In With Fash | LuLaRoe

LuLaRoe is taking the internet by storm. I'm drawn to their fun colors & unique inventory approach. There's a limited number of styles/sizes per fabric option - so you could find a one of a kind : )
The super soft fabric and flattering styles are other key components that people rave about.
Read more about the craze here.

The designs are colorful & fun with lots of personality. 

Each style has a different name & I laughed when I saw they have a "Sarah." 

The mix & match flavors are visually delicious. This is one brand I can get behind. 

Prices for most items are above $40 so I was pretty giddy when I snagged this LuLaRoe dress from Goodwill for just $8 bringing my collection up to three items. The pile may grow when I host a pop-up party for my friend Sarah in a couple of weeks. It will be a fun morning of trying on fun things you might not normally try on. For me that's neutrals : ) 

Like wearing pajamas,

-SJW

Christmas Poem | 2016

It’s been a busy year with house projects galore.

We’ve been managing three rental units and decided to move next door.

Fixing dryers, painting walls, and renovating floors.

It’s no surprise that Home Depot is now our “go-to” store.

Amidst all of this stress there has been some relaxation.

Each Saturday morning is reserved for coffee and conversation.

We also visited family in a variety of locations.

New Hampshire, Texas, Missouri, Maine – so many fun vacations!

Tommy’s still an actuary – at the same great place. 

Sarah’s in a new part time job and enjoying the change of pace. 

Together we took a marriage class to build a stronger base. 

We learned how to better address conflict and offer each other grace.

It surely was a year of change, but one in which we grew.

We’re excited for the year ahead and all that God will do. 

For now we’ll say good-bye with a message tried and true. 

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! We love you!

In With Fash | Yves Saint Laurent

If you're looking for a fun outing, I'd recommend the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at The Seattle Art Museum. The museum has curated over 100 pieces to capture the essence of this designer's unique and pushing-the-edge collection. Sketches, sequins, stripes, and shift dresses combine to entice the eye and highlight his stunning 44-year career in the fashion industry.I loved looking at the original sketches.

His colorful mod dresses inspired by Andy Warhol and other artists were my favorite. 

A room full of costume jewelry.

So many designs!

I'm interested in watching either this or this film to learn more about the eccentric man himself. 

I feel like dressing up,

-SJW

In with Fash | Duchess of Cambridge

Kate Middleton has an iconic style dripping with class & elegance. She knows what suits her and wears it well! I'd love to copy her in the following ways:

1. Wear tailored clothing that flatters. 

2. Try bold solid colored statement pieces. 

3. Find unique dresses that are fun but not too wild. The turquoise & green is my favorite.

Though I think I'll opt for more comfortable footwear,

-SJW

Guest Blogger | More Than Pajamas

My acquaintance turned friend is one of a kind. She's joyous, creative, chatty, and thoughtful. She freely spreads wisdom gems on her blog, What About Pumpkin Pie. Read a few and you'll find a creative writer, humble mother, & most recently, brave entrepreneur. She launched her personal business with "flying off the social media shelves" LuLaRoe clothing. I'll be hosting a pop-up shop with her on Saturday, January 7 if you want to learn more. For now, enjoy this little insight from the woman herself -

--
I had a baby 10 months ago (!) and it feels like yesterday. It really has been 10 grueling months of slobber and diapers and occasional sleepless nights. At the same time, 10 magical months of discovery and dependence and cherished date nights.

And, yet we do not have much time.

Not much time to enjoy our babes or see our loved ones, much less, pamper ourselves. In true SAHM (stay at home mom) fashion, I have stayed in pajamas all day before. But I have also thrown on a dress before. Taking the smallest amount of time to put effort into my appearance; effort that I can afford.

In 10 months of figuring out this new role as Sarah-turned-mommy, wanna know what I've found? My days are more productive, energized and focused when I take that time to dress, enjoy and appreciate myself.

My friend came over one Saturday, with LuLaRoe pieces in hand. This clothing was comfortable, like pajamas, yet current and versatile, clothing that is comfortable enough to sleep, shop, and chase around babes in.

So, I promise to start my day with dignity, putting care into my own clothes that are practical and beautiful because:

1) I am the best mom to my little guy when I start my days with integrity and grace. He deserves a mom that has energy and drive. He deserves a mom that is present and purposeful.

2) I am the best wife to my husband when I know my own value and worth. He deserves a wife who understands the beauty and grace she embodies as she reflects the God of beauty and grace.

I deserve to keep promises to myself. We all deserve to keep promises to ourselves.
--
Follow Sarah at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lularoesarahlruiz/
Instagram: @lularoesarahlruiz
Email: lularoesarahlruiz@gmail.com

I'm all about that Cassie,

-SJW

The Treasure Hunt of Coming Home

When you live thousands of miles from the place you grew up, it's a real treat to return. For almost two years, time and distance kept us from The Woodlands, Texas. Walking the ditch, eating Whataburger, gathering with First Baptist Church, hanging out in The Lamberts kitchen, & touring the Waterway had all morphed from weekly plans into fond memories. But stepping back on the paths of childhood as an adult can feel a bit strange. You find familiar footprints & old faces swirled together with new perspective & different Mexican restaurants in that one shopping center. "So long, Rico's..Hello, Torchy's Tacos!" You go away, realizing the place you come back to is the same in some ways, but different in others. You realize you are the same & different too.

