Stylishly Warm for Winter

I LOVE winter. The crisp, clean air. Cozy sweaters and hot chocolate. Beautiful snowfall and going skiing. It's just the best. I am also obsessed with winter style, but sometimes it just feels too cold to be stylish, am I right? Even though there are definitely those days when you just gotta throw on that coat that makes you look like the Michelin Man and that hat that is oh so warm but does interesting things to your hair and doesn't really match anything (I'm not judging, because I have one of those days at least three times a week during the winter. #noshame) and get through the day without freezing. But today I'm going to share a practical but stylish outfit by my best friend, fellow photographer, and hip style ninja, Emily. 

This photo shoot was so much fun, but it was FREEZING. Like, spitting snow and not being able to feel your fingers cold. Somehow we always manage to decide to take nice little strolls around town in fifteen degree weather, but we love it and there's always hot coffee or tea at some point in our day to make everything warm and cozy again. :)

I also did a little interview with Emily about her style and how she faces the bitter cold looking oh so good! Links to the items are at the end of the post.

How would you label your personal style? What do you like about it?
"If I had to put a label on my style it would probably be Boho Hipster with a vintage flair."

What's your go-to accessory to complete an outfit?

 "My go to accessory to top off an outfit would be my gray Steve Madden oxford flats." 

What do you love most about winter fashion (or just winter in general)?

"I would have to say my favorite thing about winter fashion are the cozy sweaters and cardigans. As for things I love about winter, that's easy: shredding powder with my friends on the slopes. Also having a mean snowball fight or two is pretty awesome."  

Name your favorite store/brand.
 "Favorite store/brand is a hard one. I think it would have to be LOFT. I am in love with their vintage style and muted colors." 

Who or what do you draw style inspiration from?

 "I really love getting my Anthropology magazines every month and drawing inspiration from them. Also stalking J.Crew and LOFT's Instagram makes for some good style inspiration." 

All time favorite article of clothing in your closet?

"This was by far the hardest question. One thing I love about knowing what your style is and having a closet that fits that style. So picking out my all time favorite item was a challenge. After consideration I think it would have to be my lovely, vintage cut, mustard colored LOFT dress. It makes me feel like I just walked out of the 20s when I put it on and I just want to go dancing when I throw my oxford heels on to match." 

Any tips for keeping warm but stylish during these biting winter months?
 "My one tip for staying warm in these chilly months would be layers, layers, layers! It makes you look put together and helps you stay all toasty." 

Merona light brown wide-brim fedora (similar)

H&M olive military parka (similar)

Croft & Barrow emerald green chunky knit oversized sweater (similar)

American Eagle antique wash denim jegging

Xhiliration ivory leg warmers

Black Poppy Bone lace up ankle boots (similar)

Thanks, Emily for being a beautiful model and lending your advice! You rock! :)

What do you like about winter style? Any suggestions or tips for staying stylish AND warm?
If you'd like to have an outfit photo session and be featured on the blog shoot me an email and pic of your outfit! :)

Hope you all have a great (and warm!) weekend

Sunday Sounds: Feeling Hipster

So instead of sharing an artist/album, today I'm going to share a new favorite Spotify playlist!

I am a huge fan of Spotify and love the playlists they create for pretty much any mood, genre, or time of day. I have discovered some of my all time favorite songs through Spotify's playlists and their "Discover Weekly" playlist they create especially for you.

https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/74GxX4FubXmAZVFNH3XECM

So I know this sounds like a pretty cliche playlist, but I have really enjoyed listening to it! It has some favorites like Capital Cities' "Safe and Sound" and "Pompeii" by Bastille. 

It gets me in a good, adventurous mood and even though there are some songs that I'd rather just skip, I find myself more often singing along to well-loved tunes or adding something new and cool to my constantly expanding library. I'm totally inspired to #liveauthentic with this thing playing. ;)

I hope you guys get a chance to listen to this fun playlist and that it brightens your day! :)

I'd love to hear from you about your favorite or newly discovered music so please share in the comments below or shoot me an email!

Have a groovy Sunday.

Sunday Sounds: Pentatonix (Deluxe)

When I was studying music in college, I had so many awesome opportunities to perform and enjoy

a cappella choral music. One of my favorite experiences at school was creating melodic magic with only our voices.

It was at school that I was introduced to the insanely cool and talented a cappella group Pentatonix.

These guys exploded into the music world in 2011 and have continued to blow listeners away with their covers and now original tracks. They are a really chill, down-to-earth group and you can hear their passion for music in every song.

