SEASONS

---

I've been learning about seasons lately. As you know, I've started my half marathon training. It's been a little bit crazy. On Sunday I did 17.7 km in the icy rain (yeah, not ideal…spring come soon!) The good thing about the training is it gives me a lot of time to listen, think and talk to Jesus. Recently I've been working through some of Steven Furtick's sermons. Last December he did a miniseries on seasons. Wow, just wow, has God been doing a number on my heart through those messages.

 Let's just get this out there…this winter season has felt very loooooong. As I've said it many times before, fall is my favourite. But (along with most of the population) I do love summer too, and spring is great with all those beautiful cherry blossoms. But winter….well, winter is dark and cold and looong. Is anyone with me on this?

Personally, the past three months have been pretty right on par with the weather. Let's just say it's been a very emotionally draining time with a lot of tears, fears and angry runs and showers (please tell me I'm not the only one who hashes the hard things out with God in the shower?) It's been yucky and at times I've been tempted to make my heart as frozen as that icy rain that beats angrily against my window.

God's been teaching me though. I've been learning that I can't choose my circumstances, but I can choose my response. I can choose to be frozen, numb and bitter OR I can choose to cling to Jesus and trust that spring is just around the corner. I can choose to trust that God is doing something in me through this season, that He knows what's up and He is producing something in me that will blossom in its time. I will dare to hope. I will declare over my life that God is faithful. 

And he has been faithful. He's sent me prayer warrior mamas who pray for me. He's sent me angels who've given me mani & pedi gifts. He's sent me friends who encourage, who give me beautiful frames with God's truth in it. He's sent me people who listen. He's sent me the Holy Spirit to fill me up and move through me when I couldn't even fathom being used by him.

So I will remain in him and set my sights on the sun and trust that hope is rising. I will have spring again.

Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,

At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,

When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death

And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.

- C.S. Lewis (The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe)

 

So I write this post not to depress you but to encourage you that even though you can't choose your circumstances, you can choose your response. God is with you and for you and he will be faithful through this winter season. Remain in him and let his hope arise in your heart. Spring is just around the corner.

xo,

s.s.♥.

ALT SUMMIT HERE I COME!

---

Well friends, I've gone and done it. I was 5 minutes late for my dentist appointment yesterday morning because I was in my car registering on my phone for Alt Summit!!! I've had many inquiries already asking what the heck is Alt Summit and you may be wondering too. Well, Alt Summit is a conference for bloggers! They get sweet speakers in and they teach a variety of topics. They also have craft tables and parties at night…wooot!

It usually happens every January in Salt Lake City. I was considering going next year but then they announced a week ago that they were going to be putting it on in June and I thought, "Well, I like the sun a lot better than the snow….I should register." I chatted to James about it and he fully supports my blogging dreams (love you babe) and agreed that I should do it.  So with a whole lot of nervousness and excitement I registered!

Ok let's talk about fear for a moment. Registering for this kind of scares the crap out of me because 1. I don't know a single soul who's going. 2. I've never gone to Salt Lake City and going to an unfamiliar city alone is a bit overwhelming... BUT I'm choosing to not be ruled by fear. Gassssh, fear has held me back from so much and I'm not ok with that. Joyce Meyer (cool preacher lady) says "Do it afraid" and I so agree. If you're still scared after praying and talking with good friends than just do the thing that God is asking you to afraid. Chances are the fear will melt away as you step forward in faith and realize the fact that you had nothing to worry about!

So even though I'm afraid, I'm excited to step out of my comfort zone and meet fellow bloggers from around the world. I'm excited to learn from others. And Salt Lake City actually looks really pretty, so I'm excited to explore it as well…oh man this will surely be an experience for me!!

So the ticket is purchased. Now I have to book flights (ptL for points!), find somewhere to sleep, have business cards made (because they're kind of a big deal there) and plan my outfits of course (Rachel, you know I'll be calling on you for help).

eeeeeeeeeeeep! I'm a barrel of nerves right now, thankfully I have just over three months to pray those away!

What are you doing right now that's requiring you to step out of your comfort zone? I'd love to know so I can cheer you on and maybe you can give me some tips on helping me step out of my comfort zone? :)

xo,

s.s.♥.

WARDROBE // 3

---

her- headband | pluto's heart // coat | vintage hbc // shirt | zara // bag | h&m // jeans | nudie

him- hat | kangol // coat | vintage // shirt | cheap monday // gloves | calvin klein // jeans | nudie // shoes | abington

Ok, so I'm ready for you Spring. You hear me? We had a tease of spring last Friday...clear skies, sun shining, it was glorious. Then Saturday came along and we had this shoot planned and it was -5. Brrrrrrrrr. But I guess the good thing about cold weather is the excuse to rock a warm fur coat! Am I right?

| SHOP OUR LOOK |

Nudie Jeans Slim Jeans · Tiffany & Co. Bracelets · Marc Jacobs Totes

Stay gold,

s.s.♥.

