Have Standards: Make a List

Today is the Feast day of Saint Pelagia. She is celebrated because of her beauty, but also because of her grace and elegance in the midst of a disordered life.

It's a known fact that most women are pretty hard on themselves. Many feel inadequate or unworthy for many reasons, but one is their life is not where they imagined it would be. Maybe you thought you would be in a relationship by now, be married by now...etc. The reasons are pretty much endless.

It can be easy to feel like this, and something that has always helped me is reminding myself of the promises of God. The ones He made in scripture, and the ones He's made to me personally. The blatant visions I've been blessed to receive, but also the quiet whispers He's placed on my heart. So many look for clear, evident signs, but maybe that's not the way God intended you to hear the message you're looking for. Sometimes, it is in the quiet whisper that you can only hear when you stop and take time to listen.

I'm always surprised by how many around me are so insecure about their love life. This is something that is so hard to overcome and also something I haven't touched on in awhile. Sometimes, telling them to turn to God isn't enough and they feel let down because they feel like they already have. My suggestion would be to try turning to Him in a different way. There are so many forms of prayer and any action or word you speak can become a prayer if you intend it to be. One thing that makes God smile and may help with these insecurities is making a list of standards.

When I was younger, my friends and I went through a chastity program and the first thing we had to do was make two lists of standards. The first list was standards for yourself, and the other was standards for a potential partner. To this day, I still have these lists and keep them close to my heart. This process is incredibly empowering and helps you recognize your worth. It also gives more purpose to the concept of love and makes waiting so much easier.

I'm usually surprised by how many I've talked to don't have lists of standards of any kind, shape, or form. I really cannot encourage this more, and to help thought I'd share a few of mine. The first list is a few of the standards I have for myself.

1. Try to be a better person and daughter of God everyday. Say that extra prayer, help out a little more, and recognize where I need to do better tomorrow.

2. Make at least one person smile everyday. Give someone a compliment or tell them a joke to make them laugh. Try to make their day a little bit better.

3. Have no worries and trust God in every situation. This is one that I struggle with most. I tend to doubt myself about that exam coming up, my ability to make an impact on others, and even my body's ability to heal from these autoimmune struggles. However, God never lets me forget that when I trust Him, it always works out. If I take care of my body, I see signs of healing. If I study hard and am dedicated to my education, I'll pass that exam. If my intentions are pure, I can help impact others positively.

4. Stay light at heart and enjoy life. Sometimes, you need to just take a break, go out with some friends, or just do something fun to remind yourself that life isn't supposed to be difficult all the time. Watch that show that just makes you laugh or listen to that song that makes want to dance all your worries away. God wants us to be easy on ourselves and enjoy this beautiful life He gave us.

5. Never judge others. Never ever, ever judge anyone on their past. They can't change that anymore and it doesn't mean that they're the same person now. Never judge anyone on their present either because you never know what someone is going through or dealing with.

Making this list first is crucial. It gives you goals to strive towards and helps you recognize to what degree you value yourself. You also can't fairly make a list of standards in a potential partner and expect things from them if you don't expect anything for yourself. The next list has a few standards and things I look for in someone before even considering getting involved romantically.

1. He must love God above all else, and I hope we share the same faith and values. I want someone who puts God above all else. Who thinks I'm beautiful, but sees me for more than my body. Who sees my heart and soul. Someone I can trust will protect my heart and soul because his respect for God is so great. Someone who prays with me and for me.

2.Someone who is sensitive/caring, but also knows how to laugh and have fun. Who doesn't bring a heavy weight to every situation and can make light of the little annoyances in life. Who loves to hang out and enjoy the little things, but also go on adventures, big or small.

3. Someone who is patient and can temper his anger. I don't think this one needs further explanation.

4. Someone who is honest, passionate, and diligent. Not just honest with me, but also with himself and God. A man who has goals and strives to accomplish them.

5. And last, he pursues me. Someone who thinks I'm special enough to take the risk on. Who reminds me I'm loved and cared about, especially on the days when I don't feel like it. Who pursues me and my little heart with passion and purity.

