02/24/18
Dear Long Distance Bestie,
Through every phone call missed, every plan to meet up cancelled, you’ve continued to love me.
You’re there for me when I spend hours crying, or bragging about a date. Then understand when I have to hang up before you could tell me about your day.
You drive hours to see me, instead of spending your weekend catching up on laundry.
You act like no time has passed when we go through months without talking.
I know you’d hop on a plane if I needed you to. So, I thought you deserved to know how much I’m thankful for you!
You’re there for me when I spend hours crying, or bragging about a date. Then understand when I have to hang up before you could tell me about your day.
You drive hours to see me, instead of spending your weekend catching up on laundry.
You act like no time has passed when we go through months without talking.
I know you’d hop on a plane if I needed you to. So, I thought you deserved to know how much I’m thankful for you!
02/07/18
“So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, & God lives in them.”
1 John 4:16
1 John 4:16
Love is Lent, Not Valentine's Day
I grew up Baptist, so Lent was something I would torture my Catholic friends about. They would give up chocolate… I’d eat it in front of them. I was a sweet kid.
In college, I finally learned what Lent was. I attended a church in Oxford every once in awhile & heard they were doing a night service for Ash Wednesday. I weirdly felt like I needed to go, despite having no idea what Ash Wednesday was.
That was the Lord doing work.
I was in a lukewarm season of life, but God did some foreshadowing that night. He introduced me to a practice that would solidify my Christianity years later.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
When I moved back to Memphis in May of 2016, I was a pretty annoying human being. I was stressed about landing my dream job, & prideful for the same reason. It made me extremely moody and narcissistic…
I was also experiencing tragedy for the first time as I reported from shootings & car crash scenes. The Lord was living in very small quarters of my heart, so all of this put together created the most broken human being.
“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, & their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:21
That October I told my parents I needed to go to therapy. My dad told me that wasn’t the solution… Jesus was.
For the next four months I started talking to God more, reading my bible, & going to a few church services. I was getting a relationship with God back, but it didn’t happen overnight.
That’s where we get to Lent.
“Their land has also been filled with idols; They worship the work of their hands, that which their fingers have made.” Isaiah 2:8
I was dealing with idols a lot of us 20 somethings have: alcohol & social media. I wouldn’t say I was addicted to either, but both definitely kept (& keep) me from walking through the world like Jesus did… no matter how much he enjoyed his bread & wine nights with his bros, then documenting it. (hehe)
God has this annoying ability to scream at you until you do something. While I was driving last February, he told me I needed to do Lent again this year & do it big. A week before Lent started, I made the decision to give up alcohol & Snapchat.
"For where your treasure is, there also will be your heart." Matthew 6:21
I don’t know if anyone has ever noticed how much those two things are used in millennial social settings. I was constantly tempted to download the app & say yes to the guy offering a free drink. I wish I could tell you I succeeded, but I didn’t. I struggled in the weight of these idols the entire time. With every success or failure, I was talking/begging/internally screaming to God, asking him to help me.
"Yet he knows my way; if he tested me, I should come forth like gold." Job 23:10
It hurt to let him down. However, it also made me understand what true love was for the first time in my life.
Jesus gave up his life for us, & I couldn’t even keep from having a beer or taking a selfie.
Here’s the wonderful part: All I have to do is ask him to forgive me & he will. No grudges, no “told you so's”, no maybe tomorrows. Jesus was a perfect person & I screw up so much, yet he continually loves me & will never leave.
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
This weekend I was talking with a friend about the feeling of heartbreak. How it hurts physically & you never think anyone else could possibly survive it. It didn’t hit me until then that God feels that kind of pain every single time we sin against him. It’s not a generic sadness, it’s pure heartbreak. Yet, he stays in the relationship & never gives up on us.
I grew up in church, yet I still have a hard time wrapping my head around that.
So ladies and gents, that’s why the holiday that falls on February 14th & celebrates love is Lent, not Valentines Day… because no man can compare that.
