Thankful

Been a little MIA from the blog since returning from Boston, but I am so excited that it is Thanksgiving!!! I will be flying home to the sweet Eastern Shore tomorrow morning to spend the holiday with the raddest family around. Lots of food, fun and family time is about to go down!.
If you haven't heard of Ann Voskamp she is a wife, mother, writer, and blogger who has a wonderful website called  A Holy Experience. She has also written a book called "One Thousand Gifts". I am in the process of reading this book through again and have been challenged to start my own list of the things and moments that I am grateful for. I would challenge you to read the book and make your own list. How often we get discouraged and forget all the wonderful blessings our great God has given us...most of all the gift of his Abounding Love and Grace!!!
So in honor of this special holiday here are some things I am grateful for.

1. Grace....in all its forms....in the countless reminders that I am in need of a Savior and His love has wiped away all my sins.
2. Family...they are the biggest blessing in my life and I don't tell them enough how much I love and appreciate them.
3. Best friends...as I have said in my previous post....these girls are the best and I am so honored to walk through life with them.
4. Roommates...both current and past roomies who have blessed my life and taught me so much.
5. Co-workers....what can I say..in all my years I have never had a working experience like this....These people are an encouragement and joy to my heart. There is nothing like working along side people you love and respect so much.

I could go on and on...but these people are just at the top of a list that could continue on forever. Here's to making this Thanksgiving the best one yet, and a reminder that all good and perfect gifts come from the great love of an amazing heavenly Father.

Side note....
My roomie, Kendra's dear friends the Colemans just had a little boy named Issac who has had quite the battle in this new litttle body of his. He has fanconi anemia which is a rare blood disorder, and has already had a few surgeries and will require more in the coming years. In order to help with the mounting medical bills...a blogger friend and fellow Lee Alum, Knox McCoy has set up a TOMs shoes giveaway in order to raise money for this sweet family. If you have time please head over to Knox's blog to learn more about the giveaway, and you can go here to donate to the Coleman family and read the rest of their story. And most importantly please lift up this amazing family in your prayers.

BFFs

I wish I had taken more pictures of my weekend in Massachusetts but alas....I totally failed. This past weekend I got to see my 2 best friends...the wonderful Teal McGarvey and Maria Dreiling.

I have said it a few times but there really is nothing like best friends. Teal, Maria and I have known each other for almost 13 years. There is a familiarity there and a comfort that I have not found in any other friendship I have had. They know all my stories, I don't have to explain myself, we don't go through that weird getting to know you thing. They are family. I have never been one of those girls who has a ton of friends. I'm a melancholy...its what we do. I have been blessed and fortunate that I have had these 2 amazing women in my life. I can have complete emotional breakdowns about life and they always have an encouraging or challenging word to share. They know when to call me out on my crap and speak truth to my heart.

So here's to 2 amazing Godly women. I am so blessed to have you in my life. So grateful for your hearts and your loyalty. So thankful that when I need a good talkin' to you show me love and compassion and speak wisdom to me. I love you so very much and am so honored to walk through life with you.

P. S. I know I will endure the rath later for posting this pic, but I found it amongst the archives and thought it was funny. ;)

Sleeping in and Lobster Rolls

This weekend I have the awesome chance to go to the fabulous Boston, Mass. to see my bestest friends in the whole wide world. The wonderful Teal McGarvey and Maria Dreiling. I can not begin to tell you how excited I am to see them, and to spend the weekend enjoying a New England Fall. Maria as the new mom to a 6 month old is excited about sleeping in, and I have just requested a lobster roll. See...it doesn't take much to please us girls. Most importantly I am ready for some time with 2 amazing Godly women, who know me so well and are an encouragement to my soul.
Side note...now that the Style challenge is over I didn't have the emotional breakdown I did while packing for New York. Thank God.
So Happy Weekend...and here's some new tunes I will be jamming out to on the plane!!!!

Florence + The Machine- "Lover to Lover"

Coldplay- "Up With the Birds"

M83- "Midnight City"

Things I Love Friday

Just wanted to post some things that are making me smile on this rainy fall Friday.
Is everyone ready for the weekend?

First...this is the cutest Halloween idea ever....

