teapots

2 years ago my mom's best friend passed away. She was an incredible woman. So giving, so loving. She played a really special role in my life as she did not have any kids of her own. The love of her life passed 20 some years ago and she had decided at the point that she would not ever love anyone else as much. I miss her so much. She was an incredible woman. There are so many things that I am going to remember about her. She loved to cook, craft, decorate, shop, thrift and just all around make things more fun. She added a little pazaz to everything she did. One thing Zandra always told me was important was to have a collection. While she was sick, right before her final months she picked with me what I should collect. We decided tea pots. We celebrated Christmas with Zandra every year a few days before or after Christmas. We would have a feast at her house my family and her. The Christmas before she passed she bought me 2 teapots and lots and lots of tea. When I saw this picture it reminded me so much of how I miss her and how wonderful she is. So many of my passions come from her. Her and my mom used to dream up so many things, into their 50's. They started multiple businesses together and always did what made their hearts happy, I thank her so much for that idea and for doing that.

{via under lock and key}

white

I am loving white lately. I see so many rooms with white walls or white as the main color with pops all around it. It seems like a beautiful clean palate for you to use your colors and your style to decorate it! I think the living room is getting painted white asap....

{via this is glam, diary of lovely, beautiful mess, sacramento street, slumber designs}

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

eph 3:16-19

dream job #8

Ministry

Sometimes I think-- why should we have any other job besides ministy? What is the most important thing in this whole life? Yes I know that God places us in different settings in groups of people to do minisrty where we are at but sometimes the job we get paid for gets too much in the way of doing our ministy. How wonderful would it be to get to do minisrty as a full time job. Now, I know this is not an easy request and probably one of the hardest jobs out there but there is nothing more fulfilling or satisfying than working daily for the Lord.

don't waste a day

{via under lock and key}

Today I would like to be laying in this field of lavender. It's been a rough couple days. A high school girl that I am friends with and was in my campaigners group through Young Life passed away from a terminal illness on Sunday. We all knew that it would happen at some point-- just not before she got to graduate from High School or go to Santa Clara for college.

I can't stop thinking about how life is so precious. Each day is such a gift from the Lord. Why waste it? Why waste a day fighting, not getting counseling, not making up with a friend, not turning and running with all we have toward the Lord? Why waste any second? I complain about the silliest things, I get timid and shy, I get lazy and want to stay at home. What am I missing out on by acting this way?

I am ready to be thankful for each day

I am ready to not NOT turn to the Lord for everything in my life.

I am ready to be joyful

I am ready to be full of peace and love that only comes from Him.

Why not live this way!?

Unashamed Passion

Reckless Obedience

Complete Desperation

Alive and Thirsty

in so much love.

by your side

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

and the winner is....

Kassi from BacWoods Fern!!!!

 yay for winning this lovely necklace

Kassi, let's connect and I'll send the necklace your way!

Thanks everyone for playing!!!!

friday blanks!

playing along with lauren! be sure to as well! and link back up to her page!~

ALSO: LAST DAY TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY!!!!

1. One fashion trend I really regret is  most things from the 90's. Huge oversized button up plaid shirts. and maroon...

2. The one thing that always completes any outfit is jewelry or a scarf

3. I would describe my personal style as causal, comfortable, cute, simple

4. My fashion muse is  LC, Hilary Duff, MKA (sometimes.. ) see here

5. If I could own one designer piece of clothing it would be  oooo... ummm this sounds weird but a handbag I think.


6. I would love to raid the wardrobe of  ummmm any celebrity!!! They have so  so many clothes. I just wish I had more/money to pay for them

7. Today I am wearing    My lunar lites, NSW gray sweatshirt, NSW T-shirt and my seven's. Typical friday outfit at Nike!

queen of shiba

I want one of these long seated chairs so bad. I want to lounge back and read a book, have a quiet time, look outside the window or watch TV. It would make me feel like a queen. For some reason the name "Queen of Shiba" comes into my mind.. not sure if I made this up or if it was a term I inherited from my mom.... I'm going to look into that.

Heavenly though, right!?

{via a beautiful mess, lavendar & lilies, decorista}

giveaway reminder!!

Chances to win end this Friday the 21st in the evening. Be sure to check out 31bits.com and the great things that they are doing! Be sure to enter a chance to win this beautiful necklace!!

How to enter to win (NOT ON THIS POST-- SEE BELOW)

-see post and do the following things

-become a follower if you aren't already

-leave a comment saying your favorite item in the shop section of 31bits.com (on the post)

for more than the one entry see the following things you can do, comment each time you do 1 for more chances to win!!

