Month: May 2017

My long weekend of Food, Fashion, Friends & Family.

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

FRIDAY: I had a day off of work so I met my friend for dinner at a local Greek restaurant.

 

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Grape leaves & some red wine

 

 

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SPANAKOPITA (Spinach Pie)

 

 

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Lamb Gyro Platter

 

After we went for some coffee and ice cream at Dunkin Donuts.

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My newest drink is an iced decaf hazelnut swirl coffee. So good!

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I tried their Caramel Macchiato Ice Cream. Delicious!- (Google Images)

This was a nice little catch up time with my best friend Jenny. She’s getting married in less than 2 weeks. And we had much to discuss. Her fiancé joined us at Dunkin’ Donuts which was a nice well rounded night out before I get to witness their BIG DAY, as her maid of honor.

SATURDAY: I went out to the outlets upstate with some family and we shopped til we dropped! Literally.

I caught some good sales! I needed some nice summer outfits for work- I got some really great stuff!

*Stay Tuned for a Clothing Haul!

SUNDAY: I met up with my Best Friend Roe and her cousin for brunch to celebrate her birthday and her wedding. She had gotten me this voucher to a place in the city called Vandal, so we just decided to make it one big all inclusive celebration.

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The ambience was very cool, covered in street art inspired walls.

 

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Seriously wanted to hide this lamp in my purse and take it home.

 

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We really treated ourselves that day. We just got a whole bunch of dishes to share. And topped it all off with a pitcher of Sangria.

Left to Right: Sangria, House Salad, Coffee Pancakes, Polenta w/ Scrambled Eggs, Frittata, and Chicken and Waffle Mac & Cheese. Everything was served in pretty small proportions and it was definitely a splurge but, it was all really delicious and we got to sample a lot of different things. You know what they say…sharing is caring. 😉

After we relaxed our stomachs a bit, we walked our food off and ventured toward Black Tap.

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We got three different crazy shakes to share.

 

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Left to Right: The Cookie Shake, Brooklyn Blackout, Bam Bam.

I know they look super intimidating, but honestly under all that fluff and decoration on top, it’s just a simple small shake. We shared and even ended up leaving some behind, because we were all so stuffed. But these were definitely delicious!

MONDAY: My brother and sister in law hosted their first BBQ. If I tell you how much food they had, it’d put the rest of my food filled weekend to shame.

 

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To support the day I rocked a blue and white striped- off the shoulder top, a navy knit cardigan over top, some high-waisted acid washed jeans that I cuffed up at the ankle, and some black tie up flats. I kept my makeup simple with just a bold red lip and for hair- my go to messy bun. ❤

 

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Corn Soufflé and Empanadas.

 

The picture on the right is a Berry Crumble which I made….you pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. So good!

 

I had such a great long weekend, filled with great company and great food. There’s no other way I would have liked to spend it. And I don’t get to go out and splurge often, so it was all a great time.

Thank you to all those who fought for our country. Your bravery is what allows us the freedom to be able to celebrate our own lives. I pray for your loved ones, that they can find comfort in your heroism, and I pray for your eternal life at peace. ❤

*All photos (with the exception of the dunkin donuts ice cream photo) are my own.*

-<3-

 

Michelle Leigh Writes- Short Story Series Collection

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

Hey guys, I know it’s been a while since I last posted consistently and on schedule. But I’ve been trying to think of something really cool to post and everything I think of just falls flat. But I recently had a cool idea. I’ve featured quite a few Short Story Series on this blog and I thought I’d do one big post including little summaries of each and the links to read them! In case you feel like diving into some dramatic love stories. So please, read at your leisure. 🙂

Mysterious Attraction (12 Chapters-3 parts each)

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Start the series from the beginning- HERE

Summary: Lexie is a power house, a femme fatale with a rather dangerous job description. She is soon forced to balance her need for control with her ever cryptic view on love and happiness. As an overly intense affair comes to light with a handsome yet kind man named Carter. Their attraction and pull strong. Lexie is forced to face some harsh realities about who she is and what she really wants her life to be. Her feelings are growing and it isn’t something she expected. Falling from lust to love with a married man was not part of her plan. What scares her even more…he’s falling back.

A Broken Heart For Christmas (6 Chapters)

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Start the series from the beginning- HERE

Summary: Dean Sanders broke Lucy Michaelson’s heart years ago back in their home town of Oakland Valley, Minnesota. And since then she’s moved on- moved to New York, started her dream career. And so has he, or so they both thought. Everyone knew their story, knew their love was lost. But little does everyone know…there was always more to their story, more than Lucy ever let on. Follow their journey through awkward run ins and past memories- both good and bad. 

