Not Your Ordinary Dream List

So a couple of weeks ago I spent the night at one of the most amazing sister's house, you can visit her blog Here. As soon as she opened up her door, I could feel the warmth, the love, and the spirit of God in her house. She has such an amazing relationship with God that it is evident as soon as you meet her.

I will never forget that night but there are a few things that I took away from being there, one being the purpose of this post.

Everything in her home had a purpose or a meaning. She had all these stories behind each work of art, each furniture piece, it really made her home her own. I find this so true, one may have the most beautifully decorated house, but if it's so cookie cutter, anyone could live there. I want people to see my personality in my home.

In a little picture frame sitting in her living room was her Dream List. A list of all the things she wanted to do, things that made her smile or brought delight to her heart. She told me about all the things she put on her list and how she has almost done everything on her list, and so she just keeps adding because, well, quite frankly, we shouldn't stop dreaming.

She encouraged me to compile my own dream list. She said she thought of things that she wanted to do when she was little that she had almost forgotten about but really wanted to do. Her one piece of advice, that I LOVE was this: 

"Make your dream list something only YOU can do. Many people have things such as "I want to be married with 5 kids in 10 years" but that requires another person, and you aren't in control of that. Make sure you pray and ask God to lead you to what your first dream should be."

Well here it is folks. Here are my hearts desires...

Have a Wonderland Room

Go to Monte Carlo

Buy a car for someone in need

"You get a car! You get a car! You get a car!"

Open up my cupcake shop/boutique

(I've had the idea since high school...before cupcake became cool. lol)

Have a quiet time at Regents Park in London, my favorite place in the World.

Go to a movie alone

Go to Dubai

Make a mini movie of my testimony 

Go to a fashion show in Paris during Paris Fashion Week (that would be me sitting next to Anna Wintour)

Get a portrait painted of myself 

Study the Bible with someone who is "Quiverfull" 

Learn Farsi

Learn Krav Maga

Become a Master of Fondant

Go to Japan and get 2 suitcases full of Hello Kitty things aka Life Time Supply

(Of course some would be gifts... lol)

What are some of your dreams?

Dallas Fashion Week

A few months ago I had the privilege of modeling in Dallas Fashion Week. 

It was Dallas's first Fashion Week, so I thought that was so awesome to be a part of.

If it wasn't for the encouragement of such a great friend, I don't think I could have done it. She is one of the most talented photographers I know. Not only that, but she's a great listener, awesome to talk about God with, and is a great mother and wife. 

Any picture that you see that looks professional on my blog of me, was taken by her. 

Her photography company is listed below, so if you need bridals, engagements, or a wedding photographer, she's your girl (along with her partner). 

Belle Photography

Here are some photos from the show. We had one show at The House of Blues and another at the Dallas Automotive History Museum. 

The show featured Bridal Couture by Binzario. He custom makes all gowns and puts so much detail into each one. It was so special to wear one of his gowns.

It was fun playing Bride for a weekend, hopefully it's not the last time I'm in a wedding dress ;)

Below is a video of the show and backstage.

 Early morning make-up call 

 Carpe Diem Bride's Founder doing hair and some of the models

Lots of goodies

 MUA's

 Putting the last touch on

 Waiting till we have to go to the venue. 

 At my fitting

 Candid backstage

 Close up of make up

 Backstage before we closed out Fashion Week

 Lots of hair... lots of Starbucks

Close up of hair

 Group photo backstage

House of Blues

 Armenians and Greeks= Thick Brows

The dress I wore detached and turned into a shorter reception dress. Loved it!

Pass it Forward... For life

As I promised in yesterday's post I will be doing some slight sharing on Ashley's new Shine Project, but I figured most of you read her blog anyways so I will post the link that explains exactly what the campaign is about:

Pass It Forward?? Click here...

I love this project so much because I truly do believe that it's the consistent little things life that make a difference, not necessarily the occasional big deed. 

"It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant."

Matthew 20:26

I have very strong convictions about service and helping others. There is always a need out there and as a follower of Christ, this should be a natural outflow of gratitude to serve others. 

"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."                            Proverbs 11:25

Sometimes people can get discouraged by giving, because they believe it's only a monetary thing, that's not true. Jesus, the greatest servant of all, didn't give money to people, He gave His life, He washed others feet, He healed (or in our case cared) for the sick, He came and lived life to the full by being around people and meeting their needs.

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

 Galatians 5:13

What are some needs you see around you? Even everyday ones. Holding the door for someone who is not necessarily right there by it, but having the patience to wait for them (that always encourages me), helping a classmate study in your class because you know they're struggling, sitting with someone who is eating alone, even talking to the person serving you in your cafeteria line or wherever and just encouraging them. 

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." 

Ephesians 2:10

There are so many little things we can do throughout the day to really shine like Christ did and to show Jesus to others. 

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45