ONE WORD 2014 // KRISTY

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Today's one word comes from my friend Kristy. Kristy and I have been friends for a number of years. We've been on many adventures together including seeing JT live!! Kristy has a beautiful voice (figuratively and literally)...take it away girl...

 

I first heard of the “one word” a few years ago with Laura at an amazing women’s conference called “She Loves”. I came away thinking that it was a cool thought but never put much more into it.

However, for some reason this year it's been jumping at me to consider. 

So since Laura’s first post about her “one word brunch,” (which, if you know those ladies, you know it was most definitely as good as it looked in the pictures), I have been seriously giving it some thought and prayer about what my one word would be.

The past couple of years have been ruled by health struggles and more specifically this year, emotional struggles. Through most of it, I took on a “survivor mentality”... not letting anything get me down or stop me from participating or continuing on with life...“eliminating the interruption”. Looking back, I should have allowed myself to be content with the need to rest but I let fears of being forgotten, or left out or missing out get in the way of that much needed rest.

This past fall everything was too much to hold and I broke. I fell into a season of depression, something I never thought I would suffer from. It is not something that is easily understood, and not something that is easily ‘fixed’. And I learned it can take a toll on a lot of things, especially friendships.

It's definitely been a process but I can honestly say, with a smile and giving full credit to God, that I am much further ahead emotionally than I was even a couple of months ago. 

 

SO — that being said, when considering my one word I thought for sure it was going to be “Joy” or “Hope”. But the word that God gave me was “FEAR”. I know, not too positive but it was followed with “TRUST”.  The word is about facing it, and in turn trust God in the result of facing it.

Once I realized what my one word was, God challenged me on this ‘word’. I had to make a decision to not take part in something this summer that I was really looking forward to, a summer worship school at Bethel Church.

Through conversation, and prayer with leaders, I decided with all that's going on in focusing on getting well etc, that it wasn’t the best timing. AND I also realized that I didn’t have fear in saying yes to the go BUT I was so fearful of saying yes to His no. Fear of what it meant for me in not going, where would leave me in our ministry here at home, as a bunch of my friends from team are heading down, and also fear of missing out in time spent away with friends.

SO— I knew that I had to say no. I had to face those fears, and trust God that he has something for me in my continuous journey of healing.

Ever since realizing that this was my word, I have been challenged in facing other fears. It amazes me how much fear is connected to a lot of other things, like not feeling good enough, and diminishing my capabilities and gifts.

Lately God has been challenging me to write. One way of facing it is with this submission to S.S. Heart. So here I am, facing a fear.

 

Fear (trust)

“Do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows” - Matt 10:31

"The fear of man brings a snare, but trusting in the Lord will keep you safe." -Proverbs 29:25

 

Thank you Laura for creating a place for vulnerability and for beautiful hearts to open up.

Thank you Kristy for being vulnerable and sharing your one word!!! xoxo

Check out the past one words ---> Amy  |  Danae  |  Nadia  |  Sarah  | Micaela  | Tiffany  | Laura

If you'd like to submit your one word for 2014 email me at laura@ssheart.com

 

Happy Monday friends!!

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

FESTIVAL FAVES & COACHELLA TIPS

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So Coachella starts today and a little bit of my heart is crying right now.  I attended Coachella on the infamous CADTOOL (Coachella and Disney trip of our lives) trip back in 2011 with Rachel, Courtney and Thea. And then last year I attended again with James on our Oregon/Cali Road Trip. Both times were amazing and both times I learned more about surviving Coachella. Let me be straight up with you, Coachella is very intense. I went in thinking it was a frilly dilly hippie festival but no. You need things to survive. And here my friends is my survival gear…aka festival faves. :)

1. Asos Kimono - Ok if you're going to a festival you need some cute trendy clothing. I'd be all up on kimonos because they serve not only as a beautiful covering when the sun goes down but also has a blanket to sit on when you want to sit back and enjoy the music from a distance. 

2. Redoxon Vitamin Tablets - With being around so many people (and so many germs) it's best to be safe and pump up your vitamin c intake. 

