Style Challenges & Questions Answered

March 30, 2015

This past weekend was crazy busy for me. I finished up my last class at DTS and once I finish my assignments I’ll be set for graduation in May. My hubby and I also attended a wedding of a young woman who lived with us in our home for a couple of years. Needless to say there was not time for pictures. Sorry friends but Create8 Spring Transitions has come to an abrupt halt. Not to worry because beginning April 1st, Whitney and I will be hosting Create28 Lovely Spring Looks on our blogs.Whitney and I will link up on Mondays, so if you’re participating, please plan to link up with us on Mondays. April 1st the look will be Pop of Pink and Whitney will debut her look at on her blog. She’s going to be so cute in pink, y’all so be sure to check it out.

I am also going to participate in the Spring Style Me Challenge at Get Your Pretty On. This is how I met the lovely women that I blog with every other Friday. I decided not to be the party pooper so I signed up. We will linking up on Wednesdays. Are you interested in the GYPO Challenge? Do you need a little daily help getting dressed and adding a few new trends? Then click on the link below and get the details.

If you remember my post on Friday, Whitney tagged in I Mustache You Some Questions. Today, I’m responding to that tag. Hope you enjoy, friends.

Four names people call me other than my real name:
1. Baby Girl
2. Baby Doll
3. Sweet Girl
4. Carsonator

Four jobs I’ve had:
1. Elementary Teacher
2. Elementary Principal
3. High School History Teacher
4. Administrative Assistant

Four movies I would/have watched more than once:
1. It’s a Wonderful Life
2. Sweet Home Alabama
3. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
4. White Christmas

Four books I would recommend:
1. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
2. 7: A Mutiny on Excess by Jen Hatmaker
3. Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist
4. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

Four places I have lived:
1. Forest City, Iowa
2. Dallas, Texas
3. Ft. Worth, Texas
4. Denton, Texas

Four places I have been:
1. London, England
2. Guirgui, Romania
3. Bucharest, Romania
4. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Lying on a beach with my toes in the water watching the tide
2. Hanging out with my daughter
3. On an adventure somewhere in the world with my friend, Alicia
4. Traveling through Europe

Four things I don’t eat:
1. Pickles
2. Mustard
3. Fried Okra
4. Canned Cranberries

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Tortilla Chips
2. King Brisket Burger
3. Whatever is in the CSA
4. Egg Hash

Four TV shows that I watch:
1. Chopped
2. American Pickers
3. The Voice
4. Gold Rush

Four things that I’m looking forward to this year (2015):
1. Graduation from Seminary
2. A Vacation
3. Writing devotionals for women
4. Participate in a competitive athletic event

Four things I’m always saying:
1. I love you, honey!
2. I know, right?!
3. Honey, will you help me?
4. Thank you, Lord!

Four people I tag:
1. Deena@ Shoes to Shiraz
2. Lana @ Two Teens and Their Mama
3. Shaunacey @ Confessions of a Frummy Mommy
4. Karen @ She Thought She Could

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Linking up: Monday Patti // Molly // Carylee // Lauren // Jen // Rhea // Laura //Erin //Rachelle // Tuesday Amber // Laura // Lauren // Susan & J //Jess //

Whatever is Lovely #2

March 27, 2015

It’s time for the second installment of Whatever is Lovely…featuring some favorites. I have to confess that I think this is so much fun. I really enjoy reading blogs and I also love sharing what I’m learning or things that stood out to me. Here’s a few favorites that I found out in blogland. I will apologize on the front side but there are a few more than five this week. I wanted to give a shout out to a previous student and her husband. I also want to share a little about Create28 Lovely Spring Looks which starts on April 1st…no April’s Fool’s here, friends.

