Fall or Spring? That Is The Question

Fall to Spring by gannabfamous featuring mini handbags

 The weather in Dallas has been absolutely amazing for the past few weeks. It's either clear skies or beautiful clouds with the temperature being from 30's-60's, my absolute favorite range.

Usually in the morning it's in the 30's or 40's and then it will increase about 20 degrees in the afternoon. So I decided to do a mood board of the perfect layering pieces and transitional pieces for this type of weather.

Everything is under $50 in this set and I'm really loving the carmel blazer and the pastel pink pants.
 That ring may need to make an appearance on my finger soon.

Bridals Long Overdue

 A couple of months ago a good friend and sister from church asked me to do her bridals. It has been so busy I haven't gotten a chance to edit them. I wanted to share with you one of her pictures and just how beautiful they turned out. These files are very large and if I re-size them they really loose their quality so I only wanted to share this one.

Today Was Seattle

I wore this outfit just a few days ago.

The weather was beautiful and sunny that day. It was 70 degree's and had a nice golden breeze.

Today however, today was Seattle, between my melancholy mood and the dreary weather. 

Today was Seattle... Which I needed... Which I love.

I love the rain.

I love the clouds.

I love the days that just remind you that you don't have it all together and that nothing is in your control.

I love that crisp chill in the air that makes you want to hold your Starbucks Hazelnut Latte just a little closer to your chest for extra warmth. That that was the only thing that could have made you that much warmer during that moment.

Seattle is on my mind... it's on my heart... I will fill you in with the details later.

I just keep praying that God's plans are Seattle too.

I'll just have to wait and see.

Love,

Steph

Christmas In February

So since it's been a while since I've blogged.... We're going to go back in time to what would have been blog posts, but never happened for various reasons. 

Hey, I can pretend time machine's exist...

So this past Christmas, we had a Texas miracle.... Two words...

White. Christmas.

My father took these pictures and they original came out all blue and dark, so if the editing is a little funny, my apologies... These pictures don't do the outfit justice.

I got this dress thrifted but it's originally from The Limited. It reminds me of a dress that some woman would wear in the Pearl Harbor movie. The pearls are my mothers, which are always special.

The Power Of Vulnerability

This weekend was quite lovely.

I got to do a little shopping, spend time with old family friends, and have over a very dear friend and sister from the church to spend the night.

It was so nice just to serve her and make some things from her Pinterest account that I thought we would both enjoy.

We stayed up until 3AM talking about everything.

I think the highlight of the night was this short 20 minute video she showed me. 

It's a TED talk and I think it's very biblical and powerful.

Many times I believe that my openness equals to vulnerability and that's just not the case.

I am also the person that has a hard time giving compassion unto others, because I don't believe I'm worthy of compassion myself. This is a big hinderance to my relationship with God that I battle through each day.

I've been tricked into believing the false humility of "I'm not worthy of such mercy"; however, if God died a gruesome death for me and has continuously pursued me and wanted to create me to lavish His love on me, then He has deemed me worthy. 

He has acted in such a way, where even though it doesn't make sense, to Him we are worthy and we need to start believing these things so we can truly love other people. Believing that you're worthy is not prideful (as long as you have the right heart about it), because God created us we are worthy. We had nothing to do with our worthiness so it comes back around to a full circle ending... back to God.

Enjoy the video and enjoy your Monday!

What The Flu Taught Me

I'm so glad everything is back to normal (prayerfully) I guess I spoke too soon before where I said I'd be back...

It was Monday and I was sitting in an appointment in the career center getting my resume critiqued and it was like an immediate 180.

Chills, Fever, Body Aches, Head Aches, Throat Hurting.

Full. Blown. Flu.

This was the like the last thing I needed this week. I had tests coming up, a huge group project due, and a presentation.

I came back to my apartment... curled up in bed and tried to not think about how awful and continuously worse I was getting. Thankfully Full House was on, so it cheered me up for the time being.

Long story short I ended up missing the whole week of school. My parents came and picked me up and my amazing mother took care of me.

It's rare that I'm sick, but when I am, it's bad. I got to thinking though while I was sick, how many times I hear a friend of relative is sick and I blow it off as like "Ehh, oh well, I'll say a little prayer and they'll be fine eventually" or I am not as compassionate or care because it doesn't affect me.

It was the truth and I really got to see that when there were a few people who were willing to go out of there way to serve me, call me, text me, leave me encouraging voicemails, etc. Little things like that go a long way, especially when you've been on the same couch feeling helpless for days.

