Novembrrr, it's cold out there!

Well, well, well.

Here I am at 1:33a writing a blog entry. I wish I could reach out and hug whoever is reading this right now.
Friends, here is a little update!
As of late, I've been inspired by photography and design and have sparked an interest in writing. So we'll see how God uses my desires for his purpose.
These days, being so so so so so cold out, I'm wearing whatever is warmest {matching or NOT. Gimmie them mismatched socks}.
I'm still vegetarian! For Thanksgiving, I made a Salted Blueberry Chocolate Mousse for dessert. Serious yum.
Anyway, I just wanted to say how thankful I am of my life here and now. There are some amazing things going on in my life and I want to be open and honest with things that move my spirit.

Tiffany

Aveda Institute's Catwalk for Water 2012.

How will I be celebrating Earth Month?
Why, I will be walking in this wonderful fashion show. It will be my second catwalk and I couldn't be more excited! The best part is that the hairdresser/stylist is possibly the nicest in the entire world. She's a bubbly red-head that really cares about the model (that's me!) and totally accommodates my modesty. Love that. I love when I can do something fashion related and still be who I am. Makes me happy. :)

The Detes:
The show is Aveda Institute of Portland's Catwalk for Water Event on April 11th.
So. Excited. Here is the site with all of the details: Aveda Portland.
I just got to see the sketch of my dress and hair and I am really looking forward to it!
I'll keep you updated.

LEAP DAY!

I figured Leap Day was a significant (and insignificant) enough holiday to tell you all a little about who I am. Would you like to know? Yeah? No? Here we go.

My name is Tiffany Rochelle Cates.

I love Twitter.

I live in the Great Northwest (Oregon, to be exact) and love it all. The rain, the cloudy days, the gorgeous trees, and the culture. I find it beautiful.

I LOVE ART. Things like this and things like this.

In fact..Here is some of my old photography/watercolor. 

Fashion is a SO much fun. Just putting patterns, colors, textures together. Gosh, one day when I get my own sewing machine, you all better watch out. The fabric will be flying. :)
Jesus is my absolute reason for living. I live and breathe to feel His presence and wish to be more like Him every single day. 

One of my very favorite verses is 

1 Thessalonians 5:19. Quench not the Spirit. Meaning: never have enough. Don't EVER catch yourself saying, "Yeah, I'm a good enough person already. I don't really need to learn more." You can ALWAYS learn more. You an ALWAYS improve and grow deeper in love with God. That's one of my favorite things about being a Christian.

I've got a boyfriend. Drew Fajen. Since April 12th, 2010. He's the most amazing man in the entire world! He makes me feel like a treasure, and I love making him feel the same. He writes music, loves God, appreciates art, and teaches me about myself. For real, he's the perfect guy. I love him.

I have way too many favorite bands to count. I love music (but I'm kinda choosey. It has to be good stuff.) 

I love coffee and tea (again, just the good stuff).

I'll feature some of my favorite things in another post! :)
Weyull, this post is getting quite long, so I'll end it there. Actually here.

valentine's day 2♥12

The following describes my valentine's day this year:
(inhales)

flowers, a sweet text message, leopard-print nails, trader joe's dark chocolate, conversation through conversation hearts, parted hair, sweet music, a black heart-covered skirt, fairly cold weather, adorably themed nicknames, cajun dinner under the Morrison Bridge at Le Bistro Montage (Not to mention we did the Lady and the Tramp noodle thing. Yeah, we shared a table with strangers too. GREATEST THING EVER), soothing mint tea, great composers, and delicious raspberry fool at Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, lots of smiling, gazing etc, PLUS actual heart-to-actual heart conversation allllll with my amazing boyfriend. 


(exhales)
Seriously he's the best. He cracks me up, makes me melt..you know, all of those cooking terms. Basically, he's the unfathomable dream of back in the day 12-year-old-also-present-day-I'm-going-to-make-a-list-of-traits-I-want-in-a-man-Tiffany. I love you, Drew! You're my dream Valentine.


......................................

Random tidbit--My sissy works with me now!!! So much fun. Lookitchu with yer bad self.

is it meant to be?

The other day, Alyssa and I walked around Happy Valley when she stopped me in my tracks to say, "TIFF, YOU MATCH THAT CAR." I like to think me and this cute little thing were meant to be together. Thatisall.

like codes, enchanting codes.

Who can remember the moments right after becoming a Christ-follower or refreshing your relationship with God? Well lately I've been thinking about getting back to this, this absolute bliss of being controlled by the Creator God and renewing my mind and heart to child-like faith all over again. Reading chapter 6 of Blue Like Jazz really did it for me too. Here's a gorgeously written excerpt:

The truths of the Bible were magic, like messages from heaven, like codes, enchanting codes that offered power over life, a sort of power that turned sorrow into joy, hardship to challenge, and trial into opportunity. Nothing in my life was mundane. After I became a Christian, every aspect of human interaction had a fascinating appeal, and the intricate complexity of the natural landscape was remarkable in its perfection: the colors in the sky melding with the horizon, those south Texas sunsets burning distant clouds like flares, like fireworks, like angel wings starting flight. 

God was no longer a slot machine but something of a Spirit that had the power to move men's souls. I seemed to have been provided the answers to questions I had yet to ask, questions that God sensed or had even instilled in the lower reaches of my soul. The experience of becoming a Christian was delightful. 

(Miller, pp. 59-60)

God, give me your artistic mind and breathtakingly powerful love to help me encourage others to crawl back into your arms again.

Everyone loves plugs.

Hey guys! Like every other girl out there, I indeed have a Pinterest account! I love it because when I find an amazing outfit or sweet recipe or something it's all RIGHT THERE in one spot, no thousand+ tabs needed.

To see my interests go
hereherehereherehereherehere.

Thanks a bunch, and happy pinning!

P.S. (I do these a lot): If you don't have a Pinterest and would like to join the fun, feel free to let me know and I can invite cha. :)