will someone please give me a massage

I know it's been forever. And I'm not here to make excuses. What started out as a schoolworkoverload break from blogging soon turned into an Idon'twanttoblog break. School has been stressful - more than I've ever experienced. (I swear I have knots the size of Mt. Everest.) But I'm slowly learning how much is too much. And that B's are okay. And that it's okay to take a break once and a while. School is not my life. I won't let it be. So that's why I'm here today. Now.

It might be a while until I post next. But I wanted to check in. Let y'all know I'm still alive. So before you leave, here's a little something to make you smile. I guarantee it will make your day. :)

a note

I know I haven't posted in forever. And I am so very sorry. It's not that I'm running low on inspiration. In fact, that's one thing I have more than enough of right now. It's just that my computer has been running low on space lately (like, less than 2gb of space left) and having 25,000+ photos on it doesn't help. So I've been working on backing them up. Except that it's not that simple and I'm quite terrified that I've lost half my library. And it's just been extremely stressful. (Prayers would be much appreciated!)

So I just wanted to say that, yes, I do in fact have a new design! I'm so happy to finally have it up, as it has been a month and a half of mind-boggling html and css coding and rebranding and craziness. But it's finally here. And I can finally check it off my list. So take a look around, and let me know what you think!

I don't have much for ya here today. But I'd like to get a real post up soon, as long as the backing-up process ends well (and soon!). However school starts soon and that won't help. So hang in there, don't leave me quite yet! Y'all are such amazing followers and I couldn't bear to lose you!

xoxo,
alex anne

p.s. I forgot to mention that my real name is Alex, and I will be going by that name from now on. I used 'Alexa' as a screen name to protect my privacy, but I decided that dropping the 'a' works just as well. I know it might be awkward for you, as most of you have grown to know my face as 'Alexa', so if you wish to still call me that, feel free! I'm not going to stop you! I just thought I would let you know before you went off thinking some creep secretly replaced me. ;)

p.p.s If you are interested in sponsoring/swap-sponsoring this blog, please email me!

a hodgepodge of notes

1. I am back from my camping adventure! I returned Sunday afternoon, and have been wiped out since. I have lots of pictures and a video montage coming soon. :) Also, thank you to all the lovely guest posters!

2. Back from one trip and off on another. Tomorrow I leave for yet another camping trip, this time in a cabin, with my dad and brother. I don't have any guest posters lined up for you, as I just recently found out about this trip, but five days isn't so long - right? I mean, I've gone a lot longer without posting. ;)

3. I shot my first senior portraits yesterday! Above are a few previews of the lovely (twin) subjects. You can expect a full post soon!

4. I know you have all been waiting anxiously for the winner of the Kinfolk Mag giveaway (maybe you already saw it announced on the giveaway widget itself), so here she is: congratulations to Madison RdL - you won the Kinfolk Mag giveaway! Thanks so much to all that entered. While the giveaway was still in action, I passed ONE HUNDRED FOLLOWERS! What!? You guys are amazing. :) 

5. Last but not least, I guest posted over here today!

4 foolproof ways to have a good day // a guest post

1. wake up with a smile.

Did you know that it takes 16x more muscles to frown than smile? Studies also show that people who smile more often tend to be happier people. Plus, it's contagious. So chances are that if you flash those pearly whites, you'll brighten someone else's day as well.

2. do something you've been meaning to do

Procrastination. It gets the best of us. But if you complete the chore or duty you were supposed to do but just... didn't, well I guarantee you'll feel better. And, who doesn't love a little self-accomplishment?

3. spend some time with someone you care about

Go shopping with your BFF. See a movie with your boyfriend. Take a hike with your dad. Whether it be a boyfriend/girlfriend, friend, parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse or child- do it. Being with those you adore (and who also adore you!) will help you realize how many amazing, loving people you have in your life.

 4. be yourself

No shows, only you. Au naturale. There's no room for insecurities today-- you are who you are and you're GREAT. Don't try and fit any mold. Don't be afraid to be different. What you see as 'flaws' are what make you unique. The way you look, laugh and smile are what make you an individual. Your fears are what make you human. You are AMAZING. Accepting this is absolute key to your super day. Give a little self lovin'. 

Now this is a plan that works for anyone and everyone. So go try it. If you follow the steps, you really can't fail. I promise. Now go be happy!
Thanks for reading!

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sonia.
a music lovin', photo snappin', adventure cravin'  incoming high school junior with a silly attitude and a lot of love and words to share with the world.

come visit me here!

the montage collection // a guest post

I know how much Alexa Anne loves video montages, so I thought I'd share a few of my favourites in one place.

Summer in Betula lake from justin ayson on Vimeo.



living in a fairytale from carlottacisternas on Vimeo.



