A Life List

I am a firm believer in chasing dreams, if you couldn't already tell by my header! I think it's important to seize moments and live life to the fullest. I've been creating lists of things that I've wanted to do in this lifetime for the past few years. It has changed and adapted as time goes on. However, the one thing that hasn't changed is my desire to keep chasing dreams, no matter how big. I realize that I may not accomplish all in this lifetime, but I'm sure going to try!

Here are 25 things I want to do in this lifetime; in no particular order!

1. Go to a taping of the Ellen show {if I can ever get tickets!}

2. Trying a latte for the first time.

3.  Go on an African Safari.

4. Grow my own garden.

5. Learn how to use a monogram machine.

6. Re-learn the Spanish language.

7. Do something that scares me.

8. Ride The Tube in London.

9. Be a maid of honor

10. Be in two places at once.

11. Learn how to cook a gourmet meal.

12. Make a ten-layer cake, just for fun.

13. Learn how to play the guitar.

14. Go camping and learn how to pitch a tent.

15. Volunteer in Haiti.

16. Dance in the rain.

17. Visit the Grand Canyon.

18. Ride on an elephant.

19. Own a home.

20. Go to Costa Rica

21. Own a dress line

22. Keep a gratitude journal for 5 years.

23. See the Eiffel Tower at night.

24. Be front row at a concert.

25. Change a stranger's life.


I'm going to continue to add to my list as well as cross things off as I accomplish them!

What is ONE thing you want to accomplish in this lifetime?

5 Things to be Happy About

1. I got a huge discount on Valentine's day items the day after. Target never fails me!

2. It was an absolutely beautiful day a few days ago, so I went for a 10 mile run. Then I rewarded myself with ice cream, because that's how I roll.

3. My sweet mentor, Amy Cornwell, makes beautiful jewelry. I ordered a simple heart necklace and seriously have not taken it off since I got it in the mail!

4. My local movie theater offers movies for $5 all day long on Tuesdays. So my friend and I took advantage of it and went to see Identity Theft. I got the kid's combo and it was so yummy and way cheaper than anything else.

5. I love a good sale. I was so excited when I popped into The Loft yesterday and scooped up two cardigans I've been eyeing for 50% off!

Love Does

It is no secret around here that I love people. I find the greatest joy in serving others. I always say that the best way to cure a bad day is to make someone else's better. I decided this year for Valentine's day that I would love on others as much as I possibly could, and to be totally honest, I think it blessed me far more than it blessed them.

I made a quick stop to the dollar store in the morning to pick up some balloons. I had assumed there would only be red balloons, so my heart just about exploded when I saw that they also came in two shades of pink!

I spent the day wrapped balloons around the side mirrors of cars, tucking notes under windshield wipers, and leaving gift cards in the door handles. Some of them I handed out to people passing me by, as well leaving a few little gifts on my neighbors' doorstops.

The entire day reminded me that people matter. Their stories, their heartaches, their triumphs, and their lives matter so much. Each day is an opportunity to be kind. 

I made an evening stop at the post office to drop off some packages and check my P.O box. There were two valentines from people I've never met waiting for me when I opened up my mailbox. I about cried right then and there. Someone once told me all the kindness and goodness you put out into the world finds a way back to you. 

outfit: top: madewell // cardigan: the loft // jeans and boots: old navy // necklace: caroline g.

In the spirit of giving, I'm currently offering this necklace (seen above) for free on my facebook page. You only have to pay shipping! :D

Back by Popular Demand

I have a super fun giveaway for y'all today! Over the holidays, I offered a free necklace (you just had to pay shipping costs) on my facebook page. It ended up being a great success and since then I've gotten a ton of emails of people inquiring if that deal will ever be available again. Well today is YOUR lucky day! I have the same deal running on my facebook page! I've added three new colors to the mix as well.

The giveaway, starting, today will have two winners who each win 5 necklaces in their color of choice!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 Things to be Happy About

1. I survived a trip to the hospital to get tested for celiac disease. I'm just now awaiting the test results!

 2. Kate and I went to dinner and I gave her cat calendars that I had found at target. She about melted on the spot and could hardly contain her excitement.

3. The target dollar section is seriously my jam. They have the greatest stuff for so cheap! I picked up some pink and green heart balloons the other day and can't wait to use them.

 4. I whipped up a batch of chocolate-covered strawberries yesterday. They were so delicious that I may have eaten almost all of them. Whoops...

5. I love Valentine's day! I always feel like its a good reminder that we need to love each other every single day of the year. But frankly it gives me a great excuse to love on others and use a whole heck of a lot of pink along the way. I spent the day handing out cards and balloons to strangers. And want to know the amazing part about it all.....I went to my P.O box in the afternoon and people I don't know sent me Valentine's day cards. I always say that the good you put out into the world finds a way back to you.

Creating Community

My favorite thing about blogging is all the community I've found. The more I read blogs and discover new ones, the more I realize that we need each other. Our words and our stories are gifts to one another's hearts to remind us that we are never alone no matter how hard life gets.

Community is something that is so vital within the blogging world. It allows us to share pieces of our hearts, tell our stories, as well as encourage one another along the way. The point of this link-up is to bring us together, to build more community, and to walk through life together. Feel free to link up your home page, your about page, or a post where you are sharing your heart.

This year I want to create and build more community, and I'd love to have you along for the ride. Feel free to link up your blog (you can do your home page or a specific post) to the linky below. Next week I'll have some co-hosts! And if you want to co-host for a week, let me know: chasingbigdreams@gmail.com

please note: I've had some issues with my email account so if you emailed me about co-hosting and didn't hear back, please resend it!

A Fun Earring Giveaway

There is nothing I love more than bright pops of color that can go with any outfit. I was so excited to add 8 bright bubble stud earrings into my shop earlier this week. And today I have a giveaway for YOU! Two lucky winners will each win a set of all 8 colors!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 Things to be Happy About

1. I've been wearing my new Loft shoes and loving looking down and seeing how bright and cheerful there are.

2. I just sent off some bows to a model for a pink and green photo shoot. I'm anxiously awaiting the outcome!

3. It was 70 degrees earlier in the week and I just had to stop at TCBY for some white chocolate yogurt; so good.

4. Kate hosted an event at the Loft and it was a blast to see her and her sister Lauren.

5. I just recently discovered that Domino's has gluten free crust; so it was a treat to have something more on the junk food side of things since I've been eating most super healthy food on my diet.