Event Planning

I don't know if I've mentioned before, but I love planning events! In fact, it's what I want to do once I graduate from college (May 9th, 2015 can't get here soon enough!).

This summer, I am taking a class called Event Planning and I absolutely love it. Every chapter teaches you different aspects of an event and then at the end of the chapter, I get to take the things I learned and use them to plan an imaginary event. This week, I learned about the aesthetics of an event. So, theme, decorations, menu, entertainment, floor plan, etc. I really feel like I will enjoy this aspect the most!

I've been really obsessed with The Great Gatsby ever since the remake came out, so that's what I went with. I included what I submitted, as well as a concept board I made specifically for this post!

"The theme will be "The Great Gatsby and will take place at The Belmont off of West 6th Street in Austin, TX.

Upon arrival, guests will be treated to an extensive choice of 1920's era costumes located downstairs of The Belmont to channel their inner flapper girl. They will then move on to hair and make-up so they can rock finger waves and red lipstick. Afterwards, guests will make their way upstairs, where they will walk into a banquet-style room with glass doors that open onto the patio. Guests can hang out insider or out on the patio, where they'll experience the Prohibition era by sipping on beverages wrapped in brown butcher paper, garnished with black and gold ribbon. How else are you supposed to feel like you're in a speakeasy?

While waiting for the other guests to all gather for the banquet, they can snack on hors d'oeuvres like pigs in the blanket, oysters Rockefeller, and salmon mousse. Like F. Scott Fitzgerald put it, we want to have food "On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors-d'oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold."  

Inside, guests will be surrounded by floor to ceiling gold and black drapery. White and black balloons will be illuminated by crystal chandeliers. Guests will then move on outside and down the stairs to the patio where the stage, dance floor, and tables are seat up. A beautiful wall with ivy crawling up it will be part of the back drop for our 20's themed photo booth. Guests will be able to sit in a life-size ice sculpture made to look like a swan. To the right of that, there will be a stage with a full orchestra playing in the background. 

In the center of the patio, the guests will be able to dine on round tables draped with gold tablecloths. At the center of the tables, there will be a very tall, crystal vases filled with crystals and pearls with white and black ostrich feathers and gold branches placed in the center of the vase. On either side of the vases, silver candelabras with hanging crystals and white votive candles will provide ambient lighting for the guests. 

The guests will dine on fine white china, with gold trim and crystal drinking glasses. The menu will include Waldorf salad, baked ham, roasted turkey, grilled asparagus, pan-fried sweet bread, and various bite-sized desserts. While the guests are eating, awards for that night will be presented in front of the stage. 

After dinner, guests will move inside to yet another area where a silent auction will be held. Finally, a spectacular fireworks show will end the evening. And like in true Great Gatsby fashion, the hostess of the evening will be a mystery."

Olay Fresh Effects

In a previous post, I talked about my skincare routine.
Well, what I was using simply wasn't working! After trying different products or just simply not using anything at all, my friend, Stacy, told me about Olay Fresh Effects!
She told me about it last summer and I just now was able to find it! (Curse living in Arkansas!)

It is simply amazing!
I use Olay Fresh Effects Out of this Swirled in Honeydew and Green Tea cleanser. It doesn't dry out my skin and it really helps with breakouts!

I follow it up with Olay Fresh Effects [Dew Over] hydrating gel moisturizer. It is AMAZING. Because I have combination skin, I'm wary about using any moisturizer because my skin doesn't need any more oil! But, it doesn't do any of that and I can literally feel it hydrating my face.

I was initially hesitant about using Olay to begin with because I thought they just made products for older women. But, after being referred this product, I love it!

Till next time!

Birchbox

Birchbox is AMAZING. 

I'd heard about it awhile back on Pinterest, but didn't think it was worth it. After two of my good friends got subscriptions, I decided to subscribe. 

I'll never go back! 

Basically, you get 5 or 6 samples every month of beauty supplies or product. 

But I don't want just random beauty samples. 

Well my friend, you go online at www.birchbox.com, get an account, and fill out a beauty profile. 

Then at the beginning of each month, you get a cute brown box wrapped in a pink shopping box all for only $10 a month! That's like two Starbucks frappicinos. 

P.S. If you download the app, you can view the samples that came in your box that month. And if you feel so inclined, it shows how much the actual product costs and you can purchase it there! 

If you sign up, say that I referred you! 

Here's what I got in my June box. :)

Till next time!

A healthy start

The past several years, I have been on a downward slope with my weight. When I was in China, I got real fit and toned and I wasn't even trying to! It was awesome. The best kind of work out, in my opinion. I wasn't eating processed foods and everything was super fresh. Plus, I walked everywhere because we didn't have a car. 

I won't say how much I weigh (I have to have some secrets!), but I've gained 100 pounds since coming back from China. While over 7 years that isn't bad, it's still not good for me. And I don't like the way I look. 

I plan on going on daily bike rides with my cousin. He has ADD and needs the outlet. Hopefully that will help! I'm living with my aunt and uncle this summer in Texas. They're health coaches for a program called Take Shape For Life. The point is, I've got the healthy eating part taken care of. 

