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fall weather + good reads

Day 2 of the 30-day challenge: Today I’m thankful for B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L weather. J’adore!

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I’m also thankful for good reads. The first of which my mother told me repeatedly to read, but I kept putting it off because in all honesty I thought it sounded kind of hokey. When I finally started it, I flew through it in 4 days – The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.

Oh my goodness this is a must-read. The tale is a beautiful portrait of an orphan’s life and how flowers and the language behind them drove her well-being and ultimate happiness.Who even knew flowers had meanings?? I laughed, I cried, I wanted to read it again.

My current read is Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple. Though I’m only 50 pages in, it’s already a fun, easy read about a quirky mother and her family.

Now I’m off to end my Monday with the two things I’m thankful for today – sitting on our porch, book in hand.

Posted by  |  September 10, 2012 | Categories: Fall, Life | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

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I’m giving myself a 30-day challenge. Each day I’ll share something on my blog I’m thankful for, but it has to be specific to that day. From an unexpected compliment to a perfectly weighted cappuccino to clean sheets – there are no bounds.

Follow me on this journey (sign up to receive emails and don’t miss a post) and/or share in this journey with me. I’d love to hear the little and big things you’re thankful for each day.

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Day 1: I’m thankful on this gorgeous Sunday to belong to a church that believes deeply in missions and is willing and ready to spread the good news to the ends of the earth.

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Posted by  |  September 9, 2012 | Categories: Faith, Life | 4 Comments

life lately: July

Traveled 1,732 miles

Found a new favorite place in Fayetteville, Tanglewood Branch Beer Co.

Celebrated husband’s birthday four times

Taste-tested for a new food truck coming to NWA

Wrote 8 articles for AY Magazine

Enjoyed my first family reunion

Books read: Fifty Shades Darker and started Fifty Shades Freed

Movies watched: Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Amazing Spiderman, The Dark Knight Rises, Moonrise Kingdom, People Like Us, Old School, Magic Mike

TV Shows watched: finished The Big Bang Theory, started White Collar

Re-connected with several old friends

Partied in Dallas for my best friend’s bachelorette party

Colored my hair ombre

Learned about a couple’s mission work in Jordan and how we can support them

Rejoiced that a dear friend moved home from across the country

Experienced my first mineral bath in natural springs

Ate: the best margherita pizza, grandmother’s grits casserole, bachelorette party cupcakes, baby shower cupcakes, birthday cake X2, tuna tartare, margarita popsicles

Joined the YMCA, and have successfully been … twice.

Danced, in a burlesque fashion

Posted by  |  August 1, 2012 | Categories: Family & Friends, Happiness, Life | 2 Comments

Weekend Getaway: My First Family Reunion

Family Reunion (noun): The awkward get together your parents make you go to where you stand around for hours with random relatives, some of which you either despise or don’t actually know. They come up to you and shout random things and kiss your cheeks. – via Urban Dictionary

Family Reunion (noun): The awesome get together you willingly go to where you eat, drink, play, swim (repeat) all weekend with fun relatives, some of which you know well and some of which you’re still getting to know, but all of which you love. – via Mille’s Dictionary

{the view}

{the mother-daughter stripes}

{the diving competition}

{the 25th birthday)

{the hot tub}

{the baby shower}

{the lake times}

{the 26th birthday}

{the boat ride}

{the sunset}

Posted by  |  July 30, 2012 | Categories: Family & Friends, Life | 4 Comments

10 things you probably don’t know about me, but should.

1. I don’t like my food or drinks lukewarm. If it’s meant to be hot, it should be hot. If it’s meant to be cold, it should be cold, e.g. why I order my coffee extra hot.

2. My dream job from any time period would be an airline stewardess in the 1960s, wearing short shorts and go-go boots.

3. I’m a pessimist, and constantly need to have people telling me the positive side of things. (Luckily, husband is an optimist.)

4. I love airports and being in them by myself. One day I might write a book about everything I’ve seen in airports.

5. I hate cats. Even lolcats.

6. Every time I see a musical or play, I wish I was on stage performing.

7. If we’re good enough friends I will always ask to try your food. I’d rather eat something off of everyone’s plate than order something of my own.

8. Reading magazines is one of my favorite pastimes. Thus, if someone reads my magazine before me and tells me what’s in it, I’m not happy.

9. It is extremely difficult for me to chew gum without blowing bubbles. Despite my mother’s constant rebuking growing up.

10. I don’t ride a bike, I don’t ski and I don’t ride ferris wheels. And I have don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything.

Posted by  |  July 24, 2012 | Categories: Life | 5 Comments

Pray, and let God worry.

It’s been a rough week in the Alderman home. There’s been a lot of stress and a lot of worrying. I couldn’t sleep for hours the other night because I just couldn’t stop worrying about the tiniest things. When I get consumed with worry I always remember these words from Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love …

“Worry implies that we dont quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives.

Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others, or our tight grip of control.

Basically, these two behaviors communicate that its okay to sin & not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional.”

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Matthew 6:27-29

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:31-33

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

1 Peter 5:7 
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

 

 

Posted by  |  July 18, 2012 | Categories: Faith | Leave a comment

life lately.

{drinking this} blood orange san pellegrino. YUM.

{watching this} obsessed.

{wearing this} Lily & Laura bracelets + arrowhead bracelet from Riffraff

{eating this} smore’s brownies via Pinterest

{sitting on this} new chair in our second room that was my grandpa’s; perfect for an afternoon read.

{believing in this}

{looking at this} cutest little poodles ever.

{excited for this} we got to taste test for this new nwa food truck.

{planning for this} my best friend’s bachelorette party in Dallas next weekend.

inspired by my good friend Erin’s blog posts around here.

Posted by  |  July 15, 2012 | Categories: Life | 5 Comments

easy like sunday morning.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

– Romans 8 :28

Posted by  |  July 8, 2012 | Categories: Faith | Leave a comment

Southern Glam

Saturday mornings are for daydreaming. Today’s topic: the perfectly decorated home. Here are some photos I’ve amassed via Pinterest onto my home board – Southern Glam.

Enjoy. xo

{office space}

{pool}

{high ceilings, large windows}

{outdoor getaway}

{lots of chandeliers}

{library}

{living room}

{movie room}

{secret attic}

{childrens room}

Posted by  |  July 7, 2012 | Categories: Glamorous, Inspiration, Life | 2 Comments

what’s in a bag: makeup

I feel old. I’ve found the makeup I like, and I’m sticking to it. No more turquoise eye shadow. No more sparkly lip gloss. No more thick black eyeliner. So, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite makeup essentials.

1. L’Oreal Extra Volume Collagene Mascara, $7

2. Elizabeth Arden Tinted Moisturizer, $30

3. Stila Eye Shadow Trio – Gilded, $20

4. Cargo – Sunset Beach, $30

5. Bare Minerals, Foundation $27 & Warmth $19

6. Jack Black Lip Balm, $7.50 **new favorite

All available at my makeup store of choice: Ulta

What’s your must-have makeup?

Posted by  |  June 30, 2012 | Categories: Beauty | Leave a comment