Wearing: Brights

 Skirt, Top, Blazer (old) similar, shades--LOFT 

Bag--Fossil

Watch--Target

Sandals--Steve Madden

Isn't summer awesome? 

Except for the part where I keep forgetting to get outfit pictures taken. HA.  You wouldn't think it would be so hard, but there are so many entertaining things to do on sunny days that pictures get pushed aside. Ah, well...I finally got around to it today.

So, what kind of summer goodness is going on with you?

                                                        

Constructing: Ludington Dress

Ludington is one of my all-time favorite cities along Michigan's west coast, mainly for the adorable and uniquely decorated coffee house located behind the marina. This town is all about relaxing strolls along the pier, delicious ice cream cones and boutique shopping. (I've heard there's great fishing there too, but I wouldn't really know about that). HA.

The Ludington dress is constructed of breathable 100% cotton in a water-inspired print with a looser silhouette.  It recalls the white-cap waves crashing into the lighthouse and the brilliant blue of the sky in the height of summer. Pair the Ludington with some flip-flops or Sperry's and you're good to go.

Belt: Ann Taylor
Bag: Target
Shoes: Sperry Top-Siders
Watch: AE

Have a happy Memorial Day, mah dears!

                                                         

Constructing: Port Huron Dress

I grew up taking road trips with my family along the coastal towns of Michigan and my mid-summer collection is inspired by the nautical influences, quaint villages and beautiful scenery along the coasts of the Great Lakes. 

The Port Huron dress is reminiscent of the silky swish of water across the rocks. 

It's the million stars that become visible after the sun has fallen below the water's edge and it's the mariner boats bobbing in line along the docks. 

It's chiffon done up in a way that defies fussiness...with graphic details that refuse to be overlooked, but with a relaxed fit that keeps a girl from taking herself too seriously.

It's Port Huron in wearable form.

Wearing: Coral + Teal

Dress--Kristina J. Indus Valley

Trench--Lauren Conrad for Kohls

Pumps--Seychelles Hamburg 

Watch--Target

I am a naturally exuberant person.

I'm thankful. I smile. I think life is a wonderful, continuous dream come true.

It's a state of mind that comes from deep inside my soul...but it wasn't always this way. I used to be the most intimidated girl in the room--comparing my big nose to that other girl's little button one or worrying that I'd come cross as clumsy or awkward. Which let's face it, most of the time, I am. 

Then, I sorta bumbled my way into an astounding truth (in a Dr. Seuss book of all places).

Today you are You. That is truer than true.

There's no one alive who is Youer than You.

It seemed the year I turned fifteen I was released from the debilitating prison of comparing myself to everyone else out there. I suddenly felt it was okay to be different...to be scatter-brained or kitschy.

What good is being the best, anyway? Egos are such a waste of time...there will always be a girl who's smarter and prettier and more wildly talented.

I was a piano major in college, and when I sit down to play, husbie will look at my music and ask, "How do you read all those notes at the same time? 

Because...practice makes perfect.

I don't think about it anymore. It just happens.

Life is like that.

I've spent years practicing a mindset of acceptance. Sure, I'm an expert at knowing all my blunders, rationalizations and cover-ups. These things are intrinsically a part of me. I am all the memories, experiences, people and places that have made me the woman I am today. Recognizing the worst parts of myself and practicing at finding the notes of contentment and peace make my life, not easier...but more beautiful and satisfying.

I've spent so much time making a conscious effort to be grateful for all the good things and amazing people surrounding me that I don't think about it anymore.

It just happens.

And while my life is no longer governed by the emotional giddiness I experienced as a young girl, most mornings I wake up irrationally happy, because I know my life is a wonderful, continuous dream come true. 

--Original post May 26, 2011

                                 
                                                        

How To Embellish T-Strap Sandals

I bought these sandals forever ago from Walmart. Similar versions just keep popping up every year and this summer is no exception. It's really easy to embellish these sandals with ribbons, leather flowers and fabric. For this tutorial, I used twill tape.

Make sure you buy the twill tape, not the iron-on hem tape which is super-stiff. HA...I learned that the hard way.

I used pinking shears for this step to minimize fraying.

                                                        

Mommy Day

Konrad, Kenzie & Reagan

Motherhood--

It came to me for the first time in the early hours of an October morning. No one can prepare you for that moment. Nobody says, "When it happens, you'll be resurrected". But just the same, it happens. In an instant, all the you were, you will not be. All that you weren't, you are.

I am a teacher's wife. 

Mother of three children. 

I live on the corner of a curve-less street in a non-descript neighborhood in a house where the Lego's are scattered across the floor, where the remains of finger-paint are still visible on the table and the stain of a blue pen slashes across the toe of my taupe patent pumps.  

My greatest duty in life resides in this house, where we cherish every moment, knowing right now is all we're guaranteed, and that every day is gold.

Here in this house on the corner we are doing our best to be Real, to live out God's grace in tangible ways. 

We make too many mistakes, but never keep count. 

We say I'm sorry. 

We give second changes, offering each other what Christ has so freely given to us. 

We play together. 

We give lots of hugs. 

We FORGIVE. 

We do REALLY LOUD. Really, really loud...

We are learning. 

WE LOVE.

Motherhood--

It comes to me fresh in the early hours of each new morning, when the chatter of my children is simple, with music in it, and I watch them tumbling, at play.

And nobody says, "When it happens, you'll be resurrected."

But just the same, you are.

Happy Mother's Day!