CURRENTLY LOVING || runway inspiration

fashion week is happening in new york… and while high fashion runway is not quite my style, DVF and her amazing collections, thought for effortless style and comfort are always my favorite! one of the dresses she sent down the runway this year, and what she was wearing caught my eye! so since this dress is not available yet, i thought i would put together a few looks inspired by its beauty! 

there is something for everyone- style and price wise!

what is your favorite look of the four?!

LOOK 1 ||  dress (lulu's)  // bag (kate spade) // heels (joe's jeans)  

- -
    

LOOK 2 || dress (marni) // bag (melie bianco) // booties (kate spade)
- - 

LOOK 3 || dress (dorothy perkins) // bag (clare v) // heels (steve madden)

- -

LOOK 4 || dress (asos) // bag (danielle nichole // boots (sheplers)

- - 

THE JOSHUA CODE | WEEK 36

w e e k -  t h i r t y  s i x 

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witness to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 

a c t s  1 : 8

. . .

THE WHO OF EVANGELISM

 "But you shall... be witness to Me." This challenge to take the gospel to the world is one Jesus gives to all of us. [..]

Non of us is exempt from this basic element of Christian living; that is to share the good news!

THE WHAT OF EVANGELISM

 You shall receive what? Power!

Jesus used the word for power from which we got our word dynamite. 

We need this power to be His witness. 

THE WHEN OF EVANGELISM

When did this power come upon this group of believers? When the Holy Spirit came upon them. There is no such thing as a Christian without power. When you receive Christ, you have the Holy Spirit. He takes up residency in you. Thus, you have power.  

THE WHY OF EVANGELISM 

The Holy Spirit enables us to be witness. This is the very reason why we have power - to be His witness. There should be no such thing as a Christian who is not a witness. If you are save, we have Christ. If we have Christ, we have the Holy Spirit. If we have the Holy Spirit, we have power. And if we have power, we will be Jesus' witness!

THE WHERE OF EVANGELISM 

Jesus told us to take His good news across the city, across the country, across the continent, and, yes, across the entire cosmos. Here is total participation: all of us are to be witnesses. And here is total penetration: we are to go "to the ends of the earth". The gospel will never find its final destination until it is shared with every person on the planet. 

As you memorize this verse, meditate on the awesome power that resides within each of us who has placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. It would do us well to also memorize the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Then get back to the basics of being Jesus' witness by making disciples, marking them by baptism, and teaching them to observe all He has commanded. 

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CURRENTLY LOVING

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 similar and similar // 8 // 9 

labor day has already come and gone?! which means fall is around the corner?!
this year is just sailing by!
every year i have a hard time putting away the white jeans/pants for the winter months, which is why today i rocked them to the office --- summer is not over yet!! at least not in texas, where 90 degree days are not a thing of the past just yet!

but looking around (fall fashion) all signs point to fall!
this blazer in particular caught my eye, and had me thinking layers, cozy scarfs and hot tea!
it will have to be day-dreaming for now… cold weather will most likely not kick in until late October, that's if where lucky here in texas...

CURRENTLY LOVING

1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6. // 7. // 8. // 9.

getting back to an every day work routine has not been easy. getting back into a work and blogging routine/schedule has been even harder!
so bare with me if the blog posts only slowly get back on to a regular schedule...!

going back to a office job was not an easy decision to make. but working for a grassroots non-profit came with its own list of risks, including no guarantee for always being funded. so the bills had to get paid and an opportunity came up that was too good for me to pass up or not at least give it a good try!
the part that was not difficult however, was 'back to work' shopping! working from home for the past two and a half years was a wonderful excuse to save money by not buying heels and cute dresses on the regular. but having a reason to re-load and reevaluate my closet for getting back on track was great!
I didn't go crazy on all things new... I did a deep cleaning in my closet, putting together new outfits and new options based on what I already had. but I did add a few new fun items! 
like this great pair of heels - they were on sale, with an additional 20% off - how could I NOT!? they push the envelope just a little, but under a pair of pants, they are the perfect transition from office to happy hour or dinner!

what are some items you added to your closet for 'back to school' ?!

oh, and I will always find an excuse for a new mug. like new desk = new mug. THIS mug is going to be a favorite for a long time. its such a great reminder of how to start off your day!!

