RRR & Summer Remix Challenge

Today, I’m glad it’s Monday. I have my act together {unlike last week when I did not post at all on Monday} and am up for today’s challenge. When Caitlin posted the idea of taking something from childhood and updating it, I really stumped for quite a while. I haven’t thought much about childhood in…well, what feels like forever. But then I remembered an outfit from elementary that was one of my favorites. My mom made so many of my clothes when I was growing up and I always just took it for granted. Many a night I would look a stack of fabric and patterns and ask her to make {an item} and sometimes it would be ready for me to wear to school the next day. My mom was quite a seamstress! She was and is a very talented lady but sewing for her was an art, a masterpiece that had the perfect details each time. The right thread, the perfect button, top-stitched with the best color, etc. I was genuinely a well-dressed girl growing up.

The outfit I remember dates back to about fifth grade. It was a denim print pant and matching jacket. The print with red and yellow flowers and my matching top was red. Matchy-matchy goes way back for me and has been dying a slow death and unfortunately it doesn’t want to die and it rears its head at the worst possible times. My updated version is for summer rather than fall/winter. I paired my denim shorts with a reddish top which I saved from the purge pile {thankfully}! I thought I would add my fedora for a change-up and because during that challenge I didn’t pair it with real clothes. I added a yellow necklace to bring that color in as well.

Remix w/denim & top

Remix w/denim, top & aviators

Remix w/denim, top & fedora

Also, at Greater than Rubies, Caitlin announced that a Summer Remix Challenge would begin in July. I am showing the 20 pieces that I hope to remix into 30 different outfits during the month. This should be a great challenge for the summer wardrobe. I am planning to focus on workday outfits because this is the area where my wardrobe has changed the most recently. I have gone from wearing denim everyday to business casual. I hope this helps me to narrow my wardrobe even more and make more versatile but with less. Here’s what I chose from my closet.

Bottoms

Tops for Workday

 

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Casual & Workday Tops

Linking up: Greater than Rubies. Not Dead Yet Style. More Pieces of Me. On the Daily Express.

Faith on Friday #4

A couple of weeks ago I had a little confession time with what was going on in my heart and life regarding blogging. I was convicted about the direction I was going with the blog and knew the road I was traveling was not good for me. I just could sense something “not right” and knew I needed to make a change.

As I have begun to work through that and change my focus, I have had so much peace in my heart and in my life. Then what happened after that was truly amazing to me. I read two blog posts from other bloggers whom I was/am following on Bloglovin who were going through the same sort of thing.

The first post I read was from Shalom Mama. I love her natural living blog. Their family lives in a converted bus. I just adore their creative and simple life. I have learned so much from her DIY and natural living that has helped and encourage me in those areas. Her blog post that inspired and comforted me is found here. I hope you’ll stop by her blog and read that post and poke around into all of her greatness. You will probably find something interesting!

Another post I read was at Perfectly Coutured. If you participate in link-ups, you may have linked up with her on Thursdays. She posted a farewell for now, which you can read here. One of things she mentioned in her post was not spending time with family and friends but instead sitting in front of her computer writing posts. I love that she said that because I agree that can truly happen to all of us if we are not careful. She reminded me that I love my blogger friends but I also love my friends who live in my city and cannot neglect their presence and community in my life.

I was so very thankful that those posts were in my Bloglovin feed at just the right time to remind me to be intentional with my life and time. This week I pondered on a thought that shot through my mind one morning. I am not who I once was and I am not who I am going to be. I’m thankful for the things in life that have changed and matured me but I know I am still in a process of growing and changing therefore I am not who I will be. The Lord is continually at work in me to fulfill his word, “ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6. I can rest in those words.

I am blessed with wonderful friends and I blessed to be married to this guy {20 years this October}. Thought you might enjoy a picture of us…it’s from a couple of years ago when my hair was much shorter.

Have a great weekend, friends and be blessed!

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Summer Style Me Challenge - Week #2

The Summer Style Me Challenge at Get Your Pretty On is in full swing and the ladies are looking gorgeous! I must say I continue to learn so much about remixing my wardrobe, styling the pieces I own and what are some vital pieces that I am missing which would add even more mixing. The only thing that has me a little distressed is my lack of understanding regarding the importance of patterned pieces {especially tops}. Prior to my learning to remix my wardrobe, I basically had some outfits that I wore over and over while ignoring many pieces in my closet. I had lots of basics but not really anything striped, floral or patterned. Sounds boring doesn’t it? Yes, it kinda was but I just didn’t know it. I have discovered stripes, florals and polka-dots but barely put my toe into the waters of patterns. Is this my next big hurdle? Yes, it is!! And I really have Alison to thank for putting the patterned top front and center and showcasing its importance in the life of a good capsule {seasonal} wardrobe.

Here are my outfits {mostly workday wear} for Days 3-9. Hope you enjoy!

