#WiseStuffWednesday

My brother is a very comical person. He, like our Dad, and like me to a smaller extent, has a unique kind of humor. Part dry, part people can't figure out if we are joking or not... sometimes it's a little awkward. But it's just how we are, and we embrace it! Why I'm telling you this, is it relates to my title of this post. When he first got an Instagram, he posted a picture from one of his hiking adventures with a very intellectual and inspirational caption, and used the hashtag #WiseStuffWednesday. Except it wasn't Wednesday, so it was very comical. Not sure if anyone caught it, but I did and thought it was pretty clever. 

Today is Wednesday, and I decided I wanted to share something a little deeper with y'all. So #WiseStuffWednesday here we go! A couple weeks ago, I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and saw a post from another blogger that spoke to me. It was a re-gram from the app First5, a daily devotion app for women by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Intrigued, I clicked on over to the app's Instagram, and later downloaded the app! Today, I just want to touch on the post that has really stuck with me each day since; "When I live on God's schedule, I will always have God's help."

I'm a relatively busy person, and I like it that way. Yes, I like to relax in front of a movie from time to time, but I like to be accomplishing things. A lot of my classmates have told me they don't know how I do it; between our intense & time-consuming major, blogging, seeing my long-distance fiancé, and having a Premier Designs Jewelry business, sometimes I wonder too how I manage to get everything done! But seeing this post, and reading the corresponding devotional has really helped me get through a quite busy couple weeks, and will carry me through the rest of this semester, school year, and the rest of my life. 

Part of my ability to get everything accomplished is my love for to-do lists. Anyone else use them to keep on track? It really is a great way to see and familiarize yourself with what needs to get done each day, and checking off each task is very rewarding. But I have found that sometimes if I have a long to-do list and not everything gets accomplished (because something took longer than expected, other things came up, etc) then I become frustrated with myself. Why couldn't I do everything? Why did task xyz take so long? How will I get it all done tomorrow with what I already have planned?

In the devotional that corresponds with the above message, from John 7, Jesus's brothers are pushing Him to get out in the limelight, go ahead of God's timing, and take advantage of a great marketing opportunity to promote Himself. A lot of things can push us ahead of God's timing, whether it's family, friends, a boss or coworker; even we can push ourselves ahead of God's timing. That's kind of what happens when we stress over our unfinished to-do list.

The prayer that goes with the devotional is my favorite part...

 "Lord God, You are the keeper of time. Your timing is perfect and all-important. I want to trust You today with my schedule. I don't want to miss anything You have planned for me. Lead me so that I can accomplish only those tasks You have assigned me today. In Jesus' name, Amen." 

Since reading this devotional, I have included something like this in my morning prayers, and it has made me feel more accomplished at the end of everyday because I know that I have given my day to God and have achieved what I was meant to achieve. It gives me an inner peace. I'm not saying it's the total solution, but there is something to be said about praying over the stressors in your life, including your schedule. 

If you're interested in the First5 app's  daily devotions, I highly suggest you check them out! On Instagram, find them @first5app and you can read more about it on their website. 

I hope you all don't mind me getting a little deep here, and I hope you have a great Wednesday!

--Caroline

A Simple Manifesto

(Source)

Take it easy today, y'all. Keep it simple & manageable, and have an absolutely wonderful Wednesday!

--Caroline

Lately I'm Loving...

1. JOGGING. I've been trying to do a power walk/jog around my apartment complex and surrounding area either in the morning to make myself get going on days I don't have class, or at night before dinner to relax and sleep after having coffee. I'm loving it, and I want to keep this up! No schedule, just when I can. (photo credit). 2. THIS QUOTE. Just perfect. (photo credit). 3. BRALETTES. This is the perfect lounging/sleeping bra! The lace band underneath gives pretty decent support, and it's so soft... I already have two! 

4. LEOPARD DRESSES. So cute! Shop it here. 5. THIS WEDDING. I would love a picture like this, especially with Kyle being a firefighter! (And no, we aren't engaged, but I know he's the one :) ). 6. PREMIER DESIGNS JEWELRY. I am just loving my company right now! I had a wonderful talk recently with my Premier Mom, and I'm setting some awesome goals for myself... I just feel like the time is finally right for me to shine! (The picture is a throwback to meeting our founder Andy Horner at National Rally in 2012!) 

