Happy 11th Birthaversary MLW & A Writer’s Update

January 8, 2024January 8, 2024michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

Hello there…long time no see.

I don’t post on here much anymore. However please follow my writer’s instagram for more consistent updates and sharing. Follow me @michelleleighwritesvibes

I do plan to continue to post my long form stories on here. I like that I have some place that holds my work virtually. Like my own writer’s portfolio- digitally.

I’m sure there’s some other more tech savvy way to do that. But I’m a millenial. So cut me a break. 😉 I’m the last generation before social media took over the world. Cheers to all my fellow 90’s babies in their or approaching their 30’s. We are slowly climbing up the ladder, aren’t we?

This year here at MLW, we are celebrating the 11th anniversary/birthday. Hence my coined term birthaversary. HAPPY 11TH to my blog baby!!!!

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As usual each new year brings me into a state of deep reflection and I like to look back at what I accomplished and what I would like to carry over/leave behind in the new year. Dreams I’ve dabbled in and dreams that I’m still keeping safe from the trying storms of the real world. Reevaluating priorities and time. Gathering inspiration. All of it. I love that New Year Planning Stage.

So with that said, allow me to walk us down memory lane for this past 2023 year, here with mlw.

Here are some 2023 mlw highlights.

*Green Mental Health Awareness Photoshoot

*Pink Bubblegum Barbie Photoshoot

*ESCAPRIL poems- You can read them all on my instagram in the #ESCAPRIL story icon. I have previous years in that chain as well. So if you like poetry, please do go check it out!

*PINK ERA-instagram aesthetic. (Yes I am very Barbie inspired!) I LOVED THAT MOVIE!!!!!

*Got back in touch with my avant garde style of art.

What is avant garde art you ask…I’ll tell ya.

*Created more reels/vlogs for my instagram.

This was a Barbie Skit promo I posted on my instagram. The skit was entitled “Hey…you dropped this…” starring my childhood barbie dolls- I named them Ryan & Michaela this time around. It was a fun little video exercise. I figured well they are probably the easiest actors to work with. 😉 So I plan to shoot more this year. You can watch the full love story skit on my instagram in my Barbie Skits Instagram Stories icon at the top of my page.

My Barbie Closet
(Barbie fashion reels also in my stories)

One of my goals this past year was to get out of my house to write. Sometimes when I try to write at home, I can get distracted pretty easily. So I went to the library a few times and I went to a nearby coffee shop. It was awkward at first. Because I felt like it was such a simple thing to do, but I was always weird about doing it. But I did and I felt proud of myself. I would go and sit and write for about 2 hours. And sometimes I made a little vlog reel and posted to my personal instagram. I also did a virtual writer’s workshop using meetup, and it was pretty fun! I got some good poems out of working with them. Something I definitely would like to do more of this year is- connect with other writers. Having other people to bounce ideas off of is such a blessing.

I worked on a book I’m writing, it’s a romance novel, but not finished quite yet and needs to be seriously edited. I also continued working on Black Nightingale. Chapter 6 was posted this year. I plan to not only post new chapters of that story this year here on MLW, but I also plan to finish the full series.

*Continued filling up journals! I think I went through 4 in 2023!!!

*This year, I submitted a children’s book I wrote back in 2020 to a publisher and I got an offer. It was pretty awesome. But sadly too expensive for me to accept. I may also consider self publishing down the road or hopefully working with a friend who recently started a publishing company! That would be so fun! If you have any tips on self publishing and publishing companies with low rates, please leave me a comment below!

This was the day I got my publishing offer. I just had to commemorate it somehow. For me it felt like a big deal. And I was sad to have to deny but proud my work was taken seriously enough by a publisher. I wish money wasn’t such a factor for artists.

*I wrote a poetry book through this challenge I found online (the fee was low and I didn’t do any add ons) and it’s being published and will be out later this year- I think sometime this spring. I will keep you posted on the release of that on my instagram. I’m really excited to bring you my first book! STAY TUNED!

