gypsy for Jesus?

I blame you, cute gypsy girl from Sherlock Holmes. 
The true story is I most definitely fell asleep during Sherlock Holmes, but every time I woke up I thought - "man, I want to be a gypsy". The jewel tones! The full, nappy hair that I already have! The floppy hat! The blatant disregard for editing when it comes to accessories! I want to be a gypsy!". 

And then I found a $3 floppy hat from H&M and it was on. 

And heaven help me, ya'll. 
I may have had a conversation with my husband where I may have used the phrase "gypsy for Jesus". If I can spiritualize wearing floppy hats and flowy skirts, I will try. 
No for real - it still seems right to me. 
Except gypsies are notorious crooks. 
Oh well. Maybe we can give them a new reputation?


Bring on the bangles. 
And please tell me I'm not the only weirdy who gets hooked on some sort of visual scheme and wants to integrate it into every single ever loving piece of their life. 
Chevron anyone? 
Missoni knows what I'm talking about. 
either way -
this gypsy loves yall. 

30x30, take one!

I think it’s about time.

Now, bahahahahaha, let’s get it clear right off the bat: this is no fashion blog.  I might get friendly with the red lipstick and the cigarette pants, but I’m no Much Love Illy or Kendi Everyday. (I do however love those girls, especially that Much Love Illy) BUT I was faced with an interesting combination of dilemmas/oppurtunities concerning this month of February.

A.     

      - We have freshly moved to Indiana.

B.   -  During our first few weeks here, we are staying with friends till we find the perfect place for our family to live – so we’re living out of suitcases, not touchin’ our boxes.

C.   -  Nick and I are doing a little diet/cleansing sort of situation for weight loss and health. 

D.   - All of those things have the potential to make me want to live in yoga pants and no makeup, but I don’t feel so hot in yoga pants and no makeup after a day or two, so I knew I needed some help.

And help came in the form of the 30x30 challenge!

I’ve always wanted to do one and now I have no excuse, or rather – the perfect excuse! Here are the guidelines, made up by the wonderful Kendie: 

1.     Pick 30 items of clothing and make 3o outfits of them. 

        Here are my amendments for myself:

2.     Shoes must be included in the 30 items, not accessories or coats.

3.     No shopping for 30 days.

4.     Workout clothes & pajamas don’t count and if I need to spend a day in yoga pants,      whatever. It's 30 outfits, not 30 days. 

So here are the items I picked for my 30x30 challenge:

(shiny black patent flats, silver glitter shoes, menswear loafers, brown pumps, short cowboy boots, timberlands, slouchy grey boots) 

((pants - high waisted jeans, black skinnies, dark wash skinnies, boyfriend comfy jeans, black cigarette pants, black tights, grey tights))

((navajo print shirt, black & white short sleeve t's, glitter striped boatneck, purple ombre shirt, floral tank, striped button down, black ruffle boatneck))

((black leather jacket, grey cardigan, tweed jacket, navy cardigan))

     ((black buttondown shirtdress, black babydoll dress, floral skirt))

I think that's about 29 things. I'm not gonna add one more because there is always the fear that I forgot something and will want to add it in midway:) 

But mostly, yeah, I'm excited. 

This is going to be a super fun month to document in this way! It's already been fun!

I'll just start today with my first 3 outfits and take it bit by bit. 

If you're just bursting at the seams to see them sooner (bahahahahaha), you can follow me on twitter. 

dark skinnies, loafers, white tee, grey cardigan, & melodyjoy1983 cowl
where I wore it: eye doctor, packing at our house, community group

numero dos: dark skinners, black ruffle shirt, black patent leather shoes.
where I wore it: bible study, family time, double date with mom & stepdad

loafers, grey tights, blue cardigan, navy free people dress
where I wore it: lunch date with mom, playing on the Carolina beach with kiddos (changed my shoes), double date with Rubes, Hunkle Josh, Robert & April. 

Ok, more to come soon. 
Anyone else want to jump on in and do a 30x30 with me? 
ps: thanks for all your encouragement about our move. 
We're loving us some Indiana! 

oh man oh man. VLOG TIME. STYLE VLOG TIME.

So, this may be one of my favorite posts ever. 

A. Look! It's my real life friends! I love them. 

B. Introducing Kristin! The style fairy godmother. 

C. Are my friends the cutest or what? 

D. I know I have an over talking problem. 

my friends put up with & i'm working on it. 

Ask your style questions for Kristin. She knows it ALL. No question too big or too small. 