"The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior, who will rejoice over you with gladness, & renew you in his love." Zephaniah 3:17
**Big thanks to Phen Hildreth for the amazing photo!
1/22/18
My very serious argument for being fake:
Beyonce has Sasha Fierce, Niki Minaj has Roman Zolanski, and Miley Cyrus (Stewart?) has Hannah Montana.
Why only let famous people have all the fun?
There's a reason we all love a good dress up party. It gives us a reason to get away from the stressful bottle of emotions we call ourselves, and gives us an opportunity to use our imagination. We get caught up in the status quo, but looking a little differently can lead us to new experiences.
Now, I’m not saying you should change your entire personality! This is more about outward appearance. The harsh reality is that we (especially women) are sometimes judged by what we wear. I will admit, I do it to people all the time.
I'll use my weekend as an example. I would say I am pretty preppy. My prized possessions are my Lilly Pulitzer dresses, Burberry purse, and pearl earrings. However, last week I was bundled in three layers every single day. When the weekend hit, I wanted to get dolled up. I also wake up at 2:30 am every morning, so I wanted to be comfortable in the off chance I fell asleep at my friends house before we went to grab drinks. That combination created the outfit above.
How much do I wear pants over a dress? Never. When do I show more than a centimeter of my stomach? Never. Am I ever seen without a pop of color? Heck no. I went from 2016 Taylor Swift to Kardashian real quick. The change was exciting, and had me attempting my best "smize" instead of cheesing for the camera.
I could never have felt more confident, and danced the night away with my friends because of it.
I cannot remember a time where I haven't felt pressure to look a certain way. It's something society thinks will free us, and make us individuals... but I think it actually puts us in a box. So, why not try a new look? Maybe it's the change you've been searching for all along.
Or, it could be something that shows you just how wonderful your personal style actually is... I type as I plan out tomorrow's pencil skirt and J Crew sweater combo.
((disclaimer: I don’t think outward appearance is THAT important... this is simply just something fun to try.))
Why only let famous people have all the fun?
There's a reason we all love a good dress up party. It gives us a reason to get away from the stressful bottle of emotions we call ourselves, and gives us an opportunity to use our imagination. We get caught up in the status quo, but looking a little differently can lead us to new experiences.
Now, I’m not saying you should change your entire personality! This is more about outward appearance. The harsh reality is that we (especially women) are sometimes judged by what we wear. I will admit, I do it to people all the time.
I'll use my weekend as an example. I would say I am pretty preppy. My prized possessions are my Lilly Pulitzer dresses, Burberry purse, and pearl earrings. However, last week I was bundled in three layers every single day. When the weekend hit, I wanted to get dolled up. I also wake up at 2:30 am every morning, so I wanted to be comfortable in the off chance I fell asleep at my friends house before we went to grab drinks. That combination created the outfit above.
How much do I wear pants over a dress? Never. When do I show more than a centimeter of my stomach? Never. Am I ever seen without a pop of color? Heck no. I went from 2016 Taylor Swift to Kardashian real quick. The change was exciting, and had me attempting my best "smize" instead of cheesing for the camera.
I could never have felt more confident, and danced the night away with my friends because of it.
I cannot remember a time where I haven't felt pressure to look a certain way. It's something society thinks will free us, and make us individuals... but I think it actually puts us in a box. So, why not try a new look? Maybe it's the change you've been searching for all along.
Or, it could be something that shows you just how wonderful your personal style actually is... I type as I plan out tomorrow's pencil skirt and J Crew sweater combo.
((disclaimer: I don’t think outward appearance is THAT important... this is simply just something fun to try.))
1/3/18
I'll let you in on a secret: I love words.
Lovely
Darling
Wonderful
These are words that make my heart flutter.
Words can bind two people in a marriage or break a heart. They can name a newborn child or drive someone to kill.