I encourage you all today, that if you know someone who is ill, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually to encourage them today. You don't even have to know them, visit a hospital, nursing home, soup kitchen. 

It's so easy to brush things off when they don't affect us but I hold onto this scripture that I memorized the other week.

"Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." -Phil. 2:3-4

Under The Weather

Unfortunately, the one year I get the flu shot is the year I get the flu.

The flu bug hit me two days ago unexpectedly and it's been very discouraging.

It's very uncomfortable sleeping and breathing. However I think the most discouraging thing is missing class. This is my busiest semester and I'm already feeling Satan attacking me.

What if I don't graduate? What if something happens and I get behind that I do bad in my classes? What if I don't graduate with honors? What if I don't have the fruitful semester I've been praying for?

It's hard to seek His Kingdom first in the midst of sickness and school. I'm beating myself up because all I want is to be healed but I haven't really spent time in His Word the past 24 hours. I've been praying bits here and there. It's comforting to know that others are praying for me and checking on me; showing me God's love that way.

 I hope you all stay healthy and stay safe.

-Steph

Allow Me To Re-Introduce Myself

I am well aware that I have been absent from my blog for 2.5 months now. 

As soon as I came back from Fall Break from Oregon, I immediately went into taking finals. Next was Christmas, then Winter-mester, then Spring Semester, with hardly any break in between.

I have dearly longed to write to you all and continue to share my life. I haven't had more than a few days absence from blogging so this was hard to deal with.

In the mean time as you can see it's a fresh and new year.

I have a new blog design thanks to a lovely and patient girl named TJ.

Life right now is pretty typical for what you would expect a college senior that's about to graduate to be.

I am working on research and my thesis, about a million projects before I graduate, growing and expanding this blog, and seeking God's wisdom for the next chapter in my life.

As far as this blog is concerned, I'm excited for what things I have envisioned:

*I will be sharing my journey as I work out (dreadfully) and eat better.

*Cooking everything I can on my Pinterest Food Board. Follow me if you haven't already!

*More outfit posts! We can never get enough of those.

*More design and travel posts.

*And continuing to share my journey with God with you.

I'm glad to be back. 

In the mean time, enjoy this preview from my trip to Oregon.

Grown Up Moments

So last week my roommate and I had 3 friends over for dinner. 

You could say it was my first "grown up" dinner party.

We all sat on the floor because I don't own a coffee table

(Well I do, but I took it apart and it's sitting in our laundry closet because it cuts up the room)

We cooked Chicken Burgers, Baked Potatoes, and Broccoli and Cheese.

For appetizers I had cheese and crackers and plums (don't ask me where those came in... I guess I had a lot to get rid of)

We decided to invite two people from our church that we don't know as well and that our new to our fellowship and we really just wanted to get to know them.

It was a great time. We asked each other the funniest questions and laughed the whole night. We all definitely got to know each other better and to finish off the night we all went around the circle and prayed.

This night reminded me of this scripture:

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Romans 12:13

I recommend that if you are just an acquaintance with someone and would like to get to know them, invite them over for dinner! 

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."- Hebrews 13:2

"You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." -Leviticus 19:34

And 3,000 Were Added That Day

Happy Monday!

I wanted to share these pictures of our two new sisters!!! 

Joy and Naomi have been awesome and I'm so happy for them to be in God's Kingdom!

Good News Monday's!! <3 p="p">

Country Club Attire

So if you don't live in Texas you should know that we go through a 30 degree change in one day. Because of this nonsense, I have to dress like it's 50 degrees and 80 degrees at the same time.... Hence this outfit.

I loved pairing this thrifted blue and white striped top with a thrifted white and blue striped shorts. I felt like I should be somewhere golfing in the Hampton's and it's no where near summer time (Thankfully) I'm ready to layer layer layer!

I have a surprise for tomorrow's post if all goes according to plan.

I love you readers!! 

Have a lovely day.

Old Fashioned Rich Fudge

As promised... I told you all I would give you the recipe to the fudge that I helped make the other weekend. I have found out that with fudge it's all about timing and temperature. 

 My friends mom had a nice stirring device that her family always used. It helps keep the fudge smooth while stirring.

Note To Self: You'll be stirring for a while so prop a chair by the counter and watch one of your favorite shows, cause you'll be stirring for about 30+ minutes..... And it wouldn't be Southern unless you're drinking sweet tea while making it.

Click Here For The Recipe