Sunday, April 10, 2011

the mosaic of my life

Disclaimer: Today's post is somewhat a compilation of musings. Read at your own risk.

I've often struggled with with age-old question, "What do I want to be?" or "What should I do with my life?" I mean, like everyone DOESN'T ask themselves that question at some point in their life, right? But those questions have been swarming around in my head lately for some reason.

When I was little and someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always had an impressive answer. I wanted to be a Marine Biologist, and Archaelogist or a Paleontologist. Later it changed to wanting to be a teacher. Then, later it became that I wanted to work in Christian ministry. Like my wardrobe, my "grown up job" ideal has changed frequently.

I thought it was supposed to be fairly easy...you just make your career/job/life's work something that you are really good at or something that you really love or are passionate about. But it is SO not. For real. And I've even sought the counsel of wise people, close friends, business professionals and family members about this. What am I supposed to be? What am I supposed to do? What should I spend my life doing?

Depending on who you ask, you get a different answer. "April, you should be a singer." "April, I think you'd be a great teacher." Or, "April, you're so creative...you should be doing something with that!" I don't mean to sound conceited, but if I'm "so good" at so many things then how do I choose what I should be doing?

My life, I've realized, is very much like a mosaic. (and because I love a good analogy, I will expound upon this for you) I've got lots of stuff that I love to do or am really good at doing. Those are the little pieces in the mosaic. So you have the photography, music, literacy, administration, crafts, writing or even organizational little pieces that make up much of who I am. Sure, there are others. Some are probably bigger than others and some are probably miniscule compared to some of my bigger passions. But each one is an integral part of a larger and more complex picture. It's like those advertisements a few years ago that were tons of little pictures of stuff that formed a larger picture of something. To be quite honest, I don't know if I'll ever see the entire big picture that my mosaic pieces are forming...I'll leave that up to the CREATOR of the great mosaic to see that. I just have to trust that my little pieces are doing what they can to form the big picture.

And until then, I'll keep discovering more little pieces.

Friday, April 8, 2011

what I'm wearing: warm weather wardrobe

It's officially sundress weather here in the Carolinas. (it's going to be 81 degrees out today!!)

In honor of that, I wore my newest and cutest sundress today. I usually am pretty particular about the dresses I purchase because either they are ridiculously short or ridiculously low cut and with me...it's all about the modesty, you know? So, lucky for me, this cute lil' number is long enough and when paired with a cami and cardi is perfect for work/church/etc. It can even be worn as a beach dress this summer. Okay, so here's the good news.... I just bought it. Like last week. So, they're probably still in the stores. Hooray!



Sundress: Old Navy (love that color!)
Cami Tank: Old Navy
Cardigan: Old Navy
Sandals: Old Navy

Okay, I swear I didn't do that on purpose. Some of this stuff I've had for years...well I guess it speaks to me being a loyal customer! :)

fashion friday: return of the natural waist

There is cause for celebration in the fashion world my friends. That cause is the return of the natural waist in dresses! Whoo hoo!

No longer will those of us who have womanly figures (and not those of a pre-pubescent boy) be subject to empire waists! No longer will women who are "pears" or "hourglasses" be subject to looking like a shapeless blob of fabric! No longer will we worry about appearing "in the family way" because of the cut of the dress or the waistline! (Can I get an AMEN?)

Why?

Because of the return of the natural waistline to dresses. Yes, ladies, we have a waist that is located near the end of our ribcage above the navel...not directly underneath our armpits. The natural waist dress allows you to nip in at the smallest part of the torso...the actual waist. Empire waisted dresses nip in at the rib area and the fabric just hangs from that point. By nipping in the cut at your natural waist, you get an overall slimming effect. (Can I get another AMEN?)

The good news is that many, many retailers are catching on. I've spied natural waist dresses at Old Navy, Target, Forever 21 and lots of online retailers like Modcloth and Shabby Apple. Speaking of Shabby Apple, here are a few of their natural waist dresses. (Okay, now you can drool...)

Thursday, April 7, 2011

shoes on sevens

Today is April 7th, so this calls for another edition of Shoes on Sevens! (where I post a picture and witty commentary about whatever pair of shoes I happen to be wearing that day)

Today's pair comes to me from Urbanog.com. Let me just say this is pretty much my favorite pair of shoes right now...even though this is the first time I've actually worn them out of the house. But the reason these are my favorite is partly because they were so inexpensive. I don't spend more than $40 on any shoes (except athletic shoes) so, when I saw that these were only $25, I bought them! After all, this color does go with anything, right?



