Coffee & Honeycomb: Inspiration

Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts

MOVE-IN APARTMENT TOUR

Saturday, September 27, 2014

I've been meaning to share these photos for awhile now, but once work started, things got busier delaying the post. However, the apartment hasn't changed too much since I took these photos, so I thought I'd share these now and update as I go along! The walls are still bare and I plan to throw up some photos and art to it, but I'm saving those Pinterest projects for winter when I'm hibernating. ;)

So far living alone has been great :) In a couple of days, it will mark an official month of being in Minnesota. (Time flies!) I really do miss living with my roommates and all the fun that it brings — eating dinner together, talking while getting ready, convincing one another to stay in and pop in a movie, and spontaneous adventures, etc. And it's definitely not like living with my parents who lovingly keep the house tidy and food on the table (gosh, I took those times for granted), but living alone also brings new liberation!

While I miss having roommates, one of my favorite things about living alone (so far) is having full control of the decoration and organization. So much clean space to work with, let me tell you, it is one big canvas. It took me a couple of days to unload my life out of boxes and plan out a strategic way to maximize my studio, but it was totally worth it. Now I am completely pleased with how it turned out and I enjoy coming home to it. :)

Take a look!

The walls are gray in the bedroom and the lighting is very dim, so it kind of washes out the space so I want to think of a remedy to this problem. Also, does anyone know an inexpensive place to find cute pillows to add?

I'm still finding good pieces to decorate my desk, but you should recognize this from my old 'working space' post back when I moved into my college apartment!

And there you go! :) If you have a recent post sharing a tour of your apartment/dorm, leave a comment below and I'd love to check it out! :) Home tours always give me the best inspo!

SHOP ETSY & A NEW KIND OF PLANNING

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

I haven't shared too much about my Etsy shop on this blog before, but there's a couple of exciting things I'm planning so I wanted to give you guys a sneak peek and ask for your opinion! :)

2015 planners are already releasing, so I wanted to try to take a stab at it myself — with my own twist! Everybody who knows me knows I am addicted to planners (and pretty much all things stationary.) To me, a good planner is one that is both functional and reflective of his/her personal style. I used a Moleskine for all four years in college and it was great for school. There was room for daily to-do's, and extra space to doodle and jot down any inspiration that came my way! There are all sorts of planners out there these days (and these Simplifed Planners totally catch my eye), but there was never really a type for other thoughts I wanted to get down...

So I created a weekly planner where you can put pen to paper the stuff not only in your head, but also in your heart and soul. A place where you can pause after a long week of crossing things off your checklist, paying your bills, and running errands, so you can let your soul breathe for a minute. Reflect, re-evaluate, and process that whirlwind of a week you just went through. Because whether you feel accomplished or exhausted or a complicated combination of both, you were made for so much more than grocery lists and errands. At least that's what was going on in my heart for awhile - and I don't think I'm alone.

Planners are so great, and while I will always be a huge advocate for them, I know I tied myself to productivity and accolades for a long time, and I learned there is more to life than making lists and making plans. So in the small spaces of white in my journal, I started scribbling more than how to wring out more minutes in a day or more responsibilities to add to my plate. I started writing about the status of my soul... Things I was thankful for, like the tips I received at work and the spontaneous dinner date my roommates and I had, things I was learning, things I wanted to start praying for, and also bible verses or quotes that inspired me. I did that for about 6 months or so, and it really changed my perspective of work, life, and friendships... And the other day I thought — hey, why not make a planner for this?!

So I did. Err, at least I'm trying. :) From the desk of Coffee & Honeycomb, here is a [working] draft of what it looks like thus far! I wanted to give you all a sneak peek. What do you think? Would you use something like this? What other colors would you like to see? Is there another "space" in the planner I'm missing? Please, please, please share your thoughts because I would love to hear them!

