The Day Before Travel & Conquering Packing Woes

It's funny how the questions that hold no real pull in my life become the biggest drama ever the day before a trip. Like, "Do I pack ankle booties and regular boots to have more style variation...do I only go with the tall ones…and do I cram in date night shoes in case we go somewhere fancy?!?" Or, "Which shampoo will keep my hair longer nicer and do I bring one lipstick color or two?" I seriously loathe packing, because I really dislike my ability to filter these questions that seem to take over. And the day before a trip, I seem to have a three hundred more items on my list of things that must get done than any other day. I'm really not a procrastinator, but this happens every single time we travel. I must think that time slows, or go into the day over ambitious. How I need to learn to just be still, and be so thankful that I have the time to take to see the other ends of the country, and use that to ward of the crazy that goes on in my mind! But now here I am, knee deep in a pile of packing woes (but at least I've climbed my mountain of all other to do's…). Seriously, someone send me some advice on how to get over that day-before-traveling anxiety and tell me what exactly to pack and how to pack it. Or even better, come over and help me. I'd love that.

We leave for New York City bright and early tomorrow morning! The first few days of our trip will be filled with exploring. Then the second half, Matt has work that will peel him away during the day, which leaves me to adventuring on my own, and most likely finding a coffee shop to tell you about our travels. Did you know that I've never been to New York? Let alone the East Coast? I know, mind baffling. So in the spirit of being present, it might be a bit quite around here You can find me on Instagram (@lauren_tien) to see how New York is treating us, and how I am loving being in the big apple for the first time. And if you have any recommendations on things we must do, leave a comment, we have so much free time that we haven't planned out!

Thoughts on Business Cards

This year has really put business cards on my mind. Not only have I really grown as a blogger, but Colorado has proved to provide so many creative events where afterwards I wish I would have had some little piece of my contact info to hand out. Yes, just swapping Instagram names is fun, but as a professional endeavor, sometimes a girl wants to represent herself a little more elegantly, you know what I mean? 

In a separate sense, however, finding a way to represent myself on a little piece of paper feels a little daunting. Especially in the blogging world, surrounded by so many talented individuals, it can be super easy to fall into the trap of comparing, even comparing business cards! It seems so funny to write, comparing little bits of paper donned with a name, a number, and an email address--but it is true!

So yes, business cards have been on my mind for about a year. But I haven't jumped on them. 

Now enter Printstagram. When I ordered my prints for our Christmas cards this year, I spent some time browsing their other products. I've pretty much decided I need to order squares of my photographs, and perhaps make a flip book, but also I really love the simplicity of their contact cards. Little square cards to represent yourself, with beautiful photographs from everyday life. Not quite the traditional business card (which is why I think they're pretty rad). And I love even more how the people at Social Print Studio entice you to make your own: 

"Create unique Contact Cards using any of your Instagram photos. Add text to our templates or upload your own image for the back. Whether business cards, save-the-dates, or just reppin' your kickin' self, you'll want to spread these cards like wildfire!" 

Neat, right? Besides, how great is the thought of choosing the most beautiful of my Instagram snapshots for the back of the contact cards. Mix and match, taking away the impossible task of settling on one image to represent myself with. Done.

I am thinking simple, you know: my name, blog, and email--and perhaps my Instagram username too. What do you think of making contact cards for yourself? Like Social Print Studio remarks, you don't even have to have a business, you can just represent your kickin' self. ;)

All Photos are from Prinstagram. 

And this is not a sponsored post. I just love this company.

Meet Natalie of Thoughts By Natalie & Nellie Magazine

Ladies, have you met Natalie? This feels like a silly question, as I'm sure you have heard about her! But if you haven't, you need to. She is the Editor in Chief behind Nellie Magazine, the heart and soul over at Thoughts by Natalie, and a true joy in the blogging community. She not only has been such an encouragement to me in my writing and blogging story, but a true earnest powerhouse that inspires women to honestly pursue beauty apart from comparison, true balanced and healthy living, and style as an extension of self expression. Before you even continue scrolling down go see her latest project Nellie Mag (which is having a week of giveaways right now!)

