Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat!

Hey all!
I am so intermittent with my posts lately. Pretty much because this semester has been super duper busy. I've had alot going on personally too, which it starting to come to a halt, thank you Lord. I've done well despite everything. Finishing my last year of nursing with all super high marks. I'm owing it all to my great and mighty God who's given me all the strength in the world to persevere and pull through. I have one exam this semester and I plan on giving it my all. So, you probably won't hear from me until after the 8th of December.

I am excited of what is to come and of course I have Christmas to look forward to! Only 24 days left, according to the "Christmas Countdown" app on my iphone.

I managed to make it out to the Santa Clause parade our city puts off every year. In the past few years, I haven't been able to make it due to exams and whatnot. But since I only have one final this year and also as this may be the last year I'll be spending in my hometown in a while, I figured I'd get out and see it for that early nostalgic-feeling of Christmas. From the time I was 11 to 18, I've either been a dancer or a cheerleader in the parade. This was the first time since I was a child that I was a spectator in the parade. While it was freeeezzzinggg cold outside, it was a clear, bright and sunny day. Perfect for a Christmas parade.

Right before the start of the parade. I am silly (and frozen to death!)


Sensible one. Trying hard to keep my teeth from chattering. Brrr, brrr!


Me & Stink


Start of the Downtown Christmas Parade!


My old cheerleading squat from High School! (One of my best friends, Julia, is the coach)




My old dance group! What a creative idea :)




Parade is done, so now it's time to thaw off with a nice Candy Cane Hot Chocolate (Compliments of Second Cup! It's so pretty, I hardly wanted to drink it!)


Hope you all have a great start to the Christmas season! You will all hear from me in a week =)

Waiting for my real life to begin.

I cannot comment enough how strange this year has been. While alot of trials have come my way, I've learned alot of valuable life lessons. I'm an imperfect person living in an imperfect world filled with imperfect people. I know that God only expects me to try my best. He knows that I will fall, but it's no problem at all to pick myself up from where I left off and start over again until I get to where I need to be. It's a continuous and ever-winding road called life with ample of opportunities for detours, scenic routes and bumpy terrains. It all depends on the path in which I take. That choice is up to me.

As we approach this upcoming Christmas season, for me, it becomes more and more apparent as to why Christmas is so important. I need the greatest gift in the world, Jesus, so that I have the option to "pick myself up" when I fall and continue on my road of life. A beautiful journey which God has fashioned for me.

To be honest, I wasn't overly excited for Christmas at first. It seemed like after Halloween, the Christmas season just popped up before my eyes. After everything that's gone on this past year, it did take a while for me to process. But, I'm going to keep my spirits high. This could be my last Christmas with my family for a while since the Lord only knows where I'll be next year.

So, let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two because baby, Christmas is just around the corner :) This is a time to celebrate and be glad!

So, I only really got excited when I visited Bath & Body Works today. We've never had that store here where I'm from, so I was pumped to go in there for the first time in my hometown's mall.

Okay, can I just say, I'm not overly crazy about fancy bath products. I tend to stick to the basic, cheap stuff. But can I just say, I am OBSESSED about the candles. OHHH, the candles!

Someone better get these for me if they know what's good for them!! (I kid......maybe):

1. Winter Candy Apple



2. Vanilla Bean Noel (It smells like French vanilla yogurt!!)


Yum, yum!!

So, because of my excitement with primarily these two candles, I went home and made a batch of white chocolate, cranberry, and oatmeal cookies. De-lish!



Right now, my mom is gone for a couple weeks to the states, but I'm excited for her to come back to we can get ready for Christmas together. I'm also super pumped that my exams are done December 8th this year, which means, I have a whole MONTH off for Christmas vacation. :)

Each year I do a Christmas checklist. Here goes mine for this year:

1. Santa Clause Parade
2. Study for / get exams out of the way
3. Singing Christmas Tree at Church
4. Caroling around the hospital with the med school choir "Ultra Sound" (sooo serious!)
5. Christmas shopping
6. Watching Christmas movies / TV specials
7. Baking cookies
8. Warm, fuzzy and sparkly clothes
9. Decorating the tree/house
10. Christmas photoshoot?
11. Ice skating
12. Holiday specialty drinks at Starbucks
13. Buying gifts for the unfortunate
14. Remembering the real meaning of Christmas

...and there's more to come! I also have to start applying for jobs over the holidays. Eeek! Scary thought!!

Well, I'm off to work for the night. Have a safe and happy start to your holiday season! And for all my American friends reading this, Happy Thanksgiving :)

If God can bring you to it, He can bring you through it...

This is turning out to be the hardest year ever emotionally in my entire life. I have been let down so many times and have seen and suffered huge losses. Monday, I found out that my grandfather of 89 years had passed away. I know that he is in a better place and that it was simply "his time". My biggest regret is not getting the chance to see him right before he died. The last time I had visited him in England was the year 2007. Since then, he had developed dementia, so I'm unsure if he would have remembered me even if I had saw him more recently. I'll always remember my grandfather to be a happy and positive person with an unforgettable cheerful smile. His smile will forever stay in my heart. Grandpa always encouraged me to follow my dreams and would be the one to cheer me up the fastest when I was sad. "Have no fear, Granddad is always here". I have no fears, Grandpa's spirit is with me always and will give me the confidence to persevere and do the things he knows I'm capable of. I love you and miss you, Grandpa, always and forever.

Every time I see a bumble bee from now on, I will think of Grandpa as we used to call him "Grandpa Bee". A bright and buzzing bumble bee that works hard in life. That is exactly who my Grandpa was.



My best friend sent me this song after I told her about my grandfather's passing. Natasha always knows what will cheer me up and knew exactly how this song would bring me hope and encouragement for the future. Though these days may seem grey and gloomy, the light is at the end of the tunnel and I know that God will use these experiences to make me stronger.

Finally, I've posted!!

So, I haven't been blogging in a long, long time. I really apologize. There's been a lot going on. I've been busy / doing a lot of reflecting. I will write on that later, but tonight I want to just have a light, happy journal about fashion. I love, love fall fashion. I'll give you a small showing of everything that I've been wearing the past week :)

All thanks to polyvore.com for helping me replicate my outfits!

First of all, Halloween Weekend.I had a BLAST Halloween weekend! My costume came out beautifully. I really felt like the "belle of the ball" :)





This is what I used:

my halloween costume by evannahjoy featuring tasha hair accessories

Monday's outfit (Actual Halloween):

Halloween outfit by evannahjoy featuring a leather shoulder bag

Tuesday's Outfit (I had a presentation):

On-the-go Tuesdays by evannahjoy featuring high waisted skirts

Wednesday's Outfit - I went to see "Footloose" the night before, so cowboy boots were a must the day after!:

footloose inspired by evannahjoy featuring a crochet cardigan

Thursday's outfit - This would work as a great date outfit ;):

fall date by evannahjoy featuring a circle skirt

Friday's outfit:

outfit for fridayyy by evannahjoy featuring antique handbags

Saturday's outfit:

casual saturday night out by evannahjoy featuring western leather boots

Sunday's outfit:

slack sundays by evannahjoy featuring an oversized blazer

:)