Be Still and Know

I am so excited to show y'all something I have been working on! I love paper products and I love pretty calligraphy/handwriting on that paper. I am in the process of making prints about what matters most, re-branding into Morgan Alexandra, buying a web domain (yayy no more .blogspot soon!) and opening an etsy shop!! It seemed suiting that the first print I made would go to my mom. A crisp white sheet of card stock with the words"be still" flowing across in calligraphy ink. "Be still" is the beginning of a verse that is oh SO powerful.

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

I LOVE this verse and it calls us to do just that...to be STILL. How often are we really truly STILL in our lives? Still meaning no social media, no TV, and no worrisome thoughts. Just being still with the bible and our journals to let it all go. I can honestly say, I am not still as often as I need to be. I am notorious for constantly going over situations or plans in my head. Being honest here friends... my prayers sometimes end with me becoming distracted and thinking about something that happened that day or something I should have done differently. Anyone else with me?

This second part of this verse really resonates in my life right now. "Be still, AND KNOW that I am God." He is there for us friends! We can't take on the world by ourselves, we need him. We need to trust him. (On a side note, isn't my mom the cutest!!) 

I have not been posting on this lovely little blog as consistently as I would like. I have been struggling with comparing myself to other bloggers. But I am set apart, I am one of a kind, and I have decided to focus wholeheartedly on my 2014 goal setting process and am really trying to BE STILL and know that HE is God and that he has the perfect path for me and the new found love blog!
Just being real sweet friends! If you are interested in custom prints please comment or send me an email :) I hope everyone has a relaxing-blessed-fun weekend!

Five on Friday

This next week is going to be an absolute whirlwind with finals! I will try to post during necessary study breaks. I am linking up with the lovely ladies today for another Five on Friday linkup... Better late than never!
{one} I am such a list maker. I LOVE checking boxes beside items I write down in my planner. However, my goals and to-dos seem to merge together and I am really challenging myself to keep them separate. This month I posted my December Goals and I am having so much fun making them happen!  Coffee or Cupcake dates with friends over finals week. I had a perfect coffee date with my dear friend Sidney after our last journalism class together. Y'all, she is hysterical and incredibly talented (more on that later...PS scroll down). 

Emily and I enjoyed a cupcake date tonight after we put our class rings in the Bell Tower (more on that later as well!) This Butterfingers cupcake was D E L I C I O U S! There was even a surprise peanut butter filling...mmm

{two}I promised y'all more on my sweet friend Sidney and here it is! I have known Sidney since my freshman year at NCSU through Young Life. We lost touch over the middle years of school but lone behold when I walked into my journalism class this semester we were in the same class! Who knew I would make one of my best friends my senior year?! Her handwriting is absolutely to die for... I am always peaking' over her shoulder to see what she is doodling during class. 

She recently started a stationery and calligraphy business and is making gorgeous custom prints. Follow her on instagram @sidneyleescott or email her at slscott4@ncsu.edu for custom order information!

{three} I checked off another December Goal this week at the lovely Carolina Inn, Build a gingerbread house {or barn}. Southern Weddings hosted their third annual Gingerbread Barn Building Competition  and it was a merry ole time! My friends and I piled in a car and headed to Chapel Hill for some much needed stress relief. We spent the evening drinking hot chocolate, eating candy, and building a gingerbread barn. I am so thankful for the Southern Weddings gals and their kind hearts!

{four} Oh my word! Have y'all seen the new Southern Weddings website design?! It is cute as a button!! Those gals have been busy! Not only have they released a gorgeous website, they also just announced their partnership with Southern Living... Talk about match made in HEAVEN!! 

{five} Today Emily and I got to put our class rings in North Carolina State University's Bell Tower. In that moment, it really began to sink in that I am a senior and my time at State is ending. Our class rings get to stay the night in the Bell Tower so that the NCSU spirit is forever within them. I can't wait to get my ring on Sunday!

