Wednesday, April 30, 2014

What I Love About Sunday

Normally, Sunday is a day full of church, family, nap, cleaning, and more church. It's the best day because it's so full of things I love. 

When I'm on the road, Sunday is still the best day because we get to do all sorts of fun things as a group. You've read about my Maine adventure! This trip, we went to NYC. I had been several times before, but was able to do lots of touristy things this time around. We were a mix of people who had been before and first timers, so it was nice to have a mix of people!

We first drove over George Washington Bridge. 
 
We stopped at Yankee Stadium. 

We went to Central Park. I had never been there before, but honestly it was just a really big park. :/ the concept that it is right in the middle of NYC is cool, though. 

One of the guys who was with us took us to this hole in the wall pizza joint! It was so yummy. 

We went to the Cake Boss Bakery (which isn't quite the real Carlos, but close)

Then, of course, we did TimesSquare.
 Of course, I took a time square selfie!

Then, we shopped for some souveniers, saw the Ferris wheel in ToysRUs, went to Rockefeller Plaza, and did general walking around. 

Finally, we drove to Liberty State Park to see the Statue of Liberty. This was the other thing I had never done before. 


Such a fun travel day with sweet trainer friends!


Sunday, April 27, 2014

#SavilleLifeInPictures. Week 17

Day 110: happy Easter from the Savilles. Moose was not too thrilled about my overly southern hat! 

Day 111: Ty Yokum at Dedication Dinner in Voorhes. Still my favorite part of grand Openig week. 

Day 112: thanks so much, hotel maid, for findin my missing earring! I wore just one all day...oops!

Day 113: having a little fun in the kitchen in Voorhees!

Day 114: chipotle burrito + cfa cheese sauce = perfect fuel for a long day!

Day 115: so proud that I accomplished this French braid/messy bun combo instead of my typical work ponytail! 

Day 116: definitely volunteered to get bread from the truck today in order to enjoy a few minutes of sunshine! 

Also, don't judge my work theme this week! It was a crazy and fun grand opening week!

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Just a list of random things

1-I sleep really well in hotels. Like, I sleep better than when I'm at home. Part of me thinks this is an indication that I need new pillows in a big way. 

2-I find it ironic that the day after a fashion post, I admit that since Sunday, I have only worn uniforms and sweats...and probably will continue this trend until next week. 

3-I bought this shampoo (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006O2GNO/ref=mp_s_a_1_20?qid=1398344471&sr=8-20&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70) a couple months back and it has done wonders for my hair. Surely I'm not the only person with dry scalp and oily hair, so I thought I would share. 

4-I'm on the hunt for a pair of wedges. The problem is, I want to spend less than $40 on them. Anyone seen a great pair in that price range?

5-yesterday, I cut and my friend Cheis squeezed 20 cases of lemons. My right bicep is literally sore today. It is a problem! 

Those are all of my words for now. I have nothing else. I'll be back tomorrow with my fitness Friday--My Running Playlist! 

Monday, April 21, 2014

Spring Break Adventures

Even though I'm not still in school, my world still sort of runs in the school schedule. My sisters are still school aged, my brother and SIL teach, my inlaws run on a school schedule, etc so it just makes sense. Last week, I had a break between grand openings and it just so happened to be spring break as well! I filled the week with so many adventures. :)
On Monday, I shopped for Easter outfits and got to spend time with my friend Christine and her (now) two kiddos! 

Tuesday was my "boring" day! I did so much laundry and cleaned the house. 

On Wednesday, I hung out with Kelly K and borrowed some of her camping things, then my "Paul and Timothy" discipleship partner and I met, and finally Kelly A and I sewed a lot of pillowcase dresses for a Haitian orphanage. It was a crazy busy day!!! I was planning on finishing my house and packing for a fun trip that night, but I ran out of time!

For the weekend, Micah and Chelsea, Tyler and Andi, and Bryan and Shannon, and Moose and I headed out on a fantastic camping adventure!
Micah said we have too much stuff for one weekend! Do you agree? Haha

Beautiful scenery at Lake Jocassee. 


We all relaxed in ENO hammocks several times! The boys even slept in theirs. 

Setting up! T needed some extra hammock help. 


We had so much yummy campfire food:

We were able to hang out by the water:



It rained dreadfully in the night on Friday. I wasn't feeling well, we had a 7 month pregnant lady, and 4 men who were determined to sleep in hammocks, but we all worked together to create some shelters and have a wonderful time! 

I'm so grateful for a group of friends in the same stage of life as Moose and me. 


To top off Spring Break, we had Easter lunch at my parents with my whole family, the Clems, and the Berrys. We've sort of adopted the church staff as our extended family. Love. :) 







#SavilleLifeInPictures2014. Weeks 15 and 16

Because I took a little spring break hiatus, I have two weeks of Saville Life to share with the blog world. Week 15:
Day 96: we hosted a baby shower for our sweet friend Andi and Baby Liam!

