Mullet Tights

dress: LuLaRoe | blazer: Belk | tights: don't know | booties: TJ Maxx | watch: Kate Spade

Wow is today gorgeous. These photos were not taken today. They were taken a few weeks ago, and my heavy coat was only a few feet away from me. Today I'm sitting on the back porch in my "But first, coffee" t-shirt enjoying the sun and the slight breezy, 77-degree weather. (Okay, I lied--the breeze is more than slight and my hair is flying all over the place.)

I swear I have more than two dresses. So far, I've only posted photos of me in this dress and my lace one, and I realized I'm wearing the same two dresses in the photos in my "to post" folder. I just really like them a lot and therefore wear them a lot. Both are incredibly versatile and appropriate for pretty much any event or occasion. This one is by LuLaRoe, and it's the only style I like by them (I think it's called the Amelia, but don't quote me on that). I have tons of friends who like the other styles, but the necklines are weird on me. Plus I just like the way this one fits me. So of course I need to get it in like five other patterns. 

I know, I know. How can I go on about this dress when there are those tights? I call them my mullet tights--business up front, party in the back. They're too fun, and totally unexpected. I so rarely wear them because it's difficult to create an outfit around them, but I was pretty pleased with how this one turned out. But then again, simple dresses are the best for funky accessories. Which gives me even more reason to order five more dresses.

Weekly Randoms

In an effort to share my photography, I give you Weekly Randoms. It may not be weekly. It will probably be random. Truth is, I'd like a better name for this feature, but at the moment I got nothing. Perhaps something will come to me at a later date. If I ever get organized around here, perhaps it can be "Photography Friday." I do love alliteration. In the meantime, the folder on my desktop with these photos is labeled "Weekly Randoms," so I suppose it will do for now.

(Ice) Cream and Black (Coffee)

dress: Dainty Jewell's | cardigan: Target | tights: gift from Julianne (probably from Target) | shoes: don't remember

PC: Rachel

I am stepping out of my comfort zone. That's right. I'm wearing black tights with a cream dress. *gasp!*

I saw the idea on Pinterest. Sometimes people put together clothing combinations and I look at them and think, now why didn't I come up with that? I mean, it's simple really. Cream dress. Black tights. It's easier than math. 

Post-inspiration, it's still fun to add my own touches, like these super cute tights from Julianne. They're so fun, yet the black and gold is fairly subtle. 

Oh, and THIS DRESS. I love it. I bought it for a bridesmaid dress and I wear it all. the. time. I heart modest dresses, and Dainty Jewell's has some cute ones. I like this one so much I'm contemplating getting it in a light pink color as well. This dress is so fantastic because, if I'm in a hurry, all I have to do is add a pair of shoes--heels, flats, wedges, boots--and I look cute with minimal effort. Perfect for those of us who prefer sleeping in to waking up early and putting actual effort into her appearance. I, for one, have an amazing relationship with my nice comfy bed, so simple is always in style.

Is Your Light Just a Filter?

I have an obsession with Instagram. Not just with Instagram in general, but with my own account. How vain, I know.

Today I posted an obligatory first-day-of-the-year photo. Then, as I always do, I went to my profile to see how it looked with all the other photos I've posted recently. And I noticed that the photos I've posted recently aren't always beautiful. Now sure, that may seem silly to you, but I like to share beautiful photos.

For a long time, I hardly ever posted photos. None of the photos I took were ever beautiful enough. I needed my life to appear beautiful. I needed the facade I put up to be pretty, and if my photos didn't fit that facade, I simply didn't post them. However, when I look at my feed, though my photos may not be gorgeous and awe-inspiring, I realized that I've been capturing beautiful moments. Oxford curled up in my lap, morning tea with my best friend, a newly released book I've been anxiously awaiting.

My facade has fallen. The world is finding out that my facade has been just that--fake. The secrets I've been hiding have been put on display for all to see. Everyone will soon know my life isn't a perfect picture.

In that, I find freedom. As my life turns upside down, I don't so much mind posting a not-perfect picture, because my life isn't perfect. There's no point in trying to hide that fact now. God has blessed me with amazing friends and family, and I'm finding the beauty in spending time with the ones I love.

But on the flip side I wonder, do I try to post more now to prove to people that, despite the fact that things aren't going so hot, I'm okay? Because I am. I'm okay. I don't think people believe me when I say that. I'm actually more than okay, but I don't tell most people that because I doubt they'll believe me. The ones close to me know it, though.

I'm tired of the pity. I don't want it. I don't want anyone to see me as broken. I'm not. Sure, things have been rough. There are changes happening in my life that I wouldn't consider to be for the better. But I trust that God has a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11).

Whatever the true reason for my increased Instagram presence, and I'm sure it's a myriad of reasons blending together, the fact is that life can be beautiful, even through the dark times. I've been teaching myself to find at least one beautiful thing every single day, and I'm amazed at the different life perspective it's given me.

So this is what I'm going to do: First, I'm going to stop analyzing my social media habits because that's silly, amiright? Second, I'm going to trust God and allow him to turn my darkness into light.

O Lord, you are my lamp. The Lord lights up my darkness. 2 Samuel 22:29