carson field
Twenty-one year old dog mom who loves Jesus and appreciates writing, fashion, flowers; all the pretty little things life has to offer.
“wherever life plants you, bloom with grace”
Mother’s Day 2020
Hi everyone!
Mother’s Day is fast approaching, a day specifically designed for you to thank the moms of the world for all that they have done for you and those you love. Mother’s Day, however, is an extra special day for my family and I, every day of the year.
As many of you may or may not know, I grew up in a split household, meaning I had two sets of parents that had 50/50 physical and legal custody of me. My biological mom and dad got divorced when I was only a year old and had both moved on by the time I was two. My dad moved on to find the love of his life, Erin, my “step-mom”, who quickly became my mom. She came into the picture and completely shifted my world, allowing me to see just how much someone could love me, especially someone who, biologically, was not related to me.
Growing up I knew I had two moms, I had one that was my biological mom, the one I knew I had to call mom and who by default, would always be my mother. Then I had the one that I chose to call my mom and the one that chose me every day to be her daughter.
My mom came into my life and showed me just how limitless love can be. I found out very quickly as a little girl that she was the mom I had been longing for, the one that would never leave me, and the one that would always love me without boundaries.
“My mom came into my life and showed me just how limitless love can be.”
In January of 2014, after months of meetings with lawyers and mediators, The Superior Court of Sacramento granted my mom and dad full physical custody of me. I was overjoyed and relieved that I finally had the opportunity to live a normal life with my true mom and dad all the time, not just half of it. From there, my mom and I’s relationship blossomed more than either of us thought it could have.
Christmas 2016, as some of you may or may not have seen, I asked my mom to adopt me and legally make me hers, and with a full heart and tears flowing, she happily agreed. After 16 years of calling her mom, she legally became my mom in 2017. In 2019, I changed my last name to Field and had my birth certificate changed to Erin Field as my mother.
I can see now that everything truly does happen for a reason. When my mom first came into my life, I never could have seen the real purpose and role she would play in the years to come. When my biological mom wasn’t there, my mom was, she stepped in and not only called me her own, but treated me like it. She truly was placed in my life for a reason and if I didn’t have her today, then I wouldn’t have a mom. I am so blessed and honored that I serve a God that continues to know my needs before I ever could and even more blessed He decided that my mom was one of those needs.
“I am so blessed and honored that I serve a God that continues to know my needs before I ever could and even more blessed He decided that my mom was one of those needs.”
Everyone reading this, I know that we are all guilty of taking our moms for granted but on Mother’s Day especially, try and reflect on where you would be without them, because I know I would be nowhere without mine. I owe everything to mine, knowing that I wouldn’t be where I am and who I am today if she was not present. Celebrate and thank your moms taking the time to really tell them why you appreciate them today and everyday!
I love you mama, you’re my best friend and my hero. Thank you for teaching me how to love unconditionally through your actions and involvement in my life. Thank you for never making me feel any different than your own babies. I know I didn’t grow in your tummy, but thank you for allowing me grow in your heart. Happy Mother’s Day Mom.
“I know I didn’t grow in your tummy, but thank you for allowing me to grow in your heart.”
Quarantine Time
Hi everyone!
I will be the first to say that the time we are living in right now is frightening, scary, and disheartening. The Earth is living on without us roaming streets, enjoying beaches, hiking, and living our normal day to day life. This can be problematic for so many people on so many levels, most importantly, those who are high risk or already infected with COVID-19. Along with the high risk and directly affected, those who suffer from other diseases such as depression, anxiety, and the many other mental health disorders are also suffering from the outbreak.
The question is then, what do we do? What do we all do during a pandemic such as this during a time that is so unsure and with the very little knowledge that we actually have on the virus? How do we help those who are high risk and affected? How do we help those who are affected mentally? The answer is simple, but so incredibly complicated at the same time.
Simple answer is to stay home and social distance, and although I agree and that is true, what does one do during a quarantine for literally weeks on end? I am here to help.
- FaceTime or Zoom Parties
For those who are especially suffering from social distancing and feeling isolated from everyone during this time, this is a great alternative. FaceTime and Zoom both offer the option to add multiple people to a face to face video call, allowing you all to feel as if you are actually all together in person.
- Get Creative
Whether creativity looks like dancing, drawing, painting, graphic design, or making music, allow yourself to fall back into old patterns and feel free again. Spark up that old flame in you to do what you love, pick up a new hobby, read a good book that has collected dust on your bookshelf, or simply learn to rest. A book I once read talked about how learning to be bored can actually be the healthiest thing for creativity.
“Learning to be bored can actually be the healthiest thing for creativity.”
- Build A Fort
No matter what age you are, let your inner-child run wild during this time. Put together the furniture in your living room, grab some sheets, pillows, blankets, and some good snacks. String lights, candles, and television is optional, but this can be a new (or old) way for you to feel like you have created a new space within your current one.