Day 97: stayed up way too late watching the National Championship Game

Day 98: had to get some liquid energy because of day 97's events! Working Grand Openig Hours is tiring!

Day 99: literally, my side view mirror is gone. #ohspartanburg

Day 100: I am so grateful to have had the ability to hang out with this guy a little extra on this week! Laying around, catching up on TV, and doing nothing!

Day 101: Subbed at the Middle School on this day and got to see this sweet girl play basketball against the teachers. She was the only girl who played. #nobigdea

Day 102: bonfire with friends; let spring break begin! 

Week 16:
Day 103: started a super over-ambitious project with our small group on this day! We began making pillow case dresses for Shannon to take with her on a mission trip to Haiti this summer!

Day 104: got to hang out with this cutie and meet her new brother, Levi. (And got to spend some quality time with her Mama!)

Day 105: it's a glamorous life, but somebody's gotta do it! Laundry!!!

Day 106: this was a super busy day, but it ended with sewing with my sweet friend Kelly, playing catch up on dresses!

 Day 107: we got to celebrate this guy's birthday with a whole day of fun! I love my husband! 

Day 108: friend spring break camping trip! So much fun that I don't have the space to share here. I'll be recapping soon!

Day 109: came home from our short little trip and had our Salt and Pepper group at our house. (It is a multigenerational 'supper club' that our church does). So much fun with all of these different friends. 

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Why Easter?

There is so much hoopla around Christmas and the Chriatmas story, but so often we fail in connecting the story all the way through. We fail in continuing the story to make it more, more than the birth of a Savior. 

Christ grew up, in both wisdom and in the ways of man. He became a wonderful teacher, healer, and disciples many. But, that was not His purpose. He had to die. 

Why, you ask? The sin (bad things that we say, do, or think that displease God and His standard) each and every one of us has committed creates a chasm between where we are and where God is. We cannot bring that into His presence. In fact, His justice tells us that the only punishment from our sin is death-eternally in Hell. (Complete and total separation from God). Each and every person has received his/her sentence-death, separation from God, lack of hope. 

But God, through his infinite wisdom and grace has supplied a way for us. Just one way! So, through a wonderfully dramatic series of events, Christ was tried, unjustly found guilty, and sentenced to death-even death on a cross. The perfect Christ, who lived a beautiful picture of His Father in heaven, who actually met the standard set by God for "perfect living" was about to die. Why? 

It was our redemption price. This means that He died in our stead. He literally bore the weight of every single sin we ever did or will do, was carried to a cross and died. 

Praise Him, the story does not end with His death. You see, His death paid for our sins, but that was it. The redemption process is not over. If He had stayed in the tomb, He would've been just as every other man. However, death could not defeat Christ; the weight of your sin (of my sin) could not defeat Christ. The Scripture says it best: He is not here; He is risen. 

Christ arose and His actions give us an escape from eternal death, from Hell, and from our sin. However, we must accept Him as Savior (one who saved us from destruction) and believe He is Lord of all. We were bought with a price, but we must accept and go along with the perfect plan. 

One of my favorite stories from the Old Testament is a beautiful picture of this redemption. Hosea is asked by God to go to the city and pay to purchase Gomer, a prostitute in his city. He does, and brings her home. Continually for several months, Gomer attempts to run away. She does not accept that Hosea purchased her to be free, to be loved, and to be His. She had only to accept it and she would live a beautiful life of freedom. Ultimately, after several attempts to return to her sin, Gomer believes that redemption by Hosea is the safest place to be, the best place to be. We, in this story, are Gomer. We have been bought with a price-we have only to accept that we are free, we are His--and it is th best place to be. 

God pursued me as Hosea pursued Gomer. I realized that I was a sinner, I had done things that were not up to par, and I did not want to spend my life in eternal death. It was better; it was right to give control to God and allow Him to rule and be The Lord of my life. 

So why Easter? Because He is pursuing you. He is not dead; He is Alive and wants to love you personally. You have only to accept Him and who He is!

Friday, April 18, 2014

Good Friday

Yes, I know I've taken a little blogging hiatus. I apologize to my faithful few, but I've been enjoying "Spring Break" with my friends and family and will be back with a vengeance on Sunday. 

I wanted to briefly highlight Good Friday and the Easter season. 1 Corinthians 15 tells us this: 
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 
 
And that, my friends, is what this weekend is all about. Happy Easter! 

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

My Fashion Philosophy

A recent coveraation I had, where I mentioned that I don't spend more than $15 on a clothing item most days, sparked a small debate. The debate was-cheaper clothes that you have to hunt and last less time or pricier clothes you know you can find and will last longer. 

