Hello, It's Me

Oh, dear Gal Pals!  How I've neglected you!  Well, it's easy to neglect when my apartment is computer free, you see? {Oh no, I've turned into Theodor Suess Geisel (Dr. Suess, to you=)!}  Anyways, I'm sorry!  Very!  I'm exhausted at the moment with fixing up my new nest {no, it's still not to my satisfaction}, washing dishes, heating up tv dinners, grocery shopping, work...  I'm so glad it's Friday - ice cream milkshake day {I'm afraid that some of the regular ole' weekdays got the Friday treatment, too this week (it happens when they have a great sale on ice cream, I've noticed - yep, it's a yummy/guilty phenom)}.  How have you been?  How's life been treating my sister?  I hope & pray your days have been blessed, dear sis! 

Love you!  And, I promise more {ahem, better} posts in the future.    

No, my apartment does not resemble the above...more so a room with boxes & bags scattered about with a few pictures & curtains up waiting desperately for their friends.  Oh my...

The Newly Nesting,
-Bess-

P.S.: Don't forget!  Those girls who are participating in my Pay It Forward event (see Pay It Forward post) - e-mail or leave me a comment with your mailing address (comments with addresses will not be published).  Thanks!

P.P.S.: Here's my silverware.  Just in case you were interested in that sort of thing {like I am}.

One Year Later {B.B.'s 1st Blogoversary}

Dear Sister,

It was one year ago - today - that I sat typing up my first ever blog post for Bess’ Bag. I had stumbled {quite by accident} upon the blog scene a month before (sort of like Alice through the Rabbit’s hole), & by the day after Valentine’s 2010, I decided to take the leap myself (it was the Queen of Hearts fault=)… forming Bess’ Bag {the blog you happen to be reading at this very moment}.

Sitting now, snuggled in a blanket in my apartment & taking down these thoughts, I look back on all the happenings of our first year together. From funny headless photo shoots (Cheshire-Cat-style – okay, okay, enough with The Alice in Wonderland comparisons); to crazy craft projects (that make me wonder if my drinking water’s safe=); ringing laughter & stinging tears; honest girl talk about struggles, dreams, & fears; giving you a glimpse into my diary & life & how I’ve made it thus far; leaving the nest {I promise I’ll post pics soon} - I see God’s hand over it all, for He’s the only way I’ve made it. The greatest part of this past year has been meeting you. I hope you have found something special here that reminded you of your own special-ness. You mean so much to me, sis!

Looking back, it’s hard to fathom that a year has passed. God only knows what the future holds. I hope Bess’ Bag will continue to be a blessing through Christ {not through Bess-the-Mess}. I pray that you will continue to bless the blog with your comments, friendship, & sisterhood + that our Father will bless the mess in all of us & create in us pure beauty. Thank you for being a part of Bess’ Bag in year 1!

Love Forever {& a Year},
-Bess-

P.S.: Have you checked out Bess' Bag's new ever-expanding online scrapbook?  Click the "Scrapbook" link under the header to check it out!

“I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy & peace while you trust in Him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit.” –Romans 15:13 NCV

I wish I could put all 91 of your names here!

Paying it Forward {On My Blogoversary}

It’s Bess’ Bag’s one year blogoversary! What better way to get the celebration started than a little gift giving? {I promise a longer post shortly.} I participated in Lauren’s Pay it Forward event on her blog, “With a Smile & a Song” recently… & now it’s time for me to pay it forward, too.


Here’s How it Works…
I will be sending a little package of small *mystery* goodies (perhaps… stickers, ribbon, handmade items, bookmarks, bracelets, beads, tiny gifts, etc.) to 5 of you.


The Rules…
You must have a blog. You must be a Gal Pal {i.e.: follower}. You must live somewhere/anywhere =) on this Earth. You must commit to Pay it Forward on your blog. You must be one of the 1st 5 bloggers to leave a comment on this post!


All right, I’ll do my best to fill in the spots as they become filled. Hmmm, it says the traditional 1 year anniversary gift is paper. I’ll keep it in mind.


