Making a Statement

Am I the only one drooling over spring jewels lately? I am obsessed with statement necklaces and can't get enough!  I've started quite the collection over the past year or two; I usually have good luck with Target's jewelry (my wallet thanks me for that!)

This is mostly all the jewelry I own and definitely my favorites right now! 

Jewelry Breakdown: 

1. Target (recently)

2. Charlotte Russe (approximately 2 years ago)

3 & 4. Bonton (last year)

5. Michael Kors from T.J.Maxx (6 months ago)

6 & 7. Target (recently) 

8. Kate Spade Outlet (2 months ago) 

9. Gifted 

10. Loft (last month) 

11. Francesca's (last year) 

12. Target (last year)

13. Target (recently) 

I put together a few outfits modeling some of my pieces!

 * Modeling number 11

 

above and below

* Modeling number 4

 \

* Modeling number 1

* Modeling numbers 5 and 7

"life is too short to wear boring jewelry"

XOXO, 

K

*Photographs are taken by Jenna

*Photographs are edited by Abigail Rosenberg Photography

Playing With Patterns

It feels like spring in Buffalo!

I am absolutely ignoring the fact that we're supposed to be getting a major snow storm tonight; I'm just embracing the sun right now! This outfit is one of my favorites lately, between the slight pattern on the sweater and the pattern on the pants it is sort of a lot to look at but I'm still loving it. Why be subtle? I love the added touch of sparkle with the necklace.

XOXO,

K

Outfit Breakdown:

Sweater: Forever 21

Blouse: Gap

Pants: J.Crew Factory

Shoes: Very old

Necklace: Target

*All photos are taken and edited (iPhone) by Abigail Rosenberg Photography

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.

I've always been the type of person who worries way to much what everyone else thinks of me. Ever since I can remember I've made most of my decisions based on what I thought those around me would think instead of making a decision based on Gods word and what He says. I was so afraid of disappointing people and of possible rejection that I didn't even think for myself. There comes a time when you can't ask everyone else what you ought to do. There's a time when it doesn't all line up really easy for you. There's a time where you stand up and you be a man (woman) and you take a step of faith focusing on all the truth you know and you don't care (with holy regard) about what other people think.

I think I've finally reached that place. 

I'll always value the opinions of others but I'm ready to make decisions based on Gods word and way less on what others around me are saying. I'm ready to take the mask off. To stop trying to be what others want me to be or what I think others want me to be. What you see is what you get. You like it, you like it; you don't, you don't. I've learned that who I am in Christ is what matters. What He thinks of me is what matters.

In just shy of a month I graduate from school. Following that means many many decisions. The possibility of doors opening for me is so exciting. I'm praying for wisdom, for grace and for God to close doors that are not a part of His plan. I am so excited for the next few months and to see how everything will play out!

Great things are starting to unfold for me. The single greatest thing I've done for myself is to stop seeing myself as a victim. Was I victimized? Maybe. But to remain a "victim", to let another day be taken from me by remaining sad is the very worst thing I could've done. I realized that in spite of my circumstances I needed to rise up. I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself , to take my eyes off of me and realize that I have something to offer. To not believe that for so long was pretty arrogant because God says I do. I have struggles, you have struggles but we all have something to offer...

we all can overcome.

Asking for prayer for the next few weeks as I wait on answers. I am so excited for what may be ahead.

XOXO,

K

High Five For Friday

This week has been so busy! I'm pretty thrilled to see it end. School and work are keeping me very busy these days but I did have a little bit of down time this week. These are the five highlights of my week!

1.

It's not every week that a Sunday sermon is still floating around in my head five days after I've heard it. I am so blessed by a fabulous church and a pastor speaking truth. This message was phenomenal and exactly what I needed to hear.

2. I was able to do a little much needed spring cleaning this week! I love how pretty my room looks when it is clean. Lately, it hasn't been often. 

3.

On Tuesday my mom, sister and I went out for an impromptu dinner; this was our delicious and gluttonous dessert.

4. Monday was the last class of the first session of a four session counseling/mentoring class I'm taking. I've learned so much and it's been so exciting to see God move already. I pray I can be a blessing to others and God would use me as He sees fit.

5.

Today marks officially one month until I graduate from cosmetology school! I am so excited for what's to come. I can't believe how fast time flew by. These are a couple of the girls I've met who are some of my best friends now.

I hope you all had a great week too!

XOXO,

K

All Dressed Up

When I purchased this dress I originally thought I'd save it for spring with a pair of sandals or wedges. However, I'm always trying to think of multiple uses for my clothing to get the most wear out of them; tights and a sweater were the perfect items to winterize this dress! 

I'm still longing for the sandals though!

