everyday inspiration

Latest

10 Things I Love About My Life Right Now

1. Realizing that this time next year I will be married to and living with my best friend.

2. If I want to watch a movie on a Thursday afternoon, I can.

3. That I have a place on campus that is mine and full of people who can always make me smile. (and often cake)

4. Getting way too excited for my People magazine to come in the mail on Fridays.

5. Having the freedom to figure out what I really want to do with my life.

6. That I have multiple dogs I can play with daily, but not have the responsibility that comes along with them.

7. Being a part of a group of girls I can openly discuss Biblical truths and questions with every week.

8. Feeling really important because I get so many emails a day.

9. Not being stressed out about school because I’m only taking 13 hours and 2 of them are Ballet.

10. The people in it.

Posted by  |  October 21, 2010 | Categories: Faith, Family & Friends | 3 Comments

Celebrity Style of the Week: Rachel Bilson

I’ve decided to start a new weekly section for my blog. This week goes to one of my absolute favorite fashion icons, Rachel Bilson. I love the way she has asserted herself in the world leaving behind teen stardom in The O.C. to establish her own fashion line and completely owning independence and personal style.

Her style is often referred to as “boho” though this look is a little more chic. Her outfits are often characterized by a perfectly polished, but effortless street style, and this is no exception. She pulls together several fall essentials to create a look anyone could put together with pieces in their closet. The two-toned leopard scarf emboldens the classic jacket and works perfectly with the olive green tank.

My favorite part about her outfit is the grey ankle booties with cuffed boyfriend jeans. Pairing heels or booties with jeans for a daytime look is a fabulous way to get more use out of adorable shoes that are too often sequestered for dressier occasions. By showing off her black tights underneath her jeans, Bilson’s vintage look is still very distinguishable.

Posted by  |  October 20, 2010 | Categories: Fashion, Pop Culture | 2 Comments

Can You Teach Me How To Dougie?

Three summers ago, God placed me in Pasadena, California for the summer without a single person I knew and doing a summer project that was relatively unknown to anyone I knew. Weeks leading up to my departure I cried and cried and cried, terrified I would hate it and not make any friends. But something put me on that plane, and it ended up being the best and most life-changing summer I have ever had. Though I will eventually blog about what I learned in California, this post is not about the what, but the who. So for now, if you’re interested in what I did, visit the IT Project website.

Fast forward three years. This weekend 11 of the 22 people from the project came together for the marriage of one of our project leaders in Conway, Arkansas. Some flew from across the country, some drove 18 hours straight, and the result was exactly like it was three summers ago- a unique connection between us that is more special than any group of people I have ever been around, especially considering we live spread out across the United States, lead different lives and have seen each other only a handful of times since that summer.

A a mere few things about us that I love are that we…

get tremendously excited to see each person, can share the deepest parts of their souls as well as laugh for hours on end, can sit and talk about life at Ihop until the wee hours even though there is a 2 hour drive home, send prayer requests via Facebook or text and know it won’t be forgotten, can reminisce about old memories and easily make new ones, gleefully welcome new spouses/fiances, give meaningful hugs, constantly discusses the next time we will get to see each other (happily, it will be at my wedding 🙂 )

Thanks to these wonderful people in my life, this weekend was the exact refresher that I needed. I got to see lovely faces I haven’t seen in a long time, and have great times with those who I see more often. I got to share in the joy of three recent weddings, the anticipation of a newborn and tell my engagement story and wedding plans to 11 eager ears.

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints on your heart.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Posted by  |  October 18, 2010 | Categories: Music | 4 Comments

Guac, Cyber War and Snoop Dogg

Welcome to my week in pictures. They may appear random, but I promise I have a connection with all of them. I hope my life is at least somewhat mysterious to ya’ll. Enjoy.

Posted by  |  October 14, 2010 | Categories: Music, Pop Culture, Recipes | 2 Comments

Warning: Extreme Introspection Lies Ahead

Today I am: self-reflective.

I’m not one to sit and analyze things, specifically myself and the way I think or the way I do things and why. But for some reason, Vegas, of all places, has gotten me looking from the outside in.

I’ve always had an inferiority complex about who I was. I’ve never felt like I could be characterized by a word or phrase, yet I could point to anyone in my life and tell you who they are. Whether it’s a personality trait, a career or a hobby, everyone has something that most people define them by.

Who am I?

Am I a Disney-crazed 20-year-old?

Am I the “nice” girl? (As great as that sounds, I’ve come to truly despise that as being a defining characteristic.)

Am I the fashion-conscious?

