Wednesday.

This dreamy print makes me smile, and it also makes me want a beach vacation.

I'm planning to do some serious redecorating in my apartment this summer, and while I still have no idea what style I'm going for in my bedroom, bathroom, and living room, I can imagine that this gorgeous print by 20x200 would be gorgeous just about anywhere.

{via A Cup of Jo}

New Orleans

Yesterday, I flew down to New Orleans to be with my boyfriend who's been working here for a few weeks. I kind of have a love-hate relationship with New Orleans. Most of the people here are friendly, the history is so rich, and there is nothing in this world that can compare to the French Quarter. But the humidity keeps my hair inexplicably frizzy and the sheets on our hotel bed feeling clammy, and I'm not a fan of the rotten smell of the stagnant water in the French Quarter. I can absolutely get over that, though; I'm so excited to spend this weekend eating great food, exploring my favorite historic places, and finally being with my love again!

Here are some of my favorite photos from my last visit to New Orleans:


Charbroiled oysters with shrimp and mushroom fondue at Drago's.


St. Louis Cathedral - my favorite.


Eerie St. Louis Cemetery #1.


Beignets and iced cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde.


The sweetest home in the French Quarter!


Bee Sweet Cupcakes. This was the first cupcake shop I'd ever been to, and it started a long, unhealthy obsession with red velvet cupcakes for me.

Life is hard.

But it sure is beautiful.
{photo by Naomi}

Tuesday

These prints by Christine Lindstrom are so magical and inspiring. They all remind me of one of those really good dreams that you don't want to wake up from!

happiness

Sometimes, all it takes to make me happy on a Saturday afternoon is sparkly nail polish, a stack of magazines, a new ring, & mini-red velvet cupcakes.

Last week, we had two big snowstorms, so I only had to go to school one day! We watched movies, drank coffee, trekked through the snow to get takeout & went sledding everyday. Last night, we braved the roads, & I took my love out for his belated birthday dinner. Then we went to see a movie with my family. It was such a wonderful week & weekend!

A little vacation in Louisiana.

{Spanish moss at the St. Francisville Inn}

This past week, I went down to St. Francisville, Louisiana with Richard, which is where he will be working for the next two weeks. I'll be honest; I've never really been a fan of Louisiana. I'm not big on humidity, swamps, alligators, or land so flat that you can see for miles (gotta have my mountains in sight!). But this trip changed my mind a teeny, tiny bit. I'm definitely not considering relocating, but I kind of fell in love with the historical homes, Spanish moss, and soul food (fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, oh my). Plus, I'm all about a change of scenery from time to time.

{This is what happens on a Friday night in St. Francisville. In a town with 1,500 people, no Walmart, and only three restaurants, you kind of have to make your own fun.}

{We passed by this cute church on an evening walk through downtown Jackson.}

{My love at the Magnolia Cafe. We loved their crawfish salad and Mag special sandwich.}

{And guess what we did on Saturday night! Yep.}

{Beautiful Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge just before dusk.}

{That place is huuuuge.}

{Downtown Baton Rouge is lovely.}

{Byeee, Baton Rouge. Byeee, Richard.}

goals.

I'm not a big fan of making New Year's resolutions. It's just that I can never seem to keep them. There have been so many years that I've said I would get in excellent shape, become more organized, get all A's... and those things just never happened! Although I'm not big on resolutions, I believe in setting realistic, achievable goals; for me, it is the best way to accomplish things that are important to me without being too harsh on myself.

Here are a few things that I hope to accomplish this year and practice throughout my life:

1. Stop worrying so much. I'm a worrier, and I tend to worry about things that a) don't matter or b) are way beyond my control. It is such a self-destructive habit, and this year I'm going to work on not stressing out over insignificant things.

2. Get healthier. I need to exercise more, eat better, drink more water (and less sweet tea), and take my vitamins every day. I want to live a full, long life, and there is no better time than the present to develop healthier habits.

3. Be a better sister, daughter, granddaughter, girlfriend, friend. I think I am a good sister already, but I know that I need to be an even better role model for my little sisters who are 9 and 12. Plus, I want to spend as much time with them as possible before they grow up and realize they are far cooler than I will ever be.

4. Be more giving of myself. I believe our purpose in life is to serve each other, and I don't feel like I have been serving anyone but myself lately. It is time to forget about myself for awhile and focus on the needs of others.

5. Spend more time in prayer and studying scriptures. Everything else will follow.