The Summons

Sometimes things are so on time that you don't even know you needed them until they happen...it's as if someone can see the big picture and is always steps ahead...thankfully, that is the case - God always knows just when to make himself known. Yes, He is always there but it is so nice to receive His subtle reminders, even on the days when we feel like all is well!

This happened to me last week...I received a piece of mail through my company's interoffice mail. It was a photocopy of a hymn titled The Summons with a sticky note that said, "This song makes me think of you!".
The words of this hymn are so beautiful and present us with the remember that the challenge we face is to leave yourself behind and go where God directs us.

The song has five verses can be found here but the one that stuck out to me the most was verse two:
Will you leave yourself behind

If I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
And never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
Should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer pray’r
In you and you in me?

If you read my posts then you know I (with lots of prayer) decided not to move to the beach, something I had been planning for quite a while but once everything was in place and the dust settled I felt a different direction calling me and as this verse says "Will you risk the hostile stare Should your life attract or scare?" I have had to face a few of these stares from people in deciding not to move and of course as any major decision is I have definitely felt scared....but as the next line states, "Will you let me answer prayer In you and you in me?"....wow - it has been amazing how my prayers have been answered once I accepted the call of the Summons and let God answer my prayers instead of trying to satisfy them on my own!

So to my dear friend who sent me this sweet hymn,thank you for taking a few extra minutes to let me know you thought of me - this photocopy is one that I will hold dear forever and pull out from time to time to reflect on the ways that the other verses remind me what it is all about.....leaving me behind to get ahead in Him!

xoxo,
Faith



28 Lessons From My 28th Year

I celebrated my 29th birthday yesterday! I guess due to all of the birthday excitement and the quickly approaching Christmas excitement I found myself wide awake this morning around 2am with no sleep in sight so I decided to use that time to reflect on my days as a 28 year old and I came up with a list of 28 things I already knew but came to understand even better over the last year of my life!


28 Lessons From My 28th Year

1) Keep your Joy.
Don't let simple frustrations steal your joy. We are all inconvenienced from time to time, take a moment to realize the good that ended up coming from a frustrating moment. You just might me surprised and life will get a lot happier!

2) I'm happy if you're happy!
Don't let selfish feelings get in the way of others happiness. Nothing can lose a friend faster than not being a true friend.

3) I'm lovin it!
There is a girl at a McDonald's here in Rock Hill who works during breakfast and when I approach the window she ask how I am doing and then responds with "I'm Lovin' It!!!" when I ask her the same. I have actually passed the McDonald's closest to my office to visit hers instead just because she reminds me to enjoy life and smile no matter what - I am sure there are a million other places she would rather be that early in the morning but she is making the best of it and I'm lovin' it!

4) X+Y=Z
Everything doesn't always have to make sense to work....for me this equates to math. I cannot make sense of equations but I know that if you do them right then you get the correct result. So when stuff happens that I don't understand or cannot explain, I have learned to just roll with it and enjoy it rather than wasting time trying to figure out why!

5) It could always be worse.
Don't believe me? Make a trip to a children's hospital.

6) Enjoy the nagging.
One day I'll wish I  had them so I have been more conscious of making sure I answer the phone when my parents call...even if the call is to nag me about something, one of these days I will wish they were still here to nag me.

7) Not all gifts are found under the tree.
This past weekend I went to my fathers side of the family Christmas gathering, since I could not attend last year due to a scheduling conflict this was my first Ramsey Christmas without my grandfather or Uncle Terry since they passed last year. I would have given back any present in the world to have been able to have them there!

8) Take chances.
Don't confuse "I can't" with "I'm scared".

9) True love is real.
The way to know it's real is when you try to explain it to someone and find yourself pausing then saying, "I can't put it into words". I have learned that defining Love isn't making a list of adjectives to describe a person...instead it's not being able to find an adjective strong enough to express a feeling.

10) Relax.
"Worry is like a rocking chair it gives you something to do, but gets you nowhere."

11) Be direct.
If you have tension with someone find the courage to confront it so that it can dissolve rather than build up.
 I often remind myself of this quote by Maggie Kuhn:“Speak your mind even if your voice shakes.”

12) Set the Sleep Timer.
I have found that in the past few weeks when I turn my TV off at night I sleep like a baby. All. Night. Long.

13) I just called to say...
If an old friend crosses your mind, something reminds you of someone or if someone just crosses your mind for no reason at all-tell them, it only takes a second and will brighten both of your days.

14) Reciprocate.
Working in customer service I often hear people calling to complain, try that same approach of reporting someone when they are nice. You will be surprised at the satisfaction YOU gain from this.

15) Prioritize.
Don't put your job ahead of relationships or opportunities-they won't return the favor

16)When in Doubt, Don't.
I read this quote once in a Jane Austen book but I think you can take out the word man and fill in the blank with whatever it is your are deciding on. "If a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him."

17) Through good and bad.
Pray for your family and friends constantly, not just when they need it. If you don't then don't be mad when they go astray...Ask and it shall be given works in reverse too.

18) Remember who the Author REALLY is.
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer. 29:11-13

19) Say Thanks.
I read this a few weeks ago and it really hit home: What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday.

20)SITS
Remember the constant reminders we all use to wear around our wrists a few years back...WWJD well I often think of making a new bracelet to wear as a constant reminder SITS "Stand in Their Shoes" this would remind me to sit down for a second and think about situations from the other point of view...being empathetic can get you so much further than being judgmental. By remembering SITS daily it's amazing how much easier a lot of the others on this list have been!

21) Look it up.
"Google it" I wish I had a dime for every time I say this in a day! Look stuff up...words, people, quotes...expand your brain!

22) De-Clutter.
Keeping my room and car clean-this is one that I rarely actually do but I have found out the few times this was the case that it seems like the less clutter around me the less clutter in my mind!

23) Take Notes.
Write everything down and don't abbreviate it-at that moment you think you'll remember but you wont.

24) DIY
I am craftier & more creative than I ever knew...Thanks Pinterest.com

25) Date Night for One.
Pencil in "Me Time" on your calendar. In a post a while back I wrote about a lady I met you made plans with herself and made it a priority to write it on her calendar just as she would for any other meeting and would be sure to plan other things around that time. Treat your time with yourself as important as your time with others.
26) Pause.
Tell God 'good morning' before anyone else or Facebook. Also at this same time tell him Thanks for the good things you'll face that day as well as thanks for the help and understanding of the not so good things you'll face.

