I Think Myself Happy |

Initially, I decided to write this blog post because about a week ago, I felt this random sense of inspiration. Last week I had three different situations pop up unexpectedly, all of which I was quite upset about. One was particularly upsetting, and it took a few days for me to really get a handle on my emotions and truly forgive. Essentially, I felt like I was drowning emotionally; it really took me by surprise, and it definitely wasn't a good one. I'm what one might call a "type A" person: a perfectionist, always planning, worrying and preparing; however what I found was that I wasn't prepared at all for that situation and I discovered this sense of loss and uncertainty. Suddenly I wasn't in control, and I couldn't make this situation better or recover the trust that had been broken. The situation was irrevocable and I had an extremely difficult time forgiving. After much contemplation and prayer, I remembered something that my father told me years ago. He told me that forgiveness is what you do for yourself not for others." I think that forgiveness is an issue that truly effects our happiness, and holding on to something often robs us of our joy. 

In the book of acts Paul says, "I think myself happy". I feel like people say this and don't truly understand how profound this statement really is. Paul spoke these words after being locked in prison for two long years. King Aggripa finally asked Paul about the situation after Paul had been thrown in jail for preaching without so much as a trial. Yet, Paul utters the phrase, "I think myself happy". Why would Paul choose these words when we know how truly unjust his situation had been. Paul understood the profound concept that joy is a mindset. We have the ability to choose joy, and to choose a lifestyle that exudes joy and contentment. I realized that I could allow my situation to take control of me, or I could choose a lifestyle of joy. I could make happiness more than just a destination but a mindset. 

Sometimes, we get so caught up in what is happening in the moment, that we lose our joy. We don't find joy in the ordinary and the commonplace pleasures of life, but instead complain and find fault, and in that we lose who we truly are. It was never Christ's intention for the body of Christ to be disgruntled, joyless Christians. Am I saying that by following Jesus our lives will be perfect? Of course not. Happiness is not a destination; it is a mindset. Some of the happiest people do not have opulent wealth, or the ideal love life, or incredible career, but instead find joy in the ordinary, and in the trials that life throws at us. "Think yourself happy" today, because it makes all the difference. 

Xoxo, 

Nikkimarie 

Inadequate |

Inadequate. The word itself seems depressing and hopeless, right? As I was thinking about this topic, I began to realize that every human being, no matter how confident they may seem, feels inadequate in some area of their life. The bottom line is that we all feel it and experience feeling insignificant to some degree. Sometimes I feel like I am not capable for what I know God has called me to do. In the sense that there are so many people who are more talented and gifted than I am. Inadequacy stems from fear and doubting one's self worth. But how do we fix this? How do we change our mindset? It is only when we realize God's extraordinary, constant, unfailing love that we can overcome a mindset consumed with inadequacy and doubt. I know so many truly phenomenal, kind, loving, generous people who doubt themselves because they fail to meet the standards of the media. They're convinced they aren't intelligent enough, or good looking enough, or talented enough to fulfill their full potential. At an early age I was placed into music ministry. I felt the call of God on my life at thirteen years of age at youth camp. I knew inately that music was definitely one of my callings. However throughout the years, I've has my fair share of struggle in the "leading worship" department. There have been several times where I've felt that i've completely failed, and that I was somehow inadequate for what I know I've been called to do. I recall distinct times where I went to my dad's office and cried because, in my opinion, I wasn't cut out for the job. (If you know me at all, you know that I very rarely cry.) Yet, the beauty of living for God is that if you surrender your failures, doubts and worries to Him, He will mold you into something you never thought you could be. To Christ, "inadequacy" is a ten letter word, not an insurmountable obstacle. 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV). 

Self worth is essential. You cannot love and mentor others if your own wounds and insecurities are crippling your spirit and joy. You are worth it. You are worthy of love, and not just temporal love, but a love that surpasses all boundaries, insecurities or doubts: the never ending love of Christ. 

Flo-Rida

For the past six days, I've been on vacation with my family in Florida! It's honestly been absolutely wonderful to just get away and relax without all the stress. I'm so thankful for the time I got to spend with my family. We're so busy with the church and the busyness of life, so it was fabulous not to have to follow a schedule or to do list. I got to meet some friends while in Florida, which was incredible! 

My good friend, Sam Aleman, is an exquisite photographer, and took these pictures for me! 

I took the rest of the following pictures! Most of them we're taken at one of the Disney parks.

 

Have an amazing weekend! 

Xoxo

Nikki Marie 

The Curls Tutorial |

Over the course of the past two years, I've had numerous people ask my how I curl my hair. I get asked on Instagram, at church events and even at the grocery store! The follow up question is usually, "do you have extensions?". Which I always find hilarious. 

This is honestly the easiest hairstyle. My favorite thing about these types of curls is that they last forever. Leftover curls are my best friend. Seriously. 

The picture below shows the products that I use. They work incredibly well with this hairstyle. I use Revlon velvet, hot rollers. They come in a set of 20 rollers, and I purchased them for $20 at Walmart. 

Step one: I prefer to start with clean, freshly washed hair. I then brush it out. 

Step two: I then section my hair. I take a medium sized portion of hair and tease the roots. Don't tease all of your hair and then try to put the rollers in. Instead, tease a section, put the roller in and then continue: 

Step three: After you have teased your section (don't go crazy), put a dime sized squirt of mousse into your palm and then work it into that section. Then put in your roller. Instead of using clips to secure the roller, I use bobby pins, they work fabulously. Then simply continue the process until you have run out of hair and rollers. This entire process takes me anywhere between 12 - 18 minutes! 

