the princess and the pea

leather boots: vintage? thrifted
leggings: ?
dress: old navy summer dress
sweater: free
snakeskin belt: thrifted
scarf: walmart $5
necklaces: (probably vintage) 2 chains & pendant 
from Grammie, one pendant thrifted
brooch on headband: vintage Grammie

I added these pics for humor's sake. I think the one on the left, I look like I'm growing out of the woodpile.  It cracks me up! It's like a bad fairy tale. Like babies growing in a cabbage patch? maybe.  The one on the right was when I was trying to stand on the wood pile in boots that don't have much traction.  

I think this was one of my favorite outfits and photo shoots.  Me use the term "Photo shoot"? I know I'm not a model, so what should I call it?? It was rather cold outside while taking pics.  I'm totally layered today so that kept me warmer.  This outfit is really comfy too!  

I went into town because my dad did a show.  I have a confession to make. (Some of you already know.) My dad is an (drum roll please)....... ELVIS IMPERSONATOR! For real. No joke, no I'm not pulling your leg. And I didn't write gullible on the ceiling.  Yup my dad is Elvis! (OK he pretends to be Elvis.)  He actually kinda looks like him. We were recently watching Blue Hawaii and they had a shot of Elvis at the end kinda blurryish and for a second I could have pretended he was my dad, he looked like him. Or should I saw my dad looked like Elvis.  

My dad sang for his dinner (well, not quite) at a nursing home in town. I drove in with my mom. We got FREE dinner. It was yummy.  It was kinda funny because the young people waiting on us kept on forgetting to give us things. Like my mom and I got decaf coffee.  I had to ask for creamer and a stirrer.  We got our dinner, without silverware and napkins.  When they brought us the plates and forgot silver ware my mom and I looked at each other and laughed (after they had left the table).  We weren't upset but it was funny because they kept not giving us things. So I asked for the silverware and napkins, and water.  

I asked God if I could help someone tonight.  I went to the Library to hang out. (Got a ton of books, some on fashion, one on antique buttons, even some on dating, and an Elizabeth Goudge novel.)  I was walking out with a lady. Held the door open for her.  I walked to my car. She kept walking. I wondered in my car if maybe this was the answer to prayer I had prayed. So I drove out the driveway. I turned left, she was on the sidewalk. I stopped (no one was coming in either direction), and asked if she wanted a ride home. She got in.  I took her home. It was a ways from the library.  

Her name is Victoria. She doesn't have a job. She visits her mom in town. She likes town because it has things to do.  I think that night some men in a truck offered her a ride. I don't know if she rode with them. I'm glad I was able to give her a lift home.  It's a cold night too. I don't think Miss Victoria is totally right in her mind and she was soo trusting.  

I was a bit nervous as I was considering doing it and was nervous while doing it. I didn't know if she lived in a rough home. Was I putting myself in danger? But God kept me. I was fine. Believe me, I don't make a habit of picking up strangers, but I really like helping people.  I felt OK about this time.  If any young ladies are reading this, please be super careful about doing what I just did.   BE WISE.  It felt rather good to do it.  It was an answer to prayer.  I almost didn't stop. I'm glad I did since it was quite a ways for her to have had to walk at night.

So I named my blog. Anyone have any other suggestions for names?  I think my name is OK. But if there's any better names that'd be great!  

Inside the box, outside the lines

     Yesterday was an inside kind of day. Boy was it WINDY!  Windy, windy, windy, rainy ... and cold! 

From Winne the Pooh and the blustery day: narrator: 

     "Owl talked from page 41 to page 62, and on page 62, the blustery day turned into a blustery night. To Pooh, it was an anxious sort of night, filled with anxious sorts of noises. And one of the noises was a sound that had never been heard before."

     I set up my little tripod, aka stool and a stack of antique books and did my little shoot in our hallway.  It was fun :)

     I put the pants and the long sleeve shirt together then I was like that tunic might work, put it on and it was like a light bulb went off. It was nifty, I looked like an optical illusion. Well almost.


     In the next two pictures I was thinking about how to "emote." So I was like what does surprise look like, and I did it.... not sure what the other emotion was. Bewildered, or confused maybe? (She asked emoting a "quizzical" expression, as she sat typing away at a silly little blog at a ridiculously irresponsible hour.)


     Today I had an interview!!! It went well. They will get in touch with me eventually. I think it's a very good prospect.


     I didn't take any pics of my outfit today since I didn't feel like it 'cus I am/was sooo tired.  Had trouble sleeping last night.  Can anyone say "night before an interview?!!"  I was like, "did I have caffeine?"


