Dreaming With God

It's a little late but welcome 2015! Every year most people I know come up with a new years resolution about how they are going to change this or how they are going to change that, about how they are going to change their diet after eating pounds of sugar the weeks prior to the new year. People talk about going to the gym and loosing weight and they get gym memberships but by the time February rolls around they are paying for a membership they don't even use anymore. More times than not I feel people give up on their resolutions and I've never set a resolutions simply for this reason. So in my mind the word resolution just holds bad connotations even though I love what the word resolution actually means. The dictionary defines it as the act of determining upon an action, course of action, method, procedure, etc. and a resolve; a decision of determination and the mental state of quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose. How sad is it that many resolutions don't really go anywhere?

For the past six months or so I've felt dry, I've at times felt purposeless and for months at a time I've felt I've had zero idea of where I was going next, not to mention the pressure from others about "what's next?". I knew I had passions in my heart, and there were things I enjoyed doing, but I felt at a loss when I thought about how to tie the things I'm passionate about together. And what I mean when I say that is, things I really love + work + helping people. So for months I've gone with no vision, I just knew that I was suppose to stay faithful in my season. And by staying in my season that meant I was just doing the things I didn't necessarily find meaning in and doing my best while waiting for God to give me my next step. Now living the mundane day to day life, can sometimes get pretty old and often times it's hard to see beyond that and follow your dreams, visions and the things we know we were created for. Those things just seem to be a mirage.

But the bible talks about vision in Proverbs 29:18 it says "where there is no vision, the people perish." That's exactly what I felt like, like my spirit was dying. Like the fire in my heart was going out and it was just so hard to see the end goal let alone the next step. I was just wandering and was tempted to grab ahold of any opportunity that presented itself to me just so I could feel purpose. The weeks following up to 2015 I had an epiphany while talking to my husband about my next step. In a matter of minutes I had a flash back of all the little puzzle pieces that have all been coming together leading up to this point and I was just then seeing the big picture. Now I can't reveal to you what my epiphany was but it gave me new life, and put wind in my sails! 

I've now walked into this new year full of vision and hunger for God and how he wants to use me this year! I've also come up with a little bucket list of the little things I've always wanted to do or learn, I haven't done or felt like this since I was a child! I encourage you to look at your passions, find a need that needs to be met in this world and ask God where is it he wants you. Dream with God, even if it seems like your dreams are so far fetched. Looking back on 2014 I would say that the theme of that year for me was obedience to God and through that obedience he fulfilled the desires of my heart. By being obedient I've seen places I thought I'd never go to, I did things a lot of people will never do, I experienced Jesus and His presence in a whole new way. So this year instead of setting a resolution I just plan on dreaming. And dreaming with God to be more specific and really chasing the dreams that He sets in my heart.  I've got feeling that this year is going to be extra special! Full of wonder, new places, and new faces! 

xx

Grace

 Here are just a couple photos from when I was back at home in December

Warby Parker Spring '15

Many of you that know me or follow me via social media know that I'm all about people doing things they are passionate about and using your passion to impact the world and making it a better place. This is how my husband and I live our lives and we love seeing others step out into their calling, taking the road less travelled and using their ideas and passion in their hearts to help others. I love sharing products, ideas and companies that I really believe in with you all, but I'm particularly excited about this post because it's about helping others in need, impacting the world around us and of course fashion.
My latest discovery I want to share with you all is Warby Parker. Warby Parker is an eye wear company that makes really stylish, high quality and extremely affordable prescription glasses. Now everyone knows I love really "high quality" things (I'm a strong believe in the saying "You get what you pay for"), but what I really love about this company is that for every pair sold Warby Parker distributes a pair to someone in need through their non-profit partners. This company is ethically sound, uses quality materials, is making steps toward building economies in impoverished nations and is eco friendly.  I'm not going to write all the other great things they do because I'd rather you actually visit their website and see how awesome this company is! Check out how Warby Parker is making an impact and helping to alleviate poverty world wide at this link >> Buy A Pair, Give a Pair

I'm also really excited to be one of the first to announce that Warby Parker releases their Spring 2015 Collection today, which will introduce eight new shapes and six new colors! After visiting New York Fashion Week this last fall it seems as though designers are taking inspiration from nature and are incorporating it into their designs. This season there is a move towards the cooler and softer side of the color spectrum and I definitely see that in this new collection! These glasses have very classic look but when you look a little deeper you'll discover nautical design details borrowed from the open sea: anchor-hued titanium blended with blue coral acetate, sandy shades modeled after rippled ocean floors, saltwater matte finishes, jellyfish-inspired tortoise, and more--including a handful of solid standbys. 

These are just a few of my favorites from the new Spring '15 Collection! 

Archie Whiskey Tortoise $95

Archie Citron $95

Carnaby Burnt Lemon Tortoise $145 

Class Blue Slate Fade $95

Newton Striped Molasses $95 

Newton Aurelia Tortoise $95

Sullivan Woodgrain Tortoise $95

How cute are those?? ^^ 

Thank you all for reading! And please visit https://www.warbyparker.com/eyeglasses to purchase a pair of glasses from the new collection and also give to someone in need. 

xx

DIY Distressed Boyfriend Jeans

Lately I've been getting a lot of compliments on a pair of jeans that I recently did a DIY distress look to. Boyfriend jeans are not only the most comfortable pair of pants next to sweatpants, but they are cute and go with pretty much anything and everything! Plus I've been seeing them all over the display windows at the mall and Instagram. I'm a big thriftier and almost always refuse to pay full price for clothing, so when I had seen a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans at Urban Outfitter for $80+ I knew I could find and make a pair similar to the ones I had seen for about $75 cheaper! So I found a pair of loose fitted women's jeans at the thrift store and went home a distressed them myself. Since I love the first pair I did and was asked multiple times where I got them, I distressed another pair for a step by step tutorial for you! Below are steps for my DIY Distressed Boyfriend Jean! (Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest)

My Insperation | BDG @ Urban Outfitters

 1. Find a pair of loose fitting jeans, preferably a little worn in with not a whole lot of stretch in the material.

 2. Fold the hem of the jean to the opening of the pocket and that is where you will know where the jeans hit on your knees.

 3. Place a piece of cardboard or cardstock inside the jeans where the pant leg folds at the knee. This will protect the other side when you make incisions on the front.

 4. Get an exacto knife or razor blade. Your going make multiple slices around the knee. Make your slices 1/4" inch apart and remember that the shape you cut your slices into is the shape it will have once washed. I did my largest cut horizontally along the on the fold of the knee and tapered it up and down to make a natural worn hole. You can add as many or as little holes as you want!

 5. You can add little cuts along the sides of the pockets and hems to give your jeans a natural distressed look all around.

 6. Wash your jeans and tumble dry. THEY MUST BE TUMBLE DRIED OR IT WILL NOT FRAY!

7. Roll the bottoms and rock your jeans in comfort and get compliments left and right! :)

These are the first pair I did

xx

The Village Style

You guys should check out this really cool site that showcases the everyday person to inspire you to create your own adventure, fashion and lifestyle! It's called The Village Style and they featured me under their Style Spotlight section! Check out the interview, outfit details (even though those were in the last post I shared) and there are more photos to see from the talented Sarah Grunder.

xo

Check out the interview below 

http://thevillagestyle.com/style-spotlight/gracie