As always, I hope you all had an amazing week. This week was super special for me because I went on my twin sister Kate's final college visit. Knowing that we will be hours away from each other for the first time in our lives makes my heart so sad. That's why I wanted to talk about change in today's post. Whether you're in the same boat as me and you're embarking on a totally new journey in the coming months or you are experiencing change in a relationship/friendship, a schedule, something big or something small, keep reading. 

12 Nonmaterialistic things that make me happy

Happy Sunday, friends. I hope this past week was lovely and filled with happiness. We've reached a time of year when it feels like happiness is a little harder to find with the continually dropping temperatures and the rising piles of snow. It can be easy to come down with a case of the winter blues.. trust me, I know! This is why it so important to remind yourself of all the amazing things on this earth. Today I'm sitting down to share 12 nonmaterialistic things that bring me joy. I encourage y'all to make a little list too. ;)

Guide to the perfect Galentine's

Happy Monday & happy February! Y'all, I'm so happy it's February. Valentine's Day is just a little over a week a way which means many exciting things are ahead. My absolute favorite way to celebrate this holiday is with all my gals!!  Throwing a little Galentine's night is the perfect excuse to spend some quality time with all of your besties. Today I will be sharing a guide to having the perfect, relaxed night with your girls!! 

My Thoughts on Blogging

Happpppyy Sundayyy!! I hope you all had an amazing week. Cold winter weeks can seem quite lengthy, and honestly, they are just rough sometimes! But don't forget to find joy in each and every day. This week I was thinking about how it was about this time two years ago when I first started my blog. My goodness!! That's absolutely crazy! Today I wanted to have a little reflection sesh with y'all.  I will be sharing some of my favorite posts, my thoughts on blogging, and a little bit about what I hope the future holds for Merging Threads.

17 Things I Learned in 2017

Holy cow, I'm seriously in awe of this past year, you guys. I feel like life is constantly amazing me, but when I say 2017 amazed me, I am 100% behind that statement. This year was the year of new experiences. It was the year of firsts, the year of going out of my comfort zone, and the year of personal growth. Gah I'm getting emotional just thinking about how everything that has happened this year has shaped me into the gal I am today.  Reflecting on this past year has really made me realize how faithful our Heavenly Father is. I look back on all the things that once worried me, that once weighed me down, and it's like they've all been taken away. He is SO faithful, you guys. All the glory to God. Today I want to share 17 things I learned in 2017.

Finding Motivation When You Feel Like Blah

Good morning, beautiful friends. Oh my goodness, first semester is almost over!! Senior year is FLYING by. The end of semesters are always the hardest parts of the year. Sometimes I find it hard to really concentrate and get studying when the excitement of break & Christmas is in the back of my head. Let's be real, we're all in Christmas mode! I can definitely relate to having a hard time finding motivation for school or work related tasks, especially during the holiday season.  Today I'm here to help you say goodbye to that lazy mindset that we tend to fall into and hello to one that says, "LET'S GET THIS DONE."

The Ultimate Gift Guide: 30 gifts under $30

It is officially December, which means I am in full Christmas mode! YAY! Oh my goodness, this time of the year is the absolute greatest. There are so many wonderful things in store for the days ahead. One of the most special parts of Christmastime for me is that it is the season of gift giving. I love spreading cheer by finding my friends and family something special that I know they will like. Gift giving is definitely not the focus of the season, but I think it is the perfect way to remind your friends and family that they are awesome!! Last year I did a gift guide featuring 25 gifts under $25... but of course I had to change things up just a wee bit, so today, I've brought you 30 gift ideas under $30. 

 p.s. they're organized from lowest to highest in price so feel free to scroll around;)

10 Things

Holy cow! It's been too long, friends! Oh how I've missed writing my weekly posts! But as you know, I'm all about focusing on the positive, and the good news is... I'm back!! You guys, two things: It's October (woah!) & it's starting to feel like fall (yay!). Could life get any happier?!? Goodness gracious! Life is so lovely! SOO for today's post, I thought that there would be no better comeback post, than a little update! Today I will be sharing 10 things. You might want to hold on... it's a bit of a random assortment, but nevertheless, it gives you a little glimpse at what's been swirling around in my head since the last time we connected. 

DIY: Pocket Inspo Cards

Happy Sunday, lovelies! I hope you all had a great week! For today's post I thought I would switch things up a bit and share another little DIY. I haven't done one in forever... but there's no time like the present! A couple years ago, I made these cute little inspirational cards to keep with me in my purse or backpack. I don't think I realized how much I would actually end up using them! They are the best! When my heart is overwhelmed or I just need a little pick me up at school, I turn to these cards. After flipping through even a few, I feel refreshed. It's always good to remind yourself of what's really important. Well anyways, let's get on into this super simple little DIY.

