||Weekends Well Spent||

Some friendships in life you're just extra thankful for. This is Allie Nixon, I call her Alls, Teen Star and sometimes ANix. She's very obviously beautiful, extremely hilarious, kind, encouraging and I guess you could say just my cup of tea.

We get each other and I'm beyond grateful to have been able to spend this weekend catching up with her!

Here's a tip, if you've got a couple of good ones in your life tell them you love them and thank them for being awesome. Reminders like this make days a little better and seasons a bit happier.

-DG

||Orange||

Well, it's October and since it's nearing the end one simply cannot pass up an opportunity to go to the pumpkin patch!

The pumpkin patch is not age specific, sure little kids might be able to run around and have a lot of fun but that doesn't mean a few adults can't go and enjoy the display and pick up a pumpkin.

Treat yourself and take a day to be surounded by hay and a lot of orange!

-DG

||Keep In Mind||

It's been a busy week, but of course not too busy for a few quick make-up sessions and a mini-shoot! Happy hump day everybody, if you're having a tough week keep in mind it's almost over and there's a light at the end of the tunnel, it's called THE WEEKEND!

-DG 

||Dress To Impress, Yourself||

I have no idea how long I'm going to live in SF for, but while I'm here I'm going to make the most of it. I've always loved cloths and fashion and going to an art school has given me the freedom to wear what ever I want with out making me feel out of place. Not that I've been dressing outrageously but it's been fun to wear things I wouldn't normally have in high school.

No matter how weird my outfit for the day may be, chances are wait no, there will most definitely be someone wearing something just a little crazier.

Wear what you want and not what society tells you to, because if every one dressed the same the world would be a whole lot more boring.

Happy Friday!

-DG

||4 Ingredients||

Mmm guys, this is pretty good. Today being a Monday I'm obviously exhausted and as usual wanted something easy and fast. With only four ingredients; noodles, (sauteed) squash and onions and some cheese on top this met all my "lazy dinner" requirements!

Cheers, to easy, fast and tasty

-DG

||Constant Inconsistencies||

This is such a strange time in one's life. After years of having some sort of foundation whether it's living in the same house, or always with your family, or having the same friends since the first grade there's at least something that's always familiar. But your first year of college (or at least mine) is full of many firsts and constant inconsistencies. It seems that once life starts to get into a routine something disrupts that or some sort of change occurs.

For me lately that's been food, people, ideas and thoughts. Going to an art school has challenged my beliefs and standards in a way that's really blatant and in your face. But I think I prefer it that way. My mind comprehends better when something is presented to me plain and simple (but then again, doesn't everyone?). 

Through the craziness of trying to figure out what I agree with, disagree with, or believe is true and what isn't I could not be more thankful for the simplicity of the gospel.

I'm just going to leave it at that, because sometimes the best things in life are better when kept plain and simple.

-DG

||Treasured Friendships||

You know those people that remind you why you are who you are? That's Natalie Rans.

There's entirely too much I could say about this girl, but it would never adequately describe just how amazing she is.

All I know is she's a gem, and her friendship is deeply treasured in my life and I'm extremely grateful for her.  

Here's to sweet friends and the joy they bring to us!

-DG

||Weekends Are Everyone's Favorite||

Well folks, it's Thursday! Thursdays are my Fridays and I could not be more relieved to be done with this long week. One of my dearest friends is coming up to SF this weekend, I just finished an essay, my obligations for the next three days are few AND it's finally starting to cool down here, yay!

Some weeks, heck some days, are up hill battles but God knows we need rest and He's always so good to give it to us at the perfect time.

I'm excited for tomorrow and the next day.

Happy Thursday!

-DG

                                                   See you soon

||Mondays Should Not Exist||

After a long weekend of emotional roller coasters, three photo-shoots in one day, some art, prepping for midterms, hardly any sleep and a kick boxing class, today seemed to be a good extension of that.

It had been a tiring day at school, of standing for three hours, sitting for two and walking around for a good portion of it and I was ready for a nice dinner and some relaxation time. The meal took a little long due to some heating issues, but eventually I made some glorious mashed potatoes and a fresh cucumber salad. As I was just about to take my second bite, I barely taped the bowl with my elbow and the entire thing fell, completely toppled over and made a huge mess.

I guess you could say it was a good idea I grabbed two cup of noodles at the store yesterday.

Here's a little peek at some of the things I did this weekend!

-DG

                           Make-up by the one and only Marina Claunch!

||The Real Deal||

Today, I decided to switched it up from my usual sauteed veggies, noodles and meat. I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could make an actual meal, and for me that means using ingredients like flour and kitchen appliances such as the stove. So I first went to the internet to see what easy chicken pasta recipes there were out there and after seeing too many lists of ingredients that I didn't have, I decicded to call the best chef in the world (A.K.A my mom).

My mom has a way with making cooking seem simple and of course had an easy dish for me to make with almost all the ingredients that I already had, except for the dreaded flour. But remember, that was one of the required ingredients I needed in order to successfully complete my challenge! So I went out and got some.

With everything ready to go (or so I thought) I headed downstairs and started to set up. Realizing I had left three key ingredients, I called my roommate and had her send them down through the elevator (which goes directly to the basement, where the community kitchen is) and finally had everything.

Starting with the sauce I put 1 cup of milk, a table spoon of flour and a little bit of cheese in. First mistake; I started out by making the sauce. Second mistake; I was not watching the sauce or stirring it and the whole thing turned into a liquidy, weird mess. I moved on and sauteed two pieces of chicken as well as started on the noodles. While those two were doing their thing, I cut up some squash and onion to ad to the pasta. In time everything started coming together and I decided to give the sauce another go. This time I added everything in, stirred it the whole time and the end result was a nice white cheese sauce!

With all the individual components ready, I threw them into a pan and put it in the oven for about 20 minutes and tada, I've officially made my first real meal!
 
So easy a college student can make it!

-DG