picnics are happy things.

i've had many obsessions: blanket forts, sushi, movies, books, and so on.

my recent one?

picnics.

i love picnics.

quilts.

lemonade.

mason jars.

pies.

picnic basket.

be still my heart.

so to celebrate the 4th of july and my mom's birthday, we decided to set up a picnic on a small hill and eat pie while watching the fireworks.

we had the best spot.

it was lovely weather.

just a few ants here and there.

basically...perfection.

picnics are happy things.

-rebecca jane

charleston.

here is part 3 of the summer road-trip series.

charleston, south carolina.

oh my goodness.

charleston was probably my very favorite part of the trip...and we hardly even did anything there.

driving through the neighborhoods and seeing the historic houses literally had me ogling.

i secretly want to live in charleston now.

at one point we were driving right by the ocean, and there was a lovely park between the coast and some really old houses.

and everything was absolutely perfect.

there was a wedding going on in a gazebo.

a girl laying out and reading under a tree.

a couple riding their vintage looking bicycles together.

it felt SO like a movie.

we also got a chance to eat at a seafood restaurant RIGHT by the ocean.

hello fresh seafood!

you don't get much of that in texas.

all in all...an AMAZING and LOVELY stop in charleston.

i foresee a longer visit there very soon.

xo,

rebecca jane

graduation!!! squeep!

last friday night was the night of my graduation.

t'was a very epic night.

a night of joy, happiness, and such excitement.

i'm so SO blessed to have spent the evening with some of THE best people i know.

such larks! :)

i got to set up a table featuring my sewing projects, favorite books, posters from past shows, theatre portfolio, etc. 

i think it turned out really cute! 

i also had a picture frame that people could sign...such a fun idea. 

four pretty awesome graduates...if i do say so myself. 

the first official graduating glass of JOY. 

trendsetters. 

i totally remember starting to school four years ago and thinking about being a part of the first graduating class...it seemed so far away. and now it's gone and past.

i feel SO blessed.

and then my senior video.

 i SO love everything about it. the memories...the friends...the pictures...the songs. 

it's so perfect.

and so begins yet another chapter in my life. 

SO excited about where it will be taking me!!

squeep!

xo,

rebecca jane

a 1940's photobooth.

last night was the swinging-est dance i've ever been to. literally. 

ever since exactly a year ago today...my friends and i have been planning a 40's dance for our annual homeschool cotillion. after HOURS of list making, planning, dreaming, crafting, painting, cleaning, and more...last night was the big night.

and let me tell you...it did NOT disappoint.

hopefully in about a week or so i'll be able to share pictures from the dancing, speaking, singing (three of us performed an andrews sisters song), etc. but for now...here are some of my favorite pictures EVER from the photobooth we set up!

i've been wanting to put one of these together for the longest time (after seeing so many cute ideas on pinterest). it was a HIT! i just got through looking at and editing them all...and i'm just going to say...there are some hilarious ones. 

i love this idea so much.

well...i'm off to take a nap. dancing until midnight and talking until 3am can sure make you feel sleepy. i'll share more later! 

have a lovely sunday afternoon.

xo,

rebecca jane

little letters.

dear new yellow galoshes...i love you.

dear sky...please rain.

dear friends...my giant reece's, mustache cup, and pretty wall decoration were perfect gifts. you know me well.

dear 2012...you're going to be the best year ever, i can feel it!

dear anthropolgie tea cup...i'm somehow okay with my sudden obsession with tea now that i get to drink it from you.

dear mom...watching lord of the rings with you is funny (his name is "saruman" not "sour man").

dear list journal...so much i love you.

dear hair...you've gotten way too long. after getting caught in someone else's teeth the other day, i think it's safe to say you need a little trim.

dear january 27th...you scare me. college audition AND interview on the same day? *can't breathe*

dear column awards...thanks for nominating the scrooge costumes for an award, this makes me happy.

dear applesauce...when all other foods fail, i know you're there for me.

dear passport...i'm ready for an adventure.

pumpkins! aka...i love fall.

last weekend, after an all day rehearsal (what? rehearsal? oh right...i forgot you didn't know...more on that soon!) we went to pick up some pumpkins and head to a fall party!!

this was my first pumpkin picking out experience.

and, consequently, my first pumpkin carving experience.

so don't judge my "mustache" pumpkin which happens to look like two fish kissing.

stop laughing.

i think it's beautiful.

fall is kind of my favorite season...ever. and i'm so ready for it this year, after such a HOT summer.

i love wearing tights, long sleeves, sweaters, leg warmers, hats, boots...eee! just thinking about it makes me excited!

unfortunately...it's still in the 80's here.

sigh.

but fall is here (technically), and i am still wearing my leg warmers, tights, long sleeves, sweaters, and hats...even if it's still hot outside!

