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