New Neighbor

Remember when I mentioned planting a tiny little porch garden? Well, it turns out that we aren't the only ones enjoying the fresh herbs and strawberries.

Husband sent me this picture yesterday. And while we were deciding what to do, this happened.... 

I hate to move the nest because I don't think that the bird would come back now that there is an egg. Still, I am pretty attached to my thyme plant, considering how much I use it. For now, he's staying. I just can't bring myself to move the nest knowing that I'll be sacrificing a baby bird. I may just buy another plant. 

In other news, there is also a bird's nest in our chimney. You can hear them chirping through the fireplace. I'm convinced that we are being overrun.

In other other news, it's almost the weekend!

xoxo

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Rainy Day

The weather lately has been fluctuating between warm and sunny & cool and rainy. I actually don't mind the rainy days too much, since I have five tests and a huge presentation over two weeks, but I do love the sunshine. There's not much better than having a meal on the porch with someone you love.

But since I am not on a porch but holed up inside in a cozy sweatshirt, pouring over textbooks and powerpoint presentaitons.... How about a bit of inspiration for this rainy Monday?

xoxo

images via
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Long Road Ahead

While it seems like spring most days of the week, the cool temperatures and overcast skies are still sprinkled into the forecast, which means that I am still attached to my winter neutrals. And ever since my bestie gave me these shoes, which, coincidentally, are the perfect casual bootie, I've been attached to their slightly worn-in, utilitarian feel.

The Loft cardigan, UO blouse, F21 skirt, gifted booties, Kate Spade necklace, vintage clutch & rings

xoxo

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Five {little} Blessings

This past week was an incredible one, full of quality husband time, a date with my bestie, lunch with my mom, and a trip to the farmer's market. I didn't have any classes and was free as a little bird. Talk about wonderful. {And no, I didn't completely neglect my academic responsibilities. There was a bit of studying thrown in. I had to maximize, though... it was my last spring break ever!} Here are five little things that made this week so wonderful... five reasons that I hate to see it end.

Raw blue cheese

Lovely wildflowers

Chia seed & currant muffins

New shoes from my bestie

My past, my reminder, my motto: twirl

xoxo

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Simple Switches

Much like my sweet friend Lesley, I made a lot of changes to my diet over the last year or so. I've mentioned my eating habits a couple times and have gotten some questions regarding the "paleo diet." {This site does a great job explaining the strict paleolithic diet & the theory behind it.} It can be overwhelming, and I distinctly remember thinking 'what the heck am I going to eat?!' 

Well.... TONS of veggies, raw fruits, nut butters, lean protein, eggs, coconut & almond milk and flour, avocados {they taste so good on everything!}, raw almonds, and quinoa to name a few. Just to get you started, here are some simple ways to make your daily choices a little bit better.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

1. Choose almond butter or sunflower seed butter over peanut butter.

 It's the perfect compliment to a banana, an apple, a smoothie or even a handful of celery sticks.

2. Substitute romaine hearts for tortillas or bread.

Remember these fajitas? I'm still obsessed, so now I eat them wrapped in a large romaine leaf. And yes, it is super filling.

3. Add veggies everywhere!

Again with the fajitas... they now include onion, bell pepper, zucchini, eggplant, and squash, sauteed together, then added to chicken.

Also, see no. 4.

4. Eat eggs.

Scrambled eggs with steamed broccoli, spinach, heirloom tomatoes and/or squash is my favorite breakfast. Sounds a bit odd, but it's delish with some freshly ground pepper, real salt, and raw blue cheese.

5. Season and marinate with freshly squeezed lemons, limes, and oranges.

It's the perfect trio for fajitas, grilled chicken and fish. It also works well in a slow cooker.

Happy {paleo} eating.

xoxo

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Reflecting

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; He suspends the earth over nothing.

He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.

He covers the face of the full moon, spreading His clouds over it.

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness....

And these are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him.

Job 26: 7-10, 14

Sorry for the radio silence. I spent a long weekend camping on the beach with my sweet husband. I read, I reflected, I strolled on the beach, I watched the sunrise, and I'm ready to start anew.

Happy Wednesday.

xoxo

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30 Before 30*

*Not to be confused with 30 for 30, which is something else entirely.