A few of my Favorite pieces & words to start your week

 Happy first Sunday in September! Oh my goodness, I am so so excited for fall! The weather has been absolutely gorgeous lately. It's so nice to step outside without sweating immediately. Ah, the transition between these two seasons is always so beautiful. Yesterday I drove to the little apple orchard in town just to get a apple cider slushy. Fall fever is a real thing, guys. Although I have been loving the cooler weather, I have been trying to get the most out of my summer wardrobe before it's too late! Today, I have a happy little outfit to share with y'all that can be worn to just about anything!

5 Things I Learned This Summer

Good afternoon, friends! It's a lovely rainy Wednesday and my last day of summer. Whoa. Time has flashed before my eyes. The end of my junior year seriously feels like yesterday, but at the same time, I feel like such a different person than I was when I walked out of school that last day. I think it's crazy how much you can learn from even the smallest of experiences and how those tiny moments can so distinctly shape you into who you are. It is in times like these--seasons of change and new beginnings-- where I look back and am SO SO thankful for everything that has happened. As I look back on the past couple months, I realize that I've learned a lot. I've learned from new experiences, learned from old ones, and definitely learned from my mistakes. Today I want to take you all through my little summer reflection and share with you five things that I learned this summer.

Behind the scenes of a typical blog shoot

Happy Friday!! I hope you have been enjoying the August sunshine! Today, upon request, I have a little bonus post for you all. I'll be letting you in on a series of tips that I tend to follow before/during a shoot.

Friday Five: Current Favorites

Friends!! It's Friday! YAY! This gal right here is so happy. I thought there would be no better way to celebrate the weekend being here than with a surprise post for y'all! Today I'm mixing it up a little bit an giving the ever-so-famous Friday Five a go! I'm excited to share five things that I'm just feeling over-the-moon about!

3 Summer Hairstyles To Rock All Summer Long

Happy Sunday, friends! The sun is out today & has me dreaming of summer. I cannot wait for laid back days with absolutely no plans. I always feel like summer is the perfect time to experiment with new fashion trends and hairstyles that you wouldn't normally wear throughout the year. Today I thought up three easy hairstyles (that involve no heat!!) to try out this summer.

subtle stripes & a whole lotta smiles

Good morning friends! What a great day to be happy! It's a new day with new adventures and so many things to smile about. This past week I listened to a WHOLE LOTTA music. Music always gets me thinking (& makes me over the moon about life!!). Today I'll be sharing a few things that I can't seem to get out of my mind.

16 Things I learned in 2016

Wow. 2016 was a big year in many ways. I have grown so much in such little time.  I started my blog. I've eliminated things that don't bring me joy. I've embraced all the positive things life has to offer. I've learned so much this year about life and myself. Here's a condensed list of sixteen of this year's lessons.

Christmas Recap

Happy day after Christmas! I hope you all had a lovely day celebrating our Savior's birth with your family and friends. It rained all day in my area, but even that did not dim the cheer. Inside was warm, merry, and bright! Today I just wanted to share some of my photos from the Christmas weekend with all of you. 

25 gifts under $25

Good Morning! Christmas is quickly approaching... it's craziness! I am still scrambling to find some last minute gifts for some of my sweet friends. I am hoping I am not the only one! If you are in the same boat as me, you've come to the right place. Today I will be sharing 25 gifts under $25. 

(Organized from most expensive to least expensive)

Room Decor: Christmas Edition

Happy December! It is absolutely crazy to think that today is December 4… because that means only 21 days ’til Christmas! Christmas is ALWAYS one of the most exciting times of the year. Nothing gets me more in the holiday spirit than decorating my room for the season. Today I will be giving you a look into my room, CHRISTMAS EDITION.

20 Things That Make Me Oh So Happy

Hello friends, I hope you all had an amazing week. My week flew by, but oh, was it a lovely one! A couple days ago my sweet cousin tagged me in the "Happiness Tag", where you share twenty things that make you happy. I thought about posting it on social media, but then I thought that it would make for the perfect blog post today, especially since it is Thanksgiving week. It is important to take time this week and reflect on the little things in life that bring you joy. These things are important! Reflecting on them will help you cultivate an attitude of gratitude. I love the “Happiness Tag” because something I commit to daily is striving to have a positive attitude and pursuing the things that make my happy. Positivity is the main ingredient of well-being. So here we go! Time to share a few places I find a little happiness with you all!