would you rather...

{ dress: Target (JUST got it on sale for $18); watch: Target; clutch/shoes: Nordstrom }

Hubs and I treated ourselves to a much needed night out this weekend. As we get busier and busier, we begin to treasure our weekly date nights more and more. We made it a rule that we can't talk about school OR student teaching when we're on our dates. When we were out, we realized that there really isn't much more to talk about these days... How sad is that? We did however get on the topic of summer adventures, and began making a list of all the things we want to go and do. Can I just say it made me even more antsy for graduation and summer? We talked about how on June 17th, during commencement, we are both going to scream and do a little dance when we walk on stage to get our diplomas. The rest of the night consisted of sharing a basket of fries, watching high schoolers come into the restaurant for their Prom dinner, laughing at how awkward being in high school really is, and playing an incredibly long game of would you rather... Speaking of... Would you rather eat poop flavored ice cream, or ice cream flavored poop? I'm still stuck on this one. Mind you, we asked these questions at dinner. Fortunately, it didn't affect our appetite one bit.

unfortunate turned fortunate

{ shirt: Old Navy; necklace: Stella & Dot Medina Bib; skirt: H&M; shoes/watch: Target }

unfortunate turned fortunate

Yesterday, when we got home from dinner, I reached into my car to grab my laptop and came to find that my laptop was no longer in my car {panic mode}. We went to dinner on the other side of town, and before dinner, I was studying at Starbucks. I was trying to think of where I could have left it... Did it get stolen while we were at dinner? That would be a nightmare... especially since all of my work sample/lesson planning stuff is on my laptop. Before completely freaking out, I thought maybe... just maybe... I left it at Starbucks. I called Starbucks immediately, and collapsed on my couch when I heard the angel barista on the other line say, "Is it a white macbook?" I then squealed a little and sighed the biggest sigh of relief {I'm not joking, it was the biggest sigh of relief I've ever sighed}.

Ever experienced an unfortunate event that turned into a fortunate event?

stella & dot

{ necklace: Stella & Dot pegasus; top/watch/heels: Target; pants: Loft } 

I recently became a stylist for Stella & Dot! I couldn't be more excited to be apart of the Stella & Dot team and sell their products. I'm head over heels for this necklace {the pegasus}, and I hope that someday it finds its way into my closet... It's on loan to me right now, only in my dreams do I own it. All of the products you can purchase from Stella & Dot are unique, stylish {yet timeless}, and are perfect for all occasions. I recently added a button on the right-hand side of my blog that will take you directly to the Stella & Dot home page, with my name on the top-left corner as your stylist. Shop around! Mother's Day is right around the corner, and there's an adorable pendant necklace I already have my eye on for my Mama. 

Oh, and if you're ever interested in hosting a trunk show, let me know! There are tons of benefits for being a hostess with the mostest :)

Just wanted to fill you in, and let you know how excited I am about this new opportunity with Stella & Dot!

tips for closet organization

I've been receiving a few emails about my closet, and how I keep it organized. To be honest, it doesn't always look this neat and tidy, but I try my best to keep it organized in order to make getting ready a little less stressful and a little more inspiring. 

Here are a few tips for organizing your closet...

Make your clothes visible! Stack jeans, pants, skirts, shorts, etc on an open shelf or in clear containers in order to see all of your options. When I can see all of my options, I'm more likely to mix prints, colors, and textures I never would have before.

Hang inspiring photos in your closet, or on a bulletin board nearby wherever you get ready in the morning for fresh looks. I'm extremely visual, so being able to see outfits I like everyday, I'm more likely to recreate them.

Display your favorite statement pieces, glasses, pins, watches, clutches, hats, etc. I like to display different pieces, and often switch them out for new inspiration. Don't be afraid of using books, plates, cups, etc. from other parts of your home to use as a functional display piece. I love using dishes and books to add a little more character.

One of my favorite closet tips I've ever heard was from my mother-in-law. Here it is: Hang all of your hangers in the same direction...

