So let's talk about wardrobe essentials that you will love living in this summer. Make all the memories, sister! And while you do, stay cute, stay comfy. Right?
Starting with the piece that most outfits are built upon, let's chat tops. In the summer, tops absolutely must be lightweight, flowy, hide all the pools of sweat, and not add to said "pools". Here are my top picks for building a strong foundation for your wardrobe:
1) Clark Hi-Low Tank - a girl can never have enough stripes. And black and white stripes? Forget it, the best neutral. Take it from casual to chic depending on what you pair it with! This look never goes out of style.
2) Layla Chambray Tank - when I think of summer, I think of this top. If you're asking me, chambray is another classic neutral. And this one, I can't even with all of the details. But most importantly, the a-line cut and lightweight fabric won't be stuffy and clingy in the summer heat. Sign. Me. Up.
3) Jane Eyelet Top - the dreamiest for those fun summer occasions. Concerts, trips to the farmer's market, your best girl's birthday brunch. And white eyelet is timeless! No doubt every closet needs a little of this classic touch.
4) Brielle Babydoll Tank - it's grey. Nuff said? No, but really. A babydoll tank is a flattering and breezy way to stay comfy in the summer heat. And grey goes with everything. E-very-thing.
5) Elodie Ruffle Tee - a fun twist on a basic white tee, this top takes any simple style up a notch. And it goes with anything! Shorts, skirts, pants, overalls. All of the above. Plus it's breathable. Yes, (pretty) please.
6) Jeter Baseball Tee - for all the fun that's to be had this summer, this little gem is a delight. There's nothing wrong with living your summer days in a comfy tee, especially one that has just the right about of detail to keep it feeling special. Need something for fireworks on the 4th? Here she is.
Summertime means accepting all adventures thrown your way. And to do that most comfortably, some adorably cute and comfortable shorts are a must. Here are some suggestions for every day wear:
7) Palmer Boyfriend Shorts - what is summer without your favorite pair of denim shorts to live in?!? Whether you pair them with your favorite graphic tee, or dress them up with a casual blouse, these will go with you to all of the places, experiencing all the things. Cheers to that.
8) Saylor Mom Shorts - every summer wardrobe needs some white denim. The side slits make these little gals too much fun and absolutely add to their comfort and practicality. The distressing on these cute gals make them easy to dress up or down all summer long.
9) Jaime Drawstring Shorts - looking for a pair of shorts that will take you from pool time to nap time to work-from-home time to park time to road trip time? Here you have them. The dreamiest fabric, the must comfortable cut.
In summertime, keep your footwear simple and versatile! Choosing styles that can easily go from day to night takes the fuss out of getting dressed. Have a pair of brown sandals and black sandals and you're set no matter the outfit! Here are two comfy and cute options:
10) Kendra Leather Slides - lightweight and simple for the style-win! These girls will pair with anything from your jean shorts to your favorite dress. We love a shoe that works for you!
11) Giada Leather Slides - since this season is all about going out and having fun, comfort is key! These cuties check all the boxes. Great neutral, cushioned insole, real leather, and easily stay on your feet.
For those summer concerts and girl's nights out, grab a few comfortable rompers and dresses to spice things up. I'm not sure there's a season where dresses are more appealing than the hot days of summer. Quite possibly the best way to stay cool. And rompers...sister...one piece and you're golden. Here are some versatile options that feel special but that are also practical for every day.
12) Shiloh Tank Dress - your LBD for the summer. This girl feels like wearing you're wearing a favorite tank, but can easily take you from hanging at home to a date night out. The perfect blend of casual chic. Yes, honey.
13) Brandy Button Up Romper - the magical romper that flatters every figure. This fabric is a dream and the functioning buttons make wearing it a a breeze. Plus, it's nursing friendly! That's what I'm talking about, momma.
14) Alice Tie Dress - we're not sure it gets much better than a sweet little dress like this. Wear it to a backyard party, a late graduation celebration, for family photos, or to your favorite foodie spot with the fam. The silhouette is to die for and the functioning buttons and ties make it nursing friendly and easily adjustable for any height!
Happy summer-ing, sister.
xx, Crystal
]]>Let's hop into the studio and play a little dress up, shall we?!
That's 40+ looks right there! Wow! And honestly, I think I missed some. Plus, you can style each piece individually, and you've got even more! I'm telling you, this capsule is a miracle worker for your wardrobe.
xx,
Crystal
]]>No girl likes having to pack away her favorite summer dresses when the seasons change. So I'm here with some easy suggestions on what and how to layer some fall pieces over your dresses to keep them around a little bit longer! Let's get started!
For starters, I'm going to use my go-to Anders Gingham Dress (hello, beautiful fall color!) for all of my style inspo.
1) Grab an oversized sweater (this one is actually the top of a sweater set!), toss it on over your dress, and tie it up to create a flattering silhouette!
2) Chambray all day, if you ask me. I grabbed a favorite of mine, buttoned it up, and tied a simple knot at my natural waist. You could mimic this look with any button up though!
3) A simple tee does the trick for those warmer fall days! Solid (like this) or a graphic tee are an adorable choice!
4) For this look, place a belt around your natural waist and simply tuck the front of a sweater (like this) into it as if you were tucking it into a skirt! Brilliant!
5) Nothing says cozy like a yummy flannel! You can't go wrong by grabbing a button up (like this) and leaving it open like a cardigan. I. love. this. look.
6) Neutrals are a total breeze to pair together. So what about a lightweight utility jacket (like this) one for those cooler mornings? Cute, tho.
7) And lastly, dress it up for a night out with a denim jacket (like this) or a classic blue wash! This outfit belongs in every wardrobe.
Wasn't that easy?!
xx,
Crystal
]]>
I spent an afternoon in the studio seeing just how many styles I could come up with and I think this little gallery will speak for itself.
And to think, I probably missed some just because there are literally so many pairings to consider! Jaw drop. Am I right?! Shop the AC Fall Capsule here!
xx,
Crystal
]]>
Here are 4 ways to elevate your look with your favorite basic tee:
1) For the most e-x-t-r-a of extra, grab both sides of the front of your tee, one side in each hand. Then tie these two sides in a simple knot and pull the sides through, adjusting as needed. I love this fun take on a front knot! Definitely feels special.
2) An old school knot is still in! To make it even more current, tie the knot in the front of your tee instead of on the side. Simply grab one handful at the front of your tee and tie your knot. The tip is to make sure that you don't have a ton of extra fabric hanging out of the knot. If you do, wrap the fabric back over the knot or tuck it inside.
3) For a long tunic tee, like the Jennifer, I like to take one side of the tee, twist it around a couple of times and then tuck that twisted roll into the side of the front of my jeans. This is an easy way to make sure your tee stays nicely tucked throughout the day.
4) If you're styling a lightweight tee, completely transform your look by tucking it all the way in! We love this look best with some high rise denim like the Sonnies. Add some slides or heeled booties + a couple of necklaces and you're ready for a date night out!
To watch me in action creating all of these looks, click the picture below!
xx,
Crystal
]]>
1) Monday: Pair her with your Whitley Pocket Tee and your Sonnie Girlfriend Jeans. Nothing beats a textured layer over your basic white tee. For a late summer look, add your favorite leather slides!
2) Tuesday: Pair her with your Rocco Cropped Tee and some white denim (pictured here is vintage AC). We heart mixing different whites and a bolder neutral. This look never goes out of style.
3) Wednesday: Pair her with your Bonnie Pocket Tee, some white distressed jeans, and your clogs for the perfect never-want-to-say-good-bye-to-summer kind of style. Proof that a rich brown pairs beautifully with a grey-blue tee!
4) Thursday: Pair her with your Denver Pocket Tank, your Asher Shorts, and an easy sandal! For cooler days, replace your shorts with jeans and your sandals with sneaks and you're golden!
5) Friday: Pair her with your Lewis Jeans, the Axel Ribbed Tank, and a comfy shoe for date night out or date night in! A look that can literally take you from the carpool line to your bestie's birthday dinner. We love that.
6) Saturday: Pair her with your Clark Hi-Lo Tank, Hamilton Jeans, and a fun shoe like the Leos for a fun mix of pattern and texture. Need a cute work-from home look? This one does it effortlessly!
7) Sunday: Pair her with the Naomi Tee Shirt Dress and bam! Sunday morning never looked cuter. Or felt more comfortable! Be comfy and cute for church and happy to wear your look all day!
For more style inspo, follow along in our stories weekly for tons of ideas on how to shop for styles that make getting dressed each morning a joy!
xx,
Crystal
]]>There are a lot of reasons your Mother's Day might be hard this year (maybe it's been hard for years, even). I don't have to name your grief here for it to be valid. But I'll take a stab at a few that I've known first-hand either in my own life or in the life of women I love.
I'm still in the thick of some of this with you. I don't claim to "be on the other side." Some grief lingers for days, months, even a whole lifetime. But I'd still love to encourage you with the reminder of the One who is in it with you. Who does not leave you or forsake you, no matter what circumstances and the enemy may try to tell you. The One who entered our brokeness, made it His own, and is not only pointing the way Home, but gently guiding our every step with love and care.
