Join me on Camellias and Copper

So, yeah. I'm still training for my half marathon! 

In addition to a few lessons I've learned so far (which you can read here), I thought it might also be helpful for anyone considering starting a training regimen to share some things you should do before you begin. 

You can catch my post "What To Do Before Training For A Half Marathon" over at Camellias and Copper. Enjoy! (and say hello to Michelle while you're there!)

Until next time - - 

Guest Post: Sage the Blog (5 Podcasts for Believers)

It seems like podcasts have just taken off with the last few years and I have really grown to love them. Instead of turning to music for my workouts, I have been listening to my favorite podcasts more often.

Guest Post: A Silver Twig (Always Bet on Yourself)

The best piece of career advice I was ever given came when I was 23 years old and my business manager said to me, "No matter who you know, or where you are, you must always bet on yourself. Believe you are worth more, know more, and can do more than anyone else says or believes you can."

Why was I told this? I'll make a confession. I was a 2x college dropout with a former drug and alcohol problem. I'd lost hope in myself and my manager called me on it. She told me I was smarter than I thought, more talented than I believed, and was capable of greater things than I knew. She was right, but I didn't know it then.

First, let me introduce myself...

My name is Ashley and I blog at A Silver Twig which is a faith-based life and style blog. I live in Atlanta, Georgia with my husband and two dogs. I am a graduate of Florida State University and I work as a Technical Writer for a software company. I've completely pulled my life together and I've found great success, but it's all because I once had a manager, a mentor really, who forced me to have faith in myself.





I was initially hired by my former manager to work in a call center but within 3 months she said to me, "You're better than this" and she transferred me to Finance working in billing and collections. She sent me to training seminars and workshops. She sent me to travel on business conferences with our management team. She encouraged me to go back to school and to finish my degree. She was always my champion and through it all she always said to me, "Today I'm betting on you. One day you'll learn to bet on yourself."

Then the day came, after I'd been working for this manager for four years, when I sat down with her for my annual evaluation. She didn't say much at first. It was tense, and quiet.

Then she said to me, "What are you still doing here?" 

I didn't know what to say. I was shocked, and confused. I just said, "I work here. This is my job. What do you mean what am I still doing here?" 

She only said, "You're better than this. I feel like you're settling because you're afraid to move on to something else. I worry that you think you can't do better but you can. You shouldn't be here. There's nowhere else for you to grow. It's time to bet on yourself and make your dreams come true. I'm never going to fire you but I want you to soul search, identify your passions, and pursue them. I'll be a reference for you and help you the best I can. Bet on yourself now."

So I did. She knew what I wanted. We had spoken and had conversations. She knew I wanted to live in a city and she knew I wanted a more challenging career. She also knew that I was just scared. 

I was scared that I wasn't good enough. I was scared that I wasn't smart enough. I was scared that people wouldn't hire me because I didn't do things the "right" way because I didn't go to college immediately after high school and I didn't graduate at 22 with a 3.8 GPA.  I didn't have an internship or any major college accomplishment. I didn't have anything that made me stand out from the crowd or that made me look like I was going to be a wise investment.

I was just a woman in my late 20's with a lot of regret and a pipe dream that I could move past those regrets and still live a life I wanted. 

Yet she told me to bet on myself.

She encouraged me to apply for jobs that I thought were far above my qualifications but I did and I was hired.

She encouraged me to move to Atlanta and chase my dreams so I did and it's been a stellar success.

She encouraged me to always bet on myself and know that I can do more than I think I can. 

So now I'm here to tell you the same thing. No matter how you feel or what regrets you might have you have to bet on yourself. You can make your dreams come true. All you have to do is roll the dice, take a risk, and believe in yourself. 

Guest Post: A Hopeful Hood

As I mentioned, while on vacation, I have some great posts lined up for you to read. Today's is from an awesome blogger, Julie. I have enjoyed getting to know her through her blog, and today's post is not different! Enjoy her tips (I know I have!).  

