Thursday, December 31, 2015

Dressember Day 31: A Round Up of Dressember Outfits

Happy Thursday! Can you believe that it's New Years Eve! I cannot believe that this year is already over. It's crazy! Today is the last day of Dressember, although you can still donate all the way until January 31st. Today, I am going to highlight all of the Dressember outfit posts:

Dressember Day 7: Jean Jackets
dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

Dressember Day 8: A Little Edge
dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

dressember day 31 a round up of dressember outfits you can do anything in a dress its bigger than a dress

I had such a great time wearing only dresses for the whole month of December! So far, $150 have been raised through my fundraising page. I really enjoyed participating in Dressember this month and I know I will do Dressember again next year. I have some really great ideas about it for next year, so look out!

Which outfit is your favorite? Would you consider participating in Dressember next year?

See where I link up here.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

My Favorite Posts of 2015

Happy Wednesday! Since today is the 30th, I thought that I would highlight some of my favorite posts from 2015:

my 25 favorite posts of the year 2015
January
Chambray, Pink, and Leopard

You are a Beautiful Masterpiece

February
Brights for Winter

Random Rambles

March
5 Tips to Spring Cleaning Your Closet

Plaid and Camel

April
Oh, the Possibilities

Peach and Grey

May
Blogging Binder: Full Reveal

Blush and Chocolate Brown + a surprise!

June
Easy and Refreshing Detox Fruit Water Recipe

Style Snippets: 5 Tips to Pattern Mixing

July
Tea Party

Do You Feel Pressured to Be Perfect?

August
Paisley and the Arm Party Trend

You are His Daughter

DIY Simple Handmade Tassel Necklace

So many great posts this month!

September
Wear Now, Wear Later: Pencil Skirt and Floral Top

Life is too Short to. . . 

October
Black and White + a Hint of Blue

Have Courage and Be Kind: What Courage Means to Me

November
Elegantees: Black Tunic + a coupon code!

5 Black Friday Tips and Tricks for your Best Shopping Trip

December
Dressember: What it is and Why I am P articipating

Dressember Day 8: A Little Edge

Looking back over all these posts makes me realize just how great 2015 was. I loved this year and it is kind of sad to see it end, but I look forward to all God has in store for me in 2016. As I was creating this post, I noticed how much more heart I put into each post. Somewhere along the way, I think that blogging became a bit of a chore for me, but I don't want that. So, I am going to start being more intentional in my posting and really pouring out my heart and soul in each post.

Thank you for staying with me through this long, but rewarding journey! I look forward to great things this next year!

If you haven't donated to Dressember already, I encourage you to prayerfully consider donating.  "Dressember is a collaborative movement leveraging fashion and creativity to restore dignity to all women. Dressember uses fashion to advocate for women who've been exploited for their femininity. As women take on the creative challenge of wearing a dress for the 31 days of December, they are advocating for the inherent dignity of all women." (source) I have taken on that challenge. You can join me in the fight to end human trafficking! You can donate! If each of my Twitter followers donate just $2, I will surpass my goal of $500! Please join me in donating and advocating for those stuck in trafficking.

What are your thoughts?

See where I link up here.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Dressember Day 29: Flats + Cardigans

Happy Tuesday! Can you believe that there are only two days left of Dressember and 2015! I can't! "Dressember is a collaborative movement leveraging fashion and creativity to restore dignity to all women. Dressember uses fashion to advocate for women who've been exploited for their femininity. As women take on the creative challenge of wearing a dress for the 31 days of December, they are advocating for the inherent dignity of all women." (source) I have taken on that challenge. You can join me in the fight to end human trafficking! You can donate! If each of my Twitter followers donate just $2, I will surpass my goal of $500! Please join me in donating and advocating for those stuck in trafficking.

Now, on to the outfits:

outfits flats cardigans dressember inspiration dress necklace

outfits flats cardigans dressember inspiration dress necklace

outfits flats cardigans dressember inspiration dress necklace

outfits flats cardigans dressember inspiration dress necklace
Outfit details:
Dress: Kohl's (similar, similar)
Sweater: Target (similar, similar)
Small necklace: Charming Charlie (exactsimilar)
Necklace: Forever 21 (similar, similar)
Bracelet: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)
Flats: Target (very similarsimilar)

This outfit was a super comfy and simple one. I loved wearing it because it was cute, but it didn't feel like I was wearing a dress or was super fancy. I also really love the blue, pink, and gold color combination.

outfits flats cardigans dressember inspiration dress necklace

outfits flats cardigans dressember inspiration dress necklace
Outfit details: 
Dress: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Sweater: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Flats: Target (similarsimilar)
Necklace: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)

Believe it or not, I actually wore this outfit on Christmas Eve and wasn't even cold. The temperatures have been crazy warm here. We have been cheering because it is supposed to get in the 50's next week. 