Pentatonix (Deluxe Edition) came out in 2015 and is totally worth jamming out to. 

I really like "Na Na Na" which is the first track on the album.

There is also a really good documentary about them on Netflix.

Give these guys some love and let me know what you think in a comment below!

Have an awesome Sunday! :)

Keeping a Quiet Heart

     For the last 6 months I have been contemplating what it means to have a quiet heart before the Lord. It's something I haven't really taken the time to study or pray about until recently.   

     2015 was full of many many blessings and amazing experiences, but it has also been one of the hardest years of my life so far. There were a LOT of changes and trials that have been challenging emotionally and spiritually. I have also experienced many physical issues that have made daily life difficult at times (I am so blessed compared to many who suffer far worse than I do). I don't say all of that to complain, God is so so good and He hasn't given me what I deserve. I know that He works out the lives of His children for their good and sanctification (Romans 8:28), which I am thankful for. But I've been thinking. What about the times when life isn't going the way we thought it would and things are just downright hard? What about the times when we are struggling more than we ever have and our hearts are anxious and unsettled? What about the times when we are afraid of what the future holds?

     I realized that this year I have struggled with an anxious heart and mind more than I ever have in the past. So after all of the holiday celebrations I made a point to learn more about the quiet heart that David speaks of in Psalm 107:30. More than that, I have started asking specifically for Him to work in me a quiet heart. Our pastor's wife loaned me the book "Keep a Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot. The book is a collection of articles featured in her newsletter. I'm really looking forward to reading it. Elliot was a woman who went through unimaginable suffering but devoted her life to knowing God intimately and finding her everything in Him. She looked to the example of Jesus Christ to show her how to live day by day in fellowship and communion with God. As Christians, we are all called to look to God, His Word, and the example of Christ for life. And this can only be done through trusting and obeying Him.

     The amazing thing about it all is that God, the perfect Creator of all things, is willing to teach us! *mind blown* He is good and kind and cares about His children. He knows our weaknesses and counts our tears and gives us His divine strength. He truly is a Father and Shepard.

"Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I

am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help

you,

Surely I will uphold you with My

righteous right hand."

-Isaiah 41:10

     I go through phases of wanting an exciting, adventure-filled life one day to wanting to stay home in my pajamas and enjoy a simplified, straightforward life. I think that both are good and equally important (especially for creative people). I have dreams and ambitions that I would love to experience one day, but I also know that this world is not my home. It's not wrong to enjoy excitement or simplicity (or both), but when that becomes the source of your satisfaction there is a problem. No matter how much I achieve or experience, I must always find my complete and lasting satisfaction in my Lord. This year I have felt more keenly the tug and pull of the world. It's busyness and distractions are sometimes easier to indulge in. That is why contentment in God and quieting our soul are important. And this can be done no matter what your day to day life is like.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace."

-Helen Lemmel

     A quiet heart looks to God for understanding and guidance. I had to make some life choices this year that, at the time, were really difficult for me. Like losing-sleep-over difficult. But those times led me to seek God deeper and really lean on Him for direction. It didn't necessarily make the decisions easy, but I had faith in His Spirit working in me and that is far better than relying on my flesh.

"Lord, give to me a quiet heart

That does not ask to understand,

But confident steps forward in

The darkness guided by Thy hand."

-Elisabeth Elliot

     I don't have all the answers. I'll never stop learning. I'm not perfect. But I know One who is! As this new year begins I want to begin my days quieting my heart by trusting and obeying. I want to know and love God more. I want to remember to enjoy the little blessings life is full of and be thankful, even in times of difficulty. I also want to try new things and maybe check something off my bucket list. ;) This is an amazing life, and I look forward to what God is going to do!

I hope this was encouraging and uplifting. What are some things God has been teaching you?

Any books to recommend on this subject? Let me know in the comments below!

Sunday Sounds: Port Blue "The Airship"

I am one of the many people who do almost everything with music playing in the background. 

One of my favorite things about music is the environment it can create for a situations, place, or activity. 

When I was in college I would study a lot in the library, which wasn't always a quiet place. I also got pretty distracted by what other people were doing and saying. So I started exploring different instrumental artists who made ambient, low key music. 

That's when someone recommended Port Blue to me. 

PB is the project of Owl City's Adam Young. He creates instrumental, ambient music with mellow tones and imaginative vibes. It is wonderfully unconventional without being over the top.

It makes for great study/chill music.

My favorite album is "The Airship" and my favorite track is "Up Ship!."

If you listen to his music let me know what you think. Also, who are your favorite ambient artists?