M O R N I N G // a short film from Hannah Nicole on Vimeo.



the lake | 2012 from abbey on Vimeo.

I promise they're worth your time.

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I'm Hope- a fifteen year old, proud Canadian, aspiring photographer, wannabe British, and lover of life. I can get a little wild at times, love black and white photos, travelling, strange music, summer days, and family and friends. I'm a huge sentimentalist and preserve my memories through words and photographs over at my blog, Live Your Life.

farewell, summer // a guest post

Such sad words. My summer vacation-- you know, the free, sunshiney, no-plans part of it-- is very nearly finished. If someone had peeked through the window of my summer, they would have seen

a crazy girl running barefoot and catching fireflies/a large stack of books, heavy on the Austen and Dickens/chasing the sun/long "things I want to do today" lists/singing, lots and lots of singing/gooey ice cream sandwiches/my book, completed/the Dominican Republic/blissful dancing/thrift shopping like no tomorrow/yummy mexican food/crazy-awesomeair shows/ messy, imperfect scrapbooking/glow sticks/farmer's markets/poetry/neon nails/iced coffee/a girl in a messy bun poring over the Old Testament/driving lessons/blogging experiments and designs/long letters/volleyball/ multi-colored manicures/sunset photo snapping/hours in family prayer.

Summer of 2012... already fading. This makes me sad, until I realize that autumn of 2012 is quickly. The memories that summer gave me will build and enrich the experiences of the fall-- a hot mug of tea in my hands, the smell of leaves on the wind, an afternoon spent with a good thick book, the wooliness of a scarf against my neck, and the other countless beauties autumn will bring. What did your summer look like?
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AnnaKats is an aspiring writer who resides down south in the Peach State, where summers are humid and sweet and Gone with the Wind is a household name. 
Don't take her for a southern girl, though; she's bicoastal, with a serious thing for In-N-Out Burger and western sunsets. 
Raised in a home of Bible studies, prayer, and banana bread, she's a pastor's kid whom God has redeemed through the precious blood of His Son. 
She loves thick books, sushi, close friends, quotes that contain the meaning of life, Oscar Wilde, French braids, long, deep midnight talks, European accents, and travel.  
But most of all, she love her Jesus, who "loves us and gave Himself up for us." (Ephesians 5.2). She blogs exuberantly at Because He Loves Me.

dreaming of autumn // a guest post

crinkled leaves

bare trees

knitted things

pine cones

cool temperatures

button ups

campfires + marshmallows

hot soup

fall songs

pumpkin rolls

jeans + sweaters

warm colors

cool breezes

boots + scarves

thanksgiving

leaf piles

I've been dreaming of autumn.

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my name is ryan gracie.

cupcake-eater,

picture-snapper,

crocheter,

nutella enthusiast,

supporter of picnics,

adventurer,

lover of autumn,

frequent daydreamer,

list-maker,

and blogger at this lovely place.

feel free to stop by!

a kinfolk giveaway!

Giveaway has ended.

Have I ever told you how blessed I am to have you lovely followers? I know it's not about the numbers, but honestly, I get a little giddy when they rise. I like to think that people enjoy my blog - that I'm not just writing meaningless words into inter-web-outer-space. I truly mean it when I say that I wouldn't be here without out you - y'all are who I write for.

So, because I am ever SO thankful for you folks. And because I just turned sixteen. And because I just got my brand new Canon 60D in the mail yesterday. And because life is just super great right now.

Here is a giveaway. For you.

One lucky winner will receive the newest volume of Kinfolk. If you've never heard of this lovely magazine, go do some research - because you don't want to miss out on this. The giveaway starts today (July 26, 2012) and will continue to August 6, 2012. You can enter in the giveaway widget below - and with each entry, you get a certain number of points. These points will increase your chances of winning. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner must get back to me within one week of being contacted, otherwise a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

p.s. guest posted over here today!
p.p.s. I got my Canon 60D yesterday - expect a post soon!

it's already july

It's already july, folks. Where has the time gone? Seriously. Well I thought I'd put together a little desktop calendar for you, so you can keep track of these crazy summer days. Enjoy!

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across the webiverse

here

time to live

I'm the kind of person who takes great pleasure in checking items off a list. Sometimes, I even write it down after I've accomplished it, just so I can check it off. As summer becomes more of a reality to me, I find myself longing to do something great with it. I mean, I only get 3 months - why not make the most of it? This summer, I want to live. I know it sounds cliche, but when I look back at the last 6 months, all I can remember are the massive loads of homework and the late nights studying. It's time I threw my head back, and really lived. So, as a fellow list-o-holic, I jotted down a few things that would allow me to really live this summer. And I plan to check off every one of them (if not more)!