*I posted a reel on my instagram of some of the art I created in 2023. Yes, I did work on writing projects. But I also did alot of 3D fashion art, scratch art, coloring pages and A LOT of collaging/scrapbooking. That has been a blast for me! I have always loved the visual side of art too. Not just the beautifully crafted words. But the images that pop in your mind when you hear them.

*My best friend and I finally had our first meeting about the upcoming podcast we are looking to start. She recently moved far away and we hope this can be our way of hanging out more regularly/virtually. Plus we have some of the best conversations ever, and I just feel like we would have a lot to say, especially about being long distance besties. I have always thought that women talking about basic life issues is one damn powerful thing. How often do you feel like total crap and then you have dinner with your best friend and you just get real, get deep, no boundaries or disguises. You have a good cry and a couple glasses of wine, some good food, some minor social media stalking and then you feel rejuventated and ready to take over the world. Women. Talking. Discussing. Spitting Wisdom. It’s relatable. It’s powerful. I hope you’ll stay tuned as we try to bring that dream into fruition this year. In fact in 2022, she and I did a Midnights review on our instagram stories, and we were just chatting about Taylor Swift and all her gloriousness and discussing our favorite tracks and lyrics. And after that I was just like dude….we should start a podcast! And so we plan to. We have a lot of fun ideas! And some great topics! Stay Tuned! 🙂

Meeting #1 🎙🎧

Taylor Swift
Midnights Listening Party
2022

Those are MLW’s 2023 Highlights. Looking to sharing many more writing/artistic endeavors with you this new year! HAPPY 2024! Sending many hopeful blessings to you all!

*All images are my own*

-<3-

Happy 9th Birthaversary MLW! + A 2021 Writer’s Recap

January 8, 2022January 8, 2022michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

Hi there! HAPPY NEW YEAR! I know it’s been a minute! But I’m back to celebrate with you! I hope you are well and staying safe in these very unpredictable, crazy times. On the bright side…

It’s MLW’s (michelle leigh writes) 9th Birthday/Anniversary!!! Which I’ve decided to name Birthaversary. It’s crazy to think that 9 years ago, I decided to finally start sharing my writing. I have always been scared to admit that I was a writer. Now, I proudly include it as part of who I am. Even though I’m not posting all the time. Writing will never really leave me. And whether I ever make it my career, or make money from it or any of that, no matter what, I know I will always be a writer. And a storyteller. And a believer of magic. 🙂 I always come back to it in some way. It is my way of sorting things out. Overcoming things. Making sense of things. And healing. Well that and some damn good Therapy! 🙂 It’s 2022 people. I’m telling you get on that therapy train. It’s worth it!

Happy 9th Birthaversary Michelle Leigh Writes!!!!

I know I haven’t posted consistently much, but 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 most of my writing on my writer’s instagram more consistently. So please do follow! @michelleleighwritesvibes (I shared a lot of good stuff this past year! Check it out!)

As 2021 comes to a close I wanted to just review some of the creative projects I shared. I love to do this little reflection of my work before every new year. This way I can set intentions for the next year. MichelleLeighWrites is my blog baby. I don’t post that often but when I do, it is the host of my long form storytelling. A safe place for the written word. Here are some of my writer vibes this past year.
1. Vibe With Me Podcast– a YouTube playlist/podcast chit chat of 12 lessons I learned in 2020.

2. MLW turned 8 years old!

3. Vibe Thoughts series (available on my insta! Check it out @michelleleighwritesvibes)

4. Finished my Short Stories Series- Crazy Stalker Love

You can start reading it from the beginning HERE

5. New Short Story Series premiered- Black Nightingale.

**Catch up on the first 5 Chapters here on MLW before new chapters are posted SOON! 🙂**

6. Wrote my first flash fiction- The Whitakers

^ (available on my insta! Check it out @michelleleighwritesvibes)

7. Completed #escapril2021 (a poem posted every day for the month of April)

^(available on my insta! Check it out @michelleleighwritesvibes)

8. Journaled the entire month of June with guided prompts. Tnx @allthingskoze

Also keeping up my Journaling every day habit…on journal #7 now!
9. Did some work on my Novel. 🔥❤ Sadie and Luke’s love story will hopefully see more light in 2022!

