one word: POCKETS

…extra pockets.

One thing I really try to focus on when blogging is style over trends. YES there is a difference…trends are what everyone seems to be wearing and style is what you do with what you wear as an individual. Especially with trends.

Last month, while in NYC…I went shopping for the first time at Zara and I quickly found out that its a little slice of Heaven.

I laid my eyes on this denim jacket, and literally put everything else back. I am extremely picky when it comes to  three things…black boots, coffee, and denim.

Perfect denim…perfect “wear”…and extra pockets. Two outside and two hidden pockets inside.

“YASSS”

Huge shout out to my sister for getting me the sweetest coffee mug from Tj Maxx.

(Breakfast club?)

You can even see the relaxed fit in the arms of my denim jacket. Hello, perfection.

http://www.forever21.com [shoes] http://www.freepeople.com [Roller crop skinnies]

Jacket: Zara | Lace top: Forever21 | Jeans: Free People | Booties: Forever21 | Sunnies: Return Passage

 

midi skirt dreamin’

My first thought about midi skirts were that I’m 5 foot nothing, and I don’t want to look any shorter.

That was until I thought I was going to knock my mom over trying to get to this one. How could I say no to this beautiful midi skirt?! My height wasn’t stopping me from making this incredible purchase.

While I’ve worn it with a basic, ripped black tee to give it an edge…for this shoot I decided to pair it with a denim button up for a sweeter look.

(Click Image for larger view)

DETAILS//ACCESSORIES

“Pinko” by Dolce Vita

Skirt: Forever21 | Top: Forever21 | Clutch: Aryn K | Belt: Thrift shop | Shoes: DV by Dolce Vita | Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

Shout out to my dearest friend, Meesh for shooting these!

just B E

S E A S O N S.

A love/hate relationship. We all have different seasons. Its how we remember certain milestones & memories in our life.

It also brings me comfort to know our seasons will come and go.

The time length is never known.

For the last 5 years, I’ve been in a season of working my butt off. Before I moved here, I was working 3 to 4 jobs and even when I moved here I was working two jobs that put me working from 5am to 10pm. The last 8 months of my life consisted of me working full time and attending school full time.

E N O U G H.

Its been a long season of working more than living and ME leaning on all of my own plans. Plans that didn’t seem to pan out.

JUST BE.

Since moving here a year and a half ago, God has shown me that its okay to make my own plans if they align with His. Diving right back into school was a slight regret the last 8 months. I wasn’t able to enjoy living and exploring in Raleigh or investing in the people around me. Not even myself.

OVER IT.

It was time for a season of rest…a season where I can just BE. A season where I just live and STOP planning my next step. I’ve always had the next step planned and I always had this never to settle mentality…but I was driving myself crazy. Between work & school both full time and doing a lot of volunteering at church, something had to go. Goodbye overly priced education that hid behind the name.

SEE YAH.

Just because I quit school, didn’t mean I was a quitter or someone who didn’t have enough drive. I just cared too much about my sanity and well-being to continue to crush my spirit and to let my relationship with Jesus and others take the end of the line.

FREE…thats WEIRD

I’ve been free from school for a month now, and I am so happy. I’ve been able to do the most simple things like read, go for coffee with my friends, and get back into my work out routine. I can finally take trips home and even spend more time reading scripture. This doesn’t mean I stop pursuing my calling or career…because that is always on my mind.

I’m just living a life thats meant to live where I love God and love people.

After all…this new season just allowed me to go to Hillsong Church’s Colour Conference in New York.

washed by the water

W O W. This past Sunday has left me speechless and in awe at the mighty way God moved. As a volunteer I get a front row seat to seeing God’s handy work here in the city of Oaks every weekend. Stories of lives being changed and seeing hands raised in worship, never get old.

This was my third time seeing baptisms at Elevation, and each time I am still surprised by how God moves in the room. Its indescribable. Your heart feels so full, you feel safe in His presence, forgiven and free, and all you can do is praise your heart out and feel so grateful to be given this life. Love wraps himself all around you.

27 Baptisms were suppose to happen..

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Like normal…God had other plans…plans of 53 people getting baptized.

This isn’t normal and the additional 26 spontaneous baptisms aren’t something you can plan either.

As the worship team sang songs with lyrics we’ve heard before…it felt as though they carried new meaning for the next 30 minutes of baptisms.

Emotions were running high as the 27 individuals took a plunge in the water, to publicly declare their faith in God.

