These are a few of my favorite things!

Today I'm linking up with the beautiful Ashley over at Dancing with Ashley! I love the one day a month I can link up with her, such a fun idea!! Here gooooeees:

#1. My camera strap. My girl Lyndsie got me this on my birthday. I finally have begun putting it to good use, I think I was nervous about it getting dirty... but the point IS to use it! I have two huge family photo shoots this Saturday so I'm glad I finally put it on my camera!

#2. My favorite mug that my Erin got me from my favorite store I can afford nothing from ;) Anthropologie.

#3. The ABC Family movie schedule came out this month, you knowwww I've got it saved to every computer I own, as well as my phone.. and will be trying to watch as many as possible. 

#4. Probably my favorite thing about the holiday season... anything peppermint. In particular, these little guys. Not kidding I've bought two bags already, but this ends now. I have to get in shape to look killer on my wedding day! Yes please!!

#5. MucinexDM. Unfortunately this IS something I love.. and only because I'm getting a HORRIBLE sore throat and I can barely swallow water my throat feels so swollen. Hoping to kick it before it gets any worse. #6. Thanksgiving fun with my soon-to-be flower girl :)

#7. My gym shoes. Hitting the pavement only once this week. Sadly, but hey.. better than none at all I guess.

#8. My new running jacket Caleb basically forced me to buy at H&M. Only $10, baby!

#9. My sweet Great Grandma Agnes at Thanksgiving. She is the sweetest. :)

and last but DEFINITELY not least....

#10. SEEING BREAKING DAWN PART 2! ommgg... go now if you haven't already!

So, there you have it. Those are a few of my "favorite things" from the month of November. Can't wait to see what December has in store for me!! You guys should link up too, I'd love to hear what some of your favorites are, too! 

Happy Friday, friends!!

Throwin it back.

A few summers ago, Caleb and I decided salsa dancing would be a fun thing to try. If you live in or around downtown Cincinnati like us... you know that summer is JAM-PACKED with fun at Fountain Square. Every Thursday (ha-how ironic?!) for the entire summer, the city hosts a salsa dancing night on the square. It was more fun than we could handle and we DEFINITELY plan on going back next summer.

Promise you I wasn't preggo, this dress was nuts.

There is something about summertime that just makes me happy. Don't get me wrong, I love something about every season...but salsa dancing just made me feel awesome! Not to mention its a GREAT workout.

I've talked about this before in a post, but Caleb and I have had some pretty incredible dates. This included :) however... we are looking to stay cheap right now until the wedding and so that means lots of Redbox rentals are happening as a result of that. If you ladies have been treated out to some amazing dates, I'd love to hear about them!

PS- sadly, our save the dates will not get to me until December 5th.. so you know I am anxiously waiting for those. Can't even wait to hold them in my hands! :)

My mini-story: a sinner saved.

Linking up with Becky's blog today. This is so inspiring and I can't even wait to connect with other women through this.

Although I am a young woman still, I had to grow up really fast. Something I have learned over the past 5 years is that putting yourself out there and showing your heart (your real feelings) can allow others to see your struggles and I think thats something everyone can grow through.

I'll start at the beginning...

When I was a sophomore in high school, I met a boy. Things started out great, like every young relationship. But slowly things began to change. We both made terrible decisions and were heading down a bad path. It started to become a very immature and unhealthy relationship. The sad part is? I thought it was totally normal to feel that way. What's even more sad? He probably felt that way too. I really thought that that was what love was (mind you, I was in high school... silly me).

My senior year I was on the verge of depression. I honestly didn't know what my purpose was. Too much had gone on in my life for someone my age to handle, and half of it was my own fault. I lost friends and went through embarrassment beyond belief.  Little did I know I had lots of people praying for my heart, and for me to see the light someday. A very persistent Marie (who I didn't know at the time), went to some of my families church, invited me to church camp. I thought she was crazy! I think I recall telling my family I would never go to something so stupid. But did she give up on me? Never. She called and called until I finally agreed to go to this camp with her (she was a few years older than me).

I left for church camp still dating this certain boy. As the week of camp went, I made some really great friends, and instantly felt the love of Jesus. Over that week, I had a few really incredible moments and really felt the love of God, and His true presence. I got saved that week and knew that my life needed to change drastically. Once I returned home, I broke things off with that boy. It was difficult, because he didn't agree with my new beliefs. I was made fun of and then some...

Let me tell you, I lost a lot of people when I gained Jesus... but you know what? It was worth it. All totally worth it.

