3 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Instagram Stories + {Why you should watch mine!}

As most of y'all who have Instagram know, there is now a feature called stories. It is my understanding that they are super close, {maybe even just like} Snapchat stories. I don't snap, so when Instagram launched these, I was SO excited! I have been using them like crazy! Here are 3 reasons why you should be using InstaStories:

1. InstaStories Show Life
Not only do InstaStories show day to day life, but they also show real, unedited life. Instagram got to be the social media where literally every post is a crazy edited picture paired perfectly with a carefully selected caption. I don't know about you, but when I scroll through my Instagram feed, the comparison bug starts biting. With Instagram stories, my feed is much less edited. 

I also love that they show an inside, personal look into other's lives. They show what is happening on a day to day basis.

2. They Are Another Place to Promote
If you blog, InstaStories are another place to promote your platform. They are an extra way for your readers to connect on a more personal level. Sneak peeks, blog post updates, and just real life are great things to post in order to promote your blog.

3. They are fun!
I love watching and posting Stories! They are just plain fun! Watching others go through their lives is awesome, and I love giving y'all a glimpse into mine. Which brings me to my next point:

Why You Should Watch My Stories
On my InstaStories, you will see some of my everyday life which includes shopping trips, mail day packages, food, and some random stuff that happens in my day. You'll also see sneak peeks of upcoming blog posts that you won't want to miss!

{Follow me here!}

Do you use InstaStories?

See where I link up here.

Blue Tassel Top & Grace + Lace Link Up

Happy Monday, y'all! I hope your weekend was super great! Today, I have an outfit post featuring the most adorable top and a brand new link up for y'all.

Outfit details:

TOP: Altar'd State (exact, similar)

PANTS: Kohl's (similar, similar)

NECKLACE: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)

SHOES: Kohl's (exact, similar)

SUNGLASSES: Charming Charlie (exact, similar)

When I spotted this top, I knew that I had to have it. With the tassels, adorable print, and comfy material, this top is a winner. 

As I was pondering what to wear with it, my white jeans immediately came to mind. There is just something so effortlessly chic about blue and white together. Then, I added my favorite sandals and necklace. I really can't get over this outfit. I could literally wear it everyday.

As we transition into fall, I know I am going to pair this tank with my leather jacket and my military style jacket. Having clothes that are easily transitional is essential for anyone who wants to possess a great wardrobe. When I shop, I always make sure that I can wear each piece for at least two seasons. Also, finding new ways to wear pieces of clothing is just plain fun!

Shop this post below:

What are your thoughts?

See where I link up here.

Now, let's get to the link up!

1. Katey from Two Peas in a Blog linked up this adorable outfit with some white jeans just like me today. I absolutely LOVE her floral top! It will transition so well into fall and even winter.

2. Megan from No Small Life shared her post with super helpful tips on how to wear statement necklaces. I agree with all of them, and I just love her witty humor.

-Link back to Spreading His Grace, Bows & Clothes, or both

-Subscribe to both blogs and follow each of us on at least one social media.

Mackenzie: Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Sarah: Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin'

-This link up has no theme, so we encourage you to link any of your recent posts. Also note that we have to right to delete your link if it is inappropriate. However, we are super excited to read about your passions, and are so glad that you've decided to join us!

An InLinkz Link-up

High Five for Friday! | End of August

Happy Friday! Can you believe that it's already the last Friday of August?! I know I can't! Also, can we all just give ourselves a high five for making it to the weekend? I think that's a great idea, don't you? Today, I am sharing the five high points of my week.

1. The prompt for Five Minute Friday today is loyal:

Loyalty is something that I look for in a friend. I'm sure you do too. If a person who you might want as a friend isn't loyal, then why pursue that friendship.

Loyalty is a super important quality to possess. Proverbs 21:21 says, "He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness, and honor." 

God shows us exactly what loyalty is. He is the definition of loyalty. Deuteronomy 7:9 says, "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments."

Talking about loyalty today has reminded me to remember to be loyal to God, my family, and my friends.

