Frankly Friday...v5

I'm SO thankful it is Friday! 

I can not even put it into words..ye-yeah!

What is Frankly Friday?  Let's define Frankly shall we...

frankly |ˈfra ng klē|adverbin an open, honest, and direct manner

. . .

I want this to be a way for all of us to be open, raw, and transparent with not only each other...but with ourselves. I think we put a lot of stock into the "fear" of what others may think of us...into the "fear" of really putting what's on your heart out there in case someone decides to tear you down.
I'm over the fear & you should be too.
So let's write...whether it's about a situation you're struggling through, a victory you've made, a memory that you can't let go of...anything as long as it's honest.

. . . So...i know this series is called FRANKly friday, but i dont know if i've been really brash yet.  Here is a little insight into all that is Amy...i'm honest AND i don't really sugar coat anything.  That isn't to say that i go around smacking people over their heads with truth bombs that hurt; it just means that i tell it like it is...regardless of whether it's PC or not. {and for the record, i strongly dislike PC}.  SO with that being said, if you're not the kind of person who bodes will with having someone walk (maybe heavily) on your toes then skip this post and return monday for fun! :) . . . Today i want to discuss Modesty because i feel that our society {and especially our women} are lacking straight up running from it. I've had this talk with countless teenage girls and it's incredible to me how many of them have never had an older female sit them down and not only explain what modesty is and the value of it, but how it can conjure up incredible self-esteem.  [ Disclaimer: This thought process is geared towards my Sisters in Christ, those who worship at the feet of Jesus, who are called to a higher standard. If you choose to not believe in Him, then the weight of this message is not geared directly towards you--even though you might benefit from hearing thoughts of another woman walking through life with you. ] I saw this on Pinterest the other day and it floored me, because i think it all of the time:

here. 

Ouch right? 

That is never easy to hear. 

. . .

I guess i should explain where this post is coming from, i suppose what triggered this thought process this week. I see these young ladies (my age or a little older), and teenage girls (or in other cases >12) walking around in shorts that are hugging the butt curve and leaving nothing to the imagination. I see beautiful {and probably incredible} women with dresses that will show the world their goodies if they even attempt to sneeze. I find myself seeing girls throwing themselves at any man that pays them the slightest attention. 

It all shatters my heart.

I was once told:

If it is not on the menu, cover it up.

Let me put it this way {this is how i explain it to my female students}, if you are showing it then you are giving any male (or woman) the permission to touch it. I sometimes get a "nu-uh, i'm not wearing a sign that says 'hey you can touch here'" to which i lovingly respond: you don't have to, they are touching you with their eyes. Now to some women this might be the exact response they are wanting to get, look at me, how sexy am I, oo yes i have your attention...i guess my question to you ladies is:

Why?

Why do you want attention soley based off of how your body is looking? 

What are you trying to prove void are you attempting to fill within your life?

You might not think you are, but really stop and think about it.

Why do you crave sexual attention, and don't dish out that "that's how i'm wired" garbage because it's not fully truth. Something is missing, something is...hurting your heart and your'e grasping for any kind of control you can. Been there--done that--bought the crap t-shirt.

Hmm...
What is the value of being modest?
I believe there are plenty of good reasons to dress modestly but i'll focus on one reason right now:
Respect.
Respect not only for the incredible woman you are within, but respect for the men that you surround yourself with.

