my fall fashion favorites

I love dressing for a crisp and colorful fall, it's my favorite season!  The abundant rich hues and textures of the season are meant to be celebrated!  And it's time to break out the boots, can I get an amen?

These are some looks that are inspiring me right now.  If only one or two would magically appear in my closet :)  Which look is your fav?

rest before you're tired

image via

 

“So, to prevent fatigue and worry, the first rule is: Rest often. Rest before you get tired.” - Dale Carnegie, How To Stop Worrying and Start Living

Rest BEFORE you get tired?  What?

Is it just me or is this concept foreign to you too?

This little gem hit me like a palm to the forehead.  Duh!  Of course resting before you get dog-on-feet-dragging tired makes total sense, but did my fuzzy brain pick up on it?  Nope.  Thank goodness I came across Katie and her blog Conquering Fear Spiritually.

Let me back up a bit.  Katie writes a lot about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but there are golden nuggets on her blog to help everyone improve their well-being, not just CFS sufferers.  I don't think I have CFS...I really don't know...but I can tell you that I am exhausted All.The.Time.  Like fighting-to-keep-my-eyes-open-at-work exhausted.  Like so much so that sometimes my own driving scares me.   Not good I know.  People have told me that it's just because I have 2 small(ish) children.  That I work full-time.  That I don't get good sleep (my youngest suffers from night terrors almost nightly).  That I don't get enough exercise.  That our lifestyle is just too busy.  All of these are probably true but I don't know...something still seems off.

Anywho, now that I've rambled on about my struggle right now (which was not the intent of this post), let's move on shall we?

Back to resting before you're tired.  I don't think we know how to do this anymore do you?  Our lifestyle these days is to stay busy, constantly do or accomplish something....anything.  There is a sense of guilt that comes washing down if you don't.  You're lazy, or some other such nonsense.  I myself have bought into this for some time now too but slowly....slowly...I am learning how to unwind and put my health (mind, body, and soul) first.  Carnegie's words are like getting permission to rest and take care of yourself, no guilt included.

Normally if I have any "down time", I immediately seek out something that "needs done".  I really struggle with making rest a priority.  One of the ways my family has recently started to do this is to spend about 30 minutes every night, in quiet fellowship with each other.  This meant telling my boys that there would be no TV after 7:30 (the normal pre-bedtime routine).  No ipad or iphone either.  We have the house quiet, turn down the lights, and simply do something quiet and relaxing together.  Listen to oldest read a story (to also practice his reading skills - two birds with one stone!), play a card game or board game, or build with Legos.  Making sure we get this quiet time every night benefits us all.  Not to mention bringing us closer as a family by giving each other our undivided attention.  Thirty minutes, that's all it takes.  You can start with less than that if you need to.  But taking just a short time each day to stop, breathe, and be solely in the present will change your life for the better. 

I encourage you to go to Katie's blog and check out some of her posts, I know you'll find something that will help you!

a classy football party

 A classy football party?  Can there really be such a thing?

When I think of a football party I usually think of greasy (albeit delicious) food and maybe some kitschy decorations.  Don't get me wrong kitschy definitely makes for a good football party, but I'm intrigued by the idea of throwing a slightly more grown-up version.  Hubsy loves him some football and I'd love to actually be able to have friends over to watch the game now that the boys are older and don't need to nap or be in bed really early.  Hmmm...maybe once our house situation is resolved.

So...how would one pull off a classy celebration of grunting, tackling, and throwing around the ol' pig skin?
Go vintage. Yep. Definitely vintage.
Instant class and credibility I tell ya.

I'd focus on the following themes:

~ Lettering
Choose classic sports fonts (like the ones seen here) for your invitations and any signage.

~ Stripes
Think striped jerseys/socks and referee stripes.  Maybe go for a striped tablecloth or napkins.
 
~ Stitching
That unmistakable football cross stitch.  Could be incorporated into food design or used on your printed materials as well.

~ Flags/Pennants
Have fun with these and string 'em up all over.  Nothing says party like a banner or pennant bunting.

Here's some additional inspiration to get you going on a sophisticated football party of your own.

