Living a BLESSED life

Good day my lovely bloggettes! Yes... I am ALIVE... alive forever more! Things have been changing in my life, and I'm embracing the fast-pace change with wide open arms! Things you should know about the latest happs:

I started a new career, and I am now a TROJAN! I super duper miss being with the Beaver Nation, but I'll always bleed orange in my heart! I'm also very grateful for this new chapter in our lives, and am very prepared to FIGHT ON!

We are officially back in Cali... Cali... Cali (mentioned here a few weeks back)! We found a new home in the South Bay, meaning we're near and dear to our loved ones yet again. 

I've been having a blast in a glass modeling my new business attire! Can't wait til we unpack boxes when I can really mix and match and wear different shoes (besides the two black pairs I've been rotating for over 2 weeks now)!

These are just snippets of what's been surfacing through mi vida loca. BUT I cannot wait to read and catch up on all of you gal pals! It might take me awhile to get back on track on the regular reading/posting... work has been consuming my energy, and so has moving! I definitely think about you guys A LOT, and I've missed you all so soooooo much!

High Five for Life Lately

Happy Friday!! I know I've been absent yet again, BUT in all for good reasons! We were in the midst of packing, cleaning, moving, and all that jazz.

Besides the moving hustle and bustle, I've had quite a week! I'm linking up with Lauren at Lauren Elizabeth for a High Five for Friday, and catching you up with my life lately!

:: one ::

My Dad and Aunt helped us move this past weekend, which mean frequent stops to fuel up! I did some mighty fine fueling up with this chocolate-marshmallow-whipped-cream-with-sprinkles deliciousness!

:: two ::

While on our road trip, we made sure to stop and visit with the precious curly haired handsome lil' man! He got some bonding in himself with Moana.

:: three ::

We made it home to celebrate my sister's birthday on Monday! Sang her a sweet song to celebrate life, and indulged on the best Oreo ice-cream cake! Happy birthday month to her... wishing her nothing but the best because she IS the best!

:: four ::

We got a great welcome home from the family, including new bedding and curtains in our temporary room! I feel so humble knowing I have such an amazing family who continuously gives blessings.

:: five ::

Tagged along with this handsome Hubs of mine to USC while he met up with some athletic peeps. Meanwhile, my cousin and I toured the campus... and some!

Don't forget to link up at Lauren Elizabeth for a H54F!

Faith Conquers Fear

As most of you know, I've been a bit MIA up in herrrr because I'm in the midst of some change (if you missed it, catch it here). So a few months ago, I opened up about saying goodbye to a chapter in life. At the time, I wasn't ready to open up about the deets, and I really haven't been ready since. BUT things are changing in a great way, and what better time to share than now?

In August I officially finished graduate school, and was rewarded my Ph.D. In September, I finished up working with the football office at OSU. I was sad to leave the people I was working with for over three years. This was such a great place to work for... very laid back, friendly, energetic, and a family environment. Looking back on it now, it was an emotional farewell for me... emotions stemming from the fact that I was also done with school. Leaving OSU meant that it was officially time to start searching for a start in my career. This was H U G E!!

School has consumed the majority of my life. Finishing up graduate school left me a bit clueless. Leaving that environment meant opening a new chapter of this thing called LIFE. Since leaving school and OSU, I was pounding the pavement, so to speak. I was still working from my home office with a consulting company, but only on a part-time basis. This pace was soooooo different! I was searching, networking, searching, networking for 8-10 hours during the weekdays. I was also able to work on submitting my dissertation for publication, which succeeded! I tried to keep busy as I would always be during school, but career searching sucked out another kind of energy from me. I would submit 3-5 applications/resumes each day, and maybe only hear from 2 or 3 people each month. In a nutshell, it felt like I was spending every waking moment to submit my resume into a black hole.

Fast forward to seven months later, after a ton of lows... feeling as if I were stuck in this place where nobody wanted to take a chance on a newly grad, my faith being tested in every single way you can ever imagine, having my husband and family there to constantly pick me up, encouraged by the scripture and growing closer to our Heavenly Father, here I am! Starting a new career back home!! Moving to the South Bay area in So Cal, close to the beach and even closer to the sun (well, through all that smog, the sun is somewhere)!! I am SO thankful... SO blessed.... SO grateful. Those scary moments that I wasn't able to open up because I let fear get the best of me are GONE. I'm learning to knock down that fear with faith! I'M COMIN' HOME!!

