Stop.

I was about to post a status complaining about the stupidity of the people in this world (as I had just driven through typical ATL traffic and gotten angry at several rude or ridiculously-slow drivers). Then I realized a few things; #1 a simple status read by only a miniscule fraction of the world's population wouldn't help anything, #2 who actually cares about my venting via social media (no-bo-dy), #3 I would be hypocritical if I didn't include myself in original said-people, beacuse I too have my not-thinking moments, and, finally, #4 I have way too much to be thankful for than to sit and have a mini selfish, pathetic moment.

Two of my focuses for this next year are to be more thankful and to slow down. Far too often I rush into immediate frustration or impatience, leaving behind a moment that God could have used for something good. Who am I to accuse someone of idiocy when I have NO idea their story or reason for being in my life at that precise moment? I am a sinner, deserving of hell but saved by grace, and loved unconditionally by a God who cares.

So, as I sit in a Publix parking lot, embarrassed by my lack of self-control and allowing sin to have a small victory, I am thankful. I am thankful to have a car (that is a true gift from Jesus), a job that allows me the freedom to finish school, God's goodness and grace in every part of my life, my health, that I live in a city that I love, and for the small moments that remind me this world is not my home.

~

Let your kindness be so evident that the blind see it and the deaf hear it:

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." - Mark Twain

Remebering Its Not About You

   The dream I have spent the past nine years working towards, this crazy adventure of pageantry, is now over. Now that I have had a solid three weeks to sleep, eat, think, play with my puppy, pray, work, nap, eat more, get intense sunburn lines and not care, unpack more than I admit to have packed, sleep even more, cry, laugh, air-dry my hair every day, not put on any makeup, do awesome outdoorsy things, read for pleasure, run because I wanted to, and sit down for hours doing nothing, all while trying to get back to this thing called reality in the real world, I have had a lot of time to reflect on what an incredibly beautiful journey God has taken me on. It truly has been that: an incredible, stunning, beautiful, wild journey. I will always and forever believe that things happen for a reason (Romans 8:28) and Miss Georgia is no exception. Everyone's journey is different, every story is unique. Here is mine...

Some of my favorite ladies. The friendships I have gained in this organization are irreplaceable. 

This was your last year before aging out of Miss America... how did you feel after it was over?

Phi Mu sisters & MAO sisters! 

   After not hearing my name called out for top ten on finals night I was heart broken. I have given my all since I was sixteen years old to a dream of being Miss America... and that door was shut. It was hard, y'all, really hard, to accept that. I wanted to be a role model of confidence and integrity to teen girls; I wanted to help girls build their self esteem and know what they are worth; I wanted to help define what it means to be a real, beautiful woman. I was being silly thinking that being Miss Georgia was the only way to make that happen. While the top ten were doing their thing, I sat down backstage, enjoying some of the cookies friends/family brought me (thanks guys!) and selfishly questioned God. "Why didn't I get to that group?!" "You couldn't let me, on my last year, make top ten at least?!" "Now I can't be a role model!" "What did I do wrong??" - then I had a reality check; it wasn't about me, it never was. Ha, oh yeah! That took a moment. After I collected my thoughts and let out some tears (it was such a stressful week... it makes you cry just because you spilled a tiny bit of coffee), I became extremely relieved. Its a bit weird, being absolutely devastated while also being ecstatic and peaceful. Ecstatic for what lied ahead, peaceful for where I was. Without a doubt, I wanted this job, this title, more than anything. But in my preparation leading up to Miss Georgia I really felt God placing on my heart to be at peace with not hearing my name called. I forgot about that and His promise to me for a little bit there:

Isaiah 26: 3 - You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.

The above verse leaped and ran to me on a daily basis in the weeks leading up to the big competition. After hard days trying to balance life while getting ready for a huge competition, I would see this verse and be reminded to keep my focus on Him. And it was that verse that helped me stay confident and strong throughout Miss Georgia week.

But you didn't win!
   But I did :) I really did believe I could be the next Miss Georgia. I finally realized that I was worth the best, His best, and if that was His plan for me than I could do it and do it well because of Him. However, if that wasn't His plan then I was going to be content with that too. Having a feeling in my heart that I wasn't going to be the next Miss Georgia, I was reminded to take time to realize what else I wanted out of the week coming up. If I didn't walk away with the sparkly crown or banner yelling my new job title, what would I walk away with?

    

#1 // Confidence. I wanted to walk away knowing I was 100% myself; day or night, when the spotlight was on me or when I was sitting on a bus with the other thirty-nine other amazing women, on facebook or in real life. I wanted people to know and see the real me, the genuine me. I went to Miss Georgia with my best; with the best representation of 'Shelby' that I could be. After every phase of competition - interview, swimsuit, talent, evening gown, onstage question - I knew I gave my best. I would leave the end of the week without a doubt that I should have changed anything... I was confidently myself.

#2 // Humility. There is so much stereotyping in the world. Even more so with pageant girls. I am Miss Atlanta; too long has this been a "coveted" and "prestigious" title. Yes, it is pretty rockin' getting to say you're the state's capital. This does not make me better than you. I got here... you can too. I wanted the other girls I competed with at Miss Georgia (mostly those who were new) to realize just because I have a title that sounds cooler or that this was my third trip to state it does not make me better than you. That goes for those not competing as well; just because I have a crown on my head does not make me any better than you. I am indeed in a unique league or extraordinary women who are investing their lives to bettering themselves and their community, but you are a unique, incredible, treasured individual. Don't forget it. Humility goes a long way.

