My Favorite Trends for Fall in the Classroom!

So...the summer is over and this is a very bittersweet thing. But cheer up, back to school is fun! I always thought of back to school as a kind of New Years Day. You're a grade level higher than last year, you've got a fresh start and a chance to reinvent yourself. When I was younger I would spent so much time picking out my outfit for the first day of school (even in elementary and middle school, when I had to wear a uniform!). I love the rush of the first day, meeting new friends, getting new teachers, and (my favorite) trying new fashions!

Here is a blog post dedicated to my personal favorite trends this Fall that I will definatly be wearing around campus ;)

Selena Gomez's Look: Carefree

Selena Gomez is super cute. I love her music and I adore her sense of fashion. She's got a carefree style that isn't overwhelming or "look at me!" (Ahem, Lady Gaga)

In this particular picture I love the look of a fresh white shirt. It's got a slightly heathered detailing to it that gives it character, but this look (simple shirt, simple jeans, simple shoes, simple accessories) is perfect for school, where the focus should be on the lesson being taught and not cleavage.

Another thing I'm loving about Selena is the slouchy shirts with the skinny jeans. They compliment eachother. Also, the loose hair (I call this "Mermaid Hair" haha) gives it a relaxed feel, which again, makes this a natural yet pretty look. Her makeup is low-key, and she has one simple bracelet on.

I've been loving this trend for a couple of years now, but I'm in love with cardigans and sweaters. They're classic, and great pieces for the classroom. I feel like they pull the look together. Not to mention, as a girl trying to be modest, I feel like a cardigan compliments a tank top that would normally be a bit too racey for class. I love this navy and gray one she has on (I LOVE wearing navy lately) it kinda reminds me of Ravenclaw (Harry Potter nerd moment, excuse me) and is preppy, which is another plus in my book. My favorite thing is to wear them unbuttoned with a flowey top under and skinney jeans! Oh! And a long necklace :)

Taylor Swift: Romantic

Whenever I see Taylor Swift I feel like ALL of her looks just ooze romance. She has such a sweet, soft look that makes me want to fall in love with someone. Weird. Cool, but weird.

So yes! I love a simple dress. I love the way hers ruffles at the bottom, I like the soft color. This look reminds me of something they'd sell at American Eagle Outfitters, which is my favorite store. And the simple pendant necklace just adds to the simple sweetness of this outfit.

Two things I love working together on this Taylor Swift outfit: a white button down (with a couple buttons undone) and a floral skirt! The button down shirt looks polished, classy, and appropriate for school. Now, the skirt is flirty, feminine, graceful, and fun. Together the white button down shirt and the floral skirt make an outfit that will give teachers the right impression of you AND possibly catch the eye of a special someone...(wink)

Like I mentioned with Selena Gomez, I love the look of a cardigan. This oversized one over this dress is genious! The length of the sweater compliments the dress. The dress alone I'd wear for an outing, but in class I'd throw that cardigan on. This also plays that menswear card. You've got a very girl floral dress on, so you throw an oversized cardigan that could have belonged to your brother/boyfriend/dad and you've got this look! And I find that sleeves that are slightly too long look adorable bunched up at your wrist. If the look is too baggy for you, throw a belt around the smallest part of your waist and cinch it!

Emma Watson

What I love about Emma Watson (besides that whole Hermione thing) is her ability to pull off menswear like a BOSS. She has that short pixie haircut, she's still super feminine. She wears this masculine pieces, and she's STILL super feminine! I'm really liking a healthy dose of menswear in my outfits lately.

This particular outfit she has on in this picture is adorable. I'm dying to try this look once it gets a little warmer. I have tons of button downs, and adding an oversized sweater to my closet would be perfect to wear my button downs in a new way! And I like the way she looks in these black skinney jeans, makes me want to try them out! This look is just so playful and comfortable I can't stand it.

 Emma is rocking the oversized cardigan look I said I liked so much! Another menswear/boyfriend type look. I like the neutral colors she tends to use. Without that carigan that look would be very plain (still cute, but plain) once she threw that key piece on it pulled the look together. Not to mention it looks really comfortable. I like wearing oversized clothing because I don't have to constantly feel like people are judging/looking at my body. It's not that I'm not self confident, I am, but there is a place and setting to flaunt your shape, and I feel like the classroom is not the place for this. Now, I either choose one or the other, oversized top OR baggy jeans. I think and a look that entirely oversized just looks frumpy.