7. SQUAT LIKE... This tank makes me laugh, and it's so true! lol! Found on Etsy. 8. EATING RIGHT. Not that I was eating really bad before, but I'm trying to really keep up with my clean eating cleanse that I did with my roommates. I am feeling less bloated, more "fresh" (if that makes any sort of sense), and I have more energy. Eating more fresh foods has been the key, and more fruits that I was eating before. I've also been avoiding gluten better that I have in the past, as well as rice and wheat. (photo credit).

Happy Monday!

--Caroline

Five Friday Favorites

Today I'm headed to see Kyle for the weekend, but before I finish packing...

Here are my favorites things that have happened in my life recently:

1. My little brother graduated high school! I'm so proud of him!! He's off to do amazing things in college, and in fact he is following me to FSU. So excited to embarrass him by randomly showing up at his dorm with baby pics... jk... maybe :)

2. An update on the cleanse I'm doing: so far so good! A lot of the recipes are turning out really yummy, putting ingredients together that I wouldn't have thought to do. There is a lot more prep involved than I normally care to do, mainly because of the nature of the cleanse involving no processed foods--lot's of fresh vegetables that require chopping! However, I plan on repeating many of the recipes post-cleanse, with some adaptations here and there.

3. Now getting intimate: This week, after noticing for quite some time that my bras were fitting weird, (lots of extra space in the cup, my constantly adjusting them), I decided to do some research and re-measured myself at home, and found out I was not a 32B, but instead a 30D. How can this be?! I asked myself. So I went to Dillard's with the intent to try on some 30D's, and a very helpful clerk measured me as well and, sure enough, my girls are much happier in 30D's! My mind is blown, my girls are happier, and I'm swapping out old bras for new (can I get a cha-ching?! Why are bras so expensive?). If you're curious about your actual bra size, the articles I read can be found here, here, and here. My tip: make sure you measure yourself using the "modern" method, because that is what all the brands are using now, and that is how the very knowledgable lady at Dillard's measured mine. Also keep in mind that cup size is proportionate to band size (i.e. why my small boobies are actually D's).

4. I recently fell in love with this chambray romper from LOFT! (Shop it here). If you're thinking about ordering online, I recommend going a size down, as fit was generous. 

5. As many of you know, I sell Premier Designs Jewelry. My 3-year anniversary came along the other day, and I just got to thinking about how blessed I am to be able to have such a fun part-time job in college! Which brings me to something I've recently realized... I have been saying Premier is my part-time job, but I work it like it's a hobby. There is a disconnect there, which needs to change if I really want to be as successful as I know I can be. Cheers to change and a fresh mindset!

Happy Weekend!

--Caroline

Unrealistic "Beauty" Goals

I'd like to take a break from the fashion & fun part of my blog to talk about something a little more serious: the increasing role the media plays in women judging not only the bodies of others but the bodies of themselves. 

Graphic artist Barbara Kruger was a huge feminist artist of the 1970's and 80's. This is one of her most famous pieces, and one that always sticks out to me when talking about stuff like this. 

Read more about her here. 

This is, by any means, not a new phenomena. The media has been influencing our behaviors and thoughts since the moment it became into existence. I could go on and on about how it affected our perceptions of various immigrant groups to America (I learned all about that last semester in one of my classes!), how it affects our view of gender roles (think 1950's housewife in the kitchen), and many more. But today I will stick to just a couple new things affecting women today: thigh gaps and hand lifts.

THIGH GAPS

(Pinterest)

This is just an absurd and unrealistic fad! To those who aren't familiar with what a thigh gap is, it refers to having a space between your inner thighs near your crotch when you stand with your feet or knees touching. (Wikipedia page & source for my definition here). After becoming famous, it spread like fire on the internet, promoting workouts that would help women attain one, men speaking out about their attractiveness, even the phrase Thinspo, or "Thin-Inspiration". Several things are sad about the thigh gap craze. 1) That women are crazy enough to follow such a self-degrading trend, and 2) that they follow something that is so unattainable for many women. I'm no expert on the structure of the body, but I'm pretty sure that the ability for a thigh gap to occur has many factors involved. What about those with narrow hips? Their thighs are naturally going to be close together! What about athletes or gym junkies? They workout so much that their thighs are larger, and they probably won't have one! 

