Oh Happy Day!

Happy Singles Awareness Day Everyone! With no one to send gifts to or receive them from this year...this topic has been fresh on my mind today. Each one of the married or dating girls in my office received their outpouring of gifts. Flowers filled the room with their sweet perfume. Cards sweetly opened on their desks with xoxoxo written on them. Chocolates in heart shaped boxes that made you want to dive right in...and...I couldn't help...I mean it was really hard not too...but...I gave in and...I let it consume me...it started as just a twinge of jealously...it crept up on me, but as the day went on...it was a monster that grew stronger and stronger.

I know...I know....I shouldn't be jealous. I should be happy for these girls. Today they received proof that someone was thinking about them. They waited their whole lives for this kind of man. The man that likes to show the world how much he cares for her...Just like I currently am...

I'm waiting...sitting around...twiddling my thumbs...hurry up please! (I'm just super impatient) I keep thinking, "Really? What's the hold up? I want flowers too! I want that visible proof someone loves me!"

My thoughts and emotions kept feeding the monster...but it was struck down. 

He did not show his face today. Nor do I know if he will any time soon. So I will have to make due with those around me who do love me. 

I have come to realize that singleness, for me at least, is just going to be a season in my life. I know that God has created me to be a wife and mother...someday that is. I'm not in any hurry...it's just that days like today...remind me of the love I long to have here on earth. But days like today...they also bring me right back into the arms of my creator. He blessed me with the ultimate gift so many years ago. He died so that I might live. He rose again. And He is coming back someday. 

So I will choose not to be swallowed by loneliness that singleness sometimes carries with it...but I will choose to be Happy and Full-Filled in Christ. And I am Happy. 

Plus...what is that I see on the counter? A card!?!?!!! FOR ME!!!!

OH HAPPY DAY! 

Thanks Mom and Dad for reminding me of your love.
P.S. My roommate brought some flowers home...so that was just icing on the cake! 

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DIY Slumber Party!

For most the snowpocalypse last week seemed to dampen the spirits here in DFW. The Superbowl was days away and we were crippled by the lack of snowplows and salt trucks. But here in F-Town (Frisco, that is) we found a way to make life a little more interesting...You know. Mix it up a bit. Being trapped indoors for so long we had to do something. So we decided to "live" in the living room. It's a simple concept really once you think about it. And it was there we set up camp. Pulling my mattress out of my quaint but messy room, we transformed our living room into the perfect DIY Slumber Party.

It really makes the room way more interesting...don't you think?

Amira Likes It.

It wouldn't be complete without a fire.

Figuring we shouldn't just stop there...we went one step further. With creativity alive with in us...(to most we just moved a mattress...but we turned a dreary day into an enjoyable one)...we couldn't contain it any longer. So our DIY slumber party became just that. We started making things. Betsy: started the final touches on a cross stitch she swears she started as a kid...& I: made a necklace out of an old t-shirt (like the one I saw on the blog A Pretty Penny).

Betsy and Her Cross Stitch from the 90s. 

What's that you say? You want to make a t-shirt necklace as well. That's not a problem. Below I've given some step by step instructions on how to make your very own, recycled t-shirt necklace.

An Old T-Shirt or Tank & A Pair of Scissors

First, Cut off the hem of the shirt and discard these pieces. You won't need them. Then take your shirt at the bottom line it up and start cutting 1/4 strips. You will cut as many of these as you want and place them off to the side.

Second, you will want to take your pieces that you have cut and stretch them out to the desired length. Take whatever left overs you have of your shirt and either save them for another project or dispose of them as you like. (tip: some might use the left overs as a cleaning rag)

Third, you will want to take your pieces and group them out until you have the desired look for your necklace. Then find the part of the necklace that you would like to tie it together. 

Fourth, using the leftover fabric, cut a small strip of any desired length and tie it around the top of your necklace, until tight. 

Fifth, Admire your handy work. You've just made a pretty good looking accessory. Well done.

Sixth, Wear it. That is all. 

VHS of My Best Friend's Wedding + Fire + Mattress on the Floor = DIY SLUMBER PARTY

And now back to my sleep over. My Best Friend's Wedding (by the fire I might add)...Here we come.

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Baggage Claim Campout

I milked every hour that I possibly could out of this weekend. And I just have to say...I clean up nice for having been up for 40+ Hours. On Saturday morning I woke up at 4:00 AM for my flight out to St. Louis. I picked up my friends and we headed out on my way. (I wasn't too upset about his at the time as I had already considered how late I could sleep in on Sunday since church wasn't till 11). So I did it. I got up...and got to my flight. We had a long wonderful day in STL. But one friend wanted to make the adventure really last. Last, meaning: let's spend the night in the airport playing cards. I reluctantly agreed and we had our adventure. 

It wasn't quite like we had planned. One, we planned on being through security by our gate all night. Not in the baggage claim area. Two, we planned to not be so tired. Three, we planned for naps. All of which didn't exist. By being in baggage claim...and not in the secure part of the airport, we couldn't just sleep as our bags would technically be unattended and could then be confiscated or stolen. By being tired...the card games were only contributing to the tired-ness that ensued. And naps just didn't have a chance with us as all the chairs in baggage claim had armrests were not very ken for laying down on. Oh well. We still had fun though. And it really was an adventure. Here are a few pictures of our fun times:

Our make shift table in baggage claim

Of all the chairs to fall asleep in...

