Christmas Reading.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4-7

This is the Gospel. I am so thankful there's nothing I can do to take away His love for me, because He knows I screw it all up on a regular basis. 

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the freedom to sit by the fire and read all the books I haven't had time to read during the semester. Last Christmas I read almost all of the Harry Potter series, this Christmas I've been looking for a little more of a variety. Here's my reading list for this short but sweet break. Enjoy. 

1Q84- Haruki Murakami

I read The Wind Up Bird Chronicle over the summer and while I already loved Murakami, I grew to love him more. It is so interesting to read his work and all the postmodern themes. I have heard this novel is one of his best works and I am so excited to read it. 

A Visit From the Goon Squad- Jennifer Egan

This novel has been on my reading list for quite a while and recently I caved in Barnes & Noble and bought it. I have never read any of Egan's work, but any novel about rock music I will gladly explore. 

The Catcher in the Rye- J. D. Salinger

A bit of an interesting story behind this one. Last Christmas I received a beautiful box set of Salinger's work and hadn't gotten around to reading any of it until now. When I was studying abroad, I read Franny & Zooey and fell in love with Salinger's writing style. He is a master of dialogue. I can only hope to create as chilling a conversation as he features on a regular basis. 

You may be asking, 'why in the world have you not read The Catcher in the Rye?' Well, calm down. We began reading this book in one of my classes in high school, aloud, together, and never finished it. I wish I had continued reading it on my own, but better late than never, right? 

This is How You Lose Her- Junot Díaz

I read The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao in my English class last Spring and was captivated by Díaz's unique writing style and postmodern feel. I am so excited to read another one of his works and it helps that this version of the book has some of the writer's own illustrations. Win win. 

Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour an Introduction- J. D. Salinger

This book also came in the Salinger box set, along with Franny & Zooey and Nine Stories. I am currently reading this book as we speak and I am blown away by the mastermind that is Salinger. 

*Stay tuned for my review of this work on Monday!*

On Booze- F. Scott Fitzgerald

If you know me, you know that Fitzgerald changed my world of reading forever when I was 17 years old. He is my inspiration, and when I found this little gem in the store the other day I couldn't pass it up.  A collection of F. Scott Fitzgerald's best drinking stories with an adorably simple cover. What more could you ask for? 

**in the first picture**

Bobbed Hair and Bathtub Gin- Marion Meade

Following the 20s theme, this book describes the lives of writers Dorothy Parker, Zelda Fitzgerald, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and Edna Ferber. It was recommended to me by perhaps my favorite English professor in the world and I can't wait to be sucked into the world of the 20s all over again. 

What's on your reading list? 

See my Summer 2013 reading list here. 

Llamas in Scarves.

The Lord has made known his salvation;

    he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

Psalm 98:2

Well, hey, everyone. It's good to be back. As you may have noticed, I've been on a pretty serious hiatus. I think I needed some time to realize what it is I really like about blogging. I think I have been reminded of all the good things it offers and I'm ready to return. 

Life has been very busy but it's been wonderful. I've got some great friends and family and I have so enjoyed spending time with them during this holiday season. I hope you all have had a good time celebrating. 

I may have not been blogging, but I have been very active with updating my flickr, photography tumblr, and instagram. Please check them out if you get the chance and see what I have been up to! 

I look forward to how this blog will develop in the coming year and I hope you will stick with me to see it all. 

beanie: Free People

sweater: Urban Outfitters

jeans: Paige 

boots: DV by Dolce Vita

GardnerAndMe.

 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 

Romans 8:5

 Jesus, today I am thankful for your perfection. You never change. You never fall asleep. You never fail. You are always looking out for me, protecting me, loving me. I am thankful that my emotions do not determine your feelings for me. You are constant when I am anything but. You are so good and I can't even begin to grasp it. I am a complete wreck. I fail you on a regular basis. Thank you for loving me anyways.

It's scarf weather! Finally. Fall seems to take forever in Columbia. Yesterday, however, I found the most perfect tree. Orange leaves and everything. It's an anomaly here. I try to step on as many crunchy leaves as I can before they disappear. And they turn out beautifully in a photograph. 

I also found the perfect scarf. Hand-made by a beautiful friend of mine. Janie of GardnerAndMe is incredibly talented. She makes thick, cozy scarves that will keep your neck warm until the end of time. And the best part? These scarves are for sale! Check out her Etsy shop and order one! They are made with love and prayer and you can certainly feel the difference. 

scarf: GardnerAndMe

jacket: Barbour

shirt: Mom's 

jeans: Marc by Marc Jacobs

boots: Steve Madden 

Have a great day!