1. flag cupcake toppers
2. concession stand chalkboard menu
3. penalty flag napkin holder
4. brew listing (love the use of the football's texture for the border)
5. pennant bunting

So what do you think?  Could I pull off a classy football party?  I think yes.  And you could too :)

Happy game watching!

Go Steelers!
(sorry I have to, I could not call myself a Pittsburgher if I did not give a shout out to the "Stillers" :)

that favorite t-shirt

I know you have it.

That favorite T-shirt that you would just live in if you could.

And sometimes do :)

This is mine.  I got it from JCLU FOREVER and I just adore it!  Not only the message (which is the reason I bought it) but it is also so soft and comfortable.  You can feel the quality, which is important when you plan on wearing something over and over....and over again :)

These are some more great shirts I'd love to have.

the message

source

the graphic

source

the patterned

source

the striped

source

the solid

source

What does your favorite tee look like?

feelings vs truth

I've often referred to myself as an "emotionally dynamic" person.  I find that description has proven to be quite accurate ;)  It's all about how something makes me feel.  That's not necessarily a bad thing and I'm learning to embrace this aspect of myself but there are also times when you need to separate yourself from the feelings and review the facts.

Despite my best efforts to do that in many areas lately, I find myself slipping back into those old behavior patterns and letting my emotions get upper hand.  Thankfully I have recognized it, and that's half the battle!  I even told Hubsy the other day that I was too emotionally invested at the moment to make a decision and that it would need to wait until I could bring myself back to "neutral".

It's so easy to let our emotions rule.  We fall victim to our own thoughts and feelings when we really need to lift our eyes and focus on what we know to be true.

Such a great list right?  What joy is found in these truths!  Feelings are good, they are a gift from God, but they should never overshadow these truths.  So if you feel like God is not around, know that these are true and He is fully invested in your life even in times you don't feel it.  He is there. Through everything.

Have a wonderful weekend!

times

Sometimes there are songs that reach into the deep recesses of your heart and whisper the encouragement of truth to you.
This is one of those songs.
For me at least....and I thought I'd share the encouragement with all of you :)

"Times"
by Tenth Avenue North

I know I need You
I need to love You
I'd love to see You but it's been so long

I long to feel You
I feel this need for You
I need to hear You
Is that so wrong

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

Now You pull me near You
When we're close I fear You
Still I'm afraid to tell you all that I've done

Are You done forgiving
Or can You look past my pretending, Lord
I'm so tired of defending what I've become
What have I become

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

I hear You say
My love is over
It's underneath
It's inside
It's in between

The times that you doubt me
When you can't feel
The times that you question
Is this for real

The times you're broken
The times that you mend
The times you hate me
And the times that you bend

Well my love is over
It's underneath
It's inside
It's in between

The times that you're healing
And when your heart breaks
The times that you feel like you've fallen from grace

The times you're hurting
The times that you heal
The times you go hungry and are tempted to steal

In times of confusion
In chaos and pain
I'm there in your sorrow under the weight of your shame

I'm there through your heart-ache
I'm there in the storm
My love I will keep you by my power alone

I don't care where you've fallen or where you have been
I'll never forsake you
My love never ends
It never ends, mmmm

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

gold fever

GOLD FEVER

It seems that silver has had my heart for most of my life.

But lately there's a new kid in town...gold.  Sorry silver I didn't mean to cheat on you but surely there is room to love you both?  I'm crushing on gold's refreshing warmth right now.  Maybe because it reminds me of the sun.  Are there any other sun worshipers out there?  I don't mean tanners, I mean those that need the sun, like air, just to function.  Surely I'm not the only one?  And Gold, right now your subtle fire is warming me up and keeping me energized...bless your little heart ; )

I'm adoring these finds from fellow handmade artists on Etsy, be sure to check them out!

1. tangle earrings
2. glitter earrings
3. hammered bangles
4. infinity bracelet
5. leaf chain necklace
6. tiered necklace
7. stacked ring
8. leaf ring

And I've been wearing my own creation below like its my job :)  Love the way this one turned out!

Magnesite Teardrop and Gold Necklace

Have you been faithful to just one metal or are you poly-metal like I am becoming?