Happy Spring

Its spring time. Everythings a little brighter. Smiles a little wider. A fresh season.

 Both sunny days and spring showers. I love all the flowers. Like the ones that

 grow on the side of the road. Right by a garbage dumpster, or, hidden behind 

a building. I like them because they grow in an unexpected place. And they sprout

 up on their own from soil and branches that were dead only weeks ago. It reminds 

me of mercy and restoration. It reminds me that life continues, and that seasons of

 life change. Nothing is hopeless. Happy spring.

-----

A Lovely Weekend...

This weekend was a weekend I had been looking forward to for a very long time. It was the first time I had a whole weekend with my two best friends in Arkansas. We've been trying to plan for them to come up and visit since last semester, and it finally happened. Its so refreshing to have them in my town. It doesnt even feel like the same place when theyre here. It was a short two days, but I cherished every second. We tasted Thai food for the first time, made many trips to get frozen yogurt, spent some time antique and thrift shopping, and alot of time together with Jesus. It was everything I wanted it to be, everything I needed, & more! Here are some snapshots of our weekend:

I love you both so so so so much. 

Come back!

SUMMER ESSENTIALS

1. German chocolate anyone?
2. I need new SUNNIES! Badly. I want some like the ones featured above but I dont know where in the world to find them at a decent price ($20 or below...I'm a poor college student.) Help!?
3. Umm...Bread. One of my good friends was warning me about Germany...and how delicious their bread is. Uh Oh. I guess I need to loose like 10 pounds before I go so I can shamelessly indulge.
4. I need a tote! Specifically one like above! There is one I've had my eye on for a few weeks over at ban.do, which I will be purchasing as soon as my next paycheck arrives :)
5. Leopard flats. I feel like everyone in the world knows where to find them but me. Seriously. I want them! But WHERE do I find them. The always reliable Target fell short and now I'm completely out of ideas! Anyone? Remember, reasonably priced.
6. Colored skinnys! Need! Love the seafoam green so much. 
7. This hat. Once again, WHERE?! I am SUCH a hat person, especially over summer, and I love this style. I feel like this post is just to cry out to my fellow bloggers: HELP ME FIND THESE. Ha, but seriously. Where in the world can I find this style hat? 
8. Passport....welp...still havent gotten mine yet. Eep.
9. Nails. Pastel pink nails. 


Summer come SOONER! 12 days left. 

With my summer countdown decreasing to...15 days... I cant help but dwell on my excitement for what the next couple weeks and months have in store! I just wanted to spend a little time blogging about my the things I'm looking forward to!

1. Just three short days until my best girlfriends, Hannah & Kristie, will be up in Arkansas for a quick weekend trip! I'm sooo excited. We have seriously been trying to plan for all three of us to spend a weekend in Arkansas together since I first left! Both H & K have been here, but separately, and it just never feels whole. We always feel like a part of us is missing! Ahhhh. I cant wait. We are going to have an eventful weekend of bonding, thrifting, shopping, bible studies, adventuring, snapping photos, and just being together. 

2. Just over a week until I become the proud owner of my very own apartment! I seriously cannot wait! I'm living with 3 other girls, 2 of which I went to HS with, one is Kristie's twin, & the other is one of my best guy friends' sisters! So funny how that works out. None of us were close in highschool, but college has really brought us together! We are going to start painting the apartment a couple days after we get our keys and I am PUMPED! We already have a vision of what we want our walls to look like...and lemme tell ya, I'm excited. I'll try my best to document the result in pictures so I can post them here. So crazy! I am going to be decorating my own home! AH!

3. So something very exciting happened today. It was definitely divine intervention....one of those things where the second I submitted, God really poured out his favor. I got asked to be in the worship band for a summer camp, Alasso Ranch! I'm soooo excited to not only do what I love, but serve the people and church I love! Its going to be awesome. I'm really looking forward to leading worship alongside the people who taught me what worship is.

4. ROADTRIPS! I just recently confirmed dates for two awesome roadtrips this summer! I cant even begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to them both! Mid June I'll be heading down to Austin, TX with Han & Kristie to spend a few days together...doing whatever the heck we feel like! Then, a couple weeks later, I'll be roadtrippin' south to Lafayette, Louisiana with 5 of my best friends to go visit our dear friend Chris who moved to LA for school this past January. Its a 7-8 hour drive with a full packed car, so we figure we oughta document this whole trip ;)

4. Summer Job: I had been thinking about heading back to Sephora over the summer (I worked for them last year and LOVED it!), but my Aunt offered me a nanny position for her two precious little boys! It pays well, & I get to play with my little cousins all day! I'm super excited about this job!  

