An Original

“TO BE YOURSELF IN A WORLD THAT IS CONSTANTLY TRYING TO MAKE YOU SOMETHING ELSE IS THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT.” –RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Never before has a generation been bombarded on all sides with pressures more than today’s generation. That’s you and me, sister! There is a pressure surrounding everything we do — from what career path you choose, to how you dress, to what you stand for. There are pressures to conform who we really are, pressures to be politically correct, and pressures to bend here a little and there a little.

The accessibility of social media has only amplified the intensity of comparison and will sometimes magnify our focus on what we lack and what we are not. We can easily get caught up in the comparison game of those perfect squares before our eyes.

We truly have to fight against these pressures to keep what makes us true originals and not faded copies.

Romans 12:2 KJV: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

I am certain that we all have a God-given purpose, and you cannot allow your thoughts and your mind to get in the way of that being fulfilled. We have to renew our minds and keep God’s will fresh in our thoughts.

Over time, a copy will begin to disintegrate, fade, and eventually, crumble. It is after all just a copy, and not the real thing. A true original will hold its true colors and retain its shape even if it is battered, since it is made of a stronger substance.

Jesus has chosen you from the beginning to be the real deal, so don’t waste any time trying to be a copy of something else! If we focus on keeping God’s love readily available and are quick to share it with those around us, we will be showing the original love of Christ everywhere we go. 

XOXO,

Calendula Dress from Anthropologie  |  Alice Pink Suede Heels from Boden  |  Mustard Pullover Sweater Similar

* This blog first appeared on daintyjewellsblog.com *

Chic In Neutrals

This outfit came together when this non-springy spring dropped down too low for me and my sandals. After being at work a full day, I still felt so put-together at the end of the day (not the norm) that I headed out for some pictures. I absolutely love an outfit that fulfills the 3 Cs: chic, collected, and most importantly, comfortable!

We all know how I feel about that tiny piece of silky fabric called a scarf. It is such a tiny detail so often overlooked, but one that can make such an impact. As soon as you add it to the most basic outfit, you’ve just increased your put-together vibe by at least 10 points (oh so perfect for those dreary Mondays!). I chose this neutral-tone leopard-printed scarf because of the fun print and decided to extract the colors from it for the rest of my outfit.

The basic black pleated midi skirt has been a staple in my closet for quite some time. You can find them almost anywhere in various colors, lengths, and textures, and they are so versatile! I love tucking in a more casual knitted sweater for a casual feel. And let’s be honest here, nothing feels cozier than a nice lightweight sweater. I kept my tights a basic gray to match my booties and limit the mix of colors. For this look, I loved that my glasses gave the scarf print some continuity. It’s the little things, y’all!

I hope you all found some inspiration with today’s look!

xoxo,

*This blog post first appeared on daintyjewellsblog.com *

Fourth of July Modest Outfit Inspo

THE FOURTH OF JULY IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE HOLIDAYS, AND IT’S ALMOST HERE!

Whether you’re spending the holiday at the lake or your backyard, it’s fun to feel festive for the day, and what better way to do that than by playing dress up?

For any of you ladies needing some outfit inspiration for the upcoming cookouts and family get-togethers you came to the right place. I always like incorporating patterns or textures into my outfits. To start off with I wore a simple red pencil dress (this one was handcrafted, but you can find a similar one here). Other super cute fourth appropriate Dainty Jewell’s dresses include The Highlands Dress and the Sidewalk Stroll Dress.

I paired my dress with a navy and cream thin striped belt just for a touch of navy and a bit of a nautical look. This complemented my Seychelles sailboat espadrille wedges perfectly. These shoes are so fun to wear and they are definitely a statement piece on their own. Wedges are the way to go when you know you’re going to be outside on grass or unpaved terrain and they are so comfortable! Some other cute espadrilles I’ve been eyeing include these shiny ones and these pop-of-color ones. Lastly, I paired my small leather Dooney & Bourke bag with this outfit as a solid/neutral piece. I love this little bags classic shape, it is one of my favorite thrift finds to date. What will you be wearing this fourth of July?

Happy Independence Day to you all!

XOXO,

*This post first appeared on www.daintyjewelsblog.com*

Pretty in Pink: Dainty Jewell's Sweet Peony Dress Review

If you haven’t checked out the spring Dainty Jewell’s collection, you are missing out! Spring is the perfect time to pull out the floral prints and the pastels, so when I saw the Sweet Peony Dress I instantly fell in love and knew that I had to have it!

This dress is an easy go to for any Sunday morning, wedding, or formal event. It’s the perfect midi length and made of the softest and most comfortable lace. You will feel like a perfect lady and still be absolutely comfortable! The lining is light and soft as can be, and keeps you cool throughout the day. I think we all know that I have a weak spot for details and textures. That being said, this dress has it all! The skirt flares perfectly at the bottom, the details around the top are just perfect, and there is a mix of textures and fabric that has me swooning (insert all the heart eyes please!).

I paired my dress with these mauve suede ankle wrap heels for a contrast on the peony pink. For an extra spring-and-picnic-y flair I added a wide-brimmed straw hat, the essential for spring and summer time adventuring. I relied on my Kate Spade Spring Blooms Grant Street Neda wallet to provide the ultimate spring and floral pop combination for this delicate dress. Overall, the effect was pretty and pink as could be <3 font="">

I hope you all find some inspiration to mix your textures and play with colors! Happy spring darlings!

Dress: Sweet Peony Dress / Shoes: similar   similar  / Wallet: On sale here  and here / Straw Hat: similar   similar

XOXO,

September's Golden Days

Orange, orange, orange. 

Possibly one of the happiest, warmest, coziest of colors.

September's golden tones are here, and I plan to enjoy them!

A few of my most favorite things at the moment:

1. Cute mugs that make everything you drink in them picture worthy

2. Early bedtimes (of course by early, we all know I mean before midnight)

3. Bright mornings

4. Closet decluttering (ok not a favorite, but I'm loving the extra space!!!)

5.  Hairsticks

The mornings and evenings are cooler, but the warmth holds high.

Summer's last caress, as it slips on by.

The days stretch out long, begging you to treasure the remaining light.

For before you know it, it will soon be night.

A hat and a scarf, for this gentle breeze.

A bouquet of flowers, may cause you to sneeze.

We trample and wander, into the fields,

never really knowing, what fall time will yield.

-Dulcinea

xoxo,

Dress: Orange Maxi Dress / Hat: Straw Hat / Scarf: Similar /

Antsy for Spring

               

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!

              

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!

               

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.  



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.

                

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!

                 


xoxo,




*This blogpost also appeared on the Dainty Jewells blog*