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-

#BLOGTOBER Day 15- Jewelry Making Tutorial- Memory Wire Bracelet

October 15, 2018October 16, 2018michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

I love jewelry. I love accessorizing. I think it’s such a creative form of expression. With just a few key pieces of jewelry you can transform any outfit. I have draws full of jewelry and then because of the nature of my job, I was able to take on a new hobby of jewelry making. In order to educate others, I had to do a bit of research. Shout out to YouTube!

FINISHED WIRE BRACELET

(Due to the wire type, and the style of the bracelet, you can have different looks, just two rows, or many rows- creating a multi bangle bracelet look with, essentially just the one bracelet that wraps around your wrist several times. The wire also allows for it to be adjusted to your wrist, basically a one size fits all bracelet.)

I made this bracelet back in March or April I think. I made it with earthy colors- a mix of glass and clay beads- some with tribal designs on them. I made it like so, because it fits my personal style. However, I just feel like it has such fall vibes to it, and I wear it now, so I thought I’d share it. (You can customize this bracelet to your style and use any style beads, or colors/patterns/designs.)

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I followed this Jewellers Academy tutorial on YouTube.

^Memory Wire Bracelet Tutorial starts @ the 9:48 mark. However, I suggest watching Parts 1 & 2 of this Beginner’s series because it will teach you all about the tools and how to use them for specific techniques- such as cutting memory wire and looping- both used in this project.

jewelry making mem wire

All supplies were purchased from blick.com

^Just look under jewelry making.

CLOSE UP SHOTS

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I didn’t really have any specific pattern. I just knew I wanted an earthy color scheme, and a junky multi bracelet look. So I just added beads randomly, trying to create a unique, bohemian look.

I’ve made various jewelry pieces by following these tutorials (and various others). I’ve made earrings, bracelets, necklaces, chokers, pins, etc. I still have yet to conquer any rings, but hopefully soon. It’s super fun, and it’s even cooler to be wearing something and be able to say, I made this. And they can be great gift ideas too. If you package it nicely and add a little “made with love” sticker…and Voila!

^ Here is a pair of earrings I made and packaged for my Mom as part of her

Mother’s Day gift.

If you make any jewelry pieces of your own, let me know in the comments below!

*I do not take credit for the videos used as tutorials.*

*All photos are my own.*

-<3-

FOMO- The Coachella Epidemic

April 24, 2017April 23, 2017michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

So it’s that time again folks, the season of music festivals is upon us and these past few weekends has been all about Coachella. I can’t tell you how many Coachella vlogs I have watched. These YouTube vloggers make it look so effortless! Where ya’ll get this $$$? 😉

Coachella– The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is an annual music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, located in the Inland Empire’s Coachella Valley, in the Colorado Desert.

Hit you with a little Wikipedia info, ya know just in case you live under a rock and don’t get all huffy over the thousands of Coachella posts you’ve been seeing day after day.

We get it, it’s fun. You’re having the time of your life. No need to rub it in. 😉

Let’s be real though, I have to admit- I’m lowkey- totally jealous. FOMO [Fear Of Missing Out] is real, thank you internet.

Not because I want to stand for hours, in a crowd of people in the California desert heat.

But because the whole experience kind of speaks to my flowerchild self.

I LOVE music, I love food, I love FASHION.

And the fashion at Coachella is bohemian and hippie child and I am so with it!

However, I feel like my anxiety would kick into high gear in an environment like that.

I don’t do well in crowded places or in intense heat. So right there I feel like I would have such a tendency to be completely miserable there.

But I do think it’s a really cool idea and could be a cool experience if I worked myself up to go.

I feel like I’d fit right in, with the fashion inspiration.

Here are my favorite Coachella looks, I’ve seen from the YouTubers I keep up with.

Niki DeMar on YouTube

Niki

Niki is my favorite Coachella look this year. I am OBSESSED with her blue hair. I always said I wanted to do something crazy like this. I’ve dabbled but it’s been a while and now with my job I feel like I can’t experiment like that. Anyway I adore her facial jewels and her nails! I also really love her cool and warm tone color combination.

Ashley Nicole on YouTube

Ashley has a bit of a more 90’s grunge vibe and I totally dig the black, and monochromatic shades, and the choker. And those glitter freckles! Come on now. I have real freckles and I love them, so I would be all about glitterfying them! 😉

Ashley

Bethany Mota on YouTube

Bethany is my original YouTube Queen. I adore her. And I also love this sheer top she has paired with her denim shorts and the necklace tops it all off!

