10 Pieces to Get You Prepared for Spring

Happy Monday! Today, I want to share with you 10 pieces that will get you prepared for Spring:

1. Floral Skirt
This adorable floral midi skirt is so perfect for Spring. With its deep blue color that will go with anything and the beautiful floral print, it will take you right on into Spring.

2. Striped Tee
First off, this tee is only $7! Also, it looks super comfy and is an adorable Rose Quartz color. I want this so badly!

3. Striped Blazer
Stripes are super big for Spring, and this blazer is absolutely perfect!

4. Duster Cardigan
I have been wanting to get a duster cardi for a while now. I love this one! It's grey color is stunning and would be a great light layer for Spring!

5. Olive Top
This top is stinking cute! I love its fluttery hem and the olive color = amazing!

6. Boyfriend Jeans
I cannot get enough of these boyfriend jeans! They can be rolled and worn now, or straight into Spring and Summer.

7. Sweater
This sweater is the perfect light layer in the most terrific blue color!

8. Dress
You guys. This dress is so stunning! I am having a hard time not buying it right now. It would layer so well, or you could wear it as is.

9. Flats
Aren't these cutout flats just adorable?! I love the color as well. They would go so well with any of your casual Spring outfits.

10. Color-Block Flats
I love these color block flats. Hey, I love almost anything color blocked. These are just amazing!

Which is your favorite? What do you think?

See where I link up here.

High Five for Friday + Five Minute Friday 2.12.16

Happy Friday! Yay! We made it to the weekend! How was your week? I hope God blessed you immeasurably this week. He did just that for me. Keep reading to see what I was up to this week:

1. The Five Minute Friday prompt today is limit.

We all have our limits. You know, those things that we won't do. Those things that we are absolutely scared to death to do. For some of you, that may be telling others the Good News. For others, it may be riding a roller-coaster, or facing your fear of heights.

For me, it is/was all three of those. I have almost always been afraid to ride a roller-coaster. They just scared to to death. But, this past summer, I did it. I rode a roller-coaster. And enjoyed it. 

There are so many different limits that we have. God calls us to go outside of our limits. He gently pushes us past our boundaries. You know that thing that looks so big and scary? It doesn't look big and scary to God. He knows you and He knows that you can do it if only trust Him and step outside of your limits.

Today, I am daring you and myself to do something that pushes you/me out of our limits. Do something that scares you and find victory in knowing that it doesn't scare you anymore.

2. On Sunday, My church had a Super Bowl party/fundraiser. It was super fun, but just a little bit chaotic and stressful. Other than that, I really enjoyed it! Clarification: I enjoyed the party but not the football game. I am not a Panthers fan or a Broncos fan, but I had to root for someone, so I went for the Panthers and was a bit upset when they didn't win. I truly thought that they would win, but obviously, I thought wrong. Anyway, here was my Super Bowl outfit:

Tunic: Elegantees use the code "BowsandClothes" to get 10% off!

Leggings: Target (similar, similar)

Flats: Target (similar, similar)

Necklace: Wal-Mart (similar, similar)

3. We have had some crazy weather lately. At first it started warming up, then it changed back to frigid temps, and then, on Tuesday, it snowed! Like actual flakes coming down from the sky! Although it didn't stick, it was nice to watch it come down and have a delicious snow day snack. :)

4. I haven't done anything too noteworthy this week, but I have read some great blog posts, so I figured that I would share them here with you:

How to Wear Red and Pink: 2 Outfit Ideas at Shea Lennon

Valentine's Day Gift Guide for Her at Bright on a Budget

Keep Moving Forward at Kindly Unspoken

Valentine's Day Outfit Inspiration at Come Home for Comfort

Turtleneck with a Duster at A Memory of Us

5 Ways to Dress Up Your Valentine's Date Look at Garay Treasures

How to Extend the Life of Valentine’s Day Flowers at Chemistry Cachet

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

5 Swoon-Worthy Outfits Perfect for Valentine's Day

Why I am Not Fasting for Lent this Year

Have a lovely weekend!

Linking up here.

Why I am Not Fasting for Lent this Year

Today is Ash Wednesday which is the start of the Lenten season. The season of Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. It is a 40-day period in which one fasts from something to focus on Christ and His sacrifice. In the past and in some religions, one must fast from food. But, most people fast from whatever is standing between them and God.

Yesterday, I sat, kneeling at the edge of my bed, trying to decide what I was going to give up. I thought about giving back more money to various causes. I thought I could fast from purchasing anything for myself. But, I couldn't get this phrase out of my head: "Maybe that there isn't one."

I had texted this phrase to one of my friends when I was helping them with something. What I meant was that maybe they didn't need anything or anyone but to cultivate a relationship with Christ.

