The NEW Song that Never Ends

Fun things: I did a couple DIY refashions this weekend.
1. The flair white jeans I skinnied last summer... now shorts.
2. The long sleeve I haven't worn since 2009... now a tank.

Maybe you've already seen these photos, 
but if not don't forget to follow on instagram @patternedlove

As elementary, middle, and high schools let out in mid June, 

drivers everywhere stopped having pity parties and started having dance parties 

in their cars as they did NOT have to drive 20mph anymore for some ridiculous 

length before and after the school grounds when they're already late to work.

And with these series of events, adults everywhere start seeing youngsters 

in stores, on sidewalks, and in coffee shops in the MIDDLE OF THE DAY. 

To some adults it's annoying, but in my opinion this makes for many 

wonderful people watching experiences (in a totally NON-creeper-ish way).

As I checked the mail a few weeks back, I paused to thumb through 
and find anything that anyone might possible have sent for me. 
Nothing... but what's this? A faint voice in the wind?

Yes, the neighbor boy...

What's that? Is he singing?

Yes! That is without-a-doubt a little 7(ish) year old singing at the top of his lungs.

But wait... what is that lyric I hear?

He has made up a new and original song 

that for the past 5 WEEKS has not left me alone... 

it echos over and over and over in my increasingly annoyed, 

but initially laughing mind.

"IT'S SUMMER!

I'M GUNNA DO WHATEVER I WAaaaaaNT!"

"IT'S SUMMER!

I'M GUNNA DO WHATEVER I WAaaaaaNT!"

"IT'S SUMMER!

I'M GUNNA DO WHATEVER I WAaaaaaNT!"

"IT'S SUMMER!

I'M GUNNA DO WHATEVER I WAaaaaaNT!"

There is a strange tune. He made it up... It wont leave me alone.

I cracked up at first. In fact, I literally laughed out loud 

as I went inside chanting with him. 

But at this point, it's officially an anthem in my head that wont stop.

So currently the only appropriate actions is clearly 

to choreograph an entire dance number 

and enter as an act in an upcoming talent show!

Psalm 108:3-4

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to you among the nations.

For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Thankful Thursday: Gifts

The fun things about this outfit:

Sweater - Free, Jeans - Buckle, Shoes - Target, Bracelet - Thrfited, Necklace - HomeMade

This necklace started from an old chain found in my mom's garage and a short skirt 

that makes a tall girl like me look like I'm showing a little too much badonkadonk.

Here's how I created it:

1. Pick some materials.

2. Cut strips of fabric. (try to choose something that doesn't fray) 

3. Get your piles of fabrics set out and ready to go.

4. Tie lots of knots!

5. Wear that thing like a boss!

All this brings me to what I'm thankful for...

I'll be joining my sister Rachel for her monthly theme of Thankful Thursdays. 

So appropriately kicking off today on Thanksgiving!

I'm so incredibly thankful for having the ability to cut strips of fabric. And that I'm able to tie a knot. 

I love that I have a mind that can be creative when I see an old skirt and a bulky chain. 

I'm just so incredibly grateful that God has given me the gift of craftiness... I know it's not on

the list of spiritual gifts, but I'm claiming it as God given anyways! 

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the

Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Falling for the Scarf

The fun things about this outfit:

Skirt - Thrifted (maxi-dress refashioned), Tank - Target, Skarf - Gift

Ok, So Fall has now arrived. School is about to start for the young-ins. {depending on where you live.} 

So I'm pretty excited that scarves are soon going to be a part of my life again. 

Oh you long lost friend! How I've missed you!

So this is a new one. My mom and I were walking into a store and I ooogled over this scarf.

A few days later my mom tossed it at me when I walked into her house!!

Can I get a woot woot for mother of the year!?!!

5 Things: {My 5 Favorite Summer Outfits}

Yesterday it rained!!! 
Most people here in the northwest start praying right about now for another 2 weeks {at least} of sunshine. I, on the other hand, did a happy dance! I love every single season and seriously love when they turn into each other. So rain is a welcome friend in my book! 

And even though I look at the forecast and know that there is another 3 days this week in the upper 80's, the rain still had me thinking about the sweaters I'll soon get to wear. And about boots I haven't dusted off in a few months! So with the new, I also thought of the old. 

Since September will be here before I post again, I think it only fair to do a recap. So here are my 5 faves from this summer's wonderful tank-top season, better known as summer!

Because I really do love all these outfits, these 5 are in no particular order.

1. Little Purple Dress can be seen in This Post... And Yep, I found an occasion to wear it!
I attended a beautiful beach wedding where I was one of the only ones to wear heels!

2. Pink Pants can be seen in This Post... Yes people... This was just yesterday. 
That doesn't disqualify it from being one of my faves though, does it?

3. This lil rockin' outfit can be seen in This Post... You'll find a DIY!
That skirt, my friends, used to be a pillow case where I rested my purdy lil head.

4. Dotted Shirt can be seen in This Post... Ok people! 
I'm still excited that I made this shirt without a pattern or thought from a previous shirt.
And I may or may not be over my Cake Boss addiction.

And last but NOT least at all:

5. High-Low dress can be seen in This Post... After revisiting this post 
I now want to eat a burger...

Which reminds me of the fact I just ate the best burger for lunch yesterday.
I guess you'll have to wait to hear about that though.

2 Peter 3:8-9
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as 
a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to 
fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not 
wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Flip Flops Sometimes Have To Cut It.

