A new season.

Sometimes I click on the link to my blog thinking that I will find something new. Truth be told, I'm getting pretty tired of seeing the same thing.

Here's a little update on life:

• Matt and I moved a block away from that "dream apartment" that I wrote about a while back. The apartment we moved to is even better. We really love it. Hardwood floors, a full dining room, 2 bedrooms, free laundry, archways, a wrap-around deck with a view, a cute back patio covered with vines... oh man. We scored. God definitely had something better for us after being disappointed about the last place. The only downside to this place is that it is old (which is also one of the reasons why I love it). The thing about an old apartment is that it is hard to clean. I don't know what it is... but it seems that when things get really dirty once it's easier for them to get dirty quickly. Who knows how many people lived here before us- it was built in the 1930's, so I imagine quite a few. And, if you should know anything about me at all, it's that I am sort of a clean freak. (Matt, I know I can be messy... but you better believe that your bathtub will always be clean). I so very much want to paint and re-grout. But, we're just renting so it's tough to justify the expense. For now, we'll keep enjoying the space that we're in and how it fits our needs in practically every way.
• I said goodbye to my beloved Jeep this month and hello to a new car that I love.
• Tomorrow morning Matt and I, along with a couple of friends, are driving to Arizona to watch Postal Service in concert. Oh, to be young and free! We're excited.
• I'm graduating from college in 5 days. Don't make fun of me. I've been in school for almost 10 years and I am really proud of myself for sticking it out and finally graduating.
• I am going to be working part-time at an event company. I'll get the opportunity to design more invitations suites, chalkboards and signage. I am also getting the chance to learn a little about floral design- so fun! I'll continue working at Foothills as well.

Life has treated me well lately. Sometimes there are seasons that can be so hard to go through. I'm so thankful that this is a good season full of new beginnings and opportunities. 

A little bit of retro + aqua

I'm a sucker for anything retro and anything aqua. See what I mean? I know it's out of season (even though San Diego feels like mid summer), but I just couldn't help myself.

Pinterest Home

I may or may not be eating a salted chocolate bar and looking at the photos I've pinned over the past week. Since I've had apartment(s) on my mind lately I thought it would be fun to share a few inspiring images of interiors that are oh-so cozy. I also thought it may give you insight on how you can use Pinterest in a practical way.

I like thinking of specific features I have seen in the apartment I am looking at and how I can decorate it accordingly. Sure, the image of that gorgeous pool in the Bahamas looks like a real treat, but I wouldn't pin it on my home style board (maybe my dream home board).

For example, I love the image above because of the gorgeous windows that are similar to others I have seen in older apartments.  I like where the couch is placed. The patterns on the pillows are awesome as well as the use of pattern on the carpet. If I was looking to re-style my living room in a similar way, I would recover pillows I have and search on Craigslist for a patterned rug that is gently used (you can find great deals!).

These striped curtains are classic and make a statement. I followed the link on Pinterest and found out they were made with 1 black and 1 white tablecloth from Walmart. Smart decorating.

This coffee cart is so cute! Right now we have tight quarters so this is not possible. But, I love the idea and the fact that it can be easily done with any small table. Also, I've seen tons of racks like this at places like Ross and TJ Maxx.

The chest of drawers has a rustic look, but mixed with other modern decor like the flowy drapes, it is even nicer. I like that the drawers also acts as a nightstand. In small apartments, it is a great idea.

This bathroom looks like it has zero storage. In my search for housing, I've found that a lot of bathrooms are lacking extensive storage. A shelving unit is a good idea. I also like the unique side table that is used as much needed counter space.

Split shower curtains is a cool idea! I've also seen DIY shower curtains that were made from tableclothes or flat bed sheets. What a great idea (if you have a liner).

Every house needs big blankets. Enough said.

This cute balcony area looks like the perfect place to snuggle up and read a book. I like the use of metal shelving and a summertime outdoor rug.

