My mom sent this to me today and I love it.

Only as we know what it is to cherish love when sore at some unkindness, to overmaster ourselves when under provocation, to preserve gentleness during trail and unmerited wrong---only then can we know in any degree the “manner of spirit” that was in Christ.

I know. Awful blogger. And unfortunately, I'm not sure that is going to change any time soon. But, in the meantime, here are a few thoughts.

1. Carolina lost to South Carolina (Columbia is the hottest city alive), but we had a great time.
2. Carolina beat Middle Tennessee State at home on Saturday. We had an awesome tailgate.
3. I've been really stressed about some things lately and the blessing of stress is that it reminds me - I have the most incredible people in my life. ever. And the most incredible God on my side. ever. 

Countdown: 9 Days!

Y'all. It's nine days until football season. Nine days until Carolina's Thursday night opener on the road at South Carolina.  This is legit.

I'm taking Thursday and Friday off work next week to make the trek down to Columbia with my dad. I can't wait. South Carolina is pre-season number 7. We're like 35. I've got faith, though!

In the meantime, I'm planning tailgate recipes and debating a new football outfit. Send any recommendations for either my way!

Phillip Lim for Target

I die. And they even threw in some Carolina blue. 

http://www.refinery29.com/2013/08/51541/phillip-lim-target-pics#slide-1

"I wish I had done everything on earth with you." -F Scott Fitzgerald, the Great Gatsby.

Be still my Fitzgerald lovin' heart.

HI!!

Remember me? My guess is no. I've been so incredibly MIA lately. I started a new job in the middle of July, so I have been really diving in and learning the ropes here. (Note on that: leaving RRC was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I cried like a baby in Rick's offices, but it was a decision that I had to make for my career and personal growth. One of those times that sometimes you need to do the thing that scares you, you know?)

Other than that, life has been normal and great. I'm really making a conscious effort to enjoy every minute of this life, not just count down until the weekends. Part of that time includes scheduling time with my favorite people - lunches, after work, weekends, etc. Last Monday I got to hang out with two of my favorite girls from Bailey's. We had wine at Vivace and caught up on life. So much fun. I forget how good those two are for my soul. On Wednesday, three of my best friends took me out for an early birthday dinner. We had a blast. I am so so blessed.

Thursday I had my first big media event for work. It went really well! And Friday was my birthday! I arrived to a plant, balloon and Chik-fil-a on my desk and later we had cookie cake! I have some great co-workers! I worked until 1:30 (we have summer hours at my new job!) and then went with mom for a mexican lunch, pedicure, cake and presents. She spoils me soo much! She is the greatest mom ever.

MG and Hobbes came into town for my birthday and that night MG and I headed to the new beer shop/bar in Five Points. So much fun! We then met Emily at Mellow Mushroom and then all had a sleepover at my house because the next day we headed to the lake bright and early. My dad, Lisa and Nicholas were waiting on us and we had an incredible day of relaxing on the relaxation station (y'all's favorite thing ever!!), beer and sunshine. My brother even played a concert for us! On Sunday we went out on the boat and I (sort of) got up on the real skis. I've been using little kids training skis up to this point - the skis are tied together so your legs stay in a straight line.

Things have been great and I promise to be a better blogger now. Also, I'll update with pictures later, but wanted to get something out to you guys while I had a second!

What's been new in your worlds??

I know. I haven't written in a month and I have ten thousand and twelve things to update you on, but in the meantime I am once again loving the beauty and TRUTH of these words from Mrs. Fountain, my sweet friend Mary Norris' mom.

It's a choice--a daily, hourly choice to rejoice--and rejoice always--rather than fret and complain. And a choice to pray and praise--about everything-- rather than wring our hands in worry. Turn those problems, moment-by-moment, into petitions--with thanksgiving--and then enjoy the supernatural peace that the Father longs for us to have. And peace is defined as the calm assurance that God is in complete control and that whatever He is doing is best.

This.

“Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it. And by doing it, they’re proven right. Because, I think there’s something inside of you—and inside of all of us—when we see something and we think, ‘I think I can do it, I think I can do it. But I’m afraid to.’ Bridging that gap, doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that—THAT is what life is. And I think you might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that’s special. And if you’re not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself. Now you know. A mystery is solved. So, I think you should just give it a try. Just inch yourself out of that back line. Step into life. Courage. Risks. Yes. Go. Now.”

