Wants vs. Needs...

I think I'm in the middle of learning the hard lesson that sometimes God doesn't always give you what you want but instead gives you what you need. I swear I can be such a brat sometimes. Getting frustrated with God because He's not giving me what I want. Thinking, "God, for once, can't I just have what I want?". Thinking that He's forgotten me or holding out on me for some reason. I'm so focused on what I don't have that I'm missing it. In spite of my brattiness, God, in His loving kindness is trying to protect me. He sees the big picture that I can't see. He knows that what I want might bring me more harm than good in the end. That what I want might just turn out to be what I didn't really want after all.

I have to trust His heart for me. And that His heart for me is only good. I have to trust that He will not withhold any good thing from me... but the thing is, I don't always know what really is good. I have to remember that His ways are higher than mine. I don't have to understand what He is doing in my life, I just have to trust. And act... stepping out in faith and doing what I feel He has put in my heart to do. Having the faith that He will illuminate the path little by little as I walk it. Trusting His timing. I know He makes all things beautiful in it's time.

I want to stop focusing on all I want and all I don't have. I want to somehow find a way of embracing this season. I want to appreciate and have a heart of thankfulness to God for his protection and provision. Being thankful that in spite of my bad attitudes and short sightedness, He still sees fit to guard me. Protecting me and shielding me from all I want but don't really need. Protecting me from going down my own destructive path. Saving me from myself.

"For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right." - Psalm 84:11

Weekly Inspirations Take 2

Hey loves! Thought I would share round 2 of what has been inspiring my crazy brain lately. Hope you enjoy and find some inspiration here as well. :)

Have been sooo in love with this song lately. I’m a huge fan of Sucre (aka Stacy and Darren King, and Jeremy Larson) and have had this lovely tune on repeat constantly. The music is so whimsical and unique, and of course, Stacy sounds as angelic as ever. Someone on YouTube described this song as  “Mutemath/Nine Inch Nails meets Alison Sudol” lol, wouldn’t have thought to put it that way…but it describes it rather well actually.

After years of this being on my “to bake” list, I finally did it… I made Crème Brulee! Woot! I’ve been super inspired lately to try baking new things and when I came across this yummy recipe for Cookie Dough (Oh yes, you read that right) Crème Brulee… I just knew… it was time. And I’m so glad I finally gave it a go! I don’t know why I always thought it would be so hard to make… it could not be simpler. It was so delish and with the layer of cookie dough at the bottom, very decadent. Recipe to come soon! Next on the list … macarons… wish me luck! :)

This scripture is so beautiful and comforting to me - "He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zep3:17

I love watching this sped up video of Elise Larson creating one of her adorable paintings. Watching the art in action is so beyond inspiring!

Okay, so I know I posted about The Sweet Boutique in Sugar Land last time but after another visit there last week… I simply couldn’t help myself. I must confess my undying love and affection for this oh so adorable bakery and their delish treats. Namely their cupcakes. This time I tried the Tiramisu cupcake (pictured above), which was so amazing! The vanilla cupcake with a coffee center and mascarpone frosting on top was heavenly! I also tried a salted caramel macaron and my parents tried an almond macaron; needless to say we loved ‘em!

I also posted a photo of their lovely display of cake pops and macarons. Just looking at this display makes me want to get in the kitchen and bake my heart out. :)

Cannot tell you how much I love love love this video! I have been a bit obsessed with watching art journaling videos on YouTube lately and this is one of the best ones I’ve come across so far. It’s a sped up video of an art journal page from start to finish. So creative and artistic! This left me crazy inspired to try new things in my art journal.

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Last but not least, this beautiful quote. Did that dream instantly pop in your mind when you read this? I know it did for me. :)

Weekly Inspirations

Sometimes inspiration comes from the most random places. I love stumbling onto things that spark my creativity and imagination. Especially on the days when inspiration and creativity seem to have run dry it can be a breath of fresh air to happen upon a beautiful video, song, or quote. So I thought I’d share some of the things that have been inspiring me lately. May make this a weekly thing. Hope you find some inspiration here as well! :)

Fell in love with this cute and whimsical lookbook from Closet Case Vintage. The clothes are adorable and make me want to buy everything from their shop. But also love the song and just the whole look of the video. Plus any video that has kittens and cupcakes in it is a winner in my book lol. ;)

This lovely home tour by blogger, Casey Wiegand. Her home is so pretty! Love her style!

