What I Wear-Confessions Of A Cut And Dry Gal

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35

This verse is awesome, but actually makes me feel quite guilty sometimes. In the spirit of honesty and transparency here (and not just letting you see my "perfect" *cough cough* side) I'd like to say that I'm not who I want to be. In Christ it's a delicate balance of relying on Him for strength, yet still holding myself accountable. Just because there's forgiveness for sins, doesn't give me liberty to sin willfully! 

I have the type of personality that can be quite unloving at times. I have the tendency to brush aside feelings and think a little too "cut and dry." And loving people is a bit hard for me sometimes! I'm talking about those people who get on my last nerve and irritate (whether intentional or unintentional). It's so tempting to just float through life never showing love, compassion or feelings for anyone. But that's not good enough! How will people know I'm a Christian if I don't have love? 

Anyway, something I'm working on. 

Do you struggle with this? How do you show love to those around you who are not your favorite people?

I'm wearing-Striped Maurice's Sweater dress-$10//Black Slouchy Rue 21 beanie-$5//Brown Warm winter boots-$? Skechers on Amazon

What I Wear-New Post Series Announcement, Goodwill And The New Year

I'm wearing-Shirt-thrifted $2//Skirt-Thrifted $0.50//boots-Forever 21 $25//hat-Rue 21 $5.50

Am I the only one who thinks Goodwill's prices are obscenely high now on a lot of things!? It's gotten to the point where I only shop the 1/2 off tags! How does $20 for a stretched out, pilling sweater constitute "thrift store" prices? 

End of Goodwill rant....

I'm super excited to be announcing my "THM Tuesday" post series! I've held off doing this as I didn't want to flood my fashion blog with tons of recipes. However, after receiving a ton of comments from people saying they want more posts on healthy eating/fitness, I'm answering! So I will attempt to mesh fashion and food...

With it being January, a lot of people are starting new diets and making resolutions to eat better and/or lose weight. We'll see how my THM Tuesdays go and then decide from there if I'll continue. My goal is to post every Tuesday with something related to THM (http://www.trimhealthymama.com) 

I'm going to start my series off by sharing a few tips I've learned since starting THM in August 2013;

1. Stevia is not sugar. Strange statement you say? Not really! For me, coming from only using sugar, I didn't realize you use A LOT less of stevia than you would sugar! It took me awhile before I found out that if you add too much stevia it gets an icky biting/metallic/bitter aftertaste. So if you're starting out with stevia, be careful and don't use too much! Taste, add more, taste again and so forth till you know how much you like.  

2. If you want to keep fresh ginger around the house, wash the ginger root, toss it in a bag and freeze it. Then when you want to use it, simply grate it (grind, chop, etc.). I prefer fresh ginger in my 
GGMS, versus the ground. (I also add a drop of cinnamon essential oil and a dash of cinnamon 
powder for blood sugar benefits)

3. Freeze heavy whipping cream in an ice cube tray and you have it on hand for much longer than you can keep it fresh in the fridge.

4. If you have any questions, join the THM facebook support group! (I would also be happy to answer any questions you have!)

5. Pretty much anything on Briana's site is amazing! 

6. And last but not least, you get to have homemade pizza on THM! We make our pizzas personal size, be sure to only use a roll size amount of dough so you don't have more than the carb allotment of 45grms. With personal pizzas you can also control the fat content and be sure no one is having too many carbs. I've found that using a plastic rolling pin is best, very time I use wooden, the dough sticks horribly. I think it's because the wood is porous and soaks up the water in the bread dough. (Also, please be sure to ferment your bread for AT LEAST 72hrs, otherwise it's not sourdough (the fermentation process eats the carbs).

(Gwen's sourdough velveeta shreds, turkey pepperoni, jalapeños, green chile, mushrooms-this is an "E" )

What I Wear-How To Wear A Skirt Casually

I know a lot of girls tend to wear jeans because they simply don't know how to dress a skirt down. I'm certainly aware of the fact that some occasions just do not call for "classy/dressy" outfits. I live in a small town where the majority of people wear sweats (not to mention pjs....no comment)

So for me to head into Wal Mart in pearls, a LBD and heels is sort of ridiculous. There's a difference between dressing with care, and plain old dressing inappropriate for an occasion. Yes, you should put effort into how you dress. No, you should not go to  a casual event wearing stilettos and a dress suit. 

So, I'd like to share a few tips with you on how to wear skirts In a casual setting. 

