faith: no turning back.

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I get asked fairly often what the *why* is behind my faith - more so than usual over this past weekend - and I started feeling convicted when I found myself giving a sort of fluffy, easy answer. So I’m challenging myself to be more bold in my response (hence this post).

Why I follow Jesus isn’t about how I was raised, and it’s not about checking off “Christian” as my religious preference. My reason is a pretty simple one, but it’s also one that makes people a little uncomfortable when they learn it, as it may for you right now.

The truth is that I’m completely and utterly lost without Jesus. Period. Gracie without Jesus is hopeless, depressed, anxious, and selfish. That’s right - I’m not a “good” person in my own strength or doing. Anything good about me comes from Him.

I’ve tried finding fulfillment in the things of the world, and it has always left me feeling emptier and more hopeless. Money, alcohol, status, approval from others, and even self actualization are terrible masters. The only real joy and fullness of life comes from Jesus. And when you realize that, and once you’ve been set FREE, there’s no turning back…

I feel like I’m supposed to extend an invitation. If you’re reading this and think it seems crazy (ha) but it still struck a chord with you, or if you just want to chat more about faith/Christianity - shoot me an email at gracie(at)girlmeetslife(dot)com <3

scenes from the {holiday} weekend.

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Hey babes!

I’m going to keep things light on the words since I have a lotttt of work to catch up on today 😉 But here’s a little photo recap of my long weekend away in Montauk with the gals.

weekend in Montauk || Gracie Gordon || GirlMeetsLife.com weekend in Montauk || Gracie Gordon || GirlMeetsLife.com weekend in Montauk || Gracie Gordon || GirlMeetsLife.com weekend in Montauk || Gracie Gordon || GirlMeetsLife.comweekend in Montauk || Gracie Gordon || GirlMeetsLife.comRuschmeyer's MontaukLa Brisa, Tacombi restaurant | Montauk NYweekend in Montauk || Gracie Gordon || GirlMeetsLife.com

The highlight of the weekend for me was definitely spending days on the BEACH. I forgot how much it was my happy place. I needed some salt water & sand in my life. I can’t wait to go back in a few weeks…!

weekend in Montauk || Gracie Gordon || GirlMeetsLife.com

 

p.s. wanted to say HI and give a big virtual hug to Catherine (Kathryn?) who I met at Sloppy Tuna in Montauk. You’re the sweetest + made my day meeting you! 🙂

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For those of you thinking about going to Montauk, here are my favorite spots:

Gurney’s/Scarpetta Beach
Surf Lodge
Ruschmeyer’s
Navy Beach
Joni’s
La Brisa
Harbor Montauk
Left Hand
Montauk Juice Factory

 

from the outside looking in.

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Just about every morning I have an hour of “quiet time” where I pray, read, journal, and sometimes even just sit in silence. I’ve actually become quite dependent on that time alone with God. It sets my heart and mind in the right place before starting the day, and it’s during that time that I get the deepest revelations/realizations about God, myself, and life in general.

Today as I was journaling (I’ve posted before about how important I think journaling is), I made a list of all of the things I’m thankful for. This is something I do pretty often, and to be honest the list usually looks the same most of the time.

Today, though, it looked a bit different. I started writing things down that I didn’t even know I was thankful for…things that I either didn’t realize I had, and even things that one arguably wouldn’t/shouldn’t be thankful for.

I realized that the moments of my most sincere thankfulness and gratitude comes from looking at things from an outside perspective. Sometimes I even look at my life as my 16-year-old self. I think she’d be pretty excited if she knew what life in her late 20’s would look like.

It’s so easy to focus on the things we don’t have - “if only THIS happened I’d be so much happier,” or “if only THAT happened my life would somehow be complete.” But if you take a second to look at your life from the outside looking in, you might be surprised that you’re a lot further along - with a lot more to be grateful for - than you realized.

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When you look at your life from an outside perspective, what does it make you most grateful for?

#herestohome: kicking off summer at the Tasting Table Hamptons House.

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If you follow me on social media you probably saw that for the past two Saturdays I was out east at the Tasting Table Hamptons House. They have a handful of events going on out there, and I was so excited to be a part of them! I was invited by my friends at Coca Cola Life, who was one of the sponsors of the events.

Gracie Gordon and Sydney Vincent | Tasting Table Hamptons House

Tasting Table Hamptons House

Tasting Table Hamptons House

Rewind to two Saturdays ago, where Sydney and I headed to the summer barbecue event. It was everything you could hope for in a BBQ - burgers, hot dogs, great sides and passed au d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails, and of course Coca Cola Life.

