Style: Transition

My wedges are almost at a scream to come out of winter hibernation and show their face for Spring!  Despite what I imagine will be a record number of days in the 30's here in Texas to start off 2014 this week Spring has given us a little teaser.  Sunshine, humidity, high 70's, windows down, sunglasses on ... and I'm begging for the season change of my closet!

I've had to overcome the desire to layer up black on black for winter warmth and break out of a rut despite the cold.  I even went on a limb and wore white jeans.  On a day the high was in the 30s.  Who cares?!  The sun hadn't shown it's face in days and I needed something bright.  The school happened to have the heat set in my computer lab hovering around 90 degrees, so it all worked out perfectly, was just like summer in there!  I wouldn't break out the linen pants just yet, but the white jeans - get them out, start getting your wear out of them for 2014!

Traveling and working on the road I met so many inspirational people with a talent and a dream that is now a reality.  One company, XOXO art & company is 3 former teachers creating shirts and jewelry, each design hand drawn and colored.  I have so many favorite T's and tanks from them.  I love to layer up my tanks as transition pieces from Summer to Fall and Winter to Spring!  This tank says "oh give me a home where the buffalo roam".  Tossed on with an old Gap cardigan, scarf and subtle stripe pants and it is a go!  Go out on a limb...mix the direction of your stripes!

Third option, the floral or light colored denim jeans you have and/or roll-up cropped pants, give them some air, let them see the light of day.  Again, pair them with a more in season shoe vs. flip flop or wedge sandal and top appropriate for the weather.   Booties are perfect transition shoe!  Side note...it will become obvious, not only is leopard a neutral in my closet, but camo is a neutral.  I got this shirt for Christmas and I would wear it about 3 times a week if I could. 

Don't dread getting dressed in between the seasons.  Start easing in your Spring wardrobe, we'll soon be looking for the sweater weather again when the records are counting days in the 100's during August! 

Blessings,

To Sort or Not to Sort

Your dishwasher that is. 

I didn't grow up using a dishwasher.  The dishwasher was my brother and me calling while at the dinner table either "I dry" or "you wash". No one ever called "I'm washing"!  ha! My Mom cooked most every night, we hardly ate out and we didn't have enough plates to eat multiple meals so handwashing all the dishes was how it happened at our house.  Thankfully as our family has grown so has Mom's plate collection and we use the dishwasher regularly.   

Recently I had one of the funniest conversations with my Mom, Aunt (Mom's sister) and cousin about our dishwashers.  Ask someone how they load theirs and you will get all kinds of answers and some pretty strong opinions about how it's done in "MY" house. 

I am pretty organized in most areas of my life, so it's not surprise I approach the dishwasher the same.  I believe in loading from the back, stacking similar things in a row, hand washing **gasp** pots, pans and bakeware, sorting silverware and generally tying to maximize the space as best as possible.  Turns out all 4 of us in the family have similar "rules" and ways we manage our dishwasher.  Some, no names here Mom, might take things out and re-arrange when not sorted or stacked as per their own rules.  :) 

Here's my dishwasher rules theory ...

• Stack your plates in the back, like sizes together and all in a row
• Stack smaller plates in the front of that plate
• Load cups, mugs and glasses in the top rack
• Load bowls in the center of the top rack
• Sort your silverware in the holder by knives, forks, spoons, serving and other.  You either sort it when you put it in or have to sort it when you unload.  So, why not sort it when you load?  If you have children in your house, let them help.  That part of the dishwasher is easily accessible to small children and it's great practice for matching like items and separating plus helping with chores. They can't see into the drawers for a while and are usually interested anyway when you have the dishwasher open and are loading it up.
• Handwash pots, pans and Pyrex type dishes.  I know this is WAY old fashioned and all those items are now "dishwasher safe".  However, the non-stick spray you bake on doesn't come off in the dishwasher, you fill up your dishwasher with one meal's pans before really putting in your dishes and if you're like me and clean as you go those pans can all be cleaned and put away mostly before your meal is served.  Since I used to have to handwash all the dishes, only pots and pans isn't that bad! 

For example ...

I won't go into the debate of rinsing before you load your dishes or loading straight from the table ...

And, my dishwasher the other day just before adding soap, I laughed, it looks like this every time... :)

Sound off in the comments ...how does your dishwasher function!? 

Blessings,

Steady Heart

Yesterday on the last day of the 2013 one of my besties waited while her Dad underwent quadruple bypass and while praying for his surgery I thought a lot about the heart. Same as I did when my Dad was hospitalized Oct 2012.

There are so many emotions of life that affect our heart, the best of times and the hardest of times. No matter what our days contain, the heart beats steady for us through all of our days without us even considering it.

2013 might have been one that made your heart smile, maybe your heart was mended, maybe your heart raced through a season, maybe your heart was broken for loss, maybe a thankful heart or maybe your heart was simply content. Whatever the condition of your heart, it beat for you every day.

There is One who breathed life into you and set the first beat of your heart into rhythm for all of your days. He is the one who also pursues your heart every day and offers a gracious and merciful love no matter who you are, nor what you have done which you deem unworthy of acceptance and love.

