A new thing

I could get sappy about what this blog has meant to me, but I won't because the end of this blog means the beginning of a new thing. I hope you'll join me.

The post where I tell you that I got engaged

I started dating the love of my life when I was eighteen. Of course, I didn't know it then. He was cute. "He'll make a fun prom date," I thought. "Then maybe we'll date over the summer until I leave." Our relationship was supposed to be a fun way to end high school. Four years later, I said yes to spending my life with this man.

So yes, I got engaged just over a month ago. You probably noticed if you follow me on social media. For some reason, I've been avoiding sharing it on this space. I think I needed a month to process what it meant to be engaged and planning a wedding.

A big part of me just wants to have a private ceremony or elope. The engagement happened just as I was beginning a love affair with minimalism. It seems outrageous to spend so much on a wedding when people are living on less than a dollar a day. I also don't like the pressures associated with wedding planning. Well meaning people keep telling me how cute and artistic and perfect my wedding will be. I worry about offending people through my invite list. The idea of bridesmaids makes me cringe. How am I supposed  to choose people to stand next to me at my wedding, especially when only my closest friends and family will be invited? Ugh. Weddings are the worst. And yet, I'm still having one, though the idea of eloping may win out.

This quote is my anthem, "I want a marriage more beautiful than my wedding."

That's where I'm at, friends. I still can't believe that I get to marry this amazing (and very handsome!!) man. And I'm still figuring out what I want my wedding to look like. Thankfully, we won't be wed until summer 2017. There is time to figure it out, and you'll be along for the ride.

Share the love,

Taylor

The Handwritten Note

Thank you notes used to be a chore. I remember birthdays and Christmases followed by pressure from my mom to write a thank you note. I didn't get the point. I'd already said thank you, so why was a note necessary? As I got older, the debates centered less around saying thank you for gifts and more around sending handwritten thank you notes to potential employers. The idea of writing a note instead of sending an email felt antiquated.

This post is me saying, "Mom, you were right." College, a long distance relationship, interviewing, and studying abroad showed me the value of a handwritten note. These days, I think it is less about the courtesy of a formal note and more about the sentiment. A handwritten note says, "I value you, and here is something you can keep to remember that you are appreciated."

Lately, I've been enjoying putting pieces of myself into the notes I send and the gifts that I give. I can easily spend a half an hour making the card look pretty with hand lettering and watercolor before I even get around to writing the note. The whole process of preparing the note is relaxing to me, and (hopefully) encouraging to the reader. It's a win-win!

I'd like to see handwritten notes make a comeback. Here are a few ways you can incorporate them into your life:

• Write a birthday note instead of posting on Facebook or sending a text
• Send a handwritten note for any gift you receive
• If you're a guest in someone else's home, place a handwritten note on your pillow when you leave
• Give an encouraging note to a friend who is having a rough day
• Write a letter to your beau, even if you aren't long distance
• Send a thank you note to your interviewer. Write it as soon as the interview is over and put it in the mail the same day as the interview
• And, my personal favorite, write a note to someone just because

The notes don't have to be pretty, just heartfelt. I challenge you to write one this week!

Share the love (and the handwritten goodness),

Taylor

A Tale of Two Blogs

I broke the news a few weeks ago that I started a business, Jubilant. Ever since that post, I've been trying to figure out what to do about the blog situation. Do I merge Live and Move with the Jubilant blog? Do I stop Live and Move altogether? Do I send people from the Jubilant website to Live and Move?

The decision wasn't the easiest. But after doing a bit of research and asking advice from other entrepreneurs, I've settled on having two blogs. Live and Move will stay pretty much the same. If anything, it will become even more of a creative outlet. I'll share personal thoughts and tips and photography. Jubilant's blog will be chock full of business inspiration of the creative entrepreneur.

With two blogs, I can't guarantee that I'll be posting here every week. However, this space is here to stay. I hope you'll follow along at the Jubilant blog as well! I think Live and Move readers will be inspired by the Jubilant content.

