the hardest yet

Everybody told me over the summer that my sophomore year would be my most difficult one yet.
I've been in school for 4 weeks and it has already been proven quite too true.

The lack of posts has been entirely my fault; I probably could have found time if I had really tried, but it was just hard.

I was at the beach for a week, so I wasn't able to post then. But I have been back for almost a week and have no done a real post at all.

But, hun, it's just hard to find time. I have been dying to share with ya'll about my beach trip. It was SUCH an amazing trip and I got some amazing pictures too. But whenever I am on my computer, it is solely to do homework. Sad, isn't it? School has just been overwhelming. It all came in one big wave that kind of swept me off my feet. With honors chemistry, advanced Algebra 2, and a tough literature teacher, along with everything else, it can make your sched pretty full.

I just wanted you to know that I didn't run off and forget about my blog at all. I wanted you to know to not unfollow because posts will be coming as soon as I have a free hour or so. Might be able to pull it off tomorrow, although I am not sure. I've got some posts planned but just haven't had time to put them together yet! But they are coming soon-I promise! That is a promise to myself as well.

Don't go far because I will be right back ;)  

been beachin' it

-------------------------Been at the beach this past week! I didn't give ya'll very much of a heads up about that, sorry! A post will be heading your way about our wonderful beach trip within the next couple of days!

xoxo,

Sarabethy

graceful

I have recently come across a life-changing book.

My friend's mom found it, my friend read it, and immediately let me borrow. Then another one of our friends borrowed it. Then another. I swear it's becoming the sisterhood of the traveling book.

But that's only because it's so good.

"Graceful", written by Emily P. Freeman is a book for young woman about letting go of your try-hard life.

It's for the good girl. Not necessarily the one who does all the good things, but the one who so desperately wants to do so.

"For the quiet girl who sits in the back, the loud girl who thinks she should be different...For the daughter who just wants to please her parents, the student who wants to do it right....For the athlete, for the star...For the worried and the hurried and the sweet smile fakers...For the girl who is tired of trying...For the girls who win and those afraid to fail...For the girl who knows everything and nothing...

There words are for you."

-Emily P. Freeman

This book, I can honestly say, changed my life. To know that I don't have to be perfect, that I am wanted and loved, that God has a plan for me, that all I need is God's GRACE, is more than I could ever want.

For the girl's who just want to be perfect (whether you think that way or not) I highly suggest reading this book. Some this book will apply to, some it won't.

After my mom saw how much I loved this book, she bought me my own copy. I've marked and noted that thing up. It looks used for sure. Used books are a beautiful thing. 

I knew I had to share with you guys how wonderful this book is. I hope you consider giving it a read. It can apply to any girl from as early as possibly middle-school, all the way up to college, or even maybe college graduates.

If you don't know if you'll read that book yet, Emily has a great blog where she blogs about lots of different things. You should go and check it out!  You'll love it! She is a brilliant woman who has really encouraged me.

If you stop by her blog, make sure to let her know I sent you! Leave a comment saying I sent you and my blog link so she will know it was me! 

Love you girls!

xoxo

Sarabethy

Extreme Makeover {Room Edition} Part 1

I GET TO REDO MY ROOM.

{Really long background story to the orignial point of this post below}

So, big news.
My house has been for sale for a while now, because my house was just so far away from everything that my  family and I do (practice, friends, socials, church, etc) and so we were trying to move closer to all of that. Not a drastic move, just 15-20 minute difference move.
The house was for sale for a while, and lots of people were very interested in it, but for some reason there was always a reason that person couldn't buy our house; wrong location, out of price range, etc.
My parents finally felt that, just for the fall atleast, to take the house off the market. Just to get back into the swing of things and so that we wouldn't be so busy. We felt God obviously did not want us to move, atleast right now, because he had constantly been keeping it from happening in one way or another.
Of course, when my parents told me and my sibilings, I expected all of us, me especially, to be devestated. We have been planning and wanting to move for ages. We need and want a different house for many reasons. I had every reason for being mad.
But I wasn't.
When my dad told me, I had this strange sense of peace. And joy.
It was one of the best things I have ever felt. When I have every reason to be upset, and I was almost so happy I could cry.
I have come to realize I don't want to move. I have practically grown up in the house I am. It is beautiful. It smells like us. It is home. It is just home to me, to everybody in my family. Even though there are cons to us being in this house, we feel like we can atleast live with them for a little while. We've been living with them for almost 10 years so why not a little longer? Our house is great.
My dad says also that as long as we are here, we can do some bedroom rearranging, swapping, new decor, etc.
And I about went crazy at the sound of that.
An excuse to redo my room?!
LETS DO IT.
Even though we still might end up moving in a few minutes when/if we put the house back up for sale, I am going to love love love this house while we are here.
It is ours.
Our home.
From building forts in the living room, sibiling campouts in the playroom in our little play tents, to the long months spent building a treehouse in the backyard, to winter nights cuddled by the fire, to bringing home a brand new chocolate lab puppy to his new home and him proceeding to go to the bathroom all over the carpet, to sleepovers and family gatherings, to my little sister coloring on the walls at age 4, everything is perfectly imperfect.
And even though I love it here, I am also perfectly fine with the idea of moving. Can't wait to see what God has in store for us!



Back to the whole new room thing. I started a so-called 'private' board on Pinterest several months ago for bedroom decor ideas and I might finally get to use the things I pinned!

Here's a look at what I am planning so far...

A bedroom fit for a lady. This isn't exactly how I want my room to look (a bit bright for my taste) but, something along these lines. Classy. Elegant. Ladylike. Something I won't ever really grow out of.