On Christmas Eve, I went to my church for our candlelight and communion Christmas Eve service. After the service ended and after having some fellowship time, my family and I headed out to Olive Garden for dinner. Even though there was a long wait to get seated, the food was very yummy and my family and I had a great time.

What do you think? How was your Christmas Eve? 

See where I link up here.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Dressember Day 28: Emerald Green Dress Two Ways

Happy Monday! I hope that you had a really great Christmas! Mine was wonderful and spent with lots of family! In addition to reflecting on Jesus Christ as the greatest gift of all, I got plenty of clothes, accessories, a Birchbox subscription, and a Fitbit. Let's get to the outfits!

emerald green dress two ways scarf gold watch dressember outfit inspiration

emerald green dress two ways scarf gold watch dressember outfit inspiration

emerald green dress two ways scarf gold watch dressember outfit inspiration

emerald green dress two ways scarf gold watch dressember outfit inspiration
Outfit details:
Dress: Ross (similar, similar)
Scarf: Amazon (similar, similar)
Boots: Target (similarsimilar)
Watch: Charming Charlie (similarsimilar)

I got this tartan plaid blanket scarf as a Christmas gift and man do I love it! I have wanted a blanket scarf for forever, so you can imagine what I felt when I got not one, but two blanket scarves. The other one that I got is the same type of plaid as the one pictured here, but with pink, navy, and green as colors.

This outfit is probably my favorite out of the two, although I really do like the second one as well.

emerald green dress two ways scarf gold watch dressember outfit inspiration

emerald green dress two ways scarf gold watch dressember outfit inspiration

emerald green dress two ways scarf gold watch dressember outfit inspiration

emerald green dress two ways scarf gold watch dressember outfit inspiration
Outfit details: 
Dress: Ross (similarsimilar)
Sweater: Target (similarsimilar)
Scarf: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Flats: Target (similarsimilar)
Watch: Charming Charlie (similarsimilar)

I wore this outfit for a Christmas get-together/party with a few friends. I liked how casual and neutral the outfit was, with the exception of dress. It was super comfy and perfect for the occasion.

It's not too late to donate to Dressember, but there are only three days left! I encourage you to prayerfully consider donating to Dressember which is a cause that frees women and children from the sickening and terrible world of human trafficking. If you feel the need to donate, you can do that here.

What do you think?

See where I link up here.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

7 Simple Ways to Give Back this Christmas

Happy Wednesday! It's Christmas Eve Eve! I cannot believe it! This is the last post before Monday, December 28. Today, I wanted to share with you a few ways to give back this Christmas.

It seems that all of us get something on Christmas, but do we ever really give? Sure you buy a $10 something for a niece or nephew, but do you actually give from your heart? Maybe you should. Here are some ways to do just that.



1. Most importantly on my list is donating to Dressember. "Dressember uses fashion to advocate for women who've been exploited for their femininity. As women take on the creative challenge of wearing a dress for the 31 days of December, they are advocating for the inherent dignity of all women." (source) Dressember raises awareness and money for women and children who are stuck in the vicious and sick cycle of human trafficking. I encourage you to prayerfully consider donating to Dressember which you can do here. You can help free these women!

2. You can do random acts of kindness. Whether that means putting change in the Salvation Army bucket, cooking a meal for someone in need, babysitting for a single mother, creating care packages for the homeless, etc. There are so many options and ways to do this.

3. Buy Christmas gifts for needy children in your area.

4. Shop fair trade and buy items that give back to various organizations. Here, I have a gift guide for gifts that give back that describes each item and how it gives back.

5. Send Christmas cards to soldiers who may not get one.

6. Go to a retirement home and visit with the residents. If you have a special talent such as playing piano, you may be able to share that as well.

7. Volunteer at your local soup kitchen.

Each of these ways will not only help others and make them happy, but it will also bless you and may be an opportunity to share the Gospel.

What do you think?

See where I link up here.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Dressember Day 22: Two Shades of Purple- Orchid and Plum

Happy Tuesday! Today is day 22 of Dressember! I cannot believe that it is almost over already! Dressember is an organization that frees women and children from human trafficking. Women all over the world take on the challenge of wearing dresses for the 31 days of December to advocate and raise awareness for trafficking. I am one of those women. I have a fundraising page here that you can donate to Dressember. I encourage you to prayerfully consider donating this Christmas and giving back.