One day I was having a conversation with a girl and thigh gaps came up. I said something along the lines of that I think they are an unrealistic goal and that I didn't have one and I didn't care to have one, and the girl responded with, "But you're so skinny, you could totally get on really easily!" Yeah, maybe I could. But then again, I am one of those with narrow hips, and I used to be a dancer so my thighs are not huge but they aren't sticks either. Regardless, I have no desire for one! And you shouldn't either. 

My sister Kelly wrote a phenomenal post on her blog Where in the World Is KP Schwan about thigh gaps, and I highly suggest you read it here. She speaks from the heart, and if you like to travel she has tons of tips on her blog as well!

HAND LIFTS

(Pinterest)

When an article about this popped up on my facebook newsfeed, I clicked the link thinking, is this real?! Yes, sadly, it is. According to the article I first read (from Cosmopolitan Magazine) and the follow up article I read (from FOX 4- Ft. Myers) there appears to be trend among brides and brides-to-be that involves getting plastic surgery in your hand so that in engagement pictures or engagement announcement "selfies" their hands don't look old, or wrinkly. WOW. Really? It is known that hands are one of the first places to show age, and apparently that is more important to some women than the excitement of saying yes to your soulmate and the idea of being able to spend the rest of your life with them! Again I'm no expert on this subject (I'm not married or engaged) but I think that marriage is not about the material aspects but instead about the health of the strong bond between you and your partner. When I get engaged, I'm not going to be thinking about if my hands look old, or even if I have a fresh manicure... because I might not! After all I am a real person, not a Barbie doll. I will instead be overcome with joy and excitement; how it should be. 

There are plenty of other goals to work towards in life, other than achieving a thigh gap or getting a hand lift: following your passions, working hard at work for a promotion, eating healthy and working out to feel better, and spending more time with friends and loved ones. Phenomenons like this will only continue if us women continue to allow ourselves to obsess about them and try to achieve perfection. 

--Caroline

Linking Up With: Random Wednesdays with Because Shanna Said So

Closet Clean Out: Minimalism Approach

Last week I shared with you a ton of articles (sorry!) about different ways people have adapted Minimalism to their life, with the focus being on the closet. (Read my post here.) Fired up by these articles, I attacked my closet with guns blazing!

Step One: Figure Out Which Clothes Are Your Favorites

To do this, I cleared off my bed so that I could lay out these favorite pieces. Then I started thinking about my favorite pieces while not in my closet looking at them! (I think this is an important piece missing from my previous clean-outs, because you are forced to really remember your closet, and therefore the most memorable pieces are the pieces you love the most.) I grouped similar styles into categories, so I could really see what I loved. In the process, I tried on each piece, and I actually came up with a couple outfits just with my favorites that I hadn't thought of before!

I ended up with 40 pieces: 3 sweaters, 3 dresses,  jackets, 13 tops, 4 basic tanks, 2 skirts, 4 shorts, 3 jeans, 1 pant, and 1 romper. 

Then, I examined what was similar about these pieces, so I could determine my "style":

     -classic shapes

     -main colors: white, black, nudes, grays, blues

     -occasional pops of color: greens, pinks, reds

     -simple patterns (stripes & dots primarily)

Now when I'm buying new things that don't necessarily fall into this category, I can really think about if they work with my favorites. (I strongly suggest this evaluation step, even if you think you know your style. That way you know what you are always working with!)

Some observations I made during this step:

     -99% of the things that made it into this category were bought in-person (or tried on a similar size and ordered correct size).

     -Many were unplanned buys that I immediately fell in love with in-store.

     -I knew I was done when I walked into my closet and didn't know what to grab next! This is so important!

Step Two: Figure Out Your "Need to Keeps"

After squishing all my clothes to one side and putting my favorites front and center, I sorted out what I needed to keep. For me this was winter coats & jackets, formal dresses for sorority rituals and functions, and anything I knew I would need for recruitment in the fall. For you, this might mean your job uniform, business suits (only if you 100% love them!), etc. 

