Happiness in a Mason Jar

My core group leader - basically a spiritual mentor - made all of the people in our group some precious Valentine goodies. The entire concept of the gift was simple: mason jar filled with candy. How she put it together, however, is what sold me on why I need to do this for all future occasions. I couldn't resist sharing this fabulous and creative idea, and I hope you get a lot of use out of it!

What I like most about the idea is how versatile it can be. While ours is super girly and Valentine themed, you can easily fill the jar up with anything to fit the occasion.

It's easy. It's cute. And it's thoughtful.

Step 1: Save all jars. So for the next time you feel like throwing away a mason jar... don't. Or at least send it to me, I will message you my address.

Step 2: Buy relevant candy. Jelly beans, M&Ms, Skittles, etc - anything that has color and fits the situation. Then fill the jar with the deliciousness.

Step 3: Buy some burlap, get some sample fabrics at the store, or cut a brown paper bag. Put it around the lid of the jar for it to be tied up.

Step 4: Find some colorful ribbon, or string to tie the jar up with. Get something that matches, and it will create a crafty, happy and caring feel to the entire (and inexpensive) prize.

Dear God

I found this on pinterest, and it makes me smile.

We indeed need to learn to have faith like a child. So often we feel like we should only go to God in times of need, but we should turn to him in all the venues of our life. Just like these crazy children have done.

we <3 it

Start your journey today of letting God be a part of all that you do. 

Let me know how it goes.

Andrew & Kendra - Engagement Shoot

Love makes me happy, and when it is people you adore in love the happiness is enough to make you want to explode. Kendra and Andrew are so madly in love. They've been dating for 4 years, and over Christmas break Andrew finally popped the question.

After seeing them interact as a couple it is so obvious they are best friends. I was so honored to be able to photograph an engagement shoot for them, despite the freezing weather - it was literally snowing that day. For me, the entire experience was a learning one and I can't wait to do it again!

So here's some of what I captured of this God-fearing, forever-loving and continually-laughing couple. Enjoy!

Oh, it is love.

Today I got to go out with one of my best friends and her darling fiancé.

I did my best to capture their priceless love on camera. Here's a sneak peak of what I was so lucky to be a part of!

extra calories - extra delicious

By-golly-good-scott. It has been so long since I've posted. My life has been completely nonstop for the past 3 weeks!

I've had job interviews, overloads of homework, exams, along with my 2 jobs and busy life to maintain. Sometimes I feel like giving up on this blog, but at the end of the day - no matter how long I go without posting - I can't. I can't because there is more to this than having so few readers. It's a place for me to vent, explore and challenge myself. And I hope you get something out of it too.

I - at least - hope you take the time to bake some of the delectable dishes I post. I wouldn't post them if they weren't worth melt-in-your-mouth-good recipes.

This outstanding (and easy) chocolate-chip cookie dough pie is definitely something to make, and chances are you'll have most of (if not all) the ingredients at home!

The whole concept of making this pie is just getting a reliable chocolate-chip cookie recipe, and transforming it into a the right amount to fit into a pie crust. Really, it's so simple!

Not only does this baked good taste like a chunk of chocolatey heaven, but it has hypnotic powers - everyone who looks at it immediately has an overwhelmingly strong desire to consume it.

You'll need:

• precooked pie dish, I just got one of the crumb ones on sale
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1 1/2 stick of butter (melted)
• lots and lots of chocolate chips, be greedy :)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325

Mix eggs, and pour in sugars. Mix well, until consistency is thick, yet smooth.

Beat in softened butter. This will make it creamier.

Add a hefty amount of chocolate chips - just enough that it will still fit in the pie pan!

Put mixture into your pie shell.

Bake for 60 minutes or until your toothpick comes out clean! ENJOY, preferably with ice-cream. 

Mix

Bake

Cut

DEVOUR!

I think one of the coolest things about the pie is how the chocolate chips melt to the bottom. It looks like a fun baking technique, but it's just gravity doing it's thing.

Now make a loved one happy today, or save it as a valentine's treat next week. Either way, make time to make this delectable pie.

Just listen...

I almost popped in public tonight, and no I don't mean pop as in cutting the cheese, I mean pop as in my eyes almost drained a salty liquid and my mouth almost said too much.

I almost popped, and maybe I should have, but I didn't.

You see, I sat thinking and talking about Christ and the concept of prayer; discussing the process of living with Him constantly.

And I saw so plainly with God's eyes something I've never seen before: I saw the right answers being given, but with a wrong heart.

By this I mean something really simple: in this world, average people may not be able to see past your mask of imperfection; but when it comes to God, he goes way beyond your worldly misconceptions. God "shows up" and walks with you, whether you're in step with him or not.

