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. :)

An update // with a vlog

I know I've been posting sooo many videos around here lately, and I apologize. But I figure it's a whole lot better than a page of non-stop rambling with no pictures. Because my computer is dumb and has ZEERO space left and everything is just complicated. Sigh... With that, I present me, after softball practice:

I apologize about the terrible quality. One: this was filmed on a webcam. And two: I didn't have the time to upload it to vimeo. So this is what I have for you. Oh, and is it just my computer, or is the wording COMPLETELY off? I don't know. This is the lamest post. Ok, that is all.

alexa and erin // a vlog

A vlog, in which we (Erin and I) talk about pumpkin white chocolate mochas, prank calls, and a number of other random topics. Enjoy!



p.s. I've noticed that the comment authentication thing (the thing that makes you type out the squiggly font to make sure you aren't a robot) is getting really picky, and difficult. Comment if you'd like it removed, because I am seriously considering it. :)
I fixed it. :)

chocolate chip cookies // a recipe

With all this pinterest food-pinning-frenzy, I've got it in my mind that I need to bake the latest and the greatest. But something about the chocolate chip cookie always brings me to a place of laughter, and warmth. So today I have a little recipe for you. It's nothing special. It's not the latest. Or the greatest. In fact it's probably one of the oldest in the book. (Well, my book, at least.) And, honestly, it's quite possibly the simplest of recipes. But that's why I love it. The chocolate chip cookie.

click here to view hd version

ingredients

//2 cups all-purpose flour
//2 tsp corn starch
//1 tsp baking soda
//1/2 tsp salt
//1 bag chocolate chips
//3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
//1 cup brown sugar
//1/4 cup granulated sugar
//1 egg
//2 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium-sized bowl, using a fork, stir flour with corn starch, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed. Measure out chocolate chips. Place butter in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Then beat in brown and granulated sugars until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Using a spoon, stir in flour mixture and chocolate chips just until evenly mixed.

2. Lightly grease cookie sheet with butter or cooking spray. Scoop out about 1 tbsp dough and place on sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, spacing at least 2 in. apart. 

3. Bake, one sheet at a time, in center of oven until cookies are golden around the edges, from 8 to 10 minutes per sheet. (Press cookies down with a fork halfway through baking.) Remove sheet to a rack and let cookies stand on sheet about 2 minutes. Then remove cookies to a rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough. Once cool, cookies will keep well in a covered container at room temperature up to 2 weeks - if they last that long!

Recipe courtesy of fernweh mag!

tent-dwelling // a camping adventure

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I've been living out of my suitcase for almost the past two weeks - give or take a few days. And a tent. And a mobile home. And, well, away from home. But it is ohsogood to be back.

My first trip lasted a total of four days, where my mom, brother, and I camped deep in the forests of wisconsin dells. ;) It was a blast. I don't have a whole lot of photos, mostly because I was focusing on the montage aspect of it, but also because camping is just a really dangerous environment for a camera. :) 

My second trip was spent in my dad's friend's mobile home on a beautiful lake. I was with my dad, brother, my dad's friend, and his grandson. Oh, and I caught lots of (very little) fish. It was quite spectacular. :)

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.

a day at the lake

I'm trying to treasure every last moment of summer. Every laugh, every smile, every adventure. And I'm trying hard to remember them. (My camera has hardly left my side all season.) I don't want them to blow away, like a bubble in the wind. I want them to linger, for as long as possible, glimmering in the sunlight. A couple days ago, my family visited a nearby lake. My favorite one, actually. It was hot, and windy, and absolutely beautiful. We got wet, blew bubbles, had ice cream, and stuck our heads out of the car windows on the highways like excited dogs. It was pure bliss. I put together a rather enjoyable montage of our day - I hope you enjoy!

a day at the orchard

You know Erin. (If you don't, please, go meet her.) We've had several adventures - wandering downtown, holiday overnights, and more recently, a 30-mile bike ride to the lake. Well, last September, we agreed that autumn wasn't autumn until you went to an orchard of sorts. So we did. And we documented it. And I've finally put together a little montage for you to see. Enjoy!
A Day at the Orchard from Alexa Anne on Vimeo.

P.S. Happy Fourth of July!

some people are just awkward // a vlog

Do we all agree that the video camera is not flattering to anyone, anywhere, EVER? I think yes.

I promise, promise, PROMISE I haven't been neglecting y'all. Just, hang in there. And thanks for being such wonderful followers. :)

farewell for the weekend // a vlog

Happy Friday, friends!

edit: you can ignore the poor quality and sound. and awkwardness of me. thanks. :)