Winter Paddleboarding

Yes, it's only two days after Christmas, meaning it should be freezing outside. 

And yes, I went paddle boarding today. 

The weather the past few days has felt a lot more like the fall than the winter. So, today I took advantage of the comfortable temperature and finally got back on my paddleboard. Hopefully the weather will continue to be moderate within the next few days so I can paddle out again

The water was freezing, but it was so nice to be back on the water doing something I love (and normally only get to do a few months of the year). This year my goal is to enter some competitions, because I want to take this hobby to a slightly higher level. 

My parents made me bring along a lifejacket, even though I never bring one, because I am so comfortable both on the board and in the water. I understand their worries, but thankfully it was not used. 

Merry Christmas, and Happy (almost) 2015.

X.

Thought 2

"in reality there is no such thing as an ordinary day"

In December, we constantly refer to this time of the year as "the season of giving." From Hanukkah to Christmas, millions of people will be passing out gifts to their friends and loved ones this time of year. But why should we reserve these chilly months for giving things to those we love? Lets find special things to give to the special people in our lives sporadically in the year. Lets give thanks for all of our blessings everyday of the year. Lets say "I love you" more. Lets live everyday like its the most special day of our lives, because no time should be taken for granted.

X.

Into College!

My life has changed immensely since my last blog post, which was written forever ago. That can be attributed to managing the swim team, one of the best decisions I have ever made, but that's not to what I am referring. At 8:00pm last night, I found out that I was accepted into my DREAM SCHOOL early decision. In the twenty some hours since I have heard, there has been so much love and congratulations thrown my way and I am sooo overwhelmed and grateful by it.

The world of applying to college has been so insane and has gone by so quickly (the waiting period, however, did not). I officially made my decision to apply early decision to college this summer, but in my heart I knew I wanted to go to this school for well over a year.

Looking back on my blog posts about visiting colleges is really strange, because I know I would have loved my college experience at any one of these schools. I just found the perfect school for me, and I am so excited to be a student there for the next four years of my life.

I am so happy that I applied early decision and that I do not have to fill out anymore applications (2 was more than enough). I hear back from SMU, where I applied early action, within the next few days. (Even though I wouldn't be able to attend, because now I am bound to attend my ED school!) I am loving seeing all of the facebook posts about my friends getting into the colleges of their dreams, as well.

Some advice that was shared with me over the past week continuously is that everything happens for a reason. You will end up at the school for you, and if you don't get into you "dream school"  life will deliver you with another, better option.

SOOO HAPPY RIGHT NOW

Thought 1

"Never forget about the ones that love you back"

I'm a victim of it myself, we all are. We all seek attention from people who just do not seem to care about us. I honestly often get tired of chasing people who could not care less about me. I feel like if someone wants to be friends with me, or if they want to date me, it'll happen. Right now I keep pushing something that I know will never happen. I need to remind myself that there are plenty of people that do want to be around me, and I cannot overlook those people in yearning for another. Don't loose yourself in pursuit of something or someone else.

X.

The Great Outdoors

Nature and photography have really grabbed my interest as of late. I find myself intrigued by things that might seem common or everyday. Yesterday I adventured through the wilderness with my mom; we explored an area of our region that many people do not take the time to visit. 

Because the temperature has been rapidly dropping, my Barbour jacket has finally come out from the back of the closet and started its cycle of daily appearances. I paired my Barbour with Nike running tights, orange Nike free runs, my tried-and-true camp UVA hat, and black plastic-framed Ray Bans.

My goal for the near future is to take advantage of my area, because next year I will definitely be in an area that is different from my own, no matter which school on my list I attend.

Happy adventuring,

wild by the water

This year, I feel like I have changed a lot, for the better. I'm growing up and with that I want my blog to grow up with me. On that note, welcome to my renamed and redesigned blog, "WILD by the WATER."

Although I love Nantucket, the inspiration behind my old blog's title, "ACK-ing Stupid," I needed a change. My entire life is not revolved around Nantucket, but my life does revolve around the water. This is not the first time I have changed the title of my blog, and it surely will not be the last. I have grown up around the water, and the water is the place where I feel like my true self. This blog now feels really "Kelsey" to me. I am the kind of person with no one style. I am not preppy, grunge, girly. I'm just me. I wear what I like, I listen to the kind of music I like. You can't put a label on me. You cannot put a label on water. With my new design, you can't put a label on that either. It's purposefully very clean. I want my words and pictures to shine, not my background or the twirly font.

Thanks for being along for the ride,

Weekend Links

Now that I have some college apps turned in, I have a little bit more time to start blogging again. Here's whats on my mind, this weekend.

-Thought for the week... and the year? Reminder to keep looking forward and making new memories for this nostalgic senior.

-Haven't liked turtleneck sweaters too much in the past but I have my eye on this one, in black.

-I was sick last weekend, and this tissue-box-cover would have been a cheerful addition to my room.

-In love with this cheery fall outfit.

-This healthy pasta alternative looks absolutely delicious.

