Beauty of Barrenness

I was cleaning up the kitchen yesterday & for some odd reason I felt inspired to start creating. I instantly remembered that a dear friend of mine had sent me inspiration pictures for a cute vintage button necklace. This was 2 years ago that she had reached out to me. It was during a time where I was very enthusiastic about the thought of opening up my very own Etsy shop selling handmade items. In between the past 2 years, I just didn't quite feel like it was the right timing yet. Nor did I feel like it was something that God was calling me towards.  I still enjoy creating things & getting my hands into DIY projects. I just didn't quite feel like selling lil handmade accessories was all that God had planned out for me. This doesn't mean that I don't absolutely love the process behind making & creating beautiful & productive things. Below is the inspiration picture that my friend sent me & you'll see that what I made is not a replica of the o...

Alright! We've looked at many way to start a Fashion Revolution. Now, there is really no need to wait until you have a bigger following in social media or be of great influence. If one thing you do is share to just one other person about this movement, you have already brought awareness to your own corner of the world. You see? It doesn't take much right? And I'm not asking for much either. You can either read my posts & ignore them afterwards, but you'll no longer be the same. Why? Because you now have knowledge of what is really going on in the world.  Today, lets look into how we can tweak our ways of purchasing & using clothes. Some ways of shopping ethically is to always be curious. Always wonder how your clothes are made, where they're made, & what exactly are you supporting? When you shop with awareness, you are shopping intentionally. Slowly but surely, lives will be freed when the need for more production & distribution slows down.  Thri...

Continuing on with the topic of creativity, I finally took some time to re-do a little side table that I had sitting around. Its completely outdated & was in need of an update. My sister in law gave this table to me about 6 years ago. It's been used as many things, but for the last year or so, it's just been sadly sitting in my bedroom with no functionality whatsoever.  I was watching thesorrygirls from Youtube & was inspired to change this plain table into something more eye catching & functional to my space. They created a DIY on turning just about any plain surface into "faux marble." Real marble is just too costly & I just can't afford it. So why not? Plus, if all else fails, I can always just sand it down & repaint it a solid color.  Here are some of the items I used. I didn't have to go out to buy anything since I already had these materials on hand.  This is the before. It was cute, but bland.    ...

Most of the time we see artists, musicians, & designers as creatives. Maybe its because their creativity comes in artistic forms. Being creative has nothing to do with art. It has everything to do with your imagination & the ideas that are given to you. Engineers are creative. So are fitness trainers, scientists, and even history teachers. Bottom line is, EVERYONE is creative.  We all have thoughts. We have our own imaginations and ideas. Therefore, we are creative. Not just that, but our Maker. The Creator of the heavens & the Earth. The One who knew us & created us before we were even in our mother's womb, He designed us each unique & special in our own ways. Yet He also created us in His image as well. This means that we also inherited the gift of creativity. Creativity was hardwired into our DNA's before birth by God himself. When you take a step back to enjoy the beauty of the world around you does it not inspire you? Move you? If God made the plant...

In a nutshell, I am the worlds most indecisive person ever.  Senior year of high school, I remember one occurring  question.  "What are your plans after graduation?"   Honestly, I didn't know and I most certainly did not want to just apply for a community college with no passion & then drop out at some point where I've lost my will power to drag myself into the unknown. I've seen it happen plenty of times. So I thought I'd take a year to just work & figure out who or what I wanted to be.  A year came by so quickly. Then 4 years, then 5, and now I've been out of school for over 8 years. When did I lose myself?  Its strange. For a season I was inspired to go into beauty school & become a cosmetologist. I enjoyed the thought of pampering others. After that I fell in love with children. I committed to working in a day care center, a nanny, family assistant, and a local non profit shelter for women & children over the course of 7 yea...

In light of the new year & a fresh new canvas, we can't hold onto the things that we failed in 2015. Say good bye to the things that we didn't do or the things that we did do but regret. As I was contemplating on what to share this morning, I remembered a song that I had stumbled upon on Youtube a few days ago. It's a great anthem for those who forget that whats in the past can no longer be brought into the future. We can only take tomorrow as it comes. So lets take it one day at a time. As best as we can. Lets make this year "the best one yet." And because, I want to do more of what sparks joy in my life, I'm sharing my cover of this song. The original singer/songwriter is a beautiful gal named JJ Heller. Enjoy! Whats something you're holding onto from last year that you should let go of? What are some new things that you want to fight for this year? Some more time for yourself? Creating more memories with your family? Making new friends? I wa...

January 1st. The first day of the year, Roger (my awesome husband) & I went out for coffee for the first time and made that our "2016 planning date". We've never really been that intentional about making plans together. We have casually pointed out a few resolutions we had & maybe even scribbled it onto a restaurant napkin or post-it note, but that's about it.  We've been married for 10 years going on 11 next month!!!!!  10  YEARS?!?!? Time surely does fly, but it's slow in the midst of it. 10 years is equivalent to a decade. I've dedicated & committed 10 years to him & him to me. The thing is though, that between all those years, we've never actually made it a priority for us to be intentional. With each other, with our family, or our friends. But, we've recently just really felt a movement of people moving in a more purposeful way of living. Enough with the impossible resolutions. Its more about making realistic goals. Settin...

What causes you to be moved? What breathes life back into your lungs? What motivates you? What inspires your very being? I've learned that life is precious. While I could sit in shame & self pity, I realize I have the choice. The choice to change my perspective & find contentment in the beautiful things that surround me or lock myself up in prison. A prison of depression, failure, & doubt. Inspiration comes to me in so many various ways. God himself was the original creator of all things. Therefore, we as His children share that gift. Our inspiration comes in different forms, shapes, and sizes. I hear inspiration through words of life & truth and even in beautiful melodies. I'm inspired by the ever-changing leaves & skies. I'm inspired by communities of love & support. Art & creativity moves me & compels me to get my mind into a place where I can express myself. Nothing beats sharing inspiration though. I love being inspired, but wh...