Consider your heart this new year. Be good to your heart by taking care of your body, but give your heart away everyday to the One who loves and gives you more than anyone or anything ever will. At the end of the day you will find yourself with a content heart, that is thankful and no though broken it has hope, racing to see what each day has to offer, feeling mended and ultimately despite it all a happy heart.

If your heart needs to be encouraged, there are 850+scriptures that reference the heart ... here are a few ... 

Psalm 13:5-6 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 20:4 May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!

Psalm 28:6-7 Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 112: 7-8 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

Psalm 119:35-37 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.  Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Matthew 5:7-9 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

Mark 12:29-31 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

1 Corinthians 2:8-10 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Phillipians 4:6-8 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Colossians 13:14-16 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:21-23 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

James 5:8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Blessings,

Inspired by....

I love magazines and have to remind myself to read books from time to time because I can get in a habit of just reading magazines.  I currently subscribe to People and Real Simple but in the past have had subscriptions to InStyle, Glamour, Texas Monthly, Economist (lest you think I just read fashion), Shape, Self, Lucky, Elle and W.  On my list for new subscriptions are Country Living and Do It Yourself magazine. One of my favorite things about magazines is the inspiration they provide for clothes, new products to try, home ideas and fitness tips or workouts.  I regularly tear pages out of a magazine to keep or even take a picture of something I like on my phone to save for later. 

Last winter I saw this picture: 

How cute are SJP and her darling little twins?!  Side note as you're learning more about me ... I have twin nieces and they were about their size when I saw this picture.  They are now 4 and 1/2.  Growing girls! 

Back to the inspiration.  How cute are her jeans rolled up and showing off patterned socks with her booties!?  I loved this look and immediately snapped a pic to save for  reference. 

I happened to be in Fort Worth at the time working and had an evening to myself.  I did some window shopping in a cool area of Fort Worth, University Park Village, which had a new Madewell store.  I had only seen Madewell online so I definitely went in to check it out.  They had a table FULL of the cutest "Happy Socks" that of course brought SJP's inspiration to mind.  However, I'm not shopping on SJP's budget and at $12.50 a pair, they were a little high for me to have a couple of pairs to wear.  BUT, I knew what I was looking for and was now on a mission to find bargain Happy Socks! 

And, bargain I did find!!  I was in a Target shortly after and made a point to check out their sock selection.  What do you know, they had their own version of Happy Socks too!  AND for a bargain of 4 pairs for less than $12.50!  I picked up several pairs and knew just the booties I had to wear with them.  Know what?  Every time I put a pair of patterned socks on and roll up my jeans, they make me happy!  What a fun alternative to boyfriend jeans with flip flops and flats in the summer!  Before you think your happy socks need to match your outfit, think again.  They should coordinate, but toss out the matchy-matchy and embrace your inner childlike fashion - whatever makes you happy, that's what you wear! Here's my version of happy socks!  I have worn these countless times again this fall and winter!
. 

So, whatever it is you see that you like, use a little creativity and re-create it your own way.  You don't have to have the exact item to re-create a look!    Most importantly put on your happy and attack your day! 

Blessings,

What is a Signature?

When I was in High School I had a schedule that allowed some extra time in the day especially in my Ag class and I had a best friend with the same schedule and Ag teacher.  Oftentimes we found ourselves with the need to leave campus, which for some reason required a signed parent note for my friend, but not me.  Not sure how those rules worked out, she was a grade behind me, but we were also in a relatively small town.  So, the 'signature of record' for her Mom was my best interpretation of her Mom's signature.  Before you think I'm a regular at forging signatures, her Mom knew about it and most days when we left we went to her house because it was close to school and her Mom was home and knew exactly where we were and what we were doing.   I'm sure we thought we were cool when we flashed our get out of parking lot pass to "Hard Hat" in his guard shack. 

The memories we have from those run-away days of High School are still some of our greatest laughs when we see each other.  I'm not sure if the school ever checked the signature her Senior year when I was gone and the real signature might have shown up.  Our days of "forging" a signature were innocent fun.  Someone always knew where we were and what we were up to, so we weren't using the signature for our own gain. 

How many times a day do you sign your name?  Is it always your full first and last name, do you abbreviate or even just initial at times.  Do you remember signing the signature card at the bank the first time you opened an account?  Did you think "every time I sign my name it needs to look like this" when you were still in the figure-out-your-best-handwriting stage?  

Just like your handwritten signature is unique to you, so is the individuality of who you were created to be!  No two of us are alike and we are each created for unique and different purposes.  Some relate more to an extravagant calligraphy while others feel comfortable with a simple print.  Each of us finds our rhythm in varying ways to live this life.

I love fashion, I love organizing, I have a heart for women to live their lives confidently and most importantly I love Jesus.  These things combined make up the signature that is uniquely me.  Some days of my life are written in fine calligraphy and some days in print with a pencil that just came out of the sharpener clearly writing specific words like "wait". This is my place to share and encourage your signature. Who you were created to be and how to live confidently within your self. 

