{SnapChat} Q&A.

19 June, 2015 by Gracie 4 Comments

Hey guys!

So I thought it would be fun to do a little bit of SnapChat Q&A action today.

I feel bad because a lot of you have been asking about my videos, but I’m stuck between a) wanting to make more “professional” ones and b) nixing them all together. I feel like SnapChat is a fun/happy medium because it’s simple and you get a real sneak peek into my life.

You can follow/send questions to me *alagracie* and I’ll answer via my story today. Nothing creepy or weird will be acknowledged. This should be fun!

Chat soon. xo

vlog: NYC diaries - some q&a.

3 March, 2015 by Gracie 3 Comments

The #1 thing I get emails and questions about is related to living in/moving to New York, so I’m going to start chipping away at those in my vlogs! (By the way here’s a previous one I don’t think I ever shared on GML, oops).

In this video I answer some recent questions I’ve gotten, from dating to my advice for someone new to the city.

(if you’re a YouTube user, feel free to go ahead and subscribe to my channel!)

Mentioned in this video:

Arrojo Studio (I go to Nadia)
All About Hinge
Do You Tinder?
All of my previous NYC posts + restaurant/attraction guide

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Do you have any questions about New York (or anything else)? Let me know and I’ll try to answer it in my next vlog

life: tmi survey.

28 October, 2014 by Gracie 7 Comments

It’s been a while since I emotionally vomited all over GML, hasn’t it?

Oh wait – I did last week. Whatever.

Anyway, here’s a fun little survey I snagged from my blogger crush Katie, which eerily acted as a self therapy session.

Lately I’ve been…

Making: plans on plans on plans. ‘Tis the season to be busy every day/night.

Cooking: more Whole30 approved chili, also Whole30 buffalo chicken. Have I mentioned I’m doing Whole30?

Drinking: lots of Perrier and Pellegrino because bubblesss. Basically I’m too snobby for regular water now.

Reading: Good to Great

Wanting: a camel trench, L.L. Bean rain boots, an elevator in my building.

Looking: like a tween with a streak of pink hair. One day I’ll become a grown up. Maybe tomorrow.

Playing: nothing currently, but when I do I play FreeCell on my iPad.

Wasting: there’s an old bag of carrots in the fridge that I refuse to throw out because I hate wasting food.

Sewing: This seems very out of place in this survey. I don’t sew ever since I made a quilt in 4H and only got “honorable mention.”

Wishing: don’t wish, do. JK I totally wish for a free vacation. And shopping spree. Preferably combined.

Enjoying: working from home. It’s been years and I still get giddy when I realize how lucky I am.

Waiting: I’m not really waiting for anything. Maybe Halloween this Friday? That will be fun.

Liking: well, I like a lot of things. I guess I’ll go with this Banks remix because I’m listening to it right now.

Wondering: I think I wonder too much, actually. Mostly about the future, which I know is normal, but I’m working on focusing more on the present.

Loving: my sister Katie. Even though she lives in Florida now, she still gives me the best advice and is an amazing big sister.

Hoping: for certain breakthroughs professionally/financially. I’m doing the work, but some things I’m aiming for require a bit of luck.

Marveling: Over this season. No matter how old I get, autumn still feels…magical.

Needing: new sneakers + workout clothes. And draino for our shower. Life in NYC is so glamorous.

Smelling: Lavender. I put a little bit on my wrists throughout the day for the calming effects or whatever.

Wearing: pajama shorts + knee socks + a big flannel shirt. But here’s a pic of what I wore yesterday because it’s much more impressive. #diditfortheinsta

Following: I started following all of the big fashion bloggers on Instagram. I didn’t for a long time because their lives made me jealous, and…well, they still do. Especially Peace Love Shea - I kind of want to be her.

Noticing: how God’s plan is starting to unfold in certain areas of my life. It’s exciting.

Knowing: I need to cut certain things out of my life.

Thinking: what am I not thinking about? Right now, though, I’m thinking about how I need to prep outfits for tomorrow’s shoot.

