Okay, so raise your hand if you are one of the unlucky ones that already started school. Right now, I am actually raising mine, thanks to college and whatnot. I know different areas start school at different times, but I bet every single one of you are (possibly begrudgingly) starting pretty soon. That means going to Target's school supplies section and smelling those new pencils and erasers and notebooks sprawled out for your choosing. It also means that new backpacks will be broken into... unless you're like me who's taking the easy way out and reusing that perfect condition bag from last year. I decided to show you guys what I decided to fill my backpack up with this year, and I hope you guys get some inspiration from this! (Is that even possible? If so, well enjoy!)

First up are those lovely little life savers I like to call planners! I know you all are wondering why I have two in my bag. The polka dotted one is actually from last year, and I'm keeping it to write down ideas I have for the blog! Besides it being a plain old planner, it has a section where there's a mini folder and a huge notes section, which I am fully intending to use. The one on the right is my new one that I bought from Target! I absolutely adore the whole black-and-white-with-gold-accents thing going on, so I had to get it! And I also really enjoyed the big planning space it comes with! I highly recommend this planner!

Lastly, I have just the basic essentials I feel that every student should have. A lot of the times, teachers want you to staple your papers, and when you do need them stapled, it just so happens the stapler isn't working (am I the only one this happens to??). I started making it my mission to always have one on hand, and I found this one in my brother's old room, which became very handy for me. 

I also have a little tab dispenser for textbooks and my planner. When renting books, it can be really tricky to keep them in the exact same condition you first got them in. Sticky tabs & Post-Its like these can help you so much when doing assigned reading or studying for a test, so you'll know where the information is right away instead of rushing to find it.

And, of course, we cannot forget about lip balm, am I right ladies? Who wants to walk around campus with crusty lips? I know for sure that I don't! This also becomes extremely necessary when it starts getting cold out. I recommend getting inexpensive ones, so that way if you lose it you won't be obsessing over losing your $6 lip balm.

Well folks, this is what I primarily keep in my backpack for school! Of course, I have more stuff as the semester goes on, but these are more of my essentials. What are some of your essentials for back to school? Let me know!

Yours truly,

Leighan

Hello friends! So, today I was just browsing through my Pinterest when I saw people I follow already pinning fall outfit inspirations and such. It got me really excited for fall, and I thought about this post. Now, I know August just started, but I just couldn't help myself! If you're just as ready for summer to be over as I am, this post will put you into that autumn mood!

1) Autumn bonfires: Of course, it wouldn't be a fall post without talking about bonfire nights! Bonfires are wonderful for all seasons, but there's something about the fall season that makes them all the more comforting. I love snuggling up by the fire with my huge, super warm and cozy blanket wrapped around me, with a prong stacked with marshmallows on it. For me, summer bonfires require a lot more sticky heat and bugs. In the fall, there's a rare chance of a gnat ending up in your perfectly golden marshmallow, and you're not turning into a puddle of sweat!

2) Pumpkin/apple picking: Another obvious fall staple, pumpkin picking is such a must! I live for finding patches and spending the whole day picking the perfect pumpkins with either my friends or family. When I used to live up north, my family and I loved taking the drive to the closest apple orchard we could find. We would always stop in their little market and grab several jugs of fresh apple cider, and find the best apple pies ever. Apple picking is a great alternative if you are not a pumpkin fan. However, both are pretty rad! Take it from me: make sure it's not still hot where you live before you go pumpkin or apple picking. I have learned the hard way that doing these while it is still hot is an unpleasant time. It's always best to try to do it when it gets cooler! And also, doing it in cooler weather calls for the cutest photo ops with your friends!

3) Exploring a nearby town or city: I have noticed that different cities produce all different kinds of beautiful fall scenery. I highly recommend taking a day trip with close pals and just exploring the different parks near you. Also, if you can, also try visiting a nearby Botanical Gardens! I bet they have such an exquisite view for the perfect photography moment! Just get lost and enjoy the town! Discover a cute coffee shop where you and your friends can chill and catch up. Have some great fellowship memories that will last a lifetime! 

4) Gorgeous scenery: Speaking of scenery, can we just talk about how amazing the colors are in the fall? I love driving by and seeing all of the reds, oranges, yellows, and browns! To me, seeing those colors actually puts me in a good mood. I guess it's because instead of seeing plain green for 6 months, seeing fresh colors makes me really happy... not to mention that I can actually breathe whenever I go outside....