Probably Not the Best Place to Sleep.

Sweater: Target

Jeans: Thrifted Levis

Hair Bows: H&M

Earrings:H&M

Ring: Charming Charlies

Necklace: Charming Charlies

Flats: Target

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Meet Me In St. Louis, Louis...

In the Top of the Arch

Meet me at the fair! Don't pretend the lights are shinning any place but there. We will dance the hoochie-coochie. You will be my toostie woostie. And you if you meet me in St. Louis, Louis. Meet me at the fair. Ah, St. Louis. You made me happy this weekend. It was another fine and wonderful weekend of Snow, Friends and Traveling. Three of my favorite things. It was super lovely. And on this trip...I tried several new things with some amazing people.

One. I finally went up in the arch. On previous trips to STL, I had looked at it, even walked up and touched it...but never had the chance to go up in it. But alas, I finally went up in it. It was one of the coolest places I've been in a while. It was such a beautiful view with all the snow and the icy mississippi river. Oh. It was spectacular. Snow, at least for me, always makes things better. And this was better than I had expected. So yay!

Two. City Museum is probably the coolest place I've never heard of and wish I had. We decided to "miss" our flight back to Dallas on the same day and stay in the city for the evening. City Museum was calling out our names. After learning the public transit system...we finally came across this place. It is what I would consider to be the largest indoor/outdoor adult playground. It's a sensory overload of color, shapes, textures and adventure. There is a 10 story slide, human hamster wheel, hidden caves and tunnels you can go through...and that's just the beginning. Right when you think you've seen it all...you come across something like and room filled (and I mean I've never seen this many before in my life) with sponges. You heard me. Filled with Sponges. It was so cool. It was a treasure. I will do my very best to go back to this place in the future...But till then I will recommend it to every one who travels there. It is amazing!

STL, thanks for the good time. But as I have now but up for 41.5 hours straight...I'm gonna head to bed. Night!

Blouse: Target

Scarf: Target

Earrings: Forever 21

White Shirt: Target

Jeans: Gap

Tall Striped Socks: H&M

Boots: Target

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Girl Talk

After a long day...it's always nice to be able to curl up on the couch with a hot cup of chai tea, while a roaring fire keeps your toes warm while creating relaxing ambient lighting. Your dog cuddling up close and breathing heavy sighs every so often, as you tickle their ears in the perfect spot. But what makes for a better night is adding a couple of friends to this equation. So tonight, my roommate and her sister hung out, with our box of chopped veggies (see I am trying) and our chai tea, and we chil-laxed. It was wonderful. Our plans for the evening could not have been more perfect. We sat. We talked. We simply were.

It's been so long since I've really made an evening of girl talk. An evening full of strange questions regarding dreams or actual events. Filled every now and then with chatter of boys that become deep discussions about our faith in Christ. Advice pouring out from every direction about matters of the heart, and yet we are all still blissfully unaware how challenging it really will be. (I still say mine will be a fairy tale...) But really...when it comes down to it...we really just spend the evening getting to know each other a little better. And enjoying each other's company. That to me...is the best kind of evening.

Cardigan: Target

Earrings: H&M

Necklace: Avon

Dress: LOFT

Leggings: Target

Flats: Payless

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Minnesota Part 1

So I'm gonna call this look "The Casual Traveler," as we finally made it to Minnesota. Yippie! And Minnesota might just be one of my new favorite places. There is so much snow I can hardly stand it. (Sorry Texas...I just really love snow soooo very much!) But anyways, once our flight got in today we spent the day at the Mall of America. Coolest place ever. 4 floors of shopping and an amusement park! Are you kidding me! This IS the Mall of America!

But a mall brought me right back to the place where I have struggled....shopping. Each store I passed whispered my name and begged me to buy new things. Have you seen Confessions of a Shopaholic...? It was like that...and that sort of created a challenge...but I feel that I did a great job. (I confess that I told myself ahead of time...that if their was an H&M I would not buy clothes...but I would allow myself to spend a bit on accessories...but only accessories and only because it's vacation). BUT NO new clothing....i kept to my promise and when we came along an H&M only a few new accessories found their way outta the store to join my amazing stash at home......but no new clothes...So I guess I sort of cheated on the task at hand...oh well...I'm just gonna admit it here and now...I'm not perfect. And now that the whole world knows it...I can go to bed without guilt...

Hat: H&M

Earrings: H&M

Scarf: H&M

Broach: Thrifting

Gloves: Charming Charlies

Long Sleeve Shirt: Target

Grey Sweater: Gap

Jeans: Gap

Boots: T. Hilfiger via DSW

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The Wedding Remix

When I kind of went into panic mode yesterday, when I suddenly realized I was going to a wedding on Saturday. It's not that I forgot that my friends, Kat and Leonard were getting married. I just realized I needed to stay within my 30 items and when I chose them...I didn't plan for the wedding. I planned for work. I planned for weekends and even a trip to Minnesota next week. But for some reason...I didn't plan for their wedding. 

But as I started riffling through the thirty items...It just suddenly came together. The pieces, that I'm sure on a regular occasion,  I would have paired together before. And it was a match in remix heaven. I'm really starting to surprise myself. Smile* This is a very cool challenge. 

Shirt: LOFT

Dress: LOFT

Head Band: Urban

Necklace: Forever21

Flower Belt: J.Crew

Tights: Target

Flats: Target

Below are a few pics from the wedding:

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HAPPY COUPLE!

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