This hanging garden would be perfect for a small outdoor area. You can still have some fun growing herbs despite not having a garden. But, if you were me, they would would be dead in no time.

Last, but not least, I've learned that Pinterest has great guides for choosing a paint color. AND, I've discovered that any interior looks so much better with black doors. "I see a red door and I want it painted black." Seriously.

I hope you feel inspired! If you want to check out my pinterest boards, you can see them here. 

A story of an apartment.

Matt and I have been on the hunt for a new place to live. I wouldn't publish this for fear that our current landlords may found out. But, that's already happened. For the past few months, I've scoured craigslist and trulia. My efforts have even extended as far as bi-weekly drives around the neighborhoods we like in search of "for rent" signs. If you didn't know better, you would think that I was looking for our dream home.

To make a long story shorter, I've looked (mostly online) at hundreds of apartments over the past 3 months. We applied for 2. One was already rented out before we had the chance to be considered and the later we decided against after being accepted. Looking for a new place to live can be daunting.

Feeling a little disappointed, I showed Matt a listing a friend had sent to me for an apartment in our ideal location. It was more than what we were planning on spending. But, seconds after seeing the ad we jumped in the car and drove to the property. The apartment is located in a mansion that was built in 1914 that has since been divided into six units.  After snooping around, we met the neighbor who lives next door and has a cool name. She knew the lockbox code and let us inside. Granite countertops and new paint are nothing in comparison to the hardwood floors, fireplace, vintage windows and character this place has.

When we got home we researched the history of the mansion. In our search we found old photos of it and I learned about the construction and the man who built it. I also discovered the owner's name was Mary and she lived in the town before it was called what it is today.

We applied first thing on Monday morning when the rental office opened. The woman who worked there took our application, told us that they only look at one at a time and our application was promising. We would find out by the end of the day. We waited. We dreamt about where we would put our furniture and the get-together we would throw before Oktoberfest. I told Matt we would invite the neighbor with the cool name.

An hour before the rental office closed, we decided we could wait no longer. We called them. They told us that when they called the owner to tell him they found a renter (us!) he told them that he rented it out over the weekend. We were so sad. We really thought that this was going to be it; this would be the place we live until we buy a house. 

We were bummed. We held it together. We drove back to the rental agency to get our money back and afterward we drove by our could-have-been apartment. Then, we therapy-stalked. We searched public records hoping we could get in touch with the owner. Deep down, we know there isn't anything we can do. But, I still drafted a letter expressing our interest in the property in the case another unit becomes available.

At the end of the day, it is just an apartment in a historical building. It is just concrete and wood. My thoughts are just a fantasy of what our lives would have been like living there. Of what entertaining friends would have been like. Of a friendship we would have made with a neighbor with a cool name. It is all idealistic.

In reality, we lost nothing (except the fact that our landlords are now clued in). In situations such as this one it's hard to see that this is just a bump in the road. It's easy to doubt that God has a better place for us. At this point, it is unimaginable that there is a better place. Does God really care about where I live? Does it matter to him if an apartment has stained carpet versus pretty hardwood floors?  I really don't know. But, I do know that he cares about me. He has plans. All we can do is trust that He knows better than we do.

The truth is, I am (trying to be) thankful. I am thankful for whatever the purpose of all of this is. I am thankful that I am so exhausted from looking; that I have to endure a little longer and trust a little longer. I am thankful that He is refining me.

Adoption

I don't know when I first started thinking about adoption. I've always been fascinated by the idea of taking a child as your own; giving them a life that they may not have had otherwise. At some point, I thought to myself of how I would like to adopt a child someday. I've never felt a  connection to children in a specific country like some people have. I just like the idea of being a mother to a child that needs one. 

