Hannah Morrison

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5 Things For Prayer



August 26, 2016

I think one of the things I hear the most for both new and seasoned believers is, “I want to pray, but how?”

I certainly am no expert in this whole faith thing, and I never will be. I hope I never falsely believe I DO have it down. I am constantly being refined, broken down to be put back together, and it’s a beautiful process. To be honest, I have been in a really trying season of life. To be even more vulnerable, I have a hard time reading my Bible and being disciplined in my routine, but for some reason prayer has always been second nature to me. Ever since I was a little girl I have prayed long extravagant prayers, and if I fell asleep before (or, let’s be real, during my prayer time), I would wake up and immediately feel prompted to finish my prayer I had started. I truly believe that it is my prayer time as a child and into my teenage years that shaped me and showed me how real God is. The crazy things I just listed off and prayed and saw come to fruition later in life, things so specific, showed me God is real and he hears and he cares to show his children how real he is.

Prayer is a beautiful invitation to be in relationship with God of the universe- that’s pretty sweet. How you approach him in prayer will also reveal your heart’s view of how you can relate to him. Allow me to explain. When you pray, do you feel fearful or the need to come in low and ashamed? Or, do you approach a conversation with God, like a mentor or parent? I encourage you to seek the latter. When I was in high school, I would roll the windows down on the way to dance in the wee early hours of the morning, pitch black outside, and pray out loud. I would start off with “Hey God” or “Good morning, God!” It was such an incredibly intimate time, and I will never forget those crisp morning drives. I can quite literally still smell them. The more you see the Lord as a relationship, the greater your trust will grow and your prayer life will flourish. So what do I pray for? How do I start this? I have 5 tips and things I pray for daily that I hope will help you spark your own personal prayer life. Make it your own! This isn’t “the format” and it certainly isn’t the only way, I just hope sharing this will encourage you to pray big, constant, and personal prayers.

1. Make me more like you

Every morning as I roll out of bed, I have gotten into the habit of praying, “God make me more like you today. Help me to love more like you, speak more like you, and see things more like you.” This is simple, but is asking for the heart of God. With the heart of God comes the eyes and compassion of God.

2. God, give me creativity today

I ask God for creativity in my work and for a good work ethic. About two years ago, a creative told me that she prayed for creativity in her work every day, and I loved that. I know that ultimately, all good things come from above, and that all great ideas are really God’s grace and love for me coming out of me. I am working on lots of fun things right now, and I ask daily for the Lord to be in them, the process, and the outcome.

3. Pray the CRAZY prayers

Listen, when I say pray the crazy prayers… I mean the CRAZY ones. I have done this my whole life, and I promise God cares. He loves hearing you pray big. I pray lots of crazy prayers right now, but #1 on my list is a farm in McKinney that I wrote a letter to a couple months back and left in their gate. I  pray for it every single day and that it would one day be mine. A photo of it is on my refrigerator with the verse “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24. When I pass by it I say, “God please bring me the farm.” That’s all. So simple. Or I will recite Mark 11:24 to remind me how much he loves my crazy prayers.

4. God, heal

I won’t go into detail of this, because I want to protect people. But I ask for healing in relationships daily. I pray for a situation like the prodigal son that one day there will be a return with celebration. It’s a beautiful picture, and I love resting in that. I can’t wait to throw an extravagant party for these friends of mine at their return.

5. Speak What Is True

My current jam is ‘Here’s My Heart’ Lord by Lauren Daigle. I love how real and simple it is, it’s honestly a lot like my prayer time. “Here’s my heart lord, speak what is true.” It goes on to say all the characteristics of God, a reminder that he is so good. I am my own worst critic and enemy, and I can be in my head a lot. I hear the words “you’re mediocre at everything” a lot, and I ask for God to speak what is true. “I am found, I am yours, I am loved, I’m made pure.” When we ask for the Lord to speak what is true to us, we will find confidence and assurance. It’s asking to be reminded of who we truly are, not want the enemy wants us to believe we are.

I hope this helps you with your prayer time. Don’t be afraid to approach prayer. It’s an easy place to start a deep love and relationship with Jesus. You don’t have to wait to be a “good believer” (newsflash- there’s no such thing) before you can pray. PRAY- especially if you’re unsure if you even believe in this crazy God thing.

Happy Friday. I love y’all!

xoxo- Han

 

CATEGORIES ~ Faith 4 Comments

Swim Day with Dillards



May 13, 2016

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It’s Mid-May, which means we are full swing into pool season, people!

