Inspiration Renovation

I have always loved the idea of inspiration boards. I have seen them on other blogs (the first three pictures below) and when I moved to Denton I attempted to create one of my own (the fourth picture). 

apartmenttherapy.com

studiomothers.com

http://blog.michelleragoltd.com/things-i-love_73/

Mine was lacking personality and inspiration so I gave it a makeover.


I began with a old frame I purchased at a junk antique store in memphis and painted it white. I used an industrial ceiling tile covered in burlap as the center. I used a staple gun to attach it to the frame. 

I added pictures, quotes, ribbon, and a few other things to create my own inspiration board 
and here is the final product......

I used pictures of friends, quotes, and homes I love

I used some of the stationary I made using cardstock paper and my printer 

and cut out outfits I loved out of magazines

I added a gift tag and a bow I had left over from holiday wrapping

(gift tag can be found here)

I took some of the quotes that I had used on my first inspiration board

 and backed them with paper for a new look

I am pleased with my final product. 

Until Then,

Amy

Oh Holy Night

Its the second day of december and I couldn't be more excited for Christmas to come this year. Although I am always thrilled for the holidays, Christmas this year means going home for several weeks and spending much needed time with friends and family. To begin the holiday season, I ventured to walmart and purchased a few things to get me in the spirit...

I purchased my very own christmas tree (which consists of a small potted evergreen) that claims to be a tree that lives long past the holiday season

I decorated it with the last strand of white lights they had at walmart, silver ornaments, and blue garland. I tied a green glittery bow on top

After decorating my tree I began wrapping a few gifts....

Below are my supplies: brown packing paper, 4 inch tulle in blue and white, other various ribbons in white and blue, and a green glittery ribbon that adds the special touch to any package

I started with plain brown packing paper

Added a little ribbon

Then I wrapped a few more

My current blog obsession Emily Jones at Jonesdesigncompany.com posted a link  yesterday to printable christmas tags that are precious. I printed out a few to put on my gifts

 

So I wrapped the gifts, placed them under my miniature tree, lit a few candles, turned off all the lights, and played silent night on repeat. I was instantly reminded why we celebrate, and how truly glorious that silent night was. It was calm and perfect. And last night in my small apartment I was able to share in the peace and presence of it.   It was the perfect start to december....

Happy December,

Until Then, 

Amy

The security of Home

"if i could only go home and just get recharged and then come back. it isn't like in auburn when you get to just go home get a break from school, friends, college, and go home to security and comfort and then go back out again! we just can't go home... we are playing this game and life 24-7 and if we just had some sort of comfort of home or a place to run to for security.... it think it would be so different!!" then in my head this thought comes in, "miller, but you are never going to be home until you are at home with me in heaven. memphis is not your home. auburn is not your home. america is not your home. not even china is your home.  the earth is not your home. and you will always be striving for the security of home, but the only place you will find and can find that is in me and with me!" 

These words come from an email my sweet friend Miller sent me a couple of weeks ago.  Miller has an absolutely huge heart for the Lord and is spending this year in China to love on the people of that country. She has been thrown into a world so far from what she has always known. Miller has been blessed with the ability to love on other people in a way that I have always envied. She is warm and inviting. She is sweet and kind and completely unaware of the many ways to Lord is using her. She is encouraging the people in China but also her friends and family in America who are being encouraged through her work. I am in awe of her willingness to serve and I am humbled each time I hear from her.

Coming back yesterday from memphis and oxford to a still unfamiliar world, I am quickly reminded why we all long so desperately for home. I have felt this longing more in Denton than I ever have. When I am surrounded by my close friends and family I forget that this is not my home.  The words of this email have reminded me its not Memphis or Oxford I am ultimately longing for, its not my friends or family, or even a bit of consistency from an old world I so comfortably lived in , what I am longing for is deeper than any of of those things,  its heaven.


How sweet will it be when we finally reach it, when we stand in his glory, when we know we are home

Happy Monday,
Until Then,
Amy

All I want for Christmas.....

*images via J Crew, Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, and Piperlime

A monthly Mailbox treat

If you love to try new beauty products without having to commit to a full size purchase my newest internet find will excite you. The website is called birchbox.

For only 9.99 a month you get a box full of the latest and greatest hair, skin, and make-up samples. I was a little hesitant at first and was afraid I was going to get those tiny samples that you can only use one time but yesterday I received my november order and I was thrilled!

In my first box was....

Laura Mercier Lip Gloss in Opal

Perricone MD, Cold Plamsa Miracle Cream

Cargo Bronzer in Medium

Too Face Primed and Poreless

Face Shop Collagen Mask Sheet

Once you sign up they will automatically send one each month until you cancel your membership. Another great perk is that the website has the full size products available to purchase. I already used the collagen mask last night, and I love the new lip gloss. I will let you know about the rest of the products.

Hope you are having a wonderful wednesday!

until then,

amy

Navigating the Kitchen

As I began my 11th week in Denton I could no longer bear the thought of deli turkey sandwiches and lean cuisines. In attempts to expand my culinary skills and to broaden my weekly menu, I decided to bake my very first TURKEY

image via realsimple.com

I set off to the grocery store in hopes of the perfect turkey. Being my first time to purchase I had no idea the characteristics that defined a perfect turkey so I grabbed an 8-pound turkey and headed home. I also purchased an onion, celery, turkey bags, and a roasting pan
  

Because the turkey was frozen I had to wait a day to cook it. The next day I preheated the oven to 350 and took the bird out of the refrigerator. I washed it off and patted it dry. I was disgusting but a necessary step 

Next was the worst part. I had to rub the raw bird with butter and cover it in spices. Due to the lack of ingredients my spices consisted of salt, pepper, and paprika 

Then I filled the roasting bag with flour to prevent it from bursting. I placed chopped onions and celery stalks in the bag as well to give the bird more flavor 

Then I placed the greased and seasoned bird into the bag and sealed it with the twist tie. I also cut six small slits into the bag, and placed it in my oven

I baked it for a little over three hours, and it was perfect. The final product on the bone did not look very appetizing so I carved the turkey and this was my final result

A plate full of delicious turkey 
and
 the satisfaction of knowing that I can bake my very own turkey

Happy Monday,

Until Then,

Amy

How Sweet is Thy Presence

This morning I braved another week of church on my own. I confess that several Sundays I have not had the courage to go alone. This morning I decided I was using my being alone as a crutch. So  I got up, put on my Sunday's best, and was out the door.

compliments of ttp://2.bp.blogspot.com

I timidly walked into to church and although I know part of my goal of going was to meet people I quickly found my seat and read the bulletin to avoid awkward conversations. Church began with worship. And as soon as those first few cords were played I knew why I had come


I had longed to sing the praises of my father
I had missed spending time in fellowship with other believers. 
My heart was in need of communion and I had been ignoring that
I had let my own comfort get in the way of glorifying him



The sermon was great, communion was intimate, and the worship was beautiful. Everything I look for in a church home. After the service people greeted me and asked how I was doing. They reassured me of the uniqueness of Denton,TX and reminded me I am not alone in my feelings toward my new home. Those short conversations help me to remember that I am not in Denton for my own gains, but for his and that fact alone is enough. 


As I drove home from church today the lyrics from a song kept playing over and over again in my head,

"Better is one day in your courts,

Better is one day in your house,

Better is one day in your courts,

Than thousands elsewhere"

Happy Sunday,

Until Then,

Amy