Friendship

Choosing our friends is a hard thing to do, but it is necessary. So why is who we choose to spend our time with so important? Because ultimately, our friends are who make us who we are.

The Afters - Light Up The Sky

Recipe: Tuna Salad

In the summer, I love to eat some tuna or chicken salad. It's a very light and refreshing meal when it is so hot outside! Here is a quick and simple recipe for tuna salad that is very tasty and healthy too!

5 Fun Date Ideas for Summer

Looking for some fun things to do with your man this summer? Here's a few ideas of things to do and places to go during the warmer months.

Don't Look Back: Remember Lot's Wife

At church this morning, our pastor opened his sermon by reciting a dramatic three-word Bible verse, Luke 17:32. Three quick and somewhat odd words from the mouth of Jesus: "Remember Lot's wife."

Lot's wife. A character so insignificant her name isn't even mentioned in any part of the Bible. But Jesus wants us to remember her. Why?

My pastor referenced us back to Genesis 19 for her story. Lot and his family are living in Sodom, a wicked town filled with people committing all kinds of despicable sins. Angels appear to Lot and tell him to get his family out of the town because God is about to destroy it. The angels tell him, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back!"

Lot, his wife, and their two daughters reluctantly obey. They don't want to go. It's their home. They don't want to leave everything they know and love behind, but they do.

As soon as they start along their way out of Sodom, God's wrath pours down on the city and it's obliterated behind them. Against the angels' instructions, Lot's wife stops and turns around to look back at the carnage, to get one last look at the home she's leaving. That's when she, famously, turns into a pillar of salt.

That's what Jesus wanted us to remember.

I know there are many ways you could personally interpret that passage to fit your life, but today the message I got was this: don't look back. Don't live in the past. Keep your eyes on the future, on the road ahead, on the goal, on the prize.

Maybe you're new to the faith. Or maybe you're trying to start over for the umpteenth time in your Christian walk. Maybe you've got a sinful or an unhealthy habit you're trying to shake. Whatever the case, don't look back and get discouraged by your past sins, struggles, or failures. They won't turn you into salt, but they'll drag you down and try to convince you that you can't change.

Don't look back. Forget about where you've been, what you've done or what you haven't done, and focus only on what you can do. Then do it. Move on. Move forward.

Product Review: Revlon Top Speed Nail Polish

$4-5 (Walmart, Target, drugstores)

Revlon claims their new Top Speed Nail Polish dries in 60 seconds. Now, I didn't set a timer and put them to the test, but I did notice that it dried considerably faster than my normal polish (Sally Hansen). I also liked the applicator brush better than Sally Hansen's; the polish seemed to glide on easier.

Here's a bad picture of what 2 dry coats looked like:

The color I used is called Chili. Like I said, this picture is kind of bad, but I was really pleased with the appearance. Very bright and bold.

I'm just a little confused about how dry they mean it's supposed to be in 60 seconds. It was barely touchable in about 2 minutes, and there definitely would have been smudges if I hadn't let my nails dry for a while longer. I guess I was hoping for completely dry nails in an instant, and that, I didn't get. 

 

4/5 winks

If You're Happy and You Know It...

Ever noticed how when everything is going your way, you tend to forget about God? But when the world is crashing down and everything in your life is left in crumbles, that is when you turn to Him? Yeah, that is the case in a LOT of Christians today. We ask God for help, healing, and miracles but we don't even take time to thank Him for the things He has given us. God sent Jesus, His son, to die for OUR sins and yet we only turn to Him when we want something? Why are we so selfish and greedy? We are humans. But that's not an excuse. Thanking God for His love is not for His sake, but for ours. It is a reminder of how amazing He is and keeps us from forgetting what He has done for us.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. -James 1:17

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
-Psalm 34:1

Next time things are going your way, don't forget to thank the One that is responsible for every good thing!

5 Things Essential For Any Girl's Closet

Dealing with: Stress

One word that can sum up my whole college life: stress. Stress can be caused by all kinds of things: work, money, school, guys, family, or even friends. Stress can cause us to do things we will later regret, like spouting off to someone, giving in to a situation where we are pressured, or just giving up. I wish there was a simple solution to stress, but I don't know of one. The Bible does, however, give encouragement when it comes to stress.

"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30

5 Cute Winter Scarves Under $17

With prices ranging from $9.99 to $16.99, these adorable knit scarves will keep you warm all winter long without breaking the bank.

House of Heroes - In the Valley of the Dying Sun

What Do You Want?

Have you ever dated someone and later looked back and thought, "What was I thinking?" Or liked someone that had little to nothing in common with you? Well, we are all humans, meaning we don't have the power to predict the future or how a certain relationship will work out. But if you take this advice, it might weed out the unsuitable suitors a little easier.

Get Celeb Style for Cheap: Jennifer Hudson

A slimmed down Jennifer Hudson looks gorgeous in the classic little black dress!

Shop for Jennifer's look now:

Dress
Shoes
Earrings
Bracelet
Polish

Switchfoot - The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)

 

I thought this was awesome. You should check it out!

Lyrics can be read here:

http://artists.letssingit.com/switchfoot-lyrics-the-sound-3pb8zwc

(There are pop-ups on that site.)

Recipe: Baked Bananas Foster

This warm, rich dessert is reminiscent of a homemade banana pudding and perfect for a wintertime treat. And the best part? It's only 135 calories!

Color Trend: Pale Blue and Chocolate Brown

See affordable ways to get this look!

5 Ways to Change Up Your Room

It's a new year and who wants to carry the same old baggage into a brand new year? If you're like me, you'll take any excuse you can have to change things up a bit. Here are some very obvious, but inexpensive (for the most part) ways to change up your space!

9 Things To Do While You're Single

Being alone doesn't have to be sad and boring! Give a few of these fun ideas a try.

1.) Have girls night – Invite the friends over, do makeovers, facial masks (like this one), and just have girl talk!

2.) Take yourself out on a date – Take yourself for a nice dinner, to that movie you’ve been dying to see, or just out for ice cream.
 

3.) Buy yourself flowers – Who doesn’t love getting flowers? Being from yourself makes them no less beautiful.
 

Makeup Tutorial: Cheap and Easy Smoky Eye

This easy version of the smoky eye is subtle enough to be worn everyday. With a little extra liner and shadow, it can be amped up for a dramatic special-occasion-only look. Click any of the photos to enlarge for more detail.

Product Review: Rimmel The Max Volume Flash Mascara

$6-7 (Walmart, Target, drugstores)

I'm not sure when Rimmel London released this product, but I stumbled upon it for the first time in late December. I've always been pleased with their mascara, so I was excited to give this one a try.

Rejection

Rejection is an extremely painful thing. It is a mixture of anxiety over “putting yourself out there” and the wound that is made when you are turned away. Believe me, I’ve been rejected more than once. It hurts, it makes you lose confidence, and most of all, it can cause you to hate yourself. This should not be the case! If you are rejected, just learn from it and move on. It simply means it was the wrong person, wrong time, or a combination of both.

Mat Kearney's Closer to Love

If you haven't checked out Mat Kearney, you should definitely do so. His music is awesome and inspiring. Check out his music video for one of my favorite songs, "Closer to Love".

Cutest Flats

I am a tall girl, around 5'9". I love the way heels look, but I never wear them because I do not like being taller than everyone else in the room. Maybe this is a confidence issue, something I should be working on. But for the time being, I'll probably stick to flats. I searched Target and Forever 21, my two favorite stores, for the cutest and cheapest flats out there!

Leopard Print - Forever21.com
$18.80
These animal print flats are extremely cute and the light pink and gray would match a lot of different outfits.