A time to appreciate.

{Source}

 If I'm being honest with myself, especially while reflecting on this past year, there is one thing that I would love to work on: the fact that I am really REALLY forgetful.
When I think about all the time I spend dreaming--with my thoughts in far off places--I realize that one of my biggest flaws has always been forgetting to live in the moment.
My forgetfulness gets the best of me and at the worst moments too! Yes, I've forgotten birthdays, completely blanked on exams and most frequently I have forgotten entire conversations.  Being forgetful is cute and charming for about two seconds until you realize how important it is to remember the little things.

Intern Escapades

This post is for all the lovely ladies in Southern California!



{Los Angeles Confidential}

I was so blessed to find an internship in the Editorial Department at Los Angeles Confidential Magazine for this upcoming semester. I am stoked to be their newest Editorial Assistant.  I know how difficult finding a quality internship can be. Paid or unpaid, good ones can be hard to come by. Believe me, I know how disheartening it can be to apply to several and only hear back from one or two.

 

So here is my early Christmas gift to any girls who read this and are looking for a new experience as an intern in magazines, retail, and event planning. The following list includes some internships I've been interested in myself, both paid and unpaid--some of which I have even heard back from, but chose not to interview with because I knew it already conflicted with my schedule.  I hope you enjoy! 

Sparkling Steals

I'd love to start off our Sparkling Steals segments with a special holiday gift guide for those last minute holiday gifts :)

{Ruche, pink one shouldered dress, $32.99} 

This ballerina pink dress from the Ruche online boutique has a timeless elegance with a lot of femininity. Pair with sparkling heels and an ornate necklace and you have yourself a festive New Year's Eve outfit ;)

Selling to Sustain

{31 Bits, Robi Necklace}

       Hi there.

Yup, I'm still avoiding my final projects right now.  But here is another project I'm proud of, one that inspired my thesis for my Senior Seminar paper.  I wrote an article for Azusa Pacific University's student magazine, Collide--and I still cannot get over how much the people I interviewed have impacted my life (31 Bits, International Princess Project, and Give Prints).  I was challenged by three different companies with a vision to live a lifestyle beyond my comfort zone. I hope it also inspires you to shop locally and think ethically when buying Christmas gifts this season. Read Here.

xoxo Elissa

DIY Teacup Stand

It's finals season for us college students. So what do I decide to do? Start up a new blog and make some little crafties. I've officially perfected the art of procrastination. So if you'd like to join me, here is a super simple step-by-step process of how I made my lovely new jewelry display :)

Welcome!

Welcome to Sparkles and Prays! This is a blog that I created to evolve with me in the ongoing changes of my fashion sense and life. With only one semester left of college, God has been preparing my heart to embark on the journey through post-grad life (eeek!). To be honest, I hope to share a lot with you through this blog--and learn more about myself with every post. I hope to relate to other young women, like myself, who live life wondering if anybody else dreams as much as they do.

But most importantly, I hope you are inspired to be a woman

who sparkles and prays in every moment of life.





 xoxo, Elissa