One of the most healing things any of us can do is allow ourselves to grieve what should not be (or have been). I'm learning to do this now, so I'm not speaking as an expert. But through some intense therapy I'm learning that acknowledging the pain and sadness of my own story does not cloud or diminish His goodness in my life. Instead, it magnifies it. Turning my head from the gaping wound as I limp along inhibits me from running the race set before me. The first work is to acknowledge the pain.
As I've been processing my own grief this year a dear friend encouraged me to read Dark Clouds Deep Mercies: Discovering the Grace of Lament, by Mark Vroegop. I highly recommend this book to anyone walking through suffering. It has given me some tools to practice lamenting the pain in life and then turning my lament to trust and praise. In it he says,
"...every lament is prayer. A statement of faith. Lament is the honest cry of a hurting heart wrestling with the paradox of pain and the promise of God's goodness."
Psalm 13 is a beautiful example of lament turned to trust and praise.
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
We can be certain that when we take our lament to Him, by the power of His Spirit He will tune our hearts towards His goodness and even though our circumstances may have not changed, He will cause us to praise.
I'd love to point your eyes to four truths for grieving hearts this Mother's Day. If you are not in a season of grieving, maybe you know someone who is and can encourage the hope found in His Word.
1) For those still longing to be mothers: (due to infertility, pregnancy loss, disrupted adoptions, or you're still praying for the husband with whom you hope to start a family)
Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him. It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-26
2) For those who've lost a mother in your life or even your own child:
For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying:
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters;
I will sing hymns to you in the congregation.
Again, I will trust in him. And again, Here I am with the children God gave me.
Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. Hebrews 2:10-15
3) For those who've who's relationships are strained and painful:
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. Revelation 21:4-6
4) For those desiring to honor a first momma/adopted child relationship: a prayer to pray for each of them
I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:16-21
“At some point in the future, the final word will be spoken. God is going to intervene, and lament is one of the ways we defiantly say, 'This is not over!' In fact, the pain that causes lament can create a longing for the future like nothing else." - Dark Clouds Deep Mercies, Mark Vroegop
Come, Lord Jesus, come. Until them, we wait with Hope.
xx,
Crystal
From this family of sisters! Scriptures the Lord has used to encourage your hearts in this area or scriptures you have used to encourage and pray for others.
You are good, and you do what is good;
teach me your statutes. Psalm 119:68
For the Lord God is a sun and shield.
The Lord grants favor and honor;
he does not withhold the good
from those who live with integrity. Psalm 84:11
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
A person’s steps are established by the Lord,
and he takes pleasure in his way.
Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed,
because the Lord supports him with his hand.
I have been young and now I am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned
or his children begging for bread.
He is always generous, always lending,
and his children are a blessing. Psalm 37:23-26
Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
you understand my thoughts from far away.
You observe my travels and my rest;
you are aware of all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue,
you know all about it, Lord.
You have encircled me;
you have placed your hand on me.
This wondrous knowledge is beyond me.
It is lofty; I am unable to reach it. Psalm 139:1-6
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so I long for you, God.
I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while all day long people say to me,
“Where is your God?”
I remember this as I pour out my heart:
how I walked with many,
leading the festive procession to the house of God,
with joyful and thankful shouts.
Why, my soul, are you so dejected?
Why are you in such turmoil?
Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him,
my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:1-5
For he has satisfied the thirsty
and filled the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9
Rest in God alone, my soul,
for my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock.
My refuge is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts before him.
God is our refuge. Selah Psalm 62:5-8
The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
he saves those crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Well isn't this a welcome update! I've been dreaming of a day that we could have a cozy, inviting set for our try ons at AC! A simple backdrop allows the clothes to shine! Which allows you to envision them as part of your own wardrobe!
Since she's all nice and pretty, for now, I thought I'd give you a little tour and share with you where I got each piece!
First, I knew I needed a simple, solid rug. I didn't want a pattern that would be distracting or that would clash with clothes as our team tried them on. Although I love the casualness of a natural fiber rug, I thought it might get a little too much traffic in the studio and wear out quickly. So for now, I grabbed this one and I think it's perfect!
I also knew I needed something to add a little hight to the background. In walks this beaut that a friend of mine recommended. She doesn't add too much bulk, has a beautiful muted green, and the best part about her...her price! I may add these throughout our house!
Of course with the perfect faux tree, I needed a little basket. I found this one at Target and she does the job well. I love that she doesn't take up too much floor space and that she's sturdy enough to withstand some moving throughout the studio. Technically she's a "wastebasket," but i'd like to think we gave her a little more refined job around the studio.
Next, I knew I wanted a gorgeous chair but didn't want to pay a high price. Once again, Target to the rescue. She's just stunning! I'm not sure that I would use her in our home because I have a feeling wild children would destroy her woven back, but in a space that's just for us ladies, she's more than perfect. I loved the price, and the assembly was super easy! Note: 2 weeks later and this gal is no longer available at target. But I did find it on another site! Although she's a little pricier in her new location.
And as always, even the best chair needs an accessory. You guessed it, Target. It's just how I like my own accessories. Simple, small, understated. But necessary!
And finally, the studio was in desperate need of a good clothing rack. I wanted a black one that would stand out a bit against the light walls in the studio. And I think I found just the right one. It's definitely an upgrade from our inexpensive white ones from Ikea. There's no doubt in my mind this girl can confidently hold a number of styles. That's exciting.
I may find myself changing this space slightly in the coming years. Maybe I'll get a wild hair to update the rug or pillow eventually, but I'm 100% pleased with this little space right now!
Thanks for touring around with me! It's a joy to have you here!
xx,
Crystal
]]>So from my dearest Katie, to you. Enjoy!
For cake:
2 c cake flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 c granulated sugar, 1/2 cup set aside.
1 c sour cream, room temperature 1 box vanilla pudding mix
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature (soft, but not melted)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
6 large egg whites, room temperature (do not use pasteurized eggs)
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line or heavily spray three 6” baking pans.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt with 1 cup granulated sugar.
3. Mix the dry ingredients on low for 30 sec to evenly distribute.
4. With the mixer on low, add half the sour cream and mix in the butter one tbsp at a time.
5. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. With the mixer on low, add the remaining sour cream and vanilla.
6. Increase the speed to medium and beat 3-4 minutes until the batter is light/whipped. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure there are no pockets of unmixed batter.
7. In another bowl, whip the egg whites on medium high until they form soft peaks. Turn the mixer to medium low and slowly add the other 1/2 cup sugar. Return to medium speed and whip the whites to stiff peaks.
8. Fold the whites into the cake base in 3 parts, folding until there are no streaks of egg white. Divide the batter evenly between pans.
9. Bake 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
For icing (from Crisco):
2/3 c Crisco all-vegetable shortening 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp salt 4 c powdered sugar 5-6 tbsp milk
1) beat shortening, vanilla, and salt in large bowl with mixer on high until fluffy 2) add powdered sugar and beat on sow, gradually adding milk until blended 3) beat on high until smooth and creamy, approximately 3 min
For presentation:
Grab a simple salad plate, some sparkler candles, and get your celebration on!
Happy baking!
Katie V. (dear friend of Crystal's and guest blogger!)
]]>
Capsule wardrobes aren't for everyone, I get it. I personally love capsule "styles," because of the simplicity that they bring to my life. But I don't set strict capsule wardrobe guidelines regarding number of pieces, only shopping seasonally, monetary goals, etc. Truly, I don't need to! I'm naturally a purger and a saver. So I inherently limit myself and don't keep around what I don't love. But if you find yourself needing some guidelines, go for it girl! The point of a capsule, at it's very core, is simplicity. So if shopping guidelines reduce stress and pointless spending, do what you go gotta do.
When considering a new piece, I ask myself a few questions to decide if it's a piece I'm going to love! Not just love owning it, but love *wearing* it. So as you begin shopping to refresh your spring wardrobe, use these questions as a guide to help you determine what styles are worth your investment. Because when you shop purposefully for your wardrobe, it serves you, instead of you serving it.
Question 1: Does it fit into three or four of the shades that most flatter my skin/hair tone for this season? These shades can change from spring to winter, but it's super helpful to build a foundation for your wardrobe with the few colors you love to wear the most. If I really love the style, but the answer to question #1 is "no," I ask myself if it coordinates with my foundational colors for that season. If the answer is still "no," I'm not likely to purchase it unless I have an intended purpose for it (a special occasion like a wedding, vacation, party, etc). If the answer is yes, then I consider how it answers question two!
Question 2: Does this style work cohesively with most, if not all, of the other styles in my wardrobe? For instance, when considering a top, will this piece easily go with most of the bottoms (jeans, skirts, shorts, jumpsuits) in my wardrobe. If a certain top requires special attention by necessitating the purchase of a particular bottom, that's an easy "no." You don't find simplicity in buying something just to have to buy something. Unless that something will go with almost everything else in your closet!
