30 for 30 Recap

I just wanted to see what my 30 for 30 outfits looked like, side by side. I don't think it's really bad. For my first time around, I think I overall really enjoyed the challenge.

If you care, here's the recap:

Day 26-30

So I'm all caught up on photos.

Please excuse the numbers on the photos. I got all confused!

Day 27:

Day 28:

Day 29, day time:

Day 29, night:

Day 30:

Funny story:

When Ethan and I went to Mississippi a few weeks ago, my dad was talking to me about this whole challenge. I showed him Kendi's blog as I was explaining the point of the challenge and why I was doing it. We came across a picture of Kendi with her fake glasses on and I just mentioned that they were an accessory, she doesn't actually wear glasses. Well, he thought that was funny. He had to run to the store later and when he came home, be brought me a 3 pack of reader glasses and insisted that I take a picture with them on to be like "Kendri," as he calls her.

So this one's for you, Dad:

I'm working on some collage pictures to recap. I'll post that later.

Still Vote for Kimmie!!!

Vote here.

She's in the running. Kimmie is #13 right now, but we only have 2 days to get her to #1. We can do this!!

Five Things Friday

For Five Things Friday, I am giving you my 5 favorite websites where you can shop guilt free. What does that mean? Well, it means that when you purchase something from their sites, you are actually helping someone! I'll explain:

1. fashionABLE

The scarves sold on this website are made by women in Africa. When you purchase a scarf, the money goes back to them, providing for them and their families and creating more jobs for other women who are stuck in poverty.

I love this yellow one:

2. Sseko Designs (say-ko)

The sandals sold by Sseko Designs are made by women in Uganda. They work for 9 months to earn money to pay for a university education. It's a really cool site and company. The sandals come with a sole and then with removable straps. You can purchase as many straps as you want and tie them in about a bizillion different ways. I ordered some in January and I LOVE them.

I really like these (and a blue and white stripe one):

3. Noonday Collection

At Noonday Collection, you can purchase accessories for you and your home. They are all handmade by artisans across the world, providing income for them to keep them out of poverty. The proceeds from the purchase go toward the Noonday family's adoption from Rwanda. Once they raise their money, they will continue raising money to support other families who are adopting.

I love these items, but I had a REALLY hard time selecting a top 3:

4. TOMS

Who doesn't love a good pair of TOMS? You probably already know that when you purchase a pair of TOMS, they give a pair to someone in poverty who doesn't own shoes, playing a part in helping to prevent diseases people contract by walking barefoot so much.

I have 2 pair already, but I love the spring line. My 3 favs are:

5. The Ho Family

I love these people! Calvin and Erica are really good friends of ours and we just adore their family, including little Liam, who currently lives in Ethiopia, waiting to join his forever family, the Hos. They are raising money to bring Liam home and I love the options they have. I have purchased coffee bean bracelets from them as gifts and they were a big hit. I love that they have coffee (from Just Love Coffee) you can buy, and the company gives money back to them for their adoption fund. Please check out their site and see how absolutely adorable their family is!

Case in point:

Happy weekend!

Love to you!

Vote for Kimmie!!

This is my friend, Kimmie:



She is one of my heroes! Seriously.

She has overcome so much in her only 27 years and she is such a solid believer in Jesus.

She has entered a contest to win a trip to Hawaii and she really deserves to win. But, I bet you're like me and you're thinking, why should I vote for this girl that I don't even know and help her win a trip to Hawaii. Well, let me share with you some reasons:

1. She has survived 2 brain surgeries. She thought she could never have a baby and she DID!
2. She completed P90X after having her baby and looks AMAZING
3. She and her husband didn't get a honeymoon so winning a trip to Hawaii would be awesome
4. She loves Jesus
5. She's hilarious. Just check out her blog.
6. Because if you like me at all, then you'll love Kimmie and she could use your vote!!

We have til Friday to get her to number one so please vote every day on every computer you can. Don't forget to verify the vote after you click the vote button. I'll update her link every day so you can find her directly.


Please please please do this for Kimmie, William, and bebe Willow! :)

Vote here.

I Made It!!

Today is the last day of 30 for 30!!!

I could not be any happier that I made it to the end. I know I've failed on my posting as of late, but I will update with the end of the pictures to complete my journey.

For now, let me share with you what I learned and why I am thankful that I participated in this challenge:

1. I do not have a lot of money to just go shopping all the time. The main thing about this challenge is that you are not allowed to shop and you have to use only what you pick as your 30 items to remix into different outfits. I learned that I don't have to shop in stores, but I can shop my closet!

2. I learned more about what I do and do not like. For example, as it turns out, I really like tucking shirts in to skirts and pants. I've never really done that before because I always thought it would look funny. I tried it a few times and decided that I really like the look and that I can pull it off. I also have a new found love for belts.

3. I am so happy to know how many different outfits I have in my closet right now. I can't wait to expand it out to the rest of my clothes and see really what I've got going on!

4. I found some really cool blogs and made some cool blog "friends."

5. I discovered Picnik, via Linley at Dwelling and Telling.

6. I kept up with my blog better than I ever have before.

7. I have the satisfaction of knowing I started AND finished something challenging.

So, there you have it! I think I may do the next one and if I do, I want you to participate with me!!

Pretend

Today I bought some new nail polish. I'm really excited about it. It's OPI Show It and Glow It and it's in the glitter line. I painted my nails already and I really really like it!

So let's pretend that I took a picture on Friday. In the picture, I was wearing my black dress pants, my blue sweater, my gray booties, my great grandmothers old owl necklace, with curly hair and a yellow headband made by my friend. Wasn't that fun? Good, that was day 25.

So this weekend has been full and crazy. Friday after work I went to the youth girls retreat at church, called Unify. It was really cool. It's student led and the whole thing is about how to be unified as girls in the youth group. I thought they did a great job!

Saturday, I went to a wedding shower for a sweet friend that is getting married in 2 weeks. Her wedding will be my first experience as a wedding director/coordinator. FUN! This is what I wore to the shower (Day 26 part 1):

Later that evening, our college ministry was invited to a game night with the singles group from church. We played bunko and this random fact get to know you game. It was really fun. This is what I wore to that (Day 26 part 2):

Today was a great day at church. We've been in Ecclesiastes this week. We talked about how everything in life is really meaningless unless you are following God. True purpose comes from Him and Him alone. We can pursue lots of things and be really successful at them, but it is useless outside of a relationship with God.

Great reminder for motive and why we do what we do. Thankful for purpose!