{2} new year's eve?

{He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end} - Ecclesiastes 3:11

When I walked up the stairs this morning, the first thing my mom said was "is it new year's eve already?!"  I know the sparkle look is a bit overwhelming at first, but I do have to say I love it!  I went for a "grunge-y" look today with the cargo pants and all...obviously my mother didn't get the memo!  Normally, i would have put on a cute, spunky dress for the first week of school, but since I dress how I feel, I felt this outfit should have a "hello, i'm bloated" theme with moodiness to accessorize.   Who says you can't be fashionable when you feel 10 lbs. fatter? 

As Tim Gunn would say: "Make it work!"

Top: Express via Rugged Warehouse

Pants: Gap outlet

Shoes: New Directions via Belk

Necklace: Express via Rugged Warehouse

Bangles: Khols

{1} mad (wo)men

{I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.} - John 16:33

 Today, is the beginning of the back to school challenge.  I actually wore something different today {which I will be posting soon to come}, but to get things kick started, so to speak, I wanted to showcase a personal favorite of mine.  

My dad bought the contents of a widower's estate about a year ago.  Within the piles of rubble were various clothes racks filled with vintage goodies!  I was pleased to find many dresses in good condition along with vintage pocketbooks galore!  This dress is one of those many finds..the handmade feel and vintage quality are perfect for dressing up or down.  Here, I was going to get my school supplies so, I decided to take on the "Mad Men" appraoch I've been seeing in Glamour and Vogue.  I added different pops of color to help add some modern appeal to the outfit.  I also kept my pocketbook simple by wearing a white, picnic-type purse. 

Although many vintage dresses are tacky and ill fitting, alterations can be done to make them look better!  For example, when I first spotted this dress, it was approximatly 3 inches longer. I was so anxious to wear it that I kept getting frustrated when my mom wouldn't fix it.  Finally, i took it to my grandma's and viola...it was hemmed!  So, never get stuck on the what if's or get discouraged when searching through junk piles...there is always a solution to a fashion disaster.

Dress: Vintage

Belt: Chaps via Khols

Earrings: Betsey Johnson (Betseyville)

Bracelet: Mom's

Ring: Forever 21

Shoes: Sister's

The Back to School Challenge

{As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man}  - Proverbs 27:19

This year, as like many before, I've gone on back to school shopping sprees including anything from shoes, pocketooks, jewelry, and the basics.  Over the years of buying and buying, I've lost track of all the wonderful items that I own.   Each item I bought for a reason, whether it be a special occasion, date night, or like i said, back to school.  This year, as I plan to statrt my junior year in highschool, I want to reinvent those pieces and make a challenge out of it. 

The challenge is:  Go as many days as possible without wearing the same piece of clothing, or wearing an outfit I have already created.

I am hoping this challenge will help me broaden my spectrum.  Instead of going straight to blue or black for a formal event or putting on my favorite maxi dress for a cool summer date night, I'm going to open my mind to many options. I am so exciteed to jump into this project and get into my creative side. 

But wait!...there's more because you can join too!  Whether you are starting a new career, going to college, or just trying to mix things up a bit, try using every piece in your closet.  You will find great pride in wearing every item you own because, well ladies..let's be honest, how many items hang in our closet with tags still on them?! This challenge is to get you into those items you never wear or get rid of the ones you wear too much.  So get to it ladies and start your remixing, rematching, and overall rediscovery of that dark hole you call your closet!

(below is a short post to tide me over until I start the challenge)

Top: Banana Republic Closet

Blazer: J. Crew via Mega Thrift

Skirt: Goodwill

Jewelry: Premier and vintage

Shoes: Unionbay via Khols

ahhh!

{Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.} - Matthew 6:34

Back to school already? I can hardly believe school is less than a week away.  This summer has been great, even though it's been packed with working, sports, clubs, and vacations.  I'm glad I took on so much this summer, if I hadn't, I would of just sat at home watching movies all day! 

I can't wait to see what my schedule is going to be...precal., chemistry, honors med. science...ahhh! I find out on Tuesday and get to meet my teachers again.  Even though I should be worried about finishing my summer reading, all I can think about is what I'm going to wear!  My mom makes fun of me..."what a dilemma." 

Anyways, on to the outfit, I had to help my mom clean her classroom and prepare it for the little kid arrivals! I thought I would wear something light and airy..not to hot nor cold...and this was the perfect outfit.  I love the somewhat monochromatic scheme of blues and my purse and shoes are my all-time favorite {although I just realized you can't see them!} I will have to restyle these 2 pieces so you can see them sometime soon.

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Top: Banana Republic Outlet

Sweater: Petite Sophisticate via Goodwill

Shorts: Papaya

Shoes: Clark's Outlet

Bag: TJ Maxx

Necklace: Forever 21

Bracelet: Gifted

easy, breezy, beautiful...

{Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised}

- Proverbs 31:30

This past weekend, I made a stop at the local walmart and picked up the new Covergirl smoky shadow blast in silver sky.  I was very eager to try this product becuase I can never get the coverage or color right by myself.  This product was very easy to use and it applied easily...the only drawback I had was the liner portion beacause I had to do several layers for it to show up.  Overall though, I rate this a 6-7 out of 10.   I think I might try the lighter shades next time..I believe this dark shade would look great with brunette hair!

{I think I look a bit like a clown with the pink lipstick}

watercolor vintage

{For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ}
-Titus 2:11-13

All week I've been in practice clothes gearing up for the first football game..cheering for the players that is!  When I finally had the chance to dress up a little, I was so glad.  The outcome of a little brainstorming was an outfit made of discount stores and hand-me-downs. I recently scored this $5.99 vest-top-amazing-ness at rugged warehouse and the shirt is from Goodwill. My sister's shorts {now mine} complete the outfit perfectly!   I love the mix of neutral colors with punches of mustard and purple.  I can see myself remixing this vest in the near future!

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Have you remixed any of your favorite pieces lately?

Shirt: The Limited

Vest: New York and Co.

Shorts: Sis's

Shoes: Nine West

Jewelry: Forever21

Belt: mom's

movin' time

{Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned}  - Romans 5:12


I apologize for the lack of posts the past couple of days!  I had to go help my sister move into college for her sophomore year becuase without me..well, let's just say she couldn't get dressed decently! I had to help her pick out some outfits to take and choose which staples to throw in at the last second.  The one thing my sister doesn't need my help on is shoes! She is a shoe queen {for me, pocketbooks are my love} that cannot bear to leave one pair at home, so we had to pack all of them.  After the clothes were hung up one by one, my mom and I decorated the room to perfection!  Her colors of pink and brown were carried out through the whole room {including pens, staplers, q-tips...you name it, it was pink!}  She also chose a wood-sey pattern to help pull in her personal style and the other colors together.  Have a look at the photos below and see how we did!

I wanted to also give a shoutout to lets talk trunk.  These ladies are adorable and their blog is very relatable with outfit, DIY, and fitness posts. Go check them out!

{Final shot of us being goofy!}

how great is our God?

{He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together} - Colossians 1:17

Church today was really moving.  In sunday school, we discussed the importance of "teaming up" with one another..this meaning not to think soley about yourself as today's society suggests, but loving everyone and showing this love through actions. It was really moving how this message cordinated with the video we watched in the 11:00 service.  Louie Giglio was the speaker at a Chris Tomlin concert on his How Great is Our God tour.  He spoke about how the God of this great, big, huge universe created the stars and the earth, but he also created us and he wants to have an intimate relationship with each and every one of us.  The "star-breather" is also a "heart-maker."  It was really interesting how he connected science and the solar system with christ.  I really enjoyed his presentation.

Dress: Rampage

Shoes: Nine West

Ring&Bracelet: Khols

Louie's final remarks were the most impressive.  He talked about a cell adhesive molecule in the body called "Laminin."  Without this human "glue", we wouldn't be able to stay together! What was so amazing and moving about this simple cell was this....

...the way it looks!  He showed how Christ is in us through mind, body, and spirit.  This really impressed me and I loved this illustration because it really displayed how all things are through God.  I hope you were as impressed as I was!  If you would like to see the video of this click here.

(Here is a shortened version of just the "Laminin" part.)

down the drain

{He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a broken down city without a wall.}

 - Proverbs 25:28

...my money that is!  Today marks the beginning of tax free weekend and even though it's only friday, I have already spent my paycheck!  If you have read some of my posts, you may realize my love for sales/bargins.  I am the queen of cheapness and I love a great find!  

For the first time, I am typing on my OWN computer! How exciting is this?  More posts will be coming your way because of this great deal I scored today.  I am super excited and I will be uploading plenty of outfit posts soon enough,but until then here is a picture of Kim Kardashian's closet.  This would be amazing! 

via

 I would love your input on what kind of outfits or tutorials you would like to see.  Please feel free to email me!  Thanks.

a backroad or two..

          {I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.}
                                                                     - Psalm 16:8

This past weekend, I went to virginia and west virginia with my family.  The trip was so much fun because we had no plans or anywhere certain to be.  We drove until we found an interesting hole-in-the-wall of any kind, hopped out of the car and spent as much time as we wanted.  Since we road aound alot, I did happen to notice the backdrop of our vacay, which was beautiful mountain tops.

One of our many stops, was a flea market held in an old, abandoned parking deck.  The "vendors" were not only adults, but older couples and even children.  They sold items from the trunk of their car and hung clothing on the wire enclosing the deck.  I bought 4 great finds (2 dresses, 2 skirts) and I can't wait to show them to you!

We also went to many antique stores.  Most people would of passed right by these "junk-holes" as my sister said, but I somehow convinced my dad to let me dig through the piles of old dishes and jewelry. I always try to look as things in a different light as if they are a "diamond in the rough."  I loved the old patterns I found and pink telephone..it was adorable!  I bought a couple of scarfs to use as head wraps and an amazing seashell belt that I'll have to wear sometime soon! 

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What kind of great finds have you found this summer?