27) Affirmation Calendar.
"Everyday may not be good but their is something good in every day." I saw an idea on Pinterest and I am going to start it Jan 1 to help remind me of this quote. On Index Cards/Rolodex write the date at the top and one good thing that happened that day - do this each day on a different card then when the year starts over you can see what good thing happened to you one year ago each day as you continue using the same cards for the new year ahead! What a great reminder of what you have to be thankful for as well as where you have been and where you are going!  (calendar idea)

28) Value.
Webster defines precious as: valuable, beloved.
Time is precious be precious with your time.

xoxo,
Faith

Still Moving....Just in a Different Direction.

Well, my only hope is that after you read this, you don't think to yourself, "Man, that girl is crazy!" because quite honestly, over the last few days I have had that thought cross my mind a few times but within an instant of  a prayer I am able to be reassured I am not crazy....just obedient!

So for a quick recap - A few months ago I did some examining of my life and decided I had reached a plateau - I was not moving forward or backwards just at a standstill. So, I decided to make some changes...one of those being moving to the beach. The way I saw it was like this - I love the beach, I miss the beach when I am not there and I know that is where I want to be when I "grow up" so why would I not just go there now and start getting everything set up and ready for my "happily ever after" that I had decided for myself.
In my playbook - I moved to the beach, got a job, made some more friends, met a man, fell in love, got married, had children and never looked back. Sounds like a good plan to me, still does actually, except for one thing.....In the excitement and thrill of bringing my playbook to life I somehow lost sight of who the real Author is. No worries - He has quickly reminded me!

On Sunday, October 23 exactly 25 days before I pack up the moving truck and head it out of here God threw me a curve ball....He opened a door that takes me to where my real focus should be....not just towards my happily ever after but towards Him. Within a week after that Sunday night I began to feel strong hesitations about moving but brushed them off as cold feet and told myself over and over I was doing the right thing and to keep on moving forward, not really realizing I was actually moving backwards.
That next weekend, I remember driving to the beach for an interview and I turned my radio down and I started crying and I said, "God! Why did you put this door there right now?!  I have asked for this door for years,and you haven't shown up, so why now?! Why show up now, when I have everything in order and figured out! I don't want it there make it a wall!" but He didn't listen, instead He opened it even wider! So wide that no matter which way I turned it seemed I faced that same door.

So finally, this past Sunday exactly six days before I head off to the beach I was in church and the preacher said, "Always choose the path that takes you closer to God's face rather than away from" so that night I called both of my parents and told them what I had been dealing with and resisting and told them I just didn't think moving at this point is the path that takes me towards God's face - but that I also did not understand why God had opened all of these other doors that lead me to the beach either - my parents both said the same thing to me in very similar ways - "Faith, YOU opened those doors, you went after what YOU wanted and YOU got it - you went YOUR way, you have free will and you chose to use it but now what you are seeing is God sitting back, saying. 'Way to go Faith-I am glad you are getting what YOU want...BUT here is what I want for you!"
After the talks with my parents and a few other amazing, amazing, amazing, supportive friends I decided to close the doors I opened and walk through the one that was opened for me, not by me.

I have no doubt in my mind that God opened this door to keep me right here in Rock Hill for a little while longer, maybe forever, maybe for a month, maybe for a week. I also believe that God may have opened that just as God opened that door, He could just as easily shut it back and open a new one - of course that would be discouraging to me but it would also be on the path that He wants for me so I have to understand that. I have to hide the words of Jeremiah 29:11 in my heart so that I never forget even in the times when He shuts doors!

All in all, my hope in relocating was that I could experience some movement, little did I know that it didn't take moving away from somewhere to feel some movement in my life but rather, moving toward someone -towards His face!

xoxo,
Faith

Faith > Fear

Ahhhhhhhhhhh.....It is finally sinking in that in a little over one week my drivers license will say Myrtle Beach SC again! I always knew I had awesome friends but hearing their kind words of "goodbye" have made me truly realize not just how blessed I am but that this really is happening!
It definitely is sinking in! I told my mom just this morning that I am getting cold feet but that I was prepared for that so I will be OK!

I saw a quote a  few weeks ago and in talking to my mom today it came to mind - "She paused, but never looked back." - This reminds me that it is OK to be scared, but just not to lose myself in the fear - it is OK to pause as long as I remember that I am just pausing to catch my breath!

xoxo,

Faith

Dropping my Anchor!

You know how you hear and even say words all of the time but then something happens and you don't only hear it or speak but you feel it; you gain a true understanding....I am experiencing that right now as I type this post - I am understanding the emotion of  what Mr. Webster defines as bittersweet!

After much prayer, consideration and God opening doors AND windows to give me the push I needed and the courage I needed it is with bittersweet emotion that I share with you where these openings lead me to!
By the end of this month, I will be relocating back to good old Horry County!

I cannot say enough times how much I will miss the friendships that I have made in the last few years while here but I am very excited to be returning to friendships as well! I have met some amazing people along the way and have had opportunities that I possibly never would have had, had I not been where I am now.
They say, sometimes you have to leave to know where you need to be which is why I did not say goodbye forever to the beach when I left and the same reason I will not say goodbye forever to Rock Hill.

This is a major decision and  I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity. I am going into this with my eyes wide open knowing that there are going to be days ahead where I am going to miss a few of you and my family more than I do every other day and I am going to think that I must have lost my mind but I also feel like if your next step sometimes doesn't scare you....it isn't big enough!

Thank you all for your prayers as I embrace this new adventure...I am so excited and cannot wait to look back in 50 years and see how each step lead me down Gods path for my life! In the meantime you can find me on  here questioning and gaining understanding along the way!!

xoxo,

Faith

Grace

“Grace is the face that love wears when it meets imperfection.” ~Joseph R. Cooke

Pack it up...

Composing.

Wow is all I can say about this video I am sharing in today's post!
If you read my blog often, or ever have conversations with me then you know that I always try to give an analogy to explain the topic at hand. In my life, in my writing, in my job, in giving advice I always try to remind myself of a quote from Einstein, "If you can't explain it to a six year old, then you don't understand it yourself".  (Talk about relativity?! Wow Einstein! I Love that man!!)

Turn up your volume and watch this video -it is absolutely amazing!
Please remember it the next time you wish that you could know what is waiting in the future --and please, definitely show this one to your six year old!

