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Monday, May 30, 2016

Antsy for Spring

               Antsy for Spring | Modest, Pattern-Mixing Maxi Dress Outfit

Have you ever had a very interesting piece that you love, but can’t seem to wear enough because it is just so hard to coordinate with other pieces? I definitely do! These fun pieces are usually the first ones to catch my attention while browsing online or entering a store, but actually coordinating the piece to work in an outfit can be a feat. It sometimes seems that the piece may be too overbearing if I add anything else to it, but my friends, pattern mixing here can save an outfit!

              Antsy for Spring | Modest, Pattern-Mixing Maxi Dress Outfit Inspiration

How fun is this maxi dress!? The red ants crawling on it makes me think of spring picnics at the park and croquet on the front lawn. Where is my lemonade and strawberry tart? This silk dress guarantees an immediate happy boost when I slip it on! The muted green color is perfect for spring and downplays the funky red ant print. This Charlotte Taylor Fire Ants Maxi dress was a lucky find from a few years ago!

               Antsy for Spring | Modest, Pattern-Mixing Maxi Dress Outfit Inspiration

One of the hardest choices I had to make with this dress (since it is sleeveless) was whether to layer over the dress or under the dress. I have tried adding a simple cream button down blouse underneath with a glitzy gold collar, and this usually worked with some gold heels. However this Polka dotted blazer is definitely my new favorite piece to layer with this dress. The polka dot pattern doesn’t take away from the ant pattern, and since it is in a simple black and white, it creates some balance for the dress.  

Antsy for Spring | Modest, Pattern-Mixing Maxi Dress Outfit Inspiration

I love these clear and black heels paired with this dress. You can find some similar ones here. The heels seem to draw the eye back up to the black and white blazer, creating a completed look. And finally, a cute accessory I added in was this little fortune cookie purse I bought on my recent trip to Israel. The color matched the ant print perfectly and the added pattern (and beading!) only made this purse pop against the dress.

                Antsy for Spring | Modest, Pattern-Mixing Maxi Dress Outfit Inspiration

Do you have those fun pieces stashed away in the back of your closet because you don’t have the right top or shoes to go with it? The truth is you probably already do own a great item to pair it with! Don’t be afraid to mix a few patterns together, and get the most out of all of your iconic pieces!

                 Antsy for Spring | Modest, Pattern-Mixing Maxi Dress Outfit Inspiration


xoxo,




*This blogpost also appeared on the Dainty Jewells blog*

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Joy Unspeakable



Life is so amazing. The growing and changing happens so slightly and by the smallest of increments that you hardly notice until you have changed to be something completely different. The ups, the downs, and the turnarounds. Things you once considered to be of utmost importance fall into place in the grand scheme of things and you see it from a birds eye view, the great big world.

                                And no, 
                            it doesn't revolve around you anymore.

You are only one little person in this vast earth we inhabit, and yet Jesus wants your attention and dedication more than anything. We make our plans and decide what we want to do and become, but are you consulting Jesus along the way? Do you make your plans and then claim He was involved or are you taking the time to ask for His guidance at every step of the way? More than anything in this whole entire world, I want to be what Jesus wants me to be. I want to be a child of God that obeys his commands, a child that is dedicated to His ways, and a girl who is in love with Him more than anything. I don't think there is a higher calling than that, to serve God. So serve Him with your all, serve Him with your time, and serve Him by loving others.

I am at a point where time seems to be zipping by and I find myself in a state of "hold on!" and  "wait!". I am aware of the clocks, I am aware of the time being near. Everything that I want to accomplish I can as long as Jesus is on my side. He has never, and I repeat NEVER, let me down. How often can you say that about someone? What a privilege it is to be loved by Jesus, and to have an actual relationship with Him. Knowing He is near in times of trouble and that He is not worried about losing any battle. When I feel like things are holding me back from pursuing these dreams and from growing closer to God, these issues must go. I don't have time to lose, I don't have time to waste.

It is such a joy living this life. 

It simply is.

I find myself enjoying it more and more as time goes by. I have a sense of peace within my soul that will never fade, as long as I have Jesus.






xoxo,








Monday, May 16, 2016

Israel : Holy Land Adventures 2016



The Jordan River

A super amazing, once in a lifetime adventure opportunity was opened up to me at the beginning of the year. I am still trying to grasp the fact that I ACTUALLY WENT!!!! It still seems unreal! It was by far one of the most exhilarating trips that I have been on. Visiting Israel was amazing, and honestly, I believe that is has changed my perspective on how I view the bible. I don't really have the words to describe the impact that this trip has had on me. One of the things that I can say, is that my bible reading and knowledge of the word is now much more personable and relatable.







We drove through some of the rockiest and most desert like terrain I have ever seen. If this is what the wilderness looked like when Moses and the children of God left Egypt and wandered around for 40 years, I can definitely see how they became restless and began their murmurings! Deep down between the mountains there is a stream that flows. How anyone ever gets down to it? I have no idea. I got to see a scorpion creeping his way around the rubble, and some of the ever elusive deer. 