1.) I found this dish on Smitten Kitchen. It’s baked chickpeas with pita chips and yogurt. It looks absolutely delicious to me. It’s full of ingredients I love so I’m confident it needs to get into my belly really soon. Confession: I haven’t made it yet but hopefully soon…

2.) Jen from Fashionably Employed wrote this great post about curating a wardrobe by consciously choosing to purchase according to a self-imposed 90/10 rule. In her own words: I’ve decided for the next year I will commit to a 90/10 ratio of consciously curated additions to my closet. 90 percent of any new purchases will be secondhand, made in the US, sustainable, socially responsible, what have you. I know this definition will be refined and evolve over the course of this challenge as I continue to learn even more about being a conscious consumer of style. I already have many resources, and I look forward to finding more. I love this idea. It both convicts me and encourages me to think outside the box. Can’t wait to follow along and see what happens this year. You can read the post here.

3.) My friend Whitney tagged me in this post. I’ll be answering those questions in an upcoming post. Watch out because I might just tag you!

4.) I love She Reads Truth and this post was so fun. I love that they are calling women who read the daily devotion to submit photos of themselves. What a joy it will be to see the beautiful faces of ladies that are reading this daily devotion series.

5.) My blogger friend Deena, at Shoes to Shiraz has rounded up tons of her friends to contribute to The Mommy Diary Series. If you’re a mom, you will love reading these stories. Seriously, read the stories of real life moms.

That’s five of my favorites but I also want to give a shout out to The Kirks who just released their first song on iTunes entitled “Pine Box”. This little lady was a student of mine back in the day. I actually taught her in 7th and 8th history and again in 11th grade history. She’s a jewel and married and a gem. They are such cuties! They have a great little Facebook page about their music. I wanted to share a video of them singing Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, but I couldn’t get it to load correctly. Here’s their Facebook page…scroll down a bit if you want to see the video. They are just so cute! Jordan Kirk Music. It has been such a joy to see my previous students grow up. Many are getting married and starting families of their own. One student that I taught my very first year of teaching 4th grade just celebrated the birth of their second baby. So sweet to see their pictures posted on Facebook. Makes me feel so blessed to have been a little part of so many student’s lives.

Here’s their original song, “Pine Box”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSV114B3oGA#t=31

Truth is, I really do love to love people. I love to love friends. I have some really great friends! So the other day when I received an email about friendship from (in)courage I was intrigued. Tips for friendship sounds interested doesn’t it? Check it out here and I hope you sign up. I did. Enough said today…thanks for reading!

Oh, one more thing! I want to announce that Whitney from Whitney a’ al Mode and I are co-hosting Create28 Lovely Spring Looks on our blogs beginning April 1st! Please join in and we will provide the daily prompts. That’s all friends. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Linking up: Friday Favorites. The Farmers Wife. Five on Friday. High Five for Friday.

Create8~Pink Gingham Spring Transitions

March 25, 2015

It’s another gingham today but in a different color. This is one of the few blouses I own that are actually pink. I’ve never been a huge fan of pink and I’m not sure why. My hubby loves me in pink and yet I’m still not that motivated to purchase it or wear it. I think it might be a little too girly for me. I’ve never been super girly but I am trying to be more girly and feminine. I love the softness that girly and feminine looks bring to the party so I think I’ll invite myself and hopefully have a good time.

Friends, do you like girly and feminine looks? Is it something you avoid or embrace? Since I gravitate toward a professional look, like the one here, I’m trying to stretch myself to capture girly this Spring. For me this means a little pink, a little lace, ruffly stuff and floral. Not sure exactly what that will look like but hopefully it won’t be a hot mess.

skirt/forever 21 {similar} blouse/? {similar} scarf/?{similar} shoes/dsw {similar}

This is the same skirt from Monday’s post and I think in these photos it captures more grey tones. I do think pink and blush are perfect with grey. This bright pink gingham with the floral seem to capture what is so fantastic with Spring.

Well, friends, what are you thinking about style? What trends are you liking? Have you thought about trying something new outside your usual comfort style box? Why not try something new? It could fun…hopefully. That’s what I believing! Have a lovely day, friends!

This is happening next week!! So excited to collaborating with Whitney. Hope you’ll join in!