These are things that won't ever change and I'm willing to trust God and wait patiently until He delivers and comes through. Don't ever, ever, ever budge on your morals and standards because God wouldn't give you those desires if He didn't have intentions of following through. So pray, be patient, and trust. If you don't have lists, I strongly encourage you to write some.

I'm praying for you,

--Kelsey Lynn <3

Know Your Worth

This topic has been on my heart for a little while now. Not many people nowadays know their worth. So many struggle with insecurities and let them define who they think they are. This thought process is so corrupting to the individual and those around them.

Be-YOU-tiful Collaboration

Over the past couple weeks, I've had the opportunity to work with my beautiful friend Julianna and her blog Timeless Grace. Julianna's blog is all about modest fashion and let me just say, she is good at what she does!

   We wanted to do a collaboration that had a goal and purpose we are both passionate about. So, we decided to bring back the be-you-tiful movement. This movement was huge a year or so ago but has sadly quieted down. However, this topic is something that women should never stop supporting or lose interest in.














For those who don't know, the campaign is about simply being you and embracing your whole self. It's important to love your flaws, imperfections, and even insecurities because that means loving all of yourself. The movement also encourages women to express themselves and never try to hide who they truly are.

So in light of this movement, we decided to do a shoot in our favorite outfits. These outfits are ones that truly show our personalities best and make us feel the most beautiful in our own skin.

The first part of my outfit is my sandals I got from Target. They are light tan with lots of straps. I love heels, but sometimes want to wear something that looks nice and is comfortable. These sandals are perfect for just that.

The next part of my outfit is my jeans. I'll let you in on a little secret, they aren't actually jeans! They're jeggings I got from Walmart! I know what you're probably thinking, but Walmart is really coming around and starting to introduce some great fashion items. I don't always find things there, but every once and awhile, I'm shocked at some of the great finds! Anyways, like I mentioned previously, I love to get dressed up. It's an added bonus though if there's a certain level of comfort. These pants are super soft and comfy, and could trick anyone into thinking that there's true denim in them.

The last part of my outfit, and my favorite part, is my floral strappy tank from Shein online. I love flowers. There's something so pure and beautiful in them. When you think about, women are a lot like them. We won't ever look the same, but there's still so much beauty in each one. There are parts that might not be perfect. Maybe a petal is a little crinkled or discolored, but no one focuses on those parts. Everyone just sees the simple flower in all its beauty.

       

         I believe women can be a force of nature if we instill these values in our hearts. But, back to the clothes! I love that this shirt is so flow-y and loose. It makes me feel so free and relaxed. The halter back is gorgeous and just adds to the elegancy.

                       Also, for those wondering, most of my makeup is from Elf! I love this brand because it offers great, long lasting coverage and is so affordable. As a college student, I'm always trying to find ways to save! However, I did splurge and get Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation and Shape Tape Concealer from Tarte Cosmetics. I have such fair skin and have the worst time with foundation because of it. Most foundations are always too dark, even in the lightest color. I also have thinner skin so when I add foundation it looks thick and just never blends right. I seriously can't speak highly enough of the water foundation though! Stays on all day and blends smooth and beautiful! I also adore the shape tape. Definitely erases the look of permanent exhaustion college students are all too familiar with.

I had so much fun with this project and photoshoot with Julianna! I'm sure you all have been admiring Julianna and her stunning outfit while reading this. To hear all about Julianna's outfit and how it represents her, head over to her blog Timeless Grace (link below) and be sure to follow her on Instagram @timeless.grace

http://www.timeless-grace.com

Have a be-you-tiful day!

--Kelsey Lynn <3

Get Motivated

Everybody loves the idea of being fit. Going to the gym, eating healthy, and being strong and healthy seem so wonderful. That is, until it comes time to put in the work. We all know that feeling. You get there pumped up and ready to grind, but halfway through you find yourself wondering why. It's so easy to get into that slump and just slowly fall off the wagon. I'm going to share with you the best ways I beat that slump and get myself motivated!

2 Ingredient Summer Fresh Ice Cream

After a long break, I'm finally back blogging again! This past month has been crazy trying to get everything in order with my classes, exams, and future university! But now I'm back with an amazing 2 ingredient health ice cream recipe that you will love this summer.

