praise break

lake of the Ozarks, summer 2014

 

 

I've had a rough go of it the past month & a half. God has wrecked my heart & my plans for what I thought my future would look like. I'd like to think of myself as a generally happy person but I've strug-gled since this change came about. I've wrestled with God about my future; I'm a bit of a control freak & planner. I was in Target Sautrday literally giving myself a pep talk. I have the most amazing support system around me, seriously these people are my biggest encouragers. But sometimes you have to look in the mirror & say "girl, you are amazing, & strong, & powerful, & a winner....you WILL accomplish what God has put on your heart." I'm a deep thinker & analyze things to death, therefore I have to remind myself to let God & let go.

 

 

"...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perserverance; perserverance, character; & character, hope." -Romans 5:3-4

 

 

Those two verses sum everything up...even when attacks are being flung my way...I'm still blessed & I'm still safe & God still has me in the palm of his mighty hands.

 

If you're struggling I just want to enocurage you to keep fighting, spiritual warfare is a very real thing. God will never bring you to it without bringing you through it. It's uncomfortable & it hurts...but girlfriend it's so worth it.

 

Chose joy even in the midst of the storm & peace will follow.

 

 

 

 

day 27 // fall wishlist

Buffalo Plaid // I've been on the hunt for awhile, raiding thrift stores is my next mission.

Boots // these would go with anything, sort of a necessity.

V-neck // anyone else have trouble finding one that fits perfectly? I'm going to try these mens Hanes next.

Leopard loafers // staple in any wardrobe, I have a pair but need a little bit of an upgrade.

Rebecca Minkoff bag // wanted one for awhile, I love the structure of this one + it's not the mini MAC everyone & their mother own.

Le Volume de Chanel // my secret weapon, seriously. I've been trying to use up samples of other mascaras before I repurchase. This mascara will change your life. Trust me. 

Anything in particular you're craving for Fall?

 

the circle // fall favorites

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I love any & everything Fall...#sorrynotsorry for all related posts.

1// Favorite Fall fashion/clothing item? 

1/2/3

Last Spring I was on the hunt for those Steve Madden booties, I found them on super sale...although they're a little harder to find now. But I l-o-v-e them. Timbs...I've had the same pair since high school. Not everyone's cup of tea...which makes me love wearing them even more. I don't own the last pair of Steve Madden's but I want, I need! Boots are so Fall!

2// Favorite Fall drink? 

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 Once the air gets chillier, I crave chai tea latte's. They're spicy & warm...pretty much perfect!

3// Fall bucket list?

 1/2/3

I've never been to the Liberty corn maze & think it'd be so fun! Making a wreath is also on my to-do list. Hocus Pocus is a classic, duh. 

 4// Favorite Fall recipe?

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Hands down, pumpkin bread. Reminds me of my childhood and the smell of it baking feels like home. 

5// Favorite Fall scent?

Mahogany Teakwood is an all-year fav but especially during Fall, smells like the perfect man. Leaves is crisp & an apple scent that isn't too sweet. 

6// Favorite Fall holiday?

1/2/3

It's no secret, I'm obsessed with Halloween. Scary movies, candy, carving pumpkins...I love it all. My dad's girlfriend & I decided to have a little get together this year...make fun themed food, watch movies, & hand out candy. Uber excited! 

 What are your Fall favorites?

Linking up with The Circle this month!

day 22 // blogs i love

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I love stumbling across a blog I truly connect with. I have to admit I'm quite picky when it comes to blogs I read everyday. I prefer a clean aesthetic & a writer I relate to. Without further ado, here are a few blogs I adore...

Meg Fee // No clue how I found her blog, but man am I glad I did. Rarely do I discover a blog whose writing sucks me in. Her writing is eloquent & real; she's so raw & I appreciate that. I love how she speaks about singledom, wanting versus needing a man. I want to high five her & then hug her. 

Sincerely Jules // Oh Jules...she's my style crush. She wears dresses with sneakers, a girl after my own heart. She's chic but not stuffy. She's always traveling...absolutely jealous of her instagram photos.

Makeup & Beauty Blog // Karen reviews high end as well as drug store makeup, skin care, & hair products. I respect that she gives her honest opinion about products. She posts multiple reviews a day, always leaving me wanting more. I swear I could read makeup blogs all day & not get bored.

