#31Days Challenge

To be honest, I don't know why I am doing this...

If you look over my blog history, I am not known to blog all day err day.

But. That's what makes this a challenge.

A challenge to blog everyday for the month of October.

I may fail because of my ridiculously busy schedule.

But I may succeed.

I want to succeed because it will be good for me to get a little bit of writing in everyday.

(a good writing exercise for a freelance writer)

But most importantly I want to succeed because the topic I picked was faith.

I picked faith because it is a constant in my life.

No matter the day, weather or mood- faith is and always will be intertwined in every aspect of my life.

My faith isn't perfect.

But my Savior is.

My faith isn't strong.

But my Savior is.

And my faith isn't always bold.

But my Savior is.

So welcome fellow bloggers (and readers) to my #31Days of Faith.

I hope you see the traces of faith in my everyday life.

That one time when I wrote a letter to Jay-Z about my trip to Oklahoma

As most of you know I went to Oklahoma almost two weeks ago.

Why, you ask?

I was given the opportunity to attend Kevin Durant's basketball camp and write a review for one of the female sports blogs I write for.

I was asked earlier in the year and of course my response was:

"Ballin'!" (Which translated into a more professional response of "yes I would love to, thank you.")

I spent the whole summer word vomiting about it on social media, because that's what you're supposed to do these days. And I was super excited/nervous about the chance to meet Kevin Durant.

No I did not take this picture while
driving and yes I did take this
picture 20 times and decided this
was the best one- believe it or not.

I drove up to Oklahoma in the middle of the week and booked a room at a Sooner fans dream hotel. Seriously, that place is where Sooner fans go to die. So why did I stay there? Well that is what happens when you try to book a hotel with your debit card reward points and want a location closest to OU campus. Plus I thought it would be a fun experience because it was also a sports bar, and y'all know I love me some sports bars (said in a non-booze hound sorta way).

UT fans: just focus your eyes on the really big bed.

The evening I got into town I thought I'd explore OU campus and get a feel for this school that I was raised to hate. I wanted to find where things were since I had to be at the rec center early the next morning. Honestly, I was also itching to see the football stadium. Even though I hate OU football, I was excited to see the stadium because I made a new goal for myself to visit every stadium in the Big 12 Conference. So against my will, it was a must that I see this place. It wasn't so bad. I didn't burst into flames when I stepped foot on the stadium grounds.

It just so happened that the OU football players where getting out of practice when I was exploring. I  thought I should take advantage of this opportunity by asking them to help me find a few buildings. I also thought it would be a good idea to tackle one of them. I use the term tackle very loosely but I did body slam one because I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking. When someone says "it's over there" and points, of course I am going to look so that means you shouldn't walk in front of me. I'm not saying that Kliff Kingbury should make me an honorary player for this tackle....wait, yes I am. Holla atcha girl, Kliff. (My number will be in secret code at the end of this post).

The next morning I woke up super early to head over to Kevin Durant's camp. When I got there I went to check-in with the staff as a member of the media. I was quickly informed that Kevin Durant's agent decided that morning he did not want media present for the camp after all.

Say what?!?!?!

Yes, you read that right. I drove 6 hours to Oklahoma and booked a hotel for two nights only to find out that they changed their mind. It took a lot for me to not go crazy latina on them but I found it best for the future of my career to just walk away.

When I arrived back at the hotel I frantically searched to find out who Kevin Durant's agent was. It is amazing how big of a brain fart you can have when you're fuming mad because I quickly remembered that his agent is....

Jay-Z.

Suddenly it sank in. Kevin Durant signed to Roc Nation Sports about a month ago and Jay-Z currently represents him and a few other players.

Freakin' A.

I didn't let the fear of Jay-Z possibly reading my letter make my shy away from sending it. I felt like this situation was something they needed to know about for the future. Last minute decisions like this one can hurt a little freelancers heart. And my heart was hurting. Like whoa.

The hardest part of writing the letter was starting it off. How exactly do you write a letter that is directed towards Jay-Z?

Dear Mr. Jay-Z?

Dear Jay?

Dear Mr. Hyphen Z?

Hova??

I went with something more professional. That was the second hardest part for me. Being professional. I wanted to write him a letter more explicit than the lyrics in his last album. Homegirl was PO-ed. I wanted to let him know that I currently had 99 problems and he was one.

But I didn't.

I expressed my frustrations in a polite manner because at the end of the day I do want to like you Jay-Z. I still want to sing Can I Get A? at a karaoke bar with my friends. But more than that, I wanted to display a little glimpse of loving one another through such a crappy time as this.

I haven't heard back from him. I actually don't expect to. Maybe I will get a shout out in his next album. Who knows?

But I learned a lot from this experience. I learned that writing is what I want to do. I want to do it bad enough to drive 6 hours to Oklahoma and stay in a Sooner infested hotel.

I learned that God has given me some pretty fun experiences even when the outcome isn't what I would have imagined.

And this is a story about that one time when I wrote a letter to Jay-Z about my trip to Oklahoma.

I'm Not Dead.

Good news, right?