Speaking of all things Etsy, the Etsy swap is back on! Bloggers Amy from Taking Steps Home and Megan from Rivers and Roads are hosting their third Etsy swap — and you can be a part of it, too. I just signed up for it and I'm so, so, so excited to participate. I've never been part of a swap before, but snail mail and etsy is TOTALLY my jam so I'm all in. I hope you are, too! Who knows, maybe I'll be your secret sender. ;) The rules are really simple and you can find them, as well as frequently asked questions, over at either of their blogs. You have until the 17th to sign! Hope to see you there.

XO.

BABY STEPS (APRIL)

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Happy April, friends! :)

Many of my goals from March didn't happen so you'll see them repeated again this month. I was just busy wrapping up several personal projects, so I didn't get around to some of them but that's okay. Many other things were accomplished so I was happy to see these projects appear in April's list again.

Here are my baby steps for April. I actually created a fun little goals sheet for myself because I'm super excited about this month — and I created a free printable for you, too! Download it for yourself, add your goals, post it up where you can see it! If it's right in front of you, you'll be more likely to remember and accomplish the goals.

The one on the left is mine, and the one the right is for you! Just right-click it, press 'save', and print it! Easey-peasey. :)

I'd love to see what your April goals are, as well. Feel free to comment below or send me a link to your own blog/instagram sharing your goals. We can keep each other accountable! Don't forget #coffeeandhoneycomb.

XO.

LINKS TO LOVE:

The EveryGirl shares eleven excuses to stop making in 2014.

Ann-Marie explains how she creates a fade effect on her photos using Photoshop. / I've always been curious on how to give my photos this tone, so this simple tutorial was so helpful.

Fun way to decorate utensils with washi tape

My sweet blogger-friend Amy started this amazing movement empowering women all over to believe in their loveliness.

Kelly Purkey always manages to find the most BEAUTIFUL coffee shops out there. I developed a deep crush for this one.

A recipe for a mint mocha shake - so making this one tomorrow

BOOKS OF THE SEASON : MARCH 2014

Sunday, March 16, 2014

A good book can make me so smitten. :) Reading has always been a favorite hobby of mine and I can get lost in a story for hours. Lately, I have been indulging in these reads and I am so, so, so thankful for strong Christian female authors who remind me of my identity as a daughter of God. Here are a few that made me feel alive in this season. (Fun fact: I am never one to read one book at a time. I am always elbow deep in multiple narratives.)

COLD TANGERINES : SHAUNA NIEQUIST
You all know what a big girl crush I have on Shauna Niequist, when I saw that this one was less than $3 for the Kindle version, I couldn't resist myself. I read this one last semester and it was a quick one to go through. It's random vignettes of her life, but you find yourself nodding along because it's chock-full of such true words. It makes you want to be thankful for even the very air you are breathing!

"You have stories worth telling, memories worth remembering, dreams worth working toward, a body worth feeding, a soul worth tending, and beyond that, the God of the universe dwells within you, the true culmination of super and natural."

THE GOOD & BEAUTIFUL GOD : JAMES BRYAN SMITH
I was given this book as a Christmas gift my sophomore year, and it drastically changed the way I practiced my spiritual walk. It taught me to slow down and shifted the way I view God into the one Jesus knew. The one who is good and beautiful. :) Each chapter goes through a different facet of God (loving, just, faithful, etc.) It corrected so many of my false views of God with new ones. :) I try to read this at least once every year, and I learn something new each time. I don't think I will ever get tired of reading it.

RESTLESS : JENNIE ALLEN
It's funny that I initially picked up this book because the cover caught my eye at a book store. They say to never judge a book by its cover, but for this one, I am very happy I did. :) I flipped through it and continued to read the synopsis on the back cover because the design inside was just beautiful. I purchased it because the synopsis was about being restless for wanting live a life the way God intended. It was the perfect read to accompany me as I entered in my second semester of senior year. It made me fall in love with the story of Joseph all over again, and more importantly, the God of Joseph. It reminded me that God is intricately writing a story for me using all of my gifts, pains, weaknesses, and strengths. All of it.

