CHARLOTTE RUSSE

One place I'd love to visit one day!

I hope it's one day REALLY soon!!

VERSE OF THE DAY!

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—Romans 6:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When we get death for sin, we're only being paid what we're owed — sin is rebellion against the God who loves us and gave us his most precious gift to redeem us from sin! But God's gift is free — eternal life in Jesus Christ. We could not earn it, deserve it, or demand it. So God offered it by grace.

My Prayer...

Thank you God for loving me when no one else could or would. Thank you for sacrificing the most precious gift of heaven so I could join you there. Of all the gifts I've ever received, yours is the best. I offer this praise in the name of one whose gift has given me life! Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive he crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
—James 1:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Only Christians win at life. That's because none of us who is human has the power to hold back our greatest enemy, death. But when we have persevered, we are given the ultimate victory: LIFE that will not end because our lives are in the hands of the one who defeated death!

My Prayer...
Thank you Father for giving me the assurance that when all is said and done, I will share in your life and your victory forever. Help me this day to live confidently, knowing that I have your life. In the name of Jesus, my conquering King I pray. Amen.

ACCENT PIECE

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
—Ephesians 6:10-11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Many of the struggles in our lives are not mere accidents! Many of them are not put there by God. Our challenges often come from the hand of our enemy, Satan. He always prowls about looking for the best scheme to knock us out of our commitment to and relationship with the Lord. Placing ourselves firmly in the hands of the Lord and using his tools of warfare will help us defeat our enemy who has already been humiliated by Jesus and the cross.

My Prayer...
Strengthen me, O God, that I may stand against my foe and triumph by the power of your Spirit so that I may bring honor and glory to my conquering Savior who will return one day and take me home in victory. In the name of the victorious Rider on the White Horse I pray. Amen.

Ladies (& Gents).. I have an announcement to make!

One of my faves from my teen years,

Mila J (Jhene Aiko's big sis) is back on the music scene!

Check out her new joint "Smoke, Drink, Break-Up"

For those of you who don't know who she is or don't remember, check out a few of her past videos to freshen your memory. Enjoy :)

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Mila J - Movin On

Mila J - Complete

[Intro:]

Nobody wants to be with somebody

That lets you have your way all the time

You know

Everybody wants to be with somebody that’s strong

True story

Cause when you’re weak 

you need somebody 

that’s gonna pick you up 

and make you complete (Uh, yeah)

[Verse 1]

There’s been times 

that you flipped on me 

cause I was wrong 

And I liked it (and I liked it)

There’s been times I’ve called

and it went straight to voicemail

And I liked it (and I liked it)

There’s been times

you gave me closure, 

apologized then you 

cried on my shoulder

and I was in your drive way 

before you fixed your lips 

to say come over

No matter what it is 

I’m there for you

[Bridge:]

Hold up, wait a minute 

shh shh let me finish

I just wanna holla at you 

I bet you finish my sentence

Cause you know where my mind is (you know)

Baby you know where my heart lives

With you

[Chorus:]

You make my life complete (everything)

You make everything sour, sweet (everything)

You are everything (you’re my everything)

Baby you make everyday complete

You make my life complete

Baby you bring out the best in me

You are everything (everything)

Baby you make everyday complete

[Verse 2]

There’s been times 

people try to come between us

And I can’t stand it (I can’t stand it)

Sometimes I feel 

like the world is against us

I can’t understand it (Damn it)

But you always find a way

to escape the world

You love your homies, 

but you never put them before your girl

You said the beauty in me

outweigh the wrong

And you’ve been waitin’ 

for somebody like me so long

Come sit between my legs

and let me rub you

No need to argue

I just wanna love you (love you boy)

All I can do is think about you

Baby, I’m too optimistic to doubt you

[Chorus:]

You make my life complete (complete)

You make everything sour, sweet (everything, everything)

You are everything

Baby you make everyday complete (everything)

You make my life complete

Baby you bring out the best in me

You are everything

Baby you make everyday complete

[Bridge:]

You are everything 

and everything is you (everything is you)

You’re a part of all my dreams 

You’re in my heart 

and can’t be removed

You mean the world to me

And every word I say is true (everything)

You are everything (oh yeah)

and everything is you

[Chorus:]

You make my life complete

You make everything sour, sweet (you, you, you)

You are everything

Baby you make everyday complete

You make my life complete (you)

Baby you bring out the best in me (everything, everything)

You are everything (everything)

Baby you make everyday complete

Thank you

[Outro:]

Now I hope I made a statement (yeah)

That love,

it will never go out of style

And strength,

strength will carry you

You understand

If you’re a real man you do 

Now I want you to ask yourself

Do you deserve me? 