This.

“Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it. And by doing it, they’re proven right. Because, I think there’s something inside of you—and inside of all of us—when we see something and we think, ‘I think I can do it, I think I can do it. But I’m afraid to.’ Bridging that gap, doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that—THAT is what life is. And I think you might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that’s special. And if you’re not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself. Now you know. A mystery is solved. So, I think you should just give it a try. Just inch yourself out of that back line. Step into life. Courage. Risks. Yes. Go. Now.”

My New Go To Breakfast

I have discovered my new favorite breakfast ever and have had it almost every day this week. It's so simple!

In a blender, combine:

1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 banana
1 cup lowfat chocolate milk (I just make my own with reduced fat milk and Quik, it would work well with premade or almond milk, too!)
1 cup ice

Blend until smooth.

Y'all. Seriously. This tastes like a Reeses Cup milkshake. It has surprising staying power because of the protein in  the peanut butter and the milk. Try it!!

Such a good reminder that fear doesn't always mean the presence of something bad - it can mean the start of something amazing!

Two Week Refocus

Hi there, friends! I've been sort of missing in action lately, but I'm sure many of you have, too. It's summer, after all.

The past three weeks have been busy busy, but beautiful. Memorial Day weekend was spent down at our lake house and included a killer concert at the winery. Shagging to beach music favorites, eating cheese and crackers and sipping some of my favorite Rosemont wine - that's hard to beat.

The next weekend mom and I headed to South Carolina for my sweet cousin Emmy's high school graduation. We took off an extra couple of days to enjoy my aunt's lake house near Clemson. We all cut up the entire time and had a blast.

This past weekend I headed down to Charlotte/Lake Norman for more sunshine with friends. Friday included a night out on the town and Saturday and Sunday were spent playing/lounging.

I've been really busy at work, which is always a blessing, but doesn't make for any extra time. All of that combined has left a few things neglected. Namely my house, my health, my savings and my soul. Not in a bad way - all of these events and outings have been fun and exactly what summer should be about - but with nothing scheduled the next two weekends I've decided it's time to do a little "Two Week Refocus."

Time to focus on my house - it's in need of a good deep cleaning and there are several projects I want to complete.

Time to focus on my diet - lots of protein and produce while cutting back on sugar, white carbs (starches) and alcohol.

Time to amp up my workouts - these have been sorely lacking.

Time to give my bank account a break - eating at home, less gas money, less going out.

And most importantly, time to refresh and renew my soul. Time to talk to God, journal and reflect.

Hope you all are having an equally busy and wonderful start to summer!

Just like spring was late arriving this year, I think the April showers were too. It's June and it won't stop raining. Flash floods, mud and dreariness everywhere. I want sunshine!

"Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.”

Things I don't know how I lived without...

Warning, this is (mostly) a super materialistic post.

You know those products in your life that you just lovelovelove and you don't know how you survived before you discovered them? Here's a list of some of mine.

1. Tervis Tumber. Seriously, I guzzle water out of this thing all day long at work. The big size, lid and straw are crucial.
2. Chia seeds. This one took me a while because I thought they were super hippy dippy and I, for a long time, sought to avoid all things mildly hippy dippy. But these things changed my life. They thicken up dressings and overnight oats (see below) and make my stomach super happy.
3. Overnight oats. For real, y'all. How did I live without these? Filling, super customizable, delicious and the perfect vehicle for previously mentioned chia seeds.
4. La croix. Love this water!!
5. My garmin. I feel naked on runs without it. And while I think it's a good idea to run without it occasionally, most of the time I like that it's a peer pressurer, taunting me to run faster.
6. A sleep mask. How do you people without one sleep any later than 6 a.m.?
7. Trader Joe's Vinas Chilenas Sauvignon Blanc. I honestly debated including this because I didn't want you all to know the best $3.99 secret out there and buy all the bottles before I get there, but I love y'all and want you to experience the happiness that is (decent) cheap wine.
8. Morning devotionals/His word. When I stray from God or don't take time to reflect, praise, ask, and give thanks, I am a big ball of anxious. For me, it's simple. He=peace.

I'll make this an ongoing list as I'm sure I'll come across something else in five minutes "I absolutely cannot live without!" What are your must have things/products that you can't imagine your life without??

