Journey Forward {3}

Dear Chelsea,

This is, without a doubt, going to be the hardest year of your life. Your heart is going to break twice. The first time will be after you get married. You won't be able to prepare yourself for the pain after deciding to part ways. However, you’re going to learn and grow and transition into a better person because of it. He’ll come back into your life later down the road. Continue to keep an open mind. Continue to grow.

After leaving and moving home, hold on to those who let you fall into their arms. There are going to be a lot of bumps along the way of mending your broken heart. You're going to be lost for a while. Take the time to find yourself. Figure out what you believe; what you want; what you need. Most importantly, let all of this strengthen you. Remember that God has given you these trials to make you stronger and better and, as long as you work hard, you will see the positive changes in your life.

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Once your heart has finally started to heal and you have started to see the big changes and improvements taking place, your heart will be broken again. It will be a different kind of heart break this time. One you've never felt before. You can't prepare yourself for the death of your Mom. You won't have much warning. God is going to take her quickly. It's going to hurt worse than anything before. Find your strength in family, prayer, and in her spirit. While you plan her funeral, you will feel a power within you that you've never felt before. That is your true potential. Embrace that and remind yourself of it constantly because that is the woman you are meant to be. Surround yourself with people who bring that out of you and do away with the rest.

Looking back on that past year will be tough. It will be full of hardships and trials that you never imagined you'd be facing this early in life. But, look... you made it. Look back on the positive memories: The way it felt to drive across the country; away from heartbreak and toward a safe, loving home. Remember what it felt like to drive through West Virginia and feel that sticky, Summer humidity on your skin again. Remember those mother-daughter moments and all the time you shared running errands together in the Fall. Remember the way it felt to link arms with her and the way her keys jingled when you'd look for her in a store. Remember the good.

It's going to be okay. The hardest year is over. Continue to learn and grow and be inspired. The best is yet to come.

--

The prompt this week was to write a letter to yourself one year ago. Not only do I think it’s important to look back and reflect on how far we’ve come from where we used to be, but I think it’s important to remember the lessons life has taught us thus far and to continue to apply them today. However you chose to interpret this prompt, I’m excited to read your posts so, link up below :)

Next Week’s Prompt:

Set some goals for yourself – Goals that you want to achieve in 2012 that will bring you closer to your word. Be as specific as you’d like.

Share those goals with us next week. Keep them in mind each day and don’t lose sight of them.

Side and End Table Decor

Thank you for all the love and support on yesterday’s post/this difficult time of my life. I have been trying to get back into the swing of things as much as possible, but, I am realizing thing just never will be “normal” again. This blog’s tone may shift for a while. However, I do want to thank each and every one of you who have taken the time to send me a thought, email, an even a virtual hug :) I look forward to writing you all back.

Now, if you knew my mom, you’d know how wonderful of an interior decorator she was. In honor of her today for Pinteresting Wednesday, I will be sharing some of my favorite decor pins! More specifically - my mom was a genius at deciding what little vignettes to place on side and end tables :) So, I’ll be showing you some of those cute pins I found!

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Which of these could we find in your dream home?

If you haven’t already, find me on Pinterest here!

Her Final Breath

The most painful moment of my life happened one week ago. Accepting that my mom was going to die. Soon. In a matter of twenty-four hours, the prognosis went from her having a few months to live, to a couple weeks, then to a few days... and then only a matter of minutes. This came as a shock to my entire family. How could this happen?

Just days ago, my mom had been at home, sick, and having much difficultly breathing. She had been to multiple doctors over the past two months and, after having a number of tests and being put on medications and inhalers, the doctor told her to come back in three weeks. Now, she's no longer alive. She died of something that no doctor had found and told us about until a day and a half before she died from it. Let me clarify that this was not the cancer that she battled and survived from back in her 20's. This was a different cancer. An insanely aggressive cancer. A cancer with only a 15% survival rate.

I mean it when I say that this has changed my life. It's changed who I am. What I want out of life. Who I want in my life. It's changed what I believe about death.

Seeing my mother in the hospital was extremely difficult. It just didn't seem like her. She could hardly talk and I ended up getting maybe fifteen minutes of alone time with her the entire five days she was there. Nurses were in and out or she was too tired to talk/be talked to. All I could do was sit there and hold her hand. It got to the point where I just needed to be there at the hospital, even if I sat in the waiting room all day. I just needed to be there.

