Guest Post: ADI

This weeks guest post, is all about the thing that brings joy into Jared and mine's life the most, which is our sweet little Adi. Here are some weird facts you didn't know that we love...

1. Adi knows when a good movie is on and actually sits very still for most of it...not most dogs do that I don't think.

2. Adi's favorite place to sleep is on our pillows...even if our head is already there! This is the second night in a row I've woken up with my pillow having been stolen by miss Adi.

3. Adi's by far favorite thing to play with...dryer sheets. She's waits anxiously as I fold the laundry waiting to pounce on another unsuspecting dryer sheet.

4. Adi just gets such a kick out of grabbing the kibble bag, shaking it ferociously with her teeth, breaking the bag, and letting the kibble spray EVERYWHERE. Of course she doesn't mind cleaning it up either

5. Adi loves relaxing in the oddest positions....looks weird. But she loves it!

Oh how this little pup has stolen our hearts! 

Happy Thursday! Enjoy the sunshine!

~J&M

p.s. she helps me to remember to love myself, partially because she gives me so much attention and love herself.

loving your talents: guest post

So. Quite basically this guest postee has been a great friend since, well my Abercrombie days. She was the friend I could confide in, shoulder I could cry on, girl to laugh with, and a someone who was always up for a good prank on an ex (you know who I'm talking about Lauren). Please, do yourself a favor and check her blog O U T. She is one of the most uplifting, inspiring, encouraging people whose blog I love to read+she cuts my hair. How awesome is that?!

do me a favor. rewind a good 10-20 years.  anywhere in that range will do. now get a gooood idea of who you were. im nine years old.  im just a tiny little thing with a blonde mess of curls and teeth too big for my mouth. it may not have been my best look. but that didnt stop me from thinking that i was the best on my soccer team, smarter than your average 3rd grader, fast at reading, the best friend on the block, an amazing artist. and well, i was cute, especially when i did my own hair in pig tails that morning. it didnt matter that i wasnt amazing at jump rope, because i could do flips for days around the bars.  it didnt matter that i wasnt the fastest runner, because i could skip with grace and style.  my little mind didnt have time to think about the things that i wasnt so good at- because i was too busy using my good qualities to entertain myself.  most of the time when we are still pretty young- we arent afraid to give ourselves a little pat on the back and to give a little credit when credit is due. we assumed we were good at just about anything that we tried- even if we werent that good at all. 

now lets see here.....what happened? fast forward to the present day.  try to think of some qualities you have today that you are magnificant at. most of us would say, well im trying to learn how to cook- but im not that good.  or, im good at cutting hair- but i know lots of people who are much better than me. or, i like to do photography but i wouldnt call myself a professional or anything! 

HOLLLD up. lets think about this for a second. why is it, the older we get- the less we think of ourselves? why do we brush off the fact that we have been teaching ourselves photography and dont give ourselves any credit for even attempting to try!? for some reason the older we get- the harder it is for us to really congratulate ourselves for our efforts.

is it because we think we will seem cocky? prideful? boastful? by all means, none of these are what im saying we should stirve for.  but a little more confidence wouldnt hurt, right? in days of high competition and struggling to be the best or on top- take a second and think back to that little person you once were.  the one that was just happy as a can be and in their mind; talented and bursting with good qualities.  snap back to real life and give yourself a little break. stop being so hard on yourself and recognize the things you ARE doing well in your life. so maybe you aren't at the top of your class- but hey! your still getting up and going, doing your homework and being a good student. that's WAY more than most people can say. so what if you aren't athletic and good at every sport. if you still get up and go play a game of pick up, your being active and moving. sometimes life is just not fair- you cant be the best at everything you do or try. but when you are frustrated because you don't seem to be shining in any particular area of your life- just look into the details. the details are what weave our beautiful memories and life together with. give yourself credit for trying to make a batch of cookies for you neighbor- even if they weren't the perfect batch. cut yourself some slack and be proud of yourself for your efforts. 

i always remind myself that i'm stuck with me forever.  i cant divorce myself, run away or hide.  rather than be hard on myself and create an enemy- ive learned that the happiest way to live is to become your very own best friend. treat yourself how you would want the worlds best friend to treat you.

the best love story you can have is with yourself. so fall deeply in love with yourself and start focusing on allll the many good qualities you have- cus you have millllions :)

Check out her and le boy. Basically they should be on the cover of a magazine!

