True Blue (Outfit Idea)

So, today I'm just going to put together a nice outfit.

This shirt.

 

With this skirt.

And this shoe.

 

And this necklace.

If you're going for a true blue outfit, this is great.

Shirt = Courtesy of Google

Skirt = Courtesy of Katelyn's "My Style" Pinterest board

Shoe = Courtesy of Katelyn's "My Style" Pinterest board

Necklace = Courtesy of Google

Classy Jean Outfit {ClassyGarb}

Good morning girls! After a busy few weeks my brain finally clicked into gear and I  realized that I was supposed to be posting for APOC this Friday....so I decided that since I did not have a whole lot of time to prepare for a post, (Sadly, I am not the kind who can write a paper or post in an hour or less) I thought that I would do a post on one of my favorite outfits. 

I don’t know about you all, but I LOVE jean skirts. The jean skirt that I have right now has been through a summers worth of black berry picking, traveled over 7 states, played hide-and-seek too many times to count, been worn around the house or out to the store and everything in between. Sometimes I notice that when I wear my jean skirt out, it looks too shabby for wherever we are going, but I know it will have to work if I want to be able to have a good time and not constantly worrying if it will get a rip or stain.  A while back I found a wonderful solution by adding a jean jacket to the outfit. This helps give the shabbiness of the jean skirt a little more “class”. I also added a blue rhine stone flower pin where one of the buttons came off and I think this helps give it an even more classy look. Here are some pictures of me in my “Classy Jean Outfit”. :) 

Yes, that is our dog, Goldie, which I am petting in the one picture. :)

I noticed that a lot of the ladies on APOC also added what brand each of the pieces of clothing are, but the whole outfit except for the boots were bought at a thrift store, and you can always use your own jean skirt and jacket.  The boots were the only item that I bought. I bought them at Kmart and I am not sure how much it cost! Sorry for the lack of info on this. :( 

I hope you all have a super Friday! May God bless you all today! 

UN-Classy: Gossip

Gossiping is so easy to do (at least for me).  It's hard to figure out where that line is between sharing general info and gossiping.  

Gossip:Rumor or report of an intimate nature; a chatty talk-Merriam-Webster

So many times an innocent conversation turns into a full blown gossip fest (okay, maybe not that bad, but you get the idea).  I've noticed especially when sharing prayer concerns its easy to fall into gossiping.

In Titus, we read about older women setting examples for the younger women.

The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior,not slanderers (gossipers)...Titus 2:3

In Timothy, Paul writes about the qualifications of deacons and among those is a list for their wives.

Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. I Tim. 3:11

I love this first sentence from this passage in Proverbs.  It really puts it out there and is an eye-opener.

Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.  In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.  The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little.  The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom.  Prov. 10:18-21

We have the power to build people up with our mouths, but one ill gotten word or phrase can cause the trust to crumble away.   So many times we don't mean anything bad by our words, but the other person doesn't know this.  Better to be safe than sorry.

I've found the best way to deal with gossip is to have a close group of friends or family help you out.  Keep each other accountable and steer the conversation a different direction if you start gossiping.

I have an amazing group of friends that help keep me accountable.  During our prayer times we mention names of other friends that might need prayer, but we don't go into a lot of detail.  This helps us to stay away from the temptation of gossiping.  

Like I mentioned above, it is so hard to draw the line on what is gossip and what isn't.  Get a group of friends and help each other out.  Keep one another accountable and we'll stay classy together!

(All emphasis in above Scripture is mine.)

High Maintenance?

First of all, I have had a major lack of inspiration lately for writing much of anything...and my computer has been acting up on me, which doesn't help things. So today's post has been rather forced and a bit late, which I apologize for. 

True, this is a bit shorter than what I usually write, but I just wanted to leave y'all with something to think about.

High maintenance. 

Ever heard this term before? Sometimes, and usually, it is used to refer to a woman or girl whose demands in life are high. Demands for money, clothes, attention; it can be a number of things. Typically it seems the item is one of these three, however.

We all know of that one girl who was spoiled as a child, being given every single thing her heart desired. It didn't take long before she had developed an expectant, gimme-this-gimme-that spirit, did it? Since her every  whim and fleshly want got satisfied one way or another, she got accustomed to this treatment and developed an entitlement mentality., always expecting to get what she wanted; even into adulthood, making life hard for those unfortunate souls around her who didn't give her what she wanted. She became high maintenance. 

