What's in My Bag?

I'm linking up with Kiki today for a peek into my purse. Not that I have anything interesting in there, but I guess now you can decide for yourself. 

I love my Vera Bradley purse because it has a ton of pockets, as will be evidenced by the photos below when I show you the Mary Poppins-like number of things I have in my bag. Seriously. Watch this.

1. Pouch: A present I was sent a few months ago by Samantha from her Etsy shop! See photo below for what I keep in the pouch.

2. Ann Taylor sunglasses + case. I got my sunglasses and case for Christmas from my mom at least three years ago, maybe more. If I lost them, I would cry.

3. Fossil wallet I bought from the outlet mall for $18! Holler.

4. Cell phone

5. Small Vera Bradley case that holds all my business cards and gift cards. Super handy.

6. Keys. Obviously. Although actually I keep these on the hanger next to the door not in my purse.

Now for the side pockets...

Pens. I collect them apparently. Plus a pencil so I can keep it real old school.

Floss. Because my teeth are giant caverns of food.

Hand sanitizer. It's just a good idea.

For someone who doesn't wear a lot of makeup, this collection of lip gloss and chapstick is slightly embarrassing.

Finally, I keep this pack of index cards in a side pocket. I'm not as good about this as I should be, but sometimes when I take a walk break during the work day or while I'm sitting in the car I flip through these and practice my verses.

So that's all I've got! 

Click below if you want to link up or see what other bloggers have in their bags.

Anyone else want to admit to having TEN tubes of some kind of lip goop in their purse? It can't be just me.

Writing with Sparklers

I've never seen anything like my town on the Fourth of July. 

Personal fireworks are illegal in most of the state, but they are legal in my town, and people drive from all over to blow up fireworks in the park on the Fourth. In fact, personal fireworks are such a huge deal that the town always holds its firework display the weekend before the Fourth.

I'd always heard about how big of a deal fireworks were in our town, but last year was the first time I saw it in person. I went to the park to take pictures and got some really awesome ones. The picture below is pretty much what you would see if you stood in the middle of town and turned in a complete circle. It's absolutely nuts, and it goes on for hours.

This year a group of us had a cookout in a friend's house a few miles down the road, so the display wasn't as intense as being in the park. But from their backyard we could still see some of the craziness.

To be honest, I kept seeing pictures on Facebook and Tweets from people at the lake or the beach or up in the mountains, so I was feeling kind of lame about staying home this weekend. I was thankful to have friends to hang out with on Friday night. It was fun!

We all hung out and blew up our own fireworks while I played with sparklers. I wanted to see if I could make letters and shapes with a low shutter speed and my tripod, and...success! I really think taking pictures of fireworks might be one of my favorite things to take pictures of. You just never know what you're going to get.

Are fireworks legal in your town?
Anyone else get any good firework or sparkler pictures this year?

6/12

*Project 12: A photo on the first day of every month in 2014*

January | February | March | April | May

Read

Amanda = 2 books

Animal Farm (not bad) | Divergent (pretty bad)

Traveled

June 5-6  Salt Lake City, Utah // Business trip (recap here)

June 20-22 Texas // My little brother got married! (see pics here)

Dates

We snuck one in at the last minute this month! 
On Saturday, June 28, we went to the Oklahoma History Museum and then to BWW for lunch.

(Remember how we're related to someone famous?)

Things that Happened in June Last Year

1. My mom's side of the family had a reunion at the lake house in Texas

-I took pictures of my grandpa in the grocery store

-I took a lot of other pictures too

2. I spent the weekend in Chicago

Notable Events

Did I mention my little brother got married? I'm still recovering.

* * *

Coming in July...

IT'S BIRTHDAY MONTH.

I already have a number of plans for the epicness that will be Amanda turning 28. For one thing, I called one of my friends a few nights ago and asked her to host a party for me. That's how I roll. For kicks, you can check out what I did on my birthday last year. I took pictures all day. Because obviously.

Also, Jordan turns 29 the week after my birthday. July is just full of birthday fun.

Runners Tell All is happening again on the 21st, so you will want to join in on that awesomeness.

Finally, I'll be taking a two-weekish blog and social media hiatus later this month, which I will announce so you aren't confused about why I've disappeared from the world.

Summer is in full swing, and I hope you're enjoying it so far! I know I am.

Until next month!