It's Not Over Yet

Most of y'all probably know about the terrorist attacks in Brussels since it all happened last Tuesday. As I was researching and reading all about the attacks, I was extremely saddened for the families of those who were killed and injured, and for those who did plant bombs and such. 

Soon after I had been reading, I was in the car going home. The radio was turned to one of our local Christian stations. It's Not Over Yet by For King and Country was playing on the radio. One who loves For King and Country, I knew the song and sang along. Then, I noticed it. The thing that flipped my day from despair to hope. The guy in the car in front of me. I saw him through the window dancing and singing along to the same song.

Your thinking, "So what?", right? Well, the reason why it turned my day upside down, in a good way, was because it reminded me that there are still good people in the world. It's not over yet. God is still on the throne and He is still working in the lives of people.

I believe that God is trying to remind me again and again of the fact that it's not over yet. On Easter Sunday, the message that was preached was on John 21. This particular passage is right after the resurrection of Christ when He meets the disciples in the middle of the lake. 

The point of the text was that even when we fail, it is not over yet. When the disciples fell away at the Crucifixion, they thought that they would no longer be Jesus's disciples and they went back to their day job, fishing. But, when Jesus met them on the lake, they discovered that failure isn't final. Jesus never stopped loving them. And He loves us more than we will ever know.

God had better things for them than fishing. He planned for them to shape the entire Christian church. They were sort of like the founders of it. There is life after failure because it is not over yet, God is not done yet. He has still get things to do. His love is more powerful than any of our failures or fears.

In the second section of John 21, Jesus tells Peter to feed His sheep. He tells Peter that following Him may mean a cross. But, as Matthew 6:24 says, anyone who wants to become a follower of Christ must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him. 

Jesus reminded each of them, especially Peter that life is not easy. In the same way, life as a Christian is difficult. Sometimes we as followers of God have to do hard and uncomfortable things for God and His glory.

The point of this post was for me to reflect on what God is teaching me and to remind you that even if it seems like it's all over, it's absolutely not. God is still moving, working, and saving. It's not over yet.

Go listen to It's Not Over Yet by For King and Country and read John 21. I promise you will be better for it.

Linking up here.

Pantone's Colors of the Year- 3 Outfits With Both Rose Quartz + Serenity

Happy Monday! How was your Easter? Mine was so great and full of Christ, family, and food. I am starting a two or more (we'll see if I want to add another edition or not) series on Pantone's colors of the year. Today, I have 3 adorable outfits all using BOTH of Pantone's colors of the year, Rose Quartz and Serenity.

1. Rose Quartz, Serenity, and Navy

top, jeans, sweater, bracelets, necklace

Always loving Old Navy, I knew that I would like at least some of their pieces in their spring line, but it far exceeded my expectations. Everything is so beautiful! The top and the jeans in this particular outfit are from Old Navy.

Wearing both colors isn't super tricky, but I think that I am drawn to outfits more like the one above in which one of the two colors is a texture; in this case it is the jeans.

2. A Dress + White

dress, wedges, purse, necklace

Isn't this dress so beautiful?! I love it so much! The style matches so perfectly with the colors. Since the dress is detailed and deserves to be the center of attention, I added simple accessories and shoes to the look. 

3. Rose Quartz Pants

top, jeans, wedges, necklace set

This outfit is my favorite of all of these outfits. I love how the brown of the wedges pairs so well with the Rose Quartz of the pants and the Serenity of the top.

Which outfit is your favorite? What are your thoughts?

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!! Or, you can use the 20% off coupon code "BOWSANDCLOTHES20" to get a discount on your custom phone case or laptop skin.

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See where I link up here.

High Five for Friday + Five Minute Friday: Alive

Happy Friday! I hope your week was fabulous! Mine was super great! Read on to get a taste of how my week went:

1. As stated in the title, the prompt for Five Minute Friday is alive.

Alive. When I think of alive, I obviously think of Christ who is alive, who has risen from the grave. But I have a feeling that everyone else participating in FMF is going to write on that, so I am going to write something different.

When I think of alive, I typically don't just think of the state of breathing and being physically alive. No, I think of being alive. Really being alive. Not merely living, but living. Doing the crazy awesome things, taking risks, being happy and really enjoying your life and where it is going.

The only way that we can experience that... that truly living, is through Christ, who took our sin and shame, died a sinner's death on the cross, and rose again ALIVE. Only He who is truly alive can help us truly live. 

"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us ALIVE with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved." -Ephesians 2:4-5 emphasis mine.

2. Over the weekend, my family and I went on a quick, not-even-48-hour vacation. Even though it was super short, I had a great time and it was nice and relaxing. It's always great to get away for a little while and unwind. 