"In music, one does not make the end of the composition the point of the composition."

xoxo,

Faith

Kiss & Tell

I ran across this story online today & thought I would pass it along...Two men we can never hear too much about! I am glad this lady decided to Kiss & Tell and I love how she is going to use this experience to reach others for
THE King!


Kissing A King

xoxo,
Faith

Cruising right along...

Ahhhhhhhhh.....for the first time since July when I first posted about about my Pursuit I can finally say I see a light at the end of the tunnel!! I am so excited, scared, happy, overwhelmed and feel peace all at once! I cannot wait until everything is set in stone and I can share every little detail!! I believe in one of my first post about this pursuit I mentioned that I'd be displaying a whirlwind of emotions....boy am I glad I prepared myself!

I knew going into this, that to claim my prize I'd have to sacrifice some things, but oh my goodness I never expected a cruise to the Bahamas with a few of my best friends would be one of those things! That's right....I had to make a big girl decision this week and tell my roomies and a few other friends that at this point in my life I just don't see me going on a cruise in January being smart logically or financially.
Of course it's hard to say no to that idea in general, but even harder since everyone I'm around the most is going and it's the main topic of discussion. I can't help but be envious and it's really hard not to just decide to go and let the rest take care of itself when I get to that bridge BUT as green as I might turn some days I just have to remind myself that what I'm on my way to accomplishing will be more rewarding for me in the long run and that's what I have to be about for now...what matters most down the road, not just right now.
On the bright side, ME BEING ABLE to pass up on this awesome opportunity with friends and not really HAVING to, reassures me so much that my pursuit is on the right path!!

Speaking of reassurance, Isn't it ironic how people seem to say something just when you need to hear it the most...I was telling my friend Katie (Check Out Katie's blog here!) the other day that I have been pinning every encouraging quote I read on the website Pinterest so that when moments of giving up a cruise, doubt, fear and any other negative energy enters my mind I can go back and read them.
Katie moved to SC from Minnesota and we instantly hit it off upon meeting...she has since moved to NYC but while here she told me more than once I was her silver lining in SC....well, the other day when talking to Katie and expressing my bittersweet emotions she returned the favor and became my silver lining in NYC...She told me,

"You have time. One of the most exciting things is the planning anyway, enjoy it!".

Just what I needed to hear at that moment and it has echoed in my mind a few times since and I can only imagine how many more times I will remember her words! She reminded me to enjoy every minute RIGHT NOW, Not down the road  when looking back but RIGHT NOW! Enjoy even the most stressful of my planning "adventures" because it is JUST ONE of the most exciting things....on the way to millions more!!

xoxo,
Faith

Simple Smiles.

I decided to make a list of simplicities that are important to me. I started this a few days ago and decided that once I got to 100 I would share.
This has been such an eye opener and so very refreshing - having to stop and take note of moments that make me smile has made me realize, even more, just how good I have it!

So here you are....100 simple smiles--

1. The first scoop of strawberry ice cream from a new tub.
2. Laughing at someone else laughing.
3. Waking up to a sweet note or finding one in my car.
4. Hugs.
5. Taking off my shoes and wiggling my toes after a long day.
6. Finding a close parking spot.
7. Getting mail....in the mailbox.
8. Letting the sunshine in a room when I open the door or blinds.
9. The face of a groom when he sees his bride for the first time on their wedding day.
10. Reminiscing over old photographs.
11. Clean and Warm sheets at bedtime.
12. Christmas lights.
13. Singing along with the radio.
14. Handwritten letters.
15. When someone plays with my hair.
16. Capturing a picture perfect moment on camera.
17. The sound of the ocean.
18. Making someone smile.
19. Shouting "Jinx you owe me a coke!".
20. When a stranger smiles as walking by.
21. A clean house.
22. The first bite of my craving.
23. Overhearing children talk.
24. Seeing an elderly couple holding hands.
25. Surseys for no reason.
26. Seeing mama smile.
27. When I see someone I have not seen in a long time and remembering their name.
28. Dimples.
29. A good hair day.
30. Days when I never look at clock.
31. Sugar Cones.
32. Holding Hands.
33. Knowing every word to a song.
34. When I put the batteries in right on the first try without looking at the + or -
35. Knowing the answer to a Jeopardy question.
36. Getting a massage.
37. My friends understanding when I say, "Give me 3 choices & I will decide".
38. My birthday.
39. My little brother or sister asking me for advice.
40. Riding with the windows down.
41. That pretty feeling when wearing something new.
42. When a vending machine gives me the drink and my dollar back.
43. Completing a task.
44. Being surprised to find the laundry already folded and put away when you open the dryer.
45. Stretching after a long trip.
46. Finding a dollar in an old wallet.
47. Watching someone breathe while asleep.
48. Discovering I have a new talent.
49. When the blinds go back down on the first try when I pull the string.
50. Sipping on an ice cold sweet tea.
51. A kiss on the cheek.
52. Flipping the pillow over to feel the cold side.
53. Being the right caller for a radio contest.
54. Fresh and Hot chips at a Mexican restaurant.
55. Mama telling me everything is going to be fine.
56. Finding a new bottle of ketchup in the pantry when I thought I was out.
57. When my old skinny jeans button without me having to lay down and suck in.
58. Hearing an old story for the first time.
59. OJ with NO pulp.
60. Finding a movie ticket stub in a coat pocket, checking the date and remembering that night.
61. Pepsi so cold that the Pepsi sticks to the ice during the middle of the night when you wake up thirsty.
62. My sweet Miss Costa being so happy to see me whether it has been 5 minutes or 5 days. Puppy <3
63. Reading Jeremiah 29:11-13
64. Writing.
65. Hearing Christmas music for the first time of the year in a department store.
66. Having a favorite Ink pen.
67. Baking.
68. Hearing my number called during a raffle drawing.
69. Opening a fortune cookie.
70. Being silly with friends.
71. Champagne for no special reason.
72. Swinging on the front porch.
73. Reading one more, two more, three more chapters of a good book before bed.
74. College Football....USC Goooo Cocks!
75. Hearing Mrs. Miller tell her birthday story.
76. That fresh feeling after a new haircut.
77. Someone trusting me with a secret.
78. A phone call (not a text) in the middle of the day just to say hello.
79. My car being clean.
80. When I trust my gut feeling and it turns out to be right.
81. Finding a good sale.
82. Hot chocolate.
83. Watching the movie Grease.
84. Covering up that one part of me that had slipped out of the covers.
85. Saying yes ma'am and yes sir'.
86. Leaving a note for someone to find later that makes them smile.
87. Flipping the page on the calendar.
88. FaveReds Starburst.
89. Sleeping all night long.
90. Daddy filling up my gas tank.
91. Thinking of and sharing my one millionth new invention.
92. Being inside and thinking it is dark out but realizing it is still daylight when you walk out.
93. The sound of Rice Krispies...they really do snap, crackle, and pop.
94. The tininess of a baby’s feet and hands.
95. Calling my grandmother/Maw-Maw Sam during every commercial break of our favorite shows.
96. Finding a new use for something.
97. Hand me downs.
98. The "M" etched in McDonalds pancake butter.
99. Praying.
100. Being able to hear the voice of the person whose message you are reading.