here.
I guess i should share a personal story of the first time i realized the responsibility i had as a woman:
When i was in youth group (around probably 9-10th grade) i didn't really care what i wore {and trust me that is evident from the hideous, atrocious, and down right embarrassing photos i have}. I had grown into a body (basically overnight) that was curvy and foreign and bless my mothers heart she had nothing up top to worry about so helping me find "stylish" and NOT sultry clothing was hard; not to mention the fact that i was a teenager and sometimes changed clothes when i left the house because i wanted to attract more attention. One night at church i had on a lower cut top and one of my younger guy friends pulled me aside and said, "you know how much i love you and how much i value our friendship right?" i was like crap, what happened?! He continued, "when you wear tops like that it really causes me to struggle with lust and it sucks..." He was really struggling through the conversation and i could tell how embarrassed he was to be talking to me about it.
I was floored. This conversation opened my eyes and from that point on i knew that i needed to dress more modestly.
. . .
What did i learn from this?
Guys are visual creatures; & i hold a lot of responsibility within my closet.
Yes, i can choose to wear whatever i want "who cares what other people think", but the truth is: you should care. You should care how you are presenting yourself (not just outwardly but inwardly), and you should care how it affects other people. I am not married, but i have been in relationships before and when a girl walks by with SUPER revealing clothing and i know that the guy i am with has to do his very best to not let his eyes wander...it frustrates me. It frustrates me because he shouldn't have to be put in that position, and that beautiful woman shouldn't have to feel like in order to be sexy she shows skin.
MYSTERY IS SEXY.
. . .
Now i'm not saying we should all walk around in turtle necks and jeans for the rest of our lives...that's just ridiculous. What i am saying is, be more responsible, more mindful of the clothes you choose to wear. There are PLENTY of cute pants, skirts, tops, etc that are incredibly fashionable and yet still cover all of your goods. If you want to be sultry sexy...then hey go for it: with your husband.
. . .
Some ladies won't give a second thought to anything i just wrote; and that is perfectly you're choice. Some ladies might be offended or angry with what i've written; i know how you feel, it's a hard truth to swallow. Some ladies will be shaking their heads in agreement mumbling finally someone said it. However i hope all of you know that this is coming from a place of experience and a place of love.
I go around saying "Modest is Hottest" to my girls, and i get a lot of eye rolls...but i can say this for sure:
It's what guys (at least the ones worth any time) really want.
I've done surveys, questioners, random polls on facebook and 90% of what i have received back sounds all to similar: i love a girl with mystery, cover it up, most girls leave nothing to the imagination, it causes me to lust, please your worth is not found in that.
. . .
So ladies, whom i love, cover it up.
Be respectful and responsible of the power you hold with your body.
Wear something that expresses who you are, not what you want to attract.
Remember, that men are always looking (no matter their age), and some might be struggling to not fall int a lust fantasy depending on the outfit you're wearing.
& know this: I love you all, regardless of what you wear.  
Seriously.
{Edit: This is not my only stance on modesty (the guys part), this is just the one that i felt more pulled to while writing. I believe that modesty is beautiful in so many different areas, and (like i mentioned earlier) completely boosts a womans self image. Modesty is more than just 'protecting males eyes', absolutely; it's about having respect for yourself, your body, and dressing in a way that while fashionable is also incredibly breath-taking. I just don't want anyone reading this to feel that the only reason i view "modest is hotest" is for the males aspect--it is also equally as important on the female side! <3
I guess what i've attempted to say is that as Christian women we should do our best not to be a stumbling block. }
. . .
Feel free to check out past Frankly Fridays:
v1 | v2 | v3 | v4
. . .

Here is the link-up

Thursday Hiatus

Taking a mental day off.

I've got lots on my mind & heart and i honestly can't form a coherent sentence about DIY at the moment, my mind is preoccupied elsewhere.
I'll be back tomorrow with another Frankly Friday! 

So make sure you have your posts ready to go & to link up, i'm pumped! 

I can't wait to read everything y'all have written, it is so great to get to know each one of you on a deeper level, thank you so much for participating. <3

. . .

. . . And since i like pictures of my cat {and you know you do too ha}:

He's a diva and he knows it. =) hahaha

Pinteresting Wednesday...v7

Why do i love Pinterest so much?

Honestly...i think it's because it gives an image to all of the thoughts/ideas/inspiration that i have floating around in my brain, maybe it's also an escape. 

I think sometimes we allow things to take up our time so we don't have to sit in silence and focus on what is really going on in our lives.

This is just a random observation i've made from my own life. Instead of dealing with an issue, or allowing myself to actually think i can sometimes find myself pinning away my problems...anyone else relate? 

<3

With all of that being said, i'll still be linking up with Michelle from The Vintage Apple for Pinteresting Wednesday.

. . .
I found this little beauty on Modern Eve and i will DEFINITELY be using it to clean out my closet this weekend. 

^This quote completely floored me...my life resonates with this. 

2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 
. . .
Ah...why does today feel like it should be friday?!?!

