seattle bound.

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Tonight Brian and I flying to Seattle to visit for the first time ever! We'll be in town for Greta's wedding, but are flying out early to do some downtown exploring. Our friends have given us a very long list of things to do and see while we're in town, and all we can think is that we wish we had an infinite amount of time! Here are some things at the top of our list:

• Pike Place Market (and of course, the original Starbucks) because it's a must-see for tourists like us!
• Tilth Restaurant for fresh vegan eats.
• Homegrown for tasty sandwiches.
• Kerry Park and Golden Gardens Park for classic Seattle views and some time near the water.
• Stumptown Coffee for an afternoon buzz.
• Portage Bay Cafe for brunch.

I'm so excited to sip delicious coffee, spend some time in the rain, and celebrate the marriage of one of my dearest friends. Be back Monday!

Have you ever been to Seattle? If so, do you have any other recommendations (perhaps a vegan-friendly dinner spot)? I'll be checking the comments tomorrow morning for ideas :)

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lost + found.

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Simply put, have you ever felt lost? Not lost like you do when you're a little girl in the grocery store who can't find her mother, or like a teenager navigating the road for the first time. No, what I'm talking about is that feeling in your soul that won't go away—the one that feels aimless and uncertain and all wrong.

Have you felt that?

I definitely have. It's a natural part of the inevitable identity crisis we all experience somewhere between middle school and our 20s. It comes with trying to figure out where we fit in and how we're supposed to look and what we're supposed to be successful at. But the real reason we feel lost is rooted in our searching for those things.

We feel lost when we find our identity in anything other than the one who created us. After all, a clay pot doesn't know what it's for until the potter puts flowers inside of it (see Isaiah 64:8).

Feeling lost is a normal, natural part of life. In fact, it's through that lost feeling that we come to be found. Sought out by God, eternally loved beyond measure, filled with joy and goodness that doesn't come from anywhere human.

It's only through being lost that we discover who we really are: beautiful, worthy, beloved daughters of God.

When have you felt lost? When did you finally feel found?

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anchor of the soul.

Anchors are such beautiful symbols—strong, stable, secure. More than just a symbol of my everlasting love for the sea, they never cease to remind me of the hope and refuge I have in Jesus—the source of all love and good in my life. I love how John Piper says it in A Godward Life:

"God means for our souls to be anchored to heaven. He does not want us to bob and drift on the sea of opinion, culture, trend and passion. He wants us to know our position on the coast and be safe from dashing on the rocks. So he has given us an "anchor of the soul" (Hebrews 6:19). It is "sure and steadfast."

Here are some of my favorite hope-inspiring anchor photos to remind us all today that we can count on Jesus to keep us from drifting on the seas of the standards of this world we live in:

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What symbol represents the hope, love and security you have in God?

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through my lens 6.25.12

This a series where I share snapshots from my daily life. If you're new to the series and would like to catch up on previous posts (or just missed a few along the way), click here for past posts.

Fresh basil: decorative and edible.

Sleepy puppy. 

My favorite spot in the whole world.

Dinner with Karla, my friend and running buddy for life!

A concert on the deck by my beloved dad.

 My collection of bits & baubles.

Daisy, my parents' adorable puppy. Love her scruff!

Breakfast of champions.

What's going on in your life lately? I'd love to know you more!

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lazy saturday morning.

At this very moment it's 12:27pm, but since it's Saturday I still consider it morning. Brian and I are sitting in our comfy chairs, sipping coffee and savoring these restful moments that only come after five days of hard work and busy schedules. My plans for the afternoon are simple: keep lounging and read.

In honor of my lazy Saturday of reading, here are some lust-worthy libraries and reading nooks I found via Pinterest—all of which now reside on my new nooks for books board...

What do your Saturday mornings usually look like? Are you a lazy weekend girl (like me), or a weekend warrior—always seeking adventure and activity?

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come on get appy.

How many of you girls have iPhones? I'm guessing there are a lot of you! And perhaps, like me, you're always on the hunt for the right apps to download. With a sea of them out there (some beneficial and some not) I wanted to share a brief list of my favorite ones for you to check out, and hopefully fall in love with too.