On to the outfits: 

Orchid
dressember orchid purple dress tan cardigan brown boots ivory necklace outfit human trafficking

dressember orchid purple dress tan cardigan brown boots ivory necklace outfit human trafficking

dressember orchid purple dress tan cardigan brown boots ivory necklace outfit human trafficking

dressember orchid purple dress tan cardigan brown boots ivory necklace outfit human trafficking

dressember orchid purple dress tan cardigan brown boots ivory necklace outfit human trafficking
Outfit details:
Dress (similar, similar)
Sweater: Target (similar, similar)
Boots: Target (similarsimilar)
Necklace: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)

I love how the orchid purple looks with all of the brown and ivory. I kept it pretty matchy-matchy because I wanted the orchid and the roses on the dress to shine. 

Plum
green polka dot high low dress brown boots plum belt plum scarf jean jacket dressember outfit human trafficking

green polka dot high low dress brown boots plum belt plum scarf jean jacket dressember outfit human trafficking

green polka dot high low dress brown boots plum belt plum scarf jean jacket dressember outfit human trafficking

green polka dot high low dress brown boots plum belt plum scarf jean jacket dressember outfit human trafficking

green polka dot high low dress brown boots plum belt plum scarf jean jacket dressember outfit human trafficking
Outfit details: 
Dress: Ross (similar, similar)
Jacket: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Boots: Target (similarsimilar)
Belt: Target (similar)
Scarf: Target (similar, similar)

I love this outfit mostly because I love this dress. I love the high-low hem that adds so much to the dress itself. I love how it flows behind me when I walk. This outfit was fairly warm which is good because the weather finally decided to change to winter weather. I love how the plum looks with the emerald color of the dress. 

I wanted to chat a bit about Dressember. I appreciate everyone commenting and saying how great they think it is that I am raising awareness for human trafficking. I just wanted to say thanks, but it's not about me. It is not about what I am doing. It is about these women and children that are being abused, but because of those who donate, these women are being freed. It's about those who, out of the goodness of their heart, are donating their hard earned money because they care about these women. I just wanted to say thank you.

What do you think?

See where I link up here.


Monday, December 21, 2015

Dressember Day 21: 2 Military Jacket Outfits + a Story

Happy Monday! I hope that your weekend was wonderful! Mine was great! Today, I have two outfits with a military jacket, and I have a story about a trafficking victim. I encourage you to read it even if it's difficult.

white eyelet dress black leggings military jacket black flats pink necklace outfit trafficking dressember inspiration

white eyelet dress black leggings military jacket black flats pink necklace outfit trafficking dressember inspiration

white eyelet dress black leggings military jacket black flats pink necklace outfit trafficking dressember inspiration

white eyelet dress black leggings military jacket black flats pink necklace outfit trafficking dressember inspiration

white eyelet dress black leggings military jacket black flats pink necklace outfit trafficking dressember inspiration

white eyelet dress black leggings military jacket black flats pink necklace outfit trafficking dressember inspiration

white eyelet dress black leggings military jacket black flats pink necklace outfit trafficking dressember inspiration
Outfit details:
Dress: Kohl's (similar, similar)
Leggings: Target (similar, similar)
Jacket: Old Navy (similarsimilar)
Flats: Target (similarsimilar)
Necklace: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Just like this post, this outfit has little bit of girly elements and some that are edgy. I like how it balances all out. These kinds of outfits are my favorite. I also love how the light pink looks with the olive of the military jacket.

grey swing dress black ankle booties black leggings military jacket red necklace

grey swing dress black ankle booties black leggings military jacket red necklace

grey swing dress black ankle booties black leggings military jacket red necklace

grey swing dress black ankle booties black leggings military jacket red necklace
Outfit details: 
Dress: Ross (similar, similar)
Leggings: Target (similarsimilar)
Jacket: Old Navy (similarsimilar)
Booties: Target (similarsimilar)
Necklaces: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)

This dress, is my favorite of all of the dresses that I have. I love how loose it is, and the grey color goes with absolutely anything. I love how the military jacket looks with it as well.

At first, I wasn't going to wear leggings with this outfit, but it finally decided to cool down here, so leggings it was. 

Here is a story that Dressember has sent me that I would like to share with you:

Charina* is one of the first young women to stand and walk to the front of the room to sign her name to the bill of rights. She is proud of the declarations she and the other girls have written together: "I have the right to be loved. I have the right to live peacefully. I have the right to my own body. I have the right to express my feelings."

