guest post for Southern Grade

Sharing a little bit about marriage, faith and being a new mom over here today. Stop by and enjoy!

guest post: Wild & Precious

a quick note & a call to help from a dear friend (we've never met in person but that doesn't matter!) Blair:
 _________________________________________________________________

I first saw this video back in February and it's been stirring my soul ever since.  "Possessions in my hand will never be more valuable than peace in my heart... start a new conversation."  From there God has been keeping my heart all aflutter with ideas about how I can use my everyday platforms - my blog, my twitter, my job as a youth director, etc. to love His people. And not just that, but to also challenge myself to break free of the grips of this world that tell me I have to be, act, look, possess, do xyz in order to be loved.  The Pixie Project began to grow...

The idea of the project was to partner with Mocha Club to help rescue 3 women from the sex industry of Ethiopia.  At $400 a women, the goal was $1,200 -- then, when I reached my goal, I would get the haircut I've always wanted to try but have lacked the courage/motivation to get.  It was a way to make the haircut about something bigger and important and a fun way for me to use my platforms to love God's people. 

Here are some facts:

1 or 9 women in the capital city of Ethiopia are part of the sex industry.

3 of 4 of the women in this lifestyle have AIDS, which for many is a death sentence. 

For $400 a women, Mocha Club can take a women off the street and give them a year of intensive counseling, spiritual guidance, medical attention, job training, a safe place to stay, and also give their children education and health care.  Helping 3 women in this way would be the motivation I needed to get the haircut. 

As of this past Friday I've reached my goal! Such sweet affirmation from my Savior.  The support I have gotten has fed, challenged, convicted, and encouraged my soul.  I am full of gratitude as I continue to learn more and more about God's grace and His desires for me.

a

Though I've reached my goal & I'm definitely getting my hair cut, I'm not stopping.  The Pixie Project will continue to run through the rest of August.  We'll continue to raise awareness and funds for the Women at Risk.  There are more women we can support -- a second chance at life! I hope that you will help me in this continued endeavor buy donating, praying, and spreading the word.

You can donate by clicking the button below that will take you straight to my fundraising page (all donations are tax deductible and you will receive a receipt for your records).  You can also follow along with the Pixie Project on my blog.  

Thanks for being a part of this journey.  We can do something wonderful together!

xo

over here today

Friends, posting about REST over at the Arizona Russums today. Check it out here

guest post: trend love

Talking about a trend I'm loving over at my sister's blog, Freckled Fashionista, while she is getting tan in Palm Springs ... :(

Have you been able to wear it? See mine here
If not, how come?

Source: twoellie.com via Annie on Pinterest

over here

Giving a little wedding planning advice to brides and brides to be  over at Michelle's blog Delighted while she is off getting married! Check it out here & let me know what you think!

guest postin:

Hi friends! I did a little guest post over at Delighted today! Check it out:

I hope you all have a great weekend!!! I am off with Brian to meet my parents down at the Coast for a weekend of camping!!!

guest post: Sara Gray

Hi friends!

I'm Sara Gray, and I'm thrilled to be filling in for a post while Olivia's out of town this week. I'm a wedding photographer in Portland and I also run a fun little company called MarryThis! When I'm not eating, sleeping and breathing all things wedding, I do have a normal life and I love to read shelter blogs (like Olivia's!) to get inspiration for how to make my home a pretty and inviting place.

My husband and I love to collect books, but ever since we moved in together our books have been continually crammed onto one bookshelf. This was becoming a problem for me, because it was right in the middle of our living room becoming quite the eyesore. Gathering up all my DIY strength, I decided to go in a new direction and create a reading nook for our apartment. Here comes the play-by-play (and the before picture):



First, we have an enormous master bedroom. It feels like we could do laps on roller skates, it's so big. Our king size bed barely takes up enough room to have a presence. So I decided some of that empty bedroom space would be a good spot for my new reading nook. I knew I needed more bookshelf space (and just planned to double what I had, the very simple Billy bookcase from IKEA). Now I needed a chair, a place to snuggle up with a good book. But I didn't have a big budget.

I found my chair at an estate sale for $14. I couldn't even bring it in my house when I got it home, it smelled so funky. But it has a great midcentury shape, so I shopped for new fabric and foam batting and stripped it down to the wood (huge props to my mom, who had the know-how to make this happen). In the end, we recovered it in dark gray wool, which I happen to think looks super classy. It's also really comfortable since all the padding in it is new. Full disclosure: After the new fabric and stuffing, the chair's total cost was about $115.



The final step in my reading nook was to accessorize, especially since I had all this newfound space on the bookshelves. It was a pretty simple answer. Eric and I love to travel and we collect things when we do. So I turned it into a place we could store some travel photos and momentos. We have a white globe, a jar of water from the Irish sea, photos of us in Copenhagen and Reykjavik and a book that one of our Spanish conversation buddies from Argentina wrote. I love the collection because when I look across from the bed, I can see where we've been and look forward to our next adventure.



When the project was said and done, I was thrilled. It's so nice to have a quiet place to sit and read, but it's mellow enough that it it still appropriate for the bedroom. I hope you enjoyed my little project! Thanks, Olivia, for having me as a guest on your blog!

guest post: Michelle

Hey y'all! I'm Michelle, the girl behind Delighted!

I couldn't be more honored to guest post for Olivia this week! For Me is a treat to read, and now contribute to! And I so appreciate Olivia's heart for the Lord and great sense of style :)

Being from South Carolina and being relocated to South Florida, I have a thing for entertaining. Having people over for good food and great fellowship is just my thing, and summer couldn't be the more perfect season! (I'm also a big fan of summer table-settings, there I said it.) After throwing a couple summer shing-digs already this season, I'm learning there are a few musts for summertime entertaining.

