Last weekend, I had an experience that’s common for me. Armed with a $10 off certificate, I went to DSW with the goal of buying flat brown boots. They didn’t have those Steve Madden boots I posted about a while back, but these classic Civico 10 boots were pretty much perfect… except for the price. I finally decided to go home and order them online to save as much as possible in coupon codes and Ebates. You can probably guess what happened. They didn’t have my size online in the brown. They weren’t for sale anywhere else. I was consumed with regret. So yesterday, I made another trip to DSW to buy the ones I had tried on. By then, it was less painful to spend the money. :P But the boots are real leather and will last forever, and I got a free quilted bag with purchase, which I can use as a laptop bag (something I’ve needed for a while). I’m excited to wear these with skinny jeans, dresses, and skirts!
The cats were determined to be part of the photo shoot. (I carried the mirror around the house trying to find a well-lit area….)
As long as I’m talking about shoes, these Steve Madden flip-flops were a total impulse buy a couple of months ago (also at DSW – I’m a very loyal customer), but I’ve worn them practically nonstop ever since. They’re so cute and go with everything!
I’d shop less if I didn’t get so many ideas. I have constant flashes of creative inspiration. This also goes for crafts, home decor, cooking, etc., but nowadays it manifests itself most often through fashion. I’ll see something in a magazine, on a blog, or on someone I know, and instantly I know exactly what I want and how I want to adapt it. (I could probably cut back on magazines and blogs, but the ideas would still come.) The problem is, then I have to find it, and because I’m me, I want to find it as cheap as possible. It’s a long, frustrating process, and usually, the longer I’m deterred, the more obsessed I get. If I had my mother’s sewing abilities, I would design and make most of my clothes myself and avoid all the trouble. Sadly, sewing machines and I don’t really get along. I think the style single-mindedness is inherited, though.
PS – the blog has a new look! Come check it out if you’re viewing this in a reader. It’s a free template from How Joyful Design and I’m really pleased with it!
2 Comments + Posted in: creative, fashion
I wasn’t planning to get a pumpkin this year, but when I saw them at Easy-Way, I couldn’t resist! For the design, I just found a “B” font I liked, freehanded it onto the pumpkin with a Sharpie, and outlined the B with black puffy paint for extra emphasis. I love how it turned out and it makes me happy to look at it. :) At first I was afraid to put it outside lest someone smash it, but it’s unscathed so far.
For your Friday, here’s some random linkage (some of these are kind of old):
♥ Six awesome local Halloween costume ideas at I Love Memphis. Also: 10 Memphis locations for great photo shoots.
♥ A very honest, well-written post on men, women, and ministry from my friend Becca. I’m still figuring out what I believe about a lot of gender issues in the church, and I thought this was great.
♥ Some reflections on the Grizzlies’ playoff run at Memphis Connect.
♥ Great thoughts on Sufficient Grace, from C Jane.
♥ In Defense of the Romance Novel, from Emily.
♥ Build a bench, not a platform, from Chatting at the Sky.
♥ A beautiful tribute to a great dad. Prepare to shed tears and be inspired.
♥ How Tina Fey helped me love my body, by Jonalyn Fincher. (This reminds me that I still need to read Bossypants.)
♥ Support for broken hearts from the awesome Sparkle Solo. Also: Being Enough, and Kissing (or lack thereof).
♥ For fellow Veronica Mars fans: Notes on a Veronica Mars Rewatching from Diana Peterfreund.
When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.
– Genesis 29:31-35
I’ve always connected with the Biblical story of Leah, and a lot more so over the past few years. For those who don’t know or remember Leah’s story, she was the first wife of Jacob, patriarch of Israel. Jacob was in love with her much more attractive sister, Rachel, but their father tricked him into marrying Leah first. As a result, Leah spent many years trying to earn Jacob’s love and overcome her underdog place in their dysfunctional family. No matter how much she “achieved” as a wife and woman in the eyes of their culture, it was never enough. She remained unloved and unwanted. But she eventually realized that even if her husband didn’t love or value her, the God of the universe did. That knowledge changed her life. And Leah, not Rachel, became part of the lineage of Christ through her son Judah.
