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Look at me. I'm in an overcoat and it's all cinched up. You realize I know what's going through your mind. Clairvoyance and me are twisted sisters. Where on Earth did she find that coat? There ain't no telling what get up she's got on up under there. How does Eli keep a straight face when he photographs his Mama every month? Does Goodwill realize she could be like the blonde Target girl in the Christmas commercials from 2011 for their company? She's is for real that out there. I mean does she really get obsessive amounts of joy from good deals and donuts. Scratch the donut part. I said that. Not you.
February was my month to divulge. If you sit long enough on that 7 letter display, it can leave you feeling sneaky. At least it did me when I sat down to decide my words of each month for 2013. I hemmed and hawed over February. My gut said, "Divulge is your word. It fits." But, my social innards said, "Fool, what are you doing? You know they already think you're a fruit loop for these monthly parades already." I let them internally hash it out for a bit, and then, like The Rock, I decided to lay the smack down on good ole social innards. My girl, Clairvoyance, tells me street-like and all the time, "Haters gonna hate. Go on and do your thing. I'm out ahead of you, remember? I got you, Boo."
So, I'm divulging.
For those all new to this monthly-merry-round, go here to read about my new word for 2013. It'll be all the cliff notes you need. Then you can go ahead and skip on over here to read about my word for January. And, if you're feeling totally inspired and ready to shop Goodwill and completely up for re-vamping your life in a real kinda way bored and need some more things to divert your attention from the pile of work on your desk, the heaping dishes climbing out of your sink or that huge project you are excessively behind on, then by all means, go here to read all about my 2012.
You've already scrolled down to see what's under my coat, haven't you? Clairvoyance tells me all her secrets. Told you we were tight. Consider yourself buh-usted. Divulge means to make known. I loved that in my dictionary it has this in parentheses (private or sensitive information). How many of us keep our own set of parentheses nearby and handy for the yucky parts of our lives? Guilty. I told you she tells me everything.
I give you my story board mission for February:
Romans 12:2---Game changer. Clairvoyance tells me all the time. Your score card is in His hands. Remember that. My place & my face on this globe is for getting out the glory of Him. Giving it in doses large. And, moving out of my own way when my sour gets the best of me. The mind is a powerful place. Lots of room to let ugly set up camp if you aren't careful. The camp counselors at Ugly Camp have dreadful uniforms, too. They wear horns and carry pitch forks. Poof. BE GONE. I am His. Game changer.
Dump---I suck at a lot of things. I am good at some too. This month I chose to focus on not letting the not-so-nice parts of me control who I am. I am noticing that the more I focus on what I can't do well, the more my heart holds unhappiness. Moreover, the more my mind suffocates the goodness that I do possess. And, before you know it, I am captive to myself. Stuck in my own muck. I'm wallering in it and completely coated in nothing hopeful, helpful or positive for myself or others. February was my month to dump it. Dump out the honesty of my yucky in so to speak. So, here I go. I'm flippin' the script on divulge. I'm taking that sneaky connotation and knocking it down with the out & out truth. Consider my parentheses exposed:
( )
- I am my biggest enemy.
- I wrestle far too much with perfection.
- I struggle with rest both inside and out.
- I am stubborn with change.
- I steal happiness from myself.
- I second guess excessively.
- I say sorry way too much and for unnecessary things.
- I struggle with being confident in conflicts.
- I am not a great listener.
There. I dumped it to all 4 of you who read me. And, better yet, I dumped it to God. He reads me by the way. And, He is rocking my socks off. He slammed this doozy that follows into my prayer time this month out of no where:
Your attitude exudes you eternally, Meg. Your body will wrinkle. Your health may fail. Your circumstances will fluctuate. You will develop chin hairs that you must pluck incessantly. Your Mom did die. Your boobs will sag. Your money will come and go. Your children will grow up and move away. But, your attitude is eternal. In every phase of life. With every circumstance. Your attitude is your constant.
BAM.
Camp Ugly is now closed for renovations.
Expect---good things. Change comes about when we put our foot down on the fickle of us. It's that deciding moment when we just stop the excuses of I can't exercise or I don't pray as much as I should or I can't save money like I need to or I wish I had more friends, but I don't or I want to be happy, but I'm just not. We stop them. All of the excuses. We take stock in what our heart really desires, and then formulate a plan for change that best fits the goal. The solutions are never found if they're never really sought after, are they? The work put in has been uphill for me as I have begun this expectation shift. But, without a doubt, I am seeing the good things. My dumping along with my expecting is one helluva tag team combo slowly moving me towards a much needed mind makeover. Fickle is easy. It's safe & snug all surrounded with excuses. Writing down my specific ever-excuses (the ones I have made forever on the things I say I want to change) and tackling them with a clear action plan is working for me in big and evident ways.