Step 3: Attack the Rest & Get Rid of What You Don't Love

By grouping the questionable items together, and making my favorites front-and-center, I was more able to evaluate if something I decided to keep was going to work with everything else I had. For this step, it's extremely crucial to try on everything. If I tried something on and I didn't 100% love it, then out it goes! For me, the things that automatically went were items that require a bandeau or tank (I hate having to wear extra things underneath), items that didn't end up washing well, and items that attract kitty hair like a magnet. 

I also found it helpful (or at a minimum interesting) to take note of some of the things I added into my "loves" first:

     -jean jacket (I wear it a lot, guess I forgot about it in the first step!)

     -3 sleeveless blouses that can go from casual to dressy easily (filled a void in my "loves"!)

     -colorful maxidress I recently got (perfect for spring and summer!) 

I divided up the items I was getting rid of into 3 bags: donate, sell on eBay, and take to a local consignment store. (I prefer Plato's Closet--they pay cash on the spot! Find a location near you here.)

Also important to note: I did this step over two days. Sometimes you just get burnt out and take the easy way out (keep everything), which is not what you want when trying to really be minimal. So I made some decisions the first day, then I slept on it and reevaluated the next morning. 

Step 4: Purgatory

I put every item that I wasn't sure about into a "purgatory" of sorts, in the back of my closet. The pieces that made it here are not favorites, but I do really like them and wasn't ready to get rid of them. When trying to really pare down your wardrobe, you do need to be hard on yourself, but sometimes that's hard! I ended up with 15 items in purgatory, and I'm going to see if I pull anything out in the next month or so (the end of the semester). If I don't then out they go! The key here is sticking to this--don't slack!

Step 5: Deal With the Rejects

Take the time to properly deal with your rejects. Kitty Boy helped me take pictures for my eBay items, and then I loaded up my car to take the items to Plato's. (They took some stuff but not everything, so I'll be adding the rest to my donate bag!). Whatever you do, do not change your mind once you've committed to getting rid of an item. If you wanted to get rid of it for even five minute, it's obviously not worth keeping!

In the end, I went from 92 tops/dresses and 13 pants/skirts to 61 tops/dresses and 8 skirts/pants! That is hanging items only, so my jeans and shorts that are in my dresser don't count in those figures. I am planning on evaluating the remaining dresser drawers (my workout clothes, underwear, and pj's) but that is not nearly as exciting! Overall I am really really proud of myself! Since I've been getting dressed in only my loves, it's been a lot easier to get dressed in the morning, which is always nice. I'm also enjoying my closet rods being less crowded! 

Stay tuned for updates on my purgatory items, as well as updates on my fight to be as minimal as possible. On my list to really go through are my school items, and my large beauty product collection... yikes!

--Caroline

Simplicity & Minimalism

The other day, I found myself sitting (unexpectedly) at Firestone Auto Care waiting for my car to be looked at. After checking emails, and fiddling around on my phone, I turned to their magazine collection and picked up the March 2014 issue of Ladies Home Journal.

That was a great decision, a fantastic decision. And let me tell you why.

While thumbing through, I came across the article "The Joys of Living Small: Three Families Share Their Tiny Houses" (read it here). Thinking it was an article about designing for small spaces, I naturally started reading, and I can tell you it wasn't about designing for small spaces. It was about so much more, and truly got me thinking.

I have always had a knack for organizing, a love for purging unused items. Yet I continue to have a lot of stuff. If you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you probably have read about my many challenges I've attempted to curve my spending: my Post-Birthday Shopping Challenge, my Fit2Shop Challenge, and my most recent No Shopping In February Challenge. But this Ladies Home Journal article, and the subsequent research and blog-reading I did, has got me thinking about why these challenges haven't helped my habit. 

In the article, Dave Bruno's 100 Thing Challenge was mentioned. Curious, I typed it into google, and came across his blog and information about his book. Fired up about the negative effects of consumerism here in the United States and the ability to fight it by leading a simple life, the words on his blog by both him and his contributors lept off the page right at me. (literally, I swear! lol). I got to thinking about why I like clothes, why I like to shop. I got to thinking about how I don't want to be in debt for the rest of my life, how I don't want to pass down negative traits to my (very future) children. I thought about how I want to be able to afford travel & experiences for both myself now, and in the future. 

