Happy Golden Birthaversary MLW! + Writer’s Update!

Happy New Year!!!
“A new year full of cheer my dear!” 🙂

It has recently dawned on me that today is MLW’s (michelle leigh writes) 8th Birthday/Anniversary. Which I’ve decided to name Birthaversary. It’s crazy to think that 8 years ago, I decided to finally start sharing my writing. I have always been scared to admit that I was a writer. But I’ve realized over the past 8 years that is part of who I am. Even if I’m not posting all the time. Writing will never really leave me. I always come back to it in some way. Being that I am celebrating MLW’s 8th birthday on January 8th, I wanted to do a little GOLDEN birthday inspired post to celebrate.

A GOLDEN BIRTHDAY is when the stars align and you turn the same age as your birthday – (8 on the 8th).

It is said to be lucky. So cheers to some luck this new year. We all know we could use it after 2020.

Happy Birthaversary Michelle Leigh Writes!!!!

I thank you for being my safe place. My heart. My memories.

And although I haven’t posted consistently much, I will still be keeping this blog alive in order to share my writing when I feel to- mostly for the longer pieces. I already have so many Short Story Series on here for you to browse. Otherwise I will be sharing on my writer’s instagram more consistently. So please do follow! @michelleleighwrites_blog (I shared a lot of poetry back in April for “Escapril”)

My most recent Short Story Series “Move” was finally finished in 2020 here on MLW. So I wanted to give that a bit of a shout out!

Feel free to start it from the beginning HERE

FOR A MATURE AUDIENCE!!!

I created a December Series called Writer’s Wonderland over on my writer’s instagram @michelleleighwrites_blog. I’ve been a lot more consistent on that platform. I’ve been sharing a lot of my writing on there this past year! My Writer’s Wonderland consisted of sharing poetry, short story series read a-louds on instagram stories, Short Story Excerpts, and lastly as mentioned in my last post, I wrote a children’s audio book- CLICK HERE TO LISTEN ! 🙂

I also have my New Year inspired Short Story Series Collection HERE too! If you wish to stick to a bit of a holiday theme! 🙂

I’ve learned so much over this past year. I’ve done so much reflection, wondering, healing, and I’ve been so much more open to change. Because the truth is, this past year, we had very little control over what was happening in the world, and that made me really understand that we really only have control over how we handle things. How we react or respond. So breathe, pray, talk it out, feel what you need to feel, play your music loud, dance it out, binge watch all the Netflix, video chat your loved ones, eat the chocolate, drink the wine, laugh. Because the now is important. The present moment is important. However, I also feel it is important to note, that if your present moment isn’t a happy one, know that pain is temporary. Better days are coming. Cheers to a new year. I am sending love and light and many prayers to all of you out there for a safe, happy and healthy year. Stay safe, wear a mask!

And in MLW fashion…I leave you with an inspirational song…

Thanks for reading!

Stay Tuned!

All my love,

-<3-

Michelle Leigh

What I Got For My Birthday- Birthday Haul

My best friend is going to be treating me to a brunch and she also bought me this beautiful Portuguese candle. I am part Portuguese so this was super interesting to me and it smells beautiful too- the scent is Rose, Cassis, and Redberries!

IMG_1238

Yes I know, the date is wrong, I can’t bother to fix it. #IDontKnowHow

I love the gold and pink detail. And can we just talk about that peacock patterned packaging? Gorgeous!

IMG_1245

My other best friend bought me some of my favorite things, I love scarves, I love jewelry, I love bath and body works.

IMG_1240

This Cucumber Melon scent makes me feel like I’m a tween again!

My brother and sister in law got me a nutra ninja, which is what I really wanted most. I can’t wait to start making smoothies! I was also told that my brother did the shopping this year, since my sister in law was feeling under the weather, and I have to say I think he did good on his own.

20170326_211233

That Golden Girls shirt though. Mind you we didn’t even know what Golden Birthday was until after I opened my gift and then the shirt’s awesomeness was just elevated even more. It’s perfect because I’m a grandma at heart, such an old soul. Haha. Thank you for being a friend. Stay Golden! 😉

I’ve been wanting a new fake leather jacket, so my parents got me one.

IMG_1254

My goddaughter, her baby brother and my cousins surprised me with a brownie cake and a new natural life water bottle.  These are really good and I use one for work everyday so this is perfect. And seriously how cute is that pattern and that motivational message! Such a Michelle bottle.

20170327_113844 (2)

20170327_113909

She knows me for my messy hair buns! Haha.

20170327_111500

Delicious!

