I am loving these beautiful pops of red! This vibrant color is lifting
my spirits a little. What better time to wear red then in February...the
season of love and passion! These photos are making me passionate about
red! Enjoy!
~ Elle
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Love Letters
*sighs* I have to apologize...I am having an inspiration block. I know you don't want to hear about how I miss my husband 24/7, but that is all I can think about. Is he ok? Is he exhausted? Is he hating every miserable moment of it. And then I remember I wont get to hear his voice for a month...maybe longer. I just plain outright miss his crazy self!
I got my first letter from him today! It was wonderful...2 full pages. In it he wrote
"They say behind every great man is a greater woman. And I think you are pretty great (and sexy) so that must mean I'm a great man."
That is Justin's usual way of being romantic. Just to make sure he doesn't sound to gushy he will throw in some form of sarcasm or joke. You have to understand my husband. He is a guy's guy. He doesn't like gushy romantic sentimental stuff. He likes sports, guns, and loud music. He says what he thinks and if you don't like it tough luck. So when he takes the time to tell me how he feels it means a lot to me. Now he did write other more sweet things, but that is for me...not you...sorry!
They say writing letters long distance rekindles the romance and I can see why! You take the time to write things you might not normally take the time to say when you see them every day.
I was thinking of what I would do with his letters long term. Of course I will never throw a single one away! I still have ones he wrote to me when we started dating 7+ years ago! I love these ideas from Pinterest for copying love letters! What a romantic idea...!
Off to write another letter! (FYI, I forgot how long real letters take to hand write!)
Friday, January 13, 2012
Pink and Aqua Delights
Yesterday was not a good day for me. I was checking my emails and clicked on a video link of a dog who missed their owner. Well that led into looking at videos of soldiers returning home to the ecstatic joy of their dogs. It made me think of how our dogs will respond to Justin's return in 4 months. Already they are showing signs of depression. When I got home from work my dog, Zena, was hiding in my closet behind my clothes, and it took me forever to find her. This is a dog that normally runs to the door to great you wholeheartedly! I think my spirits were about as low as hers.
I had plans to go out with the girls that evening, but between being sick with a cold, tired, and depressed I decided to take it easy on the couch in front of my fireplace and watch reruns of New Girl with my mother-in-law. We had a good time just relaxing in our pj's with a glass of wine.
I had plans to go out with the girls that evening, but between being sick with a cold, tired, and depressed I decided to take it easy on the couch in front of my fireplace and watch reruns of New Girl with my mother-in-law. We had a good time just relaxing in our pj's with a glass of wine.
Well I decided I could use some cheering up (and now that this post feels so depressing I bet you are in need of cheering up too!)
So here are some delightfully lovely photos that put me in the mood for spring and lift my spirits!
I have never decorated in this shabby chic worn turquoise and pale pink style before, but I am finding a new love for this look! It is so soft and dreamy! I think if I ever had a paint studio I would consider doing it in this look!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
4 Months of Loneliness...
Well...my husband left for Army Basic Training yesterday. I was very proud of myself for not balling like a baby while saying goodbye! (He wouldn't have let me.) However, once I got home and started doing things around the house it really hit me how long I would be doing things without him by my side. In theory 4-5 months doesn't seem that bad...but actually living that without your best friend and partner by your side...that's a long time!
This is a very new chapter in my life, and I know it is going to make me a stronger person, as well as strengthen Justin and I as a couple. I don't think I could be prouder of my husband right now. He didn't have to do this. He had a great job and was quite good at what he does, but he gave up those comforts to fulfill his calling. I am so very proud of him for doing what he feels led to do.
I would like to say I looked this fabulous saying goodbye, but that is not the case! Instead I looked more like this...
It will serve as my reminder to pray for him everyday...
This is a very new chapter in my life, and I know it is going to make me a stronger person, as well as strengthen Justin and I as a couple. I don't think I could be prouder of my husband right now. He didn't have to do this. He had a great job and was quite good at what he does, but he gave up those comforts to fulfill his calling. I am so very proud of him for doing what he feels led to do.
I would like to say I looked this fabulous saying goodbye, but that is not the case! Instead I looked more like this...
Here we are holding hands on the way to the airport...
Justin left behind his wedding band so I put it on a chain with an army charm...
It will serve as my reminder to pray for him everyday...
Ok...I will try not to be to mopy and sad for the next few months! Please bare with me. I never thought I would be an army wife in a million years! This is definitely something the Lord is calling me to be though. I am determined to use this time for a lot of personal reflection, organization, and self motivation! Hopefully my posts over the next few months will focus on THAT part! :)
~ Elle
~ Elle
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Our last dinner out...