It's possible to be high maintenance without being super 'rich' in earthly substances or spoiled, though.

What about the young woman who was raised in a middle-class/semi-lower class household, and was always discontent with her situations and surroundings?  When she married, she became a burden to her husband, because that ungrateful spirit carried over into their marriage. Things were never good enough for her, and her demands were never being met. She was a high maintenance wife.

A Proverbs 31 woman is never high maintenance. High maintenance is being a person who is given to ungratefulness, constantly expecting far more of others than she should, and generally looking at herself as "queen of the universe" so to speak. High maintenance is given to pride and arrogance, and of course, the thinking that "I'm better than everybody else".

High maintenance is the opposite of a meek, serving spirit. It is the opposite of humility and thankfulness.


The book of Proverbs, alone, talks endlessly on thankfulness, and meekness, as compared to pride and ungratefulness.


Instead of being known as the girl who is always complaining about how poorly life is treating her, or griping about how things could be better, let your countenance shine with gratefulness and cheerfulness.

A sunny, thankful disposition goes a long, long way, ladies. 

Just a little something to ponder on!

A Thought On Lips

So today, I planned a post on my bathing suit, but when I went looking for it... I seem to have stored it somewhere for the winter that I can't remember at this time. *Head desk*

 So what am I supposed to do?

 A while back, Leah talked about how your eyes can be immodest, etc. Which is completely true. But how about... the lips? Hm? I know it sounds crazy, but your lips can be used immodestly.

 There are a lot of Scripture verses about using your lips for truth and so on, but not many about how you can use your lips in immodest purposes. Of course there's the obvious of saying things you shouldn't- which is in the Bible, but that's not what I'm focusing on today.

 Just as you can use the eyes to entice, you can use your lips.

 I looked up some lips to find examples, and my stomach just grew queasy at some of the things I saw. Certain things that people do with their lips are meant to bring a reaction out of others, and it really is disgusting. Here are just a couple.

    You see what I mean? And these weren't even the worst ones I found. As godly girls, we need to strive to be more like Jesus every day. I don't think using our lips like this glorifies God. I much prefer a nice smile. :)

       Sorry for the abrupt post! God bless you all! Have a wonderful day!           

Just So Beautiful!

You are so beautiful!  Your eyes are gorgeous the way they sparkle when you smile, your hair is so pretty, your chin is perfect, your pink lips so sweet.  God created you exactly the way you should be and He has the best taste!

I wish that I knew each one of you reading this today and could say that to each one of you personally.  As a young woman, I know how important it is for women to feel beautiful and I also know that so many women don't feel pretty at all.  The society we live in has distorted beauty and created this fake, anorexic model with big boobs and long legs.  When a woman like Jennifer Lawrence is called "fat"....you know to quit listening to those doing the calling!

I have struggled with being content with my looks since I was a little girl.  When I was 11 years old, I had acne like you wouldn't believe (actually, you probably would....I wasn't the only one I just thought I was.)  When I was 16, I still was not content with my looks even though I was the perfect weight for my frame, had long pretty hair and the acne was minimal.  By the time I turned 18, I had started to put on a little weight.  Like my mother, I was hippy and even shorter than her, so on me, 5 pounds looks like 10 and skirts that fit in the hips are huge at my waist.  I gained gradually over the next 4 years, always wishing I could lose it and be perfect but only succeeded in growing more and more dissatisfied with my body.

Last summer, due to stress, lack of sleep and lots of sugar, I gained 20 pounds in 2 months and 30 over the space of about 4 months.  Since then, I have grown to hate the way I look.  I would spend an hour just trying to find something to wear that made me look more slender.  I used to still like how I looked at least on some days, but I didn't at all anymore.  I just wanted to be skinny again.

Over the past 7 months I have gradually come to a realization and that is that no matter how much I weigh, or if I have clear skin or zits or if my hair is wavy or thin....my Lord still loves me and He does not want me to be focusing on what I dislike about myself.

I'm learning to be content with how I look TODAY.  Some talk about loving yourself and as mixed up as they may be, there is some truth in that.  So many of us girls hate ourselves and it shows in the way we dress, act and what we eat.