In 2018, we are accustomed to getting out our words out as quickly as possible. Then, we can edit & delete them.
That's why letters are so wonderful! (There I go using one of my favorite words.) Letters give the reader your uncensored thoughts, while showing them how much effort they're worth. I mean, how many times have you written a note since middle school?
I am new to this letter thing, but I'll give you one rule you have to follow: You Do You.
Want to use monogrammed cards? Go for it. More of a notebook paper gal (or guy)? Fold it up. Fan of cute quote cards from Target? Start writing. Your friends & family will undoubtely enjoy a letter that looks like you, just as they will love reading it.
Tell someone you thought of them during your walk to work, or thank them for their hospitality. Literally any excuse to write someone is a good one.
Trust me, you'll become the favorite friend fast with just a few stamps. :)
Lovely
Darling
Wonderful
These are words that make my heart flutter.
Words can bind two people in a marriage or break a heart. They can name a newborn child or drive someone to kill.
In 2018, we are accustomed to getting out our words out as quickly as possible. Then, we can edit & delete them.
That's why letters are so wonderful! (There I go using one of my favorite words.) Letters give the reader your uncensored thoughts, while showing them how much effort they're worth. I mean, how many times have you written a note since middle school?
I am new to this letter thing, but I'll give you one rule you have to follow: You Do You.
Want to use monogrammed cards? Go for it. More of a notebook paper gal (or guy)? Fold it up. Fan of cute quote cards from Target? Start writing. Your friends & family will undoubtely enjoy a letter that looks like you, just as they will love reading it.
Tell someone you thought of them during your walk to work, or thank them for their hospitality. Literally any excuse to write someone is a good one.
Trust me, you'll become the favorite friend fast with just a few stamps. :)
1/2/18
Let's talk hair.
When I was in middle school I distinctively remember two guys sticking pencils in my curly, large hair. (Think Sarah Jessica Parker + more frizz.) I would beg God to let big hair come back in style as Lauren Conrad & Paris Hilton graced the covers of magazines with pin straight locks.
Over time, I memorized enough YouTube tutorials to braid, curl, & tease my hair enough to get a few compliments. Now, it's one of my favorite things about me! However, the short TV hair is new to me, & I haven't been able to find a unique look I love... until now!
The Dry House in Green Hills always looked glamorous across my Instagram feed. Celebs would tag the salon enough for me to finally follow them, & I had to make an appointment. They did not disappoint & I even got a turn at the selfie wall! If you ever need to Treat Yo Self, this is the place to do it.
1/1/18
HAPPY NEW YEAR from the best people in the world & me. We welcomed 2018 with killer dance moves & karaoke.
I could go on & on about new years resolutions, but honestly I never keep them. I just hope the love I felt last night will keep me warm through 4:30 am live shots in January.
I cannot wait to document my year through shelbyshow.co!
I could go on & on about new years resolutions, but honestly I never keep them. I just hope the love I felt last night will keep me warm through 4:30 am live shots in January.
I cannot wait to document my year through shelbyshow.co!
12/30/17
I'll admit it. I'm cheating.
Ya'll know I'm a Memphis girl, but Nashville has my heart this week! I met up with friends in the 615 & made sure we got the full tourist experience.
These pictures were taken on the cutest alley in the 12 South area. We used a cupcake ATM & sipped sweet tea while trying on clothes at Draper James (Reese Witherspoon's store).
We also stopped to take these pictures in 20 degree weather. Freezing never felt so fabulous.
More trip details to come.
Ya'll know I'm a Memphis girl, but Nashville has my heart this week! I met up with friends in the 615 & made sure we got the full tourist experience.
These pictures were taken on the cutest alley in the 12 South area. We used a cupcake ATM & sipped sweet tea while trying on clothes at Draper James (Reese Witherspoon's store).
We also stopped to take these pictures in 20 degree weather. Freezing never felt so fabulous.
More trip details to come.