endings lead to new beginnings

last weekend my youngest brother, austin, graduated from high school...
which means i am officially OLD!

it also meant that all of the fam was together again for the first time since xmas...
ian flew in from texas...
and laura and her bf flew in from connecticut...
and we spent the weekend celebrating!

it makes me soooo happy that my siblings and i all get along...
we basically just spent most of our time just laughing bc really when we get together it's just ridic...
as you will see in some of the pics below;)

and while it was SO amazing to see everyone it was also a little bittersweet
bc it was the last time that we would all be in the house that we grew up in together...
bc my fam (well parents and austin) are moving to texas...
(and that's a whole different blog post lol)

so while many things that are so familiar are coming to end,
i think everyone in my family is so excited for a fresh start
and new beginnings!














these "blue steel" pics are becoming a must have in our family...
we can't help it if we're really, really ridiculously good looking;)

be pretty~melis




a little reminder

some days are hard...
you feel lost...
or lonely...
or are just plain frustrated with life...

and then little things happen
that remind you...
that you're not lost...you are just finding your way.
that at times you may feel alone...but you are still loved.
and that yes, life is frustrating...which is why there is cake;)







so thank you to the girl at starbucks who drew a flower on my cup b/c i'm the girl that wears flowers in her hair...

and thank you to the random strangers that wrote happy notes in chalk along the sidewalk that put a smile on my face for four blocks...

and thank you to connie for bringing me pretty pink flowers...

and thank you universe...
for reminding me that everything will be ok.

be pretty~melis

bootcamp complete...check

a couple of months ago...
a little over 3 1/2 to be exact...
my boyfriend left for bootcamp.

and this past weekend,
after letters and a few phone calls,
crossing my fingers for pictures to be posted,
endless hours of wondering how he's doing,
trying my hardest to keep myself busy so i didn't think about the fact that i was living alone 
(and having to kill spiders by myself...ugh)
his bootcamp graduation finally came...

and i got to see his smiling face after over 100 days
and squeeze him tight:)

















the weekend was short, but sweet...
and sadly i had to board the plane by myself,
and say goodbye again, while he stays for another month for airborne training...
you know...jumping out of planes...
no big deal;)

so back to making meals for one,
leaving fabric piles all over the floor,
buying more girly things for our condo (bc there is no one there to stop me)
and sadly...still killing spiders *shudder*

be pretty~melis




a nautical engagement

last month the beautiful elise from
got married!!!

and then i realized i hadn't shared some of her stunning engagement photos with you!  
scott and elise had a nautical themed engagement shoot 
and i had so much fun making some navy and white pretties:)

the photos were taking by jillian zamora 
and the boat they had was the perfect nautical touch!!










are they not the cutest couple ever?!?!?!
i cannot wait to see their wedding pics...i know they will be magical!

and make sure to check out their new website,
if you're looking for new branding and marketing!
you might just see some mrd's there as well;)

congrats again to the happy couple!

be pretty~melis