I'm excited to have some separation between personal blogging and business blogging, though it may take a while for me to figure out a balance.

Thanks for always bearing with me!

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Taylor

Au Naturel: An update

Last time I wrote about the oil cleansing method (OCM), I sang its praises. This post isn't a retraction. I am just more informed now.

Since my previous post, I've switched from using almond oil to cleanse my face twice a day to only using it at night. I made this decision for a few reasons:

First, I noticed that oil cleansing was really drying, especially in the winter. I may be open to trying it twice a day again in the summer.

Second, the OCM is perfect for removing makeup. By doing it at night, I'm dealing with my oily skin and taking off my makeup in one step.

Finally, I've observed that washing my face with almond oil at night helps to dry up some of my blemishes while I sleep.

I now use Soapbox Soaps ' bar soaps  to wash my face in the morning. Their soaps are all natural and feel great on my skin. (I'm currently using their black bar soap.) What most attracted me was their social mission. They have a one-for-one model that gives soap and clean water or vitamins to people around the world.

source

So that's the latest update on my natural beauty regimen. I'm starting to explore natural deodorants if you have any advice!

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Taylor

Noble Plans

As we step into the new year, I thought I'd share a verse that helps me to dream about the future and to be assured that I'm dreaming in the right direction.

To be noble means to be of royal heritage. And we are noble because we daughters (and sons) of the King. When I plan, I tend to worry about making the right decision. Instead, I need to focus on living in my identity as a noble. When I seek communion with the King, I'll automatically make nobler plans. There's no formula. It's really that simple. 

As you chart out your course for 2015, remember who you are in Christ. I think Augustine was thinking of this verse when he penned his famous words, "Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved.”

Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

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Taylor

#CreativesWorthCelebrating

These are exciting times, y'all. I'm officially starting a business and today is the day I get to share it with you!

About a year ago, I chose the name Jubilant for whatever business I would start. The name comes from the biblical festival of Jubilee. It was a time when debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and there were celebrations throughout the land. I knew that I wanted a business centered around creating reasons to celebrate, for both my customers and for people around the world.

Jubilant was born after taking a hard look at my talents and passions. It's a brand strategy firm offering brand strategy and business coaching services to small business owners and to creative entrepreneurs.

It doesn't officially open for business until March 4th, but I've got some fun things planned before then. The first exciting event is #CreativesWorthCelebrating. Different creative entrepreneurs will take over Jubilant's Instagram each Wednesday and give a behind the scenes look at running their business. The first feature is this Wednesday!

I hope you'll join in on the fun! I also suggest signing up for Jubilant's newsletter so that you can receive a free brand definition worksheet. It should tide you over until we launch in March. And if you're so excited that you can't contain yourself, why don't you tell a friend about Jubilant?

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Taylor

Pump Up Playlist

I don't know about you, but I need music to get in my creative happy place. I created this pump up playlist full of fun, soulful songs that should help make any task more fun!

What are your favorite pump up songs?

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Taylor

My Word for 2015: Yield

I was sitting in church on the Sunday after Christmas. My uncle is the pastor, and somewhere in the passage, he said the word "yield." It wasn't an important party of the message. He only mentioned the word in passing. Suddenly, I knew that would be my word for 2015. I can't explain how I knew. God just kind of said, "This one is for you, Taylor."

So I looked the word up in the dictionary. It's word with many meanings, but a few stood out to me as areas of focus for the year.

yield
 : to give up possession of on claim or demand 
:  to bear or bring forth as a natural product especially as a result of cultivation 
:  to be fruitful or productive 

My prayer for 2015 is that I can give up control in order to bear fruit. We'll see how God uses this word to stretch me in the coming year.

Do you have a word for 2015?

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Taylor

Things 2014 Taught Me

2014 was a big year for me. I spend four months living in Spain. I had my first corporate internship. I accepted my post-graduate job. It changed me. I know we're a few days into 2015, but it's never too late for reflection, right?

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2014 was the year I...

