girl meets life. » faith

underneath it all.

Gracie — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:53:08 +0000

I’m not usually that girl who is a blatant advocate for being au naturale. In fact, you’ll often see me with big hair, obnoxious jewelry, ripped tights, and of course – a decent dose of makeup.

Even as a little girl I’d prance around in a princess dress decked out in plastic jewelry. Fast forward 20 years and I’ve added smokey eyes and bronzer to the mix. To be quite honest, I’m probably not going to change my arguably over-the-top looks anytime soon. I guess you could say it’s my grown-up version of playing “dress up,” and it’s just…fun!

But, lately I’ve realized that I don’t ever want to lose the ability to go without all of that. It has nothing to do with vanity. Instead, it has everything to do with being me – just being Gracie.

That’s me. Freckled, light-featured, blue-eyed me.

Is it ironic that this post is coming on the heels of one about beauty products? Maybe. I don’t think so. Because here’s the thing – I do love those things and being girlie. I love makeup, highlighting my hair, high heels, and jewelry for days.

…but I never want to let any of that become a disguise of who I really am and who I want to be.

a daughter.
a sister
a friend.
a future wife.
a future mother.
a woman of God.

I’m a big believer in the fact that a person’s outside appearance does give at least a glimpse of what’s going on in their heart and mind, and I don’t ever want to portray myself as anything but…Gracie.

from the inside out.

Gracie — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:15:32 +0000

so you want to live in nyc: the social life.

Gracie — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:00:41 +0000

Let’s be real – trying to make new friends can always be a little bit awkward. When we were in kindergarten it was perfectly acceptable to tap someone on the shoulder and say “hi, wanna play?” As adults, that statement would probably weird most people out, to say the least.

And, unfortunately, living in one of the most-populated and most competitive cities in the world doesn’t make this task much easier. From personal experience, though, I can attest that it is in fact possible to move to New York without knowing a single person and still finding ways to have a significant circle of friends within less than a year. Here’s how.

making friends in nyc.

1. at work.
As someone who works from home, I personally don’t have the opportunity to make friends at my job, but I have met a ton of great people through my friends’ jobs. Take as many opportunities as you can to get to know your co-workers – get lunch with them, go to happy hour, etc. Even if you don’t become BFFs with Frank in the cubicle next to you, you never know if you could become friends (or maybe even date?) someone from his own social circle.

2. through your hobbies.
Are you into exercising? Join a gym.
Have a passion for helping people? Start volunteering somewhere.
A foodie? Take a cooking class.
…etc., etc., etc.
New York is one of the easiest places in the world to find people with the same interests as your own, and there always ways to get involved with them. The important thing is to search out these options rather than waiting for them to just come to you.

3. when you’re just…out.
I’ve found that some of the best places to meet people in NYC are the ones that you just naturally frequent – the grocery store, the subway, your favorite cafe, bars/clubs, and so on. The key to this, though, is you have to be open and available to meeting people. Take your headphones off, put a smile on, and be willing to strike up a conversation if it presents itself.

Side note: for those of you who like the nightlife, baby, consider getting in touch with promoters. Some of them can be kind of lame, but others are pretty legit and do their job right. It’s not always easy to jump into the nightlife world if you don’t know anyone, so going out with promoters can be a good place to start.

4. through social media.
Welcome to 2012, where there are more ways than ever to get in touch with people. I suggest hitting up Facebook or Twitter and seeing which of your friends or acquaintances now live in New York. And if they don’t, they probably know someone who does. Don’t be shy about it – most people are more than happy to help…and everyone loves a good ol’ Direct Message every once in a while anyway.

5. at church.
When I moved to New York and didn’t have any friends, church was the first place I turned to. Not only was the best place to find people who share the same faith as me, but I knew it was also my best chance at forming real, sincere relationships. It can be easy to get lost and feel very alone in New York, so I knew I needed friends who I could hang out and have fun with, but also ones that support and genuinely care about me. Now I consider the friends I’ve met through church as family…people that I’m in it with for the long haul.

Speaking of church, if you’re in New York and looking for somewhere to go this Easter Sunday, you should definitely visit Liberty Church. I’ll be at the 7pm service, so let me know if you’d like to come and I’ll save you a seat

I’d say these tips can be used for anywhere you live, actually. Which do you agree with most? Anything to add?

what i learned this weekend, part 6.

Gracie — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:20:27 +0000

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.

Gracie — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:36:08 +0000

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??

hope now.

Gracie — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:19:32 +0000

…I can’t stop listening to this.

2012 goal #2.

Gracie — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:59:28 +0000

…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.

Gracie — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:03:50 +0000

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.

Gracie — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:33:19 +0000

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.

Gracie — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:10:48 +0000

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.

Gracie — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:43:04 +0000