xoxo,
Faith

PS) 101.Clicking Spell Check and having no errors!

"Don't let the Sunshine spoil your rain!"

All day long while I am at work, I see so many birds, and squirrels zipping past my window but on rainy days like today even though it is probably no more than any other day it is almost like I see even more. It seems like they would be seeking shelter and I would see fewer but I think that because it can be more difficult to see in the rain they change their pace. They still fly to the same tree they would any other day, just with more caution.
This made me think - Why are we as humans not more like that? Why don't we take rainy days as a chance to pay more attention?

We have all seen the "Wet Floor" or "Slippery When Wet" signs posted in businesses and we all know that those signs are there to inform us that we need to slow down, proceed with caution, pay more attention, and so on. So we are all aware that you are obviously more likely to slip in the rain but we still run to our car, house, office or drive the same speed as we would any other day.
Even though it is harder to see and easier to slip we speed up which makes us pay less attention and we forget that in the end regardless if wet or dry we are going to get there!


These caution signs seem to work for me - anytime I see one, I am sure to be more careful. Maybe we should try applying that same respect for those signs to our life on rainy days; regardless if it is raining outside or not.

When everything is going well, it is so easy for us to tell others how much God has blessed us and how we are so thankful He is in control but as soon as we feel a little rain we let it wash away our Faith. Suddenly,our minds, mouth, and feet start pacing trying to figure our what we need to do to get to the destination without getting wet - we get in a hurry, such a hurry that we pay less attention and zoom right past all of those "Caution" signs until we have no choice but to slow down because we are out of breath and need water!

Isn't it ironic that after any type of strenuous activity we always ask for water but in situations through life we run from it. Rain is a good thing - don't let your easy days make the not so easy days hard ones.

Walk on your tiptoes and be a sponge!

xoxo,
Faith

THE Year

Every year as Gamecock fans we hear and say "this is the year!!!", well it is looking good and like maybe there is some truth behind this! Even though the games thus far have been more of a nail biter than most imagined -So far this season the Gamecocks are ranked No. 10 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll and No. 12 in the Associated Press poll with a record of 3-0 so far this season....hoping to make it 4-0 this week against Vanderbilt! The Commodores are also entering this weeks game with a season record of 3-0 so regardless of the fact that they are not a ranked team you quickly learn as a Gamecock fan not to ever count your chickens before they hatch...especially with Vanderbilt we seem to make this one a bigger challenge than anticipated almost every year. Looking forward to the battle this weekend!

U-S-C Goooo Cocks!!

 

ECU -Week one:
W56-37






UGA-Week two:
W45-42



Navy -Week three:
W24-21

 xoxo,
Faith





Craft Time!

Recently I was bit by the arts and crafts bug! Thanks to Pinterest and Stumbleupon it is just too easy to see an idea and run with it!

I was in the store last week and saw a piece of wood in the children's arts and crafts section and my creative wheels starting turning. After buying the wood, paint, letter, and paper a few min later I had myself a cute little monogrammed wall/door hanger that I have hanging on my office door - so simple and cute!

While in the store I also decided to attempt to make a ribbon wreath like I keep seeing online- I started  picking out ribbons that were pink, polka dots, damask all of that fun stuff but then it happened...The good old garnet caught my eye and it was on - all of the other ribbon was put away and I went Gamecock ribbon wreath making crazy!! Now this project was a little, OK a lot more time consuming and I am sure that if/once I make a few more I will find little shortcuts (Like buying letters already decorated instead of painting them myself like I did ha) but I am happy with the finished product and I have a feeling I know what all of my family will be getting for Christmas haha!

For me to be the procrastinator that I am it is insane that I did both projects in two nights after work but they do say...the work you do while procrastinating is probably the work you should be doing for the rest of your life--That being the case I will let you all know when I quit my job and my door decor store opens!! ;)

xoxo,
Faith

Been Busy Gettin' Stronger

Wow! These past few weeks have been INSANE....I have always heard, "when it rains, it pours" - but I would like to add "then it floods"!! First my mom was sick and in the hospital for a week, she is feeling mucho better but still recovering. In the midst of that my grandmother (I have two gmaws on my moms side - Long & Irrelevant story) that I call "GG" passed away. :( She went in her sleep with most of the family in the room while my mom sang an old song "I'm going home with Jesus" in her ear - I can't think of a more peaceful, better way to go!
So, I have been pretty occupied lately with everyone else and of course the start of Gamecock football so I have not had much time to type out my thoughts but here I am....finally able to catch my breath again! :)
During all of this recent mayhem, I also realized that my version of the old saying, "When it rains, it pours, then it floods" shouldn't end there but rather with "then the sun shines again,dries up all the rain and the grass is prettier and stronger than ever!"

My challenge in pursuit of happiness is still a work in progress, a slow work in progress, but it is still going - so no worries there!

OK so short story time (yes, I will TRY to keep it short haha)......
My daddy lives in Sunset Beach and every time I head to see him I go over a bridge right before his house and I see an old shrimping boat. It always just looks so calm and peaceful sitting on the water. It is a very nostalgic scene and without fail whether alone or if I have a passenger in the car I always say, "I am going to stop and get a picture of that the next time I come by here!" I have said this so often that now my roomie Amber says it every time we pass that spot mocking me, in a joking manner of course!
Anyway, on one of the trips to see this daddy this summer something happened....as we went to cross over the bridge we looked to our right and the boat was gone! Yes, G-O-N-E!! This old, nostalgic boat that I assumed was sitting there rotting away was indeed just the opposite. This boat is still in use, I know this because I saw it from a pier not far from the original spot....it is still a pretty scene from its new found home but nothing like the way it captivates my attention from its original location - My hope is, that after the summer is over it will be returned and I promise, I don't care if we are in the middle of a hurricane, blizzard, firestorm or earthquake I will be stopping to get my picture!

