks.

YES. Femme meets fall. The offset of the black, sheer tights with this delicate, lacy dress is the perfect way to keep warm and cute.

When I think menswear, I immediately channel this outfit. Alexa does the masculine trend in all the right ways with the pilgrim-like bowtie and tuxedo suspenders.

Going for the girly Chanel look, much? I just want to steal this navy bow coat for every occasion and every season and yeah...I'm just basically obsessed with this piece.

No matter where she is, Alexa knows how to rock some cutoffs. And my biggest pleasure? CUTOFFS. Adding her signature sheer tights with a simple button-up is the easiest way to look rad in colder weather.

YAY FOR OVERALLS. Another one of her necessities are one of my latest essentials. I couldn't pick my favorite look out of these, so...BOOM. Rockin' it, girl.

Youth.

"And if you're still breathing,

you're the lucky ones."

-Daughter.

Something about finding new music makes my heart flutter with the greatest happiness alive. I feel as if it's almost a new outlet of figuring myself out and learning the ins and outs of my growth as a person. Deep, but it is what it is.

I've heard of Daughter for a while now, but it took until my last Skins episode (GO WATCH SKINS UK IT'S THE GREATEST) to go out and listen to their stuff. And this tune, by far, is my favorite. The lyrics are haunting, but the melody sticks with you like glue. Can you tell I'm a tad in love with this indie acoustic jam? WELL, I AM.

We made it through this week (almost), every one. Finish it out with this lovely lullaby and always remember...

CHEERS TO THE FREAKING WEEKEND.

Life Is Better With You.

"Thoughts still swimming around in my head

with all the words we've ever said.

My favorites remain, 'I love you.'"

-Michael Franti & Spearhead.

Goodness gracious, God is putting so many heavy things on my heart lately. Times like this make me question His judgment of timing, but I honestly believe it's all for a reason. The stress, the anger, the anxiety...it's all meant for something. I just wish I had the patience to sit through this somewhat misery I'm dealing with as of late in order to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

For a millionth time, study abroad is approaching. Applications must be started and pondering the funds for such an endeavor are causing major freakouts. I know it's worth a lifetime of experience and an innumerable amount of memories, but why does money have to possibly throw away my dream? How can pieces of thin paper determine our lives? I know it shouldn't be the answer, but sometimes, it's the only outlet. Ick.

This is day 3 of my gym/health kick renewal. Due to the fact that I think I look disgusting when I look in the mirror (what's new.), I am carefully counting all calories put into my body and working out as much as possible. Unhealthy, I think not. Just not the way many people go about things. But you want to know my revelation I come upon about once every couple months? 

Comparison is the killer of all joy.

I know that in my head. I have heard it on repeat a million times. The only way to feel better about my body and looks is to fake it. Fake it 'til you make it. Tell myself I'm beautiful even if I think it to be a lie at first. Remind myself of the great things I have in life, like a family and sunshine and food on my table. But when I look at others who are prettier or smarter, those statements all turn into worthless sentences. BUT THEY SHOULD MEAN SO MUCH MORE, IT'S HORRIBLE.

I need to just pray for a while. Can I have, like, a spiritual retreat from school for the next three days? That sounds wonderful to just talk about God's plans and my uncertainty and just having faith. I need to believe and trust. Things are going to be okay. Maybe not right now. Maybe not for the next week.

But ultimately, I'm alive. I'm blessed. I'm loved by Him. And that's the best reassurance I need right now. His love and faith and grace.

Screaming Infidelities.

"I'm missing your laugh.

How did it break?

And when did you eyes

begin to look fake?"

-Dashboard Confessional.

I'm somewhat at a loss for words today. I've been trying to think of original material to post up here, but I'm lacking the inspiration to do so. I guess because this week has been 10x more lax than last week, I have nothing to update on. Life's just a work in progress at this point. 

I feel as if I'm constantly forgetting things: homework, studying, meetings, you name it. As much as that stresses me out in the long run, I kind of like forgetting responsibility. Another attribute of summer that brings me great joy. But summer is now a memory and fall is upon us. Oh, the agony of having to wear layers and hear about everyone making pumpkin flavored fill in the blank. Sure, I love Halloween and the occasional boyfriend sweater, but it's always summer in my soul. Hence my passion for Dashboard Confessional and Iration at the moment.

Well, homework is sadly calling my name and I must ace this mass media test tomorrow after probably bombing the paper I wrote for it. (What is internal citation?!)

Peace out, bro.

Heard 'Em Say.

"They say people in your life are seasons.

And anything that happen is for a reason."

-Kanye West & Adam Levine.

Yoga definitely soothes the soul. Well, my soul at least. So do long drives down back roads to Brentwood with one of the bests. I talked about this last week, but I look forward to it oh so much. Through all the boy problems and embarrassing family moments, the stories are endless and wonderful all the same. 

These yoga dates with Miss Nikki make Mondays worthwhile. I honestly can't wait to road trip to Georgia and Florida with her once again. Great times and good vibes.

That's the motto, for sure.

Oh, then, there's this. Pretty much the best cover I've ever heard. Speechless and blown away by this pretty lady. Check her out. She's sure to be famous any day now.

We Were Us.

"Back when that song was a song

I could sing along

without thinking 'bout you 

every time it came on.

Every beat, every line,

every word, every time."

-Keith Urban & Miranda Lambert.

I don't say y'all very often. But Y'ALL got to hear this song. It is my JAM. Literally, it brings me back to the one-horse town I grew up in and the summer that's slowly fading away into a memory. I hate when nostalgia has to set in and be the pictures in my mind rather than living out my dream of beach days and long nights. Can you tell I miss my California summer sunshine as of late?

So I realized I missed out on the Friday Five. Where has my head been lately? I keep leaving you guys behind and forgetting everything that matters to me. We must fix this. I know it's Sunday, but let's substitute this in for Friday's post.

Lately, I'm loving a jacket/shirt tied around the waist. 90s grunge is my guilty pleasure, for sure. The crisp white button up with a leather wrap-around is just rad in all the right ways.

I need to just splurge and buy me one of these asymmetrical skorts. The angles and edge of this ensemble scream fall transition to a girl like me. Black and cool and yeah.

This corset. Pure perfection in design. Love the modern take and the details to put this top together. Ah, just love.

This collared confection is to die for. Absolutely stunning patterns and tulle. I just can't say enough about the perfection that is this dress. 

STOP IT. This little diva is a fashionista-in-training. Her coat is fabulous and the mini Chanel bag? This will be my child when I get older.