How to Style: A Fur Vest

It's no probably a surprise to any of you to see a post about my fur vest.  It's obviously been one of my favorite pieces in my closet this winter.  There still some great vests out there to buy, like this one. As much as I'm aching for warm temperatures, I'm not ready to put my winter clothes away!

Today I thought I'd share some of the ways I've worn my vest this year.

I wore my vest most recently on the blog here with this great print dress I scored from thredUP (use this link for $10 off your first purchase). I love the idea of it with a print dress, and it isn't one I considered when I first bought this vest.

Vest: Target similar /Dress: Lumiere similar via thredup (use this link for $10 off your first purchase)/ Necklace: Stella and Dot similar/ Bracelet: chloe + isabel  c/o same / Watch: Wristology same c/o Get 25% off / Boots: Born similar

Another way I wore this vest was with my shirt with faux leather sleeves, jeans and booties. I love the edginess of this outfit!

Vest: Target similar / Top: Gordmans c/o Kensie similar / Necklace: Edith Marie Jewelry c/o same/ Jeans: Old Navy / Bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same  / Boots: Wanted similar in black 

I also wore my vest with my skirt and top by J.Crew factory and boots.  I haven't worn it with a skirt since this time, but now I'd really like to come up with another combo before I put this away for the season.

Vest: Target similar  / Sweater: J.Crew factory same / Skirt: J.Crew factory same / Necklace: Target similar / Belt: Target same /  Bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same  / Boots: Unisa c/o DSW similar

I also wore this with a dress I got from White Plum. I love the contrast of brown and black and would like to try this a bit more casually with my tall brown boots too!

Dress: White Plum c/o  simllar / Vest: Target similar/ Bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same / Necklace: chloe + isabel c/o same / Booties: Jessica Simpson same

This outfit has be to one of my favorites to date!  I love the combo with this sweater I scored from thredUP (use this link for $10 off your first purchase)!

Vest: Target similar / Sweater: Ann Taylor similar / Necklace: chloe + isabel same / Bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same / Pants: Target same / Boots: Born similar

Another way I wore it was with leggings and a tunic, this isn't my favorite, but I do like the combo.

Tunic: White Plum same / Vest: Target similar / Leggings: White Plum c/o cute options / Necklace: Kendra Scott inspired c/o real deal / Boots: Born similar

I also thought it would be fun to mix casual with dress and dressy with the vest.  I was freezing when I took these pictures!

Dress: Gap almost exact / Vest: Target similar / Necklace: Edith Marie Jewelry c/o similar / Bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same  / Boots: Born similar

I like the mix of prints in this outfit with this top I scored from thredUP (use this link for $10 off your first purchase)! I've been a big fan of neutral combos this year.

Vest: Target similar/ Blouse: Everly similar via thredUp (use this link for $10 off your first purchase) / Bracelets: Stella and Dot same chloe + isabel same  / Pants: Target same / Boots: Born similar

This last outfit is also another one of my favorites.  This J.Crew dress was another thredUP find (use this link for $10 off your first purchase)! I've layered it with a lot of things and love it with the vest here.

Dress: J.Crew similar via thredUp (use this link for $10 off your first purchase)/ Vest: Target similar / Necklace: Mariposa Medley c/o similar / Bracelets: chloe + isabel  c/o same Stella and Dot / Heels: Merona same

Thursday:

Linking up with:

What I Wore to Work Link-up

Shake It Off

Recently I had situation where I was both frustrated and disappointed by a situation at work, and I let it get to me. I had to go into class and teach my kids, it wasn't optional.  Let me tell you, my attitude was definitely not right. I love my kids, but I wasn't even able crack a smile when a student asked if they could call me Mrs. Awesome. (7th graders truly are the best!)

I hate it when I get like that, when I let the actions of others impact my attitude. After All, I can only control myself...even then I don't always do the best job. Then the wise words of the prophetic Taylor Swift came to me "Shake it off." 

It can be so easy to let let the things we can't control take control of us, and to let the hurt others have caused cause us to then hurt others.  I got real with my students and said I was in a bad mood, and it wasn't because of anything they did. I then made the choice to "shake it off," forgive, and move on.  See, it was all about the choice I made. I could have let the kids feel the wrath of my emotions and frustration, or I could let it go and not let those negative feelings control me. My students definitely shouldn't have been at the receiving end of frustration that had nothing to do with them. 

It makes me think about God's sovereignty towards us. We mess up everyday, but he is quick to forgive when we ask for it.  Psalm 103:12 says: "As for as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." If God is able to forgive the awful things we do each day, how much more should I forgive others? 

God definitely doesn't treat us differently or love us any less based on our actions. He also doesn't take other's mistakes out on us either. I want to continue to work to move on from difficult situations, to forgive, and to be better today than I was yesterday. I hope you all can do the same.

On Valentine's Day Brian and I had the day to ourselves, which was great. Prior to going out to dinner we stopped by the mall, as Brian had a giftcard to Scheels and I had one to J.Crew.  I found this striped sweater on super sale and was pretty excited because my other one needed to be thrown away. Black and white stripes are so great, but it seems like I need to replace mine each year. I got the inspiration for this outfit from this pin and love how it came together.

