Vested Interest







(Top: Target, Vest: Lilly Pulitzer, Skirt: F21, Shoes: Lauren Conrad)

Fall weather makes me want to wear plaid shirts and vests everyday. I recently got to get away for a quick trip up north to experience the color and crisp air! I'll have to share more photos soon. It was so much fun to be able to layer up with cozy cashmere sweaters and break out the riding boots. One of my favorite layering pieces this season is this lightweight quilted vest. While I love traditional puffer vests, this silhouette adds warmth without adding bulk. It's definitely going to be my go-to all season long. I added this cute pair of black patent pumps because I love how the gold bows accent the gold buttons in the vest, but to make this a little more casual, I'd throw on my tall black riding boots, or even a pair of tan ballet flats. Restyling is the key to outfit interest. Do you have a favorite piece for fall? 





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Cozy Up





(Sweater: Lilly Pulitzer, Top: F21, Denim: Target, Scarf: Lilly Pulitzer, Boots: Amazon)

I love the beginning of fall that shows up as a cool breeze, late afternoon golden light, and brilliant skies at sunset. When the mornings are cool, the first thing I grab is a cozy cardigan and a lightweight scarf. This print of this scarf is so soft and beautiful, so I paired it with the grey cashmere to let the colors do all the talking.

It's hard to believe it's mid-October...where has this month gone?! While temperatures won't drop significantly until later, it's fun to take advantage of the early signs of fall. Besides sipping on apple cider and trying pumpkin flavored everything, I've been burning this candle which makes the house smell incredible. If you're a candle person, or wanting to make the house feel festive and cozy, you absolutely need this, it's definitely the best. Happy Fall, friends!
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Rhythms of Grace


Have you ever felt like something was forced? Like you were trying so hard to make something happen that maybe just wasn't quite right? Lots of effort and no movement or return? I've been there before, and thought a lot about this recently. Sometimes I think we see things like faith or even our daily routines in this light. We do all these things to keep "busy", but what kind of return does it provide? I recently spent a weekend by the beach, and one of the most soothing, mesmerizing things is the consistency of the waves breaking upon the shoreline. As I watched the sun sinking below the horizon, and listened to the sound of the waves, I was reminded of the effortless rhythm of the ocean. It isn't forced, it's free--free to be wild and strong, and never tries to become something that it isn't. Isn't that a picture of what grace is like? We may paint it to be something that's constricting, and perhaps in light of how people view/do religion, that may very well be, but in reality, grace is freedom, unforced and consistent. As I've pondered this thought for the last few days, I awoke one morning with the phrase "unforced rhythms of grace" in my mind. A quick search provided the full passage found in Matthew 11, verses 28-30, which says,

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Unforced rhythms of grace...simple, easy, freeing. Isn't that how we want to feel? Not weighed down by the burdens of this world, or confined by what society says we should say/act/do, but free--free to live, to breathe, and to love. Unforced, unfettered, and alive. I love how scripture describes the way in which we can obtain this kind of life. In fact, it almost sounds like a rhyme or rhythm in it's sound.
Walk with me, work with me--watch how I do it
There's the key. I don't have to do things on my own, try to become perfect, or conform to something that isn't consistent with who I am. It's grace, unforced and consistent. I don't have to try to earn it, I just have to live in it. All I have to do is walk with Him, work with Him, and watch how He does it. It's something so simple it's almost complex...how could it be that easy? Are you sure?
Walk with me, work with me--watch how I do it. 

Unforced rhythms of grace. You are not confined to standard of perfection, walk in the abundance and freedom of grace.

''Walk with me, work with me--watch how I do it.'' 

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#Goals


What are your goals? We throw that word around a lot, take a look at the phrase #goals and you'll find a variety of images and words that have been attached to it, yet not all of them are actually things that would qualify as true goals that people want to achieve. Goals give us vision, passion, and a desire to change, obtain, create, or work hard for something. Goals give meaning to our lives, and can push you and I to do more than we may have first thought possible. If you don't already, set aside a time to look at the major areas of life: business, home, social, physical, mental, and spiritual, and create a plan. As you plan, make sure that your goals are in line with your mission statement (if you don't have one yet, here's a guide to help you create one). Some people say to work with a 10 year, 5 year, and then a 1 year plan. What I like to do, personally, is to write out 8-10 goals for the year, and also write out a broader view of where I want to be in 5 years. This not only gives me some direction, but then allows me to ensure that the goals I'm setting for this year are in line with where I want to be in 5 years. Choose a system that works well for you. Someone once said that if goals aren't written down, they are only pipe dreams. Let's leave the pipe dreams behind and make things reality in our lives! Ready to get to work? Here's three key steps to help you in the process of setting and achieving your goals.

1. Verbalize: Tell yourself aloud what you're going to do. Write out your goals on an index card, and read your goals (written in present tense..'I am, I have') out loud to yourself every morning, every night. Tell others what you are in the process of working for so they can help you to reach your goal.

2. Visualize: See yourself doing or accomplishing your goal. The more feelings and emotion you can attach to the goal, the better!

3. Vitalize: Actually do what you set out to do! Goals don't work unless you do! Get out there and start on the process to accomplishment.

Don't ever be complacent with where you are. You can always keep growing! Think about where you want to be and the many things you can accomplish in a year, and then write it down. Here's to a successful year ahead! You can do it!
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