Adios 2012...

you have been adventurous. 

2012 started with me attending college for a semester longer than I anticipated, but little did I know what God had in store for me.

For the first time, I enjoyed school, church, and work.

I was enjoying the friendships that I made along the way, and preparing for huge changes that the summer had in store for me.
It's like going to camp...you really start yo enjoy it right before you leave. 

This year I had the opportunity to serve in my first mission trip outside of the states. 

Guatemala changed my life. 

I have made friendships that contain intimacy and understanding that no other friendships can relate to. 

I gained a love for a country and an itch to get back. 

GUATY PARTY FOR LIFE.

I also ran a 5k with all my sisters, and not just any 5k...the COLOR RUN! 

we had so much fun. 

You really start to like your sisters more when you get older and move away.

Seriously, it's mot a myth. 

We are not much for emotions, but I really love my sisters and miss them a lot. 

We are the coolest, prettiest, funniest girls I know. 

2012 was the year of great change for me. Within a span of 3 months I moved to Texas, Married my best friend and graduated college. 

say it with me... WHOA!

I celebrated marriage with my best friends next to me. Visited the beautiful Jamaica and graduated from Kennesaw State University in style while working at summer camp in Glen Rose, Texas. 

I also fed a giraffe. It was a dream come true. They are my favorite animal.

I am obsessed.

My husband and I drove the Texas-Georgia trip 3 times this year. 

We enjoyed lots of quality time together. 

We love road trips. They are kind of our thing. 

We got our first plant. 

I started this sweet blog.

It has been fun. I love forward to getting better at it.

This year I learned how to love stronger, forgive more, and make the most of many things. 

There were good time and bad.

happy and sad.

hellos and goodbyes.

Tear of joy and tears of sadness.

Learning and teaching.

Missing friends and sweet reunions. 

In and out of comfort zones.

and the changing of my last name. 

2012 has been a whirlwind of change. 

Some days I like it and some days I don't.

It's life. 

To 2013,

I hope to regain my passion for fitness which I somehow lost in my move to Texas.

I will learn how to use my sewing machine and be super cool at making things for my friends, family...and myself. I hope to grow in my relationship with my husband and my savior. I will achieve great things in my career. Learn what I want to do with my life, and do it. I will make new friends and stay close to my old ones. They will always be the best friends EVER. I will make the best of what I got, then I will make it even better. 2013, treat me kindly. I think I deserve it. 

Happy New Year,

Mrs. Peach

Same Dress, Two ways.

I am obsessed with my black and white stripe dress that i scored for 10 bucks at cotton on. 

I want to wear it everyday.

It is so comfy and so easy to accessorize.

Plus it is good all year round. 

So expect this dress to be blogged 23467284 times. 

Spring. Summer. Fall. Winter. 

Church Clothes:

Christmas Eve in Buffalo, TX:

Same Dress, Same Tights, Different Look.

Originally I wanted to wear black tights, but I seemed to have left my only pair in Georgia. 

I also planned to wear a more Christmas plaid scarf, but it was nowhere to be found. Probably also in Georgia. 

But I still call both looks a success. 

I cannot wait to wear this dress again.

TEN BUCKS!

are you kidding me?

Christmas Light Tunnel

In addition to celebrating my brother in-laws birthday at Cheesecake factory, We also took advantage of a local groupon deal and checked out the Grand Prarie Lights. 

It was an hour and a half wait to pure magical Christmas light bliss. 

The best part was the tunnel of lights at the end. 

I was like a little kid full of Christmas Joy!!!!

I thought everyone should be able to experience this excellence, so I took a video...

Enjoy.

a fashion update and some friendly advice.

Lately I have been slightly obsessed with pattern mixing. I just recently figured out how to make it work for me and now I can't stop.

If you follow me on instagram you have seen a few examples such as these:

On Wednesday my family went out for my brother in-laws birthday. 

I put my pattern power to good use. 

my pants are from old navy and my shoes are steve madden. 

I have seen some good and bad pattern mixing, so I decided I would share some tips to help you look trendy and not tacky. 

1. Do not mix too many patterns. 2 is plenty. You can sometimes get away with three if one is an accessory. 

2. One bold pattern MAX. multiple subtle patterns are good. one bold and one subtle is good. multiple bolds are not good. 

3. Pick a statement piece in your outfit and work around it. 

4. You don't want 2 identical patterns. double strips and dots are ok, but have them contrast in size or color. 

5. Easiest way to start...pick one item (leopard flats) and use it over and over. 

BONUS:

Simple, speedy hair tutorial.

You may have noticed my fishtale wave label in my OTD picture...

I tend to curl my hair many different ways, but this one is one of the easiest for loose natural waves. 

I had to work all morning and knew I would not have much time to get ready for dinner. 

I wore my hair in a fish tale braid to work and when I was getting ready I took the braid out and touched up a few pieces with my wand. 

You can also get this look by wearing your fish tale to bed and taking it out in the morning. 

Make sure your hair is dry or almost dry when you braid it. You may also want to spray your hair with dry shampoo or some curling gel before you braid it. 

Curl straight pieces that may have fallen out of the braid and pieces around your face. 

Hair spray and you're done!

6 months.

It seems like just yesterday all my friends and family were in Texas to celebrate and be a part of Our wedding. It was a blast. I want to do it all over again. Six months ago today Kell and I became Mr. and Mrs. It hasn't gone exactly how we may have wanted or planned, but I wouldn't trade a single day. Kell is my soul mate. My main squeeze. My best friend. The one man I always ALWAYS dreamed of marrying, and sometimes it is still hard to believe that my dream came true. There is no one else I would rather do life with. The good and the bad. I am so blessed that he is the one that will forever be by my side. 

Summer 2010- We fell in love. 

October 2010: I said "YES!"

June 2012- We said "I DO!"

December 2012: We are still CRAZY in love. 

The Countdown Begins.

It's the most wonderful time of year!

25 days of Christmas on ABC Family is starting now!

You can find the complete schedule here.

Love,

The Raines/Daniel Family