...Once you've worn an item, switch the direction of the hanger. After 6 months or so, if you haven't flipped the direction of some of your hangers, it's probably time to get rid of that item because you don't wear it. Brilliant, right? I do this every 6 months, and I'm always surprised at how much I don't actually wear. It's a great way to de-clutter, and give to those who will enjoy your clothes just sitting in your closet compiling dust.

My final piece of advice... color coordinate. It'll make it easier to find certain pieces. Not to mention, it'll make everything look more professional and organized.

... And that's all I have for you on closet organization. Hopefully you're inspired to re-organize, and are left with some closet tips.

Happy closet organizing!

tulip festival

It was one of those weekends where all I wanted to do was spend time with Brad. I didn't want to spend another weekend apart from each other {in the same room, but on different computers, working on lesson plans, work samples, and applying for jobs... Blah, blah, blah}. As you can tell by our extremely pale skin, we haven't been able to get out much. This weekend was 80 degrees {it's never that warm in April}, and apparently we weren't the only one's who thought it would be the perfect weekend to go to the Tulip Festival. Literally hundreds of people were there. It was insane. But so beautiful. The last time I had been to the Tulip Festival, I was three, and we were taking family photos {my sister and I had matching tulip dresses and matching bullets {a bull-cut mixed with a mullet haircut}, not even kidding}. I still to this day don't know what my Mom was thinking when she had us get those haircuts... Mind you, we had them for three years. Yep, all of my childhood photos it's hard to tell if I'm a little boy playing dress-up, or a little girl with a boy haircut. Anyways, that's besides the point. It was a really great day. Perfect weather, perfect guy, perfect day.

How was your weekend? What'd ya do?

unfortunate and fortunate

{ shirt/sunglasses: Old Navy; necklace: gift; watch/skirt/wedges/belt: Target }

Whelp, its been a while folks. But I'm happy to announce that unfortunate and fortunate is back.

unfortunate

-My favorite editing program, Picnik is closing. It's shutting down. Picnik is no more, and I'm so sad about it. No one else has the free clarity touch that Picnik offers. This is such a shame.

-I'm pretty sure I get sick more than anyone else I know. I don't know if it's because I tend to add too much to my plate OR because I have a not so nice immune system. Whatever it is, my body hates me right now.

-Gas prices. It has never cost me $75 to fill up my tank. The last time I filled up on gas, I saw the total, and asked the guy helping me if the gasoline industry hated me. He didn't really know what to say. He just asked me if I wanted my receipt. 

-Eating dinner every week night on the go and away from my husband. I'm tired of never seeing my husband.

-Target having such cute shoes right now. It's unfortunate, because I have zero dollars to buy anything that isn't a necessity... And believe me, I've tried to think of a reason why those really cute black wedges are a necessity. I'm still trying to think of a reason.

-Driving home from church and having our car break down. There's nothing worse than driving your car, being stopped at a light, and realizing your car has pooped out on you. And once again, we have no dollars to fix it. Oh the joys of both of us student teaching and making zero dollars at the moment.

-Having to miss the Discipleship Retreat this weekend over at Wild Horse. There is honestly nothing I'd rather be doing, but I have way too much student teaching/moving out of the house we're house sitting for/random obligations I need to accomplish in this really short weekend. If you're going, have fun for me please!

fortunate

-I purchased my cap and gown this week! I cannot believe it, I'm so close to graduating, and I'm so close being a real grown up! That'll be weird, won't it.

-Being blessed with free rent for the next three months! Even though I'm really excited to be grounded and living in our own place again, I'm so incredibly grateful for the chance to live rent free for the next few months before we transition on to the next thing.

-My Jesus Calling daily devotional. It's been perfect for my early mornings and long days. The messages stick with me throughout the day, and the verses that come along with every entry always seem to be exactly what I need to hear that day.

-This black maxi skirt. I would be extremely embarrassed if you knew how many times I wore it this week.

-Brad had an interview this week for a real, grown up job starting next fall! We're praying and crossing our fingers for this one!

-Receiving a picture text from my two best friends every Monday morning... Wishing me a "go get 'em" message with a picture of their beautiful Monday morning faces.

What are your unfortunates and fortunates this week? Link up below in the comments!

look whose finally on instagram

Thanks to my really cool husband who has internet on his phone, I now have instagram.