Wednesday Alison // Lindsey //Shanna // Sarah // Liz // Vicki // Tiffany //Morgan // Leanne //Brooke & Erica // Thursday Alice // Carrie// Elle // Tara // Jenna // Friday Jo-Lynne // Tara// Allison// Christina // Dawn Lucy //Rachel // Weekend ClaireJustine //Doranda //Megan //

Create8~Gingham Spring Transitions

March 23, 2015

Hello, friends and hello Monday! It’s hard to believe that March is almost coming to a close. For me, it just flew by so quickly. Snow days and writing papers just filled up the days and now that I am beginning to come up for a breath the month is sliding to a close. Which means of course, that Springy month of April is right around the corner. I’m looking forward to April because Whitney who blogs at Whitney al’ a Mode and I are going to collaborate and co-host another Create28 Lovely Spring Looks. It starts on April 1st and we hope you’ll find time to participate. More details will follow soon but wanted to give you a heads up to what’s coming up.

It seems like a good time to post a gingham look. I mean this pattern is everywhere. Honestly, I can’t get enough of it. If you remember during my first Create28, I was so envious of my co-worker, Herman, because he had the gingham blouse I was looking for. You can read about it here. I am assured that Herman and I won’t be twins today because he is out of the office this week. So here’s how I decided to style it for a Spring transition look.

skirt/forever 21 {similar} blouse/target {similar} sweater/jcp {similar} shoes/dsw {similar}

This blouse and skirt are actually both called “grey” but as with the picture and in real life, I think they tend to lean toward brown. Oddly enough, I’m not a fan of brown and this bright orange together but I like these pieces with the orange sweater. Bottom line, there is some grey in that blouse and skirt.

So have you jumped on the gingham train yet? Are you planning to find a gingham piece or two this spring? If so, what color{s} are you leaning toward.

Linking up: Monday Patti // Molly // Carylee // Lauren // Jen // Rhea // Laura //Erin //Rachelle // Tuesday Amber // Laura // Lauren // Susan & J // Jess //

Spring Trends w/Style Me Bloggers

March 20, 2015

Hello, Spring! Everyone is anxiously waiting your appearance. Am I right? I think I’m right on this one. We are all awaiting the lovely spring temperatures, trees and flowers in full bloom and little birdies singing at the dawn of the day. Some of my favorite days are in the springtime. Our spring in Texas is beginning but we have yet to have very many of those lovely sunny days.

What else is there to love about Spring? New style trends, softer and brighter colors, new patterns and cute shoes, of course. I haven’t really done spring shopping but I have looked around a bit and have a few ideas of some pieces that I would like to add to my wardrobe.

Since I’m writing this on Thursday night, the night I wanted to go to the West & Lou Event but didn’t…I’m going to post some favorite pieces I found on their site.

Striped Sweater

What a great sweater! Love how the stripes are placed and the length of the sweater.

I’m still looking for a great blazer and this one is very close to what I’m looking to add to my wardrobe. Actually, I like the entire look. Jeans that are a little distressed and sneakers are both items I’m thinking would be great additions for me too.

Graphic Tee

A great graphic tee, yes! I definitely want one. If I actually was at West & Lou right now, this might have been my purchase.

Floral Skirt

Sadly, this skirt is sold out but it is simply gorgeous. I adore it!

Striped Dress

What a fun striped dress! I love this color and the visual interest that is not just a plain striped dress. Isn’t it super cute with the sneakers?

So what are you looking at and admiring this Spring? What are your favorite trends? Try West & Lou for some great little pieces for some fun spring looks.

Do any of you recognize the lovely lady in photos? Her name is Caitlin and she blogs at Greater Than Rubies. She’s as beautiful and lovely on the inside as she is in these pictures. I consider it a privilege to call her a friend.

Shop the Looks: Striped Sweater {exact}/Navy Blazer {exact}/Graphic Tee {exact}/Floral Skirt {exact}/Striped Dress{exact}