Kaitlyn E. Bouchillon's Blog, page 17

if you’re flat-out exhausted, this is for you

I am tired.

I’m choosing a slower pace and chasing the quiet, but my to-do list is long and life feels loud, ever-moving just like all the social media streams.

It’s been a few weeks since I wrote anything here, and honestly it feels like the words have disappeared, like the well dried up. It isn’t true, I know, because in the dark of night sentences roll across my mind and if enough of them come, I flip over and tap tap tap into the Notes section of my phone. I know it because I watch this p...

13 Can’t-Miss Books Coming in 2017

I’m maybe kinda just a little bit obsessed with books… and there are so many great books releasing in 2017 that you won’t want to miss! One of my most popular posts – ever – is 12 Can’t-Miss Books Coming in 2016. And so here we are, Round Two. And 2017? It’s gonna be real good.

I’ve listedmany books below – in order of release date – and they would make the perfect gift to yourself or a loved one. It’s such a nicesurprise when you forget you’ve ordered something and then it magically appears...

Illustrated Faith + Wrapping Gifts

Well, y’all know I’m dipping my toes into the Bible journaling and Illustrated Faith craze.

I’ve loved some of the kits more than others (here are the ones I’ve tried), but the newest one (it’s Christmas-themed!) is my favorite by far. I’m pretty sure it’s because of the gold ink and the perfect washi tape for Christmas-present-wrapping. But really, that’s no surprise. Gold and washi? All the heart eyes.

When I first previewed the kit, I was a little hesitant. What if everything is “too” C...

The Best Books of 2016

For several years now, I’ve shared my favorite books of the year.I’m not sure I’ve ever read more books in 12 months than I did this year (55, people. I read 55books.), so narrowing the list down was a bit, um, difficult.

No worries though, because I could talk/think/write about books for days. And so here I present to you the 10 best books of 2016.They didn’tnecessarily come out this year, but at some point in 2016I read and truly enjoyedeach one.

I’ve included a short “about” the book (pul...

When We Find Ourselves Saying “Jesus, Come Quickly”

With just a few minutes between lunch (it involved chips andqueso, duh) and dropping off cookies for a friend, I stopped to grab a quick cup of coffee.

I sat down in one of the comfy chairs in the back corner, keeping an eye on the time, and opened theTimeHop app.

Most days the photos and words from years gone by make me smile, thank God for changing hairstyles, or remember just how much He’s done in my life. Every once in a while something there stings, reminding me of changes I wouldn’t ha...

heal the wound… but leave the scar

“I wonder if she’ll notice…”

There’s a long scar straight down the back of my head, reaching up from the base of my neck.

Last week I sat in a black swivel chair, my face reflecting back to me in the mirror as a kind and friendly stranger picked up a pair of scissors and started snipping away.

It’s been almost 6.5 years since brain surgery, and quite honestly most days that “life event” doesn’t cross my mind. In more ways than I’ll ever be able to put into words, the tumor shaped me into the...

What I Learned This Fall

In just a few hoursmy roommates and I will go to the Christmas tree farm and pretend that we don’t already have a fake tree that’s already decorated at home. We’ll enjoy the free candy canes and apple cider and ignore the fact that it’s 79 degrees outside and there are crunchy leaves beneath our fall boots.

I can’t remember another yearwhen September-November havefelt like an extra-long, never-ending summer with just a hint of fall thrown in. But here we are. Fall is my absolute favorite time...

So This Is Awesome: $10 off Any Book at Amazon!

I just couldn’t help myself, y’all.

In between watching Gilmore Girls (I have one episode left and I want to watch so badly but also don’t want it to be over and so I’m procrastinating by writing this post. You’re welcome.) I’ve come across several crazy good deals online.

So of course I’m passing them along. Friends share good deals with each other, right?

1. $10 off any $25 or more book purchase at Amazon

Usethe code HOLIDAYBOOKto take $10 off any $25 physical book purchase (this excludes e...

Fully Known, Fully Loved

One of my deepest, most desperate desires is to be fully known and still fully loved.

We live in a social-media saturated world full of hearts and likes. So the idea of someone knowing me fully, the me that spends too much money on iced coffee, the me that struggles to daily open her Bible before opening Instagram, the me that can’t be contained in a 140-character update? The idea that someone could know me fully and still love messy, complicated me?

It sounds crazy. Absurd, even.

All too of...

a gift for you because hey, it’s my birthday

Hey hey, happy November 16th!

I’ve been documenting my day over on Instagram stories not because my life is super interesting, but because today is my birthday (cue the balloons and confetti).

You’ve probably already gathered this from the dozens of blog posts from the past year, but 23 has been a doozy. I released a book and planted roots in Birmingham (Birminghome) and learned, at least somewhat, how to hold both grief and joy together.

God has, as always, been faithful in every way. But t...