life in pictures

My photography skills are pretty laughable, and I often forget to take pictures altogether. I've decided that instead of spending time learning to use my camera or waiting for a nicer one until I get in the habit, I am going to do my best to document life on my ever-present iPhone.

good things

It really doesn't feel like Wednesday to me. Even though I can easily lose track of what day it is with all the travel and the lack of routine, something about a long holiday weekend always throws me off! Last week I felt like I was running on fumes, so having an extra day to relax and truly rest really encouraged my soul. Being home for over a week has been really wonderful, and it's given me so much to be thankful for. Just when I think I am so tired I can't even imagine having to repack the suitcases, God fills my heart with encouragement and gives me a chance to rest.

tech savvy: wunderlist

Wunderlist is my new favorite app. Being a little type-A, I organize all the apps on my iPhone into tidy  folders, but Wunderlist is used so often that it has a special place on the home screen. As a byproduct of my type-A-ness (new word?) I am a total list lover. Full disclosure: I will sometimes add something I've already done to my list, just for the satisfaction of checking it off. I love to make lists on beautiful paper, but the reality is that on the road I usually lose track of that kind of thing.

Happy Memorial Day!

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

Happy Memorial Day friends! I hope you are able to enjoy the day, but more than that, I hope we are able to take time to honor those who have given their lives to defend our country and our freedom. No matter where we fall on a political scale, we are beyond blessed to be the recipients of the sacrifice of so many. I am humbled by the selflessness of those who have given their lives, and as we remember the fallen, I am also so very grateful for those currently serving our country.

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

How is it already Memorial Day weekend? I am seriously in disbelief that we're coming up on June. In just over two months Lorelei will be having her second birthday. She is growing and changing by the day and it's crazy how quickly the time seems to have passed. We have some friends visiting from out of town on Saturday, and we're looking forward to being at our home church on Sunday before a long string of weekends out. We're hoping to sneak in some relaxation and get outdoors as well, but the weather is predicted to be in the mid-nineties, which is a record high! At least that might give us a solid excuse to get ice cream (as if ice cream really needs an excuse)! :) What do you all have planned for the holiday weekend?

across the spaces

A.W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God was one of the first books I read that really seemed to make an impact on my faith. I devoured it quickly, looking up words I wasn't familiar with, underlining favorite passages, and making notes in the margin. How easily I forget that my life is a pursuit of the one who made me, loves me, and wants to make me more like Him!

good things

Now that I've gotten into the routine of making my good things list every week, I find myself really looking forward to Wednesday's posts! I hope you all are finding opportunities to see the good things all around! Here are this week's:

The opportunity to catch up with old friends. The joy of seeing Lorelei learning to interact with new friends. The way God always provides for our needs, no matter how big or small. Friendships that endure through the years and have that comfortable feeling that reminds you how to just be yourself. Jeni's ice cream. Free Starbucks coupons. The color yellow. Co-writes and kindred spirits. Laughing with husband. Sleeping in. Performing new music.

I'd love to hear yours this week! Hope your Wednesday is a lovely one. :)

color coded: turquoise

Essie Turquoise & Caicos // Sonia Kashuk Tribal Train Case // cute label via puglypixel

There's something about turquoise that feels really special. Perhaps it's the fact that it's reminiscent of the gorgeous waters of Montego Bay (where we honeymooned) or that it brings to mind the sweet little box some of my most sentimental pieces of jewelry have come in. Whatever the reason, adding turquoise accents seems perfect for spring and summer, and it's so refreshing after months of winter weather! Get the details after the jump...

music monday: Jump

How was everybody's weekend? Ours was busy, and so much fun. We played an 11:45 pm concert at a youth lock-in on Friday, and I totally had to take a nap before hand. As I slowly approach 30 (I'll be 27 this year) I'm not feeling quite as young as I once was! We also got to visit with some dear friends we made when we first moved to Nashville, and do a concert at their church in Indiana. One major benefit to being on the road so much is the many friends and family members we get to see along the way!

I'm the kind of person who buys an album, listens to it religiously until I could probably sing it in my sleep, then pulls it out every so often to relive the greatness. Sometimes I am so enamored I can't help but purchase everything that artist has put out; other times I simply continue to enjoy the music that spoke to me so much in the first place. As an artist, I do wholeheartedly recommend you support the musicians you love by purchasing all the music they put out and spreading the word.