     It's late. I AM TIRED. And this blog feels all over the place. Kinda outside the lines eh? ;)

     Some how I am able to write near my pictures. I don't know how I did that. Usually I post my pics on the top of the blog and the writing below.


     I didn't post this yesterday because the electricity went out. I wanted to post it but my dad needed to get to bed and he needed to shut the generator off.  So it was like "what the hey? I don't HAVE to post it tonight." (as in last night)

     I end up taking a lot of pictures usually.  I get "picture happy." There's more where these came from. I should start a blog to put the pics up that I don't post on this blog. (jk...)


skinny jeans: old Navy
pirate boots: thrift store
tank tunic: thrifted
long striped tshirt: old Navy
Grannie necklace: thrifted, vintage 
earrings: gift from sister
scarf: walmart
giant ring: from sister

Beauty Tip:

  I brushed a light brown shadow, then layered it with light blue. 

The blue wasn't as strong as I wanted it.  So I made paint with the eye shadow.

 I just added a bit of water and mixed it in with the brush. 

Then painted it onto my eyelids.  It made a bolder color.

 Fun stuff!  You can also use wet shadow as an 

eyeliner. Just use a lining brush/thin brush.

comfy cozy

Thanksgiving break is coming to an end.  *sigh*  My sister had her new boyfriend, Anthony, come and stay with us and share Thanksgiving with us.  She left awhile ago to drive him back to Richmond.  She flies out from Baltimore super early tomorrow morning.  She said her good byes already. Someone, we haven't decided yet, will have to leave about 3:30 am to bring her.  So I might not see her again until Christmas.  

God has truly blessed her with Anthony. He's loved her for 2 years and finally she is fully loving him back.  In our family we believe in waiting until your married.  That is what they are doing.  They are honoring each other with not going beyond specific boundaries. They really want to focus on the relationship and not be distracted by other things. They are even an example to me in purity.  I am thankful that God has blessed my sister with this young man.  

Anthony is also a great cook. He brought this beautiful cheesecake that he made at home for Thanksgiving. It was good. Today he made Chicken Parmesan. Wow, it was delicious. Adam and Krista were in the kitchen helping him with the cooking.  

My mom dreamed about the time when her kids would be grown up and they'd fix a meal and invite her over.  We're at that point now. She has enjoyed us adult grown up kids preparing full meals, without mommy's help.  It's good stuff.  

Since today was Saturday I wanted to wear something casual and comfy.  I got dressed, had a lighter top on under the sweater and flats without socks. I went with my dad to get the mail and BOY it was cold!! So I put a tunic sweater on under the cardigan, socks and hefty shoes.  I am cold blooded.  

-L.L. Bean leather clogs: from my Grammie, she got them super cheap

-grey patterned socks: ?

-Levi Strauss jeans: $2 thrifted

-over sized striped sweater: thrifted

-turtle neck tunic: gift from an artist in NYC who runs her own non profit

-medallion: from same artist in NYC

-earrings: thifted

-big rings: gifted from my sister

-bling bling in the hair: gifted from my sister

Thank you mom for being patient and taking all my pics so often :) I do get some good pics from what she takes.  Often I'll go in and edit. Sometimes it's fine the way it is and I don't.  

Anthony welcome to our crazy quirky family!!!    

"Woodmen's wife"

I reminded my sister of a "Wood men's wife," hence the name of the post. I asked her what I should name the outfit and she said "Wood men's wife". I laughed out loud! I dressed this way because I knew later we were going to go get our Christmas tree. I've never worn my L.L. Bean boots all day long! I even wore them shopping. I think I want to wear them this season more often. They're fun and "woodsy"! (She also looked at me across the dining room table and said "You look like a fairy." I think it was the hair ;)


I went into town with my dad today. We stopped at Walmart. I got the supplies to make a display to sell my jewelry, mostly earrings at a friend's business. Then we stopped on Main Street and went to a couple of thrift stores. My dad was looking for a used VCR. My grandmother has sent him Sarah Palin's show recorded on video for him. (And we have a HUGE collection of videos and our old VCR went ka-put recently.) I bought this long black beaded necklace at the thrift store. The beats are probably glass. I will probably take it apart and use the beads for earrings. I also bought some new beads, fun! To make earrings with to sell.


I think I am a words of affirmation person. My sister told me "You are a trend setter." Because of my creativity and uniqueness in dressing. She said that she herself is more of a follow the trends person but I'll do something different and others will do what I do. It made me feel good:) I wouldn't have thought of myself that way. It's neat when others see you in a way you don't and they tell you and it can be surprising in a good way!