Can you make me complete?

We’ll see

Check this out!

Okay so... Earlier today, my room mate and I went to the gym and while in the ladies locker room freshening up, we came across this big box on the wall. I thought the idea was pretty neat so I had to share..
 - Sunshine

MTV Staying Alive and iCondom are asking everyone to join them in the fight to help prevent the transmission of HIV, AIDS and other STIs.

Simply download the free iCondom app and upload the location of your nearest condom dispenser or retailer via GPS.

Together we are creating the world’s largest condom distribution map, the first user-generated map of its kind.

The app provides information that has been uploaded by other users, such as whether the store has 24 hour opening or a dispensing machine is out of order.

Watch the campaign, download the app and help MTV and iCondom in their mission and make it easier for people to avoid putting themselves and others at risk.

It's officially Spring...! Here are about 5O things you can do to make the best of this season

Plant something green

See the cherry blossoms

Have a picnic at the park

Find the first crocuses and snowdrops

Jog outside

Take a hike

Play softball

Ride a bike

Sit outside at a café

Visit a farm to see the animals

Walk on a deserted beach

Play a round of golf

Go horseback riding

-Nostalgic-
Fly a kite

Look for four-leaf clovers

Jump in puddles

Get dirt under your fingernails

Blow bubbles

Climb a tree

Find a playground and swing on the swings

Feed the ducks at a pond

Wade in a creek

Draw pictures on the sidewalk with chalk

Skip stones across a pond

Plan a spring break vacation

-Eat and Drink-
Roast a bunch of asparagus

Steam whole artichokes and eat them leaf by leaf

Bake cupcakes with pink (or lavender or yellow or baby blue) frosting

Eat a ripe apricot

Visit the farmers’ market and buy spinach and sugar snap peas

Pick strawberries

Eat jellybeans

Buy a package of Peeps

Mix up a pitcher of margaritas

-Just Because-
Listen to the rain

Watch bumblebees at work in a garden

Notice the trees budding

Spot a rainbow

Listen to the birds singing

Go bare-legged

Feel the sun on your face

Leave your windows open to catch a spring breeze

Pet a bunny

See all the Oscar-winning movies

Send someone other than your mom a Mother’s Day card

Wear open-toed shoes

Buy a fun umbrella

Visit the zoo

Decorate your home with fresh tulips and daffodils

Get caught in a spring shower

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought.
—Jeremiah 17:7-8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Trust. Can we trust in God? Is the Lord really faithful? While we may wish to have been alive when Jesus walked the earth or Jeremiah spoke fearlessly God's hard truth, we are especially blessed to be alive today. We stand at the end of an incredible stream of God's work. We can look at history and know him to be profoundly faithful to his people. We can launch out into the future with boldness because we know God is already there!

My Prayer...
Holy God, I know you are there! In the morning, in the evening, in the long nights, I know I am not alone. Thank you for knowing me and going with me through all my days. Please make your presence known to me this day as I seek to honor you in what I do and say. In the name of Jesus, my Lord, I ask this. Amen.

10 WAYS TO BE HAPPIER

Info from RealSimple.com

1. Don’t start with profundities. When I began my Happiness Project, I realized pretty quickly that, rather than jumping in with lengthy daily meditation or answering deep questions of self-identity, I should start with the basics, like going to sleep at a decent hour and not letting myself get too hungry. Science backs this up; these two factors have a big impact on happiness.

2. Do let the sun go down on anger. I had always scrupulously aired every irritation as soon as possible, to make sure I vented all bad feelings before bedtime. Studies show, however, that the notion of anger catharsis is poppycock. Expressing anger related to minor, fleeting annoyances just amplifies bad feelings, while not expressing anger often allows it to dissipate.

