thoughts for the day

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:11-12
And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

check these out!

Enjoyed these posts today:

"Momma needs a time out" from Short Southern Momma
I LOVE all the pictures!

"DIY pearl cluster necklace" from Gigi's Gone Shopping
I plan to try this during the summer when I have some free time!


Have a great Monday!!!

Celebrating graduation in my own special way(s)!

Many college grads get trips to Europe, long va-cays, or an expensive piece of jewelry. And who's to say that isn't in the future in the next few weeks? Well, realistically, maybe not any of those things, but maybe a new computer or something else wonderful from my sweet parents.

In spite of those 'things' that graduation brings, I have decided that a couple of important trips are in order.

First off will be a bridal party fiesta this weekend in south Georgia. One of my best friends is getting married in July and the entire bridal party will be gathering this weekend in the deep south to hang out and have a good time! I'm really looking forward to this little weekend adventure!

BFF - E, her fiancee, and me in Charleston last summer

My next adventure will be down to Charleston (where I will be moving to in AUGUST!) to visit my best friend from high school! He will be graduating from the College of Charleston the day after I graduate, and he was kind enough to get me a ticket! I will be spending a few days in Charleston, hanging out and having fun!

T has been a dear friend over the years. We graduated together from high school and have remained good friends throughout college. Pictured below is T with me and my 2 old roommates just before Charleston Fashion Week. We all coordinated in classy black and white!

T will be going to Germany for a year to take a few classes and then do an internship of his choice! I think that he will end up doing something with fashion. He studied abroad there last summer and worked at German Fashion Week! He has worked at CFW all four years of college too.

Graduation is a bittersweet time, but I am very excited about making these little trips, spending time with those who are close to me this summer, and relaxing and finally catching up on my sleep and rest.

pink dress please!

I get e-mails from Express sometimes, and this was today's:

I think the outfits and shoes are very cute! But this one is my favorite...

Two-Tone Rouched Dress

LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress!!! Saw it in the store and it is adorable!

LLBean

One of my favorite places to online (window) shop!

Vacationland Dress, Madras, $49.50

Summer Knit Dress, Navy/Lattice, $49.50

Bean's Classic Chinos Embroidered Skirt, Glen Green/Starfish, $39.50

I LOVE the pink and green in this skirt!

Canvas Tote, Rose Pink/Lobster Crab, $39-$59

Bean's Wellies, Navy, $59

I will probably be investing in a pair of these when I move to Charleston in August!

Saturday delights

Workroom Project Table, grandinroad.com

Chloe Tall Chest, grandinroad.com

Anderson Media Console, grandinroad.com

Athena Necklace, shopmamie.com

Small Chunky Jelly Watch, shopmamie.com

FYI - Old Navy mega-clearance!

I assume that this is standard across all Old Navy stores right now, but I stopped in today to see what was new and - TA DA - there was an extra 50% off clearance items. I found a swimsuit coverup, skirt, and sleep shorts, and paid only $19! Check your local Old Navy this weekend for some INCREDIBLE deals!

Thrifty Thursday - 4.8.2010

Look at what I found at the local thrift store for only $3!!!!!

It has a small tear in the seat, but I can overlook that for $3!

The paint is a bit chipped, but I love the worn look!

I think I'm going to use this for a desk chair. What do you think?

Enter Maxxinista...

I LOVE these map-py decorations!

My little sister loves key decor, so I snapped this picture for her. They had a LOT of key-things!

I loved this little doo-dad with small racks that you can hang things on! It could be good for hanging coats just inside of a door somewhere.

If only I had the black and white room I have always dreamed of, Audrey would have gone home with me after I found these!

Love as a Way of Life

I came across this book by Gary Chapman (author of one of my favorite books, The Five Love Languages) in Ross for only $3.99! I couldn't pass it up - hardback book AND in excellent condition! I began reading through it last weekend while at home for Easter and feel very challenged by a lot of things I have read so far, and I have barely gotten past the introduction! The book basically focuses on seven characteristics to loving relationships. I would give a brief summary of what I have read so far, but I have decided instead to post some (direct) quotes, listed below:

• "I believe it is the common person like you or me who holds the key to creating a world in which relationships are valued above all else, in which serving others is normal and expected, in which children grow up to respect each other...This is not an impossible dream." - xiv
• "Today is the day to turn your life in a positive direction." - 4
• "My own definition of success is 'leaving your corner of the world better than you found it.'" - 4
• "Whatever your sphere of influence, when you are seeking to enrich the lives of others through relationships, you will find the most satisfying form of success." - 4
• "The truth is, you are made for relationships." - 4
• "When we love others because we value them as individuals, we experience a joy unlike any other." - 4
• "The key to finding joy in loving others is to focus on giving love, not on getting it." - 4
• "Love is not an emotion that comes over us or an elusive goal dependent on the actions of others. Authentic love is something within our capabilities, originating in our attitudes and culminating in our actions. If we think of love as a feeling, we shall be frustrated when we can't always work up that feeling. When we realize love is primarily an action, we are ready to use the tools we have to love better." - 6
• "Authentic love brings out our authentic selves - the people we want to become." - 7
• "Sometimes it is in the midst of difficulty that we find our greatest opportunities to experience and share love. One of the beautiful things about living a love-filled life is that we are not dependent on circumstances for our satisfaction." - 8
• "...love is an attitude that says 'I choose to focus my life on helping others.'" - 8
• "If you truly want to love someone, begin in small ways." - 9
• "Our role is to open our hearts and minds daily to receive love and to look for opportunities to share it with others." - 10

Whew! I already feel like there are so many things to think about and work on and I have only made it through the first chapter! The book goes on into detail with each of the seven characteristics to explain them, make them practical, and help the reader find ways to improve that quality of his/her personality.


The seven characteristics are:

1. Kindness
2. Patience
3. Forgiveness
4. Courtesy
5. Humility
6. Generosity
7. Honest