November 29, 2013

Winter Essentials

1/2/3/4/5


(From left to right starting at left corner)
1/2/3/4/5/6


1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9


I'm going to be taking the rest of the week off to focus on family and friends, to give God thanks for all that we have! Honestly, Thanksgiving is such an understated holiday (except the food gorging, of course) in a way that we really don't take the time to be thankful. Running errands, doing black Friday shopping, cooking the bird and entertaining guests all gets in a way of the true meaning of this day. So when you are enjoying your time with your family and having an abundance of food, remember to be thankful from the bottom of your heart and let everyone know. Go around the table and say one thing you are thankful for, I'm sure it will bring more holiday cheer and leave you with awesome memories.

With the holidays approaching and the temperatures dropping into single digits, the clothes have switched from glam to cozy and warm. Let's face it, in winter the outfit details aren't very obvious because we are bundled up under layers of coats, scarves and gloves. So the main outfit details for the winter are a coat, great looking booties and a killer handbag. These are some my favorites, raging in prices from bargain to expensive. Beat the crowds by doing some online shopping earlier in the week and have fun with it, don't stress because it's not worth it.

Happy Thanksgiving!





November 26, 2013

Color Scheme




blouse: Vince Camuto
skirt: from Belarus
shoes: Guess
coat: DKNY
For different seasons I like to stick with a single color scheme. For summer it's pastels and whites and for fall it's deep reds and yellows. Now that we are in full swing winter here, I'm all about blacks and greens. But before Thanksgiving is over this is the last outfit in fall color scheme. Thank you for stopping by and have a great day! 

November 25, 2013

Priorities + Inspiration Monday Link Up


We all have priorities in life and it's really easy to determine what they are. Just take a look at your life and examine it. What do you do everyday? What do you spend the most amount of time on? That's it. That's your priorities. I've been thinking a lot about this lately. Frankly, I'm trying to get better at time management, and that's where knowing my priorities comes in handy. 

I've been focusing on the baby, then my blog, then the church ministries, then the house, then my DIY projects, then myself, then my family, then my friends... and then my husband. And that's just not right. In the very beginning of our relationship, there was this unsaid feeling of high importance. We were important. He was (very) important to me. And although I'm doing all these things (supposedly for him) like cooking, cleaning the house, taking care of our child, spending time on a date night (maybe once a week), really I have put him last in my train of thought (sorry babe). I've made excuses; I got angry, blaming him for our relationship's pitfalls. 

Yes, I know he's a grown man and very capable of taking care of himself. But it's not about fear of spoiling my man, it's about the love I want to nourish and keep for years to come. He is the most important person, my best friend and the love of my life, so it's only logical that in order for me to keep the fire burning and have a lasting relationship with my other half, I need to put more effort into our relationship

The lesson of the day is, that if you think something is important, you will find time, money and opportunity to get it done. That's just a fact. So if there is anything in your life that you let take a back seat and haven't paid so much attention to, listing countless excuses - stop it. Decide today and make a conscientious effort to improve things, figure out what will get you (and keep you) motivated... and then make things happen.





November 22, 2013

The One Where I Pretend To Look At My Watch





sweater, scarf: TJMaxx
  skirt: Banana Republic
booties: Old Navy
watch: Target

We've been enjoying such a perfect fall this year. All the warm, sunny days with cool crisp air and cold nights with frosty mornings. Hoping the snow will hold out until after Thanksgiving because Christmas is already taking over. Speaking of which, have you started your preparations for turkey day? Fortunately, I'm not spending it at home, so the heavy lifting and all the prep work isn't going to be done by me (yay). I still am going to be helping out, but mostly just eating and then hitting the sales. No, I'm not going there into the cold with the crazy crowds. Most of the retailers run the same sales online, so I will be snuggled up in my PJs, drinking hot tea and clicking away. Thank you for stopping by and have a great weekend!