3.  This week, I have really worked at being a better runner. Over the past few months, I got in a running rut where I would run the exact same route at the exact same speed (give or take a bit) for the exact same time. So, God has reminded me to step out of my comfort zone and try running more and better and smarter. 

Here are snapshots of the two runs that I completed this week:

4. I always run a few errands on Tuesday's. The past two weeks, I have highlighted the outfit that I wore in my H54F posts, and I think that I am going to make it a weekly thing. Here is what I wore on this Tuesday:

5. The posts from this week are below just in case you missed them:

3 Beautiful Easter Outfits Perfect for Easter Sunday

A CaseApp Review: My Custom iPhone Case + a Giveaway AND a Coupon Code

What are your thoughts? How was your week?

Linking up here.

A CaseApp Review: My Custom iPhone Case + a Giveaway AND a Coupon Code!

Happy Thursday! A few weeks ago, I was contacted by CaseApp to review their services. CaseApp is a website where you can create custom phone cases and laptop skins. Read on for a giveaway for $40 to their website and 20% off coupon code!

CaseApp extremely easy and so simple to use. For my phone case, I uploaded a photo that I had of floral print. With CaseApp, you can upload your own images, or you can use some of their gorgeous backgrounds. Also, you can use their stickers and you can add text which is a super great feature.

You also have a few options for what kind of case you would like. Mine is the tough case. The cases are super affordable as well! Here is how I designed my custom iPhone case:

I so enjoyed creating my own custom phone case! I have not one, but TWO gifts for you! Number one: a 20% off coupon code to CaseApp! It is only valid until April 31st, so you better create a case soon! The code is: "BOWSANDCLOTHES20". Number two: a $40 gift code giveaway! Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a $40 gift code to CaseApp. The giveaway ends on April 1st!


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How would you design a phone case with CaseApp?

See where I link up here.

3 Beautiful Outfits Perfect for Easter Sunday

So many women struggle with finding the perfect Easter dress. And then, they have to find the right accessories and shoes to complete the look. So, today, I am going to share with you 3 beautiful outfits that are perfect for Easter Sunday:

1. Floral Dreams

dress, heels, bracelet, bag

For look number one, I chose to go with a floral maxi dress because Easter and Spring means flowers. I am so in love with these floral cut-out heels! They come in blue, gold, nude, and black as well. Also, how neat is that bracelet?! 

2. Lace and Blue

dress, heels, bangles, purse

The main aspect that I like about this outfit is the unexpected color. Dark blue really isn't technically and Easter color, but it looks so great! 

For Easter, I am going to wear a white lace dress, so I thought that I would make an outfit with one. These shoes will work so well for Spring and will carry you all the way through Summer.

3. Blushing

dress, purse, ring, sandals

Just like outfit two, this look isn't your typical Easter outfit either. That being said, it is so adorable and the color combination of blush, gold, and brown looks super amazing! 

The cut-out detail on this dress adds so much femininity to the look. Once again, I love these shoes! The heel height is perfect in that it is not too high and also not flat. 

Which Easter look is your favorite? What are your thoughts? 

Linking up here.

High Five for Friday + Five Minute Friday 3.18.16

Happy Friday! I hope that your week has been the best! Keep on reading to get a taste of how my week was.

1. The topic for Five Minute Friday this week is surprise:

I love surprises. If you ever want to do something nice for me, just surprise me with something. Anything, just as long as it's a surprise. 

God likes surprises too. Take Mary for instance: God said to her, "Surprise! You're going to have a baby." He said to Moses, "Surprise! You are going to lead My people out of slavery." And He says to us,"Surprise! I've got a perfect plan for you that far exceeds your expectations and imaginations."

What do you think about surprises? Have you been surprised by God lately?

2. On Monday, I received a phone case from CaseApp. I was contacted by CaseApp and they asked me to make a a custom case in exchange for a review. Be on the lookout for the review next week with a 20% off coupon code AND a $40 giveaway! Here is a sneak peek of my case:

3. On Tuesday, we had glorious weather. Actually, the weather has been amazing this whole week! This is what I wore on Tuesday:

4. I am super excited because I am gearing up for a blog redesign! It will be a little while until it actually happens, but I am working on inspiration and what I want it to look like. 

Also, this is a side-note: Some people have commented and said how pretty and curly my hair is. Usually, put my hair up to take pictures for the blog, but lately I haven't. Would y'all be interested in curly hair tutorials and tips?

5. Just in case you missed them, here are this weeks's posts:

2 Bright Ways to Wear a Military Jacket for Spring

February Birchbox Review

What are your thoughts? How was your week?

Don't forget you can get free shipping on any order of one of these skirts from now until April 30th! The code is: SPRINGFREE. Help Monique celebrate her 100th sale by purchasing a skirt today!

See where I link up here.

February Birchbox Review

Happy Wednesday! Today, I bring you my February Birchbox Review: