Last moments

I think it is funny how you can tell a lot about a person by what they post on social media.  For instance, looking at my Instagram, you will learn that I like theater, New York, food and flowers :-)  I probably post a picture of flowers at least once a week because I buy a new bouquet at least once a week.  It has gotten to the point that my home feels incomplete without some fresh flowers hanging out somewhere.  

Want to put a smile on my face? - buy me flowers :-)

I had a birthday about a month ago and was blessed to receive a couple of bouquets of flowers.  I even had a dear family send me flowers at work.  

Want to REALLY put a smile on my face? - send me flowers at work :-)

These flowers stayed on my desk for a few days before I took them home for the weekend (there is something very wonderful about walking down the street carrying a bouquet of pretty flowers). That Friday evening I stood on the subway platform enjoying the flowers in my hand and thinking about how much they made me happy.  Then I got to thinking about how not everyone shares my love for flower bouquets.  In fact some people don't like them because they just see them as these plants that are dying - and it's true - they are dying.  These flowers are cut off from their source of life and they are actually dying.  But when you take these dying flowers and present them to someone like me, the last moments of their life are spent bringing someone pure joy and happiness.    

In life, we will have many "last moments".  It might be the last moment at a job, in a city, with a loved one ... and the list goes on.  Last moments can be sad and the sadness of a last moment can suck the life out of it.  But last moments can also be used to make lasting memories.  Last moments can be used to bring happiness and joy to someone else.  Last moments can make a lasting impact.  

When I think of last moments, I can't help but recall a very dear loved one - the most important person in my life - someone who used the last moments of their physical life to completely transform mine.  This person literally came to my rescue - I mean LITERALLY came to my RESCUE.  I was dying and they brought me life.  

In case you have not guessed it by now, the person I am referring to is my BFF - Jesus.  Jesus used the last moments of His human life to defeat death.  His last moments were the ultimate sacrifice and paved the way to eternal life in a way that only the perfect Son of God could accomplish.  Jesus' last moments of life brought life - the power of an empty grave.  Now that is using a last moment to do something wonderful :-)  

My Single Valentine

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and I celebrated in singleness.  Some people may read that and just think it's sad, but not me.  I love being single and I wanted to celebrate Valentine's Day in my own way.

I bought myself chocolate:

I bought myself champagne and made a little trip to Tiffany and Co. for a new champagne flute:

This truth is for all my single friends: you don't need a "Valentine" to experience Valentines' Day.

You don't have to have a "special someone" in your life to enjoy flowers and chocolate.  Girlfriend, if you want chocolates and flowers - go buy yourself some.  You are completely, 100% WORTH IT!!!  And don't worry, just because it's the day after Valentine's doesn't mean you are too late.  It just means you will be able to make your Valentine's purchase on sale!  Cha-ching, look at you savvy sister :-)

For some more wonderful thoughts on who you don't need a Valentine to celebrate Valentine's Day, check out the blog of my favorite YouTuber Kandee Johnson: "5 Reasons You Don't Need A Valentine".

Once upon a time there was a girl ...

Once upon there was a girl.  She was creative, adventurous and filled with joy.  Her life had taken her to many exciting places and one of the stops along the journey led her to the United States Capital - Washington DC.

She spent many years in DC spending time with wonderful family members, meeting many wonderful people, and being a part of a very wonderful church.  But suddenly life hit her pretty hard (as it sometimes has the habit of doing).  There were lots of circumstances that made it difficult to be around people.  And suddenly that girl that had always been so full of joy found herself feeling very alone and very sad - it was not fun :-(

One day, she had enough.  Sometimes you just need to get away - and so she did.  She took a very spontaneous trip to the city of New York.  One Friday she booked a bus ticket and hotel room and early the next morning she was on her way for a little NYC getaway.

It was the first time she had been to New York in years and when she saw the city skyline her heart filled with joy.

She went to a Broadway show:

She walked through Central Park:

She had bagels and coffee:

There was something about being in New York City that just felt right.  She felt like she belonged there.  But she knew she was just visiting - DC was her home.

Only DC did not feel like home anymore.  When that creative, adventurous, and filled with joy girl left New York her heart sank.  When she pulled in to DC her heart sank even further and the sadness came again.

