Roya Fashion Preview

Linen Dress/Necklace: Roya Boutique, Shoes: DSW

I believe I have mentioned before that I work at a local clothing boutique here in Nashville called Roya Boutique. Well, the boutique is relatively new to the Nashville scene and is quite a fun little gem, sure to please the fashionistas of the area. In the next few weeks, we are launching a brand new website, getting shipments full of fun new pieces as well as having awesome sales! I am excited to be writing for the brand new Roya blog and as a feature, I'll be demonstrating how to fashion Roya's clothes and accessories. Today, I thought it would be fun to share a preview! Isn't this dress and necklace adorable? So perfect for summer. For those of you in Nashville, you can purchase both of these items at Roya Boutique, located in the Green Hills area! ♥, mK

A Film For Your Weekend

It is Friday, which means the weekend is just hours away! If you are like me, then you also love a good flick for the weekend. So, here is my recommendation for your weekend movie. It's the recent winner of the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival Best International Film award. It will make you laugh, cry and want to change the world. It's "Moving On" produced by Light Gives Heat. And, right now, they've made it available to view online for absolutely no cost to you. Wonderful, right?

For those of you who are new to my blog, I worked with this fabulous organization pre-move to Nashville. And a little trivia for ya, Dustin wrote one of the songs in the film and I make a tiny, tiny appearance. See if you can spot me! Enjoy & then share it with your friends! I'd love to hear your responses to it!  ♥, mK

The Guest > Nicole in Honduras

I’m so excited to be a guest on From The Guest Room today! I am Nicole, the writer behind Little Moments in Life, where I share little pieces of my heart in hope of shedding a little light of hope on the world. I wanted to take this opportunity to share a story with you that, now 6 years later, is really starting to make an impact on my life; helping me see who I want to be and beginning to show me the footprints I hope to leave in this world.

During the summer of 2006 I took a trip to Opimuca, Honduras with my little brother, dad and a medical mission group to help serve in a village that consisted of families living in homes made of mud, straw, concrete blocks…really whatever they could find to build a form of shelter for their families. They did not have any running water or electricity. They could not afford to go into the city for medical care, so we were there to help provide some sort of relief in this area of their life. While there, some of our men also built a new home and we held church services at night in hope of sharing the story of Jesus with these families.

As I mentioned, there was no running water, but they did have wells that served as their water source. We were able to attach a water hose to one of these and build a shower (well, what we called a shower…and we were so grateful for this…even though it took a day or so to get used to the ice cold water!). It worked most days, but on the day it did not work, God provided us rain.

I slept on the floor of an old school that was really nothing more than a concrete square building with a door and cut-outs for windows. What’s kind of funny about this is when I share this story and people ask, “Where did you bathe?” “Where did you sleep?”, none of that seemed to matter to any of us. In fact, given the opportunity (and the ability to convince my husband) I would do it every day just to be a part of such an amazing experience.

While I was in Honduras, I had the opportunity to go spend the day with some children at a nearby orphanage. Some of these children had been removed from bad homes, some were left with no parents due to numerous situations, and some were removed from the streets of Tegucigalpa where they had stolen or sold into slavery and/or prostitution. These were very young children. I can still see their faces as we pulled up on the bus; and the excitement they showed to have us there to visit with them is something I will never be able to explain. And then I remember having to leave. My heart broke. These children’s faces have never left my memory. The stories I was told of what had been done to some of them and how they were found, I’ve never been able to forget.

I have thought of them often over the years; have always wanted to go back and be a part of their lives; wanted to help fight the horrible things that take place in that country every day, but as I know a lot of us let happen (and I regretfully admit), I just let life go on by and allowed myself to get caught up in my day to day life and my career.

These issues were always issues I associated with countries like Honduras and never once considered that it could (or did) happen in the United States. Then last summer I came across an article that caught my attention. It was a story about children that are being pulled into a life of bondage…here in Atlanta. I was in complete shock. Here? What do you mean? Why would we ever let that happen here? I began doing research and learned that we have the largest market for it in the US. I began finding story after story and my memories of the little girls in that orphanage began to flood my heart again.

