New BLOG!

I did it! The new blog is up and running! And there's a giveaway!

Check out Simply Lauren @ www.thesimplylaurenblog.blogspot.com

Have a wonderful 2014! Happy New Year!

it's officially coming

the new blog...
it's officially coming! i'm launching it on... you guessed it... Jan 1st.

there's still a lot to do for it to be ready, but i'm ready to share with you what i've been working on!
i have so many papers of plans bent with use and transportation with ideas and dreams for the new blog.

there will also be a giveaway on Ren Was Here to get the word out! more to come soon...

follow me on instagram to see how the progress is coming a long and my frequent sharing on my daily life!

busy

i love this time of year. but i hate how busy it gets. Still need to get quite a few Christmas gifts and i'm running out of time and money. 

the most stressful time of the year.

giving it all to Jesus!

moments of glory

I've had some great moments if glory. 

Even when I'm at my lowest, He always shows up. Even when I feel so alone, He is there. And I'm not saying it in that cliche way, but in a tangible way, God has been revealing Himself. Sometimes I get lost in the chaos that is life. And I realize that's not what it is about. 

"It's about being who I created you to be." - God

can we talk for a minute?

i've been in Arizona for 127 days.

i have lots of things to be grateful about.

a new car
a place to love
a fantastic job
family all together

but there is one area that i'm forever having a hard time.
i've written many a posts and seem to get no where.

the care and keeping of friends.
i haven't met anyone at the church i've been attending, but i still feel called to go there.
work friends are on and off. sometimes their on, but most of the time, i don't even get a response from them.

the only thing i can think to do, is to give it to God. i can't make people like me, talk to me, or hang out with me. but i do know the Giver of Good Gifts.

127 days is a short amount of time if you really think about it.

christmas music is my favorite.

christmas music is my favorite.

it stinks when you think you're out of a funk, but you realize you've just been able to hide it for awhile. my birthday last week helped.

i realized today that i'm just as lonely as my first day in arizona. i realized today that a certain problem that i thought had gotten better is eating away at me. i realized today that i'm lonely. i realized today i have made friends, but i feel like i'm at the point of bugging most of them. i realized today that i'm not enjoying things or reaching out as much.

you know those shows and movies where the characters just need to dance out a problem. meredith grey always seemed to feel better after she had danced out her problems. i always laughed and thought she was silly. but as i was feeling quite down, i cranked up my christmas music in my ear buds and just jammed out to "sleigh ride." and you know what? i felt better. i truly didn't care who saw me. and i truly felt my problems dissolve. even if it was for a few minutes.

they say it's always darkest before the dawn.

create.

i have all these wonderful ideas swirling through my head. i'm excited about the blog launch.

i have a lot of projects stacked up and i feel that i've stopped consuming and have been consumed.

i feel like i was back in college, except take school and switch it with work and take my blog and switch with my jobs back in school. my life outside of school/work was a sliver of my existence.

i'm being swallowed up.

i enjoy so many things, but i haven't had the pleasure of purely enjoying them as of late.

i'm behind on my devotions and bible reading.
i haven't journaled this week.
i'm not done with that blanket i'm crocheting.
my books are collecting dust.

this saturday, i bid to work some OT. i didn't get the bid, i think that's a beautiful sign. a sign for me to take a holiday.

i'm taking a holiday this saturday. i'm going to rise early, pack all my "writing" gear, pack my reading books, my devotions, and my art stuff and travel to the heart of phoenix. to one of my favorite coffee shops. i'm not going to worry about paleo, or anyone or anything for that matter. i'm going to have much needed "me time."

sometimes that's needed. i'll be able to work on the new blog. read and hopefully finish a book. work on some journaling and future planning. and make sure i'm getting the rest and me time i need to keep functioning without giving up or burning out.

how do you take or get your "me" time in?

on being 27

this has been a pretty fantastic week!

i'm not 27 and i don't feel any different, just more special!

this was a great birthday.

simple, calm, and special.

i keep using that word, but that's how i feel!

i don't think i really took any photos on my birthday. 

but here are my birthday goodies!

From top left to bottom: scrap-booking cards, birthday cards, Practical Paleo cookbook, leather jacket, leather journal ESV Bible, Amazon Kindle gift card, Rifle Paper Co notebooks from target, statement necklace, Starbucks gift card. (not pictured: vera bradley wallet/phone holder)

I have such wonderful family and friends!