- Support Local Restaurants
So many small businesses are suffering during a time like this, especially restaurants that normally can keep their doors open and tables full. However, most places are doing take out food, meaning that during this time, taking a break from cooking and ordering take out can be easily justified when you know that you are helping a local mom and pop place.
“Ordering take out can be easily justified when you know that you are helping a local mom and pop place.”
- DIY Projects
I do not know about you guys, but personally, Pinterest has become my best friend during quarantine. From creating my own flower walls, to fun little home projects, the internet offers many “Do It Yourself” ideas to keep you busy at home.
- Create New Clothing
Along with many of you, I have too cleaned out my closet and room, creating a fresh start and clean space for myself. With that cleaning, came purging, especially of my closet, leaving me with clothes that I have not worn in years. Instead of tossing old shirts and worn down jeans, I have instead re-invented them. Tie-dying, cutting, and cropping my clothing has turned them into completely new pieces for my closet.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE QUARANTINE ACTIVITY?
Chateau Diana Winery
The local Healdsburg winery is currently still open for deliveries on their wine and famous wine slushies. Chateau Diana is known for their incredible service and furry friend Sasha the cat. Although Sasha is not included in the wine deliveries, this small winery needs the love and support from fellow Sonoma County residents to keep their doors open during this hard time.
Introducing Me
Carson Shayla Field
Hi, nice to meet you! My name is Carson Field and I just wanted to introduce myself a little on this blog. First off, thank you for checking my page out, it means so much! A little bit about me that I will go into depth later in the post: I am 21 years old, turning 22 this year. I am in my last couple of weeks at Sonoma State University and will be graduating May 16, 2020 with a BA in Communications and an English minor. I am a dog mom to an almost two year old chocolate lab named Kona. I am a loved daughter of the King and lover of Jesus, knowing I would be no where without the grace and goodness of Him. Originally from Sacramento, CA and sister to two little brothers and daughter of two incredible parents. I love art and graphic design, calligraphy and aesthetics are my best friend, and fashion is a fun outlet. I hate reading, love writing, and am a professional at talking your ear off. I have the best friends and live with the coolest roommate and our two dogs. I am dating the best man on the face of the planet and am blessed on a daily basis. I work at Dutch Bros Coffee in Sonoma and love publicly embarrassing myself, intentionally and unintentionally. If you have made it this far, thank you for reading the short version of me, further down I will go into more depth about myself so you all can understand a little more about me and my life! Xo.
College Life
I graduated high school in 2016 from a private all girls school in Sacramento, CA. Excited to finally go to a co-ed college, I packed my bags and moved to Sonoma County at age 17. I started college as a Biology major on the pre-med track, thinking that I had it figured out, I was set on making it to medical school. It took me one semester to realize that I genuinely did not want to continue on with that major, nor did I want to go to medical school. Math and Science are arguably my worst subjects and I was so consumed with school work that my first year of college was relatively unenjoyable. My second semester of my second year at Sonoma State, I was accepted to the Communications major and instantly fell in love with the creativity of the major. Instead of endless exams and labs, I gave presentations and wrote creative essays. The beginning of my third year is when I realized that I was going to graduate from college early due to the lengthy course loads that I took as a pre-med undergrad. I knew I wanted to graduate with my class so I picked up an English minor. I love writing, (hence the creation of this blog), so it was an easy choice. Although the english classes have been difficult, they have challenged me in the best ways and allowed me access to new places in my own mind and creativity as well. I have made some of the best friends in college, some from joining a sorority my sophomore year (hi Big), some roommates (Eggy, Teeter, Bourt, & Wifey), and others from work (everyone from Dutch Bros Santa Rosa & Sonoma). Although my senior year hasn’t gone as planned and graduation was never supposed to look like this, I have appreciated every second of the past four years. My advice to anyone still in college or about to enter into it, is this: take your time. Know that it is okay to not know your next step, college is all about figuring out who you are. Do NOT go home every weekend, establish your life and find your independence. Fall in love with who you are and what you’re studying. I know it’s hard to not think about the future, but live in the moment, you never realize how many moments you wish you could go back to until they are gone.
Church Life
If you follow me on any social media or personally know me, you know that church and my relationship with God is a huge aspect of my life and who I am. I found Jesus in high school, the end of my sophomore year to be exact, at a high school aged church conference in Sacramento, CA. I cannot sit here and say that once I found Jesus, my physical circumstances changed, I was not, and still am not perfect and if anything, life has gotten a lot more challenging in some ways. I believe that some people have the misconception that those who go to church or love Jesus, suddenly live a perfect life or become perfect people, but the reality of it is, is that we are just as flawed as everyone else. But, this is what I have come to discover: I am flawed, but (still) worthy. I write still in parenthesis because I will never not be worthy, despite what my circumstances and failures may be, we have all been made worthy of love, respect, and grace. As I said before, my life by no means has gotten easier, it has never been easy, no ones life is always easy, and that doesn’t miraculously change when you know Jesus. The difference is, is that you know where to find hope, you know how to better understand your circumstances, and you know how to love not only yourself, but also God and others better. You learn that life will always be unpredictable, it is full of highs and lows, but despite what you may be going through, God is still good, people still need love, and there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. We go through seasons in life, winters, summers, springs, and falls. Winter is cold, it’s dark and sometimes you have days where hope seems lost, but what comes after is spring, life begins to bloom and you see the sun begin to shine a little more despite the few rainy days. Summer is always sunny and fall begins to look a little gloomy again. Life is a cycle and it is inconsistent. But I believe in a God who is not only always consistent but also persistent, and continues to fight my battles when I don’t have the strength. We all have been created for a purpose: to love others as He loves us and I can only hope to do it just as well.