Express---if I felt it, I said it. Too often I sit on my heart. I either do one of two things:
- I'm lazy and don't follow through on something tugging at me to share.
- I worry about putting myself out there too much and what people might think.
I sent text messages, made phone calls, put cards in the mail, looked people in faces. I did all of this to swim the upstream of my heart's inhibitions. Laziness and fear are my proverbial what has she got on under that coat.
Allow---God in on it all. Like for real this time. I have ugly cried on His shoulder, remember? I will do it again if needed, too. This month I placed myself in the passenger seat. I turned over the keys and just buckled up. I asked specific and big things of Him for myself and others. I expect His answers will come. And, I am allowing Him to do great things in me and in those others, too. For Him. I love how gentle and open the word allow leaves me feeling. I told all my tricky. I divulged my deep. I blurted out my busting-at-the-seams happy to Him, too. I am allowing him in on it all.
Accommodate---my schedule and my work flow. My family needs me. I need them. It was time I looked at ways to hone in on making more of my days for the benefit of all involved. My days started earlier and my time became more regimented this month. Quitting times were enforced and set times for work, play and school were maximized. I realized this month that little times reserved for let down can do wonders to your mindset. By reconfiguring how our day ran from start to finish, I not only accommodated more efficient work, but I also intensified my joys.
My mannequin story board for February:
My morale:
Random notes of the above:
I like nail color A LOT. I know every name of the Insanity workout video crew and I pretend we all high five after every workout. Butterfinger Blondies are da bomb. I'm a hippy at heart. I've missed writing hand written notes. My boys are best friends. A new water cup is a treat. So are K-May Apple Fritter Donuts. Talking for hours on the phone to a friend you haven't spoken to in 18 years totally rocks. Kids have it all figured out. Good books make good moves in you.
I give you my morals from February:
Everything is better...
when you live outside the shadows of you.
One of the most profound things I read this month came from my 6 year old. In his free write journal about the human body, he wrote this:
1 life.
1 body.
He "givs" it.
One.
Gift.
Noted, Casey Face.
Thank you, boy.
A sprinkled assortment of the Goodwill markdowns I found this month:
Leather full length jacket: $9.99 1/2 off weekend
Ralph Lauren seersucker shirt for Eli: $1.99 1/2 off weekend
Gap boyfriend jeans: $2.25 1/2 off weekend
Cream leather jacket: $4.99 1/2 off weekend
Old Navy jacket WITH TAGS: $2.25 1/2 off weekend
Ralph Lauren khakis for Eli: $1.99 1/2 off weekend
Um, read'em and weep {please note original tags still on along with the original price}:
Yes, this happens:
How'd I do this month?
Ensemble statistics:
coat: $9.99 GW
leggings: $5.00 Wal-Mart
sweater: Limited brand $2.25 GW
leopard print tank: $.25 GW
scarf: surprise gift from Kenny {made by one of his sweet office ladies at school}: FREE
boots: $20.00 going out of business sale in Chattanooga 2011.
TOTAL OUTFIT INVESTMENT: $37. 49
And, your thoughts, please?
Sneaky?
Heck no.
Seriously honest and ready for her best yet?
You bet.
Gotta scoot.
Me and my homegirl, Clair, are full-on looking into the crystal ball March of me. She and I are becoming just so close. I've even given her a nickname. Clarity. Twisted sisters for life.
.mac :)
She wore tangerine tights? Yes. A far cry from an itsy bitsy tiny weeny yellow polka dot bikini I know. It's winter and I was on a mission to color block like a mad dog. Mission accomplished wouldn't you agree? It's time. Time to let out all of what I have hoopty cooped up on the inside of my meticulously categorized & ever efficient cerebral filing cabinet highly trafficked scratched on & circled around Steno Pad noggin notes.
The year is twenty-to-the-thirteen and I am aiming to be a connector. Of joy. Of growth. Of reality. Of tangerine tight wearing. I need you to feel my need for speed if you haven't already. Go here to powder puff your nose in the ladies' room of me if you will. Once you freshen up, I'll be waiting for you just outside. Look for me. I'll be the one wearing tangerine tights.
My word for January was {saturate}. I love this word so very much. It's definitively discerning if you ask me. It leaves not a quandary one in the mind; it exemplifies 100%. It's over the top and I like it. My start to a new year needed gusto and the word {saturate} said "Holla if you hear me, girl." I resounded with a, "Loud & clear, Mamacita."
My mission for January is below. I wanted to put together a January billboard so to speak. You know, something to keep me focused. The pleated skirt-megaphone carrying-bloomer wearing combination of this layout below did just this for me this month. It reminded me time and again of my whys and my wheres and my what fors too.
* GIVE IT OUT.
