20 years ago on this day someone who would end up changing my life was born. Her name is Felicia DeMartino, otherwise known as my best friend. You all may be wondering why I am writing this on my blog that is supposed to be about fashion, food, travel and lifestyle tips. The answer to that is simple. Without her supporting me in whatever I do, this little slice of internet would not be here. It would still be a idea that never got published.
    For my 20th, she made me a video, which is what she excels at, and planned a surprise party. For her 20th, I did the one thing I can say I am great at, I wrote her a letter. If I even attempted a video, I can tell you right now that it would not be the best.
    Anyway, back to Felicia. I have known her since her sophomore year and my junior year of high school, with yearbook being the only thing to really tie us together. The following summer we were heading towards yearbook camp as co-editors, and we became partners in crime. Sometimes I think Garst doubted her decision by putting us together but I think we have to thank her for that.
    Senior year (her junior year) brought a lot of laughter, tears, jokes and memories, late nights, early mornings and stress-filled days, pizza, cake and other horrible but oh so delicious goodies devoured on the days when we felt like we were racing the clock. But we did it. We survived the year and it was oh so worth it.
    Fast forward a year and she were partaking in the rightful ritual of high school seniors walking the stage, and worrying about what the next couple of months would bring. That summer before she entered college defined our friendship. I could literally go on and on about our friendship because it is just something I feel so blessed to be a part of, but I decided if you have been around us or even this blog because she is mentioned several times, you are privy to see how we are.
    So here is a huge HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY to you, Felicia. Thank you for being my best friend and partner in crime, for being there when I needed to smile and laugh, for obsessing over YouTubers and actors with me, for letting me show my geeky side and not judge me. Thank you for taking care of me when I am sick and for cooking for me just because. Life has many ups and downs, twists and turns, but having you at you my side has made everything worth it. Cheers to the past 4 1/2 years and here's to at minimum 40 more.
    Happy birthday Fe, may all your wishes come true and your day be bright. <3

    Trying something new can be a scary experience, no matter if you have been wanting to do it for ages or decided on a whim. I have always wanted to try yoga ever since I started college but have never had time to find a studio in town or go to the free classes held at my school.
    Luckily, the yoga class this semester ended up having one person drop out a couple days before school started so I snatched up that open spot and I am so thankful I did. Having about a month left of school, I can actually say that I really love yoga. Sure it kicks my butt on days and having it as 8am has pros and cons, but I am generally excited to have gained this habit of waking up and starting my morning off with yoga.
    When I first started, I looked at yoga as a form of exercise, a way to get in better shape, without actually having to go to the gym or run around the block. Now that I have taken classes and am not only learning poses but also more about what yoga actually is, I can still say it is a exercise but it isn't just an exercise for the body but for the mind and soul as well. It is not about being able to do a pose, it's about being able to look inside yourself and focus on being present. It is about knowing your own strengths and weaknesses and fine-tuning them to better yourself.
    Taking yoga has helped me not only better myself with being present and alert, but it has also helped me with my faith. There are so many articles out there on the Internet about why Christians should not practice yoga but I am here telling you that just because I practice yoga does not make me any less of a Christian. When I meditate, I take that time to pray and let Him fill me for the day. Or when I breathe (because let me tell, you do not realize how much you breathe until you take yoga), I picture it as breathing out all the anxiety or worries that I have, and breathing in the love and care He has for me. [“Cast your burdens upon the Lord,” Psalm 55:2].
    What I am trying to say is that even though trying something new can be scary and make you a little anxious, it can be ten times as rewarding. So go out and try that thing that scared you and don't live life with 'what if's'.
    XOXO,

       I am so excited to bring you a very special post. I've always wanted to do an interview with another blogger, but seeing as how I live in Corpus where bloggers seem to be scarce, I've had to make due with what I've been given. Thank goodness for technology!
    Kyleigh Fuller (ahhh. It's so weird to type that!) is the beautiful gal behind the creation of Kyleidoscope of Life. This little slice of paradise is a place for Kyleigh to come and reach out to others, even if she doesn't think it does. Her posts are inspiring and insanely well written.
    I first met Kyleigh at a Still Water retreat this past January, and we bonded over our blogs and photography (which hers is stellar!). When I met her, I knew that she lived for Christ, and she is just an inspiring person to know. She is a beautiful gal inside and out and I am so glad that I got to meet her.
    I am also so honored that she allowed me to interview her, so without further ado let's get started!