-follow 31 bits on twitter
-join 31 bits facebook group
-put my button on your page
-tweet about this giveaway
-blog about this giveaway

wish I was here wednesday

{via wild and precious}

at a pool party with blair!!

dream job #7

Helping Start Ups

I love to multi-task. I love to have a lot of roles at once, I love to mix up my day and have it be always changing. I think helping different companies start up would be a perfect place for me. I would get a chance to use all of my skills and talents. I have loved working with Wild Canyon Games for that reason, I get to do a little bit of this and a little bit of that. There is a lot that goes into something like that and I think I have the skill set to help out with new projects whether it be a non-profit or not.

i want to own this

dream job #6

Casting Director

I would love to be a casting director- to run auditions, call models in and out, be there while the photographer takes pictures of them, ask them a few questions and send them on their way. I would love to take on the role of the organizer for the day, to keep a detailed, tight schedule and make sure that everyone sticks to it. It kinda seems like a powerful job.

quick fix

When I have left-over meat (pork in this case) from the night before or a few nights before I like to make this easy meal with it.

Here is what you need:

Tortillas (any kind)
rice (optional)
feta cheese
humus
lettuce/spinach of some kind
left over meat

put it all in and wrap it up! LOVE it.

PS don't forget to check out my giveaway and enter to win!! beautiful necklace :)

birthday love

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MAGGIE!!!! one of my very very best friends for the last 10 years

LOVE YOU

dream job #5

Interior Designer

I have always dreamed of being an interior designer. As you can tell-- since most of my posts on here are about interior design. I love it. I love creating a space, I love re-doing a space, I love everything about it! There are so many ways to go, so many things to choose from. Color or moving furniture can make all the difference.

OKay... maybe not interior designer but.. decorator?? That seems to fit me more. If I hadn't loved UO's campus so much I would have gone to OSU to study Interior Design-- I guess there is a reason that I didn't! I still love it though.

filling in blanks on friday just because

playing along with Lauren! be sure to link yours up on her mclinky!

1. The very best thing about the summer is -- omg there isn't just one very best thing, I could write a book about allllll the best things. I love being able to have windows open, be outside, sit on my porch with a glass of wine and watch the sunset, having bbqs, walking around downtown, having happy hour outside, it being light out until its time for bed, pretty flowers, sandals, tank tops, long long days where you have so much energy. oh my goodness I'm making myself so happy thinking of all of these things right now. (yesterday in Portland was an incredible incredible day... 78 degrees!!!!)

2. My first crush ever was:  Sam in Kindergarten :) we were really good friends

3. This may sound really silly but I can't wait to be a mom. I know I'm young but I am seriously so so excited to be parents with Brian. We are terrible apart but make a great team. (don't worry everyone, I'm not going to do it soon but I just am SO excited about it.)

4. I squeeze my toothpaste from ummm the bottom if its low, if it's full then from the top

5. My absolute favorite "comfort food" is  oh ... um... food is my comfort food?? Bread. rolls. pizza, anything in the fridge!? haha

6. A random fact about me is that I was born in New Jersey and lived there until I was 5

7. The one piece of technology that truly makes my life better and I couldn't live without is my blackberry!!!! I love and hate it. but before I had it, I have to be honest my life was harder...

+check out my giveaway! beautiful necklace

1st GIVEAWAY!!!!

GIVEAWAY! yahoo!!
read and see below how to enter to win.

My first giveaway is this lovely necklace form 31bits :

I found out about 31bits through my good friend Holly who has a friend who is a part of this non-profit. Holly had showed me their website and jewelry online and I fell in love, I fell more in love when I read about what this group of ladies is doing as well as their future goals for this non-profit. Brooke from 31 bits sent this over for me to giveaway!

"Uganda has been plagued by an internal war between the government and the Lord’s Resistance Army for over twenty years. The war has caused untold numbers of abductions, torture, rape and deaths throughout the northern regions of the country. Over one-million of the Acholi people, who reside in the north, have been displaced, many forcibly entered into refugee camps. The refugee camps provide little refuge due to poor security, lack of healthcare, lack of proper sanitation, and a lack of jobs. The endemic poverty is hardest on the children who often go hungry and have little opportunities to grow out of their current situation. However, in the midst of this suffering, there are women who are finding creative ways to provide for themselves and their families through their art of jewelry. These crafts, though easily made, are very difficult to sell because there are few available markets for such items. Despite the fear of ongoing war and the struggle to provide basic necessities, there is immense hope for change.

