FRIDAY FAVES | SUMMER IPHONE CASES
I got my first cell phone in grade 9. Back then camera phones did not exist, nobody ever texted and the best game was Snake. However, even though the cell phone world didn't have a whole lot to offer, it was important for me to find a cute cover (which was a sparkly chameleon purple to green cover).
Oh how the times have changed.
Now people usually only use their phone as their camera, prefer texting over talking and have a billion amazing games to choose from. But it's still important for me to find a cute cover.
So for today's Five Things On Friday, I give you my top picks for a summer iphone case. They're bright, colourful and fun...aka everything a summer iphone case needs.
1. Rifle Paper | 2. Kate Spade | 3. Ban.do | 4. Rifle Paper | 5. Ban.do
Ok, how cute are all of those? I need the toucan one in my life.
Hope you have the best Friday today! I'm cooped up inside writing a paper..but I'm ok with that because it means this class is almost done and I'm one more stop closer to having my ROMer certificate...yeeehaw.
Got any big plans for the long weekend? Please tell me so I can live vicariously through you while I'm inside writing.... :)
over n out,
s.s.♥︎.
ONE WORD 2014 // ELIJAH
Well today I have a special treat for you. I have the first male to post about his one word for 2014! Today I introduce you to Elijah. I've had the pleasure of knowing Elijah (or Jah as I like to call him) for the past four years. Over the four years I have seen him grow in his walk with Jesus and it has made my heart sparkle. He is an incredible guy and God has so much in store for him!! Ok, take it away JAH...
Hello all! My name is Elijah, I'm an intern at Glad Tidings, as well as a worship leader at city youth. I'm so unbelievably blessed to know Laura and James. I have loved reading all these one word posts so much that I was inspired to write my own!
I know what you are all thinking...Woah first time hearing from a man on the blog! Heck ya!! Monumental moment right here!
I couldn't decide on just one word, I had to go with two, my words are TRUST, and PERSEVERANCE!
In this new year I didn't have any New Years resolutions, other than to loose weight (who hasn't thought that one) but on New Year's Eve I prayed to God. I asked him to change my life this year. And I found out that He had something so amazing planned that I didn't see coming at all. This year has already been a very unexpected journey through some very rough roads, and I'm still surviving, but nothing could have prepared me for any of it.
God planted two amazing men into my life, who have inspired me, and helped me start to grow into the man God wants me to be. Although things seemed to be looking bright, the enemy was still gripping onto me. I found myself still looking at the negative, because of the lack of trust that I put in God and the lack of trust I had for these men.
I was either at an extreme high, or an extreme low every other day, it was very unhealthy, and I was leaning too much on these two men, and not enough on God, which is so dangerous. These two men continued to walk with me and encourage me, and give me advice that was always trying to get me to focus my eyes onto God. But I continued to stare at my past, and in result, I became stagnant. I stayed in this place of turmoil, of self hatred, and self doubt. Everyone around me was screaming a different story at me, speaking truths, and covering me with not only their love, but God's love, but the enemy had boxed my ears and covered my eyes and spoke lies into me making my trust in God fade even more.
God doesn't want that for any of his children. He doesn't want to see us in pain. He is always right behind us and he's always waiting for us to smell his sweet fragrance or hear his voice, and remember that we can turn around and fall into his arms.
Through out my pain, and struggles, I always asked why? Why God, why do I have to hurt? Why do I have to keep failing? And the answer was so simple... The answer was trust. Trust that his plans are better than my own, trust that he is using these hard times to grow me, and that he has huge plans for me; that these test and trials are to help me not hinder me.
A verse that comes to mind is tattooed on one of these lovely men it's Psalm 37:3-4
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
I'm only just starting to realize how if I place all my trust in God and his plans for me, how beautiful the ending to my story could be!!! And that's where the perseverance comes in, I'm still going to face trials, and still face hardships, but I have to trust God through it all, and persevere and remember his promises to me.
That's about all I can say for now, my prayer is that God will use these words to inspire whomever reads this, and my prayer is that my Trust in him will never fail, and that through all of this perseverance becomes my best friend!
Thank you so much for reading!!
Thank you so much Elijah for sharing! Your words have blessed me and I know they are going to bless others. So stoked on the journey that God is taking you on!!
Check out the previous one words- Amy | Sarah | Tiffany | Danae | Nadia | Micaela | Kristy | Me | Julia | Caitlyn
If you would like to share your one word for 2014, email me at laura@ssheart.com
stay gold,
s.s.♥︎.
REAL TALK TUESDAY
I snapped that pic of roses when I was at the Root Cellar on Sunday. Pastel roses are my fave. (FYI it took me 5 tries to write out fave, dang autocorrect kept changing it to have...)
