Falling in Love

I've fallen head over heels in love with Fall all over again. I used to curse the fall because I knew Winter was coming next. But as I get older, I realize that we have to appreciate things (and sometimes people) for what they are not what they aren't and what they never will be or even what comes after them. Fall is certainly not the lively new awakening of Spring. It's not the sweltering, laid-back Summer. And it for sure isn't the dreary, gloomy, cold and barren Winter. (and for that I am truly grateful!)

Fall in the South is really marvelous. I certainly can't complain. Crisp mornings, warm and even hot afternoons. (my kids played barefoot outside in t-shirts and jeans yesterday Nov. 3) The colors are amazing. So amazing that I tried to copy them ALL week. Here's what I came up with...

My favorite outfit of the week. The cropped cardi is Banana Republic sale rack $7. Long sleeved T is Wal-Mart sale rack $3. The olive, silk-ish pleated shell is gifted. The silk scarf is Peace Place $0.25. Brooch is $5 Estate sale.

This top is so fun! You've seen it before but I have to just say again... I LOVE LACE! These cords are J.Crew. I got them both at Peace Place for a dollar each!

Feather top with feather earrings. Too much? The earrings were gifted by my sister, Hannah, who is indeed a rockstar. Check her and my cousin David out here and here. I liked this outfit. It's not totally "me" and I felt like I should be on the cover of a Dixie Chicks album or something but it was worth a try. Opinions?

I think I like this pumpkin colored top better with jeans but wanted to try these grey Gap cords with it. Both from Peace Place. The shoes are straight up thrifted 80's glory! I snagged them for their little wedge and that fantastic pop of teal.

For awhile there I was obsessed with polka dots. Then I moved on to stripes. Is paisley my next love? Why is my heart so fickle?

Same Paisley shirt, different look. The shirt and cardi are both... from... well.. I think you know by now. The skinny jeans I got from Wal-Mart. A splurge for me at $11.

Ok... I just HAD to add this shot. Is the wind not just PERFECT!?!? lololol

Trying something just a tad dfifferent with these cords... IDK... I need a photographer.

What aspects of fall inspire you?

Wrapping it on up

So we've reached the end of our awarness campaign. Hopefully we have shed some light on two subjects that are rarely mention but need our support. I also hope we have been able to encourage anyone facing either breast cancer or domestic violence to seek the help they need to survive and thrive!

Here's my pink and purple outfit wrap ups. I thought I'd be sick of these two colors by now but I find myself scouring my closet for ways to incorporate them.

Every have one of those outfits that looks really great on you, but just doesn't photgraph well? Yeah... this is one of those.

Love these two colors together! I wanted to belt it and thought I might try beslting with a silk scarf and a belt. What do you think?

So... yeah... doesn't really look like pattern mixing until you see the closeup...

Now I know why this shirt was at the thrift store. It's gap but collects EVERYTHING!

Love these colors together too!

Comfy AND purple! Win WIN!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Any fun plans for tonight? Or did you do something this weekend?  I think I'm taking the kids trick or treating in a friends neighborhood so we can see his spooktacular yard haunt.

Ben and I went to Boutier Winery to see The Holman Autry band on Saturday night.  And everyone wore costumes.  Here we are:

 

I was tooling around the internet, looking at pumpkins and found some fabulous ones! Here's a couple of my favorites.  Wish I was talented enough to do this!

I want to see some costumes from y'all, too!!! 

It's A Sunshine Day!!

It's been a red shirt and shorts kinda week!

 

I think i'll go for a walk outside now
the summer sun's callin my name
(i hear ya now)
i just can't stay inside all day
i gotta get out get me some of those rays
everybody's smilin
sunshine day
everybody's laughin
sunshine day
everybody seems so happy today
it's a sunshine day

I think I'll go for a walk out side now
the summer sun knows me by name
he's callin me
I gotta get u, gotta get out, gotta get away
I gotta get away, get away, get away, get away
Into the sunshine day....

 

Yes, I am that old (and cheesy) that I am quoting a Brady Bunch song.  But it just seems to fit! The weather here has just been awesome the last few days. One of the things I love about Georgia is that I can get a sunburn in October. I can wear sandals and flip flops and shorts and capris in OCTOBER! I like warm/hot weather. Can you tell?