Later I came across a project called Freedom Climb. Freedom Climb took place in January when women from around the world climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise awareness, prayers and money for women and children being oppressed, enslaved, exploited and trafficked. More info can be found HERE. When I saw this, I thought, “wouldn’t it be awesome if we planned a “Freedom Climb” in Atlanta to not only raise money for Operation Mobilization’s (OM) AMAZING projects they are providing through the support from Freedom Climb, but also to give us a chance to raise awareness?” So, I contacted OM and the craziest things started to happen. I did not know where OM was located, but after contacting them we realized we could walk to see each other if we wanted to. They had wanted to plan a climb in Atlanta, but never had anyone interested in helping lead the effort. So after a couple of discussions, and after Freedom Climb in Africa finished up, we began brainstorming and planning Freedom Climb Atlanta. We took a completely different approach and in honor of our mothers, we are holding Freedom Climb Atlanta in North Georgia the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend (May 12th). This has been a learning experience for all of us and we hope and pray this will be a success and something we can learn from and grow over the years. If you are in the Atlanta area (or just want an excuse to travel) we would LOVE to have you join us! You can find additional info and register at www.thefreedomclimb.net/atlanta. This is the beginning of something great and I know this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing right now. I am excited to see where my next journey leads me and look forward to sharing it with you as well.

Thank you so much for having me today!
Please stop by Little Moments In Life and say hi!

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 Thanks so much for sharing Nicole! You can check out her blog here and be sure to say hello! Last week, you had the opportunity to win a great bracelet from Nicole and today, we're announcing the winner! Congrats to Carla G, you just won yourself a beautiful new bracelet! Have a Great Thursday ya'll! ♥, mK

The Guest > Ashley with The Shine Project

Have you heard of The Shine Project? It is such an amazing movement as well as non-profit. It is run by the inspirational Ashley LeMieux! I was able to do a recent interview with Ashley to give you a bit of an insider view of what all goes into running The Shine Project. Prepare to be moved! Ashley not only is a talented writer and blogger, she also has such an incredible heart and vision for impacting and loving the people around her! Check out the video, read the interview, follow her blog and go be change to the world around you! ♥, mK



mK > What has been the most rewarding part of The Shine Project?
Ashley > Honestly, for me, seeing the lives that have been changed because of The Shine Project has been more rewarding than I can even explain. When we give the scholarships to the students, all of the hard work that went into it seems like nothing. It motivates me every day.

mK > Did you face any obstacle when you started TSP? If so, how did you overcome them?
Ashley > I still face obstacles. And honestly, the list is endless. But I've learned something. I've learned that no matter what you do, there's going to be huge signs in the way saying NO! YOU CANT DO THAT! When you find the fight and passion within you, nothing else matters. The hardest part is trying not to forget that you can accomplish anything. I think that a lot of times, our biggest obstacle is our self.

mK > How do you hope to see the project grow in 2012?
Ashley > In 2012, we are going around the country to spread the shine! We've been to Dallas, and San Diego so far, and on March 26th we'll be in Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles in August. I want to reach as many people as possible, because I know the more we reach, the more lives we can change.

mK > How can people get involved?
Ashley > You can get involved by coming to events near you, or joining the mission of The Shine Project and help us spread every day goodness to help brighten people's lives. Here's a list of things you can do to join TSP: http://www.myshineproject.com/p/get-involved.html

mK > Do you get burned out, or what do you do to keep from burning out?
Ashley > I don't find myself getting burned out. When I do feel burned out, it's when I start focusing on things that don't matter. Sometimes I have to re-evaluate where I'm at, and then get back to the basics. When I stick to raising awareness for my student's needs, and focus on motivating people to find their own happiness, I never get sick of it.

mK > Do you have a team of people working behind the scenes?
Ashley > For The Shine Scholarship Project, I have a board of directors who work hard to help raise more money for our non-profit. I also have my sweet, angel assistant Nicole, who I don't know how I functioned without! Then we have volunteers that come and go...everyone makes a difference in the service that they give to TSP.