While we're on the topic of roses, I want to be someone who takes times to smell the roses. Right now I find myself in a very full season. In the next two weeks I have a distance course due and my first half marathon.
Last Saturday, I kinda hurt my back on my run. It was really stupid, I went too hard on a long run without the week of hard training behind me. I have a massage on Thursday and I'm going to train a bit smarter before the big race but ahhhhh. It made me realize, I can't do it all. As much as I want to, I just can't.
So the next two weeks I'll be a little MIA. And I hate that when I get "busy" the first thing that suffers, is this blog. This place has always been a creative release for me. I love writing. I love making graphics. I love curating cute things. But I have to remind myself that blogging is not my full time job and I'm ok with that. (I think if it was my full time job, I'd go a little crazy…) I have to remind myself that education is important, and I want to do well. My health is important. My job is important. My marriage is important. Making time for my family is important. Taking time to smell the roses is important. My walk with Jesus is important.
So I'll still be posting, just maybe not on the usual Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule. It won't be a ghost town round here. I do have some one word posts coming up from some pretty fantastic people, so be excited for that! And after May 25th, my life will be a bit less hectic, so I'll be able to get back to a posting schedule and get back to diy-ing, makeup tutorials, wardrobe shoots, BOOYAH. And then next month I'll be at ALT where I know I'm going to come back so inspired for this space.
I want to thank you for continuing to read this blog. Your encouraging comments and your messages mean so much to me. Like, seriously, so much to me.
love you to the moon & back,
s.s.♥.
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day!
So I think Coco is trying to get me ready to be a mom (for the record, I'm not pregnant, just one day in the future I hope to be). She wakes me up every night at 4am where I then chase her out of our room and close the bedroom door and then again at 7am where she's crying very loudly for her morning bite to eat. I know it's a little bit (ok, a whole bit) ridiculous to compare a cat to an actual human being but I'm just saying, she's training me to wake up multiple times throughout the night...
Coco disturbing my sleep gets me thinking about all the times my mum would be woken up by a little cry. I have three siblings, so there would have been a lot of little cries.
Can I just brag on my mum a bit now?
I was raised in a single parent household from age 7 to 18. Aka my mum worked her tail off to provide for my siblings and I. She taught me what it was to work hard. For years she drove my brother and I everyday at 4:30am on our Times Colonist paper route so that my brother and I could earn money. Even though she worked crazy hours, she still managed to come out to the baseball games, the musicals, etc. She supported my dream of living abroad at 18 and supports the dreams in my heart today.
I rise up and call her blessed. Blessed is she now and blessed are the days ahead of her.
I love you mum.
So to all the mamas out there. The natural mamas, the spiritual mamas (I've had so many and I sure love and appreciate you), the step mamas, the foster mamas, the ones who are expecting, the ones who are trying, the grandmas, the mother in laws (love you Margaret!)...today is your day.
You are cherished, you are valued, you are celebrated.
I hope you know how much you are loved.
xo,
s.s.♥︎.
photos by Ameris
MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE
One day I won $50 on a monopoly scratch and win ticket. It was awesome. I bought a gift for my mom with my earnings. A massive, stuffed animal dog. Oh, I should probably mention, I was like eight years old or something (and my dad bought the scratch and win ticket, incase you were wondering, ha).
That being said, over the years, I have become a better gift giver (because stuffed puppies aren't everybody's thang). And today I have for you, some gift ideas for your momma. Moms are awesome and totally deserve that $40 candle you were eyeing...
1. Kobo Candle- These are my favourite candle. James got me the Kyoto Quince one for Christmas and I light it all the time. They last a long time because they're soy wax and they give off a good but not overpowering scent. If you're in Victoria, you can get it at Violette Boutique!
2. L'occitane Hand Cream- This is my favourite hand cream and I'm sure your momma would love it too. It gives off a great scent and is super moisturizing yet not greasy...win win!
3. Issey Miyake Perfume- I have the EDT version of this scent and totally love it. It's floral and so elegant. Perfect for you mom.
4. Switch Off Your Brain by Caroline Leaf- Caroline Leaf spoke at the conference I went to last weekend. She is incredibly smart. Your momma would be blessed by this book.
5. Sophie Conran Teapot- How cute is this teapot? Can't you imagine you and your mom having a beautiful conversation while drinking tea from this pot?
6. Rifle Paper Card- Incase you haven't picked out a card yet, this one is really pretty. :)
So you now have two days to pick something out for your momma. Hopefully these gifts inspire you and if you're stuck, go to the florist and get some peonies that will make her heart sparkle.
xo,
s.s.♥︎.