Happy Thursday! 

Go find something to create that makes you happy

~M

Guest post THURSDAY

This weeks guest post-er is a good friend from high school, and fellow blogger, Jamie Welch now Jaro (don't you just LOVE her last name?)  

Hello everyone! I’m Jamie – one of The Lovebirdies. I’m truly honored to be asked to guest post today by my dear friend Melissa.

We are taught from kindergarten how to “spot the differences” between two pictures. That bird has an extra feather, there’s a toothbrush in the broom – toothbrushes do not belong in brooms my friends. I could tell the difference when I was 5.

                As we grow, our attention to detail grows more poignant. It also turns our ability to see what doesn’t fit inward. We begin to separate ourselves from the adequacy of a loving Heavenly Father and compare. Such an ugly word these days, isn’t it? Compared to my friend I have no talent. Compared to my sister I’m hot-headed. Compared with my aunt I have no style. All these comparisons – plus millions more I’ve piled on myself – are heavy.

                I felt very early on (as girls are wont to do) that I was never good enough for the world’s standard. Not skinny enough, not outgoing enough, not funny enough, not quiet enough and still not loud enough. But for whom?

                Usually not enough for me.

                We all battle feelings of insecurity in our lives. But why when we are clearly told the way to have self confidence? One of my favorite ways we are reminded comes from D&C 121:45. It says if you have charity and “let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.”

                If you can be confidenct in God’s presence, you can be confident around anyone.

                This teaching is so very dear to my heart. There are many times when I feel I am not living up to the standards of others and I’m miserable about it. I get down on myself for not being pretty enough or smart enough. I begin to have cyclical beat down sessions that drive me to a darkened room and put me in tears. In these gloomy times the only thing that seems to pull me out of it is prayer.

                Something about speaking to an unconditionally loving Father changes me from the inside out. I am reminded that all He asks is that I do my best. That I remember who I am: His daughter. He wouldn’t have made me if He didn’t see potential for greatness inside. He doesn’t waste His time or energy. My faith is usually enough to get me going. It motivates me to becoming a better me.

This, I’m sure, is the pure light of Christ.

The world teaches us that the way to self-confidence is by being better than someone else. This is a lie. The Savior teaches that the way to earn self-confidence is by seeking anything “virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy.” I promise that if you do this and serve your neighbor your self confidence will improve. We all have such great self-worth in the perfect eyes of our Heavenly Father. It can’t hurt to see this once in a while ourselves, can it?

I know it is so much easier said than done but I encourage everyone to try. Here are some ideas to get you going:

Serve. I can’t stress this enough. Jesus Christ never griped and groaned while handing out fish and bread, did he? No, I assure you, he didn’t.

Tell someone you love him/her. You’ll probably hear it back.

Smile even when you don’t want to. When my depressed days come sometimes the only way to keep from crying is to smile. Every time I do I think of all the blessings in my life and the smile becomes real.

Pray. Pray again.

Be kind to your body. Feed it good things and exercise it often. You’ll naturally feel better.

Do extraordinary things. I’m not Wonder Woman but who says I can’t act like her?

My hope and prayer is that all of us, women especially, can study and develop our own self worth and see how truly special we each are. It’s only fair that we use our lives as personal tributes to the one who created us. I am so grateful for my own personal testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the reason I look forward to tomorrow with courage and conviction.

I could never have said that any better then Jamie! She's completely spot on, and I love that about her. She knows just how to say something with flair, and full truth. Check out her B L O G ! Don't her and her hubby Shehan make SUCH a cute couple?! I vote yes. 

Have a great THURSDAY! I'll be taking a molecular biology test. ICK!

~M

P.S. this is our ONE HUNDRED and FIFTIETH post!

