Saturday, March 30, 2013

He Restores My Soul

He restores my soul...

Recently, I was asked to write my personal faith testimony as part of an application to shepherd a child at a Christian school.  This was overwhelming at first.  I didn't want to just quickly write something so important! But with some thought, I realized the words were already there.

I've wanted to post this on my blog, both to record it for myself, and also to share with you.  What better time than Easter weekend?

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There are many pieces of scripture that I turn to in all phases of life- when I am joyful, when
I am sad, when I am anxious, or when I just need to be reminded of the Lord's presence. Of
all these verses, there is one that encompasses my faith, my very core, in just four words-
"He restores my soul," the first half of Psalm 23:3.

I was blessed to grow up with incredible parents, and teachers in a Christian school, who
taught me about God's unconditional love for as far back as I can remember. They instilled
in me the values and morals that I still uphold today, and for that I am so thankful. I
remember, at age seven, being told that to be saved, all I had to do was accept Jesus Christ
as my Lord and Savior and ask Him into my heart. I did exactly that, and I've been asking
Him to stay in my heart and guide my path ever since.

There are times when I face struggles, or self-doubt, or am weary and feeling
lost. Sometimes it's easy to become discouraged, or ask why things happen the way they
do. But, even looking back on hard situations, I know that God has used those experiences
to show me that I cannot do it alone- that I need Him- and to make me stronger and shape
me into the person He wants me to be. And any struggle cannot even compare with all of
the beauty and wonder of this world, and the experiences and relationships with others that
He's given me.

Like each of us, I am unworthy of the Lord's never-ending faithfulness. What a perfect gift
He gave us in sending His son to save us all. I am truly blessed beyond measure.

Day after day, His grace and promise is made new, and His love never fails.

Again and again, He restores my soul.

I love my post

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Leopard Spots & Polka Dots

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Texas weather can be such a trickster sometimes.  A couple of weeks ago, we were flirting with spring and I was overjoyed to pull out my sandals and short sleeves.  This week it was back to chilly temps, and I was reacquainted with my winter coats. I suppose this is okay since I have a major love affair with my pink J. Crew coat and will be sad to put it away until next year.

I'm starting to get a little burned out on my winter wear, so I've tried to get creative.  I like to think that picking out an outfit in the morning before work is a little brain booster.  What can I say, I work at a brain research center!

I'd only ever worn this leopard skirt with black tights and a cardigan, but I grabbed this ruffled top, normally a summery piece for me, an added a jacket, both for warmth and to really pull it together. Normally I don't like to wear my hair in a ponytail, but for some reason, I received several compliments on it that day and was told I looked very professional- score!


Shirt, bracelet, earrings: Target // Skirt: Nordstrom

I also gave this whole bracelet-stacking business a whirl.  Everyone else seems to be able to pull this off, but it has yet to work for me- maybe because my wrists are small and nothing stays in place? Or perhaps I'm just not stacking the right pieces?

Any stacking pros out there who can help a sister out?

As for a "going out" outfit this weekend, I put together my red jeans with a polka dot top and loved the combination- wish I had tried this sooner! And I finally figured out how to curl my own hair. More on this later.  Let me tell you, it's a little bit of a miracle!

Shirt: Old Navy // Jeans: Dillard's

Monday, March 25, 2013

Ideal Weekend


I've said before that my ideal weekend is a perfect combination of fun, productivity, and relaxation- and this weekend was just that!

I spent plenty of time with my girls-


 
Night in with yummy dinner, wine, and a movie.

We chose Hotel Rwanda, feeling intellectual, and while we learned a lot, it is such a sad movie! Not our best idea.


 
However, margaritas in downtown Fort Worth with my sweet friend Megan... that was a good idea!

Also got together with bride-to-be Sarah and one of her other bridesmaids for alterations, which was both fun and productive.  Less than three months until she's a Mrs.!