One Thousand Gifts, FREE
Based on Ann Voskamp's best-selling book One Thousand Gifts, this app is a tool to help us remember those little things we're grateful for: our morning cup of coffee, that sweet smile on our significant other's face, the bright orange color of a sunset, and the list goes on and on. I love it because notes can be remembered using both photos and text. Also, you can keep them totally private, or share with friends via Twitter, Facebook, email and even Flickr. After trying to keep gratitude journals for years and failing, this app is finally the answer to keeping track of moments I'm thankful for.

Body Beautiful, $0.99
Created by my dear friend and the founder of Wonderfully Made, Allie Marie Smith, this app helps cultivate a positive self-image and encourages true beauty with inspirational quotes, media articles, videos and tools. Through it, you can share your favorite Body Beautiful quotes, articles, and videos via Facebook, Twitter, and email; and also take and share the "Body Beautiful Pledge" to respect and honor your body. With all of the dieting and calorie-counting apps out there to enable negative body image, this is one that reminds us what real health is all about.

Flipboard, FREE
Other than Instagram, this is the only app that I use every single day. I don't know about you, but I'm an obsessive blog reader. I follow style blogs and food blogs and photo blogs and friends' blogs, and none of the online readers make it easy to read them. Flipboard, on the other hand, creates a personalized magazine of all of the content you want to read—from blogs to Twitter feeds to Facebook and more. Ultimately, it makes the reading experience 100% better and makes my favorite blogs much more accessible.

Whole Foods Market Recipes, FREE
If for no other reason, I love this app because you can sort the recipes by course, category, dietary preference, and keywords. That means I can find vegan, make-ahead dessert recipes or gluten-free, budget-friendly main courses in just a matter of seconds. It's a dream for those with special diets or anyone who is looking for a collection of recipes that can refer to while already wandering the aisles of the grocery store. Another great feature is the "on hand" section, which allows to to enter in ingredients you already have and get matched up to recipes you can make. So fun! Lastly, it has a shopping list to just make life a little bit easier.

Postagram, FREE (plus $0.99 per card sent)
While I love to send notes to my friends, I rarely end up doing so because I either don't have a card or can't find a stamp. Thanks to postagram, however, I really have no excuse. This app lets you choose a photo from your photo library, Instagram, or Facebook to send in a real postcard that will be delivered to a friend in a few days. The postagrams are personalized with the sender's profile photo, and include an optional 180 character message and a 3x3 inch photo pop-out. I love the mix of technology and snail mail, and that the photo personalizes the card. Such a fun way to stay in touch and encourage friends!

What are your favorite apps and why? Do share!

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paving my own path.

While I have no problem with honesty, I have a seriously deep-rooted desire to please the people who are close to me. I tend to do this by pursuing excellence and perfection whenever possible, and can I just say that it's incredibly exhausting?

Since the moment I became aware that my grades counted for something, I worked hard at school so that I could go to a good college and please my parents. After college is where the real trouble began: I quickly realized that I didn't want a traditional career.

I'd grown up thinking I'd be a business woman—perhaps even a CEO like my dad once was—but I hated (and still hate) nothing more than the business of doing business. Sure, over the years I've cultivated many business-related skills; but my desire to use them is rooted in what they're used for: helping young women know their value and live their lives to the full.

Though I feel deeply passionate about my work and I know that I'm using my skills and passions most effectively, I feel like others sometimes look down on my "alternative career," which involves working from home and not getting paid what business-minded people would say I'm worth. Do I know I could be making tons of money instead of doing working for little to no pay? Yes, I do know that. But the real question is, do I care? And the answer to that is simple: no, I really don't.

I am in a position where I can do what I love to do all day long, using my skills to improve an area of the world where I see darkness. I'm so thankful for the support of Brian—financially, emotionally and spiritually—which is truly the way God has enabled me to live out my life's passion. Everyone else may like bringing in huge paychecks and having fancy business meetings, but after years of insecurity I now know and feel confident that I don't have to do what everyone else is doing.

