Loosing It

I have become more aware that in order to remain healthy, I must do the things that I must in order to achieve my goals. I have not been doing the best in this area in my life and now I am paying for it.

I must eat less CRAP
Carbonated drinks
Refined sugar
Artificial sweeteners and color
Processed food

I must eat more FOOD
Fruits
Organic lean products
Omega 3 fatty acids
Drink water

Here are a few of the steps I plan to take in order to be a healthier me.
I would like to find an exercise partner that way we can both keep each other accountable. I need to stop going out to eat. Drinking eight cups of water each day is a great way to clean out my system.
This is just the beginning, but I hope to look back and see how one decision in the right direction helped me be a better person for tomorrow.

If only

"If only my hair wasn't curly, I could look have better hairstyles..."

"If only I had more money, I could have a better wardrobe..."

"If only we had a bigger house, we would be happier and..."

"If only I were married, I wouldn't..."

"If only I were single, I would..."

"If only, if only, if only..."

"If only we would all quit saying "If only" and use what God has provided." 

31 Day Reset Challenge

A few days ago, I randomly found this blog talking about how a person can reset their life in 31 days. I am always up for a challenge and I am always looking for ways to better myself, so I decided to sign up to receive a daily email for what I should do.

This is the first day, so I am starting fresh.

The first part was to house a notebook to journal in which wasn't hard because I have been journaling since I was in 5th grade.
The send was to have a personal mantra to motivate me throughout the month, but I think it's so good, that I'm going to use this as long as I can.

"With every action do with diligence, integrity, wisdom, and love."


This is definitely a challenge.

The third part was to choose a theme song that would motivate and inspire me as I reflect on it each day. I thought about it for a while, but now I know that without a doubt I want my song to be Anne's Theme by Hagood Hardy. It is the theme song of my favorite movie, Anne of Green Gabes, one of the most beautiful songs that I have ever heard!

Ok, so far so good!

If you would like to join on this challenge with me, click here and find out more about it!

Business in the Making

Well there you have it, my business card! I am very excited about it and now just waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

Today is a gift

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery; but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present.

Cheesy, I know, but it's soo true.

Today is a gift. God has blessed us each day with air to breathe and to see His miracles each day. Miracles like when a new life comes into this world whether a baby or a butterfly. Miracles like the sky when it is at peace or when thunder rolls and lightning crashes (and I get scared and hide under my pillow). Miracles like you and me.

Today is a gift and even though we don't quite know what God has under the wrapping paper. God has meant for it to be good.

Hair Cut

I was so tired of the split ends that I had accumulated over the past few months. It looks much shorter in the picture, but I still like it. I am continuing to keep my hair moisturized and healthy. Not to mention, I am wearing it straight more often, I think this style suites me well.

New Gear

So lately, I've had a little fun with new camera gear. I rented a lovely lens, 24-70mm 2.8L, for my first wedding that I shot. It was an amazing lens and I am sad that I can no longer use it. But I am very excited to show the pictures that came from it!




I borrowed an external flash which is something that I've been wanting for a very long time. It was a great asset to my picture taking, I just wish I could have used it longer to perfect what I was doing. Hopefully, in the future, I can have one of my own.



And lastly, I now have two very handy camera cases. I just recently bought the smaller one and my Dad gave me the large one as a Christmas present. I love all my camera goodies and will be looking forward to what the future will bring as my career starts.

Troubles melt like lemon drops

So far, my summer has been going really well. Last summer, I knew exactly what I was going to do and how I was going to do it. Now things in life are uncertain and I find joy in that. I am spending time with the people I love and doing the things that I am passionate about. 

I know this is not about fashion, but I thought you'd might like to see another side of me. 

I read a quote today that I find inspiring, it said:

"Yes, you can be a dreamer and a doer too, if you will remove one word from your vocabulary: impossible." - Schuller

Leave a comment below, telling what you love to do this summer or what you dream of one day doing!

Returned to Blogging

I know I have not blogged in so very long. I have been busy with school and so many other things in life that blogging has fallen behind. So much has changed this school year that I do not even know where to begin. I have learned a lot and grown from my experiences which is encouraging for me. Now that I am back to blogging, I would like to reconnect with my followers to let you all know that I have not forgotten about you.

Plans for the future

Each week I will be interviewing a follower and fellow blogger just to get to know them more and have more of a community that other followers can have a chance to get to know one another. Many people create blogs so that they can communicate with those who have like minds and adventurous souls to know more about the person with a creative blog and in turn share their life with anyone who is willing. But I do not think it is often enough when a blog can create an actual community.
I will also be posting more outfits of the days, it may not be as often as I would like, but I hope to show you more of my style and fashion that is so much apart of my life.
I hope to continue with pictures that journal my life as I have in the past.
My blog will be talking about anything from photography to natural hair, from fashion to personal life, and anything else another blogger may request from me.

