lately,

there's not many words I can find to begin this spell of words other than: hello, and wow. my goodness. it has been far too long.

the amount of change and abundance in love I had felt these past few months is exasperating — I've gone through the ringer with my health (all is fine now) which has left me feeling disenchanted with my old ways of thinking. no longer are the small tiffs that consumed my thoughts important, nor worthy of my time. no longer do I want to pass by the stranger sitting on the ground with a turned head. rather I'd like to smile, say hello, show warmth and welcome. I want to express to others how grateful I am to be alive, here, and present in this moment. I want to focus on the big things, not the miniscule. big in the sense of bigger than myself. spreading awareness, compassion, acceptance for all — I can't imagine doing anything better with my time. also big in the sense of letting go of fears, welcoming in creativity, and putting pen to paper, or brush to canvas. 

passion has been ignited in me once again and I am forever grateful to these deep feelings of desire to create. I know not everyone has them. for that I feel I must listen to that feeling and just do it without expecting validation or anything in return. it can take many forms: photographs, paintings, crafts, mixed media, and words. 

words. words are the form I fall back to most often, though I don't often share them with others. it's something I am working towards, though I'll continue with one less-private form, of this blog. I'm moving away from the old blog I had, and thinking of new names for it. there's a shift that has occurred within me, which pulls me towards a different idea and longing. directing the camera at my face is no longer desirable the way it used to be — though there will always be some of that, there's so much more I want to share. I am more than the clothes on my skin and the shoes on my feet. and I would like to release and show that.

bear valley, open air

some old photographs from a hike I did at the beginning of this summer out at bear valley. I've been away from social media for some time, as these past few months have been filled with such immense change. I've felt pain, sadness, sincere happiness and joy, and all the feelings between. but what I've felt the most in these few months is a change within myself. my true self, my soul, my joy, has peeked through from behind the walls I've built since childhood. these emotions are so new and foreign to my adult life, though they feel strangely familiar. familiar in a way that tells me, this is exactly where I am supposed to be. and this is exactly the person I have always been, deep within. it's so easy to live with a false identity, showing the outside world what we think we should be, stomping the flame of our souls true passion and desire.

by no means have I found the calling of life. but what I have found is a road that is slowly leading me towards that day where my heart fully opens, and I am able to let the light in. these past few months have led to a change. the handle has been turned, and the door has begun to crack open. some beams of light have begun to shine in. and I am so excited to keep walking down this path, discovering each day another piece of myself that was buried so long ago.

with gratitude,

danielle ♥ 

miscellany, 4.21

gold septum ring, braindrops // rings, madewell // jackelope necklace, madewell // collared necklace, jewelmint (forever ago) // watch, michael kors // blouse & leggings, romwe // shoes, vintage

Hello, and a happy belated Easter! Lately I've gotten back to mixing prints and colors, this outfit evident of such changes. A warm thank you to Romwe for the blouse and leggings —as a heads up if anyone is interested in these leggings, they are a bit sheer, thus I have to wrap a flannel or hoodie around my waist to avoid any skin shows. 

This semester at school has been hectic, my schedule filled hourly with tasks, commitments and classes. I'm doing my best to keep a clear and kind attitude, not forgetting to care for my creative side. I miss consistent blogging so much, and am hoping to begin posting here more once the semester ends in a few weeks. As always, thank you for reading. I hope you are doing well, and that your Spring season is filled with comfort & beauty. 

xox, danielle