My sister informed me that I hadn't written a blog post in almost two months...and she laughed when she told me because she thought she was mistaken and then I (not so) kindly informed her that she was correct and thanks for pointing that out. (Long breath after a unnecessary run-on sentence).

So if I am not dead, what exactly have I been doing?

Good question.

I got a new freelance job writing for another college sports website.
Score.

I am about to head to Oklahoma to interview and review Kevin Durant's Basketball camp.
Score. Again.

And last week I was in Dallas for Echo- a conference for artist, geeks and storytellers.
And it was awesome.
Mainly because I got to hear Jon Acuff speak for the 5th time in 3 months, which is borderline stalker status. And I finally got to hear Donald Miller speak and he blew my mind.

Aaaaand this weekend I have been attending Texas Style Council here in Austin.
Which is the primary reason for this late-night blog update.
Because all the ladies I gave my blog out to are going to visit and say:
"Dang this chic doesn't write much."
Well, I do.
Just not on here.
Often.

So I am heading to bed before 11p on a Saturday night, but only after I go iron my favorite cardigan to wear tomorrow.

And if that last sentence didn't make me sound like an old lady, nothing else will.

Adios new friends!

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Little Life Lesson Link-Up!

I am so excited to be linking up with Lindsay today! I love the lesson she has shared on her blog and I hope that you find that same encouragement in this post.

I want to share with you ladies a few things I have learned recently about Biblical womanhood.

My church is doing a series on Biblical manhood but they also hosted an event last night for all the single ladies (and also all the married ladies, but I just like to sing Beyonce whenever I get the chance) and taught us what Biblical womanhood really means.

Before this event, if you would have asked me what I thought Biblical womanhood meant, I would have probably said things like:

A woman who serves her husband well

A woman who is nurturing with her children

A women who tends to her home

A women who hosts church events at her house and greets people at the door in her apron- Susie Homemaker style

Ya know, Proverbs 31 type stuff.

So how does a single twenty-something year old like me achieve Biblical womanhood when none of the things above apply to me?

I don't have a husband

I don't have children

My home is a one-bedroom apartment in a "Keep Austin Weird" kinda neighborhood

But I do have an apron...so I mean, I have that going for me.

How do I embrace Biblical womanhood when I feel like the Proverbs 31 woman inside of me is being held captive by a pair of Spanx and some fake eyelashes?

I run to these truths:

(These truths are ones shared with me last night by great women leaders in my church)

1. Women uniquely express the affection and kindness of God

At any stage in our life, a woman can be kind and gentle to those around her.

2. Women can still display the image of Christ unmarried

In the role of marriage a husband loves his wife like Christ loves the church. So if we are not married, and we are to be like Christ, then we are called to love our church. And we can do so by serving our church body well.

3. Single women can still make disciples

Without the commitments of marriage and children, we have more free time for The Great Commision. After all is there anything more Biblical than making disciples?

The good news is God doesn't use us based on our relationship status, He uses us based on our personal relationship with Him. 

Biblical womanhood doesn't happen when I get married, or have children or cook barefoot in the kitchen (kidding) but Biblical womanhood happens when I live my life in the image of Christ. In His image is where I find my identity and my womanhood.

The only way for a lady to find her real role as a woman is to seek for it in the heart of her Savior.

Sweet Tea Social

Hey y'all!

(or should I say ladies, but this is for Texas women so y'all seemed more appropriate)

I am excited to join this new community of bloggers!! Bloggers have to be one of my favorite groups of people, not only because I am one of them but because they are usually creative, fabulous and jacked up on coffee, or in our case...sweet tea.

Should I also reveal that my older sister is Brandi of "Realities With Brandi"? Because she is.

I am excited about our tea party, mainly because I am not a coffee drinker and I am excited to see another blog embracing the idea of drinking tea!

If we were sitting on a porch, rocking our chairs out in the Texas sun, these are a few things I would reveal to you about this past week:

1. I am training for a 5K! I am not a runner, and living in Austin where every one and their mom runs races makes me a tad embarrased to say I have to train for a 5K. But I am and I'm owning it!

2. I'm going to start doing yoga. Mainly so people can call me "Yogi Barrera". Kidding. But this recent yoga kick is brought to you by my (totally hipster) neighborhood grocery store offering free yoga classes on Monday nights! Are any of you ladies yogis?

3. I'm reading an awesome new book by my pastor Matt Carter and former UT football player- Colt McCoy. It is a book on Biblical manhood but as a single woman it is teaching me a lot about the man I should be looking for.

4. I would also ask you if you have any tips for getting your dog to take his flea medicine. Mine has learned that those huge, yet delicious, peanut butter sandwiches have a nice, big chopped up pill hiden in them. You can only imagine what me on the floor wrestling with a 60 lb. pit bull-mix would look like. This is what I have resulted to, people!

5.  Lastly, I would ask you about your week. Something to know about me is that I love coffee dates (the ones I drink tea on but you get the point). I love investing in friendships with women and being an encouragement to them in their daily lives.

So how are you new friend?

Hope we get to chat soon, and maybe next time it won't be so dang hot outside.