Last Emma inspired outfit! She's at the menswear thing again, and is one is just plain adorable. She's got this blush pink blazer on over a white button down (that we love) a little black ribbon acting like a tie, and the CUTEST pair of lace shorts! Lace is a big trend this fall, and lace shorts are definatly my favorite. She mixed this structured blazer with the girliest pair of shorts. Not to mention she has a hint of a berry lip color that further brings up the feminine level. And I'm diggin that purplish/grey nail polish she's rocking.



My View On Christians and Liking Harry Potter

     I’ve been a huge fan of Harry Potter since age eight. I've been reading them since the first one was on the table of Best New Releases. Before the hype and the movies and the themepark-- I'm one of those annoying die-hard fans that will shoot down any self-proclaimed fan that hasn't even read all the books, let alone read them each over and over like I do. Harry Potter is MY thing. I'm one of those people that read the 7th book in a DAY. The day it came out is the day I finished it-- all 784 pages of it, done in 14 hours! And don't get my started on the people that call themselves fans who have only seen the movies. Ha!

    

 So, now that I'm a few months shy of 20 and attending a Christian university, I've heard lots of things about Harry Potter. Harry Potter promotes witchcraft. I've read an article claiming that Harry Potter books are designed to lure in people to the darkside (whoa, calm down Starwars).

“There shall not be found among you anyone who make his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord ….” (Deuteronomy 18:10)

     Here is my main argument on this scripture relating to Harry Potter.

READING A FICTION NOVEL IS NOT PRACTICING WITCHCRAFT.

     I feel that people who believe that by simply reading a book that involves magic you are trying to DO magic...have taken things to the extreme. Parents get scared because their kids are playing "witches and wizards" in their bedrooms with their friends. 

     So...God says sin is sin. It doesn't matter how big or small the crime, sin is sin. So magic is magic. Harry Potter is just as bad as Cinderella...because if you've forgotten, Cinderella has a MAGIC fairygodmother who MAGICALLY transforms her tattered dress into a beautiful gown, MAGICALLY makes a pumpkin into a carriage, and MAGICALLY makes the mice into humans.

    

      I don't know about other girls, but I definatly recreated fairy tales in games. I played "Cinderella" just as much as I played "witches and wizards". Just as I dreamed I could go to Hogwarts, I dreamed about being a beautiful princess like Cinderella. Parents fear Harry Potter for making their kids wish they were a part of something other-worldly...well, newflash, so does basically every kids movie out there.

    How about Peter Pan? Need I remind you of all the magic and "evil" in that story/movie? The kid can fly, for goodness sake. How about the curse in Sleeping Beauty? The Little Mermaid, who sells her voice to a sea-WITCH in return for legs? Think about this. How many Christians enjoy Star Wars? Star Wars is NOT that much different than Harry Potter. Actually, in Star Wars "the force" is the higher power, not God. At least in Harry Potter God is mentioned in Christmas carols and in passing.

     Even The Chronicles of Narnia contain magic. And they're written as biblical paralles.

     Now. I do believe, as a Christian, that you should sit down with a child and explain what is real and what is fake. Explain how God feels about magic in His world. In Harry Potter magic is real- so maybe explain that in a fantasy land magic is okay since it's fake, make-believe. But not in this world, therefore magic is not real. Explain that God has all the power we need, so we need to trust in Him to be with us in our day-to-day problems. Just like we don't have fariygodmothers, we don't go to school to learn magic.

     Not once did I ever take Harry Potter to be fact. When parents start freaking out, that is when kids start to think fantasy stories are more than just that--stories. Out of all the articles I've read, not one of the reviewers has actually READ Harry Potter. They've just heard from others. I've read ridiculous articles where people claim Harry Potter is teaching and instructing kids how to use magic. Those people don't have a clue. They haven't picked up a book. Now, some of them have seen movies...but let me make a point. Stories from the Bible that are recreated into movies...do they really capture the heart and soul and messages you'd get from reading it straight from the Bible? No. I know the Bible is very different from any other book (of course!) but it's a general rule: typically the book is waaaay better than the movie, no matter what book or movie it is. Reading The Notebook is much more impactful than watching the movie alone.

