Happy Memorial Day

 

Poolside. All. Day. Long.

Thank you Veterans for you selflessly sacrificing to protect our freedom & country.

Matters of the Heart

What if you told someone that you had a heart condition? What do you think their reaction would be?

Most likely, they would respond with gasps of "oh no!" and be really worried.

But the truth is...we all have heart conditions...... 

Your heart's condition depends on the things that you allow into your heart.

These things form your thoughts and attitudes, and ultimately, shape the deepest part of your being. No matter what your circumstances (the outside) are, if your heart (the inside) is right, you're going to be okay.

But if wrong things in our hearts go unattended, they will become deeply rooted and harder to deal with. The quicker you can detect a wrong heart condition and get it straightened out, the better off you are.

Guard Your Heart

We need to check our hearts a lot more often. Because many times, we can go through the motions and keep doing the "right thing," but something has crept in their hearts and is hurting them and others.

 "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life"

Proverbs 4:23

It doesn't say somebody else will guard your heart. It doesn't say God will guard your heart, your neighbor will guard your heart or your pastor will guard your heart. It says you need to guard your own heart.

You're in charge of guarding your own heart. Realize that it's pretty much a full-time job because we don't know on any given day what's going to come up or what we will have to deal with. You don't know what somebody may say to you that may hurt you, disappoint you or let you down. Then suddenly, there's a wound in there that needs to be dealt with.

 

There's nothing more important than your inner life—what's in your heart.

 Life is not your circumstances, the kind of house you live in, the kind of job you have or how much money you have. You can have the best of these things and still be miserable. Happiness doesn't come from materialistic things.

On the other hand, it's amazing how happy and peaceful you can be in the middle of the lousiest circumstances, including what's going on in the world today, if you keep your heart in the right condition.

 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God"

-Matthew 5:8

Try and keep your heart pure.

Keeping your heart pure kinda of reminds me of cleaning out your attic or basement.

 Once you turn on the lights and start looking around in there, don't be too surprised to find some things you didn't expect.

I have found that if I can capture my thoughts for God early in the morning, through prayer and meditating on the Scriptures, then it's easier to protect my heart.

 Every time you may feel like doing the wrong thing and you choose to do the right thing, you are growing—and God is smiling.

Develop self-control.

 Keep your commitments, keep your word and do what you know God wants you to do.

Guard your heart-even when you don't feel like it.

Thrifty Thursdays

Thrifted jewelry from SAVERS. Score!

Become As A Little Child



My thoughts for today.......

Take chances, make mistakes.

 That's how you grow.

Dream what you want to dream.

Go where you want to go.
Become who you want to be.

Looking back at these pictures of when I was just a child, I have come SO far and grown SO much in more ways than I could have ever imagined.

 I am happy with the person that I have become thus far...

But I want to be better...

Every day I am learning, growing and continuing to do everything I can to become more and more like Jesus Christ.

He is the one perfect Son—submissive, meek, humble, patient, and so full of love. May each of us have a heart to follow His example, to become as a little child, and thereby return to our heavenly home.

I love this scripture fromthe Book of Mormon:

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father"

-Mosiah 3:19

Pineapple Coconut Sorbet

Citrus & Turquoise

 

Top: ELLE-Kohls  / Necklace: Thrifted / Bracelet: Thrifted / Jean Shorts:Vigoss-TJ Maxx  / 
Sandals: Target (last weekend)



This weekend was pretty crazy! One of those weekends when you feel like you need to come up for air and take a deep breath. 

Back to my full time job tomorrow! 
Hey..I can't complain...I am workin' it with a big smile on my face! 

 The proof is below....

Working Photo Booth

with my friend Jessica 


How was your weekend??

Mermaid Braid Tutorial

I came across this beautiful Mermaid Braid on TJ's Blog and just had to share it!

If you haven't visited her blog....you are missing out! 

She is amazing and so gorgeous!

Here is a tutorial on how to get this fabulous hairstyle:

 

1. Divide your hair into two equal sections.

2-4. Braid each section, and tie the end with an elastic band. You'll want to do what's called a "Dutch braid." For a normal braid, you take the outside section and cross it IN FRONT of the middle section. A Dutch braid is the opposite: the outside section goes BEHIND the middle section. It's important to do the braids this way so that they'll look seamless when when you connect the two sections later.

5-6. Fatten out the two braids by pulling apart the outer edges. I like to "smush" the braid back and forth in my fingers, too—whatever makes them fuller and fatter and not so sleek.

7. Line up the two separate braids so they begin to look like one big fat braid. It's important to make sure the middle section of the mermaid tail lines up--don't worry if the ends of your braids (the hair that is sticking out underneath the elastic) are uneven, it won't matter. It's more important to line up the braid correctly, so the center of the tail matches.

8. Pin the center of the two braided sections together. I tend to use mini bobby pins since they are easier to hide, and I like to pin them in and up (you start with the pin facing horizontally, then as you push it into the hair, you direct it vertically). Use as many bobby pins as it takes, until you feel the braid is secure. I used about five little pins, and pinned about 1 1/2 inches apart, wherever I could best hide them. Happy Saturday!!!

Friday Favorites

When this trend emerged , I was initially skeptical. Then it started to catch on and has stuck around for a few seasons.

I have several now myself and I must say, they are so comfortable and easy to wear!

Anyway, I couldn't resist rounding up some of my favorites for you. Coral and cobalt blue seem to be favorite colors for designers and retailers, bright solids, and of course color-blocking maxis.

There are also some gorgeous patterns out there that make my heart pitter patter. 

 *Above is a splurge Yigal Azrouël Pleated Silk Crepe Skirt in an emerald green*

 ZARA / Tibi / ZARA

 

 

Aryn K. / GAR-DE / Color Block

Leoni / ASOS / ASOS

ZARA / Tibi / A.L.C.

