MOUNTAINS

May 19, 2017

I've been thinking about mountains a lot lately.

Maybe it's that PNW weather that came through the past week. Or maybe it's my inherent need to not be stuck behind a desk because I would rather be exploring. But, I'm thinking it's just the season that many people around me are going through. Many people in my life have been dealing with some sort of change. Husby just left a pretty stable job for a pretty awesome one that will help him grow. Others are just going through a season of unsteadiness, in their jobs, relationships, and the all too common "adulting" struggles.

SO WHAT DO MOUNTAINS HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?

Valleys are usually used to represent struggles in our life. But without those valleys, we wouldn't have mountains and I think the ascent is so much harder. And while I haven't climbed a mountain like Everest, I have experience my fair share of switchbacks and steep scrambles to honestly tell you: it's hard. But it doesn't have to be.

You can learn a lot from hiking mountains. You realize, with practice, you can build endurance for the climb. You know how to be better equipped (water / snacks / shoes). And with every ascent, you learn a new way to approach the trail.

Lately, my mountain has been "boldness". This mountain has two peaks. Two struggles that I've been facing in both hands.

I do not like being the center attention. I would rather be behind the scenes. So of course, anxiety struck me when it came to the days before my bridal shower. This was the first peak. I kept busy with prep and work. And found comfort in husby hugs. The day went as smoothly as it could (albeit: rain and an interesting wait staff). It was a beautiful day with friends and family that I'm thankful for.

The second peak was a boldness in faith. Funny enough, it coincided with a devotional about the Psalms of Ascent and my church's new sermon series: Summer Soul. This climb has been a lot evaluating and focusing on what kind of Christian I am to be. I have never lied about my faith to those who have asked, but I never shout it off the mountain tops either. I am not one of those Evangelizers on the corner flaunting their faith down a passerby's throat. I am private about my beliefs because I understand that love and grace is a better language. I hoped that my life and my actions are representation enough of being a Christian. But digging deeper, I know I was blessed with the talent of words that I can't be silent.

"Quiet Boldness" has been a phrase that has been sticking with me over the past few days. Quiet is not silent. It's gentle, calm, and ensuring. It's building up those around you so can climb their mountains with them. It's being a vessel to let something bigger to move and work through you. It's being strong and steady in knowing who and whose you are.

ENDURANCE : Strong Faith // EQUIPMENT : The Word

What are the mountains you are facing? Do not be afraid of the climb. It will be difficult, but you are not alone. Push onward. Make your mark. The views from the top are definitely worth it.

BEAUTIFUL SOUL

April 27, 2017

Now that it's spring, I suppose it's appropriate to have a plethora of references to flowers and pretty green things. While there definitely is no shortage of that around here (I have some new plant friends I am desperately trying to keep alive), I want to take the time to reflect on some other things budding this season.

Can I get honest for a second? I was never a girls' girl. Or for that matter, I wasn't very good at the whole "friends" thing. Being in fellowship and in community was never something I thought was for me. I've been abandoned one too many times before. "May the bridges I burn light the way" became my modus operandi. A false confidence to show I could make it on my own. I am perfectly okay going on walks by myself and jamming to good tunes and making small talk to the squirrels. My sanctuary is a book in a cozy corner with a cup of coffee. Social interactions were always awkward and I took those insecurities as a facts I was going to live with for the rest of my life.

I wore that Lone Wolf name tag like a badge.
And that was okay with me.

I few years back, someone said something that I has always haunted me ever since the words left her lips. When a person with a seemingly nonchalant attitude is told "You need to get out of your head", it gets shrugged off immediately. My conversations with my inner thoughts were the only friends I knew that I could rely on. The only ones I could trust. Even if they were also the inner demons that sometimes shouted too loud. I welcomed that darkness like a dear friend. One I knew that would never leave me.

Maybe it's age. Maybe it's all part of getting older. Maybe it's the new and renewed relationships growing in my life. But I've felt these walls crumbling and making way for the light. The whispers turned into commandments. They pushed me into the unknown. Beyond my comfort zone. Beyond myself. To serve. To be in community. To have honest and real relationships, especially with fellow females. And like the clouds breaking for a beautiful brunch with beautiful souls, I am thankful.

I WANT YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL SOUL.

YELLOW 108 EASTWOOD R HAT - H&M STRIPED SHIRT (SIMILAR) - UNIQLO SLIM BOYFRIEND
TOP SHOP PYTHON BOOTIES (SIMILAR) - STEVE MADDEN FRINGE BAG (SIMILAR)

PEDALS & PETALS

March 23, 2017

The name of this post is a total rip off of husby's shop on Reverb: Pedals for Pedals. Technically I didn't steal it since I came up with the name for him. He was in the process of selling off some unused guitar pedals so he can get a new set of wheels. Now that the shop is empty, I'm counting down the days till we can start our little bike gang.

SO WHY "PETALS"...

Over the past two weeks, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society hosted the annual Flower Show. Almost every year, I get in some good family time with my parents and look at all the exhibits with them. This year was no different. With past themes of National Parks, London, and even Disney and Pixar, it's hard to compete! Although not as lavish as years past, "Holland" showed an unconventional beauty that stole my heart.

Of course there was a fair share of tulips and bicycles all around. If you're a Philly native, you have probably seen videos of the bicycle fountain filling your Insta-story feed. There was a wall filled with statement pieces that married floral arrangements and bicycle wheels into beautiful sculptures. And let's talk about the AWE INDUCING INSTALLATION that is a wedding day dream come true: waves of flowers crashing and engulfing you in their beauty.

