the last of the 20s

In just a few short days, I will be entering into the last year of my 20s. While I am still getting over how quickly this decade is coming to its end, I am also hoping to end it with a bit of a bang. It cracks me up that I will be turning 30 on the 30th next year in July. Until then, I want to accomplish a small list of things, things I have never done, things I haven't done in a long time or just simply want to do! Small things, big things...the sky's the limit! So...I am going to create the list here, and throughout the year, I plan to update what I've done. And to celebrate the big 29, I am going to make a list of 29 things :)

1. Pay off all of my credit card debt
2. Go wine tasting (it disturbs me how long I've lived in wine country and not gone!)
3. Bake a pie from scratch
4. Take a train trip to Seattle
5. Slow dance in the rain
6. Write a new song
7. Own a gorgeous green dress that goes well with cowboy boots
8. Get a facial (never done it before!)
9. See the redwoods
10. Go to Disneyland
11. Camp at the beach
12. Hike all of Bishop's Peak
13. Go see a show at a theater
14. Stay up late and watch shooting stars
15. Walk/bike through Bob Jones Trail
16. Get my passport (for future travels, of course!)
17. Volunteer at least once for something new
18. Go to a local festival and fully enjoy whatever its theme is
19. Make it to at least 2 NEEDTOBREATHE shows
20. Re-read the whole Lord of the Rings Trilogy
21. Watch "The Godfather"
22. Try donating blood again at least once
23. Go out and have tea with friends
24. Read the bible in the year (again)
25. Lead women through a cell group and see their lives changed by God
26. Eat a meal on my mom's fancy china
27. Visit my brother
28. Make up a hip hop routine
29. Go on a date

Feel free to ask me how my list is going, or to join me in my adventures over the next year!

provision.

Remember when I wrote about the MAXIMA's wonderful check engine light? Yeah...about that. Turns out I am forking out over $1000 for it. And in the moment I found out this little bit of information, I felt the panic and overwhelming "oh my gosh" come over me. I don't really have that money just sitting around, as I spent about $900 on my car in April, plus a vacation, moving, and being a bridesmaid in a wedding. I have been working hard not to use my credit card, and even harder to pay off my debt!

And then I paused. God has never failed me in this area. In fact, God never fails. Things don't always happen perfectly or the way I plan or even hope for sometimes, but God doesn't fail. He provides. My favorite verse about His provision is in Matthew 6. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

He provides in so many ways. Ways that feel miraculous. Ways that are practical. I've gotten unexpected raises, unexpected gifts...why doubt now?

published.

I think Jessica Cheatwood will be proud of me when I share this...my recent photos are being used in the promo materials for my work's annual fundraiser! Every year we hold the Avila Beach Music Festival, and all proceeds go to our cause- full inclusion for persons with disabilities. I found out last week that a few of my photos that I took at a birthday bonfire at the beach are being used in some of the materials. I would never have fancied myself as a photographer, even though I do enjoy taking pictures. But here is an example (the top part of the beach is my photo!):

P.S. I do realize this is also a shameless plug for a great event...if you know anyone who is a ZZ Top fan and will be in the area on September 2, tell them about this opportunity to support a wonderful cause!

final summa fash day!

And here it is, the final day...back to normal blogging, I suppose. Ha. Even though it is a little sad, I do not own an endless collection of clothes, so a week is good for me. Here is what I wore on this fine Sunday!

Shirt- F21 borrowed from roommate's closet (Steph- see Friday's fash)
Shoes- Target
Jeans- Express

For the rest of the finales, check out this link :)

I love lazy Saturdays :)

Today was a sleep in, go to the park for a few hours in the sun, nap, clean the house, make a casserole, do laundry, then veg with friends and fro yo kind-of-a-day! And I loved every minute of it. So, today's outfit was well-suited for the day. Super casual but I love it. And it's my fave color.

Top is from Target
Shorts were jeans from Old Navy turned into shorts
Sandals from Pac Sun years ago- Cobians
Necklace- belonged to my mom (a buffalo head nickel made into a necklace)

As Katie corrected me, we now have one more day! Here's the other awesome fash!

It's Fridayyyyyy...day 5 of summa fash

Today was not a day that I felt fashionable or adorable, or any other -able...in fact, today I felt frumpy. Today I was trying not to harbor bitter feelings toward the DMV...and spent the rest of my day at work, then band practice. Seriously, bless the heart of the 16 year old boy who told me he really liked my hair tonight. And to my surprise, these pictures are probably my favorite sets of the week. Go figure.

By the way, if you use my camera while I am on a summer fashion fling, you will end up on my fashion blog. FACT. Best part, I had two different people take pictures of themselves...and both are sisters. Hahaha. Here they are!

...and here I am...

Everything except the teal cami is from Target ;)
Teal cami- Forever 21

Only one more day...I really have no idea what I am going to wear, but we'll see. Thanks to all those who have left amazing comments. I haven't been able to check everyone's out and leave as many comments as I wanted to. Hopefully, I can catch up over the weekend.
Go check 'em out!

Happy Thursday

It's almost Friday! And since I had a fairly mellow work day planned, I dressed more casual. I am desperately trying to find green to add to my wardrobe that I love. This is one of those pieces.

Cardigan and camis- Target (resounding DUH!)
Jeans- same as Monday (Express)
Gorgeous shoes- a find at Ross! Steve Madden
Tree necklace- gifted

More fashion to be found here!

summa fash day 3

Another warm day participating with summer fashion week makes me a happy girl. I love this skirt and all of its brightness. Here is a look at day 3.

Entire outfit came from Target. Can you tell I love that store?
Except the shoes, which came from a former sister store of Target- Mervyns.

More gorgeous fashion can be found at this page!

day 2 of summa fash

Today's theme was very French influenced. It was a warmer day, so this dress was a nice choice :) Voila, here is day 2!

Dress- Forever 21
Shoes- same black ones from yesterday
Necklace- same as yesterday
Headband with bow- Forever 21

Thanks for all the lovely comments so far! Go check out the rest of the ladies participating here.

summa fashion time!

Here I am jumping into the Summer Fashion blogging hosted by the lovely Emery, whose fashion taste is impeccable! I am not sure if I can make it all week, but we'll see how I hold up. It's been kinda chilly here for summer weather, and I don't have a lot of new additions to my wardrobe, but I do today...so here it is.

Top- black shirt from Old Navy
Jeans- Express (skinny jeans cuffed at bottom)
Eiffel Tower/Je t'aime Necklace- by Sophie Paul
Ring- from my mom
Black pointy low heels- Target

Go to http://emeryjo.blogspot.com/ to see the haps with everyone else! :)