Sweet November

This month is a collector of memories. Sweet November, you always create the loveliest of moments. You remind me of that beautiful chilly day where I stood under the magnolia trees of that antebellum home and said yes to forever with my best friend. You remind me of hiking the mountains (and those muddy, slippery cliffs) with my new husband in Kauai. You bring to memory that fall that I traveled through New England with my Dad after my graduation that summer and the countless Thanksgivings our family gathered around the table and shared what we were most thankful for that year. Yes, November, you are deliciously sweet. 

Halloween & One of my Favorite Dating Memories

It's Halloween Week! I absolutely love this time of year. I am one of those rare girls who love scary movies. I love the adrenaline rush, having an excuse (do I even need one?) to cuddle up to my husband and bury my face in his chest, and hanging onto that hope deep down that the innocent people in the story will get out alive. It's also an ego boost because I think to myself, "What an idiot! Why are you doing that? Take the gun, kick him where it counts, or hide there instead of under the bed. Every murderer checks under the bed. I would be soooo much smarter in this situation." Haha.

One of my favorite dating memories is actually a Halloween memory. Josh and my dating experience was pretty horrible. I was very analytical and several times we almost broke up. That's a story for another time. It happened to be Halloween week 2010. My parents had left to go out of town the week before and my mom told me, "Take these next two weeks while we are gone and just pray really hard about your relationship with Josh and decide if you really want to be with him. If at the end of those two weeks, if you are still struggling with anxiety and doubt then you really need to break up with him and move on." This had been going on for a long time and I just could not get peace about our relationship.

Those next two weeks changed everything. I believe that's when I really started falling in love, or at least truly realizing it and that I could never in a million years let this guy go. I didn't share with Josh what my mom had told me but just kept it to myself, prayed, and decided that if these were the last two weeks we had together than I wanted to make them memorable.

My brother, Nate, was in town and after I closed up shop at Coldwater Books, where I was working at the time, we headed over to the bachelor pad (where Josh lived with my brother in law and another friend). Josh just happened to have rented The Shining that night. I wasn't used to scary movies so it completely freaked me out. I remember glaring at Josh at one point during the movie and saying, "WHY ARE YOU SHOWING ME THIS???" We still laugh about it.

During that next week he introduced me to Halloween (the movie), I carved my first pumpkin, we roasted pumpkin seeds, went on a haunted ghost tour around Florence with a local historian, took in a haunted house or two, had bonfires, and attended a Halloween party at a friend's house. I had never fully experienced Halloween and I was loving every minute of it! I found myself instead of analyzing the relationship, worrying about how I was going to live without my best friend who I enjoyed experiencing everything with. It made the moments much more special and meaningful. I didn't want to lose this amazing person I could be myself around, laugh at cheesy horror movies, grab onto when turning the next corner of that haunted house, and preparing costumes together.

For the Halloween party we tried to come up with some cheap and creative costume ideas. I pitched the idea that Josh should go as Edward Cullen. There are few things Josh hates more than Twilight so for him to agree to this was a definite sign of true love. I thought for a few seconds of going as Bella but I wouldn't have much of a costume. I decided to go as a psycho killer in a mask instead because first of all, I could just dress in black and wear a mask Josh already owned, and second, let's face it, the killer would have more personality and be loads more interesting than going as Kristen Stewart.

Josh made an amazing Edward and people knew right away who he was! Success! We poofed his hair up and gave it lots of body, he painted his face and chest with white paint, sprinkled some sparkles on his skin and tada! I've included an old photo of us at the party for kicks and giggles. It's pretty dark so you can't see details extremely well, and I'm not wearing my mask, (obviously) but I still like this photo of us.

That Halloween was such a special time. I realized that I didn't want to spend future Halloweens with anyone but Josh. Also, because of Josh, Halloween has become one of my favorite holidays. We already have our costumes picked out for this year's party and I am so excited! I am reminded how blessed I am to share another amazing holiday with this awesome guy. 

Decorating with Neutrals

If you had told me five years ago that I would be obsessed with neutrals than I would have laughed at you. At the time, I was all about lots of color (remember my previous post about every room a different color?) and collecting lots of cute stuff. Mind you, I wasn't into rainbow sherbet colors but I loved colors nonetheless. Even though I still love some vibrant colors, when it comes to interior design I have fallen in love with a simpler, and more timeless style. 

