Rent the Runway & Co-Host

May 26, 2015

Today I’m Co-Hosting with my lovely friend Jess who blogs at Elegantly Dressed & Stylish. She recently began a weekly link-up called Turning Heads Tuesday. Jess has great style, which really embodies a vintage elegance. So happy to Co-Host with her today.

This past weekend {Memorial Day} is typically a time for summer fun to commence at a local parks and lakes. Such was not the case this year in Texas. With so much rain, boat ramps are flooded and lakes are beyond their capacity. Our local parks are also a muddy mess. Regardless, I hope you were able to stop and remember our heroes who have served our country through the military forces. So thankful for their sacrificial service!

Our weekend was totally busy. A very good friend of ours got married on Saturday. It was a lovely event and filled with lots of special people. Although I wasn’t a bridesmaid, I was one of five “Friends of Honor”. I was extremely blessed to part of this lady’s life and consider her so treasured in my heart. Sometimes it’s hard to put into words about a deep connection you have with someone dear.

The wedding gave me the opportunity to try Rent the Runway. It’s a really great gig. It gives you the chance to rent a gorgeous dress for fraction of the price of retail. The website has tons of reviews of each dress and this helped me tremendously to choose a dress that would fit perfectly. If you have a special event coming up in the future and don’t want to drop a ton of cash for a dress that you might only wear once, then Rent the Runway is a fantastic option.

Here’s the dress I chose for the wedding.

Although I did like the dress, I felt it needed something at the waist, so I added a little blingy gold belt.

Here’s what the wedding party looked like in real life on Saturday evening.

The bride, Lauren, looked absolutely beautiful in her lace wedding gown. Here’s a few of Lauren and her new husband, Joel.

The last weekend in March another good friend also got married. This lovely lady lived with us for about two years total. It was another fun wedding with more special people. My hubby built the Huppah and we assembled it that day for Renit and her groom, Ryan.

My hubby hugging the stuffing out of this girl.

Two precious friends and honestly, sisters in Christ. Two singles at the turn of the new year and now both lovely newlyweds. Love these two immensely!

The spring rains have continued for weeks but the weddings must go on!

I also did one more thing this weekend {besides weddings festivities and eating lots of great food} I signed up for the Spring Style Me Challenge at Get Your Pretty On. Have you? Need more details? Click the banner or sidebar ad for more details.

Here’s where I’m linking up this week. While you’re here, please feel free to add your post to the Turning Heads Link-up.

Please follow Jess: https://instagram.com/elegantlydressedandstylish/ and Bloglovin.

An InLinkz Link-up

Whatever is Lovely #6

May 22, 2015

For today’s Whatever is Lovely post, I decided to share a few pieces of what’s been happening in my world lately. Looking back over the last few weeks I have had some sweet moments. You know the kind that you want to soak in and savor but in the end you want to share with others too. That has been me lately. Which means today I’m going to open the door to my life just a little more and let you step in and get to know me just a bit more. Here’s a few pieces of my life lately. Warning - this is a long post!

1. On May 9th, I finally graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a Certificate of Biblical and Theological Studies. For me, this was a little dream come true and a milestone on my journey through life. When the day of commencement arrived, I was determined to live in the moment and soak it all in and enjoy it. The picture above was taken by my hubby as the graduates waited for our class picture to be snapped. I sat and chatted with a lovely lady next to me from Hong Kong. Then “it” happened. In a crowd of people, I heard my name being called. I think my hubby snapped the picture below in that moment of surprise. Then I reluctantly raised my hand and waited…

My name was called because I would be the first graduate to walk across the stage and all others would follow me. Pressure! Now I needed to pay attention to the directions. I found that my live in the moment desire was railroaded and I felt myself becoming a little anxious. But in the end, I stayed focused and really did enjoy every moment.

This year marked the 90th year of DTS which is incredible. I’m so blessed to be a part of that legacy. I am also blessed because these friends also graduated that day.

Lauren is in the middle and she’s getting married this Saturday. We were supposed to host her rehearsal dinner in our backyard on Friday {today} but Texas has had our entire month of May rained out. This means the dinner has moved to a place with walls and a roof. Mandy fondly still calls me “Boss” because when she came to Texas from Tennessee, I hired her to be a Teacher’s Aide. Lovely ladies who have impacted my life. The Lord has used them to help mold my heart to understand His grace. Love them!

If you have a couple of spare hours, you might enjoy the DTS Commencement Ceremony. I’m in there…first graduate after the faculty and first graduate across the stage. Me…enjoying the moment!

2. Last week our municipality hosted an Employee Appreciation Luncheon. It was fun to have a little longer lunch break and enjoy a meal with my co-workers. The picture below was snapped at the event. These are some of the ladies that I work with in my position. They are simply a joy to work with each day. I have found a connection with each one of them and enjoy our work relationships and budding friendships.