I began to hang out with this guy named Caleb (wink)... who had a crush on me since I was in middle school. He had grown up in church and knew how to treat a girl. He made me laugh, smile, and taught me what true love felt like. I made a decision when I came home from camp to get baptized... on the day of my 18th birthday.

It has been an incredible journey since. I am learning every day that God's Love is forgiving, jealous and something I can't even fathom. I get emotional even thinking about the sacrifice He made for me.

I went off to college for 2 years, and after finishing nearly an entire semester I was told I couldn't stay on campus anymore because my loans were denied. It was absolutely heartbreaking. I recently wrote a short post about that here. It was devastating, I didn't understand why it was happening. Shortly after, another life altering event happened... but I'll save that for another day.

My point is.... no matter how hard life is for you in this moment, right now... I promise you, it will get better. I can't even believe the blessings I've been given this past year. A future husband who I can trust, a killer job I have, and a love I can't even begin to understand. Things have NOT been easy, but was it all worth it? Heck yes.

I wanted to just write a brief testimony, and I think this was a good start. Lots of details were spared, maybe I can dive into those another day. But this was a whole lotttaaa serious for just one Monday. Being strong for so long can get tiring, trust me.

If any of you can relate to me or would just ever love to talk.. PLEASE please know that I am here, and will talk to you through the night until the sun comes up. Because thats what someone did for me once, and it changed my life :)

PS- you guys are incredible 50 followers?! yaaayyy! My first little milestone.

I miss Florida!

Don't worry, I'll recap all of Thanksgiving/black friday shortly. But for nowww...

All of this cold is making me miss the warmth already! This past summer I was blessed enough to go on TWO whole week long vacations... the first was with my best friend & her family (I usually go with them every year) and this year we went to Destin, Florida. It was seriously INCREDIBLE. Such a gorgeous place, and we seriously got lucky with the weather. We were there over the 4th of July, so you KNOW we spent it on the beach with coke bottles, sparklers, and wind blown hair.

we made our old jean shorts into flag designs!

Sorry about the backwards "S"... haha 

We spent the rest of vacation having a blast, of course. We always do when we're together. Her family is like my second family... love having friends like that :)

Recapping about old vacations gets me even more excited for mine and Caleb's honeymoon! Anymore suggestions on where we should take our trip too!?

PS- Caleb and I ordered our save the dates Wednesday. Should be here tomorrow! EEK!!

today, & every day, I am thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving every one!!! This is crazy, this morning as I hear my family get ready for their Thanksgiving lunch... its hitting me, once again.. that this is my last holiday season living at home. The home I've known for so many years  to be my "normal". I will miss waking up to the smell, the sunshine that spills into my room at one crazy early hour. But do you know what?

I am thankful. I am thankful I have the privilege of beginning a new life with my soon-to-be husband, and that next year we get to celebrate our first holiday season as a wedded couple! How exciting!?

yeah, I snuck another e-pic in there for ya. ;)

I am also thankful for my friendships; these girls have changed my life, and for that I am thankful.

I am also thankful for my family, my amazing job, my bed, hot showers, food, my health, my car, a free country, and most of all... the amazing God I serve who never ceases to amaze me with blessings that I truly can't say I deserve. I am thankful for His unfailing Love.

I hope you all have the happiest Thanksgiving ever, and remember to be thankful in every day. 

:)

who doesn't love randomness?!

It was one of those days, you know... where you feel all snazzy from the moment you wake up? Like the way I elegantly grabbed my glasses (knocking over my lamp at the same time) since I'm about as blind as a bat without them.... strutted my hot mess self to the bathroom and proceeded to get ready. The snazzy inside of me screamed be fancy today.

I threw on a skirt, tights, a bright green sweater and even heels. Yes! Heels! Oh & one of my favorite necklaces I own, so the day was starting out great.

Then I walk downstairs to pack my lunch for the day and there was a beautiful Thank You card from a dear friend :) I don't know about you ladies, but a good box of stationary makes my knees weak.

I felt like I was getting a lot accomplished at work, and since doing this low-carb kick, I've almost cut out mountain dew completely (except on weekends.. ha!) and I had a coupon for a free one. So you can imagine my excitement on my way to Speedway to pick up a 20 oz of that sweet nectar. I purchase it; get in my car... take a huge swig.. and...

$&#%*!$~!!! what is this crap?!

DIET?!! You are kidding me. I must be an idiot. No carbs for me.... :( So instead, I had some retail therapy at the local TJ Maxx... its a dangerous place for a girl with no carbs. I found myself a cute pair of maroon polka dotted pants ($10!!) and a CUTE top (below, middle picture.. $3!! can you believe that?!)