THE JOSHUA CODE | WEEK 32 - 33 - 34

i know, i know ... its been soo long!

but you guys, figuring out a new work schedule, adjusting to a new 'normal'... its taken me 3 weeks.

so i am playing catch up today with the Joshua Code. regular scheduled blog posts will resume tomorrow and hopefully i will keep up with the blog going forward again!

i've missed you guys- hope to hear from you guys again soon, always love reading your comments :)

 

 w e e k -  t h i r t y  t w o 

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old enough he will not depart from it.”

 

p r o v e r b s  2 2 : 6

. . . 

SEE HIM WITH AN OPEN HAND – ‘I release you’ (Luke 15:11-13)

SEE HIM WITH OPEN ARMS SAYING – ‘I receive you’ (Luke 15:20-24)

 SEE HIM WITH AN OPEN HEART SAYING – ‘I restore you’ (Luke 15:25-32)

 We all need to be parents (like in Luke 15), a father with an open hand and with wisdom enough to know that the way to lose you kids it to hold them too tightly and that the way to ultimately keep  them is to let them go when the time comes. We need to be parents with open arms, always ready to make a way for our children’s new beginnings. And we need to be parents with open hearts that are both transparent and encouraging.

The real message of Jesus’ story is that our heavenly Father deals with us in the same way that this father (see Luke 15) deals with his prodigal God our Father has open hands, toward us. We are not puppets; we are real people. And the love we voluntarily return to Him is indescribably vulnerable to Him.  He too meets us with open arms. And never were those arms opened as wide as they were on the cross. Finally, God shoes us His open heart. He opened it on the Calvary for the whole world to see, and He invites us into His arms today.

As you memorize this verse, meditate on the loving and forgiving heart of our Lord and as Him to put a heart like that in you. Open your hands, open your arms, and open you heart this week to those needy and hurting people around you.

 

------w e e k -  t h i r t y  t h r e e

“This Book of the Lord shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make you way prosperous, and then you will have good success.’

j o s h u a 1 : 8. . . 

THE JOSHUA CODE INVOLVES A CONSTANT PRACTICE
We are to over and over and over God’s truth in our minds to deepen its impression on us and to see it in our hearts. The word meditate indicates that Scripture is to be like a tune that we cannot get out of our minds. It just permeates our thinking processes. Living out the Joshua Code involves constant practice.

 THE JOSHUA CODE INCITES A COMPLETED PURPOSE
Our completed purpose, in the eyes of God, will be to move beyond simply reading and studying the Bible, to an act of obedience as we put these words into practice in our own experience.

 THE JOSHUA CODE INVOKES A CONDITIONAL PROMISE
In the initial psalm, the psalmist indicated that his delight was found in the Law of the Lord and ‘in His law He meditates day and night’ (Psalm 1:2). Thus, we then complete the purpose of not simply hearing the Word, but also doing it as we put it into practice through personal obedience.

Here is true success in life: to stay in the WORD of God until we find the WILL of God so that we can WALK in the ways of God. The WORD. The WILL. The WALK. The Joshua Code invites us to feed on the Bible because it reveals to us God’s will for our lives. And success is the ability to first find the will of God for our lives…

and then act upon it, do it!’

As you memorize this verse, meditate on it by reading it enough times to put the inflection of each and every word it contains… and then do what is says. And then? You will have ‘good success’.

 

------

 

w e e k -  t h i r t y  t h r e e

‘Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.’

 m a t t h e w 5 : 4 1

. . . 

THERE IS A MANDATED MILE MOTIVATED BY LAW
Often the most difficult part of the Christian life is getting started on the first mile.

In fact, they want to enjoy the little extras of the second mile, but they do not want to deal

with the requirements of the first mile.

THERE IS A MIRACLE MILE MOTIVATED BY LOVE
It is the miracle mile that separates certain individuals from others.
The second mile is only made possible by being obedient to the first mile.

Someone who journeys on the miracle mile also has a way of lightening the load of those around them. One cannot travel the second mile without the influencing others. It only takes one second miler in a home to change the entire environment. It only takes once second miler on a team or in the office to do the same. The miracle mile, the second mile, is motivated by the love of Christ.

Incidentally, the second mile is the mile our Lord Himself walked. He knows the road very well. It was love that took Him on the miracle mile to the cross.

 As you memorize this verse, meditate on what ways you can go the second mile today. It will brighten your road and lighten someone else’s load.

 

THE JOSHUA CODE | WEEK 31

Happy Monday evening.. hope you all are off to a good start for the week?!

Its a BIG day/week in my little world… an update to follow soon!

 But for now, I am glad you stopped by to keep up with the JOSHUA CODE with me!

Here is this weeks verses:

w e e k -  t h i r t y   o n e 

" Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, 

a worker who does not need to be ashamed, 

rightly dividing the world of the truth."  

2  t i m o t h y  2 : 1 5 

. . . 

THE BELIEVERS MANDATE

We are to be diligent and zealous about the task of studying God's Word. Since reference is made later in the verse to 'rightly dividing the world of truth', Paul was challenging all believers to take very seriously their personal study habits. The Bible is a miraculous book in which personal study never ends. Bible study is a lifetime endeavor for the committed believer. It is our assignment, our mandate from God. 

THE BELIEVERS MOTIVATION 

The discipline of study is a stewardship from God, and believers should be motivated by a passionate longing to please the Lord, to hear Him say: "Well done, good and faithful servant". (Matthew 25:21)

THE BELIEVERS MANNER

Study is hard work. Doing word studies is laborious. Getting out our work tools of commentaries, Bible dictionaries, and lexicons is labor intensive. We are reminded that we are to equip ourselves for ' the work of ministry', as Paul mentioned to the Ephesians (4:12). Dedicated believers are to be workers who devote themselves to the wholehearted study of God's World. 

THE BELIEVERS MESSAGE 

We should approach the Bible with deep reverence, even a fear that we might mishandle or misrepresent God's truth. We should take caution against using every paraphrase we might find in order to twist the truth to match our own way of thinking about a matter. 

The believer' s message should always be centered in, and issue out of, God's holy Word. 

As you memorize this verse, lay aside all the resources and other study aids, and medicate on the Word alone. 

pg. 162

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THE JOSHUA CODE | WEEK 30

Happy Monday evening.. hope you all are off to a good start for the week?! Glad you stopped by to keep up with the JOSHUA CODE with me!

Here is this weeks verses:

w e e k -  t h i r t y

" Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, 

forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward, to those things which are ahead, 

I pree towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  

p h i l i p p i a n s  3 : 1 3 - 1 4

. . . 

FOCUS WILL PUT OUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER

Paul said: "This one thing I do" (Philippians 3:13 KJV). Not ten things, not five things, not even two things. 

But "this one thing I do." Focus helps us put our priorities in order. 

First, you define your goal, and then if begins to define you.

FOCUS WILL GIVE US A FORWAD MIND-SET

Focus enables us to begin to see our glass half full instead of half empty. 

It gives is a forward mind-set. Paul went on to say that he was 'reaching forward to those things which are ahead." 

Paul's focus lead him to possess a wise forgetfulness about the past and enable him to make sure his reach continued to exceed his grasp.  

FOCUS WILL SET US ON THE SECOND MILE 

Focus brings a passion to our work that instills within us a desire to do what is required - and then some. 

