Fashion Friday Link Up

When I am out shopping, you can usually find me at SAVERS or Goodwill. It's so amazing all the designer brands (in great condition) that I find for next to nothing. When I first started thrifting, it was a little nerve racking and overwhelming with racks and racks of clothes all mixed together, but now its like a giant treasure hunt for me to search and find little gems of clothing. This dress was one of those "gems" I found. One day when I was at SAVERS, I was having one of those shopping days where you just can't find anything. I was about ready to leave when I noticed the sleeves of this dress sticking out from the rack. I went over and picked it up and immediately fell in love with it! I was able to pick this dress up for $6.99! Come to find out, this dress is from Nordstrom's and retails for $148! 

Woot Woot! Score! I love the gathered fabric in the front, how form fitting it is and the fact that I can wear it in the spring, summer, fall, and in the winter too! See how I wore it for the winter HERE

LINK UP HERE

Let Your Light Shine: Hope Is Never Lost

In Acts 27, there’s a great story about the apostle Paul. He was travelling by ship with some people when a violent wind came bursting down from the island. For a few days they were caught in the storm, and at one point it was so fierce, they were dangerously tossed about by the violence of the storm and had to throw the ship’s equipment overboard. They ended up without food, hungry, stranded – seemingly without any hope.

In that moment, Paul stood in the midst of the survivors and said to them, “I beg you to be in good spirits and take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you…” He then shared that an angel of God told him this, and said (verse 25), “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as it was told me.”

How could Paul, in the middle of this horrible storm, ask the people to “be in good spirits” and have a good attitude? Because he believed in his heart—without a doubt—“that it will be exactly as it was told me.” I love that! It’s a great picture of the power of faith in God when all hope seems lost. And we can have the very same faith that Paul had if we will overcome doubt.

I love this quote from President Holland (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

"Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there. Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. 

Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead." 

We all face storms in life. Some are more difficult than others, but we all go through trials and tribulation. That’s why we have the gift of faith. Ephesians 6:16 calls it the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Doubt is a type of “flaming arrow” that the enemy uses to attack our faith.

We usually experience doubt after we’ve made a decision. James 1:6, says having doubt is like being tossed about like the wind, which feels like you’re trying to go in two different directions at the same time. It’s miserable to be torn between two places, not able to decide what you really believe. It’s in those moments we have to choose whether we are going to believe God or the enemy…God or our feelings…God or what people tell us…God or our circumstances…

In James 1:5 that when we need wisdom, we can go to God, ask Him for it, and He will give it to us liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding. Even with all our imperfections, God will be faithful to us and give us what we need if we will ask Him for help. He loves us and wants to help and bless us because He is faithful! And we never have to doubt that.

I’ve learned through my own relationship with God that He’s not expecting me to be perfect; He wants me to do my best to be in His will and take steps of faith as He leads me and the promptings He speaks to my heart. Remember.....He wants us to put our confidence in Him. 

With putting God first and having confidence in Him, we can be bold in faith and overcome every attack of doubt during the storms of life.

Fashion Friday Link Up

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to be featuring Sabrina from Simply Sabrina from last weeks Fashion Friday Link Up. Sabrina is a sucker for arts and crafts and started her blog about a few years back as a way to share and inspire others about fashion, styling, beauty and health. I picked Sabrina from last weeks link up because I loved the color combination that she put together (white, blue, and turquoise...accented with gold pieces). Nice job Sabrina! You look great!

Be sure to link up your outfits LINK UP HERE

>>>>>I might just pick you to be featured on my blog for next week's post<<<<<

Thanks for stopping by!

Fashion Friday Link Up: 30th Birthday!

Today is my 30th Birthday. I will be honest with you and tell you that I don't feel 30 in the least bit. I feel like I'm in my mid-twenties and people still tell me I look like I'm in my early 20's. I'll take it! Yesterday I took the day off work and spent the day with my Mom. We got pedicures, had a nice lunch and spent the entire day shopping. We will see what Josh is up to this year for my Birthday! He always has a big surprise planned. Cannot wait to see what he has up his sleeve this year!

Hope you have a great day today and make sure to link up your outfits below!

LINK UP HERE

Fashion Friday Link Up

Happy Friday lovely. Today I am so excited to feature Chelle from Discovering Elegance. Chelle is a fashion and lifestyle blogger located in beautiful Vancouver, BC. She loves to write and has such a passion for style so she decided to put both to use and start her lovely blog. She is gorgeous and has great style. She fits very well into the blogging world. Be sure to check out her blog and follow her along on Instagram too!

