Minimalist Jewelry Trends & Gloriously Oversized Tops

These glasses are too big for my face. Guess they are now for the beach and the pool!

I'm loving the easy, comfortable trends in clothing and accessories right now. Each year I wonder at the life expectancy of leggings. Let's hold them close. You never know when their time may come to an end. In truth, this outfit felt like wearing pajamas in disguise (though some may disagree and say "I have pajamas that look just like that!").

And why not join the minimalist trends in jewelry? Everywhere I look I see simple, delicate pieces that look great layered, or not layered, dressed up or dressed down.

In this case,  I was all out casual and opted for the layered look to run errands. We even had an unplanned outing to the skating rink for our school spirit night. Of course I had to drop in and say hi to the hubbs between stops, which became an opportunity for the blog to live on. I said, "dahling, you simply MUST take some photos of me sporting this gloriously oversized top with the trending accessory pieces." And then he said,

"Cuuuuuuuuuuuuttttttte."

(You may just have to watch the Instagram Husband video on youtube to get that one.)

Outfit breakdown:

Top: Irma by LulaRoe (similar)

Leggings: Norstrom Rack

Converse: (similar)

Necklaces: Keep it Personal & Heaven by Premiere 

(email: granolangrace@gmail.com to get your hands on those cuties)

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My skating buddies...:)

Until next time...today it's link up day!!  Linking up with The Pleated Poppy , Color & Grace and Sydney Fashion Hunter.

Chrissy

LuLaRoe Dress & Unplanned Stops

He has to get some fun out it as well, I guess.

This is that adorable dress I won at a pop up boutique for LuLaRoe, hosted by Megan Cook, in March.  You can read about that fun day HERE. Though warm days are quickly upon us, it was still chilly that day. I look forward to pairing the dress with simple summer sandals soon.

In other news, I've hired a new photographer . My 12 year old. He gets a couple bucks here and there (I get what I pay for!) and I don't have to pester.  However I hope the hubby doesn't feel totally off the hook. I'm still going to nab free shots wherever I can! As for the 14 year old pictured above, he's more interested in amusing himself than making a little extra cash. I admit that he makes me laugh, but don't tell him that. It will only encourage the borderline obnoxious behavior!

Outfit Break Down:

Ameila Dress: LuLaRoe
Leather Jacket: Michael Kors
Red Clutch: Calvin Klein (Macys)
Black Ankle Boots: Target

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And if you haven't guessed it already, we dropped in at the Mayfield Dairy, where they offer tours and sell ice cream by the scoop. The boys bypassed the tour and headed straight for the ice-cream. And while they consumed ice cream, we browsed through the gift shop together. Surprisingly enough, reading the signs, towels, and whatever else they had, turned into a fun experience together. 

My lesson for that day: Add spontaneity when possible and keep any ideas to myself until the very last-minute, thereby avoiding negative commentary and adding more element of surprise.

Until next time we can think about what it would look like to "Expect nothing and appreciate everything." :)

Chrissy

Crochet Lace & Kinder Fun

I'm enjoying the long, burgundy top pictured above.  Cast off by its previous owner, this top found love and acceptance in my wardrobe. There, there lengthy top.  Momma is here. However on its own, it's just an ordinary top. Add the right necklace, scarf OR vest and we have something special. The final piece for me is the giving key with the simple word "create" embossed on the front. Soon I will have to pass it on, but until then I use it another day. Just the wearing of this necklace reminds me of who God created me to be, and of the encouragement received from a thoughtful friend. 

Now I'm ready. 

Outfit Breakdown

Vest: Altar'd State (similar)

Jeans: GAP True Skinny (similar)

Boots: Target (similar)

Necklace: the giving keys (exact)

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Where am I off to? Our local elementary school to spend time with a few important people.

I received a sweet note from the kindergarten teacher (that taught ALL four of our boys) requesting a reading of  "The Little Red Hen" and a mini-bread making demo to the Kindergarten classes. How could I refuse?