Paul said: "I press." This word press carries with it the idea of an intense endeavor, much like an avid hunter who is pursuing his prey. Paul was pressing because he had focus; he had "one thing" as the main priority in life. 

FOCUS ENABLES US TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING 

Paul said he was pressing toward ' the goal.' This word is a translation of the Greek word: skopos, from which we get our English word scope. Like the scope on a rifle, focus will enable us to get our goals and priorities in the crosshairs. Focus enables us to know where we are going and how we are going to get there. It keeps our priorities in the bull's-eye of our target. Focus is the fountainhead of successful living. It helps us to begin our task with the end in mind. 

So what is your goal in Christian living?

What is in the crosshairs of your scope?

When we begin to focus on Christ alone, we find that HE will put our priorities in order, HE will give us a forward look, HE will set us on the second mile, and HE will let us clearly see the end from the beginning. 

. . .

'As you memorize this verse this week, meditate on Christ and on HIM alone. Put HIM in the crosshairs, and do that "one thing" you do, for the glory of HIS name. Keep your life in focus by keeping Christ in the center of it. '

pg. 159 

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WEEKEND

image | via

oh summer… if only it were like the true summers we had as kids, care free and what felt like pure and simple freedom. playing until the streetlights came on every night. building forts and playing outside all.day.long. 

the more grown up version does include adult, refreshing beverages… but it does not come with eight weeks of zero responsibilities… alas… 

it does include feeling like a kid at times though! 

+ + can't wait to have a cruiser bike .. to cruise on over to my sisters house.. the chances of being close neighbors is in our (near) future !!! 

+ + after dinner, after the sun sets in texas and its not quite so melting hot… i love to indulge in frozen treats! local snow-cone huts are my favorite! TC Shaved Ice is still a favorite!

+ + and bringing home fresh flowers to make the inside feel and smell like summer always makes me smile and reminds me of picking (wild) flowers for my mamma when we were little. even the ones she was allergic to, she would place in a vase and say they were her favorite, every time! 

love ya mamma - xoxo 

CURRENTLY LOVING

one  | two | three | four  | five |  six  | seven  |  eight  |  nine  |  ten  

eleven  |  twelve  |  thirteen


eek! all things white with hints of gold are on my 'currently loving' list this week!
its just comforting all around.. in the house, in the office and really just every day- all the time.

from the prints, to the rug, the mugs and even down to the knobs - i'm craving all of this.
especially a coffee table with gold accents. i think it takes a room with darker colors to an instant bright, light and open feeling.

anyone else with me on the gold ©rush?!

THE JOSHUA CODE | WEEK 29

Happy Monday evening.. hope you all are off to a good start for the week?! Glad you stopped by to keep up with the JOSHUA CODE with me!

Here is this weeks verses:

w e e k -  t w e n t y  n i n e

" I am the way, the truth, and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through Me."  

j o h n   1 4  :  6

. . . 

THE QUESTION OF PUBLIC CONSENSUS 

 Jesus asked: 'Who do men say that I am, the Son of Man, am?' (Matthew 16:13). […] Many today never seem to be able to get out of this verse. They simply live in a world that is much more interested in what men say than in what God says. […] Unfortunately, things haven't changed much. We still live in a world that seems to be far more interested in what men say about Jesus that what God says. 

THE QUESTION OF PERSONAL CONVICTION 

Then the Lord got up close and personal. He asked another question: "But who to you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). Do you see it? This is the question of personal conviction: 'what about you? You.. and only you. You and you alone. You and no one else. Who do you say that I am?' This is the question with eternal ramifications. It is the question that each and every one of us must face. […] 

Jesus is that only way to the Father's house. Indeed, He- and He alone - is "the way, the truth, and the life." And no one comes to the Father's house unless they come through Jesus! 

pages 152-155

. . .

'As you memorize this verse, meditate on how Christ is the way… how He is the truth… and how He is the life. 