I especially found a kinship to the installations that focused on food (I am an inner fatty with a homesteader heart). As much as I love to support local farmers, I take notes on how the Netherlands treats food culture. I don't mean restaurant culture, but agriculture. The Dutch are able to be the largest exporter of produce while also creating sustainable, healthy food and respect nature all at the same time. It gives me hope that local farmers will incorporate this knowledge and how "the man" that real food is the good stuff and can be profitable without cutting corners. Although not a main theme at The Flower Show, it still left its mark on me. Live walls gave inspiration to vertical gardening. A beekeeper teaching their buzzworthy ways. Vendor tastings of delicious sprouts has me creating new recipes in my mind (Bull's Blood Beet Microgreens will LEGIT change your life).

SO WHO'S DOWN FOR A BIKE RIDE?

SOMETIMES YOU NEED A DAY TO GET AWAY

February 2, 2017

"Getting Away" doesn't always mean taking a flight to your closest national park. Sometimes it does mean that. But most times it doesn't. Most times it just means going to one of your favorite towns and making your own adventure in your backyard. Many people think Justin and I go on these grand adventures all the time. And we do sometimes go on those stereotypical trips that lead to really amazing moments. But most times, we just enjoy the company we keep and explore places that are outside people's comfort zone: the bubble.

LAMBERTVILLE / NEW HOPE

IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES OUTSIDE OF THE 30 MINUTE BUBBLE

These two river towns are a favorite hang out of ours. For years we did the constant drive between South Jersey and Bucks County. And every Sunday after church, this would be one of "our spots". This place is a special place for the two of us, and we don't want it not be special anymore. But we do believe if something is awesome, we want to share it with people we care about.

A short hike after a flurry storm. Grade A views. Great burgers. Good shopping scores. And a killer writing session over carrots. It was a nice little getaway.

MISTY MOUNTAIN

January 29, 2017

You know when life just gets ahead of you? That's how January felt like. Even through the country's unrest, this month has been a big ball of uneasiness, anxiety, and hope. My heart breaks for what is going on, but we will not be unheard. We will save our forests and protect our lands. We will continue to love people with honest hearts. And we will speak boldly with soft tongues to produce fruitful conversations and not condemnation...well at least that's my hope for the coming years.

BUT TO BRIGHTEN UP THIS MOODY POST...

CAN WE TALK ABOUT HOW
FREAKING CUTE THIS IS?!

If you follow me on Instagram, I previewed a little trip to Terrain in Glen Mills. Along with being a super cute shop, it's where I made a new friend over the summer. So it's a pretty swell place. While I was there, I picked up a few goodies for a little project I've been wanting to do for a little while.

The terrarium was used as a ring holder for our little ceremony a few months ago. At the time, I filled it with baby's breath and some fresh greens that eventually dried out. So at Terrain, I picked up a pot of this luscious nettle thinking it will look lovely flowing out of the terrarium. The glass unicorn was a gift from Mama Coombs that paired nicely with a little quartz cluster I had laying around. I finished it off with some foraged finds of little hemlock pinecones and a sprig of dried hydrangea flowers.

Fingers crossed for its survival in my dry/weird-tempered apartment.

YES, THE TITLE OF THIS POST IS A LOTR REFERENCE
DEAL WITH IT

THIS MUST BE IT...

December 31, 2016

This year is going out with a bang.
Princess Leia died. Mercury is in retrograde. It's the weird week between Christmas and New Year.
We're all in that moment of reflection of the past year and the apprehension of the coming one.

To be honest, I'm not sad to see this year go. The world is in a very weird place (politically/socially). Too many celebrities died (not that I think anyone should be put on a pedestal more than others). Goodbyes were made (some sad, others not-so-much).

But to balance the scales, a lot of great things have happened. I have reconnected with old friends. Made a few great new friends. The unicorn within me revealed itself for a few short months (it's currently in hibernation mode). Hiked a few great trails. Received a new tattoo to add to the collection. Knocked off Acadia National Park and Walden Pond from the bucket list. Moved to a new town. Saw my spirit animal. Got a pretty NICE ROCK from a pretty amazing man.

SO MMXVI. NOT TOO BAD.

If you've been reading this little blog of mine for awhile. I did a half year UPDATE on the INTENTIONS I set for 2016. For the most part, I think I did pretty well. I wasn't perfect by any means. I accomplished a lot on that list. But it was overwhelming. For this coming year, I'm going to only set a one word intention for 2017...

MINDFUL-

1. ATTENTIVE, AWARE, OR CAREFUL

2. NOTING OR RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TECHNIQUE OF MINDFULNESS

To make a one word intention for the year lets my 2017 manifest in the way it is intended to. The Type A human inside of screams at that notion, but the other part of me is excited for the relief in letting go. To observe, be present, and just be.

WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR

XXVII

November 15, 2016

So let's just say, Twenty Seven is off to a great start. I partied the night away at Dance Yourself Clean with the coolest crew around. Then, became a Time Lord when the clock struck 2 and got the second best birthday present by sleeping in. Now after a mini vacation to The Catskills, I am feeling a bit refreshed to take on the coming year.

How cute is this keytag by Three Potato Four?! I picked up this little babe after birthday brunch with my parents. I have been on the hunt for something to put my new apartment keys on and this was the perfect choice. Three Potato Four is currently at Art In The Age's Holiday Market, so deff make a point to stop in. They also have this other keytag with clever foodie quips. "Are you ready for this jelly?" C'mon, I love me some good food puns!

Before the busy holiday season and after the crazy election, Justin and I decided we should take a mini vacation. We headed up to The Catskills and stayed at The Graham & Co for some much needed R&R. Well it was a part getaway and also part research trip for our big ceremony with our friends and family next year. But hey, that's just me killing two birds with one stone. For our guests, stay tuned! I'll have a more detailed round up for you on our future website. For others, here is a little snapshot of our weekend.