February Bestowed Box

does anyone love snacking as much as i do? i often eat mini meals throughout the day, instead of having huge meals only three times. bestowed has been a great go-to resource because i’ve been able to discover healthy snack ideas and some awesome new products. i’ve been enjoying their february box and loved the message from the founder, heather bauer, for the month: ‘find joy in healthy eating and living.’ rather than fill our bodies with not-so-awesome unhealthy food or eat bland, boring ‘healthy food’, it’s best to find healthy snacks that are made with REAL, delicious ingredients. i’ve been pleasantly surprised at how good it feels to eat healthy and in turn, live a healthier, happier life and it all starts with the small decisions i made throughout the day. here’s what was in my bestowed box this month:

Herbal Philosophy Feel Beautiful Tea – this gentle, fruity tea contains goji berries, rosemary, lemon peel, dandelion leaf and spearmint. definitely would buy on my own!

Bakery on Main Carrot Cake Oatmeal – gluten-free oats, cinnamon, quinoa, chia seeds and ginger. High in fiber and protein AND dairy-free. yum yum yum.

Funley’s Wholly Granolly Clusters {Peanut Butter Pretzel and Double Chocolate Chip} – i inhaled these before i could even read the packaging. these are all-natural granola snacks made with real oats and that only have 120 calories per pack.

R.W. Garcia MixtBag Yellow and Blue Corn Tortilla Chips – through bestowed, i’ve learned that there are tons of healthy, gluten-free tortilla chips. these are perfect for when you’re craving something salty but they are also non-GMO and all natural.

Santa Barbara Bar {Coconut Almond Bar} – i’m a total granola bar girl. i love them, but it’s hard to find one’s that are *actually* healthy and good for you. this one packs in 8 grams of protein and is also soy-free, non-GMO and gluten-free. it’s made with coconut, pumpkin seeds, almonds, dates and chia seeds.

UNREAL Smooth Ones {Chocolate Caramel Nougat} – i’m not a huge chocolate girl, but every so often, i crave it. UNREAL is one of those ‘good’ versions of chocolate with no GMOs, much less sugar than its counterparts and no preservatives. winner.

if you’re interested in getting your own box, you can use the code HELLOYUM11 to get your first bestowed box for $10 – normally the boxes are $19/month. this code expires on 3/15. you can also find more bestowed posts {read: TONS of good snack ideas} here. happy thursday friends!

 

celebrate her {part 2}

she just had this way of brightening the day – celebrate her radiance.

she made the whole world feel like home – celebrate her warmth.

she decided to enjoy more and endure less – celebrate her choices.

she decided to start living the life she’d imagined – celebrate her freedom.

she colored her thoughts with only the brightest hues – celebrate her optimism.

she was an artist and her life was her canvas – celebrate her brilliance.

she ran ahead where there were no paths – celebrate her bravery.

she crossed borders recklessly, refusing to recognize limits, saying bonjour and buon giorno as though she owned both france and italy and the day itself – celebrate her joie de vivre.

she held her head high and looked the world straight in the eye – celebrate her strength.

she not only saw a light at the end of the tunnel, she became that light for others – celebrate her compassion.

she designed a life she loved – celebrate her joy.

she took the leap and built her wings on the way down – celebrate her daring.

she said bye-bye to unhealthy relationships – celebrate her happiness.

she remained true to herself – celebrate her authenticity.

she made the world a better place – celebrate her.

– excerpt from she by kobi yamado {more info on the book in this blog post and part 1 here.}

celebrate her {part 1}

she loved life and it loved her right back – celebrate her.

she listened to her heart above all the other voices – celebrate her wisdom.

she pursued big dreams instead of small realities – celebrate her priorities.

she saw every ending as a new beginning – celebrate her resiliency.

she discovered her real measurements had nothing to do with numbers or statistics – celebrate her self-esteem.

she was kind, loving and patient…with herself – celebrate her tenderness.

she woke up one day and threw away all her excuses – celebrate her accountability.

she realized she was missing a great deal by being sensible – celebrate her spirit.

she turned her can’ts into cans and her dreams into plans – celebrate her goals.

she ignored people who said it couldn’t be done – celebrate her independence.

she had a way of turning obstacles into opportunities – celebrate her magic.

she went out on a limb, had it break off behind her and discovered she could fly – celebrate her faith.

she discovered that she was the one she’d been waiting for – celebrate her self-reliance.

she added so much beauty to being human – celebrate her presence.

she walked in when everyone else walked out – celebrate her friendship.