Second....you know what a crazy person I am for some Coldplay....

Their new album has been on repeat for the past 2 weeks...here is a compilation of Side B of the album which I think is my favorite...

Third....please read this post on "God, I Love Paris" I laughed for a while...

Fourth...I am loving the style of Olivia Palermo...and recently decided that her hair cut needs to happen on my head...



Home Stretch...Days 27-31

Will have more things to share about my Fashion Challenge tomorrow, but in the meantime here are days 27-31...



Pants-Gap, Tank-Zara, Cardigan-Banana Reppublic (can you believe I was able to do a whole outfit without any J. Crew)



Jeans-J. Crew, Top-Zara, Blazer and Scarf-H & M, Shoes-Urban

Jeans-J. Crew, T-shirt-Gap, Scarf-Limited, Flats-Target

Jeans-J. Crew, Tank, Cardigan, and Scarf-Gap

Last Day!!!!! Dress and Belt-J. Crew, Blazer-Gap, Necklace and Bag-Forever 21, Boots-Frye



Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of

This past weekend my friend and co-worker Erin and I went to NYC. I hadn't been in a while and let me tell you it was long over due. We had so much fun, ate lots of awesome food, and did a lot of walking and shopping. Sweet Erin was a real trooper considering I dragged her on 2 modes of transportation she hates an airplane and the subway. We were blessed with perfect fall weather and it was an awesome time. Here it is in pictures along with some outfit catch up as well ;).

Day 20...


Shirt-Urban, Skirt-Gap, Shoes-J. Crew, Bag-Express

Lunch at 5 Leaves in Brooklyn...soooo good!

Day 22...Literally everything I am wearing on this day is from J. Crew....I have a problem I know.

Mast Brothers Chocolate

I brought home 3 bars of Chocoalte...its all gone now :(

A little walk across the Brooklyn bridge

The Garden of the Secret Restaurant

Hudson Clearwater....AKA The Secret Restaurant

One of my favorite NYC Skyscrapers...the Flatiron Building

A new park on the Lower West side on Manhattan...the Highline. So much fun and so pretty

Day 23....Cardigan-Urban, Jeans and Top-J. Crew, Bag-Aldo, Scarf-Limited

Washington Square Park

Billy's Bakery in SOHO....I had a Pumpkin Cupcake and it was awesome

The famous Katz's Deli....Erin and I split a pastrami sandwich...I'm going to be dreaming about that sandwich for a long time.

One of the few pictures we took of us....and then realized we were seeing double.

Dinner at Balthazar in SOHO...best meal of the weekend

Erin taking a picture of her food.

FAO Schwartz legendary giant piano...it could be yours for $250,000.

Skaters at Rockefeller

Radio City Music Hall

Day 25...Jeans-J. Crew, Boots-Frye, Top, Jacket and Scarf-H & M

Day 26...Skirt-Limited, Striped Tank- H&M, Shirt-J. Crew, Belt and Bag-Aldo, Shoes-Nine West

Sadness... I realized I never took a picture of days 21 and 24....hmmm...may have to recreate for continuity purposes ;)





Photo Fail...

Ahhh!!! I didn't realize how far behind I was....please forgive me for my lack of outfit posts....had the best of intentions but oh well...
Here are days 12-19....wow!

Dress-Anthropologie, Cardigan- J. Crew, Boots- Frye, Bag-Aldo, Necklace-Forever 21

Jeans-J. Crew, Tank Top-Target. Lace Jacket-Anthropologie, Bag-Aldo, Necklace-Targer, Bangles-H&M. Pumps-Dillards

Top and Jeans-J. Crew, Cardigan-Urban Outfitters, Boots-Steve Madden, Bag-Forever 21



Top-Anthropologie, Jeans-J.Crew, Bag-Forever 21, Flats-Target




Jeans-J. Crew, Top-Gap, Scarf-Limited, Bag-Aldo. Flats-Target




Dress and Cardigan-Forever 21, Scarf-Limited, Flats-J. Crew



Top-Urban Outfitters, Skirt-Limited, Peep Toes-Dillards



Jeans-J. Crew, T-Shirt-Gap, Cardigan-Limited. Flats-Target, Necklace-Forever 21