10. Completed the #hopewriterlife challenge.

Making time to write isn’t always easy. I haven’t always been the best at it. Especially as of late with a new job and the craziness of the holiday season. However, I am proud of the things I did get to create. My hope for the new year is to further embrace the writer in me, the artist in me. And I hope that if you feel inclined to come along and read or listen to something here on MLW that you can relate to it. This is my heart. Happy New Year, my friends! Cheers to a new year of new projects. Some already in the works, and some probably not even thought up yet. 2022…let’s do this! Stay safe out there everyone! 🙂

Thanks for reading!

Stay Tuned!

All my love,

-<3-

Michelle Leigh

Happy Golden Birthaversary MLW! + Writer’s Update!

January 8, 2021michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

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

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

6 Years and Counting! Happy Birthaversary MLW!

January 8, 2019michelleleighwrites 3 Comments

January 8th, 2013.

A girl with a need to share stories that float in her brain, characters that have heartfelt discussions, poems, music/tv/movie reviews, fan girl stories, fashion, the list goes on. Today marks 6 years since I created Michelle Leigh Writes. It took years to work up the courage to publish my work online. Here I am 6 years later, keeping that little train rolling along. I am very proud of that fact.

However, the thing is…this year was a bit slow on posting content. As I review this year’s post history I can see there weren’t very many. Inconsistency strikes again! And sadly, I ended up taking 2 months off completely during the months of June and July, (which I don’t think has ever happened in all my years of blogging.) I guess you can call it a summer hiatus. But it mostly was a mix of lack of inspiration/my blog account was having some issues. But when I think about it, those are excuses, if I really wanted to write and post, I would have figured out a way. But the more I didn’t, the more I got comfortable just not posting at all.

But then the fall came, and inspiration struck. Besides I knew I needed something to kick my butt into gear again. So I challenged myself to do #BLOGTOBER. And I did, I blogged for the entire month of October, it was a fun filled time of Fall goodness! Then November came and I decided to give #NaNoWriMo a shot. Writing 1,667 words a day for the entire month until you get to the goal of writing 50,000 words at the end, which equals the length of a book. And I DID THAT TOO! But then the holiday craziness kicked in and my posting slowed once again.

I took a look back at my posts for 2018. Let’s do a little bit of a run down shall we?

January 2018- 10 posts

February 2018- 5 posts

March 2018- 5 posts

April 2018- 2 posts

May 2018- 2 posts

June/July 2018- 0 posts

August 2018- 1 post

September 2018- 1 post

October 2018- 31 posts (#BLOGTOBER)

November 2018- 4 posts

December 2018- 1 post

Total Number of posts: 62

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Now some boring math- if I were to have been consistent with my 2x a week posting schedule…

2 posts per week

About 8 posts a month

12 months in a year x 8 posts a month = 96 posts in a year.

96-62= 34 posts under.

Sad face.

No matter the amount, I’m still excited to be celebrating 6 years online. I think it’s a big accomplishment for the girl who stressed at just the idea of posting her work for others to see. Naturally, I baked some treats to celebrate. #GEEK #NOSHAME #DELICIOUS

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For these mini brownie bites, I used a good ‘ole Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate brownie mix, the oil/eggs/water it required, and a package of hot chocolate and mixed it all together in a big bowl. I sprayed the pan with some cooking spray, then I put it in the oven @ 350 degrees for 15 minutes. After they cooled I removed them from the mini cupcake pan with a plastic knife and got to decorating. I used a bit of Nutella as frosting, added some festive sprinkles, and a mini marshmallow! They are so cute and taste DELICIOUS!

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So needless to say I’m not super stoked about last year’s posting history. But life happens. Technical glitches happen. And time passes far too quickly. So I am not going to dwell on it all, and scold myself for it, because let’s be real, I do not need that kind of negativity in my life! Instead I will be trying to keep my schedule afloat and inspire new and interesting content, and bring you many new, fun short stories and writing projects. I have a lot I want to work on this year!

