Monday, June 30, 2014

My Shell.

Hi there!

Still no cell phone. It's been 3 weeks already. Whew, time is flying!

The other day, a friend of mine posted a picture on Instagram with the quote "Do not let your soul be defined by its shell." That quote has been in the back of my mind ever since I read it.

For the past 18 months or so, I would try to "eat clean" on and off. Sometimes I'd just tell myself I wouldn't eat bread, cheese, or sugar. Other times, I would restrict myself from those items plus try to cut out all meat. I would inevitably blow it in a few days (well, duh), and would feel intense guilt and shame for eating "non-clean" foods, afraid I would gain an extra pound or two.

I don't believe that God intended for us to ever feel guilt while eating, or to scrutinize our food intake. In fact, calorie tracking and diet trends can become such an obsession that it becomes a stronghold in our lives. Also, not only our we obsessing over grams of protein and fat, we become obsessed with ourselves. "I can't believe I just ate that. That makes me feel like such a pig. I'm so worried about how I'm going to look in my bathing suit this weekend. I'm ashamed of myself." Yes, even insecurity is a form of self-absorption, and it's really easy to fall into this trap.

When I was training for my half marathon at the beginning of the year, I didn't try to "eat clean". I was doing so much cardio, I was afraid to try to set any limits or restrictions to what I was eating. And you know what? I felt great. Even though a 10 mile run can feel like absolute torture while actually out on the track, I always felt my best afterwards. The night after a long run, I wasn't giving myself a guilt trip over the pizza I ate the day before. I was feeling thankful for my body that was running faster and farther than ever before!

Recently, I've decided to stop trying to eat "clean" or "paleo" or "auto-immune paleo" or "low carb" or really, any diet at all. It has felt freeing, like a weight off of my shoulders. I am not going out of my way to eat unhealthy, I am just eating what I want--and I've started a running club at my work! I tend to not eat too much processed foods anyway (except for cheese. I could eat cheese all. day. long.). I'm also slowly making my way through the candy that is still in my Easter basket--I might actually finish my Easter basket for the first time in years!

I think the idea of having a "shell" to our soul is what makes makeup and fashion so much fun. Both of these things allow us to express our ingrained personalities, or even just an emotion we're feeling that day. Sassy, bright, demure, wild, modest, dark, bohemian, fierce, romantic--we get to choose how to reflect who we really are on the inside, and the best part is it can change day-to-day! I guarantee that my leopard print anything paired with a swipe of red lipstick tells you more about my character than a little extra flab on my arms ever will. ;)

Anyways, this is just a little bit of what's been on my mind lately. Thank you so much for reading!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Top 5 Favorite Things About Not Having a Cell Phone

Hi there!

If you follow me on Instagram (@KatiesStyleProject), you've probably noticed I've been MIA lately.

Here's the deal--while I was in yoga class 12 days ago (yes, I counted), meditating on eating a grilled cheese for dinner, somebody, somehow, broke the lock on my locker and stole my brand new Samsung Galaxy 5 S.  I'd had the phone for a total of 3 weeks. Insert sad face here.

I am grateful that nothing else valuable was in my locker, and they only thing the culprit got away with was my phone. However, I still feel violated and mad as heck that somebody had the audacity to break my lock in broad daylight and take something that didn't belong to them.

But Katie, didn't you have a lock pad on it?
Nope.

Well, what about one of those "tracking apps"?
Nah.

AND they took my Otterbox phone cover. That's another $50.

C'est la vie.

I thought it would be super difficult to go without a phone. I mean, I know people have gone without phones for thousands of years, but I've constantly had one in my hand since I was 16 years old and don't know a thing about making smoke signals.

That first day, I kept wanting to grab it and check it for new text messages or Facebook notifications--not that I would usually have any--but that didn't last long. Soon, not having a phone constantly by my side felt. . . .freeing.

I'm dragging my feet at shelling out a $200 insurance deductible for something I just bought, so no, I haven't replaced it yet. Here are my Top 5 Favorite Things About Not Having a Cell Phone:

1.I have so much extra time on my hands.
Since I'm not spending all of my free time lurking on social media sites, I have so much extra time to read books. I finished Divergent and now I'm working on Ender's Game. And I'm flying through the stack of untouched magazines piled by my bed. I used to finish reading them the day they came in the mail, but lately I've been tossing them under my nightstand. I'd forgotten how much I love Glamour!

