Fashion Friday {Sentimental Value}

Several years ago my dad went on a mission trip to Bolivia I think. He came back and brought me this vest. He said "You're such a fashionista that I thought you could come up with something." At the time I thought yikes, that is hideous. How will I ever come up with something cute with this vest that looks like its from the 80's maybe even 90's era. And not the cute stuff! So it sat in my closet. It moved from state to state with me and I never wore it. I didn't want to get rid of it because it was a gift. 

My dad passed away a couple years ago and I really wanted to pull that vest out and try and come up with something. It took a minute but one day it finally came to me. Usually how some of my outfits come to me. Pairing certain colors or prints together. I visualize it in my head and then it becomes a reality. 

Voila! A once ugly vest is now turned into a stylish hipster outfit..

Shirt: Wetseal, Skirt,Hat: Forever21, Boots: Belk

Fashion Friday { I hate you, I love you}

 So I recently talked on my insta story about my love hate relationship with social media. We live in a society ruled by social media. As a blogger, photographer, singer/songwriter I have no choice to be on social media. Oh and not to mention an Army wife! Moving to new places I kind of rely on facebook or even instagram to meet new people and find out things about the community/city we are in. 

So those are some great reasons why I love it. Not to mention all the pretty pictures of clothes, different locations, photography. I love all the inspiration that I can just scroll through. I love sharing my passions with everyone. Home decor, diy projects, and fashion. These are all things I put my heart into and its an art for me. 

What I hate about it is sometimes to be honest it makes me feel so bad about myself. It's a double edge sword. I can easily get into a funk of comparing myself to someone else's put together instagram feed. Other people's nicely clean and decorated house/backyard. Clothes I cant really afford. Or their success in the blogger/photography world. It can make me feel not good enough, inadequate, nothing special. I can get wrapped in who's following me, who unfollowed me. Why don't they like me? Did I do something wrong? Why don't they acknowledge my messages? 

Then I wonder. Are people even real and genuine on social media? Are people just fake and put on this persona that they have everything together and they have the perfect life. 

I know this is kinda deep for a Friday afternoon. 

I've had some great experiences with the social media world. But I've also had some kinda bad experiences. I know it's a learning curve on what to prepare your heart for or even what/who to avoid. Spotting the real, authentic, genuinely kind people can be an art in itself. It's challenging and can be very discouraging. 

You think that in 2018 people wouldn't act this way. Or that I should not feel this way. Social media is such a sneaky devil getting in your head. Opening up things within yourself that were never there to begin with. 

I have more love/hate issues too. Like personal safety, stalkers, inappropriate people, creepers, kids safety etc. Like I said in my line of work I kind of have no choice. 

I like to try and have some kind of solution after a post like this. 

I am still navigating this myself though. The only thing that has snapped me out of it so far is positive friends... Real friends that you see face to face. Taking a break from social media as in deleting the apps for awhile off of your phone. Keeping those bible verses that remind you are worth so much more than how many followers you have on instagram 

Psalm 139:13-14

 For you created my inmost being;  you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;   your works are wonderful,  I know that full well

Leave a comment if you have felt the same way. I promise I will be genuine with you because that's who I am. I am not a fake blogger/photographer etc. I am a real person with a not perfect life. I do have some pretty pictures though!

Top: Stylesforless, necklace: wetseal, Pants: Forever21, sandals: Target

Fashion Friday {New beginnings}

It's April. Spring is in full swing by now for most of the country. How are you feeling about it? Are you bombarded by pollen and can't see past your watery eyes? Are you enjoying the nice weather and all the flowers in bloom? The promise of a new beginning. Either way I hope you can appreciate the constant of the seasons changing. No matter how hard it rains there's something new that always comes from it. There's always hope! Stop and smell the roses and all that. There's so much around us to bring us joy. Find the joy and cling to it!

...and with that said this weeks look!

Hat, Bodysuit, Necklace: Forever21, Jeans: Pacsun, Boots: Belk

Fashion Friday {Love}

 I've really been into screen tees probably more so lately. I love comfiness! I also love a good screen tee with a nice message. I have a girl power one now I have this awesome LOVE one. Courtesy of my favorite place Ross Dress for Less! It's like a scavenger hunt every time I go and I love it! I have it down to an art now. Some days it's a couple awesome pieces and some days it's been me annoying the dressing room attendant. Because it basically looks like I'm going to try on the entire store and potentially not buy it all. Oops ... sorry especially if  you work retail and are reading this post now. I did work retail back in the day so I feel your pain. But I am also a mom now who doesn't get a whole lot of time to shop. So it usually is me grabbing the whole entire store because it's been awhile or me speed shopping because my kid is being a terror in the store. Either way I'm in a hurry and I need some cute clothes. Amen if you can relate! 

Where's your favorite place to speed shop? 

Hat: Forever21, Shirt: RossDressforless, Skirt: Loveculture, Boots: Belk. Necklace: Stylesforless,