Life in an Instagram

Follow me on Instagram!  amandamleahy

1. Lazy day sweatshirt for my future school. I can't wait to graduate high school. 2. My beautiful, gorgeous, fantastic Misty who never fails to put a smile on my face. 3. Yet another nasty-weather day which required a big sweatshirt and braids. 4. My first attempt at actual beading-jewelry-making. I'd say it was a success! 5. Top knot bun from The Shine Project. 6. My early birthday graduation present ring from my family. I'm still in love with it.

It's quite apparent why I haven't posted an outfit lately, I haven't really put much thought into what I'm wearing because the weather has decided to hate us again. Hail, snow, wind, a little sun, and then rain. Yesterday power-lines fell on my friends house and she had to seek shelter at my place. So, as soon as the weather decides to at least be a little nicer- expect to see Amanda wearing nice clothes again!

The Grotto and a Quick Hairstyle

The day after the Mumford & Sons concert I went to go sing at the Grotto in Portland. After three hours of sleep and going to a rehearsal at 6:45 in the morning I was not feeling my best. In order to trick my brain I decided to do something quick with my hair. I got so many compliments on it, I figured why not share it with you. 

1. Grab the hair in the front (bangs) and start french braiding.

2. Continue the french braid along the side of your head until you almost reach the back.

3. At this point, stop french braiding, and just "regular" braid the remaining hair, letting the braid fall down, joining the rest of your hair.

Simple simple!

Every year around Christmas time my choir, RebelSingers, makes a trip to the Grotto in Portland to perform. The Grotto is a National Sanctuary built around a rock cave at the base of a cliff.You can read more about the Grotto at The Grotto Website. During the Holidays, they do a fantastic festival of lights, a petting zoo, choir performances, it's simply amazing.

We sing in the chapel, which has amazing acoustics and really is one of the coolest rooms to perform in. During one of our quieter songs, I heard someone sneeze, and thought nothing of it. The next day I learn that a kid threw up. I have never experienced that before, and I hope I never do again. I'm just glad I wasn't one of the unlucky victims that was hit. It makes me shudder still.

All in all it was a really fun night. I almost fell asleep a couple times on stage- but it was well worth it. It's sad to think that was my last year performing there...

French Braids and the Unexpected

Well today was kind of a crazy day. There were many surprises and I am trying to be as positive as I possibly can.

1. I woke up to having to complete a group members part of the project at six in the morning. Positive: I know I can write two sections of a cheat sheet in about five minutes if necessary.

2. It was absolutely freezing when I went outside and I wasn't expecting it. Positive: Cold weather= blankets, fireplaces, books, movies and cozy sweaters.

3. I hated how my french braid looked this morning, I hate my face. Positive: It pushed my comfort levels (aka my giant hair) and I got complimented on it multiple times. That makes me feel kinda stupid though...

3. There was some Oregon College Presentation that I didn't know about that happened at school. Positive: I got to hear more about OSU, and who doesn't need a little change in routine?

4. Who knows? There will probably be more craziness soon. Positive: I'm ready for it. Bring on the insanity.

I'm trying to get better at my french-braiding by they way. Do you have any magical tips besides just actually having skill that would help me out? I'd appreciate 'em!

Outfit: Crochet & Glasses

I hardly ever shop at Aeropostale any more. I used to buy everything there in middle school and I was convinced their clothes just weren't that great. Well, I am not afraid to admit I'm wrong. We went into an outlet store to get my sister jeans and they were having a bin sale. I got this crochet crop top for $3! I'm sorry that I doubted you Aeropostale, you do have some cute stuff...

It's finally looking like fall outside! It's a little overcast, a little chilly and it is drastically improving my mood. Weird? Just a little. I've been relaxing in sweats and fuzzy socks, drinking a pumpkin spice latte (of course) and reading all day. It's a beautiful thing.

I got my hair done yesterday and got blonde highlights for the first time since elementary school. (We don't talk about that because we tried highlights from a box. NEVER AGAIN.) It's not really a drastic change, only to me I guess. It lightened up all my hair and my lovely hairdresser said it was honey. She loved it, so that's good. I'll have to get some pictures soon!

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday. :) 

Evanna Lynch: Style Inspiration

It's Evanna Lynch's 20th birthday today! There could be no better day for me to talk all about her. Y'all probably recognize her from The Harry Potter movies as the actress who plays the completely eccentric and lovable Luna Lovegood.

{from here}

Besides the fact that I love the character of Luna and want to be like her- I also think that no actress could have portrayed her better than Evanna Lynch. Need I say that I want my hair to look just like hers? I'm on my way, even if I'm not blonde.

{from here}

This girl is effortlessly fabulous. Don't you just want to be her bestfriend? ...Or is that just me?

 {from here}

This picture needs no words. Except that I wish I had a make-up artist to do my make-up everyday.

{from here}

She looks good in Luna's crazy clothes and spectrespecs. That's what I call style. I still haven't reached that point where I feel completely comfortable in who am or what I wear. The way she portrayed Luna and the character herself are both inspiring to me. They both represent the whole "be yourself" thing. And I want her hair. Bad. I already said that? Oh well, it's true.

{from here}

She even looks good with dark hair! Is there anything that could make this girl look bad? I think not. Haha I think that's enough of my girl-crush. Who do you wish you could be- I mean be like?

None of these pictures are mine. If they are your pictures and you want them to disappear from here- just send me an e-mail.

