I’m super excited that my friend asked me to help brand her upcoming health conference. She wanted a chalkboard look and fresh market feel. Her conference will be in July and focus on essential oils, healthy eating, and overall happiness and wellness. You can check her blog out here.
Here’s a look at a logo and business card I just finished. The company is located in Brewton, AL and wanted an old Southern/vintage feel.
Spring has quickly come and almost gone. With the summer months approaching I know that my produce purchasing will significantly increase. As a young adult on my own I’ve realized things that should be really common sense doesn’t always click with me. Maybe it’s so common sense no one thought to share it with me, but washing your veggies is an important thing to do. So what do you do when you don’t know how to do something? Google it. I came across this post here that breaks down the best way to handle cleaning different types of produce. It also give a list of the dirty dozen and clean fifteen. Needless to say I bought a gallon size thing of vinegar last night.
The Eat Seasonally print above is available in my shop here. It’s a fun little reminder of when your favorite produce is most available in their finest. I’m looking forward to our on campus Farmer’s Market opening this Thursday. I’ve been patiently waiting.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:6 NIV
Worry tends to rear it’s ugly head on the days when I’m most worn out. I’ve thought a lot lately about the root behind my worries. The main beast-control. So much uncertainty goes on in our world-things we can take precautions with but in all honesty we can’t 100% plan for every possible thing. After spending a few days chewing on the thought of control and why I worry about certain things, I came to the conclusion worry is my form of control over things I really can’t fully control. Almost like a guard, I guess I’ve let myself believe over time that by worrying about something I was protecting myself. Silly right? Yet it’s such a deep set thought I feel like I’m lying to myself to let it go. That’s when the above verse finally clicked with me. Be anxious in nothing, but in everything pray. (I paraphrased) You see I have two choices. When a worry knocks on my brain I can “control” it by worrying (which the old saying goes, you can rock all day in a rocking chair but you won’t get anywhere) OR I can pray about it and give it to God who ultimately can control the situation. It’s hard, but I know it’s what the word commands us to do and anything less is actually disobedience to God. I love what Mark Batterson says in his book, the Circle Maker, “Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers. God isn’t offended by your biggest dreams or boldest prayers. He is offended by anything less.”
It’s shy one day of a week that I’ve been engaged, yet it sorta feels like forever. Maybe because I’ve been planning for a while. No I haven’t fully committed on a date yet (I have issues) but I committed on a color scheme a while back. I’ve told people and get weird looks. It’s certainly not your average two color affair. But I’ve decided to go with a floral theme which means my colors are primary (get ready) royal blue, aqua, mint, red, yellow, pink, gold, and heck I’ll throw purple in as well. Yes that’s right I left out orange (it’s too much).
I stumbled across Fleet Collection while looking for affordable bridesmaid dresses. I love the colors, casual style and price. I wanted every girl to be in a different colored dress. I’m still thinking about the men but I’m thinking I’ll keep them simple in mint. You know like the leaf to the flower. Thoughts?
So it was the best weekend ever! At least for me. I am happy to announce that I am the future Mrs. TJ Young. Bless his heart. It’s no secret for anyone who has known me that I’ve been waiting for this day for a while. He’s been pestered, and harassed, and shown rings and pestered some more.
It was actually about 3 years ago to the date that I met him for real. I had known him through a friend, but I was taken at the time and so was he and we just didn’t ever conjugate a friendship. In April of 2010 we both found ourselves newly single and we were both with our respected churches attending the State Fine Arts Festival. He came into the same room as me and my friends excitedly were like “hey, he’s single go talk to him”. I’m like “no, that’s not what I do”. I went and talked to him. From there we started talking back and forth though Facebook, till I finally gave him my number and well the rest is history.
In December of 2010 we were on a date at the Summit in Birmingham. We had been dating for real since September and I knew this weekend he was gonna drop the L word. As we were walking down this pretty flower path, he bounced ahead of me a little ways to this pinnacle in the path and stopped. My little weird excited self bounced right on ahead of him and kept walking. When we got in the car he told me he loved me for the first time (I did say it back). He was sorta bummed that I bounced ahead of him and ruined his pretty spot to say it so for 2 years I’ve been ragged about it.
This past Saturday we were back at the Summit. He planned the date, which is weird since he never really cares and insisted we go to Barnes and Noble first. After we left there he wanted to walk back down the path to go “look at Toms” and as we reached the top of the stairs I noticed a fairly large crowd chilling at the pinnacle in the path. It took me a second but I finally realized I was staring at the smiling face of our friend recording us, while her husband played his guitar. Up the stairs ran her little boy dressed like Jack Sparrow carrying a jar of dirt (I’m a huge Pirates of the Caribbean fan) He handed Tj the jar of dirt and when we reached the pinnacle he stopped, pulled the ring out of the jar of dirt (It was in a box) and asked me to marry him. Yes he did give me a hard time about not stopping there 2 years ago, but I we finally said our “I love yous” and he put a ring on it. Here’s a link to the video, though sadly it’s a little hard to hear and see so back story helps.
God truly knows the desires of your heart. I couldn’t have imagined that Tj would make me as happy as he does. Before him, I dated a guy for about 4 years. When that ended I really didn’t expect to meet anyone else that would get me. I can honestly say, Tj gets me better then anyone I’ve ever known. He even has a fohawk, which was my little teenage dream. He more importantly has a call of God on his life that he seeks to always follow. I couldn’t be more blessed.
We’re working on plans and a date, but mostly we’re enjoying this new stage in my life. Be prepared to see wedding inspiration and what not (I promise, this won’t turn into a wedding blog) Also note girls, that ring was ordered from EidelPrecious on Etsy. It’s a sapphire (but shhh.. no one can ever tell) so more bling for less. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
So every now and then auto tune does a gem. I was shown this video last night of a Walmart Greeter in Arkansas, Mr. Willie. I think I was suppose to laugh, but I actually teared up. Why? Because he’s so joyful and happy and does his job with enthusiasm. How often do we complain about our job. I’m not going to lie but being a door greeter isn’t on my list of fave jobs to have. But can you imagine how happy we would all be if we put this kind of joy into all the work we do, even the simplest of things we feel are not important. Mr. Willie, thank you for being a ray of light.
