Archives for July 2011

it’s what i wore out

July 29, 2011

{check out the headband from h&m…not the roots!}

Here’s the thing about this outfit.
I live in clothes like these.
In fact, the more flowy the clothing item is, the happier and more comfortable I am….

The other thing is…
all these clothes are so worn and old that I can’t even pretend to know where I bought them from.
I actually wore the pants through BOTH pregnancies….
and even still,
they grace my legs at least once or twice a week.

Ya, so maybe it’s not very fashion forward….
but sometimes it’s more about the comfort than anything.

And comfort makes me happy.
Which is the perfect way to go into my weekend!

I hope you enjoy yours!!!

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the heart of a mom

July 27, 2011

my sweet taylor and chloe…

i am searching here for the right way to explain the heart of a mom…

because i want you to fully understand all that i am and all that i feel.

to say i love you,

doesn’t begin to cover it all.

so to put it best…

i everything you.

even on the day you are not perfect.

even on the days you make mistakes.

as there are many days i’m not perfect as well.

many days, in fact, that i make more mistakes than i care to admit.

maybe i’m not as patient, or as loving, or as soft spoken as God would always want me to be.

but i need you to know that i will never stop trying.

trying to be better, to know better, to do better…

because you are worth it.

because i everything you.

and when i’m not all that i should be,

my prayer is and always will be this:

that where I am weak.

He will be strong.

And that His faithful love and mercy and grace

will shine through my cracks

and reach the depths of your souls.

because i confess,

that sometimes…..

my cracks are huge.

and i pray despite it all that this truth remains in your hearts…

i love you.

with all my heart.

with all my soul.

and with all my mind.

with all my everything.

and no bad day,

whether it be mine or yours…

can or will ever change that.

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its what i wore out

July 26, 2011

dress: forever 21, sandals: styles for less, purse: tj maxx, sunnies: f21
event: going out with some hot guy (my husband)

While I’m not a fan of dresses that tie in the back, I made an exception for this one.
Plus, it’s very Rachel Zoe-esque, don’t ya think?

Like.
Shut.
The front door.

I.
Die.

It’s.
kind of.
Bah.

{long pause}

Na.

{long pause}

Nas.

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tracy anderson method: q&a, part 2!

July 25, 2011

I am so proud of myself.

Three weeks and three videos…so far so good on keeping up on my goals!

Now I’m trying to come up with future video ideas, so if you have any, leave a comment and let me know what you want!!!

Hauls (shopping trips), reviews (stuff i love and don’t), tutorials, tips and advice, health & fitness q&a, what???

AND while you’re at it, don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube….because the more subscribers I have, the happier I am.

And now, I present…more of your Tracy Anderson Method questions, answered!

For Part 1, click here.

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master bedroom tour

July 21, 2011

Months later….we are JUST about done with our master bedroom.

All that’s left is to finish painting the desk, and address the little side table next to it.

And of course, I’ll probably always continue to add and take away little things here and there.

But there’s a slight problem.

With all the time it’s taken to finish…

Um.

I’m already a little bored.

I definitely wouldn’t mind a new paint color….a new bed…some extra pillows…and….

Buuuuuuut…..
I care about keeping my marriage together even more.

So, live with it for now, I will.

{oh ya….need to paint this mirror as well}

bed: ikea
duvet cover: west elm
nightstands: ikea diy
end table: ebay
desk: thrifted
curtains & fabric for chair: fabric.com
lamps: thrifted & spray painted
yarn wreath: diy
night table trays, desk chair: target & spray painted
book bins: target

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5 ways to cultivate hope

July 20, 2011

I didn’t write the following (though i wish i had!)….

but it struck me so much when I got it in my email, that I knew I had to share it with you guys.

I may not get the most comments on this blog, but I do get so many incredible (and touching!!!) emails sharing your hearts and lives….and I know I am not alone in the struggle for hope.

So, my prayer is that today….the following blesses your heart in the same way it did mine….