Follow me and all of the fascinating images of my day-to-day life.

Follow: Mollybethkidd

sunshine girl

{ sun hat: Nordstrom; top: Anthropologie; skirt/sandals/watch: Target; sunglasses: Old Navy }

There's nothing like a little sunshine to get this girls spirits lifted! I have to hold my breathe any time the sun decides to make an appearance in Oregon before June.

Oh, and it's Tuesday, which means I get to see all of my lovely Younglife girls tonight. 

A little sunshine... A little fellowship... What could be better?

...Did I mention I'm in a good mood?

sunday picnic

I was finally able to steal some quality time with this stranger, also known as my husband. It was beautiful this weekend, so after church I tricked this guy into going on a picnic with me... A coffee picnic that is. Church gets out around 11, so it's not quite time for lunch, but perfect for a fresh cup of joe. Can I just say it's quickly become my new favorite kind of picnic? There's no prep necessary, all you have to bring is a blanket. Genius. I think we might make this a weekly tradition as the weather gets nicer. We sat right by the river, and people watched. After about an hour, we realized we should probably head back to reality and work on lesson plans and portfolios. Seven more weeks and we're done. Did I mention Michelle Obama is speaking at graduation? I think I'm more excited to shake hands with Mrs. Obama, than receive my diploma. I'm kidding... But that's really how excited I am to meet her! 

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

Did you do anything fun?

just a challenging {in a good way} email

{ top/sunnies: Old Navy; pants: Loft; jewelry: Nordstrom; sandals: Target; nail polish: Revlon minted }

This past week, I received a really great email. I love getting emails from you guys, and I love how sincere and encouraging they always are. I was pleasantly surprised when I read this email, and was so challenged by the questions and thoughts from this woman who I had lived with my freshman year of college, but never really knew {I love how the internet reconnects people}. Anyways, I wanted to share it with you guys, because I thought it might be helpful to some of you ladies who love the Lord, but also love fashion/design/diy projects, and want to honor Him in those 'worldly' pleasures. Here's the email, and my response...

Hi Molly, 

I love your blog and have been inspired by your relationship with Jesus! I am writing to ask for your advice on a few things, as you seem to have a very healthy view of God and fashion :) Although I have a love for clothes, magazines, and other girly things, I feel a lot of guilt whenever I desire to buy a new shirt, put on makeup, or decorate my house in a fun new way. I think I may be misinterpreting scripture, or grew up in a conservative church, because I always feel guilty for desiring these 'worldly' things. I see many other Christian women enjoying these simple pleasures without guilt, and I am wondering how they do it. I've prayed about this a lot, but always feel like I have conflicting thoughts- 'Jesus loves to give me gifts and watch me enjoy these things', as well as 'I need to give up all worldly possessions or else I'm not pleasing God'. Do you have any thoughts or advice about this? Reading through your blog inspired me to want to not take on false guilt, and instead seek what God's truth is about these things. I appreciate any words of wisdom! 

