Honorable Mention in Jessica Claire's contest!! Wahoo!

Guess what? The beautiful and talented Jessica Claire held a photo contest yesterday on her blog and we were supposed to capture the thing we were most thankful for this year. I didn't win...but I got an honorable mention!!! How exciting is that? Jessica Claire is probably my favorite photographer. She is so inspiring and I respect her so much. Check it out here! My photo is the first on the left in the Family section! Yay! Here's the photo: it's my brother and his wife (married just a few days over a year!) in the super stellar snow that fell yesterday!

Thanksgiving/First Snowfall of the Year 2007!!

This Thanksgiving was the best Thanksgiving ever! You know how sometimes Thanksgivings are kind of a let down because you just sit around all day and watch your older brothers play video games? Well, this year was definitely NOT like that! It rocked!



First of all, I woke up early to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (which I really get into :)). Then it started freaking SNOWING!! It didn't stop until way later that night too! We probably got about 4 inches! Just so you know, this kind of thing NEVER happens in Texas. So it was a blast. Then my brother and his wife came over and we had a blast taking pictures with our amazing cameras. Snow makes for really fun pictures. We also had a yum-a-licious Thanksgiving dinner consisting of Fajitas! It's an old family tradition that is a lot of fun :) And finally, we all went to go see Enchanted at the theatres! So cute...definitely go see it! Way later, my dad built a fire in the fireplace and my parents and I watched White Christmas...such a classic.



It was just a happy day and I love my family and my life. So much to be thankful for. As cheesy as it is, I love that we have a day set aside to be grateful. How often do we take these wonderful things for granted? I'm okay with a day to renew my spirit of thankfulness. :)



Hope you all had wonderful days!

Happy New Blog-Look Day and Thanksgiving!

Looky! Things are different around the blog! I spiced it up a bit for Christmas time--my favorite time of the year! A few small changes were made to: the banner at the bottom of the page, my friend's blog list, my About Me, and maybe a few other things. Obviously the big top banner is new...yay!

Hope you all have absolutely wonderful Thanksgivings!

Finding Encouragement in Strange Places

Confession: I read InStyle magazine.

Now, this is a big deal because I was that girl growing up that was highly opposed to fashion magazines because of the whole body image thing. I think it was a good choice for me while I was struggling through all those teenage girl insecurity issues. It also made it easier for me to keep my mind on things of God. Nowadays I like to flip through the pages of a magazine every once in a while to get some inspirations for photography and things. But I think it's crazy the way I've been encouraged spiritually by reading the occasional InStyle magazine.

If your any bit like me, you probably get kinda frustrated and disgusted with the whole celebrity/Hollywood scene. The extravagance, the selfish attitudes, the stupid scandal things, the focus on one-upping everyone else, the obsession with external things, I could go on. BUT I suppose it's not fair to completely overgeneralize all celebrities. Recently, I've found a couple of things that have encouraged me: people (and I'm talking about non-Christians here) really do love and serve others.

So here's my two favorite encouraging things I've found in InStyle magazine:

(1) In the December 2007 issue, Natalie Portman was interviewed for the cover story. She's apparently "living green" and one of her favorite ways to show it was by donating her old shoes to people in Kenya through a website called Shoe 4 Africa. She says, "Each pair that's worn [in Africa] will cut down the spread of disease...If you're going to buy $200 Nikes, then spend $7 to send your old shoes to Africa." I freakin' LOVE IT!! And I'm definitely donating my shoes! Check out the website!!

(2) You know how InStyle always has the "Parties!" section all about who came to so-and-so's party and what they wore? I guess so that we can feel like we were invited? Yeah, it makes me laugh too :) But something caught my eye in the October 2007 issue: a photo of an actress showing off her Invisible Children bracelet! I got excited and read about how Kristen Bell had a little party in honor of Invisible Children! How cool is that? The little caption read, "'Action' took on a whole new meaning for this crowd." I like it.