Moral of the story: Don't ever assume something. Remember not everyone sees the same in everything so just because the boat looked old and at the end of its road - it obviously wasn't. Also, take chances when you can - Conditions are not always favorable to our liking but that is OK. If a chance is there then go for it before you suddenly realize that the unfavorable conditions were more favorable than you ever realized.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....it feels good to be back!!!

xoxo,
Faith

Mission Motto

Ok so after my last post ("Underwater") apparently a few people were worried about me....rest assured my friends...all is well and I really wasn't "down" or "bummed out" but rather frustrated and just needed to give myself a pep talk! Also, most seemed to think it was about a boy....c'mon now y'all give me more credit than that....It was about a REAL problem. ;)

If you follow my posts then you know I am on a "mission" what it is I have not yet fully revealed other than to let you know it is a mission toward my pursuit of happiness. Of course I know once my "mission is accomplished" that does not mean the end of annoying (or underwater) days but I also know that it does mean I will be happier upon arriving and exiting those days! In reality I know myself way to well and will probably never be able to say "mission accomplished" because I will just keep adding to it and accomplishing tasks along the way rather than ever fully completing it - I think wanting more is a good quality though...It always keeps my arms reaching and me on my tippy toes!!

I saw this quote the other day and decided that this sums up my life right now and is my new motto along the way!!




"She turned her cant's into cans, and her dreams into plans."

 How perfect is that...and what a WONDERFUL motto for a gal in pursuit of happiness! :)

xoxo,
Faith

Underwater

At some point growing up we have all  been playing in the pool with someone and they held us under the water. But what about that time someone held you under for too long? In a split second you went from laughing and playing without a care in the world except for hoping your mom wasn't right and you were ok to be swimming less than thirty minutes after eating that PB&J to hysteria, panic and thinking that the PB&J  was suddenly no big deal-it didn't matter, along with any other care in the world because you were stuck. When that happened did you just sit there hoping that eventually this person would realize the fun and games were over or did you start to move around, wave your hands and let them know you were struggling? 
If I had to guess I'd say it was the latter of the two, that just seems to be the natural instinct in us when we feel stuck....we try to get out.
I guess that same feeling of loss of breath is what I'm feeling right now in my "pursuit of happiness" and the reason that at 2:47am I am posting on this blog rather than sleeping.
We all have our ways of showing we are struggling and figuring out how not to and this/writing it out, seems to be where my answer on how to exhale begins or at least reminds me that I am able. 
When I made the decision to really reach out on this pursuit I warned you that it would be a bumpy a ride with lots of emotions displayed through my posts. Well here I am a few weeks later and my emotion today is not one of defeat (not yet; not ever) but more like that same panic stricken feeling that consumed your body for those brief seconds that felt like hours when you were under water. 
Fortunately, I knew and prepared myself for these moments so that when they came I would be able to throw my hands up quickly enough to let my obstacle know I'm not ok, I'm not super-woman and I can't hold my breath for more than a minute (even that may be stretching it haha) but instead that  I am still well aware of what I need to breathe and even though it may come with a struggle, it's not the end of the world and it will come, I will be let up for air......eventually. 

xoxo,
Faith

I'm a Dahlia Doll

Why in the world did OPI release this super fab color "Be a Dahlia Won't You" from the 2011 summer collection the END of June?!?! It is almost time to bring out the fall shades (and Gamecock football!) and I just discovered this color at my pedi yesterday!
Oh well, I guess this just gives me one less decision to make for the next few weeks when arriving at pedi-time...I'm obsessed!!!

xoxo,

Faith

Faith: Have Faith.

xoxo,

Faith

Sitting at a Yellow Light.

"Stop." I've never liked that word being directed at me. Like most kids, when I was told to stop I would look at the person giving this demand as if they were speaking a language I had never heard nor cared to.
That is a look that I still give to people. I am told more than often "I'm only doing this so you will drop it & be satisfied". I guess to some this may make me seem like a brat but I prefer to use the word persistent. :)

In my pursuit of happiness,today I was told to "Stop". Not by a person but by circumstances. I knew there would be roadblocks that is why I said in the beginning I could not really give a definite time on obtaining my goal. It is still disappointing though when everything is on track, to have a major setback.
So now, I am on to plan B even though I  was told to stop....whatever that word means! ;)

xoxo,
Faith

Where is my "Yellow Brick Road"?!

In seek of my Pursuit of happiness I keep coming up with one word that scares me from taking the next step..."unknown"

 I keep thinking - what if this, what if that...The way things are now are fine and I know what to expect...right?
Then it hit me,Think how many times a day your "plans" change. I cannot be 100% sure about anything in life, I can plan, map it all out, and still nothing is certain - there is always going to be that "unknown".
I looked up the definition for unknown:

~unknown
1. not known, understood, or recognized
2. not established, identified, or discovered

Then I thought about most situations in my life and they all seem to fit this definition so why would I let a fear that I battle and defeat daily without even ever really realizing it stand in the way of my pursuit?  I can't, I won't.
"Be strong even when you think you are not able and do whatever it takes to be happy...whatever it takes."

Next adventure:  at a fork in the road....in the grand scheme both lead to the unknown....which path do I take?!

xoxo,
Faith

Illusions

xoxo,
Faith

In Pursuit....

I started this blog as more of a stress reliever, just somewhere to say what I am thinking and feeling and I figured nobody but my mama would ever read it haha :) but I often have friends call me and say "Was today's blog post about/for me?!".
I think that is one of my favorite things about posting - hearing from you. I sit down and write out my thoughts, fears, stress, memorable moments....and more than likely I am going to hear from someone telling me they can relate.

