What Guys need to know about Wedding Etiquette.

While most of my friends, are getting asked the question, I just got wished a happy anniversary by my blog.  No need to fret. It’s a good relationship. I write when I want and even when I’m gone for a month, it still welcomes me back!

In all seriousness,  weddings are a huge part of my life right now. It’s like I graduated and they just started happening. Only five months after graduating from Baylor I will have been in three weddings,  invited to eight ceremonies, attended ten showers, and been a part of countless engagements and parties. (and this is only the current count!) My mom even told me that I needed to get more magnets for the fridge to hold all the invitations…

Between my wedding duties and working at a mens clothing  company, I have run into multiple wedding feaux pas committed by gentlemen, who I assume didn’t know any better.

Whether you’re in the bridal party, an attendee, or the groom himself, do yourself a favor gents, and make sure you abide by the following:

1)RSVP CARDS

If  the invitation has your name, along  your long term girl friend’s or a “plus one”,  then you’re set to bring your girl. If it is addressed to you solely, then you are the only one invited. Do not, I repeat do not, RSVP for more than yourself. You’d think that this is common knowledge, but it’s not. For example, one of my friends who is getting married, recently had a guy RSVP to bring himself and three friends he wanted the bride and groom to meet. Not. Okay. Ever. Most of the time, people have a limited amount of seating and you cannot bring more than you are allotted. Plus, if you’re  not seriously dating anyone, then why would you want to bring a date? Don’t you know weddings are good places to meet girls? I for one do not bring a date if I don’t have to- weddings are more fun when you don’t have to baby sit someone!

2) Wedding Shirts

I work mainly with J. Hilburn Custom shirting. At least once a week, I receive desperate please from grooms, groomsmen, and wedding guests who must have their shirts in an extremely short  and impossible amount of time. Why must guys wait until the very last minute to order something they have known  months in advance about? More importantly why do they think our custom shirts are made by wizards and could miraculously be produced in less than two weeks, when we advertise three to four weeks.  I’ve even known guys to wait until the last minute to purchase off the rack shirts. It’s insane. Guys, if you can’t remember to get your shirt in time, get your girlfriend or mother to take you. I’m sure they’d be overjoyed to help you!

3) Groom’s Family’s responsibilities

Sometimes due to different cultures and sometimes ignorance, the groom’s family doesn’t know that there are certain things that they traditionally pay for. Here is a list of the main things that the groom’s family traditionally covers:

-rehearsal dinner invitations

-rehearsal dinner

-bride’s bouquet

-female family members’ flowers

-usher/groomsmen flowers

-marriage license and officiant fee

-honeymoon

Obviously this is not an extensive list, and it is certainly not followed 100% of the time.

I have a few bridesmaid-ships under my belt, so I have witnessed these issues first hand. It’s not a lot, but in wedding planning, every little detail counts.so try and be courteous of your bride to be!

Matters of the Heart: The Great Gatsby and other Cogitation.

“No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

It’s mid April, which means that it is less than a month until the highly anticipated film, The Great Gatsby, hits the big screen. The first time I read this book, I was a sophomore at Garland High School. I recently re-read my high school copy, which was rather intriguing, as it had all my annotations from my analysis paper I wrote. If there’s one thing I learned in high school, it was how to write an analysis essay. (Thank you International Baccalaureate program!) I enjoyed the book the first time around, but reading it for pleasure made me appreciate it even more.

Re-reading it, I noticed this eloquent quote regarding Mr. Gatsby:

“His brown, hardening body lived naturally through the half fierce, half lazy work of the bracing days. He knew women early and since they spoiled him he became contemptuous of them, of young virgins because they were ignorant, of the others because they were hysterical about things which in his overwhelming self-absorption he took for granted.

But his heart was in a constant, turbulent riot. The most grotesque and fantastic conceits haunted him in his bed at night. A universe of ineffable gaudiness spun itself out in his brain while the clock ticked on the washstand and the moon soaked with wet light his tangles clothes upon the floor, Each night he added to the pattern of his fancies until drowsiness closed upon some vivid scene with an oblivious embrace. For a while these reveries provided an outlet for his imagination  they were a satisfactory hint of the unreality of reality, a promise that the rock of the world was founded securely on a fairy’s wing.”

If those paragraphs were food, they’d be a three course meal. Fitzgerald always has a way of making me want to drink in his words.

