Spring Trends You Don’t Want to Miss

Spring is upon us, friends!  You know what that means—time to wade through your closet.  Out with the old, in with the new!  I can’t remember if I have shared this with you all before, but on days when I’m not working at the church, I work as a fashion stylist at a small women’s clothing store.  One of my favorite things about working at the store is when we get new shipments.

We get so excited to see what’s in the boxes.  Because our clientele and our style is so broad, it’s always a mystery.  Sometimes we will open the boxes and get really excited about what we got.  Other times, the things can really disappoint us.  Regardless, we continually get new orders and lookbooks with the latest trends.  I’ve put together a list of some items you will want to grab this spring and summer.

--Converses.  Okay, I know, these have been trendy for a while.  And if you’re really cool, you’ve had them for longer than the past year (I got my first pair of black high tops in the 9^th grade…just sayin).  If you don’t have a pair, get them.  They are cute tennies that match just about everything.  Plus, they come in all the colors of the rainbow—pick your favorite and make them a staple piece!  I just bought a great new mint green pair of high tops.

--Round Sunglasses.  These things looked crazy to me at first, but I tried them on and loved them.  PLUS—they also come in all kinds of fun colors.

--High-Waisted Jeans:  Not only do they come in jeans, they come in all types of pants now—even high waisted shorts.  These things have saved my life.  I told a friend the other day that I never want to wear a pair of hip huggers ever again. PTL for high waisted jeans.  Can you tell I love them?

--Turtleneck Tops: Okay, I know these tops aren’t full on turtle neck, but you get the jest.  All kinds of shirts this past winter had a high neck on them.  Well, this style is carrying over into the spring.

--Suede: Who would have thought that suede would be popular in the middle of the summer?  I loved this trend this past winter, but have to admit that I was pretty surprised when I kept pulling out suede pieces out of our shipments at the store for our new summer clothes.  People may get hot in these pieces, but at least they will be looking good!

--Fringe: Yep, you read right.  The fringe isn’t going away.  It was popular in winter, also popular this spring and summer.  We just got the cutest pair of black wedges with fringe on the side at the store—I had to buy them.  We’ve also still been getting all kinds of tops and sweaters with fringe all over them.  To be honest, I haven’t really been into this huge fringe thing, but it’s starting to grow on me.  Basically, all most all of these spring styles are from the 70’s.  Spring/Summer 2016= return of the 70’s.

Did I miss any??  Share your favorite spring/summer 2017 trends below!

 Single & Serving

Valentine’s Day 2015.  Senior year of college.  Almost all of my best friends were in serious relationships.  Growing up, Valentine’s Day was never a big deal in my house.  My parents never bought each other gifts or went to fancy dinners on this “holiday.”  My friends, however, were a different story.  They all had elaborate plans with their perfect boyfriends and were lavished with wonderful gifts.  I was beyond excited for my friends—they deserved to be treated this way, and I was happy for them.  I can’t lie by saying I didn’t feel like quite the loser, though.

Me and my two other single friends in college had decided while all of our friends were on their nice dates on Valentine’s Day, we would go out as the single ladies and have a girls night.  We were going to dress up, go downtown, have a great time.  A few hours before we were supposed to go, my friend Alissa called me.  She went on to say that she and my other single friend had decided to babysit a couple’s kids so they could go out together for Valentine’s Day.  I remember thinking how crazy my friends were.  They want to BABYSIT on the night we are supposed to go out and have fun?  And for free?!?

It ended up being a great night.  We took the boys to chuck-e-cheese, bought them ice cream, and served their family tremendously.  The parents were so grateful for us spending our night with them so they could go on a special date.  The night was two-fold.  While it was beneficial to them, it was beneficial to me as well.  I realized that it was stupid for me to have a pity party for myself on just another normal day.

When we were serving this family together, we weren’t focused on ourselves, and what we don’t have—whether that’s a boyfriend, a new car, nice clothes, a great job, etc. We simply were not thinking of ourselves.  We were thinking of others.  One thing I have realized tremendously over the last year is that I will not always have this time of life.  I will not always be able to give my time serving families, couples, and friends within the church and my community.  However, I am able to do that now.  Through serving them, I also think less of myself and what I may or may not be missing out on. 

Sad about your current season of life?  Filled with discontentment?  Wishing for things you don’t have?  Try serving somewhere—whether it’s a family, in the church, whatever. 

How many of you are currently facing discontentment?  How and where are you serving in the midst of it?  Comment below!

 Fed Up

I know the past few posts I have been writing on contributing factors to successful living, but I figured it was time for me to write on another topic, since I do cover areas pertaining to spirituality and style as well—can you tell I’ve been trying to improve my professional life??

I’m going to be honest with you today—prepare yourself.  Since I have graduated from college, I’ve really struggled with finding my place within the local church.  Granted, I was working on staff as a Children’s Director, so literally had no down time at church to find a place to immerse myself, but the struggle was still there.  Many of my friends felt this same tension.  For the married friends I had, they were able to jump right into having a group of community with other married couples their ages.  They had married Sunday school classes.  What about the single post-graduate, though?  I’m not married, and there’s no man on the horizon, so I the “20s Married” Sunday school class isn’t an option.  On the other hand, I was only 22 when I graduated from college.  Was I to be deemed a “single” and go the the Single Sunday school class with single 40-50 year olds? 