5) Fall fashion: Because the weather gets cooler, that means that those skinny jeans and cute jackets that have been collecting dust in your closet can finally get some good usage! I absolutely love just throwing on a big, cozy sweater (which I love finding at Goodwill and any other thrift store) and some leggings, jeans if I'm feeling fancy. Nothing beats stepping outside in that crisp, fall air, hearing the leaves crunch under your boots, cuddling closer into your sweater. There are so many cute fashion opportunities that can be done in the fall, just ask Pinterest!

6) Those crafty little lattes...: I am pretty sure by now that fall wouldn't be fall without those Pumpkin Spice Lattes roaming around Starbucks. Call me crazy, but I go all out when it comes to seasonal drinks and flavors. I usually try to treat myself with the coffee powerhouse's PSL, but I like to make my own at home when I'm feeling fancy. Most of the time, I just use a coffee creamer. PSL's and any other falltime lattes make the season cozier than ever!

7) Football season: I know some don't even like sports, but football season is practically a staple to this season. People live for gamedays where they show pride for their team. Whether it be the NFL or the SEC, you can bet that you will see at least one person sporting some official gear. Their excitement is contagious, especially if you end up going to one of those games. There's something about being in that stadium, hearing the cheers of thrill fill the arena, colors blending into one that makes it so special, it's hard to put in to words.

8) Halloween & Thanksgiving: The fall season is not only home to football games, but to two pretty well-known and loved holidays. Halloween is that time of year where you can go get dressed up and ask around for candy. Personally, I really love Thanksgiving. I love that time of familial fellowship where you give thanks for all of the wonderful blessings God has placed in your life. I also really enjoy that beautiful turkey perfectly placed in the middle of the table, just waiting to be eaten. I also cannot live without my warm apple pies a la mode. Thanksgiving is a leeway to the holiday season, thanks to Black Friday following suit, eventually putting an end to a wonderful fall season and beginning the holiday festivities.

I hope this post gets you pumped on the upcoming season! What makes you love the falltime? If fall isn't your cup of tea, what's your favorite thing about your favorite time of year? Let me know!

Yours truly,

Leighan

(photo creds: 1, 3, & 6: weheartit / 2, 4, 5, & 8: Pinterest / 7: UofSC Twitter)

Hello, friends! I am so sorry it has been so long since I've been on here! Life got the hold of me, both for the better and the worse. There have been so much going on that I have lost a lot of focus and energy to write anything. Also, I was fresh out of ideas as well.

However, something came to me recently (aka, about 5 minutes ago). I have had a lot of things going on in my life, unfortunately not all that great. I'm struggling financially, productively, and emotionally. I cannot really accurately describe what exactly has been going on, but so many things have hit the fan that I felt like I was slowly losing control. I felt like all of a sudden, this massive storm cloud just came over my life, with one little one hanging over my head. 

Most people didn't really see it, but those close to me really noticed it. I am usually not very open when it comes to things going on in my life, but I do turn to my sister. She is younger than me, but she is wise beyond her years. She and I talked, and she instilled in me something that I knew I was struggling with, but didn't want to admit: I wasn't fully committing myself to God, only focusing on letting myself handle everything in my life and not giving it all to Him.

I was trusting myself and others to get whatever I needed done, and I wasn't letting God handle it. I was somewhat slipping, and God was taking things away from me and putting me through this hardship in order for me to fully recommit my life. Now, this was not like when I officially recommitted to God back in my freshman year of college, but this was more of a, "stop thinking you're gonna have everything handled out your way, let me do what I have planned for you". 

So, that night, I sat in my room, and cried out to God, asking him to take full control of everything going on in my life. I asked him to build in me strength to face my struggles, and to let me not forget that He will always be there for me, and that these trials are here for a reason that I do not even fully comprehend why yet. I promise you, I felt God's hand of protection over me that night, comforting me, letting me know that He wasn't going anywhere. 

This season in my life has taught me so much. What can really be summed up by my experience these past few weeks is in 1 Peter. It says,

I have so many trials that I have faced in this short period of time, but I know now that: 1)  I have to fully let go of trials in my life and let God take the reigns, and 2) God has put these trials in my life for a reason. He knows what's going to happen tomorrow, next week, and within these next years of my life. I just have to stop being a stubborn bum and just let God work in my life.

Have you guys ever let God handle a situation you originally wanted to on your own? How did that turn out? I love hearing about how God is working through people's lives! It's such a blessing!

Yours truly,

Leighan