Tuesday, July 26, 2011

{TuTu Tuesday} Beachfront TuTu

Summer is quickly becoming my favorite seasons of the year. Between lazy long days at the pool, fun times at the splash park, carefree afternoons grilling out and eating fresh fruits, oh and don't forget, three of the four of us have birthdays within one month of each other.

Sumer is a busy time around here, which makes weekend getaways to the beach a family favorite. Lucky for us, we have dozens of beaches within one hour's drive from home.

Today's tutu was shot in St. Augustine, one of my favorite beaches to take the family. The Beachfront TuTu has a soothing blend of blues, turquoise, and green perfect for sea side portraits.


Photography by Ryaphotos

Thanks for reading,
xo, Debra

Monday, July 25, 2011

{Music Monday} This is the Stuff

Things are slowly getting back to normal around here after the whirlwind of birthdays and celebrations the past few weeks.
I first heard this song by Francesca Battistelli while driving around running errands. I immediately identified with it. "Call me please, cause I can't find my phone." Yeah, that's me.


Hope you all have a great week. Don't sweat the little things!

Thanks for reading!
xo, Debra

Thursday, July 21, 2011

{Lessons Learned} A sampling of what I've learned so far in life.

A month ago, one month shy of turning 30, I started sharing some of my favorite quotes and {lessons learned} on facebook. By no means have I mastered all of these lessons, but I'm a work in progress. The point is to remain teachable.

Here is day 30 and a look back at all the other days in case you missed one on Facebook.


Day 30 - Smile, Laugh, and CELEBRATE well!!! There's so much I have to be thankful for. I'm blessed beyond measure! If I lived by my own strength I would be a total wreck. Only because I have surrendered my will at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ and chosen to give up what I think is best in order to accept his perfect plan for my life, I can enjoy true freedom and everlasting joy. I have reason to celebrate - so I do!!!! (In case you didn't know this about me...my other passion is Worship, now you know.)

Day 29 - Worrying about something will never change its outcome. Let go of fear and choose to trust. Trust God and believe the best of people.

Day 28 - There is a difference between change and transformation. One takes place superficially and doesn't last. The other begins in the heart and lasts forever.

Day 27 - Forgiving is about me.

Day 26 - Nothing is more important than raising children.

Day 25 - If you want to find out your real priorities check you bank account and your date book.

Day 24 - "Just because you've been called to do something, doesn't mean you have to do it right now!"

Day 23 - A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back. Proverbs 29:11

Day 22 - Using coupons is cool.

Day 21 - God knew exactly what the world needed when He decided to make me (and you).

Day 20 - "We eat to live. Not live to eat."

Day 19 - Givers will always have something to give, Takers will always be in need of something else.

Day 18 - There is a direct correlation between how quiet I am and how smart I appear.

Day 17 "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." Albert Einstein

Day 16 - If it's worth doing (or if you can't get out of doing it) you might as well do it with excellence and a smile.

Day 15 "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks."

Day 14 - Life comes in seasons. Whether it's a fabulous season or a dreadful one, it will pass...and you will survive.

Day 13 - When you fail, fall short, or get behind just get up, dust off, and keep moving.

Day 12 - Unlike popular definition, Freedom is not doing whatever you want, whenever you want. Freedom requires sacrifice; giving up counterfeit pleasure in order to enjoy true joy!

Day 11 - The mirror lies. You look way better in real life than the mirror reflects.

Day 10 - The higher up you climb, the more people you have to serve. Success comes from serving; not from demanding to be served.

Day 9 - "We see the world as we are" puts a whole new perspective on judgmental thoughts.

Day 8- "A thankful heart is a happy heart," and it starts with being glad for what you have. Thanks, Junior Asparagus.

Day 7 - The best way to get something done is to just get up and do it! There is a time to pray, but there is also a time to put action to our faith.

Day 6 - Who you marry is the most important decision you'll ever make in life.

Day 5 - Just because a door is open, doesn't mean you should walk in.

Day 4 "You gotta love me to get to heaven." It's not my job to get people to like me. It's their personal responsibility, if they want to get to heaven, to figure out a way to love me just the way God made me.

Day 3 - Cut your hair. It'll grow back.

Day 2 - "Sometimes you just have to be obedient even if you think there is a better way."

Day 1- If you wait until laundry is caught up to do something else, nothing else will ever get done.

Here's to becoming wiser with every decade....

Thanks for reading!

xo,
Debra

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

I'm back!!!

Here I am!!!! I haven't fallen of the face of the blogworld. These last two weeks between my daughter's party, filling orders and tending to my routine responsibilities, I've had no time for blogging.

So much has happened in the last few weeks! As if I haven't talked about it enough, I was featured as Doer of the Week on Martha Stewart. That's probably been the highlight of my business career. Reading the encouraging comments from people all over the world who took time to read my story made me smile til my cheeks hurt.
I've been so motivated by your support that I've been adding more and more items to my etsy shop. Be sure to stop by and show me some love on etsy.

I've also been going through a little bit of a makeover. Since I'm turning 30 on Friday {YEAH!!} I decided to to chop off all of my hair, get some wild highlights, and pierce my ears for the first time ever. It's been fun. I'll have those photos up soon too.

Next week, I'll resume my weekly posting and publish photos of my daughter's 2nd birthday.

Thank you for staying with me on my journey. Lots of fantastic things coming our way.

xoxo
Debra