She had recently made a life decision that meant she was going to be in DC for at least another year and one Sunday night after coming home from a wonderful time in New York, she went to sleep feeling like she had made a big mistake.  

The next day that creative, adventurous, sad girl went to work and as she rode the bus into the district her sadness bubbled inside her.  But then she received an email that changed the course of her life.  There was a change in circumstances and she was released from the commitment that would keep her in DC.  She felt free and while the situation could have been stressful, she was relieved.

And then she had a thought...

“God, are you releasing me to move to New York?”

She pondered that question.  She prayed.  She talked to trusted friends and family members.  She began to think about the great big leap of faith it would be to move to New York.  

Then she started stepping out.  Long story short, she found housing through a wonderful friend, sold her car, quit her job, and took a leap into the great unknown.  It was a little bit scary and while she dealt with the stress of finding a job in New York City, she sometimes doubted her decision - but she never regretted it.

You probably already guessed - that girl is me.  Moving to New York was a huge risk.  I have taken lots of risks in my life and I have to say this is one of my favorites.  I am so in love with this city.  It instantly felt like home.  It’s not perfect and there are hard days, but EVERY SINGLE TIME I cross the bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan or emerge from the Subway into the city, my heart swells with gratitude.

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world :-)

Musical Monday - A song that encourages me to keep pressing on

I discovered this song the other day.  I love it.  As I watched the video for the first time I might of gotten a little teary eyed because it really speaks to where I am in life right now.

Those of you who know me, will probably fully understand why I love this song so much :-)

I hope you like it too :-)

An instamatastically pinteresting post on #socialmedia

I have been thinking about social media a lot lately.  There are so many avenues to share your life with the click of a button.  My personal favorite is Instagram.  I love getting (and giving) snapshots of every day life.  It's turned into a few of my own little work creations.

Melany's Instagram Vocabulary:
Instamiss (v) - to miss out on the opportunity to take a great photo, thereby not being able to share it with the world through Instagram
Instamatastic (adj) - something so wonderful that a photo must be captured and shared right away

Here is another one of my word creations:
Pinteresting (adj) - a project or recipe that must be remembered so it can be attempted at a later time.
(I even have a label on this blog named "How Pinteresting" that highlights projects associated with Pinterest)

Social media has given us many avenues to stay connected with people all over the world and to share our life with strangers and friends.  Have you ever spent time thinking about what your social media activity says about you?  Take a moment to think about it and look back on what you are saying to the world.

If we are not careful, we can dump lots of negativity and complaining on our hundreds of unsuspecting "close" friends.  And once you put it out there, it is highly likely that someone sees it right away.  Even if you decide moments later that you need to delete a post or a tweet or to remove a picture, there is a good chance that someone has seen it before you hit the delete button.

I know as I look back through my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram there are definitely some things that have been cut off the page and not always because it was something meant to be negative.  I have found that there are things that I may say that can be taken in the wrong way from someone who does not know me well (case in point - sarcasm does not translate well with written words).

Then there is the flip side.  Sometimes it is hard to watch people live what looks like a perfect life.  I think that Relevant Magazine wrote a great article addressing this.  You can read it HERE.

I am grateful for social media and the opportunity that it presents to keep up with people all over the world and I am grateful for the avenues that allow me to share my life with the world.  I just want to make sure that who they see is the best representation of me - someone who is positive, likes to encourage and uplift others, likes good food, desires to live a creative life, has hard times but looks at them through rose colored glasses, and most importantly loves Jesus more than anything else in the world.

You Are More Beautiful Than You Think

Hey ladies!! 

Watch this.

Just do it.

Right now would be a good time :-)

Just press play - and then look in the mirror - and see beauty.

A Daily Dose of Glitter

Sometimes you find a gift idea for someone that is perfection.  This DIY is for a gift that was perfection for my sister :-)

I saw the idea for glitter capsules on Pinterest and just knew that I had to make them for my sister.

Source: theglitterguide.tumblr.com via Melany on Pinterest

They are little capsules filled with glitter. When you have a bad day and need some sparkle, you just open it up and sprinkle away :-)  It's an instant party!!

This is how I did it.  It's actually very easy:

Buy some empty capsules.  I got mine from Amazon.

Choose your glitter (I liked using glitter with a top that twisted off and had a pretty wide opening).  Gold is pretty much the only option for my sister.