So, take this journey with me please! Any and all encouragement would be fantastic, as well as any tips or advice. 

Till next time!

Don't be a social media Christian

We no longer live in a world where we are persecuted for believing in God. Yet so many of my friends' think that by stating that they're not afraid to admit their beliefs on social media is some huge proclamation. It's not. 

So many people, especially around my age, think that posting scriptures or the afore mentioned proclamation makes them a better Christian. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it doesn't. 

Within the last 5 years or so, social media has skyrocketed. I myself am a "slave" to numerous social media platforms. While I've posted the occasional scripture on Twitter or Facebook, it was always meant more for me. A digital affirmation, if you will. 

What I don't understand is the connection between social media and God. I don't think that when I'm standing before God on judgement day and He asks me about all the good things I've done in my life, telling him I retweeted or liked every tweet or status that was Christ-focused will be an acceptable answer. 

So far in my 24 years of existence, I've participated in various church activities, mission trips with youth groups, and my favorite, spending a year in China as a missionary. I hope that these minute things I've done so far in my life will help put a small dent in the huge list of mistakes that I've made (and will make until my last breath). 

Preachers always talk about getting to heaven and doing things in order to reach salvation. Call me cynical, but I prefer to, metaphorically, think that my soul is in hell and I need to be doing everything I can to ensure a ticket out of there. When you think of it in terms like that, I feel that it puts a fire under people's pants (excuse my pun) to actively try to be Christ-like. We as humans like to always excuse our shortcomings and reason with ourselves the mistakes we have made. That's especially easy to do if we all think we're guaranteed a spot in heaven! If I'm in the mindset that I'm going to go to heaven, it's easy to convince myself that lying won't send me to hell. But if I think that I'm already destined to eternal damnation, that lying problem is of a greater magnitude and definitely won't ensure that one spot closer to heaven. 

Who all has ever had a situation where you confided in someone and was judged for it? But then you find out later that this same person did something worse, in your eyes? Hypocrisy aside, it's rather maddening. But God conveys in James 2:10, 12-14 that no sin is less or greater in His eyes; that they're all the same. Definitely puts things in perspective. It's hard to think that lying is the same as murder in God's eyes because in our society's judicial system, there's varying degrees of punishment depending upon the crime that was committed. While that works fine and good for keeping our society in check, it doesn't really help the hypocrisy factor that so many believers find themselves in.

I came across a quote on Pinterest that says "Don't judge me because my sin is different than yours." To me, that is just so powerful. I have been guilty of that SO many times! Have you? It gets really easy to point fingers at each other. Like it says in Matthew 7:3-5, take the plank out of your own eye before you point at the speck in mine. Funny how these quotes that float around the Internet are so similar to scripture. 

Whoever is reading this, I urge you to not only "talk the talk", but "walk the walk". If part of your own personal ministry is posting scripture on Twitter or Facebook in hopes that it will be uplifting to others, then great! A dear friend of mine lives and breaths the word of God in her day to day life, so when she posts scriptures or uplifting quotes, it's just a digital extension of who is she. 

Nothing drives me up the wall more than someone who pretends to be a good person, but does bad things in the shadows. I would rather a person be terrible to me, than someone be nice to my face and then talk about me behind my back. At least the person who is being terrible to me is being honest!

Go out into the world and make a difference. Hold a devotional on your hall or with your friends. Take part in a mission trip. Help out with your local church. Do SOMETHING to impact someone other than yourself. Don't be a "pew warmer" and do things in order to check things off your spiritual check list. Be intentional with everything you do. 

My favorite Christian author, Shane Claiborne says in "The Irresistible Revolution", "Most good things have even said far too many times and just need to be lived." I really feel that sums up everything I've been trying to convey in one simple sentence. 

Remember, your life may be the only bible some people read.

Outfit updates!

Here are the blouses and blazer I talked about in my previous post. They're from Target and everything but the blazer was on sale! I also included some outfits I've worn in the last couple weeks. 

Sweater: Ross Dress for Less

Blouse: Target

Skinny jeans: Walmart

Nude heels: Walmart

Top Gun sweater: Forever 21

Pearl necklace: Forever 21 (similar here)

(Not pictured)

Skinny jeans: Walmart

Black boots: Fred Meyer

Til next time!

Spring Break.

I've completely abandoned my blog again. I'm sorry to the two readers I have!

This week was Harding's spring break. I went home with my dear friend, Whitney, last Thursday (skipped two classes. Sorry Ms. Boaz and Dr. Rine!) in Keller, Texas. Yeehaw!

It has been such a relaxing and fun break. We went shopping with her mom and memaw last Saturday, the Fort Worth zoo on Monday with her sister and coworker and kids, ad want shopping again yesterday with her sister and memaw. Whitney got two gorgeous dresses from Charming Charlie and I got these amazing shoes!

Because I have such huge feet (size 11. Thanks Dad!), I've made a rule with myself that I have to buy any cute shoe I come across, even if I don't have anything to wear them with. These beauties were only $4.99 + tax, so I had to get them! I recently purchased a couple black and white blouses and a black blazer (trying to be like Olivia Pope), so these will go perfect with all of that!