{My Response} 

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you, life has been a bit busy for me the past few months. Thank you so much for writing me this email! I can totally relate on wondering if my love for fashion/decorating/diy projects is worldly and unpleasing to God. The thing is, they are things of this world and are fleeting, but God created things to bring us joy and pleasure (as long as 'things' don't become idols in our lives, or cause us/or others around us to stumble). I know for me personally, my heart and priorities are out of whack if I'm more worried about what I'm going to wear that day, rather than spending time in God's word. Who I am in Christ is what defines me, and it's what brings me joy and complete satisfaction.  Without Christ, I could never find joy in these other things.  But because God is so good and generous, He gave us things on this earth for our enjoyment, and things that bring us pleasure.  Some people love cars, others love books, or clothes, or decorating, or gardening, fill in the blank, etc. All of those things are 'worldly', but it doesn't mean that God doesn't want us to enjoy them. We just have to make sure that those things (because they are just things) don't become our focus in life. I love your heart, and I love that you want to put Christ at the center of your life, and honor Him in all that you do. My advice is check your heart, do you love fashion and decorating because it's an enjoyable hobby? Or, do those things make or break your day? I love that God made me to enjoy design, fashion, and decorating... It's how I use those things to glorify Him that matters. I have a few people who hold me accountable for my blog, and are constantly giving me honest feedback on how I'm coming across, and asking me what my purpose in each post is. I enjoy being creative, and experimenting with design (fashion, decorating, diy projects). The Lord has given me a love for these things to please Him.  These things encourage me, and make me appreciate and admire God's creativity, and His plan in giving me a love for creativity.  He made me this way (Psalm 139), and I want to honor Him with the gifts He's given me. I would encourage you to list the reasons why you love fashion/design/etc. and see if any of those reasons are hindering your relationship with Christ. But honestly, embrace what you're passionate about! I believe that God finds joy in the things that bring us joy, because He's blessed us with those things. I hope this helps! I'm no expert (far from it!), those are just some of the things that go through my mind and the way I view anything I enjoy that's of this world and mean nothing in the end. Honestly, I am completely fulfilled and satisfied with Jesus alone, but I think He can use things of this world to draw others to Him and reflect His love for us. Hope this helps! You challenged me to think about my intentions and recheck my heart!

It was so great hearing from you!

Molly

spring salad

Ingredients

Spinach

Walnuts & Almonds

Strawberries

Goat Cheese

Poppyseed Dressing

Mix all the ingredients together, and you've got yourself an impressive, no fuss salad!

Mmm mmm mmmm. 

I made this salad for Easter, and then again on Monday for my lunch. It's really, really good. For some reason, I've been loving goat cheese these days. I'm slowly weening myself off of feta, and substituting it for goat cheese. Another deadly combination that I learned from my sister... Goat cheese, pear slices, and pistachios. YUM.

Eat up & Enjoy!

all the single ladies

{ blazer: Sisters; dress: Banana Republic; watch: Nordstrom; necklace: Forever 21; wedges: Target }

All the single ladies, all the single ladies, now put your hands up! [in Beyonce's voice]...  All you single ladies, I can relate to you these days, well kind of.  I don't know who signed up for only seeing their husband five minutes before bed, but apparently, I accidently did. Cooking dinner for one just doesn't really happen. Last night, I ate Easter candy for dinner. I'm not complaining, it was delicious, but I can only eat Easter candy for so long. Not to mention, not much lesson planning is going on over here, because my mister isn't here to make me do it. Oh, and cuddling on the couch with a body size pillow just isn't the same.

Anyways, I guess you could say I miss him.


Psssst. Check out the changes I made on my "pages".

easter weekend

[Photos 1 & 2] Baking some nest cookies. I found the recipe from Two Peas and a Pod blog.

[Photo 3] Really excited about my peeps! I used these babies to make peep s'mores.

[Photo 4] Oranges from my Uncle's orange grove in Redlands, California. My sister has a Juicer [she was on a juicing kick a few years back]. We made fresh orange juice on Easter morning... It tasted exactly like an Orange Julius. Delicious.

[Photo 5] Easter table set for breakfast.

[Photo 6] Just us.

[Photo 7] Beautiful blossoms on the tree next door.

[Photo 8] Me and my sister [can you tell us apart]?

[Photo 9] Typical.

[Photo 10] The original Nelson girls.

[Photo 11] My sisters cute "EAT" letters in her kitchen.

[Photo 12] YUM. Easter dinner.

[Photo 13] Visiting my brother and sisters church up in Portland on Easter Sunday [Solid Rock: A Jesus Church]. They have a coffee bar in the church lobby... How Portland is that? AND brilliant all at the same time. I'll share more about the sermon later... He taught straight from Matthew 28, and spoke about the Resurrection, and what that means to us as followers of Christ. The resurrection is the heart and soul of who we are as followers of Jesus, without it, a relationship with Christ and the hope that we have as believers would not/could not exist. So, I am beyond grateful and humbled by what our Savior did on that cross, and what the cross means to me as a follower of Christ.

[Photo 14] Look who I ran into :] Anna, Olivia, and Julia. All three beautiful blogging women who love the Lord with all of their heart. It was a sweet surprise running into them at church!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend!