for the nosy ones

When I put up a poll on my blog a couple weeks ago asking for input on topics to write about, I never expected that personal stories would be one of the top picks -- if I had, I probably wouldn't have included it!  I guess all you people are pretty nosy and just can't help but to want to know all the juicy, gossipy details of my oh-so-exciting life, right? . . . Can you sense the sarcasm??

I'm not big on blabbing all my life's details on the internet, or in person for that matter, but the following question continues to pop up:  WHAT ARE TOM AND I GOING TO DO?!  It is the pressing concern of all friends, family, and strangers.  Maybe you don't realize it when you ask it, but this is a very loaded, daunting question.  There is no simple answer and it is actually breath-takingly overwhelming to really stop and think about.

Well, let me begin by telling you this.  This is no easy thing to decide, and I really don't think anyone, except for people who have been through it, understands what is involved.  I don't even fully understand what is involved.  So all I can do is tell you what I know for sure.

Plain and simple, Tom and I are in love (queue the gagging, I know).  So, we've decided to get married - woohoo!  We ain't lettin' no Atlantic Ocean rule our lives.  While we are unsure of what the future holds for us, we know that we're going headstrong towards it.  We are now in the process of planning a wedding reception to be held in Grand Rapids.  I say "reception" because, as far as our actual marriage is concerned, due to visas and rules and regulations and all those things that nobody likes, we don't even know if we'll be able to technically get married on the day we celebrate it.  But guess what?  That's okay.  And if it's okay with us, let it be okay with you.  Nothing about our relationship is conventional so why should our wedding celebrations be?

We've chosen the date of October 13, 2016 for this big shin-dig.  It's far away, I know, but this is simply for the reason that weddings are quite an expensive affair, and Tom and I plan on paying for everything ourselves.  We are extravagant people and will be happy with something modest, but in terms of wedding receptions, modest is still money.  On top of that, we have a whole extra pile of expenses that other couples do not ever have to deal with -- visas, moving someone's life across the world, oh, and still seeing each and maintaining a relationship in the process.  Yes, it is our choice to go through all of this to be together, but honestly, if you were in our shoes, I bet you'd do the same.

So, in short, we are going ahead and planning this celebration, and we'll get dressed up in our suit and gown and we will have a fantabulous time, whether we're technically able to get married that day or not.  Marriage is a celebration of love, and that is what we'll have.  I'm sure, as time goes on, that more details will begin to fall into place, and things will work out just the way they're supposed to.

I hope this is enough to ease all your prying minds.  ;)

-teddy x

13 things I'm wishing for

I felt a little materialistic upon deciding to create this post, but let's face it, unless you're not human, you're probably wishing for some things, too.  Here's my top 10 (in no particular order, as usual):

1. This trench.

2. This dress.

3. This cabinet.

4. This bag.

5. These boots.

6. This pup.

7. These jars.

8. This necklace.

9. This Leica.

10. This locket.

11. This skirt.

12. This light switch.

13. This dress.

You guys know my birthday is soon, right?  Size small dress/skirt/tops, size 7 shoe.  Kthx.  ;)

-teddy x

random rantings

Sometimes my brain goes crazy with random thoughts and it won't shut up until I tell them to someone... Soooo HELLO blog, my little cyber writing space that I keep neglecting!

So first off, I've started at Ferris State University this semester, and I'm enrolled in a program called Integrative Studies.  What, you might ask, is integrative studies?  Well, I wasn't too sure either, up until yesterday.  All I knew was that it's good for people who have loads of credits, work full-time, and have families.  A.K.A., me.  I finally was able to meet with a school counselor yesterday and basically what she told me is that I can take ANY classes I want.  The only requirements are that they're 300-level or higher, and I need about 30 to graduate (finally) with my bachelor's degree.  I'm beyond happy.  I'm going to take all the English and writing and Philosophy and Psychology I can!

Unrelated, I find it quite amusing to hear people try and use the word "feminist" as an insult.  I mean really... can you please just do your homework and find out what the word truly means and stands for? K thanks.  Also, it may not come as a surprise to find out I HATE catcalling.  Never do I find it flattering.  It is always obtrusive and obnoxious and uncomfortable.  Today while I was pumping gas, some sleezy dirt bags decided to make some comments that I didn't much care for... I'm still contemplating calling the company they work for (Walk-A-Bout Lawn Care - they were getting out of the company truck) and complaining.

Next up on tonight's list of thoughts... I've discovered I'm quite good at making banana bread.  I've also discovered that it's really easy to make.  This makes me happy, because banana bread is ace.

Ahh, this one may sound like an echo of thoughts of voiced before... but dang, Harry Potter is awesome.  I'm in the middle of re-reading the series (which I haven't done, in order, for a few years now), and I almost forgot how it has a way of just sucking me out of real life and pulling me into that world.