This means it’s time to stock up on those bathing suits and kiss goodbye insecurities that might be keeping us from stepping a toe into the water this summer. I have teamed up with Dillards to show off four of their swimsuits available (among thousands of options!) and to promote their Swim Day TOMORROW, Saturday May 14th. Swim Day is THE day to go purchase swim wear in store, because you will get rewarded for doing so! Spend $100 or more (which is likely just one swim suit), and you will receive a gift from Dillards that could include a tote bag, hat, and so many other pool side necessities.

Rewarded for shopping? Sign me up!

I have FOUR completely different suits to show off that will appeal to different ladies looking for different kinds of styles + with different kinds of body types, and to cater to different personalities. 

1. I have a high-waisted suit by Betsey Johnson that is PERFECT to cover up that tummy while still being in a true two piece. This one made someone from the balcony yell down during our shoot and ask where it was from. (That’s a good sign!) Basically, this one channels that inner Taylor Swift we all have a little (or a lot) of.

2. A fun white suit by Kate Spade with the most coverage on the bottoms (these are my favorite fit!) and a super stylish rosette top. The roses are 3D… I am obsessed. Great news, too, I tested out the bottoms in the water for you (it was 60 degrees!), and I can confirm that these white bottoms are not see-through!

3. A sultry one piece with cutouts. This one was surprisingly my FAVORITE. It will certainly be one I wear for romantic getaways like our staycation to Four Seasons this June for my birthday- it is the most flattering. I had no idea it would be my favorite. The cutouts rest right on the tummy lines where you SHOULD have abs… so it comes across as though you do. What could be better?

4. A fun + flirty bikini by Jessica Simpson. This one has great coverage on top that I really appreciated. I suggest going up a size in the bottoms, because they fit a little small. (Keep those cheeks covered!) I love the color of this one, too!

5. The perfect cover-up from Vince Camuto! If this wasn’t a swim suit cover up… I would be rocking this cute dress all the time, because I am OBSESSED with it. I love the way it lays over the swim suit underneath- it just barely shows off your top. SO CUTE.

Once you are equipped with the perfect suit, you have to get the perfect poolside reads and tunes for those summer days coming right around the corner.

My poolside reads?

Shauna Niequist– she is the BEST. I have read Bittersweet and Bread & Wine (both featured in this post) and I am working on finishing up the rest of hers before her new book comes out. Reading a Shauna Niequist book feels like chatting over a cup of coffee on the back porch with your best friends.

Harry Potter– Yes, I realize I am so behind the times it’s just not even funny. But, I wasn’t a reader as a child, I was more of the “play house” and have imaginary friends to play with outside kind of girl.

… I had three imaginary mice inspired by Cinderella that I carried around in a bird cage.

#IwishIwaskidding

So, yes. Now, I am diving into Harry Potter. I am on the second book and am obsessed.

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Poolside Soundtrack

Country. 100%

We are talking like Texas country, old school Garth, or dare I say the Dixie Chicks. (<<<<my first cd I ever bought with my own money at age 6).

Josh Abbott Band takes the gold for country summer soundtrack, though.

#OhTonight and #She’sLikeTexas speak to me.

I will say, though, aside from country, The 1975 are killing it and they have some great summer soundtracks that are just happy, feel good beats.

ALL OF THIS IS SECONDARY TO WHAT I AM ABOUT TO MAKE YOU PROMISE WITH ME TO YOURSELF. Something FAR MORE important than which swim suit you choose to purchase this Saturday. 

Ready?

Vow With Me: 

I, insert name here, promise I will not miss out on life by the pool this summer and all the fun things summer has to offer, because of the fear of being in a bathing suit. I promise to be proud of my body exactly as it is- every square inch of skin, every scar, every stretch mark, every pooch at the bottom of my tummy, every imperfection- because I am perfect EXACTLY AS I AM.

xoxo- Me

Got it? GOOD.

You are SO BEAUTIFUL… BELIEVE IT. Now go out, grab some of your best friends, and get to swim suit shopping tomorrow. Make a day of it! Go shopping and grab lunch afterwards with your besties. Dillards has so many choices (THOUSANDS) and you are sure to find a suit or two that you feel confident in and ready to rock.

Love y’all!

xoxo- Han

All photos provided for The Cake by Hannah by Cottonwood Road Photography

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CATEGORIES ~ Blog, Fashion Leave a Comment

To Delight in Understanding



May 5, 2016

 

This morning, I woke up, filled my coffee cup, sat down in the little nook between my sofa and coffee table (which is about a foot of space perfect to curl up in with a blanket draped around my body), and read my study with She Reads Truth.

First of all, if you are ever like, “I want to read my bible but have no clue where to start”, She Reads Truth is a great place to look. It has helped me to easily navigate my bible and gives me something to read and study daily. I take what they write and then go from there. I linger on the scripture scattered throughout the text, and use it as a way to catapult my prayer time. I highly suggest it!

