wish I was here wednesday

Source: everythingfab.com via Olivia on Pinterest

friends, i would looove to see:

where do you wish you were today???

write a blog post or a picture post and come back and link up!!!

Grab this button (the html code below) 
put it into your post
so everyone can see everyones links
and swoon over all of the wonderful pictures and ideas:

<center><a href="http://oliviakcarter.blogspot.com/search/label/wish%20i%20was%20here"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1atyxni7RAXcT1TA8o1L4rV90MGLcCR_llvXJE1wnXHj-SlVG3v2vU0p89tEdVQEOih5r4OREF2c6tateazJhX1RWJpvHh2hXI_cU4mBtSf3uxulHW9W0Dn_4OJGJZ6imTAt9ZDzQHQA/s1600/wish.jpg" /></a></center>

from the inside out

The truth that the Lord can truly change us from the inside out has been really important in my life. I have experienced so much growth and transformation from Him. It all hit me so clearly at a church service my freshman year of college. I just broke.

The pastor spoke about how Jesus doesn't desire us to be the way we are (duh! I already knew this...) and the things we say about who we are and what we're like was NOT from the Lord they were from the enemy. It was a time in my life that I was doing this constantly. Lies played in my head about who I was and my excuse was always that "this is just who I am."

I knew God wanted to make me a nicer person, kind to all, live with good morals etc. but I didn't know how deep He wanted to venture into my heart. LIFE CHANGING MOMENT my friends. I heard Him say for the first time (because I chose to hear it...) "Olivia, give me your insecurity, I don't desire for you to be insecure" "Olivia, stop saying you can't deal with big issues, because you can and together we will" "Olivia I don't desire for you to feel unloveable, I love you SO much and someday I will put someone in your life who will." NEWS TO ME.

Since then, my life has been so different. Filled with more of Him and less of me. Less of the girl I once was and more into the woman He desired me to be and the woman He created me to be. Incredible.

Do you feel like you've let God in to the deepest parts of your heart? Has he taken rulership in each little part of your heart or in just the obvious places. Let Him in. Let Him roam around, let Him heal you, change you, transform you, cover your transgressions, redeem you and shape you. All you have to do is let him. All you have to do is surrender. Let Him in and BE STILL. He will do the work.

Source: paratinovia.com via Olivia on Pinterest

sun be here

it's a GOOD friday.

Jesus you endured my pain
Savior you bore all my shame
All because of your love
All because of your love

Maker of the universe
Broken for the sins of the earth
All because of your love
All because of your love

Because of your cross my debt is paid
Because of you blood my sins are washed away
Now all of my life, I freely give
Because of your love, Because of your love I live

Innocent and Holy king
You died to set the captive free
All because of your love
Lord you gave your life for me
So I will give my life for you
All because of your love
All because of your love

Because of your cross my debt is paid
Because of your blood my sins are washed away
Now all of my life I freely give
Because of your love, because your love I live

You did it for me, you did it for love
I'ts your victory, Jesus you are enough

-phil wickham

_________________________________

Come close listen to the story
about a love more faithful than the morning
The Father gave his only Son just to save us

The earth was shaking in the dark
All creation felt the Fathers broken heart
tears were filling heaven's eyes
The day that true love died, the day that true love died

When blood and water hit the ground
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down
We were free and made alive
The day that true love died, The day that true love died

Search your heart you know you can't deny it
Come on, lose your life just so you can find it
The Father gave his only son just to save us


Now, Jesus is alive

Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive
Oh, He is alive
He rose again

-phil wickham

Source: everythingfab.com via Olivia on Pinterest

linkin

SUCH a cute baby shower

dinner party i'd like be a part of

de-clutter away!!!!

organized vanity-- yes please!!

wanting allll of these things as well

LAST year's GOOD FRIDAY post

Source: plumo.com via Christina on Pinterest

budget: money diaries

check out this fab blog about is all about saving money while you spend it 

(great for those of you in college!)

find the wonderful Lucy of money diaries here

guest post+loveee+ wish i was here

guest postin today over here at a.toodle.lee.do on something I'm working on right now! stop by and check it out :)

Source: stylizimo.blogspot.com via Olivia on Pinterest

i had my last first kiss 4 years ago today. read a small part of that story here

Source: runwithme23.blogspot.com via Olivia on Pinterest

and since its wednesday, I really wish that I was here right now! where do ya'll wish you were!? come back and link up!!

