Friday's Letters Link-Up

Dear Grad School:  I survived orientation, but I think you are about to give me a run for my money (literally and figuratively actually!).  Dear Parents: I'm thankful you're coming to see me this weekend. Your support and love has always meant the world to me.  Dear Grey's Anatomy:  Your ending was AWFUL. And I think you kind of killed off the wrong character.  Um, yeah.  I think it was Derek who wanted to leave.  Dear French Vanilla Tea: You are the perfect end to a long day.  Dear God:  Thank you for getting me this far.  Three years of health nightmares, temporary jobs, and just wanting to move forward... I'm here.

Linking up with:

www.adventuresofnewlyweds.com

She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not Link-up

 I haven't done a blog link-up in quite awhile, but I decided it would be fun to take part in my sweet friend Michaela's (of Michaela Noelle Designs blog) series, "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not".  My "loves" right now include pretty much anything bright and summery!  Thanks for hosting Michaela!

 She Loves Me:

This dress.. just beautiful.

 I love the cut, I love the print, and I love the colors.  I'm definitely in the mood for some cute and colorful summer dresses!

via modcloth.com

 J. Crew cardigans.  I have three so far, in beautiful pastel colors... but I really think you can't have too many of these.  I wear them all the time and with everything, and I love some of the new colors they have out for summer!

via jcrew.com

Brightly colored Moleskin sketchbooks and ruled notebooks.  

I bought the pocket-sized ruled notebooks in some pretty cerulean colors which I intend to use for grad school, but I'm really tempted to buy some more in other sizes and colors.  My mind is running rampant with all I could do with them!

via moleskine.com

Color-coordinated closets.  

Yes, call me weird if you like.  But I have a thing for making sure my clothes are organized by color in my closet.  And if that's stemming from any amount of OCD, I will completely blame my parents for that one. ;)

via

She Loves Me Not:

Unpacking.

 It took me precisely one week to unpack everything, tear down the boxes, and bring them all out to the appropriate dumpster.  Packing and unpacking in general are NO FUN.

via

Not being able to read as much for fun.

I am really excited to start grad school, but I know for certain my "pleasure reading" time will be cut down to near nothing.  And I really want to get through this book as well!

via

Hanging Photos and Frames.

I'm terrible at it.  In fact, I'm waiting for my dad to come down and hang them all for me.  But in all fairness, he will come armed with all the tools that I don't have, like a level, a stud-finder, etc. :)
 via

Well friends! I hope you have a lovely Wednesday!  Orientation starts tomorrow. Yikes.

Cheers,

The New Digs

Well, I've moved.  And my word... all I have to say is I LOATHE moving. How's that for a dramatic word, huh?  Loathe.  Well it's very fitting.  I've moved far too many times in the last several years, and I am really rather tired of it.  However, I really am settling into my new place quite nicely.  There's still a lot to be done (like finding furniture to put in my starkly empty living room), but I figure that will come with time.  My bedroom is almost complete, and I have to say... between the light, airy feel of the room and the walk-in closet, I'm in love.  I don't think that I shall ever be satisfied with a regular closet again.  The bathroom isn't anything to brag about at all... but that closet.  Oh, it just about makes up for it! :)

So since I am still in the process of getting everything completely settled, I thought I'd share a few snippets of the place.  When it's all finished, I'll share more pics. :)

 The ever-present influence of Jane Austen continues. :)

 I was given a perk of having an accent wall painted for free when I moved in... and I have to say, I just love it!

 Penelope has survived many of the moves and has come with me everywhere :)

 Swooning... seriously.  

So there's a little bit of my new home. :)  I'm really quite liking it!  Over the years, I've acquired a few pieces of timeless furniture and have definitely developed my own "style", so it was fun to adapt all of my stuff to a new place.  And unpacking those treasures after being packed up for just a few weeks is still like opening something new in a way! :)  Well, wish me luck as I start this new adventure.  Prayers are always appreciated!  Stay tuned...

Cheers,

Summer Swoon List

 It seems like every so often, I get into a fashion slump.  Winter, being one of those times.  Because I lived so long in California, I never really ever bought anything warmer than a light long-sleeved shirt and a cute jacket or two.  And even though I've been back to cold weather again for two winters now, I still haven't built up that wardrobe.  So yea, my winter-time attire is somewhat boring... and recycled... and REALLY thrown together. :)  Which is why I'm so excited for summer! 

