Happy New Year!

Excuses Excuses...I won't even begin to apologize for the lack of posts for 7 months. Once again there are just no excuses.
It seems with blogging, and far too many other things in my life, I often get uninspired and lose interest. I feel sometimes like I am going through a drought and do not have much to offer. Thats why I often find myself sitting at home rather than putting myself out there to meet people...aka Mr. Right. I think laziness has a lot to do with it, too. 2010 was a lot like that for me. It wasn't too exciting and for once in my life since college I managed to stay put and not move! (That was a pretty big accomplishment).
I am not going to make any crazy promises and vows for 2011 to be EXTRAORDINARY, but I am challenging myself to make the effort to make things happen. Very exciting things are in the works not just for me but for my family as well (hint hint...more to share later). I can not believe that I will finish my MAT program this coming May. Its a little scary to think that starting in August I will have my own classroom and 20 odd students to make an influential impact on their lives....thats a bit mind boggling, but also an opportunity for me to get out of this post-college rut.
As I approach my 26th Birthday, I treasure the days ahead and enjoy this time to figure life out.

Cheers to all and Happy New Year!

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie

In honor of Memorial Day weekend here is a little history lesson for you...

The "Bikini"

The bikini was invented and launched almost simultaneously by two French fashion designers: Jacques Heim and Louis Reard. Heim was a swimsuit designer who had created a two-piece suit to be sold in his beach shop in Cannes. He marketed the swimsuit as the “Atome,” (named for its small size and meant to be compared with the atom, the smallest particle of matter yet known). The same summer of 1946 in which Heim was introducing his “Atome,” Louis Reard was creating his own similar, two-piece swimsuit. He named and marketed his swimsuit as the bikini, proclaiming that it was “smaller than the smallest bathing suit in the world.” Reard christened his swimsuit the bikini in honor of post-WWII, experimental atomic bombs being detonated in the South Pacific, near the Bikini Reef. The bikini soon superseded the “Atome” as the official appellation of the two-piece swimsuit. The bikini received its first official induction into swimwear fashion on July 5, 1946 when French model Micheline Bernardini paraded onto the runway in it at a poolside fashion show in Paris. A number of American correspondents responsible for reporting the fashion show were both shocked and titillated by the model’s skimpy attire. While many Americans believed the bikini was simply too scandalous for virtuous American women to adopt, the bikini would make its debut into American fashion only one year later.
What bikini will you be sporting this weekend?

Priceless

Where can I get a copy?

*Courtesy of Pink Wallpaper

Missing in Action

Goodbye May and hello to summer...

I have not fallen off the face of this earth...just took a mini-vaca from the blogging world to rejuvenate. With exams, work, and other unexpected happenings, this journey has gotten a bit road blocked...I am sure you can relate.
What is it with this time of year? I always seem to get a bad case of senioritis and I am not even in high school anymore. Granted, I did have a hectic grad course load this semester, but I feel that I have had senioritis in all aspects of my life from not wanting to blog and to feeling very disconnected with reality.
Next week I will be heading to the beach for a week and looking forward to spending time with good friends, my sister, and attending a good friend's wedding. Then its back to class on June 7th. I must say I am ready for a more steady schedule.
Thanks for being patient with me...

Trust in the Lord

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths"
(Proverbs 3:5,6).

Sometimes we do not understand why things happen...

We get angry. We cry. We feel guilt.

Things just do not seem fair sometimes...but I have to believe that God sees a lot of strength in my family. He has put things along our path because he wants us to turn to him and ask for help and guidance. We truly can not rely on our own understandings but look up to Him in all our ways.

Happy Mother's Day!

I Said A Mother's Prayer For You
I said a Mother's Day prayer for you

to thank the Lord above

for blessing me with a lifetime

of your tenderhearted love.

I thanked God for the caring

you've shown me through the years,

for the closeness we've enjoyed

in time of laughter and of tears.

And so, I thank you from the heart

for all you've done for me

and I bless the Lord for giving me

the best mother there could be!

-Author Unknown

(Mom andI pictured at the race last night....not a very becoming pic!)

Oh my....how sorry I am for my lack of posts this past week! I have 4 exams this coming week to get through and then things will get back to normal. This weekend I did take a break from the work to come spend the weekend in Darlington, SC with my family for Mother's Day and the race. Would you have ever guessed that I have been to a NASCAR race??? Its only natural if your family is from Darlington!

Enjoy your Sunday and I shall return in a couple of days!

XOXO,

JM

(And Lola says hi!)

I gotta keep working...