Be sure to link up your outfits HERE

>>>>>I might just pick you to be featured on my blog for next Friday's post<<<<<

Thanks for stopping by!

An InLinkz Link-up

Marie Natie All Natural Cosmetics

Today I am so excited to be collaborating with Marie Natie Cosmetics. What I really love about her cosmetics is that they are all natural and are formulated without any of the following ingredients or chemicals.

*Parabens
*Sulfates
*Synthetic Fragrances
*Synthetic Dyes
*Petro-Chemicals
*Phthalates 
    
When it comes to makeup, I very rarely if at all think about the "all natural" aspect of it. I normally just buy what I like and most of the products I use are from Rimmel, Cover Girl or Neutrogena. To be honest though, after looking around on the Marie Natie website and researching what is really in the makeup that we wear really got me thinking. I wonder how much of that I actually put on my face! Kind of interesting when you think about.

Marie sent me one of her lip glosses and an eyeliner to test out. I fell in love with both! Their lip gloss is amazing! They gave my lips the perfect shine and shimmer and I love the subtle pink color too. I also got to try the brown eyeliner. It goes on really smooth and stays on all day long. Normally I wear black, but after trying the brown color, its kind of growing on me. 

Be sure to check out the rest of the makeup products that Marie Natie has to offer here.

Do you use any "all natural" cosmetics? If so, which ones?

FRESHLY PICKED MOCCS

Look. At. These. Moccs. Aren't they THE cutest shoes you have ever seen?!?! I was so excited, as was E when these arrived in the mail from Rachel at Freshly Picked. 

Susan Petersen (Owner) started making baby moccasins in 2009 after becoming frustrated by the lack of well-designed baby shoes. Using her second child, Gus, as a mocc-tester, and a bag of scrap leather she picked up at a yard sale, she began experimenting with designs. Working at her kitchen table, on a shoestring budget, Susan persisted through some disastrous attempts until she had created a pair of moccasins that not only looked adorable on Gus’ chubby little feet, but stayed on his feet as well. Since then the moccasins have gone through about six design changes. Each change has perfected the look and the fit of the soft-soled shoe. The moccasins you purchase today are durable, well designed, and most importantly: stay on your child’s foot. Money was tight at the time Susan started and in order to earn money to start her business she got resourceful. Her brother owns a window installation business and in the summer of 2009 she convinced him to let her keep the old windows that he was removing from the houses. She spent a whole summer banging the glass out of the windows because they were encased in aluminum frames. At the end of the summer she took the aluminum window frames to the scrap yard and recycled them to get money. She made $200 dollars and with that literal sweat equity, she started her business. Each pair of moccasins, whether being shipped to the rich and famous (or at least their kids), or shipped across town, are made with care, perfection and a love for the little feet they are intended for. 

Freshly Picked has a wide variety of moccs to choose from. I decided to go with this rose gold color which is to die for! The first words out of E's mouth when she took them out of the bag was "Ohhhh Mama! They are SO beautiful!!!" (hugging them up against her little face) These moccs literally look and feel as smooth as butter! E's words were "They feel like slippers! Can I sleep with them too?!?!" 

Well...I didn't let her sleep with them, but ever since we got them these are the only pair of shoes that she wants to wear. 

  

(me) tee: thrifted // blouse: Sheinside // bracelet: thrifted // jeans: thrifted // shoes: thrifted

(e) top: thrifted // skirt: thrifted // shoes: Freshly Picked

FASHION FRIDAY LINK UP: PRINTED MAXI

Happy Friday to you! Hope your week has been good to you. I am glad to have you 
here for today's Fashion Friday Link Up...so make sure to link up your outfits below!

Last night we met our new Case Worker. She is really nice and seems to be on top of things.
We have had E since April and her case plan is scheduled for nine months. As of right now,
her Mom is completely MIA and is not doing the things that she needs to do in order to have
any chance of getting E or any of her other children back. It's a really sad situation. I hope and pray that her Mom would realize just how special E and her other children really are. I also pray that her Mom will find healing and that she will be able to start making right choices to put her back on the right path, even if that means that her children won't be placed back with her. I pray for God's will for E, her siblings and our family. Josh and I would love the opportunity to be able to adopt E because we feel like she fits so well in our family and has been such a huge blessing in our lives. We will continue to cherish this special time that we have with her, continue to watch God do a work within her and continue to trust God knowing that He is able to do what may seem impossible. 

