Following a Father's Path: Life

  

   I graduated college a little over a year ago and since have been nannying for numerous families and doing a few hobbys on the side (photography and some promotional work). Who knew how difficult it would be finding my dream public relations career, however I have learned that God has a plan for my life ...and maybe right now it is dabbling in a few things I enjoy. On top of all of that, I am  thinking about becoming a real estate agent on the side.... mostly due to my love for the various structures and interiors homes have to offer in Charlotte. SO... I guess you could call me a jack of all trades to some extent and a hopeful entrepreneur (one day).

     My father was an entrepreneur himself and my mom is an incredible dental hygenist. My sister pretty much followed my mom's path (becoming a dental assistant/supervisor), and I am finding (as the years go by) that I have the drive my father did by creating his own job. He owned a construction plumbing company, and created a name for himself in our hometown city of Winston-Salem. 

     Growing up he taught me the importance of being independent, creating your own money and following your dreams. I saw him each day come home from work around 7pm (covered in hardworking sweat) with a grin on his face that I will never forget. He would shower and come downstairs and ask me all about my day at school.... and right after dinner there was always a fun game we played outside (basketball, tennis, pretend games w/ my sister and I..etc.). He provided for our family, great food, an unforgettable home and heavy amounts of laughter. And each night ended with cuddles in bed along with this song if I was ever upset or sad.

  "Little girl your sleepy, I know why your blue

     Somone took your baby doll away, try to go to sleep now

     Little girl you've had a busy day.."

     I lost my father, to bone cancer, about 8 years ago before I started Highschool. My life changed and ever since I have learned so many important lessons that I continually try to apply to my life. 

     I saw what it took for a widowed mom to take care of two girls (quickly becoming adults) and how courageous she was through it all. I learned that if you want things in life you work hard for them without giving up and without relying on anyone else. I learned that your emotions can quickly take over you and you have to guard yourself. I learned that we don't know how much time we have in this world, and taking advantage of very opportunity is so crucial. I learned that even when things are not going as planned, you have to be happy in all that you do. I learned how precious family is and to never take anything for granted.

   All of this has shaped who I am today. No I do not have a dream baller job yet, but I am making ends meet just fine, and doing what I love each day. When opportunities present themselves you better believe I will be the first to take hold and never let go. Living each day and being so thankful for the little things around me (simplicity) has been my motto. 

     Today, look around and ask yourself if you are happy and doing what you love. Because if not..why are you wasting the gift of time? Do what you love, work hard and pray faithfully. God always is in control and won't fail to present blessings in your life. :) 

My Dad and I :)

That good ole southern food: YUM

     This is a meal that I have always loved and grown up eating. Like I mentioned in my previous "foodie" post, mom always tended to make some type of starch (potatoes, rice, pasta), vegetable (green beans, peas, spinach) and a meat (steak, meatloaf, chicken casserole) for dinner each night. I always stayed trim and healthy too! Therefore, I have decided this is what my meals will probably consist of too.. unless I get kinda crazy (homemade bisque!). Corey (my boyfriend) thinks he is some kind of chef, so there will still be the occasional homemade pizza nights and when I am super lazy...taco nights will be a given.

    Two years ago I introduced Corey to fresh, chopped green beans (which I am pretty sure his mama has made him as a kid) and he has been in love ever since. Luckily, green beans are my favorite vegetable to eat as well, so this has worked out great. He, on the other hand, has introduced me to crab/shrimp cakes (which I never really had growing up) and now I am a complete fan to say the least. SO.. it looks like we have both introduced each other to a few healthy fresh foods.

     The other night, we decided to have a crab cake/green bean/potato combo and it was delicious! I usually opt for a potato casserole, but decided to keep it somewhat healthy and have organic new red potatoes. Now these were a staple growing up, and I now believe it was due to the fact that they are so so easy to prepare! You literally buy a bag of the potatoes, wash & chop them in half, lay them on an oiled/seasoned baking sheet, and put them in the oven for 20 min (SO easy right?..They taste great with ketchup too!)