First: Go Outside!
We've been waiting all year for warm weather and sundresses. Let's not stay cooped up inside, go outside! Play corn-hole or bocce while the burgers are on the grill.

1.2.3.

Second: lighting!
I'm a big fan of natural light, use it to your advantage with these long summer days!

1.2.

Third: Summertime Eats!
Enjoy the flavors of the season and make all the things you can't the rest of the year.

1.2.3
(ps: I've already made that blueberry peach fro-yo once this summer, it's bliss!)

Fourth: Keep it simple!!
Enjoy the season to be casual, don't go over the top, just be yourself :)

Enjoy!

& Remember to keep Olivia everyone at camp in your prayers this week!

-Michelle

guest post: life spelled jen

hello all. happy wednesday. i'm jen, from life spelled jen, guest posting for the lovely olivia today. my blog is full of what inspires me and the things i love which are mostly fashion, food and fun. today i am sharing a bit of that with all of you as olivia enjoys her amazing vacation.

wish i was here:

lately i have been dreaming of going back to venice. i know for most paris is the city of love and romance, but i spent a few days in venice a few years ago and have been dreaming of returning ever since. the cobblestone roads, winding paths, beautiful architecture, stunning shops and the fact that you are surrounded by water are just a few of the things that made me fall completely in love with this city.

[ruched knot skirt] [line up clutch] [leopard skinny belt] [bound platform wedge] 

and since i have a serious shopping addiction [and am trying to save money and not shop] i decided to share an outfit i would wear if i was in venice today. this outfit is both fun and cool. venice is normally a bit warm and this tank and beautiful skirt will keep you from melting in that summer sun. paired with the leopard belt to add some pizazz and these awesome wedges, i would be ready to go explore the city.

i hope you enjoyed my little post, feel free to pop on over and say hello.

come back and link up your "wish I was here wednesday" posts!

guest postin--

guest postin' -- over at The Bright Life today

Katie and her husband are moving: which I think a great time to start organizing!!

Source: flickr.com via Olivia on Pinterest

Check out some of my ideas and thoughts!

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>

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

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!!

let go

been really inspired by this lately:

Source: google.com via Olivia on Pinterest

wrote about it today over at Wild & Precious if you'd like to read it you can find it here!

guest post: {meg's musing}

hello, i'm meg, writer behind meg's musings and shop owner of pretty things by meg.
i am truly honored to be guest blogging for the beautiful,
inspiring and encouraging olivia today! hope you enjoy :)

♥♥♥

spring is hands-down my favorite season. i am counting down the days.
after a seemingly endless, brutally cold Michigan winter
(this one has been especially unkind),
it is the most glorious thing to once again feel the warm sun on my face,
and to watch new life spring up around me.. to see green again.
it is a beautiful reminder to me of the new life we have in Christ,
and how he is constantly re-creating us.

there are so many things about spring that i am pumped about.
i thought i'd share a few of the front-runners.

{1} flowers!
they make me ridiculously happy. most especially cherry blossoms and peonies.

{source}

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{2} farmers' market.
fresh fruit + fresh veggies + fresh bread + fresh pasta + fresh flowers...
within walking distance from our house = pure bliss.

{source}

{3} flats. 
because i am so. sick. of wearing winter boots. and socks. 

{source 1} {source 2} 

{4} lemon bars.
creamy meyer lemon crumb bars to be exact.

{source}  

{5} long walks & bike rides.
especially at the park with my hubby & our cockapoo magglio.

{source}   

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{6} celebrating me and hubby's 3rd wedding anniversary! memorial day weekend. don't have plans yet, but i'm hoping to travel somewhere new.

{source}

what are you looking forward to most this spring??
T - 6 DAYS!!!
 

guest post: urban nester

hi . hey . hello .

molly here, from urban nester 

when olivia asked me to do a guest post , i was thrilled ! 

however, i had no idea what i was going to blog about {baking, fashion, faith , family, crafts . . . too many options! } i finally settled on doing a post on spring fashion. 

since it's getting close to spring, i thought i'd share with you my wardrobe essentials for this season 

#1  { fedoras }

{ via free people }

fedoras make any outfit trendy . i love them with hair pulled back in a low bun , or with beachy waves . you really can't go wrong with these hats .

#2  { feminine florals }

{ both items via anthropologie }

florals are always in for spring. i especially love this fifties inspired floral bathing suite. so chic.

#3  { wide leg trousers }

{ via emersonmade }

anyone can rock these seventies inspired wide leg trousers . universally flattering and so hip .

#4   { maxi dress }

don't  be intimidated by maxi dresses and skirts . they are all the rage this spring . i really love this one from anthropologie .

#5  { wood wedges }

{via nordstrom }

LOVE these . can't wait to invest in a pair .

#6  { lace }

lace will always look chic , glamorous , and feminine . whether it's a lace top or lace accessories , you really can't go wrong .

#7   { neutral nails }

soft and neutral nails are in for spring .

#8  { safari }

{ image one : via anthropologie . image two : jcrew }

safari jackets , dresses , pants , shoes , hats . . . you name it . all the rage .

#9   { fuchsia lips }

my favorite . i love this shade and it's so in for spring . i'm a drugstore cosmetics junky { especially when it comes to lipstick } .

#10 { gold watches }

{ via nordstrom }

LOVE .

hope you're inspired by my spring essentials !

happy shopping !

{ like what you see ? come visit me over at urban nester . i'd love to have you . }