Archive for 2014

11.26.2014

Late Nights and Giving Thanks

Finding myself up late on my computer, tucked in bed of course, is no strange occurrence for me! In fact, some of my best work or ideas come from when I'm tuckered out and relaxing! Last night was no exception!

As some of you may know, I'm going to school (as of right now!) To celebrate Thanksgiving, and to show my appreciation for all those who read, I created a set of prints to share! These are perfect for iPhone or iPad backgrounds as well great to print out for a greeting card for friends and family! You can either screen shot the print, or right click and press 'Open Image in New Tab' to save the file! &If you'd like a copy with out the watermark on the bottom just email me, and I'd be glad to share them!

Enjoy & Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!








 Foil template found here!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. // Psalm 118:1


11.23.2014

Tis' the Season

Fa la la, fabulous! Happy (almost) December everybody. With the Raleigh Christmas parade yesterday, my absolute favorite time of the year is officially upon us! Chilly weather, warm clothes, knit scarfs and sweaters, and the best part: Christmas music on all the radios! With every one prepping for their holidays, I created my first ever 2014 Gift Guide & Favorites List. These are all items that I've picked out knowing that any girl would love, and on top of that, all at great prices!

12. Longchamp 13. Wedges 14. ABD Mug

1. Rain, Rain Go Away

These rain boots are great for all year long! I have a black pair and I absolutely love them! I figured the black would be a great neutral color, to match lots of my outfits. One downside is that they aren't all that warm. However Hunter makes these great, warm, fuzzy sock inserts, at a very reasonable price! These coral colored wellies would make a great addition to any girl's wardrobe!

2. Everyday Essential

If I've learned anything from living in the south, its that "If its not moving, monogram it!" & seriously I live by this law. What better way to spice up an outfit then with a classic monogrammed necklace! Personally, I adore all gold jewelry, so an obvious choice would be the gold filled, or if the gift giver is feeling extra generous the 14K Gold version! For the silver lovers, there is also a sterling option! Gifting a personalized item like this shows that someone really went out of their way to get that special someone, a gift that's as special as them!

3. Pucker Up!

I am all about some lip color and how much more adorable can this Kate Spade lipstick get? This season darker colors are defiantly in, however it's still a transition I'm not necessarily used to just yet. So I'm easing myself into it with the Supercalifragilipstick in sweet blush (yeah! that's the name, cute right?)

4. Stay Fit, Stay Clean

Recently I've fallen in LOVE with yoga. For real, I love that I can relax with this great activity. Stretching is really great for so many things such as digestion, headaches, and just overall health. I found the best (and cutest!) yoga mat at Marshalls for only $12, and I want to make sure I keep my mat in tip-top shape, as well as clean for its everyday use! These great wipes are a necessity for any yoga lover like myself!

5. Stay Golden

Jewelry trays are a great way to not only decorate your room, but also stay organized! On the side tables next to my bed, in my closet as well as on top of my bathroom counter top I use cute dishes, like this one, to store my earrings, hair ties and even my contact cases! This golden zebra is the greatest little plate which would be the perfect addition to any room #goldisthenewblack

6. The Write Idea

Kate Spade has the write idea ;) This cute collection of ballpoint pens is perfect for any writer, or someone who just likes a smooth writer. And they come in fun colors. So not only do I love these pens, but apparently so does Oprah. (Yeah, you read that right...OPRAH!) These cute pens made her 2014 favorite things list. "You get a pen, you get a pen, you all get a pen!" Check out the rest of her list here!

7. #newyearnewme

I truly am excited to start getting back into a daily routine of exercising. I've been doing awesome keeping track of my physical activities as well as doing everything to exercise. When I get the chance of course. I've started a pact: I purposely park on the highest level in the deck at work, this way I am forced to take the flight of stairs down, as well as back up at the end of the day. Another great example is while trying to find a close parking spot in a crowded lot, I'll try and park further back, this to also leave closer spots open for those who really may need them! A FitBit is a great way to keep track of daily exercise, sleep habits and so much more! AND they come in great colors to match any outfit!

8. You're the Balm Baby

EOS. Need I say more? 

9. Sweet Treat

How cute are these little trinket boxes?! One of the items on my bucket list is to eat French macaroons in France! So these couldn't be more perfect. These little cases are just big enough to hold your favorite studs in your purse, or maybe if you're like me, and need to carry headache medicine with you around, for your Advil's! 

