Introduction to Southern Magnolias

by Lavender Elizabeth, February 17, 2017
Today I wanted to introduce you to my passion: Southern Magnolias. In September, my sister, Bethany, and I started a wedding and event planning business and we love it!

What is it?
Southern Magnolias is primarily a wedding and event planning company, however, we've recently decided to venture into the world of styling, as well. Most of our recent work has been styling photoshoots for photographers and we've discovered a true love for styling through them.

Who are we?

We are a sister dream team! Not only are we sisters, but best friends, roommates, and business partners. Working together is such a blast! We're very similar in a lot of ways, but different in others, so we feed off of each other really well. Although we're both creative, I'm a little more logical and she's a little more artistic. When we get together, you get the best of both worlds.

What's coming in our future?

On Tuesday, we're styling an elegant, burgundy and gold shoot for Mager Image Photography.
In March, we're designing and styling the Reset Conference in Indianapolis.
In April, we're styling a romantic bohemian shoot for Kristen Winkler Photography.

These next couple months are going to be busy, but so much fun!

I thought I'd show you three of my favorite looks below! The first is from our first styled shoot with Wright Photographs and two are from our jewel toned shoot with Kaula Marie Photography. Be sure to head to southernmagnoliasevents.com to see more! You can also find us on Artfully Wed in the middle of March!


I can't wait to show you more of our work in the upcoming months!

My February To Do List

by Lavender Elizabeth, February 15, 2017
Today is the first installment of my monthly to do list posts. At the beginning of each month, I'll be sharing ten things that I want to accomplish through the month, as well as how the prior month's list went. I hope you enjoy this month's list and be sure to check back in March to see how I did!


Launch Lavender Elizabeth.

Celebrate turning 25.

Create and style an amazing shoot for Mager Image Photography.

Plan a kickass display for the Reset Conference in Indianapolis.

Enjoy a girls' weekend in Chicago with Marie.

Celebrate National Act of Kindness Day by doing something sweet for someone.

Plan a fun Mardi Gras party for my colleagues.

Organize my bedroom.

Follow my blogging schedule.

Create and organize binders to hold Southern Magnolias' event information.

What's on your February to-do list?

Bible Verses for the Morning

by Lavender Elizabeth, February 13, 2017
morning (mawr-ning) noun the beginning of day


Good morning everyone! As I continue along in my alphabet word study, it amazes me that I'm already half way through. Today's word, morning, is one of my favorites. The morning signifies a new day - new adventures, new possibilities, and new chances. These are the blessings the Lord grants us each day. Just as Lamentations 3:23 says, "His mercies begin afresh each morning." What a wonderful gift that is.

Below are some of my favorite verses about the morning.


2 Samuel 23:4 "He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth."

Psalm 30:5 "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning."

Psalm 42:8 "The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and his song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life."

Psalm 46:5 "God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day."

Psalm 92:2 "It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening."

Psalm 139:17-18 "How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand - when I awake, I am still with you."

Psalm 143:8 "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for you I entrust my life."

Lamentations 3:23 "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."

Zephaniah 3:5 "The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame."

2 Peter 1:19 "We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."

Gift Guide: Galentine's Day

in , by Lavender Elizabeth, February 10, 2017
We are officially less than one week away from a day full of love and friendship. No, not Valentine's Day - Galentine's Day! It's a day set aside to celebrate all of the laughter and memories shared between your best girlfriends. For the past couple of years, I've made it a point to go out with my girls and celebrate, whether it be with karaoke, drinks, or a fun gift exchange. If you're like me and love any reason to give a gift to someone, this is the perfect occasion! Below are some ideas to help you spoil your best friends on this very Happy Galentine's Day.

Welcome to Lavender Elizabeth

in , by Lavender Elizabeth, February 07, 2017
Hello everyone and welcome to Lavender Elizabeth, a place to share some of my favorite things and memories!

This blog has been a long time coming. In 2012, I had the idea to create a blog where I documented life in my twenties called Love, My Twenties. In 2013, I created a wedding blog, Dear Wedding Day, where my love for event planning began. In 2016, I wanted a place to share my testimony, so started The Light that Carries Me. I constantly had ideas and wanted somewhere to share them, so started new blogs. I recently had the realization that there was no reason I couldn't combine all three - that's what a lifestyle blog is after all! And so, Lavender Elizabeth was created.

Bible Verses: Darkness into Light

by Lavender Elizabeth, January 16, 2017
light (lahyt) noun something that makes things visible or affords illumination


I have always been a firm believer in evangelizing through example. I think that as we try to be more like Jesus in our everyday lives, people take notice. We're called to be a light for those in darkness and I truly believe that is one of the best tools we have. In fact, that's how I first became interested in the Christian faith. I saw the example that my tenth grade English teacher put forth; I saw the light in her. Her example transformed my life and ultimately showed me how to give my life to Christ (more on that here.) Once we commit our lives to our Lord, we are taken out of darkness, allowing us to be a light for others.

Below are some Bible verses that I find to be a great example of how our lives are transformed into light once we've been saved by Jesus.


Job 33:28 "God rescued me from the grave, and now my life is filled with light."

Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path."

Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."

Matthew 4:16 "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined."

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

John 8:12 "Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 'I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.'"

2 Corinthians 4:6 "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ."

Ephesians 5:8 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."

1 Peter 2:9 "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light."

Revelation 21:23 "And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light."

To read the word studies for letters A-K, click here.

Bible Verses About God's Kingdom

by Lavender Elizabeth, January 08, 2017
kingdom (king-duhm) noun the domain over which the spiritual sovereignty of God or Christ extends, whether in heaven or on earth


Throughout my life, I find it so easy to get caught up in this world we live in. There are so many beautiful things that can distract me from the reality of eternity. There are small things that take up so much time, that it's easy to forget God's allowed us to live in his Kingdom. Every day we have the chance to further His Kingdom by trying to be more like Christ. If you need some reminders about this glorious Kingdom we've been gifted, enjoy the Bible verses below.


1 Chronicles 29:11 "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things."

Psalm 103:19 "The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all."

Daniel 2:44 "During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever."

Daniel 7:14 "He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal - it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed."

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Matthew 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in the field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

Luke 12:31 "Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need."

John 18:36 "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my kingdom is not of this world.'"

Romans 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Colossians 1:13 "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves."

2 Thessalonians 1:5 "All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result, you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering."

2 Timothy 4:18 "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom."

2 Peter 1:11 "Then God will give you a grand entrance into the external kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

To view the previous letters in my Alphabet Word Study, click here.
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