links, links, links!

 Happy Saturday from me and Chlo!!!

16 ways to add some organization to your home. Love this!!

Movie poster cliches. Totally worth checking out.

I'm pretty excited for this new photo camera app, created by some of the most crafty bloggers.

These ideas are pretty ingenious.

10 life changing and amazing sentences.

Photos of the most insane and  interesting places all over the world.

This Barcelona home is so perfectly and beautifully finished. I'm kind of smitten. Actually the whole website is pretty inspirational and awesome.

We all have awkward moments, but these 15 are pretty great.

I love this post about Japan. It's a few of their most important words, meanings and helps explain Japanese culture. A must (and quick) read.

This mug is perfect for a teacher...hint hint. hehe

I'm pretty sure I could spend all day shopping at this online store.

How amazing is this necklace?? (Found via this pretty lady's blog.)

Speaking of that awesome blogger, in her link post, she shared this amazing post..... 44 reasons why you're chandler bing. PS- I am totally a chandler! lol

we are dancing machines!!

These were actually taken on my birthday (well, the night before when we went out with friends to celebrate). A friend posted them and I loved them so much I had to share. Plus these are the only pictures I have of Steven and I from my birthday weekend. Shameful, I know.

I'm also pretty sure that about 10 minutes prior to these photos, it turned midnight and I screamed across the patio bar "It's my birthday!!"

I never do anything like this, but for some reason, I channeled my inner Lilly (How I met Your Mother reference) and just let everyone know.

 Love this guy!!!

xo- kel

the 1,000th post

Wow.
To some this may just be a number, but to me it's more of an accomplishment. I've been here and working on this site for 6 years. 6 years!!!!
I think about this though and it's almost bittersweet.... yes I've shared a lot here, which is my main reason for loving this space, but I also haven't seen evolve into what I hoped it would be. It's not the inspirational place I planned on.
So now I have a goal! Throughout the next 1000 posts (which hopefully won't take another 6 years)  I plan on making this space exactly what I want it to be. Cannot wait.

And now, in honor of 1000...here are some other numbers.

2007- the year I started this blog

7/3/07- the day I made my first post

26- the age I am now

20- the age I was when I started this blog

1- followers I started with

508- followers my blog currently has 

134- page views today

16- giveaways I've had here on the blog

5- jobs I've had since starting this blog

  

And now some photos....oh the memories (and the hair!!!)

Then:

 (with my pal Ashley)

 Now:

 Thanks to all of you that have kept (or started) reading my blog. I appreciate every one of you for joining me in my ramblings and stories. Y'all are the best!!! Thank you for hanging in their with me.
-kel

link love

Enjoy.

Last year I did a 52 list project. This year, Moorea Seal is doing one and each one includes a challenge. Love!!

Negative Space artwork- love it!!

I already wanted a window seat/space but this site makes me want it even more!! So many great ideas too!

Rings inspired by Disney princesses. I have to say, Cinderella was always my favorite (and the ring inspired by her is my favorite too!)

I also stumbled upon this blog and am quite smitten. I kinda wish I was her.....

And then there's this wonderful blog!

And this awesome one too!

This might be one of my favorite places in Jacksonville!!

This dress is stunning!!! I want it so badly!

This amazing blogger posted this link for these amazing dolls on her link post. Pretty awesome!

Holy cow, this post makes me want a house now! And I would also like just about everything on this list.

Behind the scenes of some of the best movies.

Fashionista blog on TJ Maxx- kinda in love. And I really want to be one.

Seriously too cute. This artist takes children's drawings and makes them into real stuffed animals!

I'm pretty much in love with everything about this inspiration blog.

Which dog is real? haha

Such an adorable blog and I'm totally jealous/in love with her shop.

Going on a road trip??? You have to check out this site first.

A-Z // g is for....

G is for.....God

 I've posted about my history and feelings on church, what it should be/can be and is to me before. 
But I guess this is where I should stress that while some people see church and God as synonymous, I don't.  I may have been raised in the church, but my faith on God has not come solely from church. Likewise, while there have been numerous times where I have shied away from church, I have never wandered from God.

