Why I'm Quitting

Quitting probably isn't the best word for me to use here. Let's say "taking a break". And I am not talking about from my server position at the restaurant in town (I love that job). I am talking about the job that requires me to create "better memories" than all of my friends. I am "taking a break" from social media.
Now, you may say that this blog should count as social media, but I don't. I highly doubt that this blog is even skimmed over by 2 people within a week. But, that is fine with me.

Why I'm Leaving Facebook
I have decided that Facebook only provides me with news that I enjoy seeing about once every two months. That would be when a friend gets engaged, when someone has their first baby, or when I get to see beautiful wedding photos. For the most part, Facebook sucks an enormous amount of my time. I have decided to keep my account active, but only access it when someone asks me to. (I've already deleted my phone app, whoo! small success!)
I honestly do believe that Facebook is a brilliant idea. I am not knocking it at all and I in no way believe that Facebook itself is bad. For me, I need less of it.

Why I'm Fixing My Instagram Account
I set my profile to private, I unfollowed people that I don't know, and I filtered through my followers to only people who really know me. I'm only sharing my photos with close friends, right?

I've made myself believe that my constant updates are just a way to record my memories. Honestly, I think I am just looking for approval from my friends and a certain number of "likes" to make me feel good about my life. That's sad.
I will continue to update my Instagram account with photos that I actually care about sharing, and I will also print them to save in a photo album. They are that important right?

Why I Love My Blog
While typing new posts, I am not looking forward to anyone reading them. I don't expect a certain reaction from readers, and I am not looking for acceptance. I simply blog as a hobby.

I promise my rant is over. It feels nice to wind it in a bit and be a little more me and less "Emily Stark, account number x"

 

Thank you, whoever you are for reading!

Fun stuff will be back next post, promise!

 

 

June Review

Hi Friends!

I am enjoying my week off to celebrate the 4th of July, and I think it is about time to write a new blog post.

I've noticed that my posts are becoming much more scarce, and they have been pretty regularly just monthly updates on my 101 in 1001 list. But I'm okay with that.

 

I never got around to posting a list of what my goals were for June, they just sat on a post-it note on my laptop, staring at me all month. But wouldn't-ya-know, they all got accomplished.

• Use a disposable camera
• Visit someplace new
• Read books from the library
• Memorize a verse

I decided that for June I was going to select only a few that I could actually get done, and it is really cool to see that I did.

 

 

I used a disposable camera on my trip to Charlottesville. (Check....check)

 

 

 

 



 

I read a great book by Karen Kingsbury, Leaving. It was one that I borrowed from the library, and promptly returned late. Womp.

 

 

 

 

I also memorized a verse one morning during my quiet time. Hebrews 11:1

 

momentsdontcollectdust.com

 

I was really glad to complete my list for June, and in addition I was able to send 4 more letters snail-mail style.

 

Hooray for new things!

 

P.S. Do you have any great July 4th plans? I am going on a kayak-camping trip, yay!

 

 

 







May Review

Y'all, I still love my 101 in 1001 list. Can we just say that is a miracle in itself?

 

Last month I set some realistic goals for myself:

• Invest in a friend's dream
• Donate blood
• Host a pinterest craft party
• Watch the sun rise
• Coffee shop-hop
• Buy from the farmer's market

 

What I did:

 

• Invest in a friend's dream- I have known a sweet girl named Macy for several years now, she has been such an inspiration in so many ways. I have followed her journey via social media and have been blown away by how she allows the Lord to guide her life. A few months ago, she began a new journey and is now living on the other side of the country. Before she left, she had a "yard sale" and sold most (if not all) of her belongings in order to raise money to follow God's plan for her life. I was able to help her only a small bit, but I couldn't imagine another person more deserving of my small gift.

 

• Donate blood- Yikes! This was fun! They gave me a tee shirt, lots of food, and a cool arm bandage to wear all day. I would say that my first time donating blood was a huge accomplishment.

 

• Host a Pinterest craft party- This was just adorable. I can't imagine a sweeter group of girls. I will have to share a post soon on the party details(:

• Watch the sun rise- At the beach, duh. No, it was cloudy, and I could hardly see the sun. Fail.