31 Bits is centered around using the creative art and entrepreneurship already present in the women. Our goal is to help get them out of poverty, provide consistent schooling for their children, and proper nutrition and healthcare for the entire family. We do this by creating an international market and a voice for the beautiful jewelry the women are already making. All of our products are bought directly from the women, are fair trade, are made from recycled paper, and are sold in boutiques across the United States. We envision that in two years we will expand 31 Bits to partner with local Non Government Organizations to initiate and fund community based projects directed by the needs and desires of the community. " -THE VISION

How to enter:

mandatory:  become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already) & leave a comment stating so and let me know what your favorite item is on 31bits.com under "SHOP"

Options for more than 1 entry (leave a comment each time you do any of these- be sure to post the link so I can see it :))

1-3 Become a follower of 31bits on twitter, facebook or facebook group
4. grab my new button and put it on your page
5-7. Tweet, Facebook or Blog about this giveaway!

Giveaway will close: Friday May 21st (in the evening) !!

Thanks for playing along everyone!

I just won my 1st giveaway!

I'm so excited! Thank you so much Beatriz from That Girl In Pearls!! How fun is this. Look how beautiful:

woop woop!!

p.s. I am doing my 1st giveaway when I reach 65 followers, so stay tuned!! and become a follower if you are a reader-- I'm 3 away !!

wish I was here wednesday

{via the decorista}

2 things I love around my home

2 things today!! Playing along with Kassi

1. These flowers & vase. They're like.... felt? suede? I love them. They were a "pretty" on the outside of a wedding gift!

2. This bowl from Anthro

alive+thirsty

I can't get over it. I just love Solid Rock so much. I love that I get to be a part of community of believers who chooses Jesus first. We are not about religion, God did not create religion. We are about following the teachings of Jesus and reading the Scriptures.

Mike Erre spoke at church this past Sunday. I think that Mike is so great. I love a pastor who is real, who is on the same level as those he is teaching to. It was one of those messages that I feel like I need to listen to a few more times for it to really sink in. I was blown away leaving there on Sunday. I wanted to spend the whole rest of the day with my bible and journal soaking in what I had just heard.

I am learning how important Hebrew is as well as historical context in order to fully understand what is going on in the Scriptures. Verses or passages that I have read many times before suddenly have an entirely new meaning when we dig deeper.

I highly recommend that you listen to the sermon- it is eye-opening and I would argue life changing. Let us live a life where we are alive and thirsty for Christ. Where we seek Him in our hardships, where we draw near to Him, cling to Him for He is all that we need. Let us live like we truly believe this, wholeheartedly.

I may need to add: Alive and Thirsty to this.

thrifting

lately I am LOVING design*sponge. It has really opened my eyes to how much you can do with pieces of furniture that seem like they're done for. It has really made me crave thrift shopping. I hope for it to become a new hobby in the summer time. I do love a good bargin (maybe too much so!? most of you know that... ) and I love decorating and new fun thing for my home-- so bam!! perfect combo!

Some ideas I'm loving so far-- all from design*sponge-- they did such a great job-- incredible transformations!!! And they look pretty easy too!! We have a piano.. maybe I'll ask my husband if I can paint ours!

book shelf

Piano

Chair

looove my mom

Happy Mothers day to my wonderful mom!! LOVE YOU!!!!

(5 followers away from my 1st giveaway!!!!!!)

bruschetta

I love this so much. SO easy and super tasty. See full recipe here

Ingredients


6 or 7 ripe plum tomatoes (about 1 1/2 lbs)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 baguette French bread or similar Italian bread
1/4 cup olive oil

dream job #4

Wedding Planner

so I go back and forth on this one but if I'm thinking ideal - this would be part of my dream job choices. I love weddings. I LOVE them. I love hearing every detail about what a Bride is planning. I had so much fun planning my wedding, I was never stressed, always happy and having a blast! I love the planning and being organized. I am very detail oriented, which I found very helpful for my wedding because I felt like I thought of every single thing necessary. I love being creative and having a vision come to life. I really felt like my wedding was that exactly. It looked, on that day, EXACTLY how I pictured it to look and how I dreamed of it. I couldn't have been happier! I am currently an unpaid intern for 2 of my friends (here and here (<--when I was a new blogger)) getting married this summer. I love helping them get on track with planning or being a soundboard!

{pics from our wedding}