be still | #thebeautybalance

I’ve been diving right into this 31 Day Writing Challenge, where each blogger chooses a topic to write about for 31(ish) days. Because it’s right where God has me, I’ve chosen to share on Blending Beauty with Balance.
(#thebeautybalance, if you want to follow along…or better yet, join the conversation using the hashtag!)

It’ll be a fun and encouraging 31(ish) days where I’ll be sharing tips and tricks while digging deeper, finding purpose, and blending beauty with balance — all with a heart of intention. {all 31(ish) Days will be linked here}

Sometimes I’ll find myself micro-blogging over on my Instagram. This was one of those sometimes…

photo-6

Busy.

We say it with such a sense of pride as though we should be honored for living this life filled with many tasks and events.

I’ve caught myself saying this word far too often, and recently I’ve noticed feeling more a sense of embarrassment than pride when it slips out.
When I give in.
When I load up.

When I don’t have time for the moments and tasks that truly matter.

And in all this I keep hearing the Lord whisper these two simple but life changing words, “Be Still.”

And so, right now, in the midst of to do’s, tasks, and events…I will be still and seek only after what He has for me this week, this day, this moment…

Romans 12:2 says,
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

We must be still for us to hear His will…

SHARE THIS POSTShare on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on PinterestGoogle+Email to someone
It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

blending beauty with balance | #thebeautybalance

The beauty balance really all started with this:

“Consistency breeds Credibility.”

This is one of those quotes that sits with me often and settles into my mind while I attempt to blend some balance throughout my life.

There is so much I want to do and so many things I long to be, and yet when I strive to take them all on at once I lose my balance and fall short in nearly every area.

There is no consistency, no credibility, no balance…which ultimately leaves behind a bitter taste of feeling unconnected.

Consistency.
Credibility.
Connectedness.

And it is these three C’s tumbling around in my mind that have led me to this 31 day writing challenge hosted by The Nester (who you will love).

It’s where God has me.
And it’s what God is laying on my heart to be and to share.

And so I’m committing to be present here and purposeful in my writing and content, prayerfully choosing to share for 31(ish) days on Blending Beauty with Balance.

Brushes for makeup on pink background

As I shared the other day, it’s true that I love beauty, style, and fashion…I mean, I just experience such a giddy joy in finding a fabulous shade of lipstick. And yet, even though that may be a lot of the content both here and on my YouTube channel, what brings an even greater joy to my soul, is living that beauty, and knowing that the beauty we delight in is truly a reflection of our Creator.

It’ll be a fun and encouraging 31 days….sharing tips and tricks, while digging deeper, finding purpose, and blending beauty with balance — all with a heart of intention.

I hope you’ll come back each day and join along in #thebeautybalance conversation, and I’ll be sure to link each post back to this page, so that there will be a landing spot for all of the 31(ish) posts.

And of course…to make it even easier to follow along, I encourage you to subscribe to my blog so you’ll never miss an update!

Day 2: The monthly beauty box balance | Beauty Box 5
Day 3: Best of Life. Health. Beauty | Girl Chat
Day 4: Saldana Fam Cam: My inner struggles with comparison
Day 5: The work at home, stay at home, mom balance
Day 6: Be still
Day 7: How to shop healthy on a budget
Day 8: Adorned from the inside out
Day 9: Top 5 Weekly Beauty Faves
Day 10: Saldana Fam Cam: Sprouts Grocery Haul & The Best Smoothie Ever
Day 11: Bulu Health & Weight Loss Box
Day 12: The Comparison Cure
Day 13: How to straighten hair with minimum damage
Day 14: Yay or Nay? Reviews on the products I’ve used up!
Day 15: Saldana Fam Cam: Healthy Grocery Hauls & a New Family Member
Day 16: Summer’s Lovin’: Top 5 Beauty Favorites of the Week
Day 17: Saldana Fam Cam: Whole Foods Haul, Kayla Itsines & Funny Yoga
Day 18: The Greatest Beauty Truths We Can Ever Know
Day 19: Erin Condren Life Planner vs. Whitney English Day Designer
Day 20: We Are His Poem, We Are His Masterpiece: A Pastors Perspective
Day 21: Makeup Totally Worth Buying

SHARE THIS POSTShare on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on PinterestGoogle+Email to someone
It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

we exist only to reflect his light | mini instagram blog session

We exist only to reflect His light.
The most lovely light anyone has ever seen.

