For the Love of Thrifting

The Fun things about today's outfit: 1. Green Pants - Thrifted for $4 and skinnied from a flair. 2. Sweater & Shoes - Target 3. Chambray - Thrifted for $2.50 4. White Bracelet - Thrifted 5. Paper Bead Bracelet - Gift
Seriously, I've been looking for olive green pants for a long time. I've looked at full priced stuff even, because I couldn't find anything in thrift stores. Well, yesterday I hit the jackpot! HOORAY! When I try pants on at thrift stores I really only look at the fit in my from mid thigh and higher. I don't really enjoy refashioning the upper part of pants but from mid thigh down it's pretty darn easy. 
I'm not proud of this, but I haven't been doing well on keeping my running goals. I haven't run once this week and it's Thursday already. Strange, because I had plans to run every single day. I probably even told someone each day that I was planning to run. Then the time came and something came up. It's time to buckle down and get to business. (Rabbit trail for a minute. When I say the words "Get down to business" I start singing Mulan in my head and getting ready to defeat the Huns)
Back to reality (Now my mind is rapping with Eminem). But really, this happens to me to often lately that I slack on commitments I make to myself. I need to start seriously praying for diligence and start setting lots of reminders in my phone for things. And maybe post some sticky notes around the house too. Determined to be diligent!
Proverbs 14:23 In all labor there is profit,
But idle chatter leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 13:4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

A Tricky Little Surprise

The fun things about today's outfit:

1. Scarf - As you can see this is actually a t-shirt! That's right! 

A purchased-from-Costco t-shirt.

2. Shoes - Thrifted

3. Sweater - Gifted

5. Earrings - Yard Sale for $0.55

6. Ring - Sentimentally Uber Important... Maybe that story another day.

My local Salvation Army thrift store does 50% store wide on Wednesdays. You don't need to wonder if I'm a regular...Just assume that I am there at least every other week. I came very close to purchasing a leather jacket today, but it wasn't quite what I wanted and even though it's thrift shopping, I don't like to buy something I don't love (or something I can't imaging loving after I refashion it).

Needless to say I walked away with a few great finds.
Nothing over $7 but most things under $4!!!

Good thing I went a little casual today so I could easily try a couple things on. 

Any good thrift finds lately???

Jeremiah 17:7-8

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is the Lord. 

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,

Which spreads out its roots by the river,

And will not fear when heat comes;

But its leaf will be green, 

And will not be anxious in the year of drought, 

Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

All Neutrals & No Bows

The fun things about today's outfit:

1. Sweater - Thrifted 

2. Black Pants - H&M 3 yrs ago. Recently skinnied them from a bootcut.

3. Necklace - Purchased via my friends jewelry business

4. White Stripe Bracelet - Thrifted

5. Chambray - Thrifted & Taken In by me.

Listen people, I feel a little boring today with 100% neutrals in my outfit. My mind started randomly wandering to the beautiful ruffles, and edgy studs that stylish people wear. And my wandering mind landed on bows. Yep, Bows. 

Trendy lil' hair bows. 

How do you wear those? 

(I did not mean to rhyme just now, but I like it that I did.)

I seriously wonder how these lovely ladies look so fab in these silly things. If you're a hair bow wearer (or even hair flower wearer). Good job. I cannot for the life of me figure out how you're making that work. If I ever try one of these on in my hair (which is less and less frequent) I cannot get it out fast enough. It never looks right on me. Hair up. Hair down. Nope, not happenin.

Oh well. At least I have my collection of sweaters to snuggle up in while my hair looks undressed and plain. Oh sweaters, thank you for always keeping me warm.

Well that last part got a little weird as I wrote it, but because I'm not really all about trying to be someone I'm not... I'm just leaving it as originally typed.

And since we are in Be-Random-Mode, I'm just going to put it out there:
If you like my blog, take my button! I'd love that!

Any random mind wandering in your day today?

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Imperfect But Loved

The fun things about today's outfit:
1. Slouchy Shirt - Hand-me-down from friend (Jennifer)
2. Jeans - Buckle
3. Toms - Old but good! 
4. Necklace - Antique store for $1

This has been another whirlwind of a day. Monday's are my days off. So I try to pack all the Saturday left overs into Mondays. And if it's not raining, I always try to go on a walk with my mom to start the day. 