Tomorrow, Whitney and I leave to go back to good ole Searcy, Arkansas. I've had such a wonderful week and Whitney's family has been so amazing taking me into their home. I'm truly blessed by the people God puts in my life.  

Till next time!

Pride, trust, and God.

Pride.
Everyone has it, whether it be the most successful person in the world or the homeless man on the street.
I pride myself in many things.
Being the best friend, daughter, and sister anyone could have.
Always smelling nice (one of my quirker prides... Don't judge).
Being the person someone can always count on.
Being trustworthy.

Like every human being, I have my many fair share of faults and character flaws.
Unfortunately, one of those is being prideful to the point where I can't admit when I'm wrong.
Whether it be in a fight with a friend or with myself, especially when I've been hurt.
One of the things I've learned is that sometimes, even when it's absolutely unbearable, kicking your pride to the curb is the best thing.
I've done that with a couple relationships and it seems to have worked in my favor and it wasn't as bad as I had made it out to be in my head.

But, the one person I can't seem to do that with is God.
It's very silly, I know.
I have just had so many things happen in the past 5 years that it's been hard to catch my breath.
The rug has been pulled from underneath me multiple times and sometimes it seems like once the dust has settled on one problem, another one has arisen.
Through it all, I have learned to only rely on myself.
And since I don't feel I can truly rely on others, I make sure to be that person for everyone else in my life because no one really has been in mine.

Another thing I really struggle with is trust.
I do trust people, but the list is rather short.
I pride myself in being trustworthy and having people instill their trust in me.
If I find out someone doesn't trust me, depending on the person, I do whatever it takes to gain that trust back.
I wish I could say God is at the top of the list of people I trust, but unfortunately, that is not the case.
I have such a hard time trusting people, especially when things go badly.
I want more than anything in the world to have complete trust and faith in God, but that is one of the biggest things I struggle with as a Christian.

It's really made me doubt my faith over the past 2 years. I can't seem to get over that hurdle of putting my complete trust in God. Knowing that He'll take care of me and everyone else... I've gotten to the point of being lukewarm; a point in life no Christian wants to be in.

It's like spiritual limbo. One moment, I'm on fire for the Lord and can see all the great things I've been blessed with. Then the next moment, I'm a crying ball of mess that wants to turn my back on the only consistent thing in my life. 

If I can't even trust in the one entity that evolves around my religion, then what in the world am I doing with my life?

I Hate Valentines

Valentines Day.

Red hearts, red roses, chocolate, cards. 

Sounds great, if you're in a relationship!

I tend to be rather cynical about this holiday. 

I admit I will refer to this holiday as "Single Awareness Day", instead of Valentines Day. 

I, along with most single gals, don't want to be reminded of our singledom. Especially when a consumeristic holiday rubs it in our faces once a year. 

Last year, I decided to be proactive about Valentines Day. Knowing full well I wasn't going to sucker some poor, unfortunate boy into being my Valentine, I decided to do something different. 

Granted, I got the original idea from the movie, Valentines Day... (If you haven't seen it, you should! It's about 10 different people who are shown celebrating Valentines Day in different ways in LA.). Jessica Biel's character throws an annual I Hate Valentines Day party every year with her single gals. 

I decided to do the same!

So, I created a Facebook event and invited a bunch of my single gal pals (and even some guys!) and made a spaghetti dinner at my house. It was a lot of fun spending the time with my friends' and doing something different, instead of stuffing our faces with Ben and Jerry's and crying to The Notebook (again!). 

This year, I decided to do it again. But this year, I picked a theme!

Breakfast At Tiffany's!! 

Because who doesn't love Audrey Hepburn?? 

Dinner will consist of a pancake bar, bacon and egg bites, fruit salad, mock tails, and mini strawberry shortcakes on skewers. 

I encouraged everyone to wear black dresses and pearls, so hopefully everyone does!

Of course we'll be watching Breakfast at Tiffany's. 

Here's pictures from Pinterest that I'll be incorporating in my I Hate Valentines Day party. 

If you're single, seize the day and have an I hate Valentines Day party with your gals! 

New year, new semester!

It's the third day of my spring semester. I'm taking a plethora of classes scattered across campus. I'm most excited for my Fashion Practicum and Wedding Dynamics classes!

As opposed to other semesters, I'm genuinely excited to be in school. 

Winter break was very refreshing and restful. I was able to spend a week with family in Washington and then spend 3 weeks in China with my parents' (separate blog post to follow!). It was much needed.

Yesterday, my dear friend Amanda, got me my first ever Tervis! I'm so excited. I've been wanting one for awhile now and she got one for my birthday! It's cheetah print!!

Cheers to a great semester!

First day of school outfit!

Blouse: Fred Meyer

Skirt: Unique Boutique

Boots (not seen): Fred Meyer

Accessories: Forever 21, Michael Kors

Tuesday outfit 

Boots: Fred Meyers

Accessories: Forever 21, Michael Kors

Scarf: Walmart 

Jeans: Walmart

Shirt: Hanes

Blouse: Unique Boutique

Leggings: Walmart

Boots: Fred Meyer

Scarf: My roommate's

Accessories: Michael Kors  

Til next time!