In everything we say and do…
In all the ways we live and love…
In each and every little decision we make throughout our day…

In all these things, in all these ways, we ought to remember that it’s not about us.
It’s not about proving something.
It’s not even about finding happiness.

It’s only about reflecting Him.

photo-4

__________

Sometimes I have thoughts.
{Which is often to be celebrated when you’re a parent…}

And so often lately those thoughts just don’t seem enough for a blog post, but the writer in me still desires to share.
In fact, so often its as I write my heart, that I’m better able to understand where it stands.

It’s the writers life, I suppose.

More and more, I’m finding that those thoughts, quotes, pictures and inspirations are spilling out on to the pages of my Instagram, becoming what many hashtaggers might consider #miniblogsessions.
But every once in awhile, I’m thinking those macro posts just might also end up here.

Today is that day.

SHARE THIS POSTShare on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on PinterestGoogle+Email to someone
It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

saldana fam cam: discontentment, jam session and balayage

This summer is going way too fast for me, and as I was just telling Jimmy the other night, it’s been far too busy as well.

I had such high hopes that summertime would bring us all rest and relaxation, and instead I feel busier than ever before. And while some of that is all me and some of the projects I’m taking on, it still feels too…rushed. I am desperately needing a second to gather my thoughts, center myself, and reflect on all thats truly important.

| This week on the Saldana Fam Cam |

Screen Shot 2014-08-09 at 10.28.41 PM

~ We had an insane heat wave hit our area with what felt like a deathly level of humidity accompanying it, and given that we don’t have air conditioning in our house, we were all a bit on the lethargic GRUMPY side. And so, of course, we ended up doing what any normal family without air conditioning does…we got in the car with dinner and a movie…and went for a long drive to look at dream houses. Wait till you see these crazy modern styled homes we discovered!

~ One thing this week that seemed to be a common theme for both Jimmy & me, was in the area of discontentment. Always striving for more but continually feeling as though it’s not enough… And so, one night after we got the kids to bed, we had a little heart to heart that really put things into perspective for the both us, I think. I have this feeling that we’re not the only ones living this struggle, especially in this generation of Facebook & Instagram where the grass is always greener and more manicured on the other side, and so I pulled out my camera and tried to capture the tail end of our discussion. Praying it speaks to you the way it did to me.

~ A bright side to my week was my beloved hair appt where we freshened up my balayage and actually went a little lighter in the front. I’m absolutely obsessed with this style of coloring hair now, that I’m pretty sure I can never go back to any other method. Unfortunately, the girl I’ve been going to is raising her prices and with our budget these days, I just can’t justify paying the increase. So now I’m on a mad (and desperate) sleepless hunt for a new Balayage Hair Master here in San Diego, and praying that someone around these parts can duplicate what’s already been done.

Yes, I realize this is all sorts of #firstworldproblems.

~ We also had the opportunity to attend the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus for the third year now, and absolutely loved it. I tried to capture my most favorite acts (that don’t involve animals, because I understand that’s a sensitive situation), that truly took our breath away. We all agreed that this particular show was our favorite so far!

~ And then of course there’s the beauty stuff, where I test out a new City Cosmetics Lip Plumper and show what makeup I’m wearing on the days I actually take the time to put some on. You also have got to watch the part where Chloe styled not only herself and Girafee for church, but then picked out my jewelry as well. She is just too adorable for words.

