Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Life Updates


I owe you guys an apology! I have not been active on here since January. I made a goal to blog more and then promptly left it for a while. Isn’t that always the way sometimes. To be honest life in the new year quickly got in the way and my schedule piled up so quickly that before I knew it I was too tired and depressed to pick up my fingers and type. Only until recently it dawned on me that I hadn’t posted since the new year, I felt really sad about that and wondered if it was honestly worth doing? But, I also remembered that I really enjoy it and even though this blog doesn’t get a lot of traffic I still want to keep doing it. Since I had been away from writing in so long I thought a little update on what has kept me from blogging would be a good thing to do and also provide some catharsis for some things that I have been going through as of late. So without further ado we will start off with where I left you, which was in winter. 
 The last leg of winter was particularly brutal I have been telling people that the farther away I can get from February the better it will be. There was one week in February in particular where everything went wrong and on that last day of the week, on Friday, my life became emptier. I have been dealing with grief after having to say goodbye to my dog Dinah after 16 years of life.







There isn’t a day that has gone past where I don’t think about her at least a little bit. I miss her so much, every time I walk up my driveway and see the empty window into the house where she used to stand by and wag her tail ferociously excited I feel a pang of pain in my heart. I miss walking around the kitchen with her by my side leaning up against my leg and my hand nestled on the soft patch of fur on her head. I miss giving her kisses on her long nose.
I know she was in a lot of pain though, towards the end, the last day I spent with her I could just tell there was something missing from her, it was though her spirit had already left her body and it was just time for her to transcend this earth. At the time I felt horrible and guilty, deep down I knew it was the right thing even though it was the most painful decision I have had to make. The weeks following her passing I wouldn’t stop crying, I would sit on the couch when I was alone and I would sob. I would walk past her food and water dish and I could feel my throat start to close up. There were even times when I was out and I would’t want to come home because I knew it was an empty house. The only things that helped was to get out of the house when I could and spend time with friends and to talk about how I felt to friends and family and the only other thing that has helped has simply been time. The pain still persists to this day, not as strongly but occasionally when I am in certain places memories pop in my head and I feel a weight press on my chest. 
I am grateful I got to spend so much time with her. 16 years is  an extremely long life for a dog and the majority of those years I know she was so happy and full of life. Although her physical form is gone there are times I feel like she is with me, hopefully watching out for me. 
Now that we are finally entering spring I hope her spirit can frolic in the flowers and grass. I put her box of ashes nearby her window where she can always watch. 
After February and March passed we are now reaching the final bit of April as I write this. That means we can pretty much call it spring. I have been looking forward to this, the hours have grown longer and that helps my day to day mood. I am finishing up yet another semester at school and I cannot wait for it to be over. It has been a tough academic year as well with everything and I am unsure that I will finish strongly, but I know I will finish at least and thats what counts right? 

This weekend my family will be hosting my sister's first baby shower which is really exciting. I have been in charge of decorating which is one of my favorite things to do. I went for an April Showers Bring May Flowers theme with lots of flowers and I am gonna hang tissue poms from the ceiling with pink rain drops. That alone has kept me really busy! Monday, May 1st is going to be my 24th birthday which I can't believe I am not even sure what I want to do yet. Sometimes thats the lame part of adult birthdays, you kinda have to plan things yourself if you want to do anything. I am excited for May though I have been reading a few horoscope related posts lately and there is a new moon in Taurus either tonight ( the 27th) or tomorrow and that is supposed to provide a nice little reset for the Taurus sign which has me pumped and hopeful for good things to come my way. I have had pretty good luck lately on small things which I think is a good sign. (Update: birthday was excellent, spent it with my friends and had a really good time! Also baby shower went very well.)
I am looking forward to making summer adventure plans. I have my eyes set on going back to the Maine islands like Peaks and Long Island. I find those places immensely peaceful to me and I have not stopped thinking about going since summer ended last year. I have been thinking that this year I might go down there and rent a bike and bike along the island. Last year a friend of mine and I walked the entire perimeter of the island and though it was exhausting it was beautiful throughout the whole 360 degrees. I have not biked in years so who knows how that will go but so far I am still on board with the idea. I also want to make a trip up to Bar Harbor and Acadia since I have never been and its still within my home state. I plan on taking my camera with me during these adventures too so  then I can share some photos as well and also flex those photography muscles.
   To conclude, because I don’t want this post to be forever and a half long there has been some really good things happening in my life, some really bad. I know thats not too different from anyone else. We are all on a journey after all. 
I am grateful for so much especially my friends and my family who have supported me during the good and the bad. I plan to possibly make more posts like these even if no one reads them, if you do, thank you, and hopefully posts like these let you guys get to know me better as a person instead of a one sided person that lives and breathes makeup all day long. 
Thank you to all that have stuck it out with me, I really appreciate it. 

