A Random Tag!

I decided to do this tag- because I did not know what to post- but I wanted to post something! I also love answering questions like these! This tag is credit to Emily! She’s my long lost preppy friend!

What is one place in the world where you wish you could live?

I wish that I could live in Florida. There is nothing I love more than sitting in a beach chair with my toes in the sand, listening to music the waves! Best place ever! I would want to live in either Rosemary Beach or St. Petersburg! Hands down.

What’s your all-time favorite movie?

My all time favorite movie is the most cliche movie someone would watch. I absolutely love the movie A Cinderella Story. First things first, Chad Michael Murray and Hilary Duff are my favorites, and the fact that it is the PERFECT plot makes that even better.

What’s your worst habit?

My worst habit is worrying about the next thing. I am constantly worrying about what comes next, or what I am going to do when tomorrow comes. I hate that I have trouble living in the moment!

What fictional character do you have a crush on?

Derek Shepperd: McDreamy. Hands down. WHY did he have to die?

What’s your favorite item of clothing that you own?

My favorite item of clothing that I own would have to be my Lilly Pullitzer shift dress. I haven’t even worn it yet, and it is my favorite. It is in the print Fan Dance. I HATE that this collection was a one time thing.

What article of clothing do you wish you had?

I wish that I owned every piece of clothing from Lauren James, JCrew, Lilly Pullitzer, Vineyard Vines, Patagonia, and Southern Marsh. I LOVE THEM all I simply cannot choose!

Beach vacation or European vacation?

As I said before, BEACH! It is my favorite place to be.

In your opinion, what is the best compliment someone could give to you?

I think that the best compliment someone could give me is that they respect me. Being someone that is respected and that is a role model is the biggest compliment you can get.

What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now?

In 10 years, I see myself raising a family of 3 kids, while teaching kids in elementary school, as well as being involved in youth ministry.

What are your top five fashion staples?

1) STATEMENT NECKLACES. Hands down.

2) PEARL EARRINGS. They go with every outfit.

3) SIMPLE TEES. You can wear them with sweatpants, jeans, skirts, and lots of jewelry.

4) LEGGINGS. No outfit is more comfortable than leggings and an oversized tee.

5) OVERSIZED TOPS. Sweatshirts, long sleeve tees, short sleeve tees, and tank tops. You can wear them with shorts, hats, and chacos, or with leggings and boots.

Favorite quote or Bible verse (or both)?

My favorite quote is, “What if I fall? Oh but my darling, what if you fly?

My favorite bible verse is Phillipians 4:6-7, which reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“

Thanks Emily for tagging me in this!

Diving In

I have been under so much stress over the past couple of weeks. Graduation, graduation parties, and lots of planning! I have not been focused on my spiritual growth and my relationship with Jesus & Mary as much as I was during Lent.

Today I felt the Holy Spirit fill with me inspiration as I was browsing my laptop. My mom sent me a link on Facebook to a Bible that had room to journal. I had a new Bible that had only been opened once, because I had been so focused in prayer and writing down my thoughts. So I opened it. I read two chapters in Acts, one chapter in Ecclesiastes, and two Psalms. My eyes were really opened into how much scripture can affect you. SCRIPTURE IS ALIVE.

I wanted to share some of what I got out of reading these passages, starting with Psalm 53. I wrote a prayer as I was reading through this Psalm, so that I could fully emerge myself in prayer while living in scripture. This is what I wrote during my Bible study.

“Dear Lord, save me and strengthen me. Hear my prayers and answer them in accordance with your will. People may not always like me, at least not some, but they may not know you entirely and have you transforming their heart. You are my helper and the protector of my soul. Help me to be the bigger person in any trouble I might face.”

The next Psalm that I read was Psalm 116:2. The second verse reads, “Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath.” After I read this, I flipped over to Psalm 139. Again, I wrote this in the form of a prayer. Here is what I said.

“Hear Me God. Deliver me from evil & protect me from the wicked & unjust people in this imperfect world. Hear my prayer, Lord, for you are my strength. The wicked have plotted against me, but please do not forsake me. I know they do not know you and they cannot stand. Evil will destroy them. I know you will help give justice to the poor and the needy. Help me to be just and to glorify you, and help me to dwell next to you all the days of my life.”

When I was reading Ecclesiastes Chapter 4, I came across 4 lines that really struck me. It reminded me of the companionship that God has blessed me with in my relationship with Jake. Basically what this Psalm said was that two is better than one. Those that are given this blessing warm and build each other up. One person may be overpowered, but two remain strong. Have faith and God will not leave you alone. When I gained my faith, he gave me a lifetime of happiness.