Am I the one with all the celebrity gossip?

The journalist? The wannabe actress? The traveler? The pretty girl?

As I was thinking about all of these things that people might describe me as, I realized that I don’t want to be defined by any of those “shallow” things. If that’s who people think I am, they don’t really know me. This is when I realized two things:

1. I define people in shallow terms.

2. The only possible thing that I could be described as that truly fits what I want to be known for is faithful, loving Christian.

Though I do describe people in shallow terms such as the funny guy, the sports-aholic, really into politics, the dancer, etc. I know that is not the extent of that person’s personality, but from the outside that’s what defines them. I just want one word that people define me as externally, as ridiculous as that sounds.

As I pondered this for a few days, I was reminded that my identity truly lies in Christ. It doesn’t matter that I don’t know who I am or what I want to do, because He does. Even if I don’t have that one shallow word or phrase that everyone else does, I at least want my light to be shining so brightly for Him that people know whose I am.

Part Two

I am a planner. Every night before I go to bed I plan my next day in as much detail as I can. I make to-do-lists like they’re going out of style. I put something in my planner as soon as I hear about it. It literally makes me nervous to not know how my day/evening/weekend is going to look.

I’m marrying an improviser, and I think I’m planning my life away.

The biggest obstacle in my life lately is that I feel like I don’t have time for the people in my life. Unless I have a class with you or work with you, I pretty much have to “pencil you in.” Sadly, this is even true about the people I live with a lot of the time.

I feel like I’m becoming the person I never wanted to be. The person that puts work over people. The person that has to check her schedule 5 times to see if she has time to go see a movie.

I want to be free and spontaneous and an improvisor. I want to be able to just go on a walk, or talk on the phone to someone who needs me, or go to lunch, or just spend time with someone. I don’t want people to assume I’m busy so they don’t even ask if I want to do something. I want to be able to have a bad day and just relax and eat and cry or whatever I want to do rather than finishing everything on my to-do list.

If you know how to do this, please contact me.

 

This blog is dedicated to those people I love who I rarely spend time with. I hope you know how much I care about you.

 

Posted by  |  October 7, 2010 | Categories: Faith | 2 Comments

Goodbye Summer, Hello Love

It seems October has brought with it more than perfect 70 degree weather, pumpkin treats and a renewed love for coffee.

The atmosphere in the air is one of love, friendship, fun, joy, adventure. Though this opinion may stem partly from my new engagement (!!!) which has brought on more emotion and giddiness than I thought possible, it appears that others are feeling the same way.

The rush of October has blown in the season of:

camping, hiking, fishing, pumpkin picking, sleeping with the windows open, excitedly discussing Halloween costumes, deepening relationships, spending too much money on the beloved, seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte and wearing boots with any outfit possible because “it’s just time” and everyone loves boots.

Though I have yet to explore the great outdoors in the detail it deserves, my October joy has come from other avenues that I would like to share.

One being the glorious, mysterious workings of God. The first of October has already reminded me of His beauty and love and the part that I am meant to share in that.

Another joy comes from the arrival of the new movie The Social Network. At the writing of this post, I have not yet seen it, but am confident it will fulfill my theatrical longing for a good movie.

Thirdly, I have been surprisingly overjoyed by a video posted on my Facebook wall which I would like to share with you now. I’m hoping music fans, comedy fans and Justin Timberlake fans will enjoy this as much as I did.

A medley of Hip Hop Hits from Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon

Posted by  |  October 1, 2010 | Categories: Fall, Summer | 1 Comment

Fashion Week Designers Reveal Spring Trends

A review of New York Fashion Week for all the Fayetteville celebrities/socialites/journalists who weren’t invited to the event.


Number one on my life bucket list: go to New York Fashion Week and sit in the front row.

This glamorous, invitation-only event takes place twice a year, and is populated only by the wealthiest and most well known names in fashion and Hollywood. Though I’m not sure where exactly I will fit in when my time comes to sit on the front row of Oscar De La Renta’s premiere runway show, I will keep dreaming.

Designers presented their clothing lines for the Spring/Summer 2011 season last week at the Lincoln Center in New York City, kicking off the fashion season followed by shows in London, Milan and Paris.

White Hot Runways

Head-to-toe white will be the classic neutral next season for both men and women. The diversity of the designs complements the assortment of the designers who showcased this timeless trend. Pants and top ensembles, long and short dresses, flowing and tight-fitted, cotton and chiffon were among the all-white attire from designers Victoria Beckham, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Narciso Rodriguez, BCBG Max Azria and Calvin Klein, to name a few.