This, my friends, is part of the reason that so many young people fall out the church after college.  They do not have a place of community.  They come to hear the sermon on Sunday, but let’s be honest—the church exists for much more than to hear a sermon once a week.  The church is also an institution in which believers can engage in discipline and building each other up, through a group of community.  Young singles aren’t finding this community because many churches do not have it there for them. 

To be honest, friends, I’m fed up.  Fed up with young twenty somethings not having a place.  Fed up with young single people being viewed of as lesser human beings because they are not married.  If you are reading this, and you’re a married twenty something (or better yet, someone even older) please help put a stop to this.  Reach out the the single post-grad students in your local congregation.

If you are like me, and are a single, young professional, don’t let this get you down (obviously it has done this to me).  Don’t let this situation steal your joy.  Rather than complaining about it (I’m speaking to myself too), start changing it.  Begin forming a community of single post graduates that need community.  Furthermore, insert yourself in communities of families, couples, younger people, etc.  Diversity only gives you the chance to learn and grow more. 

So what about you?  Have you had these similar struggles?  How have you made it through this season of life in the church?  What advice can you give?  Comment below.

The Lifelong Learner: How Reading Contributes to your Well-Being

I know, I know.  You’re just too busy and too successful to take the time to stop and read.  There are so many books piled on your nightstand, but by the time you climb into bed, you don’t have the time or energy to read one of these books that has been haunting you.

First of all, don’t make reading something on your “check list.”  Reading is not just another task to accomplish; reading gives you rejuvenation and inspiration to do your job and life your life better.  Reading should be something you do for two reasons:

1.      It is necessary to your life—you have to do it.

2.     You enjoy it and find it pleasurable

Reading should be like food; it is something we crave, yet also something we enjoy.  We need it to live our daily lives, and to continue living, but we also really love eating the good stuff—we even make a hobby out of it.  Try viewing your reading as nutrition—you’ll be amazed at the way this helps!

Perhaps if you view reading as something that contributes to your personal success, this would change your mindset.  I’m going to give you a few ways that reading will change your life & improve your well being below:

-       Stimulates your mind—reading is so good for your brain!

-       Beneficial for your soul

-       Gives you ideas (for professional life, personal life, etc)

-       Helps you see from the perspective of someone else

-       Makes you smarter & more intelligent

-       Teaches you things you did not know about yourself

-       Shows you values and life lessons to incorporate

-       Did I mention reading is enjoyable??

I know that you’re busy, and you don’t have time to pick up another hobby or activity.  Neither do I!  While reading can definitely become a hobby and a past time, it can also just be a quick thing you do once a day to get nourishment.  My encouragement to you is if you are struggling to incorporate reading into your life, start slow.  Begin with reading one chapter out of a book each night before you go to bed. Before you know it, you won’t be able to put the book down, and reading will become a normal habit for you.

What books have helped you the most this year?  Share below with us!

Call Me Old Fashioned: The Benefit of Paper Products (and no—I’m not talking about plate ware)

With the rise of apple watches, iPads, Fitbit, and more, it seems like every new thing that comes out these days is some sort of techy’s toy.  While I enjoy these things, I also find a large amount of fulfillment in office products.  It seems that any sort of work to be done, is all on the computer.  While this makes sense, it is really necessary for me, as an administrator, to keep all of my notes and calendars on my hard drive?  Any other professional ladies out there feeling the weight of this struggle?

Let’s be honest—the majority of the heartbreak over the lack of use of office products for me is because of their cuteness.  They brighten up my desk, they are fun to buy, they are pretty, the list goes on and one.  As I have been thinking (and fighting) through this, however, I have realized that there are benefits to calendars, agendas, and notes being physical besides just looking nice.  I’m sharing my thoughts below with you!

1.      They are constantly in front of your face. When I write important information on a sticky note, I place it directly in front of my at my desk, or even stick it onto my computer monitor.  This way, it HAUNTS me.  I can’t stop thinking (or looking) at it.  I must accomplish the task.  It is easier to forgot about the information when it is typed into a note on the computer and not physically in front of you anymore.  This way, you can’t escape the job that’s in front of you.

2.     Have more than one calendar. Can’t decide on the cutest calendar?  BUY TWO!  As you have already found out, I am a collector of calendars, agendas, and all kinds of cute paper products.  One thing I have found very helpful for me in my life as an administrator is to have a copy of my calendar at home and at work.  I have a calendar above my desk at work, and above my desk at home.  This helps me continually remember what I have going on, and also aids in not over-booking or over-stretching my time and energy.  So go ahead—buy them both!

3.     Writing helps remember.  It’s a proven fact that hand writing information helps people remember the material better.  For me especially, when I write something, I remember it a thousand times better than when I type it.  Try writing down important tasks; you won’t be able to forget them!    

4.     Did I mention that they are so cute?

5.     Last but not least—they help you feel accomplished.  At the end of the day when I am packing up my things to go home, I check over my post it notes.  If I got the task on the note done, I pull it off and throw it away.  A good work day consists of me throwing away about 4-5 different post it notes, and coming into a fresh desk the next morning. 

Don’t get me wrong—I still do everything electronically, too (mostly because my boss makes me).  I find that having paper products at my desks is best, and have the electronic information on my computer/phone for when I am on the go and not at my desk.  There are benefits to have things so accessible when I am on the go.  What about you?  How have office paper products benefited you and contributed to your professional success?