Your New Favorite Blog: Leaving Perfection Learning Grace.

Martha Kate, Leaving Perfection Learning Grace.

Hopeful.

Gone With The Wind.

I have learned what it means to be a wife. I got married nearly eight months ago and it has been the best journey ever and has taught me more about how to live life gracefully than I ever thought possible.

Grace is bigger and more joy filled than perfection.

Why I Won't Call You Skinny.

Martha Kate has a wonderful story, and she shares it so authentically on her blog. She is so transparent about the journey she is on, and I know her blog is going to help so many people. 

Comments have been turned off so you can say hello to Martha Kate! You can find her on Facebook, instagram, twitter, and pinterest.

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Your New Favorite Blog: Kati Rose @ Constantly Seeking Wonder.

Kati Rose @ Constantly Seeking Wonder.

Wonder

The movie I vicariously live through I love it so much is Almost Famous. It’s all happening. I even wrote a post about what this movie taught me about life, love, and pursuing your passions. 

I have learned to fully enjoy every little thing you do and you’ll live a much happier existence.

Dreams don’t work unless you do.

Why I Don’t Believe in Guilty Pleasures 

Whenever I find a new blog, I'm always interested in their "about me" section. Here's a sneak peek at Kati's: "Music, travel, fashion, pop culture, art, entertainment, photography…The list goes on. All these so-called “finer things” in life are what drive me. I woke up one day and decided I wanted to live every single day surrounded by all of them. I started seeking out wonder in every possible opportunity.

Doesn't that make you want to go read her blog? Of course it does. 

Comments have been turned off so you can go say hi to Kati. You can find her on Facebook, bloglovin', instagram, and twitter. Trust me, you're going to love her. 

just write: pretty lies.

the lies sounded oh so pretty
from your lips into my ears,
you draped them on me like precious jewels,
which I polished with my tears.
you gave me diamonds, pearls, and rubies
made from lies told as the truth,
and I still wear them every day
for they’re all I have left of you. 

Struggles All Dog Lovers Know to be Real.

Feeling the urge to run into the other room whenever you hear a Sara McLachlan song.

Feeling so bad about leaving your dog at home that you actually consider canceling your plans.

Telling someone that out loud, then realizing that you are crazy and are probably going to die alone. 



Not canceling your plans in the spirit of trying to not die alone, and then wondering if your dog is okay. Are they just sitting there, waiting for you to come home? What do they even do without you?

Did you turn the oven off?

Feeling bad about not saving a bite for your pup.

Thinking you did something wrong when they don't want to snuggle. 

Putting off vacuuming for much longer than you should because you're pretty sure that kills a little bit of your dog's soul. 

Thinking on more than one occasion how much easier life would be if you could just text your dog and ask if the oven is off or if you need to come back home. 

Trying to figure out creative ways and excuses to bring your dog everywhere with you.

Thinking you probably really need to get another dog, so your current dog won't be lonely.

...But really, did you turn the oven off?

just write: for my parents, on their twentieth anniversary.

one day we’ll meet by chance, 
when a mistake turns out to be fate.
we’ll start building a future together
amidst unexpected baby gates.

we’ll have two kids who won’t end up
anything like we expect.
it will be perfect, because I have you
no matter what comes next.

we’ll move around to here and there
before we end up by the sea. 
and it will scare you more than once, 
but it will be perfect, because you have me. 

there will be days when we wonder
how we’ll ever make it last.
and twenty years later we’ll wonder 
how it all went by so fast. 

it will be perfect, because I have you
no matter what’s in store. 
and I will look at you and say

“let’s do twenty more.”

Not-So-Lucky: Monday Morning Chronicles.

I've written before about the funny, awkward moments I tend to attract in life. I have a TON I need to work into a blog post soon. But yesterday, I realized that the last several Mondays, some weird stuff has happened. And I was trying to think about something that had to do with luck since it's St. Patrick's day, but since unlucky is probably more accurate, here I am to tell you about my Monday Morning Chronicles. You're Welcome.

Last month on a Monday morning, I was walking up the stairs in my parking garage. Some dude was in such a hurry that he literally shoved me TO THE GROUND in order to run past me. I feel like it probably goes without saying that he did not apologize, but I feel like it should be noted anyway--he did not apologize for throwing me on the ground. Happy Monday.

Last week, I'm driving to work and I hear someone start screaming. I turn and see that the car next to me is waving their middle fingers at me like they were competing in the middle-finger waving olympics. Apparently they were trying to get over into my lane and I didn't see them, and they were mad about that.

So they threw a cigarette into my car.

Naturally.

Yesterday, I took my dog outside right after I woke up. Thirty minutes and a shower later, I was back outside, leaving for work. A policeman stopped me at the door and told me how much better I looked after I had a cup of coffee. "I mean, what a transformation. Don't stop drinking the stuff."

Thank you?

Mondays are weird. Bring on the weekend.

Your New Favorite Blog: Something Winnderful

Katie Winn Sarbacker and I blog at Something Winnderful.

Oh wow, that's a hard one. I guess I'll go corny with my answer and say "Winnderful"

Harry Potter, I totally count all of them as one movie.

This year I've learned to pay attention to the little things and embrace a life focused on less while letting go of the glorification of busy. After spending the previous year wedding planning, moving, and doing anything and everything I was even slightly interested in, I've finally come to a point where I can enjoy the things that truly inspire me/give me joy and not consume myself with the things I feel I should do or am pressured to do. I think realizing the being busy doesn't equal being successful or winning at life is what has helped me make the biggest changes this past year.

Anything is possible with a little bit of nerve. 

I think my favorite blog post is "What I Would Tell My College Freshman Self." It was such a great exercise to look back on my years of college with older more experienced eyes. I wouldn't change a thing I did in college and I can now see how every moment and every struggle made me into the person I am today. I can see how those seemingly insignificant decisions led me to meeting my now husband. I can remember the moments that truly tested and shaped the character I have today. I even feel and still experience the fear and uncertainty I felt as a newbie freshman and even at a season senior. It was very rewarding for me to reflect and write down the thoughts I would share with my old self. Obviously I can't go back in time to share it with myself, but it was almost just as effective to remind myself now that I persevered at 18, so I know I will now at 26.

Can we just talk about how cute Katie's picture is?! The yellow suspenders, the flower crown, so much happiness in one picture...I knew we were going to be friends the second I saw that picture. 

Comments have been turned off so you can stalk go say hi to Katie! You can find her on instagram, twitter, pinterest, Facebook, and bloglovin'! 

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