My Life in Black & White

Friday Is Here!!

This week has been great but busy! Week over week, my life is very routine. I would love more spontaneity. I need to start making that a priority. 

I thought for Five on Friday, I would show you glimpses of my life in black and white :)

I actually wore makeup! LOL I hardly ever wear makeup. I am just too lazy. Until people start asking if I am okay or if I am sick... that signals to me that I may need some color on my skin aka bronzer! LOL 

It felt great getting back into the gym this week (this was on my fall bucket list! See more here!). My muscles are so sore but the hurt feels good! 

I saw this awesome quote. "A real optimist does not believe that the glass is half full. A  real optimist believes that the whole glass is full."

That is a great statement. It makes me think of the verse "My cup overflows with your blessings."( Psalm 23:5) So to be even more optimist- My glass overflows! 

I sometimes make it a focus to study on one thing I want to get better at. I have shown my study journal on my blog before, but I love to study on the bus on my way to work. It is a great way to put reminders in my mind and an overall great way to start the day- in the Word.  (also part of my bucket list!). Right now I am focusing on being loving and showing perfect love.

I have pulled out my fall/ winter clothes and that includes all of my cardigans. I am huge on cardigans but this is my all time favorite. I got it from Italy. It's is perfectly over-sized and comfy! :)

What did your week look like? 

Have any fun plans??

-A

Five on Friday: Things about Me.

Happy Friday, Loves!

When I post on Friday's, usually I post about my favorite things throughout the week. Today, I am going to tell you five things about me that maybe you didn't know! Some are good things, some are flaws- but either way- they make up WHO I AM! 

1] I am a passionate person

I tend to get very passionate about things. I think this can be a flaw and a strength. I have heard a good amount of people in my life tell me I care TOO much about things sometimes- good or bad. I love strongly, I express my feelings on things, and it's hard to let things go sometimes because I get so involved. To be honest, I am trying to "let go" of some things right now because I realized I am just TOO deep. I am focusing on striking a balance :)

 

2] I am an overall very peppy person

I wake up in a good mood (typically) and am good at not letting one thing going bad effect other areas of my life- except when things get very overwhelming (like you have seen with my work). When things get overwhelming for me, it tends to leak into other areas of my life of it overall drags me down. The best thing for me is to take a couple days of Me time (& Jesus time) to get back on track. I catch myself often trying to be more "chill" but I can't help it! I am naturally peppy- maybe I got it from being a cheerleader for so long ;)

3] I love animals and babies.

How can you not????

Animals and children are such a gift from God (I think). My nephew and god-daughters bring such joy to my life- by just a simple smile or being in the room. It is truly a blessing to have such innocent spirits in my life. I also love to see their personalities blossom. It makes me excited for when I have children someday- how I will feel about them. 

My animals are the same for me. They show such unconditional love. I found myself trying to mimic their love for me to other people! Sounds weird but they instantly forgive and just want to live- that's how I want to be. I want to get to the point that forgiveness is just an automatic for me- just like it is for Jesus with us. 

4] I am a thinker. 

I think.... a lot. I over analyze, think long term and am always thinking about the cause and effects. Again, both a strength and downfall. I tend to look too deep into things that in turn cause me to use more energy than needed- adding stress often times. Silly, I know- but it is a trait that I had for my life! 

The bright side of thinking is that I think about how my decisions will effect my life or situation. Since I tend to be a long term thinker and not short term- I am able to plan things out more successfully or make decisions based on what will give me a greater return in the future. 

5] I love Jesus.

I am in the best relationship I could have ever asked for. I have my very being through Him. And although I often get in my own way, He picks me up. He has taught me more in the last year and half than I have learned in a lifetime without Him. He is what gives me strength over everything in my life. And no matter what I am like or what traits I have- I know I also have the traits of Jesus- and he continues to make me a better me everyday. The best part is??? He accepts me even when I fail, when my old habits come through, when I show my flaws and when I am unlovable (believe me, I can be very unlovable). He loves me first- and I love Him back. He is so awesome. I cherish my alone time with Him, because that's when I learn so much and get fed. People say I am a homebody and don't like to go out. Well the truth is, it is because I LOVE my alone time with Jesus. Not just reading the bible or meditating, but resting in Him and focusing on Him to rid my mind of everything else that consumes my mind on a minute to minute basis. 

Welp! That's a little about me in 5 bullets. 

Have an awesome weekend everyone!

Case of the Fridays

Hey Everyone!!

Today, I have the case of the Friday's. I have never heard that term so I guess I am making it up. 

Do you ever wake up on Friday's happy for no reason just because it's the end of the week?

Do you ever feel more energized just knowing it's Friday? 

I do. 

So I am calling it the case of the Friday's. For me, every Monday, I am dreaming for Friday. The best work day of the week. LOL

How did I begin this fabulous day? Well with an awesome trip to the dentist of course!! 

I won't post a picture of that because who really wants to stare at my teeth? 

But to follow that, I had a wonderful iced coffee from the best place on Earth : a Brueggers combined with a Caribou Coffee + a drive through. Mind= blown.

But First...Coffee.

I also get to wear comfy clothes on Friday's (well I guess I could every day of the week since Target is casual dress, but I don't have nearly as many meetings so I dress down more than other days.)

