Just sharing some photos that have been snoozing in my camera for a while.
October, you are awesome.

a fall hike.

Finally getting around to sharing photos from the hike I took back in mid October. 

Most of these views were found after hiking a short trail that was right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The place is called Black Balsam Knob. I went with my school's Photo Club. The way we went was a pretty short hike, which was perfect for us because we could run around off the trail and take pictures when needed without falling too far behind. The mini hike was also perfectly timed because we went in the afternoon and got back to the cars in time to snap a few photos of the sunset on the way home. As a non-hiker, I really enjoyed it and can't wait to go back once it warms up again.

taking a breather.

On one of our school's student-run Facebook pages, a professor was quoted saying "October is one of the most stressful months. It is also the most beautiful."

I am totally feeling it.

And if I'm being honest, lately I haven't really been doing that well. Every week, I am struggling to complete projects. Every week is filled with its stressful, freak-out moments. Every week, I don't think I'm going to make it to Friday. But every week, I always do make it. I get the projects done, and I'm doing my best.

But then I look at my calender and realize that the end of October is in 2 days. I realize how quickly these days are passing. I realize how I'm not paying much attention to anything that isn't due on Thursday.

So this past week, I've been really making an effort to look around and enjoy the moment. To step away from a project, take a breather, and live for just a moment. Sometimes, taking time out of a hectic day to go on a photo-spree on the Quad to capture the maple leaves is just as necessary as homework. Especially since homework will always be there. These beautiful colors will not.

Side note: I took these pictures using only the Manual setting on my camera. I've used Manual before, but I've never really pushed myself to use it as my primary setting. I've always been afraid to just go out and do it. And even though these pictures are a little over-exposed (I haven't quite gotten used to it yet), I'm pretty proud of myself for taking the jump and just doing it. If any of y'all are wondering how to make the switch to Manual, the best advice I can give is just to go out and take a few play shots, like this. I was just walking around campus, so there was no pressure. It really helped me!

pinterest favorites.

from this season:

this farmhouse, because it is hauntingly beautiful.

this pumpkin spice drip coffee, because it's a super simple way to get your pumpkin spice fix.

these carved pumpkins, because I'm in love with their glow.

this cozy look, because it looks effortless and comfy.

this lovely phrase, because when I'm walking around campus this time of year, I can feel it.

this nail color, because fall nail polish colors are my favorite nail polish colors.

Autumn hit hard here this past weekend. The air has become consistently crisp and cool. The maple leaves are showing off their reds and oranges. I spent Friday night watching both The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus while eating pumpkin ice cream from The Hop. And then I spent Saturday taking an afternoon hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the leaves at their peak. Expect pictures from that trip sometime soon.

my Pinterest.

october so far.

Visiting the Thomas Wolfe Memorial House with my dad.

Lonnie and I went to a Hootenanny. This was technically back in late September, but I haven't gotten the chance to fit this photo in another post.

Taking a detour with my brother and grandmother to my aunt's house in Shelby. It was such a gorgeous day.

Flowers in front of The Moose Cafe, snapped this photo after taking my grandmother and my brother there for dinner. They loved it as much as I do. 

Spontaneous picnic beside the French Broad River with Lonnie.

Mini pumpkins I bought for my drawing class are now serving the purpose of my dorm room Halloween/autumn decorations.

I don't like candy corn, but I like these sugar pumpkins. A lot. Took a coffee break from a project and decided to buy these to nibble on because they were in the sandwich/coffee shop on campus.

renaissance.

I talked about my love for the Renaissance Festival in the post I wrote after I went last year, so I won't go in to it again. Just know that I love it.

And actually, I didn't even expect to go this year, but it happened to be opening weekend when I was home for fall break, so I went with my brother, his girlfriend, and his best friend from high school, Blaker. It was unseasonably hot. I mean like HOT hot. Like summertime hot. Upon coming back to Asheville, I have been grateful for the traditional autumn-like temperatures we've been having so far.

Going home was good as always. I spent the entire time running around my hometown trying to catch up with old friends and spending time with family. The two day long break was not nearly long enough, though. Luckily for me, my school workload seems to be slowing down before it picks back up for finals, so I've been having some extra breathing room in my free time. (Literally room for breathing. WHEW.)

there's a darkness upon you that's flooded in light.

I was happy to have been able to come home to catch the last glimpse of Halloween. My parents kept the decorations up for me to see and it really made the holiday feel more "real." I burned so many candles because we can't have candles in our dorms. I caught up on American Horror Story: Asylum (soooo good!) and ate way too much Halloween candy. I'm so excited to come home again for Thanksgiving and especially again for winter break. I think I've said this before, but I really feel like the holidays are going to be extra special this year. 

My dad took me to the Renaissance Festival, and it couldn't have been better. The pictures I took weren't great by any means, but I love the Renaissance Festival. I love the fact that it takes place only in autumn. I love the bread bowls. I love how it smells like incense and turkey legs. I love the handmade and unique stuff you can buy. I love the sense of humor everyone who works the festival has. I love the magic. I love the spookiness. I love everything about it. Everything. I'm so glad I was able to make it this year, and I'm so glad I got to spend time with my dad.

the farmers market.

We took a spontaneous trip to the Asheville farmers market, and it was the perfect day to do so. We bought so many wonderful things and I personally can't wait to go back for more. We also ate at this farm to table restaurant called "The Moose Cafe" and it was sooo amazing. The people were friendly and the food was good country cooking and the whole experience felt like home. Also, seeing all the early Autumn stuff at the market got me so excited for the season coming up! I'm still mourning the end of summer but I know that Autumn in Asheville is going to be so unlike any other I've experienced before.

Our haul includes:

bread and butter pickles, pumpkin butter, apple salsa, whole wheat sourdough bread, cinnamon raisin bread, trail mix and dried cranberries(Samm's stuff, not mine.), pumpkin spice whipped honey and a giant thing of peach cider(not pictured), grape tomatoes(again, Samm's. I hate tomatoes. also not pictured), and this great blanket I got for $12 to take out to the Quad and read books on nice days.

(also, please excuse our dorm room living, our kitchen is a sad thing, I know)