I noticed something not too long ago.  For a while no one ever complimented me on my looks or told me I was beautiful.  I thought it was just because I was fat until the day that I began to dress myself to look lovely rather than dressing myself to look skinny.  I haven't lost a pound but more than once I've been complimented and even though the flubber is still there where I don't want it to be, I still feel beautiful when I put on a pretty outfit and a flower in my hair...and others think so too because I am happy with the way I look.

I saw a clip of a show once where they were showcasing geeks turned super stars.  A woman on the show had discovered a 13 year old girl who was constantly and cruelly bullied for her looks.  After setting up the story, they brought this young girl onto the stage and I was shocked.  Her outfit was normal, nothing smashing but not crazy ugly at all.  Her glasses were kinda cute, her gorgeous wavy hair was pulled back in an adorable side pony-tail, her features were perfectly proportioned, she was neither under nor overweight...I still haven't figured out what the bullies didn't like.  From the world's standpoint, she should have been one of the popular girls, but she was convinced she was ugly!

I so wanted to hug her and tell her how beautiful she really is.  Not just her, but also every other woman that I meet.  You need to know that you ARE beautiful just the way you are.  Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise...including yourself.

"Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee." -Song of Solomon 4:7

Classy Camo

 Okay.  So, camo.  Camouflage is totally in style right now.  It's most popular around deer season, but everyone knows it's classy whenever.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love hunting.  I've been hunting with my older brother, Mick, since I was 12.  So, here are a few photos to get you all into the camo mood.

 

Shooting a bow.

In the woods.

Casual camo.

Fancy camo.

Casual camo winter jacket.

Prois.  Women's camo company.  They make really nice company, but can be very expensive.

 

Prois hunting cap, to shield your face while hunting.

Realtree.  Well known camo company.

Mossy oak.  They probably use more leaves than any other camouflage company.  They have many different patterns.  My hunting clothes are mossy oak.

I got a camo dress last Christmas, handmade by my Mother.  The picture is taken with my brother, Mick.

So, those were a few camo photos.  I hope you liked it!

Classy Jewelry

I have no clue what I’m writing about today. On Tuesday, I was going to have someone take a picture of me in an outfit I just bought, and I was going to post that, but I’ll have to do it next week, because I never got around to it.

So, what am I writing about, you ask? Well, the first sentence told you. I have no clue. But it’s Thursday, and something must be written. So . . . . I’m going to write about jewelry. *crowd gasps* How did I come up with that so quickly? You can thank Abri. She’s not currently on, but she sent me a necklace, and I’m wearing it, and I was playing with it (You know, the way you do when you’re nervous or troubled or uninspired?), and BING! Inspiration.

So, what could I possibly write about jewelry that could somehow suggest that there is something immodest about certain types of it? I’m actually not suggesting that there’s anything immodest about it. I’m just going to write about it, thank you.

Anyhow, I’m rambling again. Always rambling. . . *cough* Okay! Jewelry. Um . . . let’s talk about my favorite types of jewelry: Necklaces!

There is nothing lovelier than a necklace. Well, maybe there is, but I’m just talking. SO. Anyway (Sorry, I say that a lot. It’s to remind myself that I’m getting off track), the kind of necklace you want is going to depend on your personal style. My style is cute, but elegant. Unless we're talking clothes. Then it’s a “whatever is in front of me when I walk into the closet” kind of style. But with jewelry, it’s cute, but elegant.

The first necklace that I found on my search was this, and it takes “classy” a bit literally.

 I would wear it, maybe. It's pretty, and I wouldn't really mind wearing it. Would I buy it? No. Unless it was super cheap (Yeah, I hate spending money). But if it were given to me, I'd wear it. 

 Now, I like this necklace. I've always loved necklaces that allow you to adjust, so that way there is a way for some of it to hang down the back of your neck. I don't know why, I just do. So, yeah, I'd wear this one. And maybe even buy it. 

 

But maybe you don't really care for fancy and elegant. Maybe you like something simple, but charming. Maybe you like seashells or the beach.

  

I love this necklace. I realize it's not very simple, but I couldn't help to not post it. It's so pretty! Okay, so now I'll go and look for a simple necklace. 

  I like this one too. It's pretty simple, compared to the other ones. 

Now this is simple. And yet, it's still pretty and classy. And I would still wear it. 

If you want to know where you can get a few rings and such, I know a wonderful lady who makes them. And they're not expensive. If you'd like to check her stuff out, I can link you. :) Why not share a few of your favorite necklaces in the comments? Link us to a picture or just describe it. 

