because this Sunday is my birthday:

these glitter cupcakes, because COME ON. (see also: glitter donuts.)

these numbered sparklers, to put on top of a cake instead of regular candles.

these balloons, because they're fun and chic.

these party shoes, because every girl needs a little glitter on her birthday. (I clearly need a lot.)

these donuts, because I honestly would rather have donuts than traditional cake.

this eye makeup, because it's just enough.

these birthday pancakes, because it's important to get the birthday celebrations started the very first thing.

these gold letter balloons, to spell out the birthday girl(or guy)'s name.

this confetti paper, because it's simple yet so fun.

I am turning 20 this weekend. I am not sure how I feel about it. Obviously, there's nothing I can do about it(and it's not like I'm dreading it or anything), but I am having a very hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I will officially be in my twenties. On one hand, it feels like it kinda snuck up on me. On the other, it feels like I've been in my teens for such a long time. I suppose I really am ready for another decade.

However, clearly, I'm still young enough to keep acknowledging my own birthday. I just really love birthdays. I don't think I'll ever outgrow making a big deal out of them. I love that every person has their own special day of the year.
I also really love sweets and I really love glitter. ;)

my Pinterest.

to-do's.

I have always been a "hang on just a sec let me write that down or I'll forget" kind of girl. It's probably one of the many excuses reasons that I blog so irregularly. An idea hits me, I make a post, I publish. Usually, right on the spot.

When I was in middle school(and shamefully, some of high school), I wrote things down with Sharpie on my hand. It was quick, efficient, and I always had what I needed to get done literally with me at all times.

Senior year of high school, I started making lists regularly in my sketchbook. I was knee deep in art classes, so this was a very reliable method for me at the time.

In college, I became more proactive about keeping to-do lists and bought a couple writing pads found in the dollar section of Target and used a different sheet for each week's tasks.

This was my method of keeping a to-do list until this past week.
I decided to change my method because I found that with each week's tasks, I was getting overwhelmed. I had a full week of tasks in front of me at all times. In my head, I knew which days I was going to work on each task, but it still felt like a lot of work that I had to get done as soon as possible. I found myself getting burnt out by the end of the week every single time.

Along comes this list from A Pair of Pears, which splits things up by each day of the week. I'm sure there are more to-do lists out there which are set up this way, I just happened to find this one and it happened to work for me. It's clean, it's simple, it works, and it's free(!!!).

Since it's free, I went ahead and printed out a whole bunch(like, 50. ha. taking advantage of free college printing!) and stuck them together with a binder clip as a temporary solution until I get a pretty clipboard to hang it up on my wall somewhere right at my desk.

I'm loving these clipboards: acrylic, print, pop of color. Office supplies are my fave.

To make your own to-do list as efficient as possible, keep these things in mind:

• Keep it organized by either time or category. (weekly, daily, things for school, things for home, things for social, etc.) And if you find yourself getting overwhelmed, split things up more narrowly until you can really focus on each task individually.
• Keep it where you can see it. Hanging it up or keeping it on your desk is ideal. You could even try framing just one sheet and then using a dry erase marker to write down the tasks, as seen here. 
• Keep it simple. (a thousand sticky notes all over the place is not simple.)
• Keep it in cohesion with your planner or calender. For example, I write things down in my planner during meetings and class and then when I get home, I immediately add it to the to-do list.

I know it's the end of the semester for many, so getting down to the nitty gritty of organization is super crucial during this very hectic time. An entire week can become so much less stressful with just a little bit of careful planning and organization!

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.

pinterest favorites: all hallow's eve.

this stoop, because it's amazing how just the repetition of the jack-o-lanterns produces such a dramatic effect. It's simple but absolutely crazy at the same time.
this fashion editorial, because it feels like October without screaming it.
these cookies, because they're a cute take on the classic pumpkin and ghost shapes.
these DIY glasses, because they make a cocktail look spooky without changing a single thing about the drink.
this photograph of an abandoned house, because it would make an awesome Halloween decoration as a print.
this table setting, because all black is both eerier and chicer than black and orange.
this family group costume, because it is perfect. Completely perfect.
this bloody french manicure, because I tried it last year and I still think it's the best Halloween-themed manicure I've seen.
these DIY ghost decorations, because I find that it can be hard to make Halloween decorations yourself without making them looking too cheesy, and Martha is an expert at it. You go, Martha.

Happy Halloween! Halloween is my ultimate, ultimate favorite. Since I've been away at college, I've been mourning the end of the Halloween parties I started throwing in high school(once I live in a place that isn't a dorm room, I will definitely be making them a tradition again!). This year some of my girlfriends are coming up, so we're all going to get dressed up and go out to see what kind of tricks and treats Asheville has to offer.

my Pinterest.

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!