Meet Natalie

"Natalie is a writer, editor and blogger who lives in north county San Diego with her hilarious and charming husband Brian and their very scruffy adopted pup Maggie. A lover of the written word, avocados, beach picnics and champagne, she believes that beauty comes from who we are—not what we look like—and lives life accordingly."

What Natalie Writes About

Beauty & Style // fave: Skinny Jeans &  Hair Tutorials

Wellness & Recipes // fave: How I've Learned to Love Exercise

Blogging Tips & Career // fave: Blog Planning 101

Friendship & Marriage // fave: Making Room of Inspiring Relationships

Travel & Home // fave: Ways to Look Stylish While Traveling

Ask Natalie // Video Series

I have been an avid reader of Natalie's work for quite some time now. I found out about Natalie's blog through my friend Karen, who is one of Natalie's best friends. Natalie first drew me in through her pieces about body image and true beauty when part of Wonderfully Made. And honestly, I haven't stopped reading her work and following along since. I love that Natalie, countless times, stands up for what she believes in, even if it is against the world's standards in terms of beauty, or faith, or topics like abortion ad politics. She's worked with writers like Allie Marie Smith, has been a part of the Darling team, and is also a friend of Anne's (who is one of those people who I've also gotten to know and love through writing since moving to Colorado, and in fact who I found through Natalie's blog!). And yesterday, Natalie, Anne, Aubrey and I found ourselves enjoying chips and guacamole table side in Larimer Square. World's colliding--right? This girl's a keeper, and has big things ahead. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I have.

photos courtesy of Natalie Lynn Borton (and Anne Taylor's iPhone)

In This Little Pattern of Houses

Winter is definitely still winning, and although the cold is wearing, how refreshing it is to step outside and walk around my neighborhood. I realize I won't always live in this little pattern of houses, so its important to me to notice the subtle things that one might otherwise just pass by. Like the homes with old red brick, some revealing cracks, others covered in ivy, faded yet steadfast against the bitter cold winter and extreme heat of July. Or the trees with roots and a fullness that says they've been there longer than the families that live only meters away, grown to shelter the streets, provide shade in the summer, a fluttering of leaves and piles below come fall, and a stark silhouette against the setting winter sun. 

Its important to notice these things, and store up little anecdotes like how that one house always has that one dog, and how come night or day, rain or shine, he stands watch just waiting to stick his damp charcoal nose through the fence and let me know who's boss. Or how the bookstore down the way always has a Barbara Kingsolver title setting in its window display, reminding me of my favorite tales of family and daughters in her book The Poisonwood Bible, while also nudging me to finish my never-ending read of The Prodigal Summer. And how the alleyways are like little galleries, a collection of street art, or plant art, or patterns of burnt and ash against walls that have taken their stand on these Denver streets, through and through--seeing their fair share of trash, ferrel cats, and broken glass sparkling, scattered, reflecting the bright Colorado sun.

Its important to package it all up, so I don't forget. Its important so that I can remember to be thankful for these winter walks, in this little pattern of houses, on these days where the sun always seems to be two hours ahead--where I am chasing it, asking for one more hour, one more glimpse of warmth. Winter is still winning, and when I catch up to its setting sun, I see the beauty of its early slumber, the melancholy of the winter night sounds, and the hope that winter instills--of warmth, of growth, of Spring.

Who Is Least, Who Is Greatest.

Over and over Jesus uses the least of us all, and the smallest, and the weakest, to make point of who is truly the greatest. Like the poor widow who gave two coins as her offering, in a temple buzzing with so many others giving lavishly, Jesus remarked, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contribute out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4

And it is no different today. Even now, in the hustle and bustle of our world, and the lavishness of so many of our lives--who is truly the greatest? "He who is least among you all is the one who is great." What does this mean for you, for me, and for the modern world? How often we wait to give of ourselves once we have a little more. A little more time, a little more energy, a little more money in our banks. But God reminds us that out of our poverty, out of the last of what we have and in our down right bottom-dwelling moments, we can make the biggest change, if only we cling to the hope and belief that we can.