3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Bag - FYI you do not want to be carrying around a massive bag at a music festival. First of all, it's very annoying to be squished up near the front watching your fave band perform all the while getting bashed by the person's backpack in front of you. Secondly, you can't bring food or any cameras with detachable lenses into Coachella (the music part, not the camping part) so you don't really need a massive bag. I brought this bag last year and it was just perfect.

4. Gold Birkenstocks - You do A LOT of walking around and standing around so make sure you have super comfy sandals. I didn't wear the comfiest sandals, and it sucks. So if I ever go again, I'll be sure to bring some good quality sandals. 

5. Clinique SPF 40 - It gets insanely hot in the desert so be sure to pack a good sunscreen!!

6. Cult Gaia Flower Crown - Your outfit isn't complete without a flower crown. (P.S. this one is on made sale!!!)

7. Baggu Fold Up Bag - Because it's boiling hot, you're obviously going to want to drink a lot of water. You can't bring any water bottles into the music part of the festival so you're forced to buy some (and then refill at their warm-ish water fountains). But to save money and avoid drinking the lukewarm fountain water, take advantage of the recycling program! For every 10 empty water bottles you collect you can exchange for one ICE COLD water bottle! And last year they introduced a whole lot more incentives (ferris wheel rides, posters, draws for VIP passes). It's actually super easy to collect empties because after every set people just leave their garbage everywhere. That is why a fold-up bag like this one comes in handy. Get your bag lady bottle collector on.

8. Bando Mobile Charger - Obvs you want to be tweeting, instagramming and facebooking all over Coachella. If that's the case, your battery is sure to run out at some point. They do have charging stations all over but who wants to sit around lots of sweaty people and wait for your phone to charge? Not me. Plug this bad boy into your phone and then instagram away.

9. Ray-Ban Sunnies - Self explanatory.

Extra Coachella tips-

Read the festival map VERY well and check out every exhibition. H & M has a magical tent where you get to drink water, charge your phone and freshen up at their beauty stations. I'm talking dry shampoo, wipes, sunscreen, the real deal. Also last year Fruttare had a tent where they just gave away free popsicles...ALL DAY. James and I didn't discover it until the second day, so be sure to read your map VERY WELL.

Plan your meals if you're camping! We ate amazing food because we planned out our meals and brought a camping stove. Festival food is amazing but very expensive so if you don't want to break the bank, plan some meals!

If you're camping onsite, bring a canopy with walls! The first year we went, we didn't bring a canopy and we were smoking hot by 7am. Last year James and I brought a canopy but only had mesh walls. It was better but could have been way better with solid walls. See you're VERY CLOSE to your neighbours and it can be a bit overwhelming. If you're like me and appreciate a bit of alone time then bring a canopy with solid walls or a tarp!


Ok, I could go on and on here. Coachella is incredibly fun but if you want to survive and get the most out of it, then plan well!! 


Happy Friday!!!

-s.s.♥.

P.S. Coachella is live streaming both this weekend and next!

WARDROBE // 4

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I'm all about kimonos this spring. They have the power to carry an elegant yet boho-chic kinda vibe and I so dig that. They're also a great transitional piece. Take away the kimono in this outfit and you're left with black on black on black aka fall/winter but add the kimono and you're half way to spring. I'm pretty sure this kimono paired with jean cut-offs is going to be a summer staple for me. Heck, if I were headed to Coachella this weekend (boohooo), I'd live in this kimono.

These photos were taken in Beacon Hill Park. It's a gorgeous park near the downtown core of my city. All over the park there are wild daffodils and cherry blossoms. I always came to this park as a kid. My dad even taught me to ride a bike here and I remember so clearly driving over that stone bridge in his old green ford pick-up (they closed the bridge to cars years ago)!!

