How to Style: A Fur Vest

It's no probably a surprise to any of you to see a post about my fur vest.  It's obviously been one of my favorite pieces in my closet this winter.  There still some great vests out there to buy, like this one. As much as I'm aching for warm temperatures, I'm not ready to put my winter clothes away!

Today I thought I'd share some of the ways I've worn my vest this year.

Shake It Off

Recently I had situation where I was both frustrated and disappointed by a situation at work, and I let it get to me. I had to go into class and teach my kids, it wasn't optional.  Let me tell you, my attitude was definitely not right. I love my kids, but I wasn't even able crack a smile when a student asked if they could call me Mrs. Awesome. (7th graders truly are the best!)

I hate it when I get like that, when I let the actions of others impact my attitude. After All, I can only control myself...even then I don't always do the best job. Then the wise words of the prophetic Taylor Swift came to me "Shake it off." 

It can be so easy to let let the things we can't control take control of us, and to let the hurt others have caused cause us to then hurt others.  I got real with my students and said I was in a bad mood, and it wasn't because of anything they did. I then made the choice to "shake it off," forgive, and move on.  See, it was all about the choice I made. I could have let the kids feel the wrath of my emotions and frustration, or I could let it go and not let those negative feelings control me. My students definitely shouldn't have been at the receiving end of frustration that had nothing to do with them. 

It makes me think about God's sovereignty towards us. We mess up everyday, but he is quick to forgive when we ask for it.  Psalm 103:12 says: "As for as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." If God is able to forgive the awful things we do each day, how much more should I forgive others? 

God definitely doesn't treat us differently or love us any less based on our actions. He also doesn't take other's mistakes out on us either. I want to continue to work to move on from difficult situations, to forgive, and to be better today than I was yesterday. I hope you all can do the same.

On Valentine's Day Brian and I had the day to ourselves, which was great. Prior to going out to dinner we stopped by the mall, as Brian had a giftcard to Scheels and I had one to J.Crew.  I found this striped sweater on super sale and was pretty excited because my other one needed to be thrown away. Black and white stripes are so great, but it seems like I need to replace mine each year. I got the inspiration for this outfit from this pin and love how it came together.

How to Shop on ThredUP

It's no secret that I love thredUP. This past year I've gotten many of my favorite things in my closet from them. I've heard time and time again comments about the cool pieces I've found, but also how hard it can be for others to find anything "good." 

I think this is such a bummer, because there are gems on  thredUP just waiting to be found! Today I thought I'd share some tips with you all to help make shopping on  thredUP easier for you.

Imperfect

Recently I was out to dinner for book club with some friends and we were talking about how my husband wants to buy a boat and spend our weekends camping.  Everyone began to laugh at the thought of me in a tent. One girl said she pictured me sighing with my iPad in my lap and mosquito netting tented around me. 

Now, I love the lake, but unless there's a lake house involved I'm not going to be crazy about the experience. Tents, sleeping on the ground and no shower just don't sound like a good time to me. I'm aware how prissy this makes me seem. But just because I'm prissy doesn't mean I'm perfect. I'm very far from that actually. 

It's my imperfections that make me....well me. Today I thought I'd share some oddities about me that those of you who only know me via internet wouldn't know.  I think it's important to celebrate our uniqueness instead of pretending to be perfect.

1. I swallow my gum. Yes, I know it's gross. I don't even realize I do it, all of a sudden it's just not in my mouth anymore.  I know for a fact it does not take seven years for your body to digest gum, because it that were the case my stomach wouldn't have any room for food.
2. I drive a truck because my husband wanted a truck, but already has a work vehicle.  I am the worst at navigating that beast.  My biggest fear is trying to get my truck out of our school parking lot when it's full due to after school sporting events. The spots aren't diagonal, they are straight, which complicates things.  It takes me like forty-seven times of going forward and back before I actually am able to pull out and drive away. It's. So. Embarrassing. One time an old man waiting for my spot got out of his car and had to wave be back. I'm just so worried I'm going to hit the car behind me!
3. I hate feet, not just mine, feet in general.  I even get pedicures during winter, just so I don't have to look at my own feet and be disgusted. 
4. I have a fear of dishes being in the sink. Ever since I had an awful roommate in college who left her dishes in the sink to mold and the WORST the time a cockroach crawled out, I can't even let a cup sit in there.

