exploring

The other day I went exploring around town with my best friend. We were looking at a few locations which would make perfect backdrops for photos. We stopped at one of our favorite cafes for coffee and chitchat. The weather was gorgeous with a warm sun but crisp, cool temperatures (my favorite). I've been loving my new camera bag from Jo Totes. I have received so many compliments on the Italian leather and people gasp once I inform them it is my camera bag. I also scored big on these denim pants the other day when I hit up Urban Outfitters's fifty-percent off sale... my kind of shopping. 

HAT // TOP // JEANS // FLATS // CAMERA BAG // EARRINGS 

a new year, a new beginning

Happy New Year! I know, I know, I know.... why have a waited so long to post? I really wanted to post on January first. I really did. Instead, I took the first couple days of the new year to organize my thoughts and figure out what direction I wanted to take my blog. While I am still uncertain of all the new content I will be posting, I do have big ideas. First, let me tell you my resolutions. I am a big fan of the "clean slate" the new year has to offer, maybe it is because I accomplished all my goals I set for 2014. 

Travel more // In 2014, I had the opportunity to travel to many new places. I am so grateful for those chances to explore. However, I have learned that I do not need a plane to discover new places. I am hoping to take advantage of the destinations surrounding me while also, hopefully, having the chance to travel abroad more. 

Learn to cook // My family has never been huge on cooking and so I am hoping to teach myself how to cook gourmet meals (ya know, not just mac and cheese). Since I will be on my own this fall, it is a skill I need to learn before I leave home. Plus, maybe even some cooking recipes on the blog?! :)

Be positive // Many times I catch myself complaining and being so negative about situations. I want to work on spreading positive vibes not only in my everyday activities but also to other people. There is no reason for me to be negative because I have a wonderful God who takes of all my needs. 

So those are just a few of my many resolutions. I mean, there are always things you can work on to make yourself a better person, right? Anyways, I went to Columbia for a shopping trip and I fell in love with the city. I know it is similar to Augusta but it has some of my favorite stores and some really neat restaurants. I had no idea what to wear this day until I received a text from my friend saying "wear a tee, skirt, and black tights". Boom... this is what I came up with from that description. 

 JACKET // TEE (similar) // SKIRT // TIGHTS // SHOES // BAG 

loves of 2014

I had this idea to create a collage filled with an assortment of things I loved during 2014. I feel like it would be fun to look back in the future and see the clothing I wore or what music I listened to. Overall, 2014 was a pretty good year for me. I started to chase my dreams by creating this blog and I had the opportunity to travel to some pretty cool places. However, I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store because there will be huge life changes for me including going off to college! I also have a lot I want to accomplish blogging wise for the next year so stay tuned for new posts. :)

Fashion | This year was probably the most revolutionary for me fashion wise because I learned to invest in simple pieces. During the spring and summer, I wore high waisted shorts with everything. As the weather cooled down, I started wearing tons of hats and splurged on these Free People boots that I am obsessed with. 

Quotes | I spent a lot of my free time this year browsing Pinterest for inspiration. I always came across the most meaningful quotes which hit me hard. There is just something so uplifting about people's words and I have fallen in love with their writings. If you don't follow me on Pinterest, you can by clicking here. 

Music | Music is definitely my life, however; very rarely will I buy an entire album on iTunes. Therefore, the album has to be somewhat decent if I am willing to invest in the whole thing. These three artist have made the top of my list this year with their new releases: Taylor Swift, Foster the People, and Hozier. Be sure to check them out if you are looking for some new music. 

a christmas lookbook

Three more days you guys! I am so excited for Christmas since it is my last before I head off to college next year. I had this idea to put together a little "lookbook" full of a compilation of outfits to wear around the holidays. I wanted include about five outfits but unfortunately time caught up to me and I only ended up shooting two. It worked out though because one is more casual and the other is dressier!

For the first outfit, I played it down a bit. I took this simple navy dress and layered a plaid button down over it. I threw on a festive, red, beanie and some ankle booties. The look is definitely effortless but still holiday appropriate with the bright red beanie and lipstick. Now, the second outfit is a little more creative. I spotted (no pun intended) this leopard coat in my mom's closet and knew I had to style it somehow. I paired it with a simple black came, sequin shirts, and thick black tights. To add a Christmas touch, I finished the look with a pair of red heels. 

Click the links below to see where everything is from!

 DRESS // SHIRT // BOOTS // BEANIE // BAG (sold out, similar) 

COAT (old, similar) // SHORTS (old, similar) // TIGHTS // SHOES 

laid back vibe

It's finally the time of year for Christmas cheer! haha don't you just love my rhyming? Seriously though, I am so excited for the holidays coming up. I have about 2 more weeks left of school and then I will be on break at last.. hello Netflix. Recently, I've been loving the casual and cozy look. Even though the weather isn't too cold, I enjoy layering jackets and pulling on some boots. I bought these boots from Target on Black Friday and I am obsessed! Since I am not tall, I try to go for shorter boots. These pair made a perfect addition to my collection. :)

p.s. how cute are these bike shop decorations?!

Jacket: Alter'd State | Tee: Forever 21 (similar) | Jeans: Target | Boots: Target

xoxo, jg

Pumped Up Kicks

 Beauty can be found in everything. Last week, I found beauty in the sunset. This may sound crazy, but I have never really appreciated the radiance the Sun gives until this day. There is something so beautiful about mornings and something so marvelous about night. It is like two different worlds: dark and light. Sometimes the light from the Sun can guide you to your destination and sometimes it can blind you from where you ought to be going. The moon is the same way; the beam of light from the moon can help you see while its dark can also hide you. Life can be compared to the light of the sun and the moon. There will be days, seasons, and even years where something or someone will be blinding you from your destination. It is not until you get to the contrasting side to see where you should be headed. Some people are misguided by the sun and can only see with the help of the night and vise versa. 

Okay, that was your little inspiration for the week. Let's talk fashion. I really need to find this dress in every single color but at the time I purchased it, I didn't realize how versatile it was. I can make it casual by throwing a jean vest or flannel over it or I can dress it up with a fur vest. It's pieces like this simple dress that need to be invested in because it lasts for years and something so basic will never go out of style. I got this little number from shophopes.com but you can find a dress like this anywhere!

Also, let me know if you would lake a hair tutorial by emailing me or commenting on instagram because I am kinda loving this look ;)

Vest: Brandy Melville; (similar-on sale now!) || Dress: Shop Hope's; (similar) 

|| Necklace: Urban Outfitters || Shoes: Converse

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