Love Conflicted (12 Chapters)

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Start the series from the beginning- HERE

Summary: Maggie is the crisp, clean, girl next door. Always playing it safe, always doing the right thing, risk is not a word she would use in her everyday vocabulary. But when she falls in love with Ricky- a man in the mob, she realizes that life is not always black and white. As danger creeps in, emotions heighten in this thrilling, yet sweet love story.

On The Run (10 Chapters)

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Start the series from the beginning- HERE

Summary: When Sage Renly finds herself running for her life, a mysterious stranger shows up in just the nick of time- Charlie Steinfeld. He becomes her ally and confident against her better judgement. It seems like their connection is unexplainable-almost as if it’s out of their hands.  This is more than your typical two strangers finding each other by chance and falling in love, story. There are dark secrets hidden in the eyes of these characters, and as every mystery goes- there’s always more than what meets the eye.

*Welcome Home (9 Chapters)

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Start the series from the beginning- HERE

Summary: Melanie Evans was so close to having it all, and then tragedy struck. Something that years later she still can’t overcome. There is only one person in the world who can help, who can understand her-Oliver King, her college sweetheart. And yet he is miles away- both literally and figuratively. When Melanie returns to her hometown, old memories stir up old feelings. So many different feelings. Will she be able to get out of her own way to achieve the happiness she’s dreamed of all along? Or will she stay in isolation and despair unable to let go of her painful past.

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Also I am attempting to dive into a new short story series….I’m still working on the title (I have a bunch of variations that I can’t decide on) but here’s a quick little sneak peek at the summary-

Liam Whitmore is a wealthy business executive who goes through the motions of working in his corporate world day after lousy day, making deals and kicking ass at it. However he often feels uninspired, and unable to do what he really loves. Until one day he meets a younger woman named Aria Lenz, struggling to become a dancer. Her simplistic yet driven nature strikes up a spark of inspiration in him, and he makes it his mission to get to know her. Little does he know, it’ll be the hardest “transaction” he’s ever had to make. They’re worlds apart- will he finally get through to her, or will his fire fizzle?

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*I do not take credit for any images used in my edits.*

*All short stories are of my own written content.*

-<3-

 

 

 

Scatter Brain

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

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I recently have been feeling like I have a lot of things going on and I’m getting overwhelmed.

I know what else is new? Right? 

But I’m stuck.

It’s that time of year where it’s getting hotter. I work closely with the school system, so it’s nearing summer break and all the kids are starting to lag and slow down and I feel by some extension that I am too.

There is this improvement list I keep thinking about.

Things I want to do and be better at, for myself-my career, my health, for my students, for my family, for my friends…

I teach 5 different creative activities and although it was my choice, I feel like I’m not doing as well as I hoped. I always have this vision and then it gets crazy and scattered and I end up scrambling in the last weeks.

And yet I am still also needed in a lot of other areas in my life- I’m in three more weddings- two of which I am maid of honor for, I’m going to be a Titi (An Aunt) in the fall I’m going to have a niece! And I’m planning for family occasions that keep popping up…the list always has something new added.

So I feel like I’m trying to be everything to everyone and still tryin to have some sort of social life and make time for myself. 

My relationships in my life with family and friends are everything to me.

And I want to show up for everyone… for everything.

And lately, I just feel kind of all over the place, and pulled in many directions.

I feel like I’m dropping the ball, and I don’t know what to do.

To the point where I just want to throw myself on my bed and sleep to forget it all.

I’ve been going and going since what feels like forever, and I’m still going.

I don’t know how to get over this bump in the road.

There is so much I want to do for myself, and I feel like my career has been put on hold for so long, and I know that it is my fault.

But I’ve made strides to better my situation in the past and I feel like now I’m just stuck and safe.

I get worried that my dream of being a writer will never happen for me.

I know I have to push myself, and when I lack motivation, I need to learn to push past it.

But it’s difficult. For sure.

I don’t know where to start.

How to change.

I’m always buying, and doing for something else, that it’s easy for me to forget or slack on going after what I really want for myself.

I need to learn how to prioritize.

I need to learn how to use my time wisely.

I need to plan accordingly and not let myself get stuck in my comfort zone.

I need to realize that the change is within me, and no one else.

I can’t keep saying I’m stressed and overwhelmed and then just shut down.

Because what good is that then?

I can’t just keep going through the everyday routine without any progress or change.

But I don’t know how to do that.