For those of you who have never read the Great Gatsby, pick up a copy; it’s an easy and enjoyable read. Gatsby is a man who has it all. Well, on the outside he has it all. It’s funny how Fitzgerald refers to Gatsby’s heart as being in a “constant and turbulent riot”, because most people of today’s world have that same issue.

You hear everyone say phrases like “go where your heart takes you”, “what does your heart say?”, “follow your heart”, but God doesn’t say that.

Look at Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

or Mark 7:21-23 “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

or even Ecclesiastes 9:3 “This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead.”

Point being, don’t trust your heart, trust God. The heart will lead you astray, God will not. The heart is often connected to human dreams and desires, which at the end of the day are nothing in comparison to God’s plan for us. Gatsby let his heart grow wicked and sick and focused on worldly gain that eventually caused his demise. His body may have died, but his soul was dead long before he was killed.  (oops. sorry if you haven’t read the book…). Focus your mind and thoughts on heaven and you’ll keep on living even after you die.

“All I kept thinking about, over and over, was ‘You can’t live forever; you can’t live forever.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Fashion runs the world.

I remember a while back someone posting this picture on Facebook as proof that sports were greater than fashion. I know for a fact Lagerfeld, creative director for Chanel, wouldn’t have taken offense, as a statement like that shows pure ignorance.

This is haute couture, which literally translates to “high sewing”. Unlike items you’d find at Forever 21, this kind of runway show is considered art. Or wait…since Forever 21 rips off designers, you might find similar products there…Nevertheless, you wouldn’t actually bring this “bag” to the beach with you.

That being said, how does fashion actually affect you?

Let’s begin with sports, more specifically the king of Texas sports: Football. (oops. Is that confirming Josh Hamilton’s accusation that “we’re not a baseball town?”)  Anyone remember Tear Away Jerseys? They were made of fibers that would rip when tugged, allowing players to escape the grasp of an oncoming defensive player. Who do you think created those? Let me give you a hint. The answer isn’t Jerry Jones. Try textile chemists.

You’re probably thinking sure, that’s one example, but no! There’s more! How many of y’all are runners? I myself have hopped jogged onto the bandwagon and taken up this sport, as you set your pace and there’s no needed equipment. For runners, the essential thing is to have the right gear. The right shoes, yes, but even more so, the right clothes. Oh, so you like your wicking Nike top because it lets your skin breathe? Who do you think created that technology? Let me give you a hint. It isn’t a really fast Kenyan. Well…I guess it could be, but more importantly it was a textile chemist.

Whether your an outdoor tennis player or someone who likes to shoot some hoops no matter what season, textiles affects you too. You probably own some type of winter athletic-wear that helps keep your body temperature regular, but also allows you to play the game. These kinds of clothing are knitted together tighter than usual in order to keep a boundary layer of air between your skin and your clothing. In case you didn’t know, fabric doesn’t keep you warm- your boundary layer does. Air is actually the best insulator.  I’m sure you know the drill by now, but who do you think came up with these knitting techniques? You’re right. A textile chemist.

I’m not hating on sports. I love me some Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, and Stars (well, when they don’t make me yell at them from a seat in the AA center or Ballpark. Oh yeah, and Jerry World). Next time you’re watching a game, just remember that there’s a lot more than throwing a ball around. Clothing worn during games can provide protection for the skin and even prevent injuries. Those who work on textiles…something you might have deemed irrelevant, just might be keeping your player safe AND your fantasy football team alive.

Still think fashion doesn’t run the world? What was the first thing Adam and Eve did after they ate the forbidden fruit? They realized they were naked and wanted clothing! Check it out in Genesis 3. Verse 21 says “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”

What are YOU wearing today?

Whole Heartedly.

I used to regularly post recent recipes I had tried and liked…Because I haven’t done one of these in a very long time, you probably thought I quit eating. Not the case. I still abide by the rule of “life is too short to eat bad food.”

My most recent baking obsession has been with whole wheat flour. I prefer wheat bread over white bread any day, so I thought ‘why not make my baked goods a little better for me?’ Notice, I didn’t say taste healthier…here’s some recipes I’ve tried and loved, that haven’t sacrificed flavor for health. I mean if you’re trying to be super healthy, you really don’t want a cookie anyway. Don’t worry; I’ll eat what you don’t.

Whole Wheat chocolate chip cookies.

These were adapted from my friend Kim. She is a pole vaulter for Baylor, so she always does the healthy alternative for food. She’s a beast! Seriously though, don’t let the whole wheat fool you. I brought these to work and they were gone in a flash.