10. Such a Stud

Moon & Lola has done it again! These glitzy earrings are my absolute favorite right now! They can be dressed down with your favorite piko and a vest, or dressed up with your new, glamorous holiday dress! Super cute!

11. WWBWD? 

What would Blair Waldorf Do? Ever since these Jo Malone candles were featured on my favorite show of all time, Gossip Girl, I've fallen in love with them. They are pretty, light, and fresh scented candles that make any room delightful! Not to mention aesthetically appealing! My personal favorite, Lime Basil & Mandarin! YUM!!!

12. Bag of the Year

Or should I say century? Seriously my Long champ has been the best purchase ever! I got mine in 8th grade and I still use it as my everyday tote! The darker, more everyday colors seem to be more popular. But I'm loving the bright options like yellow or pink! These bags hold everything from Laptops to clothes for an overnight stay!

13. To New Heights

I'm all about wedges. However, since I'm already so tall when I wear them I tower over everyone in the room! These Tory Burch wedges are the perfect pair for a little bit of height and a lotta bit of fabulousness! Great for work, family dinners, or holiday parties! 

14. Extra Hot Please!

Becoming a coffee lover has been great, all up until its time for bed, however! Along with this change comes with a great new coffee mug collection! Ashley Brooke Designs has some of the cutest mugs at really great prices!


Thanks for checking out my 2014 Favorites List! Let me know what items made you're wish lists! & Remember: with the holiday season, we sometimes forget the real reason for the season. Always give and receive with a tender, loving heart!

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. // Matthew 1:21


8.11.2014

Fool Proof Recipe

So today, I attempted to strike off a "bucket list" item of mine: make homemade french macaroons!! Yay! Exciting right!! I went all around town to gather the ingredients. Of course, like any good baker would do, I did my research. I spent most of my morning watching YouTube videos, reading Pinterest tutorials, and found the perfect Fool Proof Recipe. With my quest to find the greatest recipe over, I headed out to gather my ingredients. I even went to the farmers market to get some ingredients. Here's what I needed...

Almond meal, confectioners sugar, cream of tartar, plain sugar, egg whites, gel food coloring, parchment paper, filling flavors (I chose raspberry, lemon and coconut)
 **also, you may want to grab some pastry bags for easier dividing later**

Well, thorough the hours of collecting all the ingredients, spending time researching all the right steps and techniques, and finally tying on my apron to begin whipping up these treats, I learned three things:

1. You must follow recipies EXACTLY how they are printed, or you will turn out with a sloppy, goopy, burnt mess.

2. It is not raspberry season. In fact, its really only watermelon, blueberry and veggie season. The grocery store was a follow up after realizing that no one at the market sold my desired berries this time of year. (They were still super fresh & yummy, though)

& 3. I have absolutely no future, whatsoever in the macaroon baking industry, if thats even a real thing? I'm not really sure!

In the first batch, I wrongly measured the almond-meal to Confectioners sugar ratio. The next batch was a little better; I measured everything correctly and all was good, until I realized I had forgotten to add the sugar to my egg whites. Oops! And finally, the third and final batch. It was all going so well, I measured everything correctly, remembered all the ingredients, even set timers on when to put the sweets into the oven, and BAM..it happened! Guess who forgot to take their macaroons out of the oven. Yup, thats right, this girl. 


Burnt, and way, way, way overcooked *I'm not sure I can even call them this anymore* macaroons. After all that planning, all the time spent gathering the ingredients, and after all my hard work, I failed. & I'm not going to lie, I may or may not have shed a tear or two. But the world may never know the truth on this on (I defiantly did!!) The idea of the pastry's sounded great, on paper. And the fool proof recipe obviously just wasn't Laura proof. 