    Okay, so first off tell us a little about yourself please.
    K: I live in the Texas Hill Country in a tiny apartment, although I’m originally from Michigan - so this time of year I definitely miss the fall colors in the leaves and the sparkly snow. I got married on September 5th of this year to my best friend, and life with him is all kinds of wonderful and funny and sweet! I am currently a kindergarten teacher at a university model school, so my days are full of sticky fingers and lesson plans. Some of my favorite things are coffee dates, book stores, live music, and spending time in Anthropologie!

    1) Why do you blog?
    K: I love writing. I love "bleeding on page” and the standing on a ledge feeling of being honest and transparent with my words. As I write more and blog more, I am drawn to want to invite people to stand with me on the edge - and really to look around and see others already doing the same. Blogging to me is the opportunity to invite others to say “me too”. That for me is what makes it worth it. If by me standing on the ledge and speaking the words that are hard to say sometimes, and that invites some one else to join me, and to really breathe in grace - that’s what it’s all about.

    2) What made you want to start blogging?
    K: Blogging began as just a fun thing to do - I always loved writing, and then throw the aspects of site design and photography in and I thought it was great. I began writing as I was jumping head long in to learning about Jesus and His heart for me, so blogging also became a place where I was able to encourage and pour out from that place - which was really important. Beyond blogging and writing being fun, I loved seeing the Purpose behind it.

    3) What inspires you to keep going?
    K: Really, I can’t not write. Again and again I am reminded of the gift of writing, and encouraged by amazing people around me to hit “publish” - which can be scary sometimes! There have definitely been seasons where I had no intentions of continuing blogging, questioned myself on why I do it, but I always keep coming back around to it. Always remembering that I’m not writing to build an audience, or receive applause, but I have been called to speak out - and the way I do that is through writing.

    4) How do you go about thinking of a new post?
    K: As cliche as it sounds, a lot of time it will just “hit me” - quite often after midnight once I’m already in bed. Other times, I want to write and don’t know what to say. That’s when I often just start to write about what I’ve been learning, or what I’m struggling with - and the Holy Spirit likes to show up and turn what was at first me writing about a hardship into a revelation of His presence and an encouragement for me and anyone else that may read the post. Don’t get me wrong, there is a reason that I haven’t posted consistently in the past and a large part of that was a lack of discipline, and really being in a season where I didn’t feel the pull to “tighten the reins”. So I was open to write when I “felt it”. However, moving forward to launch the new blog I have no doubt there will be days full of writer’s block! I have a desire to learn from beginning to write consistently, so I really don’t 100% know what it will look like for me to generate new blog post ideas.

   5) Having, and managing, a blog can be tedious, how do you unwind?
   I love going on walks - they are the ultimate “clear your head” thing to do. I also love drinking a beer with my husband on the back porch at the end of a long day!

   6) Knowing of your faith, and sharing the same, can you explain how you keep stride with it? Especially in today's society, because I know I struggle from time to time.
   To be honest, I have no clue “how” to. I’ve definitely been in a season of “un-learning” a lot of what I’ve clung to. In that, I’ve recognized how I have depended upon learning and soaking up knowledge of my Creator; rather than, sitting with Him and hearing Truth from His lips. In giving advice to people I’ve really stopped trying to give answers, and try to point to Him - to time spent with Him, to time listening to Him. Because really, how are we to live in this world and not of it if we are not listening to the One who did that perfectly?

   7) Describe your blog in one word.
  Come.
   Really an invitation to simply come, cease striving, and rest awhile. Something I cannot by my words alone create for anyone, but I hope the words I write point to the One that is peace.

   I have to say a huge THANK YOU to Kyleigh once again because she has been such a beautiful and lovely lady to call a friend. Plus! She was all for being my first interview on the blog!
   XOXO