2. Friday, I had a few errands to run and I wanted to wear something comfy but also cute, so I wore this:

3. On Saturday, my sisters and I went on a shopping trip. Let's just say that I spent a little more than I wanted to, but you got to live a little, right?! Here's what I bought:

   

4. Monday started Lilly Pulitzer's two day After Party Sale! I wasn't going to get anything, but I checked the website anyway just in case there was something that I loved for a great price. It just so happens there was! I ordered the Essie Sleeveless Top in Pink Pout Shellebrate for only $24!

5. The other day, I ordered Jennifer Dukes Lee's new book The Happiness Dare, and some marble contact paper to create a photo backdrop (coming to the blog soon!), and maybe even put some on top of my vanity just like Tif did to her desk.

This was posted on my Instagram Story

This week, I published two posts!

Walking By Faith

Fancy Lace Maxi & Grace + Lace Link Up

How was your week?

See where I link up here.

Walking By Faith

Happy Wednesday! Today's post is hard for me to publish, but I hope it will be of encouragement to you.

About a month and a half ago, out of nowhere, I started having anxieties about a few things that I was going to do. The choir tour that I went on is a prime example. I always look forward to touring with some of my best friends and singing at various churches across the state. For some reason, only known to God, as the tour approached, I became less and less excited. I knew that I needed to go, I couldn't back out now, and deep down, I didn't want to. Deep down inside of me, I knew that this experience would only be good for me and others. I wanted to go and be used by God, but I was struck by creeping anxieties.

I did end up touring and had an amazing time. There was no reason for my anxieties. However, it wasn't that easy. I had to overcome my nervousness and fear. I knew the only way to do that was to talk to people I trust about it, and cling to God and the truth I know. 

After the tour, as I began to get back into my routine, anxieties and doubts started to creep in again. I didn't know how to face them. Nothing like this had ever happened to me. Not knowing what to do, I again drew closer to God. 

Starting to realize that faith is the opposite of fear, I studied, and still am studying, faith. I have learned that we must always walk by faith. Things aren't always what they seem. 2 Corinthians 5;7 says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." 

As I have been going through this journey of strengthening my faith, I have had to learn to constantly cling to Christ no matter what happens. Faith is not determined by our circumstances, but in spite of them. 

Another instance where my faith has been strengthened happened just a few days ago. I am not going to go into much detail because there is just SO MUCH to the story. The short version is that a few things in my life changed and I had to take a leap of faith in order to grow. I had to jump outside of my comfort zone, out of what I have known, to grow my faith.

While I have been going through this journey, God has revealed to me and reminded me of His constant presence. I have realized that God doesn't allow the weak to be tested, but rather, the strong.

Just remember that when you feel like your faith is gone, draw strength for the Giver of Life. He is only allowing you to be tested to grow you. I am still growing and am in no way even close to perfect. But, God not giving up on me and He won't give up on you either.

See where I link up here.

Fancy Lace Maxi & Grace + Lace Link Up

Happy Monday! I hope you had a super great weekend! Mine was no nice and I'll talk more about it on Friday. Today, I have a much requested outfit and a brand new link up for y'all.

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Outfit details:

DRESS: Francesca's (similar, similar)

SHOES: Kohl's (exact, similar)

NECKLACE: (similar, similar)

BRACELET: (similar, similar)

When I talked about this dress, SO MANY people commented and said they couldn't wait until I posted an actual outfit post of it. Well, here you go! 

As I was thinking of what to wear with this dress, I knew that I had to wear my Kendra Scott look-alike necklace. I also knew that I had to keep the rest of the outfit simple, in order to let this gorgeous maxi shine.

I am such a sucker for beautiful detailing and lace. I cannot tell you how many dresses and tops that I have with lace.

Shop this post:

What are your thoughts?

Linking up here.

Now, onto the link up!

1. Stephanie of Wife Mommy Me shared her $10 At Target: My Make-Up Solution post where she showed us what she bought this month for only $10 at Target. I loved her make up storage solution! I have a growing make up collection as well, and I may use something similar.

2. Kate from The Student's Wife linked up this post with her Sunday style. I love her thoughts about community and the skirt that she was wearing is adorable!

-Link back to Spreading His Grace, Bows & Clothes, or both

-Subscribe to both blogs and follow each of us on at least one social media.

Mackenzie: Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Sarah: Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin'

-This link up has no theme, so we encourage you to link any of your recent posts. Also note that we have to right to delete your link if it is inappropriate. However, we are super excited to read about your passions, and are so glad that you've decided to join us!