Do you ever feel like you need this reminder? How have you paved your own path (in your career or otherwise)?

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sweet summertime: a reading list.

Today marks the first official day of summer, and you know what I'm thinking about? Reading. On the beach. By the ocean. With a breeze.

I have so many fun trips planned to get me out of the Texas heat (and by the sea), and several weekends at home in Austin that will certainly be spent next to the pool (or, let's be honest, somewhere with air conditioning). That means a lot of time to indulge in the many books I've been putting off reading all winter and spring. Finally!

Below is my ambitious list of summer reads (plus brief descriptions of each, courtesy of Amazon), which I'm hoping to work my way through by Labor Day ...

1. Unsqueezed. In twenty-seven brief, funny and reflective chapters she helps us discover why God really gave us bodies and what we can do with them to serve him and others. Jump out of that suffocating mold and discover what your body is really for.
2. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls. Mindy Kaling really is just a Girl Next Door—not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka.
3. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. A brilliantly realistic journey back to an era of Chinese history that is as deeply moving as it is sorrowful. With the period detail and deep resonance of Memoirs of a Geisha, this lyrical and emotionally charged novel delves into one of the most mysterious of human relationships: female friendship.
4. P.S. I Love You. With some help from her friends, and her noisy and loving family, Holly finds herself laughing, crying, singing, dancing—and being braver than ever before. Life is for living, she realizes—but it always helps if there's an angel watching over you.
5. What Alice Forgot. A knock on the head has misplaced ten years of her life, and Alice isn't sure she likes who she's become. It turns out, though, that forgetting might be the most memorable thing that has ever happened to Alice.
6. Girls in White Dresses. With a wry sense of humor, Jennifer Close brings us through those thrilling, bewildering years of early adulthood as she pulls us inside the circle of these friends, perfectly capturing the wild frustrations and soaring joys of modern life.

Have you read any of these books? What's on your summer reading list?

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homemade veggie sushi (sort-of).

A couple weeks ago while pondering what I could make myself for lunch, I realized I had all of the necessary items to make a first attempt at homemade sushi. My one problem: while I had a big batch of leftover brown rice in the fridge, it lacked the sushi-rice stickiness required to keep a roll together. My improvisational solution? Hummus! Odd as it sounds, it totally worked. Below are the ingredients needs and the easy steps it takes to make your very own at-home cucumber avocado rolls:

INGREDIENTS
Toasted nori
Hummus, preferably a mild or original flavor
Brown rice, cooked Cucumbers, sliced in strips Avocado, sliced in strips Soy sauce, tamari or Bragg's liquid aminos, for dipping (optional)

DIRECTIONS
1. Place one sheet of nori on a flat surface and spread hummus over the top of it, leaving 1-2 inches.
2. Add the rice on top of the hummus layer, pressing it down so that it sticks well.
3. Add cucumber and avocado to the bottom portion of the nori sheet.
4. Roll tightly, sealing the dry end with moisture from a damp paper towel so it sticks to the rest of the roll.
5. Slice into pieces and and enjoy.

The final product will look a little something like this...

Have you ever made homemade sushi? Care to share your recipe?

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mascara: a love/hate relationship.

**UPDATE: A more in-depth version of this post has been published on The Conversation. You can read it in full at www.theconversation.tv.

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I’ve battled my feelings for mascara for too many years to count. I first discovered its magical way of making eyes pop and faces look awake at some point in my teens. Maybelline Great Lash was my mascara of choice, and it never failed to give me the confidence I needed to successfully navigate the halls of Amador Valley High.

At one point in college, I realized my flirtation with mascara had become a secret affair. Nobody knew, but mascara was my obsession. I could not leave the house without a few quick swipes—I felt naked and childlike without it. The time eventually came when I needed to take a break. I declared 40 days of freedom from makeup of all kinds to free myself from the bondage I’d gotten myself caught up in.

The first few days were awful—nothing but insecurities and self-doubt filled my mind. But soon after the initial shock, I started to feel really alive. Suddenly I had more time on my hands, and more freedom to live my life. It may sound extreme, but I hadn’t realized what a burden it had been to coat my lashes every day only to remove it several hours later.

