Saturday Six: On the Brink of July

Isn't it crazy that July is literally just around the corner? I feel like summer just began, but we are already a third of the way through. #wut? This summer, you will see a lot of these "Saturday Six" posts, because I always find myself stuck inside. (Even though I would 100% rather be at the beach... no matter where I am and what I am doing) Here are some of the things that I have been lusting over this week!

1. These prints, introduced to me through "Prep Avenue" (a great blog run by an adorable college sophomore). I love finding great small retailers like these! This is my personal favorite print:

2. Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews: Andrews is always a solid option when I am on the prowl for a good summer read, and this book was no exception. I just finished the book, and I was really wrapped up in it! It's one of those books that had me staying up late and waking up early just so I could finish! It follows the life of a 32 year old interior designer from Madison, Georgia, who caught her fiancé and her maid of honor going at it during her rehearsal dinner. A fun read, for sure!

3. Creatures by Shannon Saunders: I simply cannot get this song out of my head. This girl is seriously talented. British musicians > anything! Keep an eye on Shannon Saunders for sure.

4. Venice: I have always wanted to go to Venice. It looks like an absolutely stunning place. Pinterest has been chalk full of stunning photos of the city recently. My favorite, below.

5. This top designed by one of my long-standing blogger-idols, Sincerely Jules. I could see it styled with J. Crew chino shorts or even jean cutoff shorts! Very versatile, very summer.

6. As I have confessed before, I am utterly obsessed with hydrangeas. I have even written a whole post on them. #sorrynotsorry My friend kHr and I could not give up the opportunity to take a picture with my favorite flower!

Hope all y'all are doing well!

XOXOXO,

Kels

Thursday Pinterest Day 7: Quotes

One thing that has been getting a lot of traffic on my Pinterest page recently is my "quoted" board. Here are a few of my favorite quotes, to push you through that summertime slump! Lets have a great week, and a great summer.

Happy summer!

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Rivah Nights

I have had lots of fun these past few days on the "rivah". I am going to try really hard for my senior year to document it well! I love photos, and senior year is such a big deal I want to be able to have moments of all of those memories. Excuse my #noeyes in some of these pictures...

free people tank // urban outfitters cutoffs // jack rogers shoes

lacrosse spirit jersey // j crew shorts

Hope y'all are having an awesome summer!

XOXOXO,

Kels

UNC Chapel Hill and Duke

A few days ago I made the trek to Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina to visit UNC and Duke. First things first, a little background. A few years ago I went to an information session before a volleyball camp at Duke, and I didn't love it. However, I thought I would give it a second chance! I honestly expected to like it the second time around, but it just didn't click. I skipped out on the tour (leaving discreetly after the information session). Something about the school just did not sit right with me... it is really hard to explain the feeling.

Even though Duke was not the best experience for me, I fell in love with UNC. And honestly, I had no idea what to expect. Driving into Chapel Hill for the first time, I was ecstatic. I was 100% flipping out. It was everything I had ever dreamed about, college-town wise. The first thing that I saw were the gorgers sorority houses!

My amazing hotel was also next to the frat houses, which were really nice as well!

My mom and I always talk about all of our thoughts on a college immediately after the tour, and here is some of what we said!

- It's large (about 18,500)
- There is a lot of school spirit, especially in athletics.
- An extremely pretty campus and a nice neighborhood
- VERY hard to get into out of state (and as a not-recruited athlete!)
- They offer early action
- A diverse campus
- On campus living guaranteed for all four years
- Support for study abroad
- Huge campus
- Liberal arts
- Well known
- Friendly

UNC was definitely a huge surprise for me. I never really thought that much about it before the tour, and now I most likely will be applying! Senior year craziness is just around the corner and I cannot believe it!

Safe travels! XOXOXO,

Best Week Of My Life

I recently went on a trip to the Dominican Republic with some friends to teach impoverished Dominican children English and life lessons. Although it was only a week, I can firmly say that this trip changed my life in the way that no other experiences have before. I loved the country, the food, the people. I would not change a single aspect of my time at the DR. Next summer I hope to travel again to the country and change even more lives (while they change my life as well).