     You can buy chopped & washed green beans at any local grocery to save time.. if you are trying to whip this up quick. I typically sautee them by adding seasoning (your choice) and a tablespoon of natural butter..they take only a few minutes! We like to pick out fresh crab cakes from Harris Teeter or Whole Foods and cook those on the stove top. Corey likes to be in charge of making those, but they take little time to cook and taste simply amazing.

    This meal is easy and affordable, which is always what I'm looking for. Crab cakes are only about $6 a piece, potatoes (vary but are cheap for a bundle) and green beans are about $4.99. Therefore, this makes for a great dinner date night with your boyfriend, husband or best friend! Enjoy!

Argan Oil: Feed your skin!

     One of my absolute favorite products is argan oil due to its endless benefits for hair and skin! I have always had fairly frizzy hair and dry skin..this changed all of that in a matter of weeks. I went to Sephora with a good friend of mine who introduced me to argan oil by Josie Maran. I tried it out in the morning and a good amount at night (before bed) and couldn't believe how soft, luscious and well hydrated my skin/hair was the next day. I kept this regime and still continue to see amazing results each day.

     I have had a few people ask me how my skin is so clear, soft and subtle on my face with using little makeup ...and this oil is my secret! I don't use a face wash ever and stick to a natural bar of soap for cleansing followed by a small amount of argan oil and I am set! I had significant amounts of problem skin when I was a teenager, and soon realized it was from trying every face wash on the market (even Bobbi Brown). However, I soon realized, when oils get cleared from our skin ..our body naturally produces more oils, which can break your skin out even more..

My skin after using argan oil for a week!

      Over the past few years, argan oil has skyrocketed to fame, and for good reason. The stuff really works. Sourced from the nuts of Morocco’s native argan trees, the oil has been used in cosmetics since ancient times. Berber women traditionally sit on the ground and crack the nuts with stones to extract the kernels, which are then roasted for their oils. It takes a whole season of nuts from a single tree to make one liter of the precious ingredient. Just in case you’re wondering, argan oil has a high concentration of vitamin E, omega acids, and antioxidants to strengthen hair/skin and improve its elasticity. When you are in your twenty something it is so crucial to take great care of your hair & skin so it stays gorgeous even when your 50! So why not give it a try!?

Cheap finds: Found em!

     The house is coming along, and we have definitely been busy continuing to decorate and add small touches to each room. One part of the house, we sort of have neglected the past two months, has been our hallway. I think because it was more crucial to have a couch to sit on than a well decorated hallway filled with adornments ..hence it got moved to the back burner.

(Living Room coming along! Pillows $7.99 from Ross! Burgundy throw $6.99 Marshalls!)

     Jami has been so great at finding amazing deals & steals lately.. and introduced me to thrift shopping 101. We both don't have a ton of money to dish out right now on little things such as nice rugs and wall frames (which are typically not cheapest at Home Goods & Pier One). However who says those are the only places for decor? Did you ever think about shopping at your local Ross, Goodwill or even Salvation Army? I have always thought (up until now) that you kind of are not suppose to shop at Goodwill and Salvation Army mostly because less fortunate (needy) people should have first dibs there...but in today's economy, who says I am loaded with cash or am not somewhat needy when it comes to extra pieces of furniture?..Because I am!

(2 Matching Runners! $10 a piece)

      So, Jami and I went to all three! You would be shocked at how much stuff (and deals) there were at all three stores. Now I know Ross is basically like Marshalls... but typically there stuff is cheaper... and surprisingly about the same quality! About a week ago I hit up Ross and found two runners that didn't match (one for the hall and one for our entryway). When Jami and I went the other day Ross had another matching runner to the one in the entryway for $10 bucks and we grabbed it. We ended up swapping out the one in the hall with the one in the entryway so there could now be two matching runners for our long hallway (did you catch all that?).