Tonight we have a meeting with E's lawyer who will hopefully have some more 
information to give us. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers at this time. 

Top: Thrifted // Skirt: Down East // Shoes: Zulily // Earrings: Chicos // Sunnies: TJ Maxx // Bracelet: Ettika // Watch: Target

An InLinkz Link-up

FINDING JOY IN THE JOURNEY LINK UP.

Losing a loved one is hard. Real hard. When it happens, you feel as if a piece of you is missing. Losing my Dad I thought would be one of the hardest things that I would have to go through. Don't get me wrong, its been very difficult and its been an emotional roller coaster for the past two weeks..but at the same time I have experienced a deeper joy that I could have ever imagined. I feel good...I feel strong....I feel peace....I feel content....I feel happy. Most of the time our joy seems to depend on our circumstances. When life is going well, and things are easy, we of course feel happy. But when life unravels and the days sometimes seem unbearable, God’s presence is unmistakable. I have felt this time and time again in my life...especially during this difficult time. If some days my only major accomplishment for the day is making it through without a breakdown, there has been something so extraordinary about my time with God during these times. I realize that I desperately need Him every hour. To give me strength. To revive me. To help me hang on. To comfort me. To guide me. Through some of my excruciating days since my Dad passed away, days where I would tell God "Today is a really hard day for me...I need your help. I need your strength."... He would speak to me. He comforted me through His Word. He used others. He would send angels to assist me and comfort me at those exact times when I needed it the most. He whispered to me in the darkness, as I lay awake on my tear-stained pillow. He sang songs over me of His love. His hand is over everything and I have seen His hand so much through all of this. On the worst days, I just kept asking for Him to take the pain away. I felt like just sitting in my Dad's room crying all day. I didn't want to rejoice in the moment. I didn't want to rejoice at all. But then I clung to God and His promises knowing He would bring me through. I can tell you that the joy I feel now did not come easy. I had glimpses of delight here and there, but mostly my joy was slow and incremental. As the days continue to pass, I realize I now have  a joy that I can't explain. It is completely independent of circumstances. It seemed like the harder things got, the more joy God continued to pour into me. The joy I have is in knowing that God can be trusted and in seeing and feeling His faithfulness through unimaginable pain. Though I’m referring to a time of great suffering in my life, what I’m writing about isn't limited to earthshaking pain. Small  trials that I have faced have forged my faith, but I live, as we all do, in the mundane suffering. Feeling misunderstood or rejected by a friend or family member. Feeling lonely or depressed. Dealing with the same parenting issues over and over again. Being overwhelmed by responsibilities. Having everything in the house break down at once. Feeling physically ill- with a cold, a backache, a headache. Those things are universal. We all face them. But just like the monumental struggles, we wish they were different. That they’d go away or get resolved so that we can get on with our days- the real things we’re called to. We fantasize that if they were different, we could be happier, more joyful, more faithful. But what if we looked at those trials as the very things that God has ordained for our joy. To mold our character. To teach us to trust. To give us Himself. When we run to God with our pain, instead of running away, our perspective changes. We find a joy that can never be taken away. If we could only see all our disappointments through this lens, we would discover that suffering is often the gateway to joy. The joy that we get from enduring suffering gets richer over time. Our circumstances cannot diminish it. It produces lasting fruit like endurance, character and hope. It draws us to God in breathtaking ways. It achieves a weight of glory that is beyond all comparison. I am convinced that our capacity for God, and for true joy, is carved out of our suffering. Suffering chisels deep into our soul, often making us feel empty, misunderstood, and alone. And yet it is out of that suffering, that emptiness, that God alone can fill us. With Himself. With His joy.

An InLinkz Link-up

FINDING JOY IN THE JOURNEY LINK UP.

Dress from eshakti
"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the  changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." -Maya Angelou

I really love butterflies! I find them to be some of the most remarkable creatures on the planet. They are such beautiful winged insects whose life cycle carries so much meaning and symbolism to the growth process of being a Christian. Many of us have experienced our own “metamorphosis”, as we become new creatures in Christ and become one with Him. Another thing that is also similar, is that the transformation often occurs in stages. Sometimes these stages of life for a butterfly may be uncomfortable and even painful, but in the end a beautiful butterfly emerges, souring high and rising above all of the layers that it had to shed along the journey. As we come to Jesus our life is renewed through the healing and life changing love of God, because of what Jesus has done for us. Just as the caterpillar transforms into a beautiful butterfly, shedding off the old, we too can be like a butterfly. It won't be without pain and it may not be an easy process, but as we battle against the old and keep our focus on the Savior, He will give us the strength to do so, through His Atonement. 