#3 // Faith. How would I grow in my faith, whether in Christ or in life, through this week? I was here for a reason and that big reason was to bring Christ glory. Thank you, Heather Burgess, for reminding me of this during the week. And thank you, Lord, for reminding me of this yet again after the top ten were called. I could name countless reasons why I did not make it to top ten... but my favorite theory was so I could join my three other dressing room girls help Taylor Voyles (Love you!) get ready to sing her heart out for talent and then start screaming and crying (again with the tears...) when she made it top five. Honestly though, I don't know the real reason God had me where He did that week or that night. Whatever it was, I am tremendously thankful. As long as He was glorified that entire week my job was completed.

#4 // Strength. What type of strength would I gain? This year alone was one that pushed me like I have never felt pushed. It was a hard year that I struggled with so much and I had to fall on my face multiple times. Looking back, those moments were the ones that God provided me strength like I never knew. Strength that I had in me that seemed to burst forth....
   I love playing the piano. I love my talent. I wanted to play my talent piece with such fire and passion like I have never played before. And I wanted God to be glorified and worshiped through my playing. After I walked off stage from playing during my talent night I cried... because I felt so strong about it and about the fact that I played my heart out to an audience of One; for God. It gave me chills because I realized how much me playing that piece was parallel to me finding strength in myself. Receiving non-finalist talent was not a pat on the back for me but a thunderous clap to God for providing an illustration of the strength I finally saw in myself and the strength He provided me with.

So blessed to call each of these girls my sister queens, or as we call our selves, the Fantana Atalantas. We were seriously the most perfect group for each other. I love yall!!

Any regrets?
   Pageants are no joke. If you're reading this blog I hope you have picked up on that. They are stressful and they stretch you more than you ever want to be. They make you say things or do things that you thought never in a million years you would. They make you learn how to balance (or at least try to balance): school, multiple jobs, relationships, family life, social life, paying bills, paying for all that coaching, political knowledge, staying fit (which means working out at 5 am or 11pm, whichever your schedule allows), eating healthy (healthy food on a tight budget + finding time to prep your food which is eaten on the go = ah), looking great with only 30 minutes to be ready, everything else you can imagine (like doing laundry or cleaning your house), and being normal. It's tough. But no regrets. None. The rewards are unquestionably immeasurable. The Miss America Organization has helped me find out what it means to be Shelby and what I can do, as Shelby, to change lives. I mentioned above how I "couldn't be a role model anymore" because I didn't become Miss Georgia. That was the emotions speaking from that night. I am more of a role model now than ever before because I didn't become Miss Georgia. Our platforms are meant to change the world, with or without a title. Its the what we do with them without the spotlight on us that means the most. 

I am far from perfect, but that is why its so amazing to me why God called me to be Miss Atlanta this year and to take one last trip to Miss Georgia. A year ago I didn't even think I would be back in pageant land. I would have had regrets if I didn't go back once more.

Couldn't have asked God for more amazing, supportive, selfless directors or board. You guys are the absolute best - the new Miss Atlanta is going to be so spoiled!

So, what is next since you are aging out of the Miss America system? 
   The past weeks since that crazy one have allowed me to relax and seriously think about where God is taking me next. A weight has literally been lifted off my shoulders. I have been planning all kinds of awesome things and I can't wait to see where God takes me next. I am loving my new job at J. Crew (woot! woot!) and my new obsession for iced coffee (I am a former coffee hater). A big change is that I am no longer pursuing nursing. Doors have opened up for me to run towards physical therapy/kinesiology. If you know me then you probably know why I am making the change. Its not about "I could see you doing this/you would be good at it" but rather "your heart is in that... I can see it." I am also excited more than every to be working with teen girls and Girl Talk. I am thrilled that I get to focus more on building confidence and strength in women and girls instead of thwarting my energy and focus elsewhere (i.e. interview prep, studying the news, walking lessons, ect). God has called me into a ministry to females. I have no doubt in my mind of this. Now I get to fully pursue that :) One more thing, I get to settle down and enjoy where I am. Since I have moved to Atlanta, I have been so busy that I have forgotten to see my city and take in all it has to offer. I am challenging myself to visit new spots and find the ones I love; to take my puppy on new trails and to find cool hipster coffee shops; to take multiple trips down the river and to start rowing or playing tennis; and to develop new friendships and work on the ones I already have.

My WONDERFUL roomies

   Thank you to those of y'all that have been on this journey, encouraging me and providing prayer and steady hands. Its been an interesting one, but you've made it so worth it. I had the most supportive board, family, boyfriend, best friends, and friends while I was at the big competition. Y'all rock. I managed to accumulate five dozen cookies... thanks, you guys. They lasted me all of two days, maybe three. The amount of love and thoughtfulness I was showered that week and since then has been enough to make me cry more than I should tell. I could never thank you enough.

Remember wherever God takes you, it isn't about you.

Find out who and what it's really about.

Always in Christ and with much love,

   Shelby 

Keeping it Real.

Lauren Fleshman. A running role model for me... and now a role model of strength. Its amazing that even those we deem "most fit" or "most beautiful" struggle with self image. Negative self image effects women of all ages, shapes, lifestyles, and popularity. It's such a real thing. I encourage you to take Lauren's words. Also, take her challenge to post 2 pictures side-by-side: one that you love, at your best, and one when you feel not-at-your-best. #keepingitreal

Click here for the link to her original post that is posted below. And here for her post that started the fire.

You ARE worth it.