My day was quickly going up from the diet dew disaster... my best friend got home from school today for Thanksgiving break and before she even went home we met up for dinner! After dinner we perused Marshalls (basically TJ Maxx... twice in one day? Yep!) but I was strong.. and bought nothing.

Didn't stop me from trying on the same hat I try on every time I walk in there.. waaanntt it!

This past weekend, we celebrated Thanksgiving with Caleb's parents a little early since they decided to take a last minute out of town trip! Reappearance of his cute pup, Maggie :)

Be safe if you are traveling for Thanksgiving this year, friends!! :)

Registry fun!

Today was something I legitimately couldn't wait for. Caleb and I decided to do our first wedding registry at the last minute, and he wen all diva-status on me the other day when we were discussing if we should or not, and said "well kayla...according to Martha Stewart, its perfectly NORMAL to go preparing a registry SIX whole months in advance to the date of your wedding!".... wellppp, guess its decided then. Martha said it, it must be true.

Let me start out by saying, this was one of the most exciting, yet exhausting days EVER... Caleb was so excited, when we got to Target he totally went insane. Typing everything on the little kiosk, printing the papers, etc. I just sat back and watched as he told me "don't worry, you can take control at Bed Bath and Beyond...".

It honestly was so fun, but after about half an hour, our first scanner died... so we returned it to guest services and they gave us a new one "fully charged", which ALSO died shortly after. Here we are... a short hour and something later and we were in the towel section and couldn't make up our minds on colors... and I think I recall saying "I don't even CARE what color! Just scan like 7 of them!!" He shot me a look. We were so done at Target. We decided we needed to refuel and that going to Skyline to treat ourselves sounded MUCH more appealing than doing a second registry in one day at BB&B.

It seriously was so much fun though. I mean it was so surreal. We were picking out OVEN MITTS and SPATULAS that will be in our FUTURE place!! Its such an exciting thing, and I wanted to enjoy it, and without food in our stomachs, that just wasn't possible. Needless to say, we didn't finish our Target registry this weekend... but don't fear ;) we will return.

Its really hitting me this week that I. AM. GETTING. MARRIED. Whaaaat?! I was talking with my MOH on the phone the other day and she was asking about all the details and its really beginning to hit me how much my life will change in the next few months. I will never again sleep at my families house, in the same bed... I will soon have my OWN family of 2, and I will have to prepare my own dinner every night, unless my husband will be super awesome every now and then? ;) and lets get real... he is. I am so excited for all of these changes, but I can't help but wonder how different things will be. How did some of you ladies adjust to married life right away?! Any tips, or am I just gonna have to dive in for myself and see!? ;)

My passion

This is a somewhat random post.. buuuuut its alright. Right? ;)

I love taking time to write posts that let my followers get to know me a little better. So here goes...

Photography is my absolute passion. I knew from the age of 13 that I wanted to be a photographer. It may just be a side hobby for now... but I do it as much as I can. It makes me so happy. I absolutely LOVE giving people their pictures and hearing what they think of them. I may be thinking about this too much, but it makes me feel like I gave them something that they can treasure forever. & that makes my heart so incredibly happy. I truly think this is what I'm supposed to do... and one day, I'll make it my real, full time JOB.

I recently did a photo shoot of a family, their main reason for wanting a shoot (besides Christmas cards) was because their youngest daughter just celebrated her 4th birthday. Isn't this little girl just the cutest thing you've ever seen?! :) love her.

I don't usually shoot in B&W... and trust me, vibrant color is probably my favorite thing about photography... I LOVE mix matching colors/patterns/etc... but something about these sisters made it seem timeless in black and white. :)

I think I'm finally going to start posting some of my work... yippee!

Fifteen.

I remember turning 15... I had some ginormous sleepover with my friends. We moved the couches and basically set up camp in the living room watching Lizzie McGuire and eating sour patch kids until our stomachs hurt. Those were some fun memories. Well, yesterday as you know... it was my brothers fifteenth birthday!! So, you knowww we celebrated.

My grandpa made homemade wings. SO delish!

Caleb and I got Brandon a silly card. As a couple, we are known for this. So naturally, when we saw the dino-mite FIRST bday boy... we HAD too. Just a little pencil work was needed ;)

Caleb, and my cousin Nicholas... who just loves him.

I basically licked the icing off, ate the candy letters and called it quits. Trying to be good!!

This is my cousin, Maddie.. our precious flower girl.

I made him wear the sash I got on my 21st birthday. "Another year of Fabulous!"

Guess what today is? Caleb and I are doing our registries for our wedding! AH. I can't even believe it :)