P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

November 20, 2013

Highs and Lows + Giveaway




pants, top, cardigan: Loft
booties: Old Navy
bag: Kate Spade
watch:Target
There are different types of purchases I make according to my closet needs (mostly wants).There are the very expensive articles (like this Kate Spade bag) and there are the bargain buys (like these Old Navy booties). The interesting thing is that both of them are very versatile and I love wearing them - bag is high quality and very durable, and the booties are perfect for my everyday mommy chores. I love designer pieces but at the same time, I don't shy away from bargain finds and thrift stores. It's all about combing different aspects of fashion to create great style, no matter how low or how high the price of an item is. Do you buy things at different price points? Or do you stick to one kind of product? 


Speaking of shopping, how would you like to owe this gorgeous flower necklace? I love statement jewelry and this one would be perfect addition to any closet! It will run until Tuesday and you can enter to win with the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

November 18, 2013

Patience {Motherhood Challenges Series}

 

Would you believe me if I said that I get frustrated with this cute little face and run out of patience? 
Well, it happens more than I like to admit. 
Patience is not my virtue and I will be the first one to admit it, but motherhood has brought a whole different perspective on it.
Having patience and practicing it is not an option anymore. It's simply something I have to do on a daily basis or I will loose my mind. 

As a mother, the primary caregiver and teacher, I become frustrated and impatient.
I know deep inside that he's still very little, he doesn't understand what 'no' means, or that he needs to wait 15 seconds for me to make his bottle. 
Yet it's still hard not to loose my cool. 

It's hard to be patient and still have discipline, to understand his little mind and not get frustrated at his inexperience, to teach him everyday tasks without getting annoyed with his forgetfulness.
Sure, he's cute, and sweet, and adorable, and fun but he still has his moments and it takes a lot of motherly patience and discernment on how to react and what to do when his mood strikes.
I ask the Lord to give me patience but then find myself frustrated and angry with the next situation if something doesn't go the way I planned or envisioned. 

We ask God for patience, but really it isn't something God can just pour on us. Patience is learned with time and age, it's something we conscientiously have to choose and act with, something we have to practice everyday. 

Therefore my prayer is not for God to give me patience. My prayer is to know God, and how He loves us, to show Him in my everyday life. He has so much patience and long-suffering with us, where many times we don't deserve it. 
God really knows us, yet has enough patience to let us come to Him, and let us learn and grow, without force or constrain. 
Learning to love like God does is what going to give me strength to have enough patience for my everyday life.  No matter what life brings.






November 15, 2013

Please and Thank You!

source
THANK YOU! Thank You! thank you! for following, reading supporting this little space on the world wide web. I feel so privileged and blessed to be able to share my life and have someone actually think it's interesting enough to keep coming back for more. It's incredible feeling this blogging thing and you guys make it happen.  From the bottom of my heart, thanks!

You guys, I have a HUGE favor to ask!
I've been trying to improve and grow my blog, and really want to do it with a goal in mind. I also want to know what you (my readers) think about it. What should I improve and what should I get rid of? What am I good at and what stinks here? 
Well, to make it easier for all of us, I've created a survey and with only a few minutes of your time you can make my life easier and this space better.
Follow this link to answer a few questions.

Thanks bunches!
Have a great weekend!

Jonathan //9 months//






I remember sitting in my PJ's right after I got home from the hospital, trying to latch you on (crying from the horrible pain) and thinking that this will never end. I will not survive this.
And here we are - nine months later, still alive and well.
You are making all kinds of babble noises as I'm typing away at the computer.

You are smart and fun kid to be around. You love books and every time I open a book you just love turning pages with me and looking at pictures. You play with books by yourself and attempt to turn pages on your own - so stinking adorable.

You are getting into e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. There is absolutely nothing out there that doesn't look or sound interesting. Shoes, for example, are the best and you look to chew on them any chance you get.

You still only have two teeth and although the top gums look like they are a little swollen, they aren't coming out yet.
Since we have the luxury of having two living rooms, I bought a gate to keep you in a controlled and safe environment when I need to cook or get stuff done. You play in it for a while but it does get old, and you love to follow me around.