Source: stylemepretty.com via Olivia on Pinterest

<center><a href="http://oliviakcarter.blogspot.com/search/label/wish%20i%20was%20here"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1atyxni7RAXcT1TA8o1L4rV90MGLcCR_llvXJE1wnXHj-SlVG3v2vU0p89tEdVQEOih5r4OREF2c6tateazJhX1RWJpvHh2hXI_cU4mBtSf3uxulHW9W0Dn_4OJGJZ6imTAt9ZDzQHQA/s1600/wish.jpg" /></a></center>

spring at my house

guest postin

hi friends come check out some colors I am loving right now over on my guest post on

 colleen's blog 

the dashing pearl.

Source: dressdesigndecor.blogspot.com via Olivia on Pinterest

budget: need vs want

I had a reader request to do a mini series on budgeting and spending money.

my WHOLE life i've been a crazy hoarding money saver.
my high school friends hated it, particularly when i would talk their moms out of buying them lots of clothes at Nordstrom's that they didn't need :)

The most simple pieces of advice that my parents both taught me about saving and spending money growing up was that we bought what we needed and when we felt like we had a little extra money to spend once a month or whatever worked for us, we would buy what we wanted.

My mom taught us this simply through the idea that growing up, my parents paid for those "need" items and with our own money we paid for the "want".  I loved hoarding my money, watching it increase in my bank account with each babysitting job I did that I never wanted to spend it.

Over the last few years I've loosened up and realized that sometimes things that don't seem like "NEEDS" at the time can be just that.  these two things aren't always a need but every once in a while they are:

Source: this-is-glamorous.tumblr.com via Plum Pretty on Pinterest

my best SIMPLE advice for saving and spending money is to ask yourself before each purchase "is this a need, or a want?"  event if it is just a $10 t-shirt from target... those small purchases can really add up. My mom also always taught me to never buy something just because it is on sale. It has to be a need regardless of if it's $5 or $50. 

wish I was here wednesday

Source: justformeokc.tumblr.com via Olivia on Pinterest

friends, i would looove to see:

where do you wish you were today???

write a blog post or a picture post and come back and link up!!!

Grab this button (the html code below) 
put it into your post
so everyone can see everyones links
and swoon over all of the wonderful pictures and ideas:

<center><a href="http://oliviakcarter.blogspot.com/search/label/wish%20i%20was%20here"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1atyxni7RAXcT1TA8o1L4rV90MGLcCR_llvXJE1wnXHj-SlVG3v2vU0p89tEdVQEOih5r4OREF2c6tateazJhX1RWJpvHh2hXI_cU4mBtSf3uxulHW9W0Dn_4OJGJZ6imTAt9ZDzQHQA/s1600/wish.jpg" /></a></center>

thank you Jesus

Source: myrevelment.com via Olivia on Pinterest

i realllllly miss my husband.

come home now PLEASE. 

excuse me while i have a mini lonely freak out. its been 8+ days and i really don't like being apart. i really don't like sleeping in our bed alone. I really don't like not seeing and kissing his face everyday.

Friday will be a happy day picking him up from the airport

organized: closets

loving Kendi's organizing closet post
(pictures from her post)

the before:

the after:

so beautiful and awesome. 

I hate my closet major right now.

why is it easier to organize everyone else 

but hard to organize myself...

getting a little inspiration from Kendi today.

go check it out if you haven't seen it 

purple is my favorite

Source: media.tumblr.com via Olivia on Pinterest

Source: housedoctordk.blogspot.com via Olivia on Pinterest

Source: la-belle-vie.tumblr.com via Olivia on Pinterest

Source: innbrooklyn.wordpress.com via Olivia on Pinterest

wish I was here wednesday

Source: blog.decoratrix.com via Olivia on Pinterest

friends, i would looove to see:

where do you wish you were today???

write a blog post or a picture post and come back and link up!!!

