One

Happy Shrove Tuesday, everyone! The only thing I really know about Shrove Tuesday—besides the whole Mardi Gras thing, obvs—is that you are supposed to eat pancakes. So guess what I’m having for dinner?

(Source)

Two

The big news for this week is that The Cloven Heart has launched! Tami’s blog and Etsy store is a compendium of wonderful things. The styling and design are to die for and there are lots of wonderful treasures in the shop worth buying.

I credit Tami for any tiny hint of stylishness I may have. This is the woman who found me a bad-ass leather jacket and then convinced me I could pull it off. Any time I have had a fancy event to go to I stop by to shop her closet and she has had a hand in making me feel beautiful on many occasions. She’s one of my bestest friends so I’m a tiny bit biased, but she is honestly one of the most stylish and creative ladies I know. I am so proud and so excited to see all her hard work come to fruition.

Three

I don’t usually observe Lent. I think once in high school or the year after I tried to give up television. It lasted until the first hockey game. If I wasn’t already doing the year-long bible reading plan I’d be very tempted to try this ambitious New Testament in 40 Days one. Do it. You will be so ready for Easter!

Four

Check it out! Marc Ross on Television!

Five

On Saturday, we did a ½ the Bridesmaids trip down to the USA for dress shopping. We left at 8am and did not return home until after 10 pm, so it was a looooong day. But it was totally worth it in the end because not only did I find a beautiful dress but I found new shoes (not for the wedding, but still) and an awesome purse and we had hours and hours of gabbing in the car. I hadn’t bought new clothes since November (this is probably a record for me). I missed shopping. First world problems, I know. Let’s just assume that since I’m not living in Africa all my problems are first world problems, shall we?

Ok kids, that’s all I’ve got for today. This past week has been really hard, and I’m sick, sick, sick. How about I leave you with the past few pictures from February Photo a Day?

February 15th- Phone

February 16th- Something New

A new song. There’s a bit of a story behind this one. I have been having a really hard time sleeping the last few weeks. Bad dreams, not being able to shut my mind off, you name it. On this particular night I woke up at around 2:30am and could not fall back asleep. I was nearly crying in frustration because I knew I was exhausted and still I could not.stop.thinking.worrying. And I very clearly heard the voice of God tell me to “sing about it”. So I did, and I wrote a chorus that is probably my most favorite thing I’ve ever written. Pretty much immediately after I fell back asleep.

February 17th- Time

Time…for Josh to start acting like a grownup? Sorry. That was half-assed, I know.

February 18th – Drink

Remember when you used to be able to get this in Canada? Am I the only one who likes it?

February 19th – Something You Hate to Do

I hate sore throats. And I also hate this tea. It tastes super gross. But it is also the only thing that I’ve found that seems to work when you have to lead worship for a bunch of ladies and your throat feels like you accidentally swallowed razor blades.

February 20th – Handwriting

My handwriting. Romans 8.

February 21st – A Favorite Photo of You

Me and Dad, circa 1986. I wish I still had those red pants.

One

Happy Valentimes everybody! Now, I know this is one of those polarizing holidays that people either love or hate. But I really don’t think it has be to a feel-sorry-for-your-single-self-and-eat-a-tub-of-ice-cream kind of day. If you don’t have a sweetie, I’m sure you have friends who you love! If you don’t have friends…call your mom! I’m just saying, love comes in all shapes and sizes and it’s a blessing to be grateful for. So don’t be like this guy, ok?

Two

That being said, I think we can all relate to Charlie Brown on this one:

I do believe I am the reigning queen of friend-girl unrequited love. Don’t you just want to give him a hug?

Three

You know, girls. If you are really looking for love and you are maybe a tiny bit crazy/you’d would like to be on television(same thing)… The Bachelor Canada auditions are going to be in Vancouver on Sunday!

Four

For all you instagrammers, you can send someone a Valentine using your instagram photos with Lovestagram. Ok this is pretty cute—it was built by the girlfriend of one of the founders of Instagram as a thanks-for-always-making-me-feel-special gift. Awwwww! Nerd love!

Five

As far as I’m concerned, this is the most romantic song ever written.

Six

My friend Juli has just launched her own baking business, Just Taste! Last weekend she had an open house where I sampled all the products and can tell you first hand that they are 100% delicious. Especially the Linzetorte and the Cardamom Drops.

