The Circle: What's in Your Bag?

Today I am linking up with Kiki of In It's Time and Meg of Rivers and Roads for Kiki's monthly linkup The Circle. This months theme is: What's in your bag?  If you know me, you know I love bags, so when I saw that this was the monthly theme I knew I had to jump right in. So here's what I always carry with me.

Kleenex: an essential. And I love these ones  that fit right in my purse.

Car Keys: I love the cute little key chain that i got from Vera Bradley.

Pens: never know when you might need one.

Nail file: for doing my nails.

Tylenol: for when I get an unexpected headache.

Student Id: My trusty LU student Id, which also has my house keys on it and a cute little flashlight.

Eos lotion and Lip balm: LOVE this stuff! It makes my hands and lips so soft! You should definetly try it if you haven't already. And the lotion is in a nice little container that fits right in my purse.

Lip gloss: i prefer lip gloss over lip stick, it always gives a nice natural look.

Sunglasses: for those sunny days.

Wallet: yet again another Vera bradley, i love her stuff!

Checkbook: holds checks and other miscellaneous papers.

Gum: fruity gum. i love it!

I-phone + headphones: for listening to music, playing some games, such as candy crush, emailing..etc.

Passport: for going out of the country.

So there you have it, that's what's in my purse. What's in your bag? Do you have any essentials that you always carry? So, be sure to head over to Kiki's blog and link up!

The Circle: Goals

Today I am linking up with one of my favorite bloggers and dear blogging friends Kiki from In it's time. For her monthly linkup "The Circle", which has a different theme each month and is all about connecting bloggers together. This months theme is goals, weekly, monthly, etc.

So I decided to do some summer goals, since come august i will be busy again with Grad school, although i am taking a couple classes online right now. Anyway, here are some of my summer goals..

+get some more ideas for the redesign of the Quiet Place, which if you don't know that is my other blog/ministry. We are getting the blog redesigned in July, I've got some ideas in the works and i'm excited to see how it turns out.

+be more intentional with my personal blog. Sometimes this one get's forgotten because well, the Quiet Place is a lot of work. So i would like to post some more on here this summer.

+Spend more time with God. i must admit i haven't been doing that great of a job at this, so i need to step it up this summer. I am hoping to have some time to soak up his word and journal out my prayers to him.

+Read blog inc. I recently got this book for my kindle app on my I-pad and i am hoping to get into it this summer. I love reading others posts about blogging, so i can't wait to see what this book has to say about it.

+Spend time with friends. This summer I am hoping to spend some time with friends i haven't seen in a while, one of my close friends is getting married in November so this summer she will be having her bachelorette and wedding shower, so i am excited to spend time with her and see other friends as well.


So, now it's your turn. What are your goals? this summer, month, etc. Share in the comments below and be sure to link up with Kiki and Samantha over at In it's Time.

The Circle: Thank You Notes

Today I am linking up with Kiki over at In it's time and Jess at Polished Arrow, for the circle linkup. This is one of my favorite linkups, so if you haven't heard of it, head on over to Kiki's blog and read all about it! This months theme is "thank you notes", like the ones that Jimmy Fallon does on his late night TV. show, they are funny, well mine may not be as funny as his, i will try my best.

Thank you chocolate for being there when I'm stressed, and just need something sweet!

Thank you best friend, for always listening to me and being there for me even when i am a "hot mess".

Thank you Netflix, for giving me endless hours of shows to watch, and of course giving me a break from endless amounts of homework.

thank you coffee, for giving me that extra jolt in the morning, when I need it most.

thank you chick fila, for being having some good food.

thank you Pinterest for helping me come up with new things to bake and cook, clearly you know my weakness's all too well.

thank you Mavis (dog at my parents house), for always being comforting even when you look back at me with that--"what is she saying, i wish she would leave me alone look".


So what are you thankful for? Go, link up on Kiki's blog or comment in the comments section.  I can't wait to see what you come up with!

The Circle: Spring Favorites

This picture is from a spring Sunset last year. 

So Today I am linking up with my blogging friend Kiki, she's pretty awesome! If you haven't checked out her blog you definitely should! This months the circle theme is: Spring Favorites. So here are some of mine. 


What is spring like where you live?
I'm from Michigan and i am currently here for spring break, there's tons of snow here. So it doesn't look much like spring at the moment. But when it is spring it's about 50-60 degrees. In Virginia where i am currently going to Grad school, we've already had some spring weather up into the 70's, which if your from Michigan that's pretty nice this time of year. And it also rains a lot here, so rain boots come in handy :)

What's your favorite springtime accessory? 
My favorite spring accessory is by far my pink Rain boots, and my yellow trench coat. Love them both! And a springy scarf to go along with that. Hoping there's some more spring weather when i get back to Virginia next week! 


Do you have any springtime traditions?
No not really, any that i can think of. 

What is your favorite spring treat? 
Malted Milk balls, love them! I can't wait to get them in my Easter basket every year! 

Favorite spring holiday?
I would have to say Easter, cause it's celebrating Jesus. 

What's your favorite thing to do in the spring?
My favorite thing to do is to be able to go outside and take pictures of the pretty flowers. And when i am home, there are beautiful cherry blossoms right outside our window. 

This is our dog Mavis, enjoying the spring weather last year! 

The Circle: Coffee Date

Today i am linking up once again with my dear blogging friend Kiki and the awesome Amy from Taking steps home for the circle linkup, this months theme is a coffee date. If your like me and love heart to hearts, than this is for you! 

1. Where are you seated (near the counter, near the window, near the door, against the wall, etc.)? 
I am seated near a window that is letting in the sunlight just enough so it's not in my eyes.

2. What are you sipping/munching on? 
I am sipping on a caramel mocha and eating a piece of lemon pound cake. Which if you have never had it's really good! 

3. What do you want to get off your chest first (can be as deep as you want)?
I would tell you about life in Grad school and also what God is doing in my life, cause i really love those kind of talks. You know, heart to heart.  I would also talk about my friends and family, and tell you that i miss them, since they are so far away.

4. If you could choose anyone (besides us of course) who would you have a coffee with?
I would love to have coffee with some of my blogging friends because I think it would be an awesome time of just getting to know each other and sharing our hearts.  

5. What is inspiring you lately?
Lately I have been enjoying, baking and finding new recipes. Also, the beauty that is around me here in VA. I have also been loving, warm sweaters and scarves like this one. 

6. What are your plans after coffee?
After coffee I have to get back to homework and class, you know Grad school life. And I hope we would plan to meet again soon, and maybe take a few photos before we left. 

So, Go grab your coffee and link up with Kiki and Amy.

The Circle Linkup: It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

Today i am linking up with my dear blogging friend Kiki. This months theme is Christmas.

I can't believe there's only two weeks till Christmas, it's crazy how fast time goes by. I am excited to be able to spend it with my family, below are a few photos from around my house and of course the snowy backyard. Be sure link up with Kiki here.

1. is a picture of the lights on the tree that is sitting at the top of the stairs. 2. is an ortament on the tree downstairs. 3. is the snowy backyard.