I Mean What I Say

"I mean what I say." I say this multiple times a day to Grant. I try to be clear with expectations and have a consequence I can actually follow through on. The kid doesn't miss a beat. In the past I'd tell him things like, "If you come out of your room, I'm taking your blanket." Now, this was a threat I hoped would be big enough to keep him his room at bedtime, but not one I wanted to follow though on...I really didn't want to take his blanket. But. If he left his room and I didn't take his blanket he knew my consequences were threats, not realities.

I've since then changed my tune, I have to "mean what I say," and you know what, he knows it. It's far from perfect, just like the rest of us, but it's definitely improved his behavior. I also mean what I say when I tell him I love him, I'm proud of him, and when I encourage him when he's working hard at something.  I have to be someone Grant can trust and depend on.

God also "means what he says." Hebrews 4:12 in the Message translation says just that.  "God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting thought everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it-no mater what." 

God is the same now as he has been and will be for all eternity.  We can trust in Him and depend on him.  He's shown His great love for us by sending His only son, Jesus, to die for our sake. God means what he says.

As for my outfit, I was pretty happy to pick up this vest at Old Navy. I missed out on the J.Crew version and never could have justified the price anyway.  I thought it would be fun to pair it with my extremely versatile sweater I scored from  thredUP (use link for $10 off) and this Loft skirt I thrifted a few years back.  I feel like the pearls and flats really add a great finishing touch too.  

Vest: Old Navy same

Sweater: Ann Taylor via thredUP (use link for $10 off)

Skirt: Loft similar

Necklace: Target similar

 Bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same 

flats: Aerosoles same

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Random Wednesday

He Knows My Name

  One song that I've been hearing on the radio light crazy lately is "He Knows My Name" by Francesca Battistelli, take a peek at the video:

         

Sometimes I think there are songs that get stuck in our heads because they are "catchy" and sometimes I think it's because they're powerful and we're meant to take something...a message from them.  The first stanza is one that I can relate to. As much as I tend not to place too much value in comparison, I catch myself doing it from time to time.

Recently it seems like it's been "loop followers giveaway" after "loop followers giveaway" on Instagram. Not to offend people who take part in this, but our value as people doesn't come from how many followers we have on Instagram. As someone who doesn't take part in these I still get a twinge of jealousy as I see people's followings sky-rocking seemingly overnight through these giveaways. No amount of comparison or number of followers will add a minute to anyone's life.

Comparison is the thief of joy and keeps us from focusing on who we really are.

Here's the first stanza:

"Spent today in a conversation

In the mirror face to face with

somebody less than perfect

I wouldn't choose me first if

I was looking for a champion

In fact I'd understand if

You picked everyone before me

But that's just not my story

True to who You are

You saw my heart

and made

Something out of nothing"

We can get so caught up in the social media following circus that we forget that none of it really matters. Things have changed so much since I was a kid, and I see the social media emphasis impacting my students too. They are constantly comparing their Instagram following and picture "likes" to their friends.  God made us. God chose us. God loves us. And His metaphorical "like" is all we need.

 The song ends with this reminder which I hope I (and you) can take to heart:

"He calls me chosen, free forgiven, wanted, child of the King,

His forever, held in treasure...
I am loved"- and that my friends, is more than enough.

blazer: Loft similar

top: J.Crew factory similar

skirt: Loft similar

necklace: Mariposa Medley c/o similar

 bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same 

heels: Merona similar

Compliments and Accolades

I'd say that having this blog has really helped me to boost my self-confidence, and although I'm thankful for that I feel like I'm being reminded lately of what Paul said in Romans 12:3 here: "For by the grace given me I say to you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each one of you." 

We are good enough because God says so, not because of the accolades or compliments we hear from others.  I recently had a good friend at work comment on an outfit I wore very similar to the one I'm wearing today.  I said I felt like it was borderline appropriate for casual Friday, but I really just wanted to wear comfortable clothes.  She said it was nice to see me like this, as I always dress so "over the top." It really hit me. I want to dress nice for myself, not for anyone else.  There are a lot of girls at my school who are really cute and wear nice clothes, but I don't ever want to seem like I'm out dressing anyone. 

I think I tend to hold tight to compliments and let them define me. Most recently I was in our small group at church and our leader was lamenting his 32 birthday.  I spoke up that I was 35, what's the big deal. To me age has become somewhat irrelevant.  Those in class who didn't know my age commented they thought I was 27, 28, maybe 30. I've got to be honest, it made me sit a bit taller. I looked younger than my age. But I was reminded by the Holy Spirt: "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought." I've thought age was irrelevant for quite sometime, why did I care now? 