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

It's Friday! What do you all have planned? We're on our way to Michigan and Indiana this weekend and I'm looking forward to some cooler temps. We had a few nice spring-weather days this week and then it got hot again. I love Tennessee, but the heat and humidity I could do without. I hope your weekend is full of sweet and relaxing moments.

spotlight: Union Woodshop

Some people might suggest that eating is merely a necessity. In the Anderson household, we view eating as more of an event. Obviously not every meal is memorable, especially when we're on the road, but enjoying a great meal is one of our favorite things to do. Maybe it's the sense of community you find sitting around a table enjoying a great tasting meal (or dessert!) with people you love, or the vibe of a great restaurant. Whatever it is, the list of our favorite places is long, and they are spread far and wide across the country. Today I'm putting the spotlight on Union Woodshop, a restaurant in Clarkston, MI, not far from where I grew up. Although I didn't discover the restaurant until after I'd moved to Nashville, it's become our go-to spot whenever we're in town. Let's take a look!

good things

I can't believe it's already time for this week's good things! Last week I had more than a few rough moments, and this week my heart is so overwhelmed by how much I have to be thankful for. It's such a good reminder to seek God's perspective, because he has a plan for each and every moment and there is always something good. Here are this week's:

favorite

I always feel a little bit unoriginal when I really enjoy things that are so universal (hmm..isn't that why they're universal!?), but this Shakespeare sonnet has always made me pause and read through it several times. I think it's the fact that it echoes the well-known passage on love in 1 Corinthians. It reminds me that love is something set in our hearts by our Creator, and the expression of love is a reflection of who He is. I'm so thankful that He truly loves us to perfection; it motivates me to work out that kind of love in my own life. 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

Lit was always my favorite class throughout school. Were you guys literature nerds too? What quotes and Scripture passages are inspiring you lately?

music monday: why we do what we do

Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was restful and that you were able to celebrate the mothers in your life that have made an impact on you. Our weekend was full of life's most blessed joys. We had plenty of reason to celebrate as Jordan turned 27 on Friday, and on Sunday we celebrated Mothers Day and Lorelei's dedication. To have both sets of her grandparents in town, as well as some of her aunts and uncles, made us cherish such a special moment even more. My heart is so full of love and gratitude! My sweet husband and Lorelei gave me a spa day, which will be such a treat, and makes me feel so appreciated. It's hard to believe the weekend is gone, but I'm excited about the week ahead. 

Today's music monday post is about why we do what we do. People often ask Jordan and I questions about how we got into music, but I think answering "why?" is vital to getting started for any musician and/or entrepreneur.

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

Happy Friday! Do you all have big plans this weekend? This week has been jam packed and we are in for a weekend of celebrations! Sometimes I feel like life is just flying right past me in all the hustle, and I try to make sure I'm not missing out on all the beautiful right now moments as they come. We'll be officially dedicating Lorelei at our church on Sunday and we are so excited to have the chance to share such a special moment with our dear friends and visiting family. As a happy result of LJ's dedication, both of her grandmas (and grandpas) will be here to celebrate Mother's Day with us. Most importantly today, we are celebrating my amazing husband because it's his 27th birthday! I'm so very grateful for such a loving, fun, talented husband who takes such great care of his girls and lives his life in service to God. Happy Birthday my love!

get outside the box!

I have always had a naturally free-spirited personality. Especially through junior high and high school, I was often the loudest and most socially uninhibited among my group of friends. Under the right circumstances, I felt nearly invincible to unapologetically be who I was. Despite some struggles with anxiety and depression, which I kept pretty quiet (and plan to address with more in-depth future posts), I was an overall bubbly and outgoing person. Slowly, over time, I lost a lot of that, starting with an unexpectedly difficult freshman year of college. Recently I've noticed a shift, and I feel some of those old qualities coming back.

I've been thinking a lot about this cycle, and while there is no magical moment of transformation to pinpoint, I believe God has been teaching me a lot about maturity and confidence. Let me first say that I am by no means a completely confident and mature person all the time. If there's anything I know for sure, it's that I often do fall short in these areas. By the grace of God, I have learned a lot in the last few years, and I am excited about what God is continuing to teach me.

good things

I have to say, this week has been more challenging so far than most. Sometimes there just isn't a lot we can do to avoid difficult situations, so I'm more than ready for a good things post!

color coded: black and pink

mophie juice pack plus for iPhone 4 (photos by mophie) // oxo liquiseal tumbler

The color pink has always been a favorite of mine. In high school and college a large part of my closet and collection of accessories was taken up by pink items, and when I got married at 19 there was no other color I would have chosen for the wedding. From pink flowers to pink ties (you know it's love when your groom agrees to hot pink on the boys!), I have always found all shades of pink to be so cheerful and energizing. While my closet is much more neutral these days, I still find ways to incorporate pink into my daily life. Today's color coded post features two of my favorite items decked out in my favorite hue. Get the details after the jump.

Two things that are ever-present in my life are traveling and the constant propensity to spill things. Enter the above items! The tumbler was a gift from my brother's girlfriend who has a similarly strong love for coffee, and it turned out to be a perfect fit for this busy mama! All it takes is a push of the button on top to open or seal the lid. It does a great job of keeping liquid warm, and for those times I forget to use that handy button, the design seems to help minimize the flow of liquid should you (or your curious little one) happen to knock it over when open. Bonus: it also fits perfectly in the cup holders of the CR-V, unlike some of my other go-to mugs.