That's what today's post is about - when I post 9/10 times I am preaching to the choir - me. I know this but It was recently brought to my attention from a friend who emailed me giving me examples from my blog of things I have said and ways that I have felt but how I maybe do not follow my own "advice". I know his intentions were for the best and that is exactly how they were taken, he was in no way being inconsiderate but instead he was holding me accountable - which we all need daily!
After reading his email (which, if you happen to read this, I promise I will reply to) I started thinking and looked back over a few of my post and found a recurring message...Be strong even when you think you are not able and do whatever it takes to be happy...whatever it takes. So obviously this tells me that I am not completely doing whatever it takes if I seem to post about how to do it so often!  I am not saying that I am not a happy person, I know without a doubt that I am blessed beyond what I should be, but I am saying that I could be happier if I were not "scared" to be!

So this is it - I am stepping out and doing what it takes...Just the thought of this is very nerve wracking, bittersweet, scary, safe, crazy, and so on but if all of those emotions add up to having what it takes then I am ready to face each of them! ( I can only imagine the upcoming emotion filled blog posts haha) This may take a week, month, or year/s but regardless I am going to stop letting the "What if's, coulda, shoulda, and woulda's" get in my way...life is too short even if I live to be 100 to have those!
Watch out world....I am finished just writing about it but I am taking action and stepping out in claim of my Pursuit of Happiness...............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxo,
Faith

Creativity at its Best!

I saw this on http://www.stumbleupon.com/ and it is so unique, beautiful and awesome I just had to share! Enjoy!

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2eat3z/www.blanaid.com/author/blanaid

xoxo,
Faith

Being Uncomfortable Can Be Comfortable

Comfortable. We sometimes refer to this word when describing a situation that we are at ease with when in reality it is a situation we are the most uneasy of.

For example -
When describing our mediocre career or a relationship, how many times have we heard (or maybe even said)
“I have an 8-5, M-F desk job – yeah it isn’t my dream job but it pays the bills and I’m comfortable there.” Or “Yeah, I know he/she isn’t the right one but it just works, it’s been so long, we just know each other’s routines and it’s easy, we are….comfortable.”

We know that we want more and deserve better yet we don’t go after it because that would not be comfortable/easy. So instead we justify the short comings in our life to meet our standards which have been set lower than they were before life was so "comfortable".

“A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval” ~Mark Twain
This quote really sums it up to me – Next time you go to use this word think about what you are saying….are you really at ease, are you meeting your own approval and standards or adjusting them to meet your comfort level?

If you want a change – go after it….become uncomfortable so that eventually you can realize the true meaning of being comfortable!

xoxo,
Faith

50

I ran across this the other night and thought it was a great one to post - It was crazy to me how many of the lessons were very similar to a previous post of mine "Remember ".
This was written by author Regina Brett on her 45th birthday then she added five more items on her 50th birthday - makes me feel like I am actually paying attention to life since my list is so similar at 28 years old!

Anyway, check out this list - it's a good one! It is not often that a complete stranger can make a list of 50 ideas and I found myself agreeing with all of them!

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties . Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
27. Always choose a smile.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. (AMEN ! )
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift

~Regina Brett
(author of God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours. Her book is an inspirational collection of essays and stories about the lessons life taught her along the detours of life.)

xoxo,
Faith

Picture Challenge - Seven & Eight

Since I have been slack about posting I figured I could do two today and kind of play catch up! :)

Picture Challenge Day Seven and Eight:

•A picture of something you hate:

Growing up my mom never bought mayo because she hated it so I never really understood the need to slather it on every sandwich like many of my friends do! I love ranch, potato salad, coleslaw and just about everything that uses mayonnaise as an ingredient but if you give me a burger or sandwich with mayo on it then you might as well take it right back!







•A picture of something you love:

I never in a million years thought I would say that I love a dog...but it has happened! As many dogs as we had growing up I just never really understood how people could be so "crazy" about their animals...then Miss Costa came along--there is just something so sweet about her that stole my heart and I finally "get it"! :)

xoxo,
Faith

Picture Challenge - Day Six

Day Six:
•A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

"Skeeter Phelan" a character in the book "The Help". She is one of the three narrative voices in this book and throughout the book she repeatedly shows how she is determined to do what she feels is right no matter the consequences. With a very demanding mother, the pressure of her Junior League ladies, and the lack Civil Rights in the 1960's Skeeter still prevails by being a strong woman, who at time doubted herself but never enough to stop her from her dream of becoming an author.
It is so easy to sometimes to just change our opinion on something because it is just easier to go with the flow rather than to push buttons. Skeeter shows us how despite it all, through losing her friends, and standing in her community she still continues on the path she set out on. If you read the book you will see how just when you think she is "giving in" she is able to still make her points in her own little way that states a way bigger statement then she ever could have spoken....all through the use of toilets - You have to go read it to know what I am talking about! ;)

Maybe this desire to trade places for a day also stems from the fact that I probably should have been born during this time--the fashion, the decor, the option to leave your house unlocked all night....are just a few of the ideas I love from this time!

I of course do not have a picture of her since she is a "character" but the movie "The Help" is coming out in August so I have included a picture of her character from the movie. I also included the trailer from the upcoming movie - I am SOOOOO excited and for anyone who knows me - you know I never go to the movies, However I will be there for this one on opening day!

xoxo,

Faith

Picture Challenge - Day Five

Day Five:
•A picture of your favorite memory

Again, like the other "picture challenges" this is one that could be answered with multiple photos! As soon as I read this I instantly saw this picture in my mind, so I decided to use it. It is definitely in my all time top five favorite memories!

My parents were always taking us on different vacations, mostly to the beach before we moved there, but we were always on the go to somewhere! Last year my mom mentioned us going to Disney World again. At that very second I jotted this trip down in my calendar and asked my boss for the days off...only later to find out that my mom was just thinking more than planning but while she was thinking I was online ordering tickets and planning for the trip. Once I realize mom was still in thinking mode and the time was quickly approaching I decided I better let her know that the day she mentioned it I had it set in my mind and that's all she wrote!
I sent mom an email of our ticket confirmations with a picture of the four of us and thanks to photo shop I gave us each Mickey Mouse ears! Within no time my phone was ringing and even though I could hear a little uncertainty it  quickly disappeared once she knew this was legit and her tone turned to excitement!
The trip was amazing!

All of that being said....I'll get to my favorite memory...of course there were so many on the trip but my all time favorite moment was on Thanksgiving day....througout the trip mom kept bringing upThanksgiving day and we did not have a turkey packed haha and how we had to figure something out. Mom just would not hear of us skipping out on the turkey for cheeseburgers and other park food so she found a solution!
We had our Thanksgiving dinner in the middle of one of the theme parks once mom spotted a man set up selling turkey legs!