Pinteresting Wednesday v1 | v2 | v3 | v4 | v5 | v6
. . .
Also, don't forget, we've got another Frankly Friday coming up in two days! :)
Get your posts ready!!

Two loves: Sheets & Chocolate

I love my bed. 

Seriously. 

More importantly i love clean sheets that feel awesome. 

{i've actually talked about this before}

I think it ties back to being a child and "having to have cold clean sheets" to sleep. 

I remember flipping my pillow over all night so i could sleep on the cool side, i was a weird child...i know. So needless to say, i have been known to stock my linen closet FULL of sheets.

Here is the irony to the story: I think spending over $40 on a set of bed sheets is insane. 

womp womp

Do YOU know of any nice bedsheets that are under $40?!? No, i didn't think so. 

My grandmother got me the most amazing egyptian cotton bed sheets YEARS ago that now have a few holes in them...but i love them (and only use them in the winter otherwise i get too hot). My cousin loves them too; every time he spends the night with my brother he searches through the linen closet for "his sheets"...ha keep dreaming bro. 

I had recently bought a set of sheets at Ross that were like 300 thread count...and i loved they way the felt, until a week later. Apparently i move in my sleep because within a week there were little pills (fabric bumps) all over my fitted sheet. ugh.

. . .

While i was at Target i noticed that they had a lot of their sheets on clearance. 

I am not able to find the exact sheets i got on their website but these are close enough. 

I got a 325 thread-count grey set for about $30. 

I got them home, washed them, and put them on my bed and man oh man i really, really like them. 

{you can see some of the ideas i have about changing my bedroom here}

. . .

I also made these babies last night: 

here. 

I found these "No Bake Oatmeal Cookies" on Oh She Glows website, and i knew i had to make them.

Her recipe calls for: 

1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/4 cup non-dairy chocolate chips, 1 large banana, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tbsp buckwheat groats (optional), 1 tsp cocoa powder, sweetener, if preferred. 

{I crossed out the things i didn't use}

I was unable to find any chia seeds at Harris Teeter (arg) so i used some flax seeds instead. 

I also added honey and a shake or two of cinnamon as well as semi-sweet chocolate chips instead to the recipe. 

I followed her directions: 

{1} In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips for about 60 seconds being careful not to burn them. Remove from microwave and stir so the rest of the chips melt. 

{2} Roughly chop the banana and mash it into the melted chips with a fork. 

{3} Stir in the rest of the ingredients into the chocolate & banana and stir very well until all of the oats are coated with chocolate. 

{4} Line a plate with parchment paper and drop about 7 cookies into it {i used cupcake liners instead}. 

Place them in the freezer for about 1 hour until firm. Cookies will firm up, but they won't become solid and will remain chewy. 

. . .

YUM...seriously. They were so delicious. 

I have...oh i dont know, three left? 

Yup i gobbled those suckers down and didn't feel to dang guilty about it either. 

. . .

Have you tried any new recipe's lately?

Do you have an unhealthy obsession with bed sheets?

Spill.

Snail Mail...pinterest in real life v.4

I have a problem, 

with mail.

You see, i have all of the best intentions to sort it when i get home and make nice little stacks and file things and be all suzie home maker, but the reality is this: 

Yikes.

What normally happens is Monday evening i get home and either place the mail there (or Maria's already gotten it) and think "i'll get to that after dinner"; the same thing happens Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and sometimes even saturday, sunday, monday tuesday....you get the idea. 

So i'm left with a pile of mail that has bills, statements, coupons, etc mixed in. 

This was not a healthy habit to be starting. 

See, that's a flippin' huge pile of mail (from just [i think] ONE WEEK)...told you. 

I knew that i needed to do something to make this process go from complicated to user-friendly.

I had tried putting three little baskets on the first shelf on the table (you can see one in the first picture). One basket for myself, my brother, and Maria (the lovely roommate). That lasted all of a day. 

I didn't like pulling out baskets and then trying to shove papers in them (that oh wouldn't you know, didn't fit in the basket i bought), so i needed to find a better plan of attack. 

Then i remembered i had pinned something recently where Tiffany from The Nest Effect made a file folder for her mail.

GENIUS.

Well color me happy! 

I decided to take this off of the pin-board and give this a shot in real life. 

. . .

