Be a Fruit Loop

Cheerios are good, but I believe we all know that Fruit Loops are just heaven sent. (Pun intended.)
We as Christians are called to be dramatically different. Let's say that you're blindfolded and given a bowl of cereal. You would notice a Fruit Loop by the different taste even if you couldn't see its sugar-coated colorey goodness. (I love Fruit Loops, can you tell?) 
It's the same way with Christians. Matthew 5:14 says, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." No matter what you do, you will always have that difference about you. What if a Fruit Loop went around calling itself a Cheerio, jumped inside the Cheerios box, and claimed to be heart healthy? It can try to be what it isn't, but at the end of the day it's still a Fruit Loop. 
Cereal philosophy. Priceless.
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Black and White Stripes

I probably have way too many black and white striped things in my closet. I mean, it's terrible. (I've actually talked about it before.)
Black and white stripes in a room can ground the space and add a bit of graphic interest. Plus, they're great because they play nice with others. And that myth that you can't put black and navy together? Call me a Mythbuster. Totally go for it, dude. Bold color combinations can make a room amazing.

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Katie Daisy

Katie Daisy's beautiful and unique shop carries cards and art prints that are bound and determined to make every day a good day. With inspiring prints, bright colors, and flowers, these pieces are too perfect.
I'd say that a cheerful greeting card would brighten up anyone's day, wouldn't you?
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Mint-White Chocolate Mousse Cake

I love mint. Ever since I was a little girl and would greedily devour any and all mints given out in my family. (It's Andes, people, they're dangerous little guys.) 

This cake looks so delicious. Sprinkle Bakes recipes are super reliable, and they are too pretty as well. Yummo.

Orange Lips

1. Smashbox lipstick in Mandarin | 2. MAKE UP FOR EVER lipstick in #39 | 3. Illamasqua lipstick in Flare | 4. Stila lipstick in Valentina 

Orange lips are the new mod-inspired trend for fall. It's super fun and colorful, while still looking sophisticated. I think I tend to like it best when used with either a neutral or contrasting colored eye. I say that if you want to go bold with color, go all the way. The blue and orange above are my absolute favorite look so far.

Will you be trying this look?

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Metallic Lighting

I love metallic lighting. Often lighting is confined to boring, builder-grade fixtures that blend in and offer little other than function. But there is an ever-growing world of beautiful AND functional lighting. 

Using a metallic piece in your space can help reflect the light and make everything look brighter. These pieces work in the same way as mirrors do. If you notice, the last picture also has a mirrored desk. I officially love that room.

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Before

We live in a "do now, think later" kind of world. With texting, tweeting, liking, pinning, instagramming, and sending going on all the time, (check out One Second on the Internet...it will blow your mind) it's hard to remember that some things are worth thinking through. 

Before you rush to do something, think ahead about the consequences of your actions. Save yourself trouble later on by making the right choices in the first place. 

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Rifle Paper Co. iPhone Cases

1. Bonjour iPhone 5 Case | 2. Spanish Rose iPhone 5 Case | 3. Seeded Bouquet iPhone 5 Case | 4. Forest Flowers iPhone 5 Case

I love Rifle Paper Co., they do the most beautiful and unique things with paper and pattern. Their new phone cases with Anthropologie are so perfect. I think that may have been a match made in heaven there. 

Love it!

Five Loves

1) For Christmas, I want a fox.

2) This. All of it.

3) What a happy home.

4) Oh, I want pom pom anklets!

5) Yesss....golden branches.
Wow, I was completely playing hooky yesterday. An early lunch with family crowded my schedge. (That's schedule to those who aren't "in the know"). So I made today's posts especially sparkly and wonderfilled. 

In the Pink

I've loved pink for as long as I can remember. I know, I know. It's pretty cliche. Don't start on me about gender stereotypes, let me clarify: I am not a Disney princess, and I do not exclusively wear pink. Happy now? Good. 

Anywho, pink is such a pretty color. At times sweet, it is the epitome of feminine and girly. But hot pink carries just as much power as red does. It's a great choice if you are doing something that requires respect. Obviously don't wear an entire hot pink pantsuit to work, just a little hint of the color near your face. Try to ease yourself into it with a necklace or scarf.

Will you be incorporating this color in your fall wardrobe?