The Sea of Galilee

Sea of Galilee
The sea of Galilee was breathtaking! There was always a sort of mist or fog covering the sea, especially in the early mornings and late evenings. We rode a replica of a boat that Jesus would have ridden and as you looked out over the water, it was so easy to picture Jesus walking towards you. I just felt so connected and close to Him, knowing that he was here in the flesh years ago!



Synagogue in Capernaum 

Capernaum is the small fishing town where Jesus performed most of his miracles during his ministry. Knowing that Jesus had walked down these same paths, he prayed in this same temple (at the street level below this synagogue pictured), and resided in the homes right outside! How can you put that into words? Its awe inspiring and I am just so so thankful that I was able to experience it all.

Did I mention the food?? 
Everything was kosher and always 100% delicious! Shwarma, falafel, and schnitzel, we had it all!

Caesarea Philippi

Caesarea Philippi was a pagan god's temple (Pan, god of panic and fright), with a deep cave that used to have a temple built in front of it. The ruins are still there and you can see the altars where idols would have stood. This was one of the darkest places in Israel, with all sorts of rituals and even human sacrifices being thrown into the cave. Jesus walked by there with his disciples when he asked them "who do men say that I am?" , and when he spoke to Peter and said "upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". The cave is now often referred to as the gates of hell. 


Matthew 16:13-19

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Going up to Masada
The Western/Wailing Wall
Watching the dedication and respect that people had for this place was indescribable. We visited this place for the first time at night, when we were the only tourists there. I literally stood there for over an hour in the windy night just watching from the dividing wall behind them. You could hear the men singing hymns in Hebrew, chanting prayers, and children playing in the background. It was such a special moment, I know I will always cherish.



Calvary
Jesus' tomb

He is risen!
The visit to the garden tomb and the garden of Gethsemane were unlike what I would have imagined. The word garden I learned, refers to anything related to agriculture. The garden of Gethsemane is actually an olive tree grove. Olive trees are very resilient, and some of the ones in the garden may be centuries old! We prayed in the garden and had a communion service that I will never forget. The location of the garden tomb was at some point a vineyard. As we stepped into the tomb I couldn't stop thinking "this is it!", but even more exciting was the fact that he is no longer there! He is risen! Gone away to prepare a place for you and me! A place where there are no tears, no aches, and everything is drenched in his marvelous light! A place I cannot wait to see!


xoxo,



Sunday, May 1, 2016

A Flair for Scarves

 A Flair for Scares | Modest Outfit Inspo on She's Intentional: The Official Dainty Jewell's Blog


Over the course of this year, I have been incorporating the use of scarves into my wardrobe and I am so in love with this new addition!
I’m all about using scarves as extra layers in the transitional seasons such as fall and spring, but my focus has lately been more centered on silk scarves for amping up a pretty boring outfit.
Now, to be completely honest, silk scarves were always only for mature grown-up ladies in my mind! However, adding in this small accessory has been able to make me feel pulled together when my outfit would be considered bland otherwise. Not to mention, the silkiness is oh-sonice! (Perfect for feeling fancy!)
                           A Flair for Scarves| Modest Outfit Inspo with @KimberDulsi on She's Intentional: The Official Dainty Jewell's Blog
Now let us talk versatility. During my research for this post, I found endless ways to wear a scarf: from turban/headband to the emergency tote, scarves give us so much room to be creative in the ways we use them without making a big fuss. I recently wrapped one around my shoulders as a shawl/cardigan and really loved the uniqueness that can be accomplished with such a basic piece. So I encourage you to get creative and figure out some new ways to use those scarves you’ve gotten tired of. Restyle them with contrasting pieces to make things pop.
                         A Flair for Scarves| Modest Outfit Inspo with @KimberDulsi on She's Intentional: The Official Dainty Jewell's Blog
Want to carry a scarf in case you need it later on? One of my favorite things to do is find a scarf that coordinates with my purse or tote bag and tying it on as a bow. It adds some flair to your bag as well as being readily accessible if you need it.
A Flair for Scarves| Modest Outfit Inspo with @KimberDulsi on She's Intentional: The Official Dainty Jewell's Blog
                          A Flair for Scarves| Modest Outfit Inspo with @KimberDulsi on She's Intentional: The Official Dainty Jewell's Blog
Now my current favorite way to wear a scarf, especially for the upcoming warmer days, is definitely as a turban/headband! While in Israel I learned how to tie these on as turbans and we actually walked around all day in them and I was so surprised at how comfortable and cute they were! (Not to mention, perfect for those not-so-great hair days…)The trick is all in figuring out how to tie it securely.
                        A Flair for Scarves| Modest Outfit Inspo with @KimberDulsi on She's Intentional: The Official Dainty Jewell's Blog
I purchased quite a few silk scarves in Israel and have had fun finding as many outfits as possible to incorporate a scarf into. I plan on wearing the headband style pretty often throughout the warm months, perfect for vacationing and spending time outside.
                        A Flair for Scarves| Modest Outfit Inspo with @KimberDulsi on She's Intentional: The Official Dainty Jewell's Blog
xoxo,

*This blog post first appeared on the Dainty Jewells Blog.