Faith | girl meets life.

what i learned this weekend, part 6.

Friday night plans may come and go, but you can always rely on the dollar menu.

“OMG that SO sh*t girls say!” is in fact the new sh*t girls say.

Don’t carry your MetroCard in the same pocket as your phone.

Le Baron. I like.

I have a newfound obsession with headscarves.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

I’m back in the baking game.

…but going grocery shopping on Super Bowl Sunday is a really dumb decision.

What did you learn this weekend?

what i learned this weekend, part 5.

Nothing makes me feel more productive than doing laundry.

Baby Bo’s in Murray Hill is my favorite place in the city to grub on authentic Mexican food.

It is not a normal part of life to be in bondage to anything. “Christ has set us free to live a free life.” Gal 5:1

When watching a movie, always pay close attention to the “boring parts.” They may just contain a crucial part of the plot.

The nights where you don’t even know if you feel like going out generally make for the best of nights.

I forgot how much I love award season. And by award season I mean fashion commentary and Ricky Gervais.

Crumbs should probably hire me as their spokesperson.

What did you learn this weekend? And who was your best-dressed at last night’s Golden Globes??

2012 goal #2.

…because it’s not too late to make a few more, right? This “goal” is one that I didn’t think I needed to make, but could definitely use some brushing up on.

To live fully in the present.

Having a vision and dreams for the future is healthy and and normal. But sometimes I focus too much on what I want the future to hold, and that’s a waste of time. I have a perfectly incredible life right in front of me, and I’d be stupid to let it pass me by.

“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog – it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’” James 4:14-15 NLT

How much would you say you live in the past / present / future?

i just have to say.

Dear John Barrett Salon,

How can I ever go elsewhere? My hair is the biggest, blondest, and happiest it’s ever been.

(My colorist was Carlina and styled by Adam. Both highly recommended.)

Dear guy sitting next to us at dinner,

Thanks for treating us to (a second round of) dessert. You clearly know the way to a woman’s heart.

Dear nightlife,

I know you didn’t have much to work with since most people were out of town, but you still managed to deliver quite the fun night for us.

Dear Jessi,

A couple of things: 1) best BFF Christmas date ever 2) we could all learn a thing or two from your impeccable handling of clingers 3) thank you for this amazingly beautiful and first-ever FreelyBe necklace (available soon)!

Dear Jesus,

…Um, what would I do without you? Happy birthday.

Merry Christmas Eve, babes. xoxo G

now i get it.

Last night I tweeted this and got quite the response, to say the least.

Turns out that Tebow is a “who.” He also happens to be quite easy on the eyes and a nice Christian man.

How could I have been so ignorant?! I’m sorry, [insert whatever your first name is here] Tebow. Maybe we can talk it out over hot cocoa and snuggles, or something. I could even learn what a fumble is by then so we can like, have stuff to talk about.

xoxo G

p.s. friends – don’t forget to enter my Eucerin Giveaway – open until tomorrow AM.
p.p.s. check out my latest Everyday Girl’s Guide To Nightlife article on Guest of a Guest!

what i learned this weekend.

I will never ask guests to take off their shoes upon entering my home. It’s insulting.

Sometimes you just have to skip right to dessert.

If a guy’s apartment has more “feng shui” than mine…well, just not a huge fan of that.

I’m officially in love with the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market. It (almost) has too much vintage and antique jewelry for this girl to handle.

Oh. My. Edward.

I used to knock it, but I’ve become a Heytell convert. The app has done wonders for our need to verbally process things anything and everything.

I like capes.

New York City during the holidays is the most romantic place on earth.

Perfect love really does cast out fear. Thanks for that, God.

What have you learned lately?
& have you seen Breaking Dawn?? (AH.)

thanks.

my weekend.

I’m sleep deprived.
And already behind with work.
And unapologetically quite lazy right now.

So here’s a light-on-words recap of bits&pieces of this fun little weekend of mine. Starting with…

Us. Thinking we’re much funnier than we actually are.

Giiiiiiirls niiiiiiight. For the most part.

I treated my overnight guests (AKA Jessi) to an “oatmeal bar” (AKA the only food I have in the kitchen). You’re welcome.

I decided to start reading again. I hear it’s a good habit to have.

And frolicked around the Union Square Christmas Market.

Finally, we closed the weekend with some her’s & her’s hot chocolate at Max Brenner.
Just ’cause.

Now let’s start the holiday week, shall we? xoxo G

What book(s) are you reading right now?
& tell me something fun you did this past weekend!

oops, i quit my job.

Speaking of jobs…

Just over two weeks ago, I actually resigned from my job.

…yep, the same job that got my foot in the door and essentially made it possible for me to live in New York City. I still sort of wonder what I was thinking too. But after about three months of advice-seeking, budgeting, and most importantly – prayer – I could not be any more excited or sure about the decision I made.

So, what happened? To put it simply, the opportunity arose for me to work for my dad’s company again. They’ve been swamped with work for months now, and I’m already familiar with how they run the ropes. Although I didn’t necessarily dislike the job I’ve been at for the past seven months, I couldn’t really pass up the benefits that came with working for the family business. There’s a bit more to the story, but I won’t bore you with those details.

What now? Starting this week, I’ll be working full-time for poppa G’s real estate appraisal company – remotely from here in NYC. While I’ll be working just as many (if not more) hours than I have been, my schedule is much more on my terms. I’m not sure exactly what my days will look like just yet, but I’m excited to be able to dedicate more time to FreelyBe and GML, and also working from home or my favorite cafes/lounges around the city. In other words, I’m essentially going to be living my dream of frolicking around NYC as a “Jane of all-trades.” And I like that. A lot.

what I’ve learned. It’s been a crazy year, to say the least. While I’ve definitely enjoyed the journey – three moves, starting and leaving a job, and essentially adopting a whole new way of life here in NYC – I feel like I’m finally exactly where I want to and am supposed to be. More specifically, I’ve learned that – to me – flexibility is worth a million times more than any paycheck. Sure, there are perks to a nine to five six gig, but that’s just not how I’m built. I always knew I had an entrepreneurial mindset/personality (thanks, Dad), and I’m really looking forward to seeing where that leads my career and my life.

why I’m thrilled. On that note, with my newfound flexibility I can’t wait to:

- rekindle my blogging career
- develop and grow FreelyBe
- explore NYC more
- be able to spend more time with my friends and family
- …and then some.

The bottom line is that I feel more free than I ever have. Only by God’s faithfulness and favor do I feel like I’m not just following my dreams anymore, but actually living them. And that makes me happy.

Until next time…

oh, hi!

what i learned this weekend, part 6.

what i learned this weekend, part 5.

hope now.