I'm really working to know I'm enough because God says so and not because of what others say about it.  I hope you all can do the same. Good or bad, we shouldn't let others put a value on who we are. 

I wore this outfit recently to go see Big Hero 6 with Grant. It was so good, so original, and I may or may not have cried at the end. As for my outfit, it's one I could have on constant repeat.  I picked up this tunic before Christmas from White Plum via Very Jane and I adore it with these leggings, also from White Plum.  They're currently sold out, but they have so many cute options still available to choose from.

Denim Jacket: The Limited similar

Tunic: White Plum same

Leggings: White Plum c/o cute options

Necklace: Edith Marie same

Boots: Unisa c/o DSW same

Linking up with:

What I Wore to Work Link-up

Overcomer

Like I've said in the past, I'm a big fan of music and Grant is too.  One song that always gets me going is the song Overcomer by Mandisa.  Here's the video, it's so good!

            

Whenever this song comes on Grant and I turn it up, here are some of the lyrics that stick out to me:

"Whatever it is you may be going through
I know He's not gonna let it get the best of you"

"You're an overcomer
Stay in the fight ‘til the final round
You're not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it's hopeless
That's when He reminds You
That you're an overcomer
You're an overcomer"

In our life we go through peaks and valleys. I think sometimes people think that once you ask God into your life it's going to be smooth sailing, and that's just not the case.  There will be times when it seems like you're on top of the world, then there are times when a situation hits you like a brick wall.  

Being a Christian doesn't keep bad things from happening to you, it just makes it easier to handle because you have God on your side. In the midst of whatever it is you're going though God is right there with you. Jesus says in Mathew 19:26 "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." God helps us to be over-comers....to not give up...to have hope.  With him we know that valley we are in won't last forever. It will be better. 

Maybe today you're in a peak, or maybe you're in valley.  Wherever you are I hope you remember how much God loves you and that you can stand firm that truth.

I wore this outfit for Christmas eve service at church.  I picked up this dress at Target for like $7 this fall and found this great J.Crew cardigan from  thredUP (use link for $10 off) for next to nothing.  I totally lucked out on these heels too.  They're Merona, but real leather, I somehow managed to get them for $12 online (with free shipping).  My favorite black heels bit the dust and I'd been looking for a replacement for quite a while.  So, in the deal category, this outfit is definitely a winner. : )

Cardigan: J.Crew via thredUP (use link for $10 off)

Dress: Target similar

necklace: Mariposa Medley c/o similar

 bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same 

heels: Merona similar

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Random Wednesday

Life Lately

Today I thought I'd share a bit of how I spent my Christmas break.  It was so nice to be at home and relaxing. I shared some of what I did on Instagram and thought I'd share with you all on here too.

1. On the first day of break I went to Target to finish up some Christmas shopping. It's funny how shopping alone at Target can feel so relaxing.  I found the cutest Christmas terrarium for like $8. I'd recently seen a really cute DIY version, but once I saw this I knew this would be even better. : )

2. We also went out for dinner as a family then drove to look at some Christmas lights.  Grant was in awe and hadn't ever seen anything like this before, and it was set to music!

3. On Christmas Eve we went to the evening service at church.  This is the first time we've done this since Grant has been born.  We usually spend Christmas Eve at my parents' house and their service isn't until 11:00 (too late for Grant and me anymore), but this year everyone was coming to our house for Christmas day.  The 5:00 service at our church was great and Grant was probably the most well behaved he's been. Bonus. : )

4. I grew up getting to open a present on Christmas Eve, so we've continued the tradition with Grant.  He got this Batman playset and was so excited.  We do a lot of imagining with action figures around here. : )

5. On Christmas everyone came over and it was a really wonderful day. I've definitely had more food in the last two weeks than I've needed, including this chocolate from my parents!

6. Oh, I also wore clothes.  I picked up this shirt at Target for $5 and adore it!

7. I'm also a huge fan of Pretty Little Liars.  We recently got Netflix and I decided to re-watch the show from the beginning to look for clues about who "A" really is. I've decided that the writers weren't sure themselves about who "A" was in the beginning.... It's fun watching it again and I do think I'm picking up on some things I missed the first time, but I'm still not sure who the real "A" is. Sigh...

8. Grant and I got to spend a Saturday with my sister, mom, and sister's M.I.L. It was really fun and my sister for Grant a balloon powered race car. Best $2 spent ever. He's had so much fun with it!