Questions 3: Is this style timeless, or is it so trendy that I will likely only get one or two seasons of wear out of it? Just because a piece is "timeless" doesn't mean that it isn't on trend. You should look for styles that are both! But some *trends* are not *timeless.* You feel me? A piece is timeless in both color, fit, and fabric. So stick to some beautiful, easy to pair neutrals, with simple cuts and quality fabric. I think you'll find that styles falling into these categories will be in your closet for years instead of months.
Question 4: Is this style versatile? Can it be dressed up or down, taking me from day to night? Or you might ask yourself, can it be worn at work and home? No one wants or needs to have a costume change with every change in activity. So fill your wardrobe with pieces that allow you to do all of the things in life that mean the most to you, only making minor changes, perhaps, like shoes or jewelry. Styles that are considered "versatile" for you may change depending on seasons of life. But when you can, avoid having different wardrobes for different purposes.
Question 5: Is this piece a quality that is worth investing in because it will last through many wears and potential washings? There might be a time and a place for our big box tee or pjs. But for the most part, you'll find that buying quality pieces (even if the price tag is a little higher) pays for itself because the styles last longer. So in addition to being able to wear your styles more because they work cohesively together and give you versatility throughout your day, you'll be able to love them longer because they won't be falling apart! Maybe this is a lesson age has taught me...you do, indeed, get what you pay for.
Cheers to cute clothes and the simple life!
xx,
Crystal
]]>
Recently I added the Rowen Textured Top to my wardrobe and I was immediately inspired to figure out just one way I could style this cutie in every season of the year. Truthfully, t was hard to choose just ONE styling idea for each season but I forced myself to comply to my own styling game and I'm so pleased with my final choices
I hope this inspires you to look through your closet and get creative! No need to pack everything away when seasons change. Enjoy some of your favorites throughout the year!
Spring:
A lightweight, oversized top screams seasonal transition piece, if you ask me. I can't get enough of the Rowan with a relaxed fitting knit pant and some easy clogs. This look is good whether you're lounging at home, heading out to brunch with your best gals, or hitting an anniversary dinner with your main squeeze. Comfort *may not* have ever looked cuter. For a special day out, add the Canyon Wide Brim Hat for extra style.
Summer:
If you're anything like me, even in the heat of summer you heart a lightweight layer for indoors or even outdoors on a cool night. Pair the Rowan with your favorite shorts and oh. sweet. summertime. Might I suggest something like a linen or chambray bottom for extra comfort? If you want to leave the house in this little number, add some cute sandals, a dressy necklace, a leather bag like the Cece and call it cute. Gracious who doesn't love something this comfy and cute.
Fall:
I love pairing unexpected basics. And in this case, why not put the Kelly Pocket Hoodie under the Rowan for just enough warmth in the fall temps? You can even tie her up for a different silhouette. And if you really wanted, you could add a cozy jacket over this set! This is called making your basics work for you. And we need our wardrobe to work *for* us instead of *against* us, amen? Add your favorite cozy denim and you're more than ready for fall.
Winter:
The amazing thing about a top like the Rowan (there are many, but I'll just keep it to this one) is that you can layer over or under. I decided to add a little color and pattern to a winter look by topping the Rowan off with a plaid top and some easy black jeans like my Brenners. Lastly, add some boots and a little crossbody clutch and winter has got nothing on you. Plus, when you come inside from the bitter temps, you can easily take off your outer layers and stay cozy with this gal.
Get to styling, sis! A closet full of basics gives you options galore. Which means less brainwork, more fun.
xx,
Crystal
]]>
So let's get started! And, please, don't mind my awkward posing. These are screen shots from a video. And this is how I roll.
1) For a fun layer that adds some texture, toss a collared top (long or short sleeve) underneath! Whether it's a flannel or a lightweight spring knit like I paired with the Carmen here, this is such an easy way to add length and totally change it up! And my favorite light wash casual jeans were a must.
2) For a really cozy style that's easily transitions to warmer temps, layer the Carmen with a top like the Kelly Pocket Hoodie! When the temps warm in the spring afternoons, simply take the Carmen off and your set!
3) Want to dress my previous look up a bit? Change out of your more casual mom jeans and put on a pair of dressier black denim like the Brenner Skinny Jeans. It's crazy how quickly this dresses a top up! From day to night, girlfriend! Those are the best kind of styles.
5) The Carmen doesn't really need help looking adorable, so to let her shine like she was created to, give her a little front tuck in your favorite denim or pants and call it a day! And no, my fly is not undone here, although I recognize that is looks as though it is. Cheers.
5) You don't have to keep it too basic! Her cut and color pair effortlessly with your go-to maxi or midi skirt! Hey hey girls night out! This look is keeping us comfy while not sacrificing the cute. And for that, we thank you, Carmen, girl.
6) Got a spring/summer jumpsuit or casual dress hanging in your closet that you want to wear *all* the seasons? I got you girl. Layer the carmen over her and you're golden. If you want to give her a front tuck and your dress or jumpsuit doesn't have a belt, add one! You can also add a sports bra over said jumpsuit/dress and tuck a sweater into the front for the same look! Life hack for you right there.
7) I love a sweater that works for multiple seasons of the year. My favorite casual spring look for the Carmen is to toss her over a lightweight tank and pair it with my casual denim. A look like this is a dream for transitioning seasons! My take-me-to-the-beach-please kind of look.
8) Needing a spring outfit but want to look a little more "put-together?" A tank, some white shorts, and the Carmen tied around your shoulder. Absolutely a must-do for the spring season. I smell a back yard family party, do you?
9) And last but not least, she's my favorite gal to pair with my active wear. Morning or evening walks this spring and summer? She's a no brainer. Lightweight, breezy, relaxed fit. Just what you need for a little work out cover up.
Have fun and get creative! Think outside the box and feel the freedom to make styles your own!
xx,
Crystal
]]>The family I had the privilege of marrying into is so stinking special. And Christmas is one of the many times throughout the year that their uniqueness is highlighted to me! Why so special, and why during Christmas, you ask? Girlfriend, let me tell you.
Besides the fact that this Columbian family can COOK (my tummy is grumbling just with the thought of it), they give experiences instead of "things"! So as nearly 20 of us gather together at a log cabin in the mountains of Tennessee this year (I promise, every one is doing their part to come healthy and germ free) instead of exchanging way too many gifts of material things that won't matter much to us this time next year, we'll work on creating memories with and for each other.
The advantages to this kind of gifting include (but are not limited to):
1) the potential for money savings
2) decreased stress trying to pick the perfect gift for people who already have more than they need
3) fostering a heart and mindset that dispel the lie that "things" make a heart content and happy
4) the collective creativity within each family as you come up with your gift experience each year
5) the time spent present and engaged with one another, instead of individually enjoying a gifted "thing"
Here are some ideas that you can give as experiences when you're gathered together this Christmas!
1) Gingerbread House Competition: Organize everyone into teams, provide the necessary building supplies, and let everyone have at it! Set a timer, and at the end, have 1 or 2 people (that were not on teams...maybe this is you if you are the gift giver) be the judge! You can judge based on creativity, execution, and presentation! Winning team gets a prize like a box of gingerbread cookies and some cider!
2) Scavenger Hunt: Once again, organize everyone into teams. The scavenger hunt can take place in your town, in your neighborhood, or just in your home! First team to complete the scavenger hunt wins some yummy snacks to refuel after their hard work. This will take a little prep time but so worth it.
3) Christmas Movie Night: This one couldn't be easier. Have everyone vote on a movie and you secure the means of watching it. Provide individual popcorn, cokes, and candy, as if you were in a theater (this is movie night 2020 edition).
4) Cookie Decorating Lessons: If you've got any skill like this, or even if you don't (hello YouTube), buy the necessary things for everyone to decorate cookies. It's easy to shove a bunch of different cookies on a baking sheet or two and toss it in the over. Once done, enjoy partaking in everyone's creations! You can even award prizes for creativity, taste, or mastery.
5) Christmas Light Viewing: Map out a Christmas light tour route, or find a light show in your area, grab travel cups, hot chocolate, a music playlist, and pile up in the car for a night of dazzling! This is easy, inexpensive, and fun for any age.
6) Christmas Shirt Decorating: Instead of ugly Christmas sweaters, buy solid tee shirts or sweatshirts from Walmart, and all of the annoying craft supplies. Make a spread on the table and let everyone have at it! Once shirts are done and dry, maybe have a fashion show for the entire family. For fun, you can award on craftsmanship, use of supplies, design.
7) Christmas Karaoke: If you need a laugh, this just might be it! It's easy to set up, gets everyone involved, and can bring some Christmas cheer. You can even allow participation in groups! Allow individuals/groups to choose their song early and practice their performance beforehand! Winner gets to choose dinner that night!
8) Minute to Win It Game: A quick google search can give you so many ideas for some Christmas Minute to Win It games. Once again, many laughs, not much expenditure, all ages can be involved, and something everyone can look forward to! I can't recommend this enough.