Vegan Chicken Salad Wrap

So my cleanse is over! But, I've decided to stick with a vegan lifestyle, at least for awhile! This is definitely a huge lifestyle change for me and giving up dairy has been especially difficult. The cheese cravings are legit.

While I have never been particularly fond of meat, my weakness was always a chicken salad wrap. Obviously, you can't have chicken if your vegan... I also decided to give up corn, soy, cane sugar, and gluten. That makes it kind of hard to find even a gluten free wrap around here! But don't worry. Over the weekend, I spent some time in the kitchen and let those creative juices flow. Luckily, I came up with a vegan chicken salad wrap that's just as delicious as the real thing!

March Glam Bag

It's makeup Monday! It's been such a gloomy day today so hopefully this post helps brighten the day a little bit. So this month's glam bag was probably one of my favorites and I can't wait to share everything that was inside.

Spring Cleaning

It's finally spring and I'm praying for warmer weather soon! But we all know what spring means, cleaning time.

This time around, try something a little unconventional. Instead of cleaning your house or your room, look inside yourself and do some tidying up there.

Healthy Shamrock Shake

Get your green on because tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! I love this day so much! Not only am I a cradle Catholic, but I have Irish blood running fast and strong through my veins. So you can bet on a pinch from me if you're not wearing green!

If you the day as much as me, I'm sure you've made the celebratory stop to McDonald's for a shamrock shake. They are all the buzz! Although I'm sure they are delicious, let's be honest. The ingredient list and nutrition label are pretty scary. So I came up with a healthier option of this delicious treat.

The Vegan Cleanse

So if you've read some of my other posts, you probably know that I've struggled with autoimmune issues for awhile now. I've tried everything under the sun from conventional doctors to functional medicine without seeing much of a change. Until I recently discovered Anthony William, author of the Medical Medium.

I can honestly say that I am more hopeful than ever after reading his book. I started to implement his ideas a few days ago, starting the 28 day cleanse with a juice fast.

5 Things All Women Should Know

Yesterday was International Women's Day. I consider myself a strong, independent woman so I loved celebrating this day. It's amazing to think back about how far the world has come and how much we have accomplished as women. The world has changed for us and is continuing to change everyday. During these changes, is can be easy to lose track of the initial goal in mind. So here are five things that every woman should always know.

Plaid and Converse

It's spring break! After a long couple months of classes, I am long overdue for a break. I started the week off by getting together with a few friends for lunch and an afternoon at the art museum yesterday. The 70 degree weather left NC for a little bit and the chilly weather moved in. I wanted an outfit that was fun and casual, but would keep me warm in the 50 degree temperatures. This outfit did that perfectly.

Much Love Glam Bag

I know this Ipsy bag review is a little late, but better late than never! I am absolutely in love with February's glam bag! So many wonderful and different products that I just love!

The bag is adorable, I love the jean material! The orange also adds a nice pop of color to brighten things up a bit. But even better than the bag was what came inside!

All About Quinoa

It's all about quinoa today! I LOVE quinoa! It took me a million years to learn how to pronounce it though. Nevertheless, there are so many benefits to this little superfood, including a crazy amount of protein! It has so many vitamins and health benefits and isn't a filler carb like white rice or white bread. I use it all the time as a couscous or rice replacement. However, there are other ways to eat this amazing grain.

Sometimes, I want all the benefits of quinoa, but don't want something heavy. I just want something light without compromising flavor of course. When I discovered Le Pain Des Fleurs Organic Quinoa Crispbread, I knew I was in for a treat. So here are two recipes I hope you love as much as I do.

Black Mask Review

If you have any form of social media account, it's likely you've seen the infamous black mask. There are videos of people smearing it on, pulling it off, and showing all the gross stuff that came off with it. Kind of nasty when you think about it, but really good for your skin!

At first, I didn't want to do it because I thought it would hurt too much. But then it popped up on my feed constantly so I got curious. Eventually, I was hooked and had to find out for myself what all the buzz was about.

Little Ways to Incorporate Fitness

Sometimes, people have the best intentions when it comes to working out. Their mind is in the right place, but they can't seem to get their body on board. It's easy to have excuses to not exercise. And let's be honest, a lot of them are completely valid. One of the most common is not enough time. But the truth is, fitness isn't something you just fit into your schedule in your spare time. Fitness and exercise are part of a lifestyle. If it's important to you, you have to make the time for it.

