BLOGMAS -Day 6- (Mini) VLOGMAS 2016 Update

Last year I announced that I was going to be doing a Mini Vlogmas– that I would vlog from December 23-Decemeber 31st.  And I did. However, the editing process was put on a super long overextended hold- I didn’t start/get finished editing until late July/August 2017. While I loved documenting my holiday season with my family and friends, as I thought about publically posting the vlogs, I felt conflicted.

I fully intended on posting my journey of festive fun- full of good food and good company- when it came time to share, I just don’t think my entire family would have all been ok with their life being put on the internet. And I respect that, so I officially decided that I will not be posting these vlogs. Instead I think I will burn them to discs and keep them like my own little home movies to look back on.  

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However, I decided to share some pics of my Holiday/my To Do List/Schedule instead.

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December 23rd-Christmas Shopping

Straightened up my mess of a room.

Ran some errands/Went Shopping at some drug stores and grocery stores for stocking stuffers and all my baking goods.

Made Christmas goody bags for the kiddies in my family.

I shared some Christmas Cards I received from a few of my students.

I filled my stockings by the chimney with care.

Wrapped all Christmas Gifts.

December 24th- Christmas Eve

Did a little Get Ready with Me- hair, makeup, & outfit.

Baked cookies.

Went to visit my Grandparents and saw a bunch of aunts, uncles, and cousins as well!

Went to midnight mass (got baby Jesus blessed and put baby Jesus in our manger at home.) 

December 25th- Christmas Day

Baked more cookies!

Opened gifts at home with my family.

Went to visit some more family at my cousin’s house-and we all met the newest family member- my baby boy cousin.

December 26th-God Daughter Sleepover

My god daughter came to have a sleepover.

We played Barbies. (did a mini Barbie mannequin challenge haha)

Had a dance party!

Watched a Barbie movie.

Played dress-up.

Built a gingerbread house.

Had her favorite for dinner—TACOS!

Built a tent and watched a movie.

December 27th- Pamper Day

Lit some candles.

Did a face mask and hair mask.

Gave myself a manicure.

Did some other girly grooming bits like used a foot scrub and lip scrub, etc.

Ordered take out.

Watched some movies.

December 28th & 30th- Best Friend Christmas/Christmas Exchange

Had my usual Best Friend Christmas Day with my best friend Roe.

We built a gingerbread house.

Sipped on some homemade Coquito. 

Youtubed some Mark & Lexie from Grey’s Anatomy.

The 29th- was a super lazy/chill day/I didn’t really have anything to vlog.

Met my other best friend Jenny for dinner and dessert at a cute local Italian place. We had some wine and everything was just so delicious! 

We exchanged gifts.

December 31st/January 1st-New Year’s Eve/Day

Went through my 2016 Memory Jar.

Made glitter cups.

Went to my Grandparents and saw some aunts and cousins too!

Had an out door dance party and lit some sparklers.

***

What a fun, blessed week of family, friends, and happy memories I will cherish forever! 

When I finally finished editing all of these vlogs and I was about to upload them to YouTube and share them here with you on this blog, I started to feel something pull at me. And I just started to not feel right about including other people’s images. I love sharing my world with those who keep up with this blog. However, I have a lot of kid’s in my family and I think images of other people’s children should be treated with respect. And I just didn’t feel right putting anything up. I go into a more in-depth description of my experience with video and vlogging in my Video Update post. 

 

Have you ever vlogged before? What’s your take on sharing with strangers? 

-<3-

 

 

 

BLOGMAS -Day 5- My VLOGMAS Favs

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I love YouTube. I think it’s a super cool, creative way to express oneself. And some of the work these creators put out is so cinematic, it’s like watching a mini movie and I totally dig it! You can get really creative with this medium. So much so, that people are making careers out of it. 