When I wore mascara religiously, I felt insecure; but when I let it go and opened myself to be seen by the world, I felt known. No longer did I hide behind a mask. I was just me—light eyelashes and all.

I continued my mascara fast well past those 40 days—three years to be exact—and when the time came that I felt free of my obsession, I welcomed back my old friend with open arms. Unlike before, this time I felt freedom. I could wear it every day, or choose to skip it for a week. It was a tool to enhance my natural beauty, not a tool to cover me up.

If I’m really honest with myself, I prefer life lived without mascara. I don’t see anything thing wrong with the makeup in itself, but rather I find that I am more fully Natalie when I’m without it. I know that I shine and sparkle and make people smile not because of my long, flirty lashes, but rather because God has created me to be someone special. Perhaps some people think I look better with it on, but I certainly feel better with it off.

What’s your relationship with mascara (or other forms of makeup, for that matter)? Love it, hate it, or somewhere in between like me?

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i love you, dad.

Above is one of my all-time favorite photos of my dad and I, which I wanted to post this morning along with a great big HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to him and to each and every one of your dads who have helped you become the women you are today.

Dad, I love you. Thank you for loving me, taking care of me, and always being there to listen. You took me on father-daughter dates when I was little, paid for my college education, and have taught me so many things about life that I would be lost without. For those things, I'm so grateful.

How has your dad helped you become the woman you are today?

P.S. If your relationship with your dad is not so great, I recommend this blog post by Christina Stolaas on finding sweetness in Father's Day despite a broken relationship with her dad.

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how pinteresting...

Hey friends, and happy Friday! I must ask you one very important question: are you on Pinterest? Because I sure am—and while in a way it can suck all of the time out of my days, pinning/exploring on Pinterest is also one of my tried-and-true techniques for getting out of a creativity slump. Here's a peek at my freshly updated page. You can follow some (or all, if you please) of my boards at pinterest.com/natalieborton.

Leave a link to your Pinterest page in the comments section so I can follow you, too! Happy weekend, and happy pinning :)

What are your favorite things to pin on Pinterest?

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braids of glory: the bangs.

Today I give you the very first installment of the braids of glory series. This is not only my first-ever tutorial video, but also my first time sharing a video of myself on this blog period. While I'm tempted to let my insecurities take over, I know many of you wanted a video and a video you will have! I hope it's helpful to you as you learn to master the art of the braid.

A quick note: please excuse the jingling sound halfway through the video—my pup Maggie always picks the worst times to make noise!

P.S. You can find all posts in this series here, or by clicking on "braids of glory" under the posts by series section in the sidebar.

Was this helpful? If so, what made it so? If not, how can I improve in the future tutorial videos?

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through my lens 6.13.12

This a series where I share snapshots from my daily life. If you're new to the series and would like to catch up on previous posts (or just missed a few along the way), click here for past posts.

Sending out thank you notes to my dear friends who are Wonderfully Made sponsors.

Practicing my braids.

Fedora time.

Quinoa pilaf, up close and personal.

Puppy play time.

Eyebrows for days.

Vegan BBQ cooking class, taught by Chef Rachel.

The final products of the cooking class. Yum!

The makings of a perfect breakfast.

Any exciting stories from your past week?

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true beauty: jessica bingaman

I met Jess several years ago when she was dating one Brian's best friends Conor. Since then, she and Conor got engaged and married, and they are two of our best friends here in Texas. Jess is the life of the party and a naturally hilarious true beauty. She never takes life too seriously, and yet she's someone who you know you could trust with the most serious of things. An ideal combination, if you ask me.

Also, TODAY IS JESSICA'S BIRTHDAY!! Leave her a little birthday love in the comments section, will you?

What is your greatest passion in life? How do you live it out?

This was the easiest question! Loving children. I have always been drawn to the innocent nature of kiddos and I can think of no greater pleasure than watching a child experience something new for the first time. I live out my passion as a teacher—I love getting to spend time with 21 silly, giggly, and wiggly kids every day!

