Signing Off

Hello Everyone,

I appologize for the "deadspace" lately. I've been doing a bit of self-reflection lately and trying to decide how this blog fits into my life.

Here's the thing, I love blogging, I truly do. But I also realize I don't love blogging as much as I should.

The truth is, blogging is a HUGE time comittment (can I get an AMEN!) and I've said it before but I'll say it again: if you don't absolutely love blogging you'll never make it. And I don't absolutely love blogging.

I like it, I enjoy it, and I sometimes miss it; but I don't love it.

Blogging takes a lot of work and I'm just not at the place in my life where I can give this blog and you guys, my wonderful readers, the time that is needed and necessary.

I will always love this time that I have with this blog and who knows, maybe one day I'll get 'er back up and running. For now, though, I need to focus on the other things in my life.

Thank you so much for faithfully following along with this blog, it means the world to me and I truly will miss this.

Love Always,

Julia

Free "Sweet Summertime" Printable

Happy First Day of Summer!!! {cue the party music} Tis the season of beaches, pools, sand, late nights, long sleeps, sweet treats, and so. much. fun. Summer is my favorite season of the year and I'm so happy it's finally here!

When I was little my Mom used to always throw a party for the beginning of every season {yes, even winter. She's accepting like that...} But since we can't all be together to have a fabulous party, I thought we'd have an "online party." AKA, I'm giving away free gifts.

Today's free gift is a fun and funner "Sweet Summertime" PRINTABLE!! Be sure to click the button to get your free gift and share with your besties for the resties {and all your other friends and frienemies too}

So happy summer, eat a popsical in honor of this wonderful day!!!

When Prayer Gets Hard

I'm a doer. I have a hard time with not doing something. If I feel that there is something that should be done, could be done, or has to be done, I'll do it. I don't wait, I don't ask questions, I just do. So imagine me in a situation where I feel that I can do something but I know there's nothing that I should do.

Can and should are interesting words. Growing up I remember reading the story about about the little train that could. The little train kept believing that he could get up that hill and eventually he did. Being able to do something is fulfilling, it's exhilarating. Righting a wrong is good and it feels awesome. On the flip side of that, should is the cautious, analytical friend of can/could. Should is able to step back from the emotions of the situation and ask "is this really a viable option? Will any good come out of this?"

So what happens when can and should collide? What do you do with that? For me I scream. Sometimes audibly, sometimes on the inside, but I scream. I scream because I know I can handle the situation. I know I can take care of it and while it might get a whole lot worse, it'll be taken care of. But I also know that the situation needs to get better, not worse.

So what do you do now? You've recognized the cans and the shoulds of the situation. You've pretty much decided your course of action. So what do you do now? For me, I pray.

I pray that I will be able to control my emotions, I pray for the situation, for those involved in the situation. I pray that God's wisdom will fall on me and I will know beyond a shadow of a doubt if my coulds and my shoulds ever change.

For me the "first prayer" always feels really good. I've given it to God, I've recognized my limitations, and I've chosen the "high road." It's the prayers that follow that make it hard. It's the prayer 2 declares God's will over the situation all the while begging Him to do what you want him to do. It's the little hint that God's plan doesn't really match up with your plan and the twinge of remorse when you realize that His plan just might be better.

The prayers that follow are still hard, but they get easier. You become more willing to adopt the obviously superior plan {that plan being God's} and you recognize your limitations as a human. And you begin to truly embrace the "not my will but yours be done."

Prayer is hard friends. Sitting back and allowing God to work his plan over the situation is hard. Especially when you already have your "perfect plan" and God's plan doesn't match up.

Yet when we recognize our own limitations and realize the fulness of God's {obviously perfect} plan, life becomes so much more fulfilling.

I struggle with this every day. I struggle with praying for God's will when I really, really, really want my will. But friends, God knows that. He understands our struggle and He is ready to meet us where we're at and help us go the rest of the way. It's not going to take a day, or a week, or a month, or year. It's going to take the rest of our life. But being able to say, "I got through this and I allowed God's plan to permeate" is worth so much more that having your "plan" succeed.

God > I

Free "ampersand" printable

For those of you, like me, who don't know what an "ampersand" is, it is the actual, fancy name for this: &. Just a side note, I literally Googled {word for word} "what is the and sign called?" Thank God for Google, right. Anyways, I think it's about that time for another free printable, so be sure to click the button below to claim your copy.

Also, be sure to share with friends and spread the "ampersand" love.

beach waves

It's that time of year friends. The time for beaches, long hair {don't care}, tanning {getting burned...}, reading, ice cream, I could go on and on.

One thing that I've noticed over the past few summers is that I don't want to spend a lot of time doing my hair. I hate using a straightener/curling iron in the summer {I mean who needs that kind of extra heat??} So I always end up letting my hair go naturally curly with some mouse.

After a while that full, curly goodness gets old and I'm always looking for something new. I tried beachy waves a lot last summer and I really like them.

There a lot of really great products out there for getting the perfect beach babe look but the ones above are a few of my favorites. Here is 3 step plan for the cute and careless look.

1. Wet hair. I want to preface this by saying that I have naturally curly hair. So for me to get "tame" hair is not easy. So when I want beach waves I wash my hair the night before and braid it.

2. Wide-tooth Comb. I always use a wide-tooth comb but it's really great for getting loose, ready to style hair.

3. Spray. I always spray my hair with the salt spray before I braid my hair and then in the morning when I take out my braids, I spray it again. It all depends on your hair type and how you can get the best waves possible. Don't be afraid to experiment.

Note: While companies are getting better at producing good quality, balanced product, sea salt is still salt and therefore will dry out your hair. So make sure that you're keeping your hair moisturized and nourished.

Do you have any tips for getting the perfect beach waves? Share in the comment section bellow.

Summer Wish List

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School is starting to wrap up, trees are starting to bloom, and I'm online shopping. In all seriousness though, I went through a lot of my summer clothes when I was last home on break and I threw out a lot of stuff {which was really good} but now I need to replenish. So you know what that means, that's right, shopping time.

The photos {and links} above are some items I'm really loving this season. Here a few thoughts on the ones I'm especially loving.

Three/six: It's so important to have items that are fun and cute but also practical. While you might not think of these lovely pieces as practical, for summer they really are. Both of these pieces promote air flow and are very light. So that way you'll only look totally hot, not feel it!

Seven: While I only had a pair of American Eagle flip-flops for a few months {my friend's dog thought it was his chewing toy...} I can certainly vouch for their incredible quality and luxery. Just don't leave them around a puppy-in-training.

Eight: I love Forever21, and I really trust them when it comes to "trendy" items. This top is so class but very flirty with the lace/crochet pattern at the hem. It's the perfect summer staple.

Do you have any favorite items for the summer? Share in the comment section below!!

An Apology

 Dearest Readers,

I apologize for the lack of posts/presence on the blog recently. This past week/week and half I've been taking finals, consuming large amounts of microwave mac-n-cheese and binge watching Greys Anatomy {to destress from finals obviously...}

Anyways, I'm home now but I'm still trying to get situated and get used to my new routine. I hope to have some new posts up starting this Monday {fingers crossed...}. Between now and then, keep check up on me on Twitter and Instagram. I'll be sharing pictures of my extremely messy, clothes everywhere, extreme chaos filled room and tweeting about my had-to-be-there moments that I think the world should know.

I love you all and can't wait to get back to blogging!!