*Funny Story* I made a sign when we went home for Spring Break saying, "Dear O'Hana, We're hooome!!" and posted it in my aunt's house. As soon as word hit the street that I was offered THE job, my little cousin sent me this picture, and she added "... we're MOVING BACK hooome FOREVER!!"  How adorbs is she?!?!

High Five for Spring Break!

1. Hubs and I went to the football banquet this past weekend and wished the seniors off well.

2. Made this pretty lil' thang this week, and I'm lovin' it!

3. I finally made some time for new bright workout pieces!

4. The pups got a bath this week... which means no outdoors for a few days so they stay clean... which means they've been entertaining themselves indoors quite effectively.

5. (not pictured) Spring break officially begins at the end of today!!!!! WAHOOOOO!

I'm linking up today with Lauren at From My Grey Desk for a H54F!

GREEN and Sassy

Happy day after St. Patty's Day to you all!! Hope you had a great time celebrating the luck of the Irish, and hope you guys aren't hurting too much today (if you indulged in a beer... or two... or more). Just wanted to spread some love to you all by sharing some of my very limited green attire! Mint green counts, right??

And just because I've been gettin' sassy pants widdit, here's where I'm feelin' the inner photo shoot coming out in me!

This is honestly the only green item I have in my closet that I wear now-a-days. Makes me think I need to shop more for mints because I love how it looks paired with gold!

Welp, until that day comes where I have limitless green clothes, I'll share what I do have... my LLL's of the week....

LOVE

I love all the fun things hubs and I snatched while thrifting this weekend!! I've been having a blast with some arts and craft thangs, so beware... show and tell comin' up!

LEARN

I learned that FAITH is what determines whether we have the patience or not to trust in God's work and plan for us.

LAUGH

I laughed at a convo I had with my BFF, talking a million words a minute... telling her my emotions have been up and down lately, feeling hot and cold at times like I was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but that day I was feeling particularly good, and without the bad's there wouldn't be as glorious goods, but I'm so grateful of the blessings  I do have in life.... and when I finally paused to catch my breath, she asked me, "So which Bev am I speaking with NOW??" That caused me to slow down for sure, while I laughed at the fact that she even caught what I was saying! Gotta love our BFF's!!

Wrap it up!

Being that hubs and I are (pretend to be) WINE-oh's... we've collected plenty wine bottles and even more wine corks! Gotta start using these puppies up so they're not sitting bland in the corner of our kitchen... on the side of the microwave.

We (yes WE since hubs has been on his Pinterest game) found a cute and simple tutorial on spicing up a wine bottle!

What do you think? Worth covering up your bare naked bottles you collect? I THINK SO!

Scarf and Heels

I just can't get over my pink pumped up kicks or my LC Lauren Conrad chambray! The sun has been glistening lately, but it's still in the 50's which means I can still rock a scarf to keep warm. It's a plus that the pink in it is right on point with my pink stellies!

Here's my LLL's of this past week...

LOVE

I love the time I get to spend with my little family (hubs and our doggies). It's not often we have the entire day together, especially because hubs works Mondays through Saturdays, and occasionally goes in Sunday for a few hours. This weekend, we spent the gorg day at the Oregon Coast and let the pups run free in the water while we walked down the shoreline.

LEARN

I learned something again which I haven't put into practice in quite awhile. Ask and you shall receive... when I pray for something, I learned to pray and ask for something specific... not just "good in my life," but whatever it is that I am working towards.

LAUGH

I laughed when my hubs asked me for my log-in information for Pinterest. He downloaded it on his iPad so he can research some DIY ideas, and I caught him searching Men's Fashion.... this guy!!

This Little Light of Mine

A week ago from today, I was celebrating another year of glorious life. Makes me realize how time really flies... if I feel like I was blowing out the candle on my tiramasu like it was just yesterday, I can only imagine (not quite remember!) all that time that has elapsed in the first third of my life. This past birthday was one that I really reflected back on what I've accomplished, failed forward with, and learned. I also thought about the direction I want to head in throughout the next third of my life... and how my attitude will be the driving force behind it all.