5. My EP has been in the works for about 6 months now....from the time I started writing the first song to now. It has been in the process of getting mixed, and is going to be released in the next couple weeks! I'm hoping to have it available on iTunes or another online source by May 12. Every purchase goes to sending me to Germany for missions, & if I make over what I need, it goes to Aaron & Jeanette Alexander, the missionary family from my church that I will serving under. This album means so much to me. Seriously, not only the fact that each song written truly is an out pour of my heart, but the love that has gone into this. I have been BEYOND blessed by the people that have helped me put this together. Seriously, I cant express my gratitude. 

6. Uhh....Germany! :)

What are you currently anticipating? Summer holds SO much excitement! Thanks for reading & sharing in my current joy!

Life: Thrifting Adventures

Serious question here: When did I grow up? I spent the majority of my Saturday searching for apartment furniture and decorations. For my own place. A home. Thats mine. WHAT? So crazy. Anyways, me and one of my future roommates (Aynsley) went out to local resale and thrift stores around Fayetteville to see what we could find. We went to Precious Cargo, All My Treasures (which are two great shops if youre  in the Fayetteville area), and of course Goodwill. I was soo pleased with our purchases! Aynsley and I both got great stuff to fill our future home. I spent a grand total of $40 today...money well spent :)

Me & my little goodies! 

I got all this stuff above for $20. Multiple wooden frames awaiting future art prints, retro hot pad for the many dishes we are hoping to cook up, an organizer, embroidered print, cookie jar, mason jars, and a couple floral cups! 

Straight from the 70s

One of my favorite purchases of the day was this little organizer! It has space for a notepad, a bulletin board, a pencil, keyrings, and mail space! Not to mention, both the mail holders come with those precious heart cutouts! I love it! Thinking about painting something on the top though, its a little too plain up there!

Last but not least, we found a STEAL! We had gone into another resale shop and saw a wing backed chair we really liked for $80. I was SO close to buying it, but then we went next door to All My Treasures and found this one for only $20!! Sooo pretty & so excited for this style! We are going to cover it with different fabric to go with our apartment! Yay!!!

Overall, today was great. Fayetteville is such a lovely place when you get off campus. I highly recommend these two shops!

Just an update....

Hello friends!

I appologize for the lack of update lately. I dont necissarily have the excuse of a "crazy schedule" this week, because honestly, its been a slow week. Of course I have things to do, but in the spare time, I'm taking advantage of napping! Its been so long. Today was perfect. It was cold and rainy, cloudy and dark. My bed was just waiting to be slept in. So...thats exactly what I did today. Napped. And drank coffee. And relaxed. Glorious day.

ON MY PLAYLIST// 05

OF MONSTERS AND MEN//

Kinda obsessing over this band lately. I remember seeing a tweet about them a few months ago but never checked them out until this week. I'm seriously in love with their most recent album. I love their sound and their energy. And their accents are pretty cool too I guess ;). Very catchy stuff & the melodies are very well written! They start their tour in a few days and sadly I'm missing them in Berlin by about a month! Hopefully I'll see them live one day! Check them out!

READING// Reading? Gosh. I feel like I havent read an actual book out of leisure in so long. I am currently not in a book right now, but the last one I read was hunger games. I actually finished it while sitting in the movie theater for four hours, waiting for the midnight premiere, ha! Aside from my text books, I dont have my nose in any novels :( But, blog wise, I'm really enjoying keeping up with Elsie & Emma over at A Beautiful Mess. They are so good about updating every day and keeping things fresh and interesting! My friend Blake & I are trying to figure out a time to go and visit her shop Red Velvet! Eeeep. Cant wait. 

WATCHING//  My favorite show is and will forever be Modern Family. I cant get enough! Phil cracks me up. This show makes me miss my family SO much! It was our 'thing' to watch it after dinner on Wednesday nights! I miss that. Cant wait to be home again and indulge in the re runs!

WORKING ON// Managing my time! I seriously have got to find out the meaning and application of the word balance. 

THINKING ABOUT// Giving up bread, sweets, & fried food for the next two weeks. Yup. I just decided today, its happening. I have been eating waaaay too much bread and chocolate. I mean...seriously, those are both my weaknesses. I love bread. And I love chocolate. Who doesnt?! But...I've decided to be drastic and give these things up for GOOD for the next two whole weeks! AH. I'm nervous, but excited too to see how much will power I have ;)

ANTICIPATING// Summer, duh. Three weeks, three weeks. Actually....in just 1 hour it will be 2 weeks and 6 days ;) Ha! I'm not excited or anything. But, I'm also anticipating all the fun plans that are coming along with summer time! I have a few trips planned here and there...Austin, Louisiana, Camp, uh...and GERMANY! Way tooooo excited.

LISTENING TO// The Black Keys

EATING// Like I said above, TOO MUCH BREAD & CHOCOLATE.

WISHING// That somehow, someday, someway, all my bestest friends could just live in one place, in one big house, all together, forever, enjoying life with nothing to hold us back. Happily ever after.