Husband and I were introduced to the mophie juice packs while traveling with a radio rep during release week for "Not Myself Anymore".  It's basically an iPhone case that doubles as an extra battery. Jordan got his for Christmas, and I got a little bit jealous. I purchased one when the sparkly case I got (and loved) started to fall apart. Mophie offers a few options, and as it turns out, I picked the most substantially sized of the juice packs (I wanted the pink!). It does add some heft to the phone, but the extra battery life is so worth it on the road. They also offer a regular juice pack (Jordan has this one and it definitely weighs less) and an air version, which is even lighter. We both use ours a lot, and if you are constantly running out of battery, I'd highly recommend it!

I know I could probably use a little more color in my wardrobe, but until I work up the courage to jump on the neon trend, my hot pink accessories will have to do! How do you surround yourself with your favorite color? Are you braver than I am when it comes to wearing brights? I'd love to know! :)

*disclaimer* This post is in no way sponsored by mophie or oxo. I just happen to love the products so much I had to share!

music monday: bandzoogle

This week's music monday post is about a tool I've found indispensable to my online presence. When Jordan and I decided to take the plunge and become full-time musicians, we knew we had to utilize every tool available to help build the foundation for our career. What I soon found out is that online, there are hundreds of available tools (if not more!).

At first I tried to maintain a presence on a bevy of social media and music-related sites, but I soon found that less is more when it comes to doing it right. I still evaluate my roster of go-to sites every so often, and I will certainly jump right in to anything that seems to offer popular or significant contributions. At the end of the day, I believe the most important online thing for an independent musician (and entrepreneurs in other fields, for that matter) is their own website. Read more after the jump!

can I get a do-over?

Today has been a little rough. I'm not feeling well and I somehow messed up the scheduled posts again (I wasn't kidding when I said I'm not technologically advanced!). So, I apologize for not getting the winner of our giveaway announced sooner.

Congratulations to Mrs. Stout's Second Grade, who won our gift cards! I hope you'll use them for some of your own favorite things.

We're on the road today, but stay tuned for a late-in-the-day post to get our weekly content kicked off! We're just a few hours from Nashville and I'm looking forward to a restful night at home recuperating from a busy weekend in North Carolina. Thanks again to everyone who entered the giveaway!

this weekend...

ferris wheel print by bomobob

What does everybody have planned for the weekend? We'll be traveling to Denver, North Carolina, just outside Charlotte. We actually lived there for almost a year before we started our music career and moved back to Nashville, so it will be great to visit with a few old friends while we're there for some concerts. Also at the top of our list is eating at Japan, a casual hibachi restaurant we still get frequent cravings for. Last weekend was spent in Michigan, so I'm still adjusting to the high temperatures here in the south. It's hard to remember it's only May when it's in the high 80's! Here's what I've been loving this week...

competition & Christianity

Quite a while back I wrote a post on competition and Christianity. A handful of you may have read it, but I’d like to “recycle” it today. It’s something I find consistently relevant to my life and something I’d love to share again. I’m using the base of what I wrote originally and updating it to reflect the new thoughts in my heart in the days between. Read the full post after the jump…

good things

Good things is something I've been doing for a few years now, and it seemed like a natural series to include here at WanderLove. It's simply a collection of the things in my life that are worth celebrating (big or small), and I find that writing them out especially helps me to overcome my tendency to complain. Life does come with frustrations, but I find that when I look at the big picture, they are usually small things in comparison to all the blessings God has graciously given. Even during our lowest moments, counting our blessings can remind us of the joy we have been given in Christ Jesus! I know sharing my own good things on a regular basis will keep me on my toes looking for the blessings that I'm taking for granted, and I can't wait to hear all of your good things as well! Let's take a few moments today to encourage each other with a joyful and thankful heart for all the good things in our lives. Here are mine:

The sweet lady at Subway who gave us a discount and a free cookie for Lorelei during a 9 hour drive. Sharing little jokes and laughing with husband. Hearing my baby girl mimic words and sounds. Sleeping in after a few days of having to get up way too early. Mexican cheese dip. Coffee (always). Finding something special I thought I'd lost. The very nice policeman who pulled us over because of a broken headlight (which we just had fixed several weeks ago!) and not only didn't give us a ticket, was very friendly at 7am. Looking forward to being with family to dedicate Lorelei on Mother's Day. Planning something fun for husband's 27th coming up!

I'm looking forward to hearing what you guys are celebrating too! :)

Don't forget, you have through Friday to enter the giveaway!

tech savvy: google docs

I am not at all intuitive when it comes to technology. I am amazing at googling things and then following directions exactly as stated, especially when there are visual aids. So, basically, I can follow instructions. When I discover a new app, toy, etc...that's easy to use and makes my life easier, I get a little bit giddy. It's such a relief to find tools that take some of the stress or extra work out of everyday tasks. In the tech savvy series, I'll be featuring different aspects of technology that have been making me feel like the technology rock star that in all actuality, I am not. As you may have ascertained from the post title, today's feature is on google docs!