Outfit Post: My Favorite Shoes

These are one of my favorite pairs of shoes.
I bought them several years ago in New York City on a trip with my Mom. I was originally looking for something more like these, but when I found this pair I quickly changed my mind.
I found them in a random little shoe store that didn't appear to be a chain or anything extra special and I unfortunately don't remember the name.
However, they've faithfully accompanied me to various places and events since then (including a few weddings) and have held up quite nicely.

My hair was originally inspired by this style, but didn't end up looking anything like it really...
Oh well.


Outfit Details
Skirt: Thrifted (also seen here)
Belt: Vintage
Necklace: Target
Watch: Michael Kors
Shoes: Some store in NYC that I don't remember the name of

Today's Thoughts


I loved being a teenager.

Of course I pretty much still look like one.
(I got asked the other day if I enjoyed my Prom...)
But I had so much fun being stupid and young and dramatic and obnoxious and silly.
In ways that I no longer can be anymore.
I think it is important to be all of these things at some point.
So, I guess I won't get so annoyed at the loud teenagers that sit in front of me at the movies, or the ones that goof off at concerts, or the ones that walk around the mall talking about things that don't really seem very important.

It's just their turn to be all of those things.


Etsy-Grams

Things have been really busy here over the past month.
Etsy and photography have been going really well!
 It's really exciting to see it all grow and make new connections and meet new people as well as have the freedom to design and create to my hearts content.
It's not as big as it needs to be quite yet, and I am still working on discipline and better organization but it's getting there and I'm so excited about it.
Custom orders seem to be my thing as of late. Which I'm totally fine with! I love collaborating with someone to achieve their dream creation.
That being said, email me if you want a custom item of any kind! I'd love to work with you:)

Anyway, here are some Etsy related instagrams from the past few weeks I thought I'd share.
Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway!
And take advantage of 10% off in the shop right now with the code: SPRINGCLEANING
Help me make room for the new things I've been working on!


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All that being said, I wouldn't be able to do any of this without you guys. My readers, friends and family! You are all amazing and I can't tell you how much your encouragement and support means to me.
You guys are the bestest.

P.s. Oh yea and the  official Etsy twitter favorited, mentioned, retweeted, and followed me! I'm allowed to be excited about that right???




The Gray Haven Project



(photo source unknown)

I have mentioned The Gray Haven Project a few times here on the blog, posted some links on Facebook, and even tweeted about them. And you might be wondering what it's all about. 
Well, today I wanted to tell you.

TGHP was founded by Josh and his wife Andrea, an amazing couple here in Richmond. 
As soon as I met with Josh to learn more about the project I knew instantly that I wanted to be a part of it. You know how you get those feelings when you're just certain there's something you have to do? There are no doubts or second guesses?
Well this was one of those feelings.
The way he talked about the vision he had for TGHP, and the love and compassion he had for not only victims of human trafficking, but the traffickers themselves, was eye opening and motivating to say the least. 

And honestly, before talking with him, I had never really thought about that before.

That not only the victims need help and restoration, but the traffickers and those victimizing do as well. They are hurting too and need just as much help, if not more.
And after meeting Andrea, and being around her loving and beautiful self, it just confirmed what I had already felt about helping out.

Hearing about Josh and Andrea's dreams and goals is nothing short of inspiring. They are two people who are completely living out their lives as servants and who aspire nothing more than to love people and bring them hope. 
One of the greatest things about them is that they are all about not making it about them. They aren't looking to be recognized specifically, or having themselves be rewarded or applauded for the great things they are doing, or even calling it their project. They are totally focused on making it our project. Something anyone and everyone can be apart of. No matter where you are in life, or what you're about, what you believe or what you do. We can all help and be a part of something great and make a change for the better.

This Summer I will be going through some training and doing some volunteer work with TGHP. I can't wait to get more involved with this organization in fighting this issue because it is one that has been on my heart for quite some time now.

In fact, if you would like to read more about that, and human trafficking in general, you should read this post here.

The Gray Haven Project is also going to be one of the sponsored non profits on
The Vans Warped Tour! So if you're going, be sure to look for them.
You can also watch this video to learn more about The Gray Haven Project:
TGHP is actually in the process of winning a $10k grant right now to help build their voice and you can help so much by simply voting here.
Literally all you have to do is hit a green button at the top left corner of the page. That's it!
Help make a difference in bettering the lives of those involved in human trafficking, and help prevent more people from being enslaved.

You should know that human trafficking and sex slavery isn't something that just happens in foreign countries. 
It happens in your city, your home town, and here in Richmond too. 
In fact Richmond was a part of the slave triangle at one time, which you can read more about here.
There is a statue erected in Richmond, Liverpool, England and in the Benin region of West Africa to recognize this. 

Do some research, ask some questions. 
Don't be ignorant to the things going on around you.
You have a voice and an influence. 
Do something with it.



Check out their

Friday I'm In Love

With...