So I challenge myself, and you, wherever we find ourselves today. Whether you are struggling to give, or perhaps waiting to take that leap and place down your last two coins. Whatever these two coins represent in your life; what might happen if you give them? What if, just what if, those two coins were used to make all heaven ensue. What if in giving out of your poverty, in giving when you and I think we have nothing more to give, we give the last of it, and God uses that faithfulness to overflow and change the lives of even more than we can imagine.

This is the visual I'm trying to capture. The visual of what big faith, combined with giving all that we have, can do in a world where so many hesitate to take that leap, take those copper coins out of their pockets, and give them up:

I love how the little girl who gave up her two coins is standing front and center this whole time. When they showed us this clip at church a few weeks ago, I literally was covered in chills. Do you think that the little girl is setting down coins in front of street performers for the rest of her life with the hope that one day this will happen again? Probably. But how sweet that hope and faith is, when you have it. Do you believe that even out of your poverty, even in your least, that you can be used for greatness? Believe it.

My 2014 Goals (And the Luxury of Setting Them)

It's a luxury, really, to be able to set new goals and work towards pursuing them. I'm lucky enough to have time to create dreams and reach for them, and a support system around me, when it could very well be different--a different hand of cards that I could've been dealt, where priorities and pursuits need to be focused on survival and meeting basic needs, void of a net that catches me when I fall, and gives me a hand when I'm needing it. Because you know, there are women who don't get the things that I get, like that precious latte time at coffee shops where writing is all I think about, or going for a swim in a heated pool with time to focus on health, or the option of buying organic and local because I have the finances to. No, some women don't have that priveledge. And its so important that I remind myself of that as I sit and write goals, and align my life, because it really is a gift to be able to do so. How often setting goals can seem like a thing to check off my to-do list, when really, what a luxury it is that I can open my Mac Book, find time to edit photographs of beautiful places some people may never see, write about my ideas and dreams, and set new goals--whenever I want.  As you set your goals this year, or if you're reminding yourself of the one's you already have in motion, rather than only feel defeated if they're not yet achieved, or bolstered by the idea of a bright future; be sure to also dwell on the gift that dreaming and goal setting truly is. I know I will be nudging myself to do the same, as I pursue my goals below:

Conquer Fresh Air and Fourteeners

Colorado has provided the best playground. I want to continue running and walking through the parks that are all around in the city of Denver, but even more I want to really explore the mountains around us. Matt and I decided that we did a pretty pitiful job of camping and backpacking last summer, and as we're planing for this year, this is definitely one of our priorities: tackling a few fourteeners. There are SO many here in Colorado, and we love hiking, so this is definitely how we'll be spending our down time this summer (or rather, up-time, climbing to great heights!).

Read Often and Write More

To be a better writer, I need to read more. And to be a better thinker, I need to write more. 2013 was such a great year for me as far as stretching what I can do as a writer. But I know there is so much more in there that needs to come out and be refined. I can just feel it. And since I have about a mile high stack of books next to my side of the bed, it's a pretty honest reflection of my reading consistency. When my friend Anne remarked that she's read 27 books this past year, gosh I just thought "I want that!" I want to read more and read often. I want to travel the world from my couch, and go to far off places with a cup of tea right next to me. I want words to take me there. Whether its through reading, or writing, I want that to be my 2014.

Make for Time Away

Quality time is my love language. If I don't get it, I feel lonely or lacking in my relationships. For Matt and me, getting away is sometimes the best thing we can do--even if its just an hour at a coffee shop, a walk around our neighborhood, or a stop in to The Great Divide for a beer. Seriously, getting away is what helps my mind focus on him, and on us. Its amazing what a bit of time away really does for our marriage. How easy it becomes to get caught up in our own agendas when we are around each other at home, and not notice how long we've gone without quality time. This is a big one for me, and a total goal priority for life, not just 2014.