3. Fake it till you feel it. Feelings follow actions. If I’m feeling low, I deliberately act cheery, and I find myself actually feeling happier. If I’m feeling angry at someone, I do something thoughtful for her and my feelings toward her soften. This strategy is uncannily effective.

4. Realize that anything worth doing is worth doing badly. Challenge and novelty are key elements of happiness. The brain is stimulated by surprise, and successfully dealing with an unexpected situation gives a powerful sense of satisfaction. People who do new things―learn a game, travel to unfamiliar places―are happier than people who stick to familiar activities that they already do well. I often remind myself to “Enjoy the fun of failure” and tackle some daunting goal.

5. Don’t treat the blues with a “treat.” Often the things I choose as “treats” aren’t good for me. The pleasure lasts a minute, but then feelings of guilt and loss of control and other negative consequences deepen the lousiness of the day. While it’s easy to think, I’ll feel good after I have a few glasses of wine…a pint of ice cream…a cigarette…a new pair of jeans, it’s worth pausing to ask whether this will truly make things better.

6. Buy some happiness. Our basic psychological needs include feeling loved, secure, and good at what we do. You also want to have a sense of control. Money doesn’t automatically fill these requirements, but it sure can help. I’ve learned to look for ways to spend money to stay in closer contact with my family and friends; to promote my health; to work more efficiently; to eliminate sources of irritation and marital conflict; to support important causes; and to have enlarging experiences. For example, when my sister got married, I splurged on a better digital camera. It was expensive, but it gave me a lot of happiness.

7. Don’t insist on the best. There are two types of decision makers. Satisficers (yes, satisficers) make a decision once their criteria are met. When they find the hotel or the pasta sauce that has the qualities they want, they’re satisfied. Maximizers want to make the best possible decision. Even if they see a bicycle or a backpack that meets their requirements, they can’t make a decision until they’ve examined every option. Satisficers tend to be happier than maximizers. Maximizers expend more time and energy reaching decisions, and they’re often anxious about their choices. Sometimes good enough is good enough.

8. Exercise to boost energy. I knew, intellectually, that this worked, but how often have I told myself, “I’m just too tired to go to the gym”? Exercise is one of the most dependable mood-boosters. Even a 10-minute walk can brighten my outlook.

9. Stop nagging. I knew my nagging wasn’t working particularly well, but I figured that if I stopped, my husband would never do a thing around the house. Wrong. If anything, more work got done. Plus, I got a surprisingly big happiness boost from quitting nagging. I hadn’t realized how shrewish and angry I had felt as a result of speaking like that. I replaced nagging with the following persuasive tools: wordless hints (for example, leaving a new lightbulb on the counter); using just one word (saying “Milk!” instead of talking on and on); not insisting that something be done on my schedule; and, most effective of all, doing a task myself. Why did I get to set the assignments?

10. Take action. Some people assume happiness is mostly a matter of inborn temperament: You’re born an Eeyore or a Tigger, and that’s that. Although it’s true that genetics play a big role, about 40 percent of your happiness level is within your control. Taking time to reflect, and making conscious steps to make your life happier, really does work. So use these tips to start your own Happiness Project. I promise it won’t take you a whole year.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
—1 Peter 2:2-3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Salvation is such a precious thing! However, we know something is horribly wrong if a child continues to stay in the same place in his or her growth and maturation. Arrested development in a physical child is the cause of great concern. Hebrews 6 reminds us that is also true in our spiritual lives. God does not want us remaining immature! He wants us to continue to grow. Our Father wants us to crave what is good and what builds us up. So, what are you going to do today to satisfy your spiritual appetite and grow in the Lord?

My Prayer...
Mighty God, thank you for loving me and saving me. I really want to mature in your grace. Bless me today as I seek to pattern holy habits and fill myself spiritually with the things that will help me grow. But Holy God, I know that true growth only comes from you, so I ask you to strengthen me by your Spirit as I pursue your character. In Jesus' mighty name I pray. Amen.

HELLO SPRING!

IT'S OFFICIALLY SPRING!

