Defying Gravity

Lazy Saturday afternoons must include:

• Tea
• Books
• Fuzzy Slippers
• and watching Boy Meets World

My break has been completely unproductive and I've loved every second of it. It feels strange, and so good to just not be doing anything. It's even let me do a little revamping of the blog. 

...here's a picture of a cat, internet.

 

for more continuous updates from Ivory Giraffes follow me on Twitter and Instagram

Twitter: @IvoryGiraffes

Instagram: @hannahbyard

Merry Christmas, bloggers, from my kitty to yours.

I've been missing from the blogosphere for most of the month, but I'm going to try a fresh start with this upcoming year and semester. Last semester went really well for me, I got all A's and one {darn!} B which left me with a 3.8! Not too shabby for my first semester of college, and my first time back in an "actual" school environment. The one thing I really slacked on was my blog, but in the long run I know getting good grades was more important than keeping my hobby updated. Hopefully next semester I'll be able to conquer both of them! 

Merry Christmas, ya'll. And have a happy New Year too! I'll just be in little ole' Bliss, freezing my butt of and cuddling with the boy and drinking hot tea. 

Where Are You Christmas?

Dear Winter, Christmas, and the Like,

I love you more than I ever have before.

I like the pretty lights that come along with you, and even the cold.

I actually miss having snow, so you could come to Mishawaka anytime now.

I really enjoy the Christmas colors, especially red. I like wearing red, and you make it completely acceptable to wear as often as I want.

Also, Christmas, if you could come sooner that would be great.

I want to go home, and cuddle up with my kitty and my Hunter. So the sooner you get here the sooner I can go home. K, thanks.

I love you,

Hannah

Thankfulness.

Well, Thanksgiving break is done and I have a feeling I'm not going to easily find peace, tranquility and harmony. What with only 3 weeks left of my first semester of college, I need to start studying for finals... and that's just crazy.

I'm not entirely sure where the time has gone, and sadly to say, I haven't recorded it much through this ole' blog like I should have. I'm hoping {still} to get back into the routine of blogging regularly... about what, I'm not entirely sure. But I'll get there. I'm sure of that much. 

Anyways, even though Thanksgiving is over with and all the Christmas festivities are beginning I'll share a little of what I'm thankful for:

• Bethel College. I always knew I wanted to come here, and was worried that my exceedingly high expectations would not be met... Well, I'm excited to say that they were definitely met. I've had the most amazing time learning, and not only learning about my faith and my music. But learning who I am, and how to interact and love people better than I ever have before. 
• One the same note as before: My suite mates. Rebecca and Brittany. I'm so thankful to have them in my life, to be able to share so many firsts with them. I'm so grateful that they accept me for who I am, and push me on towards being the best I can be. For allowing me to open up without feeling like a complete squirrel, and for just being two of the best friends I've ever had. 
• Home. As much as I love being at Bethel, I'm so thankful that I have a home to go back to when I'm tired and ready to be around familiar faces. And not just any home, but my home. Where I can be me, and know that everyone loves me even when I go to see Breaking Dawn without them. 
• And where would a post of thankfulness be without Hunter? I'm so thankful that this boy has been willing to stick by me, even when I'm far away and hard to stick by. When I have my crazy breakdowns, and when I'm really mad at him for not talking to me enough. He loves me anyways. I love him. And that's something to be thankful for. 
• My God. I don't think I've always been someone to be thankful for God, and sometimes I'm still one of the most awful people in the world and go days without thinking Godly things. But I'm learning, and I'm thankful that He allows me to learn, and doesn't expect me to be perfect all the time. Because I'd definitely fail that exam. 

Guest Blogging

Hey! I blogged over at Paper Planes & Playground Games about my tips for college! 

