Spontaneous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spontaneity is the opposite of procrastination. It's getting a hit of inspiration and, instead of tucking the idea away for another day, doing it right now. I've found my well-worn rut of everyday habits, though easy and pleasant, are not the things I really want to do. Recently I've started an ongoing list of things I really need to do and things I really want to do, all combined. (Yes, this is planned spontaneity.) I don't prioritize the items on the list. When I come home from work or have the day off, I let myself pick anything from the list. Most take little time, and I can do several in one day. If I choose all want-to's and no need-to's, I don't berate myself for that. The line is hard to draw anyway. Anything on my list is far more beneficial and even productive than vegging out on whatever suggested YouTube videos pop up or reading whatever blog articles other people have written today. I'm starting to live according to my own agenda and not someone else's. And for the record, doing a want-to usually invigorates me and makes me ready to tackle a need-to. When it comes down to it, spontaneity is listening to your thoughts when you're being honest about what's important to you. 

30x30 Remix Challenge : Day 8

I hope you ladies had a wonderful, refreshing Sunday. I caught a few pictures of my outfit as the sun was going down. After church and lunch with my family, I had to go to work, so again, I wore something that could  carry me through the entire day. My church has a very casual atmosphere. I felt more dressed up than 95 % of the people in my congregation today.

I'm taking a class at church right now on how to assess how and where you should be serving God's people. We call it "SHAPE," which stands for "Spiritual Gifts - Heart - Abilities - Personality - Experiences." All of those things together are the resources God has given each of us to do the work He has planned for us. If you have the opportunity to take such a class, I suggest it!

Today, while we were discussing the different personality types (Choleric, Melancholy, Sanguine, Phlegmatic) the teacher mentioned that Christ displayed all of those personality types at one point or another. He didn't fit into the personality types as we think of them because He was perfect and did exactly what was necessary and appropriate at any given time. Then another person in the class said that we are told to become like Christ, and as our minds and hearts are transformed, we might display more and more of the positive elements of the different personalities- just like Christ- or less and less of the negative qualities of our natural personality. I thought that was a great insight. I can't wait for the day when Christ's work in me and all of us is finally completed and we can be exactly like He originally created us to be!

What I'm Wearing:

1) White ruffle blouse- Kohl's

17) Zebra print skirt- Made by me

28) Yellow flats- LOFT Outlet

Kohl's belt (accessories not included in the 30)

Haven't worn this one before either- that's 5 I think.

30x30 Challenge : Day One

Hello ladies! It's day one of the 30x30 Fashion Challenge, and I'm kicking things off with one of the items I told you I don't like: this skirt (Give me some color!). I combined it with one of my favorite things: this fiery orange top. And I love the resulting outfit! This is also Outfit #1 I Have Never Worn Before. (I've set a goal for myself of 20 new outfits coming out of this challenge. Hopefully I'll get more than that though!)

I bought the skirt four or five years ago, when I was still a teenager and figuring out how to dress. It came with a blazer, which I needed for an event with a "professional" dress code. I didn't love it, but I liked it well enough. Afterwards, I wondered how to style it, so I looked the outfit up on the store's website, and one of the reviews called it "matronly." I was still in that stage when I wanted so desperately to fit in. I was mortified that I had worn something "matronly," and promptly moved it to the far back of my closet. I donated the jacket a while ago, but for some reason, I hung on to the skirt. Deep down, I just knew it had potential. (So, my personal style tip of the day: If you want to be true to yourself, don't read product reviews after you've already bought something!)

I wore it just like this for church this morning, but I'm going to throw on the white denim jacket when I go to work in about an hour. Does that make it one outfit or two?

What I'm Wearing:

4) Red peasant tee- LOFT Outlet (under the crochet top)

7) Orange crochet top- LOFT Outlet

15) Tribal print skirt- JC Penney

23) White denim jacket- LOFT Outlet

29) Wedge sandals- Famous Footwear

Wooden bead necklace from India and Forever 21 belt (not included in the 30)

I can't wait to meet more bloggers through this challenge, and see your creative outfits! For those of you who didn't come to my blog via the link-up, I hope you'll join in! The button below will take you to the host, Ashley's, site Bramblewood Fashion.

