Lately I’ve found myself bogged down all in the wrong things. I’ve found myself overlooking the beautiful and funny and lovely things about life- in favor of a to-do list and the frantic anxiety of having too much going on.

That’s just not the way I want to live.

I want to live a life that’s full of celebration- whether I’m at my desk or in the middle of the dance floor.

And the thing I’ve realized is that it takes an intentional effort to live that way. You don’t live a life of gratitude- of seeing God’s goodness woven throughout your days- by accident. It’s something you have to do very much on purpose.

So here’s my new series. Every Friday I’m going to feature the top five things that caught my eye that week- pops and reminders of the fact that God’s creation is a beautiful place and worthy of every ounce of celebration that we’ve got.

(If you’d like to be featured on “The Loveliest things” send me an email with the top five things that had you giddy with delight this week! -Stephanie@StephanieMaywilson.com) 

1. Fresh Faces

There’s something so refreshing, so natural and earthy about the moment when your makeup comes off for the day- or better yet, the days that don’t require makeup at all. Your freckles have the room to shine and your skin takes a deep breath and you feel purely and perfectly you.

2. Cool white sheets

After spending a year with nothing but a thin sleeping mat seperating me from the cold concrete floor, I came home with some heavy requirements. I wanted the fluffiest bed I could find- with lots and lots of clean, white sheets. I can’t help but sigh with pleasure as I slip in between the cool, crisp sheets each night. It almost makes me forget all about the concrete… almost.

3. A village

They say it takes a village to raise a child- well I’d like to postpone that advice and say that it takes a village to raise me. Lately I have recently felt so surrounded and loved- cozied up with text messages, phone calls, emails and visits to my new apartment. I am so wrapped up in people who deeply know me and deeply love me and I couldn’t be more grateful.

4. Laundry fresh from the drier

Not having had a drier in a year- it was all I could do not to stick my head directly IN the drier when I did my laundry a few nights ago. There is nothing in the world sweeter than burying your face in something warm that somehow always smells like sunshine.

5. Laughing until your stomach hurts

The best part about my life these days is how much I laugh. My roommate Kacie and I laugh constantly- playing and singing and dancing and thinking that we’re the funniest people in the world… which, as far as we’re concerned, we are. If you’re needing some endorphins, come on over… we have some to spare.