My Heart Will Sing No Other Name

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I have to go to chapel along with all of my other classes for the day. It's actually required for all students, but you do get to have 9 skips {or personal days} throughout the semester if need be. For the most part I enjoy it, but my very favorite days are the all worships days. This Friday was a worship chapel. While singing with 2,000 other college age people I was hit by so many things. One thing in particular:

That so many people my age are missing out. People who have tried churches, but only tried those ones where even playing the piano is a stretch. Churches where if there were drums inside the church it would practically be considered a sin. There's nothing wrong with these churches, but it doesn't exactly cater to the people my age. As I was singing Forever Reign I just was amazed knowing how much some people are missing when they're worshipping. That they don't even realize some of the songs that I have been singing for months of my life, and it's hindering their ability to reach out to God. Because of the worship style chose at the one church they've ever tried it's making them think that God is this stuffy old man, when that's not the case at all. 

May you listen and take it in. May you become full and whole knowing that God will forever reign. 

Loving Him Was Red

I love me some red lips. 
They give me this fierceness courage and power that makes me want to defeat the whole entire world. 

Fall {in} Love

For all the freshman {and transfers} who attend Bethel you go through this thing called FYE your first semester. What is FYE {otherwise known as Block} you ask? Two days a week you have two classes with the same people from 9:30 until 2:00. Not only do you have class with these people, you also get to know them as friends because you're with them for such a long period of time. Yesterday was a field trip for Block where we went to Potato Creek Park, basically a nature preserve. It was really cold, and we hiked, and just so you know Converse are not the ideal hiking shoes. It was nice. It reminded me of home. 

A few weeks back was fall break and the fall colors were in full swing. I took these pictures and as I was out walking yesterday it reminded me of them. I miss home. In a few short{ish} weeks I will be home again, but in the meantime: I miss it. I miss my dirt roads and my woods. I miss my kitty, and I miss my Hunter. Oh, to be home again. 

Ireland.

How lovely is this sweater? 

It's absolutely gorgeous and I'm extremely fond of it. Literally a chunky sweater from Ireland. Ireland people. My lovely Aunt sent it to me, and there is nothing I love more than packages. While being in college I've realized how nice it is to receive a package, a letter, anything. I check my mailbox daily... and if I'm being completely honest probably hourly. But it also makes me realize how the written word is dwindling. Writing letters isn't common anymore, and I've found that I'm fairly inept at writing them. It's such a beautiful thing to sit and write a letter for an hour or so. Seeing two or more pages of ink on fresh paper. I enjoy doing it, more than I initially thought I would. Something about writing letters makes you feel like you're closer to whoever you're writing to. Like you're baring your soul more than any text will ever do. 

Blessings.

 Sometimes I still can't believe that I'm actually living in a new place. Not just visiting. It's  a very hard thing to wrap ones mind around. Most of this time I feel as if this is just some vacation that will soon be over with... but then I see my stack of homework and reality comes knocking at my door. 

I spend most of my days going from class to class and doing homework. But I'm so enjoying the college dorm lifestyle. The community that comes along with it. I've never been one for having many friends, girl friends especially. I just always felt as if all the girls I ever met just hated my guts. We never got along and I found the way to cliquey. But here. Here everything is different. I've finally found a place where I seem to fit in, and I don't even have to try. I've found people, girls, who actually accept me for me. They don't think I'm too conservative, they don't think I'm too worldly. They just like me. And sure, sometimes they make fun of my crazy antics, but I know that they love me. And I love them. I would honestly do anything for these girls, and I know that if I ever needed anything they would have my back. It's something that I haven't felt, well, ever. 

I am so incredibly blessed. 

Cherry Tomato

My favorite part of college? 

Wearing sweatpants to class without judgement. 

You remember how I used to be so "get dressed, Hannah! it will help you with school"? I'm not so much like that now. Sweatpants are the bombdiggity and I will wear them. Even if I no longer can be labeled a fashion blogger. It's all cool by me as long as I keep my sweats. 

Actually, I'm seriously in love with both my sweat pants and my shirt. I got the sweats from Old Navy a couple of weeks back {okay, so maybe it was a month... but who's counting?} and the long sleeve shirt from Target this past weekend. I'm basically in love. 

In other news, tomorrow is the beginning of Fall Break! I'm so excited and it is so so needed. Like seriously needed. I can't wait for some actual sleeping time! 

The College Experience.