(Wall decor $5.99 from Salvation Army!)

      When we went to Goodwill we found some plates and tons of mugs for like 50 cents each (basically a steal). Salvation Army actually had a gorgeous antique shelf (that probably should have cost way over $5) and we have now placed that on our hallway wall with two candles from Family Dollar (both holders and candles)!

(Plate from Goodwill and Plate holder $12.99 Hobby Lobby!)

      All three runners, plates, candles and antique wall shelf were a total of around $45. Now to us.. that sounds like a pretty good deal! Don't be afraid to shop thrift and consignment for goods that are barely used, and give a great vintage feel to any space of yours!

Homemade Cappuccino: Yes Please!

     Lately, I have become a coffee addict to probably the max. I find myself drinking possibly 2 cups daily (which for the past year and a half seems to be routine). With job hunting, photographing, nannying, cooking, traveling and now blogging..I need all the energy boost I can get in the morning!

     When I traveled to both Rome & Costa Rica years ago, I began developing an appreciation for coffee and the various ways to make it. Cappucinos have always stood out to me in taste and appearance. I love frothed milk and the tasty blend of spices different coffees embody. I rarely make a good homemade one since I am also now addicted to our Keurig and my friend's Nespresso (which is amazing to say the least). Therefore, I wanted to find an efficient homemade recipe that entails everything I love about these drinks!

  



Below is a great recipe I have used many times and have seen on media channels like Pinterest and online articles.Why not treat yourself this season to something delicious!
 

Ingredients    (Side note- You can find most of these ingredients All Natural if you would like!)

Freshly brewed coffee (use ground coffee if you don't have a brew machine)
Whole-fat milk (using whole-fat milk ensures a creamy froth as opposed to skimmed)
Granulated sugar
3 drops of vanilla essence
¼ teaspoon of powdered cinnamon

Preparation

Place a 1/3 portion of the milk in the microwave, at a high temperature for a minute and 10 seconds (or stop when you see the milk rise as it boils). Transfer the hot milk to a blender, adding the vanilla essence, granulated sugar, and powdered cinnamon. Blitz the mixture until it takes on a frothy finish. Taking another cup, add to this the brewed coffee (1/3) and then top it off with the steamed milk. Sprinkle with dark or milk chocolate shavings if you'd like.

ENJOY!  

**( http://www.buzzle.com/articles/recipes-for-homemade-cappuccino.html)

The Look for Less: Fall styling

 

     Something about Fall screams fashion to me. I love all the various pieces of garments that go with the season, such as big sweaters and leather boots to name a few. I love the bold, sultry colors that come out this time of year and the many textures paired with. My mom's biggest wish for me is that one day I will finally emerge as a credited stylist for some local boutique/magazine (I would love that too she fails to understand) however, it is no joke being the next Rachel Zoe. 

    Call it luck, but I do seem to find some pretty amazing deals that have all the elements and pieces models are wearing down NYC's fashion week runway. I have decided to share 8 styles I am really craving this Fall, and they are all very effortless to put together! 

#1 Leather Satchel- This is something worth investing in (because they truly last forever) but you can find them starting at $29.99 at your local Marshalls and TJ Maxx. I have a crossbody leather satchel that I have started to use and it really does go with everything!

#2 Floppy hat/fedora- I actually love these year round, but this time of year I am craving the navy, taupe & black colored floppy hats. To get a great deal they have a bunch at Belk and Macy's. If you don't want to hunt for the perfect one, brands like Madewell/Jcrew have great ones!

#3 Plaid Scarves- These always scream Fall and go well through the Winter, so they are worth every penny! I love wearing a comfy black top and a big plaid scarf to accessorize. The best deals for these are on Amazon. They usually have very low shipping costs! I also have been finding other patterns like chevron on Groopdealz.com.