Vest: J.Crew Factory (sold out)

Sweater: J.Crew same

Necklace: Mariposa Medley c/o

Pants: Target same

 Bracelet: chloe + isabel  c/o same 

Watch: Wristology same c/o Get 25% off

Boots: Born similar

How to Shop on ThredUP

It's no secret that I love thredUP. This past year I've gotten many of my favorite things in my closet from them. I've heard time and time again comments about the cool pieces I've found, but also how hard it can be for others to find anything "good." 

I think this is such a bummer, because there are gems on  thredUP just waiting to be found! Today I thought I'd share some tips with you all to help make shopping on  thredUP easier for you.

First, once you're on their website, it's best to utilize the column on the left-hand side.  You can search specifically by your size, it will also do size equivalent. If you select "medium" it will also bring up anything else that is size 8-10. I often find some really cool things simply searching by size.

Another way to search is to add in favorite brands and stores.  It'll save these for you too. When first shopping on here I only bought brands I was familiar with, as I was concerned about fit.  There has only been one time in which I've gotten something from  thredUP that didn't fit. Returns are easy and you'll get a refund on your card within about two weeks. 

I do like to search by brand though, as I know what to expect when I get clothes from a brand I know.

The third way to search is to enter a "key word" in the search box.  I found my favorite cream sweater, leopard print skirt, and denim jacket this way.  Before buying full price or in a store, I like to see what  thredUP has. It's saved me a lot of money!

On the left there is also a way to search by category of clothes too. Say, you need tops, you can just search them in your size, etc. 

 thredUP has perks for users too. If you sign up using this thredUP link, you'll get $10 off your first order and I'll get a $10 credit too. Much of what I've gotten has been free because of this! 

Here are a few of my favorite thredUP finds:

                             Lumeire Dress                                                   J.Crew Dress

                                Merona Skirt                                                 Gap Denim Jacket

                            Everly Blouse                                                      Ann Taylor Sweater

So, what are you waiting for! Give thredUP a try, I promise you won't be disappointed!

Imperfect

Recently I was out to dinner for book club with some friends and we were talking about how my husband wants to buy a boat and spend our weekends camping.  Everyone began to laugh at the thought of me in a tent. One girl said she pictured me sighing with my iPad in my lap and mosquito netting tented around me. 

Now, I love the lake, but unless there's a lake house involved I'm not going to be crazy about the experience. Tents, sleeping on the ground and no shower just don't sound like a good time to me. I'm aware how prissy this makes me seem. But just because I'm prissy doesn't mean I'm perfect. I'm very far from that actually. 

It's my imperfections that make me....well me. Today I thought I'd share some oddities about me that those of you who only know me via internet wouldn't know.  I think it's important to celebrate our uniqueness instead of pretending to be perfect.

1. I swallow my gum. Yes, I know it's gross. I don't even realize I do it, all of a sudden it's just not in my mouth anymore.  I know for a fact it does not take seven years for your body to digest gum, because it that were the case my stomach wouldn't have any room for food.
2. I drive a truck because my husband wanted a truck, but already has a work vehicle.  I am the worst at navigating that beast.  My biggest fear is trying to get my truck out of our school parking lot when it's full due to after school sporting events. The spots aren't diagonal, they are straight, which complicates things.  It takes me like forty-seven times of going forward and back before I actually am able to pull out and drive away. It's. So. Embarrassing. One time an old man waiting for my spot got out of his car and had to wave be back. I'm just so worried I'm going to hit the car behind me!
3. I hate feet, not just mine, feet in general.  I even get pedicures during winter, just so I don't have to look at my own feet and be disgusted. 
4. I have a fear of dishes being in the sink. Ever since I had an awful roommate in college who left her dishes in the sink to mold and the WORST the time a cockroach crawled out, I can't even let a cup sit in there.

So, spill the beans, what makes you imperfectly perfect?

Earlier this year I won a pair of shoes from DSW up to $60, it was the best! I ended up picked a pair of faux leather riding boots.  Although I really love them, they haven't worn well and I'd been kicking myself, wishing I'd chosen a pair of leather one's and paid the difference. Recently I started to look for sales, as I know stores are getting ready for spring and came across these  leather riding boots from Target.  I scored them for $30, but they're even cheaper now! I love them and they are super comfortable!  Hindsight is 20/20, but I'm so happy to have these and I know they'll last for years.

Vest: West Seal similar

Shirt: Merona similar

Necklace: Kendra Scott inspired same (real deal)

Jeans: Old Navy same

Bracelet: chloe + isabel  c/o same 

Watch: Wristology same c/o Get 25% off
Boots:Target same (on super sale!) 

Rocksbox

I was recently contacted about giving Rocksbox a try for three months.  You all know I love jewelry, so I jumped at the chance.  When signing up they prompted me to answer some style questions, which I loved, they had me also choose outfits that fit my style, and asked me what type of jewelry I like to wear. I also got to create a wish list of pieces I'd love to try.

