November & Engagements

Can you believe that it's already November?! EEK :) Time for fall, changing leaves, and even snow (in states other than Texas)!

I swear this semester has just been flying by. Before I know it, I will be graduating from college (no complaints about that just yet) and starting my big girl life. What kind of job will I have? What kind of clothes will I wear to work? Will I truly love what I do? Will I choose the job God has intended for me to have? These questions are just some of the thousands that have crossed my mind these past couple months.

For other exciting news, my sister is engaged!!!! She's getting married in April, which seems soon, but I'm super excited for her big day and all the planning and crafting that it involves. On that note, a lot of other people I went to high school and college with are also getting engaged. I'm truly excited for all of these people, but that concept is honestly a little weird to me. My sister and Mark have been dating for 7 years, so not so weird. Peers my own age about to start their own families...weird! I'm not really sure why that is. Possibly because I'm not at that point in my life yet. Maybe it's because I don't have a boyfriend or because I still feel so young myself. Maybe it's because there's a huge world out there and I feel my husband is probably not in Texas. The possibilities are endless, but I must say it has taken me awhile to adjust to all of this news.

It's funny how stuff like that works out though. My mom was married at 21 so I always assumed I would be married at 21 or 22 too, but now that I am at that age, things are very different from what I expected. Guess that just goes to show that God's planning and our own will not always be the same. He's a funny man :)

So with school wrapping up and getting busier at the same time, and the holidays just around the corner, I hope y'all find time to relax and enjoy this beautiful Fall weather. For you coffee drinkers, drink a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks for me :)

-Tay-

The World is a Book

"The World is a book and those who do not travel read only a page."

-Saint Augustine-

Currently this is my go to quote. I feel like it fits my life perfectly! I know I've seen some of the world, but technically if the world is a "book," I've really only read a couple pages...I want to read more!  Since I got home from Italy, I've been keeping a running list of places that I want to visit for the first time or again. Why do plane tickets and hotels have to be so expensive? Why do I not make any money as a student? It's a circolo vizioso!

Here is a shortened list of some of the places I desperately want to see. Some are in America, but most are across that little body of water.

The first one is Salvation Mountain. Amanda and Mark went here last year after she graduated. It's located in California and was made by an older gentleman. The whole concept is based on the bible. Truly unique and beautiful!

Next is Alaska. A girl I went to Baylor with is actually living here currently. Her blog entries are always so fun and her images are amazing. How can you say no? You really can't!

Time to jump the ocean to England. My mom started kindergarten here. I don't think she remembers it much, which is a great excuse to go back :) Hint, hint if you read this mom! I think this country is so unique and has a lot to offer. Plus, I know the language!

Prague. Cool wall, right? This is the main reason I want to go there, but I'm sure they have a lot to offer a girl!

Last, but definitely not least...Ireland! First off, I'm of Irish heritage, but thanks to movies like P.S. I Love You and Leap Year, this country is on the top of my list. Seriously, does it get much prettier?

So there's some of my list.  Can't wait to add on more!
-T-

Tasty Treats!

Hello lovely friends,

Since I last wrote, a lot has happened! I not only started my senior year of college, but I also got a new internship for a fashion blogger. Woah for growing up! However, my real purpose for this blog entry isn't to talk about school and work, but rather to tell you about some delicious sweets that are gluten free and dairy free.

As many of you know, I have struggled with daily headaches for the past 3 or so years. Fortunately, this summer I finally figured out what may be causing them (fingers crossed it solves the problem). After several tests the verdict finally came in and I found out that I am gluten intolerant and allergic to cow dairy and a couple other small things. I've had to cut out all grains, delicious breads, cheese, and also cut back on processed foods. This transition has been crazy hard because I've had to totally change the way I eat. I've always been somewhat healthy (or at least I pretended to be), but to be honest, I am obsessed with pasta and tasty sandwiches on wheat bread. And lets not forget cake! I LOVE CAKE!

With my search to find foods that still taste good and fit my requirements, I found a couple blogs that I feel all of you healthy eaters need to follow:

From Comfy Belly I baked Lemon poppy seed muffins, but there are so many other delicious meals I want to cook! I just need more time :) Check out her website. These muffins were made with almond flour, which is great if you can't eat grains.

I also made some delicious Peanut butter cookies! They're great with a glass of almond milk, plus they have NO flour :)

Happy baking!

Lets paint the streets!

At the end of work today, I found this awesome video on my news page. SO cool! I love all of the colors and the creativity behind this. Check it out....

Painting the streets

Work vs. Sex & the City

So first things first... Excluding my song post from last night (which is such a great song), it has been almost a year since I've written on this thing. I've really meant to. I even kept thinking of things to say, changed my background to get me excited to start blogging again, but then I wouldn't follow through because well, it's summer and who's gonna read it? However, I'm ignoring that fact and am going to try and start writing every so often.

So the title of this blog basically sums up my summer. I'm slowly realizing that work & the big girl world are actually nothing like my favorite shows & books (Friends, Sex & the City, I heart New York, etc.). Have you noticed that those people never actually go to their jobs? They just talk about them and what's going on at their place of business. Always seems so fun :) Don't get me wrong, growing up and having my first big girl job has been a great experience and I've learned things about myself and the work world, but you actually have to wake up early and sacrifice working out and other things you love. I was honestly hoping that wouldn't be the case :) I always hoped the situation would be similar to Carrie or Rachel. That I would dress in cute business clothes and wake up early to work out and go to lunch with my girlfriends on our breaks.

Regardless of the fact that I have to wake up early and that I'm not as fashionable as Carrie Bradshaw, this summer internship has been incredibly beneficial. I got to do a lot of writing, which I honestly love to do, I got to help do research on photographers & guerilla marketing, and most importantly, I got to meet the people that Amanda talks about when she comes home everyday. I love putting a face to a name!

So with the summer wrapping up, looking for another internship and permanent jobs has been something I've been looking into a lot! Even though I've realized the working world isn't necessarily gonna be all cupcake like, I am excited to see where the next year takes me and whether I will get one of my "dream jobs."

Speak to my Soul

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!

Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!

One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God