Note: I realize that I look very tan in this picture, which is highly abnormal for me. I'll chalk it up to an auto-fix exposure button on my photo editing software and the use of Avon's Satin Glow gradual bronzing lotion. 
Note 2: The gigantic bruise on my left shin is due to an unfortunate run-in (literally) with B's open dishwasher door.
Note 3: If you're still reading at this point, congratulations and thank you.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

top 5 tuesday: modern iconic blondes

When you think of iconic blondes in Hollywood, who comes to mind? Grace? Jayne? Goldie? Marilyn? Rita?
Right. Who doesn't immediately think of those ladies? But there's a new crop of women in Hollywood that are becoming known as the Modern Iconic Blondes. Oh sure, they may change their haircolor for a movie role once in a while, but mostly they know their signature look and they roll with it. It just works.

This concept can also be applied to real people...like myself who was born blonde and has always been one except for a brief period as a redhead and a brunette, neither of which I enjoyed. Why? Blonde just works for me.

It just works for these ladies too...


1. Reese Witherspoon (more on her next week) - Inquisitir.com
 

2. Kate Hudson (like mother like daughter...so duh!) - topnews.in


3. Martha Stewart - marthastewartliving.com


4. Carrie Underwood - zimbio.com


5. Gwyneth Paltrow - movies.popcrunch.com

*Note: I'm not predjudiced against other haircolors...heck, I even tried them once. I just chose to do the Modern Iconic Blondes post today. If you'd like me to do a brunette, redhead or even gray-haired post, let me know!

Monday, April 4, 2011

skirt sewing project results

I know y'all are just dying to know the results of the weekend sewing project I blogged about here.

Well...the good news is that I DID IT! If you don't look too closely at the crooked stitching, it looks pretty decent. The bad news is that it is a tad too big. I overestimated my measurements (meaning I cut them about 1-2 inches larger than my actual measurements) for fear that my seams would make it too small. Next time I'll know not to do that.

Anywho, here's what I ended up with. :)



Saturday, April 2, 2011

snapshot saturday link-up

Happy Saturday, y'all!

Today, I'm linking up with Kim from Yellow Songbird's Saturday Snapshot Party!

The picture I chose was one I took this past fall at the South Carolina State Fair.



Oh yes, that's right people...you are looking at a DEEP FRIED OREO. Don't hate. My only regret was that I'd already eaten funnel cake and nachos before partaking of this delicacy so I was very full. (another completely different lesson I learned...fair food and scrambler rides are a no-no) Nevertheless, I did eat it and I loved it.

Here's to enjoying your Saturday in whatever way you like!

Friday, April 1, 2011

friday fashion: splurge vs. steal floral dress

Gah. Y'all, I'm loving this cute lil' dress from Anthro.

Splurge: En Plein Air dress, Anthropologie, $258.00



But at that price...it just ain't happening.

THANKFULLY, many high-end designers are doing lines for stores like Kohls, Target and even Wal-Mart so you get their sophisticated tastes without their sophisticated price tags.

If you like the look of the Anthro dress, think about these pretty dresses both from Kohls.

Steal: Simply Vera by Vera Wang for Kohls, $33.99



Steal: AB Studio Floral Sheath, Kohls, $28.99



Now how's THAT for a little splurge vs. steal action?!?!

fabric and faith

I'm in love with Hobby Lobby. I've always enjoyed browsing through this store because, well, it's a craft store and I love crafty stuff. But it has always been on the same rung as other chain craft stores...until now.

It wasn't until a recent trip to look for fabric that I decided just how much I loved it. I blogged earlier about my struggles with finding cute and modern looking fabric in stores because most of them were dated looking but when I walked into HL every 2 seconds I found myself swiping up a bolt of fabric to take to the cutting counter. I literally had 3 bolts and I'd only walked through the first aisle! They're selection is outstanding in variety and the price is very reasonable. Most bolts I'd looked at from other places were around $8-$10 per yard but at HL they averaged around $5. (they were also having a sale on some at the time) I walked out with 3 yards of fabric (1 yard of 3 different fabrics), elastic and fabric fuse for $16!!

The other great thing about HL is that many of the cute fabrics can be purchased online as well if you don't have one near you. Here are a few swoon-worthy ones I found online...



The other great (and maybe even more important) thing about Hobby Lobby is their company mission statement and the fact that they are unwaveringly and unapologetically Christians-that-run-a-business (as opposed to a Christian business...) There are signs posted in every location that says they are closed on Sundays to allow their employees time for worship. That's so cool. I'm all about patronizing places like this (and of course the Chick-Fil-A) that are working to spread the love and mission of Jesus to the world in a non-shove-it-down-your-throat-save-them-with-guilt way. Well, maybe just the craft world...but it's still pretty awesome.

Next time you've got a need for fabric, glitter, paper or you just want some cool inspiration, you should check them out.

*I'm not a sponsor or paid endorser of Hobby Lobby Stores just an avid consumer who appreciates businesses that have moral and not just profit inspiration.

SEARCH THIS BLOG