I thought about making this post more about church, and then I realized my relationship with God has formed me as a person more than church. Perhaps this is because it's been hard for me to completely trust churches. They are man made- they are imperfect because they are run by humans and humans have flaws. However, God is perfect and being God in the flesh, Christ was perfect as well. This is why I have so much more faith in God and my relationship with Him than I do in church. People mess things up, get confused, and hurt each other. God does none of these things, but instead loves us and forgives us for all of our many mistakes.
So this is my story- the story about how God has taken my life and made it what it is. Of why I chose and still choose to believe in Him.

My relationship with God doesn't have a start date (or at least one that I can remember like a lot of Christians). I don't remember the day I started believing in Christ or even when I asked Him to come into my heart for the first time. His love and presence is just all I have known. But I do remember when I was baptized. I remember several occasions where I've asked Him to come into my heart and make it new- make me whole again.  And I do remember the most pivotal time of our relationship- the moment I knew there was a God and that I was utterly lost without Him.

Twelve years ago I had the worst day of my life. I was waking up out of a horrible dream at my best friend's house. It was the first day of high school and I had just dreamt that my dad had been lying dead on his living room floor. When I woke up, it was still dark outside and I heard a car door slam shut. I waited several minutes until finally my mom came through the front door. Even then I kept hoping for good news. There had to be another reason why my dad hadn't answered my phone calls all weekend, or why he hadn't picked me up on our usual Sunday date. Then my mom told me what had been my worst fear- my dad was dead.
The first week after my dad's death is still  a blur. I remember sleeping in my mom's bed, unable to leave her side. And I remember my friend Kim bringing me makeup homework. But that's it. I don't even remember crying (except for the funeral). I think it just took awhile to sink in. Then, when I found out my bad dream had been similar to what had actually happened, I felt raw.
It was during this time that I struggled the most with my relationship with God. I was angry that my dad had been taken, both at such a young age and without any warning. I was confused why I hadn't been allowed to say goodbye. And I was scared of what life without my dad would mean. I remember knowing that my life was at a crossroads and I contemplated which way I wanted to go. I could fight what was happening and be the troubled teenager. I could just give up caring and trying and it wouldn't hurt as much (or so I thought at the time). Or I could pray. I could turn it all over to God and let Him take away my hurt and pain. This would of course take a lot of faith and while I knew it would be an extremely tough decision, it would also mean an easier life for my mom.
It didn't take as long to decide as I thought it would and I quickly decided that while it would be a difficult road, I wanted to lean on God. I knew within it all that He would guide and love me through all of it. For the next 4 years I was tested on this choice, like I knew I would be. It wasn't easy to take that leap of faith and leave it all to God. When my dad died, our monetary support was gone. We struggled for years to keep food on the table, but my wonderful mom and I both put our trust in God. We knew that He would be with us. Things may be tight, but He would never fail us.
Finally, when I turned 18 things changed for us and we no longer had to worry as much about money. It was such a blessing and it was then that I knew this blessing was God's gift for following Him and trusting in Him to provide.
And He has been providing, guiding, loving, and forgiving me ever since. It was a decision I have never regretted and one that I remake everyday.

Following God has never been easy. It hasn't always been popular. But it is the most fruitful. I have never had more joy in my life than when I have followed God's will for me and my life and trusted in Him.  I may not always be great at it either, but every day I keep trying my best.

-kel

A-Z // f is for....

 

F is for.....Florida (in case you hadn't already guessed).

I've lived in Florida all my life. 

And I wouldn't have it any other way....at least for now.

 There is just so much it has to offer.

Disney World

Universal Studios
Sea World

Wet and Wild

amazing beaches

Key West

the oldest city in the US (Pensacola)

and the oldest maintained city in the US (St. Augustine)

sunshine and warmth

Miami

Ft. Lauderdale (which use to be Spring Break capital)

Daytona Beach (home of NASCAR and the current Spring Break place)

I've always lived in Florida. I feel kinda lucky in that way. 