Learned to love myself
I trained for a 10k in Spain, and that sparked my love affair with fitness. Before I knew it I was working out regularly and even attempting to eat healthfully. By the end of 2014, I was convinced that I was both strong and beautiful. It's not that I lost much weight. Truthfully, I only lost about five pounds. But it wasn't about that. I fell in love with my curves, the way the softer spots of my body complemented the hardness of my muscles. I'm happy with the way I look, and I hope to instill that contentment in other women as well.

Got help
I've suffered from bouts of anxiety since childhood, but I never really addressed it. In 2014, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I started therapy. I learned coping mechanisms. Too often, we hide our struggles with mental illness. We view the fact that we need help as a sign that something is wrong with us. 2014 taught me that I'm not alone in this struggle, and that it's not something that I need to hide.

Worked on relationships
When people say that relationships take work, I always thought that they meant romantic relationships. That's not the case. All relationships need intentionality. They require "I'm sorrys" and vulnerability and messiness. They require us to truly consider others better than ourselves. In 2014, I realized how blessed I am to have friends who walk with me and who work with me.

Said no
I've always like the quote, "You can do anything but not everything." I started to live by it in 2014. I quit things. I didn't go to events out of obligation. It made my year sweeter and more restful.

It's hard to boil down 365 days worth of lessons into a blog post, but those are the highlights. What did 2014 teach you?

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Taylor

Au Naturel

2014 has inadvertently become the year of the natural beauty regimen in my life. Using oils in my hair turned into making my own lotion which turned into using the oil cleansing method to clean my skin. Natural and homemade beauty products are the bee's knees. Why, might you ask?

From my Insta

1. You can make the products to fit you

I added cinnamon and vanilla to my shea butter lotion. It gives me this subtly warm and inviting smell that is quickly becoming my signature scent.

2. No chemicals

This is self-explanatory, but there are a ton of chemicals in the beauty products that we use. They're harsh on the environment, your skin, and your wallet.

3. Feel luxurious... on a budget

Making homemade beauty products is cost effective, but the experience feels like you treated yourself to a $500 bottle of lotion. Love. it.

If you're curious, here's the recipe for the shea butter lotion that I use and here's Hey Fran Hey's tutorial on the oil cleansing method.

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Taylor

Creative Retreat

From my Insta

I love school breaks. I've always said that I am more myself in my months away from school. Activities that are normally luxuries, reading for pleasure and even writing on this blog, can become daily occurrences. So far, I've finished the last three books in the Harry Potter series. It's wonderful.

This month is my creative retreat, and some nights I can't sleep because I'm so inspired. How do you rekindle your creativity?

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Taylor

Confessions of a Chronic Entrepreneur: Part Two

A few days ago, I posted the quote. "Do it with passion or not at all." I always thought that quote was intended to be an encouragement to do everything with passion. It's not; it's telling us to make choices, hard ones, and to ask ourselves, "Can I do this with passion?"

It's tough. After getting my group fitness certification, I immediately wanted to dive into a health coach certification. But the answer to "Can I do this with passion?" was no. For a person who is used to saying yes to as many opportunities as possible, this new mindset is taking some getting used to.

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I wrote my first Confessions of a Chronic Entrepreneur post back in April and declared that I would be patient. Eight months later, I'm still taking baby steps toward action. This intentionality has given me time to build something I'm passionate about and time to ask, "Am I doing this with passion?"

So far the answer continues to be yes and as long as that yes stays constant, something new will be coming on March 4, 2015.

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Taylor

Dancing through the Holidays with eShakti

I love to dress up. You'll rarely find me out of the house in sweats or a t-shirt. So when eShakti offered to let me try out one of their products, I naturally gravitated towards this skirt. The tutu is an homage to my days as a ballerina. As you can see below, it's perfect for twirling. The navy blue is a nice alternative to the typical red and green that we so often see this time of year. 

eShakti is a brand I'd buy from again. They've got fun, feminine, and budget friendly clothing that can be customized. They've got a promotion going on where new customers can register and get a $30 coupon. You can put it towards a holiday outfit that will make you dance just like I did. 

