Keepsake Jewelry

The Vintage Pearl is one of my favorite little online jewelry shops.  They sell everything from necklaces to earrings to keepsake pieces... and imagine my surprise and delight when I found out it's a Tulsa-based store!

They have only been an online store until recently.  They plan to open a shop here in town, and I can't wait!

It seemed like the perfect place to buy a little keepsake piece of jewelry to remember my Toby by.

I got this bracelet shortly after Toby died, and I haven't taken it off since. It's like carrying a piece of Toby with me, every day.

Do you have any keepsake pieces of jewelry that remind you of a loved one?  (Or pet?!)  :)

VIP Lounge: Party Blogs I Love

I find that a majority of the blogs I read have to do with party planning and food & wine. So, today, I thought I would share a few of my favorite "celebration" blogs with you!

Speaking of party planning... I have a few fun parties in the works right now! Two baby showers... and hopefully (fingers crossed) a house-warming party in the near future! Of course, as the details are finalized, you will find all updates right here at Lindsay's Lounge... or you can easily click on the "VIP Lounge" button to get all caught up at once!

Enjoy!

Birthday Girl is a great resource for all things birthday-related- from inspiration boards to adorable DIY details!

Eat Drink Pretty features all kinds of parties, from birthday bashes to shower soirees. She features "real" parties that readers submit- along with DIY ideas and food/drink inspiration!

The Sweetest Occasion is another great source for DIY projects, but also includes links to online vendors and great photos for inspiration.

And finally, just for kicks, this blog- Brunellos Have More Fun. A fun read all about vino, and also very educational! She features a good variety of wines I've never heard of but can't wait to try.

Happy Celebrating!

Lindsay Lately

I'm reading this great book by Sheila Walsh right now called "The Heartache No One Sees."

I know, the title sounds a bit intimidating- but it's actually such a refreshing read. Don't get me wrong, it's very deep. And it's making me really take a good long look at my current heartache.

I'm only a few chapters in- and so far, I've been challenged to come face to face with my heartache, struggle with my own doubts and insecurities, and best of all- accept healing.

Isn't that an amazing concept?! I think so. I think it's easy to let things snowball. When life falls apart, to let it all collect into this giant heap of bitterness, and "why me."

I'm choosing the hard road- to accept healing. And, we all know who the ultimate healer is.

So, here's how I'm healing. I'm working hard. I'm remembering the joy. I'm running. I'm making time for daily "quiet time." I'm making dates with friends here in Tulsa. I'm house hunting. I'm praying. I'm planning a trip to see my family & friends in Plano. And, I'm dreaming up a few big things that I put on the back burner, for whatever reason.

So, that's Lindsay Lately. Now, I'm off to get a pedicure.

I mean, who said healing has to be completely painful? :)

Healing

I hope everyone doesn't just hate my blog these days. I promise I will try to incorporate fun, happy & light-hearted things again... someday! :) I mean, I did just put up my fantastic "VIP Lounge" button last week.

But right now, this blog is serving as my therapist. So, hang in there.

I'm happy to report... you were all right. Time (and a LOT of prayer) really does heal all wounds, and I feel like I'm not as raw right now. I think that counts as healing.

But, I'm dealing with two very different kinds of grief right now, and that's where it gets tricky.

I'm grieving the loss of my Toby. Death, sudden and final.

And I'm grieving the loss of a relationship, of a best friend. Hurt, sadness.

Either way, I'm left with an aching heart.

I wake up, and have some quiet time, and I'm ready for the day. I get to work, and I have responsibilities and meetings and work.

But when I come home... the walls I've carefully put up all day, the facade of strength crumbles a bit. There's no one to see me cry, no one who's depending on me. So, evenings are hard. Going to bed is hard.

But, the healing has started. So, thanks for the prayers, the cards, the texts, the emails, the facebook messages, the tweets, the blog posts. (Wow, can we say social media addict?!)

Every single one makes me feel so loved, and so blessed.

Now, if I could only make the clock speed up a bit between the hours of 8pm and midnight. :)

Ten Things

Ten Things

1. I'm house hunting.

2. The #1 room I can't wait to decorate? My office.

3. I'm thinking about cutting my hair.

4. I miss my baby.

5. I'm going to start doing devotionals in the morning before work.

6. I'm going to start running when I get home from work.

7. I miss my best friend.

8. My co-workers make me laugh all day long.

9. I can't wait to get a dark charcoal manicure.

10. I'll be driving a rental car all next week.

Your turn!

No Matter What

A few weeks ago, my Toby-cat passed away. Quickly, suddenly. And just when the sharpest edge of pain was starting to fade from that loss- my heart broke all over again. It seems that my relationship of 2.5 years is ending, too.

Just typing that paragraph takes my breath away. A month and a half ago, everything seemed so right in the world. I had a relationship I was proud of, that I thought was heading towards something. I had a furry cuddlebug to come home to. A job, family, friends. And now, I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me.

I feel so selfish saying that. God has blessed me so greatly. My family- what can I say. Tight-knit and supportive, encouraging. Healthy. My friends- I've learned the true definition of friendship these past few weeks. I know I am beyond blessed.

But that doesn't keep the dark moments from sneaking up on me. Pictures I put up just weeks ago seem like a different life- a different Lindsay. Sometimes I look at her and want to go back and warn her that her world will be turned upside down- that grief and heartache are just weeks, days away.

But I can't go back. I can only go foward, with the belief that God is doing something really special that requires a complete change in course. I don't want to waste a minute questioning God's plan for me- even though it may hurt. I have too much to be thankful for, and I can't lose sight of that, ever. No matter what.

This song says it all- thanks, Mom.

Celebrate Good Times!

I am SO excited to finally debut the newest feature to hit Lindsay's Lounge- the VIP Lounge!

By clicking the VIP Lounge button on my blog... you will enter a word of champagne toasts, adorable DIY party ideas, champagne, invitations, themes, menus, champagne, gift ideas, and more!

I love throwing a good party, and I throw quite a lot of them- especially in the shower department. So I thought it was high time to make a special section of this blog specifically devoted to parties.

I hope you'll check in at the VIP Lounge every so often to see what new things we have to talk about... and of course, celebrate all good things in life with a glass of champagne in hand!