[oh, college]

Life is crazy right now. And when I say crazy, I mean crazy busy. Not only is it my final semester of college, but I am also taking 17 credit hours and working almost 20 hours a week at McConn. And I am not just taking 17 normal-college-whatever-class credit hours, I am taking my senior capstone AND my senior project, which are both extremely time consuming and ultimately lead to stress, self-doubt, and anxiety.

The most difficult part about this semester is time. I never have time to sit and share a meal with someone. I don't get home until 10:00pm. I barely have a social life. There isn't a minute in my day that isn't scheduled.

Like I said, life is crazy right now.

Yes, it's crazy, but I also have to remember that it is worth it. I have reached the point where I am tempted to slack off and give up on this school stuff. I want to spend all of my time with the people who I will soon be separated from when we all graduate. The emotional sentimentalism has set in, and it's only going to get worse. My conversations with friends lately never fail to end in reminiscing about these past four years of college. Everyone is feeling it. We are close to the end and we don't want to forget these moments of life together.

And then we realize it midway through our storytelling. We are hit with the reality that we will never again experience anything like college. It really is a once in a lifetime thing.

So I am challenged with making every interaction, conversation, and hour count. I don't want to take it for granted. Someday, I will look back on my college years and laugh at how beautifully odd it all was. I will ask myself, "How can it be that we lived in a world where our classes, jobs, meals, entertainment, and friendships all took place on one little campus?" We worship together, learn together, grow up together, and live together. It's pretty cool actually.

Today, tomorrow, and everyday until April 28, I will do my best to intentionally make memories that will keep my heart full forever. Oh gosh, I am beyond excited for these final two months :)

To sum it up in photos... 

[For The Love of Leather]

Jordan and I watched this and found ourselves wanting new leather wallets, passport carriers, and trendy backpacks. These guys have skill, and their creative process is fascinating (plus they have a really cool office).

I hope this gives you a boost of inspiration to last you the rest of your week.

Cheers to: simplicity, the handmade, and good design. 

Makr Carry Goods by Jason Gregory 

[3 years Together]

I became this guys girl on February 8th of 2009. 

(yep, that is facebook official)

Met freshman year in speech class.

Dated during winter.

Fell in love.

Dreamed about the future.

Learned each others quirks.

Grew up together. 

Fought and forgave.

Went on adventures. 

Got married. 

Us in a nutshell. 

From freshman year to senior year, and we are more in love than ever.

5 Things Men and Women Do Differently

Mr. Shepherd here again! After being married for over 7 months and watching other couples for the past years, something has become very clear. Men and Women do things very very differently...

5 Things Men & Women Do Differently

1. Clean

            Men: Make sure everything is off the floor

            Women: Ask men to clean something and then follow behind them examining

2. Go to bed

            Men: Fall asleep in 2 minutes

            Women: Wait till men are asleep and then wake them up to “just talk”

3. Look in the mirror

            Men: just make sure they have on clothes

            Women: adjust the same piece of hair 30 times and then walk away frustrated

4. Shop

            Men: “What’s next on the list?”

            Women: “Oh my Gosh! They have a whole section of French Cheeses! We have to get some!”

5. Greet their friends

                                                        Guy 1: “What’s going on man?"

                                                        Guy 2: “Hey Man”

                                                                    (End of Greeting)

           

                                                        Girl 1 & 2: “AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!”

                                                                    (Hugging and Jumping)

                                                        Girl 1: “I love what you’ve done with your hair!”

                                                        Girl 2: “Thank yyoouuu…I just miss you so much!”

                                                        Girl 1 & 2: “KINDRED SPIRITS!!!”

           

I have only scratched the surface…

[Red Lips Equals]

When I came home from the gym today I realized that I had a few hours to spare with the house to myself. I thought for a few moments, evaluated my options, and decided that I was going to have a pampering session. I had way too much fun playing with makeup to say the least... particularly with lip color. 

'Revlon Really Red' lipstick is my new best friend. When I see a woman wearing bold red lips, I think of these things:

1. Boldness

2. Confidence

3. Sensuality

4. Fearlessness 

5. Glamor  

Red Red Red = female power

;) 

[Five Favorite Fashion Trends]

   

1. Color blocking

Hottest colors being tangerine, fuschia, and purple. More about color blocking here 

2. Feminine pastels

Soft pinks and teals - paired with lace and nude colored pieces 

3. Denim

Vests, jackets, and even denim on denim has become popular lately. And guess what? Kate Bosworth is launching a new denim collection. 

4. Peplum

High waisted peplum skirts are extremely flattering. I found one at Pull and Bear in Ireland, and it's my absolute favorite piece of clothing. More about peplum here

5. Bright colored skinny pants

J Crew has a quality new selection of unique colors to choose from. Best worn with heels in my opinion. 

[The Kennedys]

Jordan and I started our new show, The Kennedy's last night. After only two episodes we are already hooked. I'm learning new things about the Kennedy family while being inspired by Jackie (played by Katie Holmes) and her 1960's style. 