  For instance, my sisters and I are going to the movies and a hockey game tonight. Obviously I can't wear something super dressy. So here's how I decided what to wear:

I chose my Kosher Casual skirt, it's long and comfy, yet not too dressy. The dark wash is good for settings where I might get something on me (I.E sitting in bleachers ; ) 

After I picked my skirt, my go to casual item is usually a hoodie. Hoodies can look frumpy very easily. Try to pick a hoodie that's fitted (I only wear zippered hoodies, which we call "zippies"). If it's baggy it just doesn't look good with a skirt (in my opinion). The obvious choice for under my hoodie was a matching tshirt. You could stop there, but I always like to add a cute pair of earrings and a simple necklace. Don't add a statement necklace or anything too dressy if you're trying to keep it casual. 

A note on my shoes, I used to think tennis shoes with skirts was absolutely tacky! However, I realized it was because I'd always seen people wear skirts with actual running shoes. While that's fine, it's not my style. I saw people like Ashley and Olivia sporting kicks and realized, yes! That's it! So here I am, wearing kicks (tennis shoes)

So that's how I wear skirts casually. What are your tips?

I'm wearing: Red Heart hoodie-thrifted $3.99//White shirt-Target $5//Skirt-C/O Koshercasual.com//Shoes-Teva $16

What I Wear-My Life Right Now And Random Me

        

   

Am I the only one who feels like time has sped up soooo much?!? My weeks fly by in a blur of work, play and sleep. Can it truly be almost the end of January? 

With January comes a ton of paperwork for me. I do the books and payroll (among various other things) for our family business, so January is a fun month! Printing a seemingly endless amount of paperwork and filling out forms has kept me busy! Did you know I'm an obsessive perfectionist? Yep, so me and taxes have some, shall we say, issues? 

My mom had the awesome idea of taking my outfit photos in the hallway of our church building (we rent out an old school with quite a few businesses). I'm not at all distrubed to tell you these were taken in front of the bathroom. Where else do you take photos?! :D

Anywho...I've been kicking around the idea of doing another video, but then I think "what would I talk about?" So now I'm going to unashamedly shift the responsibility over to you my dear reader! 

What video would you like to see? 

Now that I've bored you with seemingly random bits that made sense in my head....

I'm wearing:Dress-C/O eShakti//Hat-gift//boots-Forever 21 $25

What I Wear-New Year "Resolution" And Comfy Clothes

I'm wearing: Sweater-Rue 21 $6//Earrings-hand me down//Skirt-thrifted $3.99//Boots-Skechers $30//Essential Oil diffuser necklace-gift

Another year comes to a close, another one begins. I truly feel like 2014 was only 6 months long! It's been a whirlwind year filled with joy, laughter, tears and heartache. It was filled with pain and love, sorrow and beauty. 

I'm so blessed, but I often forget that. It's easy to focus on the things I can't change, instead of thanking a God who loves me so much. How could we ever think that we could earn His grace? That our measly selves are worth anything? Truth? God can use broken vessels, but only if they're empty of themselves. Empty of the expectation that life should go how we wish, empty of selfish ambitions and pride. An empty vessel in the hands of God is a work of art, each day yet another piece of beauty added.                  

          

I'm not much for "resolutions" but this year I'd like to dig deeper into my relationship with Christ. I'm tired of mediocre, surrendering only parts of myself isn't enough! This coming year I want to recklessly abandon myself to Him. I want to love more, laugh more and give more. 

   With His help I can block out the voices of others who discourage, instead of encourage. With His help I can love the unlovable and soar with wings like eagles. 

This is a new year, 365 days from now, who will you be? 

I would be so grateful if each of you would comment with a devotional/inspirational book you love, I'm looking for some to read this new year, I'll go first! 

My favorite inspirational book -Mere Christianity by C.S Lewis 

Have a blessed New Year and remember that each moment is precious-YOU are precious! Be the change you want to see.

What I Wear-Modesty Makes You Ashamed Of Your Body?

For some reason I've seen a lot of articles lately with titles something like, "Why teaching Christian modesty makes women ashamed of their bodies." These articles deeply sadden me, to say the least. 

Modesty within the Christian realm has become a term that stirs varied emotions. I can totally understand that some women have been burned by churches, mean spirited people and people who are well meaning, yet out of line. Words can be hurtful, yet we throw them about with hardly a second thought. 

I wanted to share my personal feelings on this. I don't ever want a single one of you to be ashamed of your body! That's actually against biblical principles (I.E-you're made in the image of God, your body is a temple, not to mention being grateful for what you have.) 

God made each one of you absolutely stunning, never be ashamed of that. When we talk about modesty, it's not for the sake of hiding your body, you should treasure the amazing gift God has given you. Part of treasuring that gift is avoiding revealing every aspect of your body, partly with modest apparel. By dressing modestly you're actually showing those around you that you treasure your body, not that you're ashamed! It's like wearing a billboard that says "I respect myself and don't need to show you every curve and inch of my body."  

You're a beautiful, stunning, wondrous child of God-act like it! 

Do you think modesty makes you ashamed of your body? 