A few things that have and always will remain constant in my life....

• HUBS... He's been the driving force behind who I am today. He's the one to support my triumphs, pick me up when I fall down, and cheer me on when I'm running short on fuel.
• FAMILY... They are always encouraging me through every chapter of my life. From my long education journey... to moving away and trying to make my way back him! I wouldn't be the person I am today without them!
• FRIENDS... They (YOU GUYS TOO) always have my back and show me love just as my family would! I consider my friends my family (and my family my friends!). They help me feel normal at the most "weirdest" times of my life!

Whether it's your past, future or present... appreciate and lean on the things that have made you the person you are today, and the person you aspire to be! Let your little light shine on yourself and others each and every day!

Loving these Five Faves

Happy FRIDAY!!! Woohoo for all you that have a 3-day weekend celebrating President's Day on Monday! Linking up for a H54F with Lauren at From My Grey Desk, here are my top five faves of the week!

1. I've been making it a priority to get on my Vita-Veta-Vegamin game, taking a dose every morning! Another one of my 2013 resolutions that has been full effect starting this week! 
2. The cutest little boy in all America, my little nephew Ese, turned ONE this week! He's growing wayyy too fast :/
3. Laughed my life away as my man put on a show for me while busting a smooth move to ADORN by Miguel.
4. We had some phenominal weather this week, and the shadows came out!
5. Valentine's Day was delightful, especially when these were delivered to my door. BEST HUBS EVAHHH!

Have yourselves a lovely long weekend! I sho will.. my day of birth be Monday FUNday ;)

Organizing Chaos

I don't know if you got the gist by now, but I've been getting in touch more and more lately with my arts and craft side. On my blogiversary, I told you guys I wanted to head in a different direction with my bloggy blog... one of the ways being to pay it forward and be of service to you wonderful people!  I hope me crafting and showing some easy peasy ideas has inspired you to take time out of your busy schedules to partake in fun times! So here I am... taking my job serious and making initiative to make the time for my DIY Sundays! 

I pulled down my arts and craft box about a month ago, and it's been sitting on our kitchen table in a hot mess (want proof?? see the MESSY pic below!). Hubs and I have been eating on the couches because of the lack of open space on the kitchen table (whatta sport he be!). It stayed on the kitchen table for about 3 weeks... I just didn't have the energy to sort through it all, or any idea of where to begin! 

THEN... one day while clicking blog after blog, I discovered one of my most faves to read nowadays! IHeart Organizing... right up my ally!!! Jen blogs about different ways to organize... and in style! I came across her post about recycling and using cereal boxes as drawer dividers. BOOM!! There goes my starting point for my arts and craft box! I knew I had to create compartments to separate my items. And what better way to do this other than using things I can recycle and already had in the house?? I even took the cereal box idea a step further, and used other boxes/containers I knew would fit just right!

Even though these dividers would be sitting in my arts and craft box, I still wanted to cover up what I was able to with some wrapping paper and material I had! After all, my craft box is clear and you can see a peep of the sides of the containers!

After wrapping these bad boys up, I was ready to organize this chaos! It was like trying to fit puzzle pieces together the best way possible. Moving things here and there, I finally found the best layout and ran with it!

 

I swear to you... having things in their own "home" makes my crafting so much easier. I can actually see everything I have, and utilize things I forgot about because they were hiding under my layers and layers of stickers! I even utilized this little bag my sweet hubs picked up for me for the doodads that don't fit in my box! The pockets are zeee bayyyyst!

Friends... I encourage you to chiggity check Jen's blog out and get your wheels turning as to how get chyo' life organized! 

I be ready now...  a crafting WE WILL GO! If you haven't seen it, peep my XO door decor here. Annnnndddddddd... get ready for some show and tell of my Valentine's Day crafting on Thursday!

Outfit LOVE

Feelin' the love this month thus far, and my outfit says so! Since my bad lighting snaps I took indoors last week, I managed to make it outdoors for my hubs to snap a few pics of me (thank goodness it was dry for at least a day!).

Hubs was able to capture the key pieces I told him are my "outfit highlights" (bless his soul for listening!)

Have you been bitten by this February LOVE bug?!