Pinch of Yum // Pretty sure this was one of the first blogs I started checking in on often. I've made several of Lindsay's recipe's & girlfriend never disappoints. Savory + sweet, this food blog offers everything your heart desires. 

Bijou & Boheme // Christine Dovey is an amazeballs interior designer. I l-o-v-e her design style & she even gives sneaks peeks on projects she's currently working on. If you're needing design inspiration, check her out!

What are your favorite blogs? I'd love to check them out!

 

 

day 21 // autumn

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For as long as I can remember, I've had a love affair with autumn. Living in the mid-west we get to fully experience all four seasons, autumn being the last hoo-rah. Summer's having a hard time letting go this year, chilly in the morning & blazing by afternoon. But again, that's the mid-west for ya. Growing up I remember my mom jazzing the house up once September hit, Halloween was a major deal, & my birthday in November...autumn holds precious nostalgia for me. 

Favorites:

chill in the air//spicy smells//boots//army jackets//pumpkin bread//leaves crunching//start of Jayhawk basketball//Halloween//soup//my birthday//rich colors//sweatshirts//Thanksgiving//chai tea latte//fur vest//scary movies//festivals//finally able to wear my hair down//family time//green bean casserole//dark lipstick//crisp air

1/2/3

What's your biggest anticipation for autumn?

 

day 15 // mood board

1 / 2 / 3 / 4*/ 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

1. I'm a total fan girl for Rih Rih; & she killed this editorial for W Magazine.
2. Normally I'm not draw to this aesthetic but c'mon this kitchen is beautiful.
3. If you're not reading Atlantic-Pacific, stop & go now. Seriously. I love the side braid + dress + sneakers combo. 
4. This screams 90's Vogue & I'm fully embracing the 90's comeback.
5.  Art deco has been calling my name lately.
6. Needs to go on my gallery wall asap.
7. Who doesn't love + feel inspired by full spidery lashes.
8. Black polish = fall. nuff said. 
9. Self explanatory, you attract what you are. 

*Joan Smalls for Paris Vogue, June/July 2013
Photographer: Mario Sorrenti

Happy Monday, I hope your weekend was relaxing & stress-free! Kick butt this week!

day 11 // inspiration

 

 

 Inspiration is a funny thing; I need it daily. I've made some decisions lately that have rocked my world. What I once thought my future looked like is an entirely different picture now. An amazingly different picture. It's scary & new & unknown. It keeps me awake at night & gets me out of bed in the morning. 

I've had a tumblr for a few years, my personal inspiration board. It's better than pinterest or instagram, it's raw & intimate. This quote was plucked straight from my brain, it's the exact season I'm in. Isn't that what we look for when we need inspiration...to know others feel how we do & they've made it to the other side. 

 Yesterday I mentioned Myleik Teele. When I'm feeling discouraged or throwing myself a pitty party I always check out her instagram or podcasts. Let me tell you, she keeps it real which is why I appreciate her advice. She started & runs a successful company. She's a strong, powerful, independent woman. She's my "mentor from a distance" as she likes to call it.

Inspiration comes from.... people I relate to, words that hit me to my core, people I admire, people who are in a position I'd like to be in, my dad & his life lessons, daily devotionals, sunny days, sunday morning church, my past, my future, fabric swatches, music.

Currently inspired by:

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**

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**Vogue Japan, October 2014
Photographer: Boo George

What's inspiring you lately?

 

day 10 // self love

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When I looked over the writing prompts for Blog-tember , this in particular excited me. We're slammed daily with negativity...you're too fat, your teeth are crooked, you still haven't finished college yet. I can't express enough how important self love truly is. I was listening to a podcast last night from a woman I admire, Myleik Teele (more on her tomorrow). She attended Oprah's The Life You Want tour where Iyanla Vanzant spoke. Iyanla recalled when she was a young girl her brother kept calling her ugly. One day she decided she was beautiful. That's it. Your opinion of yourself is all that really matters.

10 things I love about myself:

1. green eyes + long lashes

2.  gut instinct - it's taken some time to learn to listen but I more than appreciate it now

3. curly hair - recently embraced my crazy curls...makes me feel sexy

4. ambition - can't stop//won't stop

5. curvy physique - the older I get, the more I love & enjoy my body for being strong

6. my walk with Christ - he gets all the glory for the woman I've become

7. passion - for my family, my calling, inspiring others

8. resilience - this girl refuses to stay knocked down

9. confidence - if I want it, it's mine

10. my hands - they're soft, petite, pretty, painted

Just in case no one's told you lately; you're beautiful, you're valued, & you matter. Shine on pretties!

day 8 // music to my hears

Happy Monday! I'm loving this Kansas City weather...bring on autumn!