Feeling: Expectant. Thankful. A little overwhelmed. But happy.

Bookmarking: who needs a bookmark anymore when you’ve got BlogLovin? (You can follow me here, by the way – shameless plug)

Opening: so many tabs it’s kind of ridiculous. Multitasking is my biggest strength, but sometimes weakness.

Giggling: I giggle a lot, and very easily. I’ll watch YouTube videos throughout the day for that sole purpose.

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Speaking of – any funny YouTube videos you’ve seen lately? I need more!

SBC: playing catch up.

15 September, 2014 by Gracie 6 Comments

Ah, I can’t believe we’re already halfway through the September Blogging Challenge! I’m loving how many of you jumped on it along with me. I’ve already gotten a few requests for a October Blogging Challenge – would any of you be into that…?

Anyway, I missed a few days, so here’s a bit of a catch up.

(FYI I noticed I screwed up tomorrow’s #16 by referring to it as Monday when it’s a Tuesday. DUH, me. Just disregard that ;))

#12: my favorite quotes

Oh gosh, where to even begin?! My name is Gracie, and I’m a quote-aholic. There’s my Word document list of favorite quotes/Bible verses, my “words” Pinterest board, and there may or may not be secret “love quotes” Pinterest board too, hahaha.

But here are some of my top favorites right now…

“Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.” Robert Bresson

“A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us. To live is to be slowly born.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” CS Lewis

“The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible.” Vladimir Nabokov

“Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.” Alan Keightley

“It is not the strength of your faith that saves you, but the strength of Him upon whom you rely.” Charles Spurgeon

“She could never go back and make some of the details pretty, all she could do was move forward and make the whole beautiful.” Terri St. Cloud

“I’m not sure what I’ll do, but – well, I want to go places and see people. I want my mind to grow. I want to live where things happen on a big scale.” F. Scott Fitzgerald

“There is nothing wrong with loving the crap out of everything. Negative people find their walls. So never apologize for your enthusiasm. Never. Ever. Never.” Ryan Adams

#13: top guilty pleasures

I don’t know how much these can be considered “guilty” pleasures because I OWN these things 😉 But let’s go with…

The Bachelor/Bachelorette
cabs/car service
laundry pick up/delivery
grocery delivery
basically every romantic comedy of all time
Diet Coke and Splenda (probably the guiltiest because HELLO chemicals)

#14: favorite things about blogging

* first of all - it’s my creative outlet. I love writing and having a platform to share my voice/story.

* interacting with my readers. I seriously care about you all more than you realize!

* the “perks” – free stuff, events, making money from doing something I love. That might not be a very PC answer but whatever – I’m pretty sure most bloggers agree.

#15: favorite TV shows

This is always changing, but some of my recent favorites have been…

Mad Men
30 Rock
Breaking Bad
Modern Family
New Girl
How I Met Your Mother

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Your turn! Top guilty pleasure? TV show(s)? Quote(s)?

cake batter blondies, things christian girls say, and awkward selfies.

28 August, 2014 by Gracie 19 Comments

Something I’ve always found humorous is what people search to find GML. You guys…I get some WEIRD ones. And raunchy ones. And ones where I can totally tell who searched it 😉

Anyway, I recently saw Brittany’s post addressing some of her most searched terms, and I thought it was such a fun post idea!

So here are some of the most searched terms that lead to GML + my commentary.

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life in nyc blog – nailed it.

how to get a job in new york – It’s not easy, but not impossible either. People get jobs here every day! Here are some of my tips.

cake batter blondies – my most popular post ever! For good reason. Also – my most ripped off recipe :/ But we won’t go there.

make brownies with cake mix – what initially led to the Cake Batter Blondies idea. Just follow same steps but with chocolate cake mix.

red velvet brownies from cake mix – are you noticing a trend here? Sorry for all the link ups, but here’s that recipe!

how to wear clothes that do not flatter me – but why…? I can’t bring myself to give suggestions for this.

