Into The Mystic

and Free, by Zac Brown Band and Van Morrison. Can it get any better this? The fiddle part at the beginning gives me chills; listen.

We were born before the wind

Also younger than the sun

Ere the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the mystic

Hark, now here the sailors cry

Smell the sea and feel the sky

Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic

photo thanks to pinterest

I'm slacking.

(And currently craving a new pair of cowboy boots.)

Excuse my blogging laziness for the past few days, but my life feels like its taken a three hundred and sixty degree turn since last week. Can't complain. Posts will return on a regular basis soon, pinky promise.

Fitzgerald

"And so with the sunshine and the great burst of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow fast in movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."

Oh, Gatsby.

Strikes My Fancy

And here you go, my top picks for the week.

Big, bold accessories.

Metallic skirts.

Neutrals. (And the bicycle please.)

Striped, knit tops.

Bright red nails.

Pinterest

This website is amazing. I probably spent 3 hours last night (in my own cozy bed at home I might add) looking through all of the photos. Thank you RLT.

It's still in the works, but here's the link to my page. http://pinterest.com/julieemayo/

Anddd I found this quote after many hours of blog browsing that I would like to share with you: "The world's favorite season is in the spring. Everything seems possible in May." Edwin Way Teale.

your weekend

"Patient waiting is an important discipline for anyone who wants to learn to trust...waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts. Waiting silently is the hardest thing of all."

Beautiful words of Elisabeth Elliot's Passion & Purity.

your weekend

But hold on to what you believe, in the light, when the darkness has robbed you of all your sight.

-Mumford and Sons

Sunburns and Sundaes

Today's glimmer of summer weather was marvelous. There's something about the warm sun shining at UNC that makes everyone be in a better mood and come alive. We can all feel break approaching fast in a few weeks, and we can't help but soak it all in before we all go our separate ways.

So this is how I spent my day...

Relaxing (or should I say burning?) by the pool.

Sisterhood bar-b-que/ice cream sundae dinner on the porch.

Above image taken by the lovely annaseewong.com

Of course I did other things too, like go to class and smuggle some work in here and there and practice for Greek Groove late into the evening, but the weather was definitely a nice welcome to the week. I think now I'm mentally prepared for the insaneness (not a word) of the next few weeks; I best step up my game if I'm going to get through it.

April showers bring May flowers

This month's going to be crazy one. My agenda is stacked full of project due dates, Panhel events, sorority functions, concerts, and exams. But this time of year is probably one of my favorites. It's Easter season, and everything starts coming into bloom. I love the fresh air, the floral sundresses, the bright shorts paired with cardigans, the warmer days, the chilly nights. So I wish you all a very happy April!

What do you like about this time of year?

(I do in fact own yellow pants. Maybe I'll wear them sometime soon, they deserve a day out after being stuck in my closet for months on end.)

Take Heart

"He has made everything beautiful in its time."

Ecclesiastes 3:11a.

Added to the favorites list.

More details of this weekend will follow in an upcoming blog post...

and I cannot wait to share what Christ has been teaching me.

(Photos: 1. Future wedding dress? 2. Excerpt from Hillsong's Take Heart)

#darty #formalnight

Last weekend's formal, via photo recap.

Pre-formal Lazy Afternoon...

Might be cheesy, but we threw up the diamonds. We're freshman okay?

Shagging by the Old Well. Two things most definitely Carolina.

Big and I, what would I do without her?

Formal date for the evening!

Title post: top Twitter trends of the evening

What I want is what I got, and what I need is all around me.

Spring Break 2011, you are much needed.

Although it's kind of frigid to lay outside today, I'm excited to spend time with good friends and have some time to just relax today. This break came at the exact right time of the semester, just when I felt so bogged down by midterms, schedules, and summer job applications.

This gorgeous sight we came across driving down yesterday...

Title post: Jimi Thing by Dave Matthews.

Things I'm loving, Thursday.

Just because.

TEN WAYS TO LOVE

1.Listen without interrupting. (Proverbs 18)
2.Speak without accusing. (James 1:19)
3.Give without sparing. (Proverbs 21:26)
4.Pray without ceasing. (Colossians 1:9)
5.Answer without arguing. (Proverbs 17:1)
6.Share without pretending. (Ephesians 4:15)
7.Enjoy without complaint. (Philippians 2:14)
8.Trust without wavering. (Corinthians 13:7)
9.Forgive without punishing. (Colossians 3:13)
10.Promise without forgetting. (Proverbs 13:12)

Weekend

Oh how happy I am for you to be here!