{for the original post and more incredible ones like it, visit Dr. Catherine Hart Weber’s blog.}

~~~~~~~

5 ways you can learn to cultivate hope

Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope.

Learn to cultivate hope

When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God. Charles Allen

Although God has created us with an amazing ability for resilience and recovery during challenging times, it is something we must learn and cultivate. According to research done on the Hope Theory, hope is not inherent or genetically determined. But, hope is entirely possible through the Spirit of God and a learned, deliberate way of thinking.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. Albert Einstein

Hope is future mindedness. Are you going to give up or keep persevering? Are you going to think long-term, willing to put up with short-term pain for long-term gain, success and blessing? Hope expects good things and works towards them. Hope finds pathways and solutions to overcome. Hope doesn’t allow hopelessness from short-term thinking to grip your heart into discouragement and giving up too soon. Hope keeps moving towards goals and purpose, even when facing setbacks.

Here are some ways to learn and cultivate hope.

1. Place your hope in God

The Lord is my light, my hope, my salvation. In Him I trust. Romans 15:13

The ultimate despair is hopelessness without God. True hope is from the Lord, who gives us an internal source of strength – no matter what we are facing.

The 12 Step beginning of recovery is based on hope in God: I am desperate and need God. I believe a power greater than myself is my only hope. So I decide to turn my will and life over to the care of God.

Prayer of Theresa of Avila

Let nothing disturb you

Nothing distress you

While all things fade away

God is unchanging

Be patient for with God in your heart

Nothing is lacking

God is enough

2. Connect with others

Don’t do life alone. Find someone who has traveled the same road successfully and flourished. We are better together. Connect with a spiritual friend, counselor, life coach or spiritual director. Join a small group.

Avoid people or activities that are contaminating and draining

Hope and happiness can spread like the flu. But so can despair. During difficult times, guard your heart and emotional resources.

Reach out to others

When you give and encourage others, you receive as well. Sharing our sufferings is a great leveler and unifier. It helps keep the proper perspective and provides a sense of meaning and purpose.

3. Take good care of yourself – body, mind and brain

Plan activities that cultivate positive emotion – which ignites hope. This is as essential as water to your body. What activities or places cultivate hope for you? It could be journaling, taking a day trip, a massage, gardening or listening to music. Make healthy choices about the basics of life: eat well, get enough rest and sleep, exercise, nourish your soul.

Practice healthy habits of the mind and gratitude

Practice good mental hygiene. Don’t believe every automatic thought you have. They are mostly negative and not true. If you are going through a challenge, be mindful of your progress. Be aware of God being present with you in all things. Celebrate with gratitude what you do have.

Tell your brain what to think and it will impact what you believe how you feel and behave. Base your affirmations on the Word of God and the truth. Sing it out loud. Speak it out loud. Write it down in handwriting. Get the hope message through.

4. Tell your story

Our stories are God’s stories. When we share our journey with others, we communicate hope in a way that others can see how God can work hope in their life. You may not tell it all in words and details, but you can be a hope-giver by letting your life speak through the way you live and love.

5. Have a sense of purpose

Hope keeps moving towards long-term goals and purpose, even when facing setbacks. When your heart is overwhelmed by the storms of life and you can’t hear God’s voice, remind yourself of the message of hope – what God has done and who He is.

God is love. Jesus loves you. God is good and kind and He is in control. God wastes nothing, recycles everything for His glory and purpose. God isn’t finished with you yet. He has a plan and a purpose for you. And when its all said and done – he has prepared a flourishing finish for you with treasures in heaven !

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tracy anderson method: q&a

July 18, 2011

This was SUPPOSED to be my video for last week….and then summer vacation happened.

Or rather, it’s continuing to happen.

What the?!?

“Dear jesus, give me the strength…” I pray, as i rock back and forth, back and forth.

I think there should be an advent calendar for us moms simply for the back to school countdown.

And instead of chocolate (or rather, in addition to!) there will be a stiff drink inside when you open the little door.

There’s my million dollar idea right there…

And now onto my video which has NOTHING to do with the above.

Today, I’m answering just some of the questions I get in regards to my two plus years of doing the Tracy Anderson Method.

If you have questions I didn’t answer, leave them in the comments and I’ll be happy to answer them in my next (part two) video!

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diy: summer umbrella wreath

July 13, 2011

When I first spotted this wreath on my girl Casa Greer‘s blog, I knew it was the pop of happiness my front door needed.

All it took was inviting my crafty friend (gillian) over for motivation, a foam wreath from Michaels, and stack of umbrellas from the dollar store….and wa la:

{how to here}

How can you not smile entering a house with a summertime umbrella wreath?

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how i know God exists

July 12, 2011

My heart was heavy…again.

I felt the loneliness of the day, and following closely behind were jealousy pangs of those with family and friends.

I tried to catch my thoughts, my breath, my sadness…

but the emotions were too much and I quickly buried my face in my hands in order to hide the tears.

Minutes later I felt my 6 year olds arms wrapped around me.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

I wasn’t sure he could handle my heart…but he needed reassurance.

And honesty.

“I just miss my family and my best friends….sometimes I get lonely without them. But, I’ll be okay.”

“I’m your best friend mom, you don’t need to be lonely.” he said, without missing a beat.

I snuggled him closer, feeling my heart swell.

And then he thoughtfully asked,

“Who is your family, mom?”

“Oh you know….my other family. My sisters, my mom, and even my dad….” I trailed off as I felt the sobs catching in my chest.

“But you’re dad is gone, mom….” he sighed.

“I know that you must really miss him. Because when you’re gone, I’ll miss you that much too.

But you have to remember that you have God. He’s your real dad anyway.”

He paused.

“And you know…he’s your mom too….

So, now don’t you feel better?”

And there before me….

a little man with eyes so full of wisdom and love way beyond his years,

stood my direct line to Jesus in a moment exactly when I needed it.

I smiled.

“Yes Taylor….I feel all better.”

{he’s how i know God truly exists}

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best hair care products ever!

July 6, 2011

So.

I have goals.

Lots of them.

And one of those goals is to build my YouTube channel….

So.

I’m going to attempt to make a video once a week.

Ya.

We’ll see how that goes.

{send me ideas too…what you want to know, see, or hear about!}

I did make good on my “goal” for this week, and am ready to debut my Fave Hair Care Products that I live and die for.

Like, seriously.

Live and Die.

Watch and learn and love.

DermOrganics Trio

Body Shop Coconut Oil

Davines Wonder Wax

Sally Hershberger Glam Waves

Be sure to subscribe at my channel, so you’ll be updated when I load new videos!!!

Plus, it just makes me happy when you do.

And when I’m happy, everyone’s happy.

Ask Jimmy.

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