Twas the day after Christmas....

(I started this post on Thursday, but my computer started acting up. So here's trying again.)

It may sound odd, but on this day after Christmas, I'm breathing a sigh of relief. Most people are sad that the holidays are over, but I'm just glad that things can get back to normal. As a matter of fact, I felt very motivated this morning to exercise and get things accomplished. Sorry if that sounds scroogish of me. ;) 

This year we had a small Christmas, which was honestly ok with me. 

Here are the things I got.

This lovely white scarf, and Japanese Cherry Blossom body spray and lotion from Megan. 

These adorable, warm knee socks were accompanied by two candy canes, but they are no more. ;) This was from my mom. (She had already given me money for the trip to Florida, but she said I needed something to unwrap.) 

This awesome, fun charm bracelet from my Mawmaw and Pawpaw.

I got an early Christmas present this year. We switched from Sprint to Verizon, and got iPhones!

Here's my new iPhone 4s.

(Isn't the camo and turquoise case awesome?)

I love it. It's been so fun figuring out and doing tons of stuff from my phone that I never could before. I feel like I learn something new about it everyday. Like my mom said, now I understand why people are always looking down at their phones. I'm trying to not get addicted, so I spend long periods of time away from my phone on purpose. Still, it's turning into a great tool.

And last but definitely not least, I got my present in yesterday from my friend Joel.

5 sweet smelling candles in the scents silver birch, snow petals, and frozen berries. 

2 awesome history books. (The one on the right wasn't supposed to be opened until my birthday. Oops!) 

And lastly, a sweet, adorable black puppy! (It's very hard to get a good pic of something black.)

My mom gave me this jean skirt as an early birthday present. My birthday is next Saturday. I love Fleur-de-lis's! (the symbol on the pockets.)

So how was your Christmas? 

What do you do when you live in the South, and it's too warm to wear the outfit you planned for Christmas?

Yes, long title, I know. 

But seriously, I was really sad when I found out that this Sunday (our church's Christmas play) and Christmas Day will both be warm days. So my cute, warm, super Christmas-y looking outfits that I had planned are out the window. 

Bummer, right? 

So today I started putting different outfits together that are for warmer weather but still have the Christmas spirit. Then I put together some ideas on Polyvore that might be helpful to readers who live in warmer climates. 

plaid styled by pawpawsgirl92 featuring tahitian black pearl earrings

Plaid was the first thing on my mind. It has a wintry feel, and can either be more Christmasy or not, depending on your preference. If you like the more country style (like me), you'll probably go for the greens and reds with feather accessories and boots, like the two examples on the left. On the right is the more city style, with TOMS or Converse. Plaid shirts can be found in lighter materials, so they can work well in warmer weather.

warm Christmas outfits by pawpawsgirl92 featuring a grey pencil skirt

I like all three outfits here, but I think the one all the way on the right is my favorite. It's classy, glittery, and festive as well as feminine and flattering. I normally don't do a shirt and skirt the same color in an outfit, but I think this looks nice. The middle outfit is simply adorable, and can go so many different ways. The outfit all the way on the left has a classic look, then the glitter pumps give it a pop of festiveness.

Do you live in a warmer climate? 

Which outfit was your favorite? 

Christmas outfit ideas

How many of you, like me, like to dress up for the occasion? I wear red, white and blue for Fourth of July, Autumn colors for the first day of Autumn and Thanksgiving, sparkles for New Years, pastels for Easter, red or pink for Valentine's Day (even though I don't have a Valentine), and usually red and black for Christmas. But I'd like to try a few new things this year, so I thought I'd share with ya'll some of my ideas and inspirations. 

Christmas outfits by pawpawsgirl92 featuring an open cardigan

I'm going to start from the right and work my way left. This is the outfit I envision for Christmas Day at my grandparent's house. The ivory cowl neck sweater look is classic and has a romantic air. The boots are my usual go to winter shoes. I love the look of them as well as how comfortable they are. If the weather is extra cold, I'd proly put some tights on as well. I thought this hairstyle goes perfectly with the overall look of the outfit. And the dark lipstick completes the romantic look.

