To put it mildy

A few shots of my humanitarian trip to the AZ Navajo Reservation. I have so, so much to share about the trip, and hopefully I will have time this weekend to put all of my thoughts into a blog! My heart is full from the week and I could talk for hours (just ask my boyfriend). It was an amazing week of serving with a joyful heart & taking in with an open mind. xoxo Charity

until we meet again

and I'm off!
I am about to sleep for a little under 3 hours & then make my way to the airport for our mission trip to the Navajo reservation in Northeastern Arizona. I won't have access to a computer until next Saturday, so I will have plenty to share!
Everyone on my trip and the other three (Pittsburgh, Portland, & the Dominican Republic) will be live blogging via test message on Tumblr throughout the week, so you can follow us there! It's a really cool idea that we are trying out for the first time. Follow us at http://missions.theinnministries.org/
Au revoir~! love love & love

all in a day's work

I've seen a few other bloggers do posts where they take a picture of their day every hour, so I decided to do it today - unfortunately, my day was pretty lazy which may translate to boring through photos. Also, my timing was off a bit...but I had fun!

9:30 am: coffee time with my pup.

10:45 am: breakfast with my brother.

12:05 pm: lazing around with Ral.

1:00 pm: show & tell with my other brother.

2:00 pm: last minute shopping for travel necessities!

3:00 pm: painting my nails while the boys watch youtube vids.

4:00 pm: made an iced mocha to attempt not to nap in the sun like my cat...it didn't work.

5:00 pm: outside! Spring is seriously coming.

7:oo pm: mix cds for our 5 hour drive from Phoenix airport to the reservation.

8:30 pm: attempting/beginning to pack. I absolutely HATE packing, so I have to pace myself.

9:30 pm: cookies, milk, and conversation with my mom.

10:15 pm: more packing - gathering essentials i.e. COFFEE.

and now I blogblogblog & watch What Not to Wear with my puppy. Big day tomorrow!

chocolate for days!

I found this recipe for Double Chocolate Almond Cookies at A Singleton in the Kitchen & thought it looked absolutely delicious! As always happens when I stay at my parent's house, I was eager to bake yesterday so I made these for my family. My skinny mini older brother was visiting from Seattle, so I made him eat a ton of them (not that it was hard - they are so so good!) If you're a chocolate person, make these asap - they're really easy. Just be careful not to overcook them, because it's hard to tell when they are done. My advice: take them out just before you think they look ready. And make sure you have milk on hand. And, check your face for melted chocolate after eating one.

prep for summer step 1: hair did!

Right before getting it cut/dyed: so so nervous!

After: so happy with it!
I've been growing my hair out for three years, so I was definitely ready to chop it off - but I got so nervous right before cutting it! My boyfriend's mom is a hairdresser, so she did it for me, and I love it. It feels bouncy, healthy, and fresh! I'm just waiting to see how it will look next week on the Navajo reservation where we won't be able to shower for a week...

"big hair small wallet" - yes plz!

I found this hair tutorial on making your hair big and wavy over at Orchid Grey (who I knew I would love as soon as I saw that her tagline is "big hair small wallet"). You can read the instructions on her blog, but basically you blow dry your hair, leaving it a little damp, and twist it into two little buns after putting some sort of holding hair product in it. I left it in for a little longer than she says (about 40 minutes) but I was happy with how it turned out! It made natural waves without having to use my much-abused curling iron.

after: big, wavy, happy hair!

my first quiche

Last week, I took a break from studying to make my first quiche! My mom had made an extra pie crust while I was home last weekend, so she sent it back up to Bellingham with me and I filled it with eggs, milk, chedder & mozzerela, and sauteed spinach, mushrooms, onions, & bacon - and a good amount of salt and pepper. Served with a spoonful of sour cream and a hot mug of coffee, it made several delicious breakfasts last week. So yum!

Snapshots of home.

a quick note before bed

Quick update:

- I can't stop thinking & praying about the on-going tragedy happening in Japan. If you're able (and I'm sure you are!) text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10, added to your phone bill. Do that instead of going to a movie this weekend - the very, very, very, VERY least we can do.
- As of 5:30pm today, I am done with finals. After hours upon hours spent in the library, countless cups of coffee, and stress for days, I can breathe easily (at least academically speaking) for the next two weeks! It feels so good to be done - I finally got to clean my room & do my laundry...exciting stuff, right?

- I leave to do humanitarian work on a Navajo Reservation in just FOUR DAYS! I tried to pack some tonight, but have already given up...packing is not my strong point. But no matter what, I will be at the airport at 4:45 am Saturday morning (ouch). I cannot wait to be immersed in a culture that is completely new to me - so much to see and learn! I will have a ton of photos, I'm sure.

- I have a ton of pictures/thoughts that need to be blogged - luckily, I get to spend the next four days relaxing at my parents' house, so stay tuned for tons of upcoming posts.

Also, it is avacado season again! I made the best guacamole the other day, and it tasted like summer.

a family that styles together, stays together

How chic and adorable is this family? I just stumbled upon bleubird vintage and already want to be her when I grow up.

Looks for Spring

Above four: Modcloth

Skirt: American Apparel

Above four: Urban Outfitters

Above six: Forever 21

Spring time = floral, pastels, a romantic 70s feel, long skirts, and either really slouchy or really tailored denim. Bring it on!