Sunday Best and All the Rest

   Greetings, everyone! I hope that those of you who celebrate Christmas had a lovely holiday, whether it was quiet and thoughtful or lively and abundant. With the end of Christmas comes the realization that yet another year is drawing to a close. This fact brings both hope and fear, nostalgia for the past twelve months and wondering what the next twelve brings. Please join me for a brief look at this last month of the year...

   Hello there, everyone! Life is full, is it not? At any given time of year, just living can take up a lot of time and energy. Add Christmas into the mix and things get even more complicated. Blog post material isn't always easy to come by anyway when one's outfit photographer is not readily available and other plans fall through for the time being. Never fear, the blog will not lie completely dormant. Enter the wonderful world of Pinterest...

   Greetings readers! I hope that your December is off to a lovely start. We are only a few days into the month and it has already been quite full for me. There is never a lack of things to do during this time of the year! I have been blessed to be able to take time to go outside with family and friends over the past two weekends. Getting out for some fresh air and displays from the Greatest Artist is relaxing in a unique way.

   Hello everyone! I hope that all of my U.S. followers had a lovely Thanksgiving this past week. Our family had a delicious and quiet supper which we shared with my Grandma. I was able to enjoy a four-day weekend, spending time with family, getting things done and visiting with friends. Now it's back to work and into the Christmas season!

   Hi there everyone! Long time no see, eh? I trust that you've all been well and happy since we last met. Lately it's been harder to fit in outfit blog shoots with the sun down before I get off work and my photographer now working two mornings a week! Well, this weekend we made it happen just in time for the upcoming holiday. :)

   Hello all! I hope you are enjoying your November thus far. This chilly month is just perfect for a hot cup of tea, isn't it? It's also an excellent time for the Tea Cup and Exchange Reveal at The Enchanting Rose! I had the privilege of joining the exchange for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. Take a look at my part in the fun of this event!

   Well ladies, I have a special treat for you today! No, I'm not getting married or taking my final vows to become a nun...;). Instead, I had the privilege of modeling a beautiful vintage bridal gown. Some time ago, friends of mine came across this dress and thought of me and my blog. They were sweet enough to pass it along to me, and after a shamefully long wait, I am sharing the lovely gown with you!

   Hi all! It's been a couple of weeks, hasn't it? I hope that you have been enjoying a lovely October. I don't know about you, but I seem to know of quite a few birthdays in this part of the month! Last night I dressed up in some eighties duds to help a friend celebrate her 30th birthday...retro-style!

  Hello all! How are you this fine October Sunday? Here, the season has certainly changed over the past couple of days. A crisp, cool wind has been blowing, bringing with it the prime time for tea, hot chocolate and lattes. In fact, my parents and I went out for coffee this afternoon. Below, you'll see me with a vanilla - not pumpkin spice - latte in my hands. ;)

   Hello all! I hope you are doing well this last half of September. It's strange to think of how far into the month we already are! Signs of autumn are showing up here...rain...boots...pumpkin spice lattes. As we come to the beginning of the end of summer, I would like to share several images I captured on various adventures over the past few months.     Ladies, before viewing the photos, please take a moment to look at the event button on the sidebar. I was shamefully late in putting it up, so I apologize for that. Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose hosts lovely tea cup and mug exchanges; This is my first time participating and I look forward to putting together and receiving a package at this 11th exchange! There is just about one day left to sign up!

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33    Good evening, everyone! I hope that you are all safe and well. While things are fairly peaceful this weekend in my little corner of the world, it seems that natural disasters are abounding across the earth. We know that we have tribulation in this world, but believers in Christ must cling to His victory over sin and death. We know the end of the story.

   Hi there readers! I hope all of my fellow U.S. folks are staying safe from the fires and storms demolishing different areas of our homeland. Let us remember to be prayer for those in the wake of the damage. Meanwhile, I know many of my high school and college followers have likely started school. May your studies go well and may you be able to maintain focus on the most important things in life in the midst of busyness and stress. :)

   Hello all! I hope that you are enjoying your weekend thus far and getting ready for a lovely Sunday. Remember last weekend when I mentioned taking photos at the beach? Well, here are a few shots from that day! You'll notice that it was a distinctly overcast day, so nearly everything is cast in gray. To me, it is fitting for the drama and wild beauty of the sea.