And while I sat, sharing and exposing my Christian life I felt less than led. I felt as if the people that I was surrounding myself with justified this weird place I'm in spiritually. I felt like there was less listening, and more rushing. I felt like the surface level lesson wasn't enough, yet it repelled from getting deep.

So, while I was reading my couples devotional tonight, Before You Say "I Do" by H. Norman Wright I became encouraged. The concept of today's message was simple: God is always constant and he's always the one waiting on us. God is waiting for you and me to be the ones to approach him.

So whether we are just skimming by or we are digging deep, God is available and present for us to reach out to Him.

I think sometimes we get so comfortable in our walk, we don't even think about renewing our spirit daily. We forget to be bold in our faith, and more often than not we come up with excuses and attempt to be the world's version of "normal."

I can't tell you how many times, and how sick I am of hearing people respond with the typical Sunday school answer to Christ filled questions. Now this isn't to say I'm not guilty of it, but I so crave to dig for more truth. I want to break free from this comfortable habit.

I plan on doing this by starting to listen. I think it is one of the many acts that will direct a person, like myself to become less selfish and more others centered.

So to you, my 0 readers, do your best to listen more not just to others, but also to God. And then you can better see what it really is that the Lord is teaching you.

And maybe, if you're in a spiritual rut, we can get out of this together. I'm sick of waiting and procrastinating.

God is there. God is good. God is waiting.

It's time I desperately search for Him.

I Am Blessed

Sleeps well with dogs...

This weekend I went away, and I arrived late last night.

I took a business trip to Atlanta, where I shopped till I literally dropped buying product for my work.

When I arrived home my dog, Gibson, was exceptionally excited to see me. So much so after a few minutes of jumping, licking, wagging and running he lazily put himself to bed.

My adoration was in fact reciprocated and I too zonked out soon after, but not before I captured a good dozen or so (52 to be exact) pictures of him sleeping.

Here are my favorites!

Is he not precious? Love extra on your pooch today, they deserve every bit of it.

Classy and Casual

I just spent far too long exploring the clothing combination of polka-dots and casual jewels.
What I would give for some of these pieces! And the quote is delightful, however I must admit that leather watch costs a pretty penny! That's why we have Target, right?

Classy and Casual by mishsunshine featuring victorian rings

Mango short sleeve dress
£35 - mango.com

Kurt Geiger slingback shoes
£150 - johnlewis.com

Kate Spade cross body handbag
$265 - nordstrom.com

Raymond Weil leather band watch
$796 - forzieri.com

Arik Kastan victorian ring
£714 - kabiri.co.uk

1928 heart drop earrings
$14 - 1928.com

Bobbi Brown Chocolate and Gold Eye Paint Palette
$45 - neimanmarcus.com

Clarins Gloss Prodige
$20 - bloomingdales.com

Welikefashion.Com Tanktop Beauty
€35 - welikefashion.com

Livin' on a Prayer

Today was the second day of class.

And for me to say I am terrified of what this semester holds would be an understatement.

Regardless of taking such intense courses, I know there is a reason I spend so much time devoted to my school work. That's simply to glorify God: study hard, give it all I've got, and keep my eyes on Jesus.

I realize I am so blessed to have scholarships, a campus full of friends, and the opportunity to share my faith. I am blessed to have an education in what I'm passionate about, and I'm blessed to even find parking in the morning.

And I'm blessed to still know how to have fun.

Last weekend I joined my new roommate at an 80's formal birthday party. We conquered the thift stores around town, put on tons of makeup, heavy amounts of jewelry and if we were around a fire the hairspray in our hair would have caught our head on fire.

However, upon arrival at the restuarnt, we had a moment like El Woods in Legally Blonde where no one else was dressed up.

Despite being the only ones looking hilariously tacky, we swallowed our pride and owned our floral dresses. Since we were the only ones that went all out, we even had a random woman enforce the fashion police on us.

Here's us in all our glory - shoulder pads included:

now if only I had these fabulous and vintage sunglasses to wear: oh how I love vintage sunglasses!

85 mm

I've learned a lot about photography lately:

1. lens are expensive
2. lens make all the difference
3. i desperately want a low-light lens
4. having a lens w a low aperture works wonders

Most of this knowledge was discovered after my dad let me borrow his 85 mm (which I love everything about it except the fact it's so flippin' zoomed in.)

I'm just so impressed how the 85mm takes photos. Everything is exceptionally clear even though the only light offered is that from our dim light-fixtures. I took these pictures late one evening, and it perfectly captured the view.  Enjoy, and if I might add - Gibson, my precious pup, is one of my best models! Isn't he so photogenic?

Since playing with this lens I've been researching what will offer me the same effects with a more wide-angle, close capturing frame, and I seem to be stuck on a 35 mm or a 50 mm - each with an f-stop of around 1.8.

Do y'all have any suggestions? The more budget friendly the better.