Happily Dressed.

HOW YOU DRESS YOUR MIND, SPIRIT, AND BODY AFFECT THE WAY YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE. DO SO IN LIGHT, HAPPINESS, AND POSITIVITY AND WATCH HOW THE WORLD OPENS UP TO YOU.

[happilydressed-blog]

Becoming 19.

I recently turned 19 years old. Now, I’m going to admit that the 13 year old me didn’t even think I would make it to 18!

I hate the unknown, so since I couldn’t imagine myself at 18, I didn’t think it was going to happen. Well it did, and here I am a year later at 19. I remember back in my freshman year of high school, I had a conversation with my friend, Emily, about what the perfect age was. I said it was 17 because you feel more adult-like than 16, but you’re not treated like you’re an adult like 18 (so basically, you can still get away with stuff). I asked Emily what she thought. I think she agreed, but I do recall that we both said that 19 was the age that just kind of sucked. We labeled 19 as a limbo age. The reason we did that is because you’re not out of the teens yet, but you’ve passed 18 (the milestone teen year). So you have a year to kill.

Well now I’m changing that mindset. I believe my 19th year of life is going to be one of the greatest ever. I’m starting my second year of college, and I’m creating more connections than I’ve ever thought possible. Life after high school is honestly amazing. You truly find yourself when you’re taken out of your comfort zone and thrown into a new environment. Sometimes we need that reminder that life is what we make it. A reminder that your situation, whatever it may be, could be a lot worse. 

Give thanks for what you have, stop stressing about what you don’t have, and keep moving forward.

That one statement is the motto for me at 19. I tend to stress out about all the stuff I want to have and never really take the time to appreciate all the amazing things I do have: a close, tight-knit family (which is the best kind in my opinion), friends that would do anything for me and vise versa, and a drive to complete any idea that pops into my head (a trait my grandmother discovered and that my mom instilled in me).

B.

SO HERE’S TO 19, THE FUTURE, AND PROSPERITY.

Visor // Nike | Button Up // Forever 21 | T-Shirt // Forever 21 | Necklace // Topman | Jeans // Forever 21 | Shoes // Nike Air Max

[happilydressed-blog]

College Adventures: Daytona // Day 2

Today was much more enjoyable since it didn't start raining until 5 pm. We started the day off with an early trip to the beach.

As you can see, it was too early to have my eyes open! After the beach we walked around to local shops and ended up at Joe's Crab Shack for lunch.

The rest of the day consisted of alone time at the beach, a super long nap, and late night trips to the store to get food. Pizza is always the best food to bring people together.

B.

[happilydressed-blog]

College Adventures: Daytona // Day 1

The ride from Covington, Ga to Daytona, Fl was a long one, but eventually we made it to our destination! Here are a few pics from today's activities. It was also storming when we arrived, but it eventually got better. I’m actually happy it was a little gloomy because I got to wear the cool Nike jacket I found at Goodwill.

B.

[happilydressed-blog]

Bohemian Adventures. #OOTD

Shades // Forever21 Shirt // Forever21 Pants // American Eagle Watch // Forever21 Bag // Forever21 Shoes // Vans

Most of this is from Forever21 because I just ordered clothes from there and went a little overboard. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this look, and if you have any suggestions for what you'd like to see fashion-wise let me know in the comment section or through my social media.

B.

[happilydressed-blog]

A Beacon of Hope

Last week was one of the toughest weeks for me in school. If you watch my vlogs, then you'll know a lot of unfortunate things happened. Though last week was absolutely terrible, there was one event that took place that really opened my eyes to the world around me, the Red Bus Project. With Show Hope being their parent organization, the Red Bus Project is an organization that brings awareness to the needs of orphans. "Every 18 seconds a child becomes an orphan. We are not okay with that. Are you?" This huge, two-story bus is a mobile thrift store whose proceeds go back into advocating the assistance of those without a family. 

The Red Bus Project is Show Hope's college initiative team that goes around to different colleges to get people to be a part of the movement. The money made from students buying the clothes helps to send the bus to its various locations. If you want the amazing opportunity to have the Red Bus Project come to your school, all you have to do is visit there website, here. This bus reminded me that even on my darkest days, there are still things I can do to make a difference in my community. This bus not only symbolizes hope for orphans, but also that the smallest acts of kindness, such as utilizing their "Fill a Bucket for $5" deal, can greatly impact someone else's life. To see more pics of this double decker bus, click here. 

B.

[happilydressed-blog]

"Thank You, I Love You All!"

This past Thursday, I got to experience one of the best days of my life. For those of you who don't know, I'm a huge Jessie J fan, and I got to see her in concert. Though the wait outside was long and cold, my brother, sister, and I stuck through it together. To top it all off, we were in the very front and watched her perform an amazing show. Halfway through her show, after giving us a pitch-perfect performance of Burnin' Up, her recent single with 2 Chains, Jessie explained that she made herself a promise to never lip sync to her music, no matter how high the notes in her songs were. She then immediately made a joke about re-thinking that, but ended by saying her fans truly inspire her to keep pushing on and sing these big songs. This stuck out to me because quite the opposite was true as well, which she later acknowledged. She stated that her fans always tell her how much she has inspired them, and that we needed to know the respect was mutual. After a very high-energy, emotional, two-hour concert, she ended with her most popular song, Bang Bang, and left by saying, "Thank you, I love you all!"