On the Brightside! Even though my posting hasn’t been as consistent as I would have hoped, I did complete two major writing challenges for myself in 2018. And even though my #NaNo story wasn’t posted to MLW (because it’s a book I’m working on and will take time to finish and edit and all that) I did write a lot! Which is always the goal. I realized I don’t always have to write to post. I can just write and lengthen my art. Any writing is good. But I do plan on coming back, I always do! This blog is my special place. My safe place for the written word. So thank you. Thank you for reading!

Take a look at my past Celebratory posts:

2013- Hey there…and welcome ❤ – First post ever!

2014- “Secret” Society, “Resolutions”, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! + (My 1st VLOG)

2015- Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary?

2016- Dear 2016, + Happy 3rd Anniversary!

2017- Happy 4th!!!!!!!

2018- Cheers to 5 Years! Happy Birth-a-versary!

Follow me on Social Media!

(I have a lot of #NaNo updates on Insta!)

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

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STAY TUNED!

And God Bless.

Happy 6th Birth-a-versary to my blog baby michelle leigh writes!

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FUN FACT! On this day in POP power couple history, Justin & Britney debuted their Denim ensembles. Today makes 18 years! Haha. I never knew my Blog baby’s Birthaversary shared this special day! 😉

britney-spears-and-justin-timberlake-1349946973-view-1[1]

*All photos (except the JT & Britney pic) are my own.

-<3-

2018 Highlights- Year in Review

January 2, 2019michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

This past year, I actually didn’t end up using a memory jar. It kind of became more of a flower vase and I forgot about it. But as usual, instagram and this blog were definitely helpful in my yearly reflection.

Here are my 2018 Highlights

(in no particular order)

Justin Timberlake released his new Album Man of the Woods and I bought tickets to see him in October. (However as you may know from my fangirl report the show was postponed due to bruised vocal chords. It was rescheduled for January 31st (his birthday) so let’s hope it sticks and I get to start my 2019 off with my fav babe!) He also released a summer single too- Soulmate. It’s fire!

MLW turned 5 years old! This blog has been with me through so many ups and downs. I have taken month(s) long hiatus’ and have gone MIA many times, and I’m sure it will happen this year too. But I always come back! And it means a lot to me to have this outlet. To have “a safe place for the written word.” We also got our own domain this year-michelleleighwrites.com

I took up Jewelry Making in order to teach a class at work and I realized I do really enjoy it. For some one who loves accessories and loves jewelry, it’s cool to have pieces that I created myself. When people say that’s so pretty, I can say “Thanks, I made it!” I’m hoping this year to get my own Jewelry supplies and make a hobby out of it!

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We started many new family traditions, now that we have a 6th person at our usual table of five. My baby niece turned one and she’s learning so many new things, it’s so amazing and so exciting to watch her grow. Holidays are sweeter now that she’s here and we were able to celebrate many of her first holidays this year too. And as usual so many other special family moments with our extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. I also got to take my mom to see Summer (the donna summer’s musical) and help out with a mother’s day photoshoot for my sister in law, my brother is a photographer and he wanted me to shoot some behind the scenes footage for him, so that he could make a montage video.)

Jack & Elizabeth’s Wedding on When Calls The Heart. This show is so magical. (Except SPOILER ALERT the actor playing Jack decided to leave and so they had to kill off his character just shortly after the characters got married. So Elizabeth was left a pregnant window. It still breaks my heart so much. But I’ve been watching reruns on Netflix of earlier seasons of their courtship and I can’t help but love this show. It is so full of strength and hope and grace. And these women are fierce as they come.) Despite the heartache, the wedding was absolutely beautiful and when it comes to TV viewing parties and themes, I can be pretty “extra.” I learned to sew in order to make my own custom WCTH tee and had a cup of tea and some pie in honor of the special occasion. I still don’t have the Hallmark channel so I totally bugged my brother and watched at his house. The show did the wedding right, they even had a invitation that you can rsvp to, pick your meal choice and request a song. Hallmark still has a full wedding album up too. Such beautiful pictures, Elizabeth looked gorgeous and their vows were breathtaking.