Grab this button (the html code below) 
put it into your post
so everyone can see everyones links
and swoon over all of the wonderful pictures and ideas:

<center><a href="http://oliviakcarter.blogspot.com/search/label/wish%20i%20was%20here"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1atyxni7RAXcT1TA8o1L4rV90MGLcCR_llvXJE1wnXHj-SlVG3v2vU0p89tEdVQEOih5r4OREF2c6tateazJhX1RWJpvHh2hXI_cU4mBtSf3uxulHW9W0Dn_4OJGJZ6imTAt9ZDzQHQA/s1600/wish.jpg" /></a></center>

gluten free: Deschutes Brewery

Portland Pub

210 Northwest 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 296-4906


ENTIRE gluten friendly menu

so happy about this one. such a great place, great feel, they make their own gluten free buns for burgers and sandwiches. THE BEST. also so gluten free beer, haven't tried it yet...

guest post: the husband

I'm continually impressed by my wife's creativity on this blog. What began as a private creative outlet for her (that she wouldn't even show me) has turned into something lively, encouraging and inspirational. I'm so proud of her.

So, we've been talking for a while now about me writing a guest post and I think I've found the right topic.  At least I'm currently energized by something and I'm going to make you listen to a passionate ramble if you decide to stick around :).  My apologies.

I was very fortunate to witness the keynote presentation from Blake Mycoskie (founder of TOMS shoes) down at SXSW in Austin, TX.  It was more than inspirational, more than profound (for me).

It was structured like a Young Life talk (for those of you familiar).  There is unbelievable power in that structure, a talk predicated around EARNING THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD.  He spent the majority of the time telling the TOMS story with incredible humility, vulnerability, poise and passion for good.  He played the 'awww shucks' Texas boy role gorgeously.  The audience, a tough crowd of arrogant CEOs and media agency folk, was hanging on every word.  For Blake, the beauty and power in TOMS is the simple one-for-one idea - With every shoe sold, they give away a pair to a child in need.  Simple as that.

His 3 key points for the audience to take away:
When your business is structured around doing something GOOD...
1.  Customers become your greatest marketers (they just have to share about it)
2.  You attract amazing employees and suck senior leaders away from corner offices
3.  You attract amazing partners (in TOMS case, Ralph Lauren and AT&T.  I know we all remember the TV ad)

Also, it's important to note, for-profit business and charitable giving can go hand in hand...as long as you're honest about it.

The zinger moment of Blake's keynote came at the end...after he had already wooed the audience with his charm and altruistic mission: He told the crowd...'We unfortunately dont have time to take questions so I'll take a moment to speak to the TWO questions I get more than any others.  First, who the hell is this Tom guy??"  Blake then playfully explained that TOMS is short for Tomorrow and is a metaphor for creating a better tomorrow..it's not some guy. 


 He then said, "The second question, is one I've been asked over and over for 4 years now and I've never ever answered it.  The thing is, I've known the answer for two years.  The question is...What is next for TOMS?  So, I'm here today to give you a glimpse (BRILLIANT)...he then went up to a huge box on stage that was covered by a black curtain (the size of a large grandfather clock) and he unveiled the box with a dramatic gesture (enter-rapid amounts of camera flashes and clicks).  He then explained, TOMS is evolving, we are expanding on our one for one model and doing something different.  The box had 06.2011 written on it and Blake explained that the new product from TOMS was in this box (locked by a huge bike lock) and it was going to be announced in June.  Bammmm!!  The place exploded...move over Steve Jobbs, there's a new keynote master in town.

Oh yeah...He was trending globally on Twitter during the talk.  You think he didn't know that?  Again, brilliant marketing!!  He knew he was speaking to the most influential and connected group in the world (ceo's, social media gurus, big media, etc.).  The most amazing thing though, in my opinion, was that he didn't market to you in a way that made you feel violated are talked down to or cheated or brainwashed.  He appealed to something much bigger...A DESIRE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD FOR GOOD!!

EXCITING NEWS!

my website is finally up for my new business!!!!!!

check it out. input welcome! 

send it around to anyone you know in the Portland area :)

and become a fan on facebook

winners!!!!

CONGRATS to

Fallon from Life with Four Brothers

& Courtney from Charmed in PDX

CONGRATS GIRLS!!!

email me at oliviakcarter@yahoo.com and I'll get you in contact with Jesslin :)

ps: honorary winner : Brooke from Bee's Knees --- you'll get something special I promise <3

last chance summer dance

last chance to enter my giveaway happening right now for Portland readers!!!!!

2 winners will get a Free Eye Brow Wax

(or something equivalent if you hate waxing :) )

ENTER HERE

also, this same gal is being featured on KATU website here with some great deals as well, check it out, pass it along. Jesslin is AMAZING.