You can do this. You've got this. You are worth it. I believe in YOU. Believe in YOURSELF.

These were all comforting words I felt God told me over the past weekend. And for once, I believe them and I believe in myself. For once in my life, there isn't a doubt in my mind that I can achieve the dreams and goals God has placed in my heart. You see, I struggle with knowing who Shelby is. I've struggled with believing I am worth the best and that I will ever be good enough to achieve my goals. Because I see all my faults, my imperfections, my dirty little secrets, my "cellulite", I don't think I am ever worth the best. But praise God, I had a huge turn around this past weekend as it finally hit me (hard... and left a mark :P) that I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I want to share a personal story with you guys that has been on my heart to open up about for some time:

Rewind to a eight years ago. The first clear moment I can remember where my self confidence had hit an all time low. I read an article written by a celebrity that claimed she went through an eating disorder and how she "overcame" her issue. Problem with the article was that it seemed to glorify eating disorders, almost making it look cool, and how not eating to feel better about your body was not as bad as it seemed. I, in the weaken state I was in at that time, thought to myself maybe I should try this not eating thing too. I completely ignored the fact that I felt in my heart that was not the right thing to do. But, I was just beginning to like fashion and having the attentions of others calling me "beautiful" because of my looks (so I thought, wrongly again) that I thought it would be a good idea to try this. I figured I would look better in my clothes. I figured since this celebrity made it look "cool" then it had to be. Eating disorders are not cool in any way, shape, or form. Do you hear me? They are not cool. And they are extremely negative on the way female view themselves.

There were a few months after I read that article where I limited how much food I ate. I certainly did not loose an excessive amount of weight or start to look bony, but my inner self was caving in. Because I did not see any "improvement" in the way my body looked from limiting eating, I realized that I actually did need to eat so I went back to eating. However, as time continued on, I began to be genuinely scared of food. I avoided so many things because I didn't want them to have a negative effect on how I looked. It wasn't me trying to be healthy because being healthy is a wonderful thing; it was me cutting out things I felt would make me "skinny." Just for the record, I cannot stand the word 'skinny'. It was also during this time where I felt like people really didn't care about me or what I thought, so I began keeping thoughts inside. I began pretending to be someone I really wasn't. I was not comfortable in my own skin at all.

Skip ahead a couple of years, I started competing in pageants... these pageants included the swimsuit portion. If you do not know me personally, you should probably know at least this one thing about me: I have a love/hate relationship with the swimsuit portion of Miss America. It can certainly be very beneficial to many girls, and I am not dissing this part of pageants, but personally, for my life, it has been more on the negative side. I feel there is a huge part of this part of pageants where you are being looked at, up and down, and critiqued in every way possible. As a woman who has struggled with many negative thoughts about her and her body, this is not a good thing. As a woman who has sought after perfection, this is not a good thing. [How can people really tell in an instant how "fit" someone is based on ten seconds of walking around on stage in a bikini and heels? Anyone can get on medication to make her body loose tons of weight and she can do all kinds of plastic surgery to make her body look good. Give me a treadmill and I'll show you the amount of hours I've put in to be able to run a marathon.]

Keeping going forward to a few months ago. I continued struggling with my self image off and on, but I finally reached a point of loving my body. However, I was not fully comfortable with myself - not confident in my opinions or views, always looking to see who has better style, etc. Getting to mentor girls about having positive self image has greatly helped me with my own. But there was still something inside of me that hasn't been right. January 20014... I had someone enter my life who challenged me to really take the time to figure out why I wanted to be Miss Georgia and Miss America, and further, challenged me to figure out who Shelby is. I have an amazing support system - my mom, my dad, my sisters, my brothers, my relatives, my dear man, my boards, my friends... I really am so blessed. But I think God uses specific people to say one thing that thousands of others have been saying for it to really stick. And that's what happened with this person. He told one of my directors that after ourfirst coaching session he thought I really didn't want to be Miss Georgia. My initial thought was, whaaaaattttt???! Of course I do!!!! But then it hit me; he doesn't think I do, because I genuinely don't know why I truly, deep down inside want this. I want it, but I feel like I am not worth it. I want this, but because I am still trying to figure out who I am, I am not able to convey it.

You see, for as long as I have competed in pageants, {which has only been since 2009 (minus the two times I competed as a teen in high school)}, I have never felt like I genuinely was good enough or worth being Miss Georgia or Miss America. I thought all the other girls had more than I did; they were prettier, they had stronger talents, their interviews were better. What lies! I think finally figuring out years ago that I actually was good enough may have saved me a lot of time and money :P But, that is the beauty of God taking us out of ashes and turning our story into something truly magnificent. The path that He has taken me on has been hard. It's been a personal struggle every single day I have woken up. I am grateful for the person who told me and that it finally clicked, only a few months ago, that yes - I was worth it, and yes, I am worth it. It's my dream to be Miss Georgia. I think God has definitely given me this dream. This year is my last shot at trying to achieve that dream. And what if I don't achieve it? What then; will I be a failure? Thanks to God finally helping me I am worth it, not in the least bit.

