February 17, 2014

NADIA

February 17, 2014/ Laura Liira

Nadia has been one of my dear friends for almost nine years now. She is a constant encouragement to me and I am so thankful for our friendship! Here she be...

I was inspired by Laura’s decision to choose ONE WORD to set the tone for her year. I have simply chosen a word in past years, one that I truly believe God has whispered in my ear. He has promised to unfold new and beautiful perspectives with this word over the coming year.

This year as the new year was unfolding, and truth be told i was a wee bit late on choosing my word. My dear friend Jessyca who lives in San Diego and I were skyping when we decided to ask God to reveal words to us to choose for each other. I chose RUN for her and she chose DRIVE for me.

It is beautiful How God confirmed these choices in the next week. As jess and I speak often we were skyping only a few days later and without thinking I told her that my greatest struggle in that moment was that I was trying to find my drive... She quickly reminded me of my word for the year. In that week she decided to begin training for a marathon! We laughed about it but she believes that a literal “run” is not what God was speaking. I love how listening to God’s promises can often draw us together. As my life can take many twists and turns It will leave me wondering what exactly God is doing in the current season. Since I have been home from California I have been striving for many things and God’s heart has shown me that all I need to do is be with him. He has shown me great favor and I am piecing together my drive in life. When I was in school I learned a great deal about dream interpretation. In this you learn that cars and vehicles often symbolize ministry. It is hard to know exactly where God is taking me in this season. What I know for sure is that I have some incredible and beautiful friends to go there with. At the moment I am still finding my drive and whether it is about “ministry” or simple everyday life. I am going to choose my vehicle and find my drive!!

all photos by Amy Gary Photography

Thank you Nadia for sharing! Love you girl :)

HAAPPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!!

xo,

s.s.♥.

February 14, 2014

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

February 14, 2014/ Laura Liira

image via honestlywtf

Happy Valentine's Day!

Those three words usually spark 2 reactions: 1. lovey dovey fireworks in your heart or 2. ugggh. Regardless of your reaction, I want you to take in this verse today:

Relax, everything’s going to be all right; rest, everything’s coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way! -Jude 1 MSG

There is a love that is larger than romantic love. A love that stretches wider, longer, deeper and higher than any Nicholas Spark's novel could. You are loved by God with this love and it is an everlasting love. He loves you, He loves you, He loves you.

So relax today. Rest today. And open your heart because His love is on the way.

xoxo,

s.s.♥.

February 12, 2014

VALENTINE'S WARDROBE

February 12, 2014/ Laura Liira

Got plans for Valentine's day yet? Or better yet, do you have your Valentine's outfit planned yet? If not, I have some inspiration for you!

all clothing above from zara

I'm in love with everything from Zara. Seriously, how cute are those pink heels in the hot date outfit? And I'm hoping to snag that oversized cardigan today.

James and I are heading to Vancouver today for the you & her launch (check out their website and buy their undies to support girls in Africa!) so we decided to make a Valentine's date of it. We'll be there for less than 24 hours but I'm hoping to squeeze in as much as possible including breakfast at Medina Cafe and hopefully some qt at Zara. We have no official plans on the big day itself but here's to hoping my man has something special up his sleeve (no pressure darling..)

Happy Wednesday!

xo,

s.s.♥.

February 10, 2014

RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE BROWNIES

February 10, 2014/ Laura Liira

Are you a Valentine's lover or hater? Even though I have been single for most of my life (James was my second official boyfriend, and the first one was in grade 9 for two weeks, ha) I've always loved Valentine's Day, probably because I'm a hopeless romantic at heart.

So I made you a dessert for Valentine's Day. You can make it for your boyfriend or your friends or heck, make it for yourself, and rent The Notebook. You can pretend you're eating it with Ryan Gosling. That sounds like a pretty fantastic Valentine's Day if you ask me.

Enjoy!

xoxo,

s.s.♥.

February 07, 2014

WINTER FITNESS GEAR

February 07, 2014/ Laura Liira

The cold weather in Victoria has returned...booooooo. Tomorrow morning's forecast is "-3 feels like -7". I know some of you in your blizzard like conditions are laughing as I complain about -3 weather but us islanders just aren't used to that kinda cold. Torrential rain? Now that is something we can handle.

When it comes to running, I'm more of a fall runner than a summer one. I'm even ok with running in the winter (just not -10 please). But I'm only ok with it, if my running jacket is good to go. I live in that thang in the winter time. I purchased it 7 years (!!!!) ago and I still use it all the time. It just goes to show investing in good gear is definitely worth it.

Below are some winter running essentials. You can't just slap on some capris and hope for the best. If you're taking on winter running, you gots to be prepared!