Currently, I live in Jacksonville, known as the First Coast. 

It's the nation's largest city (area wise). 

It has tons of parks. 

It's in the heart of the Bible Belt.

Since we're a "bold city" we have a lot of different areas of town and I love that. There's the beach, artsy, downtown, country, college  ghetto, posh, old new, shopping district....

We have 7 bridges in our city. The Main Street and Dames Point are my favorites. 

The bridges are now lit up at night (and have been since we hosted to Super Bowl).

We have a football team: Jaguars.

And a AAA baseball team: The Suns.

 

It's also where my sister and her family lives.

Where my mom and stepdad now live.

Where I went to college.

And graduated college.

Where I fell in love.

Where I met the most amazing new friends in my life.

Where I became roommates with my bff and sister from another mister.

Where I bought my first home.

Where I got my first teaching job. 

Where I started my small little family (of Steven and Chloe).

Where I got my third puppy, Chloe.

Where I discovered my love of photography.

Then there is South Florida. More specifically Coral Springs and Ft. Lauderdale, which is where I grew up.
It is very multi-cultural, which is part of why I love it so much.
The beaches are awesome.
It also is home to Las Olas Boulevard.
It's a completely different atmosphere and way of life than in Jacksonville. There is no southern charm and manners to it, instead it's charm is more about the beach and upscale ways of living.

 

Growing up in South Florida was incredibly special. I feel like it gave me a life and insight that I would have otherwise never have had. 

It's where I made my first church family.

Where I met my first love and high school sweet heart.

Where I met an incredible group of friends.

Where my faith in God really grew. 

It's where I began to question church,

but then came around and starting loving it again.

It's where I met my biffle and sister from another mister. 

Home to the best house ever.

The last place my parents were together.

The last place I saw my dad.

Where I learned to drive.

Where I got my first puppy, Coco.

Where I went to school.

Where I grew up.

I will always have fond memories of this place, even if I never move back there (or want to) it's home and I love it.

And finally there's Pensacola. Where I was born and spent the earliest part of my life. 

 Where I was born. 

Where I still have family that's so close, I call them family. 

Where I visit every Thanksgiving.

Where I call home.

Home of the prettiest beach.

Home of the sandshaker- most amazing drink!!!!!

The first city of the USA (St. Augustine is the first maintained city- Pensacola was the first but then was basically blown away by a hurricane. How's that for a history lesson???)

Where I got my second puppy, Aubre.

Yup, Florida is amazing. And I love it here. 

-kel

A-Z// e is for....

E is for..... Europe.

I have this obsession with Europe. I've been twice in my life (definitely not enough!!) and I want to go back more than anything.

It all started when I was in the 4th grade. My aunt and uncle moved to England, so one summer my mom and I spent a month with them. It was perhaps one of the best times of my life. It was also when I fell in love with England. London is the most amazing city and so full of history. We also took a weekend trip to Paris, which I have to admit, I was not a huge fan of.
But England was amazing (even if I didn't enjoy high tea time).
 And I am convinces that London is one of the best cities ever!.
To make things even better, our trip was also during the Spice Girls reign of music- so that made it even more fun to tour.
This is also where my obsession with Tudor history began. (I began collecting books then and I've read sooooo many more, especially about Anne Boleyn.  And yes, The Tudors was one of my favorite shows.


Then my obsession became even stronger during my freshman year of college. When I was in high school I had heard about Prague and how gorgeous and amazing it was, so I decided at some point I would have to visit.
Skip forward a few years and I'm sitting in my freshman history course and I see a flyer about a study abroad program taking place in several countries, but the place that caught my eye??  Prague, Czech Republic. I knew then and there that I just had to go. Somehow. Granted, I was kind of poor at the time, but I wanted to go so badly that I'd find a way. And I did.

I spent two weeks traveling to 4 countries with 2 professors and about 19 other students who I barely knew. It was one of the best times of my entire life. Not only was the traveling amazing, the history incredible, but I fell in love with my classmates (well most). I have amazing memories and some of them are still my very good friends. But I digress....

Europe.

