What I Wore Wednesday Wk 1

WIWW WK 1

I’m going to link up to the Pleated Popp's What I Wore Wednesday. She has such great outfits, and it’s inspired me to get out of the rut of wearing the same thing over and over.

 

Sunday: Church

Skirt and brown shirt: Banana Republic outlet
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Sandals: Target
Necklace: my grandma’s

Monday: Delivering dinner to friends who just had twins! This is a typical outfit for me in the summer.





Bermuda shorts and turquoise shirt: J Crew outlet
Gray tank: Old Navy
Shoes: Simple bought at REI adds something fun to the otherwise boring outfit
Necklace: James Avery’s dogwood charm

Tuesday: Appointment with eye doctor



Shirt: Old Navy
Skirt: Gap outlet (it’s at least 5 years old)
Sandals: Gap
Bracelet: missionaries from India brought it to our church, and I received it after I gave a donation.

Wednesday: Bible study/Church outfit:



Gray Shirt: J Crew outlet
Skirt: Max Studio bought at TJ Maxx I really like the design on the skirt. I took a close up photo so you can see the detail.
Sandals: Gap
Necklace: Dogwood

Thursday: It’s summer break, and I’m a teacher so I bummed around the house again.

T-Shirt: Luckenbach, Texas bought at The Luckenbach General Store over 10 years ago when I was in college. Someone cue Willie Nelson :)
Navy athletic shorts: from Academy
Sandals: Chaco from REI

Friday: Going to the local trade days to search for hidden treasures.



Bird Shirt: The brand is Hi-Line but I bought it at the J Crew outlet
Black Tank: Old Navy
Cuffed Jeans: Gap
Shoes: TOMS

Saturday: Stopped by trade days to buy a few things I didn’t get on Friday and went to eat at La Madeleine with my husband and little guys.



Shirt: just ginger from TJ Maxx
Jeans: Seven A Pocket bought at amazon.com
Shoes: TOMS

  
Head on over to The Pleated Poppy to check out more fun WIWW posts.

Tuesdays Unwrapped

I saw this on a blog that I follow, and I thought I'd link up and share with others. This is new for me and a little out of my comfort zone.



I decided to share a life-changing experience that I'm still learning from. I hope it encourages someone who is going through a rough time.

Conflict Resolution

Wouldn’t you agree that conflict is inevitable? I think so. If you interact with others, then I’m thinking you answered yes to my question.

Why can’t we all just get along?

Because we’re all different. Thank goodness we’re not all the same, but with all of our differences it’s to be expected that we’ll probably run into disagreements. How should you handle it when conflicts arise?

Before I share what I’ve learned about conflict resolution let me preface it with this. One of my goals is to keep it real on this blog. So, in doing that I must own up to past mistakes. This is an admission that I’ve handled conflict wrong in the past. I can think back to more examples than I’d like where I’ve been guilty of manipulating situations to my advantage, not admitting when I was wrong, and being self-centered and inconsiderate of others and their feelings.

Are you still with me?

I’d like to think as I‘m getting older that I might be getting a little wiser, too. As I study the Bible more I can find verses that help me remember that I’m a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), to forget the things of the past and press on (Philippians 3), and that I can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13). With this knowledge I have the power to do better. Even though I’ve made mistakes, I’ve learned from them.

My natural reaction in conflict is to be defensive. Being defensive usually doesn’t help resolve conflict, and it usually makes the problem worse. I found some Bible verses that helped me better understand how I can resolve conflict in a Christ like manner. The theme is humility. Can you see how approaching a conflict with humility and humbleness will already change your heart toward the person and situation? Instead of being defensive and placing blame on the other person you can humble yourself and act in love and forgiveness.

Colossians 3: 12-14 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Ephesians 4:1-2 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

This was just a little something extra that I came across when I was reading and thought it needed to be shared, too.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Next time you are confronted with conflict, think back to the verses above. Remember to apporach the situation with humilillty and love. I think you'll be happy with the results.

Trade Days Treasures {Day Two}

Yes, we went back to trade days for a second day! I was pleasantly surprised when my husband didn't seem annoyed that I wanted to go back for a couple of things I saw but didn't buy on Friday. He willingly agreed because he thinks going two days in a row will get it out of my system for a while. I think he's right. It was a lot of fun, but probably not something I'll want to do every weekend. You would be impressed by my speedy shopping on this trip. I picked up all of this in 30 minutes. I was a woman on a mission!

I liked the looks of the aqua mason jars so much that I went back to the nice gentleman who sold me the first three, and I purchased what he had left! I even ended up with two pint jars. All of the jars were in great shape and had zinc lids. I'm thinking about using them as table decorations with summer flowers or maybe for containers to organize things. We'll see how I put them to use. Any suggestions?


This was $7. If you've been looking at Pottery Barn lately they have the same type of crates for $24. I thought this was a pretty great deal :)


On my way back to the car I spotted these two matching milk glass bud vases for $1. I thought they were sweet. I didn't intend to purchase them, but it was only $1. My milk glass collection is growing faster than expected.

Trade Days Treasures {Day One}

I convinced my husband to load up the kids and head to the nearest trade days this weekend. Please keep in mind that my husband seriously dislikes going to antique stores, thrift stores, garage sales, Goodwill and trade days. We went Friday and hunted around. Three things made this a pleasant day. It wasn’t unbearably hot considering it is Texas in July, it wasn’t crowded and we found some great deals. I had two things I was looking for on this trip, blue/aqua mason jars and milk glass.