Giving the gift of experience can look different for each family. We only gift these experiences every other year as we are together (the off years we all send pretty little Christmas cards and virtual hugs and kisses). But this tradition can even be done from a distance!
Some ideas for distance experience giving:
1) A yearly membership to the zoo (obviously ideal for families with children)
2) Send a movie with a box of goodies to enjoy a movie night
3) Send a bag of yummy bread mix, some specialty tea, and some new tea cups for a homemade tea time
4) DoorDash or Postmates a meal from their favorite restaurant
5) Send some supplies to make gingerbread houses as a family!
Have fun getting creative! I guarantee this kind of giving will create memories that will last for years to come. Twenty years from now when you are getting together, you likely won't remember the gifts wrapped under the tree, but you will be talking about that hilarious sweatshirt Uncle Bob decorated and won the fashion show with. Yeeeess. Too good to miss out on, sis.
xx, Crystal
]]>Meet our Christmas Manger! We DIYed this little thing several years ago as we were preparing for our first Christmas with little ones in our family. My husband is relatively good with DIY woodwork so he created something himself. But I found this video that gives you step-by-step instructions to make something very similar to what we have. You could even use pallet wood to save on cost!
I knew I wanted Jesus to be the center of our celebration and not the presents under the tree. Let's face it - we're swimming a bit up stream for our culture, so I knew it would require some intentionality. But I was sure of this: "things" don't bring everlasting joy, a person does. And that person is Jesus! So as we pray that our hearts are drawn towards the anticipation of His arrival, and not the arrival of gifts under the tree, this seemed like an exciting tradition to start with kids.
Side (but very important) note: This tradition in your home is an opportunity for you to offer representation of other races for your family! Although we can't be completely sure what skin tone Jesus had as a baby, we can be pretty sure he wasn't a pale, blonde haired, blue eyed little one. To paint a more accurate picture for your family of a Savior with darker skin, grab a baby doll like this one!
We choose to keep gifts hidden, and not displayed under the tree, until later on Christmas day. Instead, we display our empty manger under the tree throughout Advent. Specifically, I love placing it under the tree for three reasons.
On Christmas Eve night, after we have our Feast for The King and partake of some birthday cake in honor of his anticipated arrival, we gather around the manger, everyone in their new Christmas jammies, and sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel. It's a precious time as we look to Him for our Joy and our Rescue. Repetition, repetition. This is what our hearts need! So every effort is made to remind us who this celebration is truly about!
On Christmas morning, we place our stand-in baby Jesus in the manger before little ones wake. After eating breakfast (because little kids and hungry bellies), we gather around the manger, read the story of His birth found in Luke 2:1-20, and sing O Come, Let us Adore Him. I dare you to not get weepy as you sing (either alone, with your roomie, or with your family of 7). After weeks of anticipating this day, we celebrate that He kept His promise. And He made a way! No more darkness. The Light of the World has come. Then we bring out presents and have some fun with some of the physical things He gives us to enjoy.
There are other ways to incorporate the manger into your daily Advent time this year. For instance, we love to allow our older kids to put "straw" (aka: hay) in the manger every evening of December after we read our daily scriptures. This aids little hearts (and big) in remembering that we are preparing for His arrival. That we are watching, waiting, and awake. And too, it's a picture of a believer's heart as we await His second Advent! He came once, He'll keep His Word and return again, dear one. Are we ready?
]]>You've got lots of to-dos on your list this time of year. So to help you mark one thing off your list, I've curated a few outfit ideas that are perfect for a 2020 at-home Christmas.
Add to cart, toss it on, grab your people (kiddos, hubbie, roomie) and get the party started! I can't think of a more appropriate year to rejoice in the Hope that we have. This world is not our home, sister. And to make sure of that, Jesus came down, Emmanuel, God with us. Cheers to that.
Little Black Top
For a bit of a fancier at-home look, pair a dressy black top like the Blythe Ruffle Top with a pair of casual black jeans like the Brenner Skinny Jeans and you've taken your Christmas celebration up a notch! Bonus: even if you are the one prepping for your holiday meal, black hides all of the messes;) Double bonus, black goes with eeeeeverything. So this won't the only time you find yourself tossing on these two wardrobe staples.
Colorful Statement Top
A top that feels comfortable enough for ever day but has that special touch will help you to feel like you are can conquer your hosting duties with ease without any wardrobe fuss. I love the Tabitha Detail Top paired with a gorgeous jean like the Brenners. There's no better time of the year to add a little color to your closet and fit right in with your holly and mistletoe!
Perfect Neutral Sweater
Celebrating can often require long hours and some hard work. Can I suggest that it's never wrong to be comfy? Meet the Holland Cable Knit Sweater. She couldn't be softer and she's the perfect neutral to go with most anything in your closet. When the day is done, trust your girl when I tell you everyone will want to cozy up next to you on the couch for your favorite Christmas movie. One vote here for The Holiday.
Soft and Stretchy Sweater
Clearly I have a theme here. But hear me out. Being able to host your people effortlessly is worth everything. The Stella Mock Neck Sweater is timeless, simple, and chic. The trifecta of perfect style, if you ask me. As always, she goes beautifully with your favorite jeans or over your go-to dress! Pull your hair up in a little bun, where your favorite statement jewelry, and girl, you got this. Don't blame me if you never want to take this cute, comfy girl off.
Comfy Staple Dress
If you're feeling really festive, why not toss on a favorite dress? It's easy to take a spring/summer fave straight into the holiday season just by adding a simple layer! This look is a no brainer. The Alice Tie Dress with our Dawson Denim Jacket. Staying home this Christmas season doesn't have to mean that our celebrating is any less beautiful and special. In fact, it might even be more of an encouragement to make this year one to remember.
For more styling ideas of my holiday faves, check out this short video:)
xx,
Crystal
]]>So I thought I'd throw together 3 different ways to styles the Crews this fall. And to make it even easier, I just grabbed all four of our new arrivals this week! But TBH, the options are endless. Literally a style I could wear 20+ ways. For now, I'll spare you a blog post that long, but I may be back;)
1) A sweater under overalls is a trendy, but totally doable style. Even for this momma! There's no reason to put your Crews away when the weather is frigid. Just add a chunky layer and voila! The Darcy Detail Sweater is an obvious YES. But any neutral or stripe will work perfectly!
2) Next up paired her with our Keller Flannel Top. Can. It. Get. Any. Cuter?! Doubtful. For even more warmth, add a thermal underneath your flannel and youre good for a brisk day outside. Lesson: button ups and overalls are a match made in stylish heaven.
3) For a casual, stay-at-home look, layer your Crews with a short or long sleeve tee and then toss the Jade Belted Cardigan on with it! I could live a thousand lifetimes in this comfy look. Have I ever mentioned that basics do wanders for your wardrobe (wink, wink)?
Truly I could keep this going forever. Over the next few months its likely I'll pair these cuties with a cozy sweatshirt, a fitted turtleneck, and maybe even a hoodie! The sky is the limit, girlfriend.
And for the cherry on top, you can *never* go wrong with our Sophia Clogs. And I mean NEVER!
xx,
Crystal
]]>If you're doing a little last minute planning for your 4th of July gathering, we thought we'd toss together a few styles that will give you all the comfort and aaaaaall the cute this holiday weekend!
1) A semi casual look is easily attainable with our Valerie Paper Bag Shorts and Demi Textured Top. Add our Seamless U-V Neck Tank, Giada Leather Slides, and Lennox Fedora Hat for the finishing touches! We love a look that looks pulled together but doesn't feel stiff and impractical. An elastic waistband and oversized top are key!
2) For a classic, summer style, try our Jane Eyelet Top and Palmer Boyfriend Shorts! Mixing a dressier top with a distressed short is an easy way to make the day special but not over-do it. Add our Kendra Leather Slides and you have the perfect outfit!
3) If super casual is your thing (and we don't knock that!), then you may love our Jeter Baseball Tee paired with our Saylor Mom Shorts. Quite possibly the most comfortable way to spend your day! Top your outfit off with the Elliot Baseball Hat and Giada Leather Slides for easy, all day style!
4) If you're spending your day with a little classier crowd, we can't imagine a more perfect number than the Emma Striped Midi Dress. Nice enough to wear on a special occasion but can easily be dressed down with your favorite sandals (Giada Leather Slides seen here) and an adorable hat like the Lennox Fedora Hat. Classic ivory and navy stripes give us all of the American summer vibes.
Thank you for letting us be a part of your 4th of July and every other day!
xx,
Crystal
]]>Mother's Day is just around the corner and many of us are already considering how we'll tell the women in our lives just how much we love them! I know this can be a complicated and painful holiday for so many reasons. Whether you have a broken relationship with your own mother, have prayed for children longer than you can remember, grieve the heartache of one or more of your children's first mommas (or you are a first mommma), or maybe you simply long for a spouse and one day a growing family. I'm praying for you! I'm hoping and trusting that you can find Joy in the midst of your pain. When we seek Him, He can be found, sister.