FEBRUARY FAVOURITES

---

Can you believe tomorrow is MARCH 1ST?? We're almost a quarter of the way through the year people. I know how we always talk about time flying by, but it really, really does. 

Well February was a good month over here on ssheart. I learned the art of planning. Because of Illuminate, February is one of my busiest months. So if I can post consistently through my busiest month, than I really have no excuse throughout the rest of the year!  

I thought it would be fun to look back and see what your favourite posts have been. These four have had the most views on them.

FEBRUARY FAVOURITES

1. MY FAVES // MAKEUP This was a fun post to make because I got to show you what's inside my makeup bag. I'm hoping to get some makeup tutorials up soon (kinda terrifies me!!)! So watch this space in the near future, and if there is something you'd like me to cover, then let me know in the comments!

2. ONE WORD BRUNCH was your second choice. That one was really fun and easy to make because I had a ton of pretty pictures to choose from (thanks Amy!) It also featured some of my insanely beautiful friends and...bacon.

3. ONE WORD AMY / NADIA / SARAH were your third choice. This is where my beautiful friends shared their beautiful hearts and explained the words that God has given them for 2014.

4. YOU & HER recap was your fourth fave. I had so much fun that night, and I'm so glad I got to share with you everything that they are doing.

Happy last day of February and happy Friday too! I'm so excited for my days off this weekend. I have some errands, running, blog planning and summit homework to do! It may get a little crazy but it's definitely going to be a lot more chill than the past couple weekends!

xo,

s.s.♥.

WINTER FITNESS // TREADMILL TIPS

---

Ok, so I know I've bragged about Victoria's mild climate but this whole polar vortex visited us last week and I'm not too pleased about it. We were hit with -5 degree weather and some places got a bunch of snow! We didn't get any snow but I didn't really want to run outside in crazy windy, ice rain, -5 weather...no thank you.

In those times I go to my last resort ...the treadmill. I've had a pass for the y since December but this Friday will mark my last day until it gets freezing cold again (hopefully next December). I mainly use it to run safely when it's pitch black outside and during torrential down pour. But the thing is, I HATE TREADMILLS. I hate them, I hate them, I hate them. Like (probably) all people, I run way faster and longer outside. I'm more free outside, like a killer whale in the ocean...(ok sidenote, I just watched the documentary, Blackfish...scariest thing ever. Orca's should not be in captivity!)  

Enough with killer whales though...the truth is, I get hella bored on a treadmill. Especially when I run over 20 minutes...who am I kidding? I'm bored after 5 minutes. And I know I'm not alone in this, so I've come up with some tips that I've used to keep me going...

1. COMPRISE A PLAYLIST THAT KEEPS YOU GUESSING.

When I'm outside, I usually put on my "work it" playlist. It usually works for me by helping me run faster. There aren't a ton of songs, but that's usually ok because I get distracted by people, dogs, the scenery, etc. Meanwhile on the treadmill, I'm literally counting down the seconds in the songs that I know so well. What usually helps me is going to songza and using one of their workout playlists. They have a bajillion songs. The thing I love about the songza playlist is, it keeps you guessing. Being surprised by an old MJ favourite can do wonders for you on a treadmill. All of a sudden, you have energy to push that last km. Music is amazing.

2. PODCAST IT UP.

Now some of you may not be podcast people but for those of you who are, listening to a podcast is a great way of distracting you. Podcasts have the magical ability to take my mind off the run. I usually listen to Pastor Steven Furtick because he's the bomb. 

3. KEEP SUPPLIES NEARBY.

The great thing about treadmills is having a personal water bottle holder. I always keep a water bottle (does anyone else find the gym extremely dry?). A towel to wipe sweat would be a good idea too (I haven't gotten around to taking a towel with me, but every time I wish I did!)

4. MIX UP THE PACE.

I found a great treadmill workout a couple months back and used it until THE Y CHANGED ALL THEIR MACHINES TO KMs. It was very annoying. I know we're in Canada and all but I was used to miles so I haven't done the workout for a few weeks but when I did do it, the time flew by. You can find some treadmill workouts on this pinterest board of mine.

5. RUN THE RACE.

And my absolute favourite tip is...pretend you're racing the people beside you. It makes your run very fun. I try to outlast the people beside me and if they get off before me, I fake celebrate that I beat them in the race. I know it sounds crazy but it works for me.

|| This post has been part of my Winter Fitness series. Check out the rest here, here & here. ||

Thankfully our weather is turning around and getting a lot warmer so I won't be resorting to treadmills anymore! How about you? I'd love to know what keeps you on the treadmill. Share your tips below!

xo,

s.s.♥.