P.S. Dont mind the random underlining....for some reason my computer wont let me take it off!

Lately

1// Of Monsters And Men: Just bought their new album a couple days ago and its slowly but surely becoming one of my new favorites! Go check it out on itunes or spotify! I would tell you a favorite song, but its too hard to choose!
2// Boyfriend shorrrrts: Now that the spring weather has arrived, I'm practically living in these. I love boyfriend shorts. The ones I own though are more like...3 sizes too big shorts rather than boyfriend shorts ahha.
3// Feathers: I may be a little late on the whole feather trend, but gosh I love em. I have a favorite pair of feather earings that I literally wear with everything, and I recently bought a bead & feather clip for my hair that I happen to be wearing as I type this!
4// Nars: Blonde Venus...easily my favorite lip color. I scored this one while I was working at Sephora this past winter. They give out alot of goodies to their staff and I got this for free! I love it & wear it almost every day. Its a little more of an orange nude color. Looks really awesome with olive toned skin!
5// Starbucks Iced Coffee w/ 1 pump raspberry. Need I say more?

Travel Fever

Not alot has been happening lately, so its been pretty hard for me to find the inspiration to blog. But one thing thats been on my mind lately, is the world. As the days to my Germany count down dwindle to double digets (86 days to be exact), I cant help but acknowledge my passion for culture. I seriously wish I was leaving for Berlin TOMORROW! I'm not only so pumped to experience a new place outside the US and love on the people there, but gosh, I'm so excited to exile my ignorance! As an American, I'm slowly but surely seeing just how self centered we are. We really are in a bubble, and I am so ready to get into "the real world". Not only Germany though. Because of my excitement, I've been letting my mind wander to new possibilities in the years to come. So many opportunities for travel are being revealed. Just tonight, me and my good friend Aynsley were talking about taking a trip to Spain next spring while our roommate studies abroad there. Then, theres the opportunities for me to study abroad in Europe, YWAM after college (which...gosh theres so many options, I dont even have an idea where I'd do my training & mission!), and so much more. Not just trips though, lately my mind has been exploring the idea of living around the world. I mean, I know as a young student, I'm wide eyed, realizing that I have the "world at my fingertips," but really. I'm slowly realizing that embracing culture is definitely something I want to pursue, and I know this passion will increase when I actually step foot off American soil ;) Anyways...these are just some ramblings of whats been on my heart lately. Its been pretty awesome, too, to be inspired by fellow bloggers living outside the US. You can check out my two favorites (in regards to traveling) here & here.

ON MY PLAYLIST//04

ROEMER COLLECTIVE//

"Roemer collective is a project by Ben & Jasmin Seidl, along with some friends, based out of Berlin, Germany. In the Winter of 2011, Ben starting writing a handful of songs in light of and response to a death in his family in December 2010. Using only a ribbon mic and garageband they recorded these songs live in their kitchen. Shortly after the recording the band starting to come together around these songs."

So, I love this band. They are actually involved in Reset Church, the church I will be working with when in Berlin! So I'm hoping I'll get to meet all these talented people, learn from them, and hopefully do some music! They have such a pure, refreshing sound. Their sound definitely reminds me of Damien Rice. I love it. Check out this backyard acoustic of their song "David". You can also read more about them at their website (here) or download their EP off noisetraide (here).

PINSPIRATION//SPRING

find me on pinterest [here]

B R I G H T S

F L O W // H A T S

M A X I

 S H O R T  &  S W E E T

SOME NEWS//

If you follow me on twitter or are friends with me on facebook, you have seen that I have left my marketing major and am now an Art major at the University of Arkansas with a focus in Visual Design. Guys, I cannot tell you how happy I am. For those of you who know me personally, or heck, if youre reading this right now, you can see that I am obviously in love with visual design. I've got a passion for creativity, and business couldnt have been more opposite from the person I am. I originally chose marketing one, because I didnt know what else to major in and business was broad and two, because marketing was as creative I could get within the business school. The first semester wasnt too bad with business classes since the only business class I actually took was a business law lecture. But this semester, I've had a handful of classes that really show me what business looks like. And if youve been reading my blog and talking to me over the past semester, you know I hate it. I knew I wanted a more creative major that would aid me in doing hands on work. I wanted to do art. I wanted to do graphic design or web design, or SOMETHING that would stretch my creativity. I was just so afraid to leave such a stable degree like business.

Over the past few months I have come to terms with the reality that, it really doesnt matter what I major in. I know the Lord is gonna take me where I need to be. I dont know why I waste my time trying to set up my future, when really, theres nothing I can or WANT to do to control it. My plans suck. His plans are perfect. The thing that he's revealed to me over these past few months is that he trusts me. I've been so scared to make any decisions because I havent heard clearly what he wants me to major in. He's been silent. And I've learned today its because he trusts me enough to let me choose the road I take. He trusts me because he knows I'm still gonna look to him every step of the way. I'm so inadequate, but he still lets me choose what I want to do. What a good father.