     Surprisingly enough...I actually find a lot of parallelism between Harry Potter and the Bible. I feel like Harry is a Jesus figure. Volemort is Satan. Voldemort, or Tom Riddle as he was called in his youth, use to be a prized student at Hogwarts, very smart and the pride of many teachers. Unpredicted by most teachers (except Dumbledore) and then, bam, he fell from that good pedistal and became the world's most evil wizard. Similar to how Satan fell as God's angel. Harry Potter [SPOILER] sacrifies himself, knowing he must die to save everyone. And then, an amazing thing happens, and he comes back to life. Similar to how Jesus sacrifices himself and resurrects. Throughout the books, Harry always values the human life above all. He is always going for the greater good, putting himself in danger before his friends. He's modest and hard working. In the third book Harry had a chance to murder the Wormtail, the man who lead Voldermort to kill his parents. But he chooses not to...and at the end of the story [spoiler again...] Wormtail spares Harry and is killed by Voldemort (his master) for doing so.

    

     The thing I take to heart the most from Harry Potter is the emphasis on love. The reason Harry didn't die when Voldemort tried to kill him as a child is because his mother died to protect him, putting a charm over Harry, the most powerful kind, which is one from love. Love is what saves Harry and drives the story. Harry doesn't discriminate--a friend is a friend, whether it's an outcast like Luna Lovegood or Neville Longbottom, or if it's a house elf like Dobby. And in the end, the love from all the characters in Harry's life save him. From reading Harry Potter I've adapted many of it's lessons into my life, and I wouldn't be the same without them.

Ten Steps to a Fresh Face

I recently read an article online about how underrated a natural look is, and it’s so true! I love the look and feel of a fresh face, with minimal make up on. Sure, it’s fun to play around with colorful makeup, but I find that keeping it real with minimal make up really brings out our honest God-given beauty.

I’m personally an avocet of makeup that leans more towards skin care and less of colors and gloss. There is a time and place for certain levels of makeup, not to mention wearing makeup at all is a very personal choice. I have many Christian friends that choose not to wear makeup, mostly because they don't want to draw attention to themselves for biblical reasons. I definatly respect that point of view, and my friends respect my point of view on the subject as well. That's important, not judging someone based on their personal choices, within reason, of course.

It varies from face to face, but personally my skin needs attention. Some women are born with natural flawless skin, but my oily/uneven face is not included in that bunch. And that’s okay! I thank God every day to even have skin on my face. Enough said.

Here are the steps (in order) I personally take to making my face look fresh and awake, yet natural.

                                              1. Moisterizer

Moisterizer is the most important one, I find. Moisterizer does, well, moisterize your skin! Over time moisterizer will help bring your skin to a more even texture. If you have dry skin, moisterizer is key. The summer AND winter months take a toll on your skin, drying it out. Moisterizer isn't really makeup, but more skin care, therefore you should apply moisterizer everyday, regardless of whether you wear makeup that day or not. There are lot of inexpensive options for moisterizer, and even some amazing ones that contain SPF in them. I personally use this Lancome one I've pictured here. I like it, but I think the next time I buy a moisterizer I'll go with one that is less expensive and contains SPF.

2. Primer

This step isn't really necessary, but I do use a primer. Primers basically help make your makeup last longer throughout the day. Primer gives your makeup something to stick to, making your makeup easier to apply, since it just glides on. I'm not one that likes to carry a makeup bag around with me, so anything that will make my makeup last longer is my best friend. Primers can also contain an SPF as well, like this Smashbox one. Smashbox is a pretty expensive brand, I've only bought a travel sized tube of this primer to try it out, and while it works great I'd like to spend less money, so I think next time I'll go for another brand.

3. Concealer

Concealer becomes more useful the older you get. Concealer is applied to under eye circles, and any other area you want to brighten up. Around your nose if you have redness, on your forehead, around your mouth, areas like this where the your skin could be uneven. Again, I use this Smashbox concealer, and while it is amazing quality, I don't have that many issues that requier concealer just yet, so next time I'm going to buy a more affordable brand.







4. Base

While moisterizer is the most important step, base (I find) is my lifesaver. Base is what evens out your skintone. It's tinted to match the color of your face, so it's important to find the right color for you. I personally love my Clinique base, they have so many colors, so I was able to get help from the lady at the counter who found my exactly color. Base is tricky since your skin changes color, so I'll probably need a new color in the winter months once my tan from summer has faded away. But yes, base is the best. There is liquid and powder forms, so it's definatly a makeup step to try different things with.

