5 on Friday

Whoop Whoop! It's Fridayyyy!!! This week was crazy, but an interesting one to say the least. For starters, I was fighting off the stomach bug Monday and had to miss work (I never miss work), then on Tuesday and Wednesday we got SNOW and had two hour delays (don't get me wrong, I loved it), and then on Thursday I was getting ready to go to the Charlotte Social meet-up when I found a box filled with old cards and notes in my closet that were given to me over the years (I'm a sentimental gal and may have cried a little). And today, well, today is going to be a busy one. I have assignments that need to be completed before Monday, Will is back from a weeks worth of traveling and have a lot to catch up on and my list of things I want to get done this weekend are growing by the minute. 

But as I am typing this, I am starting to realize that everyone has THIS type of week every once and awhile right? Your plans won't always go how you want them to. You feel like you can't keep up with life's demands. And things come up that you might not have been expecting. But that's life, and that's what makes it interesting. And as the Rolling Stones once sang, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well you just might find...you get what you need".

ONE

 
 

Last night, Alyssa and I went to The Charlotte Social's first meet-up of the year and it couldn't have been more fun! Pamela over at Yes it is, Kevin was the host of this event and held it at Lucianos Ristorante which Alyssa and I would have to say had AMAZING fettuccini alfredo, sparkling moscato and brownie a la mode. If you live in the Charlotte area, this place is a must! 

Towards the end of the night I got to talk to Jarvis who blogs over at Grown People Talking and is one of the first guys to be in the group! Y'all he is such a nice guy and writes for Charlotte Magazine and blogs about events, sports and so much more. I truly wish there were more guys out there who had a passion for blogging/writing because so many of them have a true talent. Oh and how could I forget to mention that there was a drawing for $50 gift cards and sure enough, Alyssa and I won!! 

TWO

Waterlougue. Have you heard of it? I hadn't either until yesterday when my friend Kate over at A Lonestar State of Southern wrote a blog post about it. Basically, it's an app that you can download that takes your photos and transforms them into watercolor paintings that are b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. Go over to Kate's blog and see for yourself (and more on Alyssa's blog that she posted today too!

THREE

It's official...Will and I are going to NYC in April! This will be our first time traveling on a plane together and to a city that I have always dreamed of going to! To say that I am excited is a huge understatement, I'm ecstatic! I've already been making lists of places to go, things to do, and thinking through all the outfits I plan to wear. And hopefully while I am there I will get to meet up with one of my favorite NYC girls, Kendall over at Styled Snapshots!

FOUR

Need I say more? For daily inspiration, go follow @instagodministries on Instagram! 

FIVE

Next week I have a fun surprise for you guys that you won't want to miss! Maybeeee it's another giveaway for an amazing gold foil print from one of my favorite Etsy shops ;) Guess you'll have to check back next week to find out!

Wildcard Wednesday

  

So I knew it was going to snow yesterday, but had not a clue that it would actually continue all through the night! I woke up this morning and looked out my windows, and there I saw the ground covered in white. I of course ran back into my bedroom to turn on the TV to see if schools would be cancelled for the day (which would mean no work for this girl) and low and behold, they were! But since I was out sick on Monday, I decided to go into the office anyways to get a few things done. 

YES, I am proud of myself and am determined to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN today! After being sick for four straight days, it made me think about how much time I actually waste doing things that don't matter (or aren't as important). For instance, the time I spend on Pinterest is unreal! I am kind of ashamed of it actually. So I did a lot of think these past few days, and realized that there are so many other things that I could be doing to use my time wisely each and every day. Like creating a binder for blogging and photography related things. Or spending more time training Miller and giving him the attention that he needs.

So I had to start somewhere right? Well, instead of going home yesterday and putting my pj's on and watching TV, I decided to bundle up and take Miller for a nice long walk around our neighborhood...in the snow. And can I tell you how much fun it was?! Seeing Miller's reaction to the snow made me laugh so hard. Yeah it was cold, and I could have been inside doing who knows what, but watching Miller stop and stand still every few steps that he took because he had no idea what the heck was on the ground and falling from the sky just made my day. It's those little things that make life so special. I thank God for giving us little things like snow and pups to keep up company. He is so good, and meets all of our needs and surpasses all of our expectations!! Wouldn't you agree?

source

Also, I just wanted to take a another moment real quick to announce the winner of the Oakleigh Rose giveaway and to thank everyone who participated! I was astonished at how many people entered to win, and couldn't be any happier with the outcome! So without further ado, the winner of the giveaway is Jennifer from Simply So Lovely! Thank you SO much Jennifer for taking the time to 'play to win' and hope you enjoy using your gift card!