This outfit.
Seriously. 
I don't think I could be more obsessed. Must. Recreate.


This video

The Instagram camera!
Oh if only they would make it for the masses

Also the Ikea cardboard camera

Pretty colored blazers

 
This beautiful post by Bri over at Secret Life of Bee

This cute travel video shot with an iphone confirms my long time desire of learning how to use imovie for making videos from all the clips I take when I travel.

Instagram posters! I will be doing this sometime soon.

This post by Lauryn. I can relate sometimes.

My giveaway!
Don't forget to enter;)



Knit Elephant Giveaway!

Hello dear readers, today I am doing my first ever giveaway!
I have been promising one for quite some time and I have finally gotten around to doing it.
I decided, since they are ever so popular right now, to giveaway one of my knit elephants!


Here are the ways you can enter!
Note: Each entry must have its own separate comment.

{Mandatory Entry}
This is 1 comment.


Follow A Girl Named Leney 

{Additional Entries}
Leave a separate comment for each extra entry 

Favorite A Girl Named Leney on Etsy
Add my Etsy shop to your favorites
Follow me on Bloglovin'
Like A Girl Named Leney on Facebook 
Post on Facebook about giveaway & leave a link   
Follow me on Twitter
Tweet about the giveaway & leave a link
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Pinterest 
Pin one of the elephant pictures to Pinterest & leave a link
Put one of my buttons on your blog 
Blog about this giveaway & leave a link
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AND... since I am in the process of cleaning out my shop for some new items I am offering a discount code for my lovely readers!
For 10% off your purchase use the coupon code: SPRINGCLEANING
(Expires May 24 at 12:01 am)

Seriously go treat yourself!
I have Headbands, beanies, scarves, jewelry and more. 

Buy it up so I can have room for all the new things I've been working on!

You have until May 24 at midnight MST to enter.
Winner will be announced May 25!

Good luck!
:)



Austin

Meet Austin.

I had the privilege of taking this guys senior pictures a week or two ago.
Confession: It was my first time taking a guys senior photos!
I've only ever done girls before.
Girls tend to be more into these kinda things after all.
Lemme tell ya though, it was a lot easier.
Girls usually have several outfits they want to change into, they worry about their hair, a piece is out of place so you have to take the photo again, that's not their "good side" etc.
Not so with guys.
They don't really care and are more than happy to do things quickly and efficiently to get them over and done with. 
So while I was a bit nervous at first, not knowing how the whole thing would go, and if he would get annoyed with me moving him around all over the place, the whole thing went really well!
It was a very hot day but he was a trooper and I was able to coerce a smile out of him every so often.
Thanks for putting up with my silliness Austin. 
But look, I made you look pretty handsome didn't I? 
;)

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See more photos here

P.s. Don't take offense girls, of course I still love photographing you. 
Multiple outfits and all ;)




Mr. Giraffe

Remember this tutorial?
Well this is what I did with the leftover sleeves!

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He's a cutie isn't he?
I wish I could keep him, but sadly I have to send him off to his new home soon.
However there's enough sleeve left to make another one... or two... 
Maybe he'll have some siblings soon.

P.s. Be on the lookout for my first ever giveaway on the blog on Thursday!



My Mama

This is an early Mother's day post.
Because my Mom deserves a shout out before all the other Mother's because she is, without question, the best.
I've been blessed with the most wonderful lady as my Mother. I truly could not have asked for a better one. I know a lot of people say that but they just don't even know.
She's so many things to me and I'm so proud to call her mine.

I love you for many reasons Mama. Including, but not limited to, dressing me ever so stylishly as a child (see above), always being there for me when I needed you most (and even when I wouldn't admit to needing you), teaching me to always wear sunscreen, listening to me vent about things when I needed to and sometimes even venting with me, our shopping dates (it's totally your fault I thrift as much as I do), taking care of me when I'm sick, teaching me to love food, taking me to the library several times a week all growing up, always telling me I can be whatever I want to be and for being my best friend.

"You is smart, you is kind, you is important"

I love you Mama, thanks for being mine.
<3

Friday's Letters

 

Dear 2000+ photos I have to edit,

Edit yourselves.

Dear Leftover chips from Plaza Azteca,

I forgot to put you in a ziplock bag last night so I hope you are still fresh because there is still some white sauce in the fridge that you would go nicely with...

Dear Mother's everywhere but especially mine,

What would we do without you?

Dear Messy room, 

It's getting out of control in here. You really need to keep it together. No really. 

Get ahold of yourself.

Dear Instagram,

You are so distracting. 

Dear Beach,

I hope I get to visit you soon. 

I miss you.

Dear Oreos in my purse, 

I'm having a hard time not eating you for breakfast.

Dear Weather,

You're really pretty today. I wish I could be out enjoying you but I have to be inside working.

Blegh.

Dear Gilmore Girls,

You make me happy.

Even the third time around re-watching you.

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