Love is free. It's not hard. It will never be taxed. It spreads like wildfire. So why in the hell would I want to keep it in? I do more often than I care to admit. Way too many times am I guilty of snobbery to the ones I love. I get so sucked into the sarlacc of tunnel vision that I neglect to hand out my heart tickets. A nd, you know they expire like Cinderella's glass slippers and glitter get up at the stroke of midnight every night? Yep, they do. And, you can't get them back either. This is how I chose to look at my January. I looked at each day with an opportunity to hand out the tickets from my heart good for that day only. That analogy did wonders. I prayed every morning that I hand out as many as I possibly could to whom ever crossed my path. Guess what? I giggled more. I found funny in myself. I saw my boys in a more joyful light. My Kenny was missed even more the times he was away at work. By giving the free in my heart away, my ticker racked up in return.
* CONSIDER THE COST.
Faith is all up on me right now. It's like God's just called a timeout and changed from a 2-3 zone to a man-to-man. And, Faith? Well, she's guarding me. I am praying for Him to shake me in greater ways. And, He is. I want to find balance more in my life. I am praying more specifically about this. I am asking Him to give me the wisdom to know when and to know how. I want to work smarter for k.Mac. My hours can't be forever & a day and all the time. I am one. I want my work to be joyful and to be exceptional and to be anticipated. To me & to my clients. I want to know when it is time to head to bed and call it a day or when it's past due for a little R&R time for me. I am a worker bee by nature. Like, I seriously have issues with work and all.the.time. My internal is off kilter when it comes to quitting time. I am seeking Him to help me. He is. My days and nights are taking on a more fluid shape with regards to timing. My down time is fueling me more for the quality of work I want to have behind my brand. The cost of overworked is more work. The rested are ready & reminded of the joy & passion behind what they choose to do.
* FACE IT.
There are things that bring you down. Things you want to be different but are out of your hands entirely. Things that no matter what you do, you find yourself in the exact same spot. It is frustrating and disheartening for the overachiever in me. And, that's just it. I don't have to overachieve with these things. I can't spew rainbows from my mouth over & again and expect a different outcome. What can I do? I can be me. I can remind myself that we all have those wishfuls that just aren't there. Maybe one day they will be. Maybe not. Chasing down these dark hearted hangovers leaves you with an empty bottle of Tylenol and reeking breath. Stop it.
* DELETE DRAMA.
Out of thread? Get more. Just made the trip. Cussing and stomping loudly followed by an overwhelming pity party. Deal with it and do it again. Forgot milk? Stomp your feet and throw a big fat hissy in the parking lot. Suck it up and go back in and get it. Worried about the boys? Lay up all night and talk to forty gajillion people for their advice. Think realistically about their health, progress and happiness. Pray for wisdom and guidance. Give your best. Have to pay a late fine for your electric bill? Moan and groan over it to the point of ridiculous. Pay it. Many of my energies are spent out on wasted issues. Less drama for this mama and more problem solving and priority setting is needed. The boys need to see efficiency from me. They need to see a human too. The grace practiced in mistake makings is powerful. For all.
* SINK INTO THAT SMILE.
I have one you know. And, my parents were even awesome enough to give me braces. It's one of Kenny's favorite things about me. There's lots to smile about too. Smiling is free. It creates an energy that sends warmth. I pearled it up this month. Yes, I did. I concentrated on my smile and who needed it. Who deserved it. How it felt to give it. And, the feelings on the inside that created these corners up. Genius lies in what God gives you for free. The more I sank down into that smile of mine and what it stood for, the more it seemed I held my shoulders back. The more ready my hands were to help or to hold. Freely, I sunk. More in love with Him. More in love with me.
* CHANGE THE GAME.
I don't brush my teeth but once a day. There. I said it. BUT, it's a whole new ball game thanks to January's {saturate}. I took this month to get down and dirty in certain areas of my life. I now have 41 days under my belt as a morning and nighttime teeth brusher thankyouverymuch. I also apply moisturizer to my face twice daily. I have read one book. Yep. Count it. I am working on my nightly routine of reading before bed with that coach of mine. Kenny, the boys and I have started a nightly family devotion. It is precious time reading God's word with our two. They are quizzical and immersed in our times each night. God's preparing 2 new students for His glory I do believe. I have begun a bible study on Wednesday nights about raising boys. Kenny is attending one on finances for our family. And, the boys have joined AWANA. I'm exercising differently. Running 3-4 times a week and interchanging the runs with core strength training. Our homeschool routine is different as well. The boys and I have a more regimented schedule of elapsed learning time so to better use my afternoon time for design work and sewing. Kenny and I also ventured into the world of the iPhone. It was a splurge for us, but one we budgeted and are completely enjoying too might I add. An overall change of the game has amped me up. I am loving the newness and turnover of good that has come from some simple shifts, decisions and work towards new habits & routines.
