Campus Books and Operation Smile

I can't believe it's only a month until Christmas break, seriously time is flying at school.  While I'm still in busy teaching mode, college students are thinking about finals and preparing for new classes starting after Christmas. That being said, Campus Book Rentals has asked me to share with you some great information about how to save money on textbooks as well as a great way to help others with Operation Smile.

Buying books for college or your master's degree isn't fun and it can be pretty expensive too.  As you all know, I'm teaching myself now and have a master's as well, but many of my co-workers are working on their master's degrees, and I hear them complain about the cost of textbooks.  That's where Campus Book Rentals comes in.  They offer:

-prices that are 40-90% off of the bookstore price
-free shipping both ways
-you can highlight in the textbooks
-you can chose how long you need the book

KISS InstaWave

 Recently I got to try the KISS InstaWave through Brandbacker.  The KISS InstaWave is a fully automatic tangle-free curler that instantly creates beautiful, long-lasting curls with ease. I'm don't usually curl my hair because it takes forever, but with the KISS InstaWave I was able to beautiful curls with just the touch of a button.

With a normal curling iron it takes me 20-30 minutes to curl my hair, and with the KISS InstaWave it took me under 10 minutes, now that's something I can get used to.

Here's what makes the KISS InstaWave different than the average curling iron:

• The KISS InstaWave is a fully automatic tangle-free curler that instantly creates beautiful curls
• It's easy for anyone to use, from any angle, with any hand- there was about a ten minute learning curve the first time I tried it, then it was super simple after that
• It features a curl dial with left/right curl directions
• It automatically shuts off after 90 minutes
• It has two heat settings with a low/high switch with maximum temperature of 420
• It retails for $59.99

I put together a quick video for you all, so you could see it in action too: 

 
          

As I said in the video,  I was really impressed with the KISS InstaWave and I would definitely recommend it if you're in the market for a new curling iron. Christmas is just around the corner ;)

The KISS InstaWave was given to me by Brandbacker, but all thoughts are my own.

Fear Not

Recently Grant came into the bathroom while I was getting ready in the morning.  He had tears rolling down his cheeks and he said he'd had a bad dream.  I asked him what it was about and he said he was dreaming that two of his little friends from school were dying.  This broke my heart. At four he had let fear gobble him up.

I then began to think about those of you out there who feel like you're living a nightmare.  Fear has gobbled you up.  I imagine the pair you feel, the hurt, the doubt, the burdens.

It's like you're carrying around a heavy backpack weighted with every nightmare you feel life has thrown your way.  Tears roll from my cheeks as I think about.

But what if there was someone willing to carry your backpack for you? What if someone wanted to lift the weight off your shoulders and free you from your nightmare?

I believe there is.  Isaiah 41:10 says:

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God wants to take that backpack off your shoulders; He has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power (2 Timothy 1:7). If you are carrying around this backpack, let it go.  Give it up. Let God carry it.  

I bet you're wondering how I ended things with Grant after his nightmare.  We talked about it, then prayed to ask God to take away his fear, and to keep his friends safe, see even four year olds have a backpack. God want's to carry theirs too.

My intention was to end the post here and show you my outfit for today, which I'm crazy about, by the way, but I feel like I need to be honest.

From the Inside Out

I'm really excited about the new direction of my blog, and I feel like it's been a long time coming. I think back to the time before Grant was born when it was just Brian and myself, and all the time we had.

I worked out every day.

I did devotions every day.

I was able to focus on Brain every day.

Then, we had a baby.  I wouldn't change a thing and the love I have for Grant is a love that is unexplainable to someone who isn't a mom yet.

Life changed, though.  I quit going to the gym; I didn't want Grant at daycare until after five each night.  I also quit doing devotions. At first it was because I was so sleep deprived, then it was out of fear that he'd hear me and wake up early.

I lost a lot of myself as an individual, not that that is a bad thing, it was just different and I was more than happy to have Grant fill a space in my heart.

Slowly my focus shifted off my relationship with God onto other things. I started this hobby and although I'm embarrassed to admit it, it became like a god.  My focus on it was too great.

Throughout this time we were still going to church and taking part, but I just wasn't connected.  This last summer I kept feeling a tug in my heart.  God missed me, and I missed him too.

I've often heard it said that you should talk to God like he's your best friend, not like 911 that you only call in an emergency.  I'd been using God like 911.

I had a ton of time while Grant was napping this summer and no excuse, so I picked up my Bible again. I also discovered She Reads Truth. I started praying again, I started reading the Bible again, I started seeing all the blessings around me again.  I also felt myself changing.

My attitude improved. I suddenly had more patience for everything life threw at me.  School started and I was excited but nervous, because nap time was gone, so when would I do devotions?

I became that person that gets up at 5:30. On purpose.  If you know me in real life you'll know that I am NOT a morning person. However, starting my day with prayer, and devotionals to God have been the best thing I could do for myself, my family, my students and my God.

It's like I let out a sigh of relief I'd been holding in for four years.

Being in relationship with God changes you, and it's always for the better.  I started to feel the tug that my little corner of the internet should change.  Clothes and this blog can't be a priority.

I still want to show some style inspiration, but I want you each to find the beauty you all have on the inside and out, and I want to be doing the same.  Here begins a new chapter in the life of this blog.

I wore this outfit out with friends last weekend.  I'm absolutely crazy about this faux fur vest I picked up recently from Target.  I paired it with this great black top with faux leather sleeves from Gordmans.  I also love the pop of color in this fun necklace from Edith Marie Jewelry.