]]>Mother's Day is just around the corner and many of us are already considering how we'll tell the women in our lives just how much we love them! I know this can be a complicated and painful holiday for so many reasons. Whether you have a broken relationship with your own mother, have prayed for children longer than you can remember, grieve the heartache of one or more of your children's first mommas (or you are a first mommma), or maybe you simply long for a spouse and one day a growing family. I'm praying for you! I'm hoping and trusting that you can find Joy in the midst of your pain. When we seek Him, He can be found, sister.
Here are a few simple gift ideas for you this Mother's Day:
For your mom/grandmother:
-Send flowers from somewhere like Urban Stems. Can I just say their stuff is stu-nning. If you can't deliver flowers from your own fresh cut garden (that's me!), these are the next best thing!
-Schedule a date with just the two of you! Even in this season of staying at home, book a FaceTime date! Paint your nails and talk together as you do. Grab a cup of coffee/tea and chit chat the night away! Maybe even come up with some specific questions you'd love to learn about her! If now isn't the best time, plan a brunch date this summer and treat her to something yummy!
-Make a photobook from somewhere like Chatbooks. If you select "Standard Photobook" you can choose photos from any source and customize the edits, no instagram needed! Whether it's pics of just you and her, your whole family throughout the years, some old photos from her childhood...the options are endless! This is a gift she can keep forever!
For your sister/friend:
-A year subscription to a service like Instacart. Seriously, this is magic for a mom with kids at home. Truly a gift that keeps on giving!
- A gel nail kit for doing her nails at home! Even if we *could* get out of the house to get our nails done, it's hard to find the time, and the cost adds up! Plus, this is easy to do at home and affords your best girl some alone time to do something for herself!
-Gift Card to her favorite local coffee shop or even the closest Starbucks! Maybe she isn't getting out now, but the hustle will pick up again in the coming months and when it does she can enjoy a little pick-me-up. Or you can go ahead and make plans to finally get together and catch up on your newly found homeschooling skills!
For your daughter:
-The Daughter earrings from Dear Mushka. These little studs are simple, sweet, and come with a verse card reminding us of our Father's love and acceptance of us. I need that reminder every day. You??
-A New Morning Mercies Devotional by Paul David Tripp. A dear friend gifted me this when I was expecting our fourth child. It's an easy read packed with a ton of truth. Whether you're a mom or not, this is one of the best "devotionals" I've ever come across. Must-have, for sure.
-A design session from someone like @oh_hey_mere. I'm blessed to know Meredith personally and am amazed at her natural design ability! She's currently offering virtual design sessions and hello...who would turn that down?!?! If your daughter dreams of updating a room or two of her home, I think this would be loads of fun. Message Meredith for an inquiry!
For someone longing to be a mother:
-The Encounter necklace from Dear Mushka. I mean really, I could suggest about 23 pieces from her website, but I'll stick with this one for now;) Nothing can give a longing heart more comfort than to be reminded that her prayers are heard, every. single. word.
-Bath bombs for a relaxing moment to herself. A woman's body can go through a lot with the stress of infertility or a long-awaited child through adoption. A gift that will pamper her body would also encourage her soul.
-Write a hand written note, including your prayer for her on Mother's Day and send it in time for her to open that day. From personal experience, I can promise you that women walking this difficult road long to not be forgotten. For their pain to matter. So as awkward or uncomfortable as it may be, reach out. And if she's ready, be a listening ear.
For a first/birth mother:
-The Together necklace from Dear Mushka. This is a total must for both a first momma and an adoptive momma! Get one for each of you and pray for her every time you wear it, praising the One that brought her into your life.
-Gift card from a spa/salon in her area for a little bit of pampering. It's hard for us women to spend time and money on ourselves. So this will be her motivation to make it happen! Just google salons or spas in her home town, check the reviews, purchase a gift card, and send it her way!
-Send her dinner from Door Dash/Grub Hub. Isn't it so nice to have someone else cook for you? If you have an ongoing relationship with her tell her dinner is on you! Ask her what she's hankering and make it happen! You could get really into it and send her breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
For yourself:
-A Gift Card from August Cloth! A lot of mommas are guilty of sprucing up everyone's wardrobe other than their own. If you find it hard to buy something special for yourself, ask your husband, sister, or momma, to help you out! We have gift cards for $25, $50, $75, or $100 and you can send it to any email address you want!
-The Priority rings from Dear Mushka. These are on my DM wishlist and if they aren't on yours, they should be! Get one for each of your kiddos and pray for them as you wear them, specifically asking the Lord to give them hearts that seek Him above all things. They come in gold, rose gold, and silver. Beautiful!
-A Kindle E-Reader. One of my favorite things to do with my time in the evenings is to hop on my Kindle and dive into a good book. And this one is perfect for taking anywhere! I can stash it in my nightstand, away from little hands, or in my purse when I'm out and about. It has traveled with me so many places. And it's a great excuse to step away from the to-do list and relax a little.
I hope you find this gift guide helpful! No matter what you are in, weeping or rejoicing, be encouraged, sister. He is near to you always.
xx,
Crystal
UPDATE: Suggestions from you!
For those who have lost a mom/child:
-Promise Pack from Dear Mushka
-Scripture for Grief Verse Card Set from The Daily Grace Co
-Keeper necklace from Dear Mushka
]]>
Come, let us return to the Lord. For he has torn us, and he will heal us; he has wounded us, and he will bind up our wounds. He will revive us after two days, and on the third day he will raise us up so we can live in his presence. Let us strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land. Hosea 6:1-3
In days when the hustle and bustle is all but removed, when we are face to face with our weakness, there's a sweetness to the assurance that after three days He rose, gifting us with His living presence in our lives. And the promise that He will not only meet us in our need today, but He will come again, "as sure as the dawn." I don't know about you, but maybe now like never before in our lives as Americans we are
So let's celebrate, right?!?! The One who conquered sin *and* death is worthy, He is worthy.
Here are four simple ideas to help you create a precious time of celebrating this Easter as we rejoice that He is alive.
1) For an easy and inexpensive way to add a little Easter truth to your home this year, gather the family and make this quick DIY banner! Hang it up early to enjoy during Lent or Holy week, or save it for the big morning as an added surprise!
Trust me, it's easy!
- Download printable
- Print on your home printer
- Cut along shadowed edges
- Hole punch both top corners of each pendant
- String twine/string through holes
- Hang in a spot for everyone to enjoy or in your kiddo's room!
He Is Risen Easter Pendant Banner
2) Make these de-li-cious Resurrection Rolls on Easter morning! As you make them, read the account of His resurrection in John 19 and pray, thanking Him for His obedience on your behalf and the forgiveness extended to you. If you have children, consider reading this account out of the Jesus Storybook Bible with them!
3) Consider a special Easter menu! Even what we serve at our table that day can point to a Risen Savior. Incorporate your family into the conversation as you discuss the reason for each dish set before them! And then I would encourage you to make some of these a tradition for you to mark this celebration every year!
4) Choose gifts for those you love that encourage their hearts towards Truth! Let's honor the One that is the Giver of this celebration by giving gifts that rejoice in the work He has accomplished on our behalf and for His glory! Here are some easy and affordable ideas:
- For the man in your life: I can't encourage the use of something like this enough! This set simplifies Bible intake and prayer and creates an easy way to toss one book of the Bible into a backpack for quick access at work, a coffee shop, between appointments, etc. Plus it is a great generational/legacy piece that can be passed down to children and grandchildren!
- For the children in your life: TBH, we don't go crazy with Easter gifts. We try to buy one gift for each little one that points them to the true meaning of the day. This year I grabbed this book for our will-be 8-mo-old, this one for our will-be 18-mo-old, this one for our 5 year old, and this one for our 6 year old. Reading to your kids is such a precious time. And I get giddy when it not only encourages their hearts, but mine, in truth!
- For your momma, bestie, sister: Not that we need an excuse to spur our best girls on with love and truth, but I love this necklace for a reminder that He has promised us new life! It's a sweet way to remind ourselves of that promise throughout the year! Or this book, one of my absolute favorites. I can't recommend it enough!
- For yourself: You can't beat a gift that will minister to your heart and mind 365 days a year! A total must. Or this gorgeous Bible for the special spot in your house where you meet with the Lord (even if that means it sits right next to your bed!) This is the at-home study Bible I use and I think you'll love it too! It's got great little study tools throughout!
Praying you find joy in His presence this Easter Sunday. xx, Crystal
]]>To be fair, every time we've moved rooms we've been absolutely sure we had finally found the winning combination. But alas, a growing family, and a growing business, and we're still figuring out what works best.
This time, we've got it. Fingers crossed. And the first room that I'm calling "mostly done" is our little 15 month old man. Let's be real, we need some holes patched, some curtains hemmed, and some paint touched up...but what are the odds that those things will ever happen.
Not only does our budget require it, but we find it kind of fun giving pieces a new life in a new space. Things that once belonged in one room, finding a new home within our walls. That being said, much of his room has been pieced together from pieces we've accumulated over the years (including his crib that once slept our 6 year old...it's not cute, but it works, amen?) with a few newer additions.
