• Why Motherhood Is A Job Worth Styling Your Hair For

    The funny thing about postpartum is that you can simultaneously experience elation and exhaustion…invincibility and weakness…feeling glowingly beautiful while looking like a complete mess. You may remember my last post about baby-ready hairstyling and hiding my bangs while growing them out. Now that Number 6 is here and time for self-care and primping is nil, I’m hoping to keep my styling simple…and yet, not completely give in to sweats and ponytail…everyday. It’s honestly not about looking put together, but about reflecting what I believe about my life’s work and purpose through the way I present myself…even to my kids and my husband. While I really do sport a ponytail most days, a french twist, a simple braid, or a loose and elegant bun like this one can be the difference between default and intention: Here are some other favorite simple updos for warm summer evenings… Source and tutorial here. via […]

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  • Talking Bangs and Newborn-Ready Hairstyling

    It’s been a LONG time since I’ve posted in the Looking Lovely section of this blog! If you spend an afternoon with me, you’d know that this blog follows pretty closely to the ebb and flow of my everyday life–there are some seasons that are more contemplative than others, and some that are a little more consumed by crafting/cooking/fashion– but regardless, pregnant or not, I always have an interest in hairstyling, fashion-scoring, and making the most of all that God’s naturally given you to present all that he’s forming IN you. And today, I’m going to finally write a little about…my hair. I’m 3.5 weeks away from Baby #6, which will also put me at the start of really warm months here in the Southwest. I don’t know about you, but I simply can’t stand to blow dry and style my hair and bangs in the summer months. I live […]

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  • Mikarose Review and Giveaway!

    I’m excited to share with you a new fashion find. Have you heard of Mikarose? In a day when modest clothing is hardly seen as fashionable, it is rare to come across a company that strives to do just that!   I was recently sent a Rebecca dress from Mikarose to review. (Yay for fun perks in blogging!) The fabric is soft and supple, lightweight but nice in quality. When I put the dress on, I immediately noticed that the wrap/crossover bodice really fit MODESTLY! Whenever I wear a wrap dress, I inevitably must wear a camisole underneath because the neckline is usually cut much too low. However, with the Mikarose wrap dress, the bodice is strategically crossed over in a way that raises the neckline without sacrificing style. Other favorite features: The gathered waist hides all sort of baby-bearing troubles. The ruffled shoulder details add just enough drama to make the dress special […]

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  • The Paradox of Godly Beauty

    In this world we live in, you get noticed when you are: dressed the best flaunting rebelling getting in the last word being an individual obeying your feelings trusting in no one but yourself speaking your mind “Your adornment must not be merely external–braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 3:3-4) In His Kingdom, you are precious in the SIGHT of God when you are: dressed in humility boasting only in the cross submitting taming your tongue conforming to Christ obeying Christ trusting in the Lordship of Christ speaking only that which is edifying A familiar verse…read this morning, with a renewed sense of appreciation for the faithfulness of the Word. Having a gentle, quiet spirit is […]

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  • The Sock Bun Curls Discovery

    A warm thank you to all the encouraging comments from yesterday’s post on our family’s time of change. I’m blessed and humbled by your kindness and prayer support! ***************************************** So, onto a lighter subject: How to get beautiful curls in the morning after sleeping with your hair in a sock. Yes, I know you’ve been dying to know. I discovered this little video tutorial through Pinterest: Sock Bun Curls No Heat I’m too lazy to take pics of each step when you can watch the video, but here’s the basic idea: …roll you ponytail up in the donut…get some rest…and wake up with this: No heat. No pain. No cost. Lots of curls. Later in the day, I got snazzied up in my Chinese Mandarin dress to be a guest speaker on China for all the little Kindergarteners at our school. No, I’m not demonstrating Jazz Hands…that’s me teaching them […]

