Happy Holidays!

This Christmas was INCREDIBLE! Not only did I get to spend the entire weekend with my family, but it even SNOWED! A very, very minimal amount, but nonetheless, I got everything I wished for and more.

It was so nice to have a full weekend of family time. It was definitely overdue. On Friday, I left work a few hours early (we were DEAD) so that I could get some last minute holiday stuff completed. I ended up falling asleep early and waking up to my alarm to get ready for Christmas Eve with my mom's father's side of the family. *Yes, we have several sides. I got to spend some time with my Great Grandma Smith, which completely warmed my heart. She is such a kind and loving woman.

I also got to see my cousin, Katelyn, who made the trip back home from studying abroad in Spain. She is going to be home for a month, and she just got ENGAGED!! Cong rats to her and her fiance, Alex. :)

After the afternoon get-together at my aunt's house, my mom, dad and me headed to church for the children's mass. I love my church during the holidays, it's so decorative and charming. Is it completely ridiculous that every year when I watch the children's play, my eyes start to tear up? There is just something about kids spreading the love for Jesus during the most wonderful time of the year.

After mass I headed over to Kyle's family's house to celebrate Christmas with them. I got to spend some time with Lucy, which was great. It's such a joy to watch he open presents and light up. After my time with Kyle, I headed to my parent's to stay the night in my old room.

Waking up on Christmas morning to my dog, Gemini, is always one of the greatest parts of staying at my mom and dad's. Although it was crazy early, there is nothing like waking up to an atmosphere full of happiness. My sister and brother-in-law headed over to open presents, and then the family headed over to my grandparent's, where we finished out the rest of the day. Pure bliss.

(After winning the quarter game. --Christmas on my mom's side a week prior)

Everything turned out perfectly. I could not ask for a better family, or a better way to spend my Christmas weekend. I am so thankful for all that I received, and even more thankful for the endless amount of love and cheer that spreads throughout the season. :) Hope you all had a great holiday!

Here's a look at some new additions to my winter wardrobe, thanks to all the lovely gifts I've received (including some courtesy of myself! ;])

Wishing for a Wonderland

So it's December. The 23rd to be exact. Christmas is two days away and West Michigan is missing the one thing we are blessed with each and every winter: SNOW! I can't remember a single green Christmas in my 24 years, so this is definitely a holiday for the books. I'm hoping that even though we'll be missing the frosty blankets of white over our neighborhood's homes and yards, this Christmas will still be as beautiful and heartwarming as ever.

For some reason, I had a difficult time getting into the Christmas spirit early this year. Although it could be due to the snow hiatus in the midwest, I believe it has something to do with being too busy to reflect on the true meaning of this magical holiday. Call me crazy, but I had shown no emotion for the holiday until a musical scene from Glee's Christmas episode came on. (Cheesy, right?!) But it spoke to my heart and filled it with those warm feelings that had been missing.

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas. Be safe, stay warm, and give the gift of kindness to everyone you know.

My Christmas outfit inspiration of the day:

xoxo,

Laura

Fruitridge Hayrides

Yesterday was a perfect fall day. Kyle, Lucy and I went to Fruitridge Hayrides with my parents, aunt, uncle and cousins Talon and Talor.

Bed of Roses

Bed of Roses by humanbehaviorlaura featuring stainless steel watches

This past week has been dedicated to saving money for my trip to Tennessee next month. My sister's friend Keara is getting married in the Smokey Mountains of Gatlinburg and she asked me to photograph the wedding. The best part? It's almost a cost-free trip for me because my sister asked me to ride with her without paying for gas, and I'm staying in a bunk in the cabin. All I need is some spending money for some minor shopping, and possibly a cocktail or two. ;] I'm SUPER excited about this trip because I used to go to Tennessee every year as a kid because I have family from there. Being in the mountains again is going to be an absolute dream come true. Not to mention the cabin we're staying in is GORGEOUS.

What a DREAM!

Happy hump day everyone!

xoxo,
Laura

Tea Party

Today's inspiration is tea-party themed. I gathered pieces that are spring-like, floral, and natural.

Title: Tea Party

Tea Party by humanbehaviorlaura featuring leather heels

Happy Friday, everyone!

xoxo,
Laura

Summer Chic

I decided to start posting sets/collections of outfits and accessories that inspire me. My color choices usually fit my mood, so I thought this would be a great one to start with.

Title: Summer Chic

Summer Chic by humanbehaviorlaura featuring a lace tank

I love that fresh, carefree, springy feeling when the weather starts to get nice and warm for the first time of the year. These colors really reflect my mood as of lately, and I can't help but fall in love with pink and teal every time I see the combination of colors.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

xoxo,
Laura

The Perfect Weekend

This has been such an amazing weekend. Because I managed to pick up some excess shifts at work during the week, I decided to take the whole weekend off to spend with Kyle and my family.

Friday evening I headed to my parents house to spend an early Mother's Day with my mom's side of the family. After returning back to Grand Haven, Kyle and I headed to a small, local brewery right downtown called Odd Side Ales. It's easily becoming one of our favorite hang out spots in Grand Haven.



We has tasty craft brews and played darts while watching local music. A wonderful Friday evening.

I totally won at darts, too.

Then on Saturday, we headed to Grand Rapids to visit Frederik Meijer Gardens on what felt like the best Spring day ever. The sun was shining, the temperature was perfect, and the scenery was gorgeous.