Pinterest has given me lots of summer style inspirations, and of course, most of them are full of color,  good white shirt or two, a pretty purse, and a good splash of floral.  Here are my summer swoons:

Never underestimate the value of a good hat.  This one is just too cute!

via

A colorful scarf like this is just perfect to jazz up a pretty white shirt!

via

I just love everything about this outfit... especially the blue colors and the pretty blue beaded bracelet!

via

I've always loved Tommy Hilfiger bags, and this one is no exception.  It adds color while being very relaxed at the same time.

via

These watches are just awesome.  I love my white Fossil watch, but I'm halfway tempted to find a cheaper colorful version for the summer. :)

via

The floral print shoes and clutch are toootaaally me. :)

via

And lastly, everyone needs a cute, flowy dress with a great pattern. 

via

So those are a few of my summer favorites.  I've done a little bit of last-minute shopping for school in the last few weeks and will share a few of my bargain finds soon. :)

Cheers to summer!

Kerri Noel

Monday Moments: Reality

Whooaaa! I'm back!  Yes, I've been completely remiss in blogging lately. The craziness of packing up, my impending move, and finishing up work and other last minute details has really filled up my time.  But at least I'm here now. :)  

Good Thoughts:

Today's thoughts are on reality.  I finished reading Plan B a couple of weeks ago, and my goodness... that seriously was one of the best books I've EVER read.  As I keep saying, it was one that hit me straight between the eyes with how applicable it was to my life.  I highly recommend it to anyone who has struggled with doubt, questions, hurt, and the craziness that comes with finding that reality is a little different than how you had always imagined your life would be.

But thanks to my local bargain bookstore, I picked up a new book called Twenty Something: Surviving and Thriving in the Real World.  It was written by a 20-something and from a Christian perspective, and although I just started it this weekend, I am already loving it.  

I wanted to share a quote from the foreword (by the singer Bebo Norman) which is just so beautiful and true, and something I often need to be reminded of:

"We are not defined by our careers or our relationships or even our life's passions.  God's ultimate and immediate will for our lives as believers becomes simply this: That we would pursue Him every single day of our lives.  That is what defines us."

Wowzers, right?  Yep... it's bound to be a good one. 

Good Quotes:

via 

Good Music:

So, I first heard this song on Pandora and really fell for it.  It's such a powerful song with powerful words, and it's just so awesome to listen to!  Since then, I have listened to it over and over, and I still love it. Enjoy!

For King & Country: The Proof of Your Love

Well my friends, I hope that you all have a wonderful start to a new week.  This week starts my new adventures... send up a prayer for me if you would!  

Cheers,

Trinket Necklace

So awhile back, I saw a photo on Pinterest of a customizable locket necklace filled with meaningful "trinkets".  And of course, I decided to make my own.  Complete with vintage elements and crystal pieces.

 I simply gathered the pieces I thought might look good in it, and ended up with something like this.

:)

 

It was probably one of the simplest DIY's I have ever done. :)  Not much explaining needed.  But I thought I would share the photos!

This is my last week of work before grad school.  Unfortunately, I spent most of yesterday in bed and came home early today because I felt so awful.  Sick days are no fun. Ick. 

I have lots of posts to share, but I just haven't had the time to write them yet, so stay tuned!  I'll try to get them posted soon! :)

Cheers, 

The Little Things

There's just something about the little things in life for me. I've realized through the last several years that life isn't always about the huge moments, the big surprises, and massive purchases, or the grand gestures.  Oftentimes it's more about the little shared moments, the tiny little treats or purchases, and the small acts of kindness.