Circa '92//5th birthday

Excuse the poor photo quality but this is one of my favorite pictures of my childhood. Somehow I was convinced to put on a concert for my 5th birthday, complete with homemade cowgirl ensemble. I preformed Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus with a wooden spoon (we were fancy back in the day). Video proof of this hilarity also exists. Thanks mom & dad for priceless memories lol. 

Needless to say music has always been a huge part of my life. I remember my mom playing country music as well as strong female influences like TLC & En Vogue. My dad introduced me to classic rock...Aerosmith, Queen, Tom Petty & my most favorite; Bob Marley. I remember burning Legend: The Best of Bob Marley & the Wailers my junior year of high school & introducing classmates to one of the greatest albums of all time. 

I appreciate all genres but I feel like an old soul, they just don't make music today like they used to. I've put together a spotify playlist of some of my all-time favorite songs. I hope you enjoy!

  

What are some of your can't-live-without songs?

day 4 // fashion lovin

 day 4: fashion lovin/loathin

Lately I cannot get enough of black/camel/white combination. I've been digging through my closet and remixing ev-er-y-thang. I used to be totally against black & anything that came close to brown. However; camel, cognac, & tan all blend beautifully with black & white or cream. Black jeans are a staple & Gap always delivers. Given the choice, 8/10 times I always pick silver but that gold watch is a beaut. I've lusted after owning a black watch for a while but this has quickly taken its place. I own that Kate Spade bag in a snake skin finish but black is just classic chic....& I'm sensing a black theme going on. :-) Which brings me to these pointed toe flats. Love the pointed toe, loving the cut out even more. Lastly, a red lip is the cherry on top. Sadly I've only worn a red lip once or twice this summer but she'll make her return soon. 

As far as loathing goes, the only "trend" that comes to mind are wedge sneakers. I've had an obsession with sneakers since high school, it's ridiculous how many pair I own. I've never liked this trend...it's asinine. Just wear sneakers OR heels but please stop wearing wedge sneakers. They're not cute...at all. Mini rant over. Of course to each their own, if you love em....rock em girl.

day 2 // h a p p y

Just a few things that make me happy:

1. Travel - Montego Bay, Jamaica; summer 2012. There's just something about being away from home...experiencing new people, culture, & food that awakens my soul. 

2. Jayhawk basketball - a religion all its own, there's no place like Allen Fieldhouse. 

3. Baby Bro - we've been through a lot as a family; I am the proudest big sister of this guy. He's my best friend and the funniest person I know, hands down. 

4. Hope - anxious by genetics, I have to remind myself daily that God always delivers on his promises.

Day 2 of Blog-tember Challenge!! 

About the Author // First Post

        Hi guys! This is my first post, very exciting and scary...so bare with me!

I'm Rachel, 26 years young, living in Overland Park, KS. A little over  year ago I rededicated my life to Christ. Since then, major desires have changed in my heart. By nature I'm a pretty private person, I prefer to sit back and observe. I'm also an all or nothing kinda girl, meaning I'm 100% into something or totally uninterested. Typical type A personality, however recently I've allowed myself to embrace the creative side. Career wise I'm in sales and I love it; being competitive and striving to be #1 fuels me. Creating this blog is my first attempt at marrying all the things I enjoy and am good at. My focus for this blog is to encourage and inspire women to embrace and be truly confident in themselves. By the glory of God I've overcome obstacles and as hard as it is for me to be vulnerable...it's even harder to settle for mediocrity. 

Quick Facts: 

-I hate eggs & seafood

-the beloved pumpkin spice latte is too sweet for these taste buds

-nail polish obsessed

-love a bold lip + messy bun (clearly, lol)

-one baby brother (who's 21)

-single

-I love time period shows/movies :: Pride & Prejudice, Downton Abbey

Speaking of time period, if I wrote a novel it would most certainly be set in the late 1800's/ early 1900's. Of course I'd have a heroine, a mix between Marie Antoinette & Elizabeth Bennet. She plays by her own rules, never needing a man to be her conqueror. 

Thanks to Bailey Jean for putting together the Blog-tember Challenge! Check out her blog for the rest of the challenge!