We are doing Proverbs now, which is one of my favorite books to read. It is a series of statements, things that will enhance and fill your life. It sounds like a series of do’s and don’ts- but it is so much more than that. Proverbs is a series of statements in which you get to hear exactly what “the good life” is made up of. It’s the Lord directly telling you, “If you want to receive the fullness of joy and hear me the clearest, this is how I have designed for the world to work.” You won’t nail it perfectly, that’s where Jesus comes in, but this is what to strive for- this is what you can look to when conviction arises or you feel something is empty or missing. So many people go to the bible as a “rule book”, a guide to life. And, though the bible is not “a roadmap”, I will say that Proverbs is the closest thing to what you are looking for. I encourage you to read it, but to also know that if you are defining the bible as a rulebook for life, you aren’t quite getting it. That’s an entirely different topic for another day, though.

Today, I read a proverb I have read before probably multiple times. I have seen it, passed over it, and never really thought about it. But today, all aboard the conviction train! I love how scripture, no matter how many times you have read it, it can speak to you differently. Read this with me:

‘A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.’ Proverbs 18:2

I think I quite literally laughed out loud when I read this, because of the conviction I personally felt, as well as thinking about the state of our country (and world, at that) right now.

Five years ago, if I had read this verse, I would have likely thought, “Oh, it’s saying we will be happy if we understand the word of God.” Which, that is somewhat true, but that’s not what this is saying if you read around it and take it within context.

Do you know what this is saying? It’s saying that the wise do not feel the need to be right or prove themselves. It is also saying that the wise delight in understanding (TRULY LISTENING) to another’s opinion and receiving guidance and critique from others. It’s being openhanded to being formed into a better person, recognizing we aren’t ever 100% right or have it all together. To understand means to take what someone else is saying in opposition to you into actual consideration, while even, dare I say, delighting in your differences. It is delighting in receiving wise counsel from a person you have asked to speak into your life. It is enjoying conflict, and responding in a healthy manner.

Uhhhh, wait. Have any of you been watching politics for the last six months? 

Furthermore, I can apply this scripture into my marriage. I laugh whenever you guys say “#GOALS” or comment on how great Paul and I have it, because… though we have a great marriage, it is CONSTANT work. We fight, and do it often. I honestly at times have thought, “Good Lord, I am sure our neighbors can hear us and they MUST think we abuse one another.” I promise we don’t, we just argue loudly. We are both opinionated, stubborn, fiery, and passionate. This means we love one another well with these characteristics (don’t ever cross one of us, or the other will fight to the death for them), but it also means we can fight each other dang well. And by well, I mean passionately, loud, and (truthfully) not respectfully more often than not. 

(TRUTH: Before this photo shoot above we hadn’t spoken for about 24 hours from a fight. We had to DECIDE with one another we were done fighting. Believe me, we are NOT perfect.)

How is it we are able to love one another so deeply, but fight so dirty? Answer: We want to be right and prove our point at all costs.

What would it look like if I could actually DELIGHT in our differences, though, and respond with understanding to my husband?

GAME. CHANGER.

That’s all I have to say about that. That would be the most incredible change in our marriage if we could just love one another’s differences, and meet in the middle.

Understanding one another is delighting in our differences, and finding a way to incorporate both of our opinions into a final decision. Furthermore, to delight in someone’s pain or downfall is called spite- not love, not empowerment, not equality, not accepting of one another’s differences.

Think on that.

This is applicable in every single relationship in your life. Your relationship with your spouse, boyfriend, friends, and (yes) country.

Can we do that? Can we love one another, and ACTUALLY love one another. Let’s delight in understanding people who are different from us. Let’s delight in people who have a different perspective on a situation than us. Know what this means you’re going to have to do: HUMBLE YO SELF.

Delighting in understanding ultimately means humility. 

I hope this scripture speaks to you as loudly as it did to me. I will be simmering in this one phrase all day.

I love you guys. Have a HAPPY Thursday!!

xo- Han

CATEGORIES ~ Faith, Marriage 2 Comments

Spring Look with Madewell



March 7, 2016

 

I have been on the hunt for a good pair of denim that fits my 5’1 (AND 3/4!) petite frame for YEARS. I have tried all kinds, spent too much money- quickly regretted, and after such endeavors been left still with a void I cannot seem to fill. That is, until I finally went to Madewell after being tipped off by a fellow petite friend to give their jeans a shot. One of the workers at the North Park location convinced me to try on their hi-riser style, saying they are the best fit they carry for petite girls… and she was so right!!

A good pair of denim, higher-end that fit like a glove, have the ability to instantly make you feel on top of the world. Whether paired with a white tee (I suggest Everlane!) or a nice blouse and heels, I know that I am going to feel good in my Madewell denim. I have said it before, I will say it again, I believe in investing more money in two things: jeans and shoes. They are items that, if you spend more money on them, you will have to purchase far less frequently; ultimately, this saves you a whole lot of money. These are considered “investment pieces.” I promise, though painful in the moment, it is 100% worth it.