Music Monday: TV On The Radio.

Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.

Ecclesiastes 11:1

Well hey y'all. Long time, no see. My life has been a whirlwind these past few weeks and I'll be honest with you, I haven't really wanted to blog. I felt like I had nothing to say and yet had so much that I wanted to tell you. It was weird. But whatever. I'm back now. And the Lord is teaching me something big. Something I think I will never fully learn. Trusting in Him. It is one of the most difficult things for me to do. Instead, I am anxious and want to control what is around me. I get frustrated when things aren't going how I want them to. And it's all a result of my lack of trust in Him. I read this verse this morning and realized a relationship with Christ is founded on trust. I need to trust that He wants what's best for me and isn't withholding anything good from me. Sorry for the word vomit. Just needed to get that out there. 

So, in other news, Breaking Bad is taking over my life. Curse you, Netflix. I am approaching my last semester of college. I am loving taking photos more than ever. I am trying to get my priorities straight. And I want to come back to blogging. I'm going to take a little baby step and share this song with y'all. It was on the episode of Breaking Bad I watched last night. I was a big fan of this band in high school and man, it takes me back. Enjoy! 

Have a great Monday! I've got an outfit post coming your way tomorrow so stay tuned! 

What I'm Loving.

They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:20

This verse is changing my life right now. The Lord wants us to live in the present. He gives us enough to be joyful in the present. He can keep us occupied if we let Him. 

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I have had zero time. And frankly I think this hiatus has been good. I'm not sure if I'm ready to be back to blogging on a regular basis quite yet. We shall see. Anyways, here is a post with some things I have been loving lately. 

This song by You Me and Apollo melts my heart. 

And this beautiful image from tumblr. 

I've been working really hard on my photography tumblr. Please check it out! 

Have a great night! 

Martha's Vineyard: Day 2

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Matthew 16:24-25 

Once again, a little photo diary. Day 2 in Martha's Vineyard. Enjoy! 

pants--Anthropologie

boots--DV by Dolce Vita

Martha's Vineyard: Day 1

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 

Galatians 6:2

I'm going to let this be a little photo diary. There isn't time to say much but I wanted to share some of these photos with y'all! Enjoy. 

Sigur Ros.

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

Tonight's sermon at Midtown was incredible, as usual. I have really been thinking of what it means to find significance in life lately and this is just what I need. Soloman had EVERYTHING and he studied, trying to find what is worthwhile. He found nothing under the sun that can fill the void we have in our souls. All I could think was "Thank you, Jesus'. If I didn't have Him loving me perfectly, walking with me, sharing with me, I would have nothing to live for. This life is meaningless without Jesus. Thank God for Him!! 

Saturday night I saw Sigur Ros in Raleigh. It was one of the most incredible and unique concerts I've ever been to. They're the most inspiring band. Even though I can't understand the words, I left with so much emotion. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to see them perform. Now to go to Iceland! 

photos by my sister, Olivia

Can you tell I'm obsessed with this shirt? It's really the best. 

shirt--Anthropologie

jeans--Madewell 

Just for the heck of it, here's probably one of my most favorite songs of all time. Prepare to cry your eyes out at the beauty of it. 

Have a great day! 

My new favorite shirt.

If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 

Romans 8:11

I am probably going to repeat this outfit all over the place. Y'all may have realized how much I love denim shirts. So when I found this one at Anthropologie, I went a little insane. It feels like a t-shirt, yet looks so much more unique. It would be an understatement to say I am a little obsessed. 

photos by Annie Drowne

denim shirt-- Anthropologie

shorts--Tildon

ankle boots-- Steve Madden (similar style HERE)

Have a great day! 

Birkenstocks.

And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. 

Ephesians 2:22

Lately there's just been so much to do! But I love it. I love being busy. I love thinking about what I have to do next. I think I am finally getting into my element and figuring out what I actually enjoy doing. As a senior in college, I think it's about time. 

I bought some birkenstocks a few weeks ago and I am in love. They're so comfortable and much cuter than chacos (don't worry, I have some of those, too). I am so thankful comfortable, supportive shoes are coming back in style. 

photos by my sister, Olivia

shirt--from Bohemian in Columbia, SC (old) 

shorts--from Hayley's boutique in Raleigh, NC

sandals--Birkenstock Arizona Soft Sole

sunglasses--Target 

Have a great day!