Of course we all know the Blackeyed Peas infamous song "I gotta feeling," well right about now I am thinking that "I gotta keep working..."
On the agenda for this week...
1 test
1 research paper
1 video clip of lesson
STUDY FOR EXAMS!


So in order for me to keep working, I have to be MIA for the next couple of days. I'll leave you with a fun pic from my weekend at the beach for a dear friend's bachelorette party. It was oh so fun with too much sun, everything pink and orange, and a stretch hummer.
XOXO,
JM

Jane Edwards Elementary School

This is how a conversation went upon meeting a stranger and telling them my name...
me: "Hi, I'm Jane Marie Edwards."
stranger: "What...your name is Jane Edwards?"
me: "(confused) yes...is that a bad thing?"
stranger: "Did you know that you have an Elementary school named after you?"
me: "Really????"
stranger: "Yes, I went to Jane Edwards Community School at Edisto Beach."
me: "Holy crap! Thats soooooo cool!"

So here ya go...check out Jane Edwards Community School!
I wonder if they will have any new teaching positions open in the Fall of 2011?? I would so take it!

Wish I had the time...

Sally has a new website featuring new work!
I am craving to see this hanging in my house one day...

So I might as well go ahead and apologize now for being MIA and sorry friends but its only going to get worse. My planner at the moment is on post-it note overload with finals in two weeks (AHHHH).
Thank goodness tomorrow is my Friday because I am heading to the coast for a much needed girls bachelorette weekend!!
Until I have time to post something sassy and sweet...
XOXO,
JM

History Lesson

Maybe you are brighter than me...but I had to ask our good ole pal "wiki" about the origin of this oh so popular poster.
"Keep Calm and Carry On was a propaganda poster produced by the British Government in 1939 during the beginning of WWII, but never used. It was rediscovered in 2000 and has been re-issued by a number of private sector companies, and used as the decorative theme for a range of other products."
Even though Target, Barnes and Noble and many more have taken it to the extreme with mass postcards and other paper products, I still find comfort in its simplicity and true meaning.
XO,
JM

Happy Earth Day!

Are you wearing green to support Earth Day?
What are you doing to help save our planet?

All the Single Ladies

“We’re single and free; use that to your advantage…
Don’t waste a minute of your time waiting around… Live a full life”

Its not fun to hear but true that 8 out of 10 young women say they are hoping for marriage but 3 out of 10 women are still single at 30. For all of those that fall into this still waiting around for the white horse and prince category (that would be me:)... its hard to find contentment and reality with this situation. I tend to view it as a big struggle in my life, but realize that I am missing out on the here and now. Us single ladies need to be making the most of the time between now and the future for which so many of us hope for.
I found a book that I am definitely going to add to my growing reading list. Jennifer Marshall's Now and Not Yet, helps in making sense of life in "the gap between expectations and reality." The book goes hand in hand with my ever going strive to live in the moment and commitment to be fully present in the here and now.

Ten Ways to Live Now and Not Yet

1. Live deliberately
2. Be reflective
3. Seek balance in life
4. View life as an adventure
5. Take reality in stride
6. Continue to hope for marriage
7. Have an elastic view of the future
8. Have a sense of purpose anchored in God
9. Be sober about vulnerabilities, make choices accordingly
10. Be encouraged by what God has done to this point

Pink Obsession Continued

So are you tired of all my posts related to all things PINK yet?? Sorry, but I can't resist. Today Martha had a color-filled show devoted to painting, crafting, and baking all things colorful. Isn't Lilly's motto to live a colorful Life!!
Of course after I have my all PINK wedding, I will begin working on my baking skills in this oh so perfect kitchen!
(Sorry for the lack of deep thought in my posts lately...my brain is currently on hold due to overload and a horrible cold!)
XOXO,
JM

Begin each day

with thoughts

that bring out the BEST in you

Today I will...

Yes, I can...

I am grateful for...

-from the gift book, Eat Your Peas for Daughters

Pulling my Hair Out

So sorry for being completely MIA this week friends... do you ever have those weeks where you just can't seem to get it together. Well thats me...nothing feels complete at the moment.
Last night, our Junior League hosted its very first Kids in the Kitchen event with two elementary schools. I found myself to be the co-chair of the event and had a fabulous time planning and getting everything prepared UNTIL last night the event arrived and it was a total bust! I about burst into tears when 6:30 rolled around and only a handful of families showed up! AHHHH It was tres sad and I have felt just down and blue all day. Whats keeping me going right now is that its Thursday which means new Real Housewives of NYC (thats right I am officially OBSESSED) So lets try again tomorrow for a good day when I can rejoice that its Friday.
XO,
JM

Monday Blues

Just what I need to read in my inbox today...
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..." Philippians 2:5
Trying to keep this in mind as a truck through this long Monday...