For example: last weekend before my cousin's beautiful wedding, I texted her asking her what if she had anything I could possibly borrow to feel new & fresh. I left her house an hour later with an outfit perfectly styled WITH SHOES AND JEWELRY for each occasion. Who does that?

And heres the thing: I know everyone doesn't have a friend like her, who knows so much and gives so much - so that's why I'm sharing her with you. Ask her your questions AND I'll say it again, if you're anywhere in driving distance of Columbia, SC - call and make an appointment with her. 

And, I told you Anna Kate was super talented. 

AND let's hear those questions! 

halloween candy and leopard boots

If I read my whole blog, my favorite posts by far are the fashiony ones. 

Except for the Jesus ones. So far, I haven't had a post about fashion and Jesus - till now.
Surely, a combination of fashion and Jesus would lead to my absolute favorite post ever.  

I was rereading my blog from last year and came across this. 

Fantasy fall fashion wish list from last year. Last fall was a super hard time financially and I couldn't even fathom going shopping for a few basics. Honestly, I still can't imagine what it would be like to just go to Target and pick up 4 or 5 new things, because it just feels crazy to spend that money when you're fundraising to plant a church. It's still fun to write these fantasy posts about what I would buy though - right? 

I found the blog post and got a little sad. Maybe a little bitter. 

It's not something I say out loud a lot, but I really struggle with envy over material possessions. Iphones, houses, leather jackets, fun earrings, cocktail rings, toms shoes, actual diaper bags, fancy baby quilts, high heels!, nice hand towels. I want to be the kind of person who can appreciate beautiful things and not necessarily need them - but every once in a while I get a little wistful. 

So, here's the thing. A year later, I've got all those things. Not any of the actual items - but something nearly very close in every situation. I was going to post a picture of me wearing all the items but decided to take a different route. Even down to those leopard boots, now - I have leopard rain boots. My sister got them for me for my birthday.  Every single one of those items has been gifted to me, hand-me-downed, or bought for under $10 on crazy sale. Without even thinking about it, I acquired my fantasy fall fashion list! 


And of course, my first inclination was to think - "Oh, isn't that sweet of the Lord?! Without me even knowing it, over a year - He's blessed me with my fantasy fall fashion list! Even in a hard financial time, He's giving these sweet little gifts!" And truly, He is good. And truly, He does bless me so much. But I also had another thought. 


Lately, Elias is obsessed with Halloween candy. (stay with me) 
He's my early riser and so when he gets up at 6:45 or so, he pads down the stairs and rubs his eyes and comes up to me in my quiet time chair and asks for some halloween candy. And the truth is - sometimes I get a little frustrated. Here's why: Before I go to bed at night, I'm thinking about Elias (and Glory and Benja). Usually, by the time I go to sleep a few hours after they go to sleep - I'm already missing them and I have to peak in on them just to see their sweet faces. I go to sleep praying for them and praying that I'll be the sort of mom they need. Begging the Lord for their salvation, their health, that they'd live lives that bring Him glory. And when Elias sleeps in till seven, I've usually already been up for hours. Preparing my heart for Him - and for him. I've been up, loving him, thinking of things to teach him, folding his clothes, or prepping his lunch. I love him so much more than He'll ever know and I want good for him, (just good!), and the thought of him hurting physically makes my chest hurt. I love him from the depths of my feet, right out of the split ends of my raggedy hair. I just love him. 


And he wakes up and asks me for halloween candy. 
Nasty old snack size halloween candy. 


And if I love my son like this, how much more does the Lord love me. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - who set the world into motion and made (MADE!) the space between the waters above and the waters below. He loves me. He sent His perfect son to endure anguish and separation and the cross for my sin. His Word says that He loves me furiously, that He'll provide for me, that He wants to use me, that He sings over me. 
But I sure would like that fantasy fall fashion list. 


You know, sometimes (against my better judgement) I'll just give Elias that halloween candy at 6:30am. Just for the chance to still his little man bones for a second to cuddle with me, so I can nuzzle my nose in his neck and kiss him six times and pray for him as he watches Arthur. 


Lift up your eyes  church. 
If this God is for real, He is so much more than we think. 
He loves us so much more than we think. 
He wants to do so much more than toss us some halloween candy or leopard print boots. 

my thrift update, #1

Please tell me ya'll read Erin's post last week about thrifting/yard sale-ing/general stylishness. If you didn't - pause now & go check it out. 