Day 5
Day 5
Day 8
Day 8
Day 9
Day 9

Below you’ll find links to some of the other bloggers who are participating in the Summer Challenge. Hope you check out their blogs. Some of my favorite bloggers are among them - they great ladies!

A little other news this week: I wrote a guest post for Alex at Undergraduate Style. If you’d like to check it out, you can read it here. This is my first guest post so I’m kinda excited and it’s kinda a big deal to me.

Linking up: The Pleated Poppy. Get Your Pretty On. Curly Crafty Mom. Basic Training Corporate Style. Tucker Up.

 

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Faith on Friday #3

The other morning I woke up and I immediately had {a little girl} on my mind. Actually, as I opened my eyes, I could only remember Maria but I knew that just wasn’t quite right. I got up, showered and then it hit me, her name was Ana-Maria. So who is Ana-Maria?

Back in 2000 I went on a mission trip to Romania. During my time in that country and trudging through the little villages, I met Ana-Maria. It was a strange encounter because our team was out in a village to meet with some families who had requested for missionaries to visit them. Ana-Maria and her family were not one of the families who had invited us to visit with them. But walking down the street I was talking with my translator and getting to know here better when a little girl approached us. She did not speak English but through my translator it became obvious she was urgently asking us to visit her home. We detoured to her home and met her mother and brothers. Her father was out working in the nearby fields. We spent some time with them and then realized it was time leave. We reminded Ana-Maria that we would be back and let her know where we would be that evening. Here are a couple of pictures {of pictures} of Ana-Maria {and me} that afternoon.

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Honestly, I was hoping Ana-Maria would show. There was something about this sweet little girl. She stole my heart. Well, we weren’t there very long that evening when she came walking up. Please know that Ana-Maria’s family were very poor. Their living conditions were not the worst I ever saw while in Romania but they surely struggled with enough food and being able to stay clean. As she approached I could tell she had on clean clothes, her hair had been re-combed and she was carrying gifts. Gifts? Yes, because I also discovered the poor in Romania were actually quite generous with the few possesions they actually owned. Ana-Maria brought me a bag of freshly picked cherries and a hand made needlework apron. Speechless! Yes, I was in awe of this little girl. Tears! Yes, tears flowed when we said good-bye. I told her I would try to come back the next summer.

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I was able to return the next summer. I tried to find Ana-Maria but when I walked through her village no one was able to point me to where she lived. It was like she had disappeared or never lived there. But again out of no where I saw her and she saw me and ran and embraced. Precious visit, precious re-connection.

So, why have been rambling on about a little girl in Romania {whom I haven’t seen in years}. Because when I woke up that morning with her on my mind, I knew I should pray for her. I believe the Lord placed her on my heart so I would pray. I don’t know why I needed to pray for her but I did just that.

Thinking of Ana-Maria has reminded me that I so often am not grateful for the much that I have in this life {things, people, $$, etc.}. I was reminded of her generosity amidst her poverty. In that vein, I began to think that I can always find something else that I “need”. That thought lead me back to re-read this book. Why this book? Because this book contained words, thoughts, stories that forced me to take a hard look at my life. It also lead me to purge my wardrobe, start blogging, plant a garden, composting, organic foods, etc.

As I said before in another post, I kinda got away from real purpose or focus with the blog but I think even having Ana-Maria on my heart has again reminded me to remember. What about you? Do you need to re-focus? Remember something from the past that can put you back on course? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Summer Style Me Challenge Week #1

The outfits have started to be released for the Summer Style Me Pretty Challenge at Get Your Pretty On. The fun is in full swing for both alumni that participated in the Spring Style Me Pretty Challenge and the first timers. It truly is a blast and a place of sweet encouragement as ladies learn to remix and style themselves with a little help from Alison. Those of us that are bloggers and linking up again each week with our outfits. Some of us follow the rules to a T, while others let their creativity out in full swing. Here’s what I’ve been wearing since the challenge began. Since it’s a summer challenge the focus is mainly on shorts but Alison is such a champ that she also provided options for those of us who have to work during “summer vacation”.
Here’s Day 1 - Colored bottoms {Old Navy Pixie Pants, white lacy top {Aeropostle clearance (old), statement earrings from Sam Moon and Bare Traps neutral wedges-last season}.
Day 2 - White bottoms, chambray top, wedges {Old Navy white denim pencil skirt, chambray shirt (thrifted), same wedges}.
I was going to be overly ambitious and try to post three days but in the end my hubby kicked my butt with a cross training workout and I was just too tired to get dressed in work clothes so I took a shower and washed my hair instead. And that’s what happens in real life, people.
Please, please, please check out my blogger friends listed below. They are some great ladies with awesome blogs and lovely style.
I’m also linking up: The Pleated Poppy. Get Your Pretty On. Curly Craft Mom. Basic Training Corporate Style. Tucker Up.

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