You Can Always Go Downtown + Mini Life Update

- Melody

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shirt: Old Navy (similar), shorts: F21 (similar), sandals: F21 (similar, these are cool, too!), ring: DIY, watch: thrifted, bag: F21

I wore this for dinner downtown. (That sounds so fancy!) I love these sequin shorts! It sounds crazy but they really go with everything. I can dress them way up or dress them down, kind of like I did here. They are a bit scratchy though, I’ll say that. But I’m willing to deal with that because SEQUINS.

That ring is my new favorite thing. I bought some white baking clay over a year ago and have been finding new things to make with it. So far I’ve made six or seven pairs of geo stud earrings, some geo magnets and a couple of rings. The other ring I made is shaped like a gaudy diamond. 😛 I love DIYing. (New verb.) I’ve had a lot of time to do that sort of thing while job hunting! Yay being a college graduate! 🙁

Hanging out downtown is a new adventure. I’ve never really been downtown and there are loads of new restaurants and shops to explore. The city has really done a great job of up keeping and developing that part of town. It’s always busy at night and there are smells and lights and sounds… I love cities. Even though Longview isn’t really a big city. 😉 It just makes me more excited to make the eventual move to Dallas!

+ Mini Life Update!

I’ve been job searching for about two months now and have nearly come up dry. My tentative plan is to find a full time job as a secretary or receptionist while saving money to move to Dallas, start a retirement fund, and/or buy a house. While I’m working I want to find how God would fit me into his plan for His worship passion He has set on my heart. I’ve applied for dozens of jobs but, even after following up more than once, companies and businesses will not reply. It. Is. Frustrating. Why post a position if you are not willing to respond to candidates? Sigh. So a couple of weeks ago I get a call from a lady in our church needing a babysitter for two days a week! I took the job for a temporary solution until I can find a full-time job. I’m seeing God’s hand moving in His plan for me but sometimes it’s hard to see the big picture. I’m staying faithful in prayer though and am confident I’ll see the fruits of that. I already have!

Happy Monday!

PS. Be sure to click the links of what I’m wearing to “get the look!”

xx

The One With Me in a Swimsuit

- Melody 1 Comment

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hat: F21, sunnies: local boutique (Dressin’ Gaudy), suit: F21

A couple of summers ago I discovered these retro swimsuits when Ashley of I Believe in Unicorns was wearing one. Someone in the comments asked where she bought it and I nearly immediately bought one too. 🙂 I’ve since forgotten what site that was but now they are everywhere. (Ashley if you’re reading help me out! 🙂 I’m pretty proud of myself for going out on a limb and buying a suit that wasn’t popular but because I loved it. I got several looks and compliments on the beach that summer. 🙂
Lesson: wear what you want. Whenever you want. Promise?

This suit is from Forever21 and it sold out not too long after I bought it. Modcloth has some adorable options but be prepared to spend about $80+. If I had the dough, I’d do it in a heartbeat! (The other one I have is exactly like this one!)

What are your suits for the summer? I’d love to see!

Happy Friday!

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Independence + FF Link Up!

- Melody 4 Comments

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shirt: Vera Wang-Kohl’s, vest: Old Navy, pants: F21, shoes: Converse, necklaces: H&M

Happy fourth of July everyone! What are you doing today? We’re going over to my aunt’s house tonight for grilling and explosives. Typical American holiday, right?

Today I’m linking up with Lindsey Herzog of Ruby Girl for Fashion+Faith Thursdays! Head on over and check out some other gals with fashion skillz. Check out Lindsey’s blog too! That girl is great and has done such a cool job of heading up the Fashion+Faith blogging community and getting us involved. I love it! This is my first link up there as well so I’m excited!

When my sister and I went to shoot this post we found these flags by our old elementary school. We set out to shooting and several cars drove by and honked. Who does that?! Who honks at a stranger taking pictures?! We even saw someone we knew and they just waved! People are weird.

Have a safe holiday weekend! Check back tomorrow for another style beach post! 🙂

xx

Cut Off

- Melody

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shirt: thrifted, shorts: DIY, sandals: F21, bag: F21, sunnies: local boutique (Dressin’ Gaudy)

This is the porch off of my parents bedroom at our rented beach house last week. Each floor had a huge wrap around porch with couches and tables.  The top floor even had a screened part. It was perfect. At night we’d go sit out on the porch and listen to the music from the bar right next door and all the people talking and having a good time… ahh.. Grayton Beach.. I love you so. It is the perfect beach town. Relaxed, no crazies like Destin or Panama ;). Everything is within walking distance. Did I mention the bar is right next to the house we stayed in? 🙂

I love these shorts. I stole an old pair of jeans from my sister and cut them off and soaked them in bleach for several hours since the wash is so dark and I love how they turned out. However, they still smell like bleach. 🙂

Happy Wednesday! Look for a sweet Fourth of July outfit tomorrow!

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other ways I’ve styled these shorts: one

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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

- Melody

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blouse: thrifted, skirt: Target, shoes: thrifted

Have you ever seen that movie? Beetljuice? I haven’t. I only remember that Gina Davis was in it, right? And she was a ghost or something? Whatever, I hate scary movies and you can’t make me watch it. 🙂 By the way, the word ‘beetlejuice’ is the hardest word on the planet to type without thinking very hard. Try it I dare you!

I finally have my puppy back! I picked her up from being boarded yesterday and she was excited to see me. 🙂 She’s back to her old antics and antagonizing the poor cats. I’m on her side though, cats.

I have been in such a mood for ice cream the past few days. I think it’s the deprivation of all the salt air since we’ve come home and the fact that I had hardly any chocolate on vacation! COME ON. What kind of vacation is that?!

So if you want, send me some chocolate. 🙂

Happy Tuesday!!

*currently listening… Beautiful Things by Gungor

Now You See Me

- Melody 2 Comments

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blouse: thrifted, shorts: Old Navy, sandals: F21, ring: DIY

I’m back! And oh I miss the beach already. My dad’s side of the family rented a three story house right on the beach in Florida for a week. Babies, cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles all together for a week. Only our family would be okay with that. 🙂 We are a very close family and last summer we started a new tradition called Family Share Time. Each family shares what has been going on in the last year, which I love because we wouldn’t know some of the stuff we hear had we not deliberately sat down and shared. We all complain about it but we secretly really love it. 😉 I am so incredibly blessed to be a part of such an uplifting and loving family. Sharing what has happened in my life these past six or seven months was difficult, but my family loved on me and encouraged me and told me they have been praying for me and will continue to pray. I couldn’t have asked for a better family. 🙂

The sand, the salty air, the cool bar right next door, the waves, the cool, relaxed vibe of Grayton… it’s all given me a new life goal. Buy a beach house. 🙂

Happy Monday!

Oh, PS! My cousin says hi. 🙂

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