 Naturally, to commemorate this grown-up moment...we take jumping pictures!!

 Andd then of course it's time to hold up the Bell Tower with our muscles!

Happy Friday friends! Now off to the library...

Wedding Wednesdays: Invitations & Calligraphy

I have a love for beautiful handwritten notes... they are so personal and timeless. I grew up writing notes to friends, family, and of course, sweethearts.  Nothing is better than receiving a good ole fashion handwritten letter in the mail (or by the tree of a childhood fort)! Wedding stationery should be no different. It is a way to reach out to friends and family in a personal way to invite them to share in your celebration. Stationery and calligraphy are great ways to set the tone for the type of wedding guests should expect... super formal? rustic? beach casual? Beautiful stationery and curly calligraphy are a pair that continue to melt my heart! I finally purchased a calligraphy kit from Design Roots by May Designs and am ready to begin my calligraphy journey.

This stunning invitation suite by Ashley Buzzy McHugh is featured in the Southern Weddings V6: Fine Feathered Fete shoot.  I just love how the colors play off of the feather! This calligraphy work is by far one of my favorites. The mixture of prints and cursive is flawless.

Photography by Ali Harper // Prop Styling & Set Design by Blue Eyed Yonder // via Southern Weddings

This chalkboard inspired invitation suite is perfect for a rustic do-it-yourself bride! 

Paper & Lace Collections // via Rustic Wedding Chic

This lovely floral invitation suite by Juliet Grace Design is featured on the Southern Weddings blog. I love the soft strokes and how it plays in with the floral theme of this North Carolina wedding.

Photography by Alicia Swedenborg // via Southern Weddings

This soft floral invitation suite by Momental Design is featured in the Southern Weddings V6: Generations Past shoot. This shoot is simply gorgeous, filled with southern traditions and family heirlooms. Photography by Katie Stoops // via Southern Weddings

I love the classic blue and white stripes in this invitation suite by Heather O'Brien. Don't those blueberries look like you could just pick them off the page? The curly calligraphy is to die for!

I hope y'all enjoyed gawking at all of the gorgeous calligraphy and stationery!

Five on Friday!

Happy Friday! Today has been such a good day and it just keeps getting better and better:) Here are my favorite 5 from this week!

{one} SOUTHERN WEDDINGS VOLUME 6... Yes THE Southern Weddings magazine was released a few days early to some stores!! The official release date is 11/12/13... could they be anymore perfect?! Y'all this magazine and the women who spend countless hours creating it are absolutely incredible. Southern Weddings magazine is a true testament to their hearts and what is so special about the South and marriage... yes I said marriage not a wedding. As soon as I heard a few were being put on shelves early, I ran out to the nearest Barnes and Noble to snag myself a copy. I could not be more excited that I am going to their launch party next week and will finally meet the Southern Weddings gals!! Everyone please look at the real couple on this gorgeous cover... swoon...

{two} Calligraphy... I have wanted to learn handwritten calligraphy for so long now! My handwriting is not picture perfect but I know it just takes practice.

One of my favorite customized notebook companies, May Designs, teamed up with Design Roots, a lovely calligraphy and invitation studio, to create the perfect calligraphy kit! It is called C is for Calligraphy and the kit comes with a practice guide, a pen, one Brause 66 nib, and a little jar of black ink. I ordered mine this morning and can't wait for it to arrive! Order yours {here}

{three} I had the day off work today and got to take my sisters little pug to Lake Johnson. A little stroll turned into a 3 mile jog/walk around the lake...oops! It was just such a beautiful day!!

Mile Two: Ava was not a happy camper at this point

{four} Felt the need to brighten up my phone case! I am loving the green and navy look, its very different from my usual black and white.

{five} My parents are headin' to Raleigh in the morning! I am so excited to see them and go to the flea market and one of Raleigh's many delicious restaurants... also my best friend from high school, who dives for UNCW, will be in Raleigh for a meet versus NCSU! Such a great weekend ahead:)