Chicken Casserole

Ingredients
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
2 bay leaves
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound white button mushrooms, wiped clean and stems trimmed, quartered
Pinch freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
12 cups tortilla chips
2 cups finely chopped onions
1 cup finely chopped bell peppers
2 jalapeno peppers, stem and seeds removed, finely chopped, optional
8 ounces grated Pepper Jack
8 ounces grated Cheddar
1 tablespoon Emeril's Southwest Seasoning, recipe follows
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup chopped drained canned tomatoes
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles, drained

Emeril's Southwest Seasoning:
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon dried oregano

Directions
Combine the chicken, chicken stock, wine, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, peppercorns, 1 teaspoon of the salt, the oregano, and bay leaves in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the chicken to cool in the poaching liquid for 45 minutes. Remove the chicken from the cooking liquid and tear or cut into bite-size pieces. Reserve the chicken. Strain the cooking liquid and reserve.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat the butter in a large skillet over high heat until foamy. Add the mushrooms, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their liquid. Continue to cook until the mushrooms are golden brown and all the liquid has evaporated, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle the mushrooms with the flour, stir to blend, and cook for 1 minute. Add the milk and stir, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until the mixture begins to thicken. Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved chicken cooking liquid, stir, and cook until very thick and flavorful, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Place the tortilla chips in the bottom of a 9 by 13-inch glass casserole. Crush the chips with your hands so they form a thin layer on the bottom of the dish. Pour 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid over the tortilla chips and allow them to soak up the liquid. Scatter the chicken over the top of the tortilla layer. Spread the chopped onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos evenly over the chicken. Top with half of the grated cheeses. Sprinkle with the Southwest Seasoning, chili powder and ground cumin. Spoon the reserved mushroom mixture evenly over the top of the spices, then top with the tomatoes and green chiles. Cover with the remainder of the cheeses. Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the casserole is heated through. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Tip: This casserole may be prepared in advance and frozen until ready to use. Simply allow it to thaw 1 day in the refrigerator and come to room temperature before baking.

Emeril's Southwest Seasoning:
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
—Galatians 5:22-23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
A lot of different religious groups will give you all sorts of ways to know whether or not you have the Holy Spirit. Jesus has one simple answer: "by their fruit you will know them." Paul gives us the definition of holy fruit — LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. Now why not repeat them out loud and ask the Lord to make this fruit yours in full measure?

My Prayer...
Father, through the Spirit I call upon you. Please fulfill in me the character you possess. I want to exhibit the qualities of your child, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

I LOVE SHOES!

Lasagna Cupcakes

Ingredients
Meat Sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 whole cloves
One 1-inch cinnamon stick
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
Kosher salt
1 pound mild Italian chicken sausage, casing removed
1/4 cup tomato paste
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Freshly ground pepper
Ricotta Filling:
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella, plus more for topping
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for topping
3/4 cup part-skim ricotta
1/3 cup mango chutney
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 package wonton wrappers (at least 48)
12 whole small fresh basil leaves

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

For the meat sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil until it shimmers. Add the whole cloves and cinnamon stick, and remove after a few minutes. Add the garlic and onions, sprinkle with a little salt and saute until softened but not browned.

Add the sausage, breaking up the clumps with your spoon. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, basil, as well as some salt and pepper. Stir to combine and simmer uncovered, for about 15 minutes, stirring every now and then. Allow the meat sauce to cool, about 15 minutes, before building lasagna cupcakes. As the meat sauce is cooking, prepare the ricotta filling.

For the ricotta filling: Stir together the mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta and mango chutney. Season with salt and lots of pepper, about a teaspoon, and set aside.

To assemble the cupcakes: Pull out your favorite cupcake pan. If your pan is not nonstick, spray the cups with cooking spray. Place a wonton wrapper in each cup. Don't worry if you're using square ones.

Drop about 1 teaspoon of meat sauce into the bottom of each cup. Then add 1 teaspoon of ricotta filling. Then cover with another wonton wrapper, rotating it about 90-degrees so that the corners of the first wrapper and the second wrapper aren't right on top of each other. Repeat this until you've built three layers total. Top each with a small basil leaf, then another wonton wrapper. Finish each cupcake with a spoonful of meat sauce, a little shredded mozzarella and pinch of grated Parmesan.

Pop them into the oven and bake for 20 minutes. When time's up, resist the temptation to eat them right away or else you'll burn your mouth! Let them rest on the counter for about 10 minutes, and they should slip out of the muffin tin easily. Top with more shredded basil if you like.