And as cynical as people can get about Hollywood and all, I'm okay with getting excited about these two things. Even if it is just for publicity or whatever. In Philippians, Paul writes that some preach Christ out of selfish ambition, just trying to stir up trouble, "...but what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." (Phil 1:17-18) Well said, Paul!

And go donate your shoes to Africa!

Holiday Decorating Inspirations!

Here's my special Holiday Inspirations post, as promised!! Enjoy!

1. Here's the sweetest stocking you'll ever find: The Dot Stocking from Ballard Design! How can it get any cuter? Complete with mini pom-pom trim, free monogramming, and the signature Ballard leopard, these stockings just scream happiness and cheer! Who thinks to put leopard in the Christmas mix? I love it! (I saw a wedding reception site the other day where the bride had chosen green, brown, and LEOPARD as her colors and it was totally classy! I'll try to post some photos.)

2. Take a gander at these Christmas postcards from Anthropologie! These Joyeux Noel cards are perfect for those of you that just love international flair. Vintage Paris art, silver trim, $12 for 12 (but hey, if that's your thing, then go for it!).

3. Here's something that won't break the bank! Holiday table decor is one of my favorite things. I just love having cute table settings out with a fun table runner and centerpiece. These red square dishes from Target are under $2 a piece AND they come in white too! Did someone say Mix and Match?

4. Ok, so this one is pricey. But glass based lamps are my new favorite thing. They are so retro, yet graceful and organic. This particular one is from Pottery Barn, and I'm pretty sure it's around $129 (or more), but I've seen some cute ones at everybody's favorite Target too.

5. Check out these powdered coated steel wall sculptures from Wingard! How sweet is that wreath for an alternatively mod Christmas!? Head to their site for all sorts of stellar wall art. Bit pricey, but I love to be inspired by the expensive stuff and then find my own spin off version (I know, I'm in college.)

Deck the Halls!

Hello friends! Well, Megan and I got the Christmas decorating bug! Our house looks so beautiful! Christmas is my favorite. Break out the Elf DVDs! We are definitely having some sort of wildly fun Christmas party soon. :) So, I bet you are just dying to see our decorations! Here you go...

Try this! I saw it in a magazine and it looks REALLY COOL and trendy! Tie jingle bell clusters to your dining room chandelier or light fixture! Put some sort of cool holly berry/candle centerpiece underneath it on the table and you've got it going on!!
Our poor crooked tree star. Megan wanted to be like the star. :)

Stockings hung by the fireplace with care...Look! You can see the reflection of our living room in the lovely silver orb!!This is definitely my favorite picture. The Christmas light glow makes for killer photos.We finally got the star straight!If you're looking for a beautiful Christmas tree for not much $$ head on over to Wal-Mart. Our tree was $35 and is as beautiful as any! Six and a half feet tall, full and pretty branches...very niiiice. It's not pre-lit, but putting the lights on was fun. Don't step down to the $29 tree even though it's pre lit...it's scraggly and sad looking. No one wants a sad looking Christmas tree.

Stay tuned for a special holiday "Inspirations" post, including inspirations AND things to keep on your radar! I'm gathering the best stuff ever (that's economical too!) to share with you!

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What a beautiful day!! I got to teach 6th grade for the first time ever today! Just one lesson, but still...it was a landmark. Not that I want to teach 6th grade. I was thinking more along the lines of 3rd. But it was still fun! Then I got to have a bit of time in the Word at Tuscany's. And I also got to eat lunch with my brother and he encouraged me alot about church! And finally, I went to take some pictures for Chase's recital (that's tomorrow now, don't forget!) and we ended up at Starbucks where I got some free coffee!

Oh and, remember how my purse got stolen? Well, I magically got it back today!! It wasn't stolen at all! Somehow (even though I asked and called several times), Starbucks had it the whole time! Wow. Too bad I already replaced everything.

It's pre-registration time again. I want to quit school. And be a vagrant photographer. Okay, maybe not the vagrant part.

That huge photo post I promised is coming up...probably around midnight or something. Keep watching!!

Much love,
Caroline