tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89414225145387164322024-03-13T12:53:39.861-07:00Once Upon a Time I Had a ThoughtAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.comBlogger274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-57889068843486293642015-07-13T12:17:00.000-07:002015-07-13T12:17:05.747-07:00Goodbye and Hello<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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More like this on <a href="http://www.theshabbysuitcase.com/" target="_blank">The Shabby Suitcase</a></div>
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I'm saying goodbye to this blog, and hello to a new one. Once Upon a Time has provided me with a creative platform to express my full life, a life of faith, feminism, and fashion-awe. I greatly enjoy blogging, however the theme and content of what I wish to share about has shifted over the years, so I've decided to sign off on this chapter in my life in order to conquer a new one.<br />
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The new me is very much the same and very much different. I have an awestruck mind full of adventure-wishing, faith doubting, women empowering, and life lusting things. I'm moving to London and embarking on a life of suitcased wandering, if I have it my way. My still heart leaps at the elegance of a silken dress in a bright and dreamy photograph, and more than ever am I working to ensure women are celebrated for more than our beautiful bodies.<br />
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So, if you think you're up for the full spectrum of life of one complicated human, then do join me over at <a href="http://www.theshabbysuitcase.com/" target="_blank">The Shabby Suitcase</a>. See you soon! xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-5452135715517032442015-01-05T07:00:00.000-08:002015-01-05T07:00:02.604-08:00An Intentional Thought: Bonnie Friedman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Life is all a sublet anyway, of course. We don’t fully own even the bodies we live in; we can’t stop them from changing. We cede them from year to year. And this knowledge of loss, I’ve discovered, is the salt that brings up the savor of all the rest—understanding that none of it is mine to keep. It’s loss that provides the edge that makes the world sharply beautiful. Without it, life would pall; it would be far less intense. The pang is the small price we pay.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I’ve begun to internalize that this is just the way of things: alteration, change. The tide washes in innumerable things—some marvelous, some mere hard grit—then sweeps them forth. Again. And again </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I was learning, too, that surprise was crucial in determining what I might fall in love with. The world was often better than I expected. </span></span></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span">-Bonnie Friedman, from Shambala Sun</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-39512425779848178712014-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:002014-12-31T06:00:09.133-08:00Two Thousand and Fourteen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">And just like that, another year has dissolved on the horizon. In the whirlwind of 365 days, my life has shifted and changed in ways I couldn't have possibly predicted. Here I am, a new woman. I've adventured from rustic backyard wine cellars that left me feeling like a quiet and slowly paced life might actually be possible, to the hurried yet inspiring bubble of Palo Alto (for all it's flaws, Palo Alto suits me best). I left behind a job that shredded my compassion and my faith, and have found that despite working someplace since where I see daily miracles, I'm still lost. But that's okay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've barely processed all that's happened to me in 2014, but I do know it's been a launching pad for what I plan to do with my life. Greater things are yet to come.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.megbiram.com/questions-to-reflect-on-your-year-2014/">via Meg Biram</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-9154907296045685182014-12-30T06:00:00.000-08:002014-12-30T06:00:06.333-08:00An Intentional Thought: Jennet Liaw<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.jennetliaw.com/shop/onward">via Lennet Liaw</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-80137737612737900082014-12-29T14:37:00.000-08:002014-12-29T14:37:08.117-08:00Cristina<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I don't know what I want. I only know what I don't want.