I hope you as followers have enjoyed my blog in the past. I apologize for being so silent these past months. And it is my hopes that you will continue to follow me and be apart of this community that I am inspired to create through typed words and colorful pictures.

PS. I you have any more suggestions from me, I would love to hear from them and comments are much welcomed!

Mongolian Grill

So this was my first time going to the Mongolian Grill and I absolutely loved it! The atmosphere was great, not to mention the amazing food which can be made into anything anyone wants. We went for the reception of my brother's wedding. The cooks sang a fun song that everyone around had to participate in. I'd say it was a great ending to an already wonderful day.


Before...


After... Be jealous.


I encourage anyone to go to the Mongolian Grill, especially if they have not before. This is making me hungry already!


I love this picture so much. My new sister and I.

Upgrade Me

It's so nice to know that I have been working towards a goal of growing out my hair and I can now see the results. I am slowly, but surely growing out my hair. Thanks for putting up with my twists, curly afros, and crazy high ponies. I intend to continue this natural hair journey.

Here's what my hair looked like in 2010.

Kreativ Blogger Award

Oh my goodness! I am so honored to be accepted by The Ivy League Clique and Little or No Makeup who both gave me the Kreativ Blogger Award.

There are a few things that I have to do that come along with the award.

First off, I need to link back to the person who gave me this award.

Second, answer the questions below.

Third, award ten other blogs and let them know in an email or comment.

And lastly, share seven random thoughts about myself.











The questions are...


1. Name your favorite song.
At this moment, I can't stop listening to Water is Wide by Steven Sharp Nelson. I absolutely love the cello. 
2.  Name your favorite dessert.
My favorite dessert would have to be brownies. In fact, I am planning to make some with a friend soon. I also would have to say I love making orange muffins with each bite, there is a bit of heaven inside. 
3. What ticks me off...
When I straighten my hair and then in starts to rain and eventually start to snow. Yeah, that's definitely happening right now. 
4. When I'm upset I...
Write in my journal. It helps me get it off my mind and then later when I write again I can see how God has answered some of my prayers and struggles. 
5. What's your favorite pet..
Definitely, a little fish in a little round bowl. 
6. Black or White..
Black. I always go for the darker colors which is why I am wanting to focus on more lighter colors for my wardrobe just to mix things up.
7. Biggest Fear...
Any type of pain, even as small as a paper cut, thunder and lighting, and horror movies. 
8. Everyday Attitude...
I love to learn and meet new people. I am inspired daily and want to inspire others as well. 
9. What is perfection?
I really love what Ivy League Clique answered for this question, so I will quote her. "Perfection is accepting who you are, what you have and the plans God has for you."
10. Guilty Pleasure..
Hmm... that's a hard one, but I would have to say that it would probably be eating something unhealthy.


Seven Random Facts About Me:
1. I absolutely abhor coffee.
2. I am a missionary kid and had the privilege of living in Africa for two years and Mexico for ten years.
3. My three favorite models are currently Raquel Zimmerman, Chanel Iman, and Joan Smalls.
4. I love all types of music whether it be celtic to rap to opera to country to indie to gospel.. I love them all. I would only have to give one exception and it would have to be Rock music (I can't handle heavy metal or screamo music).
5. I am not very adventurous at all. I am scared of almost everything including roller coasters, riding bikes and roller skates (anything on wheels for that matter) and as you saw on my Number 7 answer. I am basically a huge scaredy cat.
6. By the way, I don't like cats... with the exception of Hello Kitty.
7. I am in love with Idris Elba, Ryan Gosling, Reggie Bush, and Garret Hedlund all at the same time.
8. Oh, oops, that's all! Yeah I tend to make a lot of mistakes, big and small. My bad. 


I would like to nominate....
+ Crengux
+ Head to Toe Fashion
+ Sisters and Sisters
+ Christmas Girls
+ GVN Style Blog
+ Hangover Chic
+ Breakfast at Katy
+ Missing Amsie
+ Behind Cati's Eyes
+ Shop Style Conquer

Give in to me

This is my favorite scene in the movie Country Strong. What can I say, I am a helpless romantic. I can't help, but cry through this entire scene.

I hope you enjoy.

