The Blogtember Challenge: Day 11- Favorite Instagrammers!

Happy Sunday! First off, I want to send my prayers to anyone who may be having a difficult time with 9/11 today. I cannot believe that that was fifteen years ago. It's definitely something that brings us all together here in the United States. I urge you to enjoy time alone with the Lord today and praise Him for all that He has given you/done in your life!

Sunday, Sept. 11: Round up of your favorite Instagrammers! Who should we follow?

Let me just say that I LOVE INSTAGRAM! I am not a Twitter person, tried that and I'm really not a Facebook person except for the times when I want to see/post multiple pictures. So this post today is right up my alley, and I have quite a few people to share with y'all!! 

These instagrammers that I am going to mention are typically bloggers as well! They definitely inspire me and make me want to be more adventurous, spiritual, a better woman, a better wife, make me want to have kids, etc. etc. I love seeing what they share on a daily basis. The first three ladies that I am mentioning have all started their own business, and its definitely something I aspire to do and have on my goal list in my life!

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Nicole Cole- Nicole and her husband have a photography/video productions business called 314 Productions. If I lived closer to her, I would have definitely used them for my wedding and for all future things. They also are adopting a baby and are pregnant with one! I just have always learned so much about the Lord from Nicole, and the way she lives her life is so pure and centered for the Lord. Definitely go check her out, your heart will thank you! 

Instagrams: @nicolevcole & @314productions

Websites: http://www.nicolevcole.com/ 

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Gretchen Saffles- Founder of Life Lived Beautifully. She is amazing! She is so inspiring and just wants to pour Jesus' love into everyone around her. She is always pouring scripture out to her readers and followers. Such a blessing in my life, and truly inspiring for me. I would love to one day write up a devotional like she has done for us ladies! Please, please go check her out and her items that she works so hard and puts so much love and Jesus into. 

Instagrams: @gretchensaffles & @lifelivedbeautifully

Website: http://lifelivedbeautifully.com/ 

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Rachel Cox- Rachel blogs and also has become a BeachBody Coach. I love her as a coach because she wants to share Jesus through her business and coaching. She wants ladies to learn to glorify the Lord through their health/fitness. So inspiring and good for our souls! Please go check her out. 

Instagrams: @mrsrachelcox & @wholeandfree_

Website: http://www.wholeandfree.com/ & http://www.ohsimplejoys.com/#welcome

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Bailey- Well who wouldn't love Bailey? She's planned out this Blogtember Challenge for us and I'm loving it! She is so creative and makes me want to get my creative juices flowing. Bailey just seems like such a fun person, and now she's a teacher (Go Teachers! Elementary Ed Teacher right here!) She also seems so devoted and motivated to things that she works on. She just is someone who I am always so excited to see her Instagram/Blog posts.

Instagram: @lovebaileyjean

Website: http://www.braveloveblog.com/

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Ashlyn Carter- I found her somehow on YouTube. She is a mom of three and makes videos about pretty much anything. She loves the Lord and is so open and honest with her viewers about how she is feeling and what the Lord is teaching/showing her during this time in her life. 

Instagram: @ashlyncarter

Youtube Channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbLMnnPUQMhK8lbl-F6rcKg

Hopefully I shared someone new to you all, but these girls are so awesome they may already be on your list!

Who are your favorite instagrammers?! 

The Blogtember Challenge: Day 9- World Travel

Yay, it's Friday!! We've finally made it through our short week.

Friday, September 9th- If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

This is a tough one! There are so many places I want to visit in the world, both in the U.S. and International. I think for this post though I am going to share some places I really want to travel to in the U.S. One of my goals is to travel to all 50 states and I also want to visit a lot of the National Parks. They're so beautiful, and so worth seeing! Some of these places I don't necessarily have a reason for wanting to visit... I just want to. Lol

one // two

One. Acadia National Park in Maine - I found this National Park when looking up all of the different parks in the US. I also have always heard about a certain place in the US where you could see the sunset for the first time, and that is at Cadillac Mountain. Definitely look up this Park if you're into hiking and the outdoors! Hoping that we're able to go to this place in the near future.

