We're Moving!!

Tuesday, September 29

It's true…after living in Southern California for the last 7 years, we are moving! And I couldn't be more excited:) For a few years now we've been dreaming about going back to Northern California (where I grew up)! The timing never felt quite right, and we were not sure what we'd do up there job wise. At times it was discouraging and we wondered if anything would ever open for us! 

But last December, the perfect job came in the most unexpected place…my family's business!  

That's right…all my life i've been a farmer's daughter…and now i'm going to be a farmer's wife:) haha! Kevin will be partnering with my Dad and our family on the rice farm. As a fun fact, my family's business has been going for over 100 years now which I think is just so neat:) 2 years ago Kevin and I worked a harvest on the farm, which you can see here and here! I truly think there's something special about tilling the soil and growing something from the ground up. I can't wait to be back up there! 

So yeah, i'll be graduating with my masters in December…we'll be taking a few fun trips in December and January, and then in mid-January we will be making the trek north! 

Please pray for us in this season! It's been a stressful one, and quite honestly there are still a few unknown variables! It's hard not to be in control or know where our house or my job will be, but i'm learning to trust God and feel confident He has something special for us:) Thank you so much for your support! 

I will keep ya'll posted as we move forward, but for now…so so grateful for God's timing and provision! Thanks for your prayers:) 

MESOTHELIOMA AWARENESS DAY

Saturday, September 26


Today is Mesothelioma awareness day. Don't know what mesothelioma is? Neither did I until a few weeks ago when Heather sent me an email sharing her story with me.

Every year around 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

On average, they are given 10 months to live.
That's 300 days,
7,200 hours.

Heather was one of those struck with the disease, and she's beat the odds by living 9 years since her diagnosis! She's made it her mission to educate others about the disease, and about the dangers of asbestos. Check it out…

Did you Know…
-Asbestos is still not banned in the US? Roughly 30 million pounds are still used each year.
- Even more than 30 years after the peak of its use, asbestos exposure is still the NUMBER ONE cause of occupational cancer in the USA?
- Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye.
- Asbestos can still be found in many homes, schools, and commercial and industrial buildings.
- Navy Veterans are at the greatest risk to develop mesothelioma as asbestos was widely used in Naval ships and shipyards.
- No amount of exposure to asbestos is safe!

Make sure to watch Heather's story here, spread the word through social media, and think about giving towards mesothelioma research!

Happy Saturday!!



Modest Gold Give-Away

Thursday, September 24

Recently I heard about a company called Modest Gold. They mix both creative and adorable design with Biblical truth. They sent me a few pieces from their collection to try, and i've had so much fun accessorizing with them:)

I absolutely love the 3 Strand Friendship Watch. Being a bit of a free spirit, i've never been able to wear a normal watch because it seems so dressy (and i'm not a super dressy person!). This watch is the perfect mix between professionalism and boho chic! It has a rose gold face, and then a braided strap with gold edging. It's pretty much perfect in my opinion!! {I got the navy colored, but there are other options!} 

I also wear the Infinite Love Knuckle Ring daily!! Since receiving it, I've literally haven't taken it off! I have tiny finger and it situates itself perfectly so that I don't even notice it's on, and it doesn't fall off! 

Lastly, I love the dainty Trinity Necklace {I have the gold one!}. And today, i'm giving away a Trinity Necklace to one lucky reader!! Here's what you need to do to win :

1. Visit Modest Gold's Website and pick out your favorite item, and leave a comment on this post with the item! 
2. Like Modest Gold on FB or IG (whatever you have!) 
The give-away will close next Wed (9/30/15) at 12pm PST!!

That's it!! So easy:) And as a total plus, everything on their site is super affordable (i'm thinking great as Christmas gifts, etc!!) Happy Thursday friends!! 




Cruising Stockholm's Archipelago // Utö Island

Monday, September 21



Stockholm is an incredible city, and is surrounded by hundreds of tiny islands in the archipelago! One lovely day, we packed our stuff, and took a ferry out to the island of Utö. It was a quick ferry ride (maybe 20 minutes), and we were there!! 

If I had to use one word to describe Utö, it would be quaint!  Red houses dot the landscape along with the sweetest bakery you've ever seen, a bike shop, and a coffee house (because Swedes need their Fika..aka: coffee breaks!) There were forests, sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and wild blueberries growing all around! 

We rented bikes right away, and sped off to explore the island. Our first stop was along the rocky shore where we met up with Lovisa's brother and his wife, along with their sweet friends. We had fika and lounged about…the Swedes in their bikini's and me in my sweater (because you can take a girl out of California, but you can't take the California out of the girl! Swedish summers are like California winters, haha!!) I'm a wimp, I know!! The boys were all brave enough to jump into the frigid waters…brrrrr!!! 

Our second stop took us through a magical little forrest where we picked (and ate!) blueberries, and ohhhed and aahhhhed at the adorable cottages! We also found a sandy beach where we rested for a bit and talked! 

We ended the day with a a picnic lunch in the sunshine! At the end of the day, we boarded the ferry, exhausted, but so happy!! If you get a chance to explore an island or two outside of stockholm, I would whole heartedly recommend it!! 

Happy Monday Friends!!