Well, I took Erin's challenge and combined it with my mom's lingering plea to get me to join her for "goodwill friday". She & her sweet best friend spend every Friday together, getting coffee or lunch and combing Goodwill - where they find the GREATEST deals ever. I was skeptical - but she promised her Goodwill location was stellar and she offered to foot the bill. Little did I know, I'd get a WHOLE wardrobe for about $30. 

So here is the first installment, just what I happened to be wearing on Sunday plus some homegoods that may very well change the course of history (too much?). 

- cutey nautical top +
- jeggings +
- super duper old Old Navy heels =
incredibly cheap outfit. Like $8 cheap.

And then, just to show you some versatility - this is how it morphs from a 

"to-church-on-a-rainy-Sunday-outfit" into a "reading-and-planning-at-starbucks-outfit", here's what happens when you add another two Goodwill purchases. 

Yoga pants + cheery yellow sweater = unexpected nautical? I think so. 

Also, here is an upclose detail of that cutie little shirt. It's Banana Republic, found at the GW boutique for $3. 

Shoulder embellishments, yes. Yes, please. 

Three things I'd like to point out here. 

#1. I love that man more than life itself. 

#2. A white headband really pulled the outfit together better. 

#3. That magenta nail polish is really helping the groove situation. 

Wait! Don't go yet! 

Not into clothes? How about second-handing it for home goods?!

Confession: I do not have fine china. When Nick and I got married, we were about to finish college and a)didn't crazy crave china b)didn't cook or host people and c)didn't know what sort of style we'd want forever. So we opted to wait. But lately, I've been craving some fine china. Well, what do you know? On Saturday, at an estate sale down the street from my mom's house - there was a BEAUTIFUL sixteen piece set of this Mikasa Momentum set! That I LOVE! It was marked as $25, but reduced as the day went on and late in the afternoon, my mama snagged it for me at half price! Is that for real? I'm in love with it!  

 and then, oh then. 

this beaut. 

My favorite goodwill find of all. 

A vintage happy-place-future-kitchen-quiet-teal ice crusher. 

Real life friends know that a good crushed ice is like a balm to my soul.

And it's my future hopeful kitchen color!

And it's beautiful!

And it was FIVE DOLLARS!

So, if you're not convinced yet - just stick around.

Later in the week, I'm going to show you the rest of the Goodwill finds. 

There were belts and scarves and corduroys and cardigans and skirts, oh my. 

Nothing over $4. 

Thank you Erin. 

My wallet, my heart, my groove, and my husband thank you. 

my groove list

About a week ago, we moved our "temporary transition location" from my mom's house to my sister's house. My mom & stepdad (Nonny & Poppy) have been more than gracious to host us, but my sister kept insisting over and over again, "when else will we ever get to live together again?!" so we're sharing their house and having a blast, in spite of the fact that there are six kids under seven here. Maybe because there are six kids under seven here. What makes it particularly fun is that this is my sister's birthday week and it's been a good five years since I've been able to celebrate her birthday with her. Last night we started the week off with a dinner with her awesome girl friends and it was so sweet to see other women who love her as much as I do.

Now, here's something you might not know about my sister (Katie, Ruby) if you don't know her in real life. She's too cute. Literally too cute. Three kids, pregnant, super busy schedule - it doesn't matter: she's too cute. Great hair, perfect outfits, beautiful charming smile ALL the time. And here's what I've learned from living with her: she doesn't break the bank paying for outfits and she certainly doesn't spend eight hours in the morning getting ready. She just makes it work.

So over the past few days, I've been letting her begging her to help me out with getting my groove back. Because if my sister with three kids, thrifty budgeting skills, and super busy schedule can make an effort and look beautiful, modest, and cute all at once - I'm really hoping there is hope for me too. So here is my second "getting my groove back list", you can find the first here. Nick and I went on a date on Friday and while we drove from location to location, he helped me sort out what was realistic and most importantly - what actually mattered to him, since he's the real one I'm getting my groove back for.

- Recommit to wearing fingernail polish. You can read about my tumultuous past with fingernail polish here. But I'm recommitting, again. Nick adds that he prefers it be very dark. So much for my dreams of coral toes.

- Shop thrift stores, goodwill, whatever. I think for the next few months, especially since my body is still rapidly changing post-baby (a year and a half later), I think I want to stick to strictly second-hand clothing additions.

- Begin using wrinkle cream. (ugly cry)

- Keep hair long. (Nick's request) Which leads to....

- Deep condition & trim hair.

- find some kind of free makeup consultant.