I bought three quart blue/aqua mason jars with zinc lids for $10.


One of the mason jars has the #13 on the bottom. I don't know if this is true or not, but I've seen on websites that the #13 is rare because superstitious people would break them. Who knows? It was just a lucky find on my part. I didn't know that information until after the purchase. To give my husband credit, he came home and researched all of my purchases and gave me his nod of approval. He's the one who ran across that interesting detail (if true). I paid a reasonable amount for all of my items. Nothing was a steal, but I didn't overpay either.



This set of three milk glass pieces cost $4. The bud vase and lamp were $1 each. The pedestal dish was $2. The lamp was an impulse purchase, but it was just $1 so it's not a huge loss if I end up giving it away.


I really like these two pieces.


This pedestal dish is lovely.


I just couldn't pass up these Fleur-de-lis hooks. I got three for $2.75. I checked out Anthropologie's hardware selection and most of there's start at $8 so I felt like this was Anthro-like, but a lot cheaper! They've already found a home in my pantry with aprons neatly hanging on them.

Milk Glass, Really?

I’m pretty new to the blogosphere, but I’m already seeing a pattern form. Many of the blogs I like reading are all interconnected in some way. I guess we can thank cyberspace for linking together kindred spirits all over the world.
One of the things I’m seeing on so many blogs is milk glass. I know what milk glass is. I’ve seen it at my grandma’s house for years. I’ve always been pretty indifferent about it. Well, that’s all changed! I happened upon Rachel's blog Shade Tree Events and saw the most impressive milk glass collection. The way she used milk glass was simple, beautiful and elegant. Her milk glass collection has inspired me, and now I'm collecting milk glass.

I wish I had more time to go to garage sales, thrift stores, Goodwill or antique stores, but I don’t. Since I don’t get around to shopping at those places as much as I would like, I’ve enlisted the help of my dear aunt. When I first told her about wanting to collect milk glass she responded like most people do. Milk glass, really? Kind of like, are you sure you want that junk? I emailed her some photos to help her visualize how Rahcel used milk glass, and then she understood. She saw the hidden beauty. Now she’s totally on board. I’m lucky to have her enthusiastically supporting this search for milk glass. She and my uncle have become my personal shoppers on this venture. My aunt is knowledgeable, savvy and a pro at scoring unique finds. She’s developed a shopping strategy--because milk glass is still plentiful and pretty affordable, she’s only buying unique pieces that are a good deal. Her first trip to hunt for milk glass here was a success. She scored this beauty. This hobnail pedestal dish was $3. All of the other vendors wanted $6, and she happened upon a table where all of the glass was half-off. She found a unique piece at a great price! Great strategy. It’s a keeper!

My aunt was so kind and wouldn't let me pay her for the first piece in my collection. How sweet!

Thank you, dear aunt. Thank you, Rachel, for the inspiration.

Road Trip 2010 {Part Five}

Road Trip 2010 {Part Five}

Chicago, IL to Texas

I didn't include all of the fun things we did in Chicago because I got a little caught up in Oak Park and Frank Lloyd Wright. I failed to include photos from our day in the city (or should I say The Second City) and seeing the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
We stayed in a little neighborhood near Wrigley Field at a hotel on N. Broadway. We road the "L" into downtown and enjoyed Millennium Park, Chicago-style pizza at Pizzeria Uno and shopping on the Magnificent Mile. They have an H&M so the boys had to drag me away from Michigan Ave. Even though we packed a lot of things into a short visit the boys were troopers and a good time was had by all :)

Welcome to Chicago!


In front of our hotel ready to start a day of exploring Chicago.


Stopping for an ice cream break at the Ghirardelli Store.


In the background you can see the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, designed by architect Frank Gehry.




"The Bean" Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor








We couldn't decide between Pizzeria Uno, Gino's East or Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. We ended up at Pizzeria Uno because it was the shortest walk. The pizza was delicious.




Chicago-style pizza


I embraced being a tourist and had the waiter take our photo. It's not like I'm wearing a fanny pack, but I am totally a tourist.




Is that a Gap bag? Yes, I'm carrying a Gap bag. It's kind of lame, but I had to buy the boys jackets. It was really chilly at night, and we didn't have any warm clothes for them. Who knew I'd be buying jackets in June?


Our family with the famous red marquee in the background.
My husband was so disappointed when it started raining before the game. He looked forward to seeing a game at Wrigley Field the entire road trip. Thank goodness the game didn't get rained out.


It was neat to get to the field early and walk around.


Father and sons making memories


Ivy-covered outfield walls. So much character.


I loved these signs all over the ballpark.




The sun! After an hour and forty-five minute rain delay, we were grateful to see it instead of cloudy skies.


We only stayed for two innings of the game. It was so late after the rain delay and the boys were exhausted. You can see that Ben is already asleep.


So much luggage for a family of four. It's like a traveling circus.


Bye bye Chicago


Welcome to Texas or for us Welcome Home!


I'm a Texas History teacher so I can't pass up an opportunity to work in a little history lesson. The six flags that have at one time flown over Texas are: Spain, France, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, The Confederate States of America and The United States of America. Six Flags doesn't just refer to an amusement park. It's actually something of historical significance.


Will is happy we're close to home.


Ben's pretty happy, too!


We did it! What an adventure!


Someone cue Patty Griffin's Long Ride Home