It is finished.

Sometimes things will be put on your heart and you just can't ignore them. You can't sleep, can't think of anything else until you write them out. So, I guess thats what I'm doing. 

Today is Good Friday. I don't think I really ever understood the weight of that until I was driving home last night.

We all know the stories and images of Jesus taking the cross. But taking time to actually think and pray about it, thats a whole different story. 

For me, it hit me last night that Jesus had a choice.

He didn't have to bear the weight of all humanity. He choose to. He didn't have to take on our sin. He choose to. He didn't have to pay the penalty for our sins. He choose to.

I feel like so often we are faced with decisions that we try our best to avoid. We tell ourselves "someone else will do it", "I'll do it later", "someone else is better equipped to do that". Excuses. Thats not what we are called to. 

Jesus didn't runaway from what God had called Him to do. He prayed. And prayed some more. Then, He did what He was called to do. 

He didn't just start it, He finished it. 

We are called to live like Jesus. Seek God in everything and then do it. 

I challenge you, what has God called you to finish? What has He called you to bear? 

"After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began."

John 17:1 - 5 (NLT)

I pray that this Easter season you will have a new revelation of God's plan for your life.

PS: If you live in the Bay Area, join me at VIVE Church  for our Easter Experience. We have a ton in store for you! 

San Jose • Palo Alto • San Francisco  

9:30 & 11:30 AM.

DIY Kimoji Lapel Pins

I'm so excited to share this DIY with you guys! We are gonna make a kimoji-inspired pin! It is so easy and it will totally impress everyone who sees them.

All you need is:
Crying Kimoji or any photo you want to turn into a pin
Sharpies
Acrylic paint
White Shrinky Dinks Paper
Pin backs
Hot glue or super glue
Scissors
An oven
Glossy Mod Podge

1. Pick out what emoji you want to make and find a large photo of it online.

2. Trace the photo onto the Shrinky Dinks paper using a black sharpie. The photo needs to be large because it will shrink considerably in the oven. Don't worry about getting it perfect. You can fix the details later.

3. Color the picture in using sharpies or acrylic paint. While permanent markers can be easier their colors tend to bleed together and get distorted after baking. You get better color pay off with paint but you will end up with a rougher surface.

4. Color in the details and outline it in black.

5. Cut out your emoji.

6. Place in a 325 degree heat oven for 1-3 minutes. Don't worry when you see the emojis bend, when they shrink down all the way they will become flat again.

7. After your pin is cooled add a layer of glossy Mod Podge.

8. Hot glue or super glue the pin back to the plastic emoji.

9. Show it off!

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Let me know of you end up making this yourself!

XO,
Jasmine

March Favorites

Can you believe March is almost over?! In honor of the end of the month and the beginning of my favorite season, I decided to begin a new series! In my "monthly favorites" series I will share with you guys a few of the things I have been obsessing over the last few weeks. I'm so excited to share my favorites with you guys!

1. Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush in Obsessed
 I have had this blush for a few months but recently fell in love with it. It's long lasting and it goes on sheer for a natural look. Obsessed is the perfect pink blush for spring! Also, Urban Decay never fails with the awesome packaging.

2. SEPHORA COLLECTION Bright Future Color Correctors in Green & Pink
Color correcting is all the rage in the makeup world with now, so I had to give it a try. I picked these two up from Sephora a few weeks ago and they have worked wonders. I use the green corrector on top of red blemished and any redness around my nose. The pink is great to brighten under the eyes and I tend to have some dull skin around my lips and this brightness it right up! Sephora has some great videos on how to use color correctors.

3. Glossier Stretch Concealer in medium 
As if I could love Glossier anymore, they went and came out with a makeup set! This concealer is a game changer. It goes on like butter and wont leave you with creases underneath your eyes. While it is very light, it is also buildable for those mornings where you need a little more coverage. Use your ring finger to warm up the product and apply it directly under your eyes or on blemishes. No brushes/sponges required. (Stay tuned for a full review of Phase 2)

4. Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
The only way to describe this eye cream is a avocado mask for your eyes! I use this every morning and night. It's great for dull under eyes and creates a great base for concealer.

Let me know what your favorite products are!

XO,
Jasmine

Diamond Piñata!

Nothing says party like a piñata! Its hard to find a piñata in stores that isn't shaped like a cartoon character or an animal. So, I decided to make my own! These diamond piñata's are the cutest and can be made with things you already have at home!