Below are what I like to call the morals of my January's {saturate}:
Below are some examples of my morale boosts for January:
Gap brand navy blue/white pinstripe oxford: $1.25 GW
New Boundaries brand gray vest: $1.00 GW
Limited brand denim pencil skirt: $1.50 GW
Ann Klein brand tights (IN THE PACKAGE STILL): $.25 GW
scarf: $.25 GW
gray suede booties: FREE (gift)
TOTAL COST OF ENSEMBLE: $4.25
-Macklemore
A sprinkling of my favorite January Goodwill finds:
Ann Taylor brand jacket: $3.25
Gray and black pinstriped Fedora: $1.25
Ann Taylor brand charcoal gray linen pants: $1.99
Lerner New York brand punky greenish yellow gathered sleeved sweater: $1.25
Carhart overalls for Eli: $3.25
My January Grade Card:
Let me hear you now:
Color blocking like a mad dog,
.mac :)
12 months of movement. Movement for a better me. I find it only fitting that I took the last month of 2012 to dive head first into the absolute indulgence of making the most of my minutes and my mindset for my December.
I have written about my search for rhythm in 2012 for the past 11 months. I've done my best to be honest & real. I realize this narrative collection is for me. I fully own my thoughts and my words along with my cheap thrill finds too. So, why have I chosen to make these collections publicly present for anyone to view? Because I wanted my mission to have a heftier accountability to the better who I am trying to be. And, with this pursuit of the accountable, I had a tiny hope that perhaps someone else out there may connect with my struggles and my strengths. Rhythm seeking is not for the faint of heart. So, if you are in the renovating of the soul business be it big or be it little, this homegirl is right here with you for better or worse.
Allow me a chance for any new readers to catch up on my year of rhythm:
Base Layer Undershirt:
- Banana Republic
- navy & white stripes
- $1.99
- 1/2 off Goodwill
- I am becoming a huge fan of a striped base layer undershirt.
- It provides beau coups of texture.
- It also haas you teetering on popping the top for some Tylenol to combat the cross eyes from starring too long.
Blouse:
- $1.50
- 1/2 off Goodwill
- It's a peasant slight bubble length
- LOVE the print and color palette
- It has a dainty shoestring tie at the neckline.
- I'm gonna rock it with capri leggings sans undershirt in the spring.
- This shirt would look killer on a pregnant woman about 8 months along.
- I'll keep that in mind should I successfully convince my spouse that an odd number of offspring is not of the devil.
Scarf:
- $.10
- 1/2 of Goodwill
- I love a good scarf.
- I think every outfit deserves one in someway or another.
- I will forever be in favor of the above argument.
- I realize that some may glance at my ensemble and immediately think of PeeWee's Playhouse.
- Ahh, the beauty of fashion. You can do whatever the hell you want.
- Ladies that wear moo-moos and, likewise, high school girls that wear pajama pants to Wal-Mart hold this same thought, mind you.
- Ahh, the beauty of fashion.
Jeans:
- Skinny jeans
- Seven brand
- $7.99 clearance
- T. J. Maxx
- I wore them in this post.
- I like the skinny jean look with heels way more than I do with flats.
- A homeschooling mama with an at home business has little opportunity to a whole heckuva lot of heel wearing, you know?
Shoes:
- There is a BIG GUY upstairs that loves me.
- $1.00
- 1/2 off Goodwill
- navy & white polka dot flats
- They have a little navy patent leather strip across the toe.
- A navy polka dot flat is like the staple black heel in my closet.
- Options are limitless.
- Mama likey.
Earrings:
- Wore them in this post last month.
- Handmade is awesome.
- Enough said.
Bracelets:
Aqua rings:
- FREE! Giveaway from a friend of mine cleaning out her jewelry box.
Aqua cuff:
It is official.
It is my signature jewelry piece.
Read the link above to know what I'm talking about.
Hair:
- Fresh washed.
- HOLLA.
- Pinned back with a tiny clip half back.
Total Outfit Investment: $19.58
December 2012
My personal word of growth for December was indulge.
My mission:
* work hard
* be detailed
* read
* take on something big
* keep it real
* relish in the little
My status:
* * * .5
3.5 out of 5 stars
My memories:
work hard: My business is me. My business was big this month. I worked until the 19th. I busted my bottom end no doubt. I developed a plan. I kept focused. I put in work, son. It was intense. I feel like next year I will do a few things differently, but overall, I am so pleased with the products I created and with the customer satisfaction.
be detailed: I folded laundry late at night in the middle of the floor instead of letting it sit for 3 days solid. I cleaned out the dang refrigerator when I didn't want to. I lie in bed talking with my boys when I had so much else to get done. I began planning for the new year's school regimen as well as business plan. I stayed on top of the those little things that make a big difference in the flow of a day, moreover a family. I wasn't rock solid awesome at all of it, but I gave good effort at the in between.
