In This Body

Do you ever take the time to think about how you are truly investing your life? I believe we have this default way of living, that is often void of the reality of how precious life is, and how quick it can be taken. How fast it goes by, and how easy it is to get caught up in investing our love, our mind, our energy in things that are fleeting. I get caught up in those things that don't matter. I am completely guilty of going into default mode. Yet lately, I've been thinking a lot about the fragile thing, the gift, that life is. While I was sitting holding my cousin's baby the other night, it overwhelmed me. And then again when opening Christmas decorations that belonged to my grandmother who passed away a few years ago Christmas Eve. Life is precious. From birth to death. 

One way I know I want to invest my love, my mind, and my energy even more into the time that I have in this body, is by going. I want to see the people in my life who are scattered all over. I want to invest my life in going, and seeing, and not getting stuck here in one place with days just passing and years adding. Since moving to Colorado, so many people we love are now miles away from us. And it's easy to let time go by without seeing these friends that used to be only a few minutes from our front door. I want to be that person who pours into community here in Denver, taking risks to make new friends and build true lasting relationships here, but still can take a weekend to go elsewhere, and see those I love who are far away. This is how I want to invest my love. Investing in people, even if that means saving up, getting on a plane, and giving up a weekend of home comforts. I want to be the person who invested her life in those she loves, even if that means going.

What about you? What are some thoughts you have on investing your life?

Words from Norman Rockwell

 “The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.” 

― Norman Rockwell

Yes, Norman, yes. I want to live this way in all realms, not just in a creative sense. I want each piece of writing, each project, each new collaboration to be a new adventure. My friend Anne referred to her blog as a place she needs to view as her playground. Something to look forward to, enjoy, and place where you she doesn't look back, doesn't get stuck in the muck, but explores joyfully. I think of adventure and the things I categorize as such. I list off travel, and things I've never experienced before; completely missing the subtle  things in life that can be seen as adventure, as new, as exciting, even if not appearing as such on the surface. I want to live a life where I'm looking ahead to something new and breath-taking, don't you? Too often I let the past pacify what's ahead, it traps me like a web that I can't break free of. And this isn't the way we are meant to live. I know we were meant to live with a pressing forward, a forgiving of the past, and a looking to what's to come. I want to live a life, where when I do look back, that I don't sit and dwell, being stunted--but where I can confidently say "I lived," and God can say "Well done." So yes, Norman, you speak to my heart!

Windy Thoughts

A little thought for your Thursday. How has the wind carried you, lately?

{Thoughts for Thursday} Dear future 80 year old me.

photo source

Dear Older Me,

Your years have made you wiser, with a  wise soul that is discerning. Discernment has made your speech sweet like a honeycomb, with gracious words that are sweetness to the soul.. Your words carry like a tune throughout your your family. Your young, their young, and generations after. May it be ever filled with harmonies of kindness.  

Your years have made wear on your face, your hands, your heart. Wrinkles of joy from laughing and being kissed by the sun. Rough hands from the work and love you have poured out through touch, and craft, and thoughtfulness. From a lamp that never goes out. A worn in heart secure in what you know is rock, and what you know is passing like the wind.

Your years have made you lovelier. The way you sip your tea, relish in frienships, and still wear pearls, just because. More precious than the jewels that adorn you, your beloved trusts in you, and has no lack of gain. Your years have made you independent and strong. Dress yourself with strength and dignity, and laugh at the time to come.

Your years have made you fear the Lord. Love the Lord. Know the Lord.

Your years have made you just the way you are.

Embrace it. And know I am learning how to be more like you.

xo,

A younger you

{With portions from Proverbs 29 & 31, ESV}

Thoughts for Thursday: Leopard Print.

This weekend, these shoes found me. I had fallen for a similar pair back in March when reading this post by Jenny at The Little Green Notebook. Now, compliments of Target, there is a little bit of leopard print in my life. And now for a bit of color {print} translation:

photo source

I just love this rug! I think that leopard print can really bring some interest to an otherwise neutral palette. The clover shape of that chair back is darling also. I am craving a scoop of vanilla icecream in a cone after looking at this one.

photo source

And what about this print for fall? This dress would be lovely with tights (black or navy) and boots. And I also love the messy twist the girl in this photo has done with her hair. We should ask the ladies at Le Coeur De La Vie what they think.

photo source

The mix of leopard on the staircase combined with the red plaid rug in the hallway, large artwork, orange upholstered chair, and classic decor items like the vase creates a very modern yet traditional mix.

photo source

Not only do I love the end of the bed bench (and how wide it is!), the print, books, and frames on the wall make me so curious about the couple who lives here! And I must ask this simple question, what are your thoughts on leopard print? 

Thoughts for Thursday: Brave the Thrift

photo source {and some more amazing thriftstore inspiration at this source!}

Have you ever stepped into a thrift store and immediately found yourself just. so. lost. And this is after your first shock of musty smell and not so aesthetically appealing display. The motivation and courage you mustered up to get your booty in the door begins to waiver and you start to ask yourself, why didn't I just go to Nordstrom Rack? Home Goods? Or anywhere else but here? Even the thriftiest have felt this way, I'm certain (or at least, I can vouche for myself here). It takes some getting used to. A crafted skill you might say. To be able to quickly sift through and skim the surface for the good, skipping the bad and the ugly. After time and time again in a Goodwill/Sals, I have been able to craft my eye for the thrift. Even when looking at clothing, I am open minded yet at times when I have a mission like "look for work clothes" or "be open for prints". Having a bit of direction when walking into a thrift store can really help the whole experience. Yet, there are times too where I walk in and wander and have no agenda at all. I'm going to send you over to A Beautiful Mess where you can be visually inspired by the thrift in photographs and also follow along with Elsie's Thrift Store Tips! I loved this blog post when I first read it, and rather than recreate something similar, just go see what those stylish ladies have to say about thrifting for yourself! A few of my favorite of Elsie's tips include: Keeping a list of running wants & needs. Don't forget the little things. It's okay not to find a 'find'. Happy thrifting!

{And, on another note: Exciting non-blogging news, I (Lauren) have taken on a new role in my full time profession working in the field of Child Development, and will be working in a new position as an administrator in the heart of Downtown Denver! This means that my free time is drastically cut back, so you may be seeing a little bit of a change around the blog. I do promise to keep Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up going and growing! I appreciate each and every one of my readers and so love this little creative outlet of mine. There may just be a few changes here and there, ie. a few more articles like this one sending you to my blog faves or maybe a missed day or two at times! Just wanted to be real and tell you what is going on with me in the non blogging world. XO, Lauren}