8 Things Every Happy Woman Should Know

So the image above is not mine, it's the ever-fabulous cupcakes and cashmere. But I absolutely LOVED what she posted in October about "8 Things Every Happy Woman Should Know."  Isn't it wonderful? Now happy is a weird term and some of the things above seem trivial. But what I think Emily was trying to get at was knowing yourself. Knowing what makes you happy, brings you joy, what you don't like, being satisfied with spending time with yourself, and so on. This spoke to me at a time when I'm intensely trying to figure my life out as I'm about to graduate. I am far from knowing myself perfectly so my "8 Things" are still incomplete, I'm working away. Will share soon!

Happy Monday!

Let us Love

"We can fold our arms in judgement, 

or throw our arms wide open in love. 

Be as extravagant with acceptance

as God was with Grace."

-Bob Goff

Inspiration

image: The Simply Beloved

"Here are some God-given, time-test truth that define the way you should navigate your life. Observe them and enjoy secure passage. Ignore them and crash against the ragged  rocks of reality:

Love God more than you fear hell.

Make major decisions in a cemetery.

When no one is watching, live as if someone is.

Succeed at home first.

Don't spend tomorrow's money today.

Pray twice as much as you fret.

God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same."

I stumbled across this last night in my devotional book, Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado. For some reason (aka a God reason) these struck me really hard. This is such an easy way to look at living life as a Christian. There are obviously many other facets to our daily life and the choices we make, but the first one: Love God. Love him more than anything else and more than you fear anything else. I could go on and on. I'm experiencing a season of limbo, as I like to call it: I know what I believe but have the hardest time living it out daily. Today I pray that these truths with resonate fully in my daily life.

Wanderlust

Never has a picture from Pinterest infatuated me with so much wanderlust and desire to go back to Europe. The vastness of the painting compared to her: a girl who just loves some art. I'm pretty sure this painting sits at the Louvre considering its of Napoleon. Longing for the days of my black booties, hurt feet from walking so long, wet from from the rain, but finding warmth in a museum. What about you?

Image source: here or here.

Weekend Reading

Happy Friday y'all! Wahoo! I feel like I just wrote one of these posts. Man, the weeks sure do go by fast. I'm always thankful for a million and one things but today I'm especially thankful for: camp friends, handwritten letters, flowers, and art. I don't know why but so many things surrounding my future, camp, and creating have been filling my mind. They're all wonderful but don't make any sense to me right now. We'll see what comes of it... for now, happy reading! OH and keep choosing JOY. I promise you, your days will be much happier. Much love xo

Confession: I've always loved the Kardashians/Jenners and Kendall is no exception. Love The Man Repeller's take on her fame.

The Locus of Style: new obsession.

These made me so excited for July 19th!! B & J here I come!

Career Spotlight on Inslee Farris and Roxy Te Owens via Design Darling. Words cannot even begin to cover how much I adored this spread and what it meant to me.

I loved Mattie Tiegreen's innovative and modern take on a china cabinet/bar cart on The Every Girl.

Image by me, editing by VSCO and Studio apps.

Wednesday for the Win

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Apparently I spoke too soon because I've fallen behind on my blogger duties... again. I promise I'm finally on the right track now because I'm officially all moved into my summer house! Wahoo! And I start my internship today. I'm feeling very adult right now and I don't know how to handle myself. Anyways, I would love some prayers of encouragement and courage today along with happy thoughts. I woke up to lots of rain so I wish I was sporting the boots above (they're Joules too - an absolute fav). Ah, happy Wednesday!

Changing it Up

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Don't you just love this look? Dark, chocolate brown hair, matte makeup, a little mascara, and a solid red lip. If I could chose, I would love to look like this all the time. I'm not one to keep it simple when it comes to my hair and makeup. I like changes. I've had bangs twice and have cut it short numerous times. Right now is one of those times and I'm already getting bored with it. I really want to change it to a deep chocolate brown color like this one. What are your thoughts?