I hope you guys enjoy!!!

xo

{PS – I really am longing to get back to my writing posts as well, but am finding that it is incredibly difficult to form complete thoughts while the kids are home all summer. Babysitters or Grandparents would just be so lovely to have in my life, ya know? Anyway, so my prayer is that in the next couple weeks once we’re back on a schedule and school has started for Taylor, that my writing and thinking groove will get back on track. Bear with me!!! xo}

SHARE THIS POSTShare on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on PinterestGoogle+Email to someone
It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

quiet time with the Lord when you’re not a morning person

I realize that may not be the catchiest of blog post titles, but it certainly describes well the exact struggle I have always had in creating the habit of a daily quiet time with the Lord.

quiettime

I’m still not quite sure what God had in mind when he created me to get my best hours of sleep during the early morning hours, all the while my children are getting their best hours of AWAKE at the exact same time. It also makes it quite difficult to be that mom who gets up early to meet with Jesus over coffee (which is another thing I have an aversion to) before my children are awake.

But, if I’m being completely honest….even if they were sleeper inners…I would STILL most likely  not want to get up that early.

I love Jesus. But I love him better when I get good sleep.

With all that said….After a tearful heart to heart with one of my closest friends, we knew we needed to come up with a way to create a daily habit of quiet time with the Lord and NOT have it associated necessarily with mornings and coffee.

And so here’s our version of quiet time with the Lord & our accountability to it…for those, perhaps, that are not necessarily morning moms either. (Although this system will still work for those lucky ones that are!): The Better Mom: My Kind of Quiet Time.

xo

 

SHARE THIS POSTShare on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on PinterestGoogle+Email to someone
It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

sabbatical. it’s kind of a thing.

sabbatical

noun

: a period of time during which someone does not work at his or her regular job and is able to rest, travel, do research, etc.

:  a break or change from a normal routine 

It’s kind of a thing, taking a sabbatical, if you haven’t noticed….especially around these here blogging parts. In fact, towards the end of last year, I jumped on the bandwagon and had my own little break for a limited amount of time. And it was quite lovely.

God knew what was up when after 6 days of creating the Universe and all of life, He called a time out.

“…and on the 7th day, He rested.”

I’m certainly not God (um, did I even need to write that statement?!?), and I’m certainly not creating the Universe, but there has been a whole lot of busy in my life lately and I’m finding it difficult to do it all well AND be present with the ones who matter most.

prioritiesquote
,/p>

I love blogging. I love writing. And I love each and every one of you that takes the time to read, comment, email and sweetly support me in my little online hobby.

But, if I don’t take a minute to rest and get things back into balance, there will be nothing left of a blog or an online hobby to connect through.

So for the next week, maybe two, will you be praying for me as I breathe and pray and find balance and intention in all that I’ve given my heart to?  Because what good is a rest, if it’s not in His presence?

…and if you really miss me, there is always email, my YouTube, Instagram (my go to social media choice!), and of course, the Mommalogues!

Love you all dearly…see you in a bit!

xo

SHARE THIS POSTShare on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on PinterestGoogle+Email to someone
It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

our missions work ~ and so we all continue to cling to hope

Our Missions Work ~ and so we all continue to cling to hope…

I had hoped I would be inspired to write every day once I got away from the noise of my life. I had big dreams to finish a writing project, and even bigger dreams to start a new one.

But, it seemed the noise never really went away. It simply changed.

What was once the noise of busyness quickly became the noise of something I can’t quite understand enough yet to explain, honestly.

All I know is that there are a million thoughts, a million questions, and so many sets of wide questioning eyes staring into mine, and all I can do is blink back the tears, pray and trust.

And so we all continue to cling to hope.

DR2014crops

It’s my 3rd trip here this year, and each time it gets easier while it also gets harder. Easier because I feel the love and an even deeper connection than ever before. The trust is building, and the comfort comes easy. And yet, harder because my eyes become more and more open to the truth of their lives and their world, and just how difficult it truly is to make change.

DR2014Rosemary

We want it.
They think they want it.
And then habits and culture show up stronger than the hope, and the cycle begins.

And then there is the issue of my heart and the reality of not being able to do all that it desires to do.
Our world is too big, and my reach seems too short.
How can I be there as often I hope to, when the resources I have don’t match the desires that consume me?

They’d ask every day when was I going home and begged for an answer as to when I’d be back. And instead I’d look into their eyes and think of all the things I’d need to say in that short moment we had, because the truth is, I never know for sure when that will be.