And this is not a “feel bad for me” post, this is literally my way of trying to sort this mess out.

I know I will, I’ve done so in the past.

One day things just clicked and did what I had to do even though it was scary…even though it was hard.

So I’m hoping I get my click into place day soon.

Thanks for letting me vent, friends.

And if you can relate, tell me in the comments how you push past that feeling stuck feeling!

XO

Michelle

 

*I do not take credit for the image used.*

-<3-

 

 

 

 

Supergirl

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

So my brother is the super hero fan of the family and quite honestly I’ve never really cared for the movies or anything. However, I did grow up around Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles. I was the Pink Ranger for Halloween as a kid. So I guess you can say I didn’t hate it! 😉 There was also my recent obsession with The Amazing Spider-Man- the one with Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. I freaking love those movies. Add some Romance and I’m all in. Spoiler Alert… BUT WHY DOES SHE DIE????

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Any who, my brother had been telling me to watch the CW’s Supergirl for the longest time. He was all like “I think you’ll like it.” and I just kept saying no. Until one day I was looking for a new Netflix binger and low and behold I got hooked into the world of superheroes.

I’m a feminist, and I believe in women’s equality and female empowerment. Girl power all the way, my friend. And this show embodies just that.

CBS premiered Season 1 in October of 2015. The summary reads as follows-

At 12 years old, Kara Zor-El escapes doom on planet Krypton to find protection on Earth with the Danvers family, where she grows up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex, and learns to hide the extraordinary powers she shares with her cousin, Superman. Now an adult living in National City and working for media mogul Cat Grant, Kara finds her days of keeping her abilities a secret are over when super-secret agency head Hank Henshaw enlists her to help protect the city’s citizens from threats. Finally coming into her own, Kara must juggle her new responsibilities with her very human relationships. (Via Wikipedia)

I watched the full first season on Netflix and am dying to watch the second season. Supergirl is currently airing it’s second season on The CW.  It is said to be released on Netflix- Tuesday, May 30th! So I don’t have to wait long! I’ve peeked ahead on YouTube and she has the cutest love interest! I cannot wait to watch the full story unfold!!!! Supergirl was also picked up for a third season!

Oh did I mention that Supergirl is totally the sweetest girl in the world, and the strongest, most badass all in one! Not only can she fly, but she has superhuman strength, speed, and stamina; super breath; x-ray vision; telescopic and microscopic vision; freeze breath; heat vision; and super hearing. She is stronger than an ox, and can repel bullets. She’s the girl of steal. It’s funny how they always pull Superman in on iChat. I hope we actually get to see him, every time they say he’s there, you never fully see him. She’s determined to do things alone, and be her own super heroine, which I respect. But I mean how cool would it be to see a cousin duo tag team. Red, Blue, and Yellow baby. #S

Can we also just give a shot out to the crazy good cast they have. I mean you’ve got quite a few Glee cast members like Melissa Benoist as Kara/Supergirl , Jenna Dewan Tatum from Step Up!, Calista Flockhart best known as “Ally McBeal”, and my girl Chyler Leigh “Lexie Grey” from Grey’s Anatomy. So damn good!

 

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Left to Right: Chyler Leigh, Jeremy Jordan, Melissa Benoist, Mehcad Brooks, and Calista Flockhart.

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Jenna Dewan Tatum

 

Oh and Winn (played by Jeremey Jordan) is my favorite, what a freaking cutie!

Although I get so annoyed by the fact that Kara can put a pair of glasses on and wear her hair up and suddenly no one can tell she looks just like Supergirl!

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I guess they have to suspend reality, so I can let that slide. 😉 The rest of the show is kickass. I really love how they developed Kara’s character. She has got this dorky, goofy, out of place, off kilter vibe. She’s an alien on planet Earth, just trying to learn to be human. I think it’s safe to say that she does a good job at trying to blend in, but sometimes her awkwardness gets in the way, and quite honestly I may not an alien, but I think we can all be awkward as hell sometimes! She handles it effortlessly, with her sweetness and then she can instantly flip her switch and be Supergirl saving the world from bad guys and girls. Yes that’s right she battles some bad ass she villains and even though I am all for good winning over evil, it’s super cool to see female villains and superheroes fight it out, rather than just the typical male heroes. Silver Banshee (played by Italia Ricci) was dope!

Supergirl doesn’t kill, but she’s just as effective. And of course she has many admirers along the way which just puts the cherry on top for me. #Romance

They even did a little cross over episode with The CW’s The Flash, and I was a little in love with The Flash/Barry Allen – (played by Grant Gustin-also starred on Glee.) I hear they recently did another one this season, so OMG um, now I’m probably going to have to get into The Flash too.