Step four: Once the rollers have cooled (try to leave them in AT LEAST 15 minutes), simply take the rollers out. I normally separate the curls into two pieces. 

Step five: Take your fingers and gently pull your roots to give your hair great volume. Make sure you do this to your whole head, not just the front section of your hair. Then simply spray your hair with the hairspray shown above! I normally use a shine spray as well! It should end up looking like this!

I hope this tutorial helped! Once you get the hang out it, this hairstyle is a breeze! I've also had requests for up-do tutorials, so those will be coming very soon! I hope everyone is staying warm in this horrible frigid weather! 

Xoxo

Nikki Marie 

Gratitude |

Today, I am incredibly grateful. A year ago today my little brother, Westan, fell seven feet onto an ice rink at our District Youth convention. He blacked out, and after a series of tests and questions was rushed by ambulance to a children's hospital. My parents stayed the night at the hospital and my sister and I stayed the night in our hotel room with my sister's best friend. The test results came back that my brother had a skull fracture and a brain bleed. He also lost hearing in his left ear for nearly a month. He had to stay in the hospital for two full days. For the next month he was bed ridden. He did not even touch his phone for several weeks, and slept 22 hours of the day. He rarely ate anything and lost ten pounds. I can't even begin to explain to you how upset I was. I was so afraid that that day might have been our last together. You never truly value the precious moments you have with your loved ones, until something threatens to take them away. The beautiful actress, Natasha Richardson died from the same injury my brother had. Today, Westan is completely healthy with not a trace that his accident ever occurred. He's grown four inches this year and has a beautiful girlfriend. His voice is still as phenomenal as it was prior to his accident. I know without a doubt that without the grace of God, today I would be visiting his grave site. If you haven't had an encounter with Jesus Christ or do not have a relationship with him, you haven't experienced the peace that you posses during a trying situation or circumstance. Although I was scared beyond belief, I truly had this sense of peace and hope that somehow everything would turn out alright. So I encourage you, develop a relationship with Jesus Christ, because it is only through him that you will experience peace, hope and a greater love than you've ever known. I know without a doubt that God healed my brother so that today I could share his phenomenal testimony with you. God bless and have a wonderful New Year. 

Xoxo

Nikki Marie 

The Art of Bargaining ||

Recently, I've had several people inquire as to how I find such incredible deals! I'd just like to begin by stating that: bargaining is a serious art. Honestly. Two days ago I got an $80 Calvin Kline sequin skirt for ten bucks. Crazy right?! So here a list of tips to help you start off the new year saving some cash! 

1.) Shop at the right stores. I'm basically the bargain queen. I very rarely pay full price for anything. Except for Anthropologie, I will enter a store and head straight to the clearance section. However, I encourage you not to make an "impulse buy" and purchase something simply because its eighty percent off. So frequent those clearence racks! Also, walking around the store with a possible purchase on your arm will give you time to decide if you will actually end up wearing the item. A lot of people ask me where I purchase my skirts and how I get them for such good deals. So, below is a list of stores where I find the best deals on skirts, as well as dresses, shoes etc. 

-The Limited

-JC Penny (MNG collection) 

-Forever 21

-Kohls (Lauren Conrad Collection) 

-Lord and Tailor Outlet 

-H&M 

-Macy's 

-Anthropologie 

-Target

-Urban Outfitters 

-Aero (They have great graphic tees) 

2.) Thrift Shopping. Thrift shopping is fantastic. I love Goodwill, however, the closest one is over an hour away, so I have to go Sally's, if I thrift. I love getting brand name things for really good prices, it gives me this great sense of achievement. Haha. Plato's Closet is fantastic as well. A few weeks ago I got an embellished Express sweater, a Ralph Lauren sweater dress, a Banana Republic skirt, and a 

Loft sweater at Sally's for $19. (It also helps to befriend the elderly because then they offer you their  senior discount.) 

3.) The best brands. My favorite brands/ stores are Anthropologie and Mango (MNG). I am basically an Anthro addict. It's honestly the struggle. I always shop the clearence section, but I just love the atmosphere of that store. It's perfect. Their clothes are so well made, and (in my opinion) completely worth the clearence price. Mango is another brand that is extremely well made. Its a European company, which basically means the quality is wonderful. Europeans tend to focus more on quality that quantity. I have tons of Mango, I always shop on their clearence rack, and find the most wonderful deals. 

I hope you all have an absolutely wonderful Christmas! I'll be posting a hair tutitorial on how I get my curls, as well as how to do one of my updos, so stay tuned! 

Xoxo, 

Nikki Marie 

Spec-ulation.

My new specs finally came in! So the story starts with the fact that I'm basically blind without my contacts. When I first got glasses in fourth grade i said to my mother, "Mom, look! I can actually read the signs!". Basically, I had no idea that the world wasn't blurry. It was quite the revelation, I assure you. I got contacts In seventh grade. Without them I cannot see. It's simply impossible, I pretty much have to use a cane or navigate with sonar like a bat. However, for the past four years I haven't worn my glasses outside of my home, (even when my eyes were killing me). Recently, I decided it was about time to purchase some new specs. What I'm about to tell you will change your life....I got these glasses online for $25! If you're reading this, i'm convinced you must be absolutely shocked. There's this website called Zennioptical.com! It's completely phenomenal! So if for some reason you're like me and procrastinate in the glasses purchasing department, this will be the smartest decision you've made in a while. I hope you all have an spectacular weekend! 

Xoxo

Nikkimarie