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hey, i'm julie and i blog over at a hopeful hood, which is--besides a play on my last name--a space where i talk about home renovations, teaching, crafts, and other random things. i love morgan's inspiring diy projects and her insights on life (like her tips for making the babysitter feel more at home! as someone who still babysits and loves to know the end time/where the pretzels are....). i'm so excited to chat with you all on this great blog!

as someone who works full time and doesn't have time (or the level of care) for an extensive beauty routine, i've rounded up some of my favorites.

5 hair essentials every low-maintenance girl needs:

i recently wrote a fancy updo post about how i recently did my hair for a wedding, but even that was really easy and low-effort. i'm always in a rush in the morning, and although i love having long hair, i don't have the level of effort to devote to burning it straight/frying it curly/actually doing anything (besides a braid, messy bun, etc.). this means i've had to collect a few things that makes my hair less crazy while still being low-maintenance!

//1// dry shampoo. i've been using this, but i can't wait til it runs out and i can try the cheaper (and supposedly better!) dove version. am i the only one who's hair looks fine the night before and then that morning is suddenly a bit greasy???

//2// extra hair ties in your bag for when your hair goes wild but you're already halfway to work.

//3// headbands for when the humidity kicks up flyaways. (please tell me philly isn't the only place that consistently has 90% humidity!)

//4//leave-in conditioner because you just didn't have time to condition in the shower (my favorites are mane & tail and the organix argon oil, pictured above).

//5// bobby pins that match your hair color so when the messy bun goes awry you can subtly fix it without having to to take it out and redo it....because that takes too much effort.

*bonus favorite*

waterless face wash! all you do is pour a little on a cotton pad and wipe gently over your face. this also works really well when camping and you don't have running water to wash your face! or when you're too lazy to walk all the way to the bathroom and want to "wash your face" in bed...jk, that's never happened.........

what are your favorite hair essentials? 

Guest Post: Adventures with Luka

Good morning!

As I mentioned, while on vacation, I have some great posts lined up for you to read. Today is no different! Meet Ashleigh, who blogs over at Adventures with Luka. Enjoy this post, and be sure to go say hello!

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Hey everyone! This is my first time writing a guest blog post, so please bear with me :)

My name is Ashleigh and I run Adventures with Luka when I’m not teaching or volunteering at my church. My days are filled with work, volunteerism, reading, or taking care of my dog, Luka. He’s quite the pup and never allows for a dull moment.

It is my pleasure to share some of what God has been placing on my heart lately, and something I deal with often. You are not who the world thinks you should be. You are who God made you to be and you are on a trajectory of becoming who He wants you to be.

Working at a Christian middle school, I get a lot of my students commenting on my singleness. In this day and age, having “someone” is everything. Assuming (correctly, I might add) that I am living by God’s standards when it comes to relationships, my students are often baffled at how I embrace my single life. Not a month ever goes by without at least one student asking a question along the lines of, “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?” “Do you want to get married?” “Why aren't you married?” “Aren't you oh, so lonely?” When I first began teaching three years ago, I would cringe at these questions. How insensitive can these kids be? Of course I want a boyfriend and to be married. No, I don’t know why I’m single. If I did, I would fix it! Now, I never answered that way, but the three years of practice have helped me refine my attitude toward the questions themselves. I no longer cringe. I actually smile. Though my students (and many other people) think that there must be something wrong with me because I’m single at (almost) 26, there isn't. I’m right where God has placed me. I smile because when they ask I get to share with them an often unspoken and unheard truth about God. That truth is that there is no peace, no completion, no joy when you step outside of God’s will. 