Nevertheless, it still doesn't make finding time easy. So here are a few different easy and simple ways to incorporate a little exercise into your everyday life.

Fleece and Pom Pom Snow Outfit

February is almost over. The months are just flying by! But a lot of areas are still getting at least one more good snow. So here's another snow outfit full of fleece and pom pom's. Someone even told me I looked like a little snow bunny in it!

How To Satisfy Cravings

No one likes cravings. You get all excited and motivated to live a healthier lifestyle. Clean out your house of bad food, start exercising, and maybe even go shopping and load up your refrigerator with fruits and vegetables. 

Then the cravings set in. 

Whether its chocolate, cupcakes, or ice cream, they all make your heart sink into your stomach. Cravings come at the worst time. Usually just when you start getting used to the whole healthy thing.

But don't freak out, there are healthier ways to satisfy you sweet tooth than heading for that Twinkie. Here are a few of my favorite sweet treats!

Love Yourself This Valentine's Day

Love is something everyone wants. Especially on Valentine's Day. As women, we crave to love and be loved. We want someone to see all the little efforts we make. Who makes you feel beautiful and reminds you, you are loved. Who is kind, and patient. Who at the end of a long day, doesn't pick on the little imperfections, but instead is loving and tries to understand. We all want love.

But love goes beyond what someone else can give you. It's also about what you can do for yourself. So this post is for all the single ladies *tap into your inner Beyonce and cue the music and dance moves* this Valentine's Day. If you're longing for a relationship, take a minute to read over these points on why it's ok to be single. Not just that, but also why it's healthy to be single and important to love yourself.

Skin Care Routine

Everyone wants flawless skin. No blemishes, no red spots, soft and supple, that's the dream right? To get this, having a good skin care routine is key!

Here is how I keep my skin healthy and glowing!

Floral Fever

The ground hog may have seen his shadow in Pennsylvania, but not in NC! And let me just say spring is already making an appearance! 

To celebrate this gorgeous, 70 degree weather, I thought this sassy floral outfit was perfect. Dress it up, or dress it down. It works for just about any occasion!

The Super Bowl Detox

So last night was Super Bowl and if you're like my family, Super Bowl is right up there with Christmas. We go all out. The thing that makes a good party is the food. This year, our menu included  philly cheese stake cups, jalapeño poppers, quesadillas, and brownies.

So after this glorious night, you might be feeling really guilty. Maybe you let yourself cheat a little. Or a lot. If you woke up today feeling as bloated as a whale, follow these simple tips to detox all that junk food.

On-The-Go Healthy Snacks

 Let's face it, eating healthy is hard. Especially when your life is busy and you're always on the go. That Big Mac that takes all of two minutes to order sounds really tempting over that salad that took you forever to prepare the night before. But if you want to be healthy, nutrition is key. You have to put in a little bit of time and effort to get results. Luckily, for those with really busy lives, there are other alternatives.

Sometimes, you just don't have time to prepare something healthy as a quick snack. But fortunately there are reliable brands out there that recognize that need and fixed this problem. So here are a few of my favorite healthy and quick on-the-go snacks.

My Fitness Routine

People ask me constantly what my fitness routine is. I figured it was about time I let out my little secret! So when I started getting serious about my fitness and workouts and couple years ago, I started on Pinterest! It might sound crazy, but you can find some amazing workouts on there!

I started doing 7 day challenges. I found some for abs, legs, and arms. Then I would just repeat them over and over and over again. Eventually, I got bored and that's when I started looking for a real workout program. That's when I found Kayla Itsines!

Pretty And Preppy Outfit

Well the summer spell is gone and the temperature is back to 50s and 40s here in NC.  As nice as the spring fever was, I'm ready to start wearing winter clothes in January again! Here's a pretty little outfit to make you feel beautiful and confident all day long!

Everyday Makeup Look

I love to do my makeup. But most days, I don't have the time to do a full face of makeup. On days like this, the look below is my go to makeup routine.