Well, I definitely had a good excuse to say no that day. It happened to be the same day as the Renew event at our church. This was a night that required lots of planning, made some of us lose sleep, etc. 

However, I confess I'm not up at the boy's school very often and they LOVE it when mom comes.  A wise woman advised me to leave MARGIN in my calendar. Another wise woman once told me that a creative person cannot create when the mind is over cluttered and scattered.  With personal experience I concur!  

In addition, a scattered, cluttered mind backs into her mother's car, forgets needed items at home or to pay a certain bill. The roughshod brain double books and flakes out on it's friends.  Sometimes we have to say no. I'm slowly, painstakingly learning this. But I need to say no to the right things. Only you and God can determine what those right things are. 

And this time, I felt the need to say yes.

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"Who will help me plant the wheat?

Not I, said the cat.

Not I, said the pig.

Not I, said the duck.

Then I shall do it myself."

my boys, sitting all the way on the left, were permitted by their 1st grade teacher to come

After over dramatizing "The Little Red Hen", it was time to show them how bread is made from grains of wheat. I love seeing their curious expressions and holding their attention captive as they pass a bowl of grain around, before and after, the grinding process. It's also fun to see them react to the airplane-like sound of my mill.Yeah it's loud.

The finished dough. Now they each will get a small portion of dough to shape into their own roll.

And in return for a morning well spent, this is what I received the next day...

Makes the heart melt like this amazing grilled cheese sandwich I prepared with our families batch of dough!

I also felt inspired enough to search Pinterest and use up some tomatoes I had lying around for tomato soup.  Anyone feeling hungry now? I felt only a small measure of guilt over this meal because I knew that the bread was good for me. And hey, so was the easy tomato soup.

A Hubby Fav & Other Ramblings

Well, this is an outfit that I liked better in person than on camera. In spite of some camera-hatin', this ensemble was a hubby fav, so I guess I'll be wearing it again. And those two crazies? Their spring break is 2 weeks before our older boys (and most of the schedules we happen to be involved with). So it's business as usual, only with some cute tagalongs.  As it turns out, they love to pose for blog pics. Somehow, we managed to grab a shot before they hopped back in the picture.

Outfit Breakdown:
Long tee: WHBM, Chambray: Consignment Store, Necklace: Sugar Rush by Premiere, Purse and shoes: OLD

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The rest of the week was spent in clothes suitable for the park, sneaking chocolate out of the fridge and a Good Friday service with our older boys (thanks to some friends sharing tickets with us!)

Juggling two different age group has it challenges from time to time.  Middle schoolers and their likes, or should I say dislikes (there seems to be far more dislikes at this age than interests) don't always mesh well with the 6 year olds. At least the contrast helps us appreciate the wonder and awe that goes along with a young school age child. They love time with mom and dad, they dole out hugs like there's no tomorrow and they think silliness is so cool. Just about anything can be made into an adventure with them.

"Hey Mr. Evan. Can you drive over in your green car and deliver this soup to the neighbor? It's a secret mission."

"Sure!!" 

Sounds fun to him. Now ask one of the older ones to deliver something, while pretending to be on a secret mission. Yeah. First comes the rolling of the eyes. Then comes the groans of protest at being asked to do ANYTHING.  (They still have to help out though!) Or trying running up to one of them with arms wide open for a hug. I'm actually laughing right now.

On the other hand, we have fun on outings that the older kids now appreciate, such as a great concert or watching a movie that we adults can actually get into.  Most things we do together as a family, but it's a treat to break them up by age group from time to time.  Where are the pictures of the older boys? Well, that's another thing they don't like. Being in pictures with their mom. But hey! Here's a picture of me and the back of Ethan's head. ;)

I'm done. Said middle schooler is obnoxiously singing in the background.  Horrible closing. I may fix this tomorrow. I may not.

Chrissy

Pose inspired by Lecrae and Tedashii - I try.