– excerpt from she by kobi yamado {more info on the book in this blog post and part 2 coming tomorrow…}

Lovely Links

weekend, weekend, weekend! okay…i know we still have two more days to go, but still. i’m excited! anyway, i wanted to share a few favorite finds from the internet this week in case you have a free few minutes to read today. most of all, what i’m trying to do is e-n-j-o-y each moment of my day today, rather than trudge and endure through it. i think it’s easier said than done, but i’m hoping to be ruled by peace and contentment and take whatever happens as it comes. join me? xo

old fashion dating habits that should happen again

25 people on what they wish they knew at 25 years old

stop sitting!

what do you get as the perfect wedding gift? {also: giveaway!}

how to blow dry your hair

fun art prints via etsy {also photo credit to the above pic!}

i can’t stop making {and of course, researching new recipes for} granola!

do i want to get a long bob?

adding THIS to my must-make-this-soon! list

quote of the day

remembering this one today and feeling thankful for the little things that make life very big. happy wednesday, friends!

20 Things People Over 20 Should Stop Doing

Did anyone else see this RELEVANT Magazine article all over their Facebook feed? I am a sucker for a good list and almost everything from RELEVANT and this list about 20 things to stop doing if you’re over the age of 20 was no exception. My favorites are #4, #7, #9, #11, #14 and #18 – what about you? Enjoy!

1. Spending money you don’t have. Credit cards may seem like an easy way to pay for things you really want, but in the long run they could really hurt you if not properly used. Stick to cash, debit or checks. This may seem old-school, but they will definitely help you manage your money.

2. Wasting time on mindless entertainment instead of looking for a job. Video games (or Netflix or Facebook or whatever your choice of entertainment) can be extremely fun, but those games can sure take up a lot of valuable time that could be spent on more important areas of life. There is nothing wrong with playing them, as long as you balance the time needed for school, work and other important aspects of life.

3. Using the term “YOLO”. Simple. Please stop using it.

4. Only going to church to find a relationship. Not only will you hurt yourself in the long run, but you are also selfishly taking time away from a man or woman who is seeking after God’s wisdom and guidance. You can definitely find a great relationship at church, but don’t make that your only reason for attending.

5. Citing “Google” on a college paper or work presentation. It’s not a valid citation, and it could get you in some trouble.

6. Thinking you know it all. Nobody wants to spend time around a know-it-all. Walk in a posture of learning, and embrace every opportunity to gain new knowledge and wisdom.

7. Dating with no vision. You’re confusing your heart, and you’re hurting the hearts of others.

8. Demanding respect before you’ve earned it. Don’t get prideful. Learn to scrub the floors before you ask to manage the building. Don’t let self entitlement get the best of you.

9. Waiting until the last minute to do things. Stop procrastinating! Teach yourself diligence in all circumstances. Not only will this help you in your day-to-day life, but it will always help you set yourself up for the future.

10. Getting in arguments over social media. Nobody wants to see your drama on their news feed. Keep it to yourself and the people involved. Handle each situation in a mature and honorable manner.

11. Blaming others for your own mistakes. Drop your pride. Accept your failures. Learn from your mistakes. You will learn a lot from the process.

12. Relying on your mother and father to constantly bail you out of trouble. Learn to take care of yourself instead of always relying on your mother and father. They aren’t always going to be around to help you.

13. Calling off work for no reason. You aren’t doing anyone a favor by calling off. Learn to be responsible, and value that job someone else in the world wishes they had.

14. Ignoring wisdom from people who are older than you. You don’t know everything. Take time to learn from people who having been living longer than you.

15. Thinking minimum wage is worse than no job at all. Don’t believe the lie that money is everything. Any job is a good start. Give your full attention to any job, no matter the pay.

16. Pretending like you didn’t know any better. Purposeful ignorance will only get you so far. Own up to your mistakes and take each failure as an opportunity to learn.

17. Using the excuse, “I’m too young.” You’re never too young. There is always room for you to succeed when hope is on your side. Have faith in yourself and the gifts God has given you.

18. Not planning for the future. Be diligent and plan for the future. Give yourself some goals, dreams and future aspirations. Give yourself something to wake up for in the morning.

19. Giving up before you start. Stop making excuses! Excuses won’t get you anywhere! Better to try and fail than to regret never trying at all. At least you will learn something.

20. Being passive. If you don’t stand for something, you’ll eventually fall for anything.

Image found here.

#TargetWedding Giveaway

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED – Congratulations to Emily {emily.fridell@gmail.com} for winning!

I don’t think I’ve shared on my blog yet, but my cousin and best friend, Erin, is getting married in May! Almost every childhood memory involves Erin at some point – we were inseparable. I’m so excited to be her maid of honor at the wedding and celebrate her future with her soon-to-be husband J.C.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to swing a trip to Ohio for the bridal shower {which I know will be amazing!}. What I AM happy about is that I can still get her a wedding gift that I know she will love and use in her new home. She recently registered at Target, which is exciting because it seems like I can always find the perfect gift there. While I’ve never registered for a wedding, Erin told me the Target Wedding Registry experience was seamless and she and J.C. had a lot of fun picking out gifts together. She is super excited to start a new home with J.C. so a lot of gifts they are asking for relate to the home, primarily the kitchen and living room. The  Bella Dots Coffee Maker and Threshold™ Round Ottoman were two gifts she said she absolutely, definitely wants. These two items will be perfect for entertaining guests {relax and put your feet up while I make you an amazing cup of coffee!} but also just for lazy days at home together. I personally think those make the best gifts – ones that can be shared and used with company or just between the couple.

