Freedom in my Brokenness

September is here with it’s cooler temperatures and breeze in the air. I’m a summer lover, so this transition can be difficult for me. To make it a little bit easier, I try to focus on the fun stuff that fall has to offer: the ability to run in the middle of the afternoon without worrying about humidity, not looking like a crazy person when I order a hot latte at Starbucks, eating yummy soups, laying on the couch watching football and the focus of today’s blog – new clothing options. Some of my favorite fall staples are already hanging in my closet, others are sitting in my online shopping carts (the dream cart) waiting for a sale or next paycheck.

1.  J.Crew Field Jacket: Confession time, I have the J.Crew Field Jacket in two colors and I want the third. It’s the perfect fall piece, but also transitions well into winter and back into spring. It’s a casual alternative to a blazer and a dressier version of a windbreaker. Hint: the Mossy Brown looks more like army green and goes with EVERYTHING.
2. Flannel Shirts: Versatility is important to me. Before making a purchase, I want to make sure that the item can be worn in different settings – work, church and fun. Flannels can usually do just that. Layer them under a blazer with pearls and it’s business casual. Pair them with holey jeans and a puffer vest for a casual weekend look. Looking for a Sunday football outfit? Look no further than leggings, a flannel and riding boots; you’ll look like you made an effort, but you’ll feel like you’re in pajamas – trust me. Buffalo check flannels are fun, but my personal favorite of the season this far is this bold guy that’s already hanging in my closet.

3. Special Occasion Dress: Even though my body does well in an a-line or fit and flare dress, I am increasingly eager to step outside my comfort zone with looser fitting dresses or a shift dress. I have enough basics in my closet, so I’m drawn to bright, bold and sometimes unlikely options. You usually can’t go wrong with Anthropologie dresses; this one is a great pattern, fun fall colors and an easy fit. While you’re over at the Anthropologie website, their sale dresses are beautiful to look at, and usually at a more affordable price point. If you’re looking for a shift dress option, this J.Crew sleeveless lace shift dress is a great investment piece. It can be worn year round and dressed up or down. I personally love the bright ocean color, but all three colors are rich and would pair well with a field jacket and riding boots. It’s a perfect dress to attend a fall wedding, and the Navy/Black color could serve double duty for the holiday season.

4. Casual Dress: I can usually count on Old Navy for a basic fall dress each year. The dresses don’t necessarily last more than a year – the fabric doesn’t hold up, the color fades or the shape changes, but for the price, that’s usually okay for me. Old Navy’s fit and flare dresses aren’t all made equal, but this year, I found a great fit for me. The black one is my favorite, I can’t wait for all the ways I can wear it this fall and winter. Hint: wait for an Old Navy dress sale.
5. Boots: My roommate is a big fan of booties. My legs don’t do well in them. So I wouldn’t give specific recommendations for boots, but Nordstrom and DSW both have excellent options, and I’m confident there’s something for everyone. Don’t do what I’ve done in years past and wait until December to buy boots – the good sizes will be gone, and you’ll be disappointed. Even if it feels early in the season for boots, now is the time to shop.

I’d love to hear what you’re loving this fall! What’s at the top of your list of things to buy?

July was a full month. Full of the beautiful and rich, but also full of the scary and uncertain. It has been a hard summer to get into a routine, which is why the writing has been so inconsistent. So I’m choosing to show up today, on Monday with an update about what I’m lovin’.

1. TJ Maxxx: I LOVE to shop! I can spend money almost anywhere. But more than buying new things, I love the shopping experience. I enjoy walking around, seeing what options exist and trying on fun things. Plus, the prices are even better!

2. Friends: Lots and lots of Friends. When life is heavy, I need some light television to unwind. Friends has been a perfect way to occupy my mind. Note for the wise: Friends is hard television show to watch while working out – it’s double duty on your abs.

3. Sweet potatoes: My roommate introduced me to sweet potatoes. Cut into bite sized pieces, add olive oil, salt and pepper and cook at 400 for at least 20 minutes/until they’re soft. They’re filling, cheap and a great addition to any meal. I’m always looking for new food staples.

4. Reading: All the books. I want them. Half Priced Books and Amazon have been favorites this summer as I’ve tried to fill myself up with good stuff. I’ll put out a list of my favorite books of the summer later this month, since the summer isn’t really over yet, even though all the kids are headed back to school.

I’m hoping to write more this month, so hopefully I’ll be back on Thursday with some thoughts.

This weekend kicked off a full month of fun, with only one weekend that will be spent in Indianapolis. Which is good, but I am slightly tired just thinking about it. A friend and I drove to Cincinnati on Friday to see Beth Moore speak live. We also spent time with my family and had great conversations in the car.