Charina, 20, is participating in a meeting with the Reintegration Support Network, a support group for trafficking survivors. The network is an innovative partnership between IJM Cebu and the local government. Government social workers, staff from IJM and volunteers from the community provide medical and psychosocial support. The young women received trauma-focused care in aftercare shelters, and they have now returned to their home communities. The support network offers them a chance to keep learning about topics that promote psychosocial well-being and healthy living. 

She was one of two girls rescued in IJM’s first undercover operation in 2007. IJM investigators had been building a case against the pimp, who was notorious for selling young girls to men for sex. Charina was only 15 years old, but she looked even younger. The pimp exploited her youthful looks, selling her for sex to the men who were willing to pay a higher price for younger girls to abuse.

Charina was all too familiar with the routine on the streets. Pimps sold the younger girls and women; prostitutes stood on corners of the street or waited by the pier for customers to drive by to negotiate a price. So Charina thought it was just another night when a pimp told her that she would go to a hotel along with a couple other girls for a private party. 

But it was not just another night: The men negotiating with the pimp were undercover police. They were not interested in abusing Charina; they were there to free her.  

At first Charina was confused. IJM aftercare staff was on the scene to accompany Charina and the other girls and women to the police station. The IJM social workers explained what was happening and reassured the girls that they were not in trouble.  Charina and two of the girls were taken to an aftercare shelter, where they received crisis care and counseling.

But after years of trauma and learning to survive on her own, building trust was extremely difficult. 

After her father died when she was a young girl, Charina had been sent to live with her grandmother. Aside from the abusive and angry visits from Charina’s mother, the home was warm and loving – but very poor. Although Charina’s grandmother sold small rice cakes, a popular Filipino snack food, there was never enough. 

After completing fourth grade, Charina dropped out of school. Eager for acceptance and desperate for an escape from the hardship that had defined her young life, Charina started hanging out with a rough crowd. These new friends  introduced her to drugs, and before long her own mother decided it was time for Charina to start earning some money. Charina was 13 years old when she was first sold for sex. Two years later, she became pregnant and endured a painful miscarriage. 

When she was rescued, Charina was three months pregnant, struggling with drug addiction and 

very hesitant to receive support from IJM social workers. She saw the rules of the aftercare shelter as a threat to the independence she had been forced to learn at such a young age. She resisted the counselors and attempted to run away. 

Despite Charina’s initial resistance, IJM staff remained determined to connect Charina with the resources and services she needed. “We knew we did not want to give up,” says IJM Director of Aftercare Mae Sampani.  

IJM was able to place Charina in a detox center, where she received the help she needed to overcome drug addiction. During that time, the team faithfully visited her. They began to see Charina transform. Charina started to believe that someone actually cared for her. 

Charina endured many challenges during this time. She had to move to several different aftercare homes. After a fire burned one of the shelters to the ground, Charina moved back to her home community. It was earlier than ideal, but her IJM social worker walked closely with her during the ordeal. After many months of consistent support, Charina started to trust. She overcame her substance abuse and started to rebuild relationships. Charina started to hope. 

IJM seeks to provide holistic restoration for trafficking survivors.  Social workers help the young women heal by offering practical resources and providing trauma-focused counseling. But there is not one treatment or time line that works for everyone. The social workers make a long-term commitment to each survivor who participates in IJM’s aftercare program, committing to walk the difficult road together.  

The men who tried to sell Charina in 2007 were charged under the Philippines’ anti-trafficking law. The trial progressed slowly, illustrating the delays and obstacles that have been endemic to the system—but are slowly starting to change. IJM lawyers have supported the case, persevering through numerous postponed or canceled hearings.

Charina courageously chose to testify in court against the suspects. She is eager to see justice in her case – because she knows she is worth it. The trial finally ended in June 2014 with convictions against the traffickers.

Today, Charina is a strong young mother, determined to give her son the opportunities she should have had herself. With help from her counselors, Charina is making plans to return to school or receive specific vocational training. Charina says she will give anything in her power to protect her son. 

At a Reintegration Support Network meeting, Charina stood before the group of other trafficking survivors and counselors. She described how much her life has changed since her rescue. “I am happy and thankful for the positive changes in my life,” she said confidently. “If I was not rescued, I would still be standing over there,” she said, pointing in the direction of the pier where she had once been routinely sold and exploited. Charina described how she has learned to respect others and respect herself. She looked around the room of fellow survivors and said, “Now we can help other girls.”

*A pseudonym has been used for the protection of this IJM client.

This is such a heartbreaking story, but I am so glad that IJM was able to rescue her from this awful lifestyle. I hope that through this story, you have been stirred to donate to help other victims of trafficking. If so, you may donate here with any dollar amount. Every dollar counts.

What do you think?

See where I link up here.