Have a wonderful weekend

27 before 28

I didn't post 26 before 27 because I wasn't blogging at the time due to my schedule in YWAM.

But I'm excited for this years list.

It's varied, it's long, but it's actually doable. One of them I can cross off sometime this month!

1. launch my new blog
2. document my 27th year with project life
3. journal at least once a week
4. read through the bible
5. visit the grand canyon
6. sew at least one piece of clothing (really, how long have i had this on a list)
7. learn at least 20 songs on guitar 
8. learn to speak basic french
9. learn to speak basic spanish
10. grow out my hair
11. move into my own place
12. have daily quiet times with God
13. go on spontaneous road trip
14. spend more time baking
15. write more letters
16. find a craft and hone in on my skills
17. find a place to volunteer
18. exercise my singing voice in some capacity
19. visit one major city outside of phoenix
20. explore phoenix
21. get involved with a local church
22. find a community/set of friends
23. learn to extend grace and forgiveness
24. begin to dream big
25. start walking again
26. learn at least 10 crochet stitches
27. go to disney land

on being 26

this is my last weekend as a 26 year old.

this may seem small, but i'm saying goodbye to my mid-twenties and embracing the late ones.

i've done so many things this past year.

• moved to a new state
• got a new job
• bought a car
• went to cambodia
• graduated YWAM
• lived with all 5 members of my family (again)

but i'm excited to see what 27 will bring.

there will be more hard moments.

but i'm ready, 27 - BRING IT ON!

hey you guys

i'm still blogging, i promise.

i'm actually working on my brand new blog. i know i could have renamed this blog. but i want a brand new start. a clean new slate.
you want to see a sneak peek? here it is:

what do you think?

i also am not sure what i'm going to with this blog. i may retire this one. or change it up. not sure... i'm just ready to start the new one. i haven't bought my own url, but by the first of 2014, it will be all mine!

i decided to take a day off of work and have a long birthday weekend. my birthday is on the 11th. and as much as i'd like to launch my blog, on my birthday. i'm just not sure i want to spend all weekend working on it.

this morning i had the best breakfast i'd had in a long time. and... it was paleo!

• trader joe's unsweetened applesauce
• trader joe's pumpkin butter
• nitrate and nitrite free ham
• boiled egg

it was super simple, filling, and really good. the only problem is i've been having some stomach issues. not sure if i'm sick or just not processing the food i've been eating. so even my paleo friendly foods have been disrupting my stomach.

any suggestions? anyone else eating paleo? anyone out there? 

have a fantastic weekend!

{Day 22} Discovery in Contentment and Simplicity

Blogging for consistently has been hard. But it has been rewarding...
Tonight's one of those nights where I just check in. I've had no sleep and I have quite a bit to do before I go to bed! I just have a few more things to get done before my sister's birthday on Friday. But, I'm almost done.

I will quickly go over my day.

1. Forgot my breakfast and lunch at home
2. My tire pressure light came on.
3. I got no sleep and was dead tired all day.


Just those three things basically made for a long day!

How was your Tuesday? I better head to bed because I'm massively yawning!

{Day 21} Discovery in Contentment and Simplicity

Another co-worker reminded me that I didn't tell about my surprise on Friday!

I'm glad I officially have two readers ;). I'm just kidding, I know there are 3!

Well the surprise is... I've been asked to collaborate with another blog! It's in the very beginning stages and I'm not privy (wow, I've been reading Austen) to share all the details, just know I've been wanting to write on other blogs for a while. 

How is this different to what I'm doing right now? And does this fit into the mold of my contentment and simplicity? It's a fellowship of ladies contributing to a brand new blog. I've been asked to be a contributor. Yes and yes.

Thankfully, I'm not one to say yes to every whim anymore. I let God guide that. And He simply said yes. 

I don't know the timeline! But, I will keep you informed. 

I also wanted to share some other news. I'm in the process of planning a whole new blog! Same me, same writing, same everything. Different name and I'll be under my own URL. With my hours changing at work, this will be prime time to get the blog up and running. The new name is exciting and I'll be finding someone (I already have them in mind) to design my blog over at wordpress (don't tell blogger).