VLOGMAS has recently started, and basically if you don’t know what that is, it’s when vloggers (video bloggers) vlog everyday of December leading up to Christmas day. I know there are a million vloggers out there in cyber space. But I thought I’d share with you, who I enjoy watching. So these are my favs…

Carrie Rad

Niki Demar

Michelle Reed

Alisha Marie

Each of these ladies are super relatable. Each with their own style and persona. I enjoy their content so much because I feel like if I were to run into them in the mall, or something I could totally have a great conversation with them over coffee and become besties with them. There are certainly more vloggers I enjoy watching, but right now these are the ladies I’m keeping up with this Vlogmas season. 

**Kalyn Nicholson is also one of my absolute favs, but she is not doing Vlogmas, instead she is waiting until mid December to do her own- 12 days of K-MAS. Can’t wait for that! She did YouTober this October (daily vlogging for the whole month) and it was seriously so good and I looked forward to her videos everyday. 

Who do you like watching this VLOGMAS season. Have you ever vlogged, yourself?

 

-<3-

 

 

BLOGMAS -Day 4- A Broken Heart For Christmas Short Story

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Two years ago, I featured a Christmas story as one of my short story series pieces. While you wait for the next Chapter of my current series “Move,” why not check out…broken heart for christmas
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. 

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6 

lucy and dean 9lucy and dean 4Lucy and dean 3Dean and Lucy

 

Let me know what you think in the comments below! 😀

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

-<3-

BLOGMAS -Day 3- Christmas Movie List

During Christmas time there are certain movies, I just feel are a MUST watch for me- those include- A Christmas Story, Home Alone, and Elf.

But there are also a bunch of other great Christmas films, we can’t forget about!

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Just Friends

Frozen

The Holiday

Four Christmases

3 Days (Freeform)

Snow globe (Freeform)

Christmas Cupid (Freeform)

Holiday in Handcuffs (Freeform)

Freeform usually releases a new Christmas movie every year. I always watch! And Hallmark is always on point. I MISS IT SO MUCH! I recently had to downgrade and I don’t get that channel anymore. :/ I seriously love their festive attitude, they just make you feel the seasons. 

 

What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

 

-<3-

 

 

 

 

Life Update

Hello friends!

I know it’s been quite a minute since I posted last. I just have had so much going on, and to think about sticking to my regular posting routine was exhausting, and yet impossible at times. But today, is a nice quiet Sunday that I am finally able to get to all the things I’ve been having to put off. So productive! And I am super happy! 

Between the holiday season, planning for the weddings I am in, work, and my beautiful baby niece being born- my usual day to day has been thrown off course and this blog has been- neglected, sad to say.

I had big plans for October/November! I had posts I wanted to write and I was even thinking about editing a potential Fall themed vlog of all the clips I took checking off things from my Fall Bucket List. But it just hasn’t been feasible.

And on top of all of that, I just realized I’m having some technical issues with my computer battery and my WordPress account in general, which have really hindered my posting options as well. I have some updates to do regarding the site, since I have run out of my image memory on here. So I need to do a bit of research and decide what my next step will be regarding the michelle leigh writes update plan. 

So in the mean time,  I am going to still try to post on here when I can. Just been dealing with a lot of changes and need to get my life back on track, lol. I know many of you can definitely relate! 😉 Just know that I am not going anywhere. I still have a lot to say!  

Stay Tuned!

xo Michelle

Move- Chapter 2

MOVE poster

Previously on MoveRead Chapter 1 HERE

Liam attempts to walk casually into a nearby quaint coffee shop.

She’s been here, he knows this. His eyes scan the room, searching for a glimmer of hope. Searching for her chocolate colored eyes.

Just because she’s been here before, doesn’t mean she’s a regular- nor does it mean she’ll be here today, one can only hope that coincidence is on my side, Liam, thinks.

Yes. You Facebook stalked Liam. You sunk low my friend, he thinks loudly as he gets in line to order something. Guess when you want something bad enough, you’ll do just about anything…

“Next,” the barista says as she smiles up at Liam.

“Hello, good afternoon,” he replies with a smile.

“Afternoon. What can I get you?”

“I will have (his eyes scan the menus posted on the walls behind her) the turkey club on rye, a bottle of water, and a regular small coffee.”