After a long internal struggle, I decided in March to give an entire year to God and God alone. No more going on dates, no more saying yes when people ask if they can set me up, no more looking at that cute new guy in church or the store or the gym and wondering if he is single and loves Jesus. No more wondering where my future husband could be, if he even exists. None of that. An entire year focused on growing in God. An entire year focused on getting to know my Creator more intimately. An entire year learning what vulnerability and falling in love are really like with the most perfect Being there ever was, is, and will be. An entire year of seeking Christ before anything else. An entire year of spending time in the Word daily. An entire year of only looking to Him for my peace, joy, happiness, fulfillment, contentedness, and comfort. It’s only been almost two months, but they have been the best two months I've had in a very, very long time. I’m falling SO in love with Christ! I thought I already was in love with Him. Oh, how wrong I was!

We all live in a society which expects—sometimes it demands—of us what we cannot give and do not have. It expects us to have our lives completely together. Especially the Christians. We need to be tolerant, but not without backbone. We need to stand firm, but not too firm. We need to hold convictions, but we better not be offensive. We should stand out, but not too much. No matter where you are in life-- single, married, widowed, with children, without children (and trying), grieving the loss of a child, not even wanting children, in the process of adopting, divorced, broken, addicted, struggling, barely hanging on, graduating high school and afraid, graduating college and lost, changing careers and confused-- God loves you. God wants you to look to Him for your fulfillment. You worth comes from Him alone. Don’t look to the world for your worth. Look to God. How? The Word of God. A trusted pastor or mentor to give you guidance about a confusing concept in the Word of God. You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need to have your future decided when you’re 18. You don’t need to have $50,000 saved up by the time you’re 30. You don’t even need to have $1,000 saved up by that time. 

All you need, all you need, is to know where to fix your eyes. Fix your eyes upon the unchanging, everlasting, unconditionally loving God. The One who was before time. The one who created all things. The one who knit you together in your mother’s womb. The one who holds the whole world in His hands. The one who loves you so much that He decided to come to Earth in the form of a man, retaining His full deity, and bearing ALL of your sins upon the cross. Though He was sinless, He chose to carry your sins. Nothing, I repeat, nothing, can define you apart from Him. He is all that matters. In that, seek to please Him alone. You will not regret it!

Connect with Ashleigh!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest 

Guest Post: 2015 Summer Trends

While I am away on vacation, I have a few wonderful guest posts lined up for you! I hope you enjoy them. Today's post is written by my dear friend Casey (who you will recognize from a couple of other posts - my crazy birthday lunch and this amazing apple pie recipe).

Enjoy these tips!

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Get Trendy With It!  The weather is finally heating up, so it's time to hit the racks!  Here are some pieces that you should look out for as you enhance your summer wardrobe.  

Color: Aquamarine

The number one color of the summer is AQUAMARINE!  Who doesn't love aquamarine?  I really think this color looks great on every skin color and hair tone!

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Pattern: Gingham

Going on a picnic?  Well, maybe not, but this pattern is a must this summer - from dresses and bathing suits to shorts.

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Jumpsuits & Rompers

Jumpsuits and rompers, OH MY!  You can dress up or dress down. The only down-fall is going to the bathroom - full clothing removal (meh). Man oh man, are they cute though!

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Gladiator sandals

Lace up or zip up?  The strappier and taller, the better.

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High-Waisted Bathing Suit Bottoms

Lower belly pooch?  Worry no more!  

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Were you one of the lucky ones that snagged these Lilly bottoms at Target?  Too bad they are sold out now!

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Scallops

This lovely detail can make any ordinary dress extraordinary! It's simple, classic, and feminine.

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You will be sure to catch some eyes if you have these cute trends on this summer!

What are your favorite trends this summer? What are your summer wardrobe "go-to's" and staples? 

Until next time - - 

Blog Takeover: Love the Here and Now

I hope by now you know Anne from Love the Here and Now. I did a Q&A with her earlier this month (which you can read here if you missed it), and have loved following her and her blog for the past year. And if you blog, or want to blog, she has some of the best blogging tips anywhere on the internet.

Welcome, Anne!