1. Ashley Nicole
2. Grace
3. Kendra
4. Anna Faith
5.

*If you're one of the blessed girls above leave me your address in a comment (which I won't publish, of course) or in an e-mail (bessbagblog@yahoo.com - put something recognizable in the subject so I don't think you're spam=).  Your goodies will be coming within the next 2 weeks!

Paying it Forward With Love,
-Bess-

Valentine Wear {Guide 2}

The Single Girl's Guide to Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day… is it a day you circle with a big red heart on the calendar or do you cross it out, hoping to erase it from reality? Do you feel hopeful or depressed when little cupid decorations begin to hit store shelves? If you’re a single girl this Valentine’s Day it can still be special &, dare I say, even wonderful?! Really, singlehood isn’t a terrible curse. It isn’t leprosy or a ball & chain you wear. Honest, even on February 14th…


1. Wear a cute valentine-y outfit.
Whether it’s a red dress that usually sits in your closet {lonely}, a cozy pink sweater you just love paired with a romantic maxi skirt, or adding a pair of heels & a heart-shaped ring to your normal attire…sprucing yourself up extra snazzy can make you feel good (no boyfriend required=). I think I’ll wear something special to church this year + on Valentine’s Day. Need some attire inspiration? Check out my Valentine Wear Guides!


2. Eat candy!
Hey, chocolate is just as scrumptious whether it’s from a mom or dad, friend, or even yourself! Go ahead & treat you! NOTE: Caramel chews received from boyfriends aren’t sweeter. It’s been scientifically proven. =)


3. Write a love note to your heavenly Father + future husband.
I started this tradition last February 14th {the day before I started this blog, actually}. It was really special {& made me feel special & loved} to write a love letter to my first & truest valentine…God + to the man who will one day hold my heart where my Father dwells.


4. Watch a clean romantic flick.
Pop some popcorn & go here for a list of some of my personal favorites!


5. Love your family & friends.
Hug ‘em & kiss ‘em! Let those people in your life know how much they mean to you {& don’t forget to thank God for them}. I always make little goodie bags for my folks & pals. Yep, I may not be attached romantically, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t special people in my life {who deserve candies & cards}.


6. Dance around & worship.
Shut the door to your room, turn on some great music, & praise God. And, yes, you can dance on Valentine’s Day with your Heavenly Daddy & King.


7. Get crafty romantic style.
Get creative & make stuff with ruffles, bows, silk flowers/petals, etc.


8. Read the 1 Corinthians love verses.
You’ll find them in chapter 13.


9. Do things for others.
Love truly puts others first. So, this Val Day choose to go out of your way for somebody. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, visit the elderly at a nursing home, send a card to a widow at your church, present your mom with a bouquet of flowers, & show God’s love to those around you.


10. Be thankful.
Yes, you really can do this. Just think, you’re God’s princess, right? He sees you when you first wake up – crazy hair & all; He sees you when you mess up & say the wrong thing; when you walk out of the restroom with toilet paper stuck to your shoe; when zits pop up on your chin & you think you’ve really got leprosy & need to pack your bags & head to a quarantined island where you can bond with your fellow sufferers; when you look in the mirror & feel un-lovely; when you do bad things – He sees everything… And, you know what, He loves you despite all that. In fact, He loves you more than anyone on this whole big planet/universe/you-name-it ever can or will. It doesn’t matter that you look rough at 6:30 am, that other guys don’t give you a second glance, that you do things that aren’t pretty, even that you do things against the One who loves you the most. He still loves you – unmerited, unchanging, & un-this-doesn’t-make-since (okay, so I made the last one up, but it’s still true). God loves you & calls you His beautiful girl. Yep, I can be thankful this Valentine’s Day – there’s no worry will so-&-so like my outfit, will he like the card I got him, will he reciprocate my feelings, what will he think about these puffy eyes I’m sporting? Nope, I’ve got it good. Really.


Love You,
-Bess-

Valentine Wear {Guide 1}

Valentine Love,
-Bess-

P.S.: Yes, I've moved out on my own!  It's exciting/nerve racking all at once.  I can't wait to show pictures, but even more than that I can't wait to get everything decorated/done, which I'm still working on. =)