And so we all continue to cling to hope.

DR2014Noeltoys

It’s a bunch of wants and needs and feelings that are all so incredibly real and true.
And it’s a whole lot of completely opposite wants, needs and feelings that also are incredibly real and true.

And this has been my truth this trip.
A whole lot of happiness.
An awful lot of disappointment.
And an even stronger desire to rest it all in the Lords capable hands, because mine are simply too weak.

And once again, over and over again, we all continue to cling to hope.

SHARE THIS POSTShare on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on PinterestGoogle+Email to someone
It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

what we need to teach our daughters about beauty

What I hope we teach our daughters about beauty…

My Beautiful Sweet Baby Girl,

As your mama there are so many things I want to teach you about life and love, and there are so many things I long to protect you from in those areas as well. I look at what I’ve walked through, what I’ve learned from, what I’m noticing even now…and I just want to pour it all into your soul so that you can skip the confusion and pain it sometimes takes to learn.

But, the truth is, that isn’t always the way life works. You will walk, you will stumble and at times you will flat out fall, and in the midst of it all, I trust you will learn your own beautiful lessons as well. What I can do, what God has given me the job to do, is simply share what He’s shown me and hope that as you find your way, the lessons I’ve passed on will better help you to more easily get back up and give you the push to continue on.

You may only be 5, but we talk quite often about beauty. I hear you say you wish you looked like some of your little friends from your preschool class, or how you long to have a cute voice like our sweet sounding dentist. I see you noticing the beauty around you, and while I love that, it aches me to hear it paired with comparison.

You love to watch me when I’m spending time playing with or applying my makeup, and every time you beg me to make you over as well, saying, “Make me pretty too, mom!” And what do I always tell you? I say, “You are beautiful no matter what, Chloe, makeup or not…because God created you perfectly so.”

daughtersbeauty

I don’t just say that because that’s what mommies are supposed to say, I say that because it’s one of the most absolute truths I could ever share with you.  You are perfectly beautiful to me.  And even more so to the one who created you.

But, there’s so much more I want you to understand about beauty, my sweet girl. So much more I need you to remember, because I know it will allow you to live and love and see God in ways you’d never imagine.  I may teach you many makeup and fashion tips and tricks along the way, but what I always want you to remember about beauty is what God has been busy at work showing me throughout my life.

~ Find the beauty in everything, and everyone.  Make it a habit, or maybe even a game, to see how far you can take this. Find it in the people who hurt you, in the dark moments or days that will come or have passed.  Beauty is in all things, because God is in all things. When you find the fingerprint of Him, you’ve happened upon the truest form of beauty.

~ Enjoy the process and all the moments involved when you’re creating, just as much as you enjoy the final creation.  Do this in all areas, in all the things you do, and you’ll experience life in a way many will sadly miss out on.  Creating is just as beautiful as the creation.

~ Remember that what truly shines through is what we most spend our time on. Whatever amount of time you spend on the skin you’re in, quadruple that on the time you invest making your insides even better. The saying is true, true beauty shines from the inside out.

~ While hair and makeup and fashion is fun, the true beauty is the power it has to connect us. Many times, in many ways, I’ve witnessed the bond women form over beauty.  Whether it’s sitting for hours getting braids in the Dominican Republic or getting bleach blonde highlights in Southern California, I continually notice that in those moments there is often times sharing, laughing, connecting…and more importantly, healing. It can seem so surface, and many will say that it is.  But if you’re careful to observe, you’ll see that sometimes the secular things in life, done right, can open hearts to see Him.  Don’t miss that sweet girl.

~ Always keep your perspective, because your heart is what defines worship. Our dear friend and pastor, Matt Smith, recently shared that just as every holy activity can become godless with the wrong heart, so can every neutral activity become worshipful with the right heart.  There is no difference between what is sacred and secular. The difference is your heart.

sacredsecular

~ Don’t get so caught up in all that glitters…that you miss what it’s truly all for.
Connection.
Shared Moments.
Trust.
Healed Hearts.

