I mentioned in my last 10 things post on Friday that Lonnie and I spent the day together up on the parkway when we both had a day off. Today I'm sharing photos from that trip. The weather was beyond perfect, so we originally decided to make a trip to Skinny Dip Falls. But when we got to the overlook where the trail was, it was super crowded so we decided to just keep driving until we found another trail. The day ended up being even better than expected because we were able to explore a completely new part of the parkway.

In the summer when I'm out of school, I tend to be kinda a homebody, so getting outside and taking little trips like these is so important for me to stay happy and healthy. I had such a great time spending the day in the sun, getting exercise, and bonding with my guy.

from the weekend.

Two of my girlfriends from high school came to visit me in Asheville, so this weekend was a nice and busy one. We managed to hit up pretty much every part of town worth exploring in just one day. Sometimes it's super nice to go to school in a heavily tourist populated place, because when friends and family visit I get to see the city through their eyes and fall in love all over again. We ate a lot of good food(I may or may not have went out of my way to get a frozen treat two nights in a row), shared a lot of laughs, and did as much damage as three girls can do while shopping(which, actually, is quite a lot of damage.)

In other news, I am dragging my feet on this Labor Day Monday because MY SCHOOL HAD CLASSES TODAY.

This is my official complaint.

I'm going to do laundry and take a nap.

Enjoy your holiday.

updates: junior year.

Well guys, it's halfway through the week. I finally made it and I'm settled in to my dorm room for my third year of college. It feels surreal that I'm back at UNCA for another wonderful year, and I believe that this one is going to be the best yet. Things are already so, so crazy, but I am finding joy in:

These colorful latte bowls.

Getting more active on campus with student orgs.

My ridiculously vulgar and delightfully glittery pimp cup from my bestie, placed appropriately next to my party shoes.

Sisterly love.

My guy friends taking on the ice bucket challenge.

And of course, mountain sunsets.

summer silence.

Sorry about the radio silence, y'all. I don't have an excuse. It's summertime, and I've been all over the place and that's okay. I'm trying to go with the flow and live each day as it comes. I'm in a really weird place in my life where summers aren't this huge amount of freedom like they used to be growing up, but at the same time, I'm not in any kind of routine. This is really hard for me, but so far I'm learning as I go what I need to fill my days with in order to feel fulfilled, and also what I don't really need.

I need productivity. I need to blog. I need to have school or work or something on my hands to keep me busy. I kinda need a little routine.

I don't need to live my life according to how I'm supposed to be living it. I've said all of this before, but it's something that I struggle with daily. I think anyone in my generation struggles with it at times, so shout out to you guys.
Scrolling through beautiful adventures posted by others in explicit detail on Instagram or various blogs, I'm constantly feeling like I'm not keeping up with everyone. My summer isn't "summery" enough. I haven't caught enough lightning bugs or gotten a deep enough tan line. I didn't wear enough neon shorts or took enough of the same pictures of the ocean. This sounds like a bitter complaint, but really it's a reality check to myself from myself.

I need to remember that life doesn't stop because the season does. Summers are fleeting, yes, but so are all the seasons.

I don't need to waste each one by not taking it all in, but I also don't need to waste them by worrying about whether or not I'm taking it all in, you feel me?

Here's a ton of pics from our annual trip to the mountains for my dad's birthday to make up for the silence. These photos are well over a week old, and I actually just came home from a trip to Asheville to see my boyfriend, and the short trip only made me miss it all more. As much as I'm always sad about summer ending, I look forward to going back to school and enjoying the fall. Another season, another chance to take it all in.

left my heart in asheville.

My trip to Asheville was short but sweet.

I ate.

A lot.

The giant, glorious picture of food is a smoked turkey sandwich with brie, candied bacon, and pesto mayonnaise, complete with baked beans and jalapeno cheese grits. All from 12 Bones. Oh yeah. On the way back from 12 Bones, Lonnie stopped to check out a 1950 Chevy Deluxe that was for sale, knowing how much I love them.

I also went to Charming Charlie with some girlfriends and spent way too much money picked up the cutest carousel key chain which led to a much-needed simplification of my keys.

Here's to more simplicity this summer: Easy days. Sitting on the porch. Toes in the water. Holding hands. Vanilla with sprinkles.

taking a breather.

Life has been so, so, so crazy these last few days. I went from exams to packing up my entire dorm room to moving all my things back home to a job interview and then finally to a working schedule in a matter of....about 3 days. My life is boxes and sore feet and tired eyes.

Back when I was still in Asheville finishing up exams(which feels like eons ago), I spent one of my last days walking around campus and shooting the blooms before they were all gone for good. I'm so glad I did. It was so nice to get out of the dorm room, breathe some fresh air, and take a minute out of my busy schedule to appreciate the fleeting springtime. Looking back on these photos lets me relive it all again and reminds me to take moments of peace for myself in the midst of all the craziness.

a snow day.

It snowed here in Asheville the other day. Like an all-day, over-an-inch kind of snow that's still on the ground as I type this. Classes were cancelled both Tuesday and Wednesday, so I drank hot chocolate and then ventured out with a few friends to take photos and walk around campus. Snow in the mountains is truly a magical thing. It definitely made my January one of the most beautiful ones I've ever seen.