Tuesday, April 8, 2014

30 with Thirty

Have you ever had a moment where you stare in your closet and there are a million and one items in it, yet you have nothing to wear? This happens to me every time I look for an outfit to wear.

So, there I am at work scrolling down my Instagram feed and I see Kate, from The Small Things Blog, posted a picture with the caption "Trying desperately to gather items for another round of 30 in 30.."

What the heck is a 30 in 30? And what does that have to do with clothing?

Well, I went to Kate's blog in search for further clarification. In her post about the 30x30 challenge, she explains what it is as follows:

"Basically, they take 30 items from their closet

and make 30 outfits from them. It's a way to

challenge yourself to be creative and rethink

your wardrobe while trying to avoid shopping."

Even though, Kate challenged her readers two years ago I want to take the challenge now. My hope in taking this challenge is having two things accomplished. The first to avoid shopping. I am halfway through my weight loss and want to wait to spend money on a new wardrobe when I reach my goal weight. The second is to take inventory of what I actually wear. With this, I can see what items I wear the most and which barely get touched. It will help me determine when it is time to donate an item that isn't getting much use.

So here is the lineup for my first 30 with Thirty:

1. Old Navy / 2. Old Navy / 3. Old Navy / 4. Banana Republic / 5. Old Navy / 6. American Eagle / 7. Levi's / 8. American Eagle

1. Soprano / 2. LC by Lauren Conrad / 3. Charlotte Russe

BD Boutique, LLC.

1. Sperry / 2. Toms / 3. Fergalicious / 4. Academy / 5. Academy / 6. Charlotte Russe / 7. Academy

1. Aeropostale / 2. American Eagle / 3. American Eagle / 4. Old Navy / 5. Old Navy / 6. LC by Lauren Conrad / 7. Spense / 8. Old Navy / 9. Old Navy / 10. American Eagle / 11. American Eagle

I plan to tackle this challenge in about 15 weeks, about two outfits a week. I will try to give weekly updates with pictures of the outfits I create with these 30 items. Wish me luck!!

Have you taken the 30 with Thirty challenge? If you haven't, do you plan to take on this challenge with me? I dare you to!

Read the rest of the story »

stormieariel

0 Comments

Monday, March 31, 2014

Glamorous on a Budget

Posted by stormieariel

Do ya'll remember about a month ago, I shared my master bedroom and the game plan with you all. I know I initially told ya'll I wanted to find a new home for our current bed set first but we decided to move something up on the list.

We installed the chandelier!!!

EHHHH!!! (That is my happy squeal)

Let's rewind a bit. When we bought our house a year and a half ago, the bedroom looked like this:

Notice the light fixture.

I was determined to turn our bedroom into a romantic getaway so we painted the walls Red Delicious by Glidden but color matched it to the brand America's Finest.

I am not sure what feel the room was giving off but it wasn't really romantic therefore I came up with a game plan to create a rustic glam style with romantic thrown in. The first thing I found for my newly inspired plan was the chandelier. It was listed on Craigslist for twenty dollars so I had to snag it up. The poor thing has been sitting in our garage for months now so we decided to finally install it. At least, my husband and father-in-law installed it while I admired it's beauty.

This simple fixture update has transformed my room and I am in love. It feels so glamorous.

G-L-A-M-O-R-OUS (anybody else remember that song?)

Seriously, the room feels so elegant and I think the room is finally heading in the direction I want it to go. Lets get one more look of the before and after.

Do you have the notorious "boob" light in your bedroom? Would you put a chandelier in your master bedroom or do you prefer chandeliers in the dining area?

I am sharing this post at Remodelaholic.

Read the rest of the story »

stormieariel

1 Comments

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Spiritual Growth

Sovereign Over All

Posted by stormieariel

I was going through my coat closet stuff a few days ago since we are in the process of renovating it (blog post to follow once completed) and I found my outfit I wore to my mommy's funeral.

It reminded me of the day Michelle, my cousin, told me my mommy died after picking me up from Babcia's house. It got me thinking how hard it must have been for her to tell me that I lost another parent (I lost my father five years earlier when I was 3 turning 4) and I think of the kids I work with who are 4 and 5.

If I were to tell them their dad died than 5 years later their mom died, I would think they are in for a rough life with rebellion and most likely depression. Who wouldn't think that after what a child went through with experiencing death so young? But I didn't have to go through that thanks to God and His grace. He made my aunt brave enough to endure raising a potential problem child. I have so many values that she instilled in me. If it wasn't for God putting it in her heart to raise me, I can only imagine how much of a mess I would be in right now.

God has a perfect plan and is sovereign overall. Do I wish I had my parents raising me? Of course! Who wouldn't however I now understand The Lord knew what he was doing. I may not have a complete understanding but I know going through that has helped shape me into the woman I am. It is helping shape me to be the mother I will one day be, God-willing.

I can joyfully give God all the glory for me not being bitter and depressed. It is because of Him that I have joy and I want to extend that grace to others for His glory.

Can you look back on a dark time in your life and now see God's hand in it all? Doesn't it give you great comfort that he is in control and we are not?

Read the rest of the story »

stormieariel