good to remember.

That the God who created the universe knows and cares about the plans for my future is just incredible to me, and never ceases to comfort and inspire me...


*via tumblr

just keep swimming...

Crazy, crazy couple of days around these parts, folks.

Just a little something pretty (and calm!) to gaze at...


*image via tumblr

for twin

I think this is darn cute - in a totally dorky, science way.

Plus it's bright and cheerful on this most wet and icky of days!


*via tumblr

easy glam

Wouldn't you like to look this mysterious and glam in a giant hood?

I love everything about this - the color, the texture, her hair, the accessories - even the red nails! (And doesn't she have a lovely Julia Roberts look about her?)


*via garance dore

true statement.

I couldn't agree more, people...


*via tumblr

a happy list

To make up for a wet, snowy day (boo for freezing cold puddles and wet feet) here's a list of things that make me a happy girl:

* Tasty new recipes. Last night, it was this baby from the PW. Easy and yummy - a perfect combination. (thanks to twin for suggesting we try it!)
* Silly spoofs. This blog spoof cracks me up. Try to read it with a straight face, I dare you.
* Sweet friends. Yesterday, my darling girl Ab emailed me this photo, saying that it made her think of me. (Isn't it just the best when a stylish girl compliments you like this?!)
* Long girlfriend breakfasts. I got to have an amazingly good chat with a friend this week over breakfast - such a good way to start the day. (Plus she sent me this hysterical map, which makes me giggle.)
* Haircuts. I adore the way a trip to the salon can make you feel like a goddess.
* Movie nights on the couch. Last night, twin and I watched this again - pure bliss. (And Monday night the bf joined us to watch this one - confusing and weird but still pretty fun. It might have been more about good company & yummy food than the movie, but still great fun.)
* Art. I work with it and live with it, and still want more. Recently found these great paintings (via a blog, where else) and am loving the fresh colors and gorgeous brushstrokes.
* Long mid-week lunches. There's nothing like being stolen from the office for a yummy lunch and relaxing walk around downtown. Totally makes a girl's day.

Okay, your turn. What's making you smile this week?


*image via tumblr

photo love

I love these photos! They grab me every time I glance through my stash of saved images, so today I'm sharing.



See more of this couple's charming engagement shoot (won as a giveaway on a blog!!) for a few more adorable moments and gorgeous photos!


*images via snippet & ink

oh my.

Last night we had a relaxing girls night in, which consisted of the most amazing breakfast-for-dinner spread and some quality girl time watching the Olympics. (I still can't watch the crazy skiers fall - it makes me hurt just watching them tumble down the slope...)

The triumph of our night was definitely this new recipe - Cinnamon Bun Pancakes - which tastes just as good as is sounds, if that's possible. Paired with bacon and some incredible scrambled eggs, we had ourselves one heck of a breakfast feast.

Thanks, girlies, for a fun night!

(And thanks for making the emergency cinnamon run, without which we would have had some issues!)


*recipe and photo via the pioneer woman

peace

Doesn't this picture look peaceful?

Another crazy day on it's way - I feel like I can't catch up at work this week. So many things to get off my desk and not enough hours in the day! I'm so grateful for my amazing job though, and am determined to do my best and just trust that the rest will come together. The good news is it's Friday, and that definitely helps!

On another note, I'm currently loving Hebrews 6:19, which says, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." In a world where security is anything but certain, I find so much joy and peace in knowing that our hope in Jesus can anchor us - keep us firm and steady no matter what's coming at us.

Where are you finding peace and joy these days?


*image via tumblr

welcome, thursday

I love this guy. His solemn little face and solid stance are so darn cute - plus he has great taste in furniture.

(Don't you want to put glasses on him and just wait for some lecture about philosophy to come out of his mouth? Or is that just me?)

Hope you find something to make you smile on this Thursday!


*cuteness via desire to inspire

le snow

This morning is amazingly bright and sunny!

After the snow yesterday, the world is perfectly crisp and white, and I definitely wish I was a kid again so that I could skip out on work to go play outside. Do you remember how exciting it was to step outside and find a perfectly undisturbed yard full of fresh snow?