5. Powder

Power locks the makeup in. It gives a more matte finish to your face. If you take any makeup with you on the go, it would have to be your powder. Your face will most likely get shiney throughout the day, and perhaps you'll sweat off some of the makeup you applied earlier, so sweeping powder across your face is a quick fix. Like base, powder is colored to match your skin color. I use this Smashbox one, and unlike the other Smashbox products I use, I really don't see myself changing to another powder. For the money it's worth, it brings a lot of product and don't expire for, like, 6 years. I don't apply much makeup throughout the day, so this will last me forever. Plus, this particular tin is amazing since you twist the face of it (that silver area pictured) and it shaves off a little bit of the compacted powder. Such an awesome idea. The tiny travel brush it comes with...is terrible. All the little hairs just fall right out!

 6. Eyeshadow Primer

Okay! If you are going to use an eyeshadow, THIS IS AMAZING! It's a primer for eyeshadow. I have this issue where my lids are

 more deep-set in my face, so my eyelid folds in, and whenever I wear shadow it's a mess after a few hours, the shadow

melts, creases, whatever. Once I started using this eyeshadow primer I didn't have that problem anymore. My shadow lasted the whole day. Amazing!

                                        7. Natural Eyeshadow

I'm a big fan of natural eye colors. Of course, you don't have to wear eyecolor, but if you DO, shades of pale pink, cream, brown, gold, tan, honey, are all awesome amazing colors that are subtle at the same time, depending on how much of them you apply. I ADORE the Two Faced Natural Eye Pallet, pictured here on the left. My favorite shade is that middle one on the left, the shimmery pink. Usually I'll just put that pink on, add mascara, and be done with my eyes. Or I'll take that light cream color and dab it on the inner corners of my eyes to make me look more awake. This pallet also comes with handy little cards that give you ideas for how to wear the amazing colors it comes with. Definatly a keeper. Oh! Especially on brown eyes. 

8. Eyeliner

This one is give or take, since depending on how you apply it, eyeliner could look natural or make you look more glammed up. So, remember, in the case of a fresh face, less is more. If you wear shadows, a thin line of eyeliner in either brown or black is enough to look polished. If you want a cat eye kind of thing on your upper lid, maybe skip out on shadow and simply wear eyeliner! Sometimes I wear shadow and only apply eyeliner on my waterline (bottom half of my eye). There are different types of eyeliner (pencil, liquid, and gel) and the weird thing is I like to use gel eyeliner on my lid, but pencil on the bottom! It just holds up better that way! Ha.

9. Mascara

The finishing touch to eyes. Even if you don't wear eyeshadow that day, running a quick layer of mascara over your lashes really brightens up your eyes. Mascara is something you really never need to spend a lot of money on, drugstore mascaras are just as good as the high-end ones. I use this Maybelline one, and it works just fine.

10. Blush

Perfect finishing touch! Dap a fresh shade of rosey pink to give your cheeks a bit of color. Or if you're looking for more of a sunkissed look for summer, try a bronzer instead. I love these whipped cream-esque blushes from Maybelline! They have a bronzer type too, which is fun since it has little glitters in it! :)

Extra Credit: Lipgloss/Lipbalm

Add either a pale gloss or tinted lipbalm to help make your lips look less pale against all the natural makeup. I LOVE this Dr. Pepper flavored chapstick by Lipsmackers. It is subtle (since Lipsmackers is marketed toward young girls!) yet this flavor adds an amazing cherry tint! And I hate Dr. Pepper soda. But I love this chapstick/lipbalm. The watermelon flavor from Lipsmackers is awesome too :)

There are so many tutorial-style videos on YouTube from amazing makeup gurus that make learning about makeup simple. I love Michelle Phan-- look up her videos! She does several natural looks, along with many fun, more jazzed-up looks. So put your best fresh-face forward :)

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!!

It's SO easy to become a zombie.

Figuratively, of course.
That everyday cycle that make up our day-to-day lives can get tedious. It isn't hard to go on autopilot and mindlessly walk from class to class.

So, that means it's time for me to make another one of my epic lists.

AWESOME WAYS TO RELAX

1.) Scents

Now! This may not be for some people! I know my friend Emily doesn't find perfumes and scents to be reason to frolic, like I do. But certain smells really mellow me out. And it's proven, certain scents make you feel different ways, and you associate smells with memories. To me, lemon smells clean...probably because a lot of cleaning products are lemon scented. Studies show that lemon refreshes and energizes, eases tention, and hightens mental clarity. Lavender is calming. Jasmine alleviates stress and wards off depression. And how many of us have heard that sucking on a mint before a test can help boost your performance.

