thoughts on...

clogs?

 

I'm curious about how everyone feels about them. I'm definitely 100% pro-clog. what about you?

and how would you style yours?

whole outfit- anthropologie

clogs- free people

the bright side

recently, I have felt like my life has been one small trial after the next. in small trials, I don't feel like I can really complain because I know how much worse things could be and how blessed I am. but there comes a point where I have to stop and ask God what he is doing. I know that He is here and real because not much of me makes sense without Him. but I don't know why I have felt so alone in my trials. if He is here and He is good, why the pain in the midst of prayer? why the struggle in the midst of faith? I got to a place of frustration with God, which He is more than big enough to handle, and I just wanted to understand. not for it to get better or for a magic solution, just for an answer from Him. He always answers us in ways we don't expect, but he does answer.

I finally sat down and did something this morning that I actually haven't done in a while: I opened up the bible and read. if you want to hear from God, why not go to the direct source of His words? and it was wonderful. here is what I read:

" Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. ³ The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. " Romans 14:1-4

I was so humbled and grateful and delighted to see how the Lord defends us, even when our faith is weak. and even in our weakness, He is "able to make us stand." that is amazing. that is the God I serve. He does allow trials, but trials are edifying and we are actually supposed to be grateful for them. (Romans 5: 3-5) I'm far from there, but I understand it. in the same way that I am grateful for my mom taking away a lighter that I was having so much fun playing with, the Lord has taken and with held what will only harm me in the future. I'm too small to see the harm it will bring. we all are. He is good.

another thing that helped me greatly was a sermon by Joyce Meyers and I HIGHLY recommend this to any and everyone. so many gems in this I can't even name them all. but one thing I will say is that how we feel and what we believe ARE two different things. so it really helps to stop and get back to what we believe. and for me, that is that the Lord is always with me and works all things together for my good (Romans 8:28... so much goodness in Romans!)

today was almost 70 degrees in the middle of december and just days ago there was snow and ice on the ground. also, I feel like I got clarity from the Lord. I'd say this is as bright a side as any.

sweater: anthropologie
shirt: gap
jeans: urban outfitters
dr martens: nordstrom rack
brahmin bag: dillards

mr. mandela , here's to you

"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

from prisoner to President. when it comes to souls, yours was of the most beautiful. you showed us what it means to change the world. thank you. 

ode to anthro

I always wanted a job where I would be surrounded by creativity, originiality, and art. if you know anything about anthropologie, you know that the store is all of the above. the visuals alone in the store are always incredible, and I feel like anthro has some of the best buyers in the world. (bias here, I'll admit..) the clothes in the store somehow manage to cover a wide range of tastes and preferences while carrying a sense of cohesiveness across the board. many different types of people can shop at anthro and feel like the store just "gets" them. an enjoyable experience is pretty much guaranteed, whether you came out with new treasures or not. I feel like the brothers, husbands, and boyfriends secretly love tagging along on anthro trips because there is always the chance that we will have some sort of delicious pastries for shoppers and their tag-a-longs. this past weekend with all the black friday shenanigans, we offered hot cider and snickerdoodle cookies to all the guests. I can't think of any other retail store that has as much as a "make yourself at home" feel as anthro does. AND the place always smells amazing. it may not be a marketing strategy, but burning those capri blue candles throughout the store has got me coveting quite a few of them.

I love the creative aspect of anthro as well. so much more than you would think goes into the different areas of the store. every section is themed to fit the personality of several specific styles. don't even get me started on the creative design. or do. because I love it. every store is different- there are no floor sets. what you see when you walk in is the creative vision of the visuals manger for that specific store. they have to get their ideas approved, but there is much creative freedom. if you've never visited a store, I highly recommend it even if only to look around. from season to season it is ever changing and always more lovely than the last. I also get in on the creativity in ways I didn't expect to. I've gotten to style so many people and give opinions that they value and trust. so. much. fun!

employees are treated so well in the store I work at. I feel like I lucked out with incredibly gracious and kind managers. they made black friday fun by having us dress up - Gatsby themed! they took pictures of us and gave out prizes (i mean, really!) and they also had "snacks and sips" in the back for employees - which is not uncommon. not to mention, we get an insane-good discount! here are a couple of gems I recently picked out:

scarf: burberry, shirt: anthropologie, cords:anthropologie, boots: vintage, parka: tobi

I feel blessed to work in such a lovely and inspiring environment. I'm not sure where I'll be long term, but I'm thinking I like the place I'm in right now. what do you love about your job/current season of life?