Now I must return to my finals, wish me luck!

I hope you all are having a great week see you soon!
- A 

Friday, January 2, 2015

2014 Recap //


Hello all! 
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
2014, was a big year for me. The year turned I 21, the year I traveled out west for the first time, getting my first *real job on my own at The Body Shop, deciding to change schools and the year I started getting much more serious about blogging. There were parts of this year that were difficult and parts that were absolutely amazing. I thought I would briefly review them here as a good reflection. For this post I am not going in chronological order I am starting with a monumental moment and going on from there. 

California// 

 Going to California along with my best friend was one of the most monumental parts of this year. It was a grand adventure that will never be forgotten. I still keep having flashbacks to San Diego and how wonderful and beautiful it was. How unbelievable and surreal it felt when Brittney (best friend) and I first walked into Disneyland, seeing LA with my cousin. So many adventures spent in a magical seven days. Brittney and I both yearn to go back. Hopefully someday soon it was amazing. 







21 // 
May 1st I turned 21 this year. But, still sticking to character I threw a garden party instead of the customary "drinking fun" that normally occurs when someone turns 21 here in the US. 
I love organizing and decorating for parties and gatherings, making things look pretty. This was quite an unforgettable birthday. 




Summertime //
I feel quite strongly that this summer was one of the best. Besides going to California in June, there was lots of beach and lake visiting/swimming, pizza eating (yum) swirled cones of ice cream  after dusk, drive in movies and lots of time spent with friends it was amazing! 
Quite a summer to remember.







School + The Bodyshop //

My third year of Community College was not filled with particularly happy memories. I was going though a lot of personal hardship. I didn't feel like myself most days. After summer was over there was suddenly a lot on my plate. Although, one of those things was a great moment which was earning my job at The Bodyshop. I had tried tirelessly to get a job throughout the summer with no luck. 
I finally got a lucky break at the store with "Beauty and heart" its been pretty fun working there. I have a strength for communicating with people and listening to what their desires are. However, the juggle between work and school + life was stressful on me and did not feel like myself. And throughout the fall I had to make lots of decisions so I could change my future. 

Autumn //

We had a beautiful fall this year. I didn't get to fully embrace it all because of my packed schedule. But there were little small moments like taking a trip to the apple orchards that helped me slow down and appreciate this autumn. Normally, I celebrate Halloween in a big way by throwing a party annually but due to my schedule I simply wasn't able to accomplish that this year. I was pretty bitter about it at the time. I tried to just keep focusing on school work. I enjoyed my photography class a good deal, getting a better grasp of my DSLR and photoshop. I got to use that as a creative plugin when I wasn't able to blog. 





Photoshoots //

One of my favorite pieces of work I put together for my photography class was this series I did with my best friend. I loved the way these came out. I did her styling and makeup in  this shoot we tried a couple of different looks but when I took this scarf that I had lying around and gave it to her as a garment she changed into a different character. I darkened up her makeup and roughed up her hair and all of a sudden she was something fierce. Brittney, also happens to be a theatre major so getting emotion and personality was a pretty easy task. By the end of the photoshoot she let down her hair and smeared her makeup, she began to sing and I captured this last shot which I think really captures Brittney's genuine and passionate nature. 



The Holidays and Now //

The holidays this year were a little crazy. My life kinda revolved around working. Retail during Christmas time is certainly not an easy ordeal but aside from lacking some holiday spirit at the beginning. Christmas was still fun. It felt even sweeter to see my family and spend time with them. It was also a green Christmas this year! To some might be sad but I personally dislike the snow so it was a big plus for me! ( hehe) 
And now here we are 2014 is all over now and we are living in the year 2015. I am going to work hard in 2015 just like I did this year towards my goals. I am going to a new school, continue to improve my blog, continue to work on living a healthy and happy lifestyle and reach higher each day.

Thank you all so much for joining me this year. Improving and authoring this blog gives me a lot of pride. I love all of you so much. I hope 2014 treated you well and I hope 2015 treats you even better.
 Never give up on your dreams and goals, even small steps towards your goals and dreams is meaningful.


  
Happy New Year! 

- A 


Let me know what your resolutions for this year are? What are your plans to achieve them? Tell me in the comments below! 