Get 10 percent off until January 10th with the code "liveandmove"

Sweater: Thrifted, originally JCrew, Skirt: eShakti, Boots: Vince Camuto

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Taylor

P.S. Special shout out to my dad for taking these photos!

Facts About Justice

Fact: There are over 2000 verses in the Bible that talk about poverty and justice.

Fact: The Bible calls Christians to a life of love and justice. This isn't justice the way America's forefathers defined it, and this is not the Hollywood version of love. It's antithetical to our most basic of instincts.  Here's a snapshot:

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Mark 12:31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.

Matthew 5:42-44  Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...

Fact: If you call yourself a Christian, this world is not your home. 

Phillipians 3:20  But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ...

Fact: Our mission as Christians is to show God's Kingdom on earth.

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Fact: I am angry. I am discouraged, disillusioned, and disheartened. 

These are the facts, and I feel compelled to share them because too many Christians have forgotten them. 

I have seen countless people who call themselves followers of Christ show a lack of compassion so great that I know God must be grieving. My heart grieves with His. And I, a generally optimistic person, am experiencing a cynicism I did not know I was capable of containing. 

Over the past two weeks, I have considered not having children. Moving to another country sounded increasingly appealing. I wanted to remove myself from the situation.

But Jesus.

Jesus did not remove himself. In fact, he moved closer. He ate with sinners. He asked them questions. He called out people who were doing it wrong. 

What we need is the voice of Jesus. 

Pause for a moment. Log out of Twitter. Stop posting Facebook comments, and read the Gospels. 

Observe how Jesus treated those who were different than him. (Hint: It was not by discrediting their concerns.) See how he sought them out. I look at Jesus' interactions and see a man who "left people better than he found them", even when he was rebuking them.

And then I look at the hate, or worse, apathy,  being spewed by members church and I am angry. I would venture to say that it is a righteous anger.

Here's a final fact for you.

Fact: If you are not loving your neighbor, your friend, your enemy, that person of another race, that person you disagree with, you are doing it wrong. If you are not praying for and seeking racial reconciliation in this country and in your own life, you are doing it wrong. If you are calling people, who are made in God's image, animals or any number of dehumanizing phrases, you are doing it wrong. If you are more concerned with discrediting the the opinions and feelings of another person than with loving them as yourself, you are doing it wrong. If you are not concerned about the plight of the oppressed, the poor, and the marginalized, you are doing it wrong.

Those are biblical truths.

This is not about black or white. This is not about whether or not there should have been indictments in the two recent cases. This is about the fact that we live in a fallen world. This is about the fact that we as Christians are reacting to this brokenness in a way that is indistinguishable from non-Christians. We need to do better. To whom much is given, much is required, and we've been given so much as Americans. 

I'm gonna let my man James close this one out:

James 2:14-20 (The Message)

 Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?

 I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.”

Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.

 Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?

Seek justice,

Taylor

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman

I was never as excited about Advent as I should be. The importance of God becoming man and establishing His kingdom on earth was lost on me. I did the Christmas-y things and then went on about my year, largely unchanged. This season is different.

My mom bought me the Advent devotional  from She Reads Truth. It's full of s truths that are challenging me to explore what having the "Christmas spirit" really means.

The devotional has Christmas carols sprinkled throughout and one in particular captured my heart. 

God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Savior 

Was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy

This is my anthem and my prayer during this Christmas season, that I can find rest, comfort, and joy in the beauty of the Gospel. 

What is inspiring you this season?

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Taylor

Client Spotlight: Academic Studies Abroad

I had a bout of productivity at the end of my summer and created a professional website. I thought about the things I was good at and the things that I enjoyed and found that I love to write and I love to empower others to pursue their dreams. So I put my areas of expertise as content marketing, social media marketing, blogger outreach and brand strategy.