Since much of his decor would be considered "vintage" in today's terms, I'm just featuring some of our recent additions that have given his space a fresh feel.
First up: storage! In a small room, good storage is a must. We replaced an old worn out dresser with this find from Ikea. More than enough room for one little dude's belongings. Add a few organizing baskets and we've found space to collect those tiny little socks a bibs. Voila!
Since our family has roots all over the United States, I couldn't resist getting this leather mat from Gathre to hang over his new dresser. It's not only a great learning tool, but I dream of the days we'll point to how God has grown and lead our family. From Alabama, to Virginia, to Texas and Tennessee, God's writing a story and we want to talk about it.
Because we love to encourage reading in our home, I grabbed these wall mounting bookshelves and they are the perfect size for a few of our favorites. We like having books readily available for the taking, but having too many out can quickly clutter a small space. So we store current faves here and more in his closet. Cute, right?
Since we are in the closet, I can't recommend this little piece enough. Perfect height for a toddler's reach, will help him organize his toys (one day...until then, momma's got it), and fits perfectly in a smaller space. I'll be grabbing one of these for our littlest as soon as she's ready.
For the perfect reading nook, this little tent is just the dreamiest. I snagged a few pillows from Target and it's ready for a good snuggly reading sesh. Can I have an adult sized one please???
We make it a priority to have Truth hanging on the walls of our home as a constant reminder to our hearts of what is important. This scripture print from my favorite small shop gal was an absolute must for our little man. I love the simplicity for a little one's room!
There you have it! Some of my favorite little touches our our big man's room. We like keeping it simple and sweet, makes a happier home for all of us! If I haven't previously linked it, chances are it came from Target. What can I say other than...basic.
xx
]]>
It is almost laugh-out-loud funny to me, then, that God called my husband and I to adoption as we prayed about how to grow our family. Any couple’s story can turn into one of waiting, but the adoption process involves a guaranteed wait. First comes the waiting for the home study – doctor’s appointments need to be scheduled, home visits are put on the calendar for weeks or months out, and even just waiting on the time to do all the dang paperwork can feel so frustrating. Every step we took along the way felt like wading through concrete, and every deadline we thought we would be able to hit went flying past, completely out of our control.
Every adoption story is unique, and ours was no different. It took about three years from the first meeting we attended to the day I first laid eyes on the aforementioned baby girl, and the waiting looked so different than I expected...
-We spent months upon months waiting for a phone call.
-We spent weeks waiting for a little boy to be born, only to have him unexpectedly taken from this world when his umbilical cord was wrapped around his little neck during birth.
-After two more adoptions fell-through, we voluntarily took ourselves off the list and waited for the moment when we would be ready again.
-When we finally rejoined the world of officially waiting for adoption, we spent another 6 months with not a single call.
-After we found out about our baby girl, we only had 5 days to wait (read: prepare like crazy!) before we drove to another state to meet her.
-Finally, it took 13 long months for the state to officially declare that Willow shared our last name, over a year after the day she first felt like ‘ours.’
Needless to say, the Lord used all these seasons of waiting to shape and mold me in a way I never expected. What I realized during this time is that my lack of patience is directly tied to my need for control. I wanted to control when the baby came, what my life would look like when that happened, how my husband reacted, and everything in between. My frustration often began in the beautiful place of desiring a family, but quickly morphed into anger when I couldn’t do anything to change the season we walked in from one day to the next.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
The truth of the Gospel slowly unfolded for me during this time. My biggest realization is captured in that 2 Peter verse – the Lord is not slow. At times, it felt like He was slow. It felt like His promises would never be fulfilled. Yet, what captures His promises better than the assurance that we are being “transformed into His image” (2 Corinthians 3:18)? By making me wait, by teaching me that my life and my family were not in my control, God was sanctifying me. I believed that at the end of the journey, I would hold a baby in my arms. But God’s promise was not a healthy baby or even that our family would grow – it was that He would make me more like Him each day.
This gave me hope when we left the hospital empty-handed on a cold January morning, never imagining that our first baby would never take a breath in this world. This gave me peace when a baby promised to us was miscarried – and then it turned out this baby never existed at all. Clinging onto the hope that God’s promise was being fulfilled during the hard times – not just in spite of them – is what carried me through the emotionally and mentally exhausting days when I questioned His goodness.
The truth is, God’s goodness is not only evidenced in our life when He says yes to our prayers and fulfills all of our desires. His goodness is present not because we get what we want or because we are happy. His goodness was so very present during the times of waiting, and I can look back with full assurance that He used our waiting for a holy, sanctifying purpose.
I still struggle with impatience in day-to-day inconveniences, but my attitude towards waiting is no longer “how quickly can I get through this?” Instead, I know that I can take a breath, give thanks for what I have, and ask God to show me why He is asking me to wait, because I have confidence that whatever He is doing is for my good and, above all, for His glory.
Maria is a wedding photographer and digital marketer for small businesses based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. She has been married to her college sweetheart, Nathan, for almost 9 years, and two years ago they brought their feisty and beautiful daughter Willow home through adoption. Nathan and Maria are certified foster parents, gluten-free foodies, and community builders in their local church.
]]>Four years after bringing Titus home, we brought our third son home through adoption and my world was wrecked. Wrecked, I tell you. I won't go into the details here. Most of it is very personal to us, Deacon, and the beautiful woman that gave him life. But suffice it to say, there's no way I could ever be the same.
Adoption...a gift of God's grace to me. He does these things, you know? We think His plans have one purpose and then we see His fingerprints all over our hearts and realize maybe His main purpose was to mold and shape us (me) to look more like Him. Go figure! I'm not there yet, obv. I need this shaping...still.
Enough about me/us. Let's talk about this year's August Days: An Adoption Celebration fundraising tee shirt design!
Fresh off of our second adoption (only a short 9 months ago), the design of our Together Tee this year is a visual depiction of what God has been teaching us over the past few years (and maybe what I've been most receptive to being taught the past 10 months...just the truth, sisters).
You may have noticed that we replaced the "o" in "together" with a triangle. Confused? I'd love to briefly (and humbly) explain. Keep in mind there are much more knowledgeable adoptive parents that could speak a lot more eloquently about this subject. I know better at this point than to act like I'm an expert. But from one (still-learning) adoptive momma, here's what this triangle means to our family and many more.
The Together Tee has a design that is particularly meaningful to adoptive families. This simple triangle depicts the three-sided relationship between the birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees.
1) Birth Parents
Whether the birth parents are known or unknown by the adoptive family, they will always play an incredibly important role in the life of the adoptee and hold a position of honor. The adoptee will forever be connected to his/her birth parents whether through cultural heritage, inherited traits, etc. This is where their story began and it can be celebrated and treasured.
2) Adoptive Parents
I can speak from personal experience that God does a work in adoptive parents' hearts that may seem impossible. He knits our hearts to our adoptive children as if we had carried them for nine months. And as a result, he knits our hearts to their birth parent(s) in an unspeakable way. The degree to which I love each of our sons' first mommas is something I never dreamed possible. Again, grace upon grace.
3) Adoptee
The most important part of the triad, and the ones that bind us all together are the adoptees. These children will forever be united to both families and will spend much of their lives learning to cherish their full story. Their love for both their birth parent(s) and adoptive parents will be unique and neither is in competition with the other.
Although both of our adoptions were domestic and we have the opportunity to communicate with and love our sons' birth moms, the adoption triad is not unique to families adopting domestically. This triad is also just as important a part of international adoptions. It has been a joy of mine to watch dear friends that have adopted internationally, and have never had the opportunity to meet their children's birth parent(s), continually honor the life, love, and decision of their son/daughters birth mothers.
This calling. What an undeserved privilege. Here's to continuing to learn to love and serve well.
Want a Together Tee for yourself, your man, your dear sister friend, or a beloved Birth Mom? Get yours HERE!
]]>
Note: depending on the family and their adoption, it can be overwhelming for the adoptee to have different people bringing meals nightly. One thing that helped us was having a cooler by our front door. Friends would drop the meal off in the cooler and text me to let me know it was there. This helped reduce the stress on my adopted son as we tried to keep his world small during his first few weeks/months home.
Consider how EASY it is to order food delivery through different delivery services (post mates, grub hub, uber eats). Less than ten minutes to order, pick a delivery time, and pay without leaving your house. I love 2019! If making a meal would be difficult, having a meal from a restaurant delivered is just as helpful (and honestly, such a treat for a family in a season when eating out is difficult). One of the sweetest moments post adoption was when a friend texted me long after my meal train was complete to tell me she was having lunch delivered to my home that day. That simple gesture meant the world. That day in particular I needed to be reminded that I was not alone, that the Lord sees me, that He is near, and that meal reminded me of that truth.
*Side note – Meals are so great, but I also love a latte! It can be such a treat on a hard day. Several friends dropped off specialty coffee drinks on my porch and I felt so loved and supported in those moments.
