Friday, July 29, 2011

Happiness is A Knit Blazer

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linen jersey blazer by Majestic, yellow t-shirt from Dillards, pants by T Tahari, Pucci sunglasses, onyx heart necklace from Tiffany & Co.

If joy is an enduring, inner lightness and fulfillment, and happiness is a temporary pleasure or circumstance, then wearing this blazer makes me happy. I purchased it at Shopbop and it is just what I wanted: a medium-weight blackish blazer to wear to the office. So many blazers are formal and suit-like, and this is just casual enough. Enjoy your weekend, my friends!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Mixing New and Old Clothes

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blouse by Lela Rose, skirt from Wet Seal, Circa Joan & David shoes

I was wondering the other day what the oldest item in my wardrobe is. I still have a Les Miserables t-shirt from the late 80s that I still wear once in a while. But as far as regular-rotation clothing goes, this skirt has to be it; I believe I bought it in 1998, which makes it 13 years old. It is crochet with a lining, and was inexpensive, yet I wear it so much. Its mix of colors and forgiving stretch make it easy to wear.

I paired it with the most expensive item in my closet, a Lela Rose blouse I got at 2010's The Outnet $1 sale. It was $650 but I got it for $1. Pretty amazing. I guess this is what they call dressing "high-low"!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Navy plus Magenta equals Fabulous

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t-shirt by Vince, skirt by Calvin Klein, thrifted scarf (Liz Claiborne), navy slingbacks from Ann Taylor, Zoya Morgan nail polish, Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses

I love this outfit, I feel fashionable and fabulous, and nothing is more comfortable than a Vince t-shirt. Please don't forget to notice that my nail polish matches my scarf... thanks!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Slouchy Skinny

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thrifted red blouse from Timeless Authentic Garments (St. Louis), Joe's Jeans The Pant skinny cargo, Nixon watch, Enzo Angiolini cream heels, Preston & York snakeprint belt

I know, my bangs are doing that thing where they stick out from my head. I'm getting my hair cut on Saturday and hopefully will return to wearing it down again. Overall, I like this outfit because the top is a little big and the pants have a fitted cut. If they were in a catalog, it would read: "Relaxed through waist and hip, fitted through thigh and leg." Which translates to, they'll be fine around your waist, but they're gonna be tight in the leg. I know catalogspeak!

Monday, July 25, 2011

6 Mosquito Bites Later

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necklace from Anthropologie, Zoya Morgan nail polish, top from Banana Republic, pants from LOFT, Eric Michael espadrilles

I know you're not supposed to wear black in 100-degree temperatures, but these loose-fitting black pieces were very comfortable. And they hide my mosquito bites. Hot oranges and pinks kept my ensemble summery!

Friday, July 22, 2011

A Light and Simple Outfit

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top from Forever 21, pants from LOFT, Nixon watch, Enzo Angiolini heels, Ray-Ban sunglasses, OPI Big Apple Red nail polish

I'm not afraid to wear pants in the heat, as long as they are cool cotton ones like these. When paired with a light salmon top and heels, they are work-perfect. At work the A/C is cranked and I get cold, so I brought my Ella Moss striped wrap cardigan with me. I think the ensemble worked!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Just A Little Walk With Thee

There is a lot of talk about having a "personal relationship" with God these days. And no wonder, for the post-modern generation, those who are presently in their late teens, twenties, and early thirties, relationships are everything. Community, causes, and people are very important to them, affect them, and inspire them.

I read a book recently that stated that the Bible does not say that we are to have a "personal relationship" with God. The author says those words are not in the Bible. And it is true, those words are not there. However, as I was reading recently, the concept is there. The Bible calls it "walking with God" and "friendship."

Abram, Issac, David, Enoch, and Noah. These men, the Bible says, "walked with God." Often for their entire lives. It indicates some sort of close relationship that takes place when you journey with someone towards the same destination.

Abraham was also called "God's friend", according to 2 Chronicles 20:7 and James 2:23. Jesus also uses this term to speak of his disciples. He says, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." Does that term not indicate a personal relationship?

Any Biblical concept, however, can be twisted and abused. I have heard some people say that their relationship with God is "personal", and have used this term to explain why they don't need to go to church. It can be used as an excuse to not open up and talk about God. It can be used to shut others down, like they and God are in their own bubble and nothing else is allowed in.

However, an even more prevalent concept in the Bible than friendship is that of community. Worship was done in a group. Confession of sins, and the sacrifices in the temple for those sins, were public. When prophets prayed to God, they most often prayed for the community, the nation of Israel, not for their own personal relationship with God. It was their job! Israel rose together, and it fell together.

Even in the New Testament, the church acted as a whole. Jesus addressed, and judged, churches in John's revelation, not individuals. As a whole, we are the body of Christ. We all need each other.

So for me, I understand my relationship with God on two levels: I walk with God as an individual, and I belong to a church community that can hold me accountable, that I can worship with, and do more for Jesus with than I can do alone. I praise God for his perfect plan, and all his love!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Well Suited

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jacket by BCBGMaxAzria, yellow Calvin Klein sweater, pants from LOFT, Charles David heels, OPI Big Apple Red nail polish


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I'll wear brown any time of year, I just love it. Here is an underworn blazer with some older cropped pants and heels. There are some days I love these heels, and some days they are so uncomfortable that I don't like them at all. But they are shiny!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

3 Years, Still Crazy in Love

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3 years ago, we committed to a live a shared life, to bring more glory to God. As husband and wife, we have served him more together than we did separately.