ZARA / Warehouse Brushstroke Maxi / Metallic

 

If you could only pick just one, which would it be?

Thrifty Thursday

(Vintage Earrings Thrifted for $4.50)

Lately I have been really into anything Vintage. When I saw these I HAD to have them!

Not to mention they are PINK!

Berry Good Smoothie Recipe

My daily breakfast....

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

*What you need*

2 cups frozen berries or fruit
2 Tbsp. orange juice concentrate (or 1/2 cup orange juice)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup yogurt
1 frozen banana
1 Tbsp. honey

Add all ingredients to your blender and blend until completely smooth.

*Optional: Add 1-2 Tbsp. of flax seeds to the blender for even more nutrition.



SALE!

Ready to ship!

These beautiful headbands feature one hand crafted felt flower on a white stretchy crocheted baby headband.

 It also features a sparkly rhinestone center.

Headband is super stretchy and fits most newborn-children. Felt backing for extra comfort.

ORIGINALLY $9.00

SALE $5.00

(Price doesn't include shipping)

Message me if you are interested

bostonksox@gmail.com

Once they are gone....they are gone!

 

 Orange Baby Headband

 Pink Baby Headband

 Purple Baby Headband 

 Green Baby Headband

 Yellow Baby Headband

Being Who God Created YOU To Be

 You are a rare, you are one-of-a-kind, and you are a valuable and precious woman in the sight of God.

To help you learn how to be successful at being YOU, here are some tips that have helped me....

1. Speak good things about yourself. Declare what God’s Word says about you. For example, say to yourself, “I am the beautiful and righteous in the sigh of God. I am a wonderful daughter of God. God formed me with His own hand, He loves me, and God doesn’t make mistakes because he is perfect.”

2. Avoid comparing yourself with other women. God must love variety, or all of us wouldn’t look so different. He has created each of us differently right down to our fingertips. We can look to certain people as good examples to follow, but even then, good traits if duplicated will manifest differently through our individual personalities.

3. Focus on your potential instead of your limitations. Refuse to concentrate on your weaknesses except in an effort to turn them into strengths. Keep your flaws in perspective. People with a high level of confidence have just as many weaknesses as those without confidence, but they focus on their strengths instead of their weaknesses.

4. Learn to cope with criticism. If you dare to be different, you’ll have to expect some criticism. Going along with the crowd when you know in your heart that God is leading you in a different direction is one of the reasons women don’t succeed at being themselves. You won’t be comfortable in your own skin if you go against your own convictions.

You are a woman who is perfected and complete in Him. When you start to believe that, you will no longer feel that you are lacking anything or that there is anything wrong with you.

Remember this: God will never have you to be anyone other than yourself. Let NOW be your time to go forward and be set free from the torments of comparing yourself with others and trying to be someone you’re not. God is proud of who He made you to be!

Scriptures to Encourage You

Psalm 119:73
Your hands have made me, cunningly fashioned and established me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

Psalm 139:13-18
For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery].

Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You.

Romans 5:5
Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.

1 Corinthians 8:3
But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].

2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].

Ephesians 1:6
[So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word.

Wishing you a wonderful Monday!!



I Love You Mom.

NOTE: Make sure you have a tissue(s) in hand when viewing this video..





Mother's day is a wonderful time to for each of us to take a moment and honor motherhood. Motherhood is not merely defined by the bearing and raising of children but is rather a statement regarding the divine nature of women. All women, whether or not they bear children, can fulfill the role of mothers. The work they do should also be remembered as we celebrate Mother's Day.

There are not enough words to express just how much my Mother means to me.
She is kind, caring, supportive, loving and fun to be around.

I hope and pray that the day when I become a Mother, that I will be able to possess all the qualities that she has as a Mother.

I thank the Lord each day for blessing me with such a wonderful Mother.

I love you Mom.

Wishing all of you mamas in the world a Happy Mother's Day this weekend.

Hope it's a GREAT one!

Wardrobe Wednesday-Mint Jeans

I am really lovin' this color for Summer.

I have been on the hunt for some mint jeans and I haven't found the perfect pair.

So I was thinking...what if I thrift a pair that I really like and then dye them?!?!

I came across HER blog and saw a DIY Tutorial on how to Dye your own jeans to any color you want!

Check out the DIY instructions below:



DIY: Dye Your Own Mint Jeans

What you'll need:

a pair of white jeans/pants

1 pkg. of aqua dye and 1 pkg. of green vert dye

a clean bucket

1/4 c. salt

1 gallon of steamy hot water

Directions:

1. Pour 1 gallon of steamy hot water into the bucket.  Pour 1/4 c. salt, 1/2 pkg. of aqua dye, 1/2-1 tsp. green vert dye. 

2. Put the white jeans into the bucket.  Make sure the jeans submerges into the dye water completely.  Mix continuously while checking the color.  Pour more aqua dye or the green vert dye to make it the color you'd like(make sure the dye powder doesn't touch the clothes directly).  If it's too dark, then add more water. 

3. Leave it for approximately 45 minutes.  (little or more depending on the color you want)

4. Put the clothes into the washer and run a cycle in cold water.  

5. Let it air dry.

Estimated time: 2 hours

Budget: Low (mine was only $5 since I already had white jeans)

 

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

2 Years

Today marks 2 years since that perfect day we became husband and wife. I feel so grateful and blessed that Heavenly Father helped us find each other.

Each morning I thank God for the blessing of my wonderful husband and the joy and excitement that he brings into my life.

2 years down and an eternity to go!

The best is yet to come! I love you Joshua Bonham!

Happy Anniversary!!