New Mercies on Rough Days

My heart aches for a dear friend this week as she faces trials I would never want to face.  I spent last year watching a family member suffer.  And, obviously, like the rest of the world, I, too, have felt my own share of pain before and know that it is inevitable that more pain will come my way is this fallen broken world.

Thankfully, by God's grace, not only are we guaranteed pain along the way, but also God's new mercies, daily.  And, not to be unreligious, but sometimes people focus on the eternal mercies -- salvation, forgiveness, grace, justification, adoption, etc....which is wonderful, and more than enough, but sometimes, you want to ask, "What about some comfort and mercy here, for my earthly body, with my earthly emotions, NOW?"  We are earthly  beings and the reality of forever with our Savior may provide a great hope, but as far as the pain and suffering today, it seems to be a light at the end of a very long tunnel.

That's why I am so greatful for God's new mercies each morning.  I believe, in horrible times -- deaths, divorces, illnesses, etc, that God is gracious to give us good moments in bad times.  Laughter with friends.  A fun family dinner.  An encouraging email. A good movie. A night of uninterrupted sleep.  A book to escape. A good glass of wine.  Putting on a new dress and feeling like a million bucks.  A verse that hits at the heart.  Hearing your favorite song on the radio. Flowers. Sunsets. Perfect Weather. Good news amidst all the bad.

During some of my worst times, I had some really good moments....which is why life can't only be lived in time frames of months, seasons, years, even days, but must be lived in moments.  Obviously our Lord understood that, obviously he knew that each day, we might need His mercies to get through the day.  Bright spots among the darkness, not just the light at the end of the tunnel.

I often find myself at the end of a bad day, praying for new mercies the next day, and being so greatful that a day comes to an end and a new one starts.

You may have many rough days ahead.  Even if not at this point, you will have bad days sometime in the future.  Know that God has provided salvation from our sin and eternity without pain and in His presence. But, also know that he provides good moments throughout your rough days.  And when today seems unbearable, know that when you put your head on your pillow tonight, God will be providing new mercies the next day!! 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an

end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

LAMENTAIONS 3:22-23

Jungle Fever

Last weekend, I helped host a jungle themed lingerie shower for a sweet friend at our house.  She LOVES animal print, so we had a lot of fun coming up with the decorations! As you all know by now, I am a cheeseball who loves themed parties...so I love coming up with fun decorations....

I ordered these zebra lingerie cookies from Janie's Bakery...

We had a wine and champagne punch bar set up on the buffet....

I made an animal print rag garland for our mantle...

Sweet Sarah made a jungle vine to hang over the dining room and hung a monkey!

Lots of yummy treats....

Another tiny garland...

Dave was sweet and made this bunting for me! I was busy getting ready and he jumped in and helped.  Who knew he was so artsy??

Prior to the party we all went to dinner at Bravo's.  Here are some pictures of the bride to be and some of our friends! Several of us wore animal print in honor of our animal print loving bride!

Soulmates? or Not?

I fully believe that there is No such thing as a Soulmate.

Believing in a soulmate sets you up for dissapointment.  You will be shocked if your boyfriend or spouse lets you down. You will be so confused if he hurts you.

Soulmates are impossible.  We are all sinners and sinners hurt eachother and fail and sometimes screw up.

Believing in a soulmate increases your chances of discontentment and possibly divorce. When someone doesn't please you enough anymore, it would be easy to assume that this is not your soulmate, that you made a mistake, that you need to end things and keep looking.  Likewise, if dating, a belief in a soulmate could keep you from ever settling down.

I'm marrying a great guy who loves Jesus and loves me well.  He is not my soulmate.  He can't complete me, nor can I complete him.  Sometimes he drives me crazy and goodness knows, I annoy him. We are opposites in many ways. (My roomate, her fiance and the two of us talked about that just last night -- how funny it is that both couples were opposites)  But you know what? Although we don't see eye to eye on everything and always complete eachothers sentences and walk on clouds and rainbows all day, our differences really challenge and improve eachother.

"The good news, however, is that in marriage God gives us someone far better than a soulmate. He gives us the person who is exactly right for us. He gives us the husband or wife who will help us become more like Jesus Christ. Sometimes that’s a painful process for both spouses. It doesn’t feel “soulmate-ish”....It’s hard and it requires work. But as we seek to serve each other, the end result is that we both love God more and we both love each other more."


Ouch. That doesn't sound fun, but it also sounds exactly like what I need.  At the same time, it sounds great....that someone will literally be used by God to help make me a better person, painful as that process may be.

For the record, I think God uses friends, roomates and family in this process too.  Being a tool in God's sanctification of another person is  not limited to marriage, but marriage (and possibly parents and children) are probably some of the most intimate ways this process works. 

And although I am very glad the man I ended up with was Dave, he is not my soulmate. So its good that we don't find soulmates, but instead are able to be with someone who is right for us, in both good and difficult ways.

2013 Spring Fashion Trends: STRIPES

 STRIPES STRIPES STRIPES are in this year.... and I can't wait to find a cute striped dress. I already have a striped T shirt and a fun light sweater....but a preppy little striped dress is a must! I love this trend because buying a basic striped T won't set you back much and you can keep wearing it next year and the next.  Stripes may not always be "IN" but they are rarely OUT!

