Dutch Braid Updo

Dutch Braid Updo

1. braid your hair into two dutch braids. If you don't know what that is, basically instead of taking the hair over like in a french braid, you take the hair under. this created a 3D effect where the braid kinda pops out from the head. Don't worry about it being perfect since the idea is to have a looser, relaxed look.

2. pull on those braids until they get nice and pancake-d out. The fluffier they look, the softer and more romantic the finished product will be.

3. take one braid along the nape of your neck and tuck the end into the braid on the other side. You just wanna hide the elastic and the end of your hair by shoving into aforementioned 3D part of the braid. My hair is on the longer end for this style so I usually end up tucking in pretty far up my head. secure with bobby pins.

4. repeat with the other braid.

5. I like to pull out some pieces in the front and curl them with my flat iron to frame my face and soften the look. this style would also be totes cute with bangs. 

I wear my hair like this all the time and i always get compliments! It's perfect for summer when you want hair off your neck but don't want to settle for the same old ponytail or bun, or if you need a quick style that is maximum glam with minimum effort. One alternative: instead of tucking the hair, make little buns. Super cute. 

A Tale of Two Graduations

This year I get to watch two amazing young men graduate--my big brother graduates from college and my boyfriend graduates from high school! Double the graduation means double the fun ;)

Conner's Graduation
I can clearly remember the day Conner left for Ave. It was early in the morning and I cried like a baby because my best friend (albiet royal pain in my ass) was moving some 1400 miles away to Florida. Life eventually settled into the new normal as I assumed my rightful place and became the oldest (*sarcasm* boy was that fun.) When Conner left, my relationship with him changed. He still thought he was better than me, but slowly I realized that we became friends by choice, not just because we lived in the same house so we haaaad to like each other. Then I followed him down to Ave (mwa ha ha, can't get rid of me can you?!) and I experienced some of the same changes he did when he moved out. I like to think we have a much stronger relationship as adults, because the childhood bickering about who gets the last leftover enchilada only comes out when we're both home (which unfortunately is really rare.) Having Conner around for my freshman year and the opportunity to be around for his senior year was one huge pile of blessings. The night before my parents left after orientation, Conner took care of me. When my long distance relationship with Michael hit a rough patch, he was there to calm me down, remind me of my worth, and take me on a late night walk. He drove me to the airport every single time I flew home (which was a lot.) He also did a lot of super annoying older brother things--like yelling at me. Or demanding that I hang out with him. But I still cheered the loudest when he crossed that stage last month. To be honest I probably screamed a little too loud. But what can I say.

Michael's Graduation
Michael and I met at St' Augustine's. We didn't really get to know each other unti high school, and didn't start dating until after I graduated. I still remember all the Mondays spent shooting hoops after math class, and the Shakespeare rehearsals, and the parties and dances and feast days. That's one of the reasons why I have such a soft spot for this place in my heart. No community is perfect, but the amount of sacrifice and love that is required for the school to work is humbling. And as a former student/graduate I can say with full confidence that the curriculum is Not. Easy. At. All. So graduating is definitely an accomplishment to be celebrated! All that being said, going back for Michael's graduation was a weird homecoming. I felt welcomed back into the community, but at the same time still felt out of place. I don't feel like I've grown and changed all that much until I see how others have all grown up and changed. It was such a beautiful day of both reflection on the past and excitement for the future. Growing up is crazy, especially when you look around and see the people in your life growing up as well.


My boys...I love you two and I am so incredibly proud of you. I pray that you two will both continue to grow in love, make wise choices, live with integrity, and mirror Jesus in all you do.

Prom

last week was Michael's senior prom. Prepare for an excess of cheesy couple photos.

Emma and her amazing hair wizard of a sister Anna spent Monday night at my house so that Anna could make me pretty for Tuesday. She did an *amazing* job.

I made Michael take an artsy photo of me for Instagram. then I posted it on his account. With a Jonas Brothers quote as the caption. And he didn't fight me. He's the best. 

He looks at me the way I look at Mexican food... 💛

I made his boutonnière (and did a dang good job if I do say so myself...)

Lady in red...hehehehe.

The entire time we were taking photos he was making dumb sarcastic comments, which results in photos like this

Yet more cheesy photos, except this time by the water. Which in my opinion makes them even cheesier. 

We got off the boat around 10ish, and I was in bed by 11:30. just the way I like it. Lol.

California Dreamin'

Last week I got to jump on a plane and fly five hours west to LA and visit my favoritest Mexican ever!! (No that is not politically correct to say, but is nonetheless a true statement.) Back in February Spirit had a 90% off flights deal. NINETY. FRICKEN. PERCENT. Sooooo, I called my dad from school, told him I was going to California, and bought the tickets in the span of about an hour. As an anxious person, this is a huge deal for me. *Donald Trump voice* HUGE.

LA is so pretty at night...from a plane window...like wow. I literally got to hop off a plane at LAX. Hey, twelve year old Kate, see how cool you get to be? Dreams come true. 

for our first day, Christine gave me a tour of her hometown. We basically just drove around listening to music and laughing as she pointed at various places. 

We got acai bowls, which in hindsight was kinda dumb cause it was pretty cloudy and chilly BUUUT they were delicious. There was a man running sprints at the park where we ate, which was hilarious, so it was basically dinner and a show. Poor guy. We couldn't stop giggling. 

We went back to her house for an Office marathon...naps...and then we ventured out for In n Out. SO GOOD. 

Day two we journeyed into Pasadena to the Norton Simon art museum. Yes, we sound like intellectuals, but really we just took a bunch of pictures for snapchat memes. So sophisticated. Then we got Cheesecake Factory for lunch, which is always a yes, and headed back to her house to relax because honestly we're both lazy bums. Which is why our friendship works. 

Friday was beach day! I stepped foot in the Pacific Ocean and hot damn is it cold. I was terrified of getting fried, which is a long story, but basically it ended in me wearing a sweatshirt on the beach. Lol. 

We walked the pier, which gave an amazing view of the whole beach scene.

We packed a lunch, so the entire two or three hours on the beach were spent chilling and eating and taking Instagram photos. Literally three of my favorite things.

Saturday was Confirmation day for Christine's little brother, so all day I was meeting relatives and hanging with the family. In the evening Christine convinced her big brother to drive us into LA to the Griffith Observatory. After sitting through an hour of traffic just to park (yep, there was an hour wait for a parking spot) we finally made it. I kiiinda saw the Hollywood sign (because of the traffic, we missed sunset so it was pretty dark) But the lights of the city were *beautiful*

just casually lounging on the balcony edge, lol

Monday, my last full day, we went to California Adventure in Disneyland. I paid fifteen bucks for the Mickey ears hat and went all out. Christine even convinced me to ride California Screamin, which was high key a miracle. 

Tuesday we drove to Simi Valley to hang out with another college friend, and then it was off to the airport. My flight was delayed and I was a zombie by the end,  But I had a great time in California and I will definitely be back :)