Celebrating

Theme colors.



I already missed my first Thursday I was scheduled to post for Thrifty Thursdays. Sorry I was so sick and not up to posting. You are welcome to explore the budget wedding collection I have assembled this past couple of weeks, all for well under $200, total (for full vow renewal, including cake and wedding party atire)! Hopefully I'll get back on track and into a posting rhythm soon.





I need boots for the support, in order to walk better, but they had to be cute!
My big splurge at $20 on eBay, with free shipping.



Some of the language choices here hurt my heart because I know they dishonor God, but the overall letter, from an adult daughter, to her own mother, also referencing the author's 3-year-old and grandmother, is so eye-opening! I'm planning to share a portion of this with my 11-year-old this afternoon, to give her insight into how the truth we know about beauty in childhood can be so shaped and manipulated by life!

Edible butterfly cake decorations.

---- Update : Had that special time with my daughter before I ever got to post this. I will update by saying THIS is another reason infertility hurt so bad, one of those "Mommy moments" I so yearned for and truly enjoyed! If you are facing infertility or pregnancy loss, please know you are in my prayers today! ----

For all moms of pre-teen or early teen daughters (around 10-14 years), I must highly recommend Queen Esther's Secrets of Womanhood by my friend Ginger Garrett. My daughter and I started her Esther Year this month and I am SO excited!!!

For lack of a better descriptive on my part, I guess it is sort of a devotional leader's guide for you and your daughter. It take's the story of Esther and unfolds 12 monthly "dates" for a mother and daughter, fun little beauty splurges (yesterday's was just a basic skin care lesson, but since we had already done that and both needed hair cuts, we got our hair cut together, then sat and talked at Starbucks) that are really just spring boards to talk about deeper heart issues and what God has to say on the topic of beauty. It is a few years old, so if your local Christian bookstore can't order it try Amazon, half.com or even eBay. So glad to have this book I've hung on to since my "baby" was little!

For lack of a better descriptive on my part, I guess it is sort of a devotional leader's guide for you and your daughter. It take's the story of Esther and unfolds 12 monthly "dates" for a mother and daughter, fun little beauty splurges our first was intended to be just a basic skin care lesson, but since we had already done that and both needed hair cuts, we got our hair cut together, then sat and talked at Starbucks) that are really just spring boards to talk about deeper heart issues and what God has to say on the topic of beauty. It is a few years old, so if your local Christian bookstore can't order it try Amazon, half.com or even eBay. So glad to have this book I've hung on to since my "baby" was little!

Thrifty Thursdays

Yes, I know it is only a Wednesday! ;) I'm just too excited to launch this new theme (meme?) and had to get it kick off a day early:

 

 

You know that affordable, trendy, jewelry I mentioned in the video? Well, I just happen to be giving away a pair of earrings at Stroke Of Grace this week! Please sign up to follow my stroke blog, then leave me a comment telling me you did. Easy, peasy entry! :)

Here is more information from my friend, if you are interested:

At Paparazzi Accessories, we offer fun and fashionable accessories at affordable prices. All accessories are available for under $5. Paparazzi made it to where it is today as a direct sales company because their designs are unique and fashion-forward. All Paparazzi Accessories are also of superior quality so you don’t have to worry about having to compromise quality for affordability, as we offer the best of both worlds. It is these very same qualities that made the company and its products appeal to me personally.

As an Independent Paparazzi Consultant, Paparazzi Accessories certainly offers a very rewarding business opportunity that is unlike any other. Also, accessories are made of steel and aluminum. In some cases, wood and leather. No nickel, no lead. My company website is www.paparazziaccessories.com/15428. My store website is www.jewelry4five.storenvy.com

What to Wear...Put on Love

One of my favorite online communities is (In)Courage, a "home for the hearts of women." Today Kristen Welch of "We are THAT family" posted a delightful post about Your Basic All Purpose Garment. She writes:

Before Jesus, we wore ill-fitted, dirty clothes. (Basically a bad episode of WHAT NOT TO WEAR).

After meeting Jesus, we’ve been dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item, custom-made to fit us perfectly, by The Master Tailor. We wear His label. And we look fine, I might add.

But then we have a bad day. The alarm doesn’t go off, we wake up late, we’re rushing around. We go for convenience and ease and slip on our old clothes: impatience, unkindness and judgment. We layer up in jealousy, gossip and low self esteem...

Read the rest and be refreshed over at (In)Courage today!


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what to wear

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

 Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV

what to wear

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

What to Wear

Surely you heard of [Christ] and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 

 Ephesians 4:21-24 (NIV)

What to Wear

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Romans 13:12

What to Wear

He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head...

Isaiah 59:17

What to Wear

I put on righteousness as my clothing;
                                                                     justice was my robe...
 
Job 29:14

What to Wear

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
- Colossians 3:12-14 (The Message)