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">-Cristina, from <i>Vicky Cristina Barcelona</i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-63274081812836738292014-08-20T08:09:00.001-07:002014-08-20T08:09:34.202-07:00Put on Your Party Dress<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-5782714970964506122014-06-26T11:23:00.000-07:002014-12-29T14:52:44.615-08:00Spiritual But Not Religious<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My amazing sister doing yoga in Costa Rica. Follow her on Insta - @sunmermaid</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I've been working full time in a ministry-like capacity at a small town church for almost a year now. As the singular childless, spouseless church member - yes, I fall into that ever so trendy millennial category - I often find myself scratching my head at the religious culture that this church, and what I would imagine many others, have developed. Among many things, one subject that surfaces frequently in committee meetings is the "spiritual but not religious" discussion. And, perhaps like other churches too, this SBNR lifestyle is spoken about gravely, as if whispering it too loudly will bring the same dire affliction upon the regular church goers. Better to sit in a pew on Sundays thinking about the beach than be at the beach thinking about God, isn't it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The problem I have increasingly found with the church is its inability to move beyond what worked for the last generation into what it can be for the next. Many churches make the mistake of trying to sell a product, rather than focusing on bringing people into relationships not just with Jesus, but with each other. And more importantly, it's about making an old story relevant to our lives today. The themes are more than applicable - injustice, love, friendship, pain, forgiveness - but the delivery is often intimidating or condescending, full of rules and regulations. It's a fine line between holy ritual and stuffy tradition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If I'm completely honest, my once thriving and deep love of religion is now fading into something more accurately described as vague spirituality. My connection with God has undoubtedly faltered over the past year - I feel my faith most profoundly when I'm doing yoga, and am most frustrated with it when I'm at church. I feel my sense of spirituality slinking away from me, and I'm simply too exhausted to do anything about it. But most importantly, I'm absolutely okay with all of this. I'm not worried one bit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Perhaps the challenge for the church is to somehow embrace this laissez-faire attitude of myself and other young adults, rather than pushing a somewhat irrelevant lifestyle on a generation consisting of dreamers and adventurers - a generation raised to think outside the box. We're most likely not going to find ourselves in the church given the way it's marketed to us now, and I don't see this as a detriment to the lives of religiously reluctant </span>millennials<span style="font-family: inherit;"> or to the current church goers who voice such concern about us. Spirituality is intensely personal, and there's no cookie cutter way to experience faith.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Last year, the senior pastor of my former church addressed this issue in one of his weekly e-newsletters:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>In response to last week's reflections on the Millennial generation's absence from church life, I received this excellent and very respectful question from an active member:</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"As you discuss the dilemma in church participation, I would dearly love to understand how you couldn't imbue the importance of church membership to your own children? My question is beyond a confrontational challenge. If the senior pastor of a large church cannot bring his children to church, then what chance do lay people such as myself have?"</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>This is a concern raised by many parents who have found church life to be an essential and joyous part of their walk in life and yet have watched their children, often raised in the church, deem the church irrelevant once they have left home.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>I would never want "church membership" to be seen as an end in itself. The goal of our faith isn't to fill pews, committees, or potluck dinners. God knows that these days there are too many glaring examples of public hypocrisy by self-professed church leaders to suggest that going to church alone makes one a Christian.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>The goal of our faith is to create disciples of Jesus, those who live by and aspire for the teachings of Christ and know his grace in their hearts. Just by simple observation of our own young adult ministry, it would appear that Millennials are far more interested in small groups and service projects than showing up to worship services on a Sunday morning. In many ways, what church will be for them will be much different than what church has been for me.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>To our active members concerned about keeping their children in church, as one who didn't, there are social and cultural factors at work today over which we have little control as parents. That's not offered as an excuse. Just don't let the idea of your kids not attending church detract from fulfilling the vow we make at each baptism of an infant: to live in such a way that these young ones will learn what it means to lead a Christian life by our example.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Whether our children attend church or not, if they see Christ in our lives, they will find their way to spiritual community in their own time and place."