Filling the capsules is super simple.

They actually split into two pieces:

All you have to do is split it apart ... open up your glitter ... 

and fill the smaller portion of the capsule with glitter:

Then replace the cap and viola:

A Daily Dose of Glitter :-)

Photo a Day recap (days 42 - 48)

Day 42

"Entrance"

February 11

This is me dreading walking through the door and entering back in my work day.  So long lunch break, I will miss you :-)

Day 43

"Where you ate lunch"

February 43

Speaking of lunch break, the next day the sun came out.  I took the opportunity to take my lunch outside.  This breath of fresh air really was a breath of fresh air.  Sometimes we just need to step away from the desk and come back feeling a bit refreshed.  I know that an outdoor lunch break really refreshes me.

Day 44

"Walking"

February 13

Oh Uggs - you may not be the prettiest shoe, but I love you for your warmth and comfort.  Changing out of my heels and stepping in to comfort to start walking towards the bus to go home.

Day 45

"Love is"

February 14

Love is ... sometimes expressed through chocolate.  Happy Valentines Day!!  I celebrated by wearing red polish, writing with a red pen, and eating chocolate all day.  It was great :-)

Day 46

"Inside your fridge"

February 15

My veggie door is my favorite area of the fridge - it needs a little bit of a shopping trip though :-)

Day 47

"Perfect"

February 16

I had a very crafty weekend.  This project is the perfect solution for making a pretty display for my necklaces.  I also made a new earring display - more info on that coming soon - stay tuned :-)

Day 48

"In your hand"

February 17

I absolutely love this necklace that I got from Modcloth.  It's an old antique looking rotary phone.  The phone receiver is attached to a tiny chain and hangs down when you wear the necklace.  It also open up to be a locket.  I love it so much.  They are currently out of stock (sorry), but Modcloth is really good about bringing back products in high demand.  So if you want your own, let them know.

Photo A Day recap (Day 35 - 41)

Doing a little bit of catch up.  Here are days 35 - 41 of the #fmsphotoaday challenge:

Day 35

"Hope"

February 4

I took the opportunity to do a little bit of art journaling.  You can read a little more about this page and the song that was going through my head as I made it at THIS post.

Day 36

"Something you smelled"

February 5

Roasted fennel.  I have been discovering that you can roast pretty much any vegetable and even fruit.  Like roasted grapefruit - sooo good.  My method of roasting is to preheat my oven to 450.  I take a baking sheet and put a light coating of olive oil to prevent sticking.  Then I cut up my veggies and toss them in some olive oil with salt (and perhaps some herbs).  I put them in the oven and cook them in 10 minute increments.  I take them out when they are soft.  I really like them cold as well (a great lunch option for the next few days).  For the grapefruit, I found that it tastes wonderful with some Truvia and cinnamon, while making your kitchen smell like Christmas - delightful!!

Day 37

"Soft"

February 6

When I come home, one of the first things that I do is put on some soft cozy sweats.  Cozy sweats is about the only thing that I am going to miss when the weather gets warmer.

Day 38

"Your name"

February 7

This is a little something from the second art journaling page that I ever did.  It was the first page that I did for an online art journaling course that me and my friend Karisse did a few years ago.  It was a course offered through Red Velvet.  They actually have a year long ecourse being offered for $30 if you want to try it out yourself.  It is actually very tempting.  I might have to sign up :-)

Day 39

"Something orange"

February 39

I love 4-colored pens.  It helps me organize my tasks and I love how it keeps my notes colorful - my handwriting is a rainbow :-)  I recently discovered that the 4-colored pens with the blue barrel are medium point and the pens with the orange barrel are fine point ink.  I just love the way a fine point ink pen writes, so I am loving this pen.

Day 40

"Guilty pleasure"

February 9

It's possible that my craft supplies take up half of my closet space.  This picture is the top half of my craft storage.  If you need yarn, paper, paint, sewing supplies, jewelry making supplies, fabric, art journaling doodads, books on knitting, books on art journaling, or even a gingerbread house making kit - I have you covered.  My closet is a mini Michaels store :-)

Day 41

"3 o'clock"

February 10

I have a few songs that have been on my heart.  Right now they are all stuck as half songs, but I still enjoy sitting down every now and then to work on them.  One day they will be complete :-)

Photo a Day recap (Days 28 - 34)

Day 28

January 28

"Light"

Found this candle at Target on clearance after the holidays.  A few weeks later I actually lit it and discovered that it smelled like Anthropologie.  I wish I had bought more.  $25 Anthro candle vs $2.50 Target clearance - clearance wins.  Too bad I have not been able to find any more :-(

Day 29

January 29

"Inside your fridge"

I found these mason jars at Target and I love using them to hold soup.  They are great because they don't spill in my super cute lunchbox.