Keep your perspective, maintain a heart of worship, and do it all for the glory of Him.  It’s okay to love beauty. It’s okay to long for beauty. It’s okay to want to share and delight in the beauty of life and people and things around you.
But, never forget who created it.
And never forget what He created you for.

Make beauty.
Be Beauty.
And do it all with a heart of worship.

I love you baby girl, with all my heart.

xoxo,
your mama

SHARE THIS POSTShare on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on PinterestGoogle+Email to someone
It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

the magic of night, the magic of new

There is something so magical about the nighttime for me.
I come alive at night, I find hope at night, I find purpose, inspiration, and meaning in life.

magicofnightwords

It’s as though every night is a new year for me.
Every night I think over my day and I reflect on what was good.
What wasn’t good.
Where I went wrong.
Where I went right.

I sit on the couch and I think over the choices that were made, the moments that were had, and I love it.
I look over at my husband fast asleep on the couch beside me, because even though he’s tired, he still…after 11 years…wants to be next to me as much as possible.

And then I think of those silly insignificant moments I showed frustration.
The things I got annoyed at that I know I’d truly end up missing if they someday stopped.

But somehow, the magic of night gives me hope.
I consider all that I have, all that I long for, all that I dream of…
and at night, I believe in all of it.

At night, I believe tomorrow will be different.
I’ll be better.
I’ll do better.
I’ll love better.
I’ll make healthier, wiser, more loving decisions both for myself and for others.

I believe all that, and I promise myself…tomorrow will be that much better.

But sometimes tomorrow isn’t all of that though.
Sometimes tomorrow brings more of what the day before had, only worse or harder.
I mess up bigger.
I repeat the same selfish mistakes.

But then night comes again, and it all comes back to me.
Reflection.
Hope.
Magic.

Or maybe it’s God.
Maybe in the busyness of the day, in the craziness of taking things into my own hands, I lose a bit of Gods power.
I miss out on His magical presence.

But at night…
when all is still and quiet and I’m still and alone…
I am overwhelmed in His presence…

And it’s magic.
It’s hope.
It’s God.
And it’s Good.

SHARE THIS POSTShare on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on PinterestGoogle+Email to someone
It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

struggling with doubt ~ the simple act of looking up

Struggling with Doubt ~ the simple act of looking up

It’s no secret that 2013 was a year of struggle for me, especially in the area of Faith & God.  I found myself questioning everything.  And I mean everything.

It got to the point where I wondered if I was even a Christian anymore, because how could a Christian have the kind of doubts I was struggling with?

Woman beach sunrise.

I spent many nights crying, either due to fear or exhaustion over it all, and just wishing I could go back to the simple place of “have faith & believe.”

Yet I had so many questions.  Big questions.  Hard questions.  Unanswerable questions.

Truthfully, and this may be hard for believers to hear, during all that I wasn’t even able to read my Bible.  I’d open it up and just stare at words that were familiar, yet seemed so distant as well.  I was afraid to read, afraid that what I’d understand from it wasn’t correct, and once again I’d be lost.
Even more so than I already was.

I was going in circles.
Painful confusing circles, where after a bit of time, I just needed to sit down from the motion sickness of it all.

And when I sat down and I quit trying to figure it all out, I simply looked up.

look up

And there it was.
The answer.

The toughest questions I had, were suddenly answered in the simplest act of just fixing my eyes above.

The beauty.
The wonder.
The majestic views this world has to wonder…
It can’t be explained away.

There is just something beautifully bigger than us that we will never really truly be able to understand from where we stand right now.

We can give ourselves a title based on our beliefs and studies: Christian, Evangelical, Conservative, Calvanists, Armenians…. but the truth is, we will never fully see the Big Picture until we are face to face with the Artist Himself.

And now?
I feel as though I’m finally on the other side.
I know what is true.
And what is left, I don’t need to try to make sense of right now.

He’s given me what I need to know in this moment, and it’s enough for me.

I’m simply choosing to look up.

 

SHARE THIS POSTShare on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on PinterestGoogle+Email to someone
It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!