Polka Dots and Pink Shorts

Shirt: AE // Sweater: Target // Shorts: TJmaxx

Bows and Pleats

 Shirt H&M // Skirt, bracelets, necklace: F21

2013 | Just Live

Living. It has sort of been an overarching motto in my life. Not just because of the obvious reason, that I am a living, breathing human being. I've always known that my life was made for more than just existing. For coasting through the day to day life without a purpose. I think everyone has a purpose, whether we accept and accomplish it or not, we have a meaning. We are here for more than just taking up oxygen. Just the fact that you were born has caused a whole chain of other events. Some people might not exist if it weren't for you. Everyone's life would be different if it weren't for you. For me. For us.

I have a tattoo on my back that says ζήοτε, meaning you shall live, or more accurately it means you must live in Greek. (Since I don't personally know greek I did have it translated by two different people who have studied Greek for years. I could also have the exact letters wrong above, that is just what it looks like in my mirror.)

The point is that I have been focusing my whole life on learning what it means to live and I think I'm finally starting to figure it out, at least as best as any twenty-something girl can.

So with that, I am leaving 2012 behind. Probably one of the best years in my life, in so many ways. I started this year a bit broken and confused. I started it mourning the loss of friendships. Drenched in insecurity. I was still unsure of where life was going to take me. But I did start it with hope. I knew things could change, and sure enough they did.

My "New Year's resolution", if you'd like to call it that, is just to further learn to Live Healthy. Which doesn't mean to go on a diet and loose a bunch of weight. To me it means to be conscience of what I put in my body, to be active, and to be at peace with who I am and the friends and family I am surrounded by. To accept and love myself where I am at, and to continually work towards positive change. To not fear the things which I have no control over.

If 2012 was a year of change, then 2013 will be a year of acceptance, love, peace, friendships, family, and accomplishment.

This new year doesn't have to mean "clean slate" "start new" "start fresh" it can mean building upon what has already been accomplished. It can mean another year to accomplish our goals and live our lives to the fullest.

Happy new year everyone!

Be safe!

DIY glittered candle holders

New adventures

Welcome to my new blog, Level and Lace.

This is my second blog and a new project that I decided to start working on.

My other blog Knowing Tanya has been about just about anything I can think of, up until now.

This new blog will be focusing specifically on style and design.

All of my fashion posts, diy projects, building projects, and home decor will all go here.

Anything related to styling.

My other blog will remain dedicated to anything I have on my heart,

while this place will be my creative outlet.

Follow along and enjoy!

An anniversary of sorts

Four years ago we had a crazy snow and ice storm here.

I spent the day with my biggest crush and his friends who were hosting an all day Star Wars marathon... (yep, nerds.)

A few movies in I ended up on a walk, holding hands and covered in icicles, with someone who made me laugh more than anyone I had ever met. That was the first day I started dating the last boyfriend I would ever have.

I can't believe how quickly time passes. How every day I longed to be in that man's arms. Then suddenly one day I was, and have spent nearly everyday in them since.

He drives me crazy all the time, but I love him. I love that he challenges me, and that he doesn't just do everything I want him to do. I love that he pushes me to be more productive, to have stronger character, to not be afraid of everything in this scary world. I love that he holds me and makes me feel safe, maybe for the first time in my life. He reminds me that we can't live our lives in fear.

I feel lucky just to know this man.

Thanks for being so incredibly awesome, Huz. And for carrying my hair ties around in your pocket just incase I need one. Every day with you is a blessing. :]

My grinchy ways

I'm really not one to carry on traditions simply for traditions sake. Call me a grinch, but I just like to be different sometimes. If you tell me to do something, chances are I wont want to do it simply because I want to make my own choices. All you have to say to turn me off to an idea is, "But you have to, it won't be [fill in the blank] with out one."

For example:

Christmas trees.

Alex and I were not all about the Christmas tree tradition. We just didn't see the point in doing all that work just to have a tree in the house for a month and then have to throw it out. "But you have to have a Christmas tree! It won't be Christmas without a tree!!" 

And thus, our non-tree home idea was born. 

But if you follow me on instagram, you know that this year I was out the the weekend after Thanksgiving getting my tree. Just like all the other die hard Christmas people. And from my pictures you know that there is nothing I have loved more than my tree these last few weeks.

It turns out there are just some traditions that I have come to fall in love with all on my own.

Like Christmas trees.

Last year, I caved and decided to test out getting a tree, and that was all the convincing I needed. There is nothing like having your very own tree. To cut down, to make room for, and to decorate.

In love I fell with that one little tree, and I will get a tree from here on out.

And now I'm caving on my no Christmas card plans...

As much as I feel like they might be pointless, I love getting all those cards in the mail. I love being able to display them. To see that our friends and family love us and want to shower us with some of those kind words.

Yeah, maybe they aren't personal. Maybe they don't have hand written messages (all the time). Maybe the same card gets sent to everyone. But dang it, I love them. And who on earth has the time and energy to write messages to everyone they know? Because I sure don't.

Thus my Grinchy ways are dying, one by one.

And this year I actually wanted to send out Christmas cards of my own. Yep, for the first time.

Unfortunately, with our nearly non-existent Christmas budget, I'm still trying to figure out if we even have the money for that this year.

To friends and family, if you don't get a card in the mail, take this as a card from us this year!

Hopefully next year we can send cards to everyone!

How do you feel about traditions?