Look at this adorable striped top from anthro.  I think it has a little more dressed up look that most everyday striped tops.

A practical little J Crew Dress... LOVE the navy of course (fav color!)

I love the use of two sizes of stripes in this anthro dress (black and white is also a big trend this season so you kill two birds with one stone in this fun dress) Imagine it with a chunky neclace



I have been looking for a striped blazer (even before they were in style) Love this one from J Crew...you can wear it dressed down with jeans or shorts or with a pair of navy slacks to the office!

I love the varying sizes of the stripes on this sweater from Blue Door Boutique...

Seriously, Lilly Pulitzer rarely makes anything I don't love.  I love her summer floral prints but would adore wearing this basic striped dress with a fun belt.

I love this dress from Blue Door Boutique: vertical and horizontal stripes, fitted and nice enough to wear with a blazer to work or with sandals on a date. It truly is an anytime type of dress! (once again, its in black and white, another HUGE trend for the spring)

 This is probably a style you already own.  Pull out those plain striped T's and sweaters and add a fun bright neclace.  Want to get in on this trend for cheap?? Buy a knit dress or a fun knit shirt. Almost everywhere is carrying stripes (cheap store, designers, etc) so for 25-50 dollars and you'll be in style! That's a bargain!!

"What I wore" Wednesday: a day of showers

Clearly, I am lacking inspiration and time to post often because my last post was WIWW as well (although I have some adorable pics from a jungle themed shower I hosted to post soon!)  Check out other people's outfits on this blog.

Saturday was a busy day.... I had my hair straightened (Brazillian blowout, love it!!!) and then attended 3 showers including one that I hosted.  I hadn't intended on 3 outfits (just 2), BUT I spilled something on my first outfit and had to change before shower number 2.  I literally did not stop between 7:30 am and 1 am but it was such a fun day celebrating babies and marriages!!!!

It is March so I was planning on wearing sundresses in that typical "in between" way -- IE, not too summery sundress, cardigan and flats not sandals....but in true MS fashion, it was freezing.   We have a history of things warming up some to trick you into believing winter is gone and then suddenly its freezing again! So I readjusted.

My first outfit (prehair being straightened obvi!)  Perfect for a Brunch at a local Bed and Breakfast/Old Southern Home to celebrate a sweet baby boy due in a few weeks!

Jacket: Very Jane

Dress: LOFT

Shoes: Madden Girl (from Judy's in Brookhaven)

Belt: Banana Republic

Then I changed (hair straightened now, see the difference?) and wore this orange skirt to a fun animal print shower for my friend Marianna who is getting married later this month.  I look very auburn themed which was not my plan, but luckilly Marianna is an Auburn fan so she didnt mind!

Shirt: Very Jane

Belt: Banana Republic

Skirt: Loft (it's the wrong size :( but I love the orange so I keep wearing it!)

Boots: Christmas gift last year (???)

Bracelets: 1 David Yurman mixed with 1 Yurman knockoff (???)

Cluster Pearl drop Earrings: Simple Joys by Ginny Misner

Scarf: Thimblepress "Katy" scarf (named for yours truly !!)

After scrambling to find a lingerie gift for Marianna's second shower (we struggled a lot to find something attractive!!) and going home to finish up decorations, we headed to Bravos for drinks and dinner (which was delicious but took forever) then back to the Peachtree house for the shower! The shower did not start until almost 11! We are so wild and young--- riiiiiiiggggghhhhtttt.  She got lots of good stuff.  It was a jungle themed lingerie shower (I will post on that soon) and Marianna LOVES animal print so many of us wore animal print clothing along with her to celebrate.  Technically I shouldn't be wearing a velvet skirt in March but it was for a good cause and it was freezing.  I have always been a big fashion rule follower (no white til after easter!!!) but even I am loosening up on SOME rules during my old age.

Sweater: Target

Tank top: Loft maybe?

Belt: Banana Republic (the the one thing that made it through the whole day ha!)

Skirt: Loft

Jewelry: from some store at Mistletoe Marketplace in November

Bracelet: Yurman

So there you have it, my wardrobe for a day full of showers!!  Can't wait to celebrate this baby boy and Marianna and Thomas's wedding, both occuring in a few weeks :) This stage of life -- tons of weddings and showers and engagement parties etc can be so exhausting but so fun.  It is especially fun to have several friends engaged or near engagement.  After years of singleness together, its fun to rejoice in God's provision and blessings!

My first "What I wore" Wednesday: Chambray Shirt edition

I probably won't always do this (but maybe I will if it motivates me to dress cuter). But I love seeing the outfits that several bloggers post on Wednesday

And I'm in love with my new chambray shirt. I asked for one for Christmas but didn't get one bc they sold out. I finally found one on sale at Very Jane and it came it and I was so eager to wear it that I had to create a way to wear it to work.  I actually love it.  One of my goals this year was to learn how not to be matchy-matchy (rememebr my 30 by 30 goal of wear black and brown together???)  I think the chambray makes the wintery wool skirt seem a little springier, perfect for these in between days in late feb/early march.

