THE BEST OF 2016

LIFE IS GOOD 

I'm am really excited for New Years to come, and honestly I cannot wait for 2017. I have so much coming up that I've been waiting for a long time now. Okay, I'll try to contain myself - let's recap 2016! 

This year has been such a great one! I love having this space to recall all my memories, and special moments for my creative juices. I was able to overcome many fears and worries. My new year resolutions were one's that I completed, and enjoyed because they were realistic and specific for my lifestyle. I read up to 4 books for enjoyment, journaled more often, joined a gym, and tried something new with my hair. In 2016 I had the opportunity to explore a new U.S. state - Oregon! And, I had a wonderful family vacation this summer with my family. So grateful for 2016 and the memories I will always have. 

I have collected together some of my favorite posts from 2016, as a roundup in case you missed them the first time around. You can click on any picture in this post and it'll take you through to the original post. And, of course these happened to be your top choices too! Thank you all for your continual support of ABH, it means a lot. 

LIFE STUFF 

This year I really tried new things, and concentrated on myself a little bit more. As usual, I tend to be personal here on the blog and this year I think I conquered that goal very well, as all of my posts about my life below are literally a peek into my world and feelings!

My favorite of them all, has to be my bedroom tour! I should have waited for my new camera lens to shoot my room, but I still love the way it turned out.

HAVE A LOOK...

BEDROOM TOUR / WHAT HIGH SCHOOL TAUGHT ME / PODCASTS I LOVE / A NEW LAYOUT FOR A BEAUTIFUL HEART 4.0 / FAVORITE SONGS AT THE MOMENT

TRAVEL

My favorite thing in the world is exploring new adventures! This year I visited Oregon for the first time to be with my best friend whose at college up there, and Hume Lake for a family vacation. No matter where it is, these traveling moments are what I live for, and mean the most to me. 

LET'S GO TO...

PORTLAND TRAVEL GUIDE / ORGEON COFFEE HOUSE / GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY / HUME LAKE CHRISTIAN CAMPS / SUCCULENT CAFE

TIPS + ADVICE 

This is personally my favorite type of posts to put together and brainstorm about. My blog is full of these lifestyle tips, so I pulled out my top five favorite ones! The one I absolutely loved was my friendship series, plus it got a lot of attention from you guys, which always makes me happy! 

TOP FIVE... 

MY BESTIE LIVES FAR AWAY/ HELP A DOWN AND OUT FRIEND / 5 THINGS TO MAKE MORE TIME FOR / HOW I PLAN FOR BLOG POSTS / HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR READY FOR A PUPPY /

COFFEE TALK 

Yay! Time to bring out my favorites, the coffee talk series! It's actually so sad, I only have two posts out of the whole year in this series, but I suppose that's because I like to think and figure things out before I vent out every feeling and sidetrack thought I have for the entire web to read.

Next year, I'm really hoping to give this series more time + level of importance because it truly is my most liked by you guys, and of course myself.

TAKE A SIP...

UNIVERSITY ENVY / DAYDREAMER

BEAUTY + HAIR 

It's so sad because I really haven't posted much beauty or hair related posts like I have in the past. I barely reached five this year. Crazy! I really love spoiling myself with beauty products, and me-time rituals, but they never made it to the blog this year. So let's hope I actually try harder for 2017.

My absolutely favorite beauty post was how to use coconut oil into your everyday beauty routine, because it's something I dab into everyday! It's hard to keep up with beauty routines, I mean there are thousands that work for everybody, but coconut oil is one that truly works, and has stayed with me for years!

MORE BEAUTY BITS...

HOW TO USE COCONUT OIL INTO YOUR EVERYDAY ROUTINE / DIY PUMPKIN LATTE SUGAR SCRUB / BEAUTY GUIDE FOR YOUR BESTIE / MY NUMBER ONE HAIR PRODUCT 

OUTFITS 

Again, not too much for these bad boys either! My style isn't anything to brag about, or show off these days. I keep it simple, and comfy. Of course, whenever I try a new coffee shop and add it to my coffee diary series then, it turns into a photo shoot.

NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE...

BLACK TEE THREE / AUGIES COFFEE ROSTERS / FALLING FOR YOU / THE BEAN /

LOOKING FORWARD 

So 2017 is going to be a big one, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Of course, I hope to really be on my blogging game, and blog more often during my weeks (hopefully). I love blogging, and I am so grateful for this space which allows me to share my love for all things creative.

If you have any comments or things you'd like to see in 2017 on the blog, let me know below! Look out for my New Year's Resolution's along with I am inspiring for upcoming posts in the future. Bring on 2017 eh? xoxo.

