Senior Photos // Phase 2

Did you have a so sweet Thanksgiving?? I had a wonderful time with my family and am happy that the break isn't over. I've left my Uncle's and am now in Austin with the sis. We're headed to the Renegade fair on Sunday! 

Here are a few more shots of my senior photos. I think this is my favorite overall collection, I think.

xo.

Melisa

I'm going on a trip

I'm off to go visit family with the mr. I can't wait to listen to music, laugh with family, take photos, build gingerbread houses and relax. I'll keep everyone posted with the daily adventures. Hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving time^_^

xo.

Melisa

Senior Photos // Phase 1

I'm so happy to finally share some of my senior photos with you! The lovely and talented Jennifer Marie took them for me and I'm just thrilled with how they turned out. I'll be sharing in phases since there are so many. I'm trying to figure out which to get prints of; help would be appreciated^_^

details: dress // Urban Outfitters, tights // Anthro, shoes // Target

xo.

Melisa

PS...

Thanks so much for participating. If you won this fabulous Shabby Apple dress, please email me with your shipping info. hooray!

xo.

Melisa

Full of Thanks

As it is nearly Thanksgiving, I thought it would be appropriate to share a few things I'm thankful for this holiday season

1. All that God has done and is doing in my life. I'm seriously blown away with what God has done with me and through me. I hope this doesn't come off as being boastful, but I say this to say that I am a big ol nobody and it is only by God's grace, love and blessing that I have become a somebody. As I approach graduation, I am completely in awe of where God has brought my life. It's not perfect, but gosh it's so much better than I could've hoped for. He truly does know best and I am thankful.

2. My Family. Well, duh. I know this is the usual answer, but really. I have an incredible, thoughtful and inspiring family. I look to each one of my parents and siblings; I am completely blessed to be surrounded with people that love me and support my every endeavor!

3. Graduation! Even though it hasn't happened yet, I'm grateful that it's three weeks away and I actually did it; that I passed piano proficiency, had my night of worship, did it in three and half years and am doing so in the top 5% of my class. Seriously, all because of God. Thankful indeed.

4. My Church. I can't always be with my family and that's what my church family is for. They have supported me in ways I didn't think anyone who wasn't my own blood ever would. They truly are my family away from family. That makes sense right? They're wonderfully kind people who help me to believe in myself and I'm so thankful for them and all they do for me and our community.

5. The Mr. I am always thankful for him, but this past year has been unlike any other, and I know there's no way I could've gotten to where I am or become who I am today, without him. He's my best friend and I can't imagine anyone else I'd rather go through life with than this guy. He's pretty great.

6. A new home with a wonderful family. As I prepare to graduate and move away from campus, I'm so thankful that God has provided a roof over my head with a truly amazing family. I am so blessed to have them in my life.

7. Our Student ministry. What God has done this past year, in and through these students is insane! We just got back from youth convention and after hours of conversation, I remember why I do what I do and count myself so lucky to be a role model to these sweet girls.

8. Pie N' the Sky. Some weeks are better than others and on those not so good days, this blog and you lovely readers help me through. It keeps me motivated and helps me to focus on the inspiring and the beautiful; as it should be.

I'm really thankful for my life, for my health, for my country, for all of the blessings I have. I'm thankful that I don't have to worry about where I'm going to sleep, or whether or not I will get to eat, or having to find clean water. I may not be rich,  but I'm thankful that I have enough for myself and enough to give and bless others. I'm thankful for a car that runs, though everything about it may be falling apart. I'm thankful for friendships & the ability to make music. I'm thankful that I never feel alone & one day soon I will start a new adventure. I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to have such a fine education & the joy I get from crafting and creating. I am thankful.

What are you thankful for? Do you have a "thankful" post? Leave me a link. And remember to be thankful.

xo.