Kalyn Nicholson on YouTube

Again with the black and the silver. I love it! I also really love this long lace skirt trend paired with a big floppy hat…perfection!

LaurDIY on YouTube

Love this high low number and I also love Lauren’s heart shaped glasses in the picture below. Her mini space buns are adorable and I love how she’s not afraid to just keep it simple with some distressed jeans shorts and a funky tube top. Can we also just give her wrist full of friendships bracelets a round of applause! That’s commitment. Haha. I love that look of stacked colorful bracelets.

Lauren

Tess Christine on YouTube

Her color combination and her fringed jacket are EVERYTHING! That print tho!

Sierra Furtado on YouTube

The bandana, the eye jewels, the sunglasses, very hippie chic, and totally cool! I dig it!

Mia Stammer on YouTube

Coachella is known for being the time where over accessorizing is a must. I love accessories and Mia killed it here! Super cool! I freakin’ love that purple ring!

Alisha Marie on YouTube

I love Alisha’s gladiator goddess vibe. The sheer overlay she DIY’d makes for the perfect cover-up.

Shay Mitchell on YouTube (Best known for her role on Pretty Little Liars)

Shay is keeping it simple here with jeans and a cropped knit top, but I just love the call back to 90’s denim and her hair…so rad. Yes RAD!

**Vanessa Hudgens- The Coachella Queen**

I feel like Vanessa is at Coachella every freaking year and she always has the best looks. I saw this one and fell in love with her butterfly braids and flash tattoos!

I feel like I would like to experience this at least once in my life. Despite the dirt, sand, lack of real bathrooms/sinks, and the intense standing in crowds on your feet…It has a lot of things I love-music, food, fashion, and cool pic options. Haha. Who knows maybe I’ll be brave one day and go for it! Or ya know just host a Coachella themed party this summer, for the hell of it! 😉

Last weekend I rocked this outfit, and I was feeling some Coachella vibes in there, a little bit…no? 😉

coachellllaaaa

*All images are credited to each girl’s instagram.

I do not take credit for any images used.*

-<3-

OOTD- Cold Shoulder Shift Dress

April 9, 2017michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

I told you I’d show you how I styled this number from New York & Company that I recently wore for my Best Friend’s Bachelorette Party, so let’s get down to business! 😀

cold shoulder

Here’s my full look:

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As you can see already putting these birthday gifts to good use!

The dress had a loud print and some really beautiful cold shoulder detail so I wanted to keep accessories, hair, and makeup on the simpler side. I didn’t get any good close-ups of my makeup but basically I blended some greens, golds, tan, bronze, and brown eyeshadow. I used a hunter green eye liner and some mascara to define my eyes and make them pop. I filled in my brows and did some highlight, blush and bronzer. For lipstick I wore a neutral mauve- Revlon’s Ultra HD Matte Liquid Lipstick in the shade “Forever.” I love this color and it lasts a good while! For hair I threw it up in a messy bun to show off my big gold hoop earrings.

These chunky black heels have been such a great investment. I lasted the entire night dancing away in these, normally I’m in flats after an hour.

ACCESSORIES

Gold bangles, thin gold rings, and a light up engagement ring, because, duh? Bachelorette Party. 😉

I wore this statement ring on my other hand.

This was the manicure. I decided on- a pistachio green color, with a gold glitter ombre effect!

I rocked some black tights and a black side purse with a gold chain on it.

And last but not least here were some other accessories used to enhance the bachelorette party experience.

Team Bride Glasses, Body Tattoos, Light Up Ring and Glow Necklace.

We had a grand ole time! Love you Jenny Girl!

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*All images are my own.*

-<3-

What I Got For My Birthday- Birthday Haul

April 5, 2017April 5, 2017michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

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!

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!

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

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.

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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.

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.

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She knows me for my messy hair buns! Haha.

Delicious!

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.

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

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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-

Yellow. Blue. Red. Look

May 23, 2016michelleleighwrites 2 Comments

You ever have an event coming up and instinctively begin planning an outfit to wear for it in your head? Sometimes it’s based on pieces you already have in your wardrobe. Sometimes it’s based on inspiration you come across. And sometimes it’s completely fictitious and you basically think of it out of thin air. And then- the hunt begins.

For me the hunt is the worst part of fashion; the worst part about being a woman. Because you hop from store to store trying to look for pieces that fit this fashion vision. A vision that doesn’t necessarily exist.