read: This goal did not begin until the 19th. I am reading. My very first book of 2012. I am quite embarrassed to admit this, but I gotta be true. One book a month was my goal. I failed. But, hey? I'm half way through a great book and looking forward to 2013 as a reading year for me. I just gotta be still more. Yeah right.
take on something big: I completed my 4th nursery of my career this month. Feel free to view the finished product here. I made it in just 6 days. Nursery design is a big project. Drapes, pillow, b.blanket, bumper pad, bed skirt and tie backs too. I loved every second of the work. It felt good to make something so beautiful.
keep it real: If I was sad, I let myself be. If a commercial made me cry, I let it. If I was frustrated, I said it. I am working more and more at trying less to fit into the "prilly prilly princess" that just makes everything better by hushing or contorting my emotional self to please others. This month I was who I was. It felt good be spot on with me. It was hard too. I know there is a graceful balance in emotions and actions. I'm hopeful to keep plugging in to being who I am when I am and for the right reasons too.
relish in the little: I laughed at silly. I paid attention to the sprinkling of pretzel sticks and 2 minute fudge boils. I thought through quality gifting and not overspending. I slept in to make up for late nights. I used my favorite fabric softener and I even had a couple mini-dates with my man. Heck, I even pinned on Pinterest. And, to top it off, I went for a 6 mile run today and just last night had sushi with one of my great friends. Sometimes it's those littles that make the monotonous big not so heavy.
12 months. Checkity-check-check. Rhythm has found me. I have embraced its ebbs & flows. And, much like my mixture of wicked patterns and color sets in this last ensemble of 2012, I have indulged in the art of improvement. I have come to a place where my peace, moreover, my place in this life is better when growth and reflection are accounted for and present. Status quo and sidling through isn't enough for me. I graciously thank this rhythmical 2012 and each pair of eyes that have taken a looksee peek at just what I've been up to. I look forward with a happy hope at the next 365 I am blessed with. Peace out, 2012. 2013, I got your number.
Homegirl is ready,
.mac :)
diligence 1 |ˈdiləjəns|
noun
careful and persistent work or effort.
My hands have been steady and streamlined this month. My heart had to beef up its typical artsy/creative/feely status to a more structured "task mastery"mode. Being left handed, this was a bit of a challenge for the ole ticker. Getting things done. Every day accomplishments do happen in my camp, but not without intermissions of bliss of getting lost in creativity. My husband will be the first to shout from the mountain tops about my love to be into a little bit of everything all at once. He loves this about me. I know he does.
For those just joining me here in this space, I feel you need the 11th month formal introduction to catch up. My word for 2012 is rhythm. I have been seeking it in myself and around me. Read here to know just a little more behind the scenes if you will. Each month I have given myself goals and attempted to creatively report on my status using my passion for good deal finding. Feel free to take a gander back if you want:
To be diligent, one can't really dilly dally {insert my sad face here}. So, let's get right to it, peeps.
Ensemble statistics:
Blouse:
- $1.99
- 1/2 off Goodwill
- Bought in 2012.
- Wore it in this post.
- It's sleeveless. This is perfect as it allows for spring/summer wear, but then gives you the option to "sweater up" in the fall/winter months without the bulky sleeve excess underneath.
- I am totally digging this rose "Hi, I just may or may not have a ceramic duck with a country blue bow around its neck sitting in my curio cabinet from the late 1980's" look.
- It has a tiered ruffled neckline! See below.
- The fabric is this weird silky/cotton combo.
- If I think about its texture too much, I get a metal-like taste in my mouth.
- For the sake of the ruffle, I choose to rise above this issue.
Sweater:
- $1.99
- 1/2 off Goodwill
- Bought in 2009.
- Banana Republic brand
- This sweater makes me crazy happy.
- It is this muddled gray hue. It's place on the color wheel makes it super great to wear with so many colors. It can sometimes even pose for an ivory shade if you look at it long enough.
- The tiny cable knit details in this sweater are divine. So divine, they make my mouth water.
- The weight of this sweater is heaven. It is so snuggly soft. It kinda makes me feel like one of the Victoria Secret models when they wear their angel wings.
- I really should do stand up.
- I am putting this next sentence in cap locks. IT HAS GRAY RHINESTONES FOR BUTTONS. These buttons look like they belong in some Mamaw's jewelry box. They look sophisticated. No Claire's Boutique BOGO with these CZ's.
Belt:
- $.25
- 1/2 off Goodwill
- Bought in 2010
- Please take the time to read here to find out about how she came to be mine.
- Heck, the videos may even inspire you to go find your own cheap thrills.
- This belt is so.freakin.awesome.
- It has tiny multi-colored paint drops all over it.
- I feel a little more connected with my inner hippy each time I wear it.
- That's a very good thing considering I came home from my Colorado hospital birth in a VW bus wearing my turquoise baby bracelet. Not.kidding.
Pants:
- Gap brand
- $2.99
- Goodwill 1/2 off weekend
- These pants are light weight and real smooth like rayon, but they're not rayon at all.
- They have a flair to the bottom.
- They're kinda like a tweed with multi-colored oatmeal specs throughout.
- They fit perfectly. You know those pants you own that have that great fit every time you put them on? That's these for me.
Shoes:
- $3.25
- Goodwill 1/2 off weekend
- Bought in 2010.
- You can go here to read more about the day I met them and asked them to be mine forever.
- I actually almost came to blows with a lady over these bad daddys.
- Ahem, I found them first.
- They look like they are Coach, but they're totally not.
- People think they are though.
- These boots are just "out there" enough that I either get lots of compliments when I wear them or crazy stares like "Just what the hell does she have on her feet?"
- Either way, I'm good.
Hair:
- 2 days dirty
- I slept with it in a clip the night before.
- That morning I wet my bangs in attempts to tame their "individuality" shall we call it?
- The raspy waves are the end result of the clip from the night's slumber.
- 7 cow licks can work to your advantage in many ways when it comes to volume.
Bracelets:
- I'm wearing my signature piece on one hand. I talked about this decision here.
- On the other hand, I'm wearing the bracelet you see above.
- This bracelet was a gift from my mother-in-law, Carlene.
- For the past 2 years, we have started a tradition of going to Mountain Makins', a local craft festival, together.
- This bracelet is a great memory of my time with her there.
- It's made by a local artist.
- Carmalitta Freeman Dixson has an Etsy store for anyone interested in her designs.
Earrings:
- I heart these earrings so very much.
- I bought them in 2009 from Raquel Castillo, a fabulous designer.
- She has an Etsy store as well.
- I am the proud owner of not 1, but 3 pair of earrings crafted by her.
- I have given away here designs as gifts 3 times as well.
- I think that's what I love best about being an artist. I love the way creating original pieces makes me feel. That feeling transcends into the purchasing of original pieces as well. I feel beautiful when I wear things I connect with.
- This is so very true when I wear Raquel's pieces.
Total outfit investment: $10.47
November 2012
My personal word of growth for November was {diligence}.
My mission:
- just do it
- dive in & forget
- placement & priorities
- define your space
My status:
* * * *
4 out of 5 stars
My memories:
just do it--I did. I stayed focused on the tasks to be completed. I did not freak out at the overall timeline of what had to be completed with k.Mac in addition to the holidays that hits us all in a melodious cluster {Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas} in addition to teaching the boys at home. I made a plan and stuck to it. I did my best to let go of the "aww, that would be nice" or "I should do that with them". I faced November with lots on my plate. I took the crafty extras out, and got jiggy with my jobs. It was hard at times. I felt like I wasn't being the Mom or teacher I wanted to be, but I reminded myself of that it was just for a time and not for forever. Putting time in is what hand making is all about. I am quite certain I pulled well over 60 hour work weeks for this month's entirety.
dive in & forget--When it was time to unwind and celebrate, I did just that. I cannot tell you the complexity of how much I struggle with this. For some reason, I am hard wired to work. Work. And work all the time. I equate relaxation with laziness. THIS IS STUPIDLY WRONG. I know this, and am working like a mad dog to overcome this ridiculous internal preset. Our family celebrated our 10th anniversary of the Cobble Gobble this year. I did a stellar job of forgetting the work on my plate for k.Mac and chose to immensely enjoy my people in my home. I found times in the early evenings to just stop and sit. Sometimes doing nothing but that. Although these times weren't often, I did practice them. I also unwound and got lost in the joy of decorating our home as a family for Christmas. I wrote about it here. The concept of forgetting, for a time, your checklist of getdones is something I will always struggle with. But, being cognizant of the need to just enjoy is critical to my health and happiness.
placement & priorities--My life on this Earth has purpose. Every one's does. I decided this month to remember this. Some tough things transpired in November. Things that shake you. Things that abruptly adjust your plans and move you into action. I learned that love is genuine. I also learned that love can be blind sided and altered by selfishness and insecurity. I ache to have been taught this lesson. But, I have learned it for my final time. My purpose in this life is not to be blanketed by other people's insufficiencies. That my place does not have to reside where love and comfort is at risk. I can love from afar and learn to live with this decision as best for all involved. Love endures all. Love doesn't fix all.
define your space--While I work, I think. I think a lot. I spent a lot of time thinking about the space that God has given me in this life. I want to work to honor it more in what I say and what I do. I began to formulate little snippets of energy in ways that I can do this for myself and my family. Things like better ways of prayer time in the mornings, my thoughts in my head, my mouth to my boys and my movements for God's gain. No mountainous snow balls of action just yet, but I'm gathering snowflakes for sure. It feels good to begin a better map out of my space. On a completlely materialistic mission regarding my space, I have a 2 new pieces of art to hang in our home. One was purchased from a local artist, Dan Gibson. I fell in love with his work at the Mountain Makins' craft festival. His art is astounding. And, he is color blind which makes his pieces even more a testament to God's amazing wonder. The 2nd piece is by my boys. It is a aerial mixed media depiction of their community. I plan to post about this project very soon. They never cease to amaze me with their creativity and commitment to finishing a project together, side by side.