On Thursday my mother-in-law arrived safely into town. Kim is a professional faux painter, and has offered to do several rooms in our new home! I'm so VERY excited! As soon as it is complete I will show you before and after photos! You can see Kim's past work at Great TransFAUXmations.
On another note...We decided to all go out for dinner at Maggiano's Little Italy, which I had never been to before. It was the last time Justin and I would be going out to dinner before he leaves for basic training for 5 MONTHS! :( The reality of how long he will be gone is just now starting to sink in since we have been so busy on the house. He leaves Tuesday and I am going to miss him like crazy.
On another note...We decided to all go out for dinner at Maggiano's Little Italy, which I had never been to before. It was the last time Justin and I would be going out to dinner before he leaves for basic training for 5 MONTHS! :( The reality of how long he will be gone is just now starting to sink in since we have been so busy on the house. He leaves Tuesday and I am going to miss him like crazy.
Sorry for the quality! All I had was my iphone to take pics with!
Haha...I don't think Justin knew where to look at! :)
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Swept Away by Valentino
I am loving Valentino's Spring 2012 Campaign! The photos are lovely and so feminine!
Wow...that red dress is gorgeous! And I love the shorter dress for a feminine day frock.
I love the dress on the left. These dresses give the feel of a past era full of feminine grace.
The billowy sleeves on this dress are beautiful! I feel like I've been swept away...
I believe I will attempt the wrapped braid this spring...it has a nice fresh feel to it.
I hope you love these lovely gowns and whimsical campaign as much as I did!
Oh Spring, please come soon!
~ Elle
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
A Time For Resolutions...
I've been thinking a lot about my New Year's resolutions. I want to see a difference in my life, and make a difference in the lives of others. I've been thinking about the kind of person I am, the kind of wife, friend, sister, etc. And I am not happy with what I see. So I have decided to take 10 virtuous traits from the Proverbs 31 passage of the example of a virtuous wife, and work on those areas.
2. Marriage – "A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmate." I think of all the times I have let my husband down, torn him down, or took him for granted. I don't want to be this kind of wife. I want to be a wife who shows my husband respect. I want to be someone he can always trust, who builds him up and supports him, stands behind him and encourages him. A wife he can be proud of and brag about. Someone he loves spending time with. This is the kind of wife I strive to become in the coming year. (Proverbs 31: 11-12, Proverbs 31: 28-29, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis 2:18)
3. Service - "A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her
neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable." I want to be a better servant, more willing to put others before myself and my desires. To serve my
husband, family, friends, or neighbors with a gentle and loving
charitable
spirit. Sometimes I feel so very selfish that I am thoroughly disgusted with my own selfishness. (Proverbs 31: 15, 31:20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13, 1 Peter 4:10, Ephesians 5:1-2)
4. Health – "A Virtuous Woman cares for her body." I need to take better care of my body. I eat reasonably healthy, but rarely exercise, don't drink enough water, and allow myself to get run down way to easily. I need to be more conscious of what I am putting into my body and the things I am doing to hurt it both long term and immediately. My goal this year is to live a more physically healthy lifestyle. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, Daniel 1)
5. Finances - "A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs."
I take care of the finances in our home and do a decent job. However, I could work harder to stay on budget and save more than we do. I need to also be more careful about the quality and need of each item I purchase. Just because I want something doesn't mean I need it. My goal is to do less spending on a whim/desire, and more out of necessity. Also to be wiser with money and seek my husband’s council more often before purchasing. (Proverbs 31: 16 & 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:10, Proverbs 21:5, Matthew 6:19-20)
6. Work/Tasks – "A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks." Wow, how often I clean or work when I am angry, all the while complaining to myself about my husband or whatever has made me mad! Instead I should be praising, and going about my work with a joyful attitude! This year I strive to go about my work in a way that reflects my gratitude and thankfulness for the things I am blessed with! (Proverbs 31: 13-17,, Proverbs 31: 24, 27, & 31, Philippians 2: 14)
8. Time - "A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She
works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time
dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord."