Two. San Francisco - Who doesn't want to go to San Fran?! Reese was able to go recently for work, and I am just dying to get out there! I love traveling around new cities, seeing the touristy places and the local spots. 

three // four 

Three. Grand Canyon - Because its just plain breath taking and leaves you speechless. Praise Him for this amazing place that He has given us to enjoy in His presence!

Four. Seattle - I know that its supposed to be a super rainy place, but I kind of think that this place is just a place I would enjoy. 

What places should I put on my Must Travel To List, especially in the United States, so that it is easier to travel to?!

The Blogtember Challenge: Day 8- Home Tour!

Happy Thursday! I'm excited to share with you all our new space that we've only been living in for a month now. I do have to admit that we've been very busy and haven't hung all of our decor yet, but I definitely will post updates when that is done! 

Thursday, September 8th- A house/apartment/room tour! 

This new space that we have has just been a blessing. Our first home together was great, but it ended up being quite small (700 sqft.) and had a lot of plumbing issues. So we are so grateful for this new space and excited to make it our home! There is still so so much organizing to do because we have so much space that I don't even know what to do with it! But it'll all be organized very soon. 

Our first picture together at our new home. This was on moving day about a month ago! 

Our living room definitely needs our personal touch added to it, but as y'all can see I have all my decor lined up and ready for my sweet husband to get his tools out!

Our kitchen is so open and has so much storage! I have a few things that I want to add around the table, but not too much needs to be done to this space.

Our back patio makes me so excited! I have such fun plans for this space and cannot wait to spend fall evenings out here with our new puppy and our friends. Lets just say that outdoor string lights will be added to this space. *Insert excited emoji*

And last but not least, our bedroom. I love this space! It is so open and has so much potential for decorations. I definitely want to get one of our wedding pictures printed big to put above our bed. And I have other ideas for this space as well! Also, does anyone have any suggestions/ideas for nightstand organization?! I hate that they always end up so junky! Lol

There you have it, our home! I can't wait to share an update with you all once we get things hung up and more decorated! Hopefully I'll be able to add some fall touch to this place as well. 

Anyone have any suggestions for how I should decorate our home? 

What do you love to put up for the fall season?!

The Blogtember Challenge: Day 7- Joy

Happy Wednesday Friends! I have finally caught up in my posts today to make it to this fun one! In this season of my life I have definitely found the true things that bring me joy, may they be the simplest of things, they still have brought me joy and continue to bring me joy in life. I am blessed beyond belief with the things that the Lord has given me.

Wednesday, September 7th- Five things that bring you joy.

1. My husband.

He uplifts my spirit and supports me. Even eight years later I still get giddy when he comes home from work. He's seriously my best friend and I have all of my favorite memories with him. I'm so blessed and grateful to have him as my husband! I cannot wait to see where the Lord takes us in our life together. Love you, Reese!

2. Bible Studies.
Ever since my sophomore year of college I've always been in a bible study. It is always so uplifting and a blessing to be surrounded by people who just want to know the Lord more and dig deeper into His word. Currently, I am in a bible study with some of my closest friends from college and we are going through Be Still: Ephesians 4:17-32. I am also leading a group of girls that go to the community that I was involved in while in college.

3. Sunsets.

Kentucky has some beautiful sunsets! I always love capturing them and wish that I could just print them out and put them all over my house. I think that the biggest reason I love sunsets is because it gives me such a sense of the Lord being present in our lives and reminding us of how he has blessed us! The two pictures I posted are from our old place that we just moved from.. I definitely will miss seeing the beautiful sunsets on the lake!

4. Fall. 
Fall is such a refreshing time for me. Typically in the past I would have started school, but since I'm not in school anymore it is just a nice change in everyday life. I feels so relaxing, with the weather changing and the leaves falling. You get to start making comfort food for dinner (ready for my crockpot soups- have any great recipes I should try?!), you get to light those fall candles, and enjoy the Halloween and Thanksgiving. I mean, why wouldn't you love fall?!

