my friend, mindy kaling.

Ok, ok so obviously I have yet to post the second video from my trip to Atlanta for the Passion Conference. In my defense, that is because I have been deathly ill this week. 
I probably wouldn't have died, but in my over-dramatic mind, it sure felt like I might have.

So, maybe I'll post a follow-up video soon.
Maybe not.
Who knows. 
Honestly, I'm terrible at committing myself to something and following through most of the time.
Which isn't a great quality, I'm aware.
I just try to remind myself that I'll get better. 

Anyways, this morning I had plans to get up, clean my room up because it looks like the tornado from The Wizard of Oz came through it, do my large pile of laundry, and attempt to clear out the mess in my vehicle.
None of that has happened thus far.
It is 11:25am.

So what did I do instead?
Oh, I finally sat down to read Mindy Kaling's book.

Let me just say that I wish we were friends.
Like if I knew where to find her, I would be one of those creepy stalker people you hear about on television.
Of course I wouldn't be arrested or charged for anything.
Because she would find me in her house, probably in her library (I'm not sure if she has one, but I'm assuming), we would start talking, make jokes about our weight and how we will never be skinny, and become the best of friends that I knew we would always be. 
Yes, that is how it would go.
Afterwards, we would make arrangements to meet for dinner where she would introduce me to Zooey Deschanel. 

But for now, I have to go into town with one of my "real-life" friends.
Then, I will come home and clean.
Maybe...or nap.
It's raining outside, I don't have to work, and that basically means I should nap all day.
Oh, and then I'm meeting friends to go watch 'Pitch Perfect' at their house.
If you haven't seen that movie, then get off the computer now, go to RedBox (or wherever you rent movies), rent it, and then get ready to laugh so hard you'll cry. 
I'm serious.
You can thank me later.

Happy weekend, friends.
much love, 
colie.

Lovelies.

Woozers!

Look how short my hair was back in October.

It is always longer when it is straight, but geez. 

That is super short, yo.

I now realize that my hair has grown a lot in the past 7 months.

But ... a bit faster would be nice.

Anyways, it seems like every post I'm talking about my hair.

Sorry. I just can't help it.

So, yesterday I worked all day and didn't get a chance to post a few links to my favorites this past week.

I figured before getting ready to head to my friends birthday lunch that I'd share some with you.

Enjoy!

Amber is the sweetest ... & oh-so adorable with her hubby!

How can you not just say "AWW.." over this?? :D

I am really loving DottieAdele!!

Sometimes I can relate to this feeling about blogging.


I love it ALL!!

Ladies, when Molly found the "Hey, Christian girl" quotes by some very handsome celebrities, I laughed so hard. They are the best! Srsly. Greatness!


I adore Kendi, her fashion, and this post. :)


Can we please talk about how adorbs Haley's new hair cut is??! I LOVE it!


I am over-the-moon excited that Mandy shared a new app for photos. Yikes! I am about to download it now!!


Christina shared the sweetest photos & story of her grandparents. 
Love is the most beautiful thing.


& I am loving this blog I came across, through luck of Instagram! ;)


This weekend will be spent working. :/ Boo.
I do hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, though!
Soak up the sun, eat lots of yummy food, relax by the water, and be happy with God has given you!
much love.
xoxo

Lovelies.

[instagram: theplaidsparrow]

There are so many lovely blogs across the internet.

Truly.

I swoon over a lot of them and secretly wish I were "real" friends with half of them.

I just refrain from saying so, because that is creepy and weird.

Right?! 

Anyways, I really should do this every week (or maybe even every other week) because there are so many fabulous things to share with you all!

So let's start:


I loved that Kylee shared this video from Paperback Weddings.
**I saw this video months ago and fell in love, while crying a puddle of tears. Srsly.


Just a sweet reminder that life is a beautiful journey.


I'm so grateful for the work Don did for my blog.
I also love seeing what is happening in the life of him and his sweet, little family.
Recently, he has accepted a job offer in Boston.


