Dust.

For the past few days this song has been stuck in my head:
You make beautiful things.

You make beautiful things out of dust.

You make beautiful things.

You make beautiful things out of us.

My week has been truly beautiful.

Here's to finding more of His simple beauty in this crazy world.

Beauty.

I had a few realizations last week:
God loves me.

God made me.

God gave me beauty.. 

in nature, in friendship, in myself.

This next year I am searching for that beauty.

This next year I will find that beauty.

This next year I will find the complete perfection 

in the world God created.

In the midst of my quest

I will find myself and the beautiful spirit I was given, 

and see the glory of my God!

Here is the beginning of my journey:
I love wondering what all will hold beauty for me.
I love beholding what I think is true beauty.
I love seeing God's artist hand in small, everyday ways.

Six days of searching and one day of taking it all in..
That's my weekly schedule for the next year.

Sweet Summertime.

Well, let's just say that I've been on a REALLY long vacation..

I quit yet another one of my projects.
I gave up. I let myself down.

But here we go again.

I think I can, I think I can.

Quick update:

I've landed a spot (or two) of leadership in Phi Mu,

Evan and I have added yet another tally to our relationship counter,

My old friendships have gotten stronger
and I've created many a new one,

And I am so, so happy.

This summer has started out like any summer should..

I moved into an apartment and I'm living the big girl life!

My roommate and I hardly knew each other,
but now we're the best of friends.

I'm on season three of Gilmore Girls and I'm obsessed already.
I learned to play a new board game with the boys.

I've been working like crazy and even created a website.

Take a peak at the fun I've been having:

In my mind, this is all clearly a success.

The only question I have now is,

what can one-up all the fun I've had so far?

Get to know me.

People have quirks. 

Here are a few of mine:

Tennessee has my heart.

I love elephants.

Grilled Cheese is my weakness.

Grease has been my favorite since I can remember.

My apologies.

Every girl needs a little vaca, right?

This year I spent mine at the beach.

I'm not usually much of a beach-lover..

but I think this trip has converted me.

I had a blast!

Highlights from the trip:

 My southern adventure began in Georgia.

Sweet Al and I were reunited over a delicious Italian dinner.

Then off to the beach. 

No white sand or clear water.. but beautiful sunsets, nonetheless.

After a week of slight burns and lots of beach hair,

we trekked back home.

Making progress.

My room make-over has begun. 

The walls are no longer bright pink!

Check out the color I chose:

Valspar's Peach Taffy was the perfect color for me.

I love the way it turned out!

Now, on to the new quilt for my bed.

I've changed my mind from the brown..

I'm leaning more towards a gray one.

Something like these:

Tuxedo Quilt from Urban Outfitters

Waterfall Ruffle Duvet from Urban Outfitters

OR

Ruched Duvet from PBdorm

I can't wait to see my final product!

AH.

I want this headboard!

Open your eyes.

"Each day becomes like a musical note. 

Probably not very impressive when looked at by itself. 

But as each day passes, the musical notes start to make a song.

Furthermore, as they continue on through years of offering each day, 

I slowly start to see the symphony God creates, 

known as - my life. 

How pleasing this masterpiece is to our Lord
when we allow Him to be the conductor."

God, let me live like this.

The Beginning.

The walls of my room are empty.

Almost every picture frame in my room is put away.

I feel like I just packed high school in a box.

My thoughts.

I'm grown up. I have a full-time job.

 I make most of my meals and buy the ones I don't. 

I go to bed before midnight every night. 

I miss not having a care in the world.

I miss my friends. I miss staying up late. 

I miss sleepovers and real talk.

I can't wait for the beach. I can't wait to see my girls.

I can't wait for Samford and football season.

I can't wait for reunions with friends from school.

I love work. I love friends and family.

I love farmers tans and sunglasses.

I love El Patio. I love summer.

Remember my lists?

 

I've decided that my "Bucket List" needs a revision.

I'm making more short term goals..

ones I know I can achieve now if I put my mind to it,

ones that don't cost a ton of money,

ones that push me to change or challenge myself,

ones that truly mean something to me.

I have three months. Let's go.

Re-do.

Guess what. 

This summer is get to re-do my entire room. 

I CAN'T WAIT.

Here's what I have in mind:

Let's get started!

Think a little.

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait 

a single moment before starting to improve the world."   

– Anne Frank

Too early?

This morning I embarked upon an adventure.

I tested my strength, endurance, sanity..

I began running.

I ran on the treadmill here at home

following a guide: "How to Train for a 5k."

Yep, just what I need.
I do have almost seven months
but I needed to start training now.

Look out, Concepts! I will overcome you.

Fighting against that work-out is

cake, cookies, milkshakes,

and some really delicious looking bread. 

Excuse me, Cinnamon Sugar Pull-apart bread.

You can find the recipe here.

Other goodies I've found lately:

Salted Chocolate Twix Bars found here.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins found here.

Sweet Potato Chips found here.

Pizza Without Dough found here.

All this talk of food is making me hungry.

I can't wait to try these delicious recipes.

Wait a second..

I think although I'm home and relaxing, 

sleeping until 1pm and watching tv all day.. 

I didn't realize this school year was over. 

But guess what! 

It is. 

I'm a sophomore, 

it's summer time 

and I start work on Monday. 

And I have a lot on my to-do list these next three months. 

Many, many crafts are just begging me to try them. 

After my mother's day gift, I'm addicted.

Here's a sneak peek:

Rosette balls from The Idea Room.

Whirl-it lampshade from Pickles.

Wine bottle light from Wit & Whistle.

Hopefully I'll have time to make some of those,

work and get some of my books read.

Summer, let's do this.

Excitement.

I'm home. 

Home. Home. Home.

I love the green grass, blooming trees, fresh air,

friendly city, empty roads..

Oh, the joys of living in a small town.

But I'm already thinking ahead to my return to Samford,

to my cinderblock home and to all my best friends.

This is what I have to look forward to when I return:

Turquoise and red -- I'm obsessed.

The colors together are so fresh, so relaxing.

I am sad reminiscing about the late nights I spent with my Al Pal,

but I cannot wait for the new memories I'll be making with Lindsay.

So freakin' adorable.

Wow.

Finals?

Today I decided I'm going to read this summer..

a lot, a lot, a lot.

Aren't these books fun?

Not only are the spines adorable, 

but the titles are some of my favs.

Great Expectations, Wuthering Heights,

Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice.. so good.

These precious books have motivated me.

Back to studying I go.

Shout out.

I'm spending my next few evenings studying a little bit

and laughing a whole lot with my Samford friends.

I have so enjoyed getting to know the sweet girls on my hall,

and the others that just visit us a lot.

Laura Lynn, I am so glad you make your nightly rounds.

You can always make me smile,

your jokes are the best

and your heart is golden.

Remember, our door is always open

and the chair is always waiting for you.

Semi. Semi. Semi.

Besides celebrating a day dedicated to my fantastic mother,

this weekend was Phi Mu's semi-formal, a Garden Gala.

The fabulous Jamie took great care of me
and lent me her dress for the night.
Another precious friend fixed up my hair.

Mckenz, you're the best.

(Feel free to stalk her here.)

Evan and I had a blast, for real.

It was too much fun.

In other news, packing time is coming soon..
So soon. Too soon.
I don't like this moving thing out one bit.

Samford, I promise I'll be back for more fun times soon.

Momma Bear.

Happy Mother's Day, mom.

You'll always be the one I run to.