Note: Always try to be conscious of the way you talk about the adopted child or what questions you ask, especially in front of the child. Most adoptive parents are pretty selective about who they share their child’s story with since we believe it’s our child’s story tell. The most respectful thing is to let the family share what they feel comfortable sharing and leaving it at that. When talking about adoption with the family, be mindful of not asking questions like “how much did the child cost” or comments like “he’s so lucky to be in your family” or “you saved his life." These comments typically come from someone not super familiar with adoption and not from a place of malice. However, they can hurt an adopted child's heart if they hear these phrases as they get older.
Christine lives with her husband and 4 children (1 through adoption) in Spring Hill, TN where her husband serves on the staff of a local church. She is a nurse in the greater Nashville area and in her free time she likes to have a party;)
]]>
Come with me for a little behind the scenes as we narrow down literally thousands and thousands of styles to the perfect pieces for *your* closet!
To begin, we head straight to our go-to manufacturers. Each manufacturer has a different process for organizing their collections. Most use a color coded system (first task...ask them for a run down on how their booth is organized). They refer to their pieces that are available for immediate delivery as "immediates." Clever...right?! The rest are referred to as "futures," for "future" delivery...not too tricky so far;) The color codes found on the hangers indicate which month each piece will be available for delivery. Generally speaking, we can see about 4-5 months worth of "immediates" and "futures" at any given market (this is specifically related to the Atlanta Apparel Market).
We spend our initial visit with each vendor simply taking pictures of our favorite pieces in their collection. Later we go back and narrow down (multiple times) to our must-haves for each manufacturer. Narrowing down has so much to do with when pieces are available, what trends we want to offer you, what timeless pieces will be your staples, not getting too many of very similar pieces, and so on and so on. When we are done narrowing down to our purchase list for each vendor, we head back around to start the buying process! Each vendor will gather our chosen pieces and place our order. The only thing left to do is head home and wait (somewhat) patiently for our stellar UPS man to delivery all of your goodies. Ahh! I love it!
While at the Atlanta Apparel Market in June we showed you around the booth of one of our favorite manufacturers and gave you a some sneaks of more perfect pieces coming your way this summer and fall! Take a peek!
Thank you for letting us shop for you! It's the most fun:)
xx,
Crystal
]]>Summer is the absolute best...am I right? But with kids running around aimlessly under foot it can get a little overwhelming, slightly monotonous, and totally out of control. In the (almost) six years of being a mommy I've figured out that this fam (okay...maybe it's just me?) thrives on routine. But when I thrive, I think my kids do too. And after years of a somewhat predictable daily routine, I can see that they find some rest and peace in knowing what to expect each day. There tends to be less complaining, less fighting, less begging for food, and just a general happiness. I dig it. So here is a little run-down of what a normal summer day in home looks like.
]]>So here is a little run-down of what a normal summer day in home looks like.
7:30/8:00 am -- Kids are out of bed and heading downstairs for breakfast. Most days they enjoy the independence of making their own breakfast. But don't be too impressed. This typically includes a bowl of cereal, a granola bar and banana, or a pb&j. My two oldest learned this independent skill when their little brother came along seven months ago. And I don't hate it! The key for us has been having toddler friendly breakfast foods easily accessible (ie. HALF gallon of milk in the middle of the fridge instead of the top shelf, granola bars on the bottom pantry shelf right where their little eyes land).
8:00/8:30 am -- After I get the baby fed, we sit down at the breakfast table and do our family devotional together. For over a year now we have been working through this devotional. It's slightly over my 4 and 5-year-olds' heads but, I promise, they enjoy the challenge. And I have been shocked at how much they are putting together! Definitely recommend it and look forward to doing this companion devotional in the future.
After we study their devotion together, I read this adult devotion to them. Do they understand it? Absolutely not. But I believe the Lord can use it to wash their little minds and hearts in His Truth.
8:30/9:00 am -- Free play begins. Little brother is still awake and a little needy so the big boys play while I entertain him, clean up from breakfast, unload/reload the dishwasher, etc. Most of the time, you'll find my boys either playing with these or these.
During this time I also prepare their table time activities where they are ready to begin as soon as little brother goes down for a morning nap.
9:30 am -- Littlest brother goes down for a nap and the big boys begin table time. I do my best to have activities out that use different areas of their brains. Some are more independent activities, some are activities that they can do together! If I'm on top of it, I turn a little music on and they stay occupied and happy for 45 min to an hour. Some of our favorite table time activities include: puzzles like this one or this one, brain toys like this or this, coloring books like this, easy games like this or this, and of course this classic fave.
10:30 am -- If the weather is even semi nice, the bigger boys play in our back yard. Sidewalk chalk, water guns, frisbee, or tossing games are some easy, affordable, and somewhat controlled activities that they can do by themselves or we can do as a whole family. This helps them get a little energy out before lunch time. Win!
11:00/11:30 am -- When little brother wakes up from his morning nap we either eat and play at home together or we head out for a little lunchtime adventure (park, splash pad, library, play date, running errands, etc.) If it is one of our play-at-home days we typically head back outside briefly for some post-lunch/pre-nap energy releasing. Because with boys, you can never have too much of said wild play.
1:30 pm -- Afternoon naps begin! And all through the house, not a creature was stirring (at least some days). As an introvert, this quiet time in our home is crucial. Crucial, I tell you. Most days this includes me reading to our bigger boys and them reading independently before their heads hit the pillow. Our current favorite reads are this book, this book, and this book.
3:30/4:00 pm -- Naps are over and our older boys are allowed to have up to an hour of screen time (whether this is tablet time or a Netflix show.
After screen time we've made it to dinner prep! Once dinner is consumed, bellies are happy, and it's time to play outside again. Play, play, play, play, play. There's a theme to this summer madness;) I think most parents would agree that bedtime is a sweet time together. And we try to milk it for all it's worth. Then little boys begin to slumber, resting up for the next day because there is more playing to be had.
Have I mentioned that I love summer?
xx,
Crystal
]]>I love some fun makeup. Love. But I also love (read: need) it to be easy and quick. I don't want to forfeit something that brings a little happiness to my day and helps me feel ready to tackle all of my "to-dos" just because my time is limited. So I need something I can do in a matter of minutes, you feel me?
Here goes! My daily eye make-up routine. 3 minutes, and you're done!
]]>Here goes! My daily eye make-up routine. Three (3) minutes, and you're done!
1) Apply Primer
Because I primarily use a powder eye shadow, I have found it definitely works best with an eye primer. Nothing fancy. No matter how many I try, I always find myself going back to this one. Seems to work the best for a great price. Snag it with a coupon and even better!
2) Subtle Base
Once primed, I snag a pallate like this one, this one, or this one and get started! To begin, I use a light matte shade to cover my entire eye lid. Although the nude eye primer already works to even the tone of my skin, this creates a base for me to build the rest of my color.
2) Transition Color
Now I take it up a shade or two on my outer eyelid and along the outer crease. This is where I determine what color family I'm going to go with for the day. For instance, do I want to go pink-er, bronze-y-er, brown-er...the skies the limit, ladies. And the difference begins to show! Immediately my eye begins to open up.
3) Inner Lid Shimmer
On the inside of my lid I use a very subtle shimmer. In my humber opinion, it's all about lightening the inside of your lid. But just wait, there's more shimmer where that came from.
4) Outer Lid Shimmer
Making sure to blend well, I top the outer transition matte shade (applied in step 2) with a darker shimmer along my outer lid and crease. It's important to make sure you don't go above your brow bone in this step or else, as the experts say, you'll be transported right back to the 80s. So control yourself, sister.
5) Inner Lid Shimmer
The shimmer don't stop y'all. I don't care how old I am. Here, I use an in-between shimmer color to blend between the light inner lid shimmer and the darker outer lid shimmer. The easiest and best way to get this blended well is just to use the pad of your ring finger. The highlight that this creates right in the center of your lid is perfection...trust me.
6) Brow Bone/Inner Corner Highlight
This. step. is. a. must. You can use any light colored highlight you prefer! There are a million to choose from. Truly. Right now I'm using this and loving it. It's not actually meant to be an eye shadow but I love the smooth texture of the shade which makes it easy to apply with my finger and get the perfect blend. Highly recommend. And then you can brush a little onto the top of your cheekbones for a little extra umph!
7) Mascara, Mascara, Mascara
Words can never express to you my love for mascara. It probably all starts with the fact that I'm a natural blonde and look like the walking dead if I'm without it. My favorite mascara comes from my girl Emma @thisbeautycalledours. If you are struggling to find a mascara you adore that's priced reasonably, you may just love this one too!
Easy right?! I love a makeup look that is doable. I can do the same process, day in and day out, and just change up the colors a bit. I hope you find this just as effortless as I do! To see me in action, watch the quick video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP2U-h9eW5o&feature=youtu.be
xx,
Crystal
]]>
1) Shorts
Every summer wardrobe needs a pair of denim shorts like these for everyday wear! Not to mention you can dress them up with a sweet top for a backyard party. Yes, please! Add a pair of colored shorts like these, or striped shorts to your closet for when you want to stay cool but leave the classic blue denim behind. A simple, basic tee like this one goes perfectly!