^^ turtles!!!! ^^

Her- Kimono - Forever 21  //  Top - Forever 21  //  Pants - Forever 21  //   Shoes - Steve Madden   //   Key Necklace - Tiffany & Co   //   Watch - Kate Spade

Him- Button Up - Vintage   //   T-Shirt - Nice Collective //  Tank - Wesc   //   Pants- Wesc   //   Boots- Shoe The Bear

 

|   SHOP OUR LOOK   |

What's your favourite transitional piece that takes your outfits from winter to spring? I'd love to know! Happy Monday!

xo,

s.s.♥.

 

oh and p.s. I made a cute little gif for you! It so reminds me of those moving pictures in Harry Potter..haha.

 
 
 

MY FAVES // HAIR

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It's FRIIIDAAAAY...yay! Last night I had a wild night of watching The Mindy Project and washing my hair. Love me them wild nights. So speaking of hair, I have a few hair faves for you! I'm not the most knowledgeable in this department but here are a few of my favourite products...

1. Kevin Murphy Round Brush- A couple years ago I won this amazing gift basket from Lab Salon with a bajillion Kevin Murphy products. This brush was included in it. I usually try to blow out my hair after I wash it, so this brush MAKES IT HAPPEN.

2. Kevin Murphy Body Builder- I use this mousse before every blow out. It helps give my hair some nice volume AND I've had it for over a year and it hasn't run out yet!!

3. Moroccanoil- I've used this puppy for years. When I was a damaged bleached blonde it did wonders. Now that my hair is au natural and a lot healthier, I only use it on the ends. 

4. Bando hair clips- I don't own these (BECAUSE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING IS $45!!!!!) but if I lived in the states, I so would.

5. Batiste Dry Shampoo- Ah, dry shampoo. I should do a whole post just on this magical product. I try to only wash my hair once a week. So most days between washes, I spray this miracle worker on and voila, grease is gone and my hair is fresh! I've tried MANY dry shampoos and this is the greatest one I've found (I even like it better than the Kevin Murphy one!!)

 

So there are my fave hair products. I'd love to hear yours because I ain't no expert in this area so I need all the help I can get!

 

Happy Friday!!!

xo,

s.s.♥. 

CARAMEL POPCORN

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As you probably know by now, I have a ridiculous sweet tooth. I like cookies and chocolate and cupcakes. It's a good thing I like running and salads too I guess.

My sweet tooth comes calling often, sometimes I ignore the cravings and other times (most of the times) I just head to the kitchen and bake something beautiful. And this caramel popcorn my friends, is something beautiful. 

Crunchy. Perfect amount of salty-sweet. Just dang delicious. 

Popcorn is popped. Caramel is made. 

Now there is a trick to making caramel. The trick is DON'T BURN IT...which I did the first time. Oh, and another trick is, don't put your finger in and burn that...which James did. :p

Popcorn is stirred into the sweet, sweet caramel then baked in the oven to perfection.

After cooled, place it in a pretty bowl and devour it.

mmmmmm mmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmm

| CARAMEL POPCORN |

Ingredients needed:

1/2 cup of salted butter

1 cup of light brown sugar

1/4 cup of light corn syrup

1 tsp of salt

1/4 tsp of baking soda

1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

10 cups of popped pocorn

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and then lightly grease parchment paper with butter.

2. Place butter in a big pot over medium-high heat. Once melted, add brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir together and then let sit until it reaches a boil. (Watch the mixture very carefully as it can burn very quickly!!!) Once boiling, reduce heat to low and let sit for five minutes.

3. Stir then continue to cook another five minutes while continuing to stir every 30 seconds until the mixture is a deep golden colour.

4. Turn off heat then whisk in salt, baking soda and vanilla extract.

5. Stir in popcorn and toss until it's covered evenly in caramel.

6. Spread the coated popcorn on the baking sheet and bake in oven for 15 minutes. Toss the popcorn on the baking sheet every five minutes or so.

7. Remove the popcorn from the oven then place on a surface covered in parchment paper. Once cooled, break up big chunks and place in bowl and then devour. :)

Recipe slightly adapted from Gimme Some Oven

Happy Wednesday!

xo,

s.s.♥.