Outfit: Mickey in the Forest

Remember when I said I lived in a forest?

Denim Vest: H&M 

Well do you believe me now? I decided to start with the first picture just for kicks. Like my mouse ears? :P

Haha, I absolutely love my backyard. I channeled my inner five-year old, which I sometimes think is my permanent mentality, through the original Mickey Mouse and my backyard. I spent so much time with my sister and our imaginations on many a sunny -and rainy- afternoon. Those will always be my most cherished childhood memories.

I am completely obsessed with side-braids now. I wear them all the time when I'm around the house and my hair is driving me crazy. Which is 99.9% of the time. And one of my bracelets is upside down- definitely just noticed that...

Oh well! Happy Thursday everyone! Never be afraid to act like a kid every once and a while... just make sure you're around people who love you no matter what. :)

Enter the Wrinkle In Time Vintage giveaway!

Award, Update and a Really "Special" Outfit

Thank you Sarah from The Dog Days are Over for giving me an award. My first award ever!

the rules:

1. thank the person that gave you the award and link back to them. 

2. post seven things about yourself

3. pass the love to 15 bloggers

4. let them know that they have received the award

1. I am only 5 feet tall but taller than both my mom and 21 year old sister.

2. I rode horses for over seven years and miss it dearly. 

3. I'm Second Generation American. I'm mostly Indonesian, Dutch, Irish and German.

4. I've lived in the same house for my whole life.

5. I'm never called by my real name in my house and have a trillion nicknames. Most common: Jones and Hobo.

6. I'm terrified of people in mascot costumes, salespeople and crowds. I will literally run away.

7. I once saved the life of a goat. I know, I'm a saint.

I've decided to set a goal for this here blog! Yay! Here it is: When I reach 100 followers I'm going to post an accent vlog. Cause I've always wanted to do one of those...

There is nothing special about this outfit- which is why it has been demoted in size. I just felt like throwing it in because my backyard looks pretty and sunny, turquoise is a pretty color and I liked my hair. Haha.

Summer Braid...that my hair actually likes

With a lack of better things to talk about- this is what you get. Hope you enjoy and if you don't well... uh...

Do you all love Ulta? I went into an Ulta store for the first time today and it was amazing. I would have spent so much time in there if my dad hadn't come along. He doesn't like to shop with my mom and I, can you even believe it?

Now on to the point of this post, the summer braid. I found it on garden of eden designs who found got the tutorial from Free People. Confused yet? Well don't be. I am always looking for new things to do with my usually uncontrollable hair- because usually they just don't work out. My hair hates me I swear. But this was shockingly easy. It's even kind of french-braid like, and I don't know how to french braid. Forgive how messy it is- it was my first try after all. You should try it- it's actually fun. Crazy. Watch the tutorial here and be sure to visit garden of eden designs too.

I went to the strawberry shortcake place again today and it's a beautiful day. I hope everyone is having a nice, pretty and relaxing Saturday!

I love my hair: spread [your] love project

Victoria over at garden of eden designs has declared this week, spread [your] love week to promote positive body image. People (including me) don't appreciate and love themselves enough. Every single person is beautiful and has a huge impact on the people in our lives.

That being said, I personally love my hair. Now, my hair and I have a strong love/hate relationship. When I was little my mom loved playing with my long curls. In middle school I remembering spending nights crying, wishing I had thin straight hair like all the popular girls and hopelessly attempting to straighten my hair every day.

Then in high school it hit me. I am myself, not the "popular girls". I began wearing what I wanted, doing the things I loved and I started wearing my hair natural, crazy, thick, curly. My hair is me, it's my heritage and I love it.

So, spread [your] love this week! I also think it would be nice to share what you love about the wonderful people in your life this week as well. We should always do that, but we all get a little distracted by life.

I also love my very talented best friend, who made me this ring. I lovelovelove it.

It's Wednesday, Wednesday, I gotta catch up on Wednesday!

Oh what a curse it is to actually care about school. Being the 4.0 student I am;  missing school stresses me out to the maximum levels of stress. I wish I could be one of those kids that skips school all the time and doesn't have the slightest care, I really would, but I just can't. It goes against every fiber of my extremely eager-to-please and loyal being. Goodness, I sound like a Labrador retriever.

I missed school yesterday to go to a choir festival. Which Rebel Singers did extremely well at by the way. The festival was great fun but returning to a day of school today, not so much.

The things I missed:

- A lab in AP Bio. Instant death.

- A movie in Economics. Not bad but I have to somehow know the answers for a worksheet..?

- A movie and who knows what else in my Advanced Literary Studies Class. Yay    confusion!

Not to mention all the work I got assigned today and its Junior/Senior Prom this weekend. 

...It's like I'm being punished. 

My hair. Goodness gracious. It was straight this morning but everyone knows it hails and snows in Spring time. Oh you didn't? Neither did I. Until today. I managed to keep a somewhat positive attitude though. Hoorah!

H&M is love. Plain and simple. I got this cardigan there and I adore it...actually I just adore everything there. Why are the stores so far away?

Well, it's almost Thursday which means its almost Friday, which means it's almost Saturday. HEY! I sound like Rebecca Black! Where's my fame and fortune?! Haha :)

Speaking of which, a mid-week present for you: My favorite parody of Friday. If you haven't seen the real thing yet...well look it up because I'm don't want it on here.