So, spill the beans, what makes you imperfectly perfect?

Earlier this year I won a pair of shoes from DSW up to $60, it was the best! I ended up picked a pair of faux leather riding boots.  Although I really love them, they haven't worn well and I'd been kicking myself, wishing I'd chosen a pair of leather one's and paid the difference. Recently I started to look for sales, as I know stores are getting ready for spring and came across these  leather riding boots from Target.  I scored them for $30, but they're even cheaper now! I love them and they are super comfortable!  Hindsight is 20/20, but I'm so happy to have these and I know they'll last for years.

Rocksbox

I was recently contacted about giving Rocksbox a try for three months.  You all know I love jewelry, so I jumped at the chance.  When signing up they prompted me to answer some style questions, which I loved, they had me also choose outfits that fit my style, and asked me what type of jewelry I like to wear. I also got to create a wish list of pieces I'd love to try.

I was excited about the pieces they sent. I got a beautiful bib necklace, a long pendant necklace and a wrap bracelet.  I feel like all the pieces really fit my style too. So, now that I have them, I can keep them for the month, wear them a few times then send them back for new jewels, or keep any of them for a discount.

This service is normally $19 a month, which I feel is fair, but you all can give it a try for free!  Just go to Rocksbox then enter the code "newfavoriteoutfitxoxo" at checkout for one month free!

The first time I wore my necklace I styled it more casually with my J.Crew top and vest.  At first I wondered if that necklace needed to be worn strictly with dress clothes, but I adore it with this casual look!

Faith

Recently I was reflecting on the story of Jesus walking on water in Mathew 14: 22-33.  This is a pretty sweet miracle, but not really the part that has me thinking.  It's the part where Peter asks Jesus to let him walk on water too. And he does.

Peter made a request, had faith, and Jesus granted it.  The story doesn't end there, though. Even though Jesus has literally made it possible to Peter to do the impossible, Peter sees the wind and begins to doubt and sink. He calls out to Jesus, he takes his hand, and they both make it safely back to the boat.

I'm drawn to the humanity of Peter, as I think we can all be "Peter" sometimes. I know who Jesus is, yet when the "wind" begins to blow I can find myself full of fear and doubt and not standing firm in His truth. He loves me, He's called me, He believes in me. (Romans 8: 28-30)

The cool thing is that when Peter fears he calls out to Jesus, and Jesus takes him by the hand and guides him back to safety. This has me thinking about my own life. When fear hits, who is my first call? The answer should be Jesus, for sure.

Peter was later called "The Rock" in which Jesus would build His church on. Peter wasn't perfect, as none of us are, but when fear hit, he turned to Jesus. Jesus reached out His hand and Peter grabbed it. He's reaching out His hand to you too. So, it's up to you, are you going to take it?

Today's outfit is inspired by Danielle's look here. I recently scored this dress from thredUp (use this link for $10 off your first purchase) and I'd lie if I didn't say I had replicating her outfit in mind when I bought it.  The print on this dress is perfection and I was excited to pair it with my fur vest today.

More of You, Less of Me

Having a blog is kind of a weird thing. I feel like in many ways it adds to the noise that social media has created...with our help of course.  "It's all about me." 

Facebook posts show the "country club" versions of our perfect life that doesn't really exist. 

Instagram amplifies the often times #filtered and staged beauty around us while often ignoring the true beauty within our often messy lives. 

We want perfection that doesn't exist, so we try to create it while often times ignoring the authentic blessings we have and our value that comes from God.