This morning we had a particularly heart felt conversation, in which I revealed to her a few of my imperfections. This is never easy to do because we all want people to think we have it all together. We hope that people see us and think, "Wow, she's doing well." So to reveal our humanness and imperfections is not something we aim to do on the daily.

The part I loved best about my time with my mom was as I left her house after our walk she hugged me and said, "I love you. And I don't love you any less than I did before."

Isn't that how we are with God sometimes? We'd rather pretend we are living rightly than to confess we've made mistakes. We'd rather our imperfections be a secret. But when the time comes that we are stripped of our pride and we do confess and seek restoration, God so eagerly takes us in a huge embrace and tells us He loves us. He tells us that He will always love us. He will love us forever.

Oh the power of Jesus' sweet name!

Luke 8:17

For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, 

nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

Romans 8:37-39

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers,

nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, 

shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Pretty Green

This is how I think I look while posing.

The fun things about today's outfit:

1. Green Skirt - Thrifted & Refashioned (see below)

2. White Bracelet - Thrifted for $2

3. Scarf - Gift

4. Boots - Thrifted

5. Earrings - Gift

Skirt Before & After:

Well folks, once again this Refashion happened before I started a blog. That means there are minimal instruction photos. But basically I cut the dress in half. I rolled the top down twice to create a "tunnel" to insert some elastic through. You can put a clothes pin through the elastic to make it easier to push through said "tunnel." I promise this is not the last time I'll be doing this sort of DIY so I'll take better photos next time!

On to bigger and better topics!

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love my home church! It's such a wonderful community of people who are seeking Jesus! With that said, I have to shout out to some amazing people. Some friends are particularly supportive of my refashioning, and now, of my new blogging venture. My friend Judie and I joked this morning that I'm addicted to refashioning and reusing thrift and hand me down finds. To which I replied, "If I'm addicted, then you're my dealer." Judie in the past month has given me a box full of fabrics she's not using. (Can I get a Whoot Whoot!) Then to top it off today she gave me 3 beautiful scarfs that I love!!! Judie is amazing at finding under-appreciated, mis-used, antique, or just random pieces of jewelry and creating her own new jewelry out of the old piece. They always turns out beautiful!

Secondly, there's Jennifer. Today she brought me a bag of unwanted clothes from her closet. (Christmas morning much?) As Jennifer told me that she brought this bag of goodies today, she ended with, "There's more to come." And her beautiful and always fashionably dressed teenage daughter said, "I have some for you too." 

Are you guys kidding me? YEAH! Ya gotta love the hand me downs! Love these women!

Today has been wonderful! It's felt laid back and easy. And I spent the afternoon, once again, in a coffee shop getting to know a new friend. We discussed work, life, and eternity (topic of daily growing interest, but more on that later this week). 

James 1:22

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourself.

Sister Saturday - What She Wore

Well folks (yep, that's you) it's time to join forces with my sister. We are both new to this blog world and we figured, "why not." It will probably be a while before we ever join forces with any other bloggers, for the pure fact that we're newbies (wink wink, I'm not opposed to  joining forces someday though). So we're teaming up together for guest posting. And hey, we're sisters who are now actually friends too, so it's fun for us anyways! So each Saturday I'll be posting for her and she'll be posting for me. 

Rachel is the Who's Who over at My Wholesome Home, where she documents her journey to living a more wholesome life. She posts recipes (which I love - because I am just learning to cook), and she'll be posting home decor, organization, and tips and tricks to living organic. I hope you'll check her out. Maybe I'll tell you more about her later, but for now I'll let her tell you about herself.

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The fun things about today's outfit:

1. Striped Button Up - American Eagle boyfriend shirt thrifted for $5.

2. Boyfriend Cardigan - Mossimo by Target about 6 years ago

3. Jeans - American Eagle original bootcut, 

love that they brought back this fit and it's not a low rise, $30

4. Shoes - American Eagle, Christmas present from Hubby.

5. Jewelry - leather name bracelet with Tinkerbell, Disneyland souvenir from highschool; gold Austrian crystal cross necklace, brought back for me by my brother from his travels while in the Navy.