PS this was pre- hair and makwup so ignore me and notice my new shirt instead!

Top: Very Jane

Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft

Skirt: Ann Taylor

Wedge Heals: from Judy's shoes, can't remember the name!

Neclace: Target

Random updates

I recognize that I have not posted in forever... I will try to do better. I know update posts can be boring, but I decided to give you an update list before returning to "regularly scheduled programming" :)

(1) I was so stressed Friday night for tons of different reasons...and stress makes my rosecea worse and I was upset about that too which wasn't helping matters.  Dave kept craking annoying jokes and I was so annoyed...until I realized what he was doing -- trying to make me laugh and calm down. He wanted me to quit stressing out and was trying to help the only way he knew how to. I sure am crazy about him. What a good guy. 

(2) I really liked Safe Haven, surprisingly.  I wanted to see it but thought it would be one of those movies I wanted to see and then didn't like. I liked it.  Dave was a trooper and sat through it - and actually enjoyed it, I think. It kindof has a fun twist which makes it more entertaining.  Certainly not a top ten movie, but worth a cold rainy friday night for sure.

(3)Isn't it great how God sometimes knows exactly what you need? Dave and I were scheduled for a jam packed weekend - I worked all day Saturday, then we were going to the Charity Ball with my family and then spending the day in the country Sunday with his family.  Then we had car trouble and had to spend a few hours replacing a part (okay, I just held the flashlight) and missed the Ball and ended up staying in town all sunday....

........and it was glorious! literally, best weekend in awhile. We have been grumpy with eachother with the stress of his job hunt and the wedding and marriage and we both agreed that a day curled up watching tv and movie and doing laundry and grocery shopping and researching san fran and stopping by the bookstore and cooking ahead for the week was WONDERFUL.  A day not stressing was just what I needed and God reminded me how blessed I am to be marrying sweet Dave. He truly is my favorite person to do anything or nothing with....and it was nice to have a day just being us, not reading about marriage or planning a wedding or looking up jobs.

(4) Wedding planning can be stressful. I am about to the point where all the big decisions are made and I am going to hand the rest off to my wedding planner and say, have fun.  I know what I like and don't like, but as far as specifics, she can make it work right?? I don't want to stress out so much that I miss the fun times with family and friends. 

(5) ARGO- best picture. Totally agree. Daniel Day Lewis - best actor. 100 percent agree with that too.  Seriously, see argo if you haven't. LOVED it and I really liked Lincoln as well.

(6) I've been back on my diet (yuck) -- I took literally a week to ten days off with family and friends in town, Vday and Mardi Gras.  I like sticking to a routine though and planning our meals ahead (I say our meals because Dave comes over for dinner maybe 3 times a week  --- he says its to see me, but I know its for the free food :) haha)  This week's menu includes: low carb chicken tacos, spaghetti (I make mine with zuchinni instead of noodles), chicken and rice/cucumbers, breakfast for dinner with turkey sausage instead of real sausage, lowcarb pizza.

(7) Before going back on my diet, I made this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Dave loves Buffalo Chicken so I thought it would be a good fit) I actually really liked it!

You need these ingrediants:

• 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
• 1/3 c. hot sauce
• 5c. red potatoes, grated w/ box grater
• 1 c. light ranch dressing/ blue cheese
• 1/2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 (10 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 c. panko

 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Grate potatoes and lay out and pat with a paper towel to try to get some of the moisture out.

In medium bowl, stir together chicken strips and buffalo sauce. Spoon into baking dish in a single layer.

In the same bowl, stir together potatoes, dressing, cheese and soup. Spread over chicken. Sprinkle panko evenly over the top.

Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender and juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut.

(8) I also discovered another yummy low carb lunch a couple sundays ago.  Pizza quesadillas.  I used a lowcarb wheat tortilla (4 net carbs) and spread a little low fat butter spread on one side and filled it with turkey sausage, parmeson and mozzerella and tomato sauce. If you have any fresh vegguies or chicken, you can add those as well.  Fold over like you would a quesadilla and cook in the skillet.  So good.  Like a healthy calzone

(9) My showers/parties are starting in less than a month...and confession: I am super excited about new clothes for these parties.  I am almost more excited about a few new sundresses than I am about my wedding dress.  Lets be honest, I will wear a new Lilly dress far more often than my wedding dress. I fully recognize that money may be tight the first year of marriage if we move and I have to take another bar exam and find a job, so I am fully enjoying the fact that I get new dresses now !!!

(10) My pillows for my new bedroom came in this week. I am super excited. Here is what it looks like.  I still have a ton to do - I want a white desk ( I found one that is a knockoff of the west elm parson's desk) and I want to paint my dresser gray (when we move)  I also need to add some artwork and get a headboard and this rug I am ordering from urban outfitters today. BUT atleast we have a start. Maybe I can get the room decor 50 percent there before I get married and we can do the rest later!

Can you tell the male influence?? I would never have guessed I would have a deer pillow on my bed, but since it will be our bed, I wanted a Dave pillow. (I am also considering one of those white deer heads from urban or west elm)