The fun things about this outfit:

Shorts - Thrifted in 2006 and cut-off in 2012, Shirt - Thrifted & Refashioned, Flops - Old Navy

I know I'm not the only outfit blogger out there who thinks this. 

Sometimes, ya just have to give in to a shorts and tank day. And to get really lazy, toss on some flippetty flops. We can't always be dresses and lovelies! But I say, whatever you wear, just own it! Be confident and be yourself!

You know what else I say. Summer rocks. My newest love is reading on the porch swing! Seriously. I'm loving it! And if you're a regular reader, you know I have a goal of reading 2 Narnia books this month. I'm halfway through my second (Voyage of the "Dawn Treader") with only days left to finish before I head to camp with my high school girls until August. Wish me some speedy reading luck! 

Psalm 62:1-2

For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Refashion: Pillow Case

The fun things about this outfit:

Skirt - Made by Me, Shirt - Refashioned, Belt - Somewhere $5, Watch - Thrifted, Shoes - DSW, Necklace - Free

That's right everyone! This skirt was a pillow case. Look down your nose at me if you want to, but I say Heck Yes, I did that! 

It was so fast and easy! 

1. Get a pillow case.

2. Cut the closed end of the pillow case off.

3. Hem the side you just cut.

4. Thread elastic through the hem and sew shut.

5. Wear that business!

Seriously, this is an outfit of epic proportions. The t-shirt I'm wearing is from a few years ago at camp. I love the t-shirt. It's bright! But I don't really sport a crew neck T very often. So I chopped off the sleeves and neckline, and whipped it on... And what do ya know? It looked legit. 

And that my friends, is how to dress on the cheap!

Colossians 3:1-2
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

DIY: Ripped Jeans

The fun things about this outfit:
Jeans - DIY(Instructions Here), Shoes - Ross, Tank - Hand-Me-Down, Bracelet - Thrifed

So I've never been one to like ripped jeans. But this project looked so fun I had to give it 
a try. Although when you check out the link to the tutorial you'll see they used sand paper.
I'm a use-what-I've-got type of girl, so I used a cheese grater on my no hole jeans to create these beauties!

Listen, I don't mean to always tell you about the weather, but I have to explain. It's so ridiculously hit and miss here this month. Sun, Rain, Sun, Rain, Overcast, Rain, Sun, What??? So I feel like it looks to all you steady June Sun people that I have a wishy washy closet run by a crazy person. A sweater here, A tank top there. Good grief.

Tangent - who came up whit the saying "Good Grief." Isn't that an oxymoron? 

Anyways, this is why there's a heavy sweater in yesterday's post and a tank top today. 
The good ol' NW keeps us guessing, and I love it! 

On to more meaningful thoughts. Has anyone else noticed lately how beautiful creation is? I love looking out my office window to beautifully green trees, and waking up to light pouring in through the blinds. I love falling asleep to the pitter-patter of rain falling. And I love clouds! Clouds are one of my favorite things in all of creation! So beautiful. This may, again, be crazy to you who are more familiar with clear sunny, blue skies. But I have learned to love the fluffy, white tuffs as they creep across the sky! 

Anyone else out there appreciating nature lately?

Don't forget to follow on Bloglovin' because GFC is almost gone.

Psalm 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Wonderful Walker, Facebook, and HomeMade

The fun things about this outfit:
1. Shirt - 100% HomeMade. This is the second
shirt I ever made. Just fabric & my brain.
2. Leggings - Second Hand
3. Boots - Borrowed
4. Scarf - Gift (Yes. It is now way to hot for scarves!)

Well I've got a list of DIY's that I'd like to get done by mid July. 

Sooo, that means that you should be seeing more of the crafty, 

wingin' it side of me pretty soon!

On Saturday as I stood on a corner advertising our Plant Sale fundraiser, 

a pair of walkers came across the street. Our general reaction to this, is to politely 

step out of their way so we're not in their face screaming "GET YOUR PLANTS!"

But a strange and wonderful thing happened as I made momentarily awkward 

eye contact with one of said walkers. She looked me up and down a few times in 

my running/get-a-tan-on-the-corner clothes and the said, "Hey, I follow your blog."

Say what home girl?

She said, "Yeah, aren't you the blogger from Patterned Love?"

By now I'm seeing fireworks and starting to blush. What? 
Who am I that someone would notice me on the side of the road? 
Who am I that I have a legit home town follower! 

I wanted to do a happy dance involving the stainky leg, disco, and a strange 
shoulder shimmy all while singing Oh Happy Day... 
But then I remembered I was standing next to a High School girl 
who'd just met me that morning. 

Gotta ease people into my crazy, ya know. 
I'm not sure she would have been ready for it.

Needless to say, I was pretty pumped and humbled at the same time. 

Someone knew who I was... And they like me. 

Isn't that funny how we all need validation sometimes? 

I love it how God gives it to us in the funniest, and randomest places. 

Places like a street corner while holding a cut out sign for plants. 

{Girl, you know who you are! Thank you for making my day!}

P.S. I HAVE OFFICIALLY GIVEN MY BLOG A FACEBOOK PAGE!

Check it out HERE to like the page.

I'd love to show your blog some Facebook love (or like) too. 

Leave your link in the comment below.

Psalm 92:1-3

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
    to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
    and your faithfulness by night,

to the music of the lute and the harp,
    to the melody of the lyre.