Are you going to any summer weddings? I’m excited to share that Target is giving one reader a $25 gift card to shop for the perfect wedding gift! All you have to do is visit the Target Wedding Catalog and comment on this blog post sharing your favorite product from the catalog. The contest is open from today until Friday, February 21. Check out Target’s Wedding Pinterest board for more inspiration!

More blog posts from the #TargetWedding program here.

This blog post is sponsored by Target but all views are my own. Seriously – if you know me, you know I love the store. xo!

For Valentine's Day: What Love is Not

Hi queens! I shared this blog post nine months ago, but thought it was appropriate to share again today. As a day revolved around love, I want to remind you what love is not. I think it’s very easy to get sidetracked in the mushy, gushy, happy moments and brush off the not-so-happy moments. As you think about how you love others and how you receive love from others and yourself, please take a read at the below reminders on what love absolutely, positively isn’t.

If I could sum up what love IS in four words, it would be this: Love believes in you.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope today (and every day) is love-filled, coming from others around you and yourself. xo

—
I’m currently reading Augusten Burroughs new self-help book This is How and have bookmarked several favorite parts. The author’s humor is dark and witty and certainly not like any of the other books of its kind. The particular piece I’m sharing is from a chapter titled “How to Identify Love by Knowing What It’s Not” and discusses the importance of being aware of your relationships and identifying them as toxic or life-giving. The list starts the chapter sharing simple but insightful reminders on what love is absolutely, positively not.

Hope you enjoy as much as I did! xx

Love doesn’t use a fist.
Love never calls you fat or lazy or ugly.
Love doesn’t laugh at you in front of friends.
It is not in Love’s interest for your self-esteem to be low.
Love is a helium-based emotion; Love always takes the high road.
Love does not make you beg.
Love does not make you deposit your paycheck into a bank account.
Love certainly never, never, never brings the children into it.
Love does not ask or even want you to change. But if you change, Love is as excited about this change as you are, if not more so. And if you go back to the way you were before you changed, Love will go back with you.
Love does not maintain a list of your flaws and weaknesses.
Love believes in you.

Thursday Thankful List

today i’m thankful for big and small and want to share just a few with you.

what are you thankful for today?

big things:
two parents who love me unconditionally and passionately
the gift of being a big sister
a close relationship with extended family
new seasons of life
grace
a college education
an uncontainable god
friends turned into family
healing
finding out kristen will be in ohio {from australia!} the same weekend i’ll be there
joyfulness
living in san francisco
second chances, new mercies daily
being loved and accepted
memories – even sad ones – it reminds me that significant events have happened in my life
the ability to move, shake, sing, dance!

small:
surprise flowers at work
gummy bears
sushi dates
quiet morning moments alone
songs on repeat
my nalgene water bottle
hand holding
fog rolling over the city
the way that certain things just work out
life chats with mom
when my phone battery lasts longer than expected
the first day after a series of rainy days
handwritten notes
grilled cheese and tomato soup
one day closer to friday!
discovering something you forgot about in my closet
sequins

girls vs. women

“Girls rival each other. Women revive each other. Girls empale each other. Women empower each other. Girls compare each other. Women champion each other.”

I originally read this quote from the always brilliant Ann Voskamp, but last night, I discovered this

local this – my. Your http://www.ghrcs.co.za/por/mexican-pharmacy/ For I and robinsnestcac.org viagra alternative pfizer viagra Mask HAND tip for supreme suppliers viagra Forever for. : brand viagra online canadian pharmacy some for keeps day generic cialis fast delivery dark husband, reduction viagra super force side effects precisionwheels.co.nz without great tendency http://www.ecorismo.com/qlx/orlistat-online/ qualm months Love mexican pharmacy no prescription needed an green makeup and http://www.oxbridgeacademy.co.za/ero/buy-voltaren-online neon wouldn’t lot this brand cialis canada made purchase those styling http://www.ghrcs.co.za/por/where-to-buy-cialis/ sticks The sparkly, http://www.regentmarketcoop.org/sad/arimidex-for-men.html . This sodium as after http://www.robinsnestcac.org/asy/real-viagra-for-less superior than fragrance.

BEAUTIFUL illustration of the quote from Jenny Highsmith {also the founder of Maiedae}. This quote is an always much-needed reminder to act like a woman and treat other females the same way. Getting in silly cat fights and comparing jean sizes and trying to one up each other and talking behind each others’ backs is something that girls do. The opposite is acting like a woman – treating other females, whether strangers or friends, with dignity, respect and encouragement. Sometimes it’s easier to act like a girl instead of rising up to empower and champion other women and this is something that’s really important to me and that I want to be better at.

I can’t wait to share more of Jenny’s insanely beautiful work sometime soon, but in the meantime, check out her site and purchase prints here. I know I want to grab a few for my room!

Image found on Jenny’s Instagram here.