</i></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-7608546654693220302014-06-25T11:33:00.001-07:002014-06-25T11:33:27.956-07:00Napa Humor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://oxbowpublicmarket.com/merchants/five-dot-ranch/">Five Dot Ranch</a> in the <a href="http://oxbowpublicmarket.com/">Oxbow</a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-23435858899372349402014-01-21T11:21:00.000-08:002014-01-21T11:21:00.170-08:00Kate's Ethical Fashion Favorite<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As an Anglophile, I'm understandably a huge follower of Kate Middleton's wardrobe. She's always been a fan of <a href="http://onceuponatimeihadathought.blogspot.com/2012/05/kate-middleton-fashion-recycler.html">recycling outfits</a> and buying second hand, which is 90% why I have such a high appreciation for her style. Little did I know, one of the designers she's worn was born out of a passion for ending human trafficking! The Evening Standard wrote an article about it...</div>
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I love when two of my worlds collide - my love of clothing and my work with human trafficking prevention! Here's to hoping they remain committed to helping women who have been trafficked find employment, even with their move to East London.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-87944855248393601512014-01-20T10:55:00.000-08:002014-01-20T10:55:01.703-08:00The Drum Major for Justice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A little MLK wisdom for you today...</div>
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via the <a href="https://twitter.com/umrethinkchurch/status/425327734370234368/photo/1">Rethink Church Twitter</a></div>
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via <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDemocrats/status/425316902840594432/photo/1/large">The Democrats Twitter</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-57565690939595408392013-11-01T10:55:00.000-07:002013-11-01T10:55:00.117-07:00Rise and Shine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Every morning. I'm so lucky.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-59458557915956540742013-10-30T10:19:00.000-07:002013-10-30T10:19:39.162-07:00Thankful<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://yogalicious.tumblr.com/post/63469729345/thankful"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A lovely little thing my sister wrote on thankfulness...</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I woke up just feeling kind of off- missing my cat way too much, kind of missing home, and feeling a little unsettled. I thought to myself “okay I can do it, let’s get through this day” I then decided to write down everything I am thankful for, because honestly I have so so much. We all have the off days- the days where we don’t feel good enough, where we are missing something or someone, but if we spend our time missing, comparing, and feeling inadequate, then we are missing the beauty of what is now. The amazing day we have, the incredible life that we are living. Life is seriously a huge blessing and even the rough patches are things we should be thankful for as well, because they help us grow and make us appreciate the amazing experiences all the more- </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Today I am thankful for my strength, that I was strong enough to move without any sort of job or stable living situation (now I am finding myself settled and so happy:) I am thankful for my cozy apartment with beautiful room mates who inspire me to be myself and stay positive. I am thankful for pumpkin candles, the job that I have, twinkle lights, playing guitar and writing songs, food in my fridge, my beautiful and caring and unconditionally loving family, and my friends who have become my family. I am so thankful for yoga, It has changed my life and opened my heart and I don’t know where I would be without it. I am thankful for my doctors who I have developed caring relationships with. I am thankful for my therapist Deb who even though I no longer see, I still think about her so much and she did so much for me. I am thankful for this massive tie dye shirt that I am wearing, for my comforter on my bed, for the care package my grandma sent me, for the trees outside, and for the ocean which is where my soul thrives and flourishes. I literally could list everything I am thankful of for years and years now that I started, and I know that I am blessed, I am where I am supposed to be in life and I accept the hardships because that means I’m really living. I welcome every obstacle that comes because I know that I am strong enough to get past it because I have so much to be thankful for in each present moment. Be thankful for today:) </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-36305194223879222642013-09-23T12:22:00.000-07:002013-09-23T12:22:18.955-07:00Maxi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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dress by Leifsdottir, bought on eBay</div>
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discovered on my friend's (now deleted) blog</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-74346127490546324282013-09-17T10:00:00.000-07:002013-09-17T10:32:50.905-07:00London Fashion Week Street Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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All above images via <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/style/2013/09/photos-street-style-london-fashion-week">Vanity Fair</a></div>