Myrtle Beach - 06/07/14

 

• Read a library book- I read a sweet little book by LaVyrle Spencer titled That Camden Summer. I found a paperback at our library and was able to take it on the beach, it was absolutely perfect.
  

 

• Drink coffee black- Umm, gross. I know it would have been better in this perfect mug from Anthropologie.

Anthropologie

 

 

• Donate to a non-profit org- I was able to donate 50lbs of canned food to our local food bank! I got lost in the process, and ended up late to work (oops), but I am so thankful to the people (especially Kroger) who donated and helped me reach my goal!

 



 

 

I'll try to set myself some June goals, is looking pretty busy!

 

May Goals

It has been almost 100 days since I began my 101 in 1001 project. And I still love it. I have crossed off 6 things and I have several in-progress and others already planned. I was worried when I began that I would set myself up for another "job", but luckily it hasn't seemed like it at all. Whenever I go through my list, I get so excited about trying new things. I do have to set time aside, and plan for some of these things to happen, but when I look at it, I realize that I am planning something that I really want to do! It's like planning a trip, it may take some time and money, but when you get to sit back and enjoy it, it becomes 1000% worth it.

Okay, I'm done now...moving on.

 

Last month's goals:

• Have a yardsale & donate to a cause
• Host a Pinterest party (I may do these two together:))
• Complete the Insanity workout
• Send a letter snail-mail style

What I actually did:

• Complete the Insanity workout (YAYAYAYAYYYYYAAAYY!)
• PLAN a pinteresty party
• Send a letter snail-mail style
• Pay for my family's dinner

I can now say, whatever I plan---isn't concrete. But that's what is so fun about this, I never really know what I get to experience next.

• Invest in a friend's dream
• Donate blood
• Host a pinterest craft party
• Watch the sun rise
• Coffee shop-hop
• Buy from the farmer's market

Let's see what happens!

 

Pinday: Let's Have a Party

I'm throwing a party this Saturday...and I can't wait. I haven't finished shared a post on my goals for May yet, but I will be back with that shorty. I just really wanted to throw out here some pretty perfect pins that inspired me to throw a super girly shindig in the middle of crazytown busy season. So here are the pins that made the cut:

 

 

(All Pinterest photos, none are mine)

 

Happy Wish Company

 

 

Queen Latifa

 

Catch My Party

 

Hostess with the Mostess
 

 

So, I'm uber excited(:

 





March & April

Oh hey, you. It's been awhile. A loooong while. I've been crazy busy with life-ish stuff recently and haven't had much time to write a post. So here is one to wrap up March, and lay out some April plans. Remember when I set my 101 in 1001 goal? Well, I've made minimal progress, but alas, progress made have I (yes, that's a Yoda refrence.)

A quick look back at my March goals:

• Memorize a verse per week
• Send flowers to a friend (this one is planned already!)
• Plan a surprise day trip
• Take a train ride
• Visit someplace new
• Mealplan an entire month
• Do some DIY projects
• Cook just for me

What I actually did:

• Send flowers to a friend
• Plan a surprise day trip
• Visit someplace new
• Do some DIY projects

I think 4 of 8 isn't too bad! Considering I hardly had time to think this month.
So I sent flowers to my beautiful friend, Roxanne, on her birthday.

Me, Ryan, my brother and his girlfriend took a surprise day trip to Richmond, where I had never been before & had a great time. We live about three hours out of the city, so it was a nice little haul, but so worth it. We spent the day checking out the touristy places & hitting up some great locations that John & Sherry over at Young House Love suggested (all were great by the way).

Some plans for April:

 

• Have a yardsale & donate to a cause
• Host a Pinterest party (I may do these two together:))
• Complete the Insanity workout
• Send a letter snail-mail style

Because we are already a week in, I'm keeping the list small.

Let's see what happens!

 

Have you felt extremely busy the past few weeks? Is it spring? Or just me? I'm on the lookout for really cool party ideas for this "yardsale/pinterest" party, let me know if you come across any!

