A few things at once... A Story Lately Told, the memoir of Anjelica Huston, the first issue of Bella Grace magazine (which I love, and have a post for later this week!), and the book of Daniel in my morning devotions.  I realized that there were a few Old Testament books whose stories I knew, but had never read, so I'm working through them!  And I just got more books in the mail, so the reading multiple things at once trend shows no sign of slowing...









That Friday would hurry up and get here! We're going to the lake, and I'm super excited to be away for a few days.  We took the day off for a 3 day weekend and everything!






Autumn things! I want to do all kinds of fall activities this year - pumpkin patches, apple orchards, ghost walks... I'm super excited for the seasons to change!

I need to send more snail mail.  I love getting it.  I love when you make the pages cute and maybe spray them with perfume or put pressed flowers in the envelope.  I need to do that.  With the instant communication that we have now, I think we kind of cheapen it sometimes.  My sweet friend Lindsey sent me this last Galentines Day (watch Parks and Recreation if you don't know what that is.  It will enrich your life.)

I am so flipping excited for fall to get here.  I've already bought so many pumpkin candles, but I'm refraining from burning them until it's at least September.  I'm so ready for the leaves to change.  We've already started planning all our fall outings - apple picking, haunted corn mazes, bonfires. I think I'm going to try my hand at mulled wine.  It's going to be a good season.

(This hand painted leaf was from a DIY I did last fall, here.)

On a whim, I bought Bella Grace magazine the last time I went to Books a Million... and boy, am I glad I did.  I've only read about a third of the way through, and I've been overwhelmed by inspiration and just general goodness.  I highly encourage you to pick up a copy.

My wonderful friend Chelsea's going away party is tonight.  I love her so much.  She's headed to Colorado to start a graduate program in public health, and I know she is going to do so many amazing things.  Still, it's hard to watch her go.

I hope you and yours are having a wonderful weekend! 

I got an idea this week, and I hope to make it a regular blog feature.  I read a bunch of articles online.  Between what gets linked on Facebook, Reddit, and Twitter, I feel like I'm learning lots of fun information pretty much every day.  And when I find something cool, I like to share.  So, Tuesdays will now be when I share the cool stuff I've found in the proceeding week that I think you might find cool, too.

Packing can be a pain, especially for long trips, and especially for plane rides.  Between trying to stuff enough clothes for a week or more into a suitcase and making sure that all your gear fits airline regulations, packing can take the fun out of preparing for a trip - and for me, at least, anticipation and preparation is half the fun!

Here's what I stowed in my carry on that helped me through the week and a half we were gone - plus, they all fit plane regulations!

Now that I've reached that milestone, here's how I did it while keeping my mental health functioning at (what passes for around here) top notch.

1. Do. Not. Procrastinate.  The memes make it look cute and there will always be something more fun going on.  You know what isn't fun? Writing that huge research paper in a night because you stayed out with friends when you should have been working.  If you start as assignment as soon as you know about it, you can work on it for about an hour a day and have plenty of time for correcting and proofreading before turning it in.

2. Cool it on the partying.  This isn't something I really dealt with, because I'm a 60 year old woman at heart and heaven forbid I get in bed later than 11pm.  But if it is something that you deal with, find other ways to let off steam.  Don't drink until you're of a legal age, and never in excess.  What is appealing about being so out of control of your faculties that you can't remember what went on that night? Absolutely nothing, and it can put you in some really regrettable situations.

3. Be mindful about money.  For many people, moving away for school is their first experience of living on their own and budgeting for themselves.  Whether the money is from a part time job or you have incredibly gracious parents, learn how to spend it wisely.  If you have a meal plan, use it, and don't blow all your money on going out to eat, or buying clothes you don't need.  Always keep some back for unexpected expenses like text books you forgot to get at the beginning of the semester and doctor's appointments.