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I've really gotten into all black outfits recently, can you tell?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-48390190293149568262013-09-16T10:30:00.000-07:002013-09-16T10:30:01.480-07:00sometimes...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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via <a href="http://www.theyallhateus.com/">TheyAllHateUs</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-22396628790696018192013-09-15T16:11:00.002-07:002013-09-15T16:11:47.746-07:00Non-Attachment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Since moving to Napa and getting my new life up here figured out, the whole budget thing has been a bit of a challenge - more so than I would like to admit. After taking Financial Peace University a couple years ago, I have actually begun to really like budgeting each month - who would have thought! And after a whole year dedicated to only thrifting, I've come to understand the true value of my wardrobe in a completely different way than I used to - but my main problem still remains the same:</div>
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I recently went to this amazing art exhibition that explored the idea of non-attachment. An artist at the <a href="http://montalvoarts.org/">Montalvo Artist in Residency Program</a> (where I used to intern!) hung a thousand bells and paper cranes from a tree, and invited everyone at the exhibit to take a bell and place it in their sacred space. </div>
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The catch - if anyone ever comes across your bell, they can take it themselves and then move it to their sacred space, and so on. It's such a neat concept - as much as I hate the idea that someone could one day walk away with this beautiful bell I have, it really got me thinking about how I can work harder to focus on the relationships with the people I know, rather than getting too caught up in the things I need.</div>
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So, as of today, I'm starting a spending fast. It's not actually as scary as it sounds. I was inspired by this great blog on financial savvy - <a href="http://andthenwesaved.com/about-the-spending-fast/">And Then We Saved</a> - to start making a very clear distinction between what I need and what I want, and then focusing on spending money only on the needs list. My goal for this whole process is to get less wrapped up in consumerism (as hard as I try not to, I still cave pretty often), and start seeing the world through a slightly less materialistic view. Does this mean I'm going to stop loving clothing? Nope. I'm also being realistic and giving myself a small chunk of change to thrift with each month. I'm just hoping this whole process will help me see further beyond the message that I'm constantly bombarded with just about everywhere I turn - that image, mine and others, is the most important thing I could ever focus on.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-52646160883492361772013-08-12T10:41:00.001-07:002013-08-12T10:41:59.946-07:00An Intentional Thought: Matthew Nosworthy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Whenever I have wild weeks (like the one I just had!) a bit of perspective is always helpful.</div>
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<img alt="Type Play by Matthew Nosworthy, via Behance" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f4/47/9f/f4479ffd1897411d6bdf9271fe00298d.jpg" /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-1141154172677516272013-08-04T13:34:00.000-07:002013-08-04T13:35:49.564-07:00A Wedding<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Over the weekend I attended a wedding near Yosemite for one of my sister's good friends. My sister was a bridesmaid (see the amazing dress she got to wear below) and I got to sing in the wedding! Lots of fun. </div>
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I let myself splurge on a new dress for the wedding - it's from <a href="http://www.closetclothing.co.uk/">Closet Clothing</a>, a London based designer (of course). I feel like a vintage princess in this dress.</div>
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The wedding decorations were straight outta Pinterest:</div>
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Congrats Shannon and Cam!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-49926076162732948372013-08-01T08:00:00.000-07:002013-08-04T14:03:28.532-07:00A Big Announcement...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am so excited to announce that I'm moving to Napa to work as the Director of Youth Ministries at Napa First United Methodist Church. I have I feeling I will love my job and love spending more time in wine country. This is pretty much how I imagine my life will be:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3I_RZ34Gs0/UfnoMK7w0-I/AAAAAAAADBg/hW7PKeEl7PM/s1600/wine+sink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3I_RZ34Gs0/UfnoMK7w0-I/AAAAAAAADBg/hW7PKeEl7PM/s1600/wine+sink.jpg" /></a></div>
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Needless to say, I'm psyched.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-22727486904500421452013-07-31T21:35:00.000-07:002013-07-31T21:35:30.191-07:00Happy Birthday Harry!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In honor of my favorite fictional character, I leave you with some words of wisdom:</div>