I adore this etsy shop by Kate.


Elizabeth looks stunning in this maxi dress!


Heidi is ALWAYS hilarious. Srsly.
See for yourself! :)


I adore Miss Lulu. Truly! <3


Katie was over on Tattoo Tuesday the other week.
I basically just swooned over all her lovely tattoos.
She is a doll!


When Jess & Rene made a trip to Baltimore, I about died when I saw the photo of the Barnes & Noble!
A-MAZINNNGG!!!


Before I jet off, please stop by and read Michelle's intermission post.
It will make you smile. :)
PS. Please being praying about grad school for her!

Happy weekend, friends.
xoxo

Hola.

Hey there.

I feel like a week away from blogger is closer to a month. :(

So, it is time for a little update & some random thoughts.

[instagram: theplaidsparrow]

-Today I found out about a job opening and potentially having the opportunity to get it. :) It would pay a lot better + have a consistent work schedule! Amen. So please be saying a prayer or two for me starting ... NOW!! :D

-I had two cups of coffee today. 
Boy, oh boy did it make me oh-so happy! 

-I have been watching 'Supernatural'. I really enjoy watching it, but goodness... I can NOT watch it alone. That's all I'm saying. ;)

-I have been painting my nails all kinds of fun colors lately! I love it!! :D 
**see above**

-I went out to eat with my little sisters + Nathan last night. It was Prom for one of the local schools. I really enjoyed seeing all the lovely ladies in their gorgeous dresses. It made me miss high school...for just a moment. I definitely had fun at my Prom ... all those years ago. ;) ha. Good times.


-I wish I could style my curly hair as awesome as a woman I saw in the store today. I would NEVER straighten it if I could get it to look that good! Srsly. It was soo pretty. :)


-I was at work the other day & heard the ring tone from the Scream movies.
The one that means the killer is calling.
Yea. I freaked out for like, point two seconds.


-I have been thinking of ideas and looking up different types of tattoos that I am interested in.
I keep feeling the itch for a new one. 
Here's to hoping my birthday gets here ... faster! ;)
Would any of you get a tattoo (or want a new one)??


-I have been reading my bible a lot more lately.
It makes a difference.
My days are better.


-I really need a friend that loves sushi.
Please. 
Anyone???!!!


-I saw Snooki's new book. After reading the back cover + the dedication (with an added *fist pump*), I pretty much doubled over in laughter. 
Ridiculous.
That is all I can say about that, folks.


-I love getting emails from blogger friends. It makes me whole day! Truly.
(If I haven't returned an email, I promise to do it soon.)


-I have been wanting to watch 'Hook' all week. I'm not sure why.
So, I think I will go do that now.


I hope you are all had a fabulous week & enjoying your weekend!!!
I will be back tomorrow.
much love, friends.
xoxo

One more thing...
I saw some photos of my nephews from a couple months ago.
It made me so happy that I just wanted to squeeze my phone as tight as I could, because that was the closest I could get to them. 
Goodness, I miss those boys so much.

The weekend flew by ... as always!

I was so grateful to have a the whole weekend off from work.
It is always nice, especially when you get to do a lot of fun stuff with people you adore. :)
Friday night I got to spend some time with Nathan & his family.
His mom always has the yummiest mashed potatoes ... and I may or may not eat ALL of them!!! ;)
Saturday morning, I was up bright and early.
Nathan's mom and sister picked me up for our ladies Spa day! :D

Please just let me say that I had a vision of what the trip would be like on the way up there.
I thought we would be laughing, them telling me stories about Nathan that he didn't want me to know, sharing our likes and dislikes ... and you get the picture.
Well, oh noooo ... that did NOT happen, folks.
We took back roads, curvy back roads, and I tend to get car sick. :/
Let's just say that most of my time was spent in the back seat with a terrible headache and trying hard not to pass out the whole time!!
Geez.