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^In other tv related news (because you know me, I’m a TV fan girl) I fell in love with the show The Resident on FOX and the Netflix film- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (it’s getting a sequel!)

I had a lot good times with friends (fell in love with a new tea spot, tried hot pot for the first time, had a few brunch meals, tried frose, and braved karaoke, etc)-work friends, high school friends, old friends, new friends! Caught up with some middle school friends I haven’t seen in a while. We actually were able to get in two visits this year, so we are doing really well, considering we are all always so busy- one is a mom and one is always traveling, so I’m so happy we made it work! My best friend got married and I was one of her maid of honors, so we got to do all the things-the shower, the bachelorette party (which was epic thanks to me and my co maid of honor), the rehearsal, and the wedding. It was all magical! And they are a beautiful couple.

*NSYNC got their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on “It’s Gonna Be May” Day (April 30th) and it was broadcasted live for all to watch. I totally did, and I may or may not have bought a few *NSYNC merch tees, they are being sold in stores like target, and spencer’s/hot topic, but also on *NSYNC’s official site! The guys were also on Ellen!

So I was kind of in fangirl heaven!

I hosted a 90’s theme Girls Night In for my best friend, as our own little bestie send off before her wedding. It was A BLAST. I love nostalgia and I LOVE the 90’s. Butterfly clips, chokers, and blue eyeshadow, OH MY! 😉

My family participated in our first Alzheimer’s walk in honor of my Grandma who passed away in February of 2017. We all had t-shirts and it was a beautiful day, honoring someone we all really miss and love. We raised well over what our goal was! Thanks to my Aunt and Uncle who organized it all, and to all who donated. Our hearts are full!

I did BLOGTOBER– blogged the entire month of October! My fall was so full of all the Halloween, Pumpkin things!

I participated in my first ever #NaNoWriMo– National Novel Writing Month (November) October and November were very busy for me, it made me really proud to be able to write so consistently and meet my goals.

I continued writing my short story series- Move that I started at the end of 2017, but still have to continue and finish it this year. I also started another short story series that has yet to be finished and posted- tentatively called Crazy Stalker Love. (STAY TUNED! for all of the stories to come!)

Crazy Stalker Love Sneak Peek-

I had a list of over 60 great memories for this past year, so I guess it was a really good one. So I can’t complain. But in the interest of time, I chose a few. Thanks for the memories 2018, I am very blessed. I look forward to all the magic ahead in 2019.

Happy New Year friends!

May all your hopes and dreams come true!

Stay Tuned for much more content this year.

So many stories to tell!

-<3-

Happy Birthday Joy! (April 2, 2018)

April 3, 2018April 3, 2018michelleleighwrites 2 Comments

Bethany Joy Lenz is one of my biggest inspirations. Not because she’s perfect, we all know that no one is perfect. But because she is real and she owns it. Her talent in acting, painting, fashion and above all else singing knows no bounds. She is a fierce female.

The Fashion

Acting

Singing

Painting (follow her art instagram @thelenzgallery)

Happy Birthday Joy!

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

-<3-

Cheers to 5 Years! Happy Birth-a-versary!

January 8, 2018January 7, 2018michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

I baked some red velvet cupcakes just to celebrate a bit!

Let’s take a look back…

5 YEARS AGO I posted my first blog post here on michelle leigh writes…

Hey there…and welcome ❤
January 8, 2013

I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Michelle and I’m going to be writing for you. Writing is something that I’ve always enjoyed. It’s difficult to put one’s writing out into the world and have others read and speculate and generally speaking, critique your inner most thoughts. I’m very modest about my writing and often get nervous to share it with others, but this year I’ve promised myself that I would start changing that. I know, I know, once the new year strikes often many of us make promises we know we can’t keep…or won’t keep. But starting a blog has always been on my radar and I’ve always made excuses not to do it, but not this year. This year it’s happening. So if this blog speaks to you please read along, if not no hard feelings. But all I ask is to let this be a safe place for the written word. I’m not claiming to be an award winning writer, I’m just a girl with a lot of heart, who has A LOT of thoughts like I’m sure many of you do. Thoughts that may serve better being read then being cooped up in a journal. Who knows maybe you’ll find that someone else understands you. Here’s to writing! and Happy Reading Folks! -xoxo Michelle Leigh