Neutrals don't have to be bland and boring. I love the simplicity and calmness they exude. If you are a lover of simple and clean palettes, like me, then here are some tips on keeping things cozy and interesting and reasons on why I love the style so much.

 I love that neutrals get the attention off of colors and allow you to mix different textures in your decorating scheme. I especially love linen and in the wintertime I can't get enough knits! Various materials add dimension and interest. They bring coziness and warmth to a space. You can also add texture with baskets, glassware, stoneware, and rugs. I have added a couple sneak photos of my newly renovated bedroom below. A special blog post on that is coming soon! 

Neutrals are classy and exude style. They can also be very luxurious.Who doesn't want to sink into a clean fresh bed of crisp white linens and cozy up by a fire in a huge grey wool throw? When thinking of creating a neutral space consider adding splashes of muted colors in with the mix. Add some grey, some tans, some browns. 

In the same thread of thinking, be sure to add some contrast to your look. I recently renovated my bedroom. Gone are the dark brown walls, the collection of gold framed wall art, and the bright yellow curtains. The finishing product was so drastic that I doubted myself and knew something wasn't quite right. I decided that it needed some darker tones to complement an all white bedroom. I have decided to switch out the white curtain rods and replace them with black iron curtain rods instead. I also decided to switch out my brass lamp and replace it with a black antique lamp. It created that distinction between all whites and creams so that they didn't all blend in together and I am now at peace with the new look. 

Those who follow my blog already know that I am in a love affair with the color white. White dishes, white cookware, white cabinets, white cups. They are so easy to match with gold, silver, brass and splashes of color. One of the reasons I love neutrals is because they go with everything! But if you ever need pops of color a plant is always a good idea. If you desire more color then add a vintage rug or some throw pillows. 

Neutrals really make your wood furniture pop! Against white walls, the grain in the wood shines so beautifully. I had forgotten how much I love our bed, dresser, and nightstand because they kind of got lost in the dark brown of my previous wall color. Use raw woods and various metals in decorating with simplistic style. It brings soul to all the airiness. 

I truly believe in making the home as lovely, cozy, and inviting as possible. Home is so much of what we are and how we feel and the way we style it is such a huge part of that. 

White-washed

I think those closest to me would say my current favorite color is white. White walls, white dresses, white mugs, white kitchenware, white bed linens.  I love the simplicity and clean look the crisp color conveys. There is something so feminine and angelic about a white lace dress. I like to think of white walls as a canvas on which the creative mind has no boundaries. You can either add splashes of color in rugs, artwork, or bold furniture, or you may choose to leave the room as minimalistic as possible.

I have read articles and followed people on Instagram that have painted their trim, walls, and ceilings all the same color throughout their home and pulled in color accents from furnishings or artwork. It gives a home a very clean, cohesive look. I have not yet gone to that extreme but I do love some good neutrals. My home is mainly made up of white, greys, a warm, coffee color for our den, and you guessed it, more white. I like having a continuous feel throughout the home.

When I first got married I picked out the colors for our newly renovated home. Every room was a different color and some were very bold choices. I chose anywhere from deep blue, to baby blue, to grey, to dark brown, to mustard yellow. It's funny now but the bolder choices were the ones I grew tired of the quickest. I would hit a wall when decorating because I always thought to myself, "Well, we can't buy that sofa because it wouldn't match my baby blue walls" or "that color would clash because it won't match my electric blue study". The only two original colors I have chosen to keep four years later is the coffee-colored den because it is my husband and I's favorite room to cozy up together at the end of the day. It complements the stones in the wall to wall fireplace and just has that wrap-your-arms-around cozy feel.The other color we have both chosen to keep is the light grey in our dining room and kitchen. It has been a favorite neutral for us. It is a good balance to bright white cabinets and soft linen tablecloths. I also love that I can bring in gold or silver or white accents at various times for whatever mood I am feeling without it clashing with the rest of my decor.

If bright and bold colors are your thing then go with it! I would just suggest choosing a color palette for your home and stick with it. You want colors that will complement each other and not distract. Draw color inspiration from a certain priceless possession weather it be a painting or a statement piece and pull color from that object. Lastly, be sure to choose a color you love! Nobody wants to paint every two or three years.

