Listening to the World and Being Happy

My mother always says, 'everything happens for a reason.'  Now, you can look at this many ways, from a skeptics perspective to a religious viewpoint to the view of someone who accepts that we only have so much control over our lives.  Be what it is:  god, mother nature, spirits, personal will and destiny, any and all of these have an impact on our lives.  To me it's not what "causes" the life situations, it's how we react to them and how we listen to our hearts and our minds.   

The past two weeks have been the perfect example of listening to the world and believing that things really do happen for a reason.  Two weeks ago I went to work on a Friday morning, I was back on my old unit and loving it.  One of my volunteers came in, who I love, but haven't seen in ages.  As we got to chatting I remembered that she is a photographer and I've been trying to get a good photo of the Mister and me!  Well, turns out she does engagement photo shoots and we set one up!

Meanwhile, when Ben and I got engaged we didn't want to go into debt to buy an engagement ring so my mom generously lent us my grandmothers ring.  It has been doing a great job this past year, but we wanted to find something that was perfect for us.  Thus we had been stalking engagement rings at jewelry shops, antique stores, and craigs list....for over a year!  My mom taught me well, and I refuse to over-pay for a diamond!

Moving along, about the same time I booked the photo shoot I emailed a guy on craigs list about a ring.  We set up a meet (all three us of feeling very skeptical) and guess what?  We found my ring!  A little negotiation, a minor resizing, and our ring search is over!

  I am still in aw and shock at how perfect and beautiful this ring is.  Just one example of how the world can line up and if you are patient and listen, you may just experience something beautiful.   Fashion Finds:  London Times dress // Kenneth Cole heels // Firmoo sunnies

Mint, On Repeat

  It's official, I am obsessed with mint.  Surprisingly, I don't actually have very many pieces in this color, but boy, do I tend to gravitate to the ones I have!  Apparently emerald is the "it color" this Spring, but I've yet to jump on that obsession bandwagon....but I'm sure it's coming!   Happy Thursday!  Oh and did I mention that today is my last day of finals!!!  Clearly I'm a little excited ;-)   Fashion Finds:  BGD skinnies // Banana Republic shirt // Teva flops // Gifted scarf // Thrifted bag

Sunshine, Wavy Hair, and a Beautiful Gift

The past few days have been absolutely gorgeous!  Beautiful, perfect sun-shiny weather, a dip in my stress level, and an unexpected gift from a long-lost friend!  

And girly-flirty dresses!  Yes, this girly-twirly-wirly dress was an impulse buy from Modcloth (you know the kind, buy one more thing for the same price as shipping and then get free shipping), but turns out, it's fabulous!  

Then we got a package in the mail from my long-lost friend, Brenna (and her man, Josh).  Yes, we have the same name.  And our sisters have the same name.  And basically we morphed into some sort of fast-talking-doubled-headed creature in high school and have been friends ever since....even though we haven't lived in the same state for over a decade!  Anyway, Ben was so excited that we ran outside to take a perfect photo in front of our blooming lilac bush!  

Then I thought it would be fun to get a "family photo" with our furry babies...and this is what we got!  Cat butts, silly "mom" pose, and then laughter!    

And then Allie turned into a puma and darted across the lawn!  

All in all, it was a lovely day!  Two exams left and I am a free woman...well, at least till my summer class starts, but hey, one week off is better than nothing!   Thank you, Bren and Josh!!   Fashion Finds:  Modcloth dress // Teva flops // Firmo c/o sunnies // Thrifted blazer

Flowers, Stress, and Smiles

  Goodness, gracious!  It's been ages since I've had time to blog!  The end of the semester is just around the corner and I can feel the stress both lifting and piling on!  What a weird feeling.     Anyway, Ben and I took a few photos last week and even know this one isn't perfect, it's to typical of us and I just love it!  Gosh, and in less than three months we'll be married!  Wow, time sure does fly!   Happy Sunday, friends!