Our evergreen tree is standing bare and stark in all it's natural beauty in our living room. It is waiting to be clothed in baubles and lights. Memories of years gone by will be lovingly placed on it's out-stretched arms. Branches wide open welcoming each of us with love and belonging. The humble tree will be crowned with a shining angel to christen it "The Christmas Tree."


-L.L. Bean boots: from my Grandmother, she worked there for awhile so she can get L.L. Bean items for SUPER cheap (these possible were $3)
-Skinny jeans: Walmart sale
-long sleeve green and white shirt:  Gabriel Brothers
-wool hoodie: Gabriel Brothers
-leather brown belt: yard sale, men's Old Navy
-special hiking socks: thrifted (from 2003!)
-vintage brooch on headband: gift from a neighbor
-earrings: borrowed from my sister
-ring: rough cut emerald from Thailand, near the Thai/Burma border (bought on my mission trip there in 2006, it was $13!!) (I looked at the pics and I see that I don't have a pic of it. It was under my gloves I promise!)
-brown scarf: Walmart $5


I took my braids out this morning. (Remember my peasant do yesterday?)  I was going to re braid my hair today. But instead, my hair ended up looking really wavy. So I took advantage of it :) 

I am thankful

It's 2 hours after Thanksgiving but I will post a Thanksgiving post.  

This is a list of a number of things I am thankful for.

-I spent 8 months at YWAM in Richmond, thankful for that

-very thankful for what God has been doing - deep healing in my life with my relationship with my mother

-I shared Jesus with some children while in Richmond and 4 kids asked Him into their heart

-All of my relationships at YWAM

-money to cover 8 months at YWAM, I had to pay my way to be there/raise my own support

-so thankful for God's provision for my CNA training

-thankful for passing my CNA test, finally, I took it 2 times

-I am thankful for my FAMILY!

-The healing that God has been doing has opened my heart and experiences to experiencing more relationship with Jesus.

-I am thankful for two little kids in Richmond, my babies Lee Lee and Kajira

-all the growth God did in me while at Richmond.

Our family is quirky and cool. Us kids took a trip into town after 10:30 to rent a movie. We stopped at the 7-11 nearest us to see if we could get a movie at Redbox, it was froze up. So we drove to Martins, it was closed. We tried Shenandoah Video across from Martin's, they closed at 10.  So we drove across the 2 bridges to that 7-11, they didn't have the movie we wanted. *sigh* So we drove the rest of the way to Walmart. Still not the right movie. But instead we picked up "Temple Grandin." An AMAZING movie about a real lady who was autistic but didn't let her disability keep her from being a truly successful person.  The movie I was looking for was Mrs. Miracle a hallmark warm fuzzy movie.  I hope to find it soon.  

About my Thanksgiving outfit. 

-Old navy flats

-Ann Taylor pants: Gabriel brothers

-argyle sweater: gift from sister, Target

-long sleeved yellow shirt: Target

-earrings: thrifted 

-necklace: vintage from Grammie

-belt: thrifted .50cents

-pearl bracelet: self made

-vintage ring: thrifted

-yellow flower: made by me with a vintage button

I braided my own hair into the "Peasant Braids." I started like 3 times.  I saw another fashion blog recently, she had done an updo, it inspired me.  :)  

I know I am soo blessed. Thank you Jesus!

...along the country road

My mom took my pics for me today. She actually does a pretty good job. The detail shots were ones I took. I'm TIRED and haven't had dinner yet and it's 9:00. My family is making pizza.  My brother Adam is the "head cook."  He made the dough from scratch! It's such good pizza and I'm so hungry.


I had one outfit in my head, tried it and nixed it.  Part of the initial outfit were these funky blue suede tall boots. Half a size too big.  Worn and weird.  They are BRILLIANT blue.  They do look like Superman's boots. Not the best look.  I took them off and stuck 'em in the bag for the thrift store. Instead of me taking something I'm giving back this time.


Frank Sinatra is crooning in the background.  The smell of pizza is wafting through the toasty house.  The table is set, colored cloth napkins and a table cloth ethnic and woven. A large glass pedestaled bowl holds pink roses floating in water, two candles glowing sentinels, watching and waiting for the family of the house to sit and partake of the Italian dish.


Wow! I am sooo hungry!  It smells sooo good!! (Whimper, whimper ....)


booties: Brazilian leather, thrifted
Calvin Klein jeans: $2 thrifted
patterned shirt: Target thrifted
short jacket: Target
scarf: $5 Walmart
bejeweled earrings: $1 jewelry store in TX.
ring: from my Grammie
black leather men's belt: Old Navy yard sale


The road I'm standing on is the road that we live off of. It goes alongside our land and swings around behind us.  I am having a hard time naming this blogpost.  I'll try something. If anyone has any ideas let me know, please :)