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

Closing a Chapter

It's the last day of 2015.

2015 has been the worst year of my life. So many unforeseen things have happened. So many things beyond my control. But through it all, I've relied on and trusted in God, and I have faith that He has an incredible 2016 in store for me.

Last night, my youth pastor said, "In 2016, don't be afraid to dream big dreams and pray big prayers." And I realized that I had to let go of my fear. Sure, I've got some big dreams for 2016, but there's a little voice in the back of my head saying, but what if it doesn't happen? And it's kind of scary to think you might put yourself out there and have your plans fail.

Bro. Alan, basically my life mentor, has told me many many times: "Make mistakes. Don't be afraid of failure." I teach this every summer to the high school students I work with at SALT (Student Action Leadership Team). But have I really applied that to my own life?

I'm finally at a place in life where I can go after some of my biggest dreams. To get here, I had to go through some tough stuff. But I'm tougher than the tough stuff. I've come out stronger and wiser. And now there are possibilities to do great things with my life. To be a part of things that are bigger than me. And I don't want to be afraid to go after those things.

I have chosen two words to be my theme for 2016. The first is peace, because I've truly learned to experience the peace that God gives during the hard times. I want to continue to live in His peace. The second word is adventure. This one kind of came by accident. When it came time for me to find a 2016 planner, I decided to splurge on a Erin Condren calendar, but my splurging only goes so far so I got the cheapest one I could find. This is the cover:

At first I figured I'd replace it after a while, since the covers are interchangeable, but then I realized that it's the perfect phrase for this new stage in my life. It is time for adventure. It's time for new things. It's time for big dreams and big prayers. It's time to expect more. It's time to stop being afraid.

I had a favorite book series when I was in middle school, and the main character always quoted the verse "What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee" (Psalms 56:3). I find myself repeating this when I'm scared. Now, however, I have a few more verses I like to quote when I'm unsure of where life will take me.

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?
Luke 12:25-26 NLT  

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.
Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT

The Bible is clear: don't worry; trust God. He is always with me (Psalms 16:8) and with Him, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).

So this year, I dare to dream big. I dare to pray big. I will go on adventures, and I will trust God. I will allow His peace to overtake me and defeat my worries.

Ultimately, I pray that His will will be done in my life. Proverbs 19:21 says, "You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail." I want his purpose for my life. I want him to make beautiful things from the ashes. I refuse to allow my past and my downfalls to define me. Instead, I will allow God to make me into who and what He wants me to be.

Christmas Eve Traditions

Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve Eve are almost just as good as (and maybe even better than) Christmas day. 

Christmas Eve Eve is, of course, December 23 (the eve of Christmas Eve), and Eloise is the one who brought it to my attention. I love Eloise, as do my mom and Auntie. So it is only appropriate to watch Eloise at Christmastime on Christmas Eve Eve, which we did last night. It is adorable and features Julie Andrews as Nanny, so it is a favorite!

And now it is Christmas Eve. I'm currently sitting in my mom's chair, which is the ultimate. She has carefully crafted the perfect relaxation chair, and anything I could possibly need is in reach. Chapstick, Kleenex, mini fan, pens, emery board, scissors, lotion, charging station, remote, trashcan, salt. If I stretch really far I can also reach an orange. And, probably most important, she has a picture of the two of us.

I've always loved Christmas Eve because my mommy has always let me open up an early present--my Christmas pajamas. When I was little, she always got me a matching top and bottom, then as I got older and decided I didn't like the matching set, she let me pick out my own. 

In just a little while, we're heading out to hear my best friend Julianne sing in a choir for a 10:30 service (the grandma in me is cringing at the late hour), so I asked if I could open my PJs before we left. "The thing is..." my aunt started, "is that we forgot to mark which present is your pajamas." So we knew that my pajamas were in a shirt box, and that all of the presents wrapped in Minnie Mouse paper were mine. Third time's a charm, so after opening up a box of leggings and one containing a collector's edition magazine featuring The Hunger Games cast (I like to buy magazines about the current "in" thing to one day give my future daughter), I found my PJs! 

Then I gave mommy her PJs, but I'm not allowed to post any photos because her hair was in rollers. And then I gave Auntie some fuzzy socks, and Auntie let me open a present--a super cute headband! And then we let Oxford open a present, and then I put the bow on Oxford. All in all, a successful Christmas Eve, and it's not over yet!

A Weekend of Christmas

I just love the Christmas season. I love the music, the movies, the glitter, the happiness. I love warm fires and drinking hot chocolate by the Christmas tree. I love the Christmas lights in the neighborhood and that Santa comes by on the firetruck to pass out candy to the kids. It's a magical time of year.

Last weekend, I joined my sweet, hilarious, beautiful friend for a Christmas banquet at church. We had a blast getting all dressed up and eating strawberry salad, roast beef and potatoes, and bread pudding from Bistro to Go. Normally I work as a server at church banquets, so it was definitely strange being on the other side of things being served instead of serving. 

The next evening, we went to the Strand for a Christmas Gala put on by a nearby college. I had no idea what I was going to, but the tickets were only $10, and, quite frankly, I'd pay $10 just to go inside and wander around the gorgeous Strand. Turns out, the gala was amazing with beautiful singing and dancing, and I truly enjoyed myself.

dress: LuLaRoe | tights: Dillard's | watch: Kate Spade (an early Christmas gift from my sweet Mama K) | shoes: don't remember

Obviously I'm no good at this fashion blogger thing.

After the gala, Faith and I parted ways and I joined my mom and her friends for dinner at the Cheesecake bistro, where I enjoyed crawfish ravioli. Oh so yum. While we were  on the Boardwalk for dinner, it began to "snow"! (Bubbles. It began to snow bubbles. This is Louisiana, where bubbles are the closest thing we get to snow.) My Auntie snapped some pics of me playing in it. 

I'm a firm believer of being a kid at heart. Which probably explains why I've been wearing my pink sequined Santa hat all day.