(photos by the illustrious Ryan Schroeder)
(ps I helped her with the website)

Seven

Tami Knepper—whom I love and adore, who has the best taste of anyone I know, who keeps beating me at words with friends—is launching her very own blog and online store, The Cloven Heart! Soon. For now, you should check out her Facebook page. And like it! There are some behind the scenes photos up right now. And spoiler alert (!), I may have seen a sneak peak of her first post and it might be amazing. Stay tuned.

(ps logo designed by yours truly!)

Eight

Westside is launching a new campus on the North Shore in April. I’ll let Norman D. Funk explain the vision—

In the months leading up to launch time, there is a pre-launch campaign happening, Sent and Sending that aims to cover the cost of the launch budget and start the mission off strong. I really encourage you check it out. Give if you feel led and pray, pray, pray! God is doing good things in this City.

Nine

A Valentine to Vancouver…from de Islands?

Ten

Love is mentioned about 700 times in the Bible. Ok, I didn’t count or anything but I googled it and that was the first number that came up. It’s a lot, anyway. There are so many scriptures that talk about God’s, steadfast and faithful love, and how we can never be separated from it. But I thought this one, from one of my most favourite books in the Bible, was appropriate to meditate on this Love Day.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.

One

Hope y’all are enjoying Love Month so far! It’s ok to still like Valentine’s Day and Love Month in general even if you’re single right? I feel like you can choose to be sad about it or you can choose to be happy you have so many awesome friends and family who you loooove. Right? Right. Check out this cute Love Month desktop wallpaper! There’s hearts. ps if you’re going to get me a Valentines Day card, I really like this one:

(via Our Paper Shop)

Two

On Friday night my friend hosted a clothing swap and I think this might have been the best one yet. Personally, I feel that the best thing about going to a clothing swap is that it forces me to get rid of all the clothes in my closet I don’t wear anymore. I’m not much of a pack rat except when it comes to clothes. But…but what if this horrible t-shirt that never fit me right in the first place suddenly comes back into style? I came away with a sweet jean jacket and purse that used to belong to Jenn and a Tami Knepper sweater. They are pretty much the most stylish people I know so I feel pretty good about wearing their old clothes.

Three

A friend sent me this helpful chart explaining social media using donuts. I guess he has come to think of me as some kind of social media guru. The Google Plus one is my favorite.

Four

Speaking of social media, at least three people last week told me that they “always read my tweets” or that my twitter feed is their favourite. Two of those people were pastors. I am not telling you this to congratulate myself, I promise. It’s just…think of the pressure! I have to be funny and holy now? Great.

Five

This is maybe kind of lame because it’s already February but I broke down and ordered an actual old school paper day planner this week. I’m still using Teux Deux in the actual day to day to make sure I get everything done, but I need help scheduling myself and seeing all my commitments actually written out for the month and iCal was just not cutting it. Last week I had a near breakdown because I said yes to more things than I have actual hours in the day for. And I hate disappointing people by having to cancel on them. I’m learning, you guys. Balancing freelance work and an office job is hard. I would like to have some kind of a social life in there too. And maybe time to read, also.

Six

Speaking of reading, Douze got me this book for Christmas and it has been a total game changer for me. Between the Bible reading plan I’m doing and this I feel like my prayer life has grown so much over the past month and a bit.

“In praying scripture, I not only find myself in intimate communication with God, but my mind is being retrained or renewed to think Christ’s thoughts about my situation rather than mine.”

Seven

On Sunday night I got to catch up with an old friend from junior high school who was in town checking out a very fancy and impressive clinical psychiatry program. Honestly, everyone I went to junior high with grew up to be super brainiac doctors or engineers except me. It was nice to catch up and fill each other in on everything that has happened in the past 10 years or so since we’ve seen each other. She asked me a lot of questions about what it’s like living in Vancouver and at the end of the night she said it seems like I’m really in love with this City. And you know, what? I really am!

Eight

The preliminary census data is going to be released this week! I know approximately four people who will be excited about this. All my hard work from last year is finally paying off for statisticians and city planners everywhere!