Miss Georgia forum was this past weekend. It's where all of the title holders and their parents and boards get together for two full days of sessions and meetings. Its where you are sized up and the comparing of the girls begins... who is going to be the next Miss Georgia, who will be in the top 10/5, who has the best talent, who looks like they are ready, etc. In the large scheme of things, it's a bit ridiculous. The past two years this has brought intense pressure, having to look and act your complete best. This year, however, was a totally different story. I told God I wanted to walk in acting like the real Shelby and looking like the real Shelby. There was to be no gimmicks or fake-ness. What you saw was what you got. And, thanks to finally realizing who Shelby is and being comfortable with the real Shelby, that is exactly what happened. Technically, I am a grandma in the pageant world... so I took this time to meet the new girls and love on the ones who I already knew. I made sure to have fun while being comfortable to be me. It was an exhausting weekend, but in a good way; it was an amazing weekend. And ending it off with a comment from a girl I have been competing with since the beginning definitely topped it off: "Shelby... you look like Shelby." And that is what I wanted. I wanted to jump up and down right after she said that, but my heart was doing so for me. I wanted to run to God and yell, "Mission Accomplished!"

I am grateful for the Miss America Organization. It's helped me know more about myself (especially in the last few months) than I ever thought could be possible in a lifetime. I know I'm not perfect, but being imperfect is what makes me beautiful. I'm learning that it's what people want to know about. You never know what connections you'll make until you open up and allow others to see you, the real you. You'll never know what kind of impact you can make on others until you believe in the worth that you have.

It is my desire as Shelby, as Miss Atlanta, as a nursing student, as a big sister, or as anything else God is calling me to be, that I will be a positive image and role model for females (young or old). I want to help girls realize that they matter, that they are amazing, and their uniqueness is their beauty.

You too... take opportunities to find out what you love, what your weaknesses are, what your talents are, and what your favorite things are. You'll be surprised at how many things you may find out about yourself :) Be willing to laugh at yourself. Write down every success you feel you had... and then some. Open up to others. Look at those imperfections and realize that you. are. worth. it.

Xoxo, Shelby.

You don't have a thigh gap?! .... {Gasp}

Hello, my name is Shelby and I do not have, what females are calling in this modern age, the glorious "thigh gap." And I am finally comfortable with saying it and actually meaning it.

A year ago, I secretly wanted it. I saw it on women I was pinning on Pinterest and thought to myself, "if only!" I see girls in the pageant system winning swimsuit preliminary awards and thinking to myself that I will never be able to achieve that because I don't have the best legs. I know now, such silly thinking. I've always struggled with thinking my lower curves are what I needed to lose {hellooo, where my body fat jumps to}. Ha, right. Again, quite silly. Such thinking comes from the pageant territory {I have such a love/hate relationship with the swimsuit competition}. It comes with being a perfectionist. It comes with a desire to join the modeling world {think J.Crew retail model, not runway model}. It comes with being a woman in the 21st century. Heck, it even comes with being a female, period. But mostly, it comes from allowing thoughts of not being "good-enough" to creep their way into my head. 

Its one thing if your natural body shape is more straight, less curvy, or you were born with petite limbs. It's another if you make it your goal {as I have done in the past} to center your whole exercise routine and dieting plan around how to get smaller legs. I use to let finding the perfect pair of jeans be measured by if they gave me slimmer looking curves and the thigh gap. I use to measure my body {sexiness} status by if I has smaller legs or not. And none of that is okay.

Most every 20- to 30-something girl I know have said something about this to or are dealing with it. It's all over my social media dash - Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook. Its a major issue that needs some serious addressing. What is an even bigger issue is the fact that middle school girls are now seeing and wanting the infamous thigh gap. That hit me hard recently. I don't want my little sisters {who are 13 and 15} thinking they have to have it. I am a role model. A role model who is wanting to promote self-esteem and confidence in yourself. Not just to my little sisters, but to every five year old princess, middle school lady, college girl, or business woman I come in contact. How can I encourage them to have confidence in their bodies if I am not doing the same? You too are a role model. Think of at least one person you have made a difference on. Got them in your head? Bet there are at least 100x more than you know about. But even so, that one person makes you a role model. And if you are a role model, what you do makes all the difference in the world.

Do you know who one of my favorite female figures is? Jennifer Lawrence. Do you know why? Because she loves, absolutely loves, her body and is so confident about the way she looks. She radiates confidence. She is my role model. {And come on, she is also Katniess Everdeen. Who couldn't want to be JL}

Also, on a side note... the only way to achieve a healthy body is to eat healthy, be active, and to mentally exercise. Don't let anyone lie to you letting you know diet pills are the way to go. Don't lie to yourself with cheat, quick methods to getting fit or reaching your fitness goals. Don't think skipping meals will benefit you by shrinking your waist - tried that one and trust me, it doesn't work because you body needs that fuel. Cheating never helps anyone, especially not in the long run. Even more so, because you and I are role models, what people see us do and hear us say is hugely influential on how they decide to do things. Trust me on that one too. Have fitness goals, but do not let them swallow you up or control you. It's hard not to at times, but try. Remember, you are a role model. People are watching you... what you say, how you act, what you watch, ect. How do you want to leave an impact on someone, even if its for the thirty seconds you come in contact with them?

I want to be strong. 

I want to be physically strong, but also mentally strong. No more of this talking myself down or comparing myself to others. I too want to radiate such strong confidence in myself. 

I want to have a strength in myself like no other.

After all, strong is the new sexy.

So, let me ask you... how can you be stronger?
What are your current fitness goals?
What are you doing to achieve them?
Who are your role models?
Why are they your role models?
How are you a role model for someone?

Take time to answer these for me! I love hearing how you have been inspired and how you are seeking to inspire others. Just post in the comment section below. And follow my pinterest board [BE: inspired] for more positive encouragement. 

I am good enough. You are good enough. Believe it. Claim it. 

Exhausted, but content.

