There are plenty of voices telling us what we can’t do, who we can’t be, where we can’t make it. Many of those said voices being in our own heads. So today we are declaring that we CAN. There are parts of our stories we wouldn’t choose to walk through, but guess what.. we CAN and WILL get through them.

You can overcome fear. You can have control over your emotions, you can walk in victory, you can be a great wife. You can have joy when you don’t feel like it. You can walk out hard diagnoses. You can live at peace in the middle of chaos. You can rise above. You can be successful. You can be the perfect mama your little world changer needs. You can claim joy. You can break through strongholds. You can move mountains. You can take back what has been stolen from you. You can stand when the fight has you feeling like you have nothing left in you. You can change your attitude. You can change the way you’re looking at a hopeless situation. You can beat whatever your HARD is. You can stay in the fight when you feel like giving up.

Say it with me…. ACTUALLY, I CAN. You can. I can. We can. Prove the voices in your head wrong. You can be everything the enemy says that you can’t.

I can, I will, watch me.

Philippians 4:13

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Truth is, I used to love bold, trendy, more costume jewelry, but recently I’ve been lovin’ the “less is more” mantra. Simple, smaller, GOLD jewelry.  Here are a few of my favorite things.

Kendra Scott- can be pricey for jewelry however, TIP- the month of your birthday you can choose one item for 50% off!!!  This also works for your spouse or significant other- AKA Wil’s birthday month I get to choose one piece for half off!!!! I’m slowly starting to collect nice jewelry one birthday month at a time 🙂

Quay- I’ve recently discovered this brand for sunglasses. They’re a middle of the road price point. I also love my Ray Ban’s and my cheap BP $12 sunnies.

MantraBand- My mom got me this “fearless” gold cuff for christmas and I absolutely love it. My best friend got me the “forever friends” cuff for my birthday. They’re so cute and great for wearing alone, stacking with watches or other bangles.

XO,

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Hi Friends!!!

Spring has officially sprung and I am loving this Arizona SUNSHINE. One trend that I am currently obsessing over is off the shoulder tops. What do I love about them? Everything. They’re comfortable, feminine, show a little shoulder- but cover up the cleavage. This blue one is so comfy and can be styled so many ways. Paired with some basic ripped jeans,  a neutral heel, and my go to simple accessories.. Classy/Cute springtime look that can take you into summer. Shop all the pieces below!!!

XO,

**Shoutout to my best @Kailahlundbohm who snapped these on our Downtown Phoenix adventure today**

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1. God is faithful; in absence of all the feels. There were times when honeymoon feelings were fleeting. There were times that our human shortcomings screamed louder than our love. BUT every time- God has been faithful. I’ve learned way more about who I am and WHOSE I am through the ickier times. God’s been faithful to remind me that my husband is a GIFT that was hand selected for me.

2. My mama always said (and go figure she was right….) “You and your husband are on the same team, always.” You don’t fight against flesh and blood. There’s a real enemy that wants nothing more than disunity in your marriage because there’s so much power with unity. The moments we fought against each other have been the biggest hurts and biggest regrets. Those were the moments that left invisible gashes. The moments we got a grip of our emotions, took a breath, and got new perspective on the situation- there was real growth and real connection. In that “I do” moment- a new family was made.  Husband & Wife. We come from two great families- that we have learned tremendously from. We are navigating what this new family of two looks like.