{via}

I'm not really big on resolutions, but I love the idea of setting goals and charting my progress toward those goals. Since 2011 brings a little over a year and a half before I turn thirty, I decided to go ahead and make a bucket list of sorts. Inspired by my sweet friend Lesley, here's a list of things that I hope plan to accomplish in the next 1&1/2 years. Some are frivolous, some concrete and tangible, while others are lifestyle and attitude changes, but they are all important to me in their own way...

1. Complete a sprint triathlon
2. Read the bible from cover to cover
3. Take yoga classes regularly
4. Take a road trip out west with my husband
5. Climb the Teton Mountains
6. Find a girlfriend to run and do races with
7. Learn to play the piano
8. Do more things that scare me
9. Develop a mission statement for my life
10. Simplify & minimize our home without sacrificing our personalities and comforts
11. Make cornbread like my mother's at least once
12. Take my mother and sister on a trip, just the three of us
13. Give back to my community, wherever that may be
14. Drink less coffee and more tea
15. Go backpacking for more than one night
16. Go camping with my family & with husband's family
17. Develop a working closet & a wardrobe that I truly love
18. Make intentional time for my girlfriends
19. Tell my husband one thing every day that I love about him
20. Complete a half marathon
21. Complete this race wearing my Vibram FiveFingers & improve upon last year's time
22. Take my husband to New York City in the spring time
23. Complain less and encourage more
24. Camp on the beach
25. Go surfing, preferably in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
26. Buy a pair of Hunter wellies {Husband gave me a pair for my birthday!}
27. Take a trip to the beach & savor every moment
28. Be fearless
29. Live a more centered, peaceful life
30. Be a loving, supportive, and godly wife


What is on your bucket list?
xoxo


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New Directions

Priorities are altering... focus is shifting... dreams are changing.

And in light of that, so is this blog.

I will be taking more time to spend in the word, listening to these podcasts, continuing to make healthy changes, enjoying weekends with my husband, and serving my community. As a follower of Christ, I am called to more than a life focused on myself; I am called to grow, serve and minister. I am confident that the Lord can use any part of my life for His glory, and I hope that this blog will be something He can use.

image

I don't mean to be offensive, and I hope that's not the case. I am being honest and open about the truth of the gospel, and I hope that you can find inspiration in that. 

I'll still post about the things that I enjoy... cooking, camping & hiking trips, and even outfits, but I needed you to know that my heart is changing. There's nothing wrong with physical luxuries, as "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows," {James 1:17} and I consider my home, nature, and even my wardrobe good and perfect gifts. However, I don't want these things to consume my time or become my focus.

So here's to new beginnings, healthier lifestyles, and service to those less fortunate.

xoxo

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Five {little} Blessings

This week was a long one, although I couldn't really pinpoint an exact reason. I was reminded just how blessed I am by all of the wonderful friends in my life and the family that supports me so. Sometimes we just need little reminders, which is why these posts have quickly become some of my favorite. Here are five things that made this week just a little sweeter.

 Framing some of my favorite magazine shoots.

Reminders on my desk to live fearlessly and turn obstacles into opportunities.

But the best part of my week was this...

 A care package from my bestie which included a Kate Spade calendar & notebook, fancy lip balm, indulgent chocolates, and some of my favorite teas... as well as an encouraging note.

{image}

The final two were really just one big thing... taking the time to just be. Not to blog or study or clean or write, but just to be and to reflect.

xoxo

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Hometown Hero

Favorite skirt? Check.
Favorite train tracks? Check.
Favorite photographer? Double check.

There seems to be a trend in my outfits lately. I've decided that it's due to my absolute inability to pack appropriately, which leaves me scrambling for separate outfits made from five different pieces. Good thing we're still doing this whole 30 for 3o thing.

F21 shirt, Tucker for Target skirt, UO belt, Lizard Thicket boutique wedges, old flower pin, Anthropologie necklace

xoxo

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Casual Friday

The title of this post is incredibly misleading since pretty much every weekday is like casual Friday when you're in grad school. Every weekday except Wednesdays, clinic dates, and various hospital visits, which require professional dress. So really, casual Friday only comes about twice a week {depending on the week}.

The Loft cardigan & jeans, UO blouse, Lizard Thicket boutique wedges, F21 ring, vintage pearls


In other news, it's hot here in the southeast, yall! Today the high was in the 80s... the 80s! What is the weather like in your part of the world?

xoxo

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