We also associate smells with memories. I can't tell you how many times I've been depressed to finish off a bottle of perfume and toss it without feeling like I'm trashing part of my memory. Pure Seduction from Victoria's Secret (yeah, I know, classy name) is what I wore all through my junior year of high school. And everytime I smell that bottle I have a faint feeling that brings me back to those days. So pick a new scent, and control what memory it brings to mind.

For example, I LOVE Dancing Waters, from Bath and Body Works. I used the soap in the shower, the lotion at night, and I spray the body splash whenever. Since I use the soap and lotion during times I'm winding down...naturally I associate the smell with relaxing. So when I spray myself with it before running to a class, it helps ease my mind.

Plus, having an awesome scented soap kinda make taking a shower more of a relaxing thing than a "jump in the shower".

2.) Keeping a clean living space

I'm a big neat freak person. When you're frazzled, a disasterous room doesn't help. The worst is coming home to an unmade bed.

To the people that say "whats the point to making your bed? You're just going to mess it up again when you go to sleep"

Do you SHOWER? You know, since you're only going to get dirty and have to shower again tomorrow??

SO. Try it out. Spend a slow sunday totally cleaning your room. Hit all the spots, even the closet. Organzie your desk and your school folders. Use furtinure cleaner. Dust. You'd be surprised at how homey your room can be once your put forth the effort to maintain it. Just having space to lay on the carpet is my favorite. I always found my room to be something I'd want to invest it. I simply CANNOT live in a room with white walls (college is kinda killing me) and I take pride when my friends come over and compliment me on my fun teal walls. Making a day out of painting your room could be a good way to blow off a slow weekend. You don't even have to paint all your walls, just one accent wall could totally change the mood of the room. Cool blues and lilacs can be soothing, while hot pinks and melon colors make it fun and girly. Heck, even paint the closet some crazy accent color! You'd take pride in knowing you put the work in, and will be more likely to relax in your room since it's a place you associate with doing things for yourself.

3.) Music

My favorite! Without a doubt. I'm biased, of course, since I'm a musician. Above is a picture of Mairead Nesbitt, violinist for the Celtic Women. If you've never heard their music...

YOUTUBE! NOW!

It's the PERFECT music to chill to while doing homework. They're singers that sing like angels. And in their live performances, they always wear amazing gowns, and Mairead Nesbitt is this tiny pixie like thing that dances and fiddles away. They're amazing. Enya is another artist that just makes awesome background-worthy music. No offense, Enya. And, of course, Bach is awesome to do homework to, since his compositions usually arn't wild enough to draw my musician-attention away from what I'm doing. Franz Shubert is probably too busy for me to focus (again, a musician thing, I start to notice key changes and jumps from major to minor...instead of my math assignment.)

While working out or cleaning...eh, I'd listen to something else a bit more on the pop side (or 80's, actually). But finding the music to fit your mood is part of what helps you take a load off.


4.) Go Outside

Get outside. Sign out of Facebook,  stop texting your grandma, put down that Twinkie, and put your shoes on. I read somewhere recently (probably on Yahoo! News) that college students that take at least 20 minutes a day to spend outside end up doing better academically. Take it from me, this semester I've been making time to go jogging with one of my girlfriends from school. Granted, jogging isn't exactly "relaxing" when you're out doing it, but you get this euphoric feeling once you're done. And I've always hated to run. Making time for myself to work out not only gets me away from the text books and sheet music, but helps me slim down, adding to my self confidence, which IS relaxing!
And you don't have to run. Walk with a friend (aim to always be with someone, not alone) ride your bike, or sit outside and chat with your mother, or sister...great-uncle. Whatever.
I tried doing my homework outside one...and all my papers flew away...so wouldn't say bring it with you, ha. But taking the dog out for a walk, much better!


5.) Spend Time with God

The best for last.