Where I am Now

I've got to be honest.  I've been feeling a little vain and shallow lately. I look at my Instagram feed and am a little lot embarrassed to see all the pictures of me in clothes.  I shared in my post on two years of blogging about working to find a balance between this hobby and really considering what truly matters.  Let's face it, clothes don't.

I think feeling good about yourself does matter, and I know that when I feel good about what I'm wearing my attitude is reflected in that. So, how does that translate into what I share here?

I want this little space to represent more than just me in clothes.   I want to share things that matter, that are important, and that might just help even one of you out in the process.   I still plan to still share my usual three outfit posts each week, but I want what I have to say to be more than just about clothes. We only get so much time here on earth and I want to make sure I'm really using it well.

Like the rising sun marking a new day in the photo below, I want this to mark a new life for this little blog.  So it's not a surprise, my faith is something really important to me and I do plan to share some faith related things on here. I don't want to make every post "heavy," I just want to make it more valuable. I hope you find what I have to say has value and that that you can relate and apply it to your life too.

The Myth of Perfection

I wore this outfit to church recently and love it.  I scored the skirt and cardigan a few years back at Goodwill and have worn some combination of this outfit a number of times.  This outfit has also been pinned more than anything else too.  I felt great wearing it and got a number of compliments, but I almost didn't write this post.  Why you might ask?  The pictures....they aren't great.  It was really windy and I snapped a few pictures quick before giving up and going inside.  I can't tell you how many times I've felt great, taken pictures, then trashed them because I just wasn't happy with how they came out.  It's so silly, right?  I'm not a professional or model, I'm a girl with a tripod and a clicker.....and this is a hobby.  

I feel like I can put unrealistic expectations on myself when it comes to this little hobby.  I don't plan to ever do different locations shoots, even though I know it could increase my audience, because I don't have the time, and this is not my profession.  I put together outfits I feel good in, then I take pictures and post them on the internet. Yeah.  Perfection doesn't exist and it's not fair to myself to make that the goal.  Another little known fact to those of you who only know me from the internet: my hair only looks "good" for about the first ten minutes after I'd done it and by the end of the day my makeup doesn't look so hot either. There you have it.  So, here are four of the seven or so pictures I took, in an outfit I love and felt good in, and that's why I started this blog in the first place. 

Also, Laura at I do deClaire is sweet enough to be featuring me and a few other bloggers today, go check it out!

Leopard

Who is your "person?" It might sound like a weird question, but it's one I've been thinking about a lot lately.  Who are you surrounding yourself with?  Do you build each other up, or do spend a lot of time commiserating together?  I feel like my attitude right now is the best it's been in a long time and I think it's a reflection of how I'm spending my time and who I'm surrounding myself with.

I have great, authentic friends both at and away from work, that I don't feel like I need to impress-they accept me as I am. Time isn't spent gossiping and tearing others down, it's spent building each other up and collaborating with genius educational ideas together.  This wasn't the case in years past.  I shared with you all a while back that I stepped back from some friendships, and it was for the best. I never really felt like I was accepted for who I was.  Was my outfit cute enough? Was I funny enough?  Would they still like me if they really knew (fill in the blank with any number of things)?  It was exhausting.  And sad, so sad.  I thought I had a "person," well "people," but really I didn't.

I guess my point is, we only get this little bit of time here on earth in comparison to eternity and I don't think it does anyone any good to let someone make us feel like we are less than we really are.  I'm so thankful for the friends I have now, they bless me in so many ways I never imagined.

Stripes and Dots

 Ok, I'm going to say it.  Forever 21 is really overwhelming to me.  There's just so...much...stuff. I know the prices are great, but the sizing is so random, I guess that comes with the territory.  This keeps me away, even though I see friends who find the cutest things there. However, when I was in Kansas City about a month ago I went in with a friend, because she needed to make an exchange.  I came across this adorable polka dot top and was so excited, because I ruined my own last year and was on the hunt for a replacement. I decided to pair it with my striped blazer and favorite cobalt pants for work.  I'm not going to lie, I really like this outfit.

Style Board: Herringbone Vest Edition

When J.Crew came back with their Herringbone vest again this year fashionistas everywhere cheered. I have a similar one I got from Coldwater Creek last year after I missed the boat the first time around.  I've already worn it a few times this season, but have a number of looks pinned for future inspiration I thought I'd share today! Source and similar pieces are listed down below. 

Source 1 : red sweater / plaid shirt

Source 2: polka dot sweater / leopard flats

 Source 3: stripe sweater / pearl necklace

 Source 4: chambray / boots

  Source 5: Buffalo Check shirt / black jeans

 Source 6: chambray / red jeans

Lace and Jewels

This lace top has to be one of my favorite fall purchases.  I wore this recently with my blazer from Kika and jewels from chloe + isabel.  I'm particularly crazy about this pendant necklace I got recently with hostess reward dollars.  

I wore this to a charity event at church recently. We have friends who run a nonprofit ministry out of Uganda, called Rising Star Ministries it's similar to a boys and girls club with soccer teams and tutoring.  There was a chili cook off, silent auction and concert.  It was a great time for a great cause. 

They are right now trying to raise enough funds to get back there full time and are still in need of donations.  If you can help in any way, I know they'd appreciate it! Not all of us are called to up and move to Africa, but I do believe that some of us are called to help financially instead.  If you're so led, click here to help!