“You got it,” she says punching it into her register as she places the order slip on a conveyer line for the cook to read.

“That’ll be $15.72”

Liam reaches for his wallet.

 

*******

 

Walking away from the counter, Liam heads towards a table in the far corner to set himself up.

Strategic placing of course- from here I can see the span of the entire room, and there is a perfect view of the door, in case anyone rather interesting happens to come walking through, he thinks.

Liam begins eating his sandwich as he flips through his phone emails, replying to a few here and there.

Every now and again the door would open and his head would impulsively lift and look over.

No sign of his brunette beauty. Damn it, he thinks. This whole stalking thing is harder than I thought, he thinks, jokingly.

Liam checks his watch and starts to collect his garbage.

Lunch breaks always flew by for him.

Sadly, it’s back to the office, he thinks. I could wait here watching for her, forever.

Just then the door opens and in she walks. Her walk more of a stride, No a saunter. Her hips swaying from left to right. Her tight pink dress fitting her in the best possible way. Only some things someone who was intently watching could pick up on.

Liam freezes. His eyes glued.

Wow, she’s even sexier, the second time around, he thinks.

Aria steps up to the counter.

Liam cocks his head to the side, admiring a certain Latin enhanced part of her body. Internally and externally Liam blushes, knowing he’s usually a more discreet man.

“Hey Lynn,” she says with a smile at the barista.

“Aria sweetie, there you are! We were wondering if you switched coffee spots on us!”

“Are you kidding me! No one makes a better cup of coffee than you! It’s just work and school have just been crazy, I’ve literally been working, eating, dancing, sleeping. ”

Liam’s ears perk up to listen. Her voice like an electric jolt to his heart strings. Definitely striking some chords for sure. 

School? She can’t still be in college? He thinks. Can she? Liam scolds at himself, mentally.

His eyes look her over as he sits back down in his seat for a beat, pretending to answer more emails.

Liam’s gaze intensifies.

Aria walks to a table across from him and sits, she takes out a book and starts to read and she sips on her iced coffee, her muffin nearby for picking.

Liam’s heart begins to race, his palms starting to perspire.

He loosens his tie, as he leans back in his seat, his eyes not missing a beat. Admiring the fine art before him.

Watching her -she sweeps her hair to the left side, she props her chin up with her arm as she reads.

Her manicured fingers flip through the pages effortlessly as her brow furrows, then her lips curve into a smile as she continues reading.

Every movement more perfect then the last, he thinks.

Liam wants so badly to just walk over and talk to her.

But he knows how it would come off. Stalker.

So he waits, he watches, gathering evidence.

Next time it’ll be different, he thinks.

Until then, love, he thinks, as he gets up- exiting the coffee shop, his future feeling more colorful then usual.

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Hey readers! I realize this chapter took a while to get up and it is on the shorter side, and that’s mostly because I’m a little stuck when it comes to this story. I have so much in mind for the middle of the story but the beginning has been difficult to start. I’ve been avoiding and I don’t want to get in that rut. So I do apologize for the delay and I apologize if this is not my best chapter, but I think we’re just setting the stage, we’re just getting started here people. There’s been a lot going on in my life and also when it comes to Short Story posts, they take some time to write and get up and I’ve just been posting other things that take a little less time to “produce.” You may have also noticed my posting schedule has been kind of all over the place lately, again- I do apologize. I am going to really try and get back into a Monday/Thursday schedule this Summer. And I really would like to make some fun changes this Summer, let’s hope we can get some of them done! xo-Michelle Leigh

 

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

-<3-

 

 

*Blog Update*

So I know that my posts have been kind of out of sync with the usual schedule, but I’ve been a bit frazzled lately. There’s a lot going on and I tend to get overwhelmed fairly easily. You ever just need to take a beat and check yourself? As someone who deals with anxiety often, I noticed I have to do that, in order to keep my sanity and keep up with everything that I have to do. Because of the bustle that surrounds my world lately,  the blog inspiration has been lacking. I struggle when this happens, because I hate posting just to post.