ANYTHING : JENNIE ALLEN
I love the way Jennie Allen writes and after "Restless," I wanted to read more. I just started on Friday so I'm only in the beginning of it, but I can never seem to put it down. Allen is so vulnerable in this book and really makes me question if I know God or if I just know about God—and why that difference is important. She shares on her own personal walk and random encounters with people along the way that have revealed God in unexpected places. I'm praying that as I continue to read this book, paired with my daily QT, God will reveal more of Himself to me and help me to live with freedom like I never have before.

:) I hope one of these pique your interests! Like I said, I like discovering new books so if you have any recommendations, feel free to leave a comment and tell me what books you are enjoying!

COFFEE IN PHOTOS : WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE

Saturday, March 15, 2014

GUEST POST: IN ITS TME

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Hello, Coffee and Honeycomb readers! I am so excited to be taking over Jenny's blog today. Jenny is one amazing soul and friend to me. She's full of encouragement, wisdom, and love and that's something I hope to be each and every day. But you knew that already, didn't you?

It's friendships like these that make me grateful for the blogging community. Because it really and truly is a community. One of the greatest lessons I've learned from blogging is the importance of being honest, open, and raw with your readers. While it's the hardest kind of post to write (can I get an amen?), it's also one of the most rewarding. These kinds of posts really open the door to friendships. They let you readers see you for who you really are, as a real human, and a relatable person. Plus, as a writer, they also help me process my emotions and deepen my faith, too. They let me get things out, help me admit my fears, help me process the events in my life, and help me realize how much what I need to work on. So if you ask me, it's a win-win situation. But it's a lot easier said than done, right? And that's why I'm here today. I'm here to encourage you to share your heart. I'm not pushing you to reveal your deepest darkest secrets (privacy is also important!) but I am encouraging you to be honest with your readers and friends. Be honest, be open, and be ready for all of the love that you'll receive. Be ready friends, because love is on its way. That said, Happy Valentine's Day! I promise I had no intention of writing a post like this with such crazy timing. I guess you could say love is in the air (and so are my terrible cliches and puns…). Thanks again for having me, Jenny!

GUEST POST: PAPER UMBRELLA

Friday, February 14, 2014

Hello there! Ella here from Paper Umbrella. When Jennifer asked me to do a guest post this week I knew I had to do something related to Valentine’s Day! I don’t usually do nail art posts, but I was inspired to come up with a few subtle nail designs for those of us who want to celebrate the day of love without being too over the top. Here are a couple of easy ideas to inspire you!

Red & Pink:
This one is a little more on the traditional side, and a little more time consuming than the design below. Start with your first color and paint your whole nail. Wait for this layer to dry. Take two pieces of tape and tape off the part you don’t want to paint over (see pictures). Paint on your next color. Wait for this layer to dry, take off the tape carefully, put on your next layer of tape, and paint on your next color. Wait for the paint to dry, remove the tape, and that’s it!

Glitter Heart:

Paint your nails a solid color. I chose something a little unconventional for Valentines Day – as much as I love pink, sometimes I like to stray from the traditional holiday colors. Make sure you let your nails dry really well. Now, take a small piece of tape, fold it in half, cut out a little heart, and unfold it. Stick the tape on your nail, making sure the edges are fully stuck to your nails. For this part, you can use either glitter nail polish or clear polish and some glitter. If you are using glitter, pour some out, and mix a little bit of clear polish with it. Make sure you haven’t picked up any huge chunks of glitter, and then paint a layer onto your nail. Wait for the polish to dry completely (seriously, be patient or you’re gonna ruin it!). Carefully take off the tape and you’re done!

There are lots of fun ideas to try around the internet for simple nail art, especially when it comes to Valentine’s Day themed nails! I would also like to try doing a French manicure with a glitter tip (maybe over red polish?) or experiment with this technique. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day, whether you're spending it with someone special, going out with your single girlfriends, or staying in with Misters Ben & Jerry ;) I'd say any of those merit some pretty, love themed nails!