5. Tucker.

I've always wanted a puppy of my own. Once I began college, it was hard for me not to go out and get one since I wasn't living at home anymore and could have one in the apartment I lived in. Reese always made me realize how difficult it would be to have a pet while in college, working, and having a social life that you have in college. So finally six years later, I have my sweet Tucker pup. I know I've mentioned a lot of him lately, but there is just something about having a dog to come home to or to always keep you company that is just so sweet! He is such a great dog and I cannot wait to have him for years to come and for him to always be in the memories that Reese and I make together!

What are the things that bring you joy?? 

The Blogtember Challenge: Day 6- Playlist

Now to be honest... I'm really not the biggest music person. Typically in the car I have my radio on KLove (Christian station) or I will change it to a country station. This summer I had Spotify Premium for 99 cents, which I LOVED and caused me to really listen to Spotify more, but since premium has ended I haven't been using it as much and definitely am missing it! I tend to like calm, uplifting music. Nothing too loud! 

Tuesday, September 6th- Create a playlist. 

I love Gretchen Saffles (from Life Lived Beautifully) playlist, Morning Worship. 

I also am loving me some Bethel Music and Elevation Worship right now! I especially love Elevation Worship after seeing them on the Out Cry tour. If you haven't been to an Out Cry tour concert... You definitely should go!! So worth it, with so many amazing bands/artists. It'll definitely lift up your spirits and draw you closer to the Lord.

What are you listening to? Have any suggestions that I should look into?!

The Blogtember Challenge: Day 5- Most Memorable Birthday

Happy Labor Day! Here's my second post for today. Tomorrow I will be back on track! What are you all doing today?? We are visiting with Reese's family. Tucker got to meet his cousin dog (first dog meeting experience for him!) and all he wants to do is play with her... She on the other hand wants nothing to do with him! Here's a sweet video of him trying to get her to play...

Now onto today's prompt: Monday, September 5th- What was your most memorable birthday?

This is kind of a hard question.. I really just go to dinner with my family. But I think that the birthday that keeps coming to mind is my 20th birthday!! 

My birthday is on March 5th which can typically be when we get a lot of snow in Kentucky. This particular day we were supposed to get a TON of snow. 

I went out to dinner to Chuy's with my family, Reese, and my friend. It was such a great time! My aunt got cupcakes from Caramandas and we celebrated right there in the restaurant. The funniest part was that when I went into take a bite of my cupcake, Reese pushed it into my nose.. Lol I smelled that thing all night! 

After dinner, I had bible study. I made my way down to campus... and that's when the snow started!! But I made it there and the girls had snacks and brownies ready to go! While eating our sweets we had a wonderful bible study. It was such a great way to end my birthday in Gods word, surrounded by amazing girls!!

What was your most memorable birthday?! 

The Blogtember Challenge: Day 4- Currently...

Happy Labor Day! I have been so behind on these posts.. I was house sitting this weekend and the wifi would not work so I wasn't able to post anything! But don't y'all worry, I'll get back on this train!!

Sunday, September 4th- What are you up to currently?

Reading... in my bible I'm going through Joseph's life in Genesis. And I'm reading 
Playing... with my pup. 
Watching... Football. This is the first time I've actually been interested and wanted to know what's going on on the field. I also watched some of the Harry Potter movies that were on TV this weekend. 
Trying... to figure out a hobby. 
Cooking... this weekend I made for the first time this season Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies! Here is the recipe if you wanna try them. 
Eating... soon I'll be eating some Labor Day food!
Drinking... an Iced Skinny Vanilla Latte from Starbucks! 
Pinning... Home decor and puppy stuff. With us just moving I wanna decorate! And I've been trying to find a cute way to decorate Tucker's little area. #dogmomprobz 
Tweeting... I never tweet... I really should just delete my Twitter. 
Going... to Louisville to visit Reese's family. 
Hating... that UK football just can't win a game... 
Feeling... excited for Fall! It's my favorite season,  what's yours?!
Listening to... "I Wanna Love Somebody Like You" by Keith Urban.
Celebrating... Labor Day! 
Thanking... God for my family and sweet friends.
Starting... to wonder what God actually has in store for me. 

*Just thought I'd add in a sweet picture of my pup with his newest accessory!*

That's pretty much what's up with me lately! What are you all doing?!