I had plenty of downtime for relaxation, and went for a long Sunday afternoon walk in my neighborhood.  I've failed at my resolution to exercise, so this was a good start back into a healthy routine.  And, I went into major cleaning mode, and the apartment is looking better than it has in a while! Let's hope it stays that way for a little bit.

How was your weekend?!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Co-Hosting "I Love My Post"!

We are currently recruiting Co-Hosts if you would like to join us as one give Sarah an email.

I love my post
Welcome to the I Love My Post blog hop where we invite you to link up your favourite post of the week, to show it off and hopefully receive some love from the others partaking in the hop!

If you are yet to participate in a hop they are really simple to get the hang of all you need to do is 'hop' around, hopefully finding some new great reads!

The Rules are simple. 
1. Check out and follow the hosts and co-hosts. Leave them a comment if you would like them to follow back.
 2. Choose at least 3 other blogs and hop on over and leave them some love, plus let them know how you found them - I'm sure they would love it if you followed as well! 
3. Have Fun and come back next Saturday.

Please just don't link up and click off to make this successful everyone needs to hop around!

Your Host’s this week are: 
Sarah from Life in a Break Down 
Bex from Futures
and our lovely co-hosts are: 
Kristyn from Carolina Fireflies 
Julie from Just Julie 
Aqeela from Aqeela MUA 
Joy from The Sowell Life

I would love it if you would tweet, share on facebook or place our button on your blog, the more sharing we can get happening the bigger this hop can become!

Life in a Break Down
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.lifeinabreakdown.com/" title="Life in a Break Down"><img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img268/1971/ilovemypostnew.jpg" alt="Life in a Break Down" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

This week's Featured Blogger is: Joy from The Sowell Life



The Sowell Life - takes you into the world of Joy and her husband giving you a glimpse into there life in the Souther US. Find out all about there love for each other, wedding, family and friends in this really sweet blog. ~ Sarah

If you fancy being next week’s featured blogger make sure you follow all the rules give you hosts and co-hosts a follow and Sarah could be calling on you next week to come and feature with us.

TGIF

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1. Embracing St. Patrick's Day with a green shirt (it's greener in real life than this picture) that my friend Liz brought me all the way from Thailand.
2. First time laying by the pool this season.  I was probably unreasonably excited about it.
3. Pink champagne in a pretty glass. Sometimes you just have to treat yourself.
4. Little sister is home for spring break! Loved spending time with family this week.
5. My roomie gave a wonderful sermon last weekend on the temptation we feel to try to control everything in our lives.  Her mantra for us: Trust God, Trust People, Trust Your Process. Words to live by for sure.
 
How was your week?

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Fantasy Set of Four Wheels

So, this weekend I got a new car...


Just kidding, y'all.  The $320,000 price tag on this 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish got in the way, or this totally would be mine!

It's crazy that something you drive can cost that much! And in just an instant, it can be smashed to pieces!

Like so many things, cars are a status symbol.  We often judge someone based on the car they drive just as much as what they wear.  Isn't it amazing how the objects in our lives tell so much about us, or make others assume they know us?

If we're getting materialistic here, then I'll just declare right now that I'd like to own a Lexus someday.

2014 Lexus IS 350 F Sport
Source: autoblog.com
My parents bought me my current vehicle back in 2007, and I'm hopeful that it will last me for a few more years.  Or at least until I have some little ones to tote around... car seats and a 2-door vehicle don't mix well!

But, I am stubborn and don't want to ever drive a minivan. (No offense to any moms out there that do, just not my thing!)  And I don't think a Suburban is for me either.  I'm a fan of the Nissan Murano though.

Source: theautochannel.com
Let's just see what's on the market when it's time for me to buy a "mom car."

Aston Martins and minivans aside, even after an afternoon perusing the Dallas Auto Show, I was more than happy to come home and drive my reliable, sporty Honda Accord.  I'll never forget being totally surprised the weekend I came home from college and my parents had it waiting in the garage, pink bow on the dash and all!



.....But a girl can still dream, right?
Just trying out the Mazda Miata...
What's your fantasy set of four wheels?