After Matt and I got married, I mentioned this to him. It's always been a thought in the front of my mind and I never realized that I hadn't talked with him about it. He asked me if I was serious a few times and told me that adopting is a big thing to do. I agree. Since our conversation, we haven't really talked about it. I think it takes a very special family to be able to adopt; financially as well as emotionally. It's just something to think about. I like to dream about what God may have planned for our future, whether it includes an adopted child or not.

A while ago, I came across a blog called Under the Sycamore. The author of the blog, her husband and their family recently adopted a little girl from China. I've followed her blog for quite some time now and have read about the process they went through to adopt a child from another country. You can read all about their journey over on her blog. I have to admit that it pulls on my heart. I've found myself in tears more than once, especially seeing photos of the day they met their daughter. It's all pretty amazing to me.

If it's something that interests you, you should definitely hop on over to her blog. 

6 Outfits. 6 Days.

I'm not going to lie. I wish I had  more clothes. "I just have way too many clothes," said no girl ever. My dream closet would look a little like the picture above with more shoes, purses, scarfs and maybe a few pairs of leggings.

Yes, I totally agree. It would be so much easier. I would also have a TON of credit card debt. Back to reality; I have to work with what I have. I thought it would make things easier this week to plan what I am going to wear. Lately I've been standing in front of my closet, staring blankly inside, hoping I will have an epiphany about what to wear.

Here are a few things I learned from planning:

• I figured out the missing pieces to a few potentially cute outfits. Now, I can shop with intention for things like a skinny brown belt, a colored cardigan and earrings that are similar to another pair I wear almost 24-7.
• Planning ahead helped me to think outside the default option of a Target tee, skinny jeans and sandals.
• It took close to the same time to plan 6 outfits as it does for me to pick out one in the morning.
• Pinterest is great inspiration.

source

Now all I need is a cute rack to hang the clothes I'm going to wear. Dad, if you're reading this, my birthday is just around the corner...

Pick a pair.

I like to think that I can see just fine and most of the time I won't wear my glasses. But, sometimes I make Matt read street signs for me... and sometimes I end up with a really big headache at the end of the day. I guess that means I do need them after all. Even worse, I need stronger glasses. Ugh.

The good news is that Warby Parker is pretty awesome. They're a company that was started by two guys who thought glasses were too expensive. So, they mixed things up in the eye glasses world and started designing and selling frames with prescription lenses for $95. They have a home try-on program where you get to pick out your favorite glasses and they'll send you 5 pairs to keep for 5 days. You get to wear them around, see if you like them and have random people think you look really cool. Most of the people you know in real life (uh hum, like your husband) will tell you that you look like a hipster. He'll also tell you to never go full hipster... whatever that means. Oh, and, Warby Parker also gives a pair of glasses to someone in need every time you make a purchase. They are the TOMS of the glasses world. (They're not paying me to say these things.)

I was a little intimidated to post silly pictures of myself in glasses. I thought to myself, "No one wants to see me in glasses looking silly." Then, I thought again. Maybe you do. In the spirit of being sweet and intrepid, here you have it. Help me pick a pair!

Just in case you aren't sure how to comment, it's that tiny little button at the bottom left of the post. Tell me what you think, but be nice. I may seem unshakable... but it's just a front.

Feather + Arrow Crush (and welcome)

Hello! I've moved to a new little corner of the internet that I like to call Sweet Intrepidity. I've been away for a while staying busy with life, but now I'm back! You can still visit my old blog here. 

I thought it would be perfect to kick things off by sharing a few things I love! Since reading the Hunger Games, my eye has been drawn to arrows and feathers. I'll admit, I sort of like it. Okay, I really like it. When I really like a trend, it's hard for me not to incorporate it into my own work. But, there really hasn't been any need for arrows... or... feathers... and it's not fitting to say, "May the odds be ever in your favor" in the church e-news. So, I'll just have to share my love for these things here and hopefully you will enjoy it too! P.S. I'm pretty sure the Hunger Games movie is out for sale this weekend. I'm starting to sound obsessed. I'm not. Really, I'm not. *Lauren M*

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