2) Tank Tops
If you’re like me, staying cool is the name. of. the. game. during the summer heat. Having a few comfortable and cute tanks is a must! Simple colors make them easy to pair with almost anything. And versatility is what we are going for, isn’t it? As effortless as they are with a pair of some denim, consider pairing them with some linen pants like these when you feel the urge to up your style game. Shop this tank now!
3) Rompers
If you haven’t jumped on the romper train yet, you’re missing out, sis! A dressier one is perfect for work or dinner out. Maybe even a 4th of July gathering! Yes? For a super casual, everyday romper that’s ideal for lounging at home, heading to the farmers market, traveling, or hitting the pool, try this cutie! You’ll n e v e r want to take it off. Now that’s what I call a win:)
5) Striped Tees
You can never have too many stripes (in my humble opinion). Whether they are simply stated or bolder, stripes are flattering, stylish, and timeless. Toss them on with your favorite jeans or a cute skirt and bam...you’re set! Stripes can take you from day to night in a breeze. AC making your life easy, one stripe at a time;) Shop this striped top or this one now!
6) Summer Dresses
One of the cutest and easiest ways to beat the heat is by having a couple of simple, sweet, and comfortable dresses in your wardrobe line-up. I’m not generally a dress wearer but during the summer I want them all. of. the. time. Plus they are so much fun to play around with! A little bit fancier dress can be styled casually just by pairing it with some simple sneakers or some casual, every day sandals like. This dress and this dress are now available at AC!
7) Detailed Top
Since a t-shirt doesn’t cut it aaaaaall of the time...add a couple of tops with a little charming detail! Tops like this one will take you to a summer concert in the park, to church, to brunch, or even for family beach pics! So sweet! But you don’t have to compromise comfort for style. With looser fitting tops, special pieces like these can still be practical and cool in the warm weather.
8) Sandals
A brown flat sandal is a definite must! For the comfiest sandal check these out. And if you need your toss-'em-on-with-absolutely-anything pair, these are perfect too! The perfect brown sandal will go with a n y t h i n g! Pair them with your denim shorts or a cute dress! No need to have a million shoes per season, a couple of pairs can take you so far. Simple life, sis...it’s a wonderful thing:)
9) Jeans
Every season, forever and always, you can’t live without your favorite jeans. I’m currently loving a good pair of high-rise denim like these cuties available at AC soon! Not only do they help suck some stuff in ::wink wink::, but they’re the perfect fit for a little front tuck of your favorite top. And truly, who do they not look good on?! They create such a flattering silhouette, are incredibly practical (no worries when bending over at your job or at home), and really comfy. I like it!
I hope you enjoyed this snapshot of a simple, easy, and effortless summer capsule wardrobe! Some items pictured are currently not available at August Cloth. But stick around! They'll hit the shop soooooo soon;)
xx,
Crystal
]]>
But I have found from many of my friends that most women are crazy curious about what it is like inside an apparel market. Shall we peruse together, ladies?
Let’s start with the fact that apparel markets are held in massive buildings. I mean m a s s i v e. The market in Atlanta, for instance, is made up of three different buildings. Although the apparel portion is only in one of these buildings, according to Wikipedia, the three buildings have a combined total of 7 million square feet. I mean. What. the. mess.
Once we’re in, there’s nothing to do but shop til we drop. For us, this begins by hitting up our favorite manufacturers (located throughout the building) and taking all of the pictures. Hundreds, even. I’m the most indecisive person on the planet but this job magnifies my indecisiveness 1,000 fold. It’s scary, really. Bless the sweet sister-friends that shop with me. Their reward is in heaven.
I’ve found that by taking pictures of everything I like first, I’m able to go back through all of the photos, pick the pieces I think you ladies will love most, and then only purchase what we can’t live without! I mean, imagine walking through store after store after store and looking through every single piece. It’s sliiiiightly overwhelming. So pics help us remember what we’ve seen, where we saw it, how much it was, and when it is available. It might be a strange system, but it’s our strange system and it works:)
At some point we sit down for an hour (or two) and plan the next several months of releases. We consider price, color (because we have to limit the number of grey tops we buy), style (not everyone loves the same things), what our catalog is lacking, season changes, and the manufacturer's ship date for each style. Once we have a game plan...off we go to spend a little money, honey.
Once we’ve snagged our favorite things we call it a day, and we head home hoping and praying that the pieces we’ve picked are just what you need to make your life sweet, simple, and stylish. We may have to order some fill-in pieces as needed if we weren’t able to find just what we needed at market, but for the most part, we’re ready to begin planning a photo shoot and getting these pieces into your closets!
You’re a joy to shop for ladies. Thank you for believing in August Cloth and shopping with us. You are so loved!
]]>
1) BE FLEXIBLE OR DIE
The last word any of those close to me would use to describe my general outlook on life is “flexible.” Truly. One of the things I find myself apologizing to my husband about most often is my lack of flexibility. I must be a pill to live with. Bless him. His reward will be great in heaven.
So needless to say, the absolute necessity for flexibility in this business has caused more tears than I care to admit. As it turns out, I don’t want to be flexible. Oops! I’d be peachy if things would go just as I’ve planned on an hourly basis (because that’s how I plan, afterall). But they don’t. They haven’t. And I’m learning to accept that they won’t. Ever.
Things that haven’t gone as planned and as a result have left me feeling like life, indeed, must be ending:
-weather sabotaging a photo shoot
-products not arriving when I’ve been assured they will and thus not getting launched when I think they’ll sell best
-children getting sick, needing momma, momma getting sick from said sickness, clothes not getting sold, and the work piling up
-not finding at market what I’m convinced we need to offer for a particular season
2) MARKET IS A MUST
Initially I thought I could just order the cutest products on the interwebs and go with it. But as it turns out, when you order online you don’t really know the color, quality, fit, and feel of a piece. And as a picky buyer myself, I’ve sent more clothes back to the manufacturer than I ever dreamed would be necessary. So what once seemed like an inconvenience...finding childcare, convincing (an easy job) a friend to tag along, and spending a couple of days every eight weeks shopping for clothes in another state...in the end, is absolutely essential.
And when I decide to believe that things at home won’t actually fall apart for the 48 hours I’m gone, I can enjoy myself, enjoy the sweet company of a dear friend, and buy some clothes that I’m in love with! And ultimately, you, the shopper, benefits! Since going to market we’ve been able to offer higher quality clothes all while creating seasonal capsules that have us drooling. So market it is! And I’m not complaining.
3) I WILL FAIL
I don’t like failure. But after 12 months of doing this little biz with you ladies I know that I will, and when I do, I will live to see the next day.
I’ll never forget the first time I went to the apparel market in Atlanta. We launched August Cloth in March but I wasn’t able to attend market until April. I went in COMPLETELY clueless about what I could expect. From navigating the city (something that I humbly admit I’m terrible at) to navigating market, it was like drinking from a fire hose. And I walked away drenched and totally defeated. One of my biggest goals in going to that market was to find some Mother’s Day dresses. How hard could it possibly be?! Hmmm...harder than one would think. After two days, more miles in my Dr. Scholls than I ever expected to walk, we left with nothing. No-thing. If it weren’t for my dearest, Katie, who busts her little hiney along with me at every market, I would have been in tears. But a little you-can-do-this speech from my eternally optimistic sister-friend and a bag of Target chocolate later, I came home and made plans to do things better next time. And most importantly, to not give up.
(One day I’ll write a blog about how we do market these days. Stay tuned.)
4) HELP IS GRACE
Because I have a tendency to think that I can do everything, on my own (but don’t ask me how I’m doing because I may dissolve into tears), this is one of the hardest lessons from the past year. And truthfully, I’m not sure I can claim to have “learned” it yet. I find it paaaaainful to ask for help. But there are a few ladies (you know who you are) that have *insisted* on supporting me and loving me well in spite of my hard headedness. And they’ve done it with no strings attached.
Now I never want to do market alone (that one time was a bust), can’t imagine not having extra hands at a photo shoot, and can go on vacation (or on a 3 week journey to adopt another little) and know that AC is in amazing hands, just to name a few.
5) WE ARE WHO *WE* ARE
The most natural thing to do is to compare August Cloth with other larger, older, more experienced, and more “successful” online brands. But when I do, it is death to me! And I begin believing that what we are doing is useless, meaningless, and pointless. Nearly daily I have to remind myself of what our mission is (#thisisouraugust), what we have been called to, and that our journey doesn’t have to look like these other incredible companies. In fact, when my mind and heart are most focused on who I’ve been created to be, I’m lucid enough to remember that our journey isn’t *supposed* to look like theirs. For the most part this even means not allowing myself to follow their activity on social media. Freedoooooom!!! Because let's face it, we can all be overwhelmed by the "reality" we see on instagram.
Anywho, thank you for loving AC for who we are, where we have come from, and where we are going! It is the community I have with you women that makes this all so fun and so rewarding. And Lord willing, the future is bright for this little shop! Following our calling, championing our mission, and serving my favorite ladies as we do it.
]]>