There are a few moments with her in the hospital that I will keep with me forever. They were short things she said or little ways she looked at me. Those were some of my last memories with her. Precious, precious memories.

No matter how selfish we wanted to be by keeping her with us as long as possible, my mom wanted nature to take its course with her. She was ready. When asked if she was peaceful, she nodded "yes." What a brave woman. To be able to stare death in the face and say, “I’ve done what I needed to do here. Take me when you’re ready, God.” I learned more about life during those five days than I have throughout all my years.

I watched the suffering my mom endured. I listened to her calmness. I watched every little move she made; the tapping of her toes to the raising of her eyebrows as she inhaled. I thought about what it meant to die.
To leave this Earth.
To leave behind the people you shaped and loved and held in their darkest moments.
To go onward to an eternal, new place.

I thought about the spiritual part of it and I thought about the physical part of it because I was experiencing each of those right before my own eyes. I knew my mom was days, minutes, and seconds away from no longer being there physically but instead becoming an angel.

On Tuesday night, after my mom’s best friends and one of her brothers flew into town to say their goodbyes, we all headed home for the night. I felt this deep pain that night as I walked out of the hospital. I just wanted to stay there. It was very difficult for me to leave. As soon as we arrived home, the hospital called saying my mom’s oxygen level had plummeted and we needed to get there as soon as possible.

My dad, two brothers, and I rushed back to the hospital. I’ll never forget the way my body felt as I drove. I was hyperventilating, my sight was blurred. I was living my biggest nightmare. I called my best friend and told her my mom might die that night. I couldn’t believe those words were coming out of my mouth.

As soon as we got there, I placed my mom’s hand in mine and tried so hard to find the words to tell her. What do you say to your mother as she dies? I have decades of moments I’ve yet to live that I wanted to share with her. Advice I knew I’d need and wanted her to give me the answers to. But, I couldn’t share any of those things. Instead, I told her how much I loved her, how wonderful of a mother she was to me, how I’d live a life in honor of her, and that I couldn’t wait to see her again one day. I asked her to watch over me and help me everyday.

For the next four hours, moving into the early hours of the next morning we sat by her side, holding her hands. We knew how it was going to end. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I didn’t want to miss a second. I wanted to be there for every last moment I could possibly share with her. As time passed, and her vital signs slowly started to weaken, her eyes closed for good and her grip was no longer there. In those final minutes, she lay on the hospital bed with her family around her and angels waiting patiently on the other side. My dad told her it was okay to go. Not long after, we watched and clung on to her as she took her last few breaths here on Earth. And she was gone.

Journey Forward {2}

After the last two posts and a week full of pain, please know that my heart just isn’t ready to write yet. However, I’ve made the commitment to this link-up and those of you participating so I will still be publishing this post to give you the opportunity to link up about your journeys. After today, I am unsure when I will return to this blog. When the time feels right, I will. Maybe in the next week or so. Your emails, texts, and tweets have touched my heart and family so deeply and the gratitude I have for each and every one of you can truly not be described. I love you all.

This week’s Journey Forward challenge was to create a Journey Forward pinboard on Pinterest and fill it with anything and everything that reminds you and inspires you to work toward your word. Then, feel free to share some of those pins with us. To continue being inspired and sharing the love, I’d love for everyone to visit some of the other pinboards mentioned in the posts linked below and follow along.

You can start following my Journey Forward pinboard here.

 

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Next Week’s Prompt:

Write a letter to yourself one year ago. I will leave it at that.

I have disabled comments for this post. Please take that time to visit the other links. Again, I love you all and will see you back here in the near future.

A Letter to Mom

Dear Mom,

You have always told me that I was a natural-born writer. How do I find the words this time?
How will I ever go on without you in my life? You’re the only one I’ve always known.
No word that I can ever say will be enough to show you how much I love you and how badly I want more time with you.
Oh, Mom…
Today when I saw you, I just wanted to hug you. I wanted to squeeze you so tight and never let you go.
I think of all the memories and things I want to tell you. All the time I didn’t spend with you but wish now that I had. I think of all those things and wish I could fit all of them into the time we have left with you here.
But, I know that’s not possible.
I know you have angels with you now and they’re preparing you for what is next.

I don’t know when that time will be, Mom. And that’s so scary because I know it’s sooner than I ever could have imagined.
There’s so much that I still need to learn from you. There are so many memories I’ve yet to share.