None of us look like the cover of a magazine, or the model on the page of an online store, they have been airbrushed. Though we oftentimes find ourselves aspiring to be "that girl" with her hair, makeup, clothes, frame, shoes, accessories and of course no wrinkles to be had.  We clammer to know "where did you get that" and frantically order up one for ourselves in hopes that we mimic that "perfect" look.  

I have finally learned.  What looks good on them, doesn't always look good on me.  I'm tall - 5'9".  Relatively "thin" though I really hate to put that out there.  I eat reasonably well and try to exercise regularly.  No matter how many pairs I try, skinny jeans don't fit my legs.  4+" platform wedges are not my shoes.  Cat eye is too severe of make-up for me. Blunt cut haircut doesn't work for me.  But, I have figured out what does.  My favorite pair of jeans are most likely not going to be yours.  However, when you find the perfect boyfriend jean to wear with the nude shoe that you love and toss on a scarf that is your favorite color, you re-create a look reflecting your signature.  You're not in clothes (or house, or organized closet, or church, or job, or organization) that are meant to fit someone else. 

Stick around, bookmark this page and come back often.  I'm sharing my life here, what I've learned, how I've created my signature and prayerfully encouragement for you!  I love comments, feedback and your questions too!  I recently found this verse in Proverbs and it speaks truth over us: 

Proverbs 14:30 - A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Let's commit to build each other up and learn to love ourselves for who we were created to be. Let's strive for a signature that starts with a heart of peace and not envy those we live life alongside. Truth be told, everyone is fighting a battle and sometimes we have to dress up, smile and fake it until we make it just to get through the day.  Be real, be honest and be YOU!

Blessings, 

#ComingSoon

Thank you for stopping over!  Especially those of you from the Christmas letter. Please bookmark this page, few tweaks to complete and lots of fun is coming your way!

Merry Christmas!

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Papa ~ A Legacy

My Mom and I sat at the kitchen table Wednesday morning having coffee, talking about the decline of my Papa and his eminent death when my Mom mentioned to me if there was anything I would want to share at his funeral, or write.  It brought a lump to my throat just thinking about it, much less putting pen to paper or voice to words.  Just a couple of hours later, shortly after 11 am my Aunt called with the news that Papa was gone, passing from this life to eternity with Jesus, reuniting with my Grandma just over 5 years since her passing.

I have thought about a couple of the lessons my Papa taught through his life, whether he knew he was teaching them or not ...

1. Life is better when you're laughing
   Papa was onery!  He always had a twinkle in his blue eyes and he loved a good laugh, at your expense or his.  I can remember him telling me stories of friends and the shennanigans they would get into as young boys, young men and grown men, each time recounting the story through fits of laughter. I saw him play jokes on all members of our family, often times "goosing" you or teasing.  I didn't always appreciate his humor as a young girl, but as I grew up, I knew not taking yourself too seriously and being able to laugh was one of life's greatest gifts, even at your own expense!  
2. Family was priority
   Papa was proud of his family.  He was proud of my Grandma.  He was proud of his children.  He was proud of his grandchildren.  He was proud of his great-grandchildren.  He told us that he was.  He cared about the details of our lives.  I never visited or talked to him that he didn't take time to ask me about my job, my house, my friends and my dog.   I have great memories of  time at the lake, summer get-aways at Grandma and Papas, nights in the motorhome, sitting on the porch, visits at the 4G, Grandma and Papa sitting on the sidelines of numerous events and countless meals around the table gathered as a family.  No matter what, you take time for your family and time with them is priceless. 
3. It's never too late to learn something new
   Papa left High School and moved to Houston learning how to be a welder and working in the Ship Channel before joining the Navy and eventually a long career in pipelining.  Having never earned a High School Diploma, he completed his studies by mail and earned his GED at 54 years old.  Papa was never much for the kitchen, but at 81 he conquered the kitchen after my Grandma died, learning how to cook everything from scrambled eggs to steak.  Most recently as I walked alongside Papa in the nursing home, I watched his determination to wheel himself down the hallway.  Still showing me, no matter the task, you can accomplish something new and you should never gave up. 

These are just a few things that immediately come to mind.  One of the most cherished memories I will have of Papa is something he recently told my Mom about me, perhaps one of the greatest compliments that I have ever received.  How he wished for me to find a husband, that he thought I would provide a warm home and be such a great wife and mother.  He'll never know the impact that statement will have on me.  But, I can guarantee he leaves a legacy with big shoes to fill for someone to fit the role of husband to me.

Thankfully Papa was healthy, having lived on his own since the passing of my Grandma and was only ill for a couple of months before his death.  Ultimately, as I think back on his life and as the end of his life approached he was content.  He mentioned on several occasions he had a good life, he had a happy marriage, home and family and ultimately lived a very rich life.  Papa loved well, led well and lived well.  Perhaps that is the greatest lesson, to look back over life and feel content with yourself, your family and your place in the world.  I'm thankful to be a part of his legacy and pray at the end of my days I will find myself at peace and content with the life I have lived.

{originally posted 2012 on The Black and White Truth}

Thankful,