And we're off!

This morning is a whirlwind of last minute packing, finishing up some work, and a long run before two days in the car. We are hitting the road before noon today and will be camping in our little two man tent in Utah tonight. Tomorrow night we arrive in California. I am just so ready to see family and be back in my hometown for a few days. And then its wedding festivities! Over the next few weeks you'll see a few snippets from our trip, as well as a handful of features where I get to introduce you to a few of my favorite writers and bloggers. Be sure to check back often, and you are more than welcome to say hello to me via Instagram @lauren_tien (which is where the majority of any of my "plugging in" will be).

What My Sister-In-Law Has Taught Me About Beauty

She said something striking, as we sat in our slumber party form, girl talk in the air and opened lingerie boxes scattered about, "I decided a long time ago that I wasn't going to change my body. He knows  me and what I look like, why would I change who I am just for my wedding day?" My sister-in-law, three weeks away from saying "I do" to her best friend, spoke it loud and clear, right there at her Bachelorette party: Why would anyone change who they are, wedding day or whatever the occasion, just to appease the crowd? What's even the point? And why do we, as women, and maybe especially more so as bride's to be, try to change ourselves?

Spinning and Free | Love Yourself LinkUp

I just ate three cookies--in a row. I have no time to write. I'm behind on my work. Going to the gym is nonexistent and out of the question. I've slacked on my quiet time. My closet is begging to be cleaned. The food in my fridge is expired. And I seriously have swiffered my house every day yet dog hair is still everywhere.  Loving myself in this state, well, let's just say it isn't easy! And normally, loving myself even a little in a place like this would be impossible. But I honestly think that writing about loving myself, working through loving myself, and focusing on being vulnerable and honest has truly changed my heart. Because, you guys, I'm not having anxiety today. I'm not freaking out. I haven't had a panic attack, even now, when I feel like my world is spinning. So, although I don't have time to write a long one today, I just wanted to say thank you to the woman who have been writing and reading with the linkup each week. Because its truly healing. And me, today, in my spinning world, anxiety free and just a little crazy--but good crazy--well that is something to shout out loud about!

watercolor via  Elizabeth Mayville

Let's Make This Red Necklace

Those of you on Instagram with me: remember a few weeks ago when I was swooning over this red and gold necklace at Anthropologie? My friend Melanie commented that I could totally make one like it. And I'm completely up for the challenge! I have a few ideas, and hopefully can get the materials in time for our road-trip to California which we will be venturing out on this Friday. What do you think, doable or out of my league? ;) 

I am a little bit in whirlwind mode right now, and wanted to let you know there may not be a post here every single day, but at least every few days while we are driving back west and spending time in California leading up to Morgan and Josh's wedding. It goes without saying that our trip will be thoroughly documented on Instagram, so you can follow me there (@lauren_tien). And there will most likely be some hilarious moments of trying to cram ourselves and Shelby (our lab/shepherd mix) into our two man tent as we camp along the way. Also some beautiful behind the scenes snippets of wedding prepping! 

Chartreuse Cups & Ampersands

Chartreuse is a color I just love right now. It compliments the other hues that are dispersed around my house perfectly-its a crowd pleaser really as its guy/girl friendly. After making the E A T kitchen sign with chartreuse craft paint a few weeks back, I came up with a few more little projects to use it up and bring more chartreuse pretty into the world.

Thrift stores have seen me A LOT this week, which is always a good thing, while I've been on the hunt for pretty glassware and teacups (more on that later), and when I saw this little vintage jar, and its outer texture, I knew that for 25 cents it was worth it. Worth transforming. Worth chartreusing. Worth becoming a vintage modern pencil holder. 

Happy Weekend

Summer is changing to Fall, but I really hope that we can have a few more weekends that have a similar vibe to this photograph. Enjoy the sunshine and whatever great outdoors adventures are waiting for you. Happy weekend, friends!

image via Pinterest

I'm Telling You About It

Sometimes I wish that blogging could be more tangible. That you could meet the people I meet, and know the people I know. And that I could meet you, if I haven't already. Or that we could talk over coffee on these linkup days, and open up about what it truly means to love oneself, choose true beauty, in an even more vulnerable and intimate setting. Sometimes, writing in such an open and uncovered way is a heavier weight to lift than just talking one on one, in confidence, in the safety of a coffee shop. 

While in California this past weekend, I met up at the beach with my friend Kara. When we were talking about writing and blogging, she asked me "Is it hard to be that open and vulnerable?" And I think in the moment my pride got to me, and I told her that, "No, it isn't as difficult as I thought it would be." If I could go back, and rephrase, I know I would add something. Something big that I missed. That, yes, it is one of the hardest things to do. In fact, I feel like I don't even get to the most covered parts of my heart and share them. That I still save those covered matters for the safety of a coffee shop, the safety of one person listening, and the safety of words being spoken rather than typed and frozen on a screen for all to see. I would actually tell Kara, that, "Yes, it is hard to be vulnerable. But it is worth it."