I knew our time here on Earth was precious, but I never knew how precious until now. Clinging on to every last second with you. Every last chance I can get to feel your hand in mine or rustle my fingers through your hair like you always loved for me to do. I know one of those times will be the last. And I’m just not ready, Mom.

I sat there today and watched your chest as it moved up and down, as you struggled to take those breaths. I watched your eyelids open and close and I looked down at your pretty pink toenails. I’ve been trying to soak up every moment with you, never taking one second for granted.

I’m sorry that you are going through this, Mom. We all wish we could jump into your body and fight this for you.

Mom, can’t we go back?
Can’t we go back to when I was little and you’d walk me along the beach as I picked up seashells?
Can’t we go back to all the nights you’d braid my hair into a million braids so it’d be wavy the next day?
Can’t we go back to all our mother-daughter dates? I’d treat you to that McDonald’s milkshake or we can share a Mr. Pibb with two straws when we go to see a movie.
Can’t we go back to all the days we’d drive around in The Lady, blasting music and dancing?
Can’t we go back to all times we’d get ready to go somewhere only to find out our clothing colors matched?
Can’t we just go back, Mommy?

I can’t bear the thought of being without you. Of knowing I can’t pick up the phone and hear your sweet voice on the other line. Or see another email from you pop up just checking in to see how I’m doing. Or just knowing I won’t be able to hug you whenever I feel like it or say “I love you” and hear it back.

You have shown me the true meaning of unconditional love. You’ve shown me what it means to be a family. You’ve shown me what it means to be a daughter, wife, and mother. You gave me the greatest gift of all – life. I promise to live a life in honor of you.

I’m just not ready to say goodbye, Mom. I love you.

--

We found out today that my mom has an incurable cancer. Our hearts were shattered even more after hearing that the cancer is so advanced that she may only be with us for a few more days before God takes her away. I can’t even explain the pain I feel having to put that last sentence into words. This all happened so quickly and, in the words of my brother, “it hit so fast and hard that it’s almost unbearable.” Every letter I type, I become more and more afraid of losing her; my beautiful, sweet Mom.

The One Ache I’ve Feared to Feel

In yesterday’s post, I started to address something that may have come as a shock to some of you. If you haven’t read it, please do so here, otherwise, today’s post won’t make as much sense.

I finished that post saying that I now know why those events happened in my life when and how they did. I trust God’s plan and timing.

Since the start of this year, my mom has been sick and has progressively gotten worse. On Wednesday night, my dad and mom made the decision to take her into the emergency room to have her checked out and eventually the doctors there decided it was best for her to be transported to the hospital.

In less than 24 hours she would be rushed to the ICU.

The hours seemed to quickly whir by as tests uncovered additional complications with my mom’s health.

On Friday, I left work early, picked up my brother and we went to the hospital where my dad and other brother awaited. That day, my mom had a biopsy on a mass the doctors had found. I saw my mom soon after for the first time since she left the house on Wednesday. Seeing her in that state was unbearable, to say the least. I smiled and told her that her blue eyes were still as beautiful as ever and told her how strong she was.

Saturday was also spent at the hospital. I could see the frustration in my mom’s eyes as she rustled in the hospital bed, dealt with the pains and stresses of her illness, and was poked and prodded for treatments.

My mom will always be the strongest person I know.

She is a 45-year survivor of Hodgkin’s Disease (cancer of the lymphatic system).

Today we will find out whether cancer has found its sick, sad way back into her body.

I’m praying harder than I ever had for the 5% chance that she doesn’t have it.

As I spoke to my mom and cried with her yesterday, we talked about this past year of my life. I apologized to her for the turmoil and thanked her for always being there for me, no matter the hour. She told me to “just let go of it.”

So I have. And, in those moments, I knew God has been working this whole time. I knew He had the events take place in my life when they did (no matter how hard it was to piece together back then) because He needed me to be home for good with my mom in these moments. If it weren’t for what happened, I’d still be in Utah wrapped up in an unhealthy relationship moving farther and farther away from my truest potential. I know the dreams my mom has for me and I want to make her proud. I know that God has put me back on the path to do those things. Above all else, I’m able to be here with my mom.

I know this path isn’t going to be easy, especially now. The thought of my mom over in that hospital bed, hooked up to machines breaks my heart worse than any man ever has. This is the one ache I’ve feared to feel my entire life.

I love you, Mom. I’m sending every prayer in my soul your way. I’m praying for a miracle.