Things don't always go the way we plan them too, and through all this, I was reminded of a story in my favorite love story ever told; the Bible! The book of Job, to be specific

Job was a wealthy man, I mean really wealthy! He had land, sheep, and a beautiful family; overall Job was a good man. God even bragged about Job to the heavens. Well, Satan challenges God of Jobs goodness. God agrees to this challenge, which lead to Satan releasing powers that killed all of Jobs family, besides his wife, killed off all his land, as well as murdered all of Jobs servants. Job was being tested, and just as God had planned, Job stayed loyal to his Heavenly Father. Throughout the story, Job is tested once more, this time with bumps and bruises all over his body. Once again, Job continued to stay loyal to God. However this time, Job wanted some answers, I mean, who wouldn't? Job felt as if, since he stayed loyal to God, none of this should have been happening. Well, he got his answer; Job's friends Bildad, Eliphaz and Zophar told him he must have done somthing to cause this misfortune. Well, guess who didn't like that answer; I'll give you a hint: his name starts with a "J", and ends in "ob", if you guessed Job, well DING, DING, DING, we have a winner!! Elihu, another friend of Job, comes to remind Job; that even though he may not have sinned to cause all this to happen, he was to stand up and take it like a man, after all it's all God's will anyways, right? Later in the story, God comes down to Job, basically to reprimand him for questioning his fate. After all who is the creator and father of the universe, God of course! 

As humans, we see trials like this all the time! When a family member is sick, we may question, why them? Or when you don't do as well as you thought we would on that test, even though you studied extra hard. Possibly when you didn't get the job you were certain to be offered. Trials like these create the perfect pathway to our Heavenly Father. When we lean on Him through hard times, we can see that no matter what the outcome, it was all meant to be. God has the perfect, fool proof recipe for your life. He's even given you the ingredients you need to succeed, as well as the tools to help you along the way. How cool is that? Pretty awesome, if I do say so myself!

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. // Psalm 18:30

8.05.2014

On Top of the World

On top of the world...more like attempting to take a cute picture "holding the world on my back" was the most exciting event of the day...not sure if I should be proud or not? With the day off of work, I took my two sisters to the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. We had lots of fun, and learned lots of new things. I'm totally bluffing right now, because honestly the three of us, along with my best friend Andy, just messed around and had lots of fun. But we did have an interesting time attempting to capture the perfect picture of us holding up the globe. Mid "photo-shoot" my camera died, leaving me with the good ol' iPhone camera to snap the pics.

Today was also one of those days where it took me about 30 minuets to decided what I actually wanted to wear. I had a real cute outfit planned, but just wasn't feeling it. So I ended up in jorts and a loose tee, which was A-OK by me! Comfy and cute: pull it off & you can conquer the world!




My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. // Psalm 73:26




8.04.2014

Out & About

Hello again.

I spent all last night tweaking the blog, so I didn't end up falling asleep until 4am, YIKES! With that said, I didn't wake up until right around 3 in the afternoon today...aka my day was wasted, or so I though. Woke up, ate "breakfast", showered, and headed out to run some errands. So for my first "real" post, I thought it would only be fitting to share my outfit of the day! I was of course was very excited to wear a cute outfit, seeing as I was going to be posting it, so I threw this bad-boy together. Enjoy, & tell me what you think!




Open up before God, Keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done: He'll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon. // Psalm 37:5






Nice to Meet You.

Hey y'all!  


Thanks for checking out the very first Simply Declared post! Honestly, this is something I have been dreaming of for a few months now. With the longing to share my love for Jesus, I thought what better way then through every girls heart; cute & affordable fashion's, fabulous DIY's, yummy recipes, and the good word. So with a little bit of thinking, a few sleepless nights coding, and lots and lots of coffee, Simply Declared was born! 

I've always been really awkward when it comes to establishing anything (& I mean anything: relationships, my wording of basic sentences, my daily routine, the list goes on and on!). However, I'm hopeful that through blogging, I'll grow the confidence a young girl like me needs. But don't get me wrong, I have the confidence of a queen; which I'm still not sure is a good thing! 

If you are reading this, it's either because I've begged and pleaded with you to log on, or you've stumbled upon this wonderful mess! Either way, LUCKY YOU! I'm very excited you're here! I encourage you to join me in this new chapter of my life; comment on posts, ask questions, or leave me messages through the contact page. But most of all, be praying for me. This is going to be a journey that I am most defiantly feeling called to do, and am excited to tackle as well. My love for Jesus is so, so great that I just can't help but to share it!

With that said, if you read the about page, you'll notice I write that in every post I'll be including scripture. It may relate to the topic of the post, or it may have absolutely nothing to do with it! In any case, take in the beautiful message as steps in the direction of your own walk with the Lord! So, here goes nothing...

Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. // Ephesians 1:4



 

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