Tasting Table Hamptons House

Coca Cola Life

Gracie Gordon | Coca Cola Life | Tasting Table Hamptons House

And then this past Saturday, we headed back out for their Rosé tasting event. Once again, everything was exactly what you’d hope for in a summer party.

Gracie Gordon | Coca Cola Life | Tasting Table Hamptons House

This time the food spread included oysters, shellfish, ceviche, and more.

Tasting Table Hamptons House

Tasting Table Hamptons House

They also had fun games set up outside like Jenga, ping pong, and corn hole.

Tasting Table Hamptons House

Full disclosure - I didn’t actually drink the Rosé because we had to drive back to the city afterward, but I did have one too many bottles of Coca Cola Life 😛

Coca Cola Life | Tasting Table Hamptons House

These events definitely made it feel like SUMMER up in here, which I needed because sometimes the craziness of NYC makes you forget that. I loved being able to escape the city for a bit and just enjoy the warm weather, incredible food and drinks, and great company.

I can’t wait to be back out in the Hamptons soon! We’re heading to Montauk on Wednesday for a nice long 4th of July weekend.

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What are your plans for the 4th of July weekend? Got any good summer BBQs coming up?

the best exercise you can do.

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So this was going to be an Instagram rant, but I decided to save it for a full out blog post. Lucky you 😛

The other day I posted this pic on SnapChat, and at first it was just a typical Snap with a typical caption….

(That was most certainly taken before my sweaty-mess workout, ha)

But, then I started thinking - why did I feel the need to include the caveat “shameless?”

It didn’t take long for me to realize that the reason was because cardio isn’t exactly an IT form of exercise right now. In fact, lately it’s become some sort of joke like, oh - you still do cardio bro? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say that when I tell them I love SoulCycle.

Listen - I get it. I know that more research is showing long bouts of cardio aren’t as necessary for health/weight loss/etc. as once thought. I know that weight training is better for X, Y, and Z reasons. And yes, I still make it a point to implement strength training into my exercise routine.

But…why all the hate? The funny thing is I see most of the judginess happening within the “FitFam.” And it’s not just against cardio. I’ve seen people bash every form of exercise under the sun. Strange, isn’t it, to be negative about something that relates to people trying to better themselves…

Bottom line - the best workout you can do it the one you’ll KEEP doing. And that most likely means that it’s one you’ll genuinely love and enjoy doing.

So if that’s running, run.
If it’s lifting heavy things, lift heavy things.
If it’s Yoga, do Yoga.
If it’s Crossfit, cross that fit.
…and so on.

I’m saying this coming from a place of genuinely loving exercise for the first time in over 10 years, and that makes me SO happy and excited. I’ve learned that I’m the type of person that connects to the mental/emotional benefits of exercise way more than the health/physical benefits, and that’s okay too. Who knows what different forms of exercise that will lead me to love throughout my life, but for now if that is cardio, I’m perfectly okay with that.

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What are your thoughts on this? What form of exercise do you connect with most, and why?

beauty: Redken Blonde Idol review.

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I have a serious girl dilemma to share with you. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to have blonde (colored) hair, while keeping it looking long and healthy at the same time? Considering I keep wanting to be blonder and blonder, this is not an easy feat.

So when I got the opportunity yesterday to visit to Cutler Salon in Soho and try out some new products for blonde hair by Redken, I was all about it.

I met up with Redken colorist Chiala, and right away I knew I could trust her with my hair (which is a rarity, ha). She recommended the Redken Blonde Idol Blue Oil Lightening System for my hair.

Redken Blonde Idol

The color turned out to be the perfect match for my hair and skin tone. It was cool and bright with just a touch of golden glow, which is perfect for the summer. It couldn’t have come at a better time, since I’m leaving for a mini beach vacation in a few days. Roots = non-existent!

I was really happy to hear that the Blonde Idol Blue Oil Lightening System is a coloring option that will keep my hair looking and feeling healthy.

Chiala also used Redken Extreme Anti-Snap treatment on my hair, which made it look and feel extra healthy and shiny. I kid you not - this stuff made my hair look like it was 2 inches longer.

Redken Extreme Anti Snap

I must say I’m very impressed with Redken products, and really will continue using them. I love how the products give great color, but also focus on keeping hair healthy. It’s a win-win, and exactly what I need in hair product.

Redken Blonde Idol Products

I went out for Monica’s birthday after the salon visit, and I must admit I did feel like quite the Blonde Idol with my new hair 😉

Monica and Gracie

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Redken through Condé Nast. All opinions herein are my own. Please note that I was compensated for this post. You can refer to my product review policy here. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

Redken Blonde Idol | Gracie Gordon

What’s the most important thing you look for in a hair product(s)?