Not tons going on this end. I've been doing a lot of reading. Speaking of reading. I have a pile of magazines I need to get too... 

I'm one of those people who collects tons of magazines, but barely reads them! This too will change and be simplified!

In other news, I'm planning my sisters birthday which is at the end of the week. I have quite a few surprises planned. I'm going to gather all my supplies tomorrow! I just love other peoples birthdays!

Have a grand Monday evening!

{Day 20} currently

Currently I'm...

Reading: just finished Crazy Love. Great read. I'm reading Radical as a follow up. I'm also making some dents in Pride and Prejudice. Starting tomorrow with the bloom book club I'll be reading A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman.

Watching: catching up with Hart of Dixie via Netflix. Just watched War Z with my family.

Listening: podcasts!! I'm listening to about 3 consistently and just added two paleo ones. I'll be adding the elevation sermons here shortly. I also downloaded with my free book on audible One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

Wishing: tomorrow was still the weekend!

Thinking: I get to have sugar this week!

Praying: my witness and Cambodia 

Sipping: kombucha and java

Eating: Whole 30 Diet

Loving: My trial glasses 

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

{Day 18} high five for Friday

I had a post in my mind for yesterday, but yesterday was a blur so I thought I'd share it this morning!!

I actually had a lot to choose from this week! I'm getting better at documenting. 

1. Started Crazy Love for the third time! I only have two chapters to go. It's been a really good and convicting read!

2. Incourage's Bloom book arrived this week! I'm reading along starting monday! I've seen this book everywhere, can't wait to get started! 

3. My friend who runs the Amish hipster blog sent me some free stickers! Need to find a permanent home!

4. Dusted off the ole guitar! So good to be practicing again!

5. I need more cold brewed coffee in my life! I added coconut milk and it was so good! Can't wait to add a sweet element starting next week!

I'm linking up with laurenelzabeth.com!

What did you do this week?

{Day 19} happy anniversary mom and dad

Yesterday's post never went out, but this is what it would have said!

Mom and dad, I love you guys so much! I'm so proud of your marriage, it is a powerful testimony! Happy 28th anniversary!!

I love you both so much!!

Lauren

{Day 17} Discovery in Contentment and Simplicity

Sometimes it takes a conversation with a fellow blogger and friend I realize that you aren't where you want to be with your blog. (In that case, there are many things.) 

I have dreams and plans, but I haven't executed any of them. I think if I just sit around something grand will happen. But that's not true! There's a time to wait, but I feel I've had the green light for quite some time! 

So when do you leap and when do you stay on the sidelines? You wait for the word "go". 

Well, I heard the word quite some time ago. So I'm leaping!

Lots of changes I hope to finish by January 1st. I also have some exciting news to share tomorrow! Until then, hav a wonderful rest of your week!

{Day 15} Discovery in Contentment and Simplicity

This was Tuesdays post that I wrote but it didn't publish for some reason. Shout out to my coworker!! She faithfully reads my blog and let's me know what's up! 

This post is going to be short. It's 7:42 pm and I'm already winding down for bed. I'm going to finish this blog and read. My body is telling me how tired it is. That's a difficult thing when your an insomniac. You usually only get a couple good sleeps a month, if that! 

Sometimes it's ok not to try and do everything on your list when you need sleep and rest! See you tomorrow!!

Can't believe we're halfway done!

{Day 16} Glasses Shopping - The Online Shops

Last year my readers (you) helped me decide on a pair of super cute plastic framed glasses from Warby Parker. This year, I'm planning on getting a few (probably 3-4) pairs. So let's talk about where I'll be searching, what the search process will look like, and some great websites for next to nothing glasses!! I've narrowed it down the top 10 websites in my eyes.