The monochrome grey look seems to be really big this year. I haven't tried it yet, but I think this outfit would work out nice with a pop of crimson nail polish.

Now, I said that I normally wear red for Christmas. But this year, I'm trying the bright emerald green. I got a sweater exactly like this one last year after Christmas, only with sparkles and a cowl neckline. I think it would look cute with the edgy but modest leather skirt, and some black heels and grey polish. The girl's simple, yet elegant straight hair and minimal jewelry looks really great. It can also be worn with a jean skirt and tan cowgirl boots, which is how I plan to style it for Christmas day at my relative's house.

Here's a few more inspirations you may like.











So what are you planning to wear for Christmas this year? 

FINALLY!!!!!

Maybe it's because we just got back from a trip, and still feel like we're catching up on real life. 

Maybe it's because we've had no motivation to decorate.

Maybe it's because most of my Christmas gifts this year were gift cards, and I didn't do much personal shopping.

Maybe it's because I haven't wrapped a gift yet.

But I am just NOW starting to realize it's Christmas time! 

I mean, we even went Christmas shopping Friday in the freezing cold rain blasting Christmas music, and I STILL didn't seem to get it! 

I've never had such a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit. 

Right now, I'm playing Bing Crosby and forcing myself to decorate my room for Christmas today. Maybe that'll help? 

I'm looking through last year's Christmas pics. 

Then here are a few pics from this year's trip to Florida. 

These were some of the adorable Christmas trees in the lighthouse. 

Hmmm, maybe that helped.

I'm off to wrap gifts, decorate my room, listen to peppy Christmas music, and drink coffee with marshmallows. :)

Have you ever had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit? 

Christmas

Well, it's only a few days until Christmas, and I'm just now getting around to posting some Christmas themed pics! All the ones I'm about to show ya'll are from my trip. I haven't taken any of our decorations since it's the same ones every year. 

These were in a welcome center in Florida.

I thought their handmade ornaments were very cute. :) 

Then, here's a couple from the house we stayed at.

And now, here's some people pics. 

me and Kathryne at the college and career class party Sunday night.

Me, Megan, and our build-a-bear fellas. 

Me and Greg, my Christmas present. Me and this little tiger go a ways back, so he's a sentimental gift. :)

Mrs. Charlotte and Megan at the Alabama welcome center.

Ok, I know that I keep overloading ya'll with pics of my trip. Hopefully after Christmas this blog will go back to normal with outfit posts and such. 

But until then,

Love ya'll! 

M.I.A.

I'm really sorry I've been M.I.A. for so long. A few weeks ago I tried to write a post, but blogger said that I had run out of room for pictures! I was so frustrated, that I haven't tried writing since. I'm trying to find out how I can open up some space so I can start posting regularly again. Until then, I can use pictures that have already been used on the blog. The picture above is from Christmas last year.

Anyways, I've been super busy. Tomorrow I'm going stay at my friend's house until Monday when we leave for Florida! Yes! I can't wait to see Florida for my first time! I'm traveling with my best friend and my best adult friend who has been like a second mother to me. In case you haven't read my past posts, I'm one of the photographers at the wedding of the adult friend I'm riding with. We plan on having a fun, sightseeing trip, so we're taking the scenic route, which adds about two hours to our journey. I plan on getting tons of pictures, but I don't know when I'll be able to share them with you, as long as blogger is being stubborn. 

Monday and Tuesday of this week there was a preacher's fellowship at the church we've been helping. The preacher's fellowship is hosted once a month by a different church each month of the year. It's a time where we can fellowship, hear lots of great preaching, and meet new preacher's families in the area. It truly helps to unite the small churches here. We all had a blast. I met a lot of new people and made some new friends, including a young missionary couple which are the same age as me. 

Lately I've been preparing for this trip, doing housework, reading, wrapping presents, and listening to Bing Crosby's Christmas cd. Bing Crosby's voice is just so soothing. :) 

Anyways, I have to finish up my packing and make sure I don't forget anything.