MY COZY WEEKEND ROUTINE | HOLIDAY EDITION

ME-TIME  

I take relaxing pretty seriously, and over the years I have adapted a few rituals that I love. My surrounding mean a lot to me, and there are many items I keep by my bedside at all times. Since my room is now all winter wonderland with pops of red, hence the holiday edition, I thought I'd break out a YouTube inspired post - my weekend routine. 

I know we all are addicted to Netflix and chill (as they say), which I include at the bottom, but I try not to spend my complete down time in front of the screen. In this post, I share a few ways I make my cozy weekends more special and distinct from the rest of the week! 

PEPPERMINT CANDLES 

You guys know how much I love my candles, and every season I always bring them out for every holiday. I've had this twisted peppermint candle from Bath & Body Works for over two years now, and I barely used it within that time (sad right?).

BRING OUT THE TREE

The first thing I did was decorate my entire room with Christmas decorations. The tree, fairy lights, snow globes, glittered pine cones, tiny Christmas trees, and the holiday scented candles. There are still a few things I wish I had more of, but it does the job, plus Target is sort of expensive when (like me) you are starting from scratch with everything Christmas. Simple touches that remind of the season, is all I need. Unlike fall, Christmas only lasts one month, so I'm sure next year I'll add more to my collection, like Christmas pillows!! You cannot go Target crazy in just one year right? (okay, maybe so - haha!). 

WARM COOKIES 

I tend to skip breakfast, and opt for snacks instead because let's be real, sleeping in is the real priority on the weekends. Because I cannot have coffee, or hot chocolate because of my chronic migraines, I pretend to be British, and drink tea instead.


Every Christmas my mom makes the best chocolate chip cookies from Nestle Tool House. Of course chocolate could not be left out of my cozy weekend! Any special treats you make for the holidays? I really would love to decorate some sugar cookies for the season, because we just picked up some adorable cookie cutters! Let's hope I manage to do that before Christmas ends haha.

CHRISTMAS MOVIES 

Netflix of course had to be apart of this post at some point, considering it's what's on in the background (almost) every night while I blog, or check up on emails. There is so many things I watch on Netflix because I have yet purchased a DVD player, so everything I recommend to watch this holiday season, can be found on Netflix! You're welcome.

Some of these are Christmas, some are just awesome shows that released this holiday season; Fuller House season 2, The Crown, Gilmore Girls A Year in the Life, 12 Days of Christmas, and A Christmas Kiss. 

LIFE LATELY

Oh my goodness, my fall semester ends in 2 weeks! I'm more than half way done, and now I'm on countdown to my long one month break before I transition into my last semester at my community college! My life has been really good, and busy recently, so perfect timing for a "life update" post! I hope you've been enjoying my posts since I re-launched, because I love being on top of things here on the blog. 

This is my last "fall" type of post, and I am currently decorating my room for the Christmas holiday! I literally have no posts scheduled or planned until January - so if you have any suggestions I would be every so grateful. Perhaps a christmas decor post? 

        

My life has consisted of college. College is the topic in every conservation, web tab on my laptop, or essay prompt right now in my life! I am planning on moving out next fall (2017) to a University as a transfer student. I have decided on a major and minor, which makes the application process less stressful. So, I'm going full force and pursing my dream of becoming a family and marriage therapist with a minor in business! I couldn't be happier & I can honestly see myself as a therapist helping, and connecting broken homes, and lost people. I always love being there for my friends with their problems, and giving advice. Yes, being a therapist is more deeper than that, but that's what I'm so excited to face & experience. Learning about behavior and interpersonal emotions is my favorite thing to explore in school. I love the world of business, it's so professional and something I'll always be able to lean on, which is why I'm choosing it as my minor. 

                                                                                                             

                                                                                             

I've sent out all my transcripts and finally hit the "summit" button for every application! Ahhhh, so here we go! I've applied to four beautiful Universities like Biola University, California Baptist University, The Master's College, and George Fox University! My top two are definitely Biola, and Cal Baptist. Right now, I'm waiting to see where I get accepted, and then make plans on visiting and meeting with counselors. I've visited Biola University four years back when I was a Junior in high school and I fell in love with the campus, and school pride! I'm still needing to book a tour at Cal Baptist, but that will come soon enough! First step, is getting accepted! I'll be keeping you guys updated, hopefully I'll know within about a few more weeks before I get my letters. So, now I will sit here impatiently waiting to hear back from Universities longing to hear "Jenna we want you." Have a wonderful week my friends!