‘Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.’ (1 Corinthians 15:43) Our testimony of what God has done for us, brings Him glory and honor, it’s part of our story. His story. We can learn so much in our times of darkness. His light is always there guiding us if we look to Him. By laying down our lives and following Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can be free in Him; we can be a new creation in Him. How wonderful! How grateful I am that I have been made new in Him, renewed daily in His presence. I love how God speaks to us through His creation.  I will always delight in the beauty of a butterfly.

LINK UP HERE

FINDING JOY IN THE JOURNEY LINK UP.

Today is the start of a new link up that I have created. 

Here's what I came up with: Finding Joy in the Journey Link up

How it works: Every week (on Friday), I will share with you some thoughts that are on 

my heart. Good things, trials, struggles, sorrows, heartache and whatever the spirit is 

leading me to write on this little space of mine! I hope and pray that you will do the same :)

Each week we can take the time to inspire, encourage, lift up one another as we all try and find joy in the journey! Will you join me?

Jesus never said that this life would be easy. Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are also changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, etc. But most of the changes that happen in our lives take place subtly and slowly. Time never stands still, it must steadily march on, and with the marching comes the changes that we must face. Sometimes our lives can take unexpected turns filled with heartache, sorrow, confusion, depression and difficulty. Sometimes it may seem hard to understand in the midst of trials how to feel and experience joy. Sometimes it may seem as if our whole world is falling apart around us and we are just standing still. Jesus has promised us that we can experience joy in the journey. Finding joy in the journey is the quest of our lives.  That joy that Jesus has promised us is available if we continue to be faithful and keep our eyes always on Jesus. I believe that some of the greatest lessons that we learn, are lessons that help us distinguish between what is really important and what is not. Despite all the changes which come into our lives, lets try and fill our days, as much as we can with those things that matter most. Whatever you are facing right now in your life, there is joy that awaits you and joy that can be found in the midst of your trials. It may feel like your darkest night, but God has a divine plan and purpose for your life! Let's relish life as we live it, trust in God and find joy in the journey! Link up your posts below!

LINK UP HERE!

Fashion Friday Link Up: 2014 Spring Fashion Trends

Bomber Jackets

Boxy, Cropped Jackets

Collarless Coats

Collar Button Down Shirts

Pretty Pastels

Shift Blouses

Wide Leg Trousers

Tea-Length Skirts

Sweater Dressing

What are you favorite Spring Trends for 2014?

Fashion Friday Link Up

Spring is just around the corner!  Designers are taking a modern twist for Spring 2014, by pairing soft pastels with vivid brights to create a colorful equilibrium. Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers, travels abroad, and strong, confident women, designers are using color to refresh, revive, and stand out!

For sunnies, my Spring 2014 pick are these heart sunglasses that I snagged at Tillys a few weeks ago!

Fashion Friday Link Up Pick
My pick from last week's Fashion Friday Link Up is Jessi from Haircut and General Attitude I love her style and creativity. She is so pretty too! Head on over and show Jessi some love!  

Wait! Don't leave! Make sure you link up your outfit below! You might just be my pick for next Friday's link up!

Fashion Friday Link Up: Red Coat

I am borderline obsessed with this burgundy Pea-Coat from VS.When I saw this coat online I knew it was love at first sight. I managed to pick this beauty up for $29 when VS had their Winter Clearance clear out sale then gave myself a pat on the back. 

Coat: Victoria's Secret // Dress: Thrifted // Tights: TJ Maxx// 

Shoes (Franco Sarto): Thrifted // Purse: TJ Maxx // Necklace: efoxcity

Fashion Friday Link Up Pick
My pick from last week's Fashion Friday Link Up is Carolyn from CCMCafee Perspective Carolyn loves running, dancing, hiking, cycling, swimming, rollerblading, and jumping on the trampoline. Wow! This woman is so active! Head on over and show Carolyn some love!

Wait! Don't leave! Make sure you link up your outfit below! You might just be my pick for next Friday's link up!