Everything mentioned above is NOTHING compared to the state of mind that being close to God can bring. You could be getting a massage on the beaches of Hawaii, listening to someone playing the harp, and you could never be as relaxed as when you lay it all down for Him. Got a problem? Stressed? Worried? These things are flecks of dust in comparison to how being close to God can make you feel. Take a moment stop and appeciate. You think it's cool when your friend designs websites? Have you looked at your own body lately? How amazing is that? Could any of your friends learn how to make a human? No. Can they design a planet? A whole new set of elements? No, no, and no. God created this whole UNIVERSE. Everything. And he made you. Jesus come to die for our sins. Jesus is our gift from God, a gift that no one could ever EVER outgive. So if you're stressed about fighting with your boyfriend, or rear-ending a car, or losing a job...pray. Pray...in thanks. In thanks for today. In thanks that you're alive. In thanks that you have made it this far in life. In thanks that you have a pair of feet and a set of arms. In thanks that, through Jesus Christ, you have a way to get into Heaven. And if you have no feet and no arms...thank him for everything else you have.

Establish this whole new mentality. Nothing can do great damage to you because you're a girl of God. Get involved with the Bible. Smile more often. Talk with God. He has his ways of talking back.

And, trust me, when he talks back...whoa. It's amazing.

I Wanted More

Matthew 16:26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

I'm listening to Taylor Swift and I'm in one of those inspirational moods...

Lucky you! Heehee.

Tell me if you can relate to me when I say this: I've wanted more that I do not need. Remember a few blogs back when I wrote about materialistic desire? It's a part of everybody. I've seen girls at school walking around with a sleek new Coach purse, or a pair of amazing designer sunglasses, maybe a Tiffany's ring, a brand new sports car...yup. It's easy to long for beautiful things that you don't have.

Have you ever seen that MTV show, Super Sweet 16? Where the birthday girl has a mega-expensive party, and always gets this brand-spankin'-new car with a big red bow on it? And the girl acts all surprised, and her classmates are all "I WISH I WERE HER!"

Give me a break.

There was a point, pretty recently in my life, where I'd find myself wishing I had things other girls had. For example, lets say, back when I was in high school I wanted a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses.

Those are the exact pair. Last year they were reaaaally cool, and I had a friend in Virginia that had this pair. I really liked the way they looked, plus, since they're designer they kind attact a little extra attention. I never had a pair of expensive sunglasses before, I would look at them online and think about how killer I would look at the beach with those on.

For my 18th birthday my mom got them for me! They were pricey, so it was my main big gift (she got me earrings and a ring besides the glasses) and it wasn't until after I had them that I realized that they really did make me look kinda cool...but they didn't make people like me. Sure, maybe when I wore them to marching band practice people noticed them, but they didn't make me any friends.

So when I see a girl my age driving a sweet car...I know that it's the car I like, not her. Now, if I met Sweet Car Girl and she was awesome, then perfect! I like her. Not just her car.

Main point: The only thing you can take to Heaven is yourself.

You can't take your dimond earrings to Heaven with you. It's important to be known for YOU, never "the girl with the car" or "the girl with the Channel heels" or "the girl with the amazing clothes". Think! How much better would it be to be known as "the girl with the contagious laugh" or "the girl who is always smiling" or "the girl who is really genuine"

Yeah, there are going to be people out there that won't notice your awesome qualities.

Do you REALLY want to be friends with those people?!

In high school, I was big into the marching band, and I had tons of "friends" that would only say rude "jokes" to me, or make fun of me, whatever. I grew to have little tolerance for that garbage. Make friends with people who notice your Godly qualities.

People that notice those qualities won't care what car you drive, if you even have a car, or if your bedroom furniture is miss-matched, or if you bought your backpack and hoodie from Wal-mart.

WHO CARES?!

If you can't afford clothes from stuck-up mall retailers, who cares? Make your $15 pair of jeans from the clearence section of Target AMAZING by wearing your confidence on your sleeve. Don't resent your parent or guardian just because they can't give you a Prada handbag for Christmas. If you're going to resent them, have a real reason.

This past semester I did some volunteering at a couple of churches handing out free food to people in need. Wow, what an experience. Never in my life have I felt so thankful for what my parents have provided for me. Just think of what it would be like to not have a bed to sleep in, or shoes that fit. I remember taking a quick break from handing out food with my roommate to walk to my car and put our hoodies away since we weren't cold...and I looked at the line of people that had their belongings in shopping carts. The lucky ones had run down cars that were probably twice as old as I am. There I was, clicking the buttom to unlock my car, which is a mere 6 years old. And I would admire newer cars? It wasn't until then that I gave myself a mental slap in the face and felt on the verge of tears, thinking of how grateful I am to my parents, who provided me with so many things I didn't even have to work for.