GUEST POST: WITH LOVE, ELLYSE

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Hey there! I was so excited when Jenny reached out to me to look after her little corner of the web while she’s away impressing huge advertisers and having an amazing time in NYC! My name is Ellyse and I blog at With Love, Ellyse. I cover anything that crosses my mind, but for the most part, I focus on fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

Jenny has been putting up with me since the day we met in Yearbook class junior year of high school. It wasn’t long before we realized that we shared a love for strangely flavored pretzels (spicy buffalo, anyone?) and sarcasm. Needless to say, we’ve been friends ever since!

Today I wanted to share with you the perfect Valentine’s Day outfit. I’ve already posted about some of my favorite gifts and my overall love of pink and sparkles, but I thought I would touch a little bit on the fashion of the holiday. Whether you’re fine dining or having a rom-com movie marathon, you can still show your holiday spirit.

#TENDAYSOFLOVE.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

I haven't shared too much on More Love Letters after this post, but I wanted to update you all regarding this really exciting Valentine's Day campaign we started this week. It would also mean the world if you joined in on the fun! I know many of you are like me and you live for this kind of stuff... you know, any opportunity to create, to write, to inspire, you relish it. Am I right? if so, this is definitely for you...

WHAT IT IS:
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, this year, we want to count down the days with intentional love lettering to the people all around us.

This is the "Ten Days of Love" Challenge.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
- Refer to the daily prompt (see photo above) to discover the letter recipient of the day. (We want to make sure we cover everyone with love!)
- Grab your boldest pen of choice, a colorful pad of stationary, and your best handwriting.
- Start writing—use the list as inspiration and write to the name who immediately comes to mind. You can make this letter long, short, personal, or anonymous, whatever you wish. This letter is completely yours, we won’t tell you how to love!
- When you’re done, give the letter to the recipient. We know, we know—this is the scary part. But you can do it. We believe in you and we are right there with you. Let’s be bold together and fill the world around us with more love. This world needs more love letters.
- Lastly, this is the fun part. Share your letter with us. Take a photo (it can be of the actual letter, you writing it, the pens you used, etc.) and post it on your Facebook and tag UIUC Campus Cursive OR you can message it directly to us and we will post it anonymously. *Include the hashtag #TenDaysofLove and like our FB page, too!
- Share this movement with your friends! :) Share the link, like our page, grab your friends and make it a letter writing party! You could be part of a movement.

This is day one. I'll be posting daily gifs as inspiration and friendly reminders! :0

If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email or check out our Facebook page here!

FOR YOUR FRIDAY.

Friday, January 31, 2014

My friends and I are graduating this May (!!!), and we're kind of just meandering around, figuring out how to walk within this season of uncertainty. In previous years, our "next steps" were always planned out for us; we knew what was expected of us and success was neatly packaged in a simple GPA. But now suddenly, that security and set routine is going to be stripped from us, and we need to figure out where to go from here. We're all unsure where we're going to be four months, one year, and five years from now. Will we be in grad school or working? Will we find a job we love or will we be miserable? Will we be married or single? Will we still be faithful or lost? Will we be satisfied or discontent?

Of course, we have ideas and expectations, but nothing is concrete anymore. As frightening and daunting as that is, it's also not a bad place to be. Just because we wander and seem to be walking towards steps of mystery, we aren't lost, nor are we off track.

God says that those who commit to the ways of the Lord, he will make their paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). I want to cling to this truth and enjoy this season of uncertainty I am in... Truly enjoy it and not try to muddy it up with my own plans/rules/systems.

Here are today's sweet words for you. (I really need to hear them, too.) You can do whatever you wish with the below image! Pin it onto your Pinterest board, print it out and post it in your room, make it your phone wallpaper, or do absolutely nothing at all. It's just a little something, something to get good vibes in the air.

Happy Friday! :) May you choose to trust in Him and walk by faith even when you only know the next few steps ahead. May you lean into that uncertainty and resist the urge to control the situation yourself. May you discover sweet intimacy as you depend on Him.