We started in Germany. Berlin to be more exact. I should probably mention that I absolutely, positively love history (part of what also intrigued me about this trip) and the fact that it is so rich in WWII and Cold War history made me giddy like a freaking little girl. It was so amazing to see all these places I had only ever read about. And while visiting places like Concentration Camps was heartbreaking (to say the least) I loved how much I learned and that I got to actually see these places. It was almost as if it become more real to me (which sounds a little bitchy, I'm sorry- I don't mean it like that). It's just that after only reading about events and places they sometimes begin to seem like just a made up place in a made up time, but coming face to face with all of this past made it a million times more real to a girl who was born 40 years and a giant ocean away from such atrocious places.

I will also say that Berlin has an amazing city life- I felt like I was constantly going. And their food (and beer was absolutely AMAZING).

We also toured Krakow, Poland, which was amazing. We were there the same time as the Pope, so alcohol was prohibited and it was also insanely packed everywhere, including at Auschwitz (where he was giving a speech).

But it was still a good trip and the food was absolutely incredible. I really looked forward to the food here the most since my step-dad is Polish and has cooked Polish food for us before. It definitely didn't let me down.

Then there was Prague, Czech Republic. The place that had made me sign up for this trip. The city that I had been almost dying to see for several years. The hotel we stayed at was in the middle of the ghetto and since it was incredible sketchy (both the part of town and hotel) I cried the entire first hour of being there. Then, to make things worse, everytime we visited the main part of the city men tried to make us enter their strip clubs or by hard drugs. I may be prude, but that is not my idea of a good time on vacation (or in general). Can you tell that even after 7 years I'm still bitter about this city???

But Budapest, Hungary was pretty awesome and kind of made up for the loss (kind of). It was also the last city we went to. It started off rocky though, since apparently the city is split in two: Buda and Pest (and they are divided by a river). Which doesn't help when you need to be on the other side of the river to get correct currency, but no way of getting there.  But that's besides the point.

(Buda on one side and Pest on the other).

I feel like I've only visited the smallest percent of Europe and already my love for the continent is astounding. But it's taught me so much, shown me so much, and introduced me to so much. I have so many memories for my trips and I've met so many amazing people from these places as well.

Now I just need to get back there!!!!!!
-kel

26 before 27

 I love making lists anyway, but these birthday lists are my absolute favorite. Although, sadly I've been pretty bad about achieving them all. I think from last years I may have only fully completed 8 and almost completed another 5 or so. I really do loathe the fact that I haven't had one year where I've reached every single goal, but maybe this is the year!!! (One can dream).

So my 26 before 27 list:
photograph a family (new family)
make my own postcard
visit a new state
walk rim to rim at the Grand Canyon
get in shape for said trip
repurpose at least 3 things
teach Chloe new tricks
photobomb a photo
finish my 25 restaurant list (a halfway goal from last year)
fill/finish an art journal (another not completed item from last year)
go on a girls trip
take really good self portraits (and I hope to use the tripod Steven got me for my bday to help!!)
lost about 10 pounds
do vlogs
pay off debt
write a book
host a game night
go camping
get better at writing friends and pen pals
create a new tradition
write a kickass maid of honor speech
bike more
go on a trip with just Steven
start a photography blog
make homemade popsicles
do at least 5 acts of random kindness


Well, there you have it folks. 
Have you created one of these? If so, please share!! I love reading other people's lists!

 PS:

Last year's 25 before 26.

My 24 before 25 (and 23 before 24).

my amazingly awesome birthday weekend

 Today is my 26th birthday. A rather insignificant number if you ask me, but I'm hoping this year is anything but. 

It's been an amazing weekend and birthday. I feel so truly blessed to have such great parents, friends, coworkers and of course boyfriend. They made this weekend complete.

So did the rainbow sprinkled custard, a new restaurant, sangria, a new donut shop, my favorite coffee place, the dancing, the singing, caching up with friends, birthday cake, birthday cupcakes, a relaxing afternoon with my parents, breakfast at my favorite local spot, and a relaxing night with my handsome boyfriend. 

The good life.