Saturday Stumbles

My stumbles this week lean more towards the world of fashion. Oh, the world of fashion! A second home to me. I don't claim to have the greatest or tendiest fashion sense, but I sure do love playing around with it!

Nail art

Now this just looks like fun!

Feather extensions

photo source

Feathers are all the rage right now and I think it's a fun accessory!

Necklace

photo source

Such a cute and simple way to dress up jeans and a tee...my go to outfit!

Father's Day t-shirts
File this one away for next year, but the cuteness factor is off the charts.

So what did you find stumble worthy this week?  Swing by the guidelines, then link up below so we can all enjoy!!

Social Media

Thank you to BING Social Search for sponsoring my post about social media. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Raise your hand if you...

...get your news first from your twitter stream.
...are facebook friends with people in high school who you never talked to back then.
...log on "just to check email" and then realize you've been on Pinterest for 2 hours.

If you were able to raise your hand to one of those, then social media has had a huge impact on your life. While social media can, at times, be the biggest time vortex, it also has a way of making the world a smaller place and being just what you need it to be at the right time.

Two years ago, if you were to tell me that some of my closest friends would be online, I would probably laugh it off as being something for introverted people with severe social disorder issues.

But thanks to social media, it has brought me friends who have come to be near and dear to my heart. I realize that still may sound foreign to some people, and I used to be one of those people, but to that I would say "don't knock it till you tried it"!

While social media has, for the most part, been good for my soul, there have been some heartbreaks as a result of it to. I've had my fair share of online dating or reconnecting through Facebook. They usually start out great, but...well, I'm still single, so I guess that speaks for itself :)

So what about you? How has social media affected your life?

Winner

Congrats to Leigh over at HopefuLeigh for winning the Sheila Walsh book "God's Shelter For Your Storm"!

Thank you to those that entered. It was heart breaking to read what's going on in your lives. I encourage you to pick up the book. It will be well worth it!

Saturday Stumbles

Welcome to the weekend!  I hope you've all had a great week.  Looking forward to a great Father's Day weekend grilling out and spending time by the pool. 

Let's get to stumbling!!

How to Fish Tail Braid
This is such an easy thing to do even though it looks very intimidating.

Pomegranate Iced Tea

photo source

Iced tea is a staple down here in the south, but the twist of pomegranate just screams summer!

Zucchini Feta Cheese Chopped Salad

photo source

These ingredients could easily be picked up at your local farmers market and be a light, easy lunch.

I can't wait to read what you found this week! Link up below!

God's Promises

Have you ever hit rock bottom in your life? Have you prayed for something or someone for so long but feel that God is just ignoring you? Is there a situation going on in your life right now that makes you question the very existence of God?

You're not alone.

This summer I am going to yet another wedding of yet another friend of mine. I am beyond excited for her because she truly has an amazing love story, but I will sit through that wedding with this thought in the back of my mind: "When's it my turn?"

God knows the one desire in life I have is to be a good wife. Not making tons of money, not to become famous, not even to have kids. Nope, I want to share my life with someone and serve with them in ministry. [And if kids DO come along, well don't think I haven't already picked names and nursery decor. Guess that's just the planner in me!]

But that is something I have been praying about for years now. Years. Lately I have come to a point where, honestly, I'm just tired of praying about it anymore. It's not that I don't believe in prayer at all. In fact for every prayer I prayed while dating someone that I wanted God to make him "the one", I know he saved me from heartache I'll never know.

It's more an exhausting feeling. You know, when you keep doing something over and over, eventually it just wears you down.

Now. That's the whiny part.

Am I a sad, mopey, whiny ball of mush that can't go on? Nope. Am I mad at God for not bringing me my husband the way I think he should come? No. Am I set on becoming a bitter old cat lady? No...if you know me at all, you know I think cats are of the devil!

Several weeks ago, I got an email from my friend Lori asking me if I wanted to read a book about God's promises and then tell you about it. It couldn't have come at a better time.

Here's the good part.

God's promises to me are the same regardless of my circumstances and in spite of how I feel. HE knows right where I am. He's not forgotten me. He loves me unending.

The book, God's Shelter For Your Storm, is so encouraging. Author Sheila Walsh points all of life's difficulties back to one of God's 3,000 promises. It's not just "feel good" writing, it's Bible based.

But don't just take my word for it. Hear from Sheila herself:


Through reading the book, I came across a very encouraging point.

God tells us that He'll give us peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

God tells us that He'll give us strength.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

God tells us that He'll provide for us.

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35

Those, by themselves, are pretty encouraging, but let's re-read those again and here's what stuck out to me.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35

God doesn't give us sloppy seconds.  He doesn't give us "Miss-America-World-Peace" or a watered down superhero strength or croutons for sustenance.

He gives us HIMSELF!  HIS peace, HIS grace, HIS strength and He even offers His very self to sustain us!  It really doesn't get more encouraging than that!

Do you need some encouragement?  Is there someone who could use this book?  I've been provided with a book to give away to one of you!  Here's how:

-Leave me a comment saying why you want this book.

-Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment saying you did so.
-Like my fan page on Facebook and leave a comment saying you did so.

I will draw for a winner on Sunday night. 

I was provided with the book to giveaway but the opinions are mine.

Saturday Stumbles

Hi Friends!  So excited for the weekend because I have NO plans!  Well...maybe heading to to the pool.  How's everyone summer going?  It's been H-O-T here in the south.  I think we're going on 13 straight days of temperatures over 90 degrees.  I can only imagine what's in store for the rest of the summer.

Ooey Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies
Oh my word, this just screams GOODNESS!!  (Please refrain from drooling on your keyboard!)

photo source

DIY Cake Stand
These are great for cakes and cupcakes, but I also like how they use it for jewelry, too. 

photo source

Wallflowers
I know nothing about art, but this is something I would pay money for to hang on my wall!

photo source

Rock Your Alphabet
This is all kinds of great! 

photo source

BBQ Chicken Polenta Cakes
I have to confess that I don't know much about polenta.  Is it healthy?  Is it easy to use?  Is it like cornmeal?  But for some reason, these just look so good to me!

photo source

I'm excited to read what you've stumbled this week!  If you're new here, be sure to check the guidelines then link up below!

Saturday Stumbles

[So glad you found me! I'm having issues with my domain and am probably going to have to change it. Please help me spread the word so everyone else will know where to find us!]

Aren't things supposed to slow down when school gets out? Apparently I didn't get that memo. I'm finishing up a year long program at school to become certified to teach gifted students. It almost as intense as a masters program! Plus I have a training seminar for a summer camp I help direct, cupcakes for a bridal luncheon, and a church event where I'll be selling Thirty One products!

But enough of that...onto the stumbles!

Tile Coaster tutorial

Outdoor Color Match game

Outdoor Streamers

photo source

No Mess Marble painting

Pom Pom Cupcake Topper tutorial

photo source

Homemade whipped Cream

Tuna Melts

Check the guidelines if you're new here and then link up below so we can all read your stumble worthy posts!