I cannot remember the last time we've had a green Christmas. It was really weird. Like I knew it was Christmas, but it didn't really feel like Christmas because there was no snow. So we spent the morning in our pajamas, opening gifts (I got a tripod for my camera! YES!), napping and relaxing. We didn't particularly want to stay home the entire day, so I, of course, suggested we visit the beach for the late afternoon. No one objected - which was a surprise.

We also spent our time away from home exploring downtown Holland + downtown Zeeland. Both have absolutely beautiful decorations for the holiday season. I've promised myself that at one point in my life I will live in Holland. It's full of young life and love and stories of the beautiful lives that the city holds. 

Belated Birthday Post

This was my first birthday not in school. It was also my eighteenth. And it was the weirdest.

It felt weird to be at home and not hearing "Happy Birthday" all day long. It was weird not getting any balloons or any kind of surprises. It was dull and something I may not remember.

But, I had six days off. Six days off that I spent with my family and friends and that was more than enough. I spent a whole afternoon with my dad to pick out a new phone as an early birthday present. I spent an entire evening making my best friend her birthday present. I slept in, I stayed up late. I thought about everything. I did laundry. I baked. I cleaned. I watched movies. I did everything that I haven't been able to do since I've been out of school. And it was so freeing. I had no worries and I could do whatever I want, whenever I wanted. I also started my new job. And I fell in love with it. I get to wear tennis shoes, and yoga pants, and work with wonderful kids.

We were also able to visit Holland on my birthday to go to my favorite place in the whole world, Fricanos. It's crazy good and one of the coolest places around. Plus the city is one of my absolute favorites so being there was fabulous. I also tried OrangeLeaf for the first time and it was incredible. 

So, yes, it was a really great birthday. I was able to spend it with people I absolutely love and adore. It was a rough start, but it ended up turning out a ok. 18 is feeling pretty darn cool.

Scarf: Five Below
Cardigan: Meijer
Jeans: DEB Shops
Shoes: DEB Shops

Mannequin Night

Real live mannequins. That was the theme of my Friday night. Every year a city near me puts on a cool event. People from all over come together and pose as mannequin's in store windows. It's such a cool event, to watch these people staying as still as can be.

But let me tell you, taking pictures of them with the glare from the sun shooting at the store windows was a killer for my camera. So as always, only a few turned out the way I wanted them to. But it's definitely a cool event and something I absolutely love attending.

This year it was definitely a lot busier than years past. The amount of people that showed up was insane. Which also put a damper in my photos. But, what can you do? I just enjoyed being with my family and being in one of my favorite cities.