What woman inspires you?

My mom and my sister. My mom inspires me in her unconditional love. My mom is a servant of the Lord in the way she loves her family. Most of all though, my mom inspires me to be forgiving and loving in all things. My sister inspires me in her dedication to others. She is the most reliable and trustworthy person I know and I will always look up to her.

How does what you do for a living fit in with your passions and what you feel is your calling?

The bible says, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” As a teacher, I am a first-hand witness to the amazing nature of children, and also sadly a witness to the cruelness of a world in which children are not loved as they should be.

For those two reasons, I am drawn to being a teacher and working with kids. My kids at school mean the world to me. I praise God for the ability to simply watch them grow and see them develop passions at just 6 years old. I know what a difference my teachers had in my life and how they shaped me into becoming the woman I am today, and I only hope and pray that I can have some impact on the kids I work with.

When do you feel most alive?

When I am away from the busyness of the world and am confronted with the reality of the true beauty of nature, I know I am alive. Going for a run, kicking a soccer ball, sailing, playing with my dog are all ways I reconnect with nature and also recognize the omnipotence of the Lord. There is really no greater "alive feeling" than realizing that a God who can create the sky, the clouds and name the stars, decided to sacrifice his Son to save you. As cliche as that sounds, I realize that when I am outside.

What do you think is the most challenging thing about following Jesus as a 20-something girl?

The most challenging thing about following Jesus at 25 years old is feeling insignificant in advancing the Kingdom. This may be due to all of the changes occurring in our lives (moving after college or getting married, etc.), but I too am guilty of watching other "older, more spiritually mature" woman witness the Gospel and taking a back seat.

I think as 20-somethings, we need to rise up to the challenge, whether we feel ready or not, and realize now is always the right time to tell someone about Jesus. We get very caught up in this new life of ours—having a job for the first time, potentially getting married, becoming independent—that we lose focus on the main objective: loving the Lord with all our heart, strength and mind and loving others likewise.

What do you think is the most rewarding thing about following Jesus as a 20-something girl?

Being alive and being able to follow Jesus! Its what's always rewarding about following Jesus. I guess the only advantage to our age would be that Christ provides 20-somethings a special opportunity to model that attitude for other women. God is consistent in showing me that his view of beauty is what's important and not mine. When He reminds me of this and allows me to show it to others through my words and actions, that is what's most rewarding.

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the spirit within.

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I am daily confronted with two choices: to live according to my whims, or to live up to the Spirit within (big-S intended there). The decision, I find, is a constant challenge.

The whims and desires of my mind and body are so strong. Why would I go running when I could stay in the air-conditioned apartment? Why would I challenge myself or go out on a limb (in work or in life) when I could stay in my sweet, safe bubble of certainty? Why would I spend time in silence with God when I could read the newest novel I downloaded on my Kindle?

Embarrassingly enough, those are often the kinds of subconscious thoughts that dictate my very human behaviors. But, of course, there's another choice that I could make. A choice to live up to my potential—to obey the Spirit who dwells within me. In times like these, I find the best thing to do is pray this simple bit of scripture:

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

How do you return to the Spirit within you when you feel you've wandered away?

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treasure yourself.

Today I'm blogging about self-acceptance and self-love over at Know Your Value. You can read my post over there, or read it in full below. Enjoy!

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A few weeks ago, guest blogger Catherine Galbraith discussed the Golden Rule from a different perspective: loving ourself the way we love others. In essence, she reminded us to treasure ourselves as we are instructed by God to treasure others.

I personally relate to her struggle, as I find it easier to speak kindly to others rather than use positive language about myself in my mind. I'm quick to insult and dwell on my failings, when I know if someone else was in the same position I would encourage them in their strengths instead. I often choose to see what's not right about me rather than celebrate all that's good and fabulous. Why is this?

Treasure yourself is a true challenge to me, and I have a feeling it might be for a lot of you girls as well. Difficult as it would be, what might it look like to live out the challenge those two words present?