Enjoy the Weekend

Let your hair down

Roll the windows down

Let the sun shine in

and Have a Fabulous Weekend!

XOXO,

JM

(and Lola too!)

The Buried Life

Did you happen to catch Oprah today? The guys from MTV's "The Buried Life" were guests...now I have not watched MTV in approximately three years so I had never heard of this show, but oh la la are the boys super cute and sweet! Here's their project...

"Relying on goodwill, guts and gumption Duncan, Ben, Dave and Jonnie travel the globe in a purple transit bus to complete a list of ‘100 things to do before you die’ and to help and encourage others to go after their own lists."

So the big question...what is your number 1 thing you want to do before you die? Me...well I want to travel to every state in the United States.
XOXO,
JM

My RED deliciousness!

Just call me Martha because guess what my newest project is...growing tomatoes! I am a tomato fanatic...I love them on ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! Now that the weather has warmed up quite a bit, I decided to give my first try. It was suggested that I start off growing one in a pot and go from there so here is my new little baby...
I'll let you know how she grows or lack thereof!
XOXO,
JM

Visions of Pink

Martha Martha Martha...She's done it again! Have you had a chance to pick up your copy of the Spring 2010 Martha Stewart Weddings? IT.IS.PINK.PERFECTION! I drooled over every ballet pink image from cakes and bouquets to sashes and bows. No need for me to plan my wedding, Darcy has pulled it all together for me in this issue. Here is a sneak peek...

"i believe in PINK...i believe in
kissing, kissing A LOT...and
i believe that HAPPY girls
are the PRETTIEST girls."
-Audrey Hepburn

Happy Easter

Hippity Hoppity Easter Bonnets are on their way!

XOXO,
JM

Toes in the Sand

Spring Break is here and the sun is out!
I've got my book in hand, my McKims on the tootsies, and my lounge chair ready to enjoy the next few days at the beach!
Enjoy your week and have a "good" Friday!
XOXO,
JM
PS...I am definitely loving the 50's style swimsuits this season! Doesn't she look adorable!?!?

Paint the Town in NYC

I.WOULD.DIE!

This would be the most wonderful evening I could imagine...I wouldn't even have to have a date, I would even go absolute alone to attend! Oh how I wish.wait.hope my name will be chosen!!!

Sittin', Waitin', Wishin'

I've got the lines of Jack Johnson's song "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" stuck in my head. Even though this song is about something entirely different, it made me think about how often I get impatient and tired of telling God about the same old problems day in and day out. This leads me to wonder if God is as tired of hearing and seeing my troubles as I am.

We must remind ourselves that God never gets tired of hearing our prayers and it is as simple as this...HE is waiting for the perfect time to answer. Not on our terms, but on his. He wants us to pour our hearts to him even if it is the same thing EVERY SINGLE DAY!

I am so awful at this. I must admit I have a problem when is comes to letting go and giving up control of my destiny. I want to be the one that makes all of the decisions. I want to be the one who decides when and where things will happen. God tests me everyday to let go and let God. He wants me to be patient and wait for the right time in my life for certain things.

Just something that has been on my mind...maybe instead of praying to relieve me of my troubles, I'll pray for patience and give thanks that tomorrow is FRIDAY!
XOXO,
JM

Palmetto's Finest

I have to give a big Congratulations to all my fellow teachers and kiddies at Woodland Heights Elementary School for winning the
Palmetto's Finest Award!

If you didn't know, I work part-time in the mornings at WHES where I am a title 1 tutor for second and fifth graders. The entire school worked so hard to accomplish this! I can not wait to finish up my Masters so that I can hopefully teach at such a great school!
XOXO,
JM

Serenity

Its been one of those days where you just need an escape...a place to be alone and think about the highs and lows of the day. For me, lets just say that the lows>highs. But like I said, Spring is definitely in the air and that calls for only positive thinking. I have my second session tomorrow with a new "coach" (shes really a therapist but I like to think of her as a lifestyle coach...sshhhh) and I was supposed to do a lot more meditating these past two weeks then what I have accomplished. Its hard finding the right place that is peaceful, comfortable, and quiet all at the same time. Now do not get me wrong, I adore my bedroom...but I could certainly getting used to waking up in this room everyday! The colors are tres chic and the room just whispers serenity...remember this is a calm setting now shouting!!

