Sunshine and blue skies

I actually took this picture with a self timer!  Amazing! They usually look strange ;)

The full outfit.

 "What do I do, what do I do?!" I actually asked while said camera self timed and took a picture. (I think... I have a lot of personality)

It was a beautiful day when I went outside and took these shots.  It was Monday actually.  Our computer was offline for almost two days because the phone was down. That's why I'm finally now posting these pics. Weird, but a good break from the internet ;)  


A few comments on my outfit.  The necklace is actually my cameo necklace worn backwards.  It has a lovely gold toned design on the back.  I made the bracelet from an old pearl necklace, from my grandmother again, probably vintage.  


I love how I ended up with 2 plaids goin' on.  One in blue and one in red!  The ring I scored recently at a thrift store.  I did some research but I can't find it anywhere online.  I took it to an antiques dealer and she said it probably is what you call "brass and glass."  And since it has a chip it's not worth much.  My guess is that it's from the 1920's or 1950's. I saw rings like it at a vintage store in Richmond.  Around the edge of the setting of the rhinestone are very delicate etchings of flowers and delicate designs.  I also love that color, Amber.  


I did 2 sessions basically of my outfit. The first without the scarf and coat. I talked to my dad and was like the pics of me don't look that great?  And he said and agreed with me that that yellow is too close to my skin tone.  


I added a scarf because I was getting cool. The blue in it looks so much better next to my face :)  In this type of weather I get too warm when I'm moving around than I cool off if I'm still for awhile. So I put on and take off layers throughout the day.


wide leg pants: Gabriel brothers, Ann Taylor Loft
socks: Gabriel brothers?
blue suede shoes: target, sale $5
striped button up: Carriage Court, thrifted (probably vintage)
yellow sweater with blue bows: a brand I'm not familier with ;)  thrifted
necklace: backwards cameo, from my Grandmother, vintage avon
scarf: Christmas gift from Brother
jean jacket: Old Navy $25
glass and brass ring: $6 Goodwill
bracelet: self made, vintage beads 


It's actually 3:38 am right now. I just got home at 3 am from picking up my sister from the Baltimore airport. Wow! Yeah. I'm about to go to bed.

"POP" of red

I like red. The walls in my room are red. My comforter is red. I have a red fuzzy chair. (I didn't actually paint my walls red, my sister did and I inherited that fabulous color when I moved in.)

I actually don't have a lot of red clothes. I have 2 pair of shoes that are red, 2 red scarves, a belt, a coat and a sweater (I might not keep.) Sounds like a lot-ish, but I have a lot-ish clothes too.

I told a friend of mine today that I have an addiction to thrift stores. She told me, "At least it's not an addiction to high end stores." (hehe). True I can fork over $2 any day for a cute pair of shoes instead of $435 (big smile!).

I sometimes feel guilty buying stuff, or after the fact. I grew up not having a lot and really conservative so spending money can make me feel guilty. Or, like I shouldn't spend a lot. That could be one of the reasons it's easy for me to "drop" money at thrift stores, because it's not a lot. And it can feel more "ok" to spend a little than to spend more. Maybe if I saved money and didn't spend as much as I did at thrift stores I could buy some pieces that are better quality for more money. (But, where else than a thrift store, can you find Steve Madden leather heels for $2!!! Ok, to be honest, they did need some glue, and are a bit scuffed. But, They are so classy!)

These are a bit late night ramblings-esque. I'm tired, it's 1 am. I just watched Iron Man 2 with my brother. Fun movie.

I don't know if I can keep up with posting my outfit every day... it takes time. But I do want to do it more often than I did before, which was "not at all." It's also a good way to take my pulse on how I dress.

Any suggestions on how to make my face look "good" while doing "self shots?" On a number of the pics from today you're seeing the handiwork of my father. (He made me laugh. check out the 2nd pic, I'm reacting to him :))

p.s. I actually wore a different pair of boots to church, my "sexy" black boots, but we did a bit of shopping after church and they got to a point where my feet were HURT-ING! So I put on my loyal grey leather "pirate boots" and left 'em on for the picture taking. (Is it bad that I'm calling inanimate objects as if they are living creatures?)

Red faux patent leather purse, "Nine West": $2.95 thrifted

jersey grey dress: Gabriel Brothers $(guess $4)? cheap

black lace pattern tights: ?

"pirate boots": $2 vintage thrifted

long necklace (Avon?): vintage thrifted

faux crystal necklace: $1 jewelery store in Tx.

filigree bling bling earrings: $1 jewelery store in Tx.

bling bling ring: gift from my sister

super cozy sweater: gift from my sister

"...I hope you find a lot of beauty in your day..."

A friend of mine left me a comment on my FB wall this a.m. "...I hope you find a lot of beauty in your day..." Because of that I delibratly wanted to. Isn't that interesting how people can speak into your life and you want to do what they said, in a sense prophesied into being.

My dad has done that for me a couple of times while I was in Richmond. He would text me and text something to this effect "God has something special in store for you today." And I would live with that expectation and something would happen. :) It's awesome to sow positive expectations into others lives. We don't make it happen but that expectation can highlight a seemingly ordinary event and make it extra-ordinary.