To say that as I’m reading these words today, and I still feel a strong connection to their meaning is amazing. For the most part, I’ve overcome the fear of posting my work for strangers. Not that the fear is no longer there, I still find it difficult at times, but I continue to do it anyway. Sometimes I still worry what others who know me may think if they read my blog. If a family member or friend reads it, what will they think of me? Like- oh SHE wrote THIS? I know people may think of me a certain way and then they may read a “scandalous” scene in one of my short stories and think wait what? Ew. Lol. But I can only be true to my writer’s heart and to the characters I create in my stories. At the root my stories are all about love, friendship, family. Things that make life worth living.

Below are all the celebratory birthday/anniversary posts over the past 4 years…

“Secret” Society, “Resolutions”, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! + (My 1st VLOG)

Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary?

Dear 2016, + Happy 3rd Anniversary!

Happy 4th!!!!!!!

In 5 years, I’ve managed to form a post schedule, share poetry, short stories, fangirl experiences, music and movie reviews, fashion, lifestyle, female empowerment, party planning tips and Writing experience/tips, with you. I’ve given you my heart for 5 years and it has been such an important part of my life. And I’m really glad that my motto, “A safe place for the written word,” still holds true for me. Because this blog has really been my writer’s outlet.

We’ve gotten to explore different writing styles, I’ve posted vlogs/videos, and I even have social media accounts for this blog now too. Come and follow along, talk to me! 😀

Social Media Links:

Twitter

Facebook Page

Instagram

It’s crazy to me that it’s been 5 years!

I’m excited for the future. For the new characters you’ll meet and the new poems that will come together and if you are reading this or have read any of my blog posts, I thank you for your support. I know that I may not have thousands of readers, or comments, but that doesn’t matter to me. What matters to me is that for those who do read along, or manage to stumble upon my blog, that they take something from it. That they find something in it that they can relate to. I hope you continue reading! And I hope to continue to grow this blog with all my heart.

Happy Birthday/Happy Anniversary or (Happy Birthaversary) if you will,

michelle leigh writes!

(I still don’t know what to call it!) 😉

Again THANK YOU, thank you!

See you Thursday- with an *ALL NEW* Chapter of Move!

MOVE poster

-<3-

My Birthday Weekend Food & Fashion

March 30, 2017March 30, 2017michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

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.

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.

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

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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.

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

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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.)

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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*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-

Happy 4th!!!!!!!

January 8, 2017January 8, 2017michelleleighwrites 2 Comments

4-mlw

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

January 8^th, 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 23^rd and continued post Vlogmas and into New Year’s Eve. I took a break on the 28^th 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 4^th 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-

Happy Birthday Justin Timberlake!

February 1, 2016February 1, 2016michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

BLOG UPDATE-

So I was trying to slowly make Sundays my third upload day but I kinda fell short yesterday. I wanted to post something yesterday in honor of Justin Timberlake’s 35^th Birthday, because I mean what kind of fangirl would I be if I didn’t. And since he’s not on tour or putting out an album, my fangirl posts have been lacking. But I got distracted the whole day, and then Grease: Live was on and I was hooked for 3 hours. By the time I started on my post, my internet and my computer decided to act up and I was trying to post before midnight but it just was an ongoing issue. So end result it was a failed mission. I am not going to rule out making Sundays my third post day, but I’m just going to see if it’s feasible. I’ll test the waters a bit this month. We’ll use February as a trial month for that and see how things go. Any way I’m still posting the Justin Tribute today (which was meant for Sunday,) but I will also be posting a review of Grease: Live a little later on, as an official Monday post. It’s going to take some time, because I have a lot of thoughts going on in my head about that one! Spoiler Alert: I am currently listening to the original movie’s soundtrack because my obsession with Grease has ignited. Anyway enough rambling…

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Justin Timberlake has been my longest running obsession. I support him in basically everything he does, creatively. He is a true talent. [insert my cheesy instagram post]

HBDJT