Have Courage

Print by Kat Gaskin for PuraVida

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebration! It was such fun to invest some time with family, and to celebrate Christ's incredible act of love for us. What a great weekend.
I recently saw the new Cinderella movie, and was inspired by the thought of having courage. An underlying theme of the film is to "have courage, and be kind".  It's a great thought. What would the world look like if we all decided to embrace that kind of perspective? Courage and kindness are a powerful combination.

Have you ever wanted to do something, but felt like you lacked the courage to do it? Perhaps it was trying something new, moving to a new place, applying for a job, starting a business..etc. We are often faced with opportunities to take risks, and our success is often determined by our measure of courage. I remember the first time I thought about the idea of writing a book. It was something that felt so big, so overwhelming, and the unknown of how to do it felt somewhat scary, but the momentum that happens when you take the first step will create a tidal wave of enthusiasm. Once I decided that it was going to happen, no matter what, and I summed up the courage to get things moving, it was amazing to see the kinds of things that began to move into place!

We must have courage to take the first step, and get beyond whatever limitations or barriers we've set up for ourselves. Most of the time, the obstacles in our lives are there because of our own doing! You've been designed for an incredible life; will you have the courage to live it? I sure hope so! Don't allow the fears, past failures, and limitations keep you back from greatness. Take a deep breath, summon all the courage you can, and be brave enough to take the first step (no matter how big or small) toward your goals and dreams. You will be amazed at how things begin to happen for those who have the courage to begin! Remember you do not go through life alone; God walks with us each step of the way. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Here's to an amazing, courageous week ahead! You can do it!

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Weekend Wanderings

It's been a really great week in many ways, and as I happily await the weekend and all it brings, I just wanted to recap a few fun things happening lately..

(all photos courtesy of peter acker)

I was in a fashion show for Lilly Pulitzer, showcasing their new Spring 2012 collection. It was a beautiful day full of colors, florals, pretty spring clothes and ladies dressed in their finest to enjoy the show & a beautiful luncheon. Such fun to be a part of it all! :)

Finally got to enjoy a gorgeous sunset after a long long day...springtime, you are so beautiful!

Went to lunch with my sister at our new favorite organic cafe..yum! Sister dates are the best. 

I helped out with the Princess Project again..it was awesome!  See last year's here.

I'll have more about this on the blog soon. Such a rewarding day of glitter, smiling faces and a whole lot of fun. 

Needless to say, all this on top of school and work..it's been busy around here, but I'm enjoying it so far! Here's to a great weekend full of sunshine and relaxation!

Got anything fun planned?

P.S.

Just in case you missed it..

My 3 Ways to Amp Up Your Wardrobe guest post here 

and 

have you entered the fabulous giveaway yet? 

Happy Weekend!

-Candice

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Glass Slippers: Carlie From The Duplechin Daily

Happy Teatime Thursday, everyone! I am Carlie (soon-to-be) Duplechin, and I blog over at The Duplechin Daily. Many thanks to the lovely Candice for letting me guest post today. Isn’t she wonderful? 

I want to share with y’all a song that once described a season in my life. It’s a time period I think we all go through – looking and searching for that special someone you were meant to be with. That significant other you wish you had in your life. Finding L-O-V-E.

And then realizing we just need to be patient and trust.

I remember getting The Civil Wars CD for Christmas last year, hearing this song, and getting thrown back to the forgotten, awkward years of junior high school. In the 8^th grade, I had made a list in my journal of the qualities I wanted in a future husband and prayed that we would find each other. Then I waited.

It’s amazing what patience and trust can do for us. We wait patiently and trust that everything will be all right.

Whether we are single, dating, or married, it’s good to reflect on the beautiful people we have in our lives…or the people who aren’t in it yet. Believe that all things work together for our good – not only in relationships, but in life as a whole!

It’s crazy how life can end up, but no need to worry. 

Cinderella didn’t worry about losing her glass slipper or the size of her foot

It just fit.