An InLinkz Link-up

High Five for Friday | Vacation + Outfit

Happy Friday, y'all! Yay, the weekend is here! How was your week? Mine was pretty great! Keep on reading to see the five high points of my week.

1. The prompt this week for Five Minute Friday is team:

Community is so key. I have learned throughout my life that people need people. We need each other. 

Most of my friends and family know each other. My team, so to speak, all pretty much know each other. 

It is so important for us to have a team, people surrounding us. We need them to remind us who we are and Whose we are. To point us back to our Creator and cheer us along in this crazy thing called life.

2. On Friday night, I was able to go on a weekend vacation to the lake! It was so refreshing! Weekend trips aren't usually the best because they are so short, but they always end up being just what I need. I was also able to take some outfit photos which y'all can see here.

I took tons of other pictures, but I'll just share a few below:

3. Recently, I got an Ozark cup (a knockoff for Yeti) and I got this adorable little decal for it. At first, I wanted a pineapple, but then I changed my mind and got this one.

4. On Wednesday, I wore the outfit below. I intended to wear a maxi dress, but I was much too lazy! Haha! I ended up wearing this shirt which I actually really needed to wear because I haven't worn it in a while.

5. What are you guys's thoughts on ColourPop? I had heard of them before, but I just recently looked at their products. I was drawn to them because of their liquid lipsticks. I also want to get some of their highlighter and brow products. I have heard great things about their liquid lipsticks, but not about the highlighters or brow products. I always try to see if any product is good before I buy it.

Just in case you missed them, here are this week's posts:

Aurora Red or Potter's Clay & Grace + Lace Link Up

Battle of the Balms: Which Tinted Lip Balm You Should Buy

What were the high points of your week?

See where I link up here.

The Battle of the Balms: Which Tinted Lip Balm You Should Buy

Happy Wednesday, y'all! Today, I have for you a tinted lip balm battle to show you guys which tinted lip balm you should buy. 

There are so many different tinted lip balms out there. I have tried five drugstore and one high end tinted lip balms in order to show you which ones to buy. 

I swatched each of them below:

1. Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Red Dahlia $5

This was my first tinted lip balm, and when I bought it, I absolutely loved it. But now that I have a few more to battle with it, it's not really my favorite. Here's why: this balm has too much of a slip. It's not moisturizing enough, or thick enough. However, the color choices are great and long-lasting.

2. e.l.f. Lip Kiss Balm in Smoochy Spice $2

I just got this lip balm, and I love it! It is thick enough to apply without slip everywhere. Super moisturizing, I could wear this balm all day. The one problem with this one is that I had to layer the color a bit, but that's not really a big problem in my opinion. 

3. Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm in Grape Vine $4

Maybelline makes some really nice products and Baby Lips doesn't disappoint either. They have a super great range of shades. My only concern is that they aren't very pigmented. If you want a tinted lip balm that's super rich in color, these are not for you. On the other hand, if you don't mind the light color, you would love these.

4. Arrow Boost Color Enhancing Lip Balm $14.00

This lip balm is the one high end one that I tried. I got it in a Birchbox once and I was so intrigued by it. The "color enhancing" part is so neat. This lip balm has no color, but it changes with the pH in your skin in order to make the perfect pick color for each person. It's also super shiny.

There is one con to this lip balm, however. It can be a bit drying. Just beware of that if you purchase it.

5. L'oreal Colour Riche Balm Pop in Fiery Red $7.99

Contrasting the previous balms, this tinted lip balm is super pigmented. Each color choice (btw, there are six choices) are bright and seem to give your lips a pop, just as the name implies. These also have a bit of a sparkle that I love. These are super velvety and they work really great.

6. e.l.f. Gotta Glow Lip Tint in Perfect Berry $6.00

This e.l.f. lip balm is just like the Arrow one above in that it reacts with the chemistry of your lips to create the perfect shade. It comes in three colors: berry, pink, or peach. I was so tempted to buy it in peach, but since fall is on its way, I went with berry. 

This tint is very smooth and easy to apply. I love the color that it gives me. I can't get enough of it!

All in all, I love each of these, but my favorite is the last one. e.l.f. products are unbeatable!

What are your favorite tinted lip balms?

Linking up here.