Black On Black

“To those who stay put the world is but an imaginary place. But to the movers, the makers, and the shakers the world is all around them. An endless invitation.”

You know those days when you wake up in the morning feeling like a lovely movie star? Delicate and beautiful? You then go to your closet and desire to wear pink. Many many wonderful shades of pink? Then you give yourself a manicure and your ready for your day? A day at the office, maybe.

(image found on Pinterest)

hahaha. No! Me either!!! However, I do know those days when you wake up to clouds and a little house nestled into Tennessee woods and you flip on Lana Del Rey, set it to repeat, and search out every black staple you own. You throw yourself together in a quest for an ‘elegant grunge’ effect that says to the world… today, I will be tough. Don’t mess with me. I promise! I’m not joking! I really. am. tough. Believe it! Here I come. Today, I will make art. Today, I will explore. Today will be different and special. Nothing will be mundane. I will not allow it.

Black on black on black. Some wanderlust thrown in here as I imagine what the weather in Montana is like this time of year. Some layered vintage necklaces, too. One with a broken clock. Because who really wants to know what time it is? Life is too short for that.

“I have a vision of making my life a work of art” -Lana Del Rey

“Being brave means knowing that when you fail, you don’t fail forever.” -Lana Del Rey

Living Well Spending Less {depression}

Ruth, from blog Living Well Spending Less, is a talented blogger and walking testimony.

She writes about her journey, her home, family, organizing, spending less, frugality, and what I have read several times now…. her depression story.

I would like to share with you her post How To Survive A Rough Patch.

You can read her full story on her blog. Also follow along with her and Edie Wadsworth this fall as they write a 31 days series called 31 Days of Less and More which promises to be inspiring.

 

 

 

Layered Up Lace Dress (31 Days preview!!)

Though I miss summer already… and neon… I love layers. Fall layers are just great. They have the ability to totally transform an outfit and I think that it’s much easier to look put together in the fall. You have more details to work with.
I adore this lace dress. If I tell you how I got it I might get in trouble, but it really was thrifty of me so I feel I must. Whilst shopping at Goodwill I found a super cute aqua blouse. However, it had a stain and a run on the front. It still had the tags on it though, so I thought ‘It’s worth a shot.’ I returned the shirt in exchange for a gift card and bought this dress and actually had a dollar left over. Thus, the dress turned out to be 100% free!!!! Not sure if it was totally honest but I reasoned with myself that someone should have gotten their money back for the damaged shirt the previous owner was simply too lazy to return it. So I did it myself and got this darling dress.

As you can see, it’s a tad on the short side. So I paired it with some grey cable leggings and tall boots. That’s one of the best things about fall….. BOOTS! I love boots. Especially cowboy boots, these however, are awesome too. A nice shade somewhere between grey and brown that works nicely with most every color.

I really like this outfit. Even though the different fabrics may seem a bit much I really enjoyed the layered textures. Cable, lace, chunky sweater. It was so cozy feeling.

I wrapped up in a skinny belt and added the friendly owl watch on a chain, which I thought gave the ensemble a bit of charm.

The whole outfit has a very romantic feel.

This old vintage camera has been very fun to toy around with. It belonged to my great uncle.

I love this big sweater so much. It’s comfortable and relaxed and makes me feel at home even when I’m not. Invest in a nice chunky sweater this fall. You wont regret it.

Have a lovely fall day, y’all. Also…. indulge in some whimsical thoughts. They enhance a windy October day. Poetry, coffee, maple leaves, lace, books, friends, nostalgia… fall thoughts to be sure.

Forgiveness

Fog is heavy… morning is here.

4:30 a.m. Wide awake.

Fog on land. Fog on my heart.

I make a mug of coffee. I dress. I go outside and walk through the dewy grass. I do the farm chores. I watch the sun shine ever so slightly through the mist. Light…. will it come? Dark skies. Dark heart.

These are the skies I’m under.

I think of God. I think of myself. My failure. I think of my young sister who will come into this world young and innocent. Beautiful. Free. I think of the sin that will quickly try to bind her. I cry. I feel the shame of all that I’ve done. What will she go through? Will she be cherished? Will she be scarred? Will she be respected by the men in her life? Will she be troubled by questions? Will she be content?

And all I can feel is the over-whelmingness of God’s grace to my stained up soul. There is no condemnation in him.

I ask him to forgive me.

I doubt.

Yet still I know. I know.

He has. He always has. He forgives me.

I pray.

I pray for her. That he’ll build a hedge around her heart. Keep her soft.

These are the skies she’ll live under, too. At times bright. At times dark. Foggy. And there will be days when darkness will creep upon her and that fog will lay heavy on her heart also.  Let her still feel love. Feel peace. Feel God’s forgiveness for her mistakes.

As I feel it. Deep. Penetrating. Convicting. Humbling. Revealing.

He forgives.

Even me…. even me, he forgives.

When I Became A Man

An amazing, humble, genuine, deep, testimony of true manliness and godliness.

Thank you.