We're Not A Mystery to You

Remember how I said I wanted to use this blog as an outlet for honesty? Here goes...

Right now I'm scared. I've never been without a job before, and although I've only been in Denver a week, it feels like an eternity. Not having the stability of regular employment is throwing me for a humongous loop. That's why this song has been on continuous playback in my car lately. I love the truths of God's word and God's attributes expressed in it.

When I'm feeling like the world's out of control, I can remember that the Lord is in control. He holds everything together!

When I feel like the Lord hasn't provided everything for me in the time frame that I WANT, I can remember that He has my best interests at heart!

When the loneliness and unfamiliarity of a new place and new people makes my heart ache, I can remember that He loves me and is always with me no matter what!

When I feel like I'm a mystery even to myself, I remember that I'm not a mystery to God - He knows me completely and intimately, and knows the words on my tongue and the thoughts in my head before they even come to fruition!

So even if you're not going through the same things as me, please take the time to listen to this song and remember God's truths along with me.

xoxo Erin

In Awe and Wonder

Doesn't this photo just take your breath away?! The Grand Canyon is one of my favorite places on earth - I had the chance to visit it for the first time this summer and desperately want to go back and see more! It's unbelievably gorgeous and such a stunning example of the beauty of God's creation. In fact, it's on my 30 For 30 List (see # 30)!

If you do nothing else today ...

...please take the time to watch this. It's long, but SO worth it!

Blessings,

Erin xoxo

Chanel + Keira Knightley = MAGIC

This ad's been around a bit, but I love it nonetheless!

A First Glimpse

My first glimpse of the glorious Rocky Mountains ... my new home!

(Pardon the photo - I took it with my cell phone as I am not quite up & running with the technology yet)

I Can't Get Enough Of...

The healthy cooking blog Keep It Skinny

Feather Nails at The Look For Less

The gorgeous & reminiscence-provoking website Dear Photograph

A romantic Australian getaway...

A View From the Road

I started my trip in the rain...

First time seeing the Mississippi River...

One of Iowa's many wind turbines...

I had a delicious dinner at the Twisted Fork in Omaha, NE!

*** I'm should finally arrive in Denver TODAY!!!

{Best Dressed} 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards

I don't really watch awards shows on TV due to my lack of cable, but I always wait with bated breath to see what everyone's wearing on the Red Carpet. At this year's Emmy Awards on Sunday, there were definitely a few standouts. Who was on your Best Dressed List? Here's mine:

Julia Stiles - so elegant & fit her perfectly

Elizabeth Moss - I ADORE this dress!

Christina Hendricks - my perennial fave!

Aleksa Palladino - the navy/plum color really pops against her dark hair & pale skin

(All photos via Yahoo TV)

*** Yep, I'm still on the road! :)

#2. A Fresh Start, A New Perspective

Today is the big day.

The Big Move.

A life changer.

A day to strike out on my own, forge new paths ahead & step out in faith that this is where God is leading me.

I'm off to Denver.

Some things are still unsure and scary, but the excitement of new surroundings, new possibilities, and a wonderful fresh start outweigh all of the risks! I covet your prayers as I spend the next few days on the road. I will return soon with new posts and stories about my solitary road trip adventure!

Bittersweet Farewell

Last night, my coworkers threw me a going-away party! I am completely flattered that so many of my friends and business contacts showed up to make it such a memorable, fun, but bittersweet evening. I have been at my job for six years and we are all like family.

You are known by God

This passage is so precious to me! Whether you are living life day by day, in dire or complicated circumstances, or just feeling like you don't matter - The Lord who created the universe also created YOU - you are special to Him and He watches over you. He will never leave you!

¹ You have searched me, LORD,
   and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
   you, LORD, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
   and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
   too lofty for me to attain.
 ⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast.
 ¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139: 1-16 (NIV)

#17: Do A Photo Shoot

This week, I had the privilege of working with my friend Mike, a local photographer, on a photo shoot! He had wanted to work with me on a shoot before, but it never seemed to come together. It had been a dream of mine for awhile to be professionally photographed, but I was always too shy or nervous. Mike completely put me at ease - he is the consumate professional and very easy to work with. Plus, it was just fun :) If you are in the Franklin, PA area, I highly recommend him. Here are just a few of the photos from that shoot. He's very talented, don't you think?

(All photos copyrighted Recorded Light by Michael Henderson)

Prefab Perfection

It may just be a summer vacation home, but I could live here all the time:

(These images and other architectural and interior design goodness via Freshome)

{Deliciousness from around the Web} Recipes I'm Dying to Try!

Nutella Ganache Covered Cheesecake (via Kitchen Confidante)

Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies (via Saveur)

Tomato Soup Cake (via girlichef)

Flourless Chocolate Cake (via Gimme Some Oven)

Homemade Lemon Curd (via Bakers Royale)

* And as you can see, yes, I have a huge sweet tooth ;) *

Purple

I'm completely obsessed with this purple Valentino dress worn by Salma Hayek in In Style Magazine last year. It's such a gorgeous shade and highlights her curves perfectly. Wonder where I can find a similar design?

Dream Vacation

These are a few of mine. Where would you choose?

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Prague, Czech Republic

Manarola, on the Italian Riviera

 

Gaga or No?

I am fascinated by Lady Gaga, in a-train-wreck-is-happening-and-I-can't-stop-watching kind of way. I think the new no-makeup photos of her are absolutely stunning! She may not be stereotypically beautiful, but beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and bone structures :)

What are your thoughts?

(Images via Harper's Bazaar)

Hello!

This is Tess, resident trouble-maker and spazz. She's not out of her kitten years yet.

A Scandinavian Love Affair

I have a huge weakness for Scandinavian interior design. Clean, crisp, functional and so beautiful!

(Images via Freshome)

Baubles

A couple of days ago, I hinted on Twitter that I found some new vintage jewelry pieces . These are some of my favorites!

Some gifted brooches from my lovely friend Sharon.

Ooooh, sparkly!

A great find from a local consignment shop.

Salted Caramel Brownies

While browsing the latest issue of Cooking Light, this recipe for Salted Caramel Brownies literally stopped me in my tracks...

They did't turn out quite as pretty as the picture, but my family loved them!