My day job is in the US Air Force. I love my job, not so much the mandatory daily uniform. My style is very laid back. After wearing a uniform for five days, my weekend wear is all about comfort (though I try to have some class). Unless Hubby is taking me to dinner (rare since we eat exclusively organic), I don't wear heels. My weekends are spent grocery shopping, cleaning, and catching up from the week. This outfit is a staple in my wardrobe. Jeans, flats, and a button up are my go to's. This week has been a bit chillier (it is still March)-thus a sweater-but the thin shirts like this one are ideal in the hot Nevada summers that last most of the year.

I just launched my own blog at My Wholesome Home. This week has been crazy making sure everything posts on time, looks right, and is getting promoted. I can't wait to see how it takes off. I love that Naomi and I have launched our new ventures at the same time. She's been a great help to me while I set up my blog since she started Patterned Love a few weeks earlier. We are so excited to be guest blogging each week! 

What piece of your wardrobe is your number one staple?

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And with  that dear readers, I'll give you a verse.

Proverbs 18:24

A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

It's Randomly Friday

The fun things about today's outfit:

1. PINK Sweater - Thrifted for $5

2. PINK Bracelet - Thrifted for $2

3. Necklace - Made by ME!!

4. Shoes - Target

5. Jeans - Thrifted for $6

I've decided that I'm officially a Sweater Collector. I've thrifted so many this winter! 

This is one of my favorites though! I'm falling in love with pink more and more! 

Speaking of favorites... 

I've made a lot of necklaces in my day and this is absolutely one of my favs!

And because we are randomly jumping topics, I'll go to my jeans next. I really try not to wash my jeans to often. I heard that was not so great for jeans to be washed over and over again. I always hang to dry but I still try not to wash tooooo often. BUT, this is the first time I've worn these since the last time they were washed and guess what I did when I got home... That's write I spilled on them. Not a "Whoops, lets  quick get a wet rag and wipe it off" spill either. I spilled a sticky hot mess spill. 

UGH. 

Oh well. Off to the wash.

And last random topic of this beautiful Friday is this: Meine schwester (My sister)

My sister, Rachel, has started a Friday series on her blog, reviewing the book Purpose Driven Life. I'll be giving input each Friday on her blog. Check her post out today to see how things will work. I wont be posting on Patterned Love, but I'll put a link each Friday to hers. BUT tomorrow I'll be launching Sister Saturday where Rachel and I will be guest posting with each other.

Ok, Over and out.

James 1:5-6

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and 

without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no 

doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Polka Dots & Forever

The fun things about todays outfit:

1. Boots - Steve Madden (not my cheapest purchase)

2. Bracelets - Thrifted

3. Sweater - Thrifted

4. Polka Dot Button Up - Thrifted and altered by me. Check out the how-to HERE.

As I mentioned yesterday I'm a little scared of button up shirts. So today is ultra risky for me with this added bow. I found the instructions on pinterested and it took me 6 months to find a thrifted shirt to use for this particular DIY. Although the week after I finished the project I found a shirt much more similar to the one in the instructions and was a little bummed because I really like that material better. Oh well. Still a fun DIY.

Aside from todays outfit, I wanted to talk about what I'm reading on Heaven. Seriously guys, why haven't I thought about this more? Don't get me wrong, I'm not racing toward death or anything, like it's the goal. BUT WOW. Seeing Jesus, forever. Being in His presence, forever. Having the perfect relationship we were created to have restored to us, for forever. WOW. Now, that I'd like to race toward! That, my friends, is a great goal! It really makes me think about what I do with my day. Are my choices influenced by my thoughts of forever? Are my relationships? My conversations? My Outfits? My time management? I could go on, but I think you get it.

There's a book called In Light of Eternity by Randy Alcorn. I haven't read it yet but it's on the list as I study eternity. There's a quote on the back that I love.

Then there's this great song Psalm 62 that has a lyric saying,
"Though life is but a fleeting breath, a sigh to brief to measure,
My King has crushed the curse of death, and I am His forever."
"Your life's greatest adventure is ahead of you. And it will last forever."

Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.