 

Pinday: The Rock Garden

Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous here in southern Virginia. I was lucky enough to spend most of the day outside with my puppies and get a few things done for spring. I picked up sticks out of the yard that had fallen last week in the snow/ice situation, I spread out the bails of hay (for grass in those bare spots) that we used last fall for decoration, and I painted a really reeeally old bench for the rock garden that me and my mom are vamping up this spring. After painting the bench, I was inspired to write a "Pinday" post about my rock garden inspiration.

#1

This bench inspired this whole project I believe. It is so happy, clean, bright, and summery. It is the exact color I spray painted my bench yesterday (I had some leftover spray paint from when I painted an ugly clearance lamp a few months ago). So this pin was inspiration for a project that took me exactly 10 minutes and a sunny day to complete!

I promise I will post pictures of our garden when it is finished.

 

Virginia Living

#2

This adorable fairy door has my heart. *sigh*

It was originally from Etsy, but is no longer for sale.

Yep, I'm totally DIYing this.

 

Etsy

 

#3

We are planning to hang a chandelier also. Eeeekk!

It's going to be painted red. Oh yes.

It definitely doesn't look like this, but you get the point. We were actually given a chandelier not too long ago, so I'm just waiting to get a can of paint to get to it!

 

Flickriver

 #4

Yes, there is a number four today, because I can(:

I'm on the lookout for some free brick...

 

Source: Unknown

 

Are you already planning for spring? Any cool projects?

 

 

 

 





Deutoronomy 31:8

 

The verse that I am memorizing this week is Deutoronomy 31:8

 

 

Source: Unknown

 

 

How powerful is this verse? The Lord promises to go with us and before us. I am so comforted knowing that he has prepared a path for me, and he is walking me through it.

 

 



Pinday: Mardi Gras

I hope y'all are in someway enjoying Mardi Gras, even if it was wearing something a little colorful today! I've never "celebrated" Mardi Gras, but I think it is pretty in some ways. I'm not talking about the drunk mob that hangs out downtown Baton Rouge (even though that's all it really is, as far as I know...I should probably learn some history about it...). Anyways, what I think is so pretty about it is the colors & sparkle.

#1

 

These yummy-looking macaroons from HGTV (Is it bad that I've never had a macaroon?)

 

HGTV

 

 

#2

 

Some Mardi Gras Gumbo from "The Girl Who Ate Everything"

 

The Girl Who Ate Everything

 

#3

 

So apparently taking Mardi Gras beads and using them to make cool mosaics is a big thing. I appreciate it. I have found some pretty amazing pieces while browsing Pinterest.

This particular one is in the bottom of a serving tray..how cool is that?!

If you are like me and want is really really bad, it is for sale on Etsy. *Yay!*

(Click picture for link)

 



Etsy



 

 

I hope you found some way to add pizazz to your Tuesday! Did you do anything unique? We had salmon for dinner, but I'm not sure if that counts...but we will pretend(:

 

 



March Goals

Can you believe it is already March? Are we really in the third month of 2014? Time. Is. Flying.
As I look back at my goals from February, I've realized that my goals are changing a little. Let's start with what I had planned:

• Finish Jillian Michael's 30 day workout
• Send some letters snail-mail style
• Have dessert before dinner
• Do a few DIY projects
• Cook dinner just for me....I'm thinking salmon!
• Memorize a verse a week

The funny thing is, I don't remember setting that first goal. Ooops. But! I did manage to get a few of the others crossed off plus some that I didn't even plan. This is what I was able to cross off my list:

• Do a few DIY projects, these two.
• Cook dinner just for me...Yes, it was salmon!
• Memorize a verse per week, (only got two though..) this one and this one.
• Send my Nana flowers.
• Wake up early on my day off.

I still get excited every time I look at my list. I really can't wait to see how many I can do! Today is my only day off, so I might try another DIY project since it isn't quite warm enough to go hiking.

• Memorize a verse per week
• Send flowers to a friend (this one is planned already!)
• Plan a surprise day trip
• Take a train ride
• Visit someplace new
• Mealplan an entire month
• Do some DIY projects
• Cook just for me

Yay, March!