9. I also went to Hobby Lobby for "scrapbook supplies" and found this adorable house for $5 and a glittery bust of a deer too. Score! Oh, and I got scrapbook stuff too. ; )

10. I also had some time to spend with our Beagle, Gracie, too.  I think having us home has really worn her out. The dog just acts exhausted!

11. I also started Enrique's Journey for our January Book Club book. You. Guys. It is a must read. As a teacher to a larger population of Hispanic kids it opened my eyes to what many of their or their parents' journeys looked like.

12.  I also got caught up on scrapbooking!!! Grant went to his Grandma's house for two days and Brian had to work. I literally scrapbooked for like two days straight, but I'm now caught up and it feels great! 

I hope you all had a great time over the holidays! I know the time was exactly what I needed!

Want, Want, Want

I haven't been doing as much outfit planning lately. If I see something for inspiration, I'll set pieces aside, however, I've kind of been trying to detox from Pinterest.  I feel like pinning things is just kind of making me want to buy more things....then I want to buy ALL THE THINGS.  Hence, the detox.

I also went through and deleted a lot of "pretty" pins from my boards, because they all had pieces in them that were unlike anything else I have, therefore they made me want to buy things to complete and re-create the outfit.  One of my girlfriends and I were talking about it and she said how she'd make a mental list of things to buy based on her pins, not her needs. Her words: "Wow, this leopard button-down would be a great staple in my closet!" Yep, because a leopard button-down is a staple... See my point.

Exodus 20:17 says: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Now, I don't really covet the first part of this verse but God makes it pretty clear when he says anything that belongs to your neighbor. 

I am very guilty of getting a big case of the "I wants" when I scroll through Pinterest and my Instagram feed.  It's one thing to gain some fashion inspiration, but it's different to covet, then want, then buy...buy...buy.  You can also get stuck on the covet part and feel like you are less than who your really are because you don't have that one thing everyone else has. Herringbone vest? Buffalo check vest? Duck boots? Want...want...want.  There is absolutely nothing healthy about this. Trends will change, people will move on to new trends, and all the buying in the world will never add any long lasting happiness to your life, or mine. 

I am definitely not perfect, but I want to make a conscious effort in the new year to not let the Social Media Machine rule my purchases and wants.  It's fun to see exciting outfits and how to wear fun trends, but that's all it should be.  I hope the same for you all too.  When I show clothes I hope you don't get the urge to want...want...want.  I hope I can give you some inspiration, but it can be just that.

 As for today's outfit: I wore for church and picked in about thirty seconds while wrapped in towel. I've had this cardigan for a few years and same goes for this dress. I like how it came together I didn't need Pinterest or anything else.  I've got plenty to chose from in my closet and the ability to create my own outfits, and you do too. : )

Cardigan: Ann Taylor similar

Dress: similar

Necklace: Stella and Dot same

booties: Jessica Simpson similar

Year in Review: Dresses and Skirts

Happy New Year's everyone! Today I'm wrapping up my year in review with my favorite things: skirts and dresses.  It was funny, as I looked back four of my favorite dress looks are all with this Gap dress I scored at a clothing swap a few years back.

I love this this look below with the layers and bow cardigan, one of my favorite buys last winter.

Dress: Gap similar / Cardigan: J.Crew Factory (try ebay, last year) / Chambray: Gap similar / Necklace: Stella and Dot same / Heels: Nine West

I also love it with my Loft blazer and the fun pops of bold color too-I need to do that more this winter!

Jacket: similar / Dress: Gap similar / Necklace: Edith Marie Jewelry same / Heels: Audrey Brooke similar

I wore it here with another Loft blazer I got on clearance this summer for a steal.

Jacket: similar / Dress: Gap similar / Necklace: How Gorgeous c/o same / Wedges: Aerosoles c/o Chippmunk

I adore this berry and navy combo and this look was definitely one of my favorites for the year!

Dress: Gap similar / Cardigan: NY and Co similar / Shirt: J.Crew Factory same / Necklace: Edith Marie Jewelry c/o same/ Heels: Audrey Brooke similar / 

This dress from Target is one I'm missing this winter!  It's so comfy and I love the color contrast with the denim, I'll definitely be repeating this come spring!

Jacket: The Limited similar / Dress: Merona (nothing similar, sorry) / Necklace: Stella and Dot same / Bag: Coach similar / Shoes: J.Crew (nothing similar, sorry)

I love this bold skirt I picked up on super clearance at J.Crew factory this summer and repeated this look numerous times before I had to store the skirt for winter. 

Jacket: The Limited similar / Skirt: J.Crew factory similar / Necklace: Kendra Scott inspired real deal / Shoes: DSW similar

Linking up with:

What I Wore to Work Link-up