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Wood Grain Silhouettes

Silhouette wall art is very popular right now. It's a great way to immortalize your family (or yourself) in art form. Plus, it's graphic and striking. I love this version which uses plywood and high-gloss paint. A nice amount of wood grain shows through, but the black makes it modern. Perfect!
You can see the instructions on how to make this here.
(Images via Lowe's Creative Ideas)

Hello Again

Hello seems to be a reaaally popular word in design. I mean, honestly. How many different ways can you possibly style a simple word? Not that I'm complaining. I love new and fresh ways of looking at the world. 
I love the first one. That's thread-wrapped wire, ladies and gents. Where I come from I call that artistic genius. From now on that will be my hobby. Either that or yarn bombing. One of the two.
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Marble Nails

I love marbled nails. The whole "water method", while fun, is also messy and pretty difficult. But it is still a great way of getting the desired effect. Just be sure to have plenty of nail polish remover and maybe a small eyeliner brush handy to fix the edges of your nail.

The idea of using saran wrap (plastic wrap to some people) to get the marbled look is brilliant. It's super easy, too. Again, keep your cleanup crew handy to make it look perfect. (Nails are one thing that must be perfect at all times.)

Are you going to try it?

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Don't Take it For Granted

It's really super easy to take things for granted. We in America with our cars, iPhones, and air-conditioned houses, if you think about we are abundantly blessed. The things that are so normal and run-of-the-mill to you could be someone else's wildest dream. 
You remember that Little House on the Prairie episode where they had their first Christmas on Plum Creek? (Or something like that. Not like I have all of the seasons or anything.) The family was oh so overjoyed to simply receive pennies, yams, and mittens, whereas now people are getting mountains of presents and are still unhappy. 
Be sure to appreciate each and every blessing in your life. You never know, someone else could be wishing for that right this moment. Or, better yet, give any blessings you take for granted to someone who won't. Those designer jeans that never looked quite right? I bet your best friend would do backflips for those. That set of dishes you got for a wedding gift but never use? Maybe your sister-in-law has been looking for one just like it. Look for opportunities to share your blessings. You will appreciate them much more. 
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August Wishlist

1. Modcloth scarf | 2. Target jeans | 3. ASOS clutch | 4. Max & Chloe earrings | 5. Modcloth heels

I love cobalt blue. It is such a powerful, strong color. Not navy or ocean blue, it's in the middle of the spectrum. Just try to ignore someone wearing cobalt. It's definitely a stand-out kind of color.

Enjoy this last month of summer!

Five Loves

1) Hip hip! (Image source)

2) Mary Poppins, fashion plate.

3) Now that is toast!

4) I think I may want this handy fork. (Har har har)

5) What a pretty kitty!
That's a wrap, folks.

Be Humble

If you read through the Bible, you'll notice that God will never exalt a proud man. Someone who is haughty and arrogant will not get where they want in life. (Sure, there are exceptions, but without fail their "empires" are destroyed.) 

Humility is such a rare gift that God instantly responds to it. Psalm 25:9 says, "He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way." The implication is that proud people can't be led or taught anything. You know this to be true if you've ever worked with an arrogant person. You can talk until the cows come home, but they will never learn anything. The mantra of a proud person is "I know that". 

Don't be that person. Humble yourself and you will be lifted up. Luke 14:11 says, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled (ranked below others who are honored or rewarded), and he who humbles himself (keeps a modest opinion of himself and behaves accordingly) will be exalted (elevated in rank)." That's a promise.

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Pots de Creme au Chocolat

Yeah. So were you impressed with my knowledge of the French language? 

This looks all too delicious. Dangerously so. 

Pots de Creme au Chocolat

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of low fat milk
• 1 vanilla bean, slitted & seeds removed
• 1 egg + 2 egg yolks
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 oz dark chocolate
• 1 tsp instant coffee powder
• 1/2 cup thick coconut cream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325F.
2. Add milk in a saucepan. Scrape vanilla bean seeds and add it into the milk with slitted whole vanilla bean. Heat milk to infuse vanilla for a few minutes on medium until milk is hot.
3. In a bowl, whisk egg and yolks with sugar until combined. Add instant coffee powder and coconut cream. Whisk everything until smooth.
4. Add chocolate into hot milk and whisk to melt.
5. Temper eggs with a little hot milk + chocolate concoction, while whisking vigorously. Continue tempering until both concoctions are combined.
6. Strain concoction back into the saucepan to smooth any lumps and heat it on low until creme slightly thickens for a few minutes. Stirring is required.
7. Once creme has reached the desired consistency, pour it into prepared oven proof pots/ramekins. Place pots onto a deep baking dish, add hot water to create a “water bath” enough to immerse the pots halfway. Bake in the oven for 50 minutes.
8. Remove pots from water bath to cool in room temperature. Chill pots de creme in refrigerator for a few hours to completely set the custard.
9. Dig into custard topped with chopped pistachios.

I have about 50% less willpower than I woke up with. Yummo.

(Images and recipe via Karin Tarun)