Melisa

ps: the photo at the top is a preview of my senior photos taken by the lovely Jennifer Marie

My week according to my phone

Tonight I'm recording a Christmas song for my Audio Productions class; I'll share it once we finish^_^

Tomorrow we are taking our students to Youth convention in Houston and I couldn't be more excited!! That means the blog will be a bit quiet for the next few days. Womp womp.

Here's a glimpse at this last week, according to my phone. For those who follow me on instagram, this'll be a repeat, sorries. If you don't follow me and want to... @pienthesky

 I got to visit Shane & Shane's studio. Absolutely beautiful place!

I jarred some salsa (cause I'm an old lady and that's what I do)

I bought my first SAGU sweatshirt to represent my school

I had my night of worship!

 I finished up with the clarinet and am now onto the sax.

I recieved my announcements!

I took my senior photos and wore these pretty shoes^_^

I got my Beepart decal for my laptop. love.

I had a girl's night in celebration of my Pastor's wife's birthday

I sang at my very last Chorale concert. Ever.

I painted my nails with my lovely new Anthro nail polish

I decorated our Christmas tree in the music bldg's lobby

Productive and enjoyable, but sure am happy the weekend is upon us. Hope you have a lovely weekend and I'll be back soon! Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway below!!

xo.

Melisa

GIRL TALK // The True Gem

I'm sure many of you are aware of the awesomeness that is Moorea Seal, but in case you aren't, let me introduce you. Moorea is a highly talented jewelry designer and a member of the oh so lovely Freckled Nest Design Team! She is just as sweet and kind as ever too. I feel so lucky to have met her in this little blog world & I know you will just love her! 

What is your job title? Jewelry Designer, Small Business Owner, Illustrator, Blog Designer

What do you love about yourself?  I love that I am so much like my Dad, my Grandmother, and My Great Grandfather.  Compassion, Empathy, being true to yourself, determination, passion, and justice for others are all very important to my family. I love that I am strong willed and follow through with what I set my mind to.  I love that I never gave up on what I cared about during my life despite many years of bullying and teasing.  I love that I am strong.  and I love that loving others is so important to me.

Who Is your role model?  My grandmother passed away recently and she was my ultimate hero.  She was born in the 20s, and from an early age her father instilled in her that she wasn't just equal to men, she was something incredibly special, she was brilliant woman with a wise voice worth listening to.  She was SO intelligent, incredibly giving, and so determined to always be her best self.  She was a progressive woman far ahead of her time.  She was the first woman student body president at her university in the 1940s.  She was a teacher and a community activist.  She created the first "English As A Second Language" program in the United States and helped start the first 3 bilingual schools in the LA area.  The current ESL programs running across the country are based off of her original plan.  She was on the board of the Red Cross.  She was an incredible mother and wife.  She had impeccable style and believed in always presenting her best self to the world.  She was just incredible, and I'm not even idealizing her!  My dad said he never saw her make a mistake.  I think that is because she was so smart that she knew exactly how to turn problems and mistakes into situations that would benefit her and those she saw were in need.  What a woman.

What inspires you?  People who have been through many struggles but choose to always be positive and seek beauty even in the hardest aspects of life.  People who trust they always have something new to learn.  When it comes to my design work and jewelry design, I'm inspired by anything that feels fresh and new, progressive but with a reverence for the beauty of historical designs.

What are five words that describe you? Compassionate, Patient, Creative, Progressive, Encouraging

What is your biggest insecurity? The fear of appearing to be someone I am not. 

If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be and why?  I'd want to be my great-grandmother at the turn of the century, early 1900s.  She was a suffragette!  Go girl!

How lovely is she?? I love reading her blog because she truly is so very inspiring. Not only is she well spoken, but she is seriously talented! If you haven't visited her shop, trust me you need to! AND not only is she positively beautiful on the inside but she is just radiant in these photos, which were taken by Marissa Maharaj photography. I could go on and on about her, haha! Thank you Moorea for chatting with us! 

I hope you all  enjoyed today's Girl Talk! If you would like to be considered to be one of our Girl Talk ladies, send me an email! Hope you have a swell day^_^

xo.

Melisa