One At A Time

It always amazes me that the addition of one new clothing item can expand the potential of my existing wardrobe ten times over.  I've long been pretty discerning about any purchase of clothing, thinking it through, looking at comparable items, etc.  This is in part due to tight purse strings, and part to my overly specific taste.  Either way, I've found that purchasing only one item at a time can have it's merits!

One new color or texture at a time opens my eyes to closet combinations I would have otherwise not seen, and challenges me to wear the new item lots of different ways. That's totally the case with this dark mossy hued skirt that I purchased in December.  I have easily worn it at least 5 different ways so far, and it's addition has brought some of my older clothing pieces back to life!  Seriously, this lavender blouse is from High School and I've only worn it in adulthood one way before this. Not only has this skirt revealed new color pairings, but also has allowed me to play with texture and print too!  I would have at first thought the lace, sugar skull detail to be too busy to pair with anything but simple staples-- boy was I wrong!

Here's to the beauty of one thing at a time.

details

{blouse} - ? High School remnant

{striped tank} - T.J. Maxx

{cardigan} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{skirt} - Rock Steady, ModCloth

{tights} - ModCloth

{boots} - Steve Madden, Nordstrom

{necklace} - gift, My Selvaged Life

Cranberry Tart(an)

This skirt makes me feel my heritage (but puppy fur loves it).  

Mom is moved and settled, I officially have a new sister-in-law, I'm going to be the proud Aunt of a little boy (just found out the gender yesterday!) and I am now actually an apprentice shoemaker!

These are the current joys in my life though the seas have otherwise become stormy of late.  God is still good (always, He is) and has been teaching, molding and building me to be who He designed me to be.  Lately, my main comfort and prompt has been from Proverbs 4:25-27 which is an encouragement to keep my eyes straight ahead, to not be distracted from what is right in front of me.  Personally, that's a huge reminder to get out of my head, and to allow my concerns and cares to rest in the hands of my Creator.  We fret and try to control our existence, but all God ever calls us to deal with is the present.

Easier said than done, certainly.  Good thing I serve a God who has lavished grace on me!

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Details

{skirt} - vintage 70's, inherited

{thermal} - Free People

{hoodie} - ModCloth

{necklace} - gift from Dad

{tights} - ModCloth

{oxfords} - Julianne Hough

2014 + Winter White

Welcome twenty-fourteen, you look swell!  I've had a couple rough days this week so the weather these past couple of days has felt like a hug from God.  I thought the first day of this year, full of beautiful snow, was quite perfect for donning winter white and wrapping myself in my surroundings.

I've met two South American foreign exchange students in the last year, and both reacted to snow with a wonder I find strangely absent from most of us local folks.  I don't think I could ever see or walk into falling snow without awe and a surge in my gut.  Like sunsets, waterfalls, thunder storms and many natural wonders, it's impossible to document with justice. Perhaps that's why I love it so-- that it's a thing of feeling, not seeing.

I forgot to mention in the last post, I got bangs a couple of weeks ago!  I know, weird.  I'm already planning to grow them out because frankly, they are too high maintenance for yours truly.  Enjoying them while they last!

Happy New Year!

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Details

{dress} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{cardigan} - vintage 50's, gift

{coat} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{tights} - ModCloth, gift

{necklace} - handmade, gift

{boots} - Fiorentini & Baker

{gloves} - vintage 40's, thrifted

Automobiles

I received this wonderful vintage 50's automobile print skirt as a Christmas gift (I'll admit, it's one I specifically asked for) and I'm so thrilled with it!  Not only is the print wonderful and the color versatile, but it's actually very warm in the cold weather.

It's quite strange that Christmas is over, and 2014 is quickly approaching but I'm actually pretty excited about it!  If I've learned anything in the past couple of years, it's that life only becomes more interesting as time goes.  I don't generally put much stock in New Year's resolutions but I actually think I might lay some down this year, out of anticipation for what lies ahead.  Goodness, there is so much already!  I'm starting the shoemaking apprenticeship in January, going to be an Aunt in June, and hoping to be certified to teach and facilitate the Enneagram by this time next year.  Truly, what excites me even more than those things are the details God has yet to reveal!  Years ago I never would have felt that way about the unknown, it's funny how things change. :)

Details

{sweater} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{leather jacket} - gift, Michael Kors

{skirt} - vintage 50's, gift via Kitty Girl Vintage

{tights} - ModCloth

{boots} - Fiorentini & Baker

{necklace} - Mata Traders

Sumac + Understanding

 

The recent snow has put a bit of Holiday Spirit in my step, but leading up to Thanksgiving I'm not as excited as I would hope to be.  I love my family but often feel that they don't understand me, or even desire to.  I want to be myself around them, but I've learned over time that many of my personality traits are not desirable in my family culture.  That's painful, but I am trying to keep perspective.  I often feel left out, dismissed, written off, or inconsequential.  That doesn't mean those things are true.

Today I will try to approach my family with a clear head, allow the Holy Spirit to guide my steps, show me what is true, and how I can understand them.  I know someone (?) wise said that to be understood, we must first seek to understand.

Today will be a day of prayer and seeking to understand.

Details

{dress} - Modcloth

{shirt} - T.J. Maxx

{tights} - Target

{boots} - Fiorentini & Baker

{mittens} - ?

{necklace} - Mata Traders