HAPPY FALL!!!

jane austen festival!

two weeks ago my dear friend atlanta and i had a little adventure.

alright...a HUGE adventure!!!

so much happened that atlanta is doing a series of blog posts.

all about our booth at the jane austen festival!

i'll just fill you in with the most exciting moments!

photoshoots in costume.

driving downtown in a huge pick-up.

setting up a BOOTH! *so cute*

meeting people from wales, scotland, england, and australia.

being offered a glass of port by a british gent.

hearing said british gent say "jolly good" "hello, what's this?" and "three bells"

meeting the sweetest ladies selling tea.

having a booth right next to juliet mcmaster.

being interviewed by BBC TV!!!

seeing people shopping/looking through your wares.

the list goes on and on.

probably the most exhausting/exciting weekend of my life.

for more details and pictures...visit atlanta's blog!

painting leaves. pies. and surprises.

two weeks ago i got to be a part of planning a surprise birthday party for one of my dearest friends, maddy. at first it was to be a picnic...but then it rained...so it was changed into an indoor picnic/tea party. the night before the "big day" i remembered my promise of producing two pies for the event. so at 11pm as it was raining and everyone had gone to bed...i stayed up baking pies. it was kind of the most peaceful, happy moment of my life. next time it's late and it starts to rain...i'm totally baking some pies.

   the next day, after church, i drove maddy to my house and we painted leaves as her mother and sister rushed home to set up the party at *her* house. i'm just going to say...those were probably the most stressful hours of my life. i HATE keeping secrets...so it was hard not to burst as we were painting leaves and she was talking about still trying to figure out what to do for her birthday. she was...clueless.

after splashing in some mud-puddles, i drove her home. she wanted to go into the house through the garage...and i, knowing everyone was by the front door ready to yell "surprise" made up a silly excuse of not liking to go through other people's garages because it made me feel awkward. somehow she believed me...and we walked through the front door. everyone yelled. someone grabbed her from the side. she squealed. and i began to shake violently because it was over.

the party was a hit. she was surprised. and i was exhausted. but it was so worth it...!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL, WHIMSICAL FRIEND!!

tinfoil kite.

lately i've been a little crafty obsessive...about anything from blanket forts to kites.

i really, REALLY am dreaming of making a kite that's absolutely perfect and flying it.

alas, there is no wind...and have not had the chance to make one as of yet.

so there's only one thing to do...make a fake one from tinfoil at freebirds.

it's kind of magnificent.

(i made the bows!!)

and according to a reliable source...it is still hanging there.

pretty sure if our real kite turns out as amazing as our tinfoil kite...we'll have the best kite in the whole entire universe.

of blanket forts and pies.

have you ever seen anything quite as magical as this beautiful blanket fort??

no?

i thought not.

some tea sipping, blanket fort building, list making, barbie game playing, apple pie baking, and all of the usual frivolities and whimsical fancies that are to be expected at a slumber party.

i think it was possibly the most beautiful thing i've ever seen/been a part of.

of yellow doors, movie projectors, and old trucks.

one of the nights we were in joplin, we were invited to an old barn to watch cartoons on an old movie projector.

on the ride over there i saw many of my dream homes.

check out the yellow door.

is that not magical?!

even more magical was the amazing movie projector.

one day i WILL have one!

it was soooooo amazingly fun.

and watching cartoons has never been quite so funny or entertaining.

how could the night get even better?

seeing this DREAMY turquoise antique truck!!

can you say dream car??

maddy and i "ooo-ed and ahhh-ed" until we were literally shoo-ed out of the barn by my mom.

it was a magical night.