Buy Second Hand

I've talked about thrifting a lot on here, and it continues to be something I strive towards. I'm often tempted with the materialism of the world and wanting something new, shiny, and bright. But realistically, when I think about my footprint and the way that buying mentality can really impact my life, I want to become the thriftiest second hand shopper ever. I don't want to get into the patterns of needing something new. I'd rather that be saved as a novelty and make second hand shopping my go to. It will definitely be a challenge, but I am confident that it will only stretch me creatively (and stretch my pennies out a bit longer too!)

Make Pretty Things

A simple yet very true to me goal: to make things from scratch, and to make them for others. I want 2014 to be filled with little projects that brighten my home, or someone else's. Maybe this will be the year of the DIY.

Clean Out and Simplify

If it hasn't been worn or used in two years, it goes. I started by cleaning out the kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and have not even touched my clothing yet. But even just that small task made me feel ten pounds lighter. Its amazing how stuff weighs down our lives. 

Be Intentional in Friendships

God has been so faithful to provide friendships since moving to Colroado. This last year was definitely one of putting myself out there and meeting new people. Now since making these friends, and even with those that are like gold back in California, I really want my heart to be focused on intentionality in these relationships. I want community here in this town, I crave it, and that is only going to come if I am committing to pouring into those friends that I have, and taking risks to be vulnerable, honest, and true. That, and game nights always help ;) Another goal it to open our home more for gatherings and games--to host and stay true to being present over perfect in all things related to our friends. 

Savor the Morning

I've somewhat gotten into a funk where mornings are wasted. I sleep in and have a hard time getting going. I hate that, because mornings are something that I used to cherish. I used to revel in a 6 a.m. start where I had hours to myself before the workday began. I love being able to sip coffee and read or write first thing, or have the option to take Shelby out for a walk, or even get in some bright and early yoga. So that's it, I'm taking mornings back. If it means getting to bed earlier, or setting my alarm across the room with no option to press snooze--I am doing it. Savoring the morning won't be around forever. I am pretty sure when children are in the picture, the mornings won't be up to me any longer. So savoring the mornings in 2014 it is!

Have you realigned your goals for 2014? Do you feel like goal setting really is a luxury?

WEAR | Black, Metallic, and an Unexpected New Start

January never feels like the first month of the year. Snow, short days, frozen ponds at the park, leafless trees, the Christmas Season passing by--these all feel like the end. The finale. Spring is what feels new, the start of something full of warmth, and life. Color coming up out of the cold, out of the dormant, and the dark. So when the New Year arrived today I expected to feel the same. To be left with the feeling of normalcy, just trekking forward from December. Just another day. I expected that this wouldn't feel like a new start, because it never really does, and it never really has. But you know what? It feels a bit like new things are here. 2014 feels bright and warm, even with the snowy, grey sky that lingered this January 1st. It feels like this inner warmth building up, with color coming out of new adventures in my life. I'm pretty sure the warmth has been building for months, and I'm just now taking the time to notice. There are so many things on the horizon, that are new, and at the start. My new creative outlet at Anthropologie, new friendships building, contributing to exciting projects, learning calligraphy, traveling to New York for the first time. And these are all just the new things for January. I'm kind of blown away.

To start off the New Year, and the unexpected blessing of these bright and hopeful things on the horizon, we played games with friends and treated ourselves to a delicious Italian dinner donned even with a sweet dessert wine. And I wore an entirely new outfit. Not thrifted, and mainly from Anthropologie as my gift from Matt's side of the family this year. A serious treat to wear a brand new outfit to ring in the New Year, and the unexpected feeling of excitement I would find myself wrapped up in today as I see all the things planned for the beginning of January and February. Hurray, and hello, 2014!