road trips & dirty dancing

After 1352 miles and 22 hours of driving we finally made it! Since we made great time our first day driving, we decided to take a short detour to Niagara Falls in NY. My parents hadn't been there since an anniversary before I was born, and it was a first time experience for me. What an amazing sight to see!

Today concludes my first official day at college. As a traditional closer for us firsties, the school puts on a movie night, featuring Dirty Dancing in the auditorium. Watching a classic 80's chick flick in an auditorium filled with hundreds of excited young ladies is most definitely an experience. Whoops and hollers when slick Patrick Swayze enters the scene and loud cheers and whistles when Baby makes the first move. But nothing compares to the screams that erupt from everyone's mouths when we get to the best 5 seconds of the whole movie, cause "Baby's GOING TO MOUNT HOLYOKE IN THE FALL!"

Though today has been hectic with getting IDs and keys and moving all my stuff to the top floor of my dorm in 90 degree weather, it has been a wonderful journey so far. I have already met and reconnected with some pretty amazing young women from all over country (and the world!), and I know that my time here has only just started.

So let the adventure begin!

{packing}

One giant puzzle. That's what packing a car with my entire life feels like. Everything seems essential, and I do not trust shipping.
"Do you have to take your books?"
"Yep."
"Is bringing your cactus absolutely necessary?"
"Mhmm."
I ignored my family's attempts to explain that it was not physically possible to fit my many boxes of necessary crap into the car. BUT ALAS, IT HAS BEEN DONE.
Truthfully, I had my doubts about halfway through. But a bit of repackaging and reorganizing and the job was finished. Thankfully it didn't take as long as I thought it would; the heat and humidity got to me quickly. Walking outside felt like stepping into a lukewarm swimming pool.

{project completed}

These past few weeks I've felt so ready to move on to this new phase. The transition from high school to college has seemed so natural, and I couldn't be more excited for the independence and freedom coming my way. But my last day here in Minnesota has brought on the feels; neighbors, friends, and family members have all popped in to say goodbye and happy birthday, showering me with gifts, hugs and so much love. I realize how lucky I've been to grow up in such a caring environment, and it's inexplicably strange to think that tonight is my last night here for another 4.5 months. My brother is already planning his takeover of my room.

But at the same time, I know I really am ready to start my college journey at Mount Holyoke and become the confident, empowered woman that I have seen in each student and alum. I am ready to meet people from all over the world and make friendships that will last a lifetime. I am ready to pursue my academic passions and change the freaking world.
South Hadley, here I come!

{camille} Senior '15

So much variety on St. Anthony Main..we definitely took advantage of the quaint cafés, nooks in brightly colored buildings, bridges, ivy and graffiti covered walls. Welcome to your senior year, Camille!

{collaboration} practice makes perfect

Last week I explored all of the nooks and crannies of our little downtown Robbinsdale with fellow budding photographer, Aaron. Between his Canon and my Nikon, we had a bit of a language barrier, but we shared a few tips & tricks with each other as we both have senior shoots coming up. It was a nice treat to have my own smile captured!

july in instagram

1. arts & crafts with my girls across the street.
2. a bit of cookie patriotism. after frosting our fifth cookie, we got a bit more creative with our decorations: "MLK", "apple pie", "mystery meat", etc.
3. mother fell in love with yet another dog we can't have.
4. some more patriotism, feat. fruit.
5. soaking up some sun while reading a good book.
6. a BIG welcome home to Emma who was on a year long foreign exchange in Italy! check out a blog of her journey: The Italian Experience
7. a welcome to adulthood party with my favorite cookie making bud, celebrated with Indian food and 'walk through the art' outdoor festival in downtown minneapolis.
8. beautiful fireworks over a lake at Whizbang carnival.
9. a week of cat-sitting.
10. pool parties & adorable 10 yr olds.
11. beach day.
12. Vietnamese "pho". {yum x1000} But let's not talk about my chopstick skills, or lack thereof.
13. refer to previous post for details: Palestine
14. reunited with childhood friend Nicki at (probably) my last grad party of the summer.

diy // paper flowers

Fell in love with this diy featured on A Beautiful Mess the other day; they are so dainty and delicate! I'm jumping the gun on dorm decorating here...I still don't find out where and with whom I am living for at least another week. Crossing my fingers for one of the older (but still refurnished) Mount Holyoke dorm halls, though the antiquity and individual beauty is consistent in every one. Waiting so long to find out has been slightly irritating, but it's mostly because I cannot wait to make the space my own! Anyway, enjoy the craft and check back for more--I'm sure I'll continue to update once I'm moved in!

{original}

{my version}

>> placed on one of my handmade crochet doilies<<

Project by: 100 Layer Cake and Heart of Light. Videography: Scott Clark. Video editing: Buckshot Creative