I've also been cooking almost every night. And baking. Oh the baking. Homemade chocolate chip scones. Glazed strawberry muffins. Even Michael joined the bandwagon and baked the most delicious cinnamon bread I've ever had. I have a feeling that once I do replace my phone, Michael is going to hide it whenever he gets hungry. ;)

Also, I've been watching Gossip Girl. I will finish this series some day. I will!

2. Uninterrupted quality time with my husband.
Michael hates smart phones. He is a flip-phone guy all the way, and now I am starting to see his side. It's been pretty freaking awesome to watch movies or cook dinner or have a conversation together without being distracted by my phone buzzing and lighting up. I feel much more "present" at home. (And running errands. And sitting at red lights. And with a group of friends. And--you get the picture.)

3. I'm more focused.
Whether it's working on my Bible Study or at my job, I am much more focused and comprehend information much better. I also work much faster! I know what you're thinking--Ummmm really girl? Just put your darn phone away while you're doing something important. I had a bad habit of bringing it out if I was slightly disinterested in what I was doing. 

4. It's a lot harder to compare myself to people online if I'M not online.
I've realized how much of my time was wasted comparing myself to successful women online!  As much as I hate to admit it, it's a trap that I easily fall into over and over again. Clothes, makeup, travel, food. . .I have a tendency to think the grass is greener everywhere else. Newsflash: It isn't! Without easy access to social media and websites I've
a) wasted less time being non-productive looking at what other (productive) women are doing
b) spent 0 time making myself feel bad for being somebody I'm not
c) had more time actually living my own life!

5. Call me crazy, but I actually LIKE I can't be easily reached.
I don't know how to describe it really, but I kind of like the fact that I can't be "easily found". I'm doing my thing, without feeling obligated to return a phone call or text.

Oh, and the ache I've had in my right wrist? That's magically disappeared. My guess is from no texting. :)

I was planning on ordering a new phone this weekend, but ended up needing to get my car a new tire instead. It looks like I'll have to wait a little bit longer. I'm not mad at it. :)

Thank you so much for reading. Have a great week!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Anniversary Weekend in Sedona!

Hi there! I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Michael and I were in Sedona all weekend to celebrate our anniversary. That's where we got married last year, and is a very special place to us! :)

We stayed at Pico Diablo Resort, which we had never stayed at before. When we checked in, we were told that we had been upgraded to a "King Room"! :D This was the perfect start to a wonderful weekend! We hiked, waded in Oak Creek, did a little shopping uptown, and played tennis at the resort.

This was our balcony view. Not too shabby, huh? ;)

There was a wedding ceremony right here during our stay! No, we didn't crash the wedding. . .but I might have watched them take photos from our balcony. It reminded me of the joy and excitement at our own wedding a year ago!

Crescent Moon Ranch

View from our hike

Wading in the cool water felt sooo nice on a hot day!

Happy to be in Sedona!

I unintentionally had a tribal-print theme packed away in my suitcase -- tribal print dress, top, and bathing suit! I really like it, OK?! ;)

Off to dinner. . .it was "Prime Rib Night" at Pico Diablo's restaurant. Michael was quite pleased. ;)

Ready for a day of exploring!

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you have a great week! :)

Friday, June 6, 2014

Insta-Lately

Hi there!

It's Friday! HOORAY!!

I realized that lately I've been posting my outfit pictures on Instagram, but not sharing them on my blog.

For shame.

Without further ado. . .here's what I wore this week!

Monday: Keeping it summery with some bright floral prints and cropped red pants.


Tuesday: Paired some bright plaid and my favorite flower necklace with this black dress.


Wednesday: I was "roaring" into work with some leopard print and my neon orange necklace!


Thursday: I kept the brights to my accessories.


Thursday was also me and my husband's one year wedding anniversary!! :) We celebrated by going out to the Melting Pot, and of course, I wanted to dress up a little bit. :) I had found this bright pink dress at Zara, and I had been waiting for our anniversary to wear it! This dress even has POCKETS. Need I say more?!

Side note: The Melting Pot's "Original Chocolate Fondue" is chocolate and crunchy peanut butter. Ask them to add caramel to it. Oh. My. Lanta. You'll thank me later.



Friday (today): Q: If I wear icy colors, will it cool me off? {The high today was 106!} A: No.


OK, these aren't outfits, but on Wednesday night we went out to Lake Pleasant. Michael fished while I read Divergent and watched the sun set. :)



 I hope you have a fun weekend ahead of you! Thank you so much for reading! :)