I have a fresh-faced look paired with my springtime outfit- perfect for days out and about as the sun makes its grand reappearance. I am, of course, wearing my favorite skincare from BareMinerals, a copper eye and lightly bronzed cheek with a quick swig of my Lash Domination Mascara. Shop everything I have on below!

Have a happy Monday! Love y’all.

xoxo- Han

All photos by Cottonwood Road Photography for The Cake by Hannah

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CATEGORIES ~ Fashion 1 Comment

The Look of Love with BareMinerals



February 12, 2016

Love is in the air!

I absolutely love Valentines Day. I enjoy baking cookies for friends, passing out gifts, and sending cards in the mail to people I love. Plus, when half your closet is blush pink, Valentines Day just seems to fit. Not to mention, I got married Valentines Day weekend (we are about to celebrate two years on Monday!), so basically… we are big fans of the holiday in my household.

The Cake by Hannah- BareMinerals

This year, Valentines Day is on a Sunday, which means you have all day to celebrate! What could be better than a Sunday morning Galentines Day brunch? Whether you host it at your house or rent out a special room in a favorite restaurant, this is the perfect way to celebrate the day of love! Celebrate your friends, make them feel special and tell them how much they mean to you. A Valentines Day themed brunch is the perfect opportunity to wear something pink and spunky, and to rock a bright, romantic look. (Save sultry for that hot date later!) I love a good pinky pallet for a pretty daytime look, and today I have one entirely from BareMinerals for you to recreate.

Here is what you see + the steps for application:

  • Skin: Complexion Rescue, Correcting Concealer
  • Eyes: 5 in 1 BB Blushing Pink, Frolic Eyecolor, Lash Dom Mascara
  • Cheeks: READY The Faux Pas
  • Lips: Jazzed Lipliner, Never Say Never Lipstick, Hypnotist Lipgloss

If you are usually just a mascara and dewy skin kind of girl on a daily basis (that’s me!), then this look is perfect for you.  Because although more product than you would usually grab for, it’s still a nude/blush pallet. It won’t overwhelm you and I promise it’s easy to execute. As for these bright lips, take it from me- all it takes is giving lipstick one try and you won’t be able to walk out of the house without it before too long! I love a good lip color now thanks to Moxie!

(If this hot pink is still too much for you, give the color ‘Be Free’ by BareMinerals Moxie a try with the Hypnotist Lipgloss on top. It’s the same effect, just lighter! I actually wear this combo for my day to day look 99% of the time now!) 

You can purchase the entire Look of Love here! ****BONUS: Today (February 12th ONLY) you get a free mini Ready Luminizer and Double Ended Precision Eye + Cheek Brush with the purchase of just two items from ‘The Look of Love x The Cake by Hannah Collection’.

The Skirt:

I am so excited to rock this hot pink lip along with this tulle skirt by Space 46 for a date with my hubby on Valentines Day as we ring in two years of marriage on the 15th. This skirt is the perfect Valentines Day look or, bridesmaids outfit, or rehearsal dinner skirt… whatever special events you have coming up, this is a great choice! (I wore it to a backyard wedding last weekend!)

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The Hair+ Nails

To achieve my beachy waves (I like to call it my mermaid hair), I use my 1.5″ barrel Sultra Bombshell Curling Rod. My mani is done by Bellacures, and it is by far the best experience at a nail salon I have ever had. They are masters of the dip manicure, and I don’t know if I can do anything different ever again because I loved it so much! If you’re in the Dallas area, stop by their salon at Preston Center!

Happy Valentines Day, pretty girls. Listen to me when I say this: You are beautiful. If you are single, rock it. Don’t let this holiday get you down, rather take it by the reins and make it fun with your best gals! Valentines Day isn’t JUST for romance, it’s for celebrating the people you love.

As for me and Paul, we actually make Valentines Day a 3 or 4 day long extravaganza since it is such a special time for us. Tonight we kickoff our favorite weekend of the year with dinner at our favorite restaurant in McKinney!

BareMinerals says it well: Be Original, Be Natural, Be Good. 

Love y’all!

xoxo- Han

***All photos for this post and The Cake by Hannah by Cottonwood Road Photography**

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CATEGORIES ~ Fashion 1 Comment

I am Hannah, a mom of 3 and wife to Paul. I believe beauty is found right under your own roof, from the faces at your table to the vase that's been chosen with care to sit on top of it. My hope is to inspire you to find joy in every space you inhabit. I hope you choose to create and live a loved life that exists right in front of you.

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