As an update on my 101 in 1001 list, I have changed only two of my goals:
"Complete a Jillian Michael's 30 day workout"....changed to "Complete the Insanity Challenge"
 and
"Do the fifty-two week money challenge"....changed to "Finish the first few steps to The Complete Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey"...that guy is a genius.

Do you have any goals for March? I'd love to see them!

My Space

Wow, it has been a long time since I've thought of MySpace. Yikes, I am kind of glad I deleted mine years ago, I don't think I could handle it if I saw it again....anyways, lets move on.
My bedroom has been like my canvas. It's the one place in the world that I can to whatever to and change it as many times as I like. Needless to say, I have planned an entire re-do to our house, and I'm just waiting on Mom's "go for it" to get to work on it. I've already re-done the main bath room with the help of some nice fellas, and I'm itching to get to something else. Our house is not themed-throughout. Meaning, not one bedroom coordinates with another. So I was able to do whatever I felt like in my room.
I began with this inspiration board and went from there. I royally messed up my paint choice (It was supposed to be gray, but blue is cool..) and the fluffs complete the whole "cloud" vibe that I was not going for. Within the past week, I have been able to get my DIY canvas up and finish my collage wall.

 

 

 

 

 

Today I came home and painted all the trim and old yellow outlets in my room, because I painted my walls in September....and haven't fixed the mess-ups since. Oops.

I finally painted these...

 

 

 

....to look like this.

 

 

 

(Forgive the horrible phone quality)

I'll be back with a more detailed post on my room soon, I promise!

Are you finishing up any late projects?

 

Pinday: Presidents' Day

Happy Presidents' Day! Is it too soon to celebrate another "holiday"? Nooo...
I've actually had this post planned for awhile, and I am very excited about it. I think it because I am so in love with the All-American style. It could be July 4th all year long, that's cool with me. Here's to a patriotic Pinday.

#1

There are no words. This is just...yeah

Country Living

#3

Thank you Mr. Lincoln, I think we all needed to know this...

 

The Quote Factory

 

#3

Yellow Bliss Road

 



Romans Fifteen Thirteen

I'm officially snowed in. Anywhere from 9-13" is on the ground outside, and I am much to lazy to go measure it right now. But it is absolutely beautiful. I'm not sure if I will be going anywhere anytime soon, but I'm thankful for one good snow this year. No more please!

I wanted to share my memory verse for this week with y'all. You may recognize it because it is part of my blog title. With that being said, I felt a real need to memorize it...because that would be weird if I didn't know it.

Etsy

(This print was from a shop on Etsy, but is no longer available to purchase so I don't know who to give credit to :/)



I can't even begin to count the times that this verse has proven to be true in my life. I find myself anxious and stressed most of the time and it becomes very easy to lash-out on people whom I love. By repeating these words to myself, and trusting in the Lord, I am always filled with peace, hope, and joy. Not in an entire book could I explain it like this one verse does.

 

Isn't it amazing how easy it is for us to access His Word? Just by a turn of a page, we have God-inspired words in front of us. It blows my mind.

 

Do you have a verse that you are constantly looking to? I'd love to know them!

 





Pinday: Valentines

 

Valentines Day is just around the corner! Pink balloons and heart-shaped candy boxes are everywhere I look. Reservations are being made, wine is being bought, and flowers are being arranged. Although I admit it is nice to have a flower to look at and a big box of chocolates to eat, it is clearly overrated! But hey, let's take another opportunity to celebrate something. That's better than not having a holiday at all right?

So these are three lovely pins that I have seen over the past few weeks:

#1

I feel like this is subtle enough to be cute all year. How about a pre-teen room?

 

Pinterest

 

#2

Okay, not technically for Valentines...but it has some red!

 

Pinterest

 

 

#3

You may recognize some of these fonts(: They are so pretty!! ...and free?!

They are beyond easy to download. Click photo for link.

 

We Lived Happily Ever After

 

 

Do you have any big plans for this Friday?