things christian girls say – hahaha - “I’ll pray about it,” “I just had revelation,” “#blessed,” “my body is temple,” “I need to journal about this” … (this guy nails it)

living in new york pros and cons – they’re always changing depending on the season of life you’re in, but here are some of mine. Right now I’d say the biggest pro is the endless possibilities, and just how magical it is (yes – it still feels that way 3.5 years later!). The biggest con is that I miss having a car.

why is there so much pressure for girls to settle down – is there? I think it depends on where you live and your upbringing/social circles, but either way I wouldn’t give in to it. Do what makes you happy, and do what’s best for your future life/family – not what you think you’re “supposed” to do.

i’ve never asked my self about why life is like this – like what? I’d say keep asking those questions and see where it leads you.

how to make girl friends in ny – been there, I can relate! My #1 tip would be to just keep putting yourself out there and embrace any opportunity to meet new people. Here’s a post I did with tips on making friends in New York, and one on making girl friends in general.

wise words to say to a girlfriend – that she’s beautiful, duh! And tell her the truth about whether you really like her outfit or not. She may not like it at first, but she’ll appreciate it later.

i never wear heels so difficult – the struggle is real. Practice makes perfect! Investing a higher quality shoe helps too. Or just embrace that sassy little height of yours.

tapas restaurants in west village – there are SO many, but I love me some Alta.

best girl blogger – oh shucks, stop it.

awkward selfie – (s) are the best selfies.

i just cant help myself not to love them cupcakes – I feel you.

buffalo stuffed avocados – it’s not actual buffalo buuut here ya go.

so hard not to text him – so maybe you should just text him? Unless he did something horrible…then don’t. Or if he’s dating someone else. Or if he’s in prison. Ugh there needs to be a texting manual.

how to chat with a new girl you met last night – just be yourself! Girls dig that. Maybe even make a phone call out of it.

girl who lives a full life – what I aspire to every day.

why is finding work in new york so hard for Australians – is it? I know/meet a ton of Aussies here! We like you

something amazing is about to happen – I couldn’t agree more.

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Just out of curiosity, how did you stumble upon GML?

ask G, part 6.

13 February, 2014 by Gracie 17 Comments

1. Can you tell us the story of how you and Jessi met and became best friends? – anonymous

We first met at Liberty Church! Then we saw each other again at a church Sisterhood event, talked about my blondies (haha), went out to a friend’s birthday party afterward, and literally became best friends within a few weeks. And we’ve been ever since!

2. Is there anything you won’t/don’t blog about? – anonymous

I don’t really post about my dating life because it just seems…weird (especially in the beginning stages of dating someone). When I’m in a serious relationship I’ll post about it.

I also try not to post often about (bad) things that I’m going through in life. It’s not that I’m trying to hide anything, it’s just that most of those things are actually pretty dumb, and I hate to put off a “woe is me” attitude when I know that I’m actually very blessed.

3. I just graduated college and ended a relationship with my boyfriend of 3 years. I want to start dating, but I’m so nervous and don’t know where to begin. What’s your best piece of advice for dating in your 20s?? – Allison

I can definitely relate. I went through a similar situation, and honestly I put off dating for years because I hated the idea of it. I have a lot of thoughts on dating/relationships, but I think the biggest thing is just don’t over-think it. I can only speak from personal experience, but any time I over-think I find myself not acting like myself, and being yourself is so very important when it comes to dating (and any relationships, for that matter). Go easy on yourself, enjoy the time getting to know a new person, and observe the interaction/how you feel. I feel like we tend to over-complicate things when it comes to dating/relationships when it should really be quite…simple.

4. Who is your celebrity crush? – Adam

Can I name a few? 😉 Bradley Cooper, Jon Hamm, and Charlie Hunnam.

5. Do you have any tattoos? – anonymous

Yes, I have 4. Soon to be 5, possibly!

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Please note that I’m *not* an expert and that this advice is based solely on my own experiences and thoughts. Have a question? Feel free to leave it as a comment on this post or ask me anonymously.

Do you have/want any tattoos?
Celebrity crush?