On Divorce

This weekend made me think. Really, really think. About life. About our time here on Earth. About what we were put here to accomplish and learn.
I mentioned on Friday how I know every trial given to us is a lesson. I believe that unanswered prayers can be lessons in disguise.
If you've been following my blog for the past six months or so, you probably know that I went through a divorce over the Summer and moved back to my hometown. I haven't mentioned it much on here because it's obviously very personal and I understand that there are people who read my blog who know him as well. All I'll say for now is that the process after filing for divorce was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions between being angry, heartbroken, unsure, etc.
Being the one to file for divorce doesn't make the situation and heartbreak any better. You're faced with people thinking you "just gave up." The shock wears off and each morning you wake up in your bed you look over at the empty space and think, "I can't believe that had to happen." It ages you.

That break in my heart continued to ache so deeply. About two months ago, I found out his heart had been feeling the same way and we decided to re-learn each other and re-investigate a future together. We had many in-depth talks, saw each other, and continued to see where our path was headed. It didn't work out. I will leave all other details out.
Through that rollercoaster of emotions, I knew I had two options: to let the divorce destroy me or, to let it strengthen me. I chose the latter. Again, that didn't make it any easier. I prayed about it. Prayed for answers and guidance to know where my life was meant to go. Here I am now, two months later after re-considering things. I’m letting the past be the past. You cannot change God’s plan. The truth is, when God led me home this Summer after ending the marriage, He had reasons why.
One Sunday a couple weeks ago, I was in church listening to a girl my age talk and she said something along the lines of, "Bad things happen in life and we ask God, 'why would you let this happen to me?'" For so long I couldn't understand why God would have let me marry someone knowing the deterioration that would soon lead to an end of the marriage. Now I know why.
Tomorrow’s post will explain.

A List of Lessons

I just want to give a huge “thank you” and a big virtual hug to those of you who linked up yesterday for Journey Forward! I was inspired reading each of your posts with the word(s) you have chosen and I’m even more excited now for the weeks to come. I have a really good feeling about this year :) If you haven’t linked up your post yet, you have until Wednesday night to do so!

I was planning on doing something else for a post today, but life can change on us rather quickly, yes? I decided to change the tone a bit. I found out about The Friday List over on Company of Clever and thought I'd share a list with you today.

What this week has taught me:

+ one Listen to your body. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't right. And, if it hasn't felt right for a while, it definitely isn't right. See a doctor.

+ two Ben {The Bachelor} is just not my type of guy. I'm glad Emily wasn't ridiculously upset when she didn't get a rose because it's Ben's loss. I think she was able to judge his true character by his decision to get rid of her and keep Courtney.

+ three Character is not something that changes in a person. Bad habits, traits, mannerisms, yes. Character, no. And, it might take a while to see someone's true character, but once you do, examine it and see how it fits with your character and your life

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+ four I need to start buying Sensitive Solutions earrings again. Yep, like the old school Claire's/Icing sensitive solutions earrings. Okay, so I won't actually be doing that because, let's be honest - I wear big earrings, not little studs. However, I do need to figure something out because most of my earrings have really been irritating my ears as of late :(

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+ five The Chocolate Dipped Coconut Luna Bar is probably one of the greatest things I've ever eaten. I honestly didn't think I'd find anything I'd love as much as the Coconut Cream Pie Larabar but, I did! It is SO yum! AND it's good for you.

+ six I don't think I will ever be able to buy a new car. First, why would I buy something that's going to depreciate in value immensely as soon as I drive it off the lot? Second, I see the way people drive, park, and carelessly bang their car doors into yours. Not to mention the pot holes here make driving feel like you're off-roading. Used cars for this girl.

+ seven Every day is a gift. I mentioned on Twitter earlier this week that on Monday, on my way into work, I passed a very bad accident that had happened mere moments before. At first I saw a tractor trailer in the median. Then, I saw a van smashed into a tree and finally, as I passed, I saw a Scion also in the median that had been demolished. For some reason, seeing an accident before the emergency crews even get there makes it that more real to me. You can see the panic of the people rushing to help and you can feel the eerie stillness in the air as everyone tries to figure out what to do.

+ eight As semi-ridiculous as this may sound, I get SO much of my inspiration from Pinterest. Pinspiration?

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+ nine Family is everything.

+ ten The trials we go through help put everything into perspective. Not only are they given to us to strengthen us and put us through the experiences we need to grow and become more whole, but they show us where our priorities ought to be and what truly matters at the end of the day.