“Originally from Sacramento, CA and sister to two little brothers and daughter of two incredible parents. I love art and graphic design, calligraphy and aesthetics are my best friend, and fashion is a fun outlet.“
Home Life
I am a dog mom above all else to an almost two year old, psychotic, lovable chocolate lab named Kona. I got her at 8 weeks old and first was trying to find her a new home, I thought at 19 years old that I was in no place to become a dog mom to an untrained, crazy puppy. In a lot of ways I wasn’t ready, my social life took a hit, and I had to learn to prioritize another life before my own. Although I look back and think that I may have been insane or had a lapse in judgement, Kona has become one of my favorite parts of life. She is a certified emotional support animal and we spend our days sleeping, cuddling, playing, eating (yes, I share my food with her, haters back off), and the nights usually end in her being too rowdy and getting in some type of trouble. But, that is life with a puppy for you all, a beautiful disaster, and I honestly couldn’t ask for it any other way. I live in Santa Rosa, CA currently, a full two hours from my family. I have two little brothers, Grayson who is almost 10, Talan turning 15 this year, and a sister, Fallon, not by blood but by love. I have two incredible parents that I talk to every day, multiple times a day, and a sweet hometown that I cannot wait to get back to. In Santa Rosa, Kona and I live with my roommate, Liv (or Wifey, to me) and her pup, Pepper. We are best friends and quite literally match each other’s crazy energy 24/7. I work at Dutch Bros Sonoma and formerly worked at Dutch Bros Santa Rosa, meaning I have been with the company for years, knowing the day I eventually leave it for good will be heartbreaking. I have a sweet boyfriend, Blake, who has shown me just how selfless love can be and how much you can still grow as an individual while growing together. Blake, along with all of the people in my life have given me the freedom to be authentically me. Accepting me, flaws and all, loving me without conditions, and challenging me every day to be better. I spend majority of my days in sweat pants and tank tops, slippers are my favorite shoes, and I snack all day every day. Binge watching the same 5 shows are all that I do and I love taking baths even at 21 years old. My home life is hectic, busy, and messy, but it is a great life I live and I am blessed in more ways than I can count.
Broke Girl’s Guide to Groceries
Hi everyone!
In this post I will be answering any and all questions you may have on what I have found to be the most productive way to grocery shop. During quarantine, we are all grocery shopping, but as a “broke college student” some times spending a lot of money on food, especially healthy food is not exciting. It can be expensive and tiring, but I am here to show you my way to shop healthy while also saving money.
Shop small, eat LARGE
The biggest advice I can give anyone is to not over-shop, especially for fresh food. Shop in smaller quantities at first, then get a feel for how much you actually eat or need for cooking at home.
eat
My key things to remember when grocery shopping:
- NEVER go grocery shopping when you’re hungry, you will always over buy and usually it will be snacks which will not help you in the long run.
- Buy frozen, fresh food goes bad very quickly and frozen food will always be there.
- You can always freeze fresh things such as bread and fresh fruit.
- Shop with the idea of possible meal options.
- Always look for coupons or deals on food options, buying in bulk and freezing for later is always an option.
- Buy dried food such as rice, beans, and pastas, knowing that they are cheaper and can be cooked into something more elaborate.
MY GROCERY LIST:
- Dried pasta ($1.39 per package)
- Sourdough bread (around $4-5)
- Vegan butter ($6)
- Frozen broccoli ($5)
- Large bag of frozen chicken ($12) but I only have to buy this once a month to month and a half
- Frozen spinach ($5)
- Frozen protein waffles ($5)
- Peanut butter ($5)
- Canned beans ($1 each)
- Rice ($1.29 bag)
- Tofu ($3)
- Eggs ($3)
- Pancake mix ($4)
- Sweet potatoes ($3)
- Bananas ($3)
- Avocados ($5)
Total comes out to be around $67 for all of this and I normally only grocery shop every 3 to 4 weeks. It is an easy way to budget out money, to get creative with your meals, and still maintain a healthy diet.
Thank you for visiting
I hope you all enjoyed my blog. This experience started as a senior project for my BA in Communications. However, this process has allowed me to spark a new creative side within myself again. I hope you all have gotten to know me and my heart a little more as well as learned a thing or two. Xo Carson Shayla Field.
as you speak 