The Blogtember Challenge: Day 2- September Goals

Happy Friday! I'm so glad that Bailey has this post in the Blogtember Challenge cause it was on my list of blog posts. August was such a great month. The Lord truly blessed our little family in so many ways! First we moved into a bigger place that has much more space. Then Reese got a new job, which is a blessing because it is more towards what he wants to do/went to college for. And at the end of the month we got our sweet pup, Tucker! I can't wait to see what September brings, especially since it brings fall with it! #FavoriteSeason

1. Complete The-Blogtember Challenge.

2. Memorize a verse, and really meditate on that verse. All summer I have been doing Life Lived Beautifully bible studies with some dear friends of mine. Currently we are on the Be Still and Know study over Ephesians 4:17-32. It has been great and I've really enjoyed digging deeper into these verses with the girls. 

3. Read 2 books. Currently reading A Woman's Heart for God by Sheila Cragg and then on my list is Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. 

4. Complete at least 1 photo album. I want to complete one for either our wedding or 

5. Complete a DIY. Not sure what I want this to be yet. Possibly a wreath or something for our front door. I'll keep ya updated!

6. Finish organizing our townhome. We just moved at the beginning of August, so we are finishing up organizing everything and getting decor hung up. We have so much more space - so grateful for that - so it has taken me a bit longer to decide where I want everything! But I know this place will be ready for the house/apartment tour on September 8th for the Blogtember Challenge! 

7. Revamp my blog design. I also really want to learn how to design blogs so that I can change mine up if I ever want to or even work on designing blogs for friends/bloggers! Sounds so fun :)

What are your alls goals for September?

The Blogtember Challenge: Day 1- Introduce Yourself!

Good afternoon friends! I am excited to complete the Blogtember Challenge hosted by Bailey over at Love Bailey Jean for the 2nd time! I did it for the first time in 2014, but didn't even complete it so thats my goal for this year!!

Thursday, September 1: Introduce yourself however you like!

My name is Danielle! I started my blog, Simply Faithful, in July of 2013. I had gotten into reading different blogs and wanted to start my own journey in the blogging community. I've definitely been off and on from blogging, but am so excited to use this Blogtember Challenge to get back into blogging and hopefully make some friends through it! 

I'm twenty-three and graduated with an Elementary Education degree from the University of Kentucky - GO CATS! After graduation I married my high school sweetheart (we didn't go to high school together, but if you want to read more of our story go here, which is funny cause I posted it during Blogtember Challenge). Our anniversary is June 26th, 2015. I've been posting pictures from our sweet wedding day - getting ready, first look, ceremony, & reception - if you all could like to see those! 

Last week we got a puppy! His name is Tucker and he has definitely stolen my heart in a matter of days. He's the sweetest, most calm 4 month old pup I've ever met. I couldn't see my home without him now!! 

I lead a pretty simple life. I definitely an introvert and need time to myself. I love our Lord and have had been growing even closer to Him summer with relying and trusting Him. I haven't found a teaching job yet and am very discouraged, but I have had to realize that Our Lord has an even better plan than I can make up, and it'll all happen in his timing! 

I thought I would also add in some of my favorite things:

Pepsi or Coke? Neither, I hate soda, never have like it. Give me all the Sweet Tea!! 

Yellow or Purple? Purple

Pen or Pencil? Pen.. my collection is bad! #teacherprobz

Cookies or Cake? Cookies

Sunrise or Sunset? Sunset! My phone is filled with sunset pictures. They're gorgeous in KY!

Pizza or Spaghetti? Spaghetti

Halloween or Christmas? Christmas

Winter or Summer? Winter, I hate the heat and to be honest sweating... eww

Night or Morning? Night

Dresses or Skirts? Pants please.

Ketchup or Mustard? Ketchup! Especially Whataburgers Spicy Ketchup *Insert licking the lips emoji.

Baseball or Basketball? Basketball all the way! I'm a Kentucky fan. 

Washing Dishes or Doing Laundry? Laundry

Boots or Sandals? I love both! 

Picky Eater or Adventurous? I love trying to foods and restaurants!

That pretty much sums up me, I could probably go on forever but y'all will learn more about me during this month! Let me know if we have anything in common, I'd love to meet some of you all and grow in this blogging community. I can't wait to share more with you all and see where Blogtember takes each of us.