Here are a few of the "little things" that I enjoy so much:

*New books for a fabulously cheap price

*The mornings where my cup of coffee turns out just right

*Watching the rain come down and turn everything an emerald green

*Buying a box of a new kind of tea

*Accomplishing one or two things on my to-do list for grad school

*Seeing the smile on my dad's face when I come through the door, knowing full well that he loves me more than life itself

*Impromptu shopping trips with my mom, full of little squeels of excitement at great finds

*Letters and emails and texts from friends

*Making an extra little bit of side cash from selling a piece of my hand-made jewelry and planning for a few little extra girly treats that will spice up my life as a serious grad student in the upcoming weeks: a LUCKY magazine, Essie nail polish, and a bracelet from Target

*Visits from my sister and her family before I head off to school

*Dinner out with a life-long friend

*Feeling God's presence when I stop in the craziness and just remember that He's there

Came home from work yesterday to find the weather had changed from cold and rainy springtime to hot and humid 80 degree summertime.  I quickly changed into a cooler and more summery ensemble.  :)

Pulled out my bargain REEF sandals :)

So here is wishing everyone an absolutely wonderful weekend full of the little things.  Stop and notice and savor them my friends!

Cheers,

Kerri Noel

Fun Little Diversions

Well, as I'm sure you're all aware from my shocking lack of blogposts lately, I've been a little busy.  However, in the midst of it all, I've found a few little fun "diversions" that have made the stress a little better.

(Sidenote: don't you just love the word "diversions"?  It's so Austen. ;) hehe!)

First of all, I have discovered an amazing bargain store full of all things random.  Now let me clarify, if I was going there for any other reason than for books, I definitely wouldn't care for it.  But the book selection is simply amazing and the books average at prices like $3, $4, and $5. Amazing, right?

This is one of the books I found.  I was looking through a stack of quite random books and uncovered this little gem.  It's a novel of Jane Austen's life written from her own perspective.  I'm only a few chapters in, but I'm liking it a lot so far.  And of course, I always go for anything Austen.

I have found that painting my nails can be quite relaxing, so I went all out with a bright magenta color and added some sparkle for my toes.  Fun, huh?

My laptop bit the dust back in the fall, and I've been surviving with my little Acer Netbook.  However, I definitely needed a new and better laptop for grad school and for home, so I gave my right arm for this thing.  However, I am really loving it and forgot how nice it is to be able to watch DVD's on my laptop again. :)

This last weekend, my mom and I went off for a fun Sunday shopping trip to some outlets.  Ohhhh what bliss. It was a beautiful day outside, and mom and I, complete with our tea, set off for some retail therapy.  All in all, it was a successful day, and I got several of the things I had had on my list to get before school.  I'll post on that later, but here's a little peak at my favorite purchase.  Swoon.

Well friends, I'm off to a day full of shmoozing at work and then to finish some cleaning and packing. Oh my. :)

Send up a prayer for me if you would!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Cheers,

Kerri Noel

Cerulean Necklace

Hello Friends!!! I'm back! 

It's been just a little more crazy than I'd like.  This weekend was filled with packing and prepping my little house.  Although my mom and I did take some time out for a fun little trip to some awesome outlets.  I'll post on that later. ;)

I've been a little, well, "melancholy" about the prospect of packing up my house.  I'll be making the BIG move in a few weeks, and in the meantime will stay with family, but I've cherished my own little space, and I will miss the blessing it has been. 

I have to keep reminding myself that with a new move though comes a new place to decorate... yes.. I will concentrate on that. :)

Anyway, somewhere in the midst of all the packing and craziness of last week, I managed to make a spring-inspired statement necklace with the prettiest cerulean-colored beads.

Here's how it turned out:

I've already worn it several times, and I love how it adds an instant pop of color to a white blouse.  And since I have an overabundance of white blouses, this is a good thing. :)

Well my friends, I promise to be back to posting at least semi-regularly this week.  I've missed my blog a little bit, but a break was also a good thing.

Cheers and Happy Monday,

Kerri Noel

A Little Bit of Craziness...

My life has become a bit of a crazed haze of busy-ness and to-do's... so this week, I'll be blogging less frequently.  I'm in the midst of boxes and packing material and learning stuff and ordering stuff and just all sorts of "stuff."

But I'll be back... after this week, things will be a little bit more calm... at least for a couple of weeks! :)

So in the meantime, I will share some blooms from my backyard and from my mom's garden as well.  I simply love the way lilacs smell, and I was quite happy to see them blooming in my yard.  My mom has a patch of lily of the valley growing near their house, and I've been routinely picking a bunch to take home and stick in my very pretty Lenox vases.  I just adore them and their fragrant loveliness!

So here's to spring!  And flowers and white ruffled shirts.  And getting things all in order.  And patience. :) hehe!

Happy Monday and see you all soon,

Kerri Noel