   Hello everyone, how has your weekend been so far? My Saturday has been the first day without great pain for a while. Most of this week I had a terrible toothache, and ended up needing a root canal on Thursday morning! Thankfully, today I have been feeling quite a bit better than I had been (especially after sleeping in!) and was able to go to the beach with my family and enjoy some photography with that perfect overcast lighting. Though sometimes painfully aware that I'm an amateur, behind the lens is one of the places I am happiest - my fellow shutterbugs probably know just what I mean! :)

Check out this amazing anchor lamp and coral-themed plate!   One's home decor is a reflection of who they are and what they most enjoy. A place of solace from the busy world, a bedroom is a place where we should feel relaxed and ready to take a nap or read for bit. Just over a month ago, I realized that my own room was looking a bit too juvenile. Thus began the fun project of redecorating my space with my favorite colors and themes. I hope you enjoy seeing the results and perhaps even pick up a few amateur decorating tips!

   Pardon the pun, dear readers. I've been in a pun-making mood today and decided to consolidate the key words of my post into a ridiculous hybrid. ;) As you may have noticed by now, nearly all shades of blue-green are my favorite colors. Thus, when I find a mint top my size it is a treasure indeed! Meanwhile, I have been in need of some encouragement(/mint) lately and thought I would share with you some scripture that I have found uplifting!

   Hello there readers! After a time with no inspiration or motivation for blogging (Okay, it was like a week and half ;P) I decided it was time to do something! A free evening and plenty of daylight saving sunshine after work really makes taking photos and writing a post much easier.

   Hello all! Today's post is all about that one thing every woman struggles with - hair! One of my readers asked about ideas for Sunday morning hair. I know the feeling of rushed hair all too well (like today...), so I hope these tips help!

   Hi all, and a happy summer to you! Here in my neck of the woods, the day became bright and clear by late morning. The weather is warming up, and the yearning to be outdoors has awakened in our hearts as blue skies smile overhead.

    Hello all! Hmm, it seems that I blog on a different day every week now doesn't it? Such is the life of a hobby blogger and indeed, such is the life of everyone! Our days are full of ups and downs, free time and busy time, surprises and daily duties. Now and then the Lord gives us little gifts (material or intangible) that put a smile on our face in the midst of it all. One of recent gifts for me was this skirt!

   Hello all, and happy Sunday! Hopefully you, as I, have been enjoying a relaxing day before getting back to the stresses of work, school, and household duties. Today I was talking to a friend about how truly important it is to have a day of rest. God's design for a day off from labor is the best plan; We can spend time worshiping Him and having fellowship with other believers as well as giving our bodies a break from working. Good stuff, right?

   Hi, all! I hope you are all having  a lovely evening (or day). This week, I would like to share with you some recent sunset photos I took, as well as some thoughts that I pray will encourage you who are struggling.

      April showers bring May flowers, right? Well, this May has had its flowers and showers so far. After a sunny week, the Lord decided to give us a bit more rain. I don't know why, but I do know that it called for another impromptu umbrella photo shoot! :)

   Greetings, readers! This past weekend I had the pleasure of  sunshine and a dad ready to take me on a photography outing in our neighborhood. Spring has truly sprung, and many beautiful blooms adorn the town. Please enjoy what I captured, along with some thoughts and songs on eternity.

   Hi all! Another week, another outfit - it sure is fun having new clothes! I seem to be going through a season of updating my wardrobe. Happily, my closet loses a few old clothes when new items go in. I'm not sure if the number of things going out is quite the same as those going in, but I try my best. ;)

     Hi there, readers! I hope that you have been enjoying this April week. For me, it has been fairly well-paced, which is helpful when trying to recover from a springtime cold. Sunday was a pleasant day of celebrating the Savior's resurrection, and it offered the perfect opportunity for a photo shoot with one of my new-to-me items. I suppose spring is an appropriate time of year to say "out with the old, in the the new" regarding one's closet!