Coming soon (maybe): fresh ink!!!  It's been over a year (almost two, actually) since I've gotten a tattoo and I can almost literally feel my skin itching for more.  I'm sure it's a real addiction.

Last but not least... I really, really want to start finding/making time for more yoga in my life!  I want to practice it in as many forms as possible.  It's so relaxing but it's also strengthening and some of it really feels like a good workout.

Well, I think that covers everything tonight.

Ciao!

-teddy x

easy up - do

First off... Alliston in Wonderland has a new look! I think I'm pretty happy with it but I always appreciate feedback. :)

I wore my hair like this the other day and it was actually mostly unintentional. I like to do wrap-around French braids (I start it on one side of my head and braid it around to the other side) sometimes and that's what was supposed to happen here. Halfway through, I completely messed it up. Instead of starting over, I just ended up leaving the part of the braid that I had and then pinning up the rest into a messy bun. Turns out it's a really simple, quick way to put your hair up and it looks pretty classy!

I am so good at looking awkward in pictures. Probably why I prefer to be behind the camera! Also maybe I should mention I've embarked on the long journey of growing out my bangs so I just had them pinned back! 

Enjoy your weekend!

-teddy x

widgets galore

I must say I am pretty proud of myself. I am not the most tech savvy person and I have a tendency to get annoyed with technology and give up before I've figured out what I was trying to do. Buuuut I figured out tonight how to add a few widgets to my page! Let me know what you guys think!

The things I added are:

• a Facebook "share" button
• a Twitter "tweet" button
• my Pinterest feed (addicted)
• a preview of my most popular posts
• a search bar
• a page view counter (at the very bottom)

Just wanted to share how excited I am about these. I'll probably work on fixing it up and adding more later this week! 

Feedback is appreciated. :)

(I also changed the font. Yea or nay?)

-teddy x

flashback friday

I do believe this is the first time I have ever posted anything involving "flashback friday", but I saw the idea on another blog earlier (which is lovely, by the way)... So I've decided to post for you guys 10 of my favorite photos from my Instagram. Let's keep in mind that I have over 1,100 photos on there so it was ridiculously hard to pick. I'm sure if I had to pick 10 tomorrow it would be a different combination.

ENJOY!

Because sometimes Grand Rapids is pretty.

Because light and shadow are the ultimate.

Because floating lanterns are magical.

Because my first 4x5 negative was the most exciting.

 

Because he's got the most adorable face.

 Because this reminds me of one of the best times.

 Because branches and flowers and skies are lovely.

 

Because this statue is eerily beautiful.

 

 

 Because it looks like a watercolor painting, not a photo.

 

Because Hogwarts will always be home.

 

-teddy x

seventies vibes

A few of the many reasons why I was a fan of today's outfit:

It was airy enough for the warm air outside...

Yet warm enough for the cool air inside.

It was appropriate for work...

Yet easily changed into an outfit for my yoga class.

(kept on the leggings and switched out the top. no shoes necessary.)

Not to mention I was really diggin' the 70s vibe.

(I'd like to point out that once again my 4 year old took this.)

Legging detail.

Top detail - front.

Top detail - tie.

Top detail - sleeve.

Top: Forever 21

Leggings: Forever 21*

Necklace: Jade elephant, given to me as a birthday gift

Ring: Forever 21

*Okay, it's clear I rock a lot of items from Forever 21. Their clothes are cute. However, the quality is not the best. I don't think this is much of a secret. I just wanted to point out the awful experience I had with this top and these leggings. I bought both recently, and when I got home I realized the top had 4 holes in it already. Unfixable holes. I took it back and they were reluctant to exchange it (since I'd already taken the tag off-- even though I still had the tag as well as the receipt) but they did. I'm hoping the one I exchanged it for stays in tact. When I wore the leggings for the first time, I noticed a lot of fabric bunched up at my right ankle (normal, seeing as I'm 5'2" and have short legs) but not at my left. When I took them off that night I laid them out on my floor... and found that the right leg was literally 3-4 inches shorter than the left. Ridiculous!! Anyways, rant over. I still like them!

CHEERS!

-teddy x

fresh look!

So I made a huge breakthrough tonight. Major technological advances going on in my world. . . I learned how to download a font from the internet and make it available for me to use in Photoshop!! Seriously so proud of myself. Much thanks to YouTube.

Anyways after figuring out how to do this I made myself a new blog title and changed things up a bit. I'm not 100% sure what I think of it but it's after 1am so I think I'm going to be done with it for the night.

If you have any feedback (comments, questions, suggestions) I'd love to hear it!

Thanks much :)

-teddy x