Monday, December 8, 2014

Monday Minute// Kinfolk Magazine Winter Issue


Good Afternoon,
This lovely Monday day I wanted to share with you a favorite read of mine. 
Kinfolk, is a slow lifestyle magazine for young creative professionals published quarterly, that explores ways for readers to simplify their lives, cultivate community and spend more time with friends and family. 
Accompanying me along with some piping English Breakfast Tea and freshly baked cookie I peeled the pages of this new Kinfolk issue. The Winter Issue. As I was reading the personal essay's and stories I felt my racing thoughts quiet down. The great writing accompained by stunning photography make this magazine unique from any other. 

Some of the stories that you can find in this issue//

. Aurora Folklore: A photo essay using shadow puppets to show what various cultures used to believe about the Northern Lights 

. The Meaning of Light: interviews with a neuroscientist and an artist about the positive effects that sunlight can have on our well-being

.  A little story about Kitchens in the wintertime

. The Solace of Soaking: a photo essay that encourages you to visit a hot springs to relax and unwind 

. The Cookie Collective: three festive cookie recipes 
and much more...

I highly recommend that if you are a young creative type, or if you are just craving new reading material for you to pick up this magazine and give it a read. Especially this new Winter Issue. It was quite a pleasurable afternoon spent absorbed reading instead of hurriedly swiping through social media on my phone or clicking away on my computer. 

Hope you all are having a good Monday!

- A 

SHOP// 
Kinfolk Magazine Issue Fourteen // $18 


Monday, November 24, 2014

MON// Monday Minute// Your Cure For Dry Winter Hands!


Good morning everyone! its been a little while but I am back to share a new little segment to the Bats & Rabbits blog that is called; Monday Minute, where I share with you a quick review, tip, product, etc.. Just a quick read to accompany your Monday morning I hope you enjoy.  

A Cure For Dry Hands You Say?

Yes friends, today I wanted to share with you a wonder product for when you are suffering with horrible, dry hands. Usually, I suffer particularly from dryness when winter arrives and when I feel my hands crying out for moisture I cry too because its a terrible, uncomfortable feeling! When I started work at The Bodyshop, one of the first products I was introduced to was their Hemp Hand Protector.  Ladies and gentlemen, this hand cream will change your dry hand life! (or maybe your life in general who knows?) and I am certainly not being paid to say this! 
This stuff is dermatologically tested for very, very dry skin and is made with Community Trade Hemp Seed Oil. It sinks into the skin instantly! and does not leave that annoying greasy feeling on your hands so long as you don't put a whole giant gob of it on- ( a little goes a long way) This stuff repairs the hands skin moisture barrier, so that afterwards your skin is smooth and supple. This hand cream also contains Fair Trade Beeswax which acts as a barrier to seal in the moisture. Also, I find that I like this stuff because of its non offensive odor. I mean I like smelly stuff as much as the next gal but sometimes you can be over bombarded with smells. This stuff has a very earthy smell. Some people are put off by it but the scent does not linger which makes this very popular with those who work in the medical field and need something to cure their suffering hands while also keeping "perfumes" out of the office. The other great thing along with that is this product is great for men and women! 
I seriously cannot recommend this enough. Presently, as I was just typing out this post and my hands were feeling a bit dry so I went ahead and put some on and already I feel relieved. 
If you haven't tried this out I would highly encourage you to hop on over to your closest Body Shop and ask to sample this hand cream I don't think you will be disappointed. 

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your Monday! See you soon!
- A 

SHOP//
The BodyShop Hemp Hand Protector 100ml - $20





Tuesday, February 18, 2014

An Ode to Summer








An Ode to Summer


Summer after all is a time where wonderful things 

can happen to quiet people. 

In those few months you are not required to be who everyone thinks you are
And that cut grass smell in the air 
and the chance to dive in the deep end of a pool give us the courage we don't have the rest of the year
You can be grateful and easy
with no eyes on you
and no past
Summer just opens the door 
and lets you
out




This winter seems never ending. 
Just this afternoon, we are due in for another winter storm. 
I itch at my winter skin, wanting to shed it off in place for my lighter spring and summer skin.
Every time I taste a strawberry I feel the warm seasons promised return on the tip of my tongue and smothered across my lips.


I watch Kinfolk's Ode to Summer often these days.
The imagery allows me to escape and feel inspired for what I want my summer to be like. 

I hope you guys are all doing alright in this bitter weather where ever you are. 
I am looking forward to seeing the flowers bloom. I can just feel it coming soon!


- A
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