Friends!

Hi friends! Sorry I've been gone for so long. With finals and a family wedding with 3 parties, I did not have time for blogging! And I've been feeling under the weather so all motivation went out the window. But I'm back and it's SUMMER! Wahoo! I could not be more excited for a break from school and the warm (i.e. hot) months ahead of me. I love spring, though, so I'm sad to see it go. I had some time to kill so I stopped by the local botanical gardens in Birmingham and it was beautiful. A little warm in the sunshine but I loved seeing all the flowers blooming and green everywhere. Anyways, have fun celebrating Cinco de Mayo! I won't be celebrating because I'm home with my parents and need a few more days to rest up. Thanks for being faithful readers! Much love xo

Easter Sunday

Welcome happy morning, age to age shall say: hell today is vanquished, heaven is won today!

I sincerely hope y'all had a joyful Easter celebration honoring our Risen King. One of my favorite days for many reasons, but especially honoring the resurrected Jesus and the beautiful story God has written. I'm thankful today and everyday for grace, mercy, love, joy, and endless blessings because of Him.

Today was Good

Today has been simple and wonderful. I'm so thankful to be home with family and enjoy the Easter holiday. Instead of doing my usual Weekend Reading post I thought I would share with you things about my day and week that have made it extra sweet. Especially on a day where we recognize, remember, and honor a God that allowed his son to die for us and our sins, I'm truly humbled to live a life like this.

1. Getting a chance to draw in peace.

2. Easter lilies.

3. Good coffee, handmade mug by my sister, candle burning, and Norah Jones.

4. This fool we call Happy.

A happy, happy heart indeed!

Weekend Reading

Hey y'all! It's my favorite time of the week again: Friday + Weekend Reading! This has been my absolute favorite post to write since starting this blog. I love sharing articles, sites, people, homes, etc. I find interesting. When I started Gals + Grace, I knew I absolutely had to include a "Weekend Reading" post because it is continually my favorite post on all the blogs I read. I think its informative, fun, and I always find out about new bloggers and designers this way. Anyways, thought I would share why I include and love this post. If you're experiencing beautiful weather like I am-yay! If not, don't worry it will come soon! Be joyful and enjoy the weekend!

1. Again, loved this home tour on The Everygirl. This hand letterer and design enthusiast's home is super charming and personal.

2. I haven't hit the age yet where all my friends are getting married, but this article on Harper's Bazaar on bridesmaids is extremely insightful. Especially being from the South where weddings are done the "right way," I love a break from tradition.

3. Simple, easy ways to be more productive. Couldn't have found this at a better time!

4. Have you ever thought of putting a gallery wall in a bathroom?! Me either! But these examples have got me itching for my own place to try it!

5. A shameless plug for myself: I finally created a Calligraphy + hand lettering board on Pinterest to separate it from all the other art I continually pin. I've found tons of great inspiration and tips. Also, occasionally you'll find an illustration by me. Please follow!

**Follow me on Bloglovin! 

Adventure

I've been itching for adventure lately. It's probably because I've been working so much and cooped in the library. I've also been thinking a lot about my time in London last semester. Then I stumbled upon this quote above. How fitting is this?! If you've traveled before, gone away for college, or even summer camp for a while, you'll understand this. Really all it takes is one adventure or trip to know where home really is.

*Also, don't forget to check me out on Pinterest!

*image created by me on Studio app

I wish I could do this ALL time. I finally had free time this past Friday and was able to draw and work on my hand-lettering. I still have a long way to go, but I really, really enjoy doing this. Probably more than I love painting. Doing creative things and crafts has always been fun for me. Its my way of relaxation and de-stressing because my mind can wander and I can listen to music for hours. I was in a painting class freshman year of college and all my friends hated that I would go to the studio all the time. Sometimes it would be a pain but mostly it was therapeutic and felt like home. I wish I had more time do it and a studio space as well. One day!

