I am blessed.

Last week my small group had to split up because we were getting too big and wanted to spread out everyone that was on the core team to include the rest of the church. Sounds awesome-right? Yes, except someone to remain nameless had a bad attitude about it because she liked her current friends and didn't want any new ones.

Hypathetically, we'll say this someone to remain nameless is me. What a bad heart I had.

Small group came and by the time I left, I was on cloud nine. I was so touched and blessed by EVERY. LAST. PERSON that came.

But here's the thing. God designed churches to grow and community groups are meant to be small and intimate. If we are doing what God designed, why couldn't I see that His plan would be better than mine. Isn't this what everything in life is like? I have a plan. I think that if things go my way that I will be happy. When will I learn that GOD's plan is best. I am so quick to trust him in the bigger things in my life (who I marry, where I work, where I live, etc), but not on some of the smaller things.

Just another example of how God knows best and his plans are for GOOD not to harm. Every thing you do and every second you live should be filtered through God's word and a biblical lens.

Blog design and creative block tips

I've been at the Direct Marketer Association conference all week for work. It has been great because
1. It's in Vegas and I have fallen in love with this weather, and 2. I'm actually learning a lot.

Here are some things I've learned about how to overcome creative block...

Look at something BLUE. It's proven that this color relaxes you, thus allows for more creative thoughts.

Lean back in your chair. This has also proven to open up that mind and relax you. That doesn't work? Go for a walk.

Try something knew. i.e. Read a book about something you wouldn't normally read. Watch a type of show you wouldn't usually watch. This will all help stimulate creativity. 

Here are some things I've learned about design...

Light type on a dark background is bad bad bad. Yes- it may look better in some cases. But, know that if you do that it makes it harder to read. If it's harder to read two things will happen. 1. The readers wont really comprehend what they are reading. 2. Your readers probably wont read it. It is proven that it is actually harder for your brain to read. When it's hard for your brain to do something you usually stop. Now-I like using reverse type...in certain situations. A blog button, header, yada yada yada...all good stuff and fine to use it. Your actual blog post? No. Don't do it. 

They say sans serif is easy to read because the little feet help your brain move along. But did you know this is only in print? The way computer screens are set up and digital things in different make it harder. Serif is better for digital.

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White space, white space, white space. This is referring to all of the clutter we have around our blogs. Mine including. There isn't a real focus and it makes it a less pleasing experience for your readers. White space allows your brain to move through the page easier, thus having a better experience. Some may call it boring- but I think it's classy. Ever look at a high fashion magazine? TONS of white space. Even look at Apple's website. Now look at this website. It's still nice- but your eyes just don't know where to go first. This is something I have know for a while, but got caught up with all the fun blog designs and things I can add. Don't look at my little blog for an example. This is something I'll probably start to transition to in the next couple of months.

There are so so so many tips and tricks you can apply to make your readers have a pleasant experience on your blog or website. They might not even know it- a lot of this is subliminal things that are going on in their brain. With all of this being said- don't be afraid to break the rules...just know them so you can break them the right way. Did I lose you?

Facebook makes me drepressed.

There. I said it. I appreciate that most bloggers don't go on rants and complain all of the time...but sometimes I think "HOW DO Y'ALL HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER?" or "Am I the only one who gets in fights with my boyfriend??!" Now, I don't expect y'all to blog about fights with your boyfriend...because I don't...but I do have to keep some things in mind when reading others blogs and peruzing facebook and instagram.

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1. People are putting up pictures of the happiest parts of their life. No one, including me, is going to put a picture up of them crying them self to sleep, going to dinner alone, having a bad hair day, when they get in fights with their boyfriends or husbands, etc. The point is it's so easy to start thinking that everyone else has a perfect life. When you start to feel like this, remember that is just the best part of their life and everyone has bad days and hard times in their life.

2. It's okay if you don't have it together. So many great things come from not having it together. You don't have to pretend to be perfect all of the time. I'm a mess...and I own it.

3. You have great things and blessings in your life too! So many times I have to slap myself and think why are you jealous of someone else's life. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THE LORD HAS BLESSED YOU WITH?!?!?! It's always greener on the other side. Until you realize it's not..and your grass is plenty green. Did I lose you there? Probably.

4. Be more apparent with what is going on with your life. I'm not saying start to post personal things and arguments you may have, but don't be afraid to show you don't have it all together! If anything...it will make you more real. And I will like you better.

Dear things

Dear Veags, you are an interesting place. I thought I wouldn't like you. But I do. I thought it would be full of drunk people wasting their money away, and I was right...but there is so so much more to you.

Dear October, you have been good to me. I got my boyfriend back, had a relaxing week off with adventures, and am now at a conference for work in Vegas. I am blessed.

Dear mountains outside of my hotel room window, you seem so close....but you are so far. I like you.

Dear Presidential canidates, your debates would be much more interesting if you debated about things like what flavor ice cream is best or who is going to win the world series.

Dear Susan, maybe the debates would be more exciting if you finally took the time to learn all of the important things in the world.

Dear iphone 5, ship quicker.

Dear 50mm f/1.2, you are now mine. You shall also ship quicker.

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Hope everyone is having a great week!

Some Pinteresting Things

I'm currently in route to a conference in Las Vegas (not a fun conference, a work conference-booo). I am, however, excited to spend some time away in a nice hotel room to get some things done! And maybe I'll go explore this place everyone calls crazy as well.

In the mean time, here are some things that you may find pinteresting.

I have this theory that Starbucks has become an accessory as well as a good drink. Theory proven.

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I'm pretty into planning out a dream office that I wont have one day.

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 This would be a cute center-piece. Or just cute by my desk.

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This just makes my heart happy.

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Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Work-Life-Blog-Balance

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 I need help. In more ways than one. But right now I'm talking about balancing my life. I have a full time job in advertising, trying to start/maintain a small photography business, have somewhat of a social life and spend time with my boyfriend and friends, spend time with the word outside of church and small group, workout and cook healthy meals instead of pulling into chipotle for dinner every night...and the list goes on.

I have so many ideas that I want to do with my photography business and so many things I need to do. When I'm at work I'm constantly thinking of them, but when I get home for the night I am so exhausted I don't even have enough energy to boot up my computer.

I KNOW I'm not the only one who is trying to figure out how to balance all of this. What do you all do to make sure you get to everything on your to-do list, but still have somewhat of a life?

Today, is good.

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Today is good.
Today is rainy. Really rainy.
Today, I took the day off from work. Just because.
I sat in Caribou Coffee with a friend and her precious baby.
I am catching up on some design work, next to a a window covered with rain drops.
I am spending the rest of the day with D. Doing nothing.


Today, is good.