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  • Trendspotting: Apricot

    Peach, coral, apricot, blush….You’ve seen it all over this Spring and Summer. Fashion is so circular. Don’t you remember when peach was all the rage in the 80s? I remember having a peach Forenza t-shirt from The Limited as a middle-schooler. I thought myself a super-model when I wore that t-shirt. I’m barely fitting into any of my pre-baby clothes. All of you mommies out there can sympathize, I’m sure. Spending money on clothes (that I will hopefully not fit into someday) is not tops on my priority list, but wearing sweats all the time is not an option either.  So…I am tickled pink, or should I say peach, when I find new clothes on super sale. This is what I’m wearing today. It’s from The Gap. It’s apricot. It takes me back to the 80′s, minus the super-model part. It cost me $15, total. That’s the way I do […]

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  • Talkin’ Photography Gear

    Now that DSLRs are ubiquitous, many of us are wondering how to lug our camera and lens(es) to the zoo, birthday parties, and even Starbucks, in hopes of capturing memorable moments of our kiddos in action. If you are like me, you’ve probably got a diaper bag and often a purse already, and the last thing you want is to carry a ginormous black camera bag that screams, “Look at my photography gear!” At least, that’s how I feel. I’ve spent a little time doing the research online, and thought I’d share my findings with you: For the stylish photographer, if you don’t mind carrying yet another bag for a camera (or the hefty pricetag), here are some of the industry’s most fashionable options: Jill-e Bags Kelly Moore Bags The Shootsac Here are some less fashionable, but very functional options: Lowepro SlingShot 202 AW (The SlingShot is the one we […]

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  • Tangerine and Lilac

    I came home with this lovely arrangement from a baby shower thrown in my honor this past weekend. How inspiring are these colors together? So much so that I’m dreaming up a breezy ensemble for this summer…when I just might have a waist again. Tangerine and Lilac by GraceLaced   Be inspired by what surrounds you today!

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  • What I Wore {Sweet & Street}

        Cinco doesn’t really care if his mama’s sweet or street chic. At almost 33 weeks, he’s still just along for the ride.  

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  • What To Wear {Valentine’s Day}

    We’re planning on having a quiet night at home with the boys on Valentine’s Day. I’m so looking forward to expressing to my boys that they exist and love life because their mom and dad exist, love God, and love each other. I think I will express that to my family by grilling up some steaks. That’ll do it, don’t you think? Were I and the Preacher going out to dinner, this would be an ideal ensemble: Inas leather blazer, $183 Maternity Lace Keyhole Jumper, $70 Old Navy Womens Dark Wash Maternity Low-Rise Denim Pencil Skirts, $19 Dolce Vita PERSIUS, $180 red ruby rose clutch bag by red ruby rose | notonthehighstreet.com, 65 GBP Carved Red Coral Rose Ring And, for any of you ladies who may be spending the evening having dinner with your best friends, perhaps this outfit can ward off any unwanted attention: Glamour Kills Keep Calm […]

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  • Dreaming of Spring {Gray and Ochre}

    We’ve seen the lowest temps here in 20 years this last week. The Southwest can be so deceiving. One day it is feeling like Spring with clear sunny skies, while the next may bring sub-zero temps and school closures! If you are like me-bundling up, but dreaming of Spring, this little outfit might be just the thing to encourage you to freshen up your winter wardrobe. Have a wonderful weekend! Sketch Stripe Boatneck Top, $39 Gap Sparkly cocoon sweater, $30 Gap Skinny Jeans (Saturated Dark Wash), $30 Fourre-tout robuste, $28 Merona® Solid Wrap – Yellow : Target, $50 Women’s Merona® Makana Cutout Sliver Wedges – Yellow : Target, $23

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  • How To Wear A Cowl

    Do you know what a cowl is? Have you seen them around, and wondered what to do with such a thing? A cowl is basically a knit or crocheted tube that drapes at the neckline. It can be like a turtleneck without the shirt, a hooded tube scarf, or even a lighter infinity scarf. Here are some of my faves currently on etsy: 1. the Wishbone Cowl 2. Kaleidoscope Cowl 3. Soft Spoken Cowl 4. the Kaltag Necklace 5. The Coffee Cowl 6. Cobblestone Cowl You all know that I love wearing solid, neutral colors in effort to keep looking classy, effortless. So as to not be completely boring in my wardrobe, I add a spot of color here and there with accessories. My sweet friend, Brittany, from church offered to knit a cowl for me out of one of my specially reserved stashes of yarn I picked up at a […]

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