So what did I wear? The same outfit I wear pretty much every weekend and anytime I am at home but have to leave during the week. Why you ask? Because it is cute but super comfortable. Don't worry, it gets washed. LOL

What do you think?

Skirt: Len

Jacket: Dry Goods

Tank: Old Navy

My BFF just got back in town from being in Hawaii for almost 2 months so I am going to see her after work. Can't wait! I might just kiss her.. that's how much I have missed her! I am jealous she is going to be wayyy tanner than me. 

Other than that, I am happy it's Friday because it's another day Jesus has made for me! & that in itself is a blessing! 

Have a great weekend EVERYONE! :)

A Day Without Jesus..

Hey Everyone!

I hope everyone had a great week. I feel I have been somewhat disconnected from blogging the last couple weeks. Well I am going to change that! The last couple weeks have been really hard weeks for me. I seriously thought I may have a mental breakdown this week! Work is so busy and stressful, I feel I am getting to my limit!

But thank Jesus, He has been holding me together. I keep giving Him one thing after the other which puts my mind at ease and gives me rest I so much need! 

It's not always easy for me to give God stuff that is going on because I guess it's that feeling of needing to be in control of the situations- but as I have learned, feeling the need of having that control is not putting your faith in Jesus. (see here!)

That is why no matter what I am feeling, I know my life (and all the situations that come with it) is in good hands. I need only to be still. (see here!)

My sister sent this to me and it totally sums up what my life would be like without Jesus. Sometimes when I am talking to Him, I tell Him I can't imagine what my life would be like without Him because He is truly my light in each day! All the things I go through on a daily basis, I would not be able to conquer without Him. He is altogether lovely, all together worthy. And I am nothing without my Jesus.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Aisha

Five on Friday

I hope everyone is as excited for the weekend as I am! 

This week went by so fast! Here are some of my favorites from this week...

1} The blooming trees. After last week's rainfall, the flowers started blooming on the trees. It is so beautiful and hard not to take pictures of! LOL It adds such natural color and makes nature so much more fun to look at :)

2} Homemade breakfast. This is my favorite breakfast. Over medium eggs, sauteed potatoes, and a pancake. Such a treat and oh so good! 

3} Coldpress coffee. Nothing like a Friday morning coldpress. Although I have to admit that I am starting to go for Mcdonald's iced coffee with just cream because I can get it for 1.59 vs. 3 something at caribou or starbucks! And it tastes just as good! I have never been a Mcdonald's person but their coffee is perfect at a great price.

4} Girls night! Love having girl time. Especially now that my best friend is moving to Hawaii in a couple weeks... How lucky is that?! I am happy I get to see her and enjoy a glass a wine (or 2 lol) with her before she leaves.

4} Homemade Pesto Rosso. I used to have this when I was in Italy all the time but I haven't been able to make a good duplicate until now! I finally made it similar to how it was in Italy and it tastes AMAZING! It is definitely my guilty pleasure. :)

I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

xoxo,

A

Linking up with Five on Friday, That Friday Blog Hop, High Five on Friday, Friday Favorites

High 5 on Friday!

You can take a deep breath! The weekend is near! 

& in Minnesota, it's supposed to be a nice one! 

Do you ever listen to music and it reminds your of certain people, things or situations? That happens to me all the time! Here are some songs that I love that remind me of different things.

1] Phil Wickham- This is Amazing Grace. I love this song because it is upbeat and has such a great message. I am so thankful for God's grace and hold on to it and listening to a song that describes His grace always is a good listen for me. This is such a great praise song that often times I keep it on repeat! 

2] Love Take Me Over- Steven Curtis Chapman. I love this song because it is simply such a pick me up. It helps me keep my focus on what is important- & that's God. It reminds me to just ask God to consume me everyday and to receive His love. I listen to this song often times when I am upset at someone or stressed or things aren't going right- because it brings me back to Jesus. When His love takes over, nothing can take me down! 

3] No Matter Where You Are- Us the Duo. This song reminds me of my love, W. We have been together for 9 years almost and have gone through so much! So many changes, ups and downs, and all around- yet here we are, still standing by eachother's side. There is no better feeling than coming home to the one I love after a long day or the feeling I get when I haven't seen him in awhile. We are always picking each other up in times of need and he's the first person I call with anything- and I think I am the same for him.. LOL ;) There is nothing like someone you can be your complete self around- and for me- that's being completely goofy. I love being goofy- and when some don't get my goofiness- he does, and he love me for it. That is a blessing for me. 

4] Get Me Bodied- Beyonce. Now- there are so many Beyonce songs that I love. But this represents a song that me and my girls love to listen to and just jam out to. Whether we are working out or going out or enjoying a nice day- this song comes on and we start jammin. Another up beat song that makes you feel great! There is nothing like friendship :)

5] Be Still- Steffany Frizzel Gretzinger. I wanted to put a worship song up because I love songs that I can worship God to. Songs sometimes can tell God things that we feel we can't explain ourselves. Like our thanks. It is a way to cry out to God and just tell profess your love for Him or tell cry thank you or shout and dance because you are so awed by Him. Atleast that's what these songs do for me sometimes :) 

What song reminds you of some great things in your life?? Share in the comments! 

And don't forget to enter the Urban Decay Giveaway here!

XOXO,

A.

Linking Up: Five on Friday and High Five For Friday