I found a file folder holder i had all of youth ministry papers in from my last church, and i knew it was time to go through and decide what needed shredding, saving, and trashing. 

Chaos right?

=) I like organizing chaos.

Excuse the mess, as always, i'm just keeping it real.

I gave each folder a job: 

Incoming mail | Outgoing mail | Bills to pay | To file | Receipts | Coupons | Grocery Ads

Put everything in their rightful folder and took it back to the foyer. 

I'm not planning on keeping the files on top of the console table at all times, more than likely it will be placed on the bottom shelf, but for now this works and i'm happy! 

. . .

As a random side note: I LOVE CANDLES...as mentioned here.

I am also very, very, particular about what kind of smells i like, does that make me sound snotty? oh well.

This candle...smells like men's cologne. I am not kidding it is absolutely hands down incredible. 

You're welcome in advance for the knowledge {bath & body works}.

. . .

Feel free to check out the other Pinterest In Real Life posts (including the one where i made the painting you see in the foyer). 

Volume 1 {the painting} | Volume 2  | Volume 3  

Frankly Friday...v4

Happy Friday! 

I can't believe this is the 4th Frankly Friday! When did a month go by?! 

What is Frankly Friday?  Let's define Frankly shall we...

frankly |ˈfra ng klē|adverbin an open, honest, and direct manner

. . .

I want this to be a way for all of us to be open, raw, and transparent with not only each other...but with ourselves. I think we put a lot of stock into the "fear" of what others may think of us...into the "fear" of really putting what's on your heart out there in case someone decides to tear you down.
I'm over the fear & you should be too.
So let's write...whether it's about a situation you're struggling through, a victory you've made, a memory that you can't let go of...anything as long as it's honest.

. . . Last night i was talking with my dear friend Beverly about Passion.  We were discussing her passions and what the Lord could potentially be leading her to do in the next year. It was a fantastic heart-felt conversation that i was so blessed to be a part of.  It also got me thinking...what am i passionate about?
Now hold on, i'm not talking about what i like or enjoy but what i'm truly and utterly passionate about.
I had to stop and look up the definition of passion so i knew what i was about to get my mind into
Passion |ˈpa sh ən|
*Strong, barely controllable emotion.
*An intense desire or enthusiasm for something. 

here.
. . .
So there i sat, after Beverly left, thinking through the events, memories, and moments in my life where i realized where i found my passion, and what cultivated it. This was a hard process.
I believe there are so many things i think "should" be passionate about...but that aren't necessarily the first thing i think of. I should be passionate about _________.
As i kept thinking of different situations and feeling like well that is something that should have evoked passion within me i realized something, my passion is bigger than most things society tells me i should be passionate about.
. . .
I'm passionate about broken hearts. 
Sounds weird right?
Maybe it is...maybe it is exactly what i should be passionate about.
Every memory that ties into my passion relates to someone with a broken heart.
Why?
Because when we're broken we are in need of healing. 
When our soul is shattered there is only ONE answer to pull us back together.
Jesus. | Hope.
I find myself completely whole sitting with teenagers and hearing their broken hearts.
I find joy in offering them hope and light in a world that is so full of darkness and despair.
I am completely and utterly satisfied to build relationships with students and help them through their drama, through their rough or fantastic home lives, during a crisis, and in lifting praise to God for a fantastic day. I am passionate about helping God heal brokenness.
When i saw this quote on pinterest...it resonated so deep within me that tears stung my eyes:

here.
Be a lamp or a lifeboat or a ladder.
illuminate, rescue, serve. 
In my life i want to be either a lamp, lifeboat, or ladder to people.
I want to show them that there is a beautiful illuminating light in a world that is so full of darkness and depression. I want to offer them hope, rescue, and a way out of whatever life is currently drowning them with. I want to serve others and direct them to the saving knowledge of Jesus.
As cliche Christian as this may sound...i want people to know Jesus.
. . .
What is breaking your heart? 
What is currently causing you to drown?
What is keeping you from a vibrant and freeing relationship with the one who gave you breathe?
. . .
Hi, 
my name is Amy
& i'm passionate about the broken hearted.
. . .
What about you; what are you passionate about?
Spill.
. . .
Frankly Friday
v1 | v2 | v3 

Don't forget to link up!