I miss blogging so much, and I'm going to try really super duper hard to get back into it! I miss you guys, and the whole atmosphere of my blog. It's such a great stress reliever and I really think I need this fun place for me in my life! 

You can follow me on Instagram @hannahbyard 

I'll be writing again soon! 

Pilot.

Sometimes one just needs a day of relaxation...

I, personally, haven't really gotten one in awhile. But you, you there with the face, relax. Soak up some rays even if it's a little chilly outside. I'll just be sitting here on a Monday afternoon, in my sweats, working on a few papers. 

Yo ho!

Yo ho!

The college life for me! 

Triangle.

Bare with me right now as I'm trying to get into the hang of this whole college and blogging thing. I'm so not ready to finish this blog, but I also don't know how much time I can devote to quality posts. Maybe it will end up being a 3 times a week thing, I'm not really sure. 

What with writing so many freaking papers a week I think it would be such a good thing for me to be able to have a relaxed writing environment so I don't get overly stressed out about writing. A creative outlet. Anywho. 

College has been going so insanely great. There are, of course some things I'm not entirely crazy about... things I don't think would be appropriate to write online to protect the not-so-innocent. Whelp, I'm off to band practice. Yes, band. I play the triangle. Be jealous. 

Through Smoke

One of the best things so far about living in a highly populated area is that there are tons of shopping options. Which could end up being to my demise. I mean, there is literally a Meijer, Kroger, Walmart, Target, Kmart, and a huge Goodwill. What more could a girl ask for? Right now I don't have a job {If I do ever end up getting one it probably won't be till at the earliest second semester} so I'm trying to manage my money well. But it's just so darn hard when Goodwill is right there and they're having a 50% off day!!

Anywho, I got these mugs at Goodwill. I think they'll be a nice addition to my little mug collection. When I first saw the one with blue on it I thought it may be Pyrex... but it's not. Boo. The yellow one was made in Japan though, in 1976! I thought that added even more character.

I'm trying to get back into the habit of posting daily, but please excuse me if it just doesn't happen sometimes. I'm so in love with blogging, but I'm trying to figure out how to best fit it in with everything else that's going on right now. 

Current Desktop

I've never been big into desktop backgrounds, usually just the default ones. But I was getting super tired of the standard galaxy one that Macs come with, so I got on handy-dandy Pinterest and looked up cute desktop backgrounds. I found the most perfect one ever. Seriously. How much cuter could it get? Plus there are anchors! And helms, which are Bethel's thing. So, you know, it works. Right?

But, yeah. This is what's currently on my desktop. In case you were wondering. Whiiiich you were. It was just too cute not to share!

Elements

On Saturday my friends and I went out Goodwill shopping and afterwards out for lunch. I've never eaten Chinese before so that's where we went. First of all: I loved it. Delish. Secondly: The owner was just the sweetest little thing. She came and pulled up a chair next to us and asked us what we had been thinking of getting, we told her, and she described the entire dish to us and if we weren't sure about something she told us something else we may like. She was just the sweetest little lady ever. 

I can't tell you how much I am sincerely loving it here. Sure, I miss home like crazy. I miss it so much. I miss my bed, and Hunter, and Mercy-Roo. But I love so much of being here. The fact that I have friends, real friends, is one of the best things. I love sitting in our rooms talking about useless things and sometimes really important things. 

College Life Thus Far...

Can be summed up in these three pictures. 
Caffeine. 
Trying to stay cool in an dorm without AC.
And my adorable bed/living area. How cute is the Audrey poster? 

I'm resisting the urge to write a life update. Like all about school and stuff, cause who the heck wants to read that? Not I, said the little red hen. Instead I will just leave you all with these pictures and promise a better post in the somewhat near future... maybe. 

In Which I'm Becoming an Old Woman

Whelp. Look who's officially moved into Bethel College. 
I know, I know. Crappy Photobooth picture, but it's late at night {since when has eleven o'clock been considered "late" for me?} and I haven't really had the time to take quality pictures. Which is obviously a real bummer. 
Anywho, I've got yet another busy day planned out for myself so au revoir! 