mK > Do you solely do this as your job? Did it feel risky to start?
Ashley > The Shine Project is my full time job. It's crazy how it all just came together. I felt strongly that this is what I'm supposed to do with my life, and it proves me right every single day. It wasn't too risky to start because I didn't just let go of my other income on a whim and do this full time. I set it up so that by the time I had quit my job, TSP of self-sufficient and I knew pretty much exactly how much money I'd be bringing in a month. Each month it grows, and it reconfirms the decision that I made to do this full time.

mK > What advice do you have for people wanting to see positive change around them?
Ashley > If you want to see change; be it. Do the things that you wish other people would do. Become who you want people in the world to become. And when you do that, something amazing happens: People start to follow. Try it. It will change your life.

mK > Any last thoughts? 
Ashley > No matter what point in life you're at, be you. I say it all the time. There are enough people in the world trying to be somebody else...we don't need that. We need unique individuals who have the power to stand up for what's right. Shine on.

The Shine Project Blog // Twitter // Facebook // Shop
The Shine Project is April's Cause of The Month. To nominate a cause for May, go here!

Social Media Button DIY

Okay, so I am not a typical techy, design how-to type of blog, but I've had a few requests lately asking me to reveal how I did my recent redesign. Let's start right there: I do all my own design and html coding and such within Blogger. I use Photoshop Elements 9 and I work on a Macbook. So, this Do-it-yourself Tutorial is all in the context of these three platforms. However, you should be able to figure out the slight differences. If not, leave me a comment and I'll see what I can do to help!

I've broken it down into almost every single step, just to make it as easy-peasy as possible! It should be no problem to follow along! I will add one note as I am teaching you how to do this. Be inspired from other blogs, but do try to steer away from straight up copying. My hope is that this tutorial will help you to get your creative juices flowing and then equip you to put your vision into action! OK, let's get started!

Step One > Find a pattern and a social media logo. For a pattern, you can use a photo, download a pattern from this sweet site for free, or in my blog's case, I used a pattern from this amazing blog! She has a whole section of free clip art downloads! What a wonderful treat! For the logo, I just google-imaged it!

Step Two > Change the existing background layer into a regular layer. This will allow for transparency when you put it on your blog!

Step Three > Use your magic wand tool to highlight the white areas as well as the outer red circle. Delete them each once highlighted. You will see that the background is checked. That means it will be a transparent area.

Step Four > Open the pattern layer and drag the social media icon on top of the pattern layer.

Step Five > Highlight the icon with your magic wand tool, then click the pattern layer on your layers toolbar.

Step Six > Go to Select, then Inverse. This basically will highlight all of the area on the pattern layer outside of the icon shape! While the area is highlighted, click DELETE!

Step Seven > Delete the Logo Layer and the remaining pattern layer will be revealed in the same shape!

Step Eight > Crop your image around the icon, resize it to your blog preference and save as a PNG. If you do not save as a PNG, it will not be transparent.

There ya go! I hope that has helped you! I'd love to see your results, so send me a link if you have done this to your blog! And, let me know if there are any other blog DIY requests! ♥, mK

Blueberries in Spring

Blueberry Blouse/Jeans: H&M, Sandals: Payless, 
Necklace: Pollux Clothing Company, 

Bracelet: Dear Demure, Ring: Susan Hardy.

It was a mostly relaxing weekend over here in the Wise household. In between our work schedules, there was a a lot of writing, a lot of reading, and even a bit of mountain biking. We found a new trail that became an instant win in my book for top places to ride in Nashville. Dustin is so much better then me at mountain biking, so it's hard to find a trail we both love, but this one was perfect, and our friend loved it too! Win Win! 

Every Sunday, I gain deeper appreciation for the church we have been a part of from the very first month of moving here. It never seizes to amaze me at the timeliness of each message preached. This past service particularly sent goosebumps down my spine from the moment I looked at the bulletin. If you identified with my Friday late night post, then you'll surely want to download the service's video podcast. I recommend it, no highly recommend it! I also recommend watching this amazing post/video from Brene Brown via John Acuff's blog.