#4 Flats- Don't get me wrong I am a sucker for booties/boots..but have found flats are so versatile. I recently got a pair of leather Steve Madden ones ($39.99..DEAL) and burlap TOMS (59.99). I have worn both so many times because they feel great no matter what the weather is like!

#5 Off the shoulder tops & Skinny jeans- I am head over heals about this duo. I have found so many black lacey and printed off the shoulder Fall tops that are very affordable at TJ Maxx & Julies Boutique. They typically range from $19.99-39.99. My favorite skinnys right now are Tractor brand. They feel so comfy and have colors from hunter green to dark taupe and black (and of course denim colors). They also are pretty cheap for pants/jeans ..only $49.99!

#6 Headwraps- These are so trendy and can really save a bad hair day! The one pictured above I actually made. I found both pendants and solid colored crochet headwraps to adorn at Hobby Lobby. I spent probably around $10 bucks total! You can also find them online at Etsy.com!

#7 Oversized sweaters- I have always been a fan of these..(I mean who isn't?). Rule of thumb for me is always do opposites. SO if you choose to wear a big sweater stick to simple jewels (like stud earrings) and more fitted tops bust out the chunky statement pieces! Less is more..ALWAYS! I am finding these at Marshalls and Gap for great prices..(typically under $39.99!) Ruelala.com and Hautelook.com also have major sweater steals!

#8 Top knot/bun- This hairstyle is so effortless and can be worn at any occasion. They have tons of videos on Youtube on making them too if you find yourself frustrated! I typically bend over and throw it all up on the top of my head :)!

     Hope you try some of these styles out! They are very geared to 20 somethings but feel free to teach your mom or child or best friend some of these looks. I have seen many toddlers even sporting the TOMS and topknot too! Check my Instagram (amandalbeck) for more styles I find. Why not get the look for less??!

Our trip to the SC State Fair!

     Yesterday, Corey's family and both Corey and I took a trip to the South Carolina State Fair. We have sort of made this a tradition ever since Corey and I started dating three years ago..and I am a fan to say the least! On the day of, Corey and I decided to meet his family closer to SC at a really cute shopping center so we didn't have to bring two cars. While waiting on his parents to arrive, we stopped at one of the cutest and most delicious "cupcakerys" I have ever been too. I really couldn't resist, so I decided to get a pumpkin spiced cupcake and Corey of course had something chocolate filled (his favorite).

     After we indulged (and probably gained a good 5lbs. a piece) his parent's arrived and we headed to the fair! Corey's sister is a phenomenal cheerleader for the SC Gamecocks and her boyfriend goes to the school as well, so they both met up with us to come along with! The fair was not too packed but much warmer than I had pictured...85 degrees and sunny (can't complain!). We got lunch before going on rides and playing games, because we couldn't deny the smell of all the yummy greasy food (haha). I typically eat whatever at the fair because that is just a part of being apart of the fair "atmosphere." SO I of course got a delectable corn dog and huge bucket of fries (no worries everyone else was eating equally fatty foods as well :)). We were pretty stuffed from lunch, so playing games and seeing some of the exhibits seemed like a good first activity.

     We saw a ton of animals, including an elephant and zebra, which was kinda cool! We also spent tons of money trying to win crazy games..and came out with a pink monkey and small frog (It was pretty funny watching Corey get really into the games.. thinking he was going to win a life size animal of some sort). We played a bunch of "luck" games and sadly only won a few times but hey at least we won something!

     Once our stomachs calmed down we began all the thrill rides. I will say they were a ton of fun.. but we only went on a few..most were geared toward 10 years and younger. I did ride "fire ball," which is my all time favorite and the classic rug slide from high in the air. Corey actually beat me down it because he realized you go crazy fast leaning forward (I let him have his victory..). 

     Before leaving, we of course had to get some sort of fair dessert, so I went with a delicious chocolate funnel cake. Elephant ears and funnel cakes are always my favorite along with cotton candy and caramel dipped apples (okay maybe I love everything ..but who doesn't!). On our way home, that evening, Corey and I were pooped. We had such a fun time being with Corey's family and acting like we were still kids again. We can't wait to go back next year!

