sunday style + trials in life

I didn't intend for my last few posts to revolve around fashion, but it happened.
I didn't intend to only take a close-up photo of Paco's tie, but that's how it happened.

I didn't expect to be so tired last night, but it happened.
I didn't expect that I would sleep three hour intervals at a time, but that happened, and I am grateful.

What?! Only three hours at a time?
yes. oh yes. those three hours of sleep time were lovely. I only woke up twice last night, which is a rarity. I was able to fall back asleep pretty quickly too, and that was without taking ativan or valerian root either--not to make myself sound like a druggie either lol ( i say this lightly).

Yesterday in church, one theme talked about was trials. This topic really got me thinking. About trials, I've gone through plenty of them in my life so far. You too? Ok great, we can get through life together :) It's certain that there will be many more trials to come my way, however, I can be assured that I will never be alone through them, for God is with us, Emmanuel.

One aspect of trials is that it gives us an opportunity, almost a test, to be obedient to God and by doing so, we will see that he does not forsake us as we go up against our enemies or storms of life. His promises remain true.

D&C 98:14, "Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy."

Another aspect of trials is that they truly develop our character and we have the power to choose to see the lesson in that certain trial. We are made stronger (i know it sounds so cliche). We are made stronger not by our own efforts, but through Christ, whose joy is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). It might sound wacky to have joy amidst trials, but really, there is a joy, an everlasting joy that comes from knowing that in Christ, we can overcome anything as He overcame the world and death!

I was reminded this week that the commandments God has given us are for our own benefit. Just like our earthly parents, He wants what is best for us and teaches us through His word the way we should go and things we should do so that we are protected, loved and happy.

My challenge for myself is to choose joy and *try to keep my attitude in perspective as I face trials, being confident in my father in heaven that he knows me better than I know myself.

dress// downeast basics
earrings// oldnavy
clutch// goodwill, originally from Nordstroms
lipgloss// almay's color + care liquid lip balm in apricot pucker

passion for fashion:holy jeans

this post was technically supposed to be up yesterday, but brittany got busy and distracted and ended up doing other things..so yeh. We are here for another round of passion for fashion! I haven't participated in a long while...so...

I am excited to be linking up with the ever whimsical, cool Lena and her new co-host Rachel who from what i can tell is eclectic and cool too!

Yesterday's outfit was all about being bright [striped top], cute [sparkly earrings] and cool [the holy jeans]

This orange and white top has been in my closet for years. I can't get rid of it because I just love the ruffly edges on the shoulders.

 

shirt//F21

jeans//American Eagle Outfitters, but holes handmade

earrings//Icing 

 happy weekend!

Goodwill Brittany

look ma! haha. James and I went goodwilling. I haven't been to a Goodwill in about seven years! that's so crazy! I know some people cringe at the idea of wearing or using something that was used before, but man, just throw that stuff in the washer/sink and let those germs be killed!

There really are some quality treasures waiting to be found among the racks!

Honestly, I'll tell you that I am planning to wipe down and clean my two purses that I got.

I get really excited when I might find something that is well preserved and if it's is name brand and cheap, then that's a bonus!

Here are the following items I found today that were a pretty good deal to me. None of my purchases were orange colored tagged, which meant they were only $1 for today, but still pretty good. Now if you go on every other saturday when it's 50% off, well, that promotion can't be beat!

I spent a total of $14.36 for four items. Because a couple of the apparel items had something wrong with them (one I did not end up purchasing), like the cardigan missing a button, the cashier said he could offer me 20% off if I was spending at least $10, which I was.

The following alligator-esque, greige cross-body purse (no label on it) was $2.39!

This coral-ly, white polka dot cardigan from Old Navy was $5.99 before the discount/$4.79 after discount. Now, I thought that was super, because usually cardi's are between $15-20 each at least from certain well-known stores!
I am so ready for Fall time!

I didn't snap a photo of the super adorable yellow top I got, but plan to wear it soon and will defintely take a style photo.

Last but not least was the best deal of the day in my opinion.
This super chic tan envelope clutch from Nordstroms was only  $2.99 before discount!!! After discount, $2.39!!! that's insane!

I am so glad James spotted the above clutch. Cross-body purses and clutches are my favorite types of women's handbags!

