dear 16 year old me.

dear 16 year old me,

listen to others, yes.

but most of all listen to your own convictions. 

weekend {shap}shots

this weekend was a busy one, despite the fact that i had sandwich vacation days from the office.

went back to my college turf.

saw this vehicle on the road. strange.

saw this adorable friend.

and this wonderful lady.

and a bulldog wearing an auburn jersey {oh the irony!}

and a wonderful friend shared this amazing quote.

cannot wait for this weekend to celebrate friendsgiving!

dear 16 year old me.

dear 16 year old me,

take time and chat with people who have walked a little bit further on the journey of life. their wisdom and insight will be priceless as you walk your journey.

the "ear to ear" list.

something that i adore more than anything. meeting friends of friends.

there is something about it that helps explain a person better. that allows you to see a bigger picture of the person that you are walking through life with. plus, who doesn't love meeting new friends! 

my sweet friend shannon recently had one of her dear friends in town. it was so fun to sit and chat over margs and queso and hear all about her friend hannah. 

at one point in the conversation they started talking about their "lists". basically, this list contains things that make them happy. i have called it the "ear to ear" list, because hopefully everything on this list should make you grin... ear to ear.

they shared theirs with me and several things occurred to me as i listened to them share pieces of their hearts and their happy places.

1. it was very clear why were were friends {new or old}

2. how incredible it is that we all have very distinct and different things that make us {us}

3. what an incredible way to bright your day, when your day seems to be clouded with big dark clouds.

here's mine. this is just the beginning.

{ear to ear}

- coffee

- diet coke (fountain or can, not bottles)

- colorado

- peanut butter m&m’s

- stickers

- sweatpants

- large t’ shirts

- margs with no salt

- fresh powdery snow with no footprints

- donuts

- straws

- boots

- grilled cheese with havarti, bacon, & apples

- mexican food

- whiskey

- mason jars

- porches

- crooked creek ranch

- boulder

- view from the top of sweat mountain

- spot by the mill at sharptop

- the color yellow

- apple pie caramel apples

- my vintage patagonia fleece paired with flannel

- a really beautiful photograph

- sunrises

- peonies

- craft beer

- the weepies

- long car trips with windows down

- laughter when it turns to tears

- the movie: because i said so

- used bookstores and libraries

- the smell of dew in the mornings

- sitting down after a run

- teacups

- my grandma's amethyst ring

- handwritten letters

- the smell of honeysuckle

- the book: the sweetest thing

- lower case letters

- scarves

- rifle paper co.

- stationary

- strawberry cake with cream cheese icing

- macaroons

- fall scented candles

- quilts

- playing “hookie”

- card games

- the feeling when i walk into anthro; creativity overflowing

- dolly parton

- pancakes

- airports and the possibilities that they bring

- exploring new places

- raw spinach

- fruity fran from chicken salad chick in auburn

- big blue bagel

- dance parties before club

- dark chocolate

- mountains

- “the soundtrack of my life” playlist

- watching dance moms with my mom

- chattanooga

- iced chai tea lattes

- sporadic adventures

- fires

- sour cream

- movies that make you cry

- the feeling after skiing when you are in dry socks

- boys with beards

- hot yoga… and the shower after

- waking up to the smell of bacon

- 90s alternative music

- cuddling

- naps

- acoustic concerts

- s'mores

- crew neck sweatshirts

what would be on yours?

dear 16 year old me.

dear 16 year old me,

learn to drink coffee. and fall in love with as many coffee shops as possible.

empowered.

maybe it is katy perry's new release. or maybe it is the change in season. or maybe i am just finally {whether i want to or not} growing up.

whatever it is, {i like to think that it is the perfect blend of the 3} i feel empowered. 

now there may be some of you that are completely rolling your eyes at me and i must say that i completely understand. whenever i hear a woman talk about how she feels "empowered" my typically response is to roll my eyes. (ps- mom: they still aren't stuck that way and i have been at it for 20 something years, I'm calling your bluff)

for some reason when i hear a woman becoming in power, my mind goes to this woman who decides she doesn't need to shower any more, wear s masculine cargo pants, and grunts. 

shows you how little i know. 

i am learning that feeling empowered is one of the greatest things feelings a person can have. it means that you have the strength and the back bone to move forward no matter what is thrown at you. 

half marathon training.

new experiences.

a regular "boring" routine.

new friendships.

new relationships.

whatever may come at "empowered" woman doesn't back down. she finds her security and lets her roots reach deep down into that anchor. and she doesn't move. no matter what comes her way.

it is an incredibly beautiful thing to watch and experience.

being empowered creates a softness but a strength.

i was recently reminded of a beautiful piece of scripture that i want written all over everything. 

" she is clothed in strength and crowned with dignity.."

proverbs 31:35

we are empowered in and through the Lord. he desires to give us strength. and we can hold our heads high because we have be given dignity through him.

i love the brink of when seasons change. you can feel the difference in the air and the excitement of a new season of life. 

it seems like the perfect season for change.

and to feel a little bit empowered... like a lion who is ready to roar.

{no} labor day weekend

this morning, while i was laboring over my 9 flight stair walk, i was reflecting over this past weekend and just reminding myself how incredibly wonderful it was.

nothing crazy happened, but i was able to unwind and relax. i also was surrounded by some wonderful people.

in a {nutshell}

-watched 8 hours of parks and rec

-watched 5 hours of college football

-consumed a bizillon calories

-shopped one incredible j. crew outlet sale

- baked a delish recipe from girl meets life

- and laughed... a lot.

now, go make some cake batter blondies, you will not be disappointed!