November was diligence. It was that careful and persistent work or effort for my mind, for my body and for my heart. I am thankful for the busyness of the month and the goodness of keeping track of it all. I thank God for forcing me to kick the ass of some stupid preconceived plagues. I honor Him in my hard learned lessons too.
Onto my last month in my year of rhythm,
.mac :)
Penning it down. Or, in my case, tapping it out. It's worth it to me. On more than one occasion when my mind meets screen, I am flummoxed at just where the hell the comma should go and I am quite certain an incomplete sentence or four made it to the published field for all to read. But, it's worth it. Worth the time, worth the image capturing, worth the thoughts-turned-words and certainly worth the musical chairs of comma placement for what satisfyingly looks right. My place in this cyberspace means something to me. It means something to my family too. I began writing this blog to connect with others. And, here I am almost 5 years later, connecting. With myself. With my boys. With my husband. With my family. With people who mean so very much to me. So, yes. Worth validates my procession in the collection of life I give to this online scrapbook so to speak.
Should you read this space often, aaahhnotsomuch or just every now & again with a scroll, it is my hope that you come away with life seen through eyes that are real. Simply put, my best is but my honesty to my work as God's child, mama, teacher, designer, wife, friend and of course, frugal fashion seeker.
For those new to this scene, here's your official invitation for a re-cap on 2012 thus far,
I think it's time we start, don't you?
Ensemble Statistics
dress:
- Cold Water Creek
- $2.99 Goodwill
- black
- I am not a fan of black. With a Crayola box full of colors, why would anyone want to chose black to wear? I get the whole sophisticated vibe it's got and I get that it's professional, but black ain't my bag.
- I loved the artsy long flow of this dress coupled with the mock turtle neck and sleeveless action. I nabbed it only for these reasons alone.
- I'm not gonna lie. I want to spin in circles real fast when I wear this dress. I would have never made it in Laura Ingall's time.
- One dizzy prairie girl, I would be.
shoes
- Ahem. Frugally, I digress. I do not pay full price for things. I wait on sales. I scour Goodwill with my keen fashion eyes.
- These booties did a number on me.
- My sister-in-law, Melissa, clued me into this website. One glance at these girls and I was toast. To my defense, I waited on a substantial sale plus a coupon before purchasing,
- Out the gate, I paid $30 for them with free shipping.
- Worth.every.penny in my land of fashion happy.
- They are yellow suede.
- They are booties.
- They have freakin' fringe.
- I am wearing these suckers with just about anything you can think of. Sundresses in the spring, skinny jeans, capri pants. Just you wait and see.
scarf:
- $5.00
- Big Lots
- a flat silvery shade
- flimsy
- I wore this same scarf here when I began this rhythm nation.
belt:
- $.25
- Goodwill 1/2 off weekend
- This belt is AWESOME.
- It is yellow. {the exact match to my new happy booties too!}
- It has silver studding for that great texture vibe.
- It's just the right width too. Not too bulky big, but not too pencil thin.
- I wore it here for May's wrap-up.
earrings:
- Waterfall fake plastic crystals.
- They are teardrop shaped.
- $1.00 at super great cheapo fashion boutique called Leslie's from my old stomping grounds.
- Wearing these earrings makes me want to swish my hair around a lot.
- They don't make noise as they are plastic, but boy, do they make you wanna be some kinda of earring model or something.
- Who knew $1.00 purchase could do that to you?
- It's a wonder I stayed upright this day with that dress on and these earrings.
Bracelets:
Aqua cuff:
- It's here that I make a statement of advice. I know nothing of fashion other than what my Fashion Plates taught me when I was a little girl. So feel free to contradict just about anything you see in these posts. BUT, I am clueing into something substantial about a lady. My mom wore a 14 kt. cable car tiny charm around her neck on the daintiest chain for all of my life. My third grade teacher, Mrs. Shahan, wore large solitaire pearls in her ears every day. My favorite baby sitter growing up wore a turquoise ring all the time.
- I think a lady needs a signature piece that defines her. One that is worn just any old way and at any old time.
- It's her.
- This cuff might just be my piece.
- It was $7.00 at a local boutique called The Steamer Trunk.
- It is a mish-mash of multi-colored swirls atop a vibrant aqua.
- When I saw it on the counter, I immediately connected with it.
- Every time I wear it, I receive a compliment and am asked where I got it.