Obsessed with this.

(Now that proper credit is given, for those of you who are lazy - like moi - here it is:)

I WANT A LIFE THAT SIZZLES AND POPS AND MAKES ME LAUGH OUT LOUD. AND I DON’T WANT TO GET TO THE END, OR TO TOMORROW, EVEN, AND REALIZE THAT MY LIFE IS A COLLECTION OF MEETINGS AND POP CANS AND ERRANDS AND RECEIPTS AND DIRTY DISHES. I WANT TO EAT COLD TANGERINES AND SING OUT LOUD IN THE CAR WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN AND WEAR PINK SHOES AND STAY UP ALL NIGHT LAUGHING AND PAINT MY WALLS THE EXACT COLOR OF THE SKY RIGHT NOW. I WANT TO SLEEP HARD ON CLEAN WHITE SHEETS AND THROW PARTIES AND EAT RIPE TOMATOES AND READ BOOKS SO GOOD THEY MAKE ME JUMP UP AND DOWN, AND I WANT MY EVERYDAY TO MAKE GODS BELLY LAUGH, GLAD THAT HE GAVE LIFE TO SOMEONE WHO LOVES THE GIFT.

SHAUNA NIEQUIST, COLD TANGERINES: CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY NATURE OF EVERYDAY LIFE (VIA FORMYSOULWAITS)

Relaxation Station

Since you guys seem to love this thing so much (by far the most searched term to get to my blog)... I can't  wait to be here this weekend.

I was supposed to get up there for Easter, but my pink eyes (yes, eyeS!) had different plans. But this weekend nothing will stop me. Family, sunshine, rest, food and wine await me. It's been too long Gaston. See you Friday!

(Also, in regards to missing places ridiculous amounts, I haven't been to Chapel Hill since the Duke game and I'm pretty sure my soul isn't complete. Dramatic? Yes.)

Oklahoma

My heart is in Oklahoma today. It seems like this year has been full of loss for our country - some intentional (Newtown shootings, Boston bombings) and some unintentional (Texas explosion, Oklahoma tornadoes).

The older I get, the more bone-chilling these things become. When I was a kid, I'm sure awful things happened, but I don't remember too many of them. I remember the ones that affected me personally, but not much else. And that's how it should be. It's not selfish or uncaring. Kids should be blissfully ignorant.

But now my heart hurts for so much pain in our country (and in the world - and for the fact that much of our country is ignorant to the pain happening in the rest of the world, but I digress). Every day my family and friends mean more to me. And while I'm not close to being ready to have kids, I know that I want them someday and I can't imagine the thought of losing a child, or anyone really, to something like this.

Praying, praying, praying for everyone in this world hurting to feel God's love and some small amount of peace and light in the midst of darkness. Everyone hug your families tonight. Cherish each moment. Wake up and be thankful for this amazing world we live in and every second of time we are given in it.

This weekend was for...

• seeing Gatsby Friday night (I actually really really liked it. As a LOVER of the book, I was not expecting that.)
• Sleeping in Saturday and going to visit Po with Mom. We gave her some Bedhead Pajamas that she loved! Then Mom and I went to the Mill for lunch and did a little shopping.
• Saturday night I went to Draft House to catch up with Val (my good friend Chris' mom) and later Lauren, Marcus and Hobbes joined us. 
• Sunday was for Mother's Day with my mom! She loved the vase I got her from Eclectic Garden (love that store) and we chowed down on nachos and mozzarella sticks (my mom eats poorly two days a year - her birthday and Mother's Day). We ended our time together with a Lowe's trip before enjoying some time in the sun.
• Sunday afternoon Emily came over and we enjoyed some porch sitting on a beautiful day and discussed plans for her birthday this weekend. Porch sitting is sort of my favorite thing ever.

A wonderful, beautiful weekend. And this week is supposed to be nice weather-wise. So blessed!

Blessed, Grateful, Thankful - All of the Above

The sun is finally out again in Raleigh! It has seriously been about 2 weeks since it's been out for more than an hour or two. My heart and soul are full of joy and I'm just in one of those moods. One of those moods where I am so freaking thankful for the people in my life. I don't know what I did to make God bless me with  these incredible people (the answer is nothing; God is generous and loving  and so so good no matter what we do), but I am in awe.