"Put a smile on your face

....and make the world a better place!"

I have adored saying this phrase time and time again to people I see at school. There are way too many grumpy looking people out there! Plus it's been scientifically proven that smiling can help you feel happier (happy endorphins are released).

So why not give it a go and try it yourself? What is there to lose? :)

If your day isn't going just as you have planned or someone has beat you down (metaphorically speaking...I hope nobody has actually beaten you up...if so get some help asap), even the darkest clouds can be brightened. I'm not trying to suggest that I am the happiest, jolliest person around but I sure do know i'd rather spend my time being joyful than worrying about the little things in life.
Basically I hope you can learn to make the best out of every situation and think positively. (You don't happen to want to hear my 'positivity song' do ya?)

I know puting a smile on my face really does make all the difference: it not only helps me to feel more comfortable in my own skin but is also infectious.

Remember this one thing: Rainbows only come after rainstorms.

Happy smiling & Happy Tuesday! Love, Reilly Michele

Happy new year baby!

I seriously suck at this whole blogging thing! First of all I must apologise: my laptop has decided to hate me and die so all my lovely pictures are either on a dead laptop or still on my camera...either way it'll be a while before my blog sees them. Second of all I meant to post this ages ago but was trying to find the perfect pictures to accompany a great list of highlights :) I hope your 2014 has been great so far. I've adored mine. It's been full of firsts and lasts. This is going to be such a bittersweet year! Anyways on to the main focus of this entry:

Highlights of my 2013:

January

-Sat my first A level exams (man were they scary....I also discovered the power of food regarding stress relieving)
-very seriously started thinking about my future

February

-Had a cute bestfriend valentines day date...and got nasty stares from people since most of them thought we were a couple -.- (boy were they wrong!)
-Performed in my last ever Dance Platform (didn't know it would be my last one at the time)

March

-dressed up as Katniss Everdeen for world book day (& forgot to take pictures)
-Got my first a level exam results back and although they were not what I expected, they still kept me on the right track for university

April

-went back to old hometown in Germany, saw friends & reminisced
-enjoyed a wonderful General Conference!

May

-turned the ripe old age of 17 (it's old when the people you hang out with are younger than you)
-had two terrifying foreign language speaking exams (did I mention I got 100% on my german?? Some people blame my parent's moving choices but I still had to work hard)
-went to Taco Bell for the first time in 9 years!! (By the way...there is one in Manchester's City Mall)

June

-Saw BYU's wonderful ballroom dance company
-Graduated my third year of Seminary
-took the ACT's (with no idea what to expect)

July

-went on a high school biology trip to Wales (this was a biggie since it was my first ever high school overnight trip in an english speaking country = no awkward language barriers = Yay!!)
-attended the first ever brittish church pagent
-went on my last ever young women's  camp (but I was a leader and made an awesome friend)

August

-Attended a Youth camp as a young Leader surrounded by a gorgeous man-made lake (It was a beautiful place to run every morning...cue blurry photos)

-Spent two weeks in wonderful France (and attempted to improve my speaking skills.... Making reservations on the phone in French was pretty tough)
-Took some gorgeous beach photos (cue photos)

-climbed Mount Snowdon (and hopefully will not be climbing it any time soon)

September

-started my senior year of high school as a House Leader (I help manage and lead House activities and events....not Quidditch :P )
-attended and awesome multi-stake seminary super Saturday
-started this blog!

October

-Officially started my BYU application
-Went Ice skating with my adorable friends!
-Had a great Halloween with some close school friends
-was mom for the week whilst my momma visited my grandparents in AZ
November
-celebrated Bonfire Night with Wellingtons and Fireworks
-Went to a super cute Disney themed dance
-Hosted a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner
-Sent off my BYU application (and still [not so] patiently waiting for a reply)

December

-got ready for Christmas
-went to some adorable Christmas Parties with Friends and Family
-Enjoyed finding perfect gifts for family
-Celebrated Christmas!

And.....

Plans for 2014:
-Finally get a reply from BYU (hopefully also get accepted)
-Eat even more healthily
-Have a steady exercise regime (& stick to it)
-Give thanks more
-be more prepared
-Attend FSY (EFY)
-Graduate Seminary & High School
-Go on a cute vacation with Friends
-Take more pictures (try to do 'a selfie a day')
-Travel to the States
-visit Family and Friends
-Attend BYU
-Start my mission papers
-Travel around Western U.S.A.
-personally attend General Conference
-Serve in as many temples as possible
-Get a job (& save up!)

{a bunch of random photos from the past year}

Thanks for dealing with my randomness and sorry for sounding depressing at the very beginning (I do assure you I am far from being a lonely saddo even if I do say so more often than not) :D Lots of love, Reilly