(room designed by Kelly Wearstler)

I hope your highs> your lows today,
JM

Positive Thoughts for Spring

"It takes just as much energy to believe in the best outcome as to expect the worst."

-Shannon Cutts

Its finally Spring! The weather Friday and yesterday were pure bliss! I can't help but feel as though Spring brings everyone a fresh start, a new brightness to life after a long cold winter. I love Spring and all the things that come with it...Easter dresses, Spring Breaks, daffodils popping up in unexpected places, and riding in the car with the windows down.

This quote from Shannon Cutts, author of Beating Ana, reminds me how easy it is to believe the worst in every situation.

Failure = not getting back up.

Success = getting back up.

But....it takes just as much energy to believe in the best outcome as to expect the worst.

As in, today is a new day. Check. Recovery is not optional. Check. Success = getting back up. Check. Others have recovered and I can recover too. Check.

Shannon says that we are the "hero in our own lives and we WILL save the day; and our own life!"

Happy Green Day!

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way -
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
~Author Unknown
How about wearing these cuties as your punch of green today!
XOXO,
JM

Stuck on Sharpie

My sister and I have a random fetish...a fetish for SHARPIES! It first started with the brown fine print sharpie. Then it evolved to include pink, the Sharpie Fine Point Pen (that doesn't bleed through), and now their newest color FLAMINGO!
But wait, it gets better! Did you know that you can personalize your very own Sharpie??!!?? You can imagine my excitement when I found that you choose your color, choose your font, write a message and add clip art to display on the Sharpie. I think this might be the best thing I've found ever!
XOXO,
JM

Its the 100th!

I can't believe it...this is my 100th post to Lola's Journey to and From! All weekend I thought about what I wanted to post for this one, or what I wanted to highlight, but nothing really stood out to me. I did start to think about how my blog goes from silly pictures of things I am currently obsessed with to more serious topics that include my day to day struggles. I never know what will suddenly pop into my head or inspire me.

So that brings me to this question...what defines us? What makes up our identity? Who am I? Whose am I?

So often I find that I get lost in the worries of life and often too consumed with how things look (or more specifically how I look). I worry that I am defined in my family as the one with the red hair and eating disorder, other than my personality and character traits. I also feel lost with out a husband to start a family with to create a new identity separate from my parents.

My journey through life is definitely about determining who I am and where I fit into this world. Slowly, I am realizing that its not a man or children that will define me. With each day brings better insight to what my passions and goals are in life. This time last year I didn't know that I would want to go to Graduate school and pursue a career as an educator. I didn't know this time 6 months ago, that I would begin to have an appreciation for small town Spartanburg. You never know what you will determine about yourself, we just have to remember to be open to the possibilities and focus on the positive things in our lives.

I do not know that we ever exactly determine "who we are" but I do know that with age and experience, we get a better understanding of our values and our place in the world. God has a plan for each of us. We belong to him and HE longs to give us great confidence in who we are. Our ultimate destination is not here on Earth but an eternal life in Heaven with our Lord.
XOXO,
JM

In need of a new Do!

For all of my designer friends I need help...my blog needs help that is! I was looking at it today and was really excited to see that I have 48 followers! Ok...I know compared to most of you bloggers, that number is quite sad, but for me, being fairly new in the blog world, I couldn't be more thrilled!
I feel I am obligated to re-vamp my blog...but HeLp! I would say that I am 99% of the time technically savvy, but this blog throws me for a whirl! I do not know how to have "stuff" on both the left and right.
So to all you beautiful bloggers, help Lola and me create eye candy on our little blog!
Cheers to a great weekend...mine will be full of studying studying studying with a bit of working at PINK on the side! I leave you with a piece of eye candy from my favorite artist, Sally.
XOXO,
JM

Too Cute to Eat

They've done it again! Lilly has now teamed up with Barnum's Animal Crackers to go with your Lilly Ruby Red! What will they come up with the next??

Wedding Belles

Guess what...Guess what!!!!
I am.............unfortunately NOT getting married, but recently I keep coming across all of these beautiful things and I must say I have turned into quite a geek. I have started compiling a special folder on my computer for all of the wedding gowns and images that I adore for that special day. When is going to be you may ask...I HAVE NO FREAKING CLUE! I am not even dating anyone! hint hint...calling all single cute bachelors!
I realized that I never really chat about my dating life, or lack thereof. I often getting really frustrated with not meeting anyone and living in such a small town where the cutest guy happens to be a UPS driver, and big bummer has a precious wife. I will be the first to admit that I do a pretty lousy job of putting myself out there. Maybe that will be one of my goals for this coming spring!
Ok so back to my files...I have to share these beyond gorgeous wedding gowns. I do not know if I would choose to wear some of them, but they definitely make my heart go "pitter patter." If worst comes to worst I can always pull my debutante dress out and pretend. Pitiful, I know.

