Tuesday Treasures

August 11, 2015

This week has been so busy. Balancing golf with school and church and babysitting has actually been very hard. I'm typically good about managing my time, but it's hard to manage time you don't have, you know?

Going back to school means going back into dress code. Our dress code is cap sleeves and nothing 6 inches above the knee. My Nike shorts are more than 6 inches above the knee, which means that right there eliminates most of my summer attire. So...we went to Old Navy. I found these jeans, which I am currently wearing as I write this. I have worn Old Navy jeans for as long as I can remember: classic skinny or midrise sweetheart fit since day one. They are cheaper price wise, but just as high quality as department stores. I wear mine out! They come in many different fits, colors, and styles. I guarantee they have a fit that flatters every body type.

If you didn't know, my most recent accomplishment off the golf course was making my grandmother shortcake from scratch (and it turned out totally wonderful. Of course, what is strawberry shortcake without whip cream?

Originally, my plan was to make the shortcake and whip cream from scratch, but I chickened out and just bought a can. I explained this to my grandmother and she insisted that she show me how to make fresh whip cream, so Sunday night, we did just that. Really all you need is a cup of heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix it together with a mixer until peaks form! This makes about 2.5 cups of whip cream, but if you need more, just use the whole pint and double everything else! 

The stuff in the can has nothing on this fresh cream. It is so much richer, and I really do think everyone should try fresh whip cream at least once.

In the summer, I am very very bad about throwing my hair into a messy bun on top of my head. Honestly, it's a good day if I just brush it. I'm very low maintenance, but I do enjoy "dressing up" just as much as the next person. I love how my hair looks when I curl or straighten it. 

For promotion Sunday at church (all the kids and students move up a grade), I decided I was gonna do just that. I used a 1.5 inch Remington curling wand and 1 inch sections of hair. I'm normally not this happy with the curls I get, but I loved these, especially once they relaxed and curled around each other. I'm still trying to master the whole barrel/mermaid curl, but until I can get that, I'll gladly settle for these.

I also broke out my Lilly and Jacks for promotion Sunday :) #lovemyjacks

Part of my morning routine before school is listening to really good, uplifting music to get in a fresh mindset. I typically play my "good morninggg" playlist with Young and Free, Matt Maher, and those kind of people, but I felt adventurous Sunsay morning and played iTunes Radio's Christian station. I lucked out and found a gem. It is Beautiful" by MercyMe.

"Days will come when you don't have the strength

When all you hear is you're not worth anything"

When I first heard this, school was starting in less than 24 hours. I was about to immerse myself in a world full of "you're only as good as your clothes" and "your grades are how I see you." 

I stopped fixing my hair and sat on my bedroom floor with my eyes closed.

"You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His"

For me, it is so easy to believe that my grades are my value and that the score of my golf game is my identity.  And I forget that I am so much more.  I am treasured, sacred, and His. I am not the 42 I shot at Brentwood Country Club. I am not the size of the jeans on my legs. I am not the Vera Bradley lunch box in my hand. I am a child of God who is priceless to the One who gave His life for me. 

Thank you for reminding me, MercyMe. 

Don't you forget it this week either.

xoxox,

Lauren

Tuesday Treasures

July 14, 2015

I have spent the past 7 months of my life watching Lorelai Gilmore's disastrous love life, and I have absolutely no regrets. After 153 episodes of Gilmore Girls, I finally know who Loreali ends up with, and I could not be more satisfied.

Stars Hollow and Gilmore Girls have become a part of me, like it or not. The girls' obsession with coffee has only fed my obsession with coffee, I can't help but think of Luke when I see an older blue pick up truck, and I see my mom as my best friend now. 

Gilmore Girls is one of the few clean humored shows that I thoroughly enjoy. Light enough to play in the background when I'm cleaning, but deep enough that I was in tears during the series finale. It's perfect.

Gilmore Girls follows the lives of single mom, Lorelai Gilmore, and daughter Lorelai Gilmore (known as Rory) from Rory's freshman year until she graduates college. When Rory gets into a prestigious, expensive, private school, Lorelai is left with no choice, but to turn to her wealthy parents after years of avoiding. They agree to fund her education...as long as Lorelai and Rory will join them for Friday night dinners.. If you're looking for a great TV show, Gilmore Girls is definitely it. All 7 seasons are on Netflix, as well as available for DVD purchase. 

I caved in..I bought Jack Rogers. I am totally not sorry for the $94 I spent on them either.

I ordered the Hampton's sandal in platinum, and they go with literally everything. I wore them to church on Sunday, I wore them to coffee yesterday, I wore them to a mission trip training. They go with everything. I discovered they run a little big, but nothing unbearable. I typically wear between a 7.5 and 8, and I figured it would be better to be too big than too small, so I went ahead and ordered an 8. There's a little bit of room at both ends, but not enough to trip or drag. 

Typically, from Jack Rogers' website, these sandals are $118, but I bought mine from Country Club Prep, where they are also $118, but I found a lovely coupon for 20% off, so I knocked the price down to $94. The 20% off code is for anything on their website, and you can use it over and over again. Awesome, right?

The code is "xcgal98". One of the girls I follow on Pinterest has a partnership with Country Club Prep, and encouraged me to use it, so feel free to get your 20% off.

Country Club Prep is an amazing source for all of my favorite brands. Until recently, I hadn't paid much attention to them, but they are definitely my go to shopping site now. With fast, free shipping and great quality products, I can't complain.

Check out all of CCP's Jack Rogers here, and the ones that I bought here. The black ones are the next on my list.

With the new addition of Apple Music (which I'm still trying to figure out), I've been using iTunes radio while trying to reconstruct all my playlists, and iTunes radio brought me a new artist who is one of the best.

Marie Miller.

Until this week, I had never heard of her or any of her songs, but "6-2" is one of my current favorites. Her folky style and easy, powerful voice draws me in and her creative story telling about her future husband and acceptance keep me listening. 

Check her album out on iTunes, and give her a follow on Twitter. I think she's just the cutest thing.

This week, I've needed some encouragement, and when I saw this, I just fell in love with it.
"I hope you know you're capable and brave and significant even when it feels like you're not."
I really love this, and I hope you always feel capable, brave, and significant.
 I found a sweet friend who made me feel this way this week and it made all the difference. Surround yourself with people who make you feel this way and help others feel this way, too. Life will be so much better if you do!

I'm off to Chicago for a mission trip on Saturday. Your prayers for safety and opportunity for conversation are greatly needed and appreciated! I can't wait to see what God is going to do through our team.

You're capable, brave, and significant. Live like it this week.

xo,

lauren