But with that being said I thought maybe it’d be cool to give you a little blog update. I have some fun posts in mind, it’s just a matter of getting my shit together and writing them.

I HAVE NO TIME! I’M TIRED! I’M STRESSED! I WANT TO SLEEP FOR A YEAR!

Rant over. 😉

Coming your way we have the Welcome Home “Soundtrack” and Author’s Commentary. If you haven’t read Welcome Home you can start it from the beginning HERE.

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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?

There- it’s out in the universe. So I have no choice, now I HAVE to get writing. Haha.

Talk Soon!

-<3-

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th!!!!!!!

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I’m coming to you as I sit in my bed underneath the covers on this post snowy winter Sunday. A rare Sunday post because….our girl is turning 4 today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 4th Anniversary!!!!!!!! Happy 4th Birthday!!!!!!!!

January 8th, 2013, I took the leap. A leap that was years and years in the making. I’ve always loved to write but sharing is something that I always halted upon. 

Even now it is difficult to hand my work to someone to read, so I put it up here to get it out there.

I don’t know who you are, I don’t know what you feel, or how you take what I post on here, but my hope is that you can relate. That you and I have similar hearts and we somehow can understand each other.

“A safe place for the written word.” That is the motto of this blog. That is what this blog represents for me, and in turn I want it to represent that for anyone who reads it, because I know how it feels to be a writer and to feel that level of uncertainty in everything you write and post.

I work with kids and I teach Creative Writing, Film Club (a film analysis type class), and Improv Theater. Our new session started and I switched things up a bit, and instead of Film Club I am doing Film Making.

In college I studied, Film and Broadcasting. Although I can’t say I ever fully felt confident in my film making skills, I know I have it in me, to create something that people can feel from and relate too. For a long time I strayed from filming. It was a creative fear of mine, and to some extent I think it still is. Will I know what I’m doing? What if I mess up? What if I do it wrong? What if no one understands my message? Those questions can really mess with my head and in turn they stop me from doing something I actually really do love.

But as I become more and more in love with YouTube, I get inspired to want to be creative on a different level. I’ve made promises on this blog many times, about wanting to film more, about wanting to create videos based upon my writing.  I would dabble in it and then stop, there wasn’t too strong of a follow through. And I feel like I’ve let myself down, and by extension let you down too.

But last year I had the right idea, I didn’t make you promises, I kind of just let myself go and be and see what happened. And in turn a concert vlog was put up.  Something I didn’t plan, something that just happened. Being able to look back on that experience is really something cool, and I’m really glad I did it!

I’m a planner by nature and so instinctively I already have a list of goals for 2017. One of them is to expand this blog and to expand my YouTube channel. For years I’ve had a channel and I barely post on it.

A few weeks ago I posted a fun announcement on here.

I announced I was going to do a short small version of Vlogmas-where vloggers on YouTube video their daily life for the entire month of December. I started my vlogging on December 23rd and continued post Vlogmas and into New Year’s Eve. I took a break on the 28th because there wasn’t anything really going on, but a vlogged for about a week, consistently. I have always thought vlogging was so cool, and I wanted to give it a chance. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at myself for actually doing it!

Spoiler Alert: Editing has been a slow process, but I am actually in the process of uploading my first day on YouTube now! (When they are all edited/posted I will do a whole post with all the links! It’s going to be a while, but I am definitely feeling the editing high from this last once, man I’ve missed that feeling!)

This year is already off to a cool start.

I feel like agreeing to teach film making has given me the push I needed to get myself back into film making. It scares me to be teaching it, but because I took that on, I feel a sense of responsibility to teach my students everything I know and everything I don’t know. Which means I will have to get back into it and research and learn. I’m scared, but I’m really excited. We already got our equipment in and I felt like my heart lit up and my mind started going with ideas. The kids seem really enthusiastic which I think is just want I need to keep up the momentum!

Another thing that I am happy to say is that I have been working on a new short story series- Welcome Home. There are currently two chapters up and the third will be up this coming week!