(seriously, I'm pretty embarrassed. I don't think I really know how to put makeup on)

- wear pearl earrings LESS. again.

- Make it a goal to wear real shoes at least 3 times a week. Real means not rainbows and not tennis shoes.

- wear lipgloss daily, find a good REAL lipstick for datenights and occasions.

(does anyone else wear real lipstick? doesn't it seem too grown up? am I grown up? apparently so, I need wrinkle cream...)

- get calf implants. (Nick's request) (only kidding of course) (I have the calves like one of those half-horse-half-women animals) (that isn't self-mockery - I don't hate my horse/hybrid calves)

So, there it is.

How's your groove?

What wrinkle cream do you use?

Most importantly, where should I hide my pearl earrings at, you know - from myself?

summer lovelies.

...right around the time July hits, I usually have sweet ideas of sun dresses and wide brimmed hats floating around in my head. Somehow, it doesn't totally translate and I end up wearing my hole-y yoga pants and coffee stained men's undershirt and calling that "my summer style". Before I do that too many days in a row, I thought it might help to compile some summer fashion inspiration. What IS actually in style, what looks can I put together using what I actually have, and what staples do I need so my poor yoga pants get a rest.

First - some "day at the park" inspiration.

I'm loving the idea of these slouchy cropped pants. WAY better than holy yoga pants.

A mature graphic tee helps anyone's energy level.

A pair of navy Tom's, good for the world and your feet.

A bright tote and some sunglasses would round out this day.

Because, if you're going to be pushing someone on a swing for 43 minutes - you may as well feel sort of cute doing it.

Next, coffee with some girlfriends. Or tea, if you prefer.

I'm trying to promise myself that any time I won't be digging under the car seat for someone's passy, I will try and wear a light and airy dress like this one.

And anytime I don't HAVE to carry diapers or cheerios or someone's favorite "thomas the train", I'll try and carry a clutch instead of a bag.

This masculine watch just thrills me. Thrills me. Thrills me.

Some sweet feminine earrings and wedges would just complete some time talking with good friends.

Lastly, a date with my husband. My favorite activity on earth.

Sometimes it's hard for me to move into wife-mode after being in mommy-mode all week. A shirt like this would really, really help. Don't you think?

And, being a girl from the south, wicker jewelry is a sight for sore eyes. Ahhh, wicker.

Flats and cropped pants make everything feel a little simple. In a good way.

With some turquoise and gold studs from etsy to round it all out.

.... so there's where I'm starting with summer fashion inspiration.

Hopefully if nothing else, it will help me to take a second look at my closet tomorrow and avoid pants with no button.

Here's the full disclosure, though: today I'm wearing yoga pants.

And there is definitely a hole in these babies.

breaking the routine

Ok - I'm going out on a limb. My sweet husband is begging me to use some of our tax return monies to buy some transitional clothing that will do me good this summer as I go through end of pregnancy-new baby body-starting to work off three babies weight. I figure once we're good and settled in Boston, once our budget is firm and established, and once my body is one the way back to normalness - I'll add in some real pieces and start building a wardrobe that has no expanding pants or flowing tummies. Well, maybe a few... for comfy days.

Anyhow, I'm determined to buy one pair of sexy shoes to make myself wear them in these last few weeks of pregnancy/first few months of Tres. I know if I buy one pair, I will eventually wear them - even if it is just to church or on our first date postpartum. I think Nick deserves that. In my closet full of flats and tennis shoes, he deserves one pair - meant only to impress him. And since I stick pretty hardcore to the modesty wardrobe, the sex appeal needs to make an appearance in the shoe department.

So, let's hear what you guys think. I'm taking an idea from Miss Ladd, and I'm going to ask for a vote. So come on, lurkers, you too - give us a vote!

selection A


selection B


selection C


selection D


selection E



Most pairs are under $50, fyi.
And I just have to say, I'm already laughing. I cannot imagine myself putting on one pair of these in any circumstance - which means I desperately need to.
Oh, how a few years and a few pregnancies can change you.
Help me, help my husband, pick me out some shoes - please.

Day #2

Okay - here's my second concept: Dr.'s Appointments & Days off.
Look #1:

go ahead & audibly gasp at those awesome boots.

Look #2: 

I looked for that sweater all last year. I will find it and wear it out this fall!

Look #3:

I love the juxtaposition of colors in this outfit, even while it's understated! Also - this bag is the most expensive item on the whole page. Ugh - love it. 

Okay, this was too much fun! Can't wait to do the next day!