• 4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 tsps Baking Soda
• 2 cups butter, softned
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 (3.4 oz) pkgs intant vanilla pudding mix
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 4 cups chocolate chips (I like mixing milk, semi sweet, and dark)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Sift flour and baking soda and sit aside

In large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in pudding mix until blended. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Blend in flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips. 

Create 1 inch balls of dough and place on baking sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes; edges should be golden brown.

Peanut butter whole wheat muffins with dark chocolate chunks.

I got this recipe from a blog called, How Sweet it Is. Most of it I kept the same, except I used regular Jif Peanutbutter, and I mixed semi sweet and dark chocolate chips. These are so yummy! Not only are they whole wheat, but they contain peanut butter, greek yogurt, less than a cup of sugar, and only 1 stick of butter!

Whole wheat pumpkin bread with chocolate chips.

I love the flavor of pumpkin, but feel that it is so overdone in the fall. This is something different, yet tasty that everyone will love!

• 1 and 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup pureed pumpkin
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.

Next, in a medium sized bowl combine the dry ingredients, and in a large bowl combine the wet ingredients.

Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, making sure it is well blended. Mix in your chocolate chips. Once everything is mixed together, line a bread pan with parchment paper, and pour the batter into the pan.

Cook for 50-60 minutes.

Whole Wheat, no yeast Pizza Dough. 

Who doesn’t love pizza? Who doesn’t love a pizza that’s kind of good for you?!

• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 3/4 tsp. baking powder (if using baking soda use half and omit salt)
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 3/4 to 1 c. water

 Preheat oven to 400 F.

Mix dry ingredients. add 3/4 cup water and oil. Stir until it forms a ball. If dough is stiff, add more water.The dough will be soft, not sticky. Knead on a floured surface for 3-4 minutes.Add sauce and desired toppings.Bake for 15-25 minutes.

Whole Wheat Pasta.

This is an effortless switch. Whenever making spaghetti at home, just buy whole wheat noodles. I do this for all the pastas I make. This dish below is actually an avocado pasta recipe I got from the Flourishing Foodie. If you can’t resist the goodness of avocados, then this dish is definitely for you!

If baking and cooking with whole wheat or grains is just too much of a lifestyle switch, then start out with something easy. Goldfish and Cheezits both offer a whole grain option. Wheat Thins have a multi-grain version,and my personal favorite, Lance, sells whole grain butter crackers.

I’ll never be one of those girls claiming to always be on a diet and never eating much. The fact of the matter is, is that I like chocolate and cheeseburgers. However, I feel that God didn’t put us on the earth to be gluttonous, so I try to be healthy where I can.

Bon appetit!

“It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.” Proverbs 25:27

No Fear.

No, I’m not referring the once popular clothing brand  that launched in 1989.

I’ve found that I learn the most when I look for lessons from God in my regular, everyday life. I’m not Moses, therefore I don’t get burning bushes; I feel that this is His way of speaking to me.

This past November, I was driving home from Waco for Thanksgiving, when the unthinkable happened. I wrecked my car on I-75 only 30 minutes from home in Garland. The traffic was unpredictable, ( as it most of the time it is) and I was going the speed of traffic in the fast lane left lane. All of a sudden red brake lights came on (only in my lane as luck would have it) and I tried to bring my Saturn Vue to a halt. My brakes locked and I swerved into the center lane, back into my lane, then ended up straight into the concrete barrier, perpendicular to the oncoming traffic. My airbag imploded, my front left end was crumpled under the car, and there was a viscous black substance leaking from my engine. By the grace of God I was the only car involved in the accident and came out of it with some marks on my arms from the airbag and a little harry potter-esque scratch on my forehead.

I immediantly dialed 911 then hit END and called my dad instead. Dad> 911 any day. A nice man named Patrick got out of his car (amid multiple lanes of traffic mind you) and calmed me down. He then helped me get my car to the  right shoulder, right after the Colorado exit on Central Expressway. I graciously thanked him as he left; he said he had a younger sister and he couldn’t imagine her dealing with this on her own, so he knew he had to stop. My mom says he was my angel. By this time, someone had called 911 and there were about 5 patrol cars stopped, shortly followed by a firetruck and ambulance. Oh. And a radio announcement saying a wreck near the Dallas zoo had inhibited traffic flow. Not my idea of radio stardom. (but hey, I’ve been on 99.5 the wolf before at Susan G. Komen’s Race for the cure, so I don’t have to claim this wreck as my infamous start of stardom).  The policemen all had their dip in and were anything but sympathetic…they jokingly asked if I was texting (which I wasn’t) and laughed and said I was just trying to get a new car.  I had made it since I turned 16  without getting a wreck and now this had to ruin my squeaky clean record.

