the gleam of rose tea

workin' out

2009-11-13T09:23:00.006-05:00

I just joined Answer is Fitness with my friend Christina and I am excited to get back into exercising. The other day we took a Zumba class (so embarrassing) and I felt super energized after. I went last night and the funniest thing happened...

Some guy was walking around the gym curling a bar with small weights in front of the women. It was absolutely hilarious. I actually laughed out loud when he walked by me. Poor guy...

I love getting cute workout clothes (I know, not a surprise). I dont really need any right now but I looked at some online anyway...

anorak from gap

adidas studio top

(so cute!)

adidas yoga pants

nike free

(I have these and they are SO comfortable)

cool art

2009-11-12T15:19:00.005-05:00

I was just referred to the blog style carrot. She has lots of funky pictures and is a splendid writer.

Check her out!

I loved this art from one of her posts. The second picture has an awesome poster. It's probably custom made and is an awesome idea if you dont want to paint your walls.

the attic.

2009-11-10T10:29:00.005-05:00

Hopes wait in the eave of memories yearning for the moment when the dust will be cleared. Light comes through the cracks in the floor boards. I must wait in the dimly lit corner of this attic…

Like a childhood game of hide and seek, I wait for the Seeker to unearth my hiding place and let light in. Time moves slowly. Seconds fade to minutes as anticipations grow.

I begin to forget about the game and stumble around, feeling through the dusty objects around me. My movements make the floor creak, reminding me I must stay in the corner.

I let my mind travel to the Seeker. I have never seen Him, but I know He is good. I have heard He can find people in the darkest of hiding places.

I look up and notice a light growing in the room. It spills over the contents of the attic and fills the eaves. The light is more fascinating than even the largest of objects in the room.

My excitement grows. I yearn to throw open the attic door and announce His arrival but the beautiful display before my eyes contains me to my corner.

Suddenly, the attic door is swung open and I see the shadow of a Man. My eyes fill with tears of awe as the dust clears from the room and I realize I have been found.

…to think if I had opened the door and missed this exhibition of beauty.

2009-11-09T10:21:00.005-05:00

your break causes tremors I cannot hide

as pieces splash from stained cheeks.

how will you be sewn back together?

our thread here is not strong enough.

Do you ever feel like there is nothing that can bring you back to normality? Like you can’t get your act together as much as you try?

In moments like these our minds can go out of control and we can make ourselves believe some pretty crazy stuff. But what if we chose to listen to truth and not lies. What would our days look like?

The truth is, there is a thread that can put you back together. Its stronger then anything you can understand and that’s why it seems out of reach. This thread is made of fibers of peace, with faith and hope spun in. It takes time to find it, though, and that’s what we need to be patient for.

Today I choose to listen to truth.

2009-11-07T07:42:00.002-05:00

one day this will be taken with my camera...

have a sun-filled weekend.

i CAN wear this.

2009-11-06T10:37:00.005-05:00

even if I am almost 3 times their age...right?

I'm callimg my mom to bring me my boots that look like this right now. LOVE the socks

love the skirt and shirt combo. I will hold off on the tights:)

how cute are these guys? note to self if I ever have boys...toggle and suit coats are the way to go.

outfit inspiration

2009-11-05T16:52:00.003-05:00

I love these. I need a striped long sleeve. And want to wear a snuggly hat this weekend.

reds

2009-11-04T11:11:00.004-05:00

I need to go to Sephora and try out red lipsticks. I have been using a coral color called "crush" from Rimmel but I really want to go darker. Kind of scary, for a million reasons. A few include:

smudges on a guys white shirt when they give you a hug (ah!)

orangish skin around your lips from the pigment fading into your skin

for some reason my lips always are dry when I use lipstick. red flaky skin is gross.

Ok, with all those fears and many more, I still think its worth a shot. Look how cute Jenny is from wikstenmade and this model in j.crew! The key is finding the right shade for your skin...

let it be

2009-11-02T09:06:00.002-05:00

Do you ever feel like you need to reign yourself in? Sometimes I get so excited about the things that God is doing in my life I find myself running ahead of Him.

I think deep down inside we are all still children. We ask God:
“Are we there yet?”
“How much longer?”
“Will I like it?”

Sometimes, we are worse then that kid in the backseat who asks “are we there yet?” 15 times.

We must remember, that, as He proved faithful in the “not yet” times, He will prove faithful in the “almost there” times.

Today, I need to focus on the task in front of me, reign in my excitement, and let God surprise. Because, honestly, there is nothing worse then someone who won’t let you surprise them.

God delights in blessing us with defining moments in our lives. Let’s let Him do it.

honey & jam

2009-10-30T11:57:00.006-04:00

I have talked about Hannah's blog before but I dont think I ever told you about her beautiful etsy store! Check out all of her prints. She is quite the talented lady. I always want to curl up inside her pictures and take a nap (after eating the yummy goodies).

have a beautiful, relaxing weekend.

frosting.

2009-10-29T16:46:00.005-04:00

I love the layers of necklaces and bracelets look. I also like dangly earrings with plaid shirts and boots (and wavy hair). Here are a few pieces that I will be looking for this weekend...

shopping!