I think about all the time I waste in a day. How many pointless things do I do throughout the day that are a waste of time? Whether it be Facebook, browsing the internet idly, playing silly games, online shopping, watching to many TV shows, etc. I resolve to put the important things first in the day such as devotions, prayer, housework, studies, correspondence, etc. I strive to live each day with a purpose and usefulness, and not waste it away with things not worth dwelling on. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8, Ephesians 5:15-16)
9. Beauty – "A Virtuous Woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones." This is such an important quality to possess...an inner beauty. I desire to be a woman of WORTH! To have an inner beauty that impacts other people's lives. God has given me creativity, a gift of art, an eye for design, and a sensitivity that I can use to impact others! I don't want to waste the beauty God has given me by focusing on the outer. I think it is ok to want to look nice on the outside, but it shouldn't be my focus. It shouldn't be more important than my character. (Proverbs 31: 10, Proverbs 31:25, 1 Timothy 2: 9-10, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)
10. Mothering - "A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go." I do not have children yet, but I hope I will be this kind of mother some day soon. I want to be a woman who builds her house up and not tears down. A mother who gives her children a strong base and support system. Even though I do not currently have children I can watch and learn. I can work on my relationship with God so that I will be a better example as a mother. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16)
I want to every aspect of my life to reflect a more virtuous woman!
(Definition: A woman characterized by or possessing virtue or moral excellence; righteous; upright)10 Resolutions to help me become a more virtuous woman in the coming year...and the years to follow.
1. Faith - "A Virtuous Woman serves God with ALL of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways." This year it is my #1 goal to follow God's will (not mine) for my life with all of my heart, soul, and mind. To stop clinging to all my desires and plans, and learn to trust Him fully. (Proverbs 31: 26, Matthew 22: 37-38, Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:2-4)
2. Marriage – "A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmate." I think of all the times I have let my husband down, torn him down, or took him for granted. I don't want to be this kind of wife. I want to be a wife who shows my husband respect. I want to be someone he can always trust, who builds him up and supports him, stands behind him and encourages him. A wife he can be proud of and brag about. Someone he loves spending time with. This is the kind of wife I strive to become in the coming year. (Proverbs 31: 11-12, Proverbs 31: 28-29, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis 2:18)
4. Health – "A Virtuous Woman cares for her body." I need to take better care of my body. I eat reasonably healthy, but rarely exercise, don't drink enough water, and allow myself to get run down way to easily. I need to be more conscious of what I am putting into my body and the things I am doing to hurt it both long term and immediately. My goal this year is to live a more physically healthy lifestyle. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, Daniel 1)
5. Finances - "A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs."
I take care of the finances in our home and do a decent job. However, I could work harder to stay on budget and save more than we do. I need to also be more careful about the quality and need of each item I purchase. Just because I want something doesn't mean I need it. My goal is to do less spending on a whim/desire, and more out of necessity. Also to be wiser with money and seek my husband’s council more often before purchasing. (Proverbs 31: 16 & 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:10, Proverbs 21:5, Matthew 6:19-20)
6. Work/Tasks – "A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks." Wow, how often I clean or work when I am angry, all the while complaining to myself about my husband or whatever has made me mad! Instead I should be praising, and going about my work with a joyful attitude! This year I strive to go about my work in a way that reflects my gratitude and thankfulness for the things I am blessed with! (Proverbs 31: 13-17,, Proverbs 31: 24, 27, & 31, Philippians 2: 14)
7. Homemaking – "A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of
warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to
minister to those around her." My goal this year is to be a better homemaker through the cleanliness of my home, better preparation of meals, less procrastination in laundry, and opening my home to guests more often. I also want to work on being more flexible in my need to have things perfect when having people over, and not getting so stressed out if things aren't perfect. This would definitely help me be more relaxed if I learned to let things go. (Proverbs
31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9,
Hebrews 13: 2)
I think about all the time I waste in a day. How many pointless things do I do throughout the day that are a waste of time? Whether it be Facebook, browsing the internet idly, playing silly games, online shopping, watching to many TV shows, etc. I resolve to put the important things first in the day such as devotions, prayer, housework, studies, correspondence, etc. I strive to live each day with a purpose and usefulness, and not waste it away with things not worth dwelling on. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8, Ephesians 5:15-16)
9. Beauty – "A Virtuous Woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones." This is such an important quality to possess...an inner beauty. I desire to be a woman of WORTH! To have an inner beauty that impacts other people's lives. God has given me creativity, a gift of art, an eye for design, and a sensitivity that I can use to impact others! I don't want to waste the beauty God has given me by focusing on the outer. I think it is ok to want to look nice on the outside, but it shouldn't be my focus. It shouldn't be more important than my character. (Proverbs 31: 10, Proverbs 31:25, 1 Timothy 2: 9-10, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)
10. Mothering - "A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go." I do not have children yet, but I hope I will be this kind of mother some day soon. I want to be a woman who builds her house up and not tears down. A mother who gives her children a strong base and support system. Even though I do not currently have children I can watch and learn. I can work on my relationship with God so that I will be a better example as a mother. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16)
So what are your New Year Resolutions? Would love to hear them!
~ Elle
(Check out A Virtuous Woman)
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