THIS WORLD NEEDS TO SEE YOUR PASSION.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

I love to create.

I love it, I love it.

Whether it be in the form of scrapbooking, writing, crafting, cooking, making home movies, taking photos (or Instagramming them), whatever! There is an indescribable joy that fills my BONES throughout the process. Do you feel me?

I don't think that says something significant about me, though, I think it says something about Him! When I turn to scripture, I see that God's first role recorded was as a creator.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

Since I am made in His image, I believe my desire to create is a reflection of who He is. When I think about that, I want to create all the more. (: Creating feels purposeful. I bet you, too, have a passion that was so intricately and intentionally planted in your heart as a gift from our God. I bet you, too, reflect a glimpse of Him each time you unfold it. Allow yourself to unfold it.

I love to surround myself around those who are passionate about the work they do, because it takes courage and dedication—it's also contagious. It's inspiring and moving and beautiful to see people do the work they love. It's like that's what they were made to do, and it gives me the courage to keep pursuing the things I feel like I was made to do, too.

Can you believe that our God created each of us with such unique talents, gifts, and interests? He is definitely a creative one.

Do you know your passion? I hope you do, and if you don't, I hope you discover it one day real soon. When you do, I hope you have the boldness to unleash it, hone it, and share it with the world. This world needs to see your passion.

FOR YOUR FRIDAY.

Friday, January 24, 2014

January can get kind of busy. The kids are back at school, it's a new fiscal year at work, and all those resolutions you made a few weeks ago seem to have a hold on you. In the midst, busyness can stifle God's voice. Before we drown ourselves in our overbooked schedules, let's not forget that we have a God who wants to fight and is more than able to fight for you—you need only to be still. That truth took a load off my shoulder! I know I have the tendency to be overambitious in the beginning and say "yes" to so many things, only to be bitter and burnt out by the end. What a relief it is to remember that stillness and nothing-ness can be a strength and even productivity! I'm holding fast to that truth today, which brings us to our Friday quote...

Here are today's sweet words for you. You can do whatever you wish with the below image! Pin it onto your Pinterest board, print it out and post it in your room, make it your phone wallpaper, or do absolutely nothing at all. It's just a little something, something to get good vibes in the air.

Happy Friday! May you choose to be still this weekend—whatever that looks like— and allow God's hand of power and might to move deep and wide in your life. Cheers!

GETTING COZY.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

It is literally so cold outside.

I created a Pinterest board recently titled, "getting cozy," with images of bundled blankets and steamy coffee, because at least then my heart would be warm even though my bones weren't able to defrost. Here are some of my favorites—hope it warms your heart.

FOR YOUR FRIDAY.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Our mission for 2014 was to spread positivity—and one way we are going to practice that is to fill our Fridays with uplifting quotes and pretty graphics.

Here's are today's sweet words. You can do whatever you wish with the below image! Pin it onto your Pinterest board, print it out and post it in your room, make it your phone wallpaper, or do nothing at all! It's just a little something, something to get good vibes in the air. (:

Cheers & happy Friday! May you choose joy this weekend.

SHOP ALERT — $5 STATEMENT NECKLACES

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Right now, Urban Peach Boutique is having a ridiculous online sale of $5 on all their briolettes, mini bubbles, and tessellates necklaces — no limit! You just have to use the code "5BUCKS" and the discount will be taken right there and then at checkout. The sale lasts until tomorrow night, but I would act fast because some of the pieces are selling fast!

I've never shopped at Urban Peach before so I'm not sure what the quality will be until they arrive, but the deal was just too good I couldn't resist. I picked up five in mustard yellow, ivory, gray, teal, and coral in variety of shapes.

The two are at the top are what briolettes look like. The mustard yellow is a tessellate, and the mint is a mini bauble. Cute, right?!

You should grab one for yourself (and an early Xmas gift for a friend, too.) Let me know which ones you choose to get!
XO.