Busy, but so thankful.

Overworked, but beyond blessed.

God is doing some big things. It just took some time for me to realize it.

Bisous, SLR

Clean Eating. Nom.

I am fairly healthy compared to the average American: I don't drink carbonated drinks, I rarely dive into a bag of Cheetos, I walk to work every day, I run at least once a week, and I don't consume an obnoxious amount of fast food (or even Starbucks drinks). My problem is I'm not quite sure what exactly I am eating. I am quite confident, however, whatever it is it includes a lot of sugar and isn't the best for my body. I'm certainly not even close to being overweight, but I would love to get away from processed and chemical-loaded foods.

I want to be extremely comfortable with my body knowing what I am putting in it are things that will help it and give it nutrients. It goes along with the simplicity I am trying to achieve; be healthy... get moving... and quit putting all that junk and unnecessary stuff in my diet. A quote that you may hear often keeps sticking in my head: If you eat garbage, your body will show it. I decided last week that it was time to get back to eating clean and trying to be a bit more active.

What is clean eating?
There are a few definitions out there. For me, eating "clean" means consuming tons of fresh veggies and fruits, eliminating all processed foods/preservatives/additives and refined sugars, eating five to six small meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two to three snacks in between meals), and enjoying lean meats and whole grains.

Click here for a deeper explanation from The Gracious Pantry. I like her explanation :)

So... what do you eat?
Food. Sorry, had to throw in a little smarty pants comment there. Really though, here is a menu plan for what I ate this week {from what I could remember}.

Sunday

Breakfast - Steel cut oatmeal, single serving.
Snack - banana
Lunch - ??
Snack - almond butter
Dinner - Leftover Thanksgiving food... don't remember, and I feel like I shouldn't.

Monday: Finally, a day off.

Breakfast - Missed, slept in :)
Snack - banana, almond butter
Lunch - dressing, sweet potatoe casserole
Snack - N/A
Dinner - Cup of Royal Wedding tea.

Tuesday

Breakfast - skipped
Snack - SPARK
Lunch - Protein bar, banana
Snack - N/A
Dinner - Salad with spring greens, spinach, tomatoes, turkey, lemon juice, olive oil, carrots.

Wednesday

Breakfast - Banana. Rushed to work without eating breakfast. Fail.
Snack - SPARK. Go Lean cereal (dry, no milk).
Lunch - Apple slices and almond butter.
Snack - leftover dressing (1 cup), leftover mac & cheese (1 cup) - yay for cleaning out the fridge!
Dinner - green beans (seasoned with mrs. dash table blend), cubed sweet potatoes (seasoned with olive oil, nutmeg, mrs. dash italian blend, garlic power), and slice of ezekial bread.

Thursday

Breakfast -Advocare meal replacement shake (chocolate), made with almond milk
Snack - celery sticks, banana
Lunch - protein bar
Snack - gluten-free cinnamon cupcake | leftover sweet potatoes from last night.
Dinner - salad with spring greens, spinach, turkey, cherry tomatoes, carrots, orange bell pepper, cranberries, lemon juice, and olive oil. Glass of red wine.

Friday

Breakfast - Egg white omelet with spinach and tomatoes
Snack - N/A
Lunch - Turkey and mustard sandwich on ezekial bread
Snack - Protein Bar
Dinner - Tuna with some weird sauce that I don't remember, hehe.

Saturday

Breakfast - Egg white omelet with spinach and tomatoes, hot tea (white), cantaloupe
Snack - Protein Bar
Lunch - Celery sticks, cucumber slices
Snack - Uh... let's just say it was a cheat meal.
Dinner - buffalo chicken sandwich w/ tomatoes, lettuce, spicy mustard. {Best. Sandwich. Ever}

Remembering to pack food and eat it work seems to be the hardest part of sticking to clean eating. I work around carb-loaded pastries all day. Its hard to say no to those Pain au Chocolates... especially with the ten-hour shifts I have at times.

The past week was decent. I am finding that with healthy eating and clean eating it really is alright to have a little splurge every once in a while. As my boyfriend puts it, enjoying the once a week cheat meal makes the rest of the week more enjoyable.

 {VIA PINTEREST}

Grocery List
Sunday morning I went grocery shopping. Here is what $75 got me:

Oatmeal, old fashioned rolled oats
Stalk of celery
Almond milk
Almond butter
garlic powder
bell peppers - three pack of red, yellow, and orange
carrots
cherry tomatoes
spring greens 1/2 spinach 1/2
tuna
tilapia
mustard
lemon juice
detergent, 2
egg white blend
green beans
cucumbers
Kashi Go Lean
bananas
apples
sweet potatoes
onion
cantaloupe
bag of frozen mixed berries

Mostly all of the above was organic. I feel like I could have spent much less if I didn't get organic, but in trying to avoid the chemicals I just picked up the 'ganic. The above list should be able to last me at least two weeks. Over the next few weeks its my goal to be able to spend less than $30 to buy groceries for a single week.

And there are my thoughts for the night. Now go eat some oatmeal.

{PS - Will expand upon my work out schedule and running plan later this week!}

{VIA POSTHEROES}

"Have less, be more."

Sacrifice.

Happy Veterans Day!!

Remembering our fallen heroes, those we have served, and those currently serving. Because of your honor, commitment, and service, I am forever grateful to live in the land of the free. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for all you have done to ensure this country's safety.

Especially thankful for my granddad, my surrogate granddad, my big brother, both of my brother in laws, and my sister in law. I appreciate you each so much and pray God blesses you in astounding ways for all you have done (and for some of you, what you are still doing) for our country.