This yummy looking cupcake display from The Sweet Boutique in Sugarland, Tx. I just discovered this bakery when I went to pick up my bridesmaids dress for my sisters wedding and saw this place close by. Let me tell you, I fell in love with this place! I tried their Salted Caramel cupcake and one of their chocolate macarons; so delish! Probably one of the best cupcakes I’ve ever had! It was so moist and the frosting was a fluffy and pillowy heaven! The macaron was also amazing, it was the first one I’ve ever tried and now I think I’m hooked.

If you get a chance, give this place a shot. Now because of this bakery I’ve been inspired to try and make my own macarons (which I’ve actually wanted to make for a while) and Swiss Meringue Buttercream, which is what they use on their cupcakes. Hoping to try my hand at them soon! :)

So I just stumbled onto the wonder that is Kate Bush. I don’t know how in the world I never knew about her music. This music video came out when I was just a year old and I’m barely discovering it now. Why did no one ever tell me about the awesomeness I was missing out on?! This song and music video are amazing. I love the dancing in the video, it’s so beautiful. I’ve been loving this track as well as “The Sensual World”. Kate’s music is so unique, beautiful, and slightly weird lol, but I love it!

This blog written in honor of Julia Child’s 100th birthday, Life Lessons: What I learned from Julia Child. 

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How beautiful is this quote? I found it so lovely and inspiring. It’s a good reminder to always keep our heads up.

Just saw this movie last night for the first time (think I was the only person in the world who hadn’t seen it yet) and loved it. It was so easy to get lost in the story and the characters. I finally see what all the hype is about. Actually thinking about reading the books now.

Feature on “The World Needs More Love Letters” Organization

"Through, requesting, sending, leaving, and writing the love letters, this site won’t ever stop asking these questions to its visitors: Could you script a letter of love to someone you will never meet? Is there someone in your own life who could use a love letter? Where could you leave a love letter today?"

Has someone ever sent you a sweet letter of encouragement when they knew you needed some cheering up? A letter that seemed so perfectly timed that helped give you some hope in the midst of the struggle? If you have ever received or written a letter to let someone know they are not alone, you know how much of an impact it can make. Well that's exactly what "The World Needs More Love Letters" organization aims to do; only these love letters may find themselves in the hands of people you've never even met.

When I stumbled upon their website recently I was in tears reading about what they do. It truly touched my heart and I knew that it was something special. Now, I know when you hear the phrase "love letters" you think of the mushy letters you would send to your significant other ... but this is a different type of love letter.

"More Love Letters" was started by a girl named Hannah Brencher from New York City, when in October 2010 she started writing letters to complete strangers on the subway. Just fresh out of college and feeling lonely in the big city, Hannah poured her emotions into letters of encouragement to strangers who might be going through the same things she was. She started leaving these letters in random places such as the subway, cafes, and libraries. Hannah found that investing love and encouragement into others through these love letters was actually helping to heal her own heart. Soon enough she had written over 400 love letters and in September 2011, created "The World Needs More Love Letters" website so other people could start spreading the love. The overwhelming response to Hannah's idea is amazing, in the short time this website has existed people have stepped up to plate and written over 1, 600 love letters! It's easy to see that this idea has really struck a chord with many.

If you want to add to the love getting involved is really simple; start by writing your love letter! They recommend using your best stationary as this letter is special, (it's a love letter after all) decorate it and make it lovely; but most importantly, make it heartfelt. Also, be sure to write MoreLoveLetters.com somewhere on your letter or envelope so the person who finds it can also get involved. Next, leave your letter somewhere creative where it's sure to be discovered, take a picture of it and send it to the fine people at More Love Letters!

A couple more awesome ways to get involved; you can request a letter for someone you know who's going through a really tough time and could use some hope and encouragement. They will receive a bundle of letters from sweet people who want to brighten their day. You can also adopt a love letter bundle and get together with family and friends to write lots of letters for a special request.

I have yet to write my first love letter but I'm so excited about getting involved! I think the reason this idea has resonated with so many is because we all feel these same emotions; we all know what it's like to feel depressed and alone. We've all been there and we need to remind each other that things will be good again and that there is hope. And maybe because often times the fastest way to get out from under the dark cloud is to focus on how we can help and be there for others. Maybe when we take the focus off ourselves and reach out to others who are hurting is when, like Hannah, we will find our own heart being healed in the process.

This Valentines Day how about we take the focus off ourselves and write a love letter to someone we will never meet?

Below is a video of More Love Letters founder, Hannah Brencher sharing her heart on how it all got started:

For more info on how to get involved with The World Needs More Love Letters:
http://www.moreloveletters.com/