What I Wear-Help Me and Walking Through Tshirt

This outfit is a great example of something I wear around the house, minus the cardigan on most days.  I chose to go with a casual outfit, pairing my pink cardigan with this awesome new trendy tshirt Walking Through sent me. I've worn this shirt numerous times since receiving it, it's incredibly comfy and versatile. I also love that the sleeves are cap sleeves, something missing from most Christian tshirt companies styles. I really don't like the regular tshirt sleeves, give me cap sleeves and day! For me, they just seem more feminine as well.

Never heard of Walking through? That's because they're new! Here's a little about The Christian tshirt company; 

Walking Through Co. A Christian brand style of clothing where people would be proud to show their faith. 

Our Mission: is to praise the lord and bring back the passion of our faith.

 Our Vision:To run a successful business where we would be lucky to give back.

Psalm 23 "The lord is my Shepard, I shall not want. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He lead me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil, for you are with me,your rod and your staff they comfort me..."  

This Bible verse has so much meaning to me because when my dad was passing, he 

wanted me to read it to him every couple of hours.It brought him comfort and solace. One month after my dad passed,  my church wrote a news article  titled "Walking Through the Valley".Through this article I found comfort in reading the messages saying that even when we Walk Through the darkest valley,we are not stuck in the valley, just merely walking through. As we go through difficult times, God is teaching us to become humble and respect and value others and their journey. He carries us through the valley so we can empathize and help others through their own valleys. 

Mark Sardina, Founder & CEO

Christian.Humanitiarian.Believer  

I've been trying to (trying being the keyword) do more things with my hair. So I French braided my bangs and the front portion of my hair the night before, then put my hair in "headband curls" (tutorial HERE). I'm sooo unimaganitive when it comes to my hair-any ideas on what I could try? They'd be so appreciated!

What I Wear-My Patchwork Eternity Scarf And Kosher Casual

Today's post features the debut of two items-this awesome skirt sent to me from Kosher Casual and the patchwork eternity scarf I crocheted.

Firstly, I've worn this skirt numerous times, but just now got photos! I apologize that they're indoors, but I couldn't convince my photographer (aka my younger sister!) to put her shoes on and go outside. I'm hoping to maybe get a post up with different ways to wear this skirt-keep your fingers crossed! 

I love the dark wash, makes it easier to transition from casual to a more dressed up look. It's awesome fabric and fits like a dream! My only "complaint" is that the lack of a slit-which is good for modesty's sake, also makes me feel like a penguin...apparently I walk with rather large steps and having no slit cuts my stride in like half. So-overall? A beautiful skirt, high quality and adorable. 

As I mentioned before, I made this scarf after seeing one at Herbergers. I didn't want to pay $45, so I bought yarn and crocheted one instead. Basically I just made it in sections, crocheting it to the previous piece. I'm very pleased with how it came out! 

How was everyone's thanksgiving? We truly have much to be grateful for in the US. We whine about small things sometimes, yet forget the big stuff we're blessed with! What are you most thankful for?

What I Wear-Casual And High Speed Internet!

Hey all! So I've decided I will be posting every Tuesday now. I'm hoping if I take outfit photos every Sunday, then weekly posts will be a breeze!

My family has entered the 21st century-yes, you guessed it! We got rid of the dial-up! So doing today's post was so easy! Normally photos take about an hour to load 8 photos. With the new connection? Um...under a minute?! So this is why everyone else can post faster than me! LOL! Anyway, I'll be more inclined to post if it won't take me all day!

I'm Wearing:
Tribal print shirt-Target $5// Long Sleeves-C/O Halftee// Skirt-Thrifted $3.99//Boots-Forever 21 $20

What I Wear-Avonlea Gloves!

 

I'm wearing: Scarf-Forever 21-gift, Gloves-gift-from Avonlea set!- Jean Jacket-borrowed from my sister Patience, Dress-Forever21, Pants-thrifted, boots-gojane.com 

I got these gloves from my parent's fro Christmas, but the coolest part is that they were worn on the set of Avonlea! Isn't that awesome? So I imagined that Sara Stanley or Felicity King wore them...although in reality it was probably some extra that was on the set for 2.5 seconds. LOL! Fun to imagine anyway! The scarf was also a Christmas present! 

It's been sort of a weird year in regards to snow-it hasn't snowed hardly at all! Which actually isn't good, since we need the moisture. The snow hasn't melted off, but it hasn't come down anymore. It's just been cold! Which is okay too, whatevs. I'd have to say that jeans under my dress was an attempt at staying warm without too much bulk. Sometimes leggings or tights just don't cut it! Some other cold weather tips for wearing skirts-

wear 2 pairs of socks (wool is best!)

leg warmers over tights

hats and scarves actually do keep you warm (they're not just for looks!)

What are your cold weather tips for wearing skirts/dresses?