My posting days may change as well, I feel like Mondays are difficult for me, for some reason. I start to prep a post and then it doesn’t get posted until Tuesday. Same as with Thursday posts, sometimes they don’t get posted until Friday. So I’m going to start to really plan out my schedule and see when the best day to fit in writing and researching is and when the best days for this blog will be. I want to give it the time it deserves. I don’t want to rush content.

I really want this year to inflict change in my life. Good change. Change is something I fear constantly. But change is also what makes life interesting. It’s what gets you from point A to point B an eventually to point Z. Accepting change, living in the now and really challenging myself is what I want to work on this year. It’s all about just being the best version of me, doing my best and striving for greatness.

So thank you for all your support. Thank you for reading, liking, following.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I hope to interact more with you this year! 😀

I like to believe in the underdogs, because when they make it, the feeling is stronger somehow.

God Bless. Happy 2017!

And again…

Happy 4th to my baby – Michelle Leigh Writes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or rather my toddler, you guys this blog is already a toddler!!!!

Stay Tuned…this year feels promising!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: Michelle Leigh

Follow me on Twitter: @Shellbelle91

Spoiler Alert: I tweet about television shows for the most part, #LIVETWEETER.

-<3-

 

2016 Memory Jar Review

First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS!!!!!!

I cannot believe it is already 2017.

 

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My camera year is wrong…should say 2016, ignore that mishap. :/

 

As I sat down on New Year’s Eve to sift through my memory jar- a bandwagon that I finally hopped on two years ago- I was amazed at how little I felt like I did, because of how quickly I felt the year had flown by. It was a blur for me. But as I dove into these colored pieces of paper, the many memories came flooding back….and a lot actually happened. It’s so easy for us to get wrapped up in the holiday bit at the end of the year, that we forget all the memories we made throughout the year.

So here are some of my most favorite memories- (in no particular order!)

 

*My 2016 Highlights*

 

Took my god daughter to see Trolls- “Sophie’s big girl movie date”- Trolls, went to a diner, and saw the Christmas Lights with my family.

 

Had a little Walking Dead Season 7 Premiere Party but… RIP Glenn still heartbroken: / haven’t watched an episode since then, but my party looked awesome. Read my post HERE!

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Celebrated my grandmother’s 83rd birthday with a whole bunch of family.

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I made a few job changes and had to bounce around a bit, which was a bit difficult but finally found a place where I am happy for now, it was for the better- I’m building a work family and have made some great friends. Read my post on “adulting” HERE!

Finished two short story series-On The Run & Love Conflicted (-premiered in 2015 but carried over into 2016)

Official full cast photo movie poster

Started a brand new series- Welcome Home (-first chapter premiered in 2016, rest will be continued in 2017)

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My best friend Roe got engaged!!!!

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Went on a massive family trip to Great Wolf Lodge and had a blast! (vlog will eventually get edited!)-Read my post HERE!

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Why does my camera have the wrong year? How do I fix that?

Sophia Bush retweeted my tweet and my phone blew up….

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My brother got married and he and his wife bought a house.

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I entered one of my scripts into a writing contest! (although nothing came of it, it was a huge leap that I took, and I was really proud of myself for facing that fear.)

I got free movie passes for covering a story in my local theater, my best friend Jenny and I saw Finding Dory in 3D…because why not?

I’ve realized that I can overcome my anxiety on my own, but the help that I have received has been a gift I will continue to utilize.

My best friend and I finally saw Bethany Joy Lenz in concert and WE MET HER! #LifeGoal –Read my post HERE!

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Fuller House seasons 1& 2 are killin’ the game #NetflixIsDangerous

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I went for bridesmaid’s dresses for my friend Jenny’s wedding-I was asked to be her maid of honor last year.

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I went on The Polar Express with my god daughter and other family members. (vlog will eventually get edited!)

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I worked for a summer camp, and my kids made some really great story books for my creative writing class.

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I hosted a Gilmore girls: A Year in the Life- Netflix revival….viewing party- Read my post HERE!

