growth > perfection

The calligraphy practice has finally begun! And I am off to a (very) shaky start... but you've gotta start somewhere, right? I already have two projects underway for a friend getting married in May, so I'm hoping to be a fast learner and to create something pretty for her big day (this is helping me get there!). With this plus my recent furniture reno's, I am feeling super crafty and motivated to try many new things. Pottery classes, videography, instruments... I have all of these ideas for things I'd love to learn. What about you? What are you learning, or what would you like to learn soon? Make a decision to always be learning something new, no matter how small-- make your goal growth, not perfection. Happy Monday!!

xo

weekend round-up

This picture... (insert emoji smiley face with heart eyes). Do you have any weekend plans? Andrew is working all weekend at a temporary thing in Alpharetta, so I've got some "me time" in my future. I'm hoping to finally finish a few projects and start some new ones :) (a.k.a some calligraphy practice for which I am way overdue). I hope you have a lovely weekend, enjoy these links!

DIY ombre wall-art photographs.

Would you be so bold?

I wonder how well this would work...

10 minutes off your phone gives a day of clean water to a child in need. 

Baking 101: What went wrong?

Haha, blame hormones. 

The most gorgeous oatmeal, probably ever. 

Technology is fascinating.

Nature bowls...

This is such a sweet app.

xo

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a flower twist

Wouldn't these floral pendants look gorgeous hanging over wooden tables at an outdoor spring wedding? There's a DIY tutorial over at Sugar & Cloth today, and it really doesn't seem very challenging. Let me know if you decide to give it a go!

squash success

I had to cut a spaghetti squash earlier today for some dinner prep, and at first the task seemed daunting. I HATE cutting squash. Part of this mostly generates from having horrible knives, the other part from past experiences of somehow always finding a way to hurt myself in the process. Today I took to the internet for a quick search to help me with my great endeavor, and found a helpful tutorial. Her step-by-step procedure worked like a charm, leaving me with two perfectly cut squash and all 10 fingers still intact. Shout out to Mama for some delicious but so healthy meals this week-- I will definitely be stealing some recipes in the near future!!

xo

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thankful thinking

"A thankful mindset keeps you in touch with [Him]." - Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

How can you protect your joy today and be close to Him? Don't let negativity steal the full joy and complete closeness that He offers you daily. Reflecting on and reminding myself of this today.

xo

P.S. I have been craving a good camping trip- doesn't this picture sum it up beautifully?? :)

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#bookwormprobs

What's the best book-made-into-movie you've ever read & seen? I ended up seeing Divergent this weekend, and for the most part, the movie adaptation was pretty spot on (except for one of the major climaxes at the end?!!). It got me thinking, is it better to read the book first or see the movie first? It's like either way, you end up frustrated. If you read first then when you watch the movie, you just play the book in your head the whole time and scrutinize every little thing that did/didn't actually happen. If you read the book after, you can't help but picture the characters as they were in the movie and your brain can't really imagine events that are in the book but weren't in the movie -- a.k.a. my experience with Harry Potter :( 

I guess in the end, it's still better to read the book first because that's where your imagination has the most freedom and you really fall in love with the characters. Ah, the inner conflicts of book nerds :)

12 Movies that are just as good as the books.

I can't discuss this topic without forever thinking of this...

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happy spring weekend!

I hope you have a lovely first weekend of spring. After a busy and stressful week, Andrew and I are planning on just taking it easy this weekend. Thank you for all of the prayers, support, and encouraging words. We are keeping our fingers crossed, and pushing forward no matter what :)

Totally planning on seeing this movie this weekend, most likely alone, and I'm not even ashamed. 

And next up, this one. (I finished the book in less than 4 days. So. Good.)

And since I've had a Young Adult novel kick lately, here's this link, just for fun :)

Super hot.

Adult magnetic alphabet letters. 

Maybe I will try this on my almost done dresser renovation...

Gold and white ruffle (I die!).

I will take one, please :)

Citrus love.

The warm weather is so close- you can do it- almost here!

xo

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washed clean

"Trust Me enough to accept the full forgiveness that I offer you continually. 

This great gift, which cost Me My Life, is yours for all eternity."

- Jesus Calling, Sarah Young

Thank you, God, for 8 full years of the precious gift of forgiveness and renewal.

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Loving: Headwraps

I was at the mall the other day and saw several headwraps in the clearance sections. I absolutely love how they seem to instantly give you an effortless and pretty style. With all these new layers from a recent haircut, I've been looking for some cute hair ideas that don't require a plethora of bobby pins. This is such sweet look for spring!!

How to do this headwrap, and 4 other hair styles for riding with a bike helmet.

A variety of different headwraps and headbands, though I love the thicker scarf-y ones :)

xo

light and laughter

"Don't take yourself so seriously. Lighten up and laugh with Me. You have Me on your side, so what are you worried about? I can equip you to do absolutely anything, as long as it is My will."

- Jesus Calling (Sarah Young)

What a great perspective on anxiety- I never would have thought to approach my nerves regarding a certain upcoming situation in this way. Laugh about it. Enter it confidently and securely. God leads the way. You are safe in Him. 

xo

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a little link love for your friday

Happy Friday! I hope your week has been productive and far healthier than mine. However, I am about half way through a new exercise program I am trying, and am feeling pretty strong :) I hope you can look back on your week and find something that makes you feel strong, too! Enjoy these links I stumbled across this week- xoxoxo

I can imagine this being me, had we had kids in Haiti. Fascinating read!

Grown-Ups can have fun too :)

I started reading this book last night, and I've heard it's a tear-jerker. Wish me luck!

These would look lovely in your home this spring. 