-How To Get Away With Murder, or HTGAWM, is my new favorite show. I cannot stop watching it, or telling all of my friends about it. Check it out here.

-Due to my New York Times style section addiction, stumbled across this comparison of Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke in the aftermath of the infamous VMA performance. 

Happy November,

All Dressed Up

Although October has now come to an end, I just had a probably obvious realization for this month: it is the month of dressing in costume. No, I'm not just refrencing Halloween. That would be a little bit too obvious. This month, practically half of my days were in costume. From spirit week to senior day to halloween itself, it's been a month of Kelsey in disguise.

SPIRIT WEEK: 

See an in-depth summary of my spirit week here.

HALLOWEEN:

At my school, seniors and freshmen all dress up for Halloween and seniors parade through the elementary school in the morning. 1st-3rd graders dress up as book characters and parade in the afternoon. This year, my friends and I dressed up as frat boys at school, and for a party on Nov. 1 (a delayed Halloween party) my friend fCw and I dressed goth. 

 

SENIOR DAY:

For the last home game of a sports season, it is a tradition at my school for the underclassmen to dress up seniors, bake them goodies, and make them posters with embarrassing pictures. My team dressed up the seniors as a holiday. I was christmas, my favorite holiday! Here are some highlights of my volleyball senior day...

 

 

Spirit Week 2014

My favorite week of the year is definitley spirit week! Normally I dress up for as many days as possible, but this year I really tried to go all out. I mean its senior year! I had to take advantage!

Camo Day: Monday

Everyone brought out their real-tree camouflage and their well-worn hunting gear to start out the spirit week strong. 

 

Preppy Day: Tuesday

Everyone made jokes about how preppy day is not really that different from normal days at our prep school, but it was nice to see everyone in their preppy best!

America Day: Wednesday

This was one of my favorite days! USA USA USA

Pajama Day: Wednesday

One of my comfiest days at school...ever!

Spirit Day:

This picture cracks me up! Yearbookers attempting to spell out our school's letters.

At the end of the week, we had a huge pep rally, where all of the seniors from the fall teams got to do a dance. Unfortunately, due to issues with the content of our music, the volleyball team was unable to perform. After the event was over we stayed in the gym and performed it for our friends. I actually was really upset about not being able to dance. It was something that I had looked forward to doing for over six years of my life. I guess everything happens for a reason, but it was really unfortunate. 

I'm so excited for the homecoming dance tonight!

XOXOXO,

Transition

It's finally feeling like fall, and I love it! My little nugget, aDr, and I mixed our summer favorites (her pastel jean shorts, my tank top, and my sandals) with fall essentials (jeans and a white sweater). 

top: madewell // jeans: j brand

sweater & shorts: urban outfitters

shoes: soludos

School is getting INSANE right now, and it was nice to be able to relax with friends! Homecoming is coming up (with that comes spirit week, my absolutely favorite thing ever). It's so weird to think that this will be my last spirit week, but I will have tons of parties to dress up for in college, so it's not the end of that.  One thing I am in the midst of planning now is the pep rally dance with the seniors of the volleyball team, which will be solo embarrassing because I absolutely cannot dance. And my first college application is due so soon! I need to get working.

Happy October! XOXOXO,

Notebook Sessions: September 2014

Welcome to my second issue of Notebook Sessions. (Find last month's premier session here) This is a monthly series of all my favorite things, put together in my notebook! Here's what is inspiring me this September:

Hope you enjoy! XOXOXO,

Welcome, Autumn

It's that time of year again! I love fall in my area, with all of the leaves falling and the not too hot not too cold temperature... love this season so much! Happy fall.

via

XOXOXO,

Autumn

Even though fall technically starts on September 22, midway through September when the weather gradually starts to drop, the only thing on my mind is retiring my summer dresses! Autumn is an amazing season. When I was younger, I definitely did not appreciate fall as much as I do now. I am looking forward to days in comfortable sweaters and well-worn boots. I love the rustic vibe that accompanies this quickly-approaching season. (To the left are some of my favorite fall-inspiration shots from tumblr.)

Although this autumn will be a particularly difficult time for me, school-wise, I am still so excited with the fun events that coincide with this season.

Homecoming is just one of the many fall events. At my school, not only is there a football game and a Sadie Hawkins style dance, but there's also a pep rally where all of the senior members of the fall teams have a dance competition, in front of all the students in grades 6-12. I am so excited to finally be able to do this with the lovely ladies of the volleyball team. I am already starting to think about what songs we should dance to! (And I am trying to find a good Homecoming dress as well)

One thing that I love about my school is Halloween. On Halloween, seniors dress up in really well-put-together costumes, and parade in front of all the grades, showing off that perfectly styled superhero costume, for example. My friends and I have not yet decided what to do (we still have a month to think about it!) but we have lots of good ideas! Some of my favorites are frat boys, awkward school photos, and princesses.

The day after Halloween, I have college applications due. Hopefully I will not still be working on the apps that night...

Anyways, happy (almost) fall!

XOXOXO,