Gotta Get Down On Friday

Literally. Gotta get down to Indiana on Friday. Today. 

Today is Friday. 

Sure, it seems like a simple statement. A fact that is known to everyone on the planet. But it's not just any Friday, no. It's the Friday. The Friday I move away from everything I've ever known. The Friday when I become just a bit more independent... okay, well maybe that won't happen until Saturday. But still. It's a step. It's me loading up my Mama's car and driving six hours south. 

Thanks Bliss. For being the perfect place to grow up. Where the trees are plenty, where imagination soars, where Grandmas are just a horse field away. Thank you for being a place where I can lay on the beach on a hot summers day and where I can go sledding when its cold out. Where my sister became my best friend, and where I met my sweetheart. Thank you even for being the place that my Daddy can look forever on a field where horses play. I will miss you. But I'll be back soon. Pinkie promise. 

{Pretty}

... {pretty} kitty who lays around while i try and pack. try is the keyword. do you have any idea how hard it is to figure what i really need when i'm living six whole hours away? i don't want to overpack. i don't want to under pack. it's a dilemma. any tips from former {or current} college students moving far away?

... {pretty} nails that glitter in the sun. i don't share with you often, but i adore painting my nails. i change them near daily and i'm really loving this combo going on right now. gliiiiitter. ... {pretty} handsome boy who is just about the cutest thing, um, well, ever. he didn't want me to post this anywhere, but, i love this picture. on so many levels. maybe it's because it was just a really great day with him. or maybe it's because he really is this funny most of the time. it just shows his personality, i suppose. 

i love him. ... {pretty} sunsets. i can't believe that tomorrow night is my last night here. wow. this summer has flown by. so quickly, but it's been a good one. i'm not sure if i'm completely ready for a new transition in my life, but like it or not, it's happening. 

Show-N-Tell

Every time I get the urge to show you all something I just bought, or some "cool" thing in my room I feel like I'm in Kindergarten again trying to pick out something to bring for Show-n-Tell. But there is no way I could not share my recent purchase with you! Mainly because I'm head-over-heels in love with the darn thing. But can you blame me? It's so pretty! 

Before you jump to conclusions:

No. This is not a Vera Bradley bag. This is called Stephanie Dawn. Stephanie Dawn actually has quite the story. The people who make the Stephanie Dawn bags used to be employees of Vera Bradley. When she started outsourcing to China, bada-bing bada-boom, she laid off workers. Those workers started their own company: Stephanie Dawn. And yes. All of their bags are made in the US of A. 

Anywho, now that my lecture is out of the way. I'm in love with this duffel. I love how the sides tie down so it can be small, and then you can untie them for more room. I love the colors. The print. I've been wanting to get a nice duffel bag before I go off to college {in roughly a week!}, and this is the one. I'm just completely in love with this bag, if you couldn't already tell. 

Time & Love is All We've Got

 Dear Hunter,

You are gone this weekend. This makes me a sad little girl. But also happy because I know you're having fun doing, you know, manly things. Whatever manly things even means. It makes me realize how much it's going to suck in a few weeks when I leave for school. But you know what? That smile above gives me confidence. I know everything is going to be fine. Not necessarily easy. But fine. I hope you have fun this weekend, and please don't injure yourself. I sort of like you in one piece, exactly how you are. 

It's only eight o'clock on Friday night, but I already miss talking to you. I know, I'm horrid. Okay... Monday can hurry up now :)

Yours Always,

Fountain of Awesomeness 

Currently...

Red Toms; Lace Baseball Tee- Aeropostale; Jeans- Delia's; Pandora Bracelets; Sailor Knot Bracelet; Anchor Necklace- Kameleon 

Loving Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser/Mask. It is seriously one of the better face washes I've tried and I've tried quite a few. It just makes my face feel... wonderful!

Reading Wuthering Heights. I'm actually really into classic literature and I'm loving it.

Watching girls gymnastics! Well... not now. But ever since the Olympics started I've been an avid watcher of the girls gymnastics team. They're just so good! I've also been watching the Lizzie Bennet Diaries . If you like Pride & Prejudice you will absolutely adore this. I'm dying to meet Darcy!