 

Ok, Leah linked us up to a funny blog, so I am, too.  I don't know if any of you are familiar with The Bloggess but she is hysterical.  This post may be the funniest thing I have ever read. BUT let me warn you!!  There is a plethora of bad  language in this post  (Don't judge me!!) If you can take the language, I promise you won't be disappointed.  I laughed til I cried and could barely see to finish reading the post!!

 If you could see this up close, you'd see the LITTLE bit of pink in the belt!!

Sometimes a Bakery is your Breast Friend

I read a lot of blogs. Mostly fashion, but one of my all time favorites is a humor blog.

Just read this and try not to laugh. I DARE you!

Brooch party! You know the saying "Less is more" ? Well sometimes I think more is better! The more brooches I put on the better I felt about this. What do you think?

Nightmares vs. Reality

I tossed and turned nearly all night. I was plagued by nightmares when I finally did sleep. The dream I remember most was one of the creepiest and scariest I think I've ever encountered. I was being beat by my husband. He was bigger and stronger than me and there was nothing I could do to protect myself or my children. It was horrible!

Everytime I woke up I'd look over at my husband, laying there peacefully sleeping. I would think of all the kind and gentle times that we have shared and the precious and patient way in which he deals with our four small, rambuncious children. I quickly offered a heartfelt prayer of gratitude for this man. Who he is and who he wants to become. I love him dearly and am so thankful for the peace and safety I feel when I am with him.

Sadly, the worst part of this story is that the nightmare I had last night is what a lot women call thier reality. I can imagine her pain as she is struck not only with hands and fists, but with hateful words. I can imagine the sadness she feels when her belongings are taken away and smashed to bits. I feel the pain her children suffer as thye witness this violence in their home. The confusion they feel from the love they have for this man they call "Dad" and the anger and fear the have when he turns into a monster. The hopelessness they must all feel. Being stuck between a rock and a hard place. It's frightening. Unfortunatley most women who endure domestic violence believe that for whatever twisted reason, they deserve to be treated this way.

To those women I would like to quote a part of the pledge that we teach the young women (ages 12-18 ) of my church: "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father. Who loves us and we love him. We will stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places. As we strive to live the Young Women values. Which are Faith, Divine Nature, Indiviual Worth, Knowledge, Choice & Accountability, Good Works, Integrity and Virtue..."

It is my hope that all women, everywhere can know of their worth and the love that our Father in Heaven has for them. That they may find peace and happiness in this life and that they can raise their children in freedom from fear.

Now... let's talk about clothes shall we?

My first real attempt at color blocking.

Remember the post Lise did about not buying your own clothes back from the thrift store? Yeah well... When I was pregnant with my first baby I thought I'd finally get a voluptuous womanly body so I gave all my "skinny" clothes away... yeah well... 4 kids later I'm still trying to look like a women instead of a 13 yr-old boy. So When I found (what I believe to be) my very own velvet pants at Peace Place I almost cried!

I have been saving this little number for a few months now. The colors are PERFECT for a Southern October!

And just check out this beautiful detail on the top. Copper buttons! I also love this little watch necklace. I found it buried in the backyard of my old house years ago. I cleaned it up and put it on a chain. It's my go to necklace when I want something just a little whimsical.

It was a little too cold this morning to wear this top without a cardigan... I'n hoping the day warms up enough to show off the detail on these sleeves. Who doesn't love lace?!?

How to wear brown and black is the same as black and navy. Wear at least two items of each color. What do you think?

I think I almost shrieked out loud in the store when I found these. (ok I DID shriek but that place needs a little livening up sometimes.)

Also a shriek-worth find! I LOVE this ring!

Pink for breast cancer awareness. I liked this outfit in my imagination. Then I liked it when I wore it, but I felt awkward in public. But then really liked it when I got back home. Anyone else do this?

What I wore to church yesterday. Fall= layers + belted cardigans!

Words Matter

 Flower pin made by our Leah! I pinned it on with

an owl earring. Gotta love the (purple) polka dots!

Today is National Anti Bullying Day, also recognized by the color purple!

Bullies come in all shapes and sizes.  They can be an abusive spouse, parent, even someone you think is a friend.  I'm sure we've all had our share of encounters with some kind of bully, school yard or otherwise.

My friend, Mojo, blogged today about how words matter.  And it is really good, so I'm linking up to her today.  Go give it a read! Click HERE!!!