For me, it would be pretty much doing the opposite of what I'm doing now. I would acknowledge my shortcomings, but cherish my gifts. I would accept my body's natural shape rather than criticize it for not looking like someone else's. I would treat myself to rest and quiet time and a latte on a tough day, because that's exactly what I would do for someone I loved. I would nourish my soul above all with prayer and scripture, because through that I best understand who I am and what I'm living for.

So today I ask you, how do you treasure yourself?

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book review: the hunger games trilogy.

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Well, ladies, I jumped on the bandwagon. I can finally report to you that I've read The Hunger Games books from cover to cover, and finally feel in the loop. It's funny how each year there seems to be a must-read series that leaves you feeling left out if you haven't read it. Without a doubt, The Hunger Games has been that for us this year.

Like the rest of you probably experienced, I could not put these books down. I read the entire series in less than a week's time, and hung on every word. While often these types of books have interesting plot lines and poor writing, I found that Suzanne Collins kept me reading through both the story and her words.

As addictive as it is nature, this series is horrifying. For those of you who don't know the premise, all three books are rooted in an annual, televised event called "The Hunger Games," where two children from each of the country's districts are selected to fight to the death. Horrifying indeed.

More than anything, though, this trilogy is about death and politics. The theme of political oppression is rich throughout all three of the books, and really the true basis of the trilogy. It's an intriguing and thought-provoking series that I'd recommend reading if you haven't already devoured it!

Have you read The Hunger Games trilogy? What are your thoughts on the series?

P.S. Now that I'm done with The Hunger Games, I'm in need of another book (or series) to dive into. Any recommendations?

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braids of glory.

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One thing I know for sure: I love braids. They are versatile, laid-back and playful, and are perfectly acceptable to wear for casual as well as formal occasions. Recently my blogger friend Bonnie from Going Home to Roost asked me for some hair-braiding tips and instantly I had an idea: a blog mini-series!

In the coming weeks (and in no particular order), I'll share tutorials for how to do the following styles:

• traditional french braid
• katniss braid
• braided bangs
• double braid (braided bangs with side french braid)
• fishtail braid
• braided updo

I haven't decided if I'll teach you the steps by photo, or by video (or perhaps a mix of the two), but I promise I'll help you learn how to master the art of the braid.

Which braid(s) are you most exited to learn?

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standing by our words: a lesson in commitment.

When I was little, my mom taught me a valuable lesson: if a friend invited me to her birthday party and I accepted the invitation, I was committed. Even if a girl I liked more invited me to her birthday party on the very same day, my mom never let me back down on my first commitment. I hated this as a child, but today I realize the purpose behind the lesson. In a very basic way, she was teaching me to be a woman of my word.

It's something we're lacking today (I really never would have learned it if my mother wasn't so diligent) and it's something that we all need to learn if we want to have healthy relationships, strong marriages and successful careers. The book of Matthew in the Bible even addresses this:

Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’ (5:37)

Yes should mean yes, and no should mean no. Period. No excuses, no waffling, no swearing on your future child's grave. Standing by our word is important because it's an element of our integrity, which takes years to maintain and one minute to erase.

Integrity is a noun that refers to adherence to moral and ethical principles, soundness of moral character, and honesty. We lose that when we lie, cheat, gossip, and flake out. Integrity requires consistency. Strong character. Discipline. Commitment. Communication.

While our word should be steady, reliable and trustworthy so that others can trust us to follow through on what we say, life happens sometimes and gets in the way. I know we've all been there—made a commitment to something and suddenly been unable to follow through. The key here is how we handle it, and we really have two choices:

1. Choose to let our integrity fly out the window, hoping the person or people who are counting on us will understand and forgive us later.
2. Have the courage and wherewithal to say something.

When something gets in the way of our word, the answer is to communicate. We've all had flaky situations in our past, but we always have the opportunity to rebuild our reputation. Let's leave behind the wavering, unreliable ways of our past and choose to be women of our word. Our friends, significant others, coworkers and bosses will thank us greatly.

How have you learned to be a woman of your word? If you tend to fall on the flaky side, what prevents you from following through on your commitments?

Image via Camille Styles

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