I knew exactly what God meant when He kept putting that phrase in my mind. He was telling me that He wants me to continue to focus all of my attention on Him and Him alone. He wants me to keep embracing the uncomfortable and stepping outside my comfort zone. He wants me to continue doing the good things that I am doing, like reading the Bible, worshiping Him, and loving Him and His children outrageously.

He wants me to do all of these things instead of fasting. Instead of focusing all my energy on fasting from TV, or whatever, He wants me to focus all my energy on Him and on what He has been telling me to do all along.

Fasting from something and forgetting what He has already been telling me what to do is not what He wants from me this time.

I have fasted so many times and have failed. No, I haven't broken my fast. But, I have done something that's just as bad. I have focused so hard on depriving myself, that I forgot that the whole point of this fast is to get closer to God.

Maybe it's just me, but I have trouble focusing completely on multiple things. It works a whole lot better when I focus on one thing. And that one thing I am going to focus on is Christ.

That is why I am not fasting for Lent. 

What do you think?

See where I link up here.

5 Swoon-Worthy Outfits Perfect for Valentine's Day

Happy Monday! Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and I couldn't be happier! I love all of the pretty colors, and all the girly elements of V-Day. Today, I am sharing with you 5 swoon-worthy outfits that are perfect for any of your Valentine's Day gatherings.

1. Purple and Roses

Outfit details:

Dress: Ross (similar, similar)

Chambray: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Necklace: Premier Designs (similar, similar)

Ankle Boots: Target (similar, similar)

This outfit isn't really something that I would normally wear, but I love it! It is always a bit risky to go outside your comfort zone, but most of the time, it turns out great!

This outfit is perfect for date night, or hanging out with your friends.

2. Blanket Scarf and Swing Dress

Outfit details:

Dress: Ross (similar, similar)

Cardigan: Target (similar, similar)

Scarf: Amazon (similar, similar)

Jeans: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Ankle Boots: Target (similar, similar)

I stinking LOVE this outfit! I feel really comfortable in it. It's something I like wearing. I would wear this outfit for Galentine's day, which is a day that you hang out with all your girlfriends. 

3. Tulle and Chambray

Outfit details:

Chambray: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Skirt: Kohl's (similar, similar)

Necklace: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Heels: K-Mart (similar, similar)

This is my favorite of all the outfits featured today. I love it so much! The other day, I mentioned this skirt. This wasn't the special occasion that I was talking about, but I just had to wear it here. Thanks to all you guys's help, I ended up getting a sparkly black crop top to wear with it. 

More about this outfit: I love the casual chambray with the fancy tulle. The pink also adds the perfect touch.

4. Bows!

Outfit details: 

Top: Forever 21 (similar, similar)

Jeans: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Cardigan: Target (similar, similar)

Flats: Target (similar, similar)

I wasn't sure that this outfit was going to work, but it actually looks nice! I didn't know how well the light pink bows would look with the hot pink cardigan. The trick to wearing the same color in a different shade is to make sure that the shades are distinct and not too close.

5. Lavender + Plaid

Outfit details: 

Sweater: Kohl's (similar, similar)

Leggings: Kohl's (similar, similar)

Scarf: Amazon (similar, similar)

Boots: gift (similar, similar)

This outfit would be great for a casual get-together or going out. The lavender goes really well with the pink and red. 

What do you think? Which look is your favorite?

See where I link up here.

High Five for Friday + Five Minute Friday 2.5.16

Happy Friday, friends! I hope you had a lovely week! Mine was really nice! Keep on reading to see the high points of my week:

1. Today's theme for Five Minute Friday is focus. 

I have trouble focusing all the time. I am easily distracted. It is super difficult for me to keep my focus especially when I am doing something boring or not using my hands.

I have to keep asking God to help me keep my focus on things. The most important thing to focus on is God. Lately, I have been asking God to help me to completely focus on Him and who He is.

When I am focused on Him, my day goes a whole lot better. I am less grumpy, I am not overwhelmed by the day's tasks, and I have more joy. 

When we shift our focus from lesser things and onto Christ, our lives are ultimately changed for the better. It is easier to hear Him, we find it hard to complain, and we are less concerned with what others think of us.

2. On Saturday, I splurged and got some ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery. I had gotten a $5 gift card and I wanted to spend all of it on one ice cream instead of splitting it up and getting multiple ice creams out of it. I got chocolate ice cream with chocolate syrup, peanut butter, and Resees cups. I was SO GOOD!

3. We have had really warm temperatures lately. On Sunday, it was so warm that I wore sandals to church and shorts in the afternoon. I loved it! It felt like straight up Spring!