This is super cute too!

Brilliant idea and there is no doubt in mind that this will soon be in my room. So adorable!

I want some chalk paint somwhere in my room! Obviously not all the walls, but a small wall or a door or something. Or just an outline around a window. So simple and cute and if you don't scribble all over it can look really chic and neat.

Love this too! Going for something bright and sunny but that I can easily cozy up in in the fall with some candles and christmas lights without it feeling to summery

This is so smart! Easy way to stay organized and clean and take up less space! I am going to have to keep my out for one of these!

I like the wallpaper! Similar to the chalk board paint, I want maybe a small space to have a little pop on the walls. Different color paint or simple patterened wall paper to give it a bit of kick.

Great way to store your jewelry!

This closet might be a bit out of my price range, but I am in love with it. I have a walk in closet, so if I painted it and put some more drawers and cabinets in, I could have a mini version of this. My dream.

Would be really super cute for my bathroom!

Love this sort of rustic preppy look with the chevron! Not sure if I would want something like this, but maybe!

Major love it. Going to make it a priority to get me a couple strings of these before the fall!

Love this duvet! I want my bedspread to be something neutral yet fun and elegant and I think this is perfect!

Super cute way to organize!

Ok. I know this is like a barn, but I kind of fell in love with it! Like how cozy does this look. I can't even stand it. I don't know why I love it so much, I just do.

For my room I want something crisp and fresh and a bit bright. But I also want it to look cozy and homey. Me and my are still brainstorming on how to incorporate everything I want into my bedroom and it still look classy and not trashy ;)

I will keep ya'll updated on my room makeover, and if ya'll have any ideas at all please let me know! Comments are my favorite and I would love some ideas to help me brainstorm! Just comment if ya'll can think of anything or if you know of any great furniture from any stores like anthro, urban, pottery barn, etc.

All pictures via Pinterest.

the beginning

The smell of new plastic mingles with the smell of freshly sharpened pencils. Your mind flutters with new to-dos, textbooks, and vocaublary words. 
Even though it's the time of year everybody seems to dread, there is that part of you, deep down, that can't wait.
You're almost on edge and there is this tingly excitement there for it to begin, but you can't figure out why.
With the laying out of new clothes, empty backpacks, and binders full of un-written-on paper, comes the readiness of a new year.
You know this year will bring tough times for sure, and you are prepared. But another part of you says, "bring it on". 
As you get in bed the night before, with everything prepared for the day to come, you can't fall asleep. 
You lay, staring at the ceiling, wondering and imagining what the next day will hold.
As you step out of your door to begin the first day of school, ready for anything, with a bring-it-on attitude. 
Clean notebooks, packed lunch boxes, sharpened pencils, planned out agendas...
And with your backpack riding on your shoulders, packed with everything you need to face the world, you take a step out the door.

let's go to the sea-side

I'll be at the beach in less than two weeks. And to put it simply, I can't be more excited.

nature's pedicure

When I am at the beach, I get this feeling that I am home. Everyone says home is where the heart is, and I know that at least part of my heart resides with the salt water, sunshine, sand, and never ending beauty.
When I am at the beach, I am home!

"sea-side" by sarabethy on Polyvore

 

this is me. I live for going in the water. I don't just lay in the sand, I go in the ocean. Because when you think about it, the ocean is probably the coolest thing on the planet. Water occupies over 75% of the earth. And the ocean just keeps on going. It is full of beauty and wonder and things undiscovered. And you get to experience it. The waves never stop slapping the shore. Even when the tide is low, the waves are still there, trying to make it to land.
"I'll run like the ocean just to find your shore."

the playlist {music of my soul}

I wanted to share with ya'll a few special songs from my playlist! There all different types of music I listen to, but here are some of my top current favorites, and then my top all time favorites. I feel like music is what feelings sound like, and to me, that is so beautiful.



Somewhat new favorites:

Wasting All These Tears--Cassadee Pope
Young and Beautiful--Lana Del Rey
Counting Stars: OneRepublic
I Want Crazy--Hunter Hayes
Clear The Stage--Jimmy Needham
#Beautiful--Mariah Carey
Beautiful--Ben Rector
Summertime Sadness--Lana Del Rey
I Need Your Love--Calvin Harris


These (above) are newer songs that have been playing fairly consistently on my computer and phone this summer. Love them! Also, I love all the Ben Rector songs, but Beautiful is his newest.




Long Time Favorites:

Ready to Run--Dixie Chicks
Lovebug--Jonas Brothers
Be OK--Ingrid Michaelson
The Call--Regina Spektor
Starlight--Muse
Fast Car--Tracy Chapman
Lucky--Jason Mraz
Love--Matt White
Everything Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors pretty much (my faves are Live Forever and Fire and Dynamite). And me and my family actually know them! Cool, right? But please check them out if you haven't heard of them already!
Skinny Love--Birdy
Mercy--Duffy
Countdown--Beyonce
Something Beautiful--NEEDTOBREATHE
A Drop in the Ocean--Ron Pope
On Top of the World--Imagine Dragons

My all time favorites (above) are some of the songs that I always love listening to and never really get tired of. Some of them are super old (I am talking 30-40 years old) and some of them are just a year or two old. But they are some of my favorites, and new ones get added quite often to that list.
As you may have noticed, there is a wide range of music style I listen to, and I like it that way. Music for every mood. Music of my soul.
I hope you enjoyed seeing just a snippet of my playlist!
What kind of music do you like to listen to? What are some new songs this summer/year that are your favorite? Are any of my favorites yours?

xoxo

Sarabethy