This week's highlights:

Suitemate's birthday. (Which included the most wondrous chocolate and cream cheese icing cupcakes!)

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.

Blog browsing in ADPi's dining room.

NC State Campus Crusade's worship night.

Rockstars & Groupies cocktail tonight. I'm dressing up as JLo, don't judge.

Casino night tomorrow. I want to win the iPad. I want to win the iPad.

Next week's to-do list:

Daily work outs. But really, Julie. Get on the treadmill.

One mid-term exam.

One five page paper.

Numerous assignments.

Read my Poli book.

Get my camera fixed.

Laundry!

Pack for Surfside Beach, South Carolina. Ready to get my lounge on.

In other news...

This weather makes me want to sit outside and paint. And listen to Zac Brown Band, and pretend it's summer.

And my head told my heart let love grow.

But my heart told my head this time no.

Listening :: to Mumford & Sons for the third night in a row. (Title taken from Winter Winds).

Feeling :: happy that tomorrow's Friday and that I can finally swallow without three doses of ibuprofen.

Wanting :: to wear my new boots asap. Although the temperature tomorrow is supposed to be in the 70s. What is this North Carolina?

Reading :: 1 Corinthians. I just started reading this book this week, but I am already amazed of its relevance to today's world.

This week has been such a blur, I think partly due to the packed schedule I've had the past few days. Phew. But honestly, it's kind of sad how fast this semester is going. I really feel like it was just yesterday I was looking for a roommate, dreaming of college, and picking out things for my dorm. Now freshman year is more than half over, and that's so hard to wrap my head around.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him -- but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit."

1 Corinthians 9-10.

It's so easy for me to become disappointed; disappointed in myself, disappointed in others, disappointed when my life is not a-okay perfect. Ever since about the end of November of last year though, God really woke me up. He wasn't allowing those disappointments and tough situations in my life for me just to feel more down and out. He wanted me to realize that I needed to put my hope back in Him. I wasn't going to find fulfillment in pleasing others, I was only going to find contentment when my relationship was back on track with Him. Those disappointments, I feel, were (and are) preparing me for what I cannot even conceive. Only He knows.

Charleston

I miss this city. And I want to live here someday.

Fast forward to spring break/the rest of my life please?

Happy Monday

Matchbook Mag & Other Ramblings

A friend mentioned this online magazine to me, and I'm quite possibly obsessed. Excuse the ramble, but I've really missed graphic design and layouts and editing and proof reading and interviewing and news articles. Sometimes I wish I could go back to high school just for a day to do nothing but sit in class and revise papers. Yes I said it, I wish I could go back to high school. But just for a day, mind you. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for any internships this summer to do just that, what I love. It's making me antsy just thinking about it.

Anyway, let's see. What has been going on this week you ask? Plenty. It's been a long week, my first full week of classes for this semester. I'm feeling the load of my schedule, been feeling a little down in the hum-drum of it all. But God's been teaching me to rest in His grace as my source of encouragement (i.e. "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope..." 2 Thessalonians 2:16"). Friends will let you down, parents will even let you down, but Christ will never let you down.

Other tidbits of the week:

I found out a couple days ago that I'm living in ADPi next year! So thrilled, and so thankful.

ANDDD...

Here's the link to my suitemate's blog that you most definitely should check out. She has a great story of getting a speeding ticket on the way to church. Epic morning.

Mondays call for ibuprofen and coffee.

And lots of it. In the past three hours, I've successfully researched study abroad programs, browsed about twenty blogs, and I've hardly read half a chapter in my PR book. I've done anything but actual work. But you know what, I think everyone needs an afternoon like this once in awhile. An afternoon of sitting in a Caribou, talking to friends, looking at pictures of things you like and reading stories that make you smile. And perhaps getting some reading done in between. So happy Monday, everyone. You have the rest of the week to worry about what has to be accomplished, so why not just take a few hours to detox and have a little time to yourself?

Wants Needs

• a decent cup of coffee to start my mornings.
• a vacation. so what if we just got off break.
• spring break to be here. sick of the cold.
• book assignments to disappear.
• time to read books I'll actually enjoy.
• a good night's sleep. insomnia, you're just not cutting it.

Is that too much to ask?

Also, here's a Marley Lilly ring giveaway from College Prep. Check it outttt.