I went with my family down to the tail end of our local Christmas Bazaar. Outside of the community center where it was held I had my brother help me in photographing my outfit today.

Ohhh! And a lady, who's our neighbor gave me the vintage brooch I have in my hair! I LOVE IT!

I got 4 pair of NICE jeans yesterday at the Salvation Army, $2 a pair. Two were Levi Strause and one pair were Calvin Klein and the 4th were dark wash skinny jeans! Score. Maybe 3 pair are too long but I can hem or just cut 'em off and have the frayed edge look.

My leather "men" shoes were scored yesterday too! I'd seen pics of other fashion bloggers that had ones like it. They make my feet look so little. But they are cold :( not much too them and I found out one already has part of the sole coming off... nothing a bit of glue can't fix!

little "men" shoes-leather thrifted "new" to me $5

Calvin Klein jeans-"new" to me thrifted $2

long sleeve thermal grey shirt-Gabriel brothers (the "gloved part is sweet!)

long sleeve button up sweat shirt-Gabriel brothers, actually juniors size (one of my faves, had for years!)

magenta scarf-walmart $5

giant ring-gift from my sister

vintage brooch/used as barret-gifted TODAY!

purse-from Christian Freedom International's import store in MI, $15? (made in Nepal?)

pin striped with cameos

This is my 2nd day of photographing what I wear. I was even in bed last night (early am) putting this together in my head. I started with a different cardigan but tried this little school teacher one instead. As an artist it's fun getting dressed (as a human, sometimes FRUSTRATING!), Instead of the colors being "matchy matchy" they have to work together. I would have never paired the red scarf with the sage green cardigan but I'm making it work.

I like camel with blue. I've worn my belt, pictured, with cobalt blue before (and some amazing 2 toned Steve Madden pumps!) but now it works with chambray blue.

It's hard to say what colors things are. I don't wear a lot of primary colors. Ok, it's easy to say the scarf is red. But what about the color of the background of the cameo? Would you say the cardigan is sage green? I actually googled sage green images, and that's what I got. It looked the same. :)

I need a new camera. I may be getting one free or I might have to spend a bit and go buy one. I've been thinking about one at Walmart that has a charger with it!! I have to practically wrestle with my batteries to make the camera work/upload to the computar. The flap that holds the batteries in place is held there with tape!

I also need to work on my facial expressions and poses. (shucks) I've seen fashion blogs where the girls (almost) always look good. It takes practice to stand in such a way that's interesting and looks good.

camel boots: christmas gift, Steve Madden

cream knee high socks: $2 Gabrial brothers

skinny jeans: Ross, $15

men's pin striped button down dress shirt: hand me down from a guy!

sage green and argyle cardigan: christmas gift, Target

stamped camel belt (I love!): vintage thrifted

cameo necklace: from my Grandmother, vintage avon

red wool scarf: christmas gift from my brother

fish earrings: thrifted (vintage?) they remind me of the goldfish crackers:) $2

corduroy blazer: YMI thrifted, still had a tag on it, it was a sample $2

As you can see I thrift ALOT. It's a bit of an addiction for me. I find the coolest things sometimes for not much! For example a pair of leather stamped women's cowboy boots made in spain for $1! But I can also waste money and not get items that are in the best of shape.

I grew up not dressing well and not having a lot. I was brought up very conservatively. I didn't wear pants regularly until my early 20's. I didn't get my ears pierced until I turned 20. Now I have a total of 4 piercings (all in my ears ;)

I have dreamed about attics/storage areas full of clothing. I even dreamed once about a rich lady that had a big closet with vintage stuff. It seems like I couldn't get to that closet. I think some of my dreams were because I haven't always had a lot/or the nicest of things. I do enjoy clothes and figuring out what I can do to be creative and stylish. Fashion is an extension of my creativity.

Limeade and blues

I really enjoy fashion, clothes and colors. I do own it, I am an artist and as such I love to put outfits together. With this outfit I put together blues and lime greens. And a touch of burgundy.

Yesterday I browsed many fashion blogs. There is one http://kendieveryday.blogspot.com/ Kendi everyday that I looked at ALOT yesterday. She is doing this really cool challenge called "30 for 30." What you do is pick 30 pieces from your wardrobe and wear only those 30 pieces for the next 30 days. You also cannot buy anything for your wardrobe during that time. It is to make the most of what you have and to also learn how to "remix" your pieces. I want to do it, but my camera isn't in the best shape.

But I did find some batteries that worked, I ended up using 4... they all had a little juice left and photographed what I'm wearing today.

So this is my first "fashion blog" about what I personally am wearing.

Fashion bloggers also post where they got each piece. The prices are guestimates.

grey leather boots: thrift store (vintage), $1

blue/teal tights: Gabriel Brothers, $2

mini denim skirt: thrifted (?)

lime green Anne Taylor sweater: thrifted $2

long sleeve turquoise and dark blue striped shirt: Target sale

lime green gradient scarf: $2.50 K-mart

earrings: thrifted $1

burgundy belt: thrifted, vintage

As you can see I LOVE bargains.

the updated version

I took some pics of this vintage dress and had them posted on my etsy. (Yes I "self took" these pictures. Just give me a kitchen stool and a self timer setting on a camera!)

