january obsessions

I've been a terrible blogger recently. January was such a busy month (I know, I say this every month!) but I can't really remember a lot of what happened when I look back over the last 31 days. I think coming off the high of the holiday season makes January seem a little...blah. But fear not! There were still several things I was totally obsessed with this month that I want to let you all know about. 

1. Instagram. I didn't really see the point of Instagram when I first heard about it. But now that everyone and their mom has it, I was beginning to feel a little left out. So I jumped on the bandwagon and haven't looked back since. I'm hooked. It makes me feel like I'm a legit photographer, even though I know the filters do all the work. And Instagram is a blogger's dream! So many potential blog photos. Totally obsessed. So let's be pals, K?  

My Instagram feed features this handsome guy a lot...

2. Mindy Kaling. OK, I know it's creepy to say I'm obsessed with a person. But I seriously love me some Mindy Kaling. Her new show is so charming and funny (despite it's diversity problems). But what really drew me in was her book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? I never wanted to put it down. She is such an engaging storyteller and I think she is a true inspiration to minority women. 

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 I love that she is so normal and super down-to-earth. Her past isn't particularly dramatic or out of the ordinary. She wasn't some child star who triumphed over a broken home and rehab. She loves her parents. She was a good student. She went to college. She had boy problems and weight problems and friend problems that I think almost every girl can relate to. It's refreshing to read a celebrity encouraging kids to stay in school and do their homework and love themselves and love their family. Her book is really easy to get through, but a total delight from beginning to end.

3. Things I Retweet. I don't know what it was about January, but the blogging world was on top of their game! I read (and subsequently retweeted) amazing post after amazing post. I think a lot of bloggers ramped back up in January after a pretty mellow holiday season. I'm happy they did, because I have a lot of great links to share with you all! 

On Faith

Be Brave in an Ordinary Way by Sarah Bessey

when we love the sinner by Preston Yancey

Serving Outside of Our Gifts by J.R. Goudeau 

In which there is no "and" by Sarah Bessey

On Christians

The Difference between Persecution and Being Corrected by Robert Cargill

The Changing Face Of The Christian Faith (Or Why Mark Driscoll Tweets & John Piper Blog Posts Matter) by Zack Hunt

On Martin Luther King, Jr.

Remembering Martin Luther King by Ari Kelman

Talking About Martin Luther King Jr. and Race With My Biracial 5-Year-Old by Melanie Coffee

On Race and Television

Privilege And The White Dude Super-Detective by Tamara Winfrey Harris

On Sexuality and the Church

I am damaged goods by Sarah Bessey

On Women

In Which I Implore Women Everywhere by Emily T. Wierenga 

For When You Think You Have to Prove Yourself to Other Women by Sarah Markley

On Sexual Assault *Trigger Warning*

I Was Wounded; My Honor Wasn't By Sohaila Abdulali

God Knew Her Name by Danielle of From Two To One

Rape, American Style by Sikivu Hutchinson

On Beauty and Body Image

The body I have. by Dani Kelley

In the Image of a Beautiful God by Rachel Pieh Jones

 On Parenting

No Matter What by Joy Bennett

On The Inauguration

What Caring About Beyoncé’s Singing (or Not Singing) At the Inauguration Says About You by Danielle C. Belton

Second Inaugural Address of Barack Hussein Obama

On Fashion

Why did men stop wearing high heels? by William Kremer

I'm super excited about February because it's the month of my birthday, my best friend's wedding, Valentine's Day, Black History Month, two fabulous blog giveaways I've planned, and a wonderful little bit of good news that you'll have to wait a few weeks to read about. (And no, I'm not pregnant!)


So, how was your January? Which of these links did you love? Anything else I should have read this month? Let me know in the comments!