Thanksgiving 2010

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family." ~Anthony Brandt


xoxo,
Faith

Tim's Story

A friend shared this story with me and I felt the need to pass it on - this accident took place last year but Tim has just recently returned home. Please read and if you know of any possible ways that you can help whether monetary or through prayers please do so! My favorite part of this email that I am posting below is that if you will notice....the smile on Tim's face is the same in his pre and post accident pictures--that is true encouragement!

xoxo,
Faith

December 11th, 2010, Tim’s life changed forever. He woke up and started his normal Saturday routine by heading to the YMCA and then returning home. He had made plans to cut some branches away from the house then shop for a bike for his grandson. Tim began trimming the branches by tying them back with some rope. Unfortunately, a branch swung back, knocking him to the ground from the ladder on which he was standing. Instantly, he could not move.

His wife, Lois, heard the commotion and rushed outside. Tim was on the ground bleeding from his mouth, nose and head. He yelled, “I can’t move Lois!” She ran inside to retrieve her cell phone and call for help. He was soon airlifted to CMC where he was told that he had broken his neck and was going to be examined further for other possible injuries.Tim was placed in the trauma unit where his neck and spine were stabilized with weights and metal bars. As he was waiting for surgery, his brain began to swell, which induced two strokes. The quality of his life at the time was not promising and uncertain at best.The surgery required that part of his brain and skull be removed. We were not certain if he would make it through the surgery alive. He did!

After the surgery, Tim’s long road to recovery began. During this process, Tim’s heart failed and he had to be resuscitated. Doctor’s determined that he would need a pace maker. After receiving the pace maker, Tim remained in the hospital for several months. He attended therapy and rehab but is currently paralyzed
from his shoulders down, due to the fractures of his C3 & C4 vertebrae. Now, he operates his electric wheel chair with his head. Tim’s memory of the event is excellent but he will always remain positive and keep a smile on his face. Thank God for the excellent doctors, nurses and hospital staff.

Now that Tim has returned home, a new reality is facing the Stewart’s. Although they remain optimistic, Tim & his family face many challenges that seemed unthinkable just 5 months ago. Tim can no longer work, Lois is now a 24/7caregiver and the family has limited income. Their most pressing obstacle is transportation.
They currently have no way to get Tim to and from the doctor for his frequent visits, so they rely heavily on the generosity of others to help make those trips possible. With your help, we hope to give Tim and his family back their independence. Our goal is to raise enough money to purchase a van that can be equipped with everything Tim needs to get around town: to the doctor, to church and hopefully, back to the YMCA.

To help, please send donations to:
Tim Steward Fund
c/o SCBT
Attn: Rene Brannan
PO Box 3186
Rock Hill SC 29732

Picture Challenge - Day Four

Day Four:
•A picture of your favorite night

When I first started thinking about this one, I thought back to proms, graduations, birthdays, holidays and things like that...while all of these events each hold their own favorite memories it was not until going through pictures that I realized how to answer this.
September 2003--I guess I have never really considered this "a favorite night" until now, seeing the picture and knowing it is a night that will never happen again and never be replicated.
The look on her face when she climbed out of the limo, the way she pranced around the entire evening with everything about her just glowing because she was at a celebration that was all about her and her husband reaching a great milestone...their 50 year anniversary!



My grandparents and I at their 50th Wedding Anniversary
September 2003

If you had asked me that night at 20 years old I probably would have been able to tell you a few other places I'd have rather been...isnt it crazy how you realize whats really important and what are truly your "favorite" times now that you can look back and see the big picture.

“God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.” ~James Matthew Barrie

xoxo,
Faith

Picture Challenge - Day Three

Day Three:
•A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Hmmmmm.....this is one that constantly changes just like my favorite song or favorite band. I am not too big into  reality tv or the series like I use to be with Greys and Desperate Housewives - I would be so excited for the next weeks airing and then it would be a rerun so I stopped watching. However, if I were scrolling through the tv guide tonight, I'd probably stop channel surfing once I got to two shows-these are the two that if they were on at the same time I'd def have to flip back and forth for.........

I normally only watch TV right before bed and "Family Guy" is a great light hearted laugh to wind down a long day.
The other show that the remote always seems to stop on is....

I was never a fan when the originals aired and never jumped on the whole S&TC bandwagon and I really hate that for myself! (I wonder if I would be the same way if I ever watched "Friends"-I've probably never seen one full episode!) Katie P - You were right - I was missing out - now I understand why you skipped paying the light bill to own the DVD set haha ;)
Now that this show airs reruns on E! I am obsessed and would dare to say I have seen all episodes at least twice since I started watching it in the past six months! I wish the show was still in production! I am such a fan...Carrie (aside from her sometimes "tacky" wardrobe) of course is my favorite mainly because of her passion for writing and the way she is able to sum up life at the end of each episode in a simple quote!
This show is def not as lighthearted as Family Guy but is still pretty simple....Most episodes leave me relating the storyline to my own life, it gives you that same feeling you sometimes get on Sunday morning in church when you feel like the preacher is talking to nobody but you. :)