I see both sides and am not going to argue either one at the moment! But-it got me thinking about my closet and my fashion philosophy. 

Truly, I haven't changed sizes in about 10 years. So, unless it is faded or dreadfully out of style--I've kept it. That being said, my closet is a hodge podge of lots of things! About 6 months ago, I decided it was time to create a "grown up" look that was "Megan." I scoured the Internet and Pinterest for looks I liked and I found that my fashion sense resonated mostly with Shea, from the Mix and Match Mama. (You may know her as bachelor Sean Lowe's sister).  I read several of her posts about fashion and learned that having several key pieces that you can "mix and match" is crucial. Then, you add in cheaper fun pieces-scarves, jewelry, shoes, etc. She shops at places like Nordstrom, J Crew, Gap, etc (places I don't shop unless I have a coupon or it's 50% off!), but I was able to take and learn. 

I cleaned out my closet of super dated things and investigated. I had several good pairs of jeans, a military jacket, a multitude of scarves, and t shirts galore. I realized that I needed some "dressy TShirts" and some blouses. Here's where my rules come in! 

1-if it is less than $15 and fits the items I've pinned or I can see myself wearing it in at least 3 ways, I buy it. 
2-if it's over $15 and fits the criteria, I snap a picture of it and think about it and or search for a cheaper option!
3-if it's for a special occasion (Easter, interview, an event I want something special for), I'll up my price point to find something I love. 

I don't follow hard and fast by this, but I have little to no buyers remorse when I do this! I've found that if I buy things on sale and shop at places like TJ Maxx and Ross, I can make a style-centric wardrobe on a budget. Pants-I allow a little leeway, but still try and find a good pair of jeans on clearance! 

Shoes and handbags are harder. I have champagne taste and a boxes wine budget. ;) To that point, some friends and  I went shopping a few weeks ago and were looking for cute flats. Every pair I picked up was over $70. Literally. I walked away with no shoes! The next week, I found Micharl Kors sandals at Marshall's for $30 and bought them on te spot. My point is, if I'm in love and it's right after we got paid, I'll spend a little more. But-if I'm out shopping and find something I like: $15 Max! 

It had been quite an interesting experience coming up with my current style and budgeting for it, but I love it and am grateful for Internet style inspiration via blogs and Pinterest! Just search and you can find your look as well! 

Friday, April 11, 2014

Fitness Friday. Edition: Running Playlist

Nothing gets me going like a good running playlist! I thought I would share 20 workout songs (and my eclectic taste in music) with you. I am going to put my playlist on shuffle and give you the first 20 that play! Let me know if I'm missing somethig amazing!

1-Love You Like A Love Song, Selena Gomez

2-Just Dance, Lady Gaga

3-Mr. Know It All, Kelly Clarkson

4-Hit Me Baby One More Time, Brittany Spears

5-Boot Scootin' Boogie, Brooks & Dunn

6-Waterfalls, TLC

7-Rolling In The Deep, Adele

8-Take It On The Run, REO Speedwagon

9-Young, Wild, and Free; Wiz Khalifa

10-Should've Said No, Taylor Swift

11-On Top Of The World, Imagine Dragons

12-Unwell, Matchbox 20

13-Dream On, Aerosmith

14-Don't Stop Believin', Journey

15-It Ends Tonight, AAR

16-Summer Of 69, Bryan Adams

17-MMMBop, Hanson

18-Jack and Diane, John Mellencamp

19-Party In The USA, Miley Cyrus

20-Africa, Toto

See? Eclectic and wonderful! Moose would say eclectic and awful!!! Thoughts? What awesome workout songs am I missing?

Thursday, April 10, 2014

The big city is getting to me

One of my first days in Spartanburg, a fellow Grand Opening Trainer shared with us that Spartanburg is number four on the list of "worst cities to be in the southeast."  

My mom told me last Sunday, "you guys need to be super careful. That's not a great area."

We should've taken heed. We so should have! Last week, when setting up the restaurant, my friends left their belongings on a table. Two guys came in to get an application, and one of them helped himself to my friend Cassie's wallet. The worst part about this was that she had flown and had to contact her home state's DMV to get some sort of ID in order to fly home! Long, boring story short-they tracked the guy down, tazed him, and put him in jail. Bad news was, her wallet wasn't recovered. 

Then, yesterday...this happened 
 
Yes. In case you were wondering, that's where's side view mirror should be. No, it's no longer there. Honestly, I have no words for this!

All I know is that this small town girl who forgets to lock her car (and sometimes her house) is so not ready for the crime of the big city of Spartanburg. Watch your wallets...and your car parts! It's shady over there.