Don't find yourself being more interested in what men say that in what God says. He is still asking today, "Who do you say that I am?" '

pg 155

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WEEKEND

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seriously, this weekend is going to be all about favorite coffee in hand, a little DIY and sleep. 

still not over this summer cold, so rest is calling my name - and with this crazy 'cold front' in dallas right now, it is perfect 'crawl back in bed' weather!!

+ + 'till midnight is TONIGHT in dallas. a social media scavenger hunt and a screening of katherine hupburn's 'bringing up baby' with a side of live music. sounds like a wonderful summer night out!

plus its free admission for all!

+ + if you've never been, but always wanted to go… the weather this weekend could not be more perfect. The OLD RED LUMBERYARD is THIS weekend in McKinney, TX. 

Just a short drive up 75 and so many treasures await! 

happy weekend y'all.

CURRENTLY LOVING

O N E  |  T W O  |  T H R E E  |  F O U R  |  F I V E  |  S I X  |  S E V E N  |  E I G H T  |  N I N E

ya'll. cactus is everywhere these days. everywhere!

i think is adorable/can be super cute when done tastefully and not to look like old mid-western themed vacation home!

so, that being said…. here are some darling cactus finds i am currently loving… especially the biscuit home finds. 
lets be honest, if my budget was larger, i would  putting one of everything in my shopping cart right now!!

what are your thoughts on cactus?!

THE JOSHUA CODE | WEEK 28

Happy Monday and welcome back to this weeks edition of the JOSHUA CODE.

Here is this weeks verses:

w e e k -  t w e n t y  e i g h t

" In Him we have redemption through His blood, 

the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."  

e p h e s i a n s  1 : 7

. . . 

THE LORD OFFERS SOMETHING PERSONAL : "in Him"

THE LORD OFFERS SOMETHING PRESENT : "we have redemption"

THE LORD OFFERS SOMETHING THAT PROVIDES  : "through His blood"

THE LORD OFFERS SOMETHING PROFITABLE : "the forgiveness of sins"

THE LORD OFFERS SOMETHING PURPOSEFUL : "according to the riches of His grace"

. . .

'What are we saying in this chapter? That the something people think they need is really Someone. And His sweet name is the Lord Jesus. He holds the answer to every need of every heart. Those answers are in Him and in Him alone.' 

'As you memorize this verse, meditate on each of these five phrases and ask God to meet the needs of your heart at the very point of your personal needs. After all, "in Him… we have redemption.. through His blood.. the forgiveness of sins… according to the riches of His grace". '

(the joshua code. pg 150)

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WEEKEND

hello weekend! 

are you already day-dreaming about the adult beverage you are going to consume after work today!?

my current go-to summer drink (when i'm not margaritas!!) is: 

coconut vodka, orange lacroix and a squeeze of an orange slice. 

ya'll - its summer in a glass, and depending on the ice its like an adult snow cone!

a must try :)

 + + on this weekends tasting menu… lemon cream shrimp! (maybe minus or light on the cream!)

+ + we made a quick day trip down to waco a few weeks ago, and had to stop for a college favorite: common grounds. 

my must-have off the menu every time: 'rodeo clown, half the pumps, with skim, on ice'!

it was so fun hitting up old favorite stomping grounds for the day! also, if you have not driven down I35 in a while… don't get distracted and drive off the rode when you approach Waco… holy smokes Baylors new stadium is unreal! sic em!!

+ + don't walk, RUN! the anthropologie tag sale is still going on with an additional 20%!!

CURRENTLY LOVING

O N E  |  T W O  |  T H R E E  |  F O U R  |  F I V E  |  S I X

two things i currently can't get enough of ( in moderation of course!) summer time margaritas and lighting my barr-co candle (anthropologie carries them too!) when i come home in the afternoons! 

don't worry, i don't have margs everyday, but if that was an option, i would not be opposed it it whatsoever!