There has been SO much more going on that has lead up to this point, but I decided just to give yall this quick little summary. Long story short, I went to my advisor today and am officially an Art Major and I couldnt be happier! I know this is where I'm supposed to be. I cant wait for next semester. I'm taking 2 studio classes: a drawing fundamentals class & 2d design class. I'm also taking Art History, and 2 rando credits. Next semester is gonna be crazy tough but sooooo interesting and worth every amount of effort.

I'd have to say the most exciting thing about moving to a degree in Visual Design is the career options it leads to. I mean seriously, you can do blog stuff like this, event planning, wedding planning, graphic design, advertising, church media, etc. Gosh, and ALL those sound amazing! So pumped for my future!!!

"The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. 

I will advise you and watch over you." 

Psalm 32:8

WHAT SHE WORE//03

With this past weekend being Easter, I thought I'd do a post over Kristie's outfit, mostly because her shirt has little bunnies all over it. So cute! She wears the quirkiest stuff but it always turns out so awesome. 

Shirt// H&M

Shorts// Mom Jeans Thrifted & Distressed

Boots// F21

Rings// Thrifted & Grandma's Engagement Ring

Hope you all had a very happy Easter! 

Changes

I've been home for Easter this weekend, and I desperately needed a haircut. Summer, my friend and hairdresser, has been in India for the past 3 months, so my dead ends have desperately been awaiting her return ;). My good friend Chris is also home for the weekend (first time I've seen him since he left for Louisiana in January), so we both went over to Summer's for some kitchen haircuts. It was fun, and I decided a little last minute I wanted to try some bangs!

I'm still trying to get used to hair messing with my face and eyes but I'm excited to have a little change for the spring. Speaking of change, HAPPY EASTER! Jesus is alive and so so so good. He changed my life and I'm so so grateful. Have an awesome rest of the weekend lovelies!

Summa Lovin'

With the warmer weather coming in, I cant help but anticipate the summer months ahead. I was looking through old photos and came across this one from last summer. It was taken at a back yard benefit concert. Last summer was filled with good friends, traveling, summer love, trade days, camps, lots of photos, and lots of memories. I miss it, but I know this summer is going to be even better. I just cant wait to be home and not have to worry about going back up to Arkansas in just a matter of days. Theres so much I'm anticipating about this summer. Roadtrips, apartment shopping, many many group sleepovers with my favorites, shows, writing music, camp, and heck...living in Germany for a month! Gosh. Cant wait. Only 4 1/2 weeks....

ON MY PLAYLIST//03

FIRST AID KIT//

All I have to say is: girl power. 

"You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury. 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheeck, offer the other cheeck also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask and dont turn away those who borrow." -Matthew 5:38-42 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:// "And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life." -Matthew 5:41 (MSG)


Umm...how hard is that? I was reading part of the "sermon on the mount" this morning in Matthew 5, and had to stop and really think about that key verse. If someone takes advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. I dont know about you, but if someone is taking advantage of me, I do not take it lightly. Not only does it hurt, but I get defensive! Who do they think they are and why do they think they have the right to walk all over me? I deserve respect, right?

Thats always our initial thought when someone isnt treating us right. We escape relationships because "we deserve to be treated better" and all the other person does is "take without giving". I mean, we dont have to put up with this right? We deserve better, dont we?

There is a fine line between pride and maintaining personal dignity. Pride says "YOU dont get to walk all over me and treat me like your doormat," dignity says "I know who I am, I wont let the way you treat and view me hinder the way I view and respect myself". I feel like the lie of the world is telling us that "we deserve better" than to be treated like "doormat," but when we look at Jesus, and the way he was treated, and what he endured for us, what do we really deserve? I mean Jesus deserved everything opposite of what he recieved, yet he still allowed people to walk all over him. Why? Because he didnt come to sit on a throne. He came to be a servant, knowing he already had a throne and knowing his identity. 


Picture a servant right now. I'm picturing a scrawny, weak woman. Messy, natty hair. Dirty. Exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes. Minding her own business, but yet attentive to every need of others. This is the picture of a servant. This is the picture that Jesus came to display. Whats the difference between us as servants, and the picture we see in our head of a servant? We have fire in our eyes. We have passion. We have hope. We have confidence. We have identity, and we have honor because of our servant life on earth. We know that as we become less, He becomes greater. We know that the least on earth are the greatest in heaven. We know who we are, because we know who He is. 


This is so hard for me to do. To, when being disrespected, walked all over, and treated as a 'doormat',  use it as an opportunity to practice the servant life. To turn our cheeck, to lift up our eyes to the one who knows our value and worth. This is servanthood.