3 years ago, we didn't know what was in store, but we were willing to be faithful though good times and hard times.

3 years ago, I walked down the aisle in white, symbolizing our purity, and married my Friend of all Friends.

Thank you God. Happy Anniversary, my wonderful husband!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Mosquito Fashion

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lime green t-shirt from Ann Taylor, scarf from Express, Joe's Jeans The Pant, Eric Michael's espadrilles

I really hate mosquitoes. I will do anything to avoid them. I don't even want one bite. However this weekend I had to endure a mosquito-infested grassy field for the sake of our cat Oliver. My legs look like I have measles, and they itch like crazy. (I have been treating them with aloe vera gel.)

So even though it's gonna be 100 degrees all week, I will be wearing pants. Here's the first outfit, another take on the lime green shirt I got. May you stay cool and unbitten this week, my friends!

Friday, July 15, 2011

The Troubles of the Day Took My Breath Away

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Lacoste polo, Joe's Jeans in Muse cut, sandals from The Walking Company, leather cuff by Motif 56

Do you like singer Annie Lennox? She's one of my favorites, and sang "The Saddest Song I've Got", which I quoted in my post title. Sometimes you just have those days where you see and feel a lot of sadness. I'm mostly sad because Oliver is going to be living outside, and next week we'll be in another heat wave. In any case, this zealous blonde has to depend on God for strength and hope.

On the up side, my nails are looking a lot better, so I'll have to break out the polish this weekend. Have a peaceful one, my friends!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Urgent: Oliver Needs A Home!

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If you live near STL, Missouri, this post is for you! We rescued Oliver from the cold last December. He only weighed 8 pounds. We nursed him back to a healthy 11 pounds and have given him love, indoor-outdoor access, and vet visits. As you can see, he is a lover. Laid-back, tough but friendly, good with kids, and largely silent (meows are rare), he needs a permanent home with someone who can love him.

My husband lets me rescue cats on the condition that we can't keep them, and Oliver has overstayed his welcome. If I don't find a home for him by the weekend, he is going to be transplanted to another area of the city, to my friend's neighborhood, where he was found. She will be able to feed him but not allow him inside her home.

This is a cat that is now used to coming inside at night to sleep. It will break my heart to put him in this new situation. My friends, if you or someone you know can accommodate him, please leave me a comment!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Like A Heat Wave!

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shell blouse by Nine West, metallic pencil skirt by Paul and Joe, Stuart Weitzman patent slingbacks, Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses

Things are slowing down in this Midwestern heat, including my outfit posts. This silk blouse is ideal for summer, and I just don't wear this amazing skirt often enough. Have a wonderful day, my friends!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Neutral Textures

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linen jacket by Sigrid Olsen, shirt by Vivienne Vivienne Tam, skirt from Ann Taylor

On this day, I wanted to wear all-white, which was more difficult than I thought. I don't have a lot of work tops that are white. So it evolved from there into more of the neutrals. I like the visual and fabric textures combined: linen on watercolor on stripes. Have a great weekend, my friends!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Bright Shorts!

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t-shirt by Vince, shorts from J. Crew, Belle by Sigerson Morrison leather flats, Nixon watch, Death Star Debris necklace by Deka Ray

There is a bright-colored denim trend going on right now, but it's difficult to wear jeans when it's hot out. My substitute is these poppy-red shorts! With a 7-inch inseam, they are long enough to sit around in.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

A J. Crew Moment

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striped top by Aqua, chino shorts from J. Crew, Tory Burch sneakers, Nixon watch

My style is pretty preppy. Lacoste polos, Rugby sweaters, pencil skirts, etc. You won't find any bohemian skirts or floral dresses in my closet. For my 4th of July ensemble, I felt like I stepped out of a J. Crew window display. The thing I love most about J. Crew chino shorts is there is no button-closure on the fly. It's a simple hook-and-eye. No wrestling with waistline buttons... I really love it!

And while I'm having a J. Crew moment with my outfit, I am having a Donald Trump moment with my hair. Please excuse the bad cut.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

My Nail Polish Hiatus

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wrap top by Sunny Leigh, cropped pants from LOFT, Matisse woven oxfords, necklace by Elephant Heart

My nails are horribly cracked. I have cut most of them down to the quick, and they are still splitting. Years of nail polish can do that I guess! So I'm gonna take a couple of weeks off from wearing any polish. I hate it because there are so many colors I want to wear on my nails, but when they're damaged the polish doesn't last long.

My good friend got this top for me for my birthday last year. I wore a cardigan over it to work.

It was a really nice weekend here, and we got a lot done. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, my friends!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Neon Lime Green-Yellow!

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neon t-shirt from Ann Taylor, pencil skirt by Calvin Klein, slingback heels from Ann Taylor

Behold, the neon greenish-yellow shirt! Funny how such an unusual color seems to match everything in my closet. Have a wonderful weekend my friends, I'll post again on Tuesday.