As a girl who never wants to hang up her white pants after Labor Day, I love this crisp, spring look. It is so traditional that you can mix old pieces with new, creating your own fashion persona, yet still adhering to the fashion industry’s wishes of white.

Mix It Up

DKNY

According to the experts it’s all about the mix-up in prints next season, specifically with florals. Designers Thakoon and Peter Som both revealed their unique floral designs with contrasting colors and patterns, while Proenza Schouler mixed florals with bold stripes, polka dots or star prints. DKNY truly took the mixing bull by the horns and threw sequins, strips and blossoms into one ensemble.

I’ve never been able to really support this trend, despite Rachel Bilson and Taylor Swift, two of my Hollywood faves, fully embracing the outfit mish mash. Perhaps I over think it too much, rather than just putting two prints together and going for the bold. However, I do applaud those who can pull it off, and if you’re daring, go for the fashion risk and keep your head held high despite the inevitable looks you will receive.

New Animal Print Snakes to the Top

Christian Siriano

Leopard print will finally have to cede its throne to the python print this spring. Multiple designers had snakeskin dresses on the runway including Thakoon’s sexy, shirt-dress, Z-Spoke’s purple, python dress and skirts by Joseph Altuzarra. Christian Siriano, winner of “Project Runway” in 2008, unveiled show stopping animal prints following his white ensembles- a red dress embossed with snakeskin and a bold turquoise, crocodile blouse.

As a professed lover of animal prints, my transition from fall’s leopard trend to spring’s snakeskin might be trickier than I’d thought. Not confident enough to pull off a snakeskin dress or skirt (or quite possibly a little freaked out by the thought of wearing snakeskin), this trend might be better suited for accessories. An exotic clutch or skinny belt would be the perfect accessory to accentuate my all white attire.

To finish reading visit the UATrav website.


Posted by  |  September 22, 2010 | Categories: Fashion, Journalism | 1 Comment

Ooh La La, Leopard

I have always been a fan of leopard print, really animal print in general. I currently own fabulous Sam Edelman leopard print sandals that I basically wear as a neutral, suitable with everything. So it delighted me when I saw leopard as a hot trend for fall in nearly every aspect of attire from head to toe (not all at the same time of course).

From top to bottom Gisele Bundchen flawlessly models Roberto Cavalli’s fall/winter line. Though the only person who could pull off this entire outfit on the streets would be Gisele, it displays the diversity of the trend modeling leopard fur on the jacket, bold leggings and a stylish bag.

Rihanna posing for Elle radiates with the sultry, sexiness of wearing leopard and unveils the trend of wearing it as a hat, bandana or headband.

My favorite new leopard trend is the scarf or shawl. The girl on the streets builds upon the classic fall look with the perfect amount of leopard to spice up an outfit and turn some heads.

Posted by  |  September 19, 2010 | Categories: Fashion | 1 Comment

For the Love of Shoes

There are two types of shoes that I am most looking forward to wearing for fall. One of which I have already purchased, but have yet to wear, and the second of which I am still searching for that perfect pair. Behold the beloved peep-toe bootie and the over-the-knee boot.

The second I saw these shoes in Dillards at the end of summer, I absolutely had to have them. Though they may appear alien to some, these shoes have been flying off the shelf, and for good reason. Notice Katie Holmes’ casual attire courtside at the Lakers game pairing these Vince Camuto shoes with boyfriend jeans. (Yes, when I saw this picture after I bought the shoes I really felt like a celebrity) These shoes can function with literally almost any outfit, whether it be jeans or professional attire and they are sure to catch an eye.

I have always been a fan of boots, and the variety of shapes and colors in the fall trend of over-the-knee boots makes me giggle with excitement. I love Hilary’s black ensemble and how easily the boots pull it all together. However, the tan ones above coupled with the yellow leg warmers and the clean white outfit make for such a perfect, crisp fall look. Guaranteed there is an over-the-knee boot out there for every fashion persona.

Posted by  |  September 16, 2010 | Categories: Fashion | 2 Comments

Fashion, Part Deux

Leather, leather everywhere. When I first noticed this trend I thought it was slutty (as it can very well still be), but I’ve come to realize one can pull it off and look sexy and sleek like Kim Kardashian and trendy like the woman above from 5 Inch and Up blog. Leather is all around this year and one key piece can completely turn around an outfit. Whether it be a jacket, short shorts, or pencil skirt, leather is here for fall.

Posted by  |  September 15, 2010 | Categories: Fashion | 1 Comment