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I got a vlog up on my YouTube channel, and have been vlogging more, but editing has been a slow process. I WILL GET THERE!

I finally got to pretend to be a YouTube vlogger and did a Mini “Vlogmas” from Dec. 23-Dec. 31 into 2017 (Stay Tuned!)

My brother and I started to shoot the first installment of our zombie short, but it got halted because…. #WeddingCraziness #BridalShowerCraziness

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michelleleighwrites turned 3!!!!!!! Read my post HERE! (It’s turning 4 in a WEEK!!!!!!)

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 Justin Timberlake released new music & a video – Can’t Stop The Feeling! (he also produced the soundtrack to Trolls (What a beautiful, fun loving film, highly recommend seeing it!). Read my fangirl report HERE!

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Valentine’s Day Girls Nite In with my girls.

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Celebrated my Aunt Mary’s birthday  with some dinner at her favorite Mexican restaurant and had some Pepsi- her favorite drink. Love you Aunt Mary, Miss you!

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Bruno Mars new album, listening to it as I write. So obsessed! #24KMagic #Chunky #ThatsWhatILike #VersaceOnTheFloor #Finesse LISTEN

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Rocked some obnoxious Christmas Lights for the holidays. #BestDecisionOfMyLife #5BucksWellSpent #ShoutOutToStrangerThings

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Received some handmade Christmas cards from my students.

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30th Birthdays Celebrations- We hosted a big family dinner for my sister in law and went on an AC family trip for my brother.

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Family BBQ’s!!! #Cousins

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Best Friend Weekend. – Even at 25, my best friend and I still keep our sleepover tradition going. It started off going to the Zumba class that my best friend teaches, then we had some dinner at her house (BBQ chicken my fav at their house hold-like old times), next we watched our favorite tv show One Tree Hill until 4 AM, Went for breakfast the next morning, got manicures, and shopped a bit. It was so nostalgic and it was just what we needed. #BestFriendMiniWeekend #RoshellWeekend

That Zumba class tho-I had been trying to get to one, forever!

Britney’s back bitches! #GLORY album is just….EPIC! Read my post HERE!

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Rainbows.

Pineapple float- #SOTRENDY

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Took my mom to see the Radio City Spring Spectacular- it was her mother’s day gift and it felt really great to be able to do that for her. What a brilliant show. Visually stunning!

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Got hooked on Murder Mystery 13 Part Series American Gothic- so damn good! #SHOUTOUTTOBETHANYJOYLENZ

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Started Stranger Things #NetflixIsDangerous

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Attended my best friend’s engagement party.

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Continued with the annual chop.

 

Dressed up in Hawaiian theme attire for my cousin’s birthday party.- Read my post HERE!

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Finally got to rock the yellow, red, blue look I’ve wanted to try for forever! Read my post HERE!

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After the chop, had to try out some new hair do’s – Reverse Space buns.

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Marina Squerciati answered my tweet, (cuz we’re besties) ;). #thathashtagtho

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My parents treated me to a massive birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant. Got my big gold number balloons too! #BlackAndGold #Family #Friends Read my post HERE!

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That TWD finale tho. #WHOISIT? Read my feels HERE!

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Started an unintentional tradition of taking massive group family photos/selfies.

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Bridal expos with my bestie. #MaidofHonor #OnCall

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My cousins from Florida surprised us with a quick visit!

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Curvy Barbies (and other body shapes and sizes) are a thing! #FINALLY #Variety

Read my post HERE!

curvy-barbies

 

That *NSYNC picture. #reunion #myheart

 

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Met our newest family member! My god daughter is a big sister!

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Started watching a few new tv series- This Is Us (I have to catch up, I’m so behind) and Shades of Blue.

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*****

Damn a lot can happen in a year. I am grateful for the blessings 2016 has given me. Of course it wasn’t all marshmallows and honey all the time, but I still fought through obstacles and made beautiful memories. Cheers to 2017, may it be beautiful and happy and healthy for all of you, filled with love and inspiration and success. See you soon friends!

*Most images are my own.*

-<3-