Oh the weather outside is frightful

Hi friends! Sorry for my absence yesterday. I was fighting off the horrible stomach bug that stole my weekend and left me in bed Friday-Monday. It was miserable, and I felt pathetic, but I'm glad to finally be 75% back to my normal self! Thankfully though, I had my trusty sidekick (Miller) to keep me company and a whole lotta' magazines to read while I was resting in bed...thanks Mom! 

On a more positive note, it's going to snow at some point today and I'm kind of excited! Yeah, I don't like the cold temps, but there is something about a snow fall that feels magical and instantly changes my perspective on the weather, no matter how freezing cold it might be :) Are y'all a fan of snowy weather or do you prefer the warm sunshine? 

Oh! And make sure to spread the word and enter my GIVEAWAY to win a gift card to the darling boutique Oakleigh Rose! Time is running out and you have until midnight TONIGHT to enter. Ready, set, go!

5 on Friday

Darlings! It's Fridaaaayyy!! :) I hope everyone had a great week! And if you didn't, well, at least the weekend is finally here! Today's post is something I've been looking forward to all week. I'll be sharing some awesome resources (and other things) that I've come across recently that are pretty awesome. (INSERT SIDE NOTE) That's one reason why I love blogging. You come across websites, quizzes, videos, etc. that are worth sharing,and you get to do just that! So, I hope you enjoy the one's that I've come across, and please let me know what some of your favorite things you've recently found are! I'd love to check them out...

ONE
On Tuesday, I was reading a blog post that Rachel from Just Peachy wrote titled 'HomeGoods Stylescope Quiz'. When I saw the words HomeGoods, style and quiz, I was immediately drawn in and wanted to know more. Being the curious girl that I am, I decide to venture on over to the quiz that Rachel raved about, and was surprised at how quick, surprisingly accurate and really fun it was to take! So here's the lowdown. If you click on the link above, it will take you to the quiz, in which you will see a whole bunch of photos. Once one the page, you are then asked to select 5 photos that really speak to you. Then all you have to do is click 'get results' and viola! You will not only be told your decor style, but they will also give you a list of tips and tricks on ways to shop for your style and so much more!  

My results told me that I was 'Farmhouse Glam' and I couldn't agree more. When it come's down to anything rustic and chic, I'm all in. One day, down the road when Will and I purchase our first home, I plan to get a large farmhouse dining room table for the kitchen. There's just something about them that I can't get enough of... 

TWO
Have you ever heard of The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman? If not, your missing out. There really is too much goodness for me to share about this book, so if you are interested in learning more about it, click on this link and read the book description! BUT I would highly disregard that part in which is talks about "your marriage" and "your spouse" because I am not even married and read this book with my past Community Group and it was equally as helpful to those who were also single or dating.

But the book isn't what I really wanted to share with y'all this morning! It's the discover your love language quiz that can be found here. This quiz can be taken if your married or if your single and will give you a in-depth analysis of your emotional communication preference! Not only that, but it will single out your primary love language, explain what it means, and help you understand how you can use it to better connect with those closest to you. Give yourself about 10-15 minutes to take it, and I promise it won't be a waste of your time. After taking this test, and finding out my love language (which happens to be quality time and acts of service tied) I have been able to practice and work on the areas that I semi-lack in. It's been awhile since I took this quiz and will probably take it again sometime this year to see if my answers have changed. I'd be interested in knowing what your love language is if you happen to find it out :)
 
THREE
She Reads Truth has really been speaking strongly to my heart lately. The current plan they have going on has been touching home and has made me evaluate how I spend my quite time with the Lord, and has got me to thinking about how I can become a better friend and a Christian in 2014. It really is all about getting a "fresh start", and working towards a goal...mine being my relationship with God and practicing patience and understanding that nothing is ever going to be on Melissa's time...it's all on his timing and that's one of my biggest struggles so far this year. Instead of determining to get better, I vow to be determined to get closer to him through his word. Will you join me?