Throughout this whole week, I've been thinking about how blessed I really am. To be free of the financial burden that is paying for college, working towards what I'm passionate about, and having incredible friends and family is honestly having it all, and I couldn't be more thankful. After the Jessie J concert, I realized that I have a lot of people to thank for the situation I am in today. These people, whether they have inspired me to be better or have been an important support system, never looked at me like some crazy guy on YouTube or as a boy whose dreams were unrealistic. Some of these people have been with me since middle school, and others have recently become a part of my life. Through their actions, they have influenced my life for the better, and I'm eternally grateful for that.

I wish I could name them all, but I think that would be almost impossible. If you've ever been a mentor, a friend, or an ear to listen this post is for you. Thank you for reminding me that life is short and to be enjoying every minute of it. Thank you for showing me how strong and independent a person can be. Thank you for helping me loosen up and stop being such a stick-in-the-mud. Thank you for telling me not only intellect determines how smart you can be. Thank you for taking me out of my comfort zone and pushing me to my limits. Thank you for enlightening me with your words of wisdom. Thank you all for being yourselves because that has shown me how to be myself. Thank you, I love you all.

B.

[happilydressed-blog]

It's All About Finding Your Passion

Over the past six months, I have learned so much about myself. Leaving home was a big deal for me because it was taking that first step into the real world. Home is where your values are set, but real life is where those values are tested. I was nervous that I would forget who I was and what I wanted to be if I left the place that influenced those same hopes and dreams. Needless to say, I was wrong. Coming to college amplified my aspirations and shined a new light on what it meant to have a passion.

Being nudged out of the nest is all about discovering your wings and soaring with them. Once you find what you are truly passionate about, embrace it and maximize it’s potential. Passion is something that motivates us like no other emotion. Passion is something that drives us to do the impossible.  With passion we build, create, and inspire. I’m passionate about showing others it’s okay not to fit into the crowd. It’s okay to do what makes you happy even if it goes against everything you’ve been taught. Those who conform to someone else’s image of who they should be are not living their life to the fullest and need to reevaluate what makes them happy. Of course, there are other factors that play into this such as money, but I truly believe, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

If you want something bad enough, go out there and get it, or at least start taking baby steps towards your goal(s). With my YouTube Channel and blog I hope to spread the ideas of self-acceptance and self-confidence. No one should feel like they are not worth anything. These are the baby steps I’m taking to achieve my goals. One day I wish to reach a larger audience and inspire them to be themselves, lay down the idea of outcasting, and to see people’s differences not as flaws, but as traits that make them unique.

I challenge you to go find something you’re passionate about and dive in head first. The rush you get when you’re doing something you love is indescribable and can also be therapeutic. Whenever I’m down, I can sing a song I really love or start writing out my thoughts and suddenly I don’t feel as bad anymore. It doesn’t matter if you love to sing, build, workout, dance, or just be a better you, it’s worth investing in because it’ll make your life so much more enjoyable. I promise.

B.

[happilydressed-blog]

The Little Things: Adventure in the City

It's always easier to go about life enjoying the little things versus waiting for big moments of happiness to occur. Thursday I was lucky enough to experience something that I say falls in between these two extremes, but leaning more towards "the little things."

I've grown up mostly in Covington, Georgia where there are only a few cool things to do and after those few pastimes are done, it can get quiet boring. While I'm there, the most exciting thing for me to do is either go to Walmart or Target with my brother and sister. I say this not as an insult, but because Atlanta is the exact opposite. There are so many things to do here; when I think I've done them all, I'm gladly mistaken and move on to my next adventure. Of course, all the things I do are, for the most part, are positive and don't negatively affect anyone around. There are even some instances when I retreat back to my natural state of not really doing much. I'm the kind of person who enjoys hanging out with friends and watching movies, so rarely will you see me out on the town at a ridiculous time at night.

On Thursday, though, I got the best of both worlds. (Shannon that was for you.)

A group of friends and I went to a cool place in town so I could take pictures for their blog. (Fairly Normal Girls, go check it out.) While we were there to take pictures in front of this colorful dot wall, I discovered an interesting fish mural right across from it. Now I know that sounds a little weird, but I promise it's worth a glance.

Being there with such great people and exploring more of Atlanta was the highlight of my week. After we were finished taking pictures, we went to this coffee shop (though I don't drink coffee) and caught up on lost time. Hailey, Shannon, Kristen and I use to have all our classes together last semester, but now I rarely see them. One exception to this is that I still see Kristen because we have a few classes together. She is also responsible for these great pictures.

Being happy is about knowing who to spend time with and how they affect your life. I can honestly say these girls, and the other good friends I've made in college have opened my mind to new possibilities and the beauty of this city.

B.