This song by Colton Dixon is one that has been speaking to me. It's quite simple. God I want more of you and less of me.

           

"More of You
Less of me
Make me who I'm meant to be
You're all I want all I need
You're everything
Take it all I surrender
Be my king
God I choose
More of You
Less of me"

This is what I really want: More God, less me.  I don't want to create a life I show the world that is anything less than authentic. My life is not perfect, is is literally and metaphorically messy at times, but ultimately my life should show the world who God is to me. 

It should show His love:

"For God so loved the world He gave His only son, and whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16)

It should show His concern for us, His children:

"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.” (Mark 12:30-31)

It should show his sovereignty:  

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." (Romans 8: 28-30)

My life and time here on earth shouldn't be about me, so I'm striving to show this each day. I hope you're inspired to do the same.

I wore this outfit over the weekend. It was inspired by the ever stylish Shanna. While she is busy getting ready for spring it was 19 degrees here this weekend. Boo. I really do love this outfit though and am crazy about my new watch from Wristology.  Use this link to get 25% off and score one of their watches for $36 with free shipping.

How to Save Money at Target

It's no secret that I'm crazy about Target. I often times have people comment on the deals I find there, so I thought I'd create a post sharing some tips with you all.

How to Style a Blanket Scarf

I wasn't sure about the whole blanket scarf trend when I first saw it, but I'm absolutely loving mine now. Today I thought I'd share four ways I've worn mine.

Perspective

Recently I was talking with a mom friend of mine about tantrums. Our sons our about the same age and I was sharing how Grant had thrown himself on the floor like the world was going to end because his sock "felt weird." Yes, this happened. She shared stories of how her son would whine about dinner and how she's reply to him, "Get some perspective, there are kids in Africa who don't even get to eat dinner!" She can say this because she was literally a missionary kid who grew up in Africa, she's seen this first hand.

This idea has been swimming around in my head. "Get some perspective!" During the Superbowl Brian decided he no longer wanted us to use our coffee table in the basement, because it would make the room look bigger. I was not happy, we use it and who cares if it makes the room look bigger? Although I didn't show it, I was throwing quite the tantrum in my head. The half-time show came on and Katy Perry did her thing. (I continued to throw a fit in my head.) Her show concluded with "Firework" and I just started crying. 

Why you ask?  A few years ago I had a dear friend (my age) die of cancer. She was amazing and fought this battle for 10 yeas with unwavering faith. On her last birthday her husband threw her the most amazing surprise birthday party. She entered to the song "Firework" and it's been "her" song ever since. I needed to "Get some perspective!" She had died of cancer and her I was throwing a tantrum about a coffee table. Ridiculous.

It's so easy for use to declare things "the worst."

You go to load the dryer only to find wrinkled clothes inside that you now need to fluff and fold- the worst!  

Perspective says at least you have a dryer and more than enough clothes.

You walk down the dark hallway at night only to trip on a stray lego- the worst!

Perspective says what a blessing to have a child, and one with an imagination to create cool stuff with legos.

You feel like a ping bong ball being bounced from one child to another, then to your husband. You don't have a minute for yourself and going to the bathroom alone? Forget it! -the worst!

Perspective says your family needs you, relies on you, and loves you. That makes it worth it!

Oh, and by the way, my husband changed his mind about the coffee table, so if I would have started a fight about it, it would have been for nothing. I'm continually working to "Get some perspective." Why make things bigger than they need to be, why get upset about things that really don't matter in the end? I want to remember how blessed I really am and I hope this rings true with you too. 

I mentioned about a week ago that I went to a fashion swap. I ended up trading in a pair of red jeans that never really fit me right for this pair I adore. I decided to wear it with this sweater which has ended up being basically my favorite thing in my closet. It's crazy how there are some pieces that you just gravitate to. It's warm, it's cozy, it's striped...so pretty much everything I love. : ) I'm also linking up with Putting Me Together's Style Challenge to wear a Valentine's themed color.