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"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."</blockquote>
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Albus Dumbledore</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-92015102040302031042013-07-13T12:47:00.000-07:002013-07-13T12:47:00.668-07:00A Feminist Thought: JK Rowling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've got two daughters who will have to make their way in this skinny-obsessed world, and it worries me, because I don't want them to be empty-headed, self-obsessed, emaciated clones; I'd rather they were independent, interesting, idealistic, kind, opinionated, original, funny a thousand things, before 'thin'. Let my girls be Hermiones, rather than Pansy Parkinsons.</blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-81571507569755458082013-07-06T12:39:00.001-07:002013-07-06T12:39:49.143-07:00A Feminist Thought: Steve Maraboli<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="The essence of beauty." src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/550x/f5/06/8b/f5068b271669e88351bf2f506d5a322a.jpg" /></div>
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via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/124693483405277141/">Pinterest</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-10065704050184541622013-07-04T17:10:00.001-07:002013-07-04T17:10:54.699-07:00Red and Blue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Confession: I haven't done laundry in weeks, and I'm very impressed that I managed to throw together a clean outfit with patriotic colors (minus the white). And in keeping with the second hand nature of this blog, both the tank and shorts were hand me downs from my friends!</div>
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tank by Deletta</div>
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shorts by Atmosphere</div>
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bracelet by My Flat in London</div>
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I really liked what my sister is wearing today, so I snapped a few photos of her as well. I am in love with this little backless chambray dress - it's a perfect outfit for the 90 degree day we're having. If it goes missing from her closet... I am definitely the most likely culprit. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KThDTAz3Q_A/UdYF8oPo0WI/AAAAAAAAC_8/9qJt2OFIqSY/s1600/DSC_3625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KThDTAz3Q_A/UdYF8oPo0WI/AAAAAAAAC_8/9qJt2OFIqSY/s640/DSC_3625.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBFlbqul3cg/UdYF-UIFoqI/AAAAAAAADAQ/JQUDiQEkaNg/s1600/DSC_3650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBFlbqul3cg/UdYF-UIFoqI/AAAAAAAADAQ/JQUDiQEkaNg/s640/DSC_3650.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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dress by H&M</div>
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shoes by Steve Madden</div>
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Have a lovely 4th! xx</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-73972821748476930502013-06-24T11:22:00.001-07:002013-06-24T11:28:56.092-07:00From Degredation to Affirmation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Over the past year I've co-facilitated a small group (Voices) for some of the high school girls at my church. We've explored everything from patriarchy in the church, to human trafficking, to female competition. If you're reading this blog, you clearly know that these are all issues I deem highly important. Sometimes I think I get more out of Voices than the girls do! </div>
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Recently one of the girls in Voices produced a mini TED Talk video exploring the representation of women in media for a class project, and she asked to interview me in order to get my perspective on the topic (I was so amazed that someone thought I was some source of authority on the issue!). The video turned out so wonderfully, and I am incredibly proud of her for tackling such an important and prevalent issue. Take a look:</div>
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<iframe height="385" src="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8UetZEKLkJRVy12VGJFX0d5b0E/preview" width="640"></iframe></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941422514538716432.post-18681173033610003612013-06-11T09:21:00.002-07:002013-06-11T09:21:46.103-07:00The Mitchell Plan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here's a little political activism to add some zest to your day: There's a crucial program in California called CalWORKS, a "welfare to work" program, that aims to help families achieve economic self-sufficiency. According to the US Census Bureau, California has the highest rate of poverty in the nation, and yet CalWORKS grants have been cut by 12%. The Mitchell Plan, in support of increasing the funding to CalWORKS, is currently being negotiated, and a decision will be reached by June 15th. So, if this is an issue that speaks to you, you know what to do. Share the info (<a href="http://womensfoundationofcalifornia.org/2013/06/07/the-mitchell-plan/">originally from the Women's Foundation of California</a>) and contact your representatives to tell them what you think.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640663781834033089noreply@blogger.com0