IMG_1229

 

One of my Aunts bought me a fit board. I mentioned wanting one so long ago, but couldn’t bring myself to spend the money. I can’t believe she remembered! It’s fun too! Feels like I’m surfing! #WipeOut Haha.

IMG_1250

A few of my Aunts also gave me cards with money too, so the wheels are already turning with ideas on what I can buy with it. I’m kind of dying to just go full on splurge at my favorite drugstores and get all the makeup and nail polish I want! Haha.

Drugstore Haul?

This also happened on my birthday! And being that I am a total TV junkie and a romantic at heart, it made my birthday all the more sweeter! When Calls The Heart has become one of my new favorite shows…HE FINALLY ASKED! #JackAndElizabeth #WhenCallsTheHeart #Hearties #HeartiesLetsParty

When-Calls-the-Heart-Jack-Proposes.jpg[1]

Watch the scene HERE

I am so excited and appreciative of everything. I have already put some things to use! I’m one lucky girl to have people who celebrate with me each year! xoxo

*All images are my own.*

-<3-

 

 

 

My Birthday Weekend Food & Fashion

This weekend I celebrated my 26th birthday. My birthday is March 26th, so I turned 26 on the 26th. And this is when I learned I was celebrating a Golden Birthday.

26

 

A person’s golden or grand birthday, also referred to as their “lucky birthday”, “champagne birthday”, or “star birthday”, occurs when they turn the age of their birth day.

Oh boy 26, I’m on the other side of the 5, and approaching 30, holy crap! Needless to say, I had such a great time with family and friends. Even my errand running went well! I found all that I needed for my best friend’s upcoming Bachelorette Party. That never happens!

 

FRIDAY NIGHT was my time to just relax and do a little pampering. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately with everything going on in my life and a lot of things needing to get done all at once, so I really needed this weekend to do my thing and relax.

 

20170324_191636

Started my night off with some Sushi ❤

 

I’ve also been loving lighting candles.

FUN FACT: the one on the right was a gift from my brother and sister in law. They brought it back from Hawaii for me, it’s a pineapple candle that smells unbelievable and it’s in a coconut!

Spring is here ladies, so you know what that means, time to shave yo legs. haha

 

 

20170324_231955

I tried this brightening mask, I’ve never done a face mask like this, and it was super strange, I felt like an Alien, I couldn’t move my face haha. But I didn’t hate it.

 

 

20170324_201734(0)

Gilmore Girls, kept me company during my pamper routine. ❤

 

20170324_231715

20170325_000818

 

SATURDAY NIGHT I met up with my best friends and their fiancés and they treated me to some drinks and desserts. A night filled with great company and great conversation.

I ordered the BLACK BOTTOM BUTTERSCOTCH A layer of bittersweet chocolate lies beneath creamy butterscotch custard, topped with fresh coconut whipped cream, and a chocolate wafer. And a glass of Moscato. It was delicious, I was sad when it was over! 😉

For my outfit, I wanted something comfortable, yet sophisticated. It’s a basic combination. But this picture of Bethany Joy Lenz was my inspiration for sure, (as usual.)

1006347504 NC_ILM_0724OTH4.JPG

I had these basic pieces already in my closet so I thought, why not?

saturday

 

I love how these bracelets kind of tell my story, they each show important relationships I have in my life. I am M which stands for Me or Michelle. I am a daughter, a sister and a godmother amongst many other things.

SUNDAY NIGHT I started my day with God at church. Can’t go wrong with that. Then later my parents treated me and the family to dinner at one of my favorite hibachi restaurants.

family

I had the chicken and shrimp hibachi with vegetable fried rice, and a frozen margarita.  For dessert I ordered green tea fried ice cream. YES, YES and YESSS! Everything was so delicious, so I was a very happy camper.

20170326_200606(0)

For my outfit, I wanted to dress up this plain black sweater dress I had gotten a while ago. And so any excuse I get to rock my leopard faux fur coat (and blue strappy heels) is always A-OK in my book.

20170326_174029

20170326_174219

*Black, Blue, Leopard…I sense a theme. 😉

Last but not least I ended my night with some blueberry pie, instead of birthday cake, I love pie so this was perfect. My whole weekend was perfect. It wasn’t a crazy rager, but it was exactly what I needed to ring in my golden birthday! 😀 I am blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people who made it that more special. ❤

I also got a bunch of great gifts too, I think I might do a Birthday Haul/What I Got For My Birthday post-Stay Tuned!

 

 

 

*Most images are my own.*

-<3-