Service missions are so important; they teach people how to be patient, open to new experiences, and independent. I am so thankful for the opportunity to travel to the DR, and for all of the amazing friendships that I made.

I taught kids from ages 4 to 12. I had to write different lesson plans for every day, and craft exciting ways to teach kids English and the idea of honesty. It challenged me in ways that I have not been challenged before.

We had one day off to hike and go to the beach. It was a great way to end the amazing journey! The water was so warm, and the whole day was so breathtaking.

Safe travels.

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Healthy Tuesday: Everything Smoothie

Happy summer! 

I've almost got my smoothie skills down! I have been on a smoothie kick this spring/summer, and this is one of my favorite creations so far. I think that the key for my favorite smoothies is to mix lots of different fruit, and add lots of ice!

I call it the "Everything" Smoothie because it literally has everything you can think of inside!

I thew in:
- Kale
- Baby Spinach
- Frozen Peaches
- Frozen Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Pineapple
- 1 Banana
- Ice
- Water

It was so good! I also love the way smoothies look in glass jars (great for storage, too!) I hope everyone is having a great summer. It's so nice to finally be free from exams! (and no longer a junior; that was a rough year) Woohoo!

XOXOXO,
Kelsey

Summer in Stripes

Every summer, striped tops make up a huge percentage of the clothes I wear! Here are some of my favorite summer stripes inspiration looks (from Pinterest and Tumblr):

Stipes just fit the nautical look that I crave every summer! Here are some of my favorite striped items you can purchase this summer. 

What's your favorite summer trend?

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Summer 2014 is Here!

Today was my last exam and my last day of junior year. Does that make me a senior now? That's actually kind of terrifying.  Coincidentally, it's also the one year anniversary of this blog. That is sooo crazy. 365 days later, I am still learning my way around this whole blogging world. (and still loving every second)

I decided to celebrate this coinciding special day with my first photo shoot of the summer! The weather is so gorgeous outside!

dress: american apparel // shoes: converse // bracelet: madewell

Now I have to pack for this mission trip that I am doing extremely soon. It's going to be amazing, but a lot of hard work. I hope everyone has a relaxing day!

#seniorness

XOXOXO,
Kels

Healthy Tuesday: Green Smoothies

I love smoothies. LOVE. However, I have always struggled at making them myself. So, for the past few years, I have gotten practically all of my smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Café. My favorite smoothie has been Island Green, which I was originally extremely skeptical to purchase. Even though the smoothie has kale AND spinach in it, I couldn't tell at all! Once I learned that TSC used a ton of sugar in their smoothies, I was extremely inspired to make my own at home, because smoothies are actually really easy to make (and are really good for you). You really do not need to add any sugar at all, if you use enough naturally sweet fresh or frozen fruits! Smoothies are an easy vegetarian snack or a great way to stay healthy at breakfast. 

Here is my first original green smoothie!

With this smoothie, I used:

- 1 cup water

- 1 cup kale
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 cup pineapple
- 1 cup apple
- 1/2 cup mango
- 1 cup ice
- 2 frozen strawberries (for extra chill)

However, feel free to use whatever you have at home! Use this for a guideline:

Let me know if you have any favorite smoothie recipes, or any great vegetarian recipes in general. 

Happy (almost) summer (to me!)

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Spring Summer Happiness

Every year as soon as the weather is nice, you cannot keep me inside. At school, it becomes so difficult to be able to concentrate! One day during our shared study hall, my friend kHr and I decided to have a little photo shoot for a project we had to do for our English classes. I am a very awkward model person, it's something that I need to work on...

Dress: Urban Outfitters  | Flower Ring: Forever 21

This summer I will try to post more pictures of my everyday clothing and more of my own photography. If you have any ideas for blog posts, or any questions, leave a comment or email me!

THREE MORE DAYS OF SCHOOL!

XOXOXO,

Kels