Your regular bed time is 8pm and usually you wake up between 4 and 6am for your bottle. Then fall asleep again until about 8 or 9. But of course the days daddy has a day off and we want to sleep in you will decide to wake up at 7am and proceed to demand to be picked up.

You are eating pretty much everything we do (although finger foods are your absolute favorite). Whenever I'm cooking, I don't add seasoning until the very end and puree your food then season ours.
You have the most adorable and funny laugh and everything is a game. We play and laugh, and read, and goof around together - I'm loving this stage the most.

You love going shopping and sitting in the cart like a big boy, looking around and grabbing pasta boxes any chance you get. You barely fit in your carrier car seat  and it makes me sad that you are growing so fast.
Bath time is a daddy duty and your absolute favorite - you squeal when you see shower start. You two have a lot of fun together, judging by all the laughing that's going on in the bathroom

You finally learned to hold your own bottle and now it's a lot easier putting you down for a nap, although sometimes I let you fall asleep without a bottle.

You have an easy-going personality and as long as you are fed, changed and rested - all is well with the world. You are starting to show your toddler side and definitely will let everyone know when you don't like something - we are working on it.

As much as I can, I'm teaching you the meaning of 'no' and that I mean it. Most of the time you understand it but still keep coming back and doing the same thing over and over again. I'm definitely learning patience.

You love going to new places and stranger's houses don't intimidate you at all. Really, anyone can babysit you and you will have no problem with it. Especially you love being spoiled by grandmas.

You are crawling and cruising everywhere you can, and I don't think walking is too far away. You can get places a lot faster by crawling so walking isn't on your To Do list right now.

Out of all the different stages and changes you have been going through, I'm enjoying every moment. Seeing how fast time flies and you will never been this little again, I'm doing my best to take in every moment, not to complain and just enjoy the life right now. 


November 12, 2013

What Would You Do For a Blog?





shirt: Loft
cardigan: J.Crew
skirt: Express
shoes: Guess
bag: Target
As the weather gets colder, it's a lot harder to take outfit pictures outside. The photographer is all bundled up in coat and I'm freezing my tail off for about ten minutes. Then I ask myself, why am I doing this?

Well, for one, I love doing it because blogging is my creative outlet, which doesn't let me get into mommy jeans rut at home.
Secondly, as I've mentioned before, my goal is to inspire people and show girls that you can dress fashionably yet modestly. 

I hope my efforts are not in vain.

Really, I will have to find a better location for outfit pictures this winter because I'm on the verge of giving up. The cold wind and snow will do that to ya. 
You can only go so far until you can't feel your toes and shivering from the icy chill.


What would you do for you blog? How far would you take your determination? 
Do share ladies! 
Thanks for reading and have a great day!



November 11, 2013

Thoughts On Turning Twenty Five + Inspiration Monday


 Whenever you pass a big milestone in life, it makes you stop and think. You are either satisfied and happy with what you see your life becoming or completely disappointed.
Turning twenty five isn't that big of a deal but still, it's a number that shows I'm approaching thirty (it's a dirty word in vocabulary). It is a milestone and a turning point that certainly got me thinking.

Am I doing something with my life to serve God? 
What have I achieved?
Am I in the center of God's will?
What are my goals and dreams? 
Am I headed in the right direction spiritually, emotionally and socially? 
What kind of memory and legacy will I leave behind?
I mean, there is a lot to consider. 

One thing that I'm sure of is I'm blessed. I have more than I deserve and ever would've of dreamed of to have. In the petty little every day problems, I seem to loose the sight of the big picture, of God's enormous blessings in my life. 

Life is good when it's shared with the ones you love. It's even better when you invest your life into others and help make some one's life better. I do not want to live for me and mine, just doing what's necessary for my family. I want to help others beyond my front door, to love people and serve any way I can. 

If I say I have no regrets, I would be lying. There are things I wish I would have done differently, and advice I would've have listened to, but it's not what's important. Important thing is to move on, to grow, to change things that I can and to accept things that I can't.

I want my life to matter. I want it to leave an imprint on someone else's life, to show others what love of God really means. 