Yum!

So dreamy.

Such cute classroom activity ideas for aspiring teachers :)

Love her. Anyone read her book yet? It's next on my list!

Have a great weekend!

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warm weather is a bad influence

So, I have a confession to make.
Yesterday, I walked into Hobby Lobby with the intention of only buying a few knobs for my current dresser renovation project (pictures coming soon!). Oh, how we women can be so easily deceived by these little "just going to get one thing" lies when we walk into places like Hobby Lobby, T.J. Maxx, or Target. I mean, everything has my name on it and it's all just so cheap! So, back to my confession... I did buy my knobs. Success! And... I bought... THIS!

Although we don't have a big spending budget right now, I couldn't resist. It's just so cute and summery!! Every newly wed must have some adorable way to serve drinks. And, now I can use it as a contribution to all my friend's future bridal and baby showers. 

So there. I'm sorry I'm not sorry. 50% off at Hobby Lobby, you get me every time.

This made me chuckle :)
Also, a similar (and far more expensive) mason jar drink dispenser from Pottery Barn.

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I want to be a good friend.

I want to be a good friend. I want to be a safe place, free from insecurity or doubt. I want the people I love to know that I love them and to trust that it's unconditional. I think insecurity can keep us from being good friends. We get afraid that we will come across as too needy or too nosey, annoying or burdensome. It's scary to be vulnerable, or to feel like you are the friend who "loves more". It takes humility. But I crave connection, and I truly think we are all made to be one with each other and our Maker. So, I don't want pride or negativity to destroy that perfect vision. I want to be a source of positivity for the people I interact with. I know I won't always be able to do this, I know that I will have bad days and that I am inherently selfish and that I will be tired or insecure and I will make bad decisions and I will fail. But I want to focus my mind on perseverance and forgiveness. It's okay to be alone and to feel lonely sometimes- independence is refreshing and enlightening... But I don't want those I love to feel stuck in loneliness. I want to love freely and fully, so that others feel inspired and safe to experience the joy in closeness and connection. 

xo

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how do you fight off a cold?

I've been battling a pretty severe cold for the past few days now, and I'm failing miserably at attempts to stay hydrated. This morning I tried to start off strong with my usual glass of ice water, adding on a cup of hot jasmine green tea and a small glass of vitamin-c packed OJ. Any remedies that work for you?

This poor little guy passed the cold onto me, and I can't even be mad at him because he is just so stuffy and pitiful. Cuddles all around. At least we're in this together, little dude.

Here's a lit of 7 Home Redmedies for relieving cold symptoms.

xo

coffee table inspiration

I'm about to wrap up a couple DIY furniture projects, and am now looking to accessorize. I am on the hunt for a good coffee table book or two. I would love something with dreamy pictures for guests to scan through. Any suggestions?

I currently have this book, and am planning to make a wedding album (long overdo). Wouldn't it be awesome if Kinfolk had a coffee table book?!

P.S. some DIY coffee tables, and a cute idea for a game table.


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have an adventurous weekend

What are your plans this weekend? Andrew is out of town tonight, so my mom and I have dinner plans. Tomorrow, A and I are going to play laser tag with the middle schoolers from church :) (I recently started leading a small group & love it!) Should be eventful! ;) 

Hope that you have an adventurous weekend, and here are a few great posts to check out in the mean time:

Surprising Predictors of How Long You Will Live, like your personality and your walking speed!

I sobbed my way through this emotional and heartbreaking, but beautifully written post by my sweet, Faithful college friend who very recently experienced a devastating miscarriage with her first child in their second trimester. Please pray for her and send her warm thoughts. Her and her husband are such kind, God-fearing people.

Guess what movie comes out on DVD today... :)

And Jennifer Lawrence's Best Moments at the Oscars.

Some positive affirmation for you.

A list of drugstore makeups that are duplicates of department store brands.

The internet really wants Leo to win an Oscar.

This shirt made me smile :)

Inspiration from a minimalist mother.

Flowerless Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies!!

xo

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a sweet southern wedding

My friend (and our wedding photographer), Gracie, is experiencing some excitement today as some of her work has been posted on the Southern Weddings website! She had the opportunity to be published in their magazine this past fall, and I am so thrilled that she is able to receive this recognition for her beautiful images. You can view the photographs and the bride's sweet thoughts here.

Andrew and I had the privilege to meet and work with the couple from this wedding, Kate and Cesar, during a wedding shoot we helped out with a few weeks ago. They are such a fun and genuinely sweet couple- also extremely talented and creative (she was the brains behind the shoot we did... pictures coming soon!)... and aren't they just gorgeous?! Check out their work here. 

Congratulations Gracie! One step closer to your millions ;)

xo

a fun date idea

Have you heard of Geocaching? It's basically a world-wide scavenger hunt, with the rules and steps to sign up found online here. We tried it for a post-dinner date night with our friends, Gracie and James, last weekend and shared quite a few laughs racing up and down the night streets of downtown Lawrenceville. It's always nice to have some good, clean fun :) Best part? It's f-r-e-e! 

What about you? Any recent, fun date ideas you're willing to share?

xo

Image via Instagram by Gracie Dinwiddie //

winning isn't everything

Did you know that Leonardo Dicaprio has never received an Oscar? I couldn't believe it! I have always thought that he is one of the most genius actors of this generation, and his humanitarian efforts & character are aspirational. I guess it just goes to show that not all greatness is rightly recognized. So if you haven't been given your "award", don't worry- you still might be one of the best :)

17 other A-list stars who have never received an Academy Award, including Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Glenn Close.

And this Leonardo Dicaprio character timeline.


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