Enough of my home-designer-wannabe ramblings for now. I'm off for my second cup of coffee and to begin painting the master bedroom. I would ask you to guess the color but I think you already know what it is.

White Pumpkins & Lattes

It's here. That most wonderful time of the year. Bring out the flannels, booties, and over-sized sweaters. There's something very nostalgic about this season for me. Maybe it's because it reminds me of packing up the motor home and traveling through New England and Canada for weeks at a time with my family while Dad shadowed various pulpits. Or maybe it's the memories of hayrides and corn mazes that I shared with childhood friends. Or perhaps it's when I finally realized I was falling in love. Maybe it's my lovely November wedding I shared with that same man on the lawn in front of that antebellum home.

This morning I made myself a pumpkin pie latte sprinkled with cinnamon while I read on the couch. It's moments like these that I sit and thank God for His many blessings. I look forward to apple-picking, enjoying my mom's homemade wassail, catching old episodes of Felicity and Gilmore Girls, and camping with the family. It's moments like these that make that very special time of year so wonderful. 

New Morning

One of my favorite movies of all time is Gone With the Wind. Yeah, the ending is super depressing but that moment when Rhett leaves Scarlett on the doorstep after losing one of her best friends to death, recently losing a child, and now seeing her marriage slipping from her right when she finally realizes it's everything to her, courageously pronounce, "After all, tomorrow is another day!" is a pretty epic scene.

I like hope. I mean, without it, what would be the point of living, right? I like second chances because let's face it...we are all hopelessly flawed and human and sometimes really really mess up. I like hope because I can be a pretty pessimistic person. Sometimes I get tired of waiting on certain things to happen and just tend to throw in the towel and get super frustrated and think, "What's the point?".

I was reminded this morning from Lamentations 3:22-24, Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul. "Therefore I hope in him!" 

Today is a new day, a new beginning. Whatever you are going through right now, be assured that you have hope. Hope that He is there. He is our rock. And nothing that we encounter today will take Him by surprise. 

Therapy for our Hearts

I just wanted to take a moment here and be really honest. I struggle with anxiety. I have for years. Some months it's worse than others but it always seems to be there, lurking in the darkness, and it seizes opportunities to rear it's ugly head. At times I have anxiety just thinking of my struggle with anxiety. For some reason, usually fall triggers it again. Don't get me wrong, I am the same as every other white girl and love the season, but with the changing leaves and crisp weather comes a change in my moods. I understand that this is a struggle that is very real for a lot of women so I wanted to be raw and share my struggles in the hopes that it may encourage someone else out there. 

Currently I am reading You Can Change by Tim Chester. It has been so convicting but it's also been an encouraging read as well. I wanted to share some of my favorite paragraphs that I have read recently. They really uplifted me and reminded me to stop listening to my thoughts and speak truth to myself.

Chester writes, "Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, "Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?" We need to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Our problem, says Sinclair Ferguson, is that "we think with our feelings." We don't always feel joy in God, but by faith we can tell ourselves that he is our joy. When we find ourselves tempted to engage in sinful behavior, or when we find that our emotions are getting the better of us, we need to speak truth to our hearts. Say the truth to yourself repeatedly so that it sinks in: "God is all I need." Say it slowly: "God...is...all...I...need." Say it out loud. Say it back to him: "You are all I need." C.S. Lewis says, "The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job of each morning consists of shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in."

Chester goes on to add some key thoughts to remember:

1. God is great - so we do not have to be in control. 

2. God is glorious - so we do not have to fear others. 

3. God is good - so we do not have to look elsewhere.

4. God is gracious - so we do not have to prove ourselves. 

Some other books that have really lifted my heart in dark times outside Scripture, are The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges, Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George, and Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. I strongly recommend any and all of these books for anyone that struggles with anxiety and depression.

If you are battling with this very thing at the moment please know you are not alone. I am praying for you as you read this that God will draw very near to you in your dark season. There is hope and everything will be ok. I know at the moment when you are in it everything seems hopeless but that's a lie. So much of our struggle, yes yours and mine, has to do with the mind. That's why it's so pivotal that we stay connected in scripture and prayer. We need to be filling our minds with truth about God and truth about our ever-changing emotions and feelings.

Lastly, I leave you with one of my favorite verses. My mom would quote this to me time and time again when I would go to her for counsel and still does. I have even hung it in my bedroom so I can be reminded of it everyday.