Then, we arrive at a hospital thinking it is where we are suppose to be.
We were so lost and confused by that point.
To top it off, I had to use the bathroom sooo bad.
Like when you have to pee to the extent that you may cry if you don't go .. yea, that kind! :/
AND! WE COULD NOT FIND A RESTROOM ANYWHERE!!
Once we found one, I would have jumped for joy if it weren't for the fact that I may have peed myself if I did!!

When we found the Spa, we were so happy!
It was the most relaxing afternoon I have had in awhile.
Manicures & massages! Aw!
Plus, the company I had made it ALL the better.
**If I haven't said it at this point, I kind of adore Nathan's mom and sister! A LOT!!! :D


Afterwards, we met up with Nathan, Holly, and Mason for dinner at Chili's!
I kind of filled myself up on chips and queso.
I do it every time and then regret it when my food arrives because I'm not as hungry.
When we were so full and thought our bellies would pop, we said goodbye to Holly & Mason, before heading over to the mall.
I got a lot of goodies while I was there.

Some of my favorite stores!

Spa pamplet, Starbucks Blonde coffee beans, owl journal, a love note written on a Chili's napkin, AE sweater (for 10 bucks!!), and a Reese's easter egg. :) 

So, Saturday was a pretty jam packed day full of greatness!

Then this morning Nathan & I went to church.

The worship & service was fantastic!! 

The rest of the day consisted of a two hour nap, relaxing on the couch, drinking coffee, looking at my rad turquoise shellac nails, checking blogs, & making up songs and dances moves to make my mom and sisters laugh hysterically! ;)

I hope your weekend was just as lovely!

much love.

PS. I have no idea why I didn't take one photo of any of us during the weekend. :( 
I'll have to make sure I snap a few on the next adventure!

REALLYY!!!?

photo credit:

instagram: @dearleila



I had four wonderful days off from work.
How does it end?
Me at home, in bed, with strep.
:(
I was looking forward to attending church with Nathan for the first time.
Plus, going to enjoy my last day off before getting back to the grind of things at work.
So now I'm a bit whiny, especially considering I just got over being sick like three weeks ago.
I'm desperately praying for Spring to arrive sooner than later!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, filled with sunshine and NO sore throats! :/
much love.

I'm alive, I'm alive!

dinner date.

Goodness, me.
I have felt like I have be absent from the blogging world a lot this past week.
This probably has to do with the fact that I have. :/
I completely missed my 'Tuesdays with Colie' post this past Tuesday.
So, it looks like this coming Tuesday you'll get a double post. :)
Which will be fun, but more typing for me. ;)
(& I don't even want to talk about how I have neglected my tumblr. poor thing.)


Anyhoo, I just wanted to update you all on what has been happening lately.

1. I have had the craziest work schedule. This is legit, considering I had two days off and then had an eight day work schedule afterwards.  :/ (I still have 3 more days after today) I'm obviously looking forward for next Wed/Thurs so that I can sleep in and relax a bit.

2. I got sick ... AGAIN!! geez. You know the saying, "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired?" -- UMM... yea, well I am completely on board with that. I mean, I couldn't even drink coffee, folks!! & I LOVE coffee. :( **side note: coffee is the numbero UNO worst thing to drink with a sore throat. sad day, indeed. -- wonderful news, though. i finally got to drink a cup yesterday morning!! it was glorious. ;)


3. Nathan & I became official about 2 weeks ago, and he has been the biggest blessing in my life. :) & in between work and being sick ... I had some time to squeeze him into my crazy schedule. Which was nice, but meant we were both exhausted. I don't like that our work schedules are completely opposite of the other. :/ BUT! we do have next weekend off so that is going to be wonderful.
(ps. there will be photos of us together SOON!! ... I promise! :)


4. I am getting excited for one of my best friends, Jordan, having a birthday this coming Sunday! :) She will be the big 2-5! Which means she is closer to the big 3-0 than me. ;) **only by 3 months, though. ha.