Have a wonderful week! 

P.S. 

Please pray that we have a safe trip there and back! 

Thankful

Lately, especially in the past week, there have been several little blessings that I'm thankful for. Of course, I'm always thankful for my Lord, my family, my friends, my church, and my ministry, but I consider those big things. Here's the little things that have been sweet little blessings.

a candle that is about as used up as a candle can be, but still burning brightly until I got the chance to get another candle.

The absolutely amazing scent from my favorite candle ever, Autumn Wreath. Cracker Barrel only sells it at this time of year, so it's a yearly treat that I enjoy. 

The new mug I found last night, also from Cracker Barrel. I was browsing through the different mugs when I found this one. This verse, Ecclesiastes 3:1, meant a lot to me during a difficult time of my life about a month ago. Really, it seems to have become my theme verse for this year, a promise to hang on to through my struggles. There's 4 trees on it, representing the 4 seasons. I thought it was perfect for this month, for this time in my life. 

 And really, would life be livable without coffee? My dad says it would, but I'm not so certain. 

Friday I was looking around the clothes section at Walmart, and something told me to look up. This was the very last maxi dress, hanging by itself, in my size, in the style I've been wanting. I've been eyeing this dress all summer, but something told me to wait. It was normal price $20, and the clearance tag said $9. I could live with that. When I got to the register, it was actually $3! I was so pleasantly surprised, and thankful for the Lord's little blessings. 

Then, I was passing through the movie section, and saw a huge box full of $5 Christmas cds. At first I ignored it, because usually I can't find any decent music at Walmart. But as I was passing, I saw the Burl Ives cd. I love his singing, so I picked it up and started looking at the rest of the cds. I found the two Thomas Kinkade cds that have Christmas music played by an orchestra. Then I found the Bing Crosby cd, who I've heard of a little, then I found the Celtic Woman cd. The Bing Crosby and celtic cds have become my favorite. I love Bing Crosby's voice, even though I'm the only one in my family that appreciates his style. And  of course, I love Celtic Woman. My favorite song of their's, "the Voice" is on here, and I would've payed the money if only for that song. I like it that much. :) 

Besides all these little blessings, the Lord has blessed me in an even bigger way. Lately, I've been lonely. I have an empty spot that neither my family nor friends can fill. Most single young ladies know what I mean. So I've been cramming every free moment with reading as many books as I possibly can. As long as I'm in a world of fictional characters, I can forget about my own troubles, at least for a little while. But recently, the Lord's been showing me some things, and I'm becoming, slowly, more content with my single status, and trusting Him more with that area. It couldn't have happened at a better time. Within the past week, I've been given an opportunity to begin a relationship with a young man. As far as I know, this is a respectful, Christian young man. 2 weeks ago, I might have jumped at it, given the opportunity. But it would've been for the wrong reason. Loneliness. I sought the Lord for guidance, but didn't get the go-ahead. As a matter of fact, I only received silence. I made a decision, and after talking to my dad who backed me on it, I refused. I pray that I have made the right decision. One of the reasons why I refused, was due to the fact that I would've had to go meet him. I consider that too forward, and highly improper. By my way of looking at it, if he's interested enough, he'll come to meet me. Although I doubt it will happen, I've told the Lord that I will consider it a sign to consider him again, if he does show up. I know that I've disappointed the people who tried to get us together, but the truth is this. I'm NOT hunting for a husband. As a matter of fact, I'm not even looking for him. I'm praying that he's looking for me. I believe the Lord will allow our paths to cross at the right moment, and not before. I trust that the Lord is very capable of doing that. Also, I have certain things that I want in a husband. I believe that they are biblical, and I refuse to settle. Considering I've waited my whole life for him, as I pray he's done for me. Yes, I do believe there is ONE that God intended just for you.  He did make Eve for Adam after all. The woman is the completer, the help meet. 

Ok, sorry for the ranting. That turned out a lot longer than I intended. But let me say, that I've really revealed a lot of personal information in that last paragraph. I wouldn't have done it, but I felt the Lord leading me to do so. I pray that it might help a reader in a similar situation. 