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Thank you so much Carlie for being here and sharing your heart on Teatime Thoughts! I'm so excited for the two of you! Make sure to keep up with Carlie on her blog as she prepares for her upcoming wedding! 

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Most Loved Memories of 2011

What an incredible year 2011 was, and as much as I enjoy looking forward to all that 2012 will bring, it would be remiss to not celebrate all the good memories from this year, one last time! Here's a few highlights!

January: An impromptu visit to see friends in California for the week was the perfect way to kick off the new year, and a bonus of snowy scenery made it all the more fun!

February: Polo season was in full swing, bringing with it sunshine- filled Sunday picnics

March: I helped out with an incredible event called the Cinderella Project that gives prom gowns, jewelry, shoes and bags to girls who need a bit of magical (read: financial) assistance. Such a fun day among the glitter, tulle, sparkling shoes, and smiling faces as my role as fairy godmother ;)

April/May: Took French cooking classes, and finished up my first semester in a new program for school.

June: Went to Hawaii, enjoyed beautiful sunsets, thundering surf, guava juice and went ziplining over the rainforest for the first time! 

July: Spent the majority of my summer with some of my best friends working at an international leadership camp for teens. Celebrated my birthday at the lakehouse with them, and also had a mini celebration when I came home for a week break in between camp sessions!

August: Took some mini vacations as summer came to a close, a bunch of my friends came to stay with me for a week, and school started up again!

September: I competed in a pageant for the first time, and won the title of Miss Liberty 2011!

October/November: I got a new job which kept me quite busy in addition to school, but luckily had enough time to see friends, enjoy the beginning of the holiday season and a taste of cooler weather. 

December: I finished up the semester, hosted a Christmas party, and got to spend a weekend with one of my best friends who came to stay with me! Christmas was beautiful, relaxing and warm..80 degrees! Time with family and friends made it just wonderful.

I loved 2011 and all that it brought with it, the times that were tough, as trials make you stronger, and the times of pure happiness and exhilaration because what would life be without celebration? And now as it comes to a close, 

2012 I'm ready for you! Time to say hello to a new year. 

xoxo,

Candice

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A Real Cinderella Story

"A pair of shoes can change your life...just ask Cinderella"

I was able to help out with the coolest event ever, The Cinderella Project, which provides prom dresses, evening shoes, jewelry and handbags to girls who are unable to afford them. The girls are chosen from surrounding schools in the county, and get to come in to choose a beautiful gown and accessories to take to their prom for free. The event was held at Saks Fith Avenue for two days, and was a complete blast!

 I cannot tell you how much fun it was to help the girls find the perfect dress, and see their faces when they came out to stand for a photo with the whole look. Smiles, laughter, happy squeals and sequins filled my day from 8:30 till 3. I even donated a few of my old gowns that had been sitting pretty in my closet, and was thrilled to see them swirling off in a cloud of chiffon and glitter to new homes!

Like my fairy godmother crown?

All of us volunteers got to be "fairy godmothers" for the day, complete with wands and crowns; it was truly a treat. Here's a few photos from the event and also the behind the scenes organizing, steaming, sizing, bagging and everything else that went into getting these gowns ready for their Cinderellas. The amazing, talented and hard-working woman behind all of this fun, Judy, is a good friend of my grandmother, and is now a great friend of mine! It was such fun being able to help alongside her.

These were a few of the Cinderellas. 

Getting all of the dresses organized and ready to go to Saks! 

(All photos via EveryChild blog)

What a wonderful and fun-filled day it was. It's always a joy to help someone else, especially when you see a smile on their face because they feel good about themselves. At the end of the day, I was tired, but in the best way possible; I'll not forget the smiles of these beautiful girls in their gowns, ready for the ball.

"A dream is a wish your heart makes when you’re fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for, you keep. Have faith in your dreams, and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dreams that you wish will come true."

-Cinderella

Blessings, Sequins and Smiles,

Candice (the Fairy Godmother)

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