- She is magical on my arm.
Rhinestone bracelets:
- $5.00
- Dillard's Department Store pre-Thanksgiving sale.
- HUGE rock like rhinestones with a magnetic clasp.
- Get compliments on these all the time.
- The rhinestones have a gray vibe to them which promotes an old world vintage look.
- I wear these bad daddys A LOT!
Hair:
- DURTAY
- WAY past due on highlights.
- I know we have already established that I do not brush my hair, but I will say it again.
- I do not brush my hair.
- Just outta bed.
- Tousled with fingers.
- Braided the front as my bangs were dancing with my eyelashes and that's just not cool, mmmkay?
Lips:
- If you're gonna say it, say it with your lips.
- Ruby Woo by Mac Cosmetics.
- This red choice was unpronounced.
- It just hit me to wear red on them lips.
- So, I did.
Total Outfit Investment: $52.25
{damn, them booties really put a hurtin' on my total. hApPy as a lark OVER THEM STILL!}
October 2012
My personal word of growth for October was {flow}.
My mission:
- feel it; do it
- make plans
- try, try again
- let go
- find a way
- set it high
- create in real time
My status:
* * * *
4 out of 5 stars
My memories:
feel it; do it--Sometimes I get caught up in the I can'ts of life. I want to, but I can't. I should, but I can't. If only, but I can't. This month. I stopped the I can'ts. I just simply said I can. I found ways to make things that mean something to my heart happen. I have had it on my heart to help a sweet friend from college who is living with Stage IV Breast Cancer. Karson and her husband, Jason, have been through so much living with this monster. By using my Sunshine for the Soul candle line and with the amazing out pour of love and support, my hands made for them. With just a 4 day window of time, all proceeds from every pumpkin spice candle purchased went directly to Karson and Jason. I was amazed at the amount of love that was shared. My hands were but the vessel that moved this love into motion. I can't tuned into I cared.
make plans--Friends are a staple in life. To have a handful of great ones is something I am so thankful for. This month I was able to see 5 of my most favorites for a substantial amount of time. I cannot say thank you enough for the premium grade of gasoline they provide in filling up my tank. I can only hope I do the same for them in return. I laughed, I cried, I held newborn babies, I drank wine and listened too. The extra time it takes to schedule out these visits is so worthy to the soul.
try, try again-- Man, can days go awry. And, how is it that you can even watch it happen before your very eyes all the while doing your best to yield it from happening and yet, kaplooey. These are days I count as loss. The time teaching my boys, the days my fingers can no longer support stitches, the cranky that comes from lack of sleep or sore soul searching. This month I worked to use these days as catapults for the next day's good. My mind shift was all that changed. No tanking and tantrum throwing. I am not gonna lie. Mind shifting is HUH-ard. But, I worked on it. It made an impact on our month together. God's blessings of new mercies each morning are no joke. He is so awesome.
let go--So, in the dinner world, our October was predominantly processed. And, I am officially counting that as a good why? Because I let go of "I can do it all." I cooked when I could and when I couldn't corn dogs were served with tater tots right along side carrots and apples time and again. McDonald's chicken nuggets worked their wonders as well. You can't be Betty Crocker, Vera Wang and Marva Collins all wrapped in one ALL THE TIME.
find a way--I have longed to spin my business in a platform for purchasing. This October I hosted my first Harvest Celebration Gift Debut. It set in motion sales that far exceeded my entrepreneurial expectations. It.was.work. It.still.is. Being the sole employee of k.Mac, I am the advertiser, photographer, designer and seamstress too. Stretching myself in this venue has taught me a lot about timing and the beauty of giving it a go.
set it high--I worked this month with the boys on their best. I set a tone of no tolerance for anything less than that. There were more than one paper crinkled only to start over. Erasers were used in maximum capacity too. But, they got it. They got that their best is expected and celebrated. I am quite certain 20 new gray hairs became residents on my scalp for this push of excellence this month, but well worth the lesson I am sure.
create in real time--The one thing I adore about homeschooling is that there are no hoops to have to jump or time to be wasted. I love getting our hands into creating with real world flair. My boys are authors. Eli finished his 4th book this month as a writer. His other 3 were published in his kindergarten and 1st grade years. Casey is now author to his 1st book. The time spent working through the creative writing process was extensive. They can also add illustrator to their tag line of accomplishments. I could be any prouder of these two. At 5 and 7 years old, they know rising action, climax, falling action and resolve. They can find it in stories they read and create it in stories they write. They are fluent in simile use in their writing and can spot other figurative language such as metaphors and personification too when they read and even when they watch TV! Learning in a real sense continues to wow me time and again.
Penning it down.
Tapping it out.
Worth.
This dizzy prairie girl with the dirty hair and yellow suede fringe booties is happy with her October.
{flow}
.mac :)
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