Fashion Friday.

Althought I often struggle with being bold in my day to day outfits, I adore fashion. The latest trends can entertain me for hours and well Pinterest? Don't even get me started. The fashion world allows expression of inspiration and individuality. A few week ago I posted about a modeling opportunity I won through a casting call [my first ever!] Today I recieved a package on my doorstep with the finished images. Here are a few of my favorites...



"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities.

Seize common occasions and make them great.
~Theodore Roosevelt







Photography: CHAR Photography
Style: YOU by Grace

 

Home Spa

Today I did something that I may be making a weekly tradition. I got off work early so naturally I was on Pinterest when I saw a recipe for a detox bath. Here it is:

2 cups Epsom Salt [I found chamomile scented kind at Wal-Mart]
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
Relaxing Pandora station [I chose Enya]
Large glass of water to replenish hydration and flush toxins

Put all ingredients into bath as its filling with water as hot as tolerated.

Relax in the amazingness for a half hour to rid your body of toxins! Tah-Dah! Right? Well, I was a bit skeptical at first, BUT I actually sweated a lot during the bath and showered after. It was incredible how refreshed I felt afterwards!

All you hardworking bloggers out there, take time to pamper yourself...no expensive spa required!

xoxo,
Mrs. Relaxation

2012.

I think I just realized there are only two weeks left in the year. What a year it has been. Safe to say the BEST year of my life. Here's a little recap...

January~ I found out I was placed in the NICU at Penn State Hershey Medical Center for my month long internship to kick off my last semester of nursing school. One of the best learning experienced through my 4 year program. This describes our relationship during this busy month.

February through April~a whirlwind of wedding planning, weekends spent painting and fixing up our future house, and studying my butt off to graduate from my nursing program! Phew I'm exhausted even reminiscing on these months!

May~ Celebration month as I graduated Cum Lauda with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing from one of the best programs around. Then the NCLEX studying began..

June~ I became a MRS! All the planning came together and we has the most beautifully perfect day with friends and family. Then we got away to Jamaica for our honeymoon :)

July through September~ settling into our new house studying for NCLEX, job searching and loving my new role as a wife! Lots of elaborate dinners in those first few months :)

October~ passed my NCLEX and officially became an RN! Soon after I interviewed for and was offered the job of my dreams. Everything truly does happen for a reason.

November~ the beginning of the holiday chaos began with Thanksgiving! I started orientation for my job and began the learning journey of my career! (Also the month I too the plunge to start a BLOG!)
December~ Wow, here we are, fishing the year. Graduated, married, licensed, employed but most of all BLESSED. 6 Christmas gatherings and a New Years celebration to look forward to yet before finishing out the year and welcoming 2013!!

xoxo,

Mrs. Reminiscent

Hope.

Lately, my heart has been heavy for our world. Not a day goes by that through the headlines we don't see the brokenness of our world. Especially this week, with the tragedy in Connecticut, I am stunned by the evil humanity is capable of.

When I heard the news at work on Friday, I couldn't help but cry the drive home away, knowing full well I probably looked ridiculous to passing cars. I just couldn't help it, and couldn't hold the sadness in. All those families who lost a family member so close to the holidays. But to be honest, it was refreshing to FEEL. To truly feel and know I haven't become numb to what is happening beyond my front door.

From all the emotions that come from an event like this, I'm choosing HOPE. It's not easy. But what other choice so we have? The world needs all the good it can get, and I for one know what I have to offer. In reality, what the news doesn't spend hours and hours dissecting, is the GOOD that is going on in the world. hope for humanity. The thousands of gifts and meals that are being donated this holiday season to those in need. The mission work and service so many are dedicating their life to. Even the every day ins and ours of our careers, where were touching lives whether we realize it or not.

Ok, that's the end of my rant. Please join me in believing in hope. The world is a broken place. So I say even more reason to put the good you can into it and give back each day. Who's with me? :)

Tradition.

Ginger bread houses (or should I say graham cracker houses) and the classic movie 'Elf'. That's our tradition. And we do not take it lightly. In past years our houses have included working windmills, roof parties, and zip lines..for the gummy bears of course.

In the words of Buddy the Elf, "There's room for everyone on the nice list!"

Our dream cabin.

Sister and her hubby in the zone

Adult hot chocolate. Yumm.

Working hard, or hardly working?

"Who's cuter than me?" Um, no one.

Spontaneous sleep deprivation.

Nursing gives me a crazy work schedule sometimes,for example, I worked 3pm to 3am from Friday to Saturday.

My Mom is one of 5 children and I am one of 13 grandchildren on her side. Every year my grandma, aunts, and girl cousins (a whopping 4 of us out of the 13 including my sister and I) go to the beach for the weekend to do Christmas shopping at the outlets.

I hate missing out on things. So, after I got off at 3am I decided to to make the 3 hour drive. By 7am I was on the road! Thanks to a few lattes and a 5 hour energy I somehow stayed conscious until after a movie that night.

In these situations, sleep is the first sacrifice if it means memories and time with those I love most {and I guess shopping is fun too..} It was such a refreshing and fun girls weekend, and more than worth the sleep deprivation.

Lately.

Christmas is in the air. I am overwhelmingly thankful and joyful. Life is beautiful. This holiday season seems to have a magical way of shifting priorities bringing families together in a special way. Amidst the hustle and bustle of shopping decorating and cookie baking {which I'm LOVING} I'm trying my best to remember the true reason for celebration. The greatest gift the world has ever received. I'm trying to display that grace and selfless love that a newborn introduced to a fallen and hurting world so long ago. I'm trying to keep the Christ in Christmas.

JOY TO THE WORLD!

It's that time

Something comes over me at this time every year. Like clockwork. The second cold weather hits and Christmas music starts to play, I get what you could call 'knitting fever'. A wave of motivation I can't deny, to turn every ball of yarn I can get my hands I into a warm and cozy creation.

This weekend I made myself the chunky bright red scarf I've been dreaming up, now, onto creating some Christmas gifts!

I just love this time of year.

model for a day.

My 'practical' dream has always been nursing. My secret 'impractical' dream is modeling. Yesterday I had the opportunity to humor that dream.

A few weeks ago I entered a casting call for an editorial shoot for Char Photography styled by Grace Fisher. I wouldn't usually put myself out there like that, but I thought it'd be a blast and it wouldn't hurt to try!
Well it turned out they picked me!

The day started with hair and makeup at Bella De Salon according to Grace's vision. Then we picked up my beautiful wardrobe picked out by Grace and ended up at a Christmas tree farm for the shoot.

It was such a fun day of fashion, photography, and pampering with some amazing and talented women. Here are a few shots from the day...