Whats Cooking?

     Lately, I have found myself wanting to try a million new recipes. Growing up, my mom always had a fresh home-cooked meal ready to eat at 5:30pm everyday. The meals were never anything crazy or gourmet, but had that soul food vibe of comfort food. I realized, when I was about to graduate college, that I really didn't know how to cook a ton of meals and wished there was more to life than mac and cheese and occasional taco nights.

     I got online and started searching for easy recipes that required few ingredients and were somewhat healthy. To me, food can be as healthy and delicious as you want it. You can make really delicious foods very healthy by the types of ingredients you buy. Lately, I have been opting for gluten free products and low cal/low sugar choices. Places like Trader Joes and Whole Foods make healthy cooking a breeze. Prices are always affordable and everything usually is natural.

     I have found that instead of making just healthy snacks/food (which typically tastes bland) you can incorporate healthy/natural ingredients in food groups like potato casserole or a bisque soup! With a boyfriend who wont settle for cardboard, I have made this my job to try and whip up mouth watering meals that take little time.

     Recently I have made tasty new casseroles, salmon burgers, lobster ravioli, etc. Due to the hype on Instagram about the recipes, I am going to try and post one weekly that I have tried, conquered and loved. Being a good cook is just another great notch to anyone's belt so why not give it a try!? Eating what you love is such an important quality of life! Below is the recipe I used for Parmesan-lemon crusted chicken. It was to die for!

Ingredients

• 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups dry breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
• Lemon wedges

Preparation

Pound each chicken piece to thickness of 1/2 inch between sheets of waxed paper. Place chicken in baking dish. Pour 4 tablespoons lemon juice over chicken and turn to coat. Let stand 10 minutes. Beat eggs with remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice in medium bowl. Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan and lemon peel in shallow dish. Dip 1 chicken breast into egg mixture. Dip into breadcrumbs to coat; gently shake off excess. Season with salt and pepper. Repeat with remaining chicken, egg mixture and breadcrumbs.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/3 of chicken to skillet and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to platter and keep warm. Repeat with remaining chicken in 2 more batches, adding 1 tablespoon butter with each batch. Garnish platter with lemon wedges and serve. 

New House: 3 Chicas

Our new home on Londonderry!

     Around August I was pretty swamped looking for a house to move into. Due to living in a few apartments all through college I really wanted to live in a house and I guess feel a little more grown up. I spoke with my financial planner and she strongly recommended I think about renting a home over buying one until I know for sure where I want to live permanently or at least for several years. I agreed with her because I really love Charlotte, but don't know if this will be the city I reside in for the years to come (esp. with Corey and I both job hunting.. we really want to check out DC and possibly live there in a few years). She also reminded me it is never just the house you are buying but all the upkeep or any damages that occur or even appliance failure. It all made sense ...and therefore I will be renting in the meantime.

     As far as roommates, I have never been the girl to move in with her boyfriend or vise versa, so my dear friend Jami (who was coincidentally needing a new place to live as well) came first to mind. When we talked about it we were like two little girls giggling with excitment about our "girl pad." We began the hunt in Mid August, looking on websites like Trulia and Craigslist. We set up numerous appointments and probably toured over twenty homes in our budget. We also looked at a few properties above our budget.. which turned out to be a bad idea because we realized we had to come back down to reality. Yes the granite countertops, gorgeous stoned fireplaces and marble bathrooms all seem like perfection but we really don't need all those features until perhaps later in life (haha one can hope!)

Jami and I! Still need a photo of us with Maggi!

