Introducing: Conversations

So, I'd like to introduce you to something that I've been dreaming up for awhile. I've always felt like there was a part of me that I didn't always share here on the blog, but it truly is such a big part of who I am, and that's my faith. I'm a Christian... I go to a bible university, I'm going to be in full time ministry, I have my credentials, my boyfriend is a youth pastor... It's a very large part of who I am. Here's the thing; I never wanted anyone to feel like they weren't welcome at my blog because they didn't believe what I believe and I never wanted to make anyone feel like I was making this about something that it's not. 

Another reason I'm not so quick to share about this kind of stuff is because God is so personal to me and I feel like our relationship should be private. Does that make sense? But, the more I try and reach out to others, the more I realize that people can learn from my mistakes, my triumphs and my everyday life. Sometimes people just need to know that they're not going through life alone. My faith has shaped me into the person I am today, so I want to share this part of my journey with you. 

I have decided to include a feature called "Conversations" here on the blog. It will include dialogue about my journey with God; things I'm learning, things I'm failing at, & things I feel like God is doing in my life. They will be open and honest and hopefully you'll get to see me for who I am; just another girl trying to live up to my fullest potential. 

My hope is that, through this feature, I will be able to identify with each of you; let you know that you're not crazy for thinking that one way, or maybe shed light to something you had forgotten, or hopefully provide an answer or understanding to something no one had shared with you before. We'll see how this goes. OH and I get that this isn't going to be for everyone. Maybe you're not interested in this at all, and that's fine. That's why it'll be a button on my sidebar, linked to it's own separate page in the world wide web, far far away from you, where it won't have to bother you if you don't want it too. ^_^

That is all. I'm excited. And I must admit, a little nervous. This is quite possibly the most I've ever written in one post, that's how nervous I am. I don't usually share a lot of personal stuff and this whole feature will be nothing but personal stuff and that puts me in a very vulnerable place and we girls, don't like to be vulnerable, but I know this'll be a good thing. Okay, now I'm done. The first one is up here. I hope you like it and I hope you still like me because I like each of you so very much. kbye.

xo.

Melisa

Meet The Sponsors // Part 2

Blog

Blog // Shop // Twitter // Facebook

 Blog // Twitter // Shop

Twitter // Blog 

Blog // Shop // Twitter

Blog // Twitter

Thanks so much sponsors!! What great advice you all had to share with us! I feel so lucky to share this space with such lovely and sweet girls! I love my sponsors; if you haven't already, please go say hi! Thanks so much!

xo.

Melisa

Meet The Sponsors // Part 1

 Blog // Shop  // Tumblr 

 Blog // Twitter

Blog // Shop

  Blog // Twitter // Facebook

 Twitter // Blog

 Shop // Blog // Facebook // Twitter

Thanks so much sponsors!! Please go visit each one of them and tell them how sweet they are. They are each such incredible young ladies and I feel so blessed that they're apart of my little blog. Thank you sponsors! I'll be sharing the next set of sponsors later today! ^_^

xo.

Melisa

PS: I'd also like to point out that you have until midnight tomorrow to sign up for the Shabby Apple Dress giveaway!!

Girl Talk: The Artist

I've had the privilege of knowing Jamila for about 6 years now, and let me tell you, this girl is amazing! Don't believe me? Well... Jamila is a fourth year student presently pursuing Bachelor of Art Degrees in museum conservation and German with a supplementary major in linguistics at NMSU with minors in anthropology, studio art and chemistry. She is proficient in five languages, teaches art at private school for non-traditional students ages K-12, AND she has just been accepted as an intern to the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of the American Indian where she will restore ethnographic materials for an exhibition opening on the mall in autumn. Whoa. just whoa. Here, be inspired...

What is your job title?

F-f-f-f-ull time student and working artist. I also teach art at a private school for non-traditional students.

What do you love about yourself?

I love my sense of humor. My favorite activity in all the world is laughing. It’s great too, because you can do it just about anywhere. I love to laugh, I actually enjoy giggling, and I always remember good laugh attacks. And when I think back fondly on a laugh attack, I’ll usually go ahead and start laughing again, as if I was still there, making the same joke. I have laugh attack induced laugh attacks. I love most about myself that I laugh and I can make others laugh. Jack Handy once said, “Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis.” I live by this, well, at least the first part.

Who is your role model?

My role model, if I could bunch them into one, would be the marvelous team that is my parental-unit. My mother, the beautiful, artistic, poet that she is, and my father, the strongest, most brilliant and talented man that I have had the pleasure of knowing, have formed the most dynamic and positive influence in my life. If I had been given a lifetime to write all the qualities that I wanted in two guardians, I still couldn’t have fully described the wonder that are my mother and father. I aspire to live my life as they do, and they are therefore my role models. They believe, above everything else, to pursue happiness. My parents have always put my brother and I before any and all, and for this I couldn’t be more thankful.