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So there you have it, Supergirl has it all; Confidence, Encourages Female Centric Storylines, Strength, Humor, Action and Romance. I’m all in!

Supergirl airs Monday nights @ 8PM on The CW

Catch up on Season 1 on Netflix!

 

*I do not take credit for any images used.*

-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

Mini Graphic T-shirt Haul

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

I’ve mentioned how my love for television is a force to be reckoned with. Well there’s another obsession I have. I love collecting graphic t-shirts. Shirts that say silly things, or have fun charcters on them. Now when you put those two interests together, I lend a new level to the term tv fangirl.

Over the past few weeks or so I’ve come across a few t-shirts that I just had to have. I caught some sales and just went for it!

Here’s my haul:

I saw this shirt last summer in a department store and it was like 20 bucks, I was busy shopping for other things, so I couldn’t afford to just buy whatever I wanted. However, I recently saw it in a thrift store for $6 and I knew it was fate. Topanga Lawrence is such a free and wacky spirit. My inner flower child just gets her, and I knew I had to sport the “Find Your Topanga” slogan for everyone out there who feels like they can’t own their weirdness. Find it and own it! ;D

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This next shirt was also $6 at that same thrift store and let’s be real Kelly and Zack were one of THE best 90’s power couples. If they don’t scream Relationship Goals, who does?  

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This shirt was $8 at the thrift store and I just had to! I love me some Brandon/Kelly/ Dylan drama. But let’s be real #DAVIDSILVER Was The Real STUD. 😉

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These next three I found at Kohl’s. I always find great t-shirts there. The first two I saw and died. WHERE WERE THESE WHEN I HAD MY VIEWING PARTY for the Netflix revival. You guys know how I love my Gilmores! These two were 2 for $20! (And you can probably still get them!)

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This last one was just an ode to my love for one of my favorite Disney movies/ princesses. Now all I need is to find a Pocahontas tee and I’m golden! 😉 It’s on sale for $14.99! (And you can probably still get it!)

I love these T-shirts. I love feeling like I can bring a little nostalgia back into my life.  I have such fond memories of growing up while watching these tv shows and movies. It’s nice to be able to wear that and keep that same feeling alive and with me.

*All images are my own.*

-<3-

 

My No Make-up Routine

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There are some days (usually on the weekends) when I will go makeup free. I used to never wear makeup to school all the way up until college. Here and there maybe lip-gloss and eyeshadow, but rarely on an everyday basis. If I had a party or something, that was a different story. 

But now that I am working everyday I just feel I need to do a little something everyday. So I like to give my face a break on the weekends. If I don’t have to be anywhere special I will go all natural the whole weekend.

I can’t say that I always feel super confident when doing so. I used to be fine without wearing makeup, because I was so used to it. But now I’m used to having some makeup on during the week, so when I don’t I feel like my insecurities can arise. #BAGSUNDERMYEYES

However, I think it’s important to give your face a break. And I have actually gotten some compliments when using this little routine.  There was actually one day I did these few small steps. I threw my hair up in a messy bun and some hoop earrings on, and went to my aunt’s to have dinner and my sister in law was like “Do you have any makeup on today?” and I was like “No. none. Actually like zero.” And she just looked at me with a face and was like “Ugh, I hate you. I’m looking at you saying, this girl looks so pretty today.” Lol.

That was such a crazy sweet compliment that it made me feel really great. I was feeling insecure that day and I was just like cool, I can do this no make up thing. I do it no matter what, because I think it’s super important for allow your face to breathe, but now I can have a little more confidence going makeup free.

So I thought I’d share what I do on the days I decide not to wear any makeup. Like zero makeup.

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STEP 1:

First, I take my morning shower and I wash my face with a facial cleanser. I usually use Simple products, but then I switched to Cetaphil, and now I’m currently using Neutrogena.

Quite honestly, I think I’m going to be switching back to Simple or Cetaphil. I don’t care for the smell of the Neutrogena face wash. I really liked the Cetaphil one the best out of the brands I’ve tried so far.

STEP 2:

After I get dressed I do my skin routine- splash some cold water on my face. I don’t know why I do this. I know I just showered, but for some reason it’s just like a boost. And I feel like it preps my face for my face lotion.

STEP 3:

After I dry my face, I apply my Simple Moisturizer, I’ve been using this for a while and I like it. Accept I recently bought the wrong one by accident. So currently I am using the Rich Moisturizer. But I like the Light Moisturizer with SPF in it. It’s light texture, not greasy, and smells good! I think I’ll be switching back to the light. (it’s the one with the yellow sign on the front.)