4. And about textbooks... there are better ways.  Look into ebooks you can download for pennies on the dollar, borrow the book from someone who has taken the class before, and don't get the book immediately.  I've bought so many textbooks that were listed as required that we never looked at in class.  Wait until you get the syllabus and actually see if you have readings, etc from a text before you buy it.  If you don't, chances are the test questions come mostly from lecture.  Rush ordering on Amazon once you realize you actually need a book is cheaper in the long run than buying a bunch of books that you don't actually need every semester.

5. Take care of yourself.  Get enough sleep, even if it means leaving early or not going at all.  Exercise, even if its just walking around campus a couple times a week.  Clear your head rather than muddling it with alcohol if you have a problem.  Make time to read the things you want as well as the things you are assigned.  And be mindful about what you eat - cafeteria food isn't all that nutritional most of the time.  Buy some veggies and make them on your own, and make sure you get at least a serving every day.

1. Lorde // This girl. So much cooler than I will ever be, and she's like 15.  I would love to be able to write music like she does. Oh, to have the resources to go see her at Coachella... maybe one day.

2. turquoise // Something about turquoise jewelry reminds summer and fun times. It also makes me feel cooler when I wear it - another plus.  I'm a huge fan of chunky rings anyway, so turquoise has been my go-to ring choice lately.  Here are some great ones on etsy: one, two three

3. thick strapped sandals // Definitely on my list for summer shopping.  Strappy sandals seem so much more grown up than flip flops.  My favorites are these from Moorea Seal:



image cred: one, two, three

1. Take a nap whenever it strikes your fancy. Preferably in the sun. If you're tired, set an alarm for half an hour and hit the hay.  Half the time, just closing your eyes for a few minutes and laying there quietly will be enough to make you feel 100% again.  And if you actually fall asleep, you probably needed it.

2. Eat whenever it strikes your fancy, too.  I mean, don't have 8 three course meals throughout the day, but if you're hungry, have a snack so you don't binge later.

3. Can't get along with someone?  Don't bother with it.  There's no reason to continually put yourself in a situation where you feel like you might hulk out on someone.  If it's a situation where you must be civil, of course be civil, but don't keep making coffee dates with someone you don't like to try and force a friendship.

4. Say yes to alone time.  Sometimes you don't feel like hanging out with anyone.  That's ok.  Don't make yourself go out because you feel like you have to.  Alone time to regroup and relax is just as necessary as going out and keeping up with friends.

5. And stretch. Alot.  Seriously, next time you're stressed out just get a good stretch going.  It'll help, promise.

turn the negative into a positive
grow something
be outside as much as possible
wear more dresses
also lipstick
talk to more people, start more new friendships and make more time to be with my best friends
finish that novel and begin a new one
tell people I love them more

I change up routines with the seasons.  Depending on the weather, my hair and skin need different things.  Here's what I've scrounged up for spring, and right now I'm loving all of them:

There is no one who will benefit from you bottling yourself up.  Don't be afraid to feel your feelings and channel them into positive actions.

Liberate all parts of yourself to the light and let the negative be burned away.

You have the final say in what happens to you and how you use it.  Shape it to become what you need it to be.

Become the person that you want to be, and realize that it's a journey without an end point.  It's continuous.

1. Softlips Watermelon - I have issues with keeping my lips moisturized in winter, so lip balm is a necessity.  I wrote about it here. This one goes on smooth, and the yummy smell reminds me of summer... oh, summer... get it here

2. Daughter If You Leave vinyl - The perfect winter soundtrack.  We've had this spinning on the record player all season. Get your own copy here.

3. Sea Salt dark chocolate - I feel really lame because I can't remember the exact brand that I ate, but BOY, is it delicious.  I'm a big fan of sweet and salty and this delivers.  Ghiradelli makes one, and you can usually find a couple options in the organic section of Kroger.

4. Bean boots - I want these more than I can express to you.  And with how wet and yucky it's been around here, waterproof boots are becoming a necessity. You can get them here and then I'll be really jealous of you.

I'm a little bit of a perfume junkie.