What inspires you?

I find beauty in simple things.  I find big, full, clouds on bright blue days to be especially inspiring. I find the goodwill of people to be the single positive driving force. There is nothing more moving than seeing someone go out of their way for a complete stranger.

I find true inspiration in the blissful and adoring disposition of my dog, Havannah. I come home exhausted after working two jobs, being in class ALL day and studying for at the very least 2-3 hours (this really happens I promise I’m not being over-dramatic) and I walk in the door and see one happy, jumping dog bouncing in front of me, greeting me with kisses (slobbery licks, if you will). This moment, though overwhelming at times, always reminds me to find nirvana in the simple moments. Havannah sees me every day, yet it doesn’t make our greeting any less special to her.  Then I clean her poop.

What are 5 words that describe you?

Loving, creative, charismatic, illiterate.

See, it’s funny because that was only four. But if you fell for it, or didn’t call me on my insensitivity, shame on you. Illiteracy is a huge problem in the US, just shy of 3 million people cannot read or write. So what’s the 5th word? Informed, I suppose. ‘Water’ works too, as it describes 70% of me pretty accurately.

What is your biggest insecurity?

 I suppose my biggest insecurity is meeting the expectations of being an adult.  

If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be?

You might think that I would choose someone brilliant or noble, someone with great power, fulfilling civil duties, or from history, maybe Aristotle, Sophocles, or the great Popsicles, but as odd as it may be if I could walk in anyone’s 7 inch stilettos for a day it would be Lady Gaga. The Gaga is RAD if I’ve ever seen it, and I don’t think I could deal with the responsibility of being a historic figure, or an ancestor. I could however, sing my little heart out on a decked out, colorful stage and go by ‘mother monster’ for a day.  If I could stand being Paris Hilton for a day I would deposit large sums of my money into a young New Mexican girl’s bank account.

Website // Facebook

Pretty great huh?? I thought so too. In case you missed yesterday's post, she also painted a lovely portrait of the Mr and I. She does other commissioned work, so go and visit her site! Thank you Jamila, we loved talking with you!

xo.

Melisa

Art by Jamila

Oh my heavens. The other day I received the best gift ever! It was a hand-painted portrait of the Mr and I!! It is perfection and I am in love. I couldn't help but just stare at it. My sweet friend Jamila drew/painted it for me and I am simply smitten!!

Thank you Jamila!! She does other custom paintings so be sure to visit her site!! OH and I need to admit, the photos really don't do it justice; the colors are so much prettier in person^_^

xo.

Melisa

A few more...

The Mr sent me some photos he took the other day with his iphone. As if there weren't enough pictures of this day, I thought I'd share them with you^_^

This is my fourth post today. Whoa. Today I'll be spending much needed girl time with Kelsey and some of our students from our youth group. Things expected; a craft store run, swimming, eating, photo taking and lots of chatting, ie a good  day indeed!

xo.

Melisa

Music Monday

I love music. It is such a huge and important part of my life. It's so personal to me that I really dislike sharing it with other people, ha! Certain songs become such a part of my life that I feel like if I share it with someone, they'll take it for granted, or not appreciate it the way it should be, so weird right?? I've been like this for most of my life, and it kinda drove my friends crazy. I know that people could find these songs on their own and their not really "mine," but they feel like they are. And if I share then it's like a little piece of myself. I associate fond memories with each one, I identify with the lyrics or simple melodic lines, I just love music. And not just some music, I love all types of music; folk to reggae, classical to pop, acoustic to rock, bluegrass to jazz, country to gospel, I just love it all! Music is just wonderful. It soothes my heart, it gets me ready for my day, it assures me when I doubt myself, it gets me excited, it makes my heart beat fast, it brings tears to my eyes, it sees me at my worst and helps me through the darkest times, it hears my loud singing, it sees my dancing, it knows exactly what my heart wants to say... I'm not joking, I really love music. I'm trying to be more giving and not hoard songs, ha! and have decided to share with you a new song every week that I love. We will call it Music Monday because I love alliterations. I have over 2,000 songs in my itunes library, and that's not counting the countless cds that I haven't transferred over. eep! I love music and I want to love sharing music too! Here's to growing!

Why I love this song // I love the passion in this song. It invokes a certain feeling that I can't really describe; like I want to dance, or climb a mountain, or overcome something great! haha! I never took any dance classes when I was a kid, but I've always wished I had learned ballet. If I knew how to do ballet, I would do so, to this song. It's just beautiful. I'm sure you had heard of it before, but now you know why I love it and I'm one step closer to becoming someone who shares music. ^_^

xo.

Melisa