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People often ask what the toughest part of offering sponsorships is. For me, without a doubt, the answer would be staying organized. If you are not organized, sponsorships can be a nightmare. People are paying you for a service and you owe it to them to follow through. Keeping track of highlights, blog takeovers, and other services you offer is crucial. Today I am sharing one of the things that has helped me most; using Google Drive to stay organized with sponsorships.

I have both a blog and personal gmail address. I love all of the options that gmail provides; Blogger, calendars, hangouts, and more. Google Drive allows you to create spreadsheets, forms, and documents. All of your information is kept in one place and can even be shared and edited by others. Google forms are a wonderful way to request and store information from your sponsors.



Log into your google account and click on the grid in the upper right hand corner. There you can access all of the wonderful things available to you. Click on Drive.



Under the "Create" tab you will find a drop down menu. We will be working with forms.



Each form is customizable. Google offers several themes to choose from or you can upload your own design.



Once you have chosen your theme, it is now time to create your form. Each sponsorship spot I sell has its own options. For example, some ads come with sponsor highlights so on my forms, I ask the questions that you see on my highlight posts. The forms allow you to ask open ended questions or multiple choice questions. It's also nice to add a quick note to your sponsors at the top of the form.

Here's a glimpse of one of my forms.







I created a form for each ad spot I sell, as well as a sponsorship survey that I send to my sponsors after their ad ends. Getting feedback is key to improving your sponsorships.

You may be wondering, how do your sponsors get the forms? Easy. When your form is complete and you open it, in the upper right hand corner is an option to send the form. Click on that and you will be taken to this screen.



I simply copy and paste the link into my welcome email sent to each new sponsor and send it.



Each time one of your sponsors fills out the form, their answers are recorded in a spreadsheet.

You can access the responses by going into each form. You will see exactly how many people have responded. Click on "View Responses" and a spreadsheet will open.



You can also set it up that each time someone responds to the form you will be notified via email.

What has helped keep you organized with your sponsorships?

Come visit me at Feast + West!

Happy Thursday! 

I hope you'll hop on over to Feast + West and visit me today. I wrote a travel guide on Columbia for her "Hidden Gems" series. Go check it out!

Hidden Gems: Columbia on Feast + West.com

Until next time - -

True or False: Guest Post - Tin Foil Curls

Have I mentioned that I have the best friends? I think I have once or twice. Once again, a friend shows her kindness and thoughtfulness. Casey reached out and offered to guest post for me since I have been traveling and visiting with family. She's the sweetest! Enjoy her "True or False" experiment!

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Morgan has had so much going on in her life over the last week, so I decided to come to the rescue.  The last thing I wanted her to worry about after traveling to be with family due to the passing of her aunt was writing a blog post. 

I recently saw a short video clip on Facebook of a lady with long beautiful curly hair.  The subtitle was, "Crazy way to curl your hair! All you need is tin foil and a straightener. It's amazing how this works."  Well, I have hair, tin foil and a straighter!  I occasionally curl my hair with the good 'ole curling iron but thought this would be easier, so I gave it a try.

View the clip before reading on.  https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10203521003777865

My hair is much much shorter than her's, but that's ok - it should still work!  Oh, and let's just say my hair is straight as straight can be!  This is my hair right after blow drying it.  (I do have product on it as it has no body - anyone jealous of my hair yet? :/  Did I mention that it's super thin too? Well, you just wait - I am about to have beautiful locks!) 

Ok, here we go with the 2 finger wrap method.


Make a loop:

Wrap it with foil:

Press the straighten on it for a second and let it set. 

Check, check, check, check-- Easy!! A beautiful ringlet is about to appear when I pull the foil away! (eeek!  Excitement!)

WRONG!!! If I were going for the bedhead look this would be perfect!  What a kinky mess!  Fail!

Maybe someone with long hair should give it a try but it was a major fail for me.  Now, I have to go wash my hair to straighten this mess out.



Verdict:
FALSE (at least in this case).

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Womp, womp. Well that stinks. What do y'all think went wrong? Have you or would you try this method? 



Until next time - -