"We seldom enjoy leisure we haven't earned."  ~Quoted in P.S. I Love You

xoxo,
Faith

Picture Challenge - Day Two

Day Two:
•A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest


Of course my family since they have been with me since birth-that is a given. Instead I am going to choose a person that is not blood related but one that I still consider family!
I will give you a little background info first...
I met her when I moved to Conway Christian School in the 7th grade. I was the new girl in a small school so of course the boys were able to see past my big bangs, chubby cheeks, and braces. All they saw was a race to who could win the "new girl" over first! Unfortunately for the guys, I was not able to see past the braces, bowl haircuts and awkward looking phases that they were going through so I was not interested in any of them UNTIL.....I found out that this girl in the 6th grade liked one of the guys in the 8th grade, that was all she wrote--even though I did not "like" this 8th grader (who shall remain nameless) in that way; he was in the 8th grade and I could make this little 6th grader jealous so I did just that! The boy acted as though I hung the moon as much as any 7th grade girl can ha and I acted like I did not hear him calling my name during recess but looked his direction long enough to keep the "connection". Well, even if this was not apparent to him it was very apparent to the 6th grade girl and she decided to take matters into her own hands! One day while in the bathroom an anonymous note was thrown over the stall addressed to me....It basically told me to stop playing with this guys emotions or else and was signed "a person who cares for him a lot". OK, I may have only been in the 7th grade but it took no rocket scientist to know that Kaci was the caring person :)
Eventually my game became boring and a new boy (another 8th grader) started attending CCS so I moved on but first I played a part in bringing my "boyfriend" and Kaci together - It's so crazy how simple things use to be ha :) From that day on Kaci and I connected and a very special bond was created!
Kaci and I have always remained in contact through college and me moving away...college was the only time I can say we would go the longest without talking but once the phone rang we picked right back up from the last conversation and when I finally met Kaci's roommates it was as if they knew me better than some of my own friends just from hearing her talk about me!
Kaci is now married, which I just knew would be the end of our friendship and fell asleep crying to her in bed the night before her wedding as she played with my hair (my fave thing ever) and reassured me she would still love me just as much! She was telling the truth, she does, almost one year later from her wedding day and we still talk most days...as a matter of fact I am spending the weekend with her and her hubby this weekend!
I have had friends longer than I have known Kaci and I cherish them all so much but when having to decide among my friends the person I have been closest to the longest it would have to be the greatest best friend a girl could ever ask for...Kaci! I hope everyone in the world has that person in their life who you know you could tell anything to and never be judged--fussed at but not judged, never fight with, know that this person depends on you as much as you depend on them and has an unconditional love that comes as close as possible to the one you feel for your own family!


Kaci and I in Miami for her bachelorette party - we were laying in the floor after falling down laughing so hard we cried - we felt that a photo shoot would be appropriate to capture this moment!
Remember what we were laughing at Kaci?! ;) Blah!



“Everyone has a "best friend" during each stage of life-only a precious few have the same one.”

xoxo,

Faith



Picture Challenge-Day One

Since I love pictures I am going to start posting from something I saw on facebook..."30 day picture challenge". Each day you post a picture depending on the description for that day. Since I also love quotes I am going to also try to find a quote for each day that relates to the task/photo. :) Enjoy!!

Day One:
•A picture of yourself with 10 facts

1)I love the beach...ocean, sand, sun. - Favorite place in the world.

2)I am a Christian.
3)I have a slight shopping addiction (in my defense I am a bargain shopper!)
4)I love my crazy family more than anything in the world, yes even more than Gamecock football!
5)Exaggerating/Lying is one of my biggest pet peeves...right next to smoking.
6)I cannot let my food touch.
7)I must have a straw in every drink and a cup that does not sweat or it needs a coozie.
8)I talk a lot, (and interrupt people really bad on days I don't take my Adderall!) but I listen too!
9)I love writing and hate spelling/grammatical errors.
10)I am a hopeless romantic...speaking of--where is that handsome prince riding a white horse and carrying my dozen roses and glass slippers?!

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.  ~Judy Garland

xoxo,
Faith

Juice Please!!!

This is not really anything super important but just a cute story that shows how thinking outside of the box can really be beneficial. My friends and family laugh because I am constantly coming up with "inventions" only to google them and find that someone in Japan has beat me to it....one day though my creative thinking will pay off just like you will read in this short bio that Lillly's did!!!

What is a 21 year-old girl named Lilly to do after she’s just eloped?


Lilly married Peter Pulitzer and escaped the hustle and bustle of New York City for the sun and sand of Palm Beach? With your husband running the family orange groves, why not start a juice stand?

And that is just what Lilly did back in 1959, but her new business venture soon gave her a closet full of juice-stained clothes. Inspired by the colorful nature of her newly dyed wardrobe, Lilly launched a line of brightly colored shift dresses covered in playful prints. It wasn’t long before her dresses became a hit in all of the country’s most fashionable resort towns, and soon ’60s style icons like Jackie Kennedy were wearing Lilly’s designs.Fast-forward 50 years, and Lilly Pulitzer prints are still a favorite for all those people that lead colorful lives.
http://blog.lillypulitzer.com/lillys-story/


Is that not just such a cute story? Just to think that I spend $60 for a Lilly Polo with the simple Palm Tree logo or at least $150 (if I find a good sale) for a bright multi colored dress ....and this all started with inspiration from juice stand stained clothes!

xoxo,
Faith

Fellas....

With Easter having just passed something has been brought to my attention. I noticed this at church and then have been seeing it the last few days as more people are posting photos on Facebook in their Easter attire and now I am even seeing it at work.
I have noticed an abundance of men wearing ties incorrectly. Maybe this is something that happens often and because I do not wear a tie I never notice or maybe since the first crooked, too short tie caught my eye on Sunday morning I cannot help but pay attention to this now. Either way, to avoid having me walk up to you and adjust your tie (as some women should be doing before he leaves the house!) I have instead decided to give you a few tips I have gathered up along with pictorial instructions for how this little mishap can be corrected.
~For starters...The Length of the tie...If I see one more tie on a grown man that looks like he borrowed it from his five year old son, I may scream. Gentlemen, the front point of your tie should touch the waist of your pants or the top of  your belt....not the third button on your shirt or the bottom of your zipper.
~Next, just because the invitation says tie required or your sweety asks that you wear one does not mean you wear one just to "follow orders". Turn the closet light on when choosing a tie and don't just reach in and grab one to appease. This can be a tricky one for some even with the lights on...if you are wearing a blue shirt do not wear a same shade of blue tie - you do not want the tie to fade into the shirt but you do not want to grab an orange tie either, easiest idea is to wear a tie that is darker than the color of your shirt...remember, don't fade but don't clash-find that happy medium. If you choose to go with a patterned tie then make sure the main color of the tie highlights the suit color and the second color highlights your shirt.
As far as a striped patterned shirt always combine narrow stripes with wide stripes and never two of the same or similar kind. To stay on the safe side, keep it simple with a  solid shirt and you should be OK.
~Skinny ties can be good for some ensembles but for a general rule the width of 3.5in is a good choice.
~Tie your tie in front of the mirror, not riding down the road...this way you can see what everyone else sees, not just what you see when you look down. This will ensure that you can see the adjustments that need to be made with the length and to ensure that the knot looks like a knot rather than a jumbled mess.
So those are my pet peeves addressed, there are many other tie issues that could be addressed but that is why you have Google search!
Below you will see the instructions posted on the most popular ways to tie your tie. Hope this helps! :)

xoxo,
Faith