16.

I don't remember the exact moment when I suggested to myself that it's okay to grow up. It was a slow discovery, something that happened over many deep breaths all the way down to the bottom parts of my lungs, I think. I constantly tell myself, it wasn't when I was fourteen, or I was fifteen, or I was sixteen. And then I constantly tell myself, it was when I was fourteen, I was fifteen, I was sixteen. 
My baby sister turned sixteen today.
We all grow up somehow.

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are."

Dear Fleur.
I am twenty years old.
Everyone is home.
La + Mandy brought me a pie dish. And a polka dot skirt. And a peach blouse. And a book of 100 breads.
Mom bought me a Ukulele and five chickens.
I was supposed to take a shower this morning. I just didn't.
I have been too busy reading Nicholas Sparks and Jeremiah and e.e.cummings.

I should go get dressed.
But did you know, the summer sun at six in the morning is quite possibly the prettiest thing I ever saw?
So bright.
Love Bell.

busy.

dear fleur.

we are planning a benefit concert for an orphanage this weekend. i think i went crazy 4 hours ago. i feel like i have so much to do. and ria has been playing our ears off with that kazoo of her's. thanks a lot nat. (wink).

it is kirsten's birthday in 8 days. and i know just what i'm going to get her. it is so cuteeeeee. sort of. in a non-cute but kind of really way. it's the idea that is cute.

i start teaching this coming week. we were on break. now it's back to lesson plans and all that jazz. monday and wednesday nights are filled people.
and we took a babysitting job on tuesdays. so i really won't be going anywhere after dinner. i'll be chasing children and teaching proper sidekicks.

necklaces are stalled lately. but i am pondering shop names. something like, "bellananci" or "nancibell". i don't know. they look kind of weird put together. but i like the way they sound.
sometimes i think way too hard.

mandy is using flora in the kitchen right now. she has this lovely brocade that i want to make into a pencil skirt. i am so tempted to snag a yard or two. but it is her's. oh my. the woes of sisterhood and fabric. maybe she'll share?

banana bread at the table. loveeeee itttttt.

love bell.

Prom dress searches, but who are you?

(Source unknown.)

Dear Fleur.

31 days left. 2 presents done. I'm thinking today I'll cram on the scavenger hunt. Those always take forever to make. But they are darling to put together. (I'm not gonna lie though. I hate running around in the dark at 2 in the morning taping painted clues onto STOP signs across the street. Not my choice of fun.)

I will tell you something secret even though I know Mandy will read this.
I want to get her a pair of those disguise glasses. Like the ones in the picture? With the nose and mustache. Oh jeah.
And I don't even know why.
I think it's because I want to find her a really amazing dress too. And have her wear that and the glasses so I can take dorky pictures of her with the camera.
I AM SO WEIRD.

Today my hair looks like a perm. Honestly it does. But I don't know. I kind of like the idea of painting in my kitchen with really poofy hair. So I think I'm happy about it.

I need to go do a photo shoot with my Taylor Swift dress.
And paint some.
And discuss secret things with Miss Ria. (I have this really amazing secret plan that I really hope is going to work.)

Where is my Madeline book?

Love. Bella.

Hehe....I have a secret.

This is Mandy.
I love her.
And I just started pretty much the raddest present in the world for her.
She better like it.
♥.

I want that crown.

(via?)

Dear Fleur.

I got out my Narnia books the other day. I've been dying for the next movie to come out. Even though they didn't follow the plot-line. Loser[ish].

I've been deciding what to make/buy Mandy for her Birthday. 33 days left baby. And I've only started one gift. Ugh. I am such a bad sister. But. I have some gorgeous ideas so far. Reallllyyyy gorgeous ideas actually.
They kind of involve Narnia. Kind of. Well, you'll hear about it.
Ooo. And Where The Wild Things Are. I am so throwing that in there somewhere.

Now I'm going to go work on some of those gifts. I'll probably finish that one. And get started on that other one. And dream of the really good one.
Learning to love paint these next few weeks. And I need more magazines. AND GLITTER. Don't forget the Sparkling pink lemonade.

Love. Bella.

PostScript: I found my black work shoes yesterday. Chuck Taylors all the way.
And.
I came home with a "Taylor Swift" dress. It's a bit of a story. But that's what it is. (I hate Taylor Swift.)

if you're a bird, i'm a bird.

(via)
dear fleur.
there is a thousand thoughts in my ears right now.
i like it.
and,
i want to watch the notebook again.
i need to ask for that movie for my birthday.

now, i will go and write.
love, bella.

Franny.

Dear Fleur.
I have a little seester.
I love her.
To the moon.
Today is her birthday.
♥.

Dear Franny.

I like you.
I think you know that.
But I just wanted to tell you again.
Joyeux Anniversarie.
You have amazing hair.
One day I'll write a story about it.
ALL ABOUT IT.
When you grow up-because 13 is not grown up my Dear-we will run through Safeway barefoot holding caramel macchiatos form Starbucks.
Yes, I have done that before.
But you have to be at least 15. Because they might kick us out. And 15 year olds get away with more things than 13 year olds.
THINK ABOUT IT.
Oh. And this reminds me of you.

"crocodile,

please stay.

-alligator"
(via letterstocrushes)
Can I call you "crocodile" joli girl?
Maybe?
S'il vous plait?


Love from your Bell.

Littlebrother.Littlesister.

Dear Fleur.
Did you know I really love my little brother? He's cute to the max. And super smart. And more than half as tall as I am already.
HE'S 10 YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME.
Score.
Because by the time I'm 24, he'll be 14. And probably bigger than me. Take that older brothers.
It's his birthday in 15 days.
He's going to be 9 years old.

I think I like that.•

It's Franny's birthday too(I adore her. Some of the best coloured hair in the world).
In 13 days.
I love the idea of that.
But I'm also kind of freaking out if you can tell.
I have to make brilliant presents for 2 brilliant children.
And what in the world do you make a little girl who's turning 13?
My plans:
Think, pink.BeatrixPotter.Lovenotes.magazines.hearts.somemoviestar.paint.&maybepoetry.

•
I"M GOING TO NEED A LOT OF RIBBON.
Love from Bella.