Big Batch Mashed Fo-Taters

Mashed potatoes. Who doesn't love them? 

They were one of my favorite foods as a kid. I was convinced that I was healthy because potatoes were a vegetable in my mind. Now that I've grown up, I've come to know the sad truth: potatoes are not an extremely healthy vegetable. They are a starch and a carb that turns to sugar and should be limited. Although they do have many health benefits, people do not consume them they way they should. They are typically loaded with butter, bacon, sour cream, and other fattening foods. Sigh, so much disappointment. 

Until this recipe. Parsnips on the other hand are a vegetable and very healthy. So many benefits inside this wonderful little food. And they taste almost just like potatoes.

Chin Up, Darling

Chin up, darling. It's something I'm sure we've all heard or been told before.

We all have bad days. Sometimes, we have bad weeks, months, or even years. Instead of facing what's causing the pain, people just tell you to stay positive. Hold your head high. Keep your chin up. But I'm going to tell you something different. Here's a few different ways to move through the pain and become the positive person you want to be:

The Confident and Bold Outfit

So as some of you may know, I've recently been working with Dressbarn! As their slogan goes, I'm so happy and excited to label myself confident!

So I'm going to share my fashion secret with this outfit that will turn a lot of heads!

Metropolis January Glam Bag

It's time for another Ipsy post!

My second glam bag just came in the mail and I'm in love! The theme is metropolis so it's all about the city this month.

This bag is visually stunning! It has a faint, light bluish grey color with shiny silver peeking through the open circles. I also love the size of the glam bags. Not too big and not too small. Perfect for early mornings when you have to just grab a bag of makeup and go!

Red Berry and Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Smoothie Bowl

Smoothie bowls are all the rage today. I used to just make plain old smoothies, but I was curious to see what the attraction to put them in a bowl was.

Now, I don't think I'll ever look back. I like to chew my meals, not just drink them. With smoothie bowls, I feel like I'm getting all the benefits smoothies offer, but I love being able to get creative and add different toppings.

I wanted to create a smoothie bowl unlike any other. I didn't want it to be the typical banana or blueberry. I wanted it to be decadent, like you're not even eating something healthy. That's when I came up with this red berry and dragon fruit cheesecake smoothie bowl.

When I was younger, I used to love going to the store with my dad. He would let me pick out all of this exotic food even though I couldn't even pronounce the name most of the time! Over the weekend, I went to the store and did just this. Before I knew it, I had a beautiful dragon fruit in my cart.

My Workout Playlist

I love loud music when I workout. I just feel so energized and unstoppable.

Music is a staple for me when I workout. Luckily, I workout at my home gym so I can blast the music as loud as I want to and it drives my family crazy. But anything for a successful workout right?

                    So here are the artists and songs that I can't get through a workout without:

Seared Tomatoes With Balsamic Salad Pizza

So you might be thinking that there's some disconnect between the title and the season. But let me just say, this pizza is so good that you'll want to eat it year round. It's getting up to almost 70 degrees here in NC this week! So to celebrate, I'm posting this recipe as a reminder that sweet, warm summer is only a few short(ish) months away!

Who doesn't love pizza? If you're dieting and trying to eat healthier, you most likely go out for pizza with your friends just to end up feeling guilty and ordering a salad. With this recipe, you can have your cake and eat it too! Not to mention you'll never want to make another type of pizza again. Don't worry, I was a salad pizza skeptic too. I mean when you want to indulge, who wants it to be incorporated with something healthy? It doesn't even seem like an indulgence then. But rest assured, this recipe won't disappoint.

Warmest Snow Outfit

We finally got snow!

Well, more like ice, but there's a dusting of snow over it! In this area of NC, we don't usually get too much snow or even cold weather. The week of Christmas it got up to 70 degrees! But this weekend, the high has been below freezing which means we'll have the ice and snow for a couple more days!

  If you've read some of my previous posts, you know that I'm transferring to a university this fall. The school I chose is Appalachian State University. This is a huge change of environments for me. I am not used to the cold. But I am definitely not used to the snow, let alone snow storms.

So lately, I've been trying to prepare for how cold it actually will be up in the mountains in the winter. I took this snow weekend as preparation and to put my new snow outfit to the test.