You're IT

Tagged: by my marvelous new friend Mandy over at Hippy Chic. Check her  O U T!


Oh, these are a few of my favorite things....

food: The one and only, Cafe Rio Pork Salad. Hold the cilantro, double pico. Mmmm!

color: icy steel blue. Or lilac purple. Can't quite decide which right now.

animal: the dog we're soon going to have. We're thinking Golden Retriever. Thoughts?

sports team: BYU basketball. enough said.

dessert: PB choc cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory. Hands down.

artist: lovin' a little Glen Hansard from The Frames. Specifically 'Falling Slowly'

pair of shoes: Jones NY Cecelius Floral Print Pump. Yes please!

outfit: Skinny cords from GAP, ballet flats, colorful V-neck top, cashmere cardigan sweater.

skinny jeans: yes thank you. So far I've only found skinnies I've loved from Express.

brand: for what specifically? I'm very picky. Currently loving shirts+tops from Nordstroms.

perfume: but of course my latest buy from Sephora, Poppy by Coach.

accessory: I'm actually really loving scarves right now. Soft, floral, light, colorful scarves.

city: San Clemente. Smack in the middle of San Fran and LA. Check it.

hobby: gardening. specifically bulbs in beautiful ceramic pots.

beauty product: NARS orgasm blush. Trust me. You'll L O V E it. So worth the money.

holiday: anyday me and my hubby have off from our jobs+school+responsibilities, which is rare.

snack: Doritos Xtra cheesy

movie: currently watching Father of the Bride via netflix; all time favorite is a close tie between Ocean's 11 and Despicable Me. Love me some Disney/Pixar.

song: loving Miranda Lambert's 'Heart Like Mine' cause we're all a little bit stubborn sometimes.

guilty pleasure: snuggling with my hubby and letting his legs warm my frozen feet...socks are a thing of the past don't you know?


POPCORN to:

Krystle at krystlewahnschaffe.blogspot.com
Jamie at shehanandjamie.blogspot.com
Tori at scottyandtori.blogspot.com
and...
Haley at crazychicagordita.blogspot.com  whose blog I'm designing...tell me what you think

P.S. no matter what you're favorites are, be confident about them!

Happy Wednesday!

~M

Finding the {HAPPY} in Life

 I decided to start a new concept with the blog...yes if you couldn't tell I'm trying to revamp. Extra pretty please excuse me as I do so. But please DO enjoy Thursday guest posts from now on! Below is a little tid-bit from a couple of friends of mine whose blog I L O V E. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you take a peak... and welcome to all the visitors! Stay and explore for a bit

Hi Lovelies. Melissa asked if we’d contribute to her blog, with our ideas about how we live life to the fullest. As college students, life is busy and constantly go, go, go, but here are the ways we stay grounded and happy.

{1} Keep a journal. Harley and I S W E A R by this. We both became avid journalers last summer in Europe when we did it religiously. Find the fun in recording thoughts and dreams. There is something beautiful and intense about allowing raw emotion to spill out on paper. Let go of inhibitions. Find a favorite pen. I give you permission to buy a pretty journal—today. Do it at least once a week, and practice listening to your thoughts.

{via}

{2} Family. Don’t take them for granted. Sometimes I find it too easy to be short-tempered with my parents or siblings and regret it immediately. They’ll always be there, so enjoy every minute of it.

{3} Find balance. In order to feel fulfilled, we must achieve a balance. Force yourself to do the necessary things on the checklist before you go out and play. Work hard, play hard.

{4} Me time. Award yourself ME time. What do you love? What makes you feel alive? Find the thing and do it. Spending time for yourself will give you the rejuvenation you need to finish the menial tasks. My yoga instructor brought this quote to class:

{via}

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive." Howard Thurman

{5} Live with passion. This relates to #4, but it's different. Have pride in what you do; put your heart and soul into everything. I think passion can transform nothing into something.

We would love to hear your ideas as well at Harley&Jane!

xoxo

Jane.

P.S. my flower pots are starting to grow and put out flower starts...in only a WEEK!

I knew bulbs would be where my green thumb lies.

Happy Thursday!

~M