1. Beth Moore was phenomenal! I cannot speak highly enough of the chance to see her live. The love Jesus demonstrates towards us is scandalous. From the very beginning. This past week in discipleship, we discussed the birth of Christ and how the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. A woman pregnant out of wedlock. Scandal. Beth said this weekend, “We’re often too well behaved for our Bibles.” God’s story is powerful, full of adventure and drama, only the good kind of course. He doesn’t demand good behavior out of me, He demands faith, which is harder, and may be less defined. May I be brave enough to follow God in faith, wherever that may lead.
2. My mom is doing a switcheroo of rooms at their house. Which means that my old bedroom furniture is being sold. When I was at home this weekend, I went through a lot of mementos that she had pulled of drawers in order to decide what to keep and what could go. I relived high school memories with a college and post-grad best friend. Favorites: my bright pink stilettos worn to senior homecoming, a water gun from junior year of college and key chains from several Asian vacation destinations collected while we lived overseas. I am thankful for such special memories.
3. I love Myers-Briggs. The host of a podcast that I’ve started listening to is obsessed with Myers-Briggs, too, which has encouraged me to retest myself. This long-time ENFJ is actually an ENFP. It has been enlightening to realize that the way I process information can be draining. ENFPs are often the wide-view lens and able to make connections across many different things, but they also can’t turn their brains off. I highly recommend the test at 16 Personality Types.

This evening has been full of Matt Kearney music, book reading, tea drinking and couch laying. So good. It’s the ordinary moments that cultivate such deep gratitude in my heart. 

Happy Monday! It’s been a rainy, cloudy week in Indianapolis. Which means this weekend was full of rest, Blacklist watching and book reading. I even took a nap on Saturday – I cannot remember the last time that happened! One more week before my favorite holiday, and only a four-day work week. It is a good discipline to share a few of my favorite things with you each Monday.

1) Trader Joe’s may be my new favorite place to shop. That is saying a lot for a clothing addict. There are not too many choices that I feel overwhelmed, but enough choices that it makes meal-planning fun. I am confident making healthy decisions at Trader Joe’s, even if I buy fun snacks (Cowboy Bark), too. Also, meal planning makes cooking fun – who knew?

2) Nothing makes me feel more grown up than furniture shopping. Two years ago, when I moved into my first apartment in Indianapolis, there was decorative table that I wanted, but it wasn’t in my (very small) budget. It is still a splurge, but 30% off at Target, and a slightly larger budget made it possible. In September, I’m moving in a new place, so I’m slowly but surely building a collection of furniture so that where I live feels like home.

3) Binge watching Blacklist with my roommates is a current hobby of mine. Each episode I say, “Oh my gosh,” “What the heck,” and “I can’t even,” at least twice, but we keep going. We are a little bit addicted, and that may be the understatement of the summer.

4) Friday after work, I had an ice cream date and Target adventure with old, but best friend. We recalled the goodness of God and talked through what we hope the future holds. There is comfort in a friend who has seen the good, bad and ugly. If you live in Indianapolis, and haven’t tried Handles Ice Cream, what are you waiting on?

I will be back on Wednesday sharing my favorite reads lately. Here’s to hoping for a good week!

It’s Monday again! Instead of sharing what I currently love, I’m sharing my summer bucket list/goals.

1. Read 10 books. I can’t seem to get enough of reading lately. It’s been a blast to learn new things and enjoy diving into other people’s stories. I want to spend my summer continuing to do exactly that. I long to be a witness of other people’s stories, and one of the best ways for me to do that is by reading. Want to step outside your current reality and stretch what you know to be true? Pick up a new book. Reading – both fiction and nonfiction – enables my imagination, leading me to dream in new ways.

2. Run 100 miles. In full disclosure, this one might be a bit of a challenge. It’s June 15^th and I’ve only run 8 miles, so if I want to actually achieve this, I’m going to have to step up my running game to get some miles in. This may mean that I am going to have to wake up at the fine hour of 6 am to run outside or log some miles on the treadmill. However, I am the happiest, healthiest version of me when I’m running consistently, it’s almost like a spiritual discipline for me.

3. Finishing reading through the book of Psalms. I like to read my way through books of the Bible. It’s one of the best ways I remind consistent in spending time with the Lord. However, being very feelings based, it’s hard to motivate myself to spend time in the Word when I’m not “feelin’ it.” But, if I want to grow in the ways that God want to lead me, I have to put the time in, not out of obligation, but out of delight. Thus, this summer bucket list item. May the summer of 2015 be defined in my own life as a summer that I learned more about God’s character and heart; may it be a summer of refinement and growth.

4. Pay off my student loan debt. This item has been a long time coming. Eighteen months in the making. I’m almost there. And you may find it strange that it found its way onto this fun list. But, it IS fun to accomplish goals! At least for me. Goals are good, they motivate us to look beyond the present (new pairs of jeans, a second drink out to eat at dinner, spontaneous road trips, etc.) to the future. My desire to pay off my student loan debt has motivated so many of my decisions in the past two years, so I am excited to see the finish line. Now, I must stay disciplined so I run towards the finish line, without slowing down. This challenge also goes deeper than simply paying money to something, but for me it has been heart issue. What do I really value? How do I really view my money? Am I a good steward of what has been given to me?

I would love to hear some of your summer bucket list items. Is there anything you are so excited for this summer?

This post was inspired by a recent favorite of mine — the podcast Sorta Awesome. If you’re a podcast listener, or looking for something to pass time on your commute to and from work, it’s a great listen. The women talk about real things that matter, and it’s been so fun to listen!