You get caught up in the rush. You think you deserve everything you have. Remember that we're nothing without Jesus Christ...so what makes us think we deserve millions if we don't honestly work for it? The Bible says lots of things about riches. I've read stuff against it, and stuff about how God has blessed someone to have wealth. It's not a bad thing to be blessed. Just remember you're everything you are under God's grace and mercy.

Okay! Movie suggestion time! If you haven't seen The Blind Side yet, you have to see it! This movie goes perfectly with the theme of this post. Plus, Sandra Bullock is beast. In a feminine way, that is. If that's possible.

So! What I want to convay is not that luxurious material things are evil, no.

The way I think about it is...all my "expensive material belongings" need to play a part in me pursuing a genuine lifestyle. My car takes me to work, school, church, out to spend time with my equal-minded friends. My pearls from my dad and aquamarines from my mom are things I can wear that remind me of my graduation (since they were my gift). My Ray Ban sunglasses remind me how much my mother is willing to spend to make me happy on my birthday (when really, just spending time with her made my happy enough). My clothes...well, I work for those, and spend my own money on them. But never would I ever trade any of those things for the meanings behind them.

It doesn't hurt to find a way you can help out people that don't have the means to live a good quality of life. You don't have to change the world...just aim toward one person at a time if you need to, you'd still make a difference. If you know a girl at school that lives in povery...share with her. The most valuable things you can give someone is your time and effort. Show her you care by inviting her to sleepover, or go to the beach, or come over and paint nails together. I promise, it would be hard for someone to forget you once you've shown them such kindness.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Modest is Hottest in Spring



Spring is AWESOME.

I've never really appeciated Spring like I do now that I live in South Carolina, where it actually gets cold in the winter. I'm so ready for it to be warmer, ugh! I got so excited to see the new clothes American Eagle rolled out with the last time I went to work. I've noticed a few pretty cool trends with spring attire that I personally love.

Relaxed Clothes

I love the look of more relaxed clothes for these reasons

1.) It's casual and attractive

2.) Hides a belly we may have neglected during winter..(ahem..)

3.) If they shrink in the dryer...who cares, it was big in the first place!

4.) A flowey top looks great with skinny jeans

5.) "Boyfriend" style jeans compliment a fitted top

6.) It's modest!

Bright Nail Polish

My latest obsession...fun nail polish colors. I've alway been the pale pink nail polish kinda girl...but, alas, since this one faithful day that I realized that there will come a time when I'll be too "adult" to paint my nails certain colors (teal!?) I freaked out and decided to rebel. I colllected so many colors over my winter break. It's just more fun to play my flute, or fold clothes at work, or type on my laptop when I have some fun purple color painted on my nails!

Scarf

They confused me a little...only because I've never been really big on them. I have plans for wearing a scarf, though! I think this year I want to aim at buying more plain t-shirts that I can spice up with a scarf. I also think that they go well with a tanktop if you're not wanting to expose too much of your chest, but still want to have bare shoulders. American Eagle has gotten so many cute ones this Spring, I have to contain myself..!

Statement Earrings

  I have this thing for earrings. They're my favorite piece of jewelry. I love dramatic earrings because I'm not big on wearing a lot of different jewelry at the same time. Most of my jewelry is dramatic on it's own (besides my pearl necklaces and set of aquamarines, those go with eachother) and I don't like wearing both dramatic earrings AND a eye-catching necklace...so for me, it's one or the other! Wearing a plain white t-shirt with a pair of fun earrings is the best! It's a simple yet special at the same time. It's difficult to find a way to not look overdressed, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy to know what looks right and what is too much. And if you don't have your ears peirced...no biggie! Buy clip-on backs (I know they have them at Michael's and Hobby Lobby, or at any jewelry making place) and convert them with a small pair of pliers! Easy.

This pair of red jeweled earrings are GORGEOUS. They're the perfect mix of simple and elegant. You could pair them with a flowey black v-neck...or a little black dress for a date ;)

Cute and delicate, yet have a flair of their own. You could really show off a pair like these with your hair up in a ponytail.

How sweet are these?!

 

Perfect for spring! Earrings with jewels in them really turn heads outdoors, where the sunlight can catch them :) These would really brighten up your gorgeous face, heehee.

Had to throw in a pair of earrings I actually made myself, haha! Earrings that dangle and catch the light in the room are, in my opinion, the most fun.

I warn you, though...avoid HEAVY earrings. Sure, a lot of bigger earrings are also the heaviest, but the look of a weighed-down earlobe is awkward.

Hope this was fun to read! God bless!