How to lose your mind. Slowly.

I have a million and one things to do. There are literally 18 days left that I actually have classes on. There are of course more if you count non class days, but seriously. There's no time left. And I can't even think about it for longer than five seconds because I may end up institutionalized before I can even get through the week if I extend that train of thought.

But I have this really awesome/horrible defense mechanism when I'm stressed out. And I literally turn into a crazy person. I begin frantically feeding my soul with things that make my heart happy in spastic, spur of the moment ways that probably just really make everything worse because ultimately... I'm procrastinating.

OH, you want to have a dance party in the car on the back roads?? LET'S GO!

Drive forty-five minutes to sit by a pond and breathe in air that feels less stuffy? YOU BET.

Get hyped up on espresso and brainstorm million dollar ideas that have nothing to do with anything on your to do list?!? RIGHT NOW!

I'm not quite sure if it saves me or lets me caress rock bottom in a happy deluded state. But I think I like it better than alternatives. So. Moving right along.

I just wanted to share something making my heart happy right now. Some friends and I stopped at IKEA last week and it was my first time. It literally made me want to throw out everything I own and start all over again. I was in physical pain. So clean. So organized. So affordable. So FREAKING AWESOME.

Alas. I still have all my belongings. And only indulged in a candle. FROM HEAVEN. For real, people.

When I picked it up and smelled it, I literally yelled, "OH MY GOD THIS SMELLS LIKE... JESUS!" I don't even really know what that means. But there were witnesses. It just popped out. Without consulting my filter. But if you have the opportunity. Buy yourself one.

❤love.

Home sweet home away from home.

I realized today that I've been coming to Park City and Deer Valley for nine years now. It completely blew my mind. I'm not sure why. I guess because we joined in on the group we go with a little late, they had been coming up here for years before, and so it just doesn't seem like we've all been coming together that long. Almost ten years! I mean that's just crazy. Growing up happens so fast. And no wonder everything here is so familiar. I probably know this place second best to home.

Nashville was rainy and gross when we left early morning yesterday.

Flying in to this was quite the change. A wonderful change.

This trip always refreshes me. I'm so excited to be here and soak in the beautiful mountains. And the snow! Oh, the snow. I just love being out in it and then at the end of the night cozying up and enjoying the company of some wonderful people that I only get to see this once a year. It's going to be a good weekend. I'm all smiles over here. I hope you are too, wherever you may be!

❤love.

I'm the one holding on to winter.

It has a hard time leaving every year because, you see, we have this brilliant love affair.

I'm sorry. I know. You hate it. I can't help it. We have separation anxiety. You're ready for spring, and I understand. Don't worry. We had a talk. And winter really is on it's way out the door. So I've decided to go, too. I mean. One last rendezvous can't hurt, right? One last hurrah before next year.

Airport at 5 am. Park City in T-minus 20 hours. Oh, I just can't wait.

❤love.

I know Victoria's secret.

Okay. Not really.

But I had a great find that I am in love with right now.

These shirts are in their 'basic essentials' section where you can choose any two for $24. I just happened to get two of the same because I knew I would live in them, but their v-necks are awesome too. These are longer, tunic shirts that slip off the shoulders just a little. And they are SO comfy. Great for layering but they'll also be perfect for when the weather gets nicer. Currently I'm wearing my green one (not pictured)... it's a great color. Slightly on the neon side, it makes me look tan. Which I am never opposed to since most the time I more closely resemble a vampire. Skin pigment wise, that is.

You can find them here if you want to check them out!

Have you had any great clothes finds lately?

❤love.

Like a train on a track.

Today was a good day! The best of my weekend I think. I found my dance shoes and pushed aside the kitchen table, took advantage of my new hardwood floors and let my muscle memory take over a little. It felt so good, I think it's something I need to do more often. Then I filled up my big coffee mug from Turkey (Oh Istanbul, I miss you.) and got to work on some school projects before being whisked away willingly for some distractions by Katie. We went on a little Victoria's Secret adventure and out for some dinner. I've ended the night with phone conversations and a homework slumber party at Katie and Kayla's apartment which is set to continue until morning! I feel good about a lot of things right now and my heart feels full. Full but nervous... I always feel anxious when things are good.

Happiness, it hurt like a train on a track.

Coming towards her, stuck still, no turning back.

She hid around corners and she hid under beds.

She killed it with kisses and from it she fled.

Addicted to this song! It makes my heart soar. Florence is my homegirl.

❤love.

Baby pies in jars. What!?

Yeah. That's right. I made baby pies. Baked in jars.

I had seen cupcakes baked in jars before, but cupcakes are everywhere. And besides. My true love is pie. I mean, seriously? What's better than pie. You can make them sweet. Savory. Tart. Whatever your heart desires. So I kind of just decided to fly by the seat of my pants here and make some jar pie. Even made up the recipes! Which is my favorite thing to do. It's so much more satisfying. And why not up the risk factor? I mean, let's go all out.

First couple started...

Ready for the oven!

Mmm. Hot out of the oven and smelling so good.

Lucky for me they turned out fantastic! I was so excited and will definitely be doing it again. I'm totally psyched up about creating new recipes too. I made three varieties this go around and the best was definitely Secrets in the Dark Pie. Yeah. I named it that. Psh. Pies are better with awkward names. Everybody knows that. Or I decided that, but either way.

Mmm. I really just want pie now...

And if I did my job... so do you, my friend. So do you.

❤love.