     After looking and looking, the whole excitement of house hunting began to wind down. We now were approaching September with no place to live..which was quite stressful! However this all changed quickly! One afternoon, I was reading and my boyfriend, Corey, came over with an elated expression due to some sort of news. Apparently he was driving through an area (which I love) called Madison Park, and found a home for rent in our budget that would be ready to move in immediately. He showed me pictures he had taken of the house, and it seemed to be the PERFECT home for us. With three bedrooms, bonus room, living room, dining room, two bathrooms and screened in porch...I was in love.  I talked to Jami about it, and without hesitation, we signed papers before even going in the house to check it out first.

     About two days later we were cleared and ready to move in our new home on Londonderry Road! This all happened so quickly, but we really had about a week to figure everything out. a few days later we also decided a third roommate would be  great idea with splitting bills and rent.. so Jami spoke to her good friend Maggi about the home and had her come by to see it. She fell in love too and was able to move in a month later!

     Now that we are all settled in we really are loving the home and so thankful Corey found it. It is 1600 square feet and features old southern charm characteristics throughout. The house has old hardwoods in about every room besides the kitchen and great fixtures that were updated. I find myself in our bonus room a ton. We made it very cozy, and with Jami and I both having small dogs it has become sort of a playroom too!  Sadly we do have huge TVs in most rooms and lots of shabby chic details and french styled decor. All three of us have a love for DIY (do it yourself) projects and finding antique teasures to find the perfect spot for so this has been really very fun for us!

     This whole experience has really shown me the difficulty of finding a perfect fit home. I cant imagine buying my first house and how indecisive I probably will be during that time.

     I am only 23 though, and I am glad I chose to do things the way I did. To me it is important to be able to live on your own, doing what you love with amazing friends. We have our whole life ahead to live with the guys we love and to buy houses and be all "wifey." In the meantime I want to live outside my boyfriends shadow and live my life fabulously. What isn't attractive about a young lady who can support herself and follows her own dreams? I am so thankful for God's provisions and feel blessed when new adventures, like finding a home to rent, work out! Here are a few photos of the house but we are still in the process of decorating some spots and making it perfectly ours! Stay posted on new projects, parties, and things we do at our new Londonderry home!

My Bedroom!

Dining Room!

One side of the Kitchen!

Bonus Room

Crowder's Mountain: First October Trip

     Yesterday Corey surprised me with a day trip to Crowder's Mountain, which was such a fun experience! Apparently most of our friends and residents of Charlotte have been, due to the fact that it is only about a 40 minute drive outside of the city. I'll be honest, it is no Blowing Rock or Boone but definitely a mountain with tons of scenic views and strenuous hiking trails.

   So the day of, we got ready, loaded up Portia (my Jack Russell), and headed to the Mountain. We first stopped to get a quick bite at a Wendy's on the way (which I regreted post the 8+ miles of hiking). We found a great spot to eat our (fatty) burgers on a campsite beside "Fern Trail," which was very calm without a single person in site. Portia wanted to attack every squirrel she layed eyes on but I kept giving her a fry or two to keep her by our side. Once we finished eating, we headed to the first trail we thought would not be to intense that was around the lake area at the base of the mountain.

     This trail was probably my favorite. Even though it was not the big Overlook, it had so much character with birds chirping and trees turning hues of orange and yellow. The water was so peaceful and calm which had me completely relaxed the entire time. This trail also had little hills and was mostly flat which of course made it effortless to walk through.

    Once this trail ended we thoughy it was time to tackle the big hike up "Pinnacle Point" which led to the Overlook up Crowder Trail. Now this trail started out not too bad, however was much longer than I anticipated. The path was steep but had few big rocks around. You really had to watch your step hiking up this trail, but it was such a beautiful site throughout. Looking up you would see these gorgeous trees hovering over you with sun beams making their way through the leaves.

     Portia surprisingly did fantastic on this whole trail through Pinnacle Point. It was about a 5 1/2 mile hike up to Crowder's Trail (and just abut killed my thighs midway through) but Corey kept me really motivated and even told me how shocked he was that I was an outdoors girl after all (Haha..He also knows compliments are always uplifting). We would take a few breaks to take some photos and get hydrated. I carried a small Wendy's cup that we would refill periodically to give Portia water (she really was a trouper!!).