All you need is:
Tissue paper
Cardboard (I recycled some Amazon boxes)
Masking tape
Glue
Ruler
Scissors
Pencil
Craft Knife (optional but will make things MUCH easier)

1. Start by tracing out all your pieces onto the cardboard. Below I have included all the measurement and shapes you need to make a small or large piñata. 

2. Next, using either scissors or a craft knife, cut out all the pieces. I found that the craft knife makes it easier to cut the cardboard. 

3. Place the pieces in the shape they will be taped. (see photo below)

4. Get to taping! Tape all the pieces flat.

5. If you are planning on hanging your piñata, at this time you want to cut a X shape at the very top for the rope.

6. Now, tape the outer sides together to get the "diamond" shape.

7. Reenforce the sides with extra tape. This is important so your piñata doesn't come apart. 

8. Set the piñata aside and get out the tissue paper. Cut 1.5 inch strips of your choice of tissue paper.

9. Cut a fringe 1/2 of the way up. I made my fringe 1cm wide but you can make it thicker if you like.

10. Starting from the bottom of the piñata, start glueing on the tissue paper. 

11. Continue glueing on the tissue paper. Feel free to overlap them until you get the look you like. If some of the pieces look messy or out of place you can go back at the end and trim them off with scissors.

12. Have fun with it! 

Let me know if you made this awesome DIY or if you have any questions!

XO,

Jasmine

Groovy Marble Easter Eggs

Easter is one of my favorite holidays for multiple reasons. I love the reason for the season, the flowers, the candies, the egg hunts and especially the ultimate sacrifice of love that Jesus made for us. I also love painting Easter eggs!
This year I decided to try something different. Instead of using food coloring, I used nail polish! WHAT?! Yes, it sounds weird but the result is awesome and its super easy to do yourself!

All you need is:
2 or more different color nail polishes
A cup/bowl of ROOM TEMPERATURE water
Paper towels (things get messy)
Toothpicks
Hard boiled eggs

1. You want everything set-up next to each other because you are gonna have to work fast before the nail polish dries. Make sure your eggs have cooled and your water is at room temperature. If you water is too cold/hot the nail polish will sink to the bottom of your bowl. (Trust me, it happened to me a few times)

2. Start by dropping 1-2 drops of each nail polish into the water.

3. Use your toothpick to swirl the nail polish into the design you like.

4. Dip egg into nail polish water.

5. Let eggs dry on the paper towel.

6. Use your paper towel to remove any "chunks" of unwanted nail polish on your eggs.

7. Enjoy!

Let me know what your favorite way to color Easter eggs in the comments!

XO,

Jasmine 

Anti-Inflammatory Tea

Since my weekend was stolen by the flu, I refuse to let the rest of my week go down the drain also. To kick the last of my sickness out the door, I decided to make my favorite homemade tea. To make this tea all you need is ginger and lemon. 

Ginger is a great cure for nausea and loss of appetite caused by the flu. 

Lemon helps lower body temperature. 

Ingredients:

Lemon 

Ginger

Hot Water 

Mug

Tea Steeper (optional)

1. Slice ginger and place it in mug or tea steeper. For a spicier tea, grate the ginger directly into the mug.

2. Slice lemon and place directly into the mug.

3. Fill the mug with hot water and let steep for three to five minutes.

4. Enjoy!

Let me know if you tried this recipe!

XO,

Jasmine

Whats In My Bag...

Today I thought I would give you guys a little peek into what I lug around with me on a daily basis!

Purse: I got this Cambridge Satchel a few months ago for school but since then I've used it more as a day to day bag. I got the 15" classic satchel which is perfect to fit laptops or tablets.

Journal: I love this Rifle Paper Co. journal so much! I like to make to-do list and this notebook is perfect for that. 

Book: I try to carry a book with me at all times so I can read instead of play on my phone during any down time. How to Win Friends & Influence People is a must read for everyone! 

Wallet: I've had this Kate Spade wallet for years and I still love it!

Blotterazzi: I love these blotting sponges! I tend to get oily in my t-zone but hate using blotting papers (expensive and not great for the environment) so I bought these reusable blotting sponges by beautyblender.

Lip Balm: I am always talking about how much I love Glossier! Their Coconut Balm Dot Com smells like a tropical vacation.

Lavender Oil: I carry this with me at all times. I like to use it in the middle of work for a quick stress relief break. I pour one drop into my palms, rub my hands together and take a whiff of the calming scent.

Energy Bar: My "just in case" bar! GoMacro bars are my favorite.

Charger: I got this Blekin charger from Target.

Headphones: Classic Apple headphones!

What are somethings you have to have with you everyday? Let me know in the comments!

XO,
Jasmine