I've already started....

On Halloween projects...and Tobi likes to supervise. 

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. 

. . .

I hope everyone has a fantastic Thursday, i'm taking the day off, but i'll still be reading your posts! :)
. . .
DON'T FORGET.
Tomorrow is Frankly Friday!
So get ready to link up!

Pinteresting Wednesday...v6

Happy Wednesday!!
Time for another link up with Michelle from The Vintage Apple for Pinteresting Wednesday. 

. . .

My 'pins' lately have been all over the place.
Last week i realized i had been going through a rustic phase.

This week? Apparently my brain has kicked into serious ADD and i'm all over the place.

Let me go ahead and get out of the way the gorgeousness that i've been looking at this week.
I dont know if you have ever watched the show "Make it or Break it" but i love it! I started watching it when it first released a few years ago but since i don't have cable anymore i lost track of the episodes...well netflix to the rescue!
. . .
Hello Razor {Nico Tortorella} & Damon {Johnny Pacar}.
Looks are definitely not everything ladies, but these guys...man they are very attractive.
AND let me just go on record saying i'm not normally an "O.M.G. look at how cute he is" kind of girl...but these fellas, *swoon*.

  Am i right?!

. . .

Now onto pins...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

. . .

Yay!
I've got a busy few days ahead of me!
My cousin is having his senior night for swim team tomorrow and i am SO PUMPED to go see him and watch the meet, and hopefully get some good pictures. I used to swim on the same team (with the same coach) when i was in High School so i have fantastc memories there!

. . .
Pinteresting Wednesday v1 | v2 | v3 | v4 | v5
. . .
What has been catching your eye on Pinterest lately?

Moving & Growing

Lately...

I've been doing some re-arranging inside of the dinning room.
Let's just say that 99% of the furniture/accessories in this room have not been moved or changed since we moved into this house (almost 20 years ago) so it's been a little dated for a long time. 

Of course while looking for a picture on my computer the only before picture i could find was the picture i took when my brother came home from his first year of college and dumped it all in the living room (by the way, this all fit in his small 4 door car, we know how to pack...ha!). 

So i promise that every room/before picture in my house does not prove that i live like a slob, as you've seen before. :)

Before...

{dang that's a lot of stuff right?}

As you can see the china cabinet was the first thing you saw when you looked through the alcove. 

It isn't that i didn't like it that way, it's that i've been seeing it for almost 20 years. Now that i'm able to move things around because it's what i like i kept thinking, Well hey, why not?!

So i took an afternoon and cleaned out the china cabinet, dusted, cleaned the glass, etc, and recruited my roommate to help me move some things.   

After...

. . .

Things still to do {or thinking of doing}...

#1 I still have to paint in here...i'm thinking i will do a pop of color on the wall where the mirror is; maybe make it a little more interesting. (Maybe use the color i used for the top wall in the kitchen?)

#2 Re-arrange, get new art work in this space. As you can see in picture #4 the pictures of my brother & I when we were younger are now blocked womp womp so i'll have to find a new place to put them in this room (im thinking the wall to the left of the window). Taking down the plates and replacing them with some new fun pieces...but i haven't figured that out yet. 

#3 Putting up an awesome backdrop in the china cabinet to brighten it up a bit. 

#4 Painting all of the other walls to match the grey in the living room. 

#5 Painting the trim white...ahhhh, i'm not looking forward to that. 

#6 Re-apolstering the chairs at the dinning room table. 

#7 Maybe eventually paint the china cabinet? 

& much more.

. . .

For now, i'm happy with the change. I think it has opened up the room and really brightened things up! Change doesn't always have to be a big thing, it can be as small as just moving furniture around. :)

. . .

Today is also my brother's 20TH BIRTHDAY! 

Where did the time go?

I love my brother, he is my favorite person in the world. 

He is patient, hilarious, loves Jesus, smart, sweet, compassionate, driven, and growing into an awesome man. 

So happy birthday to my little brother that i am so blessed to have! I love you!! 

Be prepared for a picture overflow!

 

Photo taken by Susan Lloyd Photography

Photo taken by Susan Lloyd Photography

. . .

Happy Happy Birthday Bro. 

I love you more than you will ever know!