What style of purse do you like? Have you ever been shopping at Goodwill? What was the best purchase you scored there? What kinds of items do you look for at Goodwill or other thrift stores?

sunday style on a tuesday

yeh yeh, I am like two days late in writing about my weekend. Church was most excellent again. I love that wonderful insights were spoken of that direct us closer to God. One verse from Isaiah that I read recently reminded me, thankfully, that I must be patient as I wait upon the Lord. This could surely apply to many situations or "places" in life:

"Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you, and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on your. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are those who wait for Him."---Isaiah 30:18

I certainly know how waiting can be difficult. Waiting on Him for confirmation or guidance is one of the best things we can do. Waiting for Christ's great light to rest upon us, especially in times of distress, what better peace could we get?

2 Nephi 19:2, "the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."

So let's talk about Sunday Style as in what we wore to church, because that's how paco & I roll.

hey, I rhymed lol.

 dressed stellar-ly

Can you guess who Paco was trying to be?...uh that would be me. the girl with the star tattoo.

I also should mention the yummy frozen yogurt that James picked up over the weekend, which took me three days to eat. I haven't had fro-yo in probably four years! The flavor/s I wanted were not available, so i went with oh-so-original vanilla with some dark chocolate chips sprinkled with andes mint chips. yum!

shirt: Forever21

skirt:walmart

earrings:F21

sunnies:charlotte russe

clutch: yard sale!

How was your weekend? Or how's your week going so far? Did you enter this giveaway for eighty buckaroos?

abc do rae me + {giveaway!}

No real post planned for today, but then i saw this on Allie's blog and well, i just wanna jump right in and let ya all know some abc's about meh! *if you read all the way through, there shall be a wondrous giveaway you can enter for eighty dollas through paypal! whaatt?! Yep. We'll help your dreams come true.

A: Attached or Single? Single

B: Best Friend? pssh..i have a handful and they are all Awesome with a capital A.

C: Cake or pie? um, if i had to choose, would be pie, like pumpkin pie.

D: Day of choice? any day that is a positive day, especially if it involves, friends, family or shopping.

E: Essential item? hand sanitizer, lip balm, tissues, pen and paper.

F: Favorite color? yellow, green, black, peach, mint, white & cream.

G: Gummy bears or worms? neither. I dont do chewy candy anymore. if i did, it would be starbursts and tootsie rolls.

H: Hometown? somewhere in AZ.

I: Favorite indulgence? ehhh...getting a manicure or massage

J: January or July? January because it's not 111 and it's my birthday month along with 2 of my siblings, my mom, aunt, cousins, the list goes on.

K: Kids? I love kids despite them sometimes driving me crazy. I hope to be a mom someday. they'll def give me more opportunities to practice being patient!

L: Life isn’t complete without? laughter. cheese. books.

M: Marriage date? um, something that my husband and I would enjoy doing...a walk on a nature trail, picnic, bowling, going out to dinner?

N: Number of brothers/sisters? one sister and 2 brothers! I love them so much.

O: Oranges or Apples? oranges..ok it just depends

P: Phobias/Fears? burning to death. scary movies(they scar my soul) lol. tarantulas the size of my hand jumping on me.

Q: Quotes? Oh so many i love. I collect quotes so i'll pick a couple:

"God loves you. You were created by the hand of God on purpose, and He has a wonderful plan for your life."----joyce meyer

"I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)I am never without it (anywhereI go you go,my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)I fear no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet)I want no world (for beautiful you are my world,my true)and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart.

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)"

-E.E. Cummings

R: Reasons to smile? getting a letter in the mail. brushing my teeth. hummingbirds. feeling the sun on my skin on a cool, brisk day. spending time with family and friends.

S: Season of choice? fall! I love autumn time to be outside, crisp air, leaves changing color, all things pumpkin, farmers markets and artsy festivals.

T: Tag 5 People. whoever wants to do this.

U: Unknown fact about me? i have the same birth mark as my dad.

V: Vegetable? asparagus, green beans, broccoli & salad

W: Worst habit? being addicted to caffeine!

X: Xray or Ultrasound? um, i rather do an ultrasound

Y: Your favorite food? tacos, potatoes, omelets, chicken, salads

Z: Zodiac sign? Capricorn. I am supposedly a billy goat. makes sense, I like to be on the ground(drive-road trips) plus I think i am pretty grounded most of the time. practical, conservative

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happy august!

Happy august to you wonderful people! I feel like I am finally getting my act together a bit in terms of blogging! haha. This post will be short & sweet.

Today also happens to be my grandpa's birthday. He and my nana came over for a visit. I made a german chocolate cake for him (his fave) and so we had some cake.

My grandpa doesn't like to be the center of attention so it was cute that I caught him smiling in a pic while we were singing "happy birthday" to him.

He's 78 and going strong. I am so grateful to have him as one of my grandpas.