My Vue ended up being totaled and after a month of driving a rental car instead of an SUV, I’m got back to my soccermom self (my new Sorento seats 7!) .Not that I was careless before, but now when I drive, it’s different.  It sends shivers up my spine if I’m in someone’s blind spot. I cringe when I see a foolish driver swerving from lane to lane like a lunatic who thinks thinks it’s a good idea to be reckless in traffic more dense than your Grandma’s fruit cake. I can still hear my car crunching against the concrete and the pop of the airbag as I lost control. In a sense, my eyes have been opened.

Kind of like the first time you experience heartbreak and you realize people will let you down.

Kind of like when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and were exposed to sin.

You’re probably wondering what in tarnation my wreck story has to do with Adam and Eve. Don’t worry; I’ll connect the dots.

The thing about us as humans, is that  the world has caused us to feel immune to sin…that it really isn’t that bad…that we can be good later…when really we should be similar to how I feel about driving. I used to love the open road, but my experiences have made me realize the distressing amount of danger that is present. In the same way, we as Christians used to love sin, but through Jesus, our eyes were opened. We don’t have to be fearful, because through Jesus we have no fear in death or sin; however,  we should be cautious  of what we involve ourselves in and who we surround ourselves with.  We should shutter at the thought of drifting from where we once so proudly stood in Jesus.  Christians are given freedom from  our wicked ways and so often we meander back down the path of sin, and are enslaved once more.

Remember that as Christians:

We receive God’s abundant grace.

“…But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,  so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:20-21

We must live in the world, but not be of it.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

We must keep Christ at the center of our lives so we can carry out His plan.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

There’s no reason you shouldn’t be joyful today- you’re alive and FREE!

I love Men[swear].

I no longer can use the excuse “I’m getting things ready for graduation” as a reason why I haven’t been consistently writing…though I do have a new excuse.

I started my new job!

I’m currently working at the headquarters for a mens custom clothing company called J. Hilburn. Perfect for me, right? With my love of menswear and the fashion industry, I’m definitely in the right place. Located in the heart of Dallas, J. Hilburn is a great company to work for and is committed to giving quality service and products.

If the name sounds familiar, you might of heard that Esquire named us the best mens dress shirt.

Or maybe it was from the latest copy of INC where we had a phenomenal article.

Or just maybe you watched the bachelor and saw Sean, the Dallas cutie, sport our shirts?

 

Whatever it may be, check out J. Hilburn. They are paving the way for direct sales to be a personal, cost effective  transaction that will not only benefit you now, but for years to come.

It’s a shame I don’t have a boyfriend, as his closet would be filled with custom shirts, made to measure trousers, and personalized jackets. For now I’ll just stick to clothing my dad…:)

Thoughts of 2013.

We’re a little over 1 week into 2013. Have you already broken your NY Resolution? What’s your motivation?

Too many times I have seen people fail because their reason for action wasn’t on target.

“I’m going to get fit for my boyfriend.”

“I’m going to get that position to help my personal status and gain recognition.”

“I’ll help him study so I can get study hours done.”

“I’ll be her friend so I can make a move on her brother.”

At some point in time, we’re all prone to doing something with an ulterior motive. Personal gain isn’t a bad thing, but it can be if that is your main focus.

I’ve seen a myriad of people give something their all, but be completely heart broken when they didn’t get said position or reach a certain goal. It interests me, because these same situations 9/10 deal with someone whose heart wasn’t in the right spot. God is very clear about how was should go about our earthly deeds. Colossions 3:23 states

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

He also says in Proverbs 16:9

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

You see, I feel like these people (myself included from time to time) forget how to truly live life. First and foremost, we need to do all things for the glory of God. Second of all, if we know in our hearts that God’s plan is the best, it makes it easier to let go or begin to fathom why certain things occur and some things don’t.

Last year, over Sprinkles cupcakes, my friend Holly and I embarked on this subject. We decided it’s a lot easier to live life with the mindset of having open hands. This allows anything to come into your life, but it also allows God to take away when the need be…to prepare you for something greater. It’s only human nature to want to fist our hands to try to keep all the good things in, but in doing that, bad things can’t get out either.

Are you struggling with keeping on track for a goal or feeling apathetic about a job or position? Relax. Live life with open hands. Let God deal you more than you could imagine.