Today was spent with my family in Hudsonville. I ate lots of food and we all got to watch the premiere of my cousin's wedding video that I shot and edited. Everyone loved it and I was so pleased. It feels so good to be helpful to my loved ones.

So that wraps up my incredible weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all the fearless, strong, loving and caring mothers of the world.
And most importantly, happy Mother's day to my mom.





Hope you all had as great of a weekend as I had.

xoxo,
Laura

Silk Tie Eggs

Happy Easter everyone!

This year for the holiday, I wanted to try something different for coloring eggs. My dad and I have been using standard PAAS dyes since I was little, so I wanted to come up with a new and improved way to showcase beautiful Easter eggs. So, thanks to StumbleUpon and my (very) healthy iPhone app addiction, I stumbled onto a site about using silk to dye patterned eggs that come out looking incredible.

Last night my mom, sister and I tried out this new technique.

To do these, you must start with raw eggs. Do not use already boiled eggs.

You will also need: scissors, a large pot (preferably glass or enamel), white t-shirt scraps, a cookie sheet, and rubber bands or twist ties.

Here's what we did:

1.) Find some old silk ties from any local thrift store. Make sure they are 100% silk, or the dyes will not transfer onto the eggs.





2.) Cut the ties in pieces large enough to wrap completely around the egg. Make sure you have the good side of the silk facing the egg.

3.) Gently wrap the egg in the silk piece. You can use either a twist tie or rubber bands to do this. We used rubber bands and chose to wrap the eggs like little tootsie rolls.




4.) After the silk is tightly fastened around the egg, wrap a layer of white t-shirt scrap over the silk and tie the ends again.




5.) Once all of your eggs are wrapped, place them in a large pot with water, carefully, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn to a medium heat and let boil for 20 minutes.




6.) After 20 minutes, turn heat off and use some thongs to take eggs out and place on lined tray or cookie sheet.

7.) Let the eggs completely cool off before unwrapping the little guys. Once they're ready, open them up and see how they turn out!










Once all of your eggs are unwrapped, feel free to showcase them in a fancy trifle bowl or tray that shows off their radiant beauty. :)




Enjoy!

xoxo,
Laura

Top Trends This Spring

My favorite season is right around the corner, which also means my favorite colors, fashions, and trends are ready to bloom again!

Here is my list of Spring line favorites for 2011. =]

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs.

With playful colors and swinging silhouettes, these 70's inspired looks will have you wanting to dance your way right into Summer.

2. Oscar de la Renta.

Oscar has always had a main idea in mind when creating his pieces: to celebrate femininity. Prints, patterns and florals may be a standard go-to when it comes to spring attire, but this line has a fresh new take on retro spirited aesthetics.

3. Calvin Klein.

Whites, whites, and more whites. "Less is more" is certainly a phrase to live by this season. Klein's Spring line features emphasis on clean cutouts, sleek lines, and all around sexiness with very minimal color.

4. Donna Karan.

Donna Karan's theme for this season: Easy. Her clothing hangs on the body in a way that appears classy and elegant, never sloppy. Karan gives credit to the Earth for her inspiration of design. This year's spring collection was done in a monochromatic pallete of neutrals. Simple and chic, never boring.

5. Diane von Furstenberg.

Alas, Diane von Fursternberg. Did you really think this Spring fashion article would go without mention of the queen of bold textiles? The inspiration of her line this season is "Goddess." The theme definitely came through at New York Fashion Week. This Goddess is not the mythical ancient Greek kind but the strong female who can take on anything. The line is stock full of colorful prints, layers, dresses, and tailored suites. The line also featured bright monotone separates that when paired together would turn heads. DVF, you have outdone yourself again.

So there you have it. If you can't tell, I'm raring and ready to go. Spring needs to get a move on because I'm over dull colors and thick boots.

Cheers to you, up and coming season. I am your biggest fan.

xoxo,
laura

iPhone 4 update

I can't believe I'm updating my blog from my phone! Yes, that's right. I'm taking a test run with my new iPhone 4 and had to see if I could actually post to my blog from my cellular device. This is crazy!!








My cute boyfriend at the dinner table Tuesday night. I love, love, love my instagram app!






And this was during our walk in downtown Grand Haven. :)

So there you have it, my blog post via Apple iPhone 4G.

xoxo,
Laura

Precious Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

My weeks have been absolutely FLYING by! I can't believe how quickly the past few months have gone. I am usually wishing winter away, and now I feel like it's slipping right on by. The sun is shining today and it's a gorgeous V-day. =]

Life has been pretty spectacular lately. If I could have one wish, however, it would be a new job. I have been searching for a career since I graduated in May. No such luck. The job market in West Michigan is absolutely dreadful in the film, video, and media industry. Ridiculous idea for a college major? Maybe. Regret it? Absolutely not. The right job is out there for me. I just need to keep my chin up and be thankful that I went to school for something that I love.

Quick recap of a view events that happened since my last update:

My sister and I at my cousin's benefit for his brain cancer. We raised thousands to support him and his family! So proud.

At my cousin's twin boys 5th birthday party.

Finally! A girl's night with my best friend Stacey. Out for drinks and dancing with the ladies.

I hope you all have a fabulous Valentine's day and you get to spend it with that special someone. Tonight, Kyle is spoiling me by making me dinner with a few surprises up his sleeve. =] The best.

xoxo,
laura