In my continuing ramble through the Tim Keller archives, this week I happened upon a great sermon of his about Leah. Then I heard that one of the pastors at Alanna’s church preached this past Sunday as Leah. I appreciated both messages so much that I wanted to share them here with the other Leahs of the world (plus, when the same topics come up repeatedly for me in a short period of time, I sit up and pay attention). We are loved by God and no amount of rejection can take that away from us.
Here’s some of what I’ve been up to…
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| Two of these people are excited. LOL!!! |
Friday night was Memphis Madness, the first official scrimmage of the Tiger basketball season. The FedEx Forum was sold out (in this case “sold” since it was a free event). Kathy and Daniel got there before me and saved a seat. The atmosphere was electric. Can’t wait for this season!
I rode all 14 miles of the Greenline on Saturday, just my bike and me. I love the Greenline! Usually I go with my mom, but it felt somehow empowering to go by myself. It’s the only time I’m glad I drive an SUV. I can just fold down the seats and throw the bike in the back.
I’m spending as much time as possible outside. The cats enjoy the weather too. :)
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| Azaleas encoring nicely |
Most of my plants are past their prime, but some hung on through the last of the terrible heat and are thriving now. I enjoy my mint, mums, and chives arrangement on the patio. Also: an eggplant is finally growing in the garden! If a squirrel takes it before it’s ready, I’m going to be crushed.
Yesterday I planted some tiger lily and peony bulbs – shipped from Holland! Sleep well and take root, little bulbs. :) While planting them, I discovered a black widow spider in the garden bed, the first one I’ve ever seen in the wild. !!! I don’t have a picture of it because I was busy killing it (a regretful but necessary sacrifice). Hopefully it didn’t have local friends.
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| Editor cat is editing |
Last week I completed and turned in my first real (i.e. for pay) writing assignment! My friend Jenn offered me some freelance work completing a curriculum outline about wilderness safety. I can now find North in any situation. Next I get to help with a children’s book about a mission in Uganda. I’m really thankful for the chance to gain experience and confidence, try different things, and learn stuff. I feel like doors are starting to open for me and it’s very exciting. :)
3 Comments + Posted in: fall, life lately
I’ve been reminiscing about my ten-day trip to Southern California in 2007, which is still one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. Since this blog didn’t exist back then, I thought it would be fun to share some memories!
My initial reason for going to California was an annual work conference, and it was by far our swankiest conference ever. My co-workers and I flew into LAX and then drove to Palm Springs, where the conference was held. Of course we had meetings and things, but there was a lot of time to enjoy the area too.
On the last night of the conference, we went to a dinner held in a huge, beautiful tent on a polo field. And the after-dinner entertainment? JAMES TAYLOR. !!!
The next morning, we drove back to Los Angeles. I had never been there before, other than passing through several days earlier. My co-workers headed back to Memphis, but my mom flew in and met me at the airport, and we embarked upon our own adventure!
Our first tourist stop was the Santa Monica Pier, which we thoroughly enjoyed. We explored for a while and then waited to watch the sunset over the Pacific. Unfortunately, it was FREEZING (not what I expected from California), and we huddled behind a wind break, taking turns to pop out and see if the sun was setting yet. As soon as it set, we ate at Bubba Gump’s right there on the pier because we were too cold, tired, and hungry to look elsewhere.
The next day, we took a bus tour of Hollywood and Bel-Air. This experience made me a huge fan of bus tours – you see and learn things you wouldn’t on your own, without any of the trouble of driving and navigating. We stopped at the Hollywood Bowl, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Kodak Theatre, Rodeo Drive, the La Brea Tar Pits, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Olvera Street. We lunched at the Farmer’s Market, finishing off with a jelly-roll-type Black Forest cake that I still think about and want to duplicate to this day.
Onstage at the Hollywood Bowl!!!
Now this is a story all about how my life got twist-turned upside down.
Of course, we had to conclude the day with In-N-Out Burger.
Next up: a trip to the aquarium and some slightly higher culture!
6 Comments + Posted in: family, memory lane, travel