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9.30.2013

early autumn

shirt: target?
sweater: hand-me-down
jeans: american eagle
shoes: sperry's

The summer's over, this town is closing.

They're waving people out of the ocean.

We have the feeling like we were floating.

We never noticed where time was going.

//

Do you remember when we first got here?

The days were longer; the nights were hot here.

Now, it's September; the engine's started.

You're empty-handed and heavy-hearted. 

John Mayer, On the Way Home


I LOVE AUTUMN. LIKE A LOT. That's all I have to say.

No, really, though. I can never decide which I like better -- spring or fall. When they're here I favor the present one. Something about atumn calls for change and improvement; new ideas and renewed plans. Yet greater than that, it has a rather nostalgic feeling. Also, who doesn't like the warm tones, SWEATERS (!!!), colorful leaves, and cooler weather?

Recently I got my hair cut. Just a trim and BANGS. Nope, I didn't chicken-out...and am glad that I didn't. They're pretty fun and it's a nice little something different. :)

This is the outfit I wore a couple days after the offical first day of fall. We got pumpkin spice lattes (my sister and I in the picture) and took outft pictures by the new wood pile. Also, there's a new design (as you've probably noticed), that is here to stay for a long while -- enjoy!

xo || haley

9.18.2013

printed

dress: Maurice's
shrug: Maurice's
shoes: Target
necklace: gift
earrings: Target

Life lately has been busyyyyy. But, then again, when exactly is it not busy? ;) My family's weekend was spent at a ministry confrence out of town. Of course school has been happening. And I get the opprotunity of being a second-shooter at a wedding with a good friend this weekend.

Today I'm sharing with you the outfit I wore to church on Sunday. The weather lately has been sort of slowly creeping into the likeness of fall. It's been typically chilly in the morning and evening, but by yesterday afternoon I was regretting the flannel shirt I had put on. ;)

Are you looking forward to fall?

xo,
Haley

9.12.2013

Book Review // Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund

*Hello everyone! Today I have something new to share with all of you that I am so excited about! Recently I joined the Bethany House book reviewing program. So, I'll be sharing book reviews with all of you now and in the future (hopefully once a month). Hope you all enjoy! -Haley*

Rebellious Heart

by Jody Hedlund

376 pages
Available September 15, 2013
Jody Hedlund's website
My rating // 4 out of 5 stars

About the Book

from Goodreads

In 1763 Massachusetts, Susanna Smith has grown up with everything she's ever wanted, except one thing: an education. Because she's a female, higher learning has been closed to her, but her quick mind and quicker tongue never back down from a challenge. She's determined to put her status to good use, reaching out to the poor and deprived. And she knows when she marries well, she will be able to continue her work with the less fortunate. 


Ben Ross grew up a farmer's son and has nothing to his name but his Harvard education. A poor country lawyer, he doesn't see how he'll be able to fulfill his promise to make his father proud of him. When family friends introduce him to the Smith family, he's drawn to quick-witted Susanna but knows her family expects her to marry well. When Susanna's decision to help an innocent woman no matter the cost crosses with Ben's growing disillusionment with their British rulers, the two find themselves bound together in what quickly becomes a very dangerous fight for justice.

My Review

This is the first of Jody Hedlund's books I've ever read. I loved the era (1700's) the story took place in and how the reader is given more information about that timeframe in this book, as a good bit of history is woven through the story. Also, I thought it was very neat how the characters are based on actual well-known people from history.

This book had a lot happening and I loved that! Every chapter there was something new going on. There was never a dull moment and it most definitely kept me wanting to read more. I also enjoyed Jody's writing style. She did a good job of developing the characters through their conversations with one another.

This book definitely had more romance in it than I am usually comfortable with reading. In the first part of the book an assumed criminal is severly punished. Also, part of the plot deals with an abusive master of indentured servants. There is one scene where a victim in described.

Because of these things that I would consider this mature content I would recommend this book only for older readers.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this suspenseful and wonderfully written book and look forward to checking out some more of Jody Hedlund's novels!

*I would like to thank Bethany House Pulishers for provding me with this free copy of Rebellious Heart by Judy Hedlund. All opinions expressed here are my own and unbiased.*

9.10.2013

sister style | stripes and checks


Yellow tank top: Old Navy
Blue tank top: Target
Skirt: Hand-me-down sewn by my aunt
Shoes: Target
Earrings: Gift 

Charlotte's dress is from Gap and her bow is from Carter's
Say hello again to my baby sister Charlotte!
On Sunday morning Charlotte and I happened to be matching outfits. (No, this was not planned. ;)) Therefore, outfit pictures together! Different prints, but the same navy and white with a pop of another color.

Pretty much how this outfit went was...I realized I needed to get some more summer-only skirts in before, well, summer-weather is over. I also blogged about this top here. And the yellow and vibrant, but deep blue together looked pleasing to my eye.

Have a lovely Tuesday. xo

9.06.2013

5 on 5: september + teeth cleaning style

^^awkward outfit photo poses ;)^^

Shirt: hand-me-down (originally American Eagle)
Shorts: Aeropostal
Shoes: Sperry's
Headscarf: Thrifted
Necklace & Earrings: Target 

Hello everyone! I'm back today with yesterday's 5 on 5 and the outfit I wore today. This morning I woke up at 6am to get ready to leave for dentist appointments (yay! no cavities!), therefore, this is a very real-life outfit. ;) Just a simple v-neck with a tank, some shorts, and Sperry's. I added the necklace, earrings, and headscarf to make it look a little more put-together.

September's 5 on 5....

xo || haley

9.03.2013

dark chocolate almond milk & banana smoothie

This smoothie is so super easy and quick to make for breakfast or a snack. Here's how....

INGREDIENTS 

1 1/2 Cups Dark Chocolate Almond Milk
Ice to your liking
1 Banana

DIRECTIONS

Put all ingredients in blender and mix until smooth.
Pour in a glass and enjoy!

*Makes a little more than a glass full*

Happy Tuesday! xo

9.02.2013

SUNday style

top: target, skirt: target, belt: target, sandals: target, earrings: claire's
...nope, I don't like target at all ;)
Happy September, everyone! With the new school year nearly here and fall quickly approching, I always have new goals and ideas for the upcoming season. Recently I've been thinking about this little ol' blog of mine. I have a sort of new vision for what I want to put here that will hopefully take less time and make posting a little more steady. More structure, something you can count on, and something I can use my time efficently on. So, what will this mean? More outfit posts! Hopefully a recipe, tutorial, or two. And I still plan to continue with the 5 on 5 every month for 2013, as well as the thankful lists, and you'll probably see and awkward & awesome now and then. Mainly, I'm thinking the difference will be the amount of outfit posts. So, this is kind of a trial run and we'll see how it goes. :) Also, enjoy the new design!

On to the post...this is the outfit I wore to church yesterday. A maxi skirt! I borrowed one from my aunt two years ago and went and got the same one just a few days ago. (Actually, I found the tag still on it towards the end of church :P) I'm looking forward to finding different ways to style it for fall and winter.

Happy Labor Day!
Go here to see skirt & dress inspiration.