      Once we got close to Crowder's trail, and the Overlook, their was probably a steep hill with maybe 50 + steps directly upward that we had to tackle. At this point I was getting pretty tired (and a tad cranky) but knew the whole point was to see the spectacular view at the top.  So now the true hike began. We got halfway up the steps and took a water break and then climbed up the rest. Once we made it to the top we saw the incredible..and I mean incredible Overlook.

      This view was breathtaking. You can actually see Charlotte if you look way way out in the distance. Corey and I sat together with Portia and just took it all in. The sounds the smell the wind...it was all so amazing. I had forgotten the sweat and practically tears of the hike up after seeing this. After awhile we decided to make our way back down the mountain. This part of the trip I was not to fond of because of the huge rocks we had to climb up and steep downhill trails. We ended up carrying Portia through some of the rocky trails because of how unsteady the rocks were (luckily she only weighs about 18 Ibs. so it was not too bad). On our way down more of the leaves we apparent with their Fall colors coming in and I was in heaven.

     Once we had finally made it down the mountain we were out of water and very thirsty and had about a 2 mile trail to the visitor center. This trail actually felt good because it was very shady and completely flat (kind of like a cool down at a workout class haha).

      When we got to the visitor center we filled up the water bottle had a snack and headed home. I will say we learned a few things on this trip. We only brought one big water jug which was definitely not enough water for the amount of hiking we did. We decided next time we would bring a small backpack with a few waters and even some nuts and crackers to keep us feeling energetic! We also did not realize how few people were there so we thought bringing a blanket and a book to sit at the top of the mountain would be very relaxing.

     All in all it was a fantastic start to this month. October weather is our favorite and we plan on taking complete advantage of it while we can!

A small intro about "20 Something"

     I know what your thinking (everyone has a blog these days, and it's getting old) ..BUT I am finding myself stumbling upon amazing ideas, DIY projects galore, new adventures, different recipes and helpful tips for anyone living in this age.

     I used to have a blog, back in my interning days, however it really only focused on great products and finds that I encountered and felt the urge to share with everyone. These days, I would really like to just write about life in my twenties. I know it's no surprise to most people that your twenties are years of ups and downs and good/bad times...but there is a lot more in our day and age that twenty something year olds go through. I find some weeks are bliss (filled with paying rent on time and dancing the night away at a nearby concert) but some are filled with sadness and confusion (seeing a million girls post filtered instagram pics of their flawless engagement rings, while football is never ending on the 40" TV in the background) . These are the roller coaster weeks of being twenty something.

     I have decided that no matter what, the most important step is to try and find happiness in everything. A good friend of mine taught me that it isn't so much about defining yourself but continually molding yourself into the person you want to become. This is what being in your twenties is about. This is where all the emotions and crazy feelings we have stem from. If your like me, your not sure whether you want to become the next best photographer, teacher, graphic designer, boutique owner or real estate guru. Are we a jack of all trades? Or was there some calling we have missed? Or maybe we are not suppose to know all the answers just yet. Maybe we are suppose to live with a little less worries and "plans," and let life just happen.

     No matter what anyone else is doing, you have to be content and happy with yourself. You have to embrace the fact that it may not be your time right now (no worries facebook and instagram arn't going anywhere) but in due time. I'm finding that God has a crazy good way of making things happen in certain seasons of our lives.. and it takes trusting Him, knowing He is omniscient and omnipresent.

     I've made a pack with some ladies that we will always live through each other, supporting one another in life's many blessings and obstacles. Whether you are twenty three or twenty seven you are facing your own triumphs and hardships.. which is completely normal. These are the years to be inquisitive, free, flirty, feisty, unsure, doubtful and curious all in one...these are the years of being twenty something.