ENJOY a little bit of Vera Wang and Carolina Herrera!

XOXO,
JM
PS...anyone see Martha yesterday???

The Pink Show

Yes I am a Martha Stewart fan. Because of my attention to detail and domestic qualities (hehe) I have been called "lil" Martha for some time now. I hardly ever get to watch her show anymore but often browse her website and guess what is coming up on Monday...an entire show dedicated to all things PINK! What could be better???!!!??

The show will feature pink flower arranging, baking, fashion, party ideas, and my personal favorite, Darcy's pink finds. If you do not know who Darcy is, she is the editorial editor of Martha Stewart Weddings. She is the vision for it all and has the most wonderful ideas.

And my favorite photo for last...you think I tease but I am dead serious, I would definitely glide down the isle in this Amazing pale PINK wedding gown.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow to Martha's PINK spectacular!
XOXO,
JM

Delay and Photo Tag

What could be better than waking up and finding out there is a 2 hour delay!?!?! I finally get to enjoy a relaxing morning with the Today show and a very large cup of coffee!

Cute blogger over at If I Can't Wear Heels...I Don't Want to go tagged me in a photo tag game. So here are the rules:
1. Open your 1st Photo Folder
2. Scroll to the 10th photo
3. Post the photo (no cheating) and the story behind it
4. Tag 5 or more people

Here goes my photo...
(Me with The Company She Keeps and Drowning in the Shallow End of the Gene Pool)

Oops...I broke the rules! I had to pick this photo because it features two of my great friends from Clemson that are both fabulous bloggers...well my little bunny on the very end is a bit of a blog slacker if there is such a thing, but what she does have to say always will give you a laugh! This was on New Year's Eve in Charlotte.
Everyone is tagged so I expect to see lots of pics posted!

XOXO,
JM

Whats eating you?

So good news! Today was way better than yesterday! After coming home from a lovely weekend at the beach with family (please note picture of the pups and me trying to brave the wind), everything just went all wrong yesterday. From eating disordered actions to printing my project for my special ed class 30 minutes before it was due...it was simply just a horrible, no good, very bad day. I obviously did not fully comprehend an amazing article that I read on Sunday night in my March issue of P31 Woman. The title says it all: "It's Not What You Eat, It's What Eats You." This article explains how we often try to build physical health upon a faulty foundation, meaning we try to "fill up" with food or another addiction instead of the holy spirit. Disordered eating is a symptom of what lies deep within your heart, mind and soul. In order to fix my problem with bulimia, I must restore my mind and soul before I can restore my body to health. Once I have "purged my pain" of wrongful disordered thinking and identified my emotions, I can seek to fill those places with life-giving substances such as nutritious friendships, fun, and scripture. When my heart is fill of, then food will return to its rightful place as fuel for my body, and as a blessing from the Lord to be enjoyed, but not abused.
"It is up to us to guard and nurture our health so we can fulfill GOD'S plan for our life with passion and endurance!"
Just some food for thought...haha no pun intended.
So that brings me to today...
The snow has come again to sparkle city! It is beautiful, but I must say that I could care less this go around because I am desperately seeking Spring weather. Its March now and I am ready for Spring Break and Easter bonnets. Today I have truly thought about that article ALL Day. I of course have had ED thoughts, but not acted on them and remembered that they are just thoughts. I have had time to rest in front of the fire today (class was canceled:), prepare for my psychology test tomorrow night, and enjoy conversation with my Mom and Dad. I pray I can continue to have a good night and I really hope I can stay awake to watch Lauren Graham's new tv show Parenthood.
Until next time!
JM

Monday

This picture describes EXACTLY how I am feeling on this Monday evening...(this picture is from a forward I received on the effects of alcohol on dogs...this fella had one too many glasses of wine!)
More to share once I recover from my 13 hours of work/school day.
XOXO,
JM

View for the Weekend

Even though its a bad picture...the fam and me are at the beach for the weekend relaxing and enjoying the beautiful view of the waterway. I hope everyone enjoys this last weekend in February and hope that March will bring warmer weather (i am bursting for spring!).
XOXO,
JM

The Name Says it All!

Ok girls...I have found it! We ask ourselves why is being a twenty something woman so tough!!??? Here is the book to help us sort out all of our problems. I will definitely admit that I am going through a quarter life crisis! hehe
XOXO,
JM