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*This is also the time when I brush my teeth, clean my ears and blow my nose and all that jazz. You know usual human things.

STEP 4:

Apply chapstick or lip balm. I use my holy grail- the old school blue tub Blistex.

STEP 5:

Apply a little bit of Vaseline to my eyelids. I can’t remember where I saw this. I feel like it was in a beauty guru’s no make up routine. I just think it gives you a little natural shine.

STEP 6:

This next step is a bit weird and unconventional, lol. But I usually pinch my cheeks a bit just to get some color. HAHA.

STEP 7:

I curl my eyelashes with my Revlon eyelash curler, and brush my eyebrows in place with my elf eyebrow brush.

STEP 8: (OPTIONAL)

Rock the messy top knot or side bun and add some statement earrings for flare if your looking to spice things up.

 

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This is a selfie I took after doing this routine.

 

And there you have it. That’s about it!

I don’t always do this on my no makeup days. If I’m just home, I won’t do anything! If I have to go out and don’t want to wear makeup then doing these small little things can make me feel a little more confident. What do you do on your no makeup days?

 

*Most images are my own.*

-<3-

 

 

A little bit of everything…

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

Hi friends,

I have to admit there’s a lack of inspiration for me right now. Maybe it’s exhaustion, maybe it’s hormonal, maybe it’s laziness, or stress. I don’t know. But I’m in a funk and I just need to work through it. It’ll pass, I know it will. It always does.

But in the mean time, I don’t want to slack on this blog either so…let’s chat.

I’ve been thinking about where my life is going, lately. A lot of reflection is creeping in, and not exactly warranted. I say that because I’d kind of rather not go there. Because I know along with that reflection will come some harsh realities. Things I need to be working harder on. The list is long. And I have a tendency to really overthink and get myself all anxious which is of no use, because then I tend to retreat and shut down, getting nothing done.

When I think back to how hopeful the new year seemed, and where I am now, it seems like too different worlds. But I think that’s kind of how it always is. I make these big grand lists of things I want to change or do or accomplish and then I lose track and momentum and end up falling into old habits. I know we all do it, but I just wish I could avoid getting into these slumps. They suck.

Granted I think I have made some progress in personal growth this year so far, but I still think there are a lot of things I could be doing to feel even better about my life and where I’m heading.

I just turned 26 and so naturally, I’m thinking about my future and what I want for myself. I want to be a writer for television and film. And yet I’m still in a part-time job, it’s writing and film related but not a career for me. I want to get married and have children and start a family some day, and yet I’m still single and living home. It’s difficult when you start to look at your family and friends around you and suddenly feel like you missed something. Did I miss the course in life planning? Because I feel so far behind. It’s so easy for me to compare myself to them. So many people around me are getting engaged, married, pregnant. And here I am, doing the same ole same.

I don’t want this to sound like I’m feeling sorry for myself. If anything I feel like I’m kicking myself for not being more of a risk taker. I don’t hate my life. I don’t hate my job. (I actually really enjoy it!) I don’t hate being single. But I just know there’s more I want out of life. But where I am, is safe and comfortable. I’m content. But I’m not. Does that make any sense?

It’s like I reflect and feel like I’m missing so much. I’m not going for it. But then I look at where I’ve come from a few years ago, and I feel like I’ve tackled a lot of my anxiety. But now there are new challenges I must tackle, in order to allow myself to step into the next chapter of my life. And I think that’s realizing that I have to push myself out of my comfort zone and start accepting change. I’ve spoken about my fear of change HERE on this blog.

I was in church a few weeks ago, and I remember the priest giving his sermon and saying how God does not work on time. We work on time. But God doesn’t. So if we are asking for something and we want it to happen right now and it doesn’t, that does not mean it won’t. It just means that God knows it’s not the right “time,” and therefore maybe your not ready yet.

So I think I’m going to keep that little tidbit in my back pocket, for when I start to stress out about the future. And I hope if you can relate to this stress and fear of change that you hold onto this little fact too. Things will happen when they are supposed to. I know there are so many uncertainties; career, relationships, etc. But I have to just trust that God’s got me. He knows what’s in my heart and what it wants and when the “time” is right all will fall into place. I just need to do some rearranging and prioritizing on my end. Wish me luck! 😉

To my fellow 20 somethings, Don’t Stop Believing!

xo

Michelle Leigh

 

-<3-