sharing: polish

Because they do say that "sharing is caring" & I really do care about the people who read this blog! I read from another blogger the other day (can't remember who) that the number of people who read or follow your blog doesn't matter. What does is the content of what I am sharing with those people that do read, so I can intentionally write and document tidbits of my life for their encouragement & well-being.

As I am really thinking about what I want to share in this space, I know that I do want it to be life-giving! I love sharing my photos & parts of our lives as well, so in that & overall I hope this can be a place of love & life for those who read. This is my goal! & I hope to deliver it well because I really appreciate every person who takes the time to peak into our blog.

So, all these lovely things to say - this post is written more directly to the ladies! (sorry guys) Because us girls love our nail polish! After marrying G & moving to Chicago I was forced to learn how to paint my own nails because Mommy couldn't do them for me anymore (tears), so it was time to grow into adult-hood in the world of polishing nails. I actually remembering buying my first one to have at home with her at Target in Chicago when we first arrived! It was Essie's limo-scene, and I actually still have it today! (although it's too old to use so I'm not sure why I still have it lol)

But today I wanted to share a brand I have grown to love over the past couple years!
It is Wet & Wild Megalast polish! This has been my go-to brand. Why?

Number one: it's cheap in price! Only about $2 each, plus they go on sale from time to time which is amazing for someone that loves to buy things primarily when they are on sale.

Number two: high in quality! These babies last pretty long on the nails. I usually paint my nails with two coats plus one clear top coat and it lasts me about 5 days in almost perfect condition. & that's with being a house-wife which we know, means your hands are always extra busy. Also, the color pay off is perfect; just like the color you see in the packaging (after 2 coats). Finally...

Number three: the colors are gorg! I've noticed over time that this line comes out with colors that are popular at the time or attempts to copy those more expensive brands. Although the shades are not exactly the same, the fact that I can get 4 of these polishes for the price of 1 Essie or Orly polish is great to me! However, a little *tip for you ladies - when you want to buy an Essie or Orly polish, check if Amazon has it first because it's usually around $5 with free-shipping too! I surly don't want you to end up like this lady here:

lol! Color-wise, I have been loving purple lately! So, if you want to try a new color but don't want to spend a lot of money on a new polish, try this brand & see what you think! I hope this was a helpful read & that you keep on taking a little time for yourself during the week to polish those nails ladies.

Because separating "me time" is good for the soul, even if that time isn't spent over nail polish. 

words from the wiser: people, God & life

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

-Dr. Kent M. Keith

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (emphasis added)

Colossians 2:13-17

In light of this, lets not live "others consumed" lives, because life was always & will ever be between us & God anyway. Of course, our relationships with each other matter greatly, but anyone placed before God becomes an idol; God's opinion of us should matter far more.

I hope this was helpful to your journey in some way. Have a great last April weekend, friends..

Jesus lives!

finally we the trees are beginning to show some color! bring on the leaves, spring!

& timer-cam did gooood! ^^^

So thankful for this day. I hope your Easter celebrations were full of love in your hearts & food in your belly. Every year we miss our family & friends from home a little more on this day, and this year was no different.  Easter Sunday's in Jersey are always spent together - usually over Brazilian BBQ outdoors, soccer for the guys & girl-talk on the field with the ladies. We love those memories so much! Here with just us two we've learned to make holidays special together. 

This year we kept things simple & sweet. For me it was my favorite Easter Sunday in Chicago yet! After service at Moody Church & photos at the park to take in the new green growing everywhere, we came home & made a delicious lunch together! Salmon, shrimp, potato wedges & guacamole from scratch were all on the menu and it was pretty restaurant-worthy I'd say. (high-five, us!) Today was also the warmest day of the year so far, reaching a high of 76 which meant no coats & a long walk along the lake. Plus, scoring free Sprinkles with the whisper word "egg hunt" was the icing on the (cup)cake!

Most importantly though, remembering what Christ has done for us today was especially sweet. The reality that Christ is alive and present in my life everyday, even in those bad days (which yesterday was one of them - they happen people!) has been so true for me this past year. So celebrating today felt more real and personal than ever before. This is pure grace & I pray for a greater nearness to Jesus everyday! The living God - Jesus Christ became man, lived on earth & died a cruel death in our place, so we could be raised to new life in Him just as He was raised! 

There is no love greater love than this. & I am so thankful for it...

Good Friday graces

and heaven just started counting to three.

photo by Ariele Alasko

     Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

He grew up before him like a tender [green] shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

     Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,

yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:1-6

This is grace.

stepping back

Taking time away from the blog world to make space for more.

More authenticity
More reflection
More humanity
More wholeness
More Jesus

I am not planning when I'll be back at posting because I want to wait & see when the time is right to return. I'm taking this out of my hands now, and am excited for what the Lord will do during this hour. I am expecting.

Thanks for taking a peek into this space which has become one of the my favorite outlets for my love of photography & life.

as always, love
the olives