Also, thank you to the families of our military veterans and current service men and women. Without you on the home front offering support, love, and strength for those fighting, they would have not gotten through. I have an extra special appreciation for military families after last year.

Blessings,
Xoxo, Shelby

Close Enough

In case you do not know me well enough to already know this, I love France. I love learning and speaking French, I love Paris, I love french food, I love the culture, I adore the architecture, their style is perfect, the french accent gets me every time, everything. {Sidenote: I certainly think God will have me over there eventually, possibly for missions} Anyways, I say this to say; recently, God made things fall into place to where I now work at a French/European market in Atlanta. asgdksgbalgbasfg. While you're asking yourself why this is so grand and why I am this excited about it, let me remind you again... I. Love. France. And now I work in a french shop with real french individuals, with french music playing, with french foods, and working on my french. Thank you, Jesus. I about cried when I was offered the job. So excusez-moi while I get giddy about God leading me and taking me on new adventures... even if I cannot be in France, this is close enough :-)

Since its Wednesday...

..... here are my unashamed #wcw woman crushes:

Jennifer Lawrence

Let's be honest, she is perfect. I love that she is a "curvy" woman in a "straight" Hollywood culture. She is so goofy and weird. Also, the fact that she kicks booty and plays Katniss gives her so many points. 

Blake Lively

She is so naturally gorgeous. AND she is married to my man crush, Ryan Reynolds. Plus, I get that I am her brunette twin all the time. I think its the smile ;)

Bekah Stewart

Grateful for Tumblr that allowed me to find her and let us meet. Such a strong yet simply beautiful woman who I greatly admire. If my future boys could be as cool as hers I would be ever so thankful.

{Follow her adventures}

October Recap

New Beginnings:
I am officially an Atlanta resident!! Besides one dresser needing to be brought up, I am completely moved into my new Atlanta home. Yay! Finally, I can call this city my home. A bit surreal honestly, but thrilled to say it now. It took a while for all the plans to happen. I've been rather frustrated since September about the transition needing to happen. And as of October 31st, I am here to stay.

While the house is new to me, its definitely an older home in need of a lot of TLC. Good for my crafty side and Pinterest boards, not so good for my wallet and this whole simple mindset I'm trying to have. Eh, we shall see what happens there.

Biggest Lessons:
Patience. Trust. Trusting in God's direction, being patient for what He has in store. Two big things that never seem to go away and that I am always learning.

"Anxiety happens when the Lord is not present in future plans." Boom. How's that for a reminder? Not sure about you, but that one was a big-whoppin' sucker punch. Thank you, God, for the beautiful reminder, even if it is hard to accept at times.

Four things I told myself at the beginning of the month that I would change:
1. Cut back on the amount of time I spend on all social media and technology.
2. Find Motivation for all areas of my life.
3. Get out of bed when your alarm goes off in the morning. Not just to turn it off... get up.
4. Always be five minutes early.
Grade I give myself since then: B-. 
I am still trying to work on each one (specifically #1 it seems here recently). However, all in all, I'd say we made a little progress. There is always room for improvement and I need to revisit these often.

Favorite Moment(s):
Speaking to a group of girls at an Atlanta school and being reminded at the beauty of why God has me as Miss Atlanta. Each girl I come in contact with has a different story and different up-bringing, but we have a common bond: we deal with or have dealt with low self confidence at some point. Seeing how high school girls are mentoring middle school girls to stand up against bullying gives me chill bumps.

Going to the GA National Fair with my family and a best friend. Always one of my favorite things to do that officially marks the fall season for us. I saw pigs cuddling, got sick off rides, ate carb-loaded fair food (Yuuuuuummy), drooled over the crafts people made, and enjoyed more fair goodness.

Random Goodies:
The fall colors have started popping out.
I pulled out sweaters, scarves, and boots. The fact that cool weather is here makes me giddy.
My personal library is growing by the day... suggestions on how to organize these boogers would be appreciated.
In love with Chris Tomlin's newest CD {Burning Lights} as well as Matt Redman's newest {Your Grace Finds Me}.

~

I am so grateful for the beauty God shows in dirtiness. I am grateful that a midst my crazy days and life, God still has His hands on everything. Even tonight, I was reminded that HE is in control, I need not fret. Such a simple thought but it is so constantly forgotten.

Blessings,
Xoxo, Shelby

A blessed closet. That is what I have to remind myself that I have every day. I do have clothes to wear. Maybe not compared to some people, but more than plenty compared to the rest of the world. I don't understand why it has become such a chore for me {as it has for most women I know} to find something to wear. I find myself constantly taking far too long putting on one outfit then changing to another, then another, and before I know it it has been at least forty-five minutes, my entire closet is on my bed, and I will be late for a meeting. The absurdity has got to stop.

I suppose a quick fix would be to go to the nearest shopping mall or picking up the latest Anthropolgie catalog and starting all over again; throw out everything I currently own and buy an entirely new wardrobe. That option, however, completely ruins the whole "simple lifestyle" that I am trying to achieve. Also, I am a broke college student who just moved to Atlanta... I don't have the funds to spend who-knows-how-much on a new wardrobe. So then, what shall one do?