XOXO,

K

Outfit breakdown:

Dress and clutch: Marshalls

Sweater: Target

Shoes: Payless

Neckless: Borrowed 

This One's For The Girls

Maybe it's just me but lately I've heard an overwhelming amount of girls around my age complaining about the men they're dating or just the men their age in general. They're always so quick to blame their struggling relationships or absent dating life on the men around them.

I'm blaming the ladies.

Don't get me wrong, I think we have a lot of men around us who are not treating women like they should- but I think the bigger problem is the women who are settling for way less than they should.

The number of women I've met who are or have dealt with an unfaithful significant other is absolutely horrific (and this is just my own little circle). I don't for a second want you to think I'm making light the pain you're feeling- I am not. I am so sorry that you aren't being treated like the princess you are. You have to ask yourself how many times you're going to let him hurt you. How many times are you going to find yourself in a relationship with the same type of men and the same outcomes before you start demanding better? It seems to me that being unfaithful to a significant other is so common now that people are starting to just accept it as a part of life, a norm. I've seen studies that claim an affair can make a marriage stronger. What!? And it's not just men either, it's women too.

We need to start expecting more. 

Ladies, you were not created to fulfill a mans "needs" and you were not created to feel unfulfilled without a man in your life, you certainly weren't created to be walked all over. You were created in the perfect image of Christ. You are perfectly designed by God. Your worth is more than you can imagine. Proverbs 31:10 says you are worth more than rubies.

Singleness can be a difficult season. We live in a world that makes us believe it's built for two. I encourage you to look at this time as a blessing. God knows what He's doing. Your future steps are perfectly ordained by Him. That is so comforting to me. Discover yourself. Take a trip. Volunteer. Use this time. Just don't settle.

There is a man out there who will treat you like the precious jewel you are and until you meet him YOU need to treat yourself like the precious jewel you are.

Men will start rising up when we stop backing down.

"Never settle for less than you deserve or you'll end up with even less than you bargained for."

XOXO,

K

*This is not intended to sound harsh or inconsiderate. I  am writing with a genuine concern because I've been there and I speak from experience.

Notes on Moving Forward

For those of you who know me well you know that I've been going through a bit of a hard time. If you follow me on Facebook I've alluded to this season of loss. If by chance you don't know me well then I'll spare you the details but just tell you that 6 months ago my little world that I had created shattered around me and I'm still sorting through the pieces. I'm trying to figure out what God wants me to piece back together and what God wants me to leave on the ground, right where it shattered. 

I think God works in wonderful, glorious ways. And I know that He knows what He's doing. Every single step of the way. With that said, I don't think a single person who's reading this that can say that there hasn't been a time where they seriously questioned his ways. I remember specifically driving in my car one day, I was so angry. Angry at what happened, angry because it felt like God must have forgotten about me and angry for having those feelings. Even through that anger I was crying out to Him, begging him for clarity-- I realize now how beautiful it was that in those devastating moments I was still seeking Him. He was still my strength.

During the first few months I just wanted to hit rock bottom, I begged God to bring me to the bottom because I just wanted to start working my way back up. Several times I thought I hit the bottom and then I realized I wasn't there yet. I've hit the bottom. I'm slowly working my way back up.

I think I've finally reached a place of peace. 

Don't be confused, this peace isn't equal to a place of complete happiness or joy. It's just peace. Peace in the circumstances. Peace in my heart. Peace in knowing that God has always had my best in mind. Peace in the promise that God will NEVER leave me or forsake me. Peace in knowing, really knowing that God alone knows what the rest of my life looks like.

I've worried so much about the future and how it's going to look. Would I ever be able to move on? Would I ever feel normal again? Would I ever be happy? These are dark thoughts that have crossed my mind on many occasions. But I've chosen to let these thoughts go and to simply trust God and His promises; to dwell in Him and to focus on the truth. I've let go of the dissatisfaction and anger with His plan. He has a beautiful plan for my life, yours too. What's holding you back from letting go of all the things that are causing you to doubt Him?

I can't go back and change how I started to walk down this road and I wouldn't if I could. I've learned so much, I've come so far. I have a much better understanding of what it means to fully trust God and to let go of control of my own life. To surrender to His ways. I'm grateful that I've learned these things.

This road I'm on, the friends and mentors I have, the steps I'll take tomorrow and even next year are all perfectly ordained by Him and I am immensely grateful that I am able to serve such a mighty God, that He will use me as He sees fit and that He loves me enough to do whatever it takes to make sure my eyes are fixed on Him.

It feels good to be moving forward. 

Maybe you're waiting for something... Anticipating what is to come. Anxiously seeking out what will be the next chapter of your life. I am praying for you. God will meet you where you are. He is not surprised by what is happening in your life. He knows what will happen next. Try to rest in that.

XOXO,

K

"To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises." - Oswald Chambers' Gracious Uncertainty