Thinking about how I'm going to spend this weekend. Hunter's going away with Tanner and some other boys for a guys camping trip this weekend, and I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with myself. Well. Work. Beach? I don't know.

Anticipating the Pandora trunk show that we're having in mid-Septemeber. I'll be coming home for it and I already have a plan of what I'll be purchasing. You know, because I'm definitely in need of a third bracelet.

Listening to Once Again by Rob Vischer. If you haven't heard of him... look him up. He's amazing. And I just love his songs.

Working on packing up some things for school. I'm trying to make lists and such, but I'm still so worried about forgetting stuff. I know I have a few weeks, but still. I want to remember everything.

Wishing that summer lasted all year long.

My Delicious Secret

I'm not into dry shampoo. Yes, I know, I may be the only blogger on the planet who's not crazy in love with the stuff. I tried it. I hated it. Maybe it was the kind, or maybe I just don't like the stuff in general. I don't know. It just made my hair feel like when you use hairspray and by the end of the day its sort of gross, which is basically the complete opposite of what I wanted it to do. But I do like keeping my hair healthy, and healthy means not washing it every single day. So I started researching other things to use for a similar effect... or rather what the effect was supposed to be... and found out about baby powder. I tried it. And *drumroll please* I loved it.

And it's just so easy. When I read about it I thought "Maybe this'll work... but it's gonna be darn messy." But I tried it, and it's so fricken easy.

I just put some powder in my hand, and run it through my hair. At first it will look like you instantly gained about 40 years, but trust me. I'm not crazy. Either run your fingers through your hair till it's all blended in, or {Probably the better option} use a brush to brush it all through. It's seriously that simple. It soaks up the oil and now you'll smell like a delicious baby. Bam. Life is now complete.

Life Lately...

...has consisted of getting dressed in pretty clothes, kissing the boy, drinking mango smoothies, and other random things. Also, watching Pretty Little Liars. I started watching it from the beginning, it's actually better than I thought it would be. I know, I'm so behind on the times.

I know this is a short post but I'm trying to clean my room, just be thankful I didn't show you a picture of that! Eeks, it's a disaster.

How It Flies...

I am simply blown away with how quickly this summer has gone by, not to say it's over by any means. I can't believe that in a mere twenty-two days I'll be leaving Bliss for Indiana. Starting my college career. I am trying to be overly excited about it {I am excited} to cover up my complete terror and fear. Fear of leaving. Of being without Noey, and Hunter. Of not doing well enough in my classes. Of being weird and that my roommate will hate me. Staying here seems like such a safer option. Here I have my family. And my house. And Hunter. And everything is... comfortable. And that's why I want to leave. Is that odd? Wanting to leave because I'm comfortable? But I want to grow as a person, I want to become all that I'm meant to become and sometimes the only way to truly do that is if you step out of your comfort zone a little. Or a lot. 

I'm scared.

But I'm excited.

The Way the World Turns

Lace Tank- Nadia's; Grey Cami- JC Penney; Jeans- Delia's; White Flip Flops- Billabong 

Before I even write anything, I want to tell you how unhappy I am with these pictures. Not because they're bad quality, or it's not the look I was going for, but rather because I really don't like how I look. I know, I know. Suck it up. Don't let your looks define you. But we all have our days, and that's okay. It's okay that I'm not really fond of how my legs look in these pictures. Me saying that I don't like how my legs look doesn't mean I hate my body. It doesn't mean I'm going to go on a huge diet. It just means that I'm human, and there are days that I don't like how I look. And you know, that's alright, because my worth, your worth, it doesn't come from how we look.

Okay, now that my little sermon is over with:

I love this top. I've been wanting something lace for quite awhile now and finally found this one that I really liked. I couldn't decide when buying it if I wanted the tank or the long sleeve, but as this was half the price quickly decided on the tank. Plus it's more fun for layering. I wore this to work yesterday but donned a grey cardigan for the chilly AC. I'm really averse to air conditioning. It makes me have goosebumps constantly! 
And how about those outtakes?