Lifestyle – Love From Amy

Allow Your Soul to Rest

Hi friends, happy Thursday. I hope you are having a great week! I have been settling back into my routine after being at The Declare Conference this past weekend. It wasn’t until the conference that I realized how life had taken a toll on my soul and spiritual life–but I am so glad to feel rejuvenated after the conference.

There’s something about being in a worshipful setting that allows your heart to become quiet before God and open to the things He has to tell you. The biggest eye-opener this past weekend was the revelation that I have been trying too hard to do all of the things (ie work, home, putting pressure on myself, going non-stop, etc) that I have forgotten to focus on The One thing. That One thing is my walk with God–because only He is my purpose, strength, and peace. He is the only One that provides rest to my soul–when I feel like I run it into the ground.

If you are needing rest for your soul–let me encourage you to do so!

Remember the faithfulness of God. Remember what God has done for you and how He has answered prayer. I think that so often we tend to forget these things, even after praying so hard and for so long for that thing to happen. When you feel like life is just all bad and not turning out how you thought it would–stop and think about how God has worked in ways you did not expect.

Go to God. I have been waking up earlier this week so that I can have time in prayer and Bible study before I begin my day. Going to God first thing each day needs to be my first priority–and I’m ashamed to say that sometimes it’s the last. Let God be the best part of your day and allow Him to guide you in the words you speak and work you complete.

Literally stop and let yourself rest. It’s ok to say “no” to things and spend that time instead to care for yourself. You know what flight attendants tell you–“put your oxygen on first before assisting another person?”–well that is true in the sense that you can’t help anyone if you are just totally done. Also, you cannot minister or encourage anyone else as effectively if you are not right with the Lord. So, stop and let yourself rest before God.

Looking Back on My 27th Year

Ahhh! Another birth year is almost over! This is the year that it’s really hit me that I’m now in my late 20s. Yikes. This past year has been a really great one–full of love and exciting things and I think that will continue in the next year. There were definitely some low times this past year but God is faithful and He never left. Growing older is a funny thing to me in the sense that it’s exciting to see where you’re heading, while also being bittersweet that some things will never be the same again. But that is life–and life is precious.

I think this is the year that I fully felt like I knew myself and grasped who I am. I am confident of who I am in the Lord and who I am to those who mean the most to me. I know my priorities and what things I value the most. This is the year that I stopped apologizing for wearing so much black–it’s just my style and I’m going to embrace it. This is the year that I truly saw my life circumstances as gifts and found so much freedom in realizing that.

Some other major high moments this past year were:
-traveling to Chicago to spend time with family
-finding out my best friend was going to be a mama
-traveled to California with my cousin for a true girls weekend
-traveled to Maine for my annual “bestie time”
-seeing my best friend’s baby through an ultrasound
-became an aunt for the 5th time
-BOUGHT A HOUSE
-became an aunt for the 6th time
-went camping with friends in Palo Duro Canyon
-moved in my new house
-bestie became a mom
-found out I’m going to be an aunt for the 7th time
-and lots of house design/projects/etc

I can’t wait to see what the next year will bring and what 28 will be like. Thanks for following me in this journey 🙂

September 20, 2018September 19, 2018

Love from Amy2 Comments

Starting Fresh in September

Last week I wrote about how September is my favorite month and holds so much meaning for me. This month signifies a new start, the beginning of a new birth year for me, and reflection over the last year. September is about starting fresh.

Today I’m going to encourage you in some ways that you can also have a fresh start this month. What do you love most about this month??

Personal Health

Start a new workout plan. Be better at healthy meal planning and prepping. Go to bed earlier. Drink more water.

Relationships with Family and Friends

Put the phone down more. Be intentional about spending time with others. Have people over and look for ways to gather others. Send more texts or messages to friends and family to let them know you’re thinking of them. Look for ways to serve those you love.

Work Life

Get to work early. Focus on work tasks and really give it your all. Facilitate a positive work culture and environment. Clean and organize your work space.

Spiritual Health

Make a point to spend time with God each day. Spend your commute in prayer and as you go about the day. Be open for opportunities to share the love and compassion of Christ. Begin a new Bible study plan.

Home

Bring out the fall candles and decorations. Make a point to keep the house clean and cozy. Put away your summer clothes and bring out all the fall wear. Declutter. Finish a project you’ve already started.

September 11, 2018September 10, 2018

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Fall Fashion Pin-Spiration: Use Pinterest to Help You Find Your Fall Style

It’s September again! My birthday month, the beginning of fall, and (hopefully) the promise of cooler weather ahead. I love all things fall–the weather, colors, fashion, scents, and flavors. However, I do not approve of Starbucks launching PSLs in August. I’m not even really a fan of pumpkin spice flavored things, but if you are–I forbid you from eating/drinking anything pumpkin spice until at least October 1st. Ok, not forbid but I just can’t get behind it yet when it’s still 100 degrees in Oklahoma.

Enough rambling, Amy.

I really look forward to fall fashion/style and usually can’t wait to pull out my cardigans, sweaters, and comfy layers. One tool that I use a lot, to find specific looks at the beginning of a season, is Pinterest. You can type in a style or piece that you’re looking for and so many visual results appear and provide inspiration–or “Pin-spiration” as I like to call it, haha!

Today I’m sharing with you some of my fall “Pin-spiration” and some styles that I’m really into this season.

LONG CARDIGANS

Cardigans are my ESSENTIALS in the fall. They are so easy to throw on with jeans, work wear, dresses/skirts, and they are so comfy. I love wearing long cardigans when traveling as well because it’s almost like you’re wearing a warm blanket.

BOOTS

I used to wear only riding boots in the fall but I’ve been really into ankle boots the last couple of years. Ankle boots are another item that can easily be paired with so many things and looks. Chelsea boots and boots with detail are my favorite looks.

JEWEL TONE COLORS

I typically wear exclusively black, grey, navy, and other neutral colors but in the fall I feel more adventurous with wearing color. I love deep blue, red, green, yellow, or any other jewel tone color in the colder months. I have a mustard yellow scarf in my closet that I can’t wait to wear.

COATS

I think that Kate Middleton has had a huge influence with fashion coat trends and I’m all for it. Coats are now made in so many colors, textures, and are way more stylish than puffer/ski coats. I think a coat is a great way to finish an outfit/look and it also keeps you staying warm in style!

September 4, 2018September 4, 2018

Love from Amy2 Comments

Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins |GF, Paleo, DF

This past weekend I posted on my Instagram that cooking has become my favorite thing to do in my new house. I find cooking to be a great stress reliever, it’s relaxing, and it inspires me to create new things. I’ve been trying to eat as clean as possible in the last few months and have found a couple of easy and healthy recipes that I make all the time. In particular, I have been making these Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins and they only consist of 4 ingredients! If that’s not easy then I don’t know what is. These recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and Paleo friendly.

All you need for these muffins are:

4 ripe bananas
4 eggs
1 cup of almond flour
1 cup of blueberries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly coat a muffin pan with coconut oil.

Begin by peeling the 4 bananas and hand-mashing them or whisking them in an electric mixer. I love my Kitchenaid so much and get so excited when I get to use it. Break down the bananas until the consistency is smooth.

Next, add the eggs and almond flour to the bananas and blend together again until the mixture is smooth. I have been making my own almond flour lately and will probably write a blog post about that soon!

Pour batter into the muffin pan. I like to pour my blended mixture into a Pyrex measuring cup so that the batter goes into the muffin pan evenly.

Next, add the blueberries on top of the batter. I found that it’s easier to add the blueberries in at the end, so that they don’t sink down to the bottom if blended with the batter, and the distribution is more even.