"Temporary and fleeting things..." is a compelling way of wording it...

(Take a look at Dave Bruno's blog here, watch his TedTalk here, and read another blogger's version of the challenge here.)

Additionally, I came across the blog INTO MIND, written skillfully about minimalistic capsule wardrobes, and finding your style. The articles that really spoke to me were "How To Build The Perfect Wardrobe: 10 Basic Principles"  and "10 Wardrobe Building Projects for Sunday Afternoons." 

Even though I wrote about how to do a closet clean out not to long ago (read here), I can still learn much from both articles "Closet Cleanout: The Only 10 Pieces of Clothing You Need" and The Order Obsessed's blog entry archive, "Category Archives: build + edit a wardrobe." They both outline some unique ideas I've never heard of that might actually push my de-cluttering skills! 

Due to my research and readings, I have decided I would like to make a change. I believe that why my previous challenges and closet-clean-outs have failed to stick is that they 

1) only affected the physical buying of clothes, not the mental thought processes or emotions involved with shopping.  

2) did not encourage me to think about my personal style or my favorite pieces and why they are my favorite pieces

3) they only acted as temporary changes, not lifestyle changes.

4) I was far too easy on myself!

Check back soon to see the results of my research! I'm excited to finally push myself like never before when dealing with my wardrobe which always seems to grow.

Do you have the same problem? How do you deal with never-ending clutter? How do you feel about the 100 Things Challenge?

--Caroline

(6) Five Friday Favorites

Keeping it simple today, here are my five favorite things that happened this week:

1. My friend Kelsey and I determined we are going to England to become Kate Middleton's new BFF's. It's happening. 

2. Berlioz ran around my room acting like a crazy kitty after I gave him some catnip. It was too too funny and cute! These are what I call the faces of catnip addiction...

3. I sported this mixed neutrals and mixed metals ensemble this week.

4. Mid week, I got a wonderful care package from my friends back home! It totally brightened my day, and I love my new studio workout top from Karma Wear! Thanks Rach & Jess :)

5. I survived my large amount of homework's, essays, and midterms to study for this week. On top of it, I made fantastic progress on the chair I'm building in furniture design. A+ to me for managing to get it all done while still sleeping this week!

6. Yesterday was my 100th blog post! I've so enjoyed sharing my thoughts with y'all, thank you for listening and reading and letting me share with you my process as I explore style in all areas!

Hope y'all had a great week! Enjoy your weekend!

--Caroline

Sometimes I Wish...

Surprise, I'm doing a lot of thinking again! lol. Seems like my "deepest" thoughts occur at the beginning of the week... New week new mindset maybe? Regardless, here are some wishes I have for everyday life lately.

Sometimes I wish... (let's be honest here--always I wish) there were more hours in a day. But at the same time...

Sometimes I wish... American society wasn't all about putting as much as we can on our plates. One of my TA's just got back from a trip to Haiti and she was telling a couple of us in class that the transition back to U.S. mindsets is so hard because of the difference in pace. In Haiti, there is no push to be go-go-go. You get what you can done in the day and you stop before sunset for dinner and that's that. No late nights trying to cram everything in; it sounds nice to me!

Sometimes I wish... (always I wish) I could transport with the snap of a finger to wherever Kyle is just so I can see him and give him a hug. Teleportation like that would make people in long distance relationships everywhere so so happy!

Sometimes I wish... people would not be so judgmental. This is such a problem in girl world. You don't know what I've been through today, yesterday, or the rest of my life, and I don't know that about you. So let's just be nice to each other. Let's love each other. I have believed this for so long, that women should not be putting each other down but instead lifting each other up. There is no need for judgments and negativity here on Earth. 

Sometimes I wish... I was Kate Middleton. My friend Kelsey and I were talking about this yesterday. A) She's a princess. Literally. B) Her hair is perfect. C) Her closet is amazing and she gets to wear pretty dresses like these on a regular basis!

Anyway, thanks for letting me spill my thoughts again to y'all. Maybe I need to start a "Thoughtful Tuesday" linkup? Hmm...

Have a great day, y'all!

--Caroline