Well, to start, I am going to clean out my entire wardrobe. Not going through and completely dumping everything I own and starting over, but taking things out I do not wear much anymore and updating the pieces I already have. After that, I want to see about getting a few basic pieces that I will be able to wear with just about anything. I'm talking white tees {they are my favorite anyways}, a great pair of jeans, a good pair of boots, basic cardigans {no fluffy stuff here}, and the like. I am more of a classic gal than a "cutsey" one so it is not super hard for me to say no when wanting to buy things from boutiques {although, I did work in one at one point and certainly love the unique clothes they carried}.

Third, for something to make it on to my wish list, it is going to have to go through the spin cycle. Do I honestly need it? Can I afford it? If I can afford it, is it worth the money I spend on it or would that money be best spent elsewhere? Can I use it with at least three outfits? Is it good quality? Do I need to wait? You get the point.

Lastly, I'm just going to strive to stop focusing on what I need, what I want, etc., and focus on my Jesus. Clothes are not bad. I am not saying that at all nor hinting at it. What is "bad" is when my entire day shifts around what to wear, how to look more cute, adding 150 things to what I want to buy, spending an hour to decide what I want to wear, I need to stop focusing on what I do or do not have. The constant thought of "I want this" or "this is going on my Wish List Pinterest board" needs to end.

There we go. My rant of the day and first step towards minimizing materialism.

A year and a half later....

I'm back. Trying to balance too many blogs {each one having different reasons of existence}, on top of my social media, has left this poor blog unattended. But after spending the last few days cutting back on the number of accounts and blogs I have, I think I have managed being able to combine them into a total of two. Which lead me to renaming and refocusing this one.

It took some time trying to decide what the main theme of this blog should be {I am quite a visual person... you should see all my brainstorming scratch papers}. There were so many ideas coming to me and plenty of thoughts but nothing seemed to fit for what I wanted the main purpose to be. Driving around the city today it suddenly hit me: balance and simplicity. Ah. Light bulb. The two can go hand in hand. In this situation they do.

I feel as if my life is crazy. Well, actually it is. I am always trying to find the perfect balance; how to balance work, school, and relationships; how to balance giving my time to one project while giving it to five other; balancing family relationships and strengthening my {long distance} relationship with my dear man; making time to eat healthy, while being on the go all the time, while sticking to a good running and training schedule, while making appearances to schools and events, while managing all the above; the list goes on. But along with balancing life I am learning how to be simple and simplify my life; enough multiple blogs and social media  outlets {who am I kidding thinking I can run five blogs, two twitters, an instagram, a facebook profile, and two facebook pages on top of everything else I have?!}; enough going through my blessed closet and thinking I have "nothing to wear"; enough of this running around and being out of breath all the time; enough not seeing the beauty in the simplest of things; enough seeking how I can have more, more, more.

Through blogging of my adventures in the balance acts of life and the simplifying of materialistic thoughts, I hope to find that balance of placing God at the center of my life and to learn to seek less, not more, and finding my all in Him alone.

Here goes nothing.
Xoxo, Shelby.

Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

God's timing!

Oh.....oh......is it real?!? if I touch it will it disappear?? After almost three years of hard work, persistence has paid off: I have won a preliminary title and am going to the state stage!! Guys, my heart is very full right now. It is so humbling to have the title of Miss H.C. and a crown to go with it. I am, right now more than ever, a huge believer and advocate that you can have whatever you work hard for and put your mind to get. God is so good. So good. His timing is always perfect and over the past few weeks has pounded in my heart how HE was in control; how HIS will is already done; how HE has the perfect board for me to work with; in HIS timing.

My platform, Girl Talk: instilling confidence and integrity into HS and MS girls through mentoring, is very near and dear to my heart. I am a living testimony that mentoring works. Having gone from very little self esteem, and even going through a mild eating disorder because of that,  to becoming a woman of confidence, worth, and belief in my self, I can say that every girl out there has a purpose and plan for their life. Don't ever doubt it. Even when the going gets tough, DONT GIVE UP!!! My heart is leaping for joy and abounding in love for all the girls that I will now be able to reach through my title. Of course, it does not take a title to make a difference but it sure does help ;-)

I am so overwhelmed by the amount of support I have had. There is an enormous amount of people that have believed in me from the start. It is just incredible to know so many people have faith in me. And not necessarily me, but the gifts God has given me. They see Christ in me; THAT is the one goal I asked God to help me achieve... not to "get a crown" but to shine for Christ and to be a positive role model to everyone I come in contact with. Having a crown on my head and a title in my hand does not give me permission to get cocky, stuck up, or think I own the place. It gives me permission to be an even bigger example of what a role model is and to reach a far greater area. At the end of the day, I take the makeup off...I put my hair in a ponytail....I throw on norts and a t-shirt....I take off the crown and the sash....I become an normal girl. The question I ask myself then is "how are you a role model and example of Christ when its all said and done?"

I have a TON of work to do before I get to the state stage, but I have been very, very, very blessed with an amazing board who will help me prepare at my absolute best. God will provide all that I need and will give me strength to do whatever I need to. He has huge plans for my life, as I have already seen unfold. I am extremely motivated and excited about the next months ahead!!

A standing ovation for talent almost made me faint. So grateful God has given me a talent of tickling those ivories ;) Looking forward to the next few months preparing for the Miss Georgia stage and working with an INCREDIBLE board, as well as my new sister queen and our sweet teen!! To have the three people in the world that have pushed me and believe in me the most there to watch me own the night, my daddy, mommy, and first pageant coach, made the whole thing unbelievably perfect. My words of gratitude are not enough for all people have done for me. To each person that has had faith in me....my original pageant coach, my parents and family, my little sisters who knew I wanted a title so bad, judges from day #1, judges from #4368346, directors and boards who offered little bits of advice along the way, friends I have met through pageants, everyone....Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!! ♥ 

 

Sunsets

Sunsets excite me. I see them as being kisses from God. Little things make me happy, but few things make me really happy. Sunsets make me really happy. Enjoy the pictures I've taken over the past few year from sunsets I've seen (including my heading which is a picture I also took).