FOUR

I don't even know how to explain this YouTube video that Carly who blogs over at College Prep posted, but it's likely the most mesmerizing performance that I have ever seen. Basically, these two Japanese dancers perform a dance number with some sort of light show and I am telling you...you won't be able to take your eyes off the screen! Go watch it and see what I mean!  

FIVE
Last but not least, don't forget to go and enter the Oakleigh Rose Giveaway that I posted earlier this week and be sure to go give some love to the mother and daughter duo behind this amazing new company :)

Oakleigh Rose + Giveaway

Happy HUMP day, friends! Earlier this month, Oakleigh Rose reached out to me about working together and I couldn't have been more excited for two reasons. First, they sent me a super cute cardigan (it's official name is Handsome in Houndstooth) that I am wearing in the above photos. And secondly, Oakleigh Rose is quite unique! Founded by a mother and daughter, this online clothing boutique made it's way to the web in October of 2013 and has already been a huge hit! They are also built around a love of family, Jesus Christ and fashion, which makes me adore them 10x more then I already do. I honestly can't wait to watch them continue growing over time because these woman are as sweet as can be, and have been so much fun to work with.

I decided to pair this little ole' cardi with dark washed jeans, booties, a classic black shirt, topped with a few pieces of jewelry to finish the look. After only wearing it one time, I knew that it would be something I could dress up for a date night, or worn casually with a pair of jeans or leggings. However you decide to wear it, your look will be sure to come together effortlessly while still very stylish.

But wait y'all, i'm not done raving yet!! One of my beloved readers will win a $25 gift card to use on anything at Oakleigh Rose! All you have to do is enter the giveaway below and stay tuned for me to announce the winner next Wednesday :) Still not convinced to check out this company? Well, shipping is ALWAYS free, and as of this month, a portion of the profits made by Oakleigh Rose will go to charity! Each month, they will let you know the charity of choice, and among the charities that they have currently in mind are: The Epilepsy Foundation, JDFR and The Humane Society. Pretty awesome if you asked me!

GOODLUCK :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The time I studied abroad in Greece...

Last week I was talking to Mary-Katherine who mentioned studying abroad, and my thoughts immateriality flashed back to the time I studied abroad in Greece my freshman/sophomore year of college. I will never forget seeing the sign-up sheet hanging in one of the hallways at my school...every time I passed by it, I felt tempted to put my name on the list that was filling up by the second. The only thing that stood in my way was of course the cost, but mainly the fact you had to study art to go. I remember talking to my parents, showing them all the information on how long we would be gone, what we would be doing, and finally, I told them that I would be committed to taking an art appreciation class if that meant I could go. With hardly any "begging" on my end, they said YES and my dreams of traveling overseas were finally becoming a reality!

I could talk for DAYS about my time in Greece and all the things I learned and did while there. But I won't waste too much of your time sweet friends! Instead, I'll show you a handful of some of my favorite photos that I took from my trip and let you know what some of my favorite places/things were. But I warn you, the photos don't do Greece justice! To be quite honest, I can't even explain how b-e-a-utiful everything was. It was simply amazing. From the food, to the weather, to the color of the ocean and all the history and culture that I got to be apart of...this was an experience of a lifetime. One that I will NEVER forget and hope to be able to do further down the road again :)

FAVORITES:

Favorite hotels stayed in (I think we stayed in three total): The Iria Mare Hotel and Hotel Oscar

Favorite places visited: Athens, Aegina, Delphi, Olympia, Rhodes, Mycenae, Mykonos and Santorini 

Favorite beach: Clovino Beach in Central Greece

Favorite "pieces of history": The Caryatides, The Acropolis, The Theater of Dionysus, and Erechtheion 

Favorite restaurant we ate at: Kolizeras in Mycenae and Argo in Santorini

Favorite museum: The Delphi Museum

Favorite ocean adventure: Our three day cruise on the Aquamarine

OH! And before I forgot to mention it, check back tomorrow for an awesome giveaway!!