I was excited about the pieces they sent. I got a beautiful bib necklace, a long pendant necklace and a wrap bracelet.  I feel like all the pieces really fit my style too. So, now that I have them, I can keep them for the month, wear them a few times then send them back for new jewels, or keep any of them for a discount.

This service is normally $19 a month, which I feel is fair, but you all can give it a try for free!  Just go to Rocksbox then enter the code "newfavoriteoutfitxoxo" at checkout for one month free!

The first time I wore my necklace I styled it more casually with my J.Crew top and vest.  At first I wondered if that necklace needed to be worn strictly with dress clothes, but I adore it with this casual look!

I love the long pendant necklace, but I'm not sure how much use I could get out of it as I feel it really needs to be worn with mostly dress clothes. I really love it here though! It's $50 which I feel is probably fair for the quality.

The wrap bracelet is really fun too. I already have more than enough bracelets, so I don't plan on keeping it, but it'll be fun to wear it while I have it! It's only $36 which I really feel is a great deal, it's super long and detailed.

I switched out necklaces here to try the bib necklace her and I really do adore it. I'm still on the fence as to if I'll keep it. It's the priciest piece at $80-which is on the high side for Rocksbox jewels. What do you all think?

Jewelry: c/o Rocksbox (Enter the code "newfavoriteoutfitxoxo" at checkout for one month free!)

Blazer: Kohls similar

Top: Express: similar

Skirt: Express similar

Heels: Target same

Faith

Recently I was reflecting on the story of Jesus walking on water in Mathew 14: 22-33.  This is a pretty sweet miracle, but not really the part that has me thinking.  It's the part where Peter asks Jesus to let him walk on water too. And he does.

Peter made a request, had faith, and Jesus granted it.  The story doesn't end there, though. Even though Jesus has literally made it possible to Peter to do the impossible, Peter sees the wind and begins to doubt and sink. He calls out to Jesus, he takes his hand, and they both make it safely back to the boat.

I'm drawn to the humanity of Peter, as I think we can all be "Peter" sometimes. I know who Jesus is, yet when the "wind" begins to blow I can find myself full of fear and doubt and not standing firm in His truth. He loves me, He's called me, He believes in me. (Romans 8: 28-30)

The cool thing is that when Peter fears he calls out to Jesus, and Jesus takes him by the hand and guides him back to safety. This has me thinking about my own life. When fear hits, who is my first call? The answer should be Jesus, for sure.

Peter was later called "The Rock" in which Jesus would build His church on. Peter wasn't perfect, as none of us are, but when fear hit, he turned to Jesus. Jesus reached out His hand and Peter grabbed it. He's reaching out His hand to you too. So, it's up to you, are you going to take it?

Today's outfit is inspired by Danielle's look here. I recently scored this dress from thredUp (use this link for $10 off your first purchase) and I'd lie if I didn't say I had replicating her outfit in mind when I bought it.  The print on this dress is perfection and I was excited to pair it with my fur vest today.

 

Vest: Target similar

Dress: Lumiere similar via thredup (use this link for $10 off your first purchase)

Necklace: Stella and Dot similar

Bracelet: chloe + isabel  c/o same 

Watch: Wristology same c/o Get 25% off

Boots: Born similar

Linking up with:

What I Wore to Work Link-up

More of You, Less of Me

Having a blog is kind of a weird thing. I feel like in many ways it adds to the noise that social media has created...with our help of course.  "It's all about me." 

Facebook posts show the "country club" versions of our perfect life that doesn't really exist. 

Instagram amplifies the often times #filtered and staged beauty around us while often ignoring the true beauty within our often messy lives. 

We want perfection that doesn't exist, so we try to create it while often times ignoring the authentic blessings we have and our value that comes from God.

This song by Colton Dixon is one that has been speaking to me. It's quite simple. God I want more of you and less of me.

           

"More of You
Less of me
Make me who I'm meant to be
You're all I want all I need
You're everything
Take it all I surrender
Be my king
God I choose
More of You
Less of me"

This is what I really want: More God, less me.  I don't want to create a life I show the world that is anything less than authentic. My life is not perfect, is is literally and metaphorically messy at times, but ultimately my life should show the world who God is to me. 

It should show His love:

"For God so loved the world He gave His only son, and whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16)

It should show His concern for us, His children:

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

It should show his sovereignty:  

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." (Romans 8: 28-30)

My life and time here on earth shouldn't be about me, so I'm striving to show this each day. I hope you're inspired to do the same.

I wore this outfit over the weekend. It was inspired by the ever stylish Shanna. While she is busy getting ready for spring it was 19 degrees here this weekend. Boo. I really do love this outfit though and am crazy about my new watch from Wristology.  Use this link to get 25% off and score one of their watches for $36 with free shipping.

Jacket: Gap similar via thredUp (use this link for $10 off your first purchase)

Sweater: Gap similar

Jeans: Old Navy similar (via a clothing swap)

Necklace: Edith Marie Jewelry c/o same

Bracelets: chloe + isabel  c/o same Stella and Dot

Watch: Wristology same c/o Get 25% off

Shoes: Mossimo same

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Random Wednesday