But alas, the real world calls, and I have to clean the snow off my car so I can go to work. I'm going to have to choose to be grateful for my fabulous job, rather than think about how much I'd rather be seven years old again today...


*image via shutter sisters

happy birthday!

Happy Birthday, Momma!

I can't imagine a better woman to look up to - I love you!


*image via sister

dreaming...

It's going to snow here today, so I'm choosing to dream about the beach, rather than focus on the cold, white stuff.

Hope your Tuesday is happy!


*image via tumblr

rest.

Despite having things to do on my desk today, I took the day off. (Definitely not something I'm always good at doing, but I'm glad I did!)

I'm looking forward to a day of rest and maybe some fun too. Hope your Monday is great!


*image via tumblr

love

This makes me smile...

Happy V-day, my lovelies!


*image via tumblr

happy weekend

I think this little guy is as happy for the weekend as I am!

(Don't you just want to squeeze his little pudgy feet?!)


*image via tumblr

lovely

I stumbled on these gorgeous images by Sanda Suy and just can't get enough of them. They are so elegant and glam, and just exquisitely drawn.

(And affordable too - check out her shop!)


*found via A Life More Fabulous

i'm ready.

I don't know about you, but when I look at this picture, I long for the return of summer.

Warmth of the sun on my skin, wandering in and out of the house barefoot, green trees and lazy days...oh yes, please.


*image desire to inspire

girlfriends

A few of my favorite ladies put together a most lovely birthday bash this past weekend for one of our dear friends, and I think this picture captures the feeling of our entire night together...

Thanks, lovies, for being my girlfriends. I treasure each of you!


*image via tumblr

what a gift.

I like this...

I think that it's important for us to stop and take notice of this incredible gift we've been given, because sometimes, don't we take it for granted?


*image via tumblr

life as a musical

Wouldn't life be cooler if people really stopped randomly to sing and dance in the street? Or if it was appropriate to just sing your way through a conversation?

Yesterday at our fabulous small group, we were talking about the idea of life as a musical, and I think I'd be a fan.

(I also think that I would have to consider taking some dance lessons, since I am a terrible white girl dancer...)

Hope your Monday is filled with something happy!


*image via rockstar diaries

awesome chart #2

Another awesome flow chart - completely useful too!

Hope your weekend is lovely!


*image via jaeve + things

blur

More craziness today, but I'm going to work on loving every second of it.

(and look this amazing as I dash through the day!)

I'm so grateful that I got to start my day with a few giant cups of coffee, just loving on God and some of my favorite doggies. I feel like I can take on pretty much all the madness of today and this weekend with such a good start.

Happy Friday!


*image via coco & kelley

ears.

Isn't this the sweetest thing?

It just makes me smile!


*image via tumblr

red & shiny.

I spent about four hours yesterday in my very practical, cute little SUV, and at about hour three I started thinking how much more fun it would be to do all that driving if I had something fast and shiny to drive.

(Yes, I understand that it would severely limit my ability to do my job, since I could fit pretty much no art in a fun car, but since we're being all theoretical here, please don't bring it up, ok? Thanks.)

I blame you, Daddy, for teaching your girls to love fast cars. You've ruined us for life :)


*image via tumblr

busy...

Today is a busy travel day for a client, and I'm kind of dreading the hours of driving, various meetings, and a full day of hauling & hanging of art. But, I'm grateful that I have a wonderful job that I love, and am grateful that when I'm tired and stressed, I have a God who loves me!

This morning I couldn't help but think of the familiar verses from Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters,
He restores my soul.


*image via Her name was Lola

happy pictures

Even though we just started February, and Christmas is already a distant memory for most of us, I want to share a few of these fabulous pictures that Sister sent to me.

We have this dorky (but lovely) little tradition every year where we pose in front of the tree and take every variation of family photo possible...





And then a few other pictures that make me happy - silly imitations, adorable ornaments and Christmas cookies!





Hope you find something that makes you happy on this Tuesday!


*images via sister