I hope you have all been doing well!
I am looking forward to sharing more on this blog in the upcoming months. :)

I wanted to leave you with a photo from a recent trip that Nathan & I took while antique shopping. It was at a local shop, which was so sweet and got me quite giddy and excited. (the little things makes me happy. thrifting and antiquing are two of them!) Anyhoo, I came across this birthday card and couldn't help snapping a photo of it. I laughed so hard!! -- Now, I wish I had bought it for Jordan. ;)

Enjoy the weekend.

Stay warm.

much love, colie!

The in-between.

Life is a fickle thing, I tell ya.
I find myself caught up in two different worlds, so to speak.

First, I just want to start off by saying that I am a Christian.
I love the Lord with all my heart!
If you are someone who knows me well, then you definitely know this about me.
However, I try not to be one of those over-bearing, in your face, kind of "Christians".
(**quotations are put around christian because it has become such a watered down, misused word.)
I'm one of those "open-minded christians" you hear about, I suppose.

I believe that being a "christian" and being IN the world, but not OF the world is one of the hardest things to do.
I find myself struggling with that a lot!
I remember when I first gave my life to the Lord.
Goodness, what a feeling!
Joy. Happiness. Love. Grace. Peace.
ALL THE TIME!
I was on fire and NOTHING or NO ONE could stop me.

Ah ... but then time moved on.
There have been seasons come and go along the way.
I have seen myself on the very top of the mountain bursting with pure joy.
I've also found myself in the low depths of valley wondering if God were really around at all.
In those times, I questioned God.
I think that is okay to do. I don't believe He was ever mad at me.
For He knows my heart and every emotion, need, and struggle that I face in this life ... I mean, He kinda wrote the story, ya know?! ;)

And along my journey, I have grown.
In that growth, I have changed.
I still LOVE the Lord!
I know that NOTHING can shake that from me.
However, I find myself unsure of the balance between expressing my love for the Lord and not talking about my faith "so much".
The latter has a tendency of pushing people away. : /

We live in a very strange culture and time.
Jesus never sought after the rich or desireable, but just the opposite.
He came to those in their brokeness & brought light to their life.
He didn't judge or down grade those who were "different".
He offered arms to hold them and love to heal them.
I'm still learning how to do that, while not worrying wether someone will like me in the end.
It has been a very hard lesson for me to learn that no matter how much you want people to like you, they just might not.
I'm still working on it.

As I have mentioned in a previous post, some of my conservative friends think I'm more liberal, while my more liberal friends believe I am quite conservatice.
I believe this is funny because on either side, I am judged.
My "conservative" friends believe I should be more traditional. Some even feel the need that everything they talk about be followed by scripture or some type of message that the Lord has sent them.
While, my "liberal" friends believe I should be more open-minded. Though, they do see that I am different than most "christians", they feel my box is still far too small and needs to be expanded.

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.'
-Matthew 7: 1-2
(NIV)

It seems like I spend so much time trying to fit into what the world, whether it be of christians or non-believers, EXPECT of me. (This probably steaming from the fact that I am a people pleaser in many ways.)
It makes me so tired trying to keep up with it all.

All I can say is that I love Jesus, I love people, and I'm NOT perfect.
Without Jesus in my life there would be a great void missing, which nothing could fill.
I want to be a better person because of His presence in my life.
His grace is so abundant if we would be willing to accept it!
But every now and again I may say a curse word, I still plan to get another tattoo, I would rather listen to "secular" music sometimes instead of some christian band on the raido, I like people who aren't afraid to be themselves, and I've learned along the way that I have no clue who will or will not enter the gates of heaven based on what they believe ... nor is it my place.

"I'm speaking to you as dear friends. Don't be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life -- body and soul -- in his hands. Stand up for me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God's angels. But if you pretend you don't know me, do you think I'll defend you before God's angels?"
-Luke 12: 4-5 & 8-9
(The Message)

BE KIND.
BE TRUE.
BE LOVE.
BE YOU.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!