Along with this philosophical treasure chest of personal insights, fortunately, I find tangible ones too! My mother is an antiquing guru, scouring thrift stores, yard sales, & antique malls to uncover the best of the best for the cheapest of the cheap! She is a seasoned garage saler, antique dealer, Ebay seller, & even has a booth in a nearby Antique Mall (photos below)!

Our entire house becomes my personal shop when I come home - I open drawers, peruse closets, & look through the landfill of it all (the garage), to see what goodies she's found that I might like : ) Thanks, mom!

Here's the loot I walked away with this year:

1. Christmas pillow that we had on our couch growing up

2. Jingle bells with ribbon to put on our front door

3. Tiny little jars with fake succulents for decor

4. Cute blue & white dress (to wear in Hawaii!?!)

5. Vintage artichoke art piece that I thought was cool

6. "Merry Christmas" hanging sign

7. LOFT striped shirt

8. Comfty patterned dress

9. Clock necklace

Feeling pirate cool, 

- SJW

Life Wright Now | November

November was full of coffee dates with friends & opportunities to rest, relax, & reconnect. I took a new job & will be working part time with Downtown Cornerstone Church, focusing on administration for our Kids ministry, events/communication, & general support. I'd been volunteering throughout October & it became apparent that this would be a good next step for me. I'm feeling very excited to serve, learn, & grow. We also had the chance to attend a small art pop-up event, spend an afternoon at the re-branded MoPOP, & enjoy some family time in good ol' Tejas : )

WATCHING
Netflix's original series "The Crown" has captured my attention with its retelling of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. Her story of becoming Queen at age 25 & the family happenings leading up to and following her coronation are pretty phenomenal. Plus, Claire Foy's acting is something special - her fashions are a delight to the eyes too! The best part is, I'm learning some history : )

EATING
Pumpkin Bread & Drinking Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps!

READING
I just finished "When Sinners Say I Do" & am contemplating crucial marriage components like humility, forgiveness, & mercy.

"Mercy is given to be shared. And what it touches, it ultimately sweetens. We are to pass along what we have received from God - steadfast love, inexplicable kindness, overflowing compassion. We sinned against God and he responded with mercy. We are called to go and do the same."

 LISTENING
Celeste by Ezra Vine came on one evening & I liked the catchy melody. We also watched nearly half of the OK GO music videos with my family over Thanksgiving, enjoying not only the mind-bending color fun, but also the techy-poppy tunes.

Sitting by the Christmas tree,

SJW

A Full Calendar

I'm looking forward to a merry season of holiday parties & time with friends & family. When I'm not snuggled up on the couch sipping hot chocolate, you might find me at one of these Seattle events:

December 2 | The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
December 3 | Urban Uprising Craft Show
December 9 | Classic Radio "Christmas Carol"
December 11 | Jingle Bell Race
December 11 | Seattle Seachordsmen Holiday Concert
December 11 | Jose Gonzales Trio Performs " A Charlie Brown Christmas"
December 17 | Seattle Pro Musica: Star of Wonder
December 17 + 18 | Renegade Craft Show
December 21 | A Festival of Lessons & Carols
Through January 1 | Gingerbread Houses at Sheraton

Let me know if you want to join! 

- SJW

DIY | Card-Making

Last week I met up with some gals & embarked on an afternoon of card-making. I forgot how delightful it is to sit down, play with paper & glue, & create something simple & new. I'm hoping to establish a rhythm of writing/sending one card to a friend every week. I'm a sucker for snail mail & think it's such a special way to encourage, celebrate, & grow in becoming others-focused.
Plus, they're so darn cute!

An old-fashioned girl at heart,

SJW

Gone to the Movies | Back to the Future

I grew up watching the "Back to the Future" films with my dad. There was a time period when I exclusively called Michael J. Fox "Marty" & dreamed about days with hover boards. Overall, I think it was a great film to be introduced to the concept of time travel.  Plus, if given the chance, I'd like to watch my parents fall for one another too : )

I know it's impossible to change the past and equally impossible to fly into the future so I'll do my best to simply live in the present & enjoy the current year, month, & day at hand. There's only one entity that exists outside of time & I'm up for trusting Him with everything. For now, I'll enjoy this fun artwork:

"Please excuse the crudity of this model. I didn't have time to build it to scale or paint it."

-SJW

Life Wright Now | October

Watching
Stranger Things is the Netflix hit of the year. Although slightly late to the game in watching it, I must agree with the crowd - it's pretty great! Mr. Fleece & I aren't into scary movies, but this show is executed really well, with great character development & an interesting plot presented at a good pace. If you've already watched the eight episode series & want more, I'd recommend watching these YouTube videos that help explain components that help make it so unique. It's made me interested in re-watching some old sci-fi movies, starting with E.T. :)

Why it's Great
Every Reference and Easter Egg Explained

Eating
I've been in a bit of a baking mode lately. Generously given rhubarb and blueberries from two separate friends, I decided to smoosh them together make blueberry rhubarb pie. So yummy!

Reading
Since reading "A Raisin in the Sun", I've been on a kick of reading through classic plays. I re-read "Death of a Salesman" & "The Glass Menagerie" & tackled "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" for the first time. Those authors loved to capture that family drama! It's making me miss high school English class. I just want to talk about quotes, themes, & character development : )

Listening
As I drive across town running errands, I've been slowly making my way through this memoir audio book. It's taking me back to the simple days with stories of strawberry picking, canning, viewing cinnamon rolls as a deluxe treat for breakfast & fishing. I'd recommend it for any road trip!

Happy snappy,

SJW