"The ultimate reason for having trials and afflictions is to entice you to become the person it takes to overcome them." - Cheryl States

My family has been hit with a trial and much of this weekend will be spent praying, hoping, and waiting. If you have an extra prayer or two, please say some for my sweet Mom...

Journey Forward {1}

First of all, I'm so BEYOND excited to start this journey! I'm thrilled not only to document my own progress and be able to look back on it later, but to read about your journeys as well!

This is the first week of Journey Forward – a link up I have created to get us writing, thinking, and making the change toward a goal we have chosen for this year. After reading about My One Word, I decided to make the commitment for 2012 to focus my energy toward one word. Each week I’m coming up with a new question, challenge, or exercise to get us thinking and writing about our word/goal!

 As I’ve said before, my word this year is “become.” Each day, "become" grows more and more important to me.
The first challenge for Journey Forward was to define our word through the dictionary and through our own words.

 

According to Merriam-Webster, “become” means:

To come into existence
To undergo change or development

I think both of those definitions perfectly explain what it means to become. "Become" is really a pretty simple word with a simple meaning when you think about it.
To me, "become" means to transition; transform; develop into something greater than before. I think of the caterpillar during its transformation into the beautiful butterfly.
I think "become" is a process that takes time. The amount of time can depend on the situation, however, truly becoming is not something that can be done overnight or at the snap of a finger.
”Become” is the process of truly being.

--

Challenge for next week:

Create a Journey Forward pinboard on Pinterest. On this pinboard, pin anything that reminds you, inspires you, or motivates you to keep moving toward your word. It can be pictures that make you happy, quotes that keep you going, anything related to your journey forward!
In your post next week, share the link to your pinboard so that we can all follow each other's boards and spread the love on Pinterest. Then, share a few of your pins! {Just not ALL of them - I have some future challenges we'll need to save those for!}

If you need an invite to Pinterest, just leave a comment below and give me your email address :)

I’ll be keeping this link-up open until next Wednesday night. Now, let the linking up begin!

The First Time I Ever Fell in Love

I figured since today is Valentine's Day and all, I should share something from the heart with you. I don't often tell this story, but, today I've decided I'll tell you about the first time I ever fell in love and with whom. It's really quite personal.

You see, his name is Ryan.

I fell for him at a young age. I was seven, he was thirteen. So, I guess you could say it started off as puppy love.

He was funny, cute, AND he knew how to sing, dance, and act. What a steal!

Don’t believe me? Check this out:

My feelings quickly started to develop and as we grew older, our love grew stronger. We were so happy we could just dance...

We each went on to accomplish our own things. I found a guy and he found a girl and we thought perhaps our lives weren't meant to be spent together. Oh, were we wrong. That love that had been formed at a young age was still there.

Despite the distance, we still have found ways to communicate.

Perhaps the first time we ever fall in love, we never really fall out. That's how it's happened for me at least ;)

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!!

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One Year Ago | Bell and Whiskers

My life was changed by someone. She was small and scared and curled up in the back of her cage. Her neon green eyes stared at me sadly. I remember the first time I held her in my arms. She just collapsed into a ragdoll shape and molded herself into the crease of my elbow.

My then-husband and I took her into the "get acquainted" room where she was more concerned with finding a good place on us to snuggle up than she was with playing. She'd walk back and forth between our two laps, getting nice and cozy.

I texted my dad a picture of her. His response: "Just looking, right?"

At the time, we were just looking. The Humane Society has always been a place that I've frequented to visit with the animals, looking forward to the day when I could adopt. I had no idea that, upon setting foot inside the Humane Society that day, I would find my forever friend.

Her name was “Bella.” She was a one year and nine month old short-haired tortoiseshell cat.

She filled my heart with joy that day.

"Well, let's go fill out the paperwork" he said.

"What?! Really?" was my response.

I guess I had always kind of blocked the whole ‘actual adopting’ idea out of my head. I had figured I'd be visiting these homeless animals for years before I'd be able to adopt one of my own. I was wrong. The more we sat there and spent time with "Bella," the more she fit right into our hearts.

He went and got the paperwork, we filled it out, took the card out from the outside of "Bella's" cage, they gave us a box, we paid a small fee, and she was ours. Bella had a new family. Someone who'd never give her away.

Bella soon became Stella. It fit her perfectly.