       Hi all! I hope your week has been one full of peace, growth, rest, or productivity -  whatever you needed, even if it wasn't what you initially wanted! My week has been less overwhelming than many preceding days, resulting in me being caught up at work and feeling accomplished at home. I did end up coming down with a cold, but am glad to be having a relaxing evening.

Source     What I have to share with you today is nothing of astonishing depth or difficulty of  understanding. Though not a complex concept, it is one of the hardest to carry out. My encouragement for you and I today is this simple message - stay focused on the Lord.

  Hello there readers! I seem to have taken a brief blogging hiatus without telling you, but you see, I hadn't given myself any advance notice either. ;) Sometimes life gets busy, and bloggers are uninspired (or just lazy). What matters is that I am back this evening, and even have new clothes to tell you about! I hope that in the time since we last "met", you have had many good days and plenty of accomplishments.  :)

   Last Sunday I had the rare opportunity of combining two new things together in an outfit, having a free afternoon, and enjoying a sunshiny day! Everything combined at the right time for my first real blog shoot in...um...I don't remember how long! This one features my new boots and a lovely feminine top. If Mrs. Bennett lived in modern times and had taken it upon herself to describe this outfit to her husband, he probably would have begged her to stop once she started in on the lace. ;)

   Hullo all! How has your week been? As usual, I have been keeping busy, but enjoy the satisfaction of getting projects done at work and home. The weather has been dreary out West, and has taken toll on the morale of we who live beneath the storms. However, I am grateful for plenty of water after a long drought. For the past two weeks, there have been breaks in the rain when Mom meets me for lunch on my full days at work. There is a nature trail near my place of work, so we have had the pleasure of taking short walks together. While we were out today, Mom took a few outfit photos on her phone.

   Okay folks, here we have the results from my "Living With Parents" polls! I have weighed in with a few of my own thoughts on this controversial topic and shared some tid-bits of what readers said. I hope you enjoy and learn from this post!

  Well readers, Valentine's Day has come and gone, but do not think it passed without this blogger putting together an apropos outfit! You may also be sure that I did not to pass up the opportunity to eat chocolate, especially that which was gifted to me by my sweet parents. I may not have had a "Valentine" in the modern sense of the word, but was thankful to have a mom and dad who love me very much, and a little dog who always wants my attention. ;)

  Hello all! I would like to draw your attention to the polls on the right ------> . Young adults living at home is a topic that interests me because that is exactly the state I'm in! Never having moved out, I can't imagine life any other way. However, I'm learning that being a family of three adults is different than being a family of two adults and one child. This has me curious about the experience of others in the same situation and wondering in what ways the transition from child to adult at home can be a joyful time.

  Hi all! It's been a couple of weeks since I've blazed the Sunday Best trail; I have instead been finding a path through lack of sleep, busyness, and sheer forgetfulness. Happily, I remembered to blog this evening and also had some material to share!

   Greetings, readers! I have a double feature blog post today, with a fun new outfit and some thoughts on a current, yet age-old issue. To save on time, I will explain about the outfit here. It features four darling new items - the skirt is gifted from a co-worker, tights from Mom for my birthday, and boot cuffs and booties purchased using a Target birthday gift-card from my co-workers. P.S, these shoes are a new favorite pair. :)

   Hello all, I am back from whatever rock I was hiding under! What really happened was a week with plenty of rain, an odd schedule, more than usual hours at work, and no daylight in the evening, all of which spelled trouble for getting in an outfit shoot. Yesterday afternoon I had some free time, sunshine, and an available photographer, which spelled success for an outfit shoot. Not everything was just right, as my photos ended up including shoes more conducive to marshland wandering than the ankle boots I had worn to church. However, this is the real life of a non-career blogger. Please enjoy and look forward to the cute new shoes I will show you at a later date...;)

   Hi all! I hope that those of you up here with me in the northern hemisphere are staying safe and warm this week. Though it's difficult to imagine as I type with icy fingers, I also hope that you who hail from the south are enjoying some warm, mild summer days. A new year has come upon us, and just like that 2016 is history! More on that later...meanwhile, I have a long overdue Christmas song to offer.