Weekend Wisdom

Happy Weekend, lovelies! Due in part to the never ending rainy weather, I seriously thought this past work week was never going to end. Needless to say once Friday afternoon rolled around, I was elated for 48 hours of quality rest and relaxation.

As I have confessed in the past, I'm obsessed with quotes. Any and all quotes. It doesn't matter whether the pieces of wisdom come from movies, music, books, historians, or just the average joe. And when I need a swift kick in the rear, much of my motivation comes from my quote book. So, I'm bringing back the 'Weekend Wisdom' feature. Each weekend I will share one of my favorites with y'all and hope to pass along the inspiration.

PS... Check out my new 2013 inspiration board (here) and my past ones too (here and here). Do you have a favorite quotation? If so, let me know! Would love to add it to my ever-growing collection.

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Hello 2013!

1 year. 365 days. 8,765 hours.

Every New Years Eve, I say the same thing... Where did the time go? Despite telling myself there are plenty of days and hours to achieve my list of resolutions, life takes over and half of the year is in the rearview mirror before I have a chance to blink. 

So I'm vowing to make this year different. Throw resolutions out the window (besides, I have my 101 in 1001 list!), cherish each moment, and take nothing for granted. To love and laugh. To forgive and forget. To be thankful and humble. To travel the path that the Lord planned for my life. And I have a feeling in my heart that this year will be my year. 

Cheers to 2013 and Happy (belated) New Year! 

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Making A List

If you have read any of my previous posts over the last year, you will know that I'm a planner - inside and out. To-do lists make up my day and I usually have more than one on my desk at any given time. And yes, I'm that girl who does a happy dance when an item is crossed off. (Nerd alert!) 

One of my favorite bloggers, Mackenzie, created a 101 in 1001 list that I fell in love with from the moment I read it. For the longest time, I wanted to create one of my own, but fear of failure held me back. Until now. 

Over the past few weeks, I have been contemplating what to include on my list. Fun tasks and serious goals. Places to see and events to attend. The only criteria I gave myself was each item must be something that will ultimately make my heart happy and put a smile on my face.

In the coming days I will post my entire list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. I'm both nervous and excited to share it with y'all, but hopefully it inspires someone else to push fear aside and go for whatever your heart desires. There is no better time to start than right now. 

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Deirdre Heekin's Vermont Cottage

images via House Beautiful

Confession: I'm guilty of spending the majority of my down time pinning, looking at design websites, or reading magazines. Recently while scouring for inspiration, I came across a tour of Deirdre Heekin and Caleb Barber's cozy Vermont cottage. The husband-wife pair infused their Italian heritage into the home's design style. 

How cute is the bar in the bookcase? And the classic white couch? Just lovely. Where do you find design inspiration?

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Monday Musings

image via falala designs

It is all about your attitude - you get to decide whether Monday is dreadful or delightful. Won't you make today a good start to the week? 

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Dreamin'

via tumblr

Ever since I started Southern Grace, I've dreamed of creating this little blog of mine into something that represented all the things I love - faith, family, fashion, food, and entertaining. A combination of time and wanting everything to be perfect has kept my dream from becoming a reality. Until today.

After much thinking, I realized there will never be a perfect time to start making my dreams come true. I've got to strap in for a wild ride, work hard and enjoy every moment. And this applies to much more than just this blog. It applies to all aspects of life.

Stay tuned for new features to start Monday. Can't wait to share my ideas and personality with y'all. Any ideas and feedback are always welcome.

Cheers to the rest of the weekend!

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Waiting Room

Hellllo Monday! Time to start another week of classes, work, and appointments plus spring cleaning and organizing. Sounds exciting, huh?

Yesterday at church, my pastor, Steven Furtick, preached one of the best sermons I've ever heard him give. While we are currently in the middle of a series titled Waiting Room, Pastor Steven's message was all about the question, 'What are we waiting for?'

So often we wait for the Lord to provide us with something that we have asked Him for. Peace. Understanding. Forgiveness. Happiness. But the stripped down reality is that He has already given us all of these things and we are too busy standing to the side with our arms crossed, unwilling to look around and see them. Everything we need, we already have. But the real question is will we unfold our arms and be open to see the blessings that He has already provided for us? Will we walk in the gifts we already have?

Don't ask the Lord for joy, be joyful. Don't ask the Lord for happiness, be happy. It's not about the Lord providing, it's about walking in what he's already given us. We are waiting for an invitation when the party has already started.

It's time to get moving. Instead of us waiting on the Lord, He is waiting on us to get moving in the direction He has called us to. If you're waiting on the Lord, you're going in the wrong direction.

This message hit me hard. Right in the heart and gut hard. I get caught up in the daily routine of my to-do lists and waiting on the Lord to provide things that when I stop and look around, I already have. So starting today, I have decided to pray that God brings awareness to the blessings in my life and get moving to bring Him glory. Stop waiting and start doing.

If you would like to watch this particular message, you can do so here. I think these 45 minutes could change your life. I know it did for me.

Cheers!  xx

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What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Hump Day, ladies! I'm linking up with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday.  

I'm loving that it's my birthday week! Today is my last full day in the office before starting the weekend early to celebrate my 22nd!

I'm loving the Hunger Games. After hearing all the hype around this book, I had to pick it up at the bookstore. I just started reading it but so far it's a page-turner. And I must finish it before the movie comes out in theatre.

I'm loving this Blanket-Wrap Cardigan from Old Navy. I've had my eye on it since it arrived in store and just couldn't spend $44 on it. Last week, I found it on sale for $20 and had a 20% coupon. Score!

I'm loving Carrie Underwood's new single 'Good Girl' ... she sings the absolute truth in this song. Definitely can't wait until her new album comes out in May. Carrie just seems like a down-to-earth girl who I could definitely be friends with. And have you seen her legs?!

{all images from my Pinterest page}

xo, sam

Daytona

Life has been absolutely crazy the last month. And it is all because of this place: Daytona. Unlike most sports where the biggest event of the season takes place at the conclusion, the 'superbowl' of our year kicks off our 38-week schedule.

Thankfully after two trips, eight total days, numerous rain storms and soaking up some rays, I was able to return to Carolina and finally stop living out of a suitcase. I'm blessed to have a job that I enjoy waking up to every day which allows me to see many cities across the United States. But no matter the length of my trip, nothing feels better when I land back home in Charlotte.

I've learned over the years that Dorothy was right...there really is no place like home.

Weekend Wisdom: Little Things

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This weekend, let's remember that little things to us are big things to someone else.

A simple hello, using 'please' and 'thank you', a friendly smile, holding the door for the person behind you.

These things that seem to be so insignificant could be a bright light for someone who is having a dark day.

Don't ever underestimate the little things.

xo.

Grace Not Perfection.

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Just a little Wednesday morning inspiration to kick start the day.

However, I have a confession. I am a perfectionist. I like things to go exactly how they are supposed to, at the time they are supposed to, at the place they are supposed to. Get the picture? But life is not perfect and neither are we. Road bumps happen daily and life is what we make of these annoying detours to our plan. Sometimes they create more pain and sometimes they create more joy.

But no matter what, grace always remains.

So today, I'm going to strive to hold myself to a standard of grace not perfection.

xo.