CONTENDER FOR 1st PAIR

1. Warby Parker - I had a great experience with them last year. Did the home try ons and even visited their offices in SOHO (I ended up choosing the same pair both times - sorry they are no longer on the sight).  I'm actually wearing the glasses as I type this post out. They have many new pairs, and I will be trying out the 5 Home Try On's like last year. The glasses are not the cheapest one's on the internet, but they are very cheap compared to Lens Crafters and the one's at your local eye doctor. At $95 dollars a pop, and they may be reimbursable by insurance, this is a great deal either way. Also, WP has a buy one give one. For every pair you buy, someone in needs also gets a pair! (Sunglass options too)

2. BonLook - I was sold on WP last year, but I will definitely be giving more attention to BonLook this year. They're always having sales and their glasses are super cute! I'm drooling with anticipation. Since, BonLook doesn't have a home trial system. A pair from here will have to be in the finals to buy a pair. (Sunglass options too)

3. Coastal - 1st pair for free?? This will of course be more than a contender, but a winner! There's over 304 in women's to choose from. We will talk about one's I like at a different time. You can also get contacts on here. Contacts are expensive, this helps (hopefully they will have my brand and script)! (Sunglass options too)

4. Tortoise and Blonde - Their motto is "We sit on your face." That's a comfort because most of mine slide down! They also have a try 5 pair! Will be utilizing them! They start at almost the same price as WP! I'm also digging the glasses. Woot woot. I like them a lot.

5. Classic Specs - This website is visually appealing. 89 for the whole she-bang and they even offer six try-on pairs! Wow, what is this? Christmas? Again, I will definitely try them on and at least give the frames a good review! The frames themselves are so adorable. I could see myself in a couple of these! (Gah, this eye glass shopping is no joke!)

6. Eyefly - With home try-on's coming soon, I sure hope they can compete with all the other greats here! I mean everyone I've mentioned has a virtual try on, but for me that's not really enough. But the frames did keep me interested enough to at least consider this site. It's the colors that did it for me! Oh my. May be in LOVE! The price 94, so it's comparable to my tried and trues!

7. Lookmatic - Similar to all the rest of the sites, but still a potential. How do they stand out?? Free Shipping and Free returns (although eyefly had that too)! The other selling point is most of the frames can be sunglasses as well! (I'm looking to getting at least one pair of script sunnies!) Gonna need plenty of shade in the Phoenix area!

8. Rowley Eyewear - As in Cynthia Rowley, as in one of my favorite designers. $129, not the cheapest, but definitely some of the cutest! Wow, shopping for glasses isn't going to be easy!! And it looks like you can try on 4 pairs for seven days! That's 4 days longer than WP!

9. Sneaking Duck - an Australian company that ships for free worldwide? Sign me up. With the pairs coming up to be around 167.33 for the first pair and 83.66 us dollars. I can live with that. The first pair can be a bit pricey, but it covers the cost of shipping. They have the 5 try at home pairs. But, right now it's only offered in Australia, which is a bummer, because these are some of the cutest frames of the lot. Have no fear, they still may be coming here (wow that was bad)!

10. Mezzmer - Kind of a less expensive copy cat of Warby Parker. Instead of giving a pair, they donate money to charity. I'd like to see where that money is going. Frames are cute, but nothing original or friendly about site! Will have to dig a bit deeper.

The PROBABLY NOT's

11. Eye Buy Direct - Wow, the prices are super low. Can they do that? I wonder how cheap (material wise) they are? Starting at 6.95 with %15 off your first order. You can't beat that. Some of the frames I like are closer to $50 then $10, but wow. I will be keeping my eye on them!!

12. Frames Direct - This is where I can get my designer name brands for less. Plus, there's a no risk guarantee.

13. Zenni Optical - $30 an under. This is another great site! I will have to browse to see if something catches my eye!

14. Glasses USA - This has an affiliate program. So, I'm not going to rule them out, but they are no way on the top of my list.

15.  Rivet and Sway - These are the priciest compared to WP and the like. But, may have potential. They have a 3 for 3 deal. Try any 3 for 3 days.

{Day 14} Discovery in Contentment and Simplicity

Currently I'm...

Reading: just finished The Pursuit of God by Tozer. So good! I just started Crazy Love by Francis Chan (third times a charm??) I hope I can get through it this time! I'm also slowly digesting Pride and Prejudice. 

Watching: catching up with Hart of Dixie  via Netflix.

Listening: podcasts!! I'm listening to about 3 consistently and just added two paleo ones. I'll be adding the elevation sermons here shortly. I also downloaded with my free book on audible One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

Wishing: I had a Christian community!

Thinking: I have one week of my strict Paleo diet!!

Praying: my witness and Cambodia 

Sipping: orange juice and coffee 

Eating: Whole 30 Diet

Loving: All my news books coming in!!

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!