Happiness.Joy.Freedom.Victory.Forgiveness.Conqueror. Hope.Faith.Trust.Love.

You cannot make something like this up. His presence was so full in the auditorium of the high school, and my heart felt like it was bursting out of the seams with joy because as I turned around, I noticed people lining up in their regular clothing ready to proclaim their faith…26 more people ready.

Seeing your friends in that line, running up to the tank shaking and tearing off their shoes, is a memory I’m beyond honored to forever hold in my mind.

When God calls you in such a way that everything in your heart is saying GO…the only road to walk is obedience to Him. He pours out so many blessings when we take that step in listening when He calls. A friend of mine who made the decision that day to be raised to life in Christ, said “I felt called to be obedient and get in the tank and only worry about Him who can judge me”.

What God is doing on our campus is a huge movement towards building the kingdom and I am honored that I GET to be part of this.

Even if my part if small, I’m looking forward to it because the best is yet to come.

step up your basics with this..

| B A N D A N A S |

the once 90s trend worn as a headband or even as a top (cue Buffy the Vampire Slayer), is making its way back as a top accessory this year. Except this time, with more of a statement.

Step up your basics with a bandana accessorized around your neck. Aka “necker chief” Running late? Throw up a messy bun & tie a bandana around your neck. Add a bright lip, and your once in a hurry or causal look leaves you feeling like a fashionista.

For my girls on a budget, like me…a thrift shop or online store such as Asos has bandanas under $10.

For my girls looking to splurge on this accessory, Free People has your standard bandanas and embellished bandanas that jingle as you walk.

For more how-to’s, check out one of my favorite websites Refinery29.com

 

How I’ve styled my bandana. (BlankNYC fringe leather jacket, white vneck, black ripped denim, and my black lace up flats)

http://www.freepeople.com +  us.asos.com

Pantone had me at…

It may be snowing today, but Pantone has me day dreamin’ of warmer days. Their color palette forecast is incredible for this S/S 2016. I’ve made mention that I wear a ton of dark colors, but I’m already investing in these muted colors and adding a splash of fiesta to my wardrobe. I’ve chosen my top fav colors from Pantone and now I’m more eager about Spring than ever! Pink hasn’t been in my vocab since I was a little girl but Rose Quartz has me in awe.

These colors are truly fitting for the minimalistic trend, and adds a feministic appeal to the boho, sophisticated and grunge style.

Fiesta

Rose Quartz

Serenity

Snorkel Blue

Lilac Gray

Iced Coffee

a touch of cobalt…in a big way

Okay..those who know me, know that black & neutrals are my happy place. However, when I see a beautiful shade of purple or say, cobalt blue…I get so excited. This coat from Forever21 has brightened my coat closet tremendously and inspired me for go a little brighter with my make up. Yesterday morning I had a serious case of needing some color with my black + white plaid button up, black mid-rise Free People skinnies, and black lace up flats from Old Navy. I bought a cobalt blue eyeliner by Revlon from Target and did a great wing tip eyeliner. My eyeliner & coat were twinning in colors and it was amazing.

If you haven’t read my up to date “About Me”, then you may not know how I am changing my blog. It will be now geared towards the fashionista on a budget. The gal who has style, but whose wallet limits her.

@Forever21: Blazer style peacoat $48 | @returnpassage: plaid button up $42 + sunnies $9 + silver earrings $9 | @Freepeople black skinnies $68 |@oldnavy lace up ballerina flats $18 | @marshalls Steven Madden handbag $30 | @colourpopcosmetics lipstick Chilli Chill $5

*for someone looking for budget friendly black skinnies, Target has some for under $30

Bad Hair Day?

Source: Bad Hair Day?

S/S 2016 forecast calls for

Suede Parade | Victorian Era | the flat mule | the X factor | pleats please | paper bag waists
These are a few of my favorite things. I love the 70s inspired suede trends fading into the spring with the potential to be paired with a flat mule or the paper bag waist trend paired with a X factor top! Below are a few of the top runway trends. 
   
   

r a i s e d to LIFE

Last weekend we held baptisms at church, and the atmosphere was absolutely e l e c t r i c. Emotions and excitement were flying high as people of all ages were being raised to life in Christ. This church has completely changed my life along with many, many others. Our God is unstoppable and I can not wait to see more people raised to life in Christ.

(Photos: Amber & Chad Langhoff)