Do I fail? Sure... I burn out, I struggle with things, I don't have enough faith and I get discouraged. Doing the right thing isn't easy. Sometimes it feels lonely and sometimes I don't want to do it at all - I want to throw in the towel and quit. 

Life isn't all roses and pretty pictures. Life is hard and behind every face there is story, there is hurt, there is pain and there are those who help us go through it all. I want to be that person. I want to help people, to leave a lasting impression on life, to do something that matters, to leave a legacy that's worth mentioning in a eulogy. 

I want to...
learn to love people like God does.
forgive and truly let go
move passed disappointments
inspire others to do the right thing
be thankful
have mercy with people
serve God with my talents (as little or much as I have)
help people through the storms of life.
be soft spoken
being able to admit that I'm wrong and change 
raise responsible and God-fearing child(ren)

I don't want to... 
quit because it's hard.
get bitter
forget God's blessings and mercy
worry about tomorrow
be judgmental 
live carelessly
be angry
lose sight of what's important 

Life is a gift so we need to start living like you are only given today because nobody is guaranteed tomorrow.
Thank you for reading and God bless!
Join the link-up party below and spread inspirational words and encouragement!




November 7, 2013

Winter Wishlist

coat, bracelet, chambray, booties, pumps, bag, skirt, boots, wallet
When it comes to winter wardrobe, I go with warmth. (It's the old lady in me)
In all seriousness, finding practical, warm and stylish clothes is not as easy as it sounds. 
Couple things on this list are not essential and more of a want than a need

Although, I do have my eye on this coat (praying for a better sale) and a pair of black booties. 
Hope you have a great weekend and get ready for the cold months, be that organizing your closet or insulating your house. 
Let the shopping begin!


November 5, 2013

Cheap 'n Good




dress: Target
sweater: Gap
shoes: Payless
bag: Target
Why is it when you shop at different stores, you judge the price point differently? If I'm in J.Crew and they have a dress on sale for $50 I will think it's a steal but then when I'm in Target and dress for $35 seems like a highway robbery.

The quality, for one, is definitely an issue and, although I do love boutique stores and designer apparel, nothing makes you feel better then knowing you scored a great buy for a low price.  
I've said it before and I will say it again - Target is my domain. I can rarely walk out of there without a sweater or pair of jeans. No, really, it's that bad.

Honestly, unless you are loaded (and I'm not) buying designer clothes for everyday wear seems ridiculous. Of course, every girl needs wants a designer handbag and a pair of statement shoes or jewelry, but for day to day wear, it's simply not practical. Geeesh, look who's talking about practical.
To sum it up, cheap 'n good is the stuff my closet is made off (with a few exceptions) but I still want a pair of booties and a handbag.
It's definitely a girl thing. And there is no stopping it.

Hope you have a great day!

November 4, 2013

October {Budgeting Series}

plaid shirt - $14.95 (H&M)
brown boots - $33.95 (DSW)
black booties - $24.95 (Old Navy)
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TOTAL: $73.85

I can't believe we are in November already... The cold weather is upon us and I'm not a fan already. Honestly, when I sat down to calculate my total for this month, I could not think of anything else I bought except these three items. 
Well, technically I bought more (it was my birthday month after all) but ended up returning most of it. Like these Coach booties that I found in TJMaxx were gorgeous and comfy but the soles seemed too thin for winter. Also, the J.Crew crossbody had so many scratches on it, I had to return it. It seemed to have a very poor quality leather material.

I'm so happy I stayed withing my budget ($100) and to be completely honest, it's getting easier to do so. I'm forcing myself to wear everything I have, remixing and styling in different ways. Also, controlling myself at every sale sign and especially in Target helps a lot. Thinking critically about every piece and 'do it NEED it' or 'do I WANT it' approach is helping me avoid unnecessary purchases.

This month I'm all about winter staples which are going to last me for years to come. Since I have some gifts from my birthday, this month's shopping should be really fun. Will report back after Thanksgiving. 
Hope you have a great day, be inspired to stay withing your budget and link up below! 




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