Jackie colors: pink, yellow, red, ivory

Jackie's icon: Audrey Hepburn

Jackie's designer of choice: Hubert de Givenchy

Jackie staples: 

pillbox hat

pearls

white gloves

sleeveless dresses

high waisted trousers 

"Often sketching designs for her clothing as First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy fashion immediately drew international attention; more than any other First Ladies her style was copied by commercial manufacturers and a large segment of young women." 

{SOMM}

This new documentary looks fascinating. It's about four sommeliers who live and breathe wine, and they are attempting to pass the Master Sommelier Exam. Watch this trailer to see what I mean...

"A sommelier, or wine steward, is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, commonly working in fine restaurants, who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food matching. The role is more specialized and informed than that of a wine waiter."

{Oscar Nominations}

This is the year for The 84th Academy Awards! 

       

The official nominations came in today, and there are only 33 days left until the awards show, which will air Sunday night on February 26th. I can't wait to see which film wins Best Picture, I can honestly say that I have no idea what will happen this year.  

Here are some of the main noms:

Best Picture:

Hugo

The Artist

The Descendants 

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

The Help 

Midnight in Paris

Moneyball

The Tree of Life 

War Horse 

Actor In a Leading Role:

Demian Bichir - A Better Life

George Clooney - The Descendants 

Jean Dujardin - The Artist

Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Brad Pitt - Moneyball 

Actress In a Leading Role:

Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs 

Viola Davis - The Help 

Rooney Mara - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo 

Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady 

Michelle Williams - My Week With Marilyn 

Best Original Score:

John Williams - The Adventures of Tintin

Ludovic Bource - The Artist

Howard Shore - Hugo 

Alberto Iglesias - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 

John Williams - War Horse 

To see the full list, go Here

so what do you think? which film will win best picture? I'm taking a wild guess and saying The Artist (which I haven't seen yet), but it's a silent film/musical and it looks absolutely amazing. Plus it won the Golden Globe award for Best Picture along with the Descendants. 

I am making it my goal to watch all of the main nominated films before the awards show. Wish me luck!  

Cam & Beth

Two of our best friends got engaged this weekend. 

Cameron Kinch took Bethany Ezawa to the church where he asked her to be his girlfriend a year ago. He proposed with his grandmothers ring, then brought her back to his parents house where friends and family were waiting to celebrate. 

Watching her face when she walked in the door was one of my favorite moments. I could relate, because the same thing happened to me a year ago. This day could be described as an overwhelming dream-like rush of happiness and gratitude. It is one of the best and memorable events in a girls life, and it was obvious that Beth soaked up every second of it. 

{i like gray}

gray and white. simple, calming, minimalist, and modern. these things are nice, I enjoy them. 

               

Toast Strype PJ's

Sheepskin Bench from a cute Seattle apartment 

painted wall and cool hanging lightbulb 

DIY Flatware that sparkles 

{7 ways to find solitude}

Lately I have been challenged to live a more simple life. After discussing this topic with our friends Cameron and Beth, and reading the New York Times article "The Joy of Quiet," I understood more about the ways technology and media can suffocate us and take away from true freedom and healthy communication. I am guilty of this attachment to technology, and I want to run from it.

I know that solitude is important, yet I keep filling my time to the point of stress. I am constantly busy and ignoring my need for quiet and stillness, even at the most crucial moments of chaos and overstimulation. Christmas break has reminded me to be more intentional with my time and to consistently practice the spiritual disciplines.

Source: jetheart.tumblr.com via Barbara

If you are anything like me, you might benefit from my list of  7 things to help find solitude in life:

1. check online communication only once or twice a day: don't let yourself be attached to your computer, TV, or phone. If you are with another human being, give them your full attention. Instead of checking Facebook or watching mindless TV when you're bored, do something that will rejuvenate you.

2. read before bed: Jordan and I read every night before bed. It is one of my favorite parts of the day. This habit slows you down and prepares you for a nights rest, and it gives you time in stillness that you probably desperately need. Plus, reading for pleasure is good for you. If you're a student, you will especially cherish this time with a book of your own choice :)

3. spend your first hour of the morning in solitude: wake up, make your breakfast, brew your coffee, and sit. Do whatever suits your needs and personality. Spend time with the Lord, read your Bible or devotional, write in your journal, or just sit and think. Start your day right.

4. cook or bake something new: time in the kitchen can be therapeutic. find a new and interesting recipe and make it. take your time, turn on some classical music, and tie your apron. Make a mess and don't apologize. This is a time for you to prepare something from scratch with your own hands.

5. exercise outside: exercising at the gym is good, but exercising in nature is even better. sometimes you just need to be outside and breathing in fresh air. Go on a walk, jog, (or hike if possible), and soak up all that is around you.

6. sit in silence: this one is simple. Just sit and let your mind flow. This might be challenging, but it's worth it after you experience it a few times. We need to sit in absolute stillness in order to really hear ourselves think. This is the best way to hear God and to understand yourself in a very vulnerable way.

7. do a weekly review: when the week is done, sit down and review everything that happened. Process it in your own way. Journal, talk about it with someone, or make lists. Review your goals and assess where and how your time was spent. This will allow you to be more intentional with your time.

If you want to really see what solitude looks like, watch this video. A simple task has never been so beautiful.

The Art of Making Bread

the art of making bread from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.