Saturday, March 16, 2013

Where You Should Be on May 4...



Part of my job involves serving as the liaison between the Center for BrainHealth and our young professionals group, the Think Ahead Group, or TAG for short.  The group is comprised of people in their 20s and 30s who are passionate about brain research- in disease, in injury, and in health- and raising funds to advance BrainHealth's research.

It is an incredible group of young people, and our annual signature event is the TAG Derby Party.  It is a total blast and is our largest yearly fundraiser that enables us to support the Center.  If you are anywhere near Dallas on Saturday, May 4, you totally want to join us.  We'll be at the Dallas Arboretum enjoying Southern fare and mint juleps, listening to the tunes of the Tom Petty cover band "Petty Theft," winning raffle prizes, and so much more.  And, of course, we'll be watching the famous Kentucky Derby race.          

Not to mention you'll get to hang out with these fine-looking folks and many more! Who doesn't love a good excuse to wear a big hat for the ladies and a seersucker bow tie for the gentlemen?!



If you want to join in the festivities, tickets are on sale.

Can't make it to the Derby but want to support brain research? You can also make a gift.

Happy Saturday, Derby Divas and Southern gentlemen!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Fun, Productivity, and Relaxation


My ideal weekend is a combination of fun, productivity, and relaxation.  Fortunately, this weekend consisted of all three!

With all the time I spend at work and other activities during the week, Saturday and Sunday are my best opportunities to clean, grocery shop, etc. Not to mention that I view them as an opportunity to re-charge, clear my head, and prepare for a new week.  That downtime is so important! Therefore, I almost always manage to take a nap every weekend... even when I don't intend to! In college I was the queen of naps, so now I have to take them when I can get them!

And, of course, I'm a big believer in having fun and a great personal life beyond one's career.  So I made sure to fit in plenty of playtime this weekend.  Somehow I only managed to take one picture of these festivities, so you'll have to use your imagination!

I left work a little early on Friday and got a massage... how's THAT for relaxation?! Friday night consisted of sushi and hair curling lessons with my sweet friend Heather. She's really talented at things like cake baking, decorating, and styling hair.  I have never been good at curling my hair, so she attempted to teach me. (See above).  There may be hope for me yet!

Saturday morning I played Bingo at the nursing home, and the residents were extra feisty, perhaps because of the gloomy weather. I hope I'm that spirited when I'm an old lady!  That night the roomie and I had Tex-Mex with a big group to celebrate a friend's birthday, and I later met up with more friends for dessert--go big or go home, right? 

And Sunday consisted of church, lunch with new friends, and a lot of the "productive" part of my weekend... with some prosecco and Teen Mom 2 thrown in! : )

Here's to feeling refreshed and ready for another full week.... how was your weekend?
 

Friday, March 8, 2013

High Five for Friday

This was a very full week.  A few not-so-fun things, but still plenty of good things! Excited for a fun weekend!

Linking up with Lauren for High Five for Friday

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1. Never underestimate the power of a woman in red high heels.
2. I don't care how unhealthy they are, McDonald's hash browns are still one of my favorite breakfast foods. I should probably never watch Supersize Me.
3. Yes, it is-- sometimes we just need a little reminder!
4. Volunteering for a good cause + an excuse to dress up= my kind of night! My roommate and I volunteered at Dancing for CAUSE, a nonprofit that our friend Heather works for.  
5. Brunch with the roomie.  Vanilla French toast and mimosas? Um, yes please!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Hiatus

Well, hello there, March!

I realized I've taken an unintentional blog hiatus and haven't posted in over a week! Oops.

The thoughts are all here in my head, but I just haven't taken the time to write them down.  I've been working longer hours lately, and throw in other obligations and a little fun, and you're left with me home late and too tired to tackle laundry or clean my room, let alone blog!

I fully intend to catch up and have some great posts coming up.  (At least, I hope you'll think they're great!)

Until then, here's a snapshot from last weekend of me and my ladies:



Volunteering for a good cause + an excuse to dress up= my kind of night!