P.S.

Please pray for me as I continue on this journey. It's so easy to make a wrong decision when it comes to matters of the heart. I'm so thankful for parents and a pastor that care enough about me to tell me the truth, protect me, and back me on my decisions. If you're going through a similar struggle, I'd love to be prayer partners through email. My email is: pawpawsgirl92@hotmail.com if you're interested.

Autumn flurry

I love Autumn, it's my favorite time of year. But sadly, now that I'm an adult with responsibilities, I don't seem to have the time to enjoy it like I used to. I've been so busy, as a matter of fact, I haven't even been able to blog recently. 

Here's a few things that have been keeping me busy.

1. Homeschooling Mark and teaching Rachel's Bible class. 

This seems to be taking more time than I thought it would, not that I'm complaining. I've been enjoying it. 

2. Piano

I now have piano lessons, so I've been working on that besides practicing for playing for congregationals. I also try to play the piano for most of my singing specials. 

3. Housework and family

I've been trying to spend more time with my family, which includes coloring with Rachel and teaching her a little piano, reading to Mark, and bike riding with my family. Matthew's sick right now, so he's been taking up a lot of my mom's time. Which means I've been taking up the slack with housework and cooking. Once again, not complaining, just informing you on what I've been up to. ;) 

4. Christmas Play

I will be directing my first Christmas play at the church we're helping. I'm excited and nervous, as I've been retyping last year's Christmas play's script and adding necessary changes. I'm also singing two solos in the play, which are both a little difficult. They're "Mary did you Know?" and "O Holy Night". They're difficult for me due to all the lovely singers that I've heard sing those two songs, I feel that I'll always be inferior when I sing them. So anyways, please pray for me with that. :) 

5. Reading and shopping.

Ok, these are my two guilty pleasures (nope, it ain't chocolate). I've been doing some shopping, and getting mostly jewelry. Yes, I do still like to buy jewelry, even though I make jewelry, because I can't make everything. But I do love the ability to tweak store bought jewelry to how I like it. 

Here's the jewelry I've gotten recently.

I was so shocked the other day as I was browsing at Cato and stumbled upon a bubble necklace. My mom would tell you I went ballistic. And that may be only a slight exaggeration. I started on a mad search in each color category to find out all the colors they had. I got the purple one and came back later for the red one. They're so much prettier in real life than the pictures. At first I wasn't sure I liked the faceted look, but now I think I like it better than the smooth bead bubble necklaces. I have no problem with getting the knock offs (especially when the name brand is $140 and I got these for $12 each!). I did get the teal one and the pink one as well, but they're supposed to be Christmas presents from my mom to me, so ya'll can't see them till I open them for Christmas. :) I know we're not very traditional with our Christmas shopping, especially where I'm concerned, because my family has a hard time figuring out what I want. I can't blame them, I kinda have a tendency to change my mind often. So I usually end up picking out my own presents, then my mom wraps them, and I open them for Christmas. No big deal. :) 

light blue earrings $2 clearance 

green shimmery necklace $.99 clearance

blue heart shimmery necklace and earrings $5 clearance

I shortened the chain in the pic before this one, and made this bracelet using charms that were sitting around. Balance is something I need a constant reminder of. :) 

White chain and pearl necklace $2 clearance

All jewelry in this post was from the clearance racks at Cato (only the bubble necklaces weren't on clearance.) They had a bunch of goodies in the clearance section, and I nearly cleaned them out. :) I did hold back, and didn't get every cute thing I saw on clearance. Oh, and they green necklace in the picture? It came  on this circle wire thing, but I didn't like it, so I simply switch out the green and blue pendants. I think it works well.

I have been reading a lot of good books, really too many to mention. But I like the authors Lori Wick, Sharon Gillenwater, Wanda Brunstetter, and Tracie Peterson. Most of the books I've been reading have been by one of them. I love the public library option on my Kindle. :) 

And lastly, someone gave me this book.

I loved the movie, so I was so excited to get the book. Can't wait to read it! 

So how's your autumn been going?