3. Tabitha is the one wearing sunglasses. She was born with heart disease and has had multiple surgeries. She and I work most closely together on a daily basis. She has an incredible story of all she has been through due to heart problems. The American Heart Association made a video of her story and I wanted to share it today.

4. I typically read the blog She Reads Truth each day. Earlier this year they embarked on a project to compile photos of the women who read their blog. They put those photos together in a book/Bible study of the women in Scripture. I submitted a photo and found myself in the book. I’m excited because this study {Women in the Word} begins June 1. If you’re interested you can find out more here.

5. I’m just finishing up reading a book of my choice! Yep, that is long overdue and feels really good. Redemption by Mike Wilkinson has been on my shelf for a while and it has been calling my name on several occasions. For me, this is one of those highly recommend books. The meaty kind that makes you think about what you think. It’s about God and his work of redemption and how broken people can be restored. Here’s what Amazon has to say about this book:

Redemption is not a step-oriented recovery book; it’s story-oriented and Bible-anchored. It unfolds the back-story of redemption in Exodus to help Christians better understand how Christ redeems us from the slavery of abuse, addiction and assorted trouble and restores us to our created purpose, the worship of God. Readers will discover that the reward of freedom is more than victory over a habitual sin or release from shame; it is satisfaction and rest in God himself.

6. Today begins early registration for the Summer Style Me Challenge at Get Your Pretty On. Are you signing up? Have you ever participated in one the challenges? If not, you really should consider joining in and trying it. You’ll learn quite a bit about style that will be a great jumping off point for your wardrobe. The Facebook group is the best group of ladies, who are encouraging with their kindness. Need a little more information? Click here for the details and to sign up.

7. I’m rounding out with seven today instead of five. I am also Co-Hosting with Penniless Socialite today and through her blog I found another blog. You know this story, friends. Last week, Amy who blogs at Straight A Style posted a lovely feminine and floral dress. The look caught my eye because it was such a soft and chic look. I poked around her blog a little more and found it quite delightful. Another post featured a fun little denim skirt which looks gorgeous on her. Anyway, I hope you’ll stop over and check out Amy’s blog and maybe even become a follower. {I did}! I think her blog is accurately named because she does have Straight A Style.

Thanks for letting me share a little of my life today. I’m going to keep opening that door and inviting you in to more pieces of me. Hope you have a lovely Memorial Day weekend. While you’re here, please join the link up below.

Where I’m linking up.
Would you like to co-host FFF? Send me an email! [email protected]

(Please follow all the rules. If you don’t we’ll have to delete your post from the link up…and we really don’t want to have to do that)

1. Follow your hosts

Follow your hosts via GFC or Bloglovin’ and leave us a comment letting us know so that we can return the favor!

2. Grab a button

Grab a button, put it at the bottom of your post, on your sidebar or in your linky list. (or a text link works fine too!)

3. Link up

Link up your favorite outfit post of the week. Please only link up outfit posts from the current week. Posts that don’t fit these guidelines (such as giveaways or old posts) will be deleted from the link up.

4. Comment & Hop Around

Comment on your host’s blog and on at least one other linked up post. Visit as many of the lovely blogs that are linked up. Comment and let them know you found them from Favorite Fashion Friday!

Tara @ Penniless Socialite

Carrie @ A Lovely Little Wardrobe

Kym @ Bitty and Bunny

An InLinkz Link-up

Deep in the Heart of Texas & Co-Host

May 20, 2015

Today, I’m Co-Hosting with Pumps & Pushups with Oh, Hey Girl! Hope you’ll check this fun blog today friends!

After work on Monday my hubby and I headed to the gym. As we were lifting weights, he started to share something he heard on a radio call-in program. The gist of the story went something like this…”Guess what older women are not supposed to wear?” {Older women = 50 & above) My answer was, “Oh no, I probably don’t want to know so please just cut to the chase and tell what they said”. He proceeded to tell that people called in and said spandex, tight dresses, short shorts, etc. but the real answer was…brace yourself - HEELS! What? No, way that just can’t be. No heels after 50. Well, I’ve broken that rule. So that conversation led me to this post which I had already developed in my mind earlier in the day. Bottom line is that I’m okay with not passing the “older lady” test with what not to wear. I’m fairly confident that what I’m featuring here would break even more rules.

In Texas, we dress like this especially in the summer and when we’re attending redneck or honky-tonk events. Wait for it….here it comes, friends!

The Texas girl with bling and boots. When I came out in this for my hubby to snap some pics, his response was, “that’s my girl…I love you in this and with a little bling”. Yeah, I’m not a blingy girl but I try a little here and there. Oh, and I had my stylist put some highlights and tips on my hair. That’s a Texas thing too!

Deep in the Heart of Texas is where we dress like this. Don’t believe me or think I’m crazy? C’mon on down for a visit. There’s tons of opportunities to wear your boots and bling. Don’t have boots? That’s so not a problem because you can find a pair somewhere deep in the heart of Texas.

Of course, Texans love this guy….

And this is the best video I could find with George Strait’s tribute to Texas.