Forty One

I honestly can say that I am just thankful for all that the Lord has blessed me with already. I am thankful that I finished my first semester of my sophomore year. I am thankful that I have a loving family. I am thankful for friends and a house to call my own. I am thankful for everything especially the things that I take for granted. I am excited for what the Lord has for me this coming year. 

Thirty Eight: Growth

Chopsticks.

First off, I would like to apologize for not writing or posting pictures as much as I used to. I have been very busy this past month and also uninspired. I hope you will understand.

I can't believe there are only four more days in this semester. I still feel as though summer just ended and I was running around in shorts and bright colored nail polish. I have learned so much since then and I can very well say that I am a different person than I was even at the beginning of this semester.

If you have been following me for a while, you should know that I am on a "dating fast" and it definitely has been a struggle and many challenges have come my way. So much so that I considered not doing it anymore, but God is showing me more and more that He will bless me if I follow His direction. This year was all about following in God's direction and this has been most challenging to let myself walk my talk. Everything that I read is giving me assurance of my choice and I know that I am doing the right thing.

"So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you and He will place you on a firm foundation." - 1 Peter 5:10 

I will hold onto His promises and I will go into this necessary season of my life with confidence and boldness. I will and can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Through this time of growing, changing, and learning, I truly believe that I will learn the secret of being content in every situation.

What are some of the things that you have learned since this summer? How have you changed?

If you answer in my comments box, I will give you a shout out on my blog and also on my twitter. 

Thirty Three

The Lake of Shining Waters.

I have this in my head and it will not go away. This summer was probably one of the best experiences I have ever had. Excitement, laughter, and romance defines my summer. The weather is getting colder which makes me realize how much things are going to change and that summer is truly over. But I know that I will always look back on this picture and reminisce on the wonderful memories that I have made.

Just a Hobby

There is one thing that will always disappoint me and that is when people ask if photography is just a hobby for me. 

I'll never forget my freshman year of high school. For some reason, I was very nervous and unsure of what I wanted to do when I graduated. I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do.  I prayed about it for an entire month. One day, I was looking through a magazine and there was a photography contest. I saw the winners and was amazed by what a person could do with a camera. I had never owned a camera before, so I didn't even think of photography as a hobby.  I was immediately inspired and I had this overwhelming passion that I knew only came from God. Ever since that moment in time, I believe that God has given me this desire to be a photographer.

I don't know all the answers. I don't know what I am exactly going to do when I graduate from college or how I can use photography to give God the glory. Five years ago, I had been dreaming of the moments of when I would go to college and learn from professors who specialized in photography. I can now say that I am living my dream.

I know that this is a season of change for me and I don't know what the future holds, but I must say that I love what I do and I pray that no one will ever confuse my love for photography to be something as mediocre as a hobby. Just like on the movie, Chariots of Fire, I truly feel God's pleasure when I take pictures.

Timeline

So I have the new Facebook called Timeline!

I love it!

What do y'all think?

Are you ready for the change?

Goodies Giveaway

I am so ecstatic and proud to say that I have more than 50 followers on my blog right now. For those of you who have more followers than me, it may not seem a huge deal, but let me explain.

At the beginning of the summer, I only started with 12 followers and I decided that I would make a goal for  at least 20 followers by the end of the summer. In a week, I made more than 20 followers and decided that I would make another goal of 50 followers by the end of the summer. So I am very glad to say that I have accomplished my goal!

Because of this, I am going to have a giveaway to one special reader to celebrate having so many new followers.



(Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask, Forever 21 heart necklace, Bath &Body Works candles, Hawaiian Ginger Body Mist, Aveda bath salts, and a heart shaped container from my personal collection of hearts)

All you have to do to get a chance to enter is:

1. Follow my blog and comment on the post that you were most inspired by. (Please send a link of the post that you commented on when you enter).

For a double vote..
2. Follow me on Twitter and Bloglovin'.

This giveaway will be closing on September 24th.


**Make sure that you let me know exactly what you followed.**

THIS GIVEAWAY IS OFFICIALLY OVER.

I did not get as many comments as I would have liked, but since this is my first giveaway, I know that things will always get better. Thanks for participating in my giveaway for you girls who did! I really appreciate it!

The winner is Kimberly from Sensible Stylista! Check out her blog! She has amazing style!
Please respond with your email address by September 30th! Thanks so much!

The Sojourn

I can't believe it's been a year since I wrote my first article in the school newspaper called The Sojourn. I was only a contributing writer back then. This year I am on staff as the photographer and I must say that I absolutely love it. We just published our second issue today and I couldn't be more excited to see the photos published out for the public. It is so exciting!

 

Staff Photo