I take that back.  I'm a whole lotta perfume junkie.

Something about it makes me feel sophisticated.  Especially when I find that one "signature scent." I bought one a few weeks ago that I absolutely love that I feel like might be my signature scent, that maybe it will be that holy grail of fragrance that I will buy again and again, but I have felt these things before.  My nostrils are fickle sorts.

Right now I'm wearing a woody floral by library of flowers.  It's called Forest, and I love it, and so does Caleb, so it will definitely stick around for a while.  I've always been into woodsy scents, but I've definitely had my forays into the other major scent categories.  Here are a few of my favorites from each one:

We are all set in our new apartment.  I can't get over how much I love it, from the back porch to the 70s-tastic wood paneling.  I'm already in full swing decorating mode.

While it's fun to have a blank canvas, the moving process can really suck. This time wasn't so bad, but when I moved out of my first apartment, it was a nightmare.  I barely got anything packed because I was working two jobs and by the time actual moving day rolled around, I almost had a nervous breakdown.  Not fun.

This time, I buckled down and made sure that everything was ready for a relatively painless move.  Here's a few things we did that made all the difference:

Today's artist series is sweet Amber, a talented photographer in the North Alabama area who has been one of my good friends since high school. She took our engagement pictures :)

1. When did you start with photography? Did you start out with the intent to turn it into a business? I started photographing when I was about 14 years old and never intended for it to be a business. It was strictly a hobby in which I did not think was going to go anywhere. I put down the camera a few times actually. Ironically, every time I gave up, there was someone who wanted me to photograph them. These inquires progressed and I realized that this was a gift that the Lord had given me and that I needed to pursue it. 2. What classes/tutorials did you find the most helpful when you were learning photography and developing your style? I actually check out a lot of blogs by some of my favorite photographers that I admire. Usually the questions that I have are addressed by others who have asked them earlier. I also check out group discussions on Flickr! I'm also actually taking two photography classes in school and I'm blown away by how much I am learning even though I thought I had already known enough.





3. What is your favorite camera to use? Do you have any that you would recommend to beginners? Ah! My favorite camera to use is my Nikon D600. He is a full frame DSLR and his name is Romeo (do I sound weird yet?). I would recommend the Nikon D3200. It's the newer and upgraded equivalent to the Nikon D40 which I started out with. 4. What strategies have you used to market yourself and your business? Which ones worked the best? Okay, I'll be a little transparent with you here. I am terrified of marketing and it's a fear that I'm working to overcome personally. I tend to be a bit subtle, but what I find that works best (and what is the only tool I use at the moment) is social media. Facebook has worked wonderfully, but I'm all about some Instagram!


5. What is your favorite subject to shoot? I love shooting senior girls! They have so much spunk and they know exactly what they're looking for when they ask me for photographs. They want unique photos that stand out amongst the other girls of their class, and I am more than happy to bring the diversity.

I wrote a post of a few things I want to change this year, including cleaning out and simplifying my closet, but this is the big one.  In 2014, I don't want to buy anything that was sourced unethically.

As simplistic as it sounds, this is actually a pretty big undertaking.  Unfortunately, some of my favorite clothing retailers have a pretty bad record of employee treatment and compensation, and after careful consideration, I'm cutting ties.  Learning about human trafficking and how unethical companies can sometimes feed into the problem, as well as the conditions that 3rd world workers often face just aren't things that I can put my money into.  The loss of life, innocence, and autonomy isn't worth a couple cheap cardigans.

Finding ethically sourced fashion can be a challenge, especially on a budget.  The prices we've come to expect when shopping for "fast fashion" are a direct product of worker exploitation - that's why it's so cheap.  When you make the switch to ethical fashion, the price tag can be a bit of a shock.

I've kind of gotten to the point where I like that, though.  More expensive, higher-quality purchases keep me from spending a ton on trendy, quick-to-fall-apart pieces.  I have to save for an item, so I only buy things I really need, meaning there's no buyer's guilt afterward.