To the other bloggers: Sorry if any of you wrote a post about jewelry or if I'm invading anyone's territory. I was running late for the post and needed to get something done, and jewelry is one of my favorite things ever.

Also, sorry about the picture sizes. Blogger is giving me issues and won't let me downsize them . . . So I've been yelling at it the past hour. It's not going to fix itself. -_- Oh, well.

*All pictures come from Pinterest.*

God bless!

Snickerdoodle Muffins

Here's a twist on a classic recipe...snickerdoodle muffins!

They taste just like their cookie relatives and are absolutely delicious!

-1 cup butter, softened

-1 cup sugar

-2 tsp vanilla

-2 eggs

-2 1/4 cups flour

-3/4 tsp baking soda

-3/4 tsp baking powder

-3/4 tsp cream of tartar

-1/2 tsp salt

-1 cup sour cream

-1/4 cup buttermilk

-1/4-1/2 cup sugar

-1 Tbsp cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350*.  Prepare a muffin tin with liners.

Cream sugar and butter until fluffy.  Add the eggs and vanilla; stir to combine.

In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients.  Add half the dry ingredients to the sugar mixture and stir to combine.  Add the sour cream and buttermilk.  Add the rest of the dry ingredients and stir until batter is smooth.

In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.  Using a scooper (a small ice cream scooper works best) and plop a glob in the cinnamon sugar.  Gently roll around in the sugar until covered.  Put the batter into the liners.  Then, sprinkle the leftover cinnamon sugar over the top of the muffins.  

Bake for 15-18 minutes.  The tops will be golden and crackled.

Original recipe found here.

  I substituted 3/4 cup honey in place of the sugar in the muffin.  You can also use 2 1/4 cups of this gluten-free flour mix to make them gluten free.  They taste just the same.

Preppy Casual {ClassyGarb}

 

Howdy y'alls! I thought it was about time for another outfit post, and I was already wearing this since we had just gotten home from going to town, so here ya go.

 

I really am loving this weather. Spring. Ahh, isn't it beautiful?! I have been getting outside a lot more lately and just drinking in the sun and blue skies. *happy sigh* I think I've changed my mind about favorite seasons. I used to think winter was my favorite since it's the one time of year we down here in FL get ANY weather even half close to cold; but now I am leaning more towards liking spring more. With all the green coming out in the woods, it's like the world here has suddenly sprung to life. I love it.

 

 

Shoes....and ugly feet covered with ant bites. -_- A price you pay for going barefoot all the time.

 

 

What I wore:

 

Top: JCPenny - Gift from my grandparents

Skirt: The Skirt Outlet (find it here)

Shoes: Sperry Topsider - Hand-me-down from Grandma

Sunglasses: Eiher Walgreens or CVS, I can't remember.

Ring: Recycled/Made by me!

 

 

I like this outfit because it's casual, but has a little preppy/"pop" to it. It's perfect for this time of year because sometimes in the evenings it gets a little chillier, so the long sleeves come in handy. I really like this particular jean skirt, also. Very practical and durable. And who doesn't love jean skirts?

 

Hope all you lovely ladies are having a splendid March so far! Blessings!

 

Royal + Classy: A Purple Dress {ClassyGarb}

So, I figured today I would do an outfit post, because I got a lovely new outfit about a week ago. :-) Anyways, I had won a $60 gift card to Mod Cloth, so I bought the "Rebecca to Basics" dress, and the "Winding My Way" heel.

I do love to wear jeans for my general, everyday wear, but I love the feeling of skirts and dresses when I wear them. In heels, I feel kind of stately and classy. :-D

The dress and shoes are actually different shades of purple, so this "photoshoot" is probably the only time I'll ever wear them together. :-)

Love love love the silver stripe on the heels!!! They are a suede plum material, and so far fit pretty comfortably.

 

I added another shirt underneath because the V opening dips pretty low. All in all though, it's a fantastic dress that I feel great in!

Now, I usually don't spend large amounts of money on new clothing, but I do enjoy making my own dresses when I can find a good deal on fabric, or have an especially strong inspiration for a particular dress. The second is what I am currently working on... It will end up being a pretty expensive dress, all told, but incredibly worth it!

A little peek at my inspiration:

Do you ever make your own clothes? What is your favorite type of clothing to make?