2009-10-28T11:55:00.004-04:00

I'm going to Boston this weekend and I can't wait to go shopping!

I want to stop by americal apparel, anthropologie, urban outfitters, and j.crew.

We are going to Fire and Ice to eat too, I cant wait!

I still have to figure out what I am wearing...Its supposed to be sunny. I was thinking something like this with boots.

(Any other suggestions while I am there?)

2009-10-27T08:34:00.003-04:00

I think it’s funny when people are surprised that I sell things around the world on my store. I guess I have become accustomed to the whole “it’s a small world after all” mentality from the internet. Some of my pieces are being worn in Switzerland, Australia, and Atlanta. It is pretty inspiring to think I can have an impact on people around the world, however small it might be.

So what am I doing with this privilege? How can we impact each other to create positive, life-changing experiences?

We all have the opportunity to “pay it forward”. Whether it’s by complimenting your favorite grocer, slipping the mail man a bag of homemade cookies, or sharing with a stranger an aspiration you have that could “change the world”.

The truth is, we all want to be connected and we all want to be successful. Why not be successful in the things that really matter?

What do you do to change the world?

it only takes one.

2009-10-26T13:50:00.004-04:00

to make a difference.

water bottles

how to

buy used

reposted.

2009-10-23T08:22:00.005-04:00

I started reposting my things back in the store. It is time to get back into the swing of things. Here are a few of my favorites...check back, I post a few things every day!

classic mary janes

dainty sweater shirt

beautiful pearl rope belt (seriously, this looks so cute with dresses)

happy fall!

2009-10-23T07:35:00.002-04:00

Have a nice weekend!

brooke fraser

2009-10-20T07:05:00.001-04:00

Brooke Fraser is part of the Hillsong Austrailia worship team. She also has her own cd out (which I just found out about!). Check out the song Shadowfeet, it has great message.

the infinity scarf (aka the snood for UK'ers)

2009-10-19T14:14:00.005-04:00

The infinity scarf is in for fall and it sure makes wrapping a scarf around your neck a lot easier! The above picture is from the RTW Burberry Fall runway show. This scarf can be found in most retail stores and patterns are available for the DIY'ers. Experiment with color and texture! (Like this picture from Toast)

buy a pattern on etsy at knit art by grace

buy at Target or Toast

cute.

2009-10-15T16:28:00.006-04:00

I really love some of the Kate Spade ads. The one of the couple holding hands is my favorite though. I want to wear pink tomorrow...

(the caption says "that day,he fell in love")

look at her, she's blooming!

2009-10-13T16:58:00.008-04:00

I want to have a masquerade! I know that sounds crazy but how cute are some of these masks? I think it would be fun to have a tea party for little girls and make flower masks for them. This will just have to be another event I will have to wait on for a while...

Have you ever had a masquerade? What did you do?

bedroom decorating inspiration

2009-10-07T14:55:00.005-04:00

Does your bedroom need a little sprucing up? I love these bedrooms, the look so comfortable. I just got some wonderful eucalyptus pillow spray. Too bad I cant spray it on my pillow now for a little nap...

love the floor. and the wood stain. and all the beautiful sunlight!

simple and comfy. love the flowers. the beds would be pretty with a mint green end blanket.

the inspiration for the color palette in this room was a 1940's map.

a door for a headboard!

love the blue on the walls with the orange.

good for your wallet style

2009-10-06T08:52:00.008-04:00

Spring and summer colors with chunky hardware and wool is in for fall. This is good for your wallet and allows you to think outside of the closet (go get your summer stuff out of the attic!)

no need to spend money on accessories. just throw all your favorite pieces together!spring shirts paired with fall sweaters are a definite do. also, take your cotton skirts from summer (in darker hues) and throw a little belt and tights with them.

I like the collared shirt under this sweater. It switches up the look and doesnt require another piece of clothing

take spring sweaters and pair them with fall pants and a ruffled shirt.

inspiration is the name of the game.

2009-10-02T09:01:00.007-04:00

We went to an Inspiration Expo for work last night and it was a lot of fun! This one man made the most beautiful jewelry out of organic shapes. He poured silver over a broom, let it cool, then took the shape out! So amazing.

this was a mechanical praying mantis.

and we got to make pottery!

apples and sun.

2009-09-23T07:35:00.000-04:00

I love sweaters. And Hunter boots. And yummy apples. But most importantly, the crisp, fall air that makes these all come together.

fall is here!

2009-09-22T07:54:00.001-04:00

I made this last night because I felt like eating warm apples and it was SO good. Here is what I did...

Ingredients:

4 Macintosh apples
3 tbs. butter
1/2 cup of oats
Cinnamon to taste
Brown sugar to taste (a handful or so)

Directions:

Core, peel, and cut four apples into thin slices and put into a frying pan with 1 tbs. of butter and cinnamon. Saute until soft.

Push apples off to the side of pan and add oats, rest of butter, and sugar into the pan. Sprinkle cinnamon on top and mix until butter is completely melted and covering oats.

Mix everything together and let simmer for a few minutes.

Ta-dah. Fast apple crisp (kind of)! This is a very loose recipe so add whatever you would like. I wish I had added more oats.