Then I looked to the Gospel. I read Chapter 20 and it really struck me as fantastic. It was brilliantly written. I read verses 13-38- it was GREAT for going into college. Exactly what I needed to read. I will walk you through what I read. It talks about how Paul brought the youth alive. It talks about how we should sere the Lord with humility no matter what temptations we might face.I wrote down this quote for me to reflect and to understand, because it was a little unclear. It reads, “How have I kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have preached it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house.” I think that it is saying, “How have I not done what you have wanted for me, even after I claim to be a great follower of you?” That’s what I got from this. This chapter tells us to go out and preach the Gospel- to preach the Good News. When it hit me that this chapter related to the Gospel, I was reading verses 22 and 23. They read, “…being bound in spirit, I go to Jerusalem: not knowing the things which shall befall me there. Save that the Holy Ghost in every city witness to me, saying: That bands and afflictions wait for me at Jerusalem.” This is SO TRUE. Even though I do not know where life may take me in college, I do know that Jesus Christ will ALWAYS be with me, and I WILL NEVER be alone. The biggest thing that struck me was something I have been writing in my journal everyday- my daily affirmation. I have been writing, “I am giving and receiving love in a way that builds up each gift Jesus has given me.” When I was studying scripture, it made me stop, as I read, “I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the word of the Lord Jesus, how he said: It is a more blessed thing to give, rather than to receive. And when he had said these things, kneeling down, he prayed with them all.” (Acts 20:35-36)

Current Favorites!

Hey guys! I decided to venture off from the faith aspect of my blog and write a post dedicated to my current beauty & lifestyle favorites of the month! Here we go!

First I will start with all of my favorite makeup favorites of the month!

I have been absolutely OBSESSED with the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. I wear the shade 120. It is a lightweight concealer, and it stays on for a long time. The only thing is that it creases really easily, which is fixable with my favorite powder of the month.

This powder is the best one that I have EVER tried. It keeps my skin completely matte, and is a great under the eye setting powder as well!

My favorite eyeliner for the past several months has been this marker! It is angled and creates the most precise line. It is very dark and stays on for a long time!

My favorite skincare product of the month has been the clean and clear face wash. This specific one has been great for me, because I have really red and sensitive skin. I have not broken out at all!

I also have several fashion items of the month that I have been LOVING.

This shirt has been on me ever since I got it. I have it in black as well. It is so flattering, yet so simple. It goes great with sweatpants, but can also be paired with a cute necklace, jeans, and sandals. I also have worn it with a skirt and wedges. It is so versatile and simple, and that’s what I love about it!

  My next favorite fashion item has been my new Southern Marsh long sleeve shirt. It is bigger on me, which I love because I can wear it with leggings or shorts. I love sleeping in it, but also love to pair it with a statement necklace and a cute vest.

I have been wearing these earrings for the past several months! They go with everything- silver or gold jewelery. I have not taken them off!

Let’s talk about how CUTE these sandals are. I got them when I was elbowing people out of my way at the Lilly for Target launch! They aren’t the most comfortable shoes, but they are the CUTEST!

Now let’s move on to the most important part of this post- my favorite TV SHOW!

I was watching Grey’s Anatomy with my mom one night, and really liked it. I have Netflix on my TV in my room, so I decided to give it a try. Little did I know I would be on Season 5 after 3 weeks of watching it. The fact that McDreamy died in the middle of me watching it sent me into a rage! This show is a must watch! I would recommend it to anyone!

My favorite APP of the month has been Pinterest. I have always had an obsession with Pinterest, but I didn’t look at it for such a long time. I have been using it CONSTANTLY recently for outfit ideas as well as inspiration for fitness. I have also been using it to get ideas for a haircut I will be getting soon!

My favorite song recently has been shut up and dance by walk the moon! It is SO CATCHY. When that song isn’t playing in my car, all I listen to is KLOVE. It puts me in such a positive and encouraging (HA) mood. 🙂

Hope this blog post was fun and interesting!

Mary-Ashley

4 Years to Remember

From freshman to senior year!

As my time in high school has come to an end, I decided to write a reflection on my four years in high school. I have transformed into almost a completely different person. Those who knew me senior year, knew someone quite different than the person I am this year. I came into freshman year not knowing what to expect, dressed in my pep squad uniform while being hazed by all of the seniors. I was terrified! Freshman year was definitely the worst and the best year in my high school career. My father lived away from us for a year, due to job conditions. My freshman year was miserable, because a part of my family was missing- a part of my heart. My school was the most amazing, spirited, and fantastic one, and it was full of great experiences.

Sophomore year was one of the most difficult for me. I had my dad back, but I had this emptiness. I wanted to go back home. I had the most amazing time my freshman year, but I knew that I would only find happiness living with all of my family, but I still felt an emptiness. I tried to fill this hole with a relationship. I dated a guy for one semester of my sophomore year, and I felt restricted. The emptiness was still there. Then comes junior year.

When junior year came around, my mom had just converted to Catholicism, I had just broken up with my boyfriend, and did not know where God was calling me to. It all changed July before my junior year. I started dating the love of my life who I will marry in a few short years, and he led me to the one thing that would fill my emptiness- understanding and converting into the Catholic faith.

When senior year came around, I had never been so happy. I had highs, lows, and several God moments this year. Some of the biggest highs included getting accepted to my dream college, making the college cheer team, cheering during football season, and getting to fully immerse myself in Christ’s love with the Eucharist. The lowest parts of my year included being sick all of the time, losing my best friend’s sister, and feeling sometimes like I did not have a place. God placed my hand over me this year in helping me to realize that my vocation is to become an elementary teacher while focusing in theology with an emphasis in youth ministry. I have been getting closer to Jesus through his mother, Mary, and it has changed my life. As high school ends, I am forever grateful for each and every person that helped shaped me into the person I am today.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” -John 3:30