I’ve wanted to try this yellow, blue and red color scheme out in an outfit for a few years now. And I finally got the chance to play!

My vision was to wear a yellow dress, with blue heels and red accents; nails & of course lips. (You guys know I LOVE a red lip.)

The dress was a surprising find. But I gave up hope on the blue shoes for a while, until recently one day I came across a pair of ankle strapped sandals and I instantly fell in love.

The heels were actually bought and worn for an entirely different outfit and I actually wore the yellow dress once before styled differently. But as the pieces of my dream outfit slowly began piling in place, I finally took my latest invite to wear this dream outfit of mine.

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Let me break it down for you. *In crappy, edited cell phone pics.

Full Look all pulled together:

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Close-ups of my makeup:

I basically used a lot of bronze colors, golds, whites and browns, filled in my eyebrows, applied mascara, and I used a navy blue eyeshadow as eyeliner on top and bottom. Then I used a red lip pencil (with a berry undertone) and a matte bright red lipstick over top. Bronzer, Blush and highlighter were also in effect in this look.

(How flawless does my best friend look??? #BrightLipsOnPoint #BrightLipSistas)

My accessories:

I love gold accessories. I think they complemented the pale yellow color of the dress nicely. I also chose the mirrored “diamond” rings to complement each other. And now that I think about it all the detailing in my outfit was silver; my zipper up the back of my dress, my shoe buckles and my purse zipper. So the mirrored accents on my jewelry tied all that in.

I skipped a necklace this time and went for some really cool funky peacock feathered earrings that hung down and dressed up my hair in the process. I love how the greens and blues of the feather complemented the yellow and the red.

Ignore the after hours makeup mess. lol. I was just trying to get the earrings in. haha.

I also added a blue clutch to match the shoes and a taupe cardigan to match the underlying layer of the yellow eyelet dress.

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My clutch is actually double sided. The other side is black, which I didn’t mind too much even with such a bright outfit, because the soles of my blue heels are black. So it all tied in. And let’s be real I made sure the blue side was on display to match the blue heels.

Clutch Essentials:

I’m a big purse kind of girl. On a regular basis, I usually carry a huge purse or bag. My purse is essentially my life in a bag. So how does a girl like that downsize her sack bag, into a clutch? Here’s how I did it.

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*First choose a decent sized clutch, and just take the basics.

Money

Keys

Lip products (for touch-ups)

Hair ties

Hand sanitizer

A mirror

Pill case with Tylenol & Tums

Packages of Pepto Bismal & Claritin

Granola bar

Emergency Pads/Liners (#girlprobs #noshame)

Oil absorbing sheets

Gum

Band-Aids

Tissues (not pictured)

My Catholic saints, rosary and pray rock- treasures that come with me wherever I go.

*Tip: Leave the flats or flip flops and sunglasses in the car.

* I know this seems like a long list, but I fit everything and had a little wiggle room. #missionaccomplished

My Hair:

For my hair style I went pretty simple. I washed my hair, and left it in a top knot after applying products; curling serum, curling mousse and hairspray. I let those products take and dry a bit as I did my makeup. When I was ready to start my hair, I took it down and found it dried in a scrunched formation. Which is what I wanted. Then I blow dried it and added some dry shampoo to the crown for volume along with more hairspray before curling my hair with my curling wand. After that I shook the curls loose by tipping my head over and running my fingers through my hair. Then parted my hair on the side, swept my curly hair to the side and used an clear elastic to put it into a side pony tail. I opted for the clear elastic, because you couldn’t see it, and my curls didn’t get squashed by a big old hair tie. After curling a few front pieces to frame my face, I secured any bumps or flyaways with some bobby bins and Voila! Done.

**I really loved how this look turned out. The dress was a pale yellow, with a unique eyelet detail and so I opted for a neutral taupe cardigan this way the bold red lips and bright shoes didn’t clash. There is certainly a variety of color here, but when blocked a certain way, I really think a look like this can work.

So is there a certain look you’ve been wanting to try out, but haven’t.

Three words. Go. For. It.

*All photos are my own.*

-<3-

Michelle Leigh Writes

A safe place for the written word <3 New Posts Two Days A Week

Jewelry

2018 Highlights- Year in Review

#BLOGTOBER Day 15- Jewelry Making Tutorial- Memory Wire Bracelet

FOMO- The Coachella Epidemic

OOTD- Cold Shoulder Shift Dress

What I Got For My Birthday- Birthday Haul

Yellow. Blue. Red. Look