For the next few days, Stella was quiet, scared, and didn't do much - including eating, drinking, or using the litter box. Finally, she warmed up to us and the rest is history!

During the rough months of my life, I truly felt the bond between Stella and I grow. It may sound crazy for those of you who don't have a pet, but I couldn’t imagine my life without her. She’s been my little shadow; my Toto running after me everywhere I go. Waking up every morning to her all snuggled up beside me with those sweet, green eyes just makes my day.

The reason I’m writing this today is because yesterday marked one year since I adopted Stella. She has been such a joyful addition to my life and I’m excited for many more years with her :)

For all the times she’s reached over to my hand, woken me up in the middle of night by coughing in my face {yes, this really happened}, for all the boxes and presents she’s so willingly helped me unwrap {because she can’t wait to sit on the tissue paper}, and for all the times she’s just been there by my side, I love her with all my heart :)

A Little Bit of Edge

Clothes have been on my mind lately. I plan on doing a bit of shopping these next few weekends so I’ve been brainstorming outfits and ensembles that I could wear to work/everyday. New church clothes need to be purchased as well but, perhaps that’s a different post for a different day. So, today I put together an outfit that’s “me” and I’m linking up with {av} for Friday’s Fancies!

Some days I like a little bit of “edge” in my outfits, without being over-the-top-total-biker-chick. Because, well… that’s NOT me.

 

I have a love for bomber/moto jackets {faux leather} similar to the one I’ve used in the outfit above. I adore that burnt orange color!
I paired it with some destroyed denim jeans and mustard, leopard print heels to add some additional “pop” and “spunk.” I like my spunk!
To continue with the edgy theme, I chose some garnished, dirty gold jewelry with a lot of fun texture.
I added the deep brown clutch as a finishing touch!

 

As some of you may know, I’m an accessory girl. I often plan my outfit around which necklace or bracelets I want to wear. I definitely believe in accessorizing and you’ll hardly ever find me “keeping it simple.” :) Big jewelry is the way I like to go! You might also be noticing my color schemes that I often like to wear! I’m pretty picky.

This is an outfit I’d see myself getting a lot of wear out of. Everything can be mixed and matched and worn with difference pieces which is always good.

 

So, who knows… maybe I’ll find similar heels this weekend? Who wants to bet I end up buying jewelry? Just sayin’… :) Have an amazing weekend, friends!!

 

First Link-Up Prompt

It's Thursday which means, today I get to announce the first prompt for my new link-up! Also, I'm sure you're wondering what the official name is. Ladies {and gentlemen}, introducing...

Journey Forward

I found this name to be rather fitting since this link-up will help document our journey moving forward and toward our goal {and our one word.} I think the word "journey" can be used either as a noun OR a verb, and I love that :)

I hope the name reminds you that this will be a journey. Not every day will be perfect. However, and what's most important, is that we learn from this journey and continue to prosper! I'm hoping for this link-up to develop a community full of other people who are each on their own journey, allowing us to encourage one another and cheer each other on throughout the year!

So, without further ado, here's the first prompt:

Define your word. Start with the foundation. Tell us how the dictionary defines your one word and then tell us how YOU define it. What does that word MEAN to YOU?

I think by really dissecting our word from the beginning, we'll be able to find even more meaning in it! If you don't have one word for the whole year, pick one word that you'd like to work toward this week!

So, friends, start brainstorming and writing and then come back here next Thursday to share your link and meet some new "journeyers" :) Feel free to take the button below and either put it in your blog post or on your sidebar - share the love and get more people journeying along with us! :)

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I don't know about you, but I'm really excited to start being inspired by everyone's posts!!

Let me know what you think!

Bringing Back the Pins

I’m bringing back an oldie! I figured I’d switch things up a little and link up for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday again! Let’s be honest – I loooove Pinterest and have found many amazing pins lately so, I just have to share :) Let’s get started!

I love this beautiful chartreuse color with the big, chunky gold necklace and gold studs on the handbag! I can totally see this outfit in my wardrobe!

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I’m sure many of you have seen the cute wallpaper tricks to really add that extra pop to drawers and cabinets!

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Once I have a special, little place to put all my perfumes, I will definitely be searching the antique stores for a pretty tray like the one below!

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There are never too many ways to tie a scarf!

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Not only do I love the headboard, but I love the bright color scheme in this bedroom. I think it would have been cute for the teenage years, yes?