Day 30

January 30

"Nature"

My office plant is struggling so bad - so bad that I think it is dead.  I'm sorry little plant :-(

Day 31

January 31

"You again"

All my pictures of me lately have been taken using my camera phone and a mirror.  That's how the hipsters do it, right?

Day 32

February 1

"Fork"

I have decided to bust out the silver and use it - on a daily basis.  I don't want it all packed away waiting for a special occasion.  As Hallmark would say, "Life is a Special Occasion." 

Day 32

February 2

"Pattern"

I have a huge box of sewing patterns and an even bigger box of fabric ... I should sew more :-)

Day 34

February 3

"Something beginning with e"

Me and Karisse in the "elevator".  Karisse came over to watch "Pitch Perfect".  We looooooooooved it and we swooned over leading man Skylar Astin - so cute and then he sings ... excuse me while I pick myself up off the floor :-)

Here's a few favorite clips for you:

Good movie.  Netlfix might have to wait a little bit longer before they get it back :-)

Musical Monday "Holding on to Hope"

Tonight I did some art journaling inspired by the photo a day challenge I am doing.  Today's prompt was "Hope" so I decided to do a page on hope.

I really don't do enough art journaling.  I love starting with a blank page, putting a backwash of color and just seeing what happens.  This page is not my favorite page, but so many times it is more about the process and what God speaks during the process than it is about making something pretty.

When I was making this art journal entry there is a song by Jenny and Tyler that came to my mind - "Holding on to Hope"

I was introduced to Jenny and Tyler back before Christmas.  This song meant a lot to me in that time.  December was a fairly rough month and those words "holding on to hope" penetrated into some pretty empty places.

Isaiah 40:30, 31 "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Sometimes, I think that we just need someone to tell us to not give up (well, at least I do anyway).  So I will just go on and say it for anyone else who may need it - Don't give up.  Have hope.  God really does see everything and He really does have your best interest at heart.  Put your hope and your trust in Him.  He loves you and only wants the very very very best for you.  Hold on to hope :-)

Holding on to Hope - Jenny & Tyler - Faint Not - Copyright 2010 One Eyed Cat Music (BMI)

Music and Lyrics by Tyler Somers (BMI) and Jennifer Somers (BMI)

People I know around me float past with the debris
Saying they don’t mind, such is life, as they float on down the street
I heard the worst is to come, I heard the words
'Look above and find your home in Me
In this storm

I’m holding on to hope, hope, hope
And never letting go, no, no
Even when the storm it grows, hope, hope
Will never let me go, no, no
‘Til I go on home

People build homes using pieces of broken virtue and philosophy
When people place hope in people I notice even more broken dreams
I know that time is so short, there’s something in store, a home I’ve never seen
In this storm, o in this storm

I’m holding on to hope, hope, hope
And never letting go, no, no
Even when the storm it grows, hope, hope
Will never let me go, no, no
‘Til I go on home

Only a trace, no face to face
So here I wait with this poor reflection
Running a race, scared I’m going to break down
Give me strength, Your protection
Only a moment, a passing of time
Until the day when faith is sight
Only a moment, like a flashing of light
So keep me safe, keep me nigh
Keep my way homeward bound
When the rain’s pouring down
Keep me safe, keep me safe

I’m holding on to hope
Never letting go, no, no
‘Til the day I come on home, hope, hope
And finally fully know

Little touches

40+ hours of my life are spent at work each week ... so I might as well make my desk a space that I enjoy.

I previously posted a tutorial on my mason jar snowglobe.  That was the first little step towards make my desk at work reflect a little more of me.

I recently purchased a little something that provides a little pop of color that makes me happy.

You can get these little latte bowls at Anthropologie for $2.50.  I definitely prefer it over the boring black plastic container that I was storing my paper clips in.  Even a little bit of washi tape wrapped around the top did not spruce it up enough.