I Heart Thursdays #2 {Outcast}

A Scarf Print Skirt...

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3-D Embroidery...

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A Pleated Coatdress...

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A Conversation with Christian Guys About Makeup...

Modesty Test: Ask the Dudes (Makeup and Beauty Edition) - It's three guys' opinions on a few different hair and make-up trends. They didn't condemn anything as immodest, and even liked some looks. I don't dress for a guy in particular or guys in general, but I still like to know what they think because they often view things differently than we girls do. It's kind of surprising what they value and find attractive in a good way.

A Book Series...

The Shenandoah Sisters by Michael Phillips is a great "Christian" series about two southern teenage girls- one white, one biracial- at the close of the Civil War. They endure hurts, face dangers, and grow into strong young ladies of character. I like protagonists who are human enough to relate to, and yet whom I can look up to and can watch making the right choices. As far as Christian historical fiction goes, I think this series is a gem.

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A Flip-Flop Tutorial...

Look at these cute, not to mention unique, flip-flops! The straps are friendship bracelets (For those of you who don't know how, there are instructions for a variety of styles and patterns online, or you can find tons of shops selling them on Etsy, including my sister's: Milk and Honey by Andrea) I can't wait to do this!

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A Kerrie Roberts Song...

I will be singing this all day.

Susan, Queen in Narnia // Inspired by Film Day 6 Fantasy and Day 7 Favorite Movie

Photos: Pinterest

Ever since I first read the Chronicles of Narnia series when I was in elementary school, I've wanted to be a queen in Narnia. Disney's 2005 The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is my favorite fantasy film and my favorite movie all-around (of course those of you who read my Day 1 post know that I don't have many to pick from. Bit of trivia: This is one of only two films that I've seen in theaters!).

Photo: Kayley N.

Photo: Kayley N.

 I was inspired by Susan Pevensie's battle attire and armor in Prince Caspian and the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The brown shades, the V-neck, and leather-look belt and necklace were all pulled from her outfits. I don't know if the overall look is that reminiscent of Susan, but it looks fantastical, maybe fairy-like, in its own way.

Photo: Kayley N.

Brown V-neck jersey knit tunic: Made by me

Tiered brown skirt: Target

Taupe faux skin belt: Thrifted

Necklaces: Gifts (WalMart and Kohl's, I think)

White T-strap sandals with gold accents: Off Broadway Shoes

Much thanks to Ashley at Bramblewood Fashion for hosting this fashion link-up. I had a lot of fun. It helped me to find four or five new outfit combinations that I've never tried before, which is saying something, since I don't have that many clothes, and I already consider myself pretty good at mixing and matching. Actively seeking out inspiration can do amazing things for your creativity!

Inspired by Film (Kinda) // Day 2 1940s

Photo: Emily N.

I wore this for all of 30 minutes yesterday (30 minutes spent figuring out how to use a backyard planter as a tripod and walking back and forth from camera to garage wall to take selfies). The remainder of the day's events included painting a bulletin board and then watching 3 children for 7 hours, activities which call for something other than pearls, a flared jacket, and a nice (borrowed) black skirt. I can't wait to wear this sometime when I can feel fabulous.

Photo: Emily N.

I do wish I could pull off a sophisticated expression.

Photo: Emily N.

Black and camel houndstooth flared jacket: Made by me

Black trumpet skirt: JC Penney (belongs to my sister)

Tiered burgandy tee: LOFT Outlet

Faux pearl necklace: Etsy (vintage)

Faux pearl and diamond earrings: Claire's

The dark, almost drab colors and all-business look of this outfit remind me of the WWII era. I intended to do a Google images hunt and find a film to pretend this outfit was inspired by, but I was so late getting this up, I didn't really want to take more time doing that. (I'm one of those home school grads who at the age of 22 can still count the real films she's seen on her fingers and toes. Now accecpting movie recommendations!- but only if they're reeeaaalllly clean and can keep me riveted to the screen for the entire duration of the film).

Linking up to Bramblewood Fashion, where you can see what this is all about!