Simple Fruit & Kale Smoothie

Tonight I made a small smoothie, so keep that in mind and add more of the ingredients if you wish to make a larger one!

For this smoothie I used:

*1 Small Banana

*Half of an Apple

*1 Handful of Kale

*1 Handful of frozen fruit (mango, pineapple, strawberry)

*Water as the base (you could also use any type or juice, or milk depending on your taste) 

Then blend! {I used the Magic Bullet NutriBullet}

Enjoy! Let me know what you think, and any delicious variations that you've tried!

True Woman 101: Devine Design Bible Study

If you are looking for a great woman's bible study look no further! 

I have recently started a bible study/small group with my mom and two of my closest girl friends. The study is called True Woman 101: Devine Design by Mary Kassian and Nancy Leigh Demoss. If you are in search of a study to do (by yourself or with others) I would definitely recommend this study. 

The study focuses on what it really means to be a woman, what God intended for us to be, what our roles are and how to live that out. Whether you are single, married or anywhere in between this study is one that can only bring light into your life. The study has 8 weeks and each week has 5 days in it for you to complete. Then at the end of each week there are questions (that would be good to do with someone else) that look back and reflect on the weeks lessons. 

Right now I just finished week 3 and my group meets tomorrow! 

I think that this study is great and has things that every Christian woman needs to hear and understand but it may be hard for a lot of women to hear (especially if you're a feminist)..but if you are then I think you should definitely still read it because it holds a key to valuable information! 

So far in the weeks we have: 

-first defined manhood and womanhood and how it not only exists to glorify God but explains how gender does matter in how we balance each other out to put Christ in display. 

-next, taken the focus off of women to first understand a little but about men and how they function. It explains how God created men to reflect the relationship of Christ to the Church and connects that to male-female relationships. 

-on the third week, we do the opposite of last week and lean how women were created to also reflect the relationship of Christ to the Church and connects that to male-female relationships. 

I feel that this study does an awesome job at outlining exactly what the Bible says it mean to be a woman. It explains how we should not feel less then men because of our differing roles but to honor and glorify God in them! 

I really encourage all women to read and do this study because our world has really gotten off track and it's super easy to fall right into it. If you do the study please give me your input and what you think of it! Fellowship is my favorite..even if it is online haha..

P.S. 

I'm working on putting a link right to a bookstore you can buy it from. Sorry I'm new to this, work with me here! 

DIY Refinished Dresser

(Top pic is before, bottom is after) 

During the process of redoing my room I have been searching for a new dresser..one of those ones that is shorter and long and you could put a mirror on top of (Im sure theres a name for it, I just have no idea what it is haha). But anyway I was on my way home and on my street, yes I said ON MY OWN STREET, there was the exact type I was looking for and it had a free sign on it. Like hello thank you GOD. Literally, I really wasn't looking forward to spending a lot of money on used furniture that I was going to redo any way. So I was beyond excited when I found it. 

Here's how it was done: 

-I sanded it down everywhere I was going to paint (you really don't have to go crazy with the sanding, just so it's all smooth. Or if you want an antiqued look sand it unevenly and then rough it up after you paint it). 

-Next after sanding, I wiped down the whole thing clean to get all the dust off 

-Now it's time for primer, with this being my first time ever doing anything like this I think I put the primer on a little light (so I ended up having to put two coats of paint on to make up for it). I used Zinsser primer, that's a good primer to use because you don't have to sand much at all with it. 

-Once the primer is dry you can go ahead and paint, how ever many coats is needed as you go along.

    And seriously it's that easy!!! 

Here's the picture again, just because I love it.. 

I hope this has inspired you!!!

Closet Organization!..double racks

As you know from my last post, I have been working on redoing my room. Specifically working on my ridiculous closet that has gotten out of control!! 

So incase you didn't see the "before" picture, here it is.. I should warn you though, it's a scary sight 

But on the bright side, the "after" picture is soo much better!! 

Here it is..

Here's what happened:

   I took the one middle shelf and bar out and put in two shelves and bars! (The shelf up top you can't see, which is an added bonus!) The shelves are just white shelves from Home Depot that we had to cut to the right size, and same for the poles. Another bonus, on the middle shelf I put my flats, heels and sandals. This actually was a fairly easy project and opened up sooo much space in my closet. Now Ill just have to go shopping to fill it up ;) 

...just kidding, really trying to live more simply! 

I hope I've inspired you to get organized, I know it REALLY helped me in my everyday life and even brought my stress level down. 

Happy organizing 

-Ali 

Cleaning out my closet....literally

Soooo after years of living in my room with purple walls and bunk beds I've decided that it's probably time to redo my room. Which I'm super excited about...but the process getting there, yeah not so exciting. 

I have sooo much stuff that I've had to go through. I've taken down my huge desk and bunk beds. So my next task was to tackle my clothes. I have clothes spilling out of every possibly space in my room. It's bad. 

To start, I went through my clothes and got rid of anything I haven't worn in like 6 months to a year. I have a problem with getting rid of clothes but I LOVE buying new. I was able to do a clothes swap with some of my friends..we got our clothes together that we were getting rid of and just kind of rummaged through. I still have an enormous amount of clothes though. It's a work in progress. 

Here's the before, well really the "during" ..don't judge me too harshly. Just give me credit for getting to this point! Haha

Sadly, these are the "piles" that I formed that have now turned into one big pile.. And ate my friends boot in the process. No like she literally could only find one boot and it took us 20 minutes to find the other one. I guess that's when you know you have a problem. But anyway I can't wait for the finished outcome. 

I am going to be redoing my closet and taking it from one rack in the middle to two racks, one high and one lowish. So here's my before of my closet.  Once again, no judging! 

There's crap everywhere and I can't wait for the transformation to be complete. From new paint on the walls to the little details like things actually having a place. But it should be an interesting learning experience. Finished results to come!! Keep your fingers crossed I don't get eaten by this pile of clothes. 

It's a beach life for me..

The sun on your face, the salt on your lips, the sand on your toes. I love it all. 

I don't know what I would do if I didn't live near the beach and I couldn't possibly imagine not having it 5 minutes away. As much as I don't always love where I live, I am beyond blessed and grateful that I have this amazing place to call home. I live the life that others come to vacation to. This place truly makes my soul happy. The shoobies really do get on my nerves but it wouldn't be any fun without them because who else would I make fun of?? 

I don't think I could survive without my sun kissed skin and beach blown hair. 

..speaking of beach blown hair, I meant that quite literally for today. Nothing better than riding with the top down (in my grandmothers bright yellow VW punch buggy). Never realized just how heavy and how much hair I had until it was being whipped around at 55 mph. #iwhipmyhairbackandforth 

Pup and a pop of color

Lucy was ready and beyond excited to go for a ride!

..little did she know it was a 5 hour ride. But I couldn't resist wearing (probably my new favorite) turquoise flats to add a little flare to the journey! ..credit to Instagram for the filter of course.