something that makes you happy

This face. My Lola Bean.

“A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?"
-- Marley & Me

a favorite word

I don't think I need to say but to explain why I love this word. Anyone who knows me, knows why it's my favorite. This word defines the place in my life I'm in right now. I'm not sure where I'm headed. I'm a wanderer. But, I'm alright with it.

something you do everyday

Communication is incredibly important to me. I am constantly looking for more time, more ways to connect with the people I love. Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, FaceTime, text, call... My iPhone allows me to do precisely that. Even when I'm abroad and am unable to use my iPhone's cellular data, it still contains a camera that takes high quality photos and videos and applications to edit those photos without needing a WiFi network. Last but not least, it holds thousands of my favorite songs so I can sing along to the music no matter where I am. Hopelessly addicted, Apple obsessed.

a smell you adore

It's funny. Upon seeing this photo-a-day theme, no smell came to mind. Instead, an expression did.

Stop and smell the roses.

'Stop and smell the roses' is a widely used cliché in the English language. It's exact origin is unknown, although believed to have originated within the United States around 100 years ago. A variant of this phrase was misquoted by golfer Walter Hagen that appeared in the 1956 book "The Walter Hagen Story" where he urged people to stop and smell the flowers. It was also the title of an album by Ringo Starr in 1981. Wherever it came from, and however misquoted it may be, the meaning is the same. Take the time to appreciate a situation or to slow down and pay attention to what is going on around you. Take a few minutes for yourself each day. Stop being so busy that you forget to take the time to enjoy the pleasures that this beautiful life has to offer you.

someone that inspires you

{inspire}: verb.
To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence.

I didn't even have to think twice when deciding whose picture I would post today. The amount of influence my Dad has place on my life is indescribable. He was my hero, my best friend, and now my angel. Since he passed, he has become my biggest source of inspiration. Words will not do this justice to explain, but somehow, the fact that he is no longer here drives me to be a better person - a woman he would be proud to call his daughter. On all big life decisions, I always ask myself... "What would he think? Would he support this?" If I think he wouldn't, I have my answer. My Dad gave me the best give a parent could ever give to their child, he believed in me. There are so many things I question in the world, but I am thankful that my fathers love was never one of them. It was always there, and I'll carry it with me until we meet again. Rest in Paradise.

you

This is probably my favorite picture of me taken while I was traveling throughout Southeast Asia last year. The photo was taken on Klong Khong Beach, a few steps from my accommodations on the island of Ko Lanta. Thailand was amazing! The culture, the people, even the food (once you got over the effects it had on your bowel movements). This candid picture makes me happy. It was taken right after breakfast one morning, without me even noticing. You can even see me putting my hair back into a ponytail as I step into the ocean to cool off. It captures the beauty of doing nothing, the freedom and tranquility that result from having no where to be and no one to answer to.

Paradise.

bird

The beauty of this #photoadaymay activity is that it leaves a lot of room for interpretation. Someone might take the word bird and translate it literally to an animal that flies. Another might automatically think of flipping someone off or "giving them the bird". This Cinco de Mayo, found me on a chartered jet to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. We were traveling by means of a mechanical bird flying in the sky. I couldn't help but think of how this plane had an incredible birds eye view of the grounds below us so I snapped a photo of the cockpit and... Task complete!

fun

{fun}: noun.
1. A source of enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure
2. Enjoyment; amusement
3. Playful, often noisy, activity

When I think of #fun, a picture of my friends automatically pops up in my mind. Good times and good friends are like peanut butter and jelly, they go hand-in-hand. This picture was taken on the last girls trip we took to Scottsdale this January. The weekend was filled with yummy food, delicious drinks, and a whole lot of laughter. All of the #fun a girl could ask for!

"The best of memories come from the best of times, which can only come from the best of friends."

I love you guys. ♥

something you wore today

All of the extra time on my hands has only fed my blogging and pinterest addiction further. This in turn, as only led to me constantly searching through blogs for fashion inspiration. (Favorite of which include Atlantic-Pacific, What Courtney Wore, and Yurkstyle.) While there are many looks I adore, there are some I simply can't pull off. However, I am always trying to push my personal fashion boundaries. Latest of which would be what I can only refer to as "Coachella Chic". Now this 'fit is a little tame for Coachella, but like I said, I'm looking for inspiration. I have started trying to incorporate a little funk, a little edge, and channel my inner hippie. While remaining true to my comfort zone of neutrals, I have accomplished this new funk by way of accessories. Jewelry pieces, a belt, the right shoe... These items can transform a dull and unmemorable look to one strangers actually compliment you on.

{Sweater: Urban Outfitters $30. Necklace: Forever 21 $5. Ring: Forever 21 $4. Leather Bracelet: Nordstrom Rack $16. Studded Shorts: Etsy.com $60. Animal Print Belt: Target $13. Booties: Steve Madden, DSW $80.}

skyline

I suppose I could have snapped a pic of the Oklahoma clouds surrounding me but when I think of skylines, I think bright lights, big city. Singapore's skyline encompasses both of those things. I took this photo while traveling through Southeast Asia for 6 weeks last April. Singapore seemed a little out of place amongst all the other third world countries I was visiting. Maybe it was the contrast that made it seem that much more spectacular. Regardless, Singapore was a beautiful and CLEAN city. Singapore is home to over 4,300 high rise buildings, 49 of those being skyscrapers that rise higher than 140 metres. For such a small country, this city has mass appeal. Or maybe it's just me. Then again, having a mall on virtually every corner might just have that kind of effect on a girl with a serious retail therapy problem.

peace ☮

There are many definitions of peace. But the definition to most adequately fit this photo was the following...

{peace}: noun.
A state of tranquillity or quiet

I took this picture just before I moved from San Diego. It was a beautiful, quiet sunset and very few people were around to enjoy it. (Not typical for Pacific Beach around this time.) I was with my sister and there just seemed to be this since of calm around us. No wind, no noise. Just calm. We walked up to this lone bench and simply sat down and watched the sun go down as the waves crashed into the sand. We didn't talk. We just sat. We were both at ease, at peace. We both had so much going on in our heads, enough to ruin this moment with words but we didn't. We just sat back and took in all the beauty the Pacific Ocean had to offer us.

life through a lens {photo a day in may}

In honor of this transitional month between Spring and Summer, I have decided to take on the "Photo a Day May" challenge, where I will post one photo a day according to a certain theme. Staying creative and keeping both an open eye and open mind to all of the everyday beauty that surrounds us all. I will be publishing my photos both on my Blogspot and on my Instagram so you if you are not already, follow me @alligee :)

Here is our task at hand. I invite you all to join in and post what you think best represents the theme of each day. When you post, don't forget to add #photoadaymay so everyone can search for it! Let the creativity begin!