And I waited. For a while, my website was just a pretty landing page. Then I got an email from Lee at Academic Studies Abroad. His business sends students on study abroad adventures around the world and he wanted me to run his social media. 

Academic Studies Abroad is an ideal client. Studying abroad was one of the highlights of my college career, and now I get to create engaging content about travel and adventure. 

My hope is that one day I can build a career out of encouraging and developing entrepreneurs. Until then, I'll happily work with clients on the side.

What steps are you taking towards your dreams?

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Taylor

Do It With Passion

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I'm learning that sometimes it's okay to choose the not at all. More to come.

Forever Young: Skincare with SOBO

My mom has taught me many things: how to speak my mind with with grace, how to find a bargain, and how to take care of my skin.

Skin care is another habit that I'm working on this year. I bought better facial lotion with stronger SPF. I force myself to wash my face, no matter how tired I am. The whole moisturize at night thing has not caught on quite yet.

That's why I was eager to test out the Ultra Age-Repairing Cream from SOBO Skincare. My skin was at a low-point between the changing of seasons and a cold. My skin felt thirsty for something natural. SOBO fit the bill.

They're an indie skin care company that creates products that are natural, wholesome, honest, and effective. They stay away from sulfates, dyes, and fragrances. Instead, they fill their products with natural ingredients--think jojoba oil and apricot kernel oil. SOBO even avoids excess packaging that creates unnecessary waste. They're my kind of brand

I tested the Ultra Age-Repairing Cream and found it to be truly moisturizing. The cream is thick. It doesn't take very much to cover your face and neck. When first applied, it appeared a tad oily. However, the moisturizer was quickly absorbed. My skin feels hydrated and soft. 

I'm really with SOBO's products, which is great because I love their brand philosophy. At $64, the cream is a bit pricey for my current season of life. I think I'd stick with my normal moisturizer with SPF for the daytime and use SOBO's cream for nights and dryer seasons.

They've got a natural face wash that is next on my list to try. If you've tried any SOBO products-- like their youth serum, their eye serum, or their moisturizer-- I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Y'all can enjoy 25% off of your purchase with SOBO as readers of my blog. Just use the code TRYSOBO .

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Taylor

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Habits

This year is the last year before the "rest of my life." Besides doing the normal senior things--checking things of my bucket list, savoring moments with friends, and enjoy the lack of real responsibility-- I'm also trying to create habits that I can use in the next season of life.

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1. Be less technology dependent

I read the the distraction-free iPhone last week. It was the push I needed to heed the Holy Spirit's calling to craft a life I loved instead of crafting a documented life.

2. Exercise regularly

My exercise regimen started with a failed attempt to run a 10k while abroad in Madrid. Now, I work out every day, alternating between Pilates and HIIT workouts. Exercise gives me a strength and confidence that I honestly have not previously felt. It's quickly becoming a passion of mine. I hope to share some of my favorite workouts in the coming weeks.

3. Eat healthily

This habit has been by far the hardest to accomplish. I truly love the taste of fruits and veggies. However, I've trained my mind to think that these things cannot bring me the same fullness and pleasure that a piece of cake can. Right now, I'm exploring healthy recipes and learning moderation.

4. Love truly

If love is a verb, I've been living in the passive voice. Love is hard.  It means biting my tongue and swallowing my pride. But let me tell you, it's so satisfying to see its manifestations in my life. Each sacrifice makes me want to give still more for the ones and the One that I love.

5. Worry less

There is so much that I could say about this. I'm not sure that it's quite ready to see the light of the Internet. Suffice it to say, I'm finally dealing with my anxiety. It is such a freeing thing.

6. Keep dabbling

I've said it before and I've said it again: I'm a dabbler. My latest effort is fashion styling with Keaton Row. It's completely free for all of my clients (plus you get free shipping!) They've got brands like ASOS and Nordstrom. Anyways, I'd love for you to sign up and to request a free lookbook. You aren't obligated to buy a thing!

Habits are tricky things. But I love a challenge. 

What habits are you forming or breaking in your life?

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Taylor