October 2010

  

November 2010

 

June 2011

 

July 2011

 

September 2011

Things I'm loving for fall: Blazers

 

Busy

I am so addicted to Pinterest. It fuels my OCD and organizational needs very well.
Wine is my new favorite thing, aside from avocados and sushi.

Here is my random post for the quickly ending summer, since I have neglected to post anything since the end of May. I didn't make an outline for this post, nor do I really know what I'm about to ramble about. Be prepared. I am warning you beforehand so you can brace yourself for some strange English coming....:

Life is too crazy. During the past few months my life has been constantly in a number of different transitions. I am honestly exhausted. I like being busy, always keeping my mind active doing something; I feel its not busyness that is making me tired but rather the changes occurring. Maybe I am just exhausted from all the late nights I stay up playing word search. Or maybe its that my body is still adjusting to getting back into a good running routine. Or maybe it is all the stressing I do about life and silly, piddly little things. I don't know, but I need to. I like having a sense of control over situations, knowing what their outcome will be. All these changes and no-changes have made me very nervous of the future. Doors keep closing to opportunities, plans that have been made are suddenly changed, people I thought were supposed to be in my life for a long time are leaving. What the heck is going on? I know God has it in control though, so I need to just chill out.... wait....maybe that is just it: I don't really trust Him. Ah. He may have just gotten me thinking. I have become so consumed with ME and with what I want that I have pushed him out of the picture. Consume, take, want, crave, self, me. These words all go together. I'm so worried about what I want that I have lost sight of what is really important. Things like my family, my relationship with M, my relationship with Christ. I mean, really, I have pushed them away from the top and put myself above all. Its less about my family and their needs; less about serving others, which is sad for a future nurse; less about seeking out Christ and his plan for me; and I really feel like its getting less and less about my gentleman. I think it is time to get things back in order, starting with putting Christ at the top. Le sigh. Bisous, SLR

Childhood Obesity

I went swimming at a local city pool this afternoon and had a very eye-opening experience concerning obesity. The number of people I saw today who clearly do not care about their body, nor the shape that it is in, was quite disturbing. It is one thing to be slightly overweight, or curvy (after all, curvy is much more healthy than being stick-thin in my opinion), or have low metabolism that makes staying fit harder, or to have health problems that prevent you from being in shape. However, it is another if you simple do not take care of the one body you have been given, as was clearly seen today. Do most people not understand that you are given ONE body your whole life? You never get a chance to have another one... not even through plastic surgery (which, in my opinion does more damage).

Anyhow, it was not mainly the number of obese people that confounded me, but more specifically the number of obese children. What has gotten into parents heads that its okay to allow your twelve year old daughter to look like she is pregnant, and in a bikini strutting it no less (I saw this several times this afternoon in a matter of minutes)? What parent in their right mind would allow this? Every time I looked up I saw yet another child who was very much so overweight or obese. Georgia (my state) has one of the highest rates for childhood obesity... that fact is terrible. American families need to work together to get rid of the high statistics of childhood obesity and obesity in general.

During a pageant interview a few months ago I was asked, "who's fault is the high obesity rates in children: schools or parents?" My answer? The parents, hands down. It is the parents job to raise their children. It is the parents job to make sure their children are making good choices, or at least train them to make the right choices and when they are old enough pray they do just that. It is the parents duty to make sure their children eat healthy - and not snack on junk food, soda drinks, carb-loaded, high-sugar foods 24/7, or better yet, to not have fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is the parents job to make sure their child is having a lifestyle that promotes being active to stay healthy. It is the parents job, not the government. Sure, school needs to help out by not putting vending machines packed with junk food and sodas in the cafeteria or teaching them of ways to stay healthy, but ultimately mom and dad need to show Tommy and Suzy how to make and live out healthy choices. Unfortunately, Americans have not done a good job with this at all. I love my state, but I am ashamed that it is completely acceptable to be obese... actually, that it is perfectly normal to be obese.

Please keep in mind that I am not seeking to offend anyone by saying all this, although someone will always be offended no matter what I say. I am merely speaking my thoughts (or rather, venting) on a topic that needs to be addressed. It is okay to occasionally enjoy a coke, or to occasionally enjoy a yummy food. While I love eating healthy and trying to stay fit, I will on occasion indulge in dessert or one of those awesome foods you see on Culinary Porn. The key words to the two statements above is occasion. And it is combined with having an active lifestyle. Try walking every day at least. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Park just a little further away from the entrance. You've heard all these simple things for a while.... so put them into action. There is SO much more I could say about this topic but I guess I will end my venting on that note.

xoxo, SLR

Goodbye for now, my friend.

The world was a happier place with you in it.

Always making people laugh. Always putting a smile on someone’s face. 

You were greatly loved, and are greatly missed, JB.

Do not keep the alabaster box of your friendship sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them, and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier. The kind of things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go. 

— George W. Childs

Jonathan’s death has had a HUGE impact on my life. So many lessons have been taught through this traumatic event. The words above have a new meaning. Read them and take them to heart. Don’t take anything, or anyone, for granted. Love is a verb. Put that verb into action.  - SLR