How was your weekend? ♥, mK

Sponsor in May

It's almost May! Another month means another chance to hop on as a sponsor of From The Guest Room! Rates start at $3 or Free with Swap! You can find out more about the options as well as reviews from other sponsors here! Email me at emarykate(at)gmail.com! I hope to hear from ya! ♥, mK

Success & The Plan

I have written about five heart-felt posts over the last few weeks that have remained unpublished. I find that I often struggle with the fear of being misunderstood. I have deep thought out ideas that I feel inspired to share, and even more so hope that it will resonate with someone else going through similar things, yet I still have yet to publicize these words. Today, though, my hope to encourage through my experience far outweighs my fears. And so, I wish to share about my drive home today.

When I got in the car, headed for home, I turned on a podcast instead of music. As soon as I heard Christine Caine (of Hillsong Church, Australia) speak, my mind was sent into a whirlwind of unexpected emotion. It wasn't because of what she said, but how she said it. Her Australian accent sent me straight back to my years of living abroad as a missionary. I thought of all the amazing memories I built and then how I had packed them all up and moved and then did it all again....a few more times, a few more homes.

I am a very optimistic & usually secure person... 90% of the time (There's me being optimistic in my estimate!). But as I thought back over the past 9ish years of my ever changing life and where I am today, I couldn't help but wonder if God is proud of what I have chosen to do with my life. Do I make him proud? Deep down, all of us want to know (or at least be reminded of) the answer to this question, if not just once, several times through out our lives. I figure, according to the world's standards, I pretty much have very little to show for 9 years. I don't own a house. I don't have a huge savings account.  I don't have a degree. I have dreams that don't look realistic to anyone but me. Therefore am I not successful? What does He think when He looks over my life?

As I continued driving, I recollected a conversation I had with my ever-so-wise mother over a week ago.  My mom is quite frequently the recipient of my "I feel insecure or sad the other 10% of the time" phone calls. I've even called her at 2 am once or twice just to have her help me see the truth about myself. (Another story for another day, but my mom and I went through a phase where we didn't get along very well, so it's a beautiful thing what we have now!) So, in our conversation last week, my mom asked me a question that has been roaming my mind for the last ten or so days, making it's way full circle into my little fifteen minute drive home today. She asked, "Kate, what do you define success as? Is it about accomplishing things before people? Is it being exactly where God desires you to be?"

I could softly feel God reminding me that success for me, as a follower of Christ, is and should always start with walking in the path that God has for me. Out of that, He will make me successful in other areas. He is my teacher. He is my creator. He has wired me a certain way, so following Him is (and was) the smartest thing I could ever do. Though thus far it has proven to be quite hard at times, it still continues to yield exponential growth, far greater then any path outside of His will could have provided. I trust that each season that He has led me into has it's purpose and that the last nine years I had been thinking on, well, it's only a small piece of His greater plan. And that plan has potential to far succeed any dream I could ever imagine.

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

♥, mK 

Let the Book Club Begin

I love to read! This has not always been the case, but as of recently, I can't get enough of it. I suppose 9 years post high school will finally allow a person to take up reading for fun. Well, what is even more fun then reading alone, is reading and discussing the book with others! Starting in May, I am teaming up with Kaylee over at All things Bright & Beautiful as well as Aubrey from The Kinch Life to bring to you, The Book Club!

Basically, we'll pick the book by the beginning of each month, individually read it, then link up on all three blogs and discuss what we thought on the last week day of the Month. If you are a blogger, write a post and link it. If you are a reader, leave a comment for all to see on the Link up Day! This is going to be so much fun!

But, before the fun can begin, we need your help to pick a book! Right now, you can go onto All things Bright and Beautiful and vote which book you want to read! (On the right side column) There are four choices and to help you choose, click on each book and it will take you to a brief synopsis:

Bloom by Kelly Hampton
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay (ahem, the one I chose! Can I tell you that? Oops, just did!)
P.S. I love You by Cecelia Ahern
Paris in Love by Eloisa James

Grab a Button here, vote and we'll see ya May 1st! Yay!  ♥, mK

The Guest > Lish in the Spring

Hello new friends! I am so excited to be here at From the Guest Room...Kate is just fabulous and I am so glad to have found her blog a few months back. First I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Lish (rhymes with fish, not Lesh-like a dog leash) and I blog over at Imprintalish. My blog is my little spot to reflect on the simple things. It's loaded with photos and tales of life with two adorable little (and one big man) men. I share tons of pretty things that inspire me as well as all my crafty ideas, tutorials and favorite recipes. Today I wanted to share with you a little bit of why I love Spring, especially in South Western Ontario, Canada {yep, I'm Canadian!}...