Is there any activity or hobby you use as a de-stressing tool? 

Hustling

My motto today and for the rest of the week. So much to do and so little time is seems like. Happy Monday!

Practice Makes Perfect

Slowly but surely working on my hand-lettering skills. I'm hoping to move into calligraphy soon... if I ever have time. Do you enjoy doodling, drawing, or making art?

Weekend Reading

Hoping to squeeze a little of this in between the craziness.

Happy happy day! It's Friday! Wahoo! Really for me this weekend is going to be a work weekend, but the sight and feel of Friday is oh so sweet. This week was surprisingly easy but still loads of work and things to do. I cannot wait for summer. Can. Not. Wait. If only the weather would cooperate. Anyways, I won't be venturing out into Memphis much or anywhere for that matter, so here are a few links to keep you and me occupied this week. Have a joyful weekend!

1. THESE. SHOES. So perfect! They've been popping up everywhere on the internet and I think they're calling my name. Also, considering the color looks remarkably like the Pantone color of the year "radiant orchid," looks like a win, win.

2. The Edie Parker x Del Toro collab on Moda Operandi: M'Oticons. To die for. #QueenBee

3. A new-to-me-blog I'm already loving!

4. The Things We Didn't Buy has me wanting to hop on a plane and go far way. Not to mention investing in simple and classic staple pieces. 

5. Lately I've been making homemade tea lattes and I've been loving them. All you do is brew whatever tea you like, add sweetener, let it cool, pour over ice and add milk or vanilla soy milk (my preference). Delicious! My favorite teas are: earl grey and iced Thai tea.

(side note: I drank A LOT of Early Grey tea while in London. Fortnum and Mason is hands down the best!)

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Artist Obsession: Evelyn Henson

Artist Evelyn Henson is my newest obsession! I adore her fun and joyful take on the art process. Being an art lover myself and an amateur artist, her work just makes me happy! Also, the use of color has been a central aspect in my attraction to art, fashion, and interior design. I think we would be good friends! Above are a few examples of her work. Her paintings are sweet and gorgeous. She has the best prints of anywhere-hands down. And even fun downloadable prints you can use on your computer-like the 'Enjoy today!' one is currently my background. And so here you go, enjoy this today!

All images are from Evelyn Henson's website. Please stop by her website and blog for a little treat or inspiration!

One of my favorites speaking the truth about something I love so much.

P.S. check out the girl who made this here. Another post to come soon!

Current Obsession

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Look at this perfect outfit! I'm seriously in love. I've been craving a longer, below-the-knee (better known as midi) skirt for a few fancier events I have over the next couple of months. And this is my favorite so far! The delicious hot pink color and bow are absolutely perfect and I hope to be snatching this one up soon! Below are a couple more options to choose from.

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How I'm Feeling

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Overwhelmed. Stressed. Loved. Tired. Pulled in 1,000 different directions. Worth it. Scared.

That's how I feel right now. All those emotions, all right now. Thought that wasn't possible? Neither did I. There's so much going on in my life I can't even begin to explain: a junior in college taking 20 hours (why?!), nervously waiting to hear back from interviews, starting this blog and hoping it reflects who I really am, balancing friendships and extra responsibilities, and all while taking care of myself mentally, physically, and emotionally. Think all of that is happening? Not a chance. As I was thinking about what to write this Monday morning, that's all I was thinking about. So I thought, why not share it with you? It's who I fully am in the present moment. So here I am trying to juggle these tasks, emotions, duties with countless inspirations and ideas running through my head. Needless to say, I'm overwhelmed. But, I just have to stop and remind myself what my life is really like. I have a home (2 actually), a family, friends, Jesus, an education, money, and the list could go on... Even though I'm feeling like I'm falling under all the weight of expectations, I am humbly and utterly grateful I can be sitting in front of a computer writing this. 

How are you feeling this days? How are you really and truly feeling?