Nine

Ok. Have you all seen the new Hunger Games trailer? Egads, I cannot wait to see this movie. Me and Ariana have even been talking about lining up with all the crazy people and going at midnight. It changes every few days between “yay! Let’s do it!” and “we’re way too old, midnight is past bedtime.” Might be a game time decision.

Ten

K. So…remember all that freelancing I’ve been doing? Well one of the projects is finished. This past week we launched the new and improved Marc Ross Music site! Drumroll…tada, all that:

I’m super proud of it, you guys! Marc wanted something really simple and clean and I think we managed to pull it off. You can listen to all the songs from his EP (they’re good, so you should go do that) He’s out on a Canada wide tour right now and we’ve set up a Tour Photoblog. Everyone always talks about how it’s hard to do business with friends but this has honestly been the best experience. Marc is going to be playing at the Railway club next week for those of you in the Vancouver area. You should come! Make sure you tell him how much you love his new website.

One

February stars. Do you guys ever look back on a month and wonder how exactly you made it through? That’s how I feel about January. I blinked and it was over. This week’s Top Ten seems to have a theme of self discipline running through it.

Two

This past month has been super busy with freelance projects. It’s wonderful to have the work but it’s starting to wear on me a little. I’ve tried to make a conscious effort to schedule in down time for myself to just be next month. On the plus side, it’s teaching me to be disciplined about scheduling myself and managing my time. On the downside, who wants to have to schedule in down time?

Three

This is cute. New perspectives on company logos from a five year old. My favorite is “Panda’s live in the woods! I think…” Branding starts early, folks. Hide yo kids (hide yo wife).

Four

After whining about how none of my clothes fit anymore for the past few weeks, I have finally decided it’s time to actually do something about it. A few friends (including Norman D. Funk) have told me about this awesome calorie counting app, Lose It and I’m trying it out. It is really easy to use and the design is super pretty. Plus I find just the act of entering in what I’m eating makes me think twice about what I’m putting in my body. Thus far it hasn’t been that hard to stick to but I’m only about three days in so I’ll keep you posted. I’m hoping that writing about it on the internet will be extra accountability/a kick in the skinny jeans.

Five

There is a move on the horizon for me, May 1. It seems like a long ways off now but I’ve already started decorating the new space in my head. If I had a million dollars, infinite crafty-time and free reign on the space I would probably have one or all of the following—

A headboard made out of recycled wood

A pink bathroom with a CHANDELIER

These pillows. Except I would probably want them to say “Bonne Nuit” instead of “Bonsoir”. These ones are from Urban, but you could probably make your own pretty easily, no?

Six

I finally started reading Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me? (and other concerns) this week. It is everything I hoped for and more. I’m trying not to read through it too fast because I don’t want it to be over right away. Word on the street is that M. Kaling might be starring in her own show. Yes please!

Seven

Good news. Remember all those songwriting tips I posted last week? One of them was to be disciplined and set aside time for writing. Well I did. 25 minutes last Tuesday. Don’t laugh, 25 minutes is better than no minutes! I came up with a melody I kind of liked and it felt good to just sit down at the piano and not think about anything else except music for awhile. I don’t do that nearly often enough. This week I’m aiming for at least an hour.

Eight

This video has been bouncing around the internet today like a beachball at a Nickleback concert. The whole thing is hilarious but I love how she says if she’s not between a 4 and a 7 on the emotional scale she’s crying. ME TOO KRISTEN.

Nine

Speaking of crying, I was feeling super proud of myself because I had been on at least a two week streak of no tears. Those that know me well can attest that this is a rare occurrence. And then on Sunday I started crying in worship and I could not stop all day. And…I’ve cried every day since. But you know what? Whatever. It’s who I am. And it makes me feel better. Seriously sometimes you just need to cry about a bad day to get over it, right? Feelings are ok!

Ten

It’s the end of January and that means I’m 31 days into my Read the Bible in a Year plan. It’s become a habit now and I truly look forward to my Jesus time before bed every night. Up until this year I was a pretty solid three times a week bible reader, but I’ve found that being in the Word every day has done amazing things for my prayer life and walk with God. I feel like I have learned so much in just one month. And more than that, I think I’m learning just how much I don’t know.

These two verses are stuck to the wall above my bed and my bathroom mirror respectively. They’ve become daily prayers. Jesus let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be acceptable in your sight. And let me hear in the morning of your stead fast love, show me the way I should go.