Adios. :)

Get Down To Business With Cards From Tiny Prints!

Photo Credit: Tiny Prints

As a freelance writer, blogger, and copywriter based out of Austin, TX I knew I wanted business cards as creative and unique as the city I live in and that’s where Tiny Prints comes in. Tiny Prints is a sister site to Shutterfly so I knew they'd be a great company from the get-go. I was thrilled every step of the way, from first discovering their website all the way to seeing the little turquoise package on my doorstep. The process of picking out my business cards was not only easy and pleasant but it was fun too!

My fabulous cards are just my style!!

With that being said, here are five tips that I’ve learned along the way to help get your business cards out into the world of networking!

1.    Be You.

So you have a blog and you have your business cards, but now you’re wondering how you get them out them out there? First things first, just be yourself! Tiny Prints offers a variety of different styles that range from professional and modern to creative and stylish! The best part of finding a card that brings out your inner social butterfly is that Tiny Prints allows the option to custom design your cards. So not only can you make it trendy but also you can make it “you”- literally! You can upload your own picture or logo on your card, which will be sure to make you memorable at conferences or meetings with large numbers of people. I have never been more confident to approach people I didn’t know at a conference and be able to hand them a card that truly represented me and of course, my blog. It makes networking more fun when you have a card that stays true to your personality!

2.    Get Social

As a blogger there is one thing I know how to do and that is “get social”. I’ve learned that social media is such a powerful tool in the world of networking. So how do you incorporate your business cards into that world? It’s easy! In the blogging community bonds run as tight as families, or at least from my personal experience, and we are always looking for ways to help each other out. A popular blogging practice is called “swapping”, for example: book swaps, coffee mug swaps, or anything other item that one blogger swaps with another just for fun. Next time you’re a part of a blog swap include some business cards in your package and let the other blogger send some to you as well. This is a great practice for getting your cards out across the country without even having to travel!

3.    Work It

When I’m not freelancing, blogging or getting my social media hustle on, I work for a big time coffee company. Since there is not a conflict of interest between this big time coffee company and my writing career I like to take advantage of all the connections I make with my customers. I have had the opportunity to meet a variety of different people ranging from small business owners, philanthropists, actors, musicians and even other writers. With that many creative people coming through the doors, I like to keep my business cards handy in my apron pocket. I have met several people who have helped me with where I am today in my freelance writing career and will continue to do so with the help of my business cards! So the moral of that story is- don’t be afraid to work your business cards because you never know whom you might run into next.

4.    It’s All Relative

Relatives are a great way to get your business cards out there! Seriously, is there anything better than having your cards in the hands of people who really believe in your blog? The best part about this tip is that it’s free advertising for you! Each member of my family has my cards on them at all times and after convincing my brother that it wasn’t for him to give to guys he thinks I should date, he came up with the brilliant idea to hand them out to the sorority girls he networks with on his college campus. My family may be spread out across the Lone Star State but it’s nice to know that with the help of my relatives and my cards- the eyes of Texas are upon my blog and me!

5.    Do It Yourself. Literally.

Are you a blogger with an Etsy shop or specialize in any other DIY business? If so then this tip is for you! Next time you ship out a package put a couple of your business cards in with your shipment. This is a fantastic way to get your cards in the hands of people who enjoy your craftiness! I can’t tell you how many times I have asked someone where they got a certain item and we fumble around for something to write the website address on. How great would it be for your customers to be able to help you advertise for a product they really enjoy? Be sure to also utilize your cards as coupons. Include a discount code on your cards and people will be willing to take them off your hands in no time!

Tiny Prints makes it easy to find business cards that compliment your blog!

I hope these tips help you get your business cards into the hands of the right people. The best part about having cards from Tiny Prints is they are not only going to be fabulous but durable too, allowing you to tote them around at all times and be fully prepared for whatever networking opportunity may come your way!

So what are you waiting for? Check out their site and find out how you can start getting down to business with cards from Tiny Prints!

That one time when I got super crafty and forgot to document it...

Hey y'all!

As most of you know (or should know) I moved into my new apartment this month!! I am loving the extra space and living in a "big girl" place but I will miss my studio apartment, fo sho!

The best part of moving? Decorating, of course.

I tackled my first DYI furniture project and what do you know- I forgot to document it! Such is life.

I am proud to say that I did most of this project myself, with a little help from my dad. 

Growing up I had a chest of drawers that was painted baby blue and white (let's just say it was ugly for dramatic effect) and it had a little damage throughout the years. I really wanted to keep this piece of furniture because it such a durable piece of wood and it is something I've had for many years. And let's be honest, I've always wanted to do a DYI furniture project that I could document on Pinterest and get a ton of "oooo's and aaaah's". But I failed at that.

So here it is, my chest of drawers that I painted for my new apartment

*For a before picture just imagine an old piece of wood painted white and baby blue. So very very ugly. And then there's me- hair in a messy bun, sweating in the Texas sun, with spray paint on my arms and fingers (and shoes and shorts)*

What DYI projects have you done?

Have you ever fallen victim to "failure to document" like I have?

Even if you haven't say yes to make me feel better.