3. Purely saying I do- doesn’t make you a good wife. Neither does a plethora of home cooked, planned out meals. Neither does an empty laundry basket. Neither does an endless to do list. I’ve tried them. I’ve been the girl that secretly stresses because the laundry seems to literally multiply every time I turn my back, I’ve been the girl that meal plans and grocery shops and preps everyone of my man’s fave things including his fave snacks and a fridge stocked with his TWO favorite ice creams. I’ve been the girl that makes sure dinner is ready the second my man walks through the door….. but guess what- he couldn’t care less about any one of those things I SLAVED over. I feel disappointed. He doesn’t notice. Not that he doesn’t appreciate them- but doesn’t NEED them like I thought he did. All those things were for, me. I thought that’s what wives did. Don’t get me wrong- serve your husband. It never comes back void- ever. But, do it with the right heart. Not a heart that craves recognition. Or one that secretly wants him to post about how fabulous you are on social media. I found that a good wife- listens to her husband.  She does a whole lot less striving and a whole lot more listening. I was so focused on getting my stuff done (all good things that I thought were for him) that I wasn’t even truly giving undivided attention to listen. To listen to what dumb video he found on YouTube and thought was hilarious. To listen to his wins at work. To listen to his advice. A good wife- listens. She stops what she’s doing (however important) to greet him when he comes home. She listens with respectful heart and eyes ( I’ve learned a whole lotta disrespect can be thrown with one roll of the eye)! Validate your husband. Build him up. Believe in him. Dream with him.

4. You can be strong and independent and still submit to your man’s authority. Speaking disrespectfully to him- may be thee biggest mistake I could make. Ever.

5. I’m more effective with him- than I ever was apart. I’m honestly tearing up when I type this- but I’m just so honored to do every day in and day out with him. He multiplies my joys and triumphs and divides my sorrows and defeats. Marriage has created the environment where we are developing and discovering who we are and who we were made to be.

These are the top 5 that popped in my head but marriage has taught me so much. One thing to note- our marriage is no where near perfect. However, wanna know a secret to see positive changes in your marriage?? Prayer. I can change SO MUCH more in prayer than I can in striving or talking about change. ITS REAL. I’ve tried and tested it. PRAY for your man. Pray for your marriage.

Some wedding photos because I’m so obsessed with them & if you need me.. my head is in the clouds reliving thee amazing day of 03/14/15. PS… Check out Studio 7 Photography for your wedding photography needs… CLEARLY SHE’S AMAZING.

XO,

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Social media portrays the highlight reels of everyones’ lives.. And really it is just the highlights they want you to see. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some social media. But sometimes we need a reality check that its OKAY to have nothing “Instagram worthy” going on in your week. It is OKAY if you don’t have anything to upload to your story every hour of every day. In fact, it might even be better that way.

Whatever your weekly routine is- go do it well. Be present in it. Give yourself permission to live the mundane routine parts of life, well. I needed that reminder today. I have had the worst flu for THREE WEEKS. THREE WEEKS. The: I can’t get off the couch because dizziness sets in, can’t drink anything because it’s coming right back up, can’t do anything but watch Netflix because the fevers suck all the energy you have left, showering is thee single thing on your to do list (because it’s been a few days)… that kinda flu. And I’m happy to say here I am three weeks later with a cough lingering, but finally feel like myself again.  I suddenly found myself racking my brain of what outfit I could dress up in to go take pictures, where Wil and I could go on a date to so we could blog about it, what cool trend I could think to talk about….. and I got nothin’.

I was even asking my mom what I should do… and she gave the best advice, “Sometimes, you just got nothin’.” And honestly, that’s so freeing. The three weeks of the plague was forced rest for me. I could do literally nothing but sit my nonstop, Type-A self on the couch and just BE. Honestly, there was nothing instagram worthy about it. Nothing blog worthy about it. And I wish I could say I did a ton of reading and all my laundry is done and all my bathrooms are clean, but they aren’t. REST. Sometimes you just need to allow yourself to do it- or your body may just force you into it. So today we celebrated being free of sickness by throwing on my fave hat and getting some coffee. PS.. thanks to everyone who prayed and checked in on me- I appreciate you! And special shoutout to the hubs- because sick me is no where near as fun as healthy me. Here’s to a week of real life tasks and responsibilities- not just feeds of photo shoots and events <3

XO,

PS.. This grey sweater is a go-to neutral you can shop here (it’s on sale)

This is my first Brixton hat and I love it- shop some like it here

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