Who wants to visit now?

An InLinkz Link-up

This is where I link up.

Summer Packing Capsule

May 18, 2015

Today, I’m thrilled to feature my friend Casey who blogs at A Little Bit of Cheer. She is sharing some great tips and a Summer Packing Capsule with us. If you stopped by last week, you might remember I wrote a post about packing for a weekend getaway and this post is the companion in this short little series. I hope you’ll stop by Casey’s blog, which really is a place of cheer and accurately describes her personality and blog. Friends, click over there and check out her blog…you’ll be hooked after you read this post.

Summer is right around the corner, my friends…I can almost smell the sweet smell of chlorine and hot dogs on the grill! For me, one of the best things about summer is traveling! Since we’ve had kids, our “big trips” have been limited to trips to the Midwest to visit my in-laws and give the kids Cousin Time. We typically go for a week or so and with three kids in tow, so I need to pack LIGHT, people!!!!

Just for you, I’m sharing my basic summer packing formula. Here’s the basic idea:

~ A small amount of items!! I am saying 10 items for 12 days, but it’s realistically for about 7-10 days. I like to bring at least 10-12 days worth of outfits for a week trip just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate or my kids get their sticky Popsicle hands all over my shorts.

~ 10 clothing items (I am even counting my hat!) + 2 pairs of shoes and unlimited accessories (which are easy to pack).

My Basic Summer Packing Formula

** Keep in mind, I typically go to the Midwest where it’s hot and humid, yet everyone blasts the air conditioner until it feels like winter. So I basically wear shorts, but include a few long sleeve pieces for the frigid indoors. You can adjust these pieces based on your destination.

4 Bottoms

You can mix and match however you want. If you don’t like shorts, swap for light pants, jeans, skirts, etc.

~ 2 solid colored shorts

~ 1 patterned pair shorts

~ 1 solid colored skirt

1 Casual Dress

1-2 Solid Tops

1-2 Patterned Tops

1 Layering Piece (cardigan, long sleeve shirt, denim jacket, etc.)

1 casual hat

1 pair of sneakers

1 pair on sandals

I am always amazed after I choose my items how many outfits I can actually make! I could have kept going and made even more outfits then I’ll show, but I had to stop

A little really goes a long way and accessories can change everything.

Here are the outfits I put together with my 10 (yes, JUST 10!!) items!

Like I said, you can adapt this to your own lifestyle, still using the
basic “formula” from above. If you want to shop any of these items, the direct links or links to very similar items are listed below. Happy
packing!

1. Floral Shorts Old Navy (just sold out, but cute option, option)

2. Cobalt Blue Shorts 5″: J. Crew (similar in cobalt blue)

3. Denim Shorts: J. Crew Factory (exact)

4. Gray Cargo Skirt: Loft (similar, similar, similar)

5. Chambray Shirt: H&M (similar, similar)

6. Floral Tunic Top: Old Navy (similar, similar)

7. Yellow Striped Tee: Nordstorm (similar, similar)

8. White Tee: J. Crew (exact)

9. Striped Dress: Old Navy (similar, similar, similar)

Shoes & Accessories~

Gray Converse: Nordstrom (exact)

Red Flower Necklace: Target (exact)

Baseball Hat: Target (similar)

Sandals: Similar, Similar

Coral Scarf: cute option, cute option, cute option

Yellow Scarf: similar

Beaded Tassel Necklace:similar

Teal Bubble Necklace: Etsy

Drop me a note and let me know all the fun places you are going
so I can live vicariously though you!! ~ XO
Don’t forget to follow A Little Bit of Cheer on Facebook HERE

I’m on Instagram now! Yippeee! Follow me HERE

Follow any of my boards on Pinterest HERE

Follow me on Bloglovin’ HERE

This is where I link up my posts.

Summer Fun in Texas

May 15, 2015

Do you know that Texas is a big state? It’s a big state and we like to do things big! Like having lots of places to visit. Summer vacation or a weekend away in the Lone Star State packs lots of choices. We have mountains, desert, a beachy coastline, piney woods, hill country and the list goes on…but one stop that is a must for those vacationing in Texas is San Antonio. This is the seat of our Battle for Independence with Mexico. The historic Alamo is close to the center and hub of River Walk area, which is a must see. There are so many things to do the question begs where to begin?

How about a little visual to highlight this fabulous vacation spot.

Hotels abound all along the River Walk and fantastic food as well. No trip to Texas is complete without a little Tex Mex and San Antonio has some famous spots. Who doesn’t love some chips and salsa? It’s a food group onto its own down here in the Lone Star State. Well, Mexican food in general is a food group.

There are so many attractions in the Lone Star State that I could go on and on. Instead I hope you’ll check out my blogging friends and their vacation trips and recommendations.

Hope you’ll check back on Monday for packing tips for a longer vacation with Casey who blogs at A Little Bit of Cheer.

Hope you have a lovely weekend, friends!