I also decided to create my own planner this year.  Many attempts of not finding the design that I like paved the way to a creative project.

I have 6 months done and plan on finishing this weekend.  Tutorial coming once I have a completed project in hand :-)

Sprucing up a boring notepad makes a pretty place to track my task items:

I just put some washi tape along the top and used a pen to write "to do".  

Sometimes a few little things can make a huge difference.  My next step is to get this little basket to hold my post-its:

Source: anthropologie.com via Melany on Pinterest

"I invented post-its" - Who knows what movie that is from?  

Nothing left?

Hello world.  Just thought I would drop in with some musings and share a little bit from the heart.

There is something that I read the other day that really hit home.

Genesis 1:1, 2a "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty..."

The story goes on to describe God creating this majestic world that we live in.  But in the beginning, it was "formless and empty".

God created something out of nothing.

Have you ever felt like you have nothing left to give - just ... empty.

I know I have.

But God can take our nothing and turn it into a beautiful masterpiece.

He sees all the heartache.  He sees the pain.  He sees the empty places ... and He fills them.

So if you feel like you have nothing to give, give God your nothing.  Present your blank canvas and ask Him to create a masterpiece.

Source: Uploaded by user via Melinda on Pinterest

Photo a Day recap (Days 21 - 27)

Day 21

January 21

"Reflection"

I was tired.  Could not think of anything creative.  Saw sparkly little Christmas tree (that is now a permanent fixture on top of my bookcase).  Thought, "I guess the light reflects off the little crystals".  Took picture.  Done :-)

Day 22

January 22

"Shoes"

Oh my geez!!!  This was the day before I went to see Alice's Adventures in Wonderland at the Kennedy Center.  It was magical.  I love ballet!  I got to go with two of my favorite people, Karisse and Carol.  I was so happy and excited I almost cried.  I just sat there watching this fabulous production and thought, "Thank you God for this moment."  I felt very blessed to have been able to do something that brings so much joy and happiness to my heart :-)

Day 23 

January 23
"Something old"

My grandmother gave me a big box of family silver.  I love having this family heirloom.  What I don't love is having it sitting in a box not being enjoyed.  I have been thinking recently about this box of silver and how we pack away silver and china only to bring it out on special occasions, but life is a special occasion.  Every day is special.  So I pulled this little tray out of the box and am using it to sit in my bathroom and hold all my poo-pouri (this product cracks me up - love it).  And as soon as I get some silver polish I will pull out the silverware to use, because I want to enjoy it :-)

Day 24

January 24

"Guilty Pleasure"

A guilty pleasure for me is Anthropologie.  When I feel blue or have a bad day, sometimes I will go get something - usually from the sale corner - usually a plate or a mug.  The store just makes me happy.  I have also recently discovered Modcloth.  Oh goodness.  I can waste a good amount of time perusing that sight.  Last week I received my first Modcloth purchase.  That yellow duck umbrella had been on my wish list for awhile.  It's such a happy item to have on a gloomy rainy day :-)

Day 25

January 25

"Something you made"

I made this huge infinity scarf a few years ago.  It is called the GAP-tastic cowl and I followed a pattern created by Jen Geigley.  I didn't really like it very much when I finished it.  It is so big and bulky that I felt like a football player when I wore it.  At least, what I thought a football player would feel like :-)  But, I'll tell you what - this winter season I have grown to loooooove this scarf.  It's so warm and cozy. It also serves as a pillow when I ride the bus.  All I have to do is lean my head to the side and it instantly meets some cushion.  Oh, but there's more!!  This scarf is so thick that I can also flip it up to cover my head.  So basically, this is the best scarf ever!!!

Day 26

January 26

"Colour"

I got crafty and finished two projects over the weekend - ponytail holders and some plaques to hang in bathroom.  It all turned out great.  Perhaps I will share more later :-)

Day 27

January 27

"Lunch"

I also made some chicken and dumplings over the weekend.  A batch of delicious comfort food that I sadly finished yesterday.  I don't eat much meat.  I consider myself to be a flexitarian.  While I do adhere to a primarily vegetarian diet, there are some foods that I don't ever plan on giving up - like chicken and dumplings ... and proscuitto ... and barbecue.