New Glasses

I recently purchased some new glasses from Coastal Contacts and I think I kinda love them.
They offer free prescription glasses, all you have to do is pay for shipping!
(I have to thank my friend Lindsay for this info)
The only catch is that it has to be your first pair from them.
No joke. I promise. 
$11 for a fun new pair of glasses? 
I'm not complaining.



What do you think?


A Year In Review




It's that time of year when we all look back on our past 365 days of life and reflect on all the things we've experienced. I can say that mine has been quite a marvelous year indeed. So many new, fun, and exciting things happened in 2011! 
Here's a mini re cap of some of my personal favorites. 
(In no particular order)

Visited NYC. 
Actually three different times.

Started going to a bible study I love, and have gotten to know some lovely ladies who have become some of my very dearest friends.

Went to several concerts and shows... including Anberlin, Circa Survive, Jimmy Eat World, Conditions, Beirut (twice), Parachute, Arcade Fire, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Foster the People.
(I have a very eclectic music taste)

Met this guy.
And started dating him.
I kinda like him.
A lot.

Went to the VMFA more than a handful of times.

Went on two awesome retreats and learned a lot of amazing things.
God is awesome.

Got my passport.

Went to 8 weddings.

Started writing and taking pictures for From The Runway to RVA and as a result have met so many cool people and made some more new friends.

Saw the Picasso exhibit. 

Watched Richmond go crazy over VCU being in the final four.

Went to Kings Dominion and rode all of their roller coasters.
I like roller coasters.

Went to the Watermelon Festival.

Visited and fell in love with New Mexico.

Met and became friends with the infamous Brian McDaniel.
And had my photo of said guy featured on a poster that was put up all over Richmond!
And also had photos of myself featured on Dirty Richmond.

Started pursuing my photography more and had a lot of fun photoshoots as a result.

Was a counselor at an amazing camp and had the opportunity to fall in love with a whole cabin full of girls who will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Went to a friend's book release party.

Helped Hope Thrift raise over 3,000 dollars for The Skills Development Center.

Went to the State Fair.

Went to an air show.

Participated in two craft shows

Had the opportunity to cover some local events at The Limited, The Gap and Sephora. 
And my personal favorite: The VMFA Teen Stylin fashion show competition.
(Which I will still be writing about, don't worry!)

Travelled to Boston and decided I liked "The T" much more than the subway.

Had a mini photoshoot with Kristin Partin.

Picked apples at Carter Mountain.

Turned 20

Went roller skating for the first time in a decade

Visited Florida and Disney World again. 
(You're never too old right?)

Went to the Christmas Parade.

Shot several different kinds of rifles at a shooting range.
And wasn't too shabby at it.

Went sailing a couple times.

Went to the beach a couple times.

Fell in love with Justin Bieber.
(If you watch Never Say Never you will too)

Bought my new camera which I am in love with.

Travelled to Ohio and ate my weight in Cincinnati spaghetti.

Opened up my ETSY shop!
Quite possibly one of my favorite accomplishments this year.
Not gonna lie.

And then last but not least, I started blogging more.
 And I've loved all the new people I've met and new friends I've made while doing it. Not to mention all the fun collaborations, sponsorships, giveaways and photoshoots I've had the opportunity to participate in.
I dont think 2011 would have been half the eventful year it was if it weren't for this blog.
It's something that I'm definitely going to keep up with this up coming year. Not only because I can get my passions and talents out there for people to see but also because the encouragement and friendly community that you become a part of when blogging, is something I want to continue to be a part of and contribute to.
Thanks is due to all my readers, known and unknown, for helping and encouraging me to peruse my passions and not be afraid of being the person I want to be.
I hope you have a blessed and very Happy New Year.

With Love,
A Girl Named Leney
<3




How Was Your Christmas?

Hello there!
I've been having the most wonderful Christmas break. 
It's been so nice sleeping in, eating lots of homemade food and spending time with some family and friends. 
The new year can wait to come if it wants, I won't mind. 
I'm in no rush to get back to the normal routine.
On another note, I got way too many presents and lovely things for Christmas. 
I feel so overly blessed!

Not that it's about the things we get... but things can still be so very awfully fun can't they?

One thing I was extremely surprised to get was....

An iPhone!
I could hardly believe it, I was not expecting it at all.
But I'm already in love with it.
Siri and I are totally BFF's.

And I'm addicted to Instagram already. And Words With Friends.
Isn't technology fun?
I think I have more than my fair share of it.

How was your Christmas?
Do tell!

I will be posting more about mine after the new year. 
Have a safe and happy one!
<3

Purl Soho

Well hello there!
Bet you thought I had died from a Christmas cookie overdose or something didn't you? Sorry for the lack of posting, however I've been in New York City (yes, my third time this year!) so I think my absence can be excused, don't you think? I went for a few days and it was so nice to get away and have a little vacation.
Though coming home to 93 emails was a little stressful...
I won't be long because I have a lot of Christmas wrapping and present finishing to do but I did want to share a small snippet from my trip!

I went to the very lovely, ever so beautiful Purl SoHo while in NYC and let me tell you... It's a knitter/crocheter/sewer/crafter's dream come true.
I almost died.
Never had I seen so much beautifulness in one place!
And so nicely color organized too (I love color organization).
If I had all the money in the world a good portion of it surely would go to purchasing the store.
I could have quite happily lived there.
I loved it so much that I went twice.
Ok sorry, enough gushing, here are some photos so that you can potentially better understand my euphoria. 


I was pretty much in heaven





 cool panorama picture taken with my friends phone


he's a good yarn store buddy






the cowl I knit on the way home with some purchased yarn

It was a wonderful experience and everyone there was so nice and helpful.
Needless to say I will be going again the next time I visit New York.

Also make sure to check out their blog where they post almost daily tutorials and patterns for fun crafts!

Another New York post full of pictures will come soon after Christmas.
But for now, back to present wrapping.


Book Page Art

Put up some art in the shop yesterday!
I make funny little sentences out of recycled book pages. 
I find them pretty entertaining at least.
If you do too, stop by the shop and purchase one! Maybe for yourself or maybe as a last minute gift?
They're only $10
They're unique and one of a kind, I'll never make two that are the same so if you see one you like, you better get it now ;)

Want to be kept updated on when I add new things to the shop? Follow my Etsy shop board on Pinterest