4. On the 31st of January, the fundraising of Dressember ended. The whole challenge of wearing dresses ended on December 31st, but the fundraising portion ran all the way to the end of January. This year, $915, 627 was raised! This is enough to fund over 200 rescue operations, or pay over 45 anti-trafficking lawyers' salaries for a year, or pay for aftercare therapy for over 1,000 survivors for a year! Thank you for being a part of this!

5. Because I am super forgetful, I forgot that Wednesday was the monthly Currently post that Anne and Jenna host. So, saying that, I am going to write a little mini version of it here.

Sending
I am going to turn this one upside down. I still have not sent my Christmas thank you notes. I know, I know. I am so bad, but I just haven't gotten around to buying stamps and then actually sending them. I guess I should put that on my to-do list. Haha!

Eating
I have been eating... ice cream! See number 2 above. :)

Dreaming
I have been dreaming about future plans. Travels, adventures, life. I am BIG dreamer, so I am constantly dreaming and thinking about this and that.

Smelling
I have been smelling the Christmas Morning Latte that Wal-Mart makes for tart warmers. It smells so good!

Hearting
All of the Valentine's Day outfits. Pink is my favorite color, so I am loving all of the romantic, pink, girly looks. Also, I cannot get enough of Pantone's colors for Spring, Rose Quartz and Serenity!

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

Tips and Ideas to Wear Rose Quartz for Winter (Which is a Great Color for Valentine's Day As Well)

You are Made New

I hope you have an amazing weekend!

See where I link up here.

You are Made New

A couple of days ago, I read a devotion that talked about being made new in Christ. It inspired me and God prompted me to write a post about it. 

When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He forgives you for everything. EVERYTHING. There is no pitiful past, no mucky mistake, and not dark, dirty decision that God cannot wipe clean. His death was and is sufficient to cover all of your sins. All of them. 

His crucifixion was enough to bring forgiveness to anybody and everybody. Everyone can be made clean. You are not awful, and on the other hand, you are not awesome, either. You are not too sinful to be saved by His grace and you never will be. Also, you are not too good to be changed and wiped clean. You are not a special case; you are a human case. And we are all the same: ugly, rotten sinners in need of God's precious grace and salvation.

Once you accept Christ's forgiveness, your sin is as far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:11-12). You are made new. God has created you for an amazing purpose that only He understands. You cannot unlock that until you truly believe that you are clean.

Since we are human, we will continue to sin. Whenever we do sin, we must ask for forgiveness again. It is never a one and done deal. God calls us to continually ask for forgiveness for our wrongdoings. When we sin, that sin separates us from God. How do we get back to God? We ask for forgiveness. The forgiveness that Christ grants us restores the relationship.

I am very musically oriented. I hear God and feel Him most through music. Because of that, I have a few songs that go very well with the theme of this post which is being made new. 

• "You are never too far from a brand new start. You can turn around." --Turn Around by 1 Girl Nation
• "But you tell me you love me and you say to me it's never too late. Wherever you are, no matter how far, you can still come home." --Come Home by Kyle Kupecky
• "I turned the corner and what did I see? The father I abandoned running to me With arms opened wide and love in His eyes He cried as He said welcome home. Once I was broken, but now I'm mended Once I was king of my own land, now my reign has ended I bow my knee to the one who saved me Once I was dying on my own But God this wandering soul is coming home." --Come Home by Anthem Lights
• "There's nothing too dirty that You can't make worthy You wash me in mercy I am clean." --Clean by Natalie Grant

What do you think?

Linking up here.

Tips and Ideas to Wear Rose Quartz for Winter (Which is a Great Color for Valentine's Day As Well)

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend! Today, I thought that I'd share with you some ways and tips to wear one of the colors for the year, Rose Quartz, or more commonly known as light pink, for winter.

Rose Quartz is an amazing color for every day life, but it would be perfect for Valentine's day as well!

As a top

Wear a Rose Quartz top with gold jewelry and tan accents

Here I am wearing my Rose Quartz top with chambray, black, and brown.

This outfit has super similar accents as the outfit above, but they look a lot different. I just swapped out a couple of the pieces for similar ones and it created a new, cute outfit.

As a Necklace

Here, I let the pink necklace shine by wearing all neutrals with it.

I paired the Rose Quartz necklace with turquoise, emerald (the polka dots), and brown.

I wore the necklace with black and chambray.

Here it was worn with both girly and masculine elements.

Also, below is a compilation tons of options that are Rose Quartz:

one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen

What do you think about this color?

And, yesterday was the last day of Dressember fundraising. I want to say a HUGE thank you to all who donated, raised awareness, and learned more about human trafficking. You have made a giant difference in so may people's lives. Thank you!

See where I link up here.