It's a daunting task finding places that are ethical.  Here are a few that I have discovered, as well as some guidelines for shopping a few standbys:

ASOS - They already score highly on ethical standards, both for the environment as well as worker conditions.  Since they do retail a bunch of brands, though, I do individual research on each on.  The ASOS brand as well as New Look both score well ethically.  They also have a division called The Green Room that is dedicated to brands who have ethical concerns as a part of their core mission.  Some of my favorite green room pieces are here, here, and here.

Modavanti - I just discovered this site this week, and I am LOVING it.  Everything here is ethically sourced, so if you buy from  Modavanti, you can rest assured that your purchase is ethical without additional research.  The price tag will probably be higher than you're used to, but when you sign up you get a 20 dollar credit that can go towards your purchase.  I'm drooling over this bag.

Etsy - Of course you know about this.  Etsy is a great place for handmade goods... I love to buy my bags and jewelry there.  Unfortunately, there are some child labor products that still end up on Etsy (usually from companies that also sell for super cheap on Amazon and Ebay), but they're fairly easy to spot.  Look for item and shop descriptions that make sense and don't look like they're written by a bot, pictures of the shop owner, and actual names  of items instead of nonsensical strings of adjectives.  Also, a price that seems to good to be true probably is.

Splendid - Perfect place to shop for basics.  Splendid makes gorgeous tees and blouses that fit well, feel wonderful and last forever.  They're made in the US and have their supply chain policy on their website, so you can read about how the clothes are manufactured and distributed. This scoop top is a personal favorite.

Thrifting - Chances are this is probably already a standby for you, but I would really encourage that you check out your local thrift stores before buying new.  Not only is it more sustainable, but it's easier on your wallet. If your local store is lacking, there are some great vintage finds on etsy, as well as the thrifty thread on reddit where you can buy, sell, or trade pieces you don't want any more.

I'll be the first to admit it: I have a shopping problem.
I believe in the power of retail therapy.  If I'm stressed or down, buying a two dollar beanie on Amazon gives me the momentary lift in mood that I need to feel like I'm back in control.  When you say it like that, it doesn't really make sense, but I'm sure most of you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Unfortunately this habit results in a whole lot of clutter, not to mention unnecessary spending.  In 2014, I want to get a handle on this.  I want to save rather than spending every extra dollar, I want to be in control without whipping out the credit card.
The second one I just need to pray about.  Materialism is an ugly trait, and not one I want to display.
But I'm taking initiative on the "doing something" side, as well.
I've thought about it a whole lot (in the shower, mostly.  That's where I have my best ideas), and there are a couple guidelines I've come up with for myself that should help with my quest to save and simplify:

1. If you can't wear it 3 different ways, don't buy it.  There's no reason to have pieces that can only be worn one way or in one outfit.  Versatility makes more outfits for less money.

2. Will you get a return on your investment?  Buy things that last a looooong time.  And commit to using them for as long as they last.  I have a problem with buying bags.  So now, if I'm going to buy one, I'm going to save and buy one that will last for 5 years, and carry it until it wears out.  More money upfront, but less expensive than buying a cheap bag every four to six months, which is my current pattern.  Also, I love the idea of buying a nice leather bag classic enough that my daughter will want to carry it someday.

3. Will I still wear/use this in 5 years?  Trendy is fun, but I feel like I'm reaching the age where I should focus more on classic things than trendy things.  A simple gray tee shirt can be worn for years in a ton of different ways... not so much a neon pink one.

I'm not saying I'm going to be a pro at this... but the first step is admitting you have a problem, right?  I anticipate following these guidelines 90% of the time, coupled with some serious introspection, should change how I spend money and how I handle stress.

I never keep New Year's Resolutions.  If I'm honest, I don't know anyone who does.

But this year, I did make a list of things I want to do.  Not resolutions, per se - there isn't a timeline on them, they're just things I know would improve my life if I did them.

So here they are.