Summer is slipping through my fingers! This was our last date in St. Louis. We got to go out for dessert with my mom and dad. Since we only see them a few times a year, it was such a treat. I ordered a dessert that was apparently was sized to feed the masses. (I love Cheesecake Factory.) It was so nice to talk with the older and wiser, married for 31 years couple whom we look up to so much.
We have a local antique market that opens only one weekend a month. We love to treasure hunt. Gabe looks for a good pocket knife or an old history book, and I usually hunt for a good furniture piece to fix up. Its awesome to share mutual interests with your spouse, but even when we don’t, its good to get into the practice of seeking and encouraging their interests to grow in friendship. Gabe has done a chivalrous job of doing so in our marriage and I am forever grateful to him for it:)
And some fun links for your weekend!:
I am kind of stoked for the olympics. I go crazy for them. That is why I geeked over this infographic.
There are a few denim vests on the market right now that had me convinced I needed this staple in my summer line up (like such). Here is a way you can add one to yours without shelling out the big $!
Check your local thrift store for a denim jacket. That is where I found mine!
Supplies:
Denim Jacket
Needle
Thread
Scissors
Instructions:
1. Cut off the sleeves as close to the hem line as possible. (Use sharp fabric scissors)
2. Cut the other end of the sleeve and cuff off at the length you want your pockets.
3. Flip them inside out and sew about 1/4 inch in along the end opposite of the cuff.
4. Flip back outside in and line where you would like the pocket to go. Stitch from the inside of the vest all along the four sides of the pocket. Be careful not to sew through the top part of the pocket. This part may seem daunting, but it was actually pretty easy!
As I showed you in in the first accessory organization post, I store my big chunky necklaces in a dish, and scarves on a DIY hanger. The finer ones I hang on a Jewelry Tree Stand (you can find these at Bed Bath and Beyond for $10) to keep them from tangling. I love having other baubles in dishes, which makes for a fun display.
(More images after the jump!)
I am such a sucker for organization posts and tips so if you have any posts on this topic, let me know! Would love to see them:)
You can see additional photos to this Jewelry Storage post in my flickr stream.
This past week was crazy to say the least. So much happened….all unrelated, but each impacted me strongly. So instead of my normal outfit post, I decided it was time for some Real Chat. This is just me, keeping my promise of keeping it real 🙂
My children got back to back virusesthis past week and a half. If you are a mother, you know that when that happens, you get weary physically and emotionally …very quickly. I don’t know how I would have made it through without Gabe being home so we were able to tag team it. (Hats of to you single mothers!) My little one still is recovering from one as we speak. As I watched her struggle to breathe last night, the tears flowed. It was a realization that my heart is completely intertwined with my children’s. When they suffer… I suffer. Despite how difficult the long nights have been, I came out of it with gratitude believe it or not. Gratitude that they are in my life. That I can even know a love so deep that I would die for them. I would take their sickness in a heartbeat so they wouldn’t have to suffer. It reminded me that its just a taste of God’s love for me. I now understand more clearly how He must hurt when we hurt….
which brings me to the next impacting moment of the week – the Aurora shooting. I heard about it on the radio driving back from Alabama. I know these kinds of tragedies have happened before but for some reason this one keeps weighing on my mind. Something so common…going to see a movie, and suddenly your life is over. What if I had been in that theatre on a normal date with my husband? How would have I reacted? Thinking these questions through, I really have come to be more convicted that our NOW is more important than our past or future. Our actions today and now is all we have. We have only today, so love more, love greater, even in the small things. It brought that quote to mind: “What we do in this life, echoes in eternity.” Sometimes, its tragedies like these that allow me re-focus my life. Answering all the unread emails may not be as important as being present to my husband after a long day at work…. Or getting that amazing dress I have been dreaming about is no longer as important, if I can use that money to donate to the crisis pregnancy center. So many ways to make the most of the here and now. My heart breaks for the victims and their families. How has this event affected you?
Last impacting moment – I traveled to Alabama with my good friend Rose, the founder of Radiant Magazine. We got to make a tv appearance as Publisher and Designer team, and share the purpose of Radiant, and why we are so passionate about it. Doing the show was a surreal experience. It was a moment that Rose and I were getting to share something near and dear to us. I realized I was given the gift to do something I love for God’s glory. I couldn’t ask for more. Now more than ever, young girls have a dying need to feel loved, know their purpose, and know that they are important in this life. After the show, we have had an overwhelming response to the magazine, and the subscriptions have skyrocketed! You can watch the tv show here if you like (Be forewarned -there is Catholic content;)) and actually see how I talk in real life…in my serious mode.
(live on set)
All these unrelated events have left deep and lasting impressions on me. Sometimes the extraordinary and ordinary can be equally life changing. It just challenges me to keep my head looking up, so I don’t miss the moments that could be opportunites to make something more out of my life.
Applaud if you made it to the end of this post!Have you had any moments like this recently? Please share!
As you know, I am a huge fan of the messy bun, and after this collection, I am on to the top knot art form;) Its the easiest way to do and be done, add some class or sass, and be creative. Hope you all enjoy the round up!