Curling up in front of the fireplace with a cozy blanket and warm mug of hot chocolate, gazing out the window at the blustery snow is such a romantic idea. Not that I ever have a chance to do that with little feet running around, but for the most part, the first few months of winter come with that nostalgic feeling. Then February hits...

... and the feeling of being isolated, unmotivated, and darn right cold are hard to shake. For myself, thinking of warmer days and bright cheery colors get me through that last hump of winter, just barely.

But then I see it...the first shoots of green popping through the dreary browns...

...like a little bit of sunshine on a rainy day. A flutter of hope that something exciting is about to happen. 

Watching trees bud and crocus's emerge right in front of my eyes is an amazing thing. Spring means that new life has begun, a fresh start to many things and a sense that I should be out doing something. It ignites a desire to do good and be a better person. Organizing and cleaning the previous seasons cobwebs from my home, hanging clothes out on the line, opening the windows and letting the cool breeze come in...

It's magical the way a little bit of color can change your day; providing a much needed healthy dose of inspiration and freshness. Outdoors, birds are chirping and the happiness just radiates from other's around you, each of them feeling the effects of longer and brighter days. 

Once mid-Spring hits our gardens are full of color, the grass is greener and the sidewalks are filled with kids, sidewalk chalk flowers, bikes and people jogging with smiles and waves. You see, around here we may be Canadian, with our love for ski hills, hot chocolate, and tobogganing and we truly do enjoy our cold winters {at first} but we always welcome the warm weather with arms wide open, ready to fully embrace the next six months of beautiful sunshiny weather!

 

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As if I didn't already really want to visit Canada, I do even more so now!  Lish is such a wonderful person and a great blogger! Do check out her corner of the blog-o-sphere here! Lish also has a shop full of beautiful photography prints and design. This print is one of my favorites! Have a wonderful Thursday ya'll! ♥, mK

Meet me for Coffee

Lacy Shirt: Roya Boutique, Skirt: Dottie, Shoes: Steve Madden (DSW), Hat: Pollux Clothing Company, Necklace/Bracelet: lost-n-found.

If we were out to coffee, I'd have a tall mocha breve and you'd have _________! I'd tell you five things that I love about this week are:

1. I started reading "Divergent" by Veronica Roth.

2. I can now tell people that my sister is expecting her 5th child! Woohoo!!

3. My community group is studying C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters. It is gonna kick my butt!

4. My husband got a new bartending job at an amazing East Nashville hotspot called "The Pharmacy"!

5. I've gotten a few emails this week from friends I've made in the blog world that have just filled my heart to the brim with love & joy. 

And then you would say that the five things you love about this week are ___________! 

Well, good! I'm glad we got to have this little coffee date today!  ♥, mK

Giveaway with Little Moments in Life

Today I have a special giveaway from Nicole of Little Moments in Life! Be sure to check out Nicole's blog and enter to win this adorable & meaningful bracelet!
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I'm giving away a bracelet made by women in the Lydia Training Program in India, a sister project of OperationMobilization (OM) (www.om.org). I am planning an event with OM called Freedom Climb Atlanta(www.thefreedomclimb.net/atlanta) and funds from this event will go to support justice projects, such as this one. The Freedom Climb has projects spanning the globe that are working to combat the modern day tragedies women and children are enduring every day. I’m excited to see where God leads this journey and excited to share it and all the little moments in my life that make up who I am and who I want to be, with you. Hope you’ll stop by! - Nicole

To enter, be a follower of FTGR &/or Little Moments of Life and leave a lovely comment below!

For extra entries:

Follow Little Moments of Life via Blog Lovin' (leave an extra comment)

Follow Little Moments of Life on Twitter (Leave an extra comment)

Like Little Moments of Life on Facebook (leave an extra comment)

Winner will be announced Next Thursday!

♥, mK