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Animal print with some jewels. So me :)

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I love this quote. Be humble. It’s as simple as that.

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I can’t say I’d necessarily see this room in my future house, BUT, there’s something fun about the odd choice of bold colors. Very different!

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I’m sure you’ve heard that “real men wear pink” - {can’t say that I agree} BUT, I have a better idea…

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Mmmm, I love jewels :)

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Those are just a few of the thousands that I have pinned :) If you like them, you should come follow my boards here. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed ;)

Don’t forget – tomorrow I’ll be announcing the first challenge/prompt {and the official name} for my first-ever link-up!! Read about it here :) Wahoo!

A New Kind of Link-up

I've been brainstorming for some time now about link-ups and when to start one of my own. I wanted it to be something I loved, was passionate about, and something that really encompasses what this blog is about. After reading about My One Word {you can read my posts about it here and here} and making the commitment to my one word, I've decided I want to do a link-up regarding this theme of personal growth.

As many of you may know, the word I chose to focus on this year is "become." I've decided that every week I will dedicate one post to this.

Now, here's where you come in. Each week, as I post about my journey in "becoming," I will post a question or challenge for YOU! Whether you came up with your own word this year or just want to use the link-up as a journaling session, all are welcome to participate! The idea is to get us all brainstorming, writing, sharing, learning, and growing. I've always found writing to be the easiest way for me to really get in touch with myself. Sometimes that means writing about difficult things and sometimes it means writing about things that make me really happy! You'll probably be seeing a little of both.

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I've learned the hard way in life that there are certain people who want to change and certain people who don't. I, personally, believe that we should be ever-changing - constantly seeking growth and a higher potential. Otherwise, what's really the point of our existence? Unfortunately, some people say they want to change and grow but then do nothing to make those changes happen.

Let's not be like those people. Let's make the commitment and promise to ourselves to work hard toward our One Word. Every day.

As always, I'd love to hear from you regarding your One Word! Feel free to email me here or leave a comment below! Share the love and support :)

So, on Thursday, be sure to head back over here to receive your first prompt and then link-up with me every Thursday!

Old Hollywood Dreamboats

It's the start of a new week! I hope everyone had a fun and safe Super Bowl weekend! Mine was great until, um, my car went missing. My life should be a movie. Long story short - I have my car back safe and sound now.

So, speaking of movies, I've always loved a good classic film. You know, one of those old, dreamy, black & white films you can find playing on Turner Classic Movies. As I've mentioned before, I've always loved Marilyn Monroe and have been intrigued by the glamour of Old Hollywood. However, I also started to develop a true appreciation for those Old Hollywood films when I started to study them in depth in college.

In one of the film classes I took, we started off the year by screening Citizen Kane {said to be THE greatest American film of all time!} After that, we started to study the films of Alfred Hitchcock. I could go on and on about his work because some of his movies are my favorite films {Vertigo, North by Northwest, The Rear Window, The Birds, etc.} but all I'll say is that he was a genius.

Anyway, as I studied those films and others, I also studied the talent being placed in the roles. I studied their acting styles and demeanor. As many people do, I really respected so many of those actors and actresses for the bar they set for onscreen acting today. And, as many people did back then, I started to develop little, old-timey, celebrity crushes on some of those oh-so-handsome Hollywood men.

So, today I figured we'd talk about some of those dreamboats :) Here are a few of my favorites:
Let's start out with one of my favorite actors.

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Cary Grant
If you haven't seen him in a movie, you should {North by Northwest is a good one.} And pay attention to the way he walks. He's so smooth...

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Jimmy Stewart

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James Dean, but of course.

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Henry Fonda.

Last but not least, and the inspiration for this post:

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Robert Redford and Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Another GREAT film, and with these two studly guys, why would you NOT watch it? Seriously, total dreamboats.

Here is Paul Newman again in case you don't believe me:

Mmmhmmm. Told ya.

I was watching Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid the other day and had to ask my mom if Robert and Paul were the "dreamboats" of her time. "Oh, yeah" was her response. There have been times when she and I have gone through pictures of the Old Hollywood actors and she'll say, "Oh, everyone loved him" and "She was the bad girl back then" haha, it's pretty cute :)

Another fun thing - finding out what Hollywood starlets you resemble! Perhaps that should be a future post?

So, now I'm curious to know - who are your Old Hollywood Dreamboats?

P.S. Check back here tomorrow for a special announcement!!