I got advice from a very active vintage seller. She suggested I shorten the dress to a more modern length. So I did and re-shot it. I think it's so much cuter this length. I still don't have a buyer for it.

I started shortening another dress, black with white polka dots to sell in my Etsy shop. I need to hem it, photograph it and post it also.

This is my version of a not so mini "Mini dress." :) If you look at the previous blog you will see this dress before it was shortened.

Here's the updated version of the "Eva Girl Dress."

the vintage vantage

I finally started posting some new items in my etsy shop. I have 4 new Vintage items up. Great pieces for moving into the cooler months. The flamingo pink shift isn't posted yet.... but will be coming soon. www.mariesmiracles.etsy.com

A day with Melody

Yesterday I had the chance to spend a day with a childhood friend. Her name is Melody. She says we met in the church nursery. She knocked me down while I was in a high chair. Maybe she knocked me so hard I can't remember....

I got to her house aroun 11:30. We ate lunch, homemade quiche :) and cut up fruit. She did some laundry... we hung out and talked, had decaf coffee and cookies. I talked to her sister for a long time.

I got to play with her boys. Matthew, age 4 was on the swing, he looked at me and loudly proclaimed "I love you!" Oh and Jonathan with his mouth curled up to the side shared with me his baritone lion growl, and he's only 3. I was delighted at his vocal talent.

When Matthew was a baby Melody sent me a picture of him letting me know He was my valentine that year. (Since I'm single.)

Melody has been married for 6 years. I was in her wedding... over the years I've had some chances to spend time with her and her family. It's hard to connect much in person because they live in Maine and I live in Virginia.

There's nothing like a child hood friend! Thanks God:) for Melody.

Ablaze: the fire has started

The last 4 months I have been focused on working to help make Ablaze worship and Missions gathering happen.

The 3 months following, my main job was to communicate. To communicate to people coming, youth group leaders and individuals. To communicate to the other staff, and listen in on a lot of meetings. To communicate to the director and see what the director needed me to work on next.

I was stretched, pulled, made uncomfortable.... I grew as a leader and in administration.... I wrote in the last note that one of the ways I felt God leading me to take this step to help with Ablaze was a visual I got of the giant swing. The giant swing is a swing that we have here at the base, part of our Ropes Course. To experience the swing you must take a step of faith off of a 30 foot platform into thin air. I kept getting visuals of that step. I wanted to help with Ablaze.... to be a part of it.

So with God as my harness and rope holding me up I took the plunge, I stepped off into thin air. And He carried me every step of the way, and it was a ride! Like stepping off of the giant swing it was tough, overwhelming and exhilerating.

At first I was just mobilizing and contacting people to become part of the YWAM VA Facebook profile page. I was like "I'm not doing much." So I went to Kara and Chris and I was like, "put me to work." They took me out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant sometime later and put me to work.

The first week of Ablaze started July 5th. This was the most challenging week, but God brought definate fruit. Twenty five young people committed their lives to Jesus, to follow him totally basically to a life of mission. Whatever that means as they follow God.... missions aren't only overseas, they can be in your high school, at the fast food restaraunt you work at or in high executive offices.

The 2nd week was the Family week. It was our smallest week. We had 11 to 14 participants outside of our YWAM family. We had people ages 4 to 70. The call to missions service was powerful. The Holy Spirit was poured out in a special way. I believe young people were filled with the Holy Spirit and with power. That night 7 young people commited themselves to missions.

There was a young girl that I was responsible for for the week. Her name was Felicia age 14, I was also kinda responsible for her sister Charity. They were both very bright and hungry for God. I had a chance to share and pray for Felicia. For Charity I felt to pray for her hands. The Holy Spirit was heavy on me and I prayed for her hands, that they would be healing hands.

During that week 2 people from the neighborhood, a mother and daughter came into relationship with Jesus.

The third week was my favorite. We had 3 youth groups. The kids were fantastic and the youth leaders were completely behind Ablaze and what God wanted to do. Our focus on the week was Justice, learning about Human trafficking. Our big outreach was Thursday night at a local artsy theater called the Byrd. We showed the movie "Call and Response" to bring awareness to the community that human trafficking occurs here and abroad. About 350 people came.

Prior to Thursday we had 3 outreaches in the city to pass out fliers advertising the movie. While passing out fliers some of us had chances to pray for those in need.

It was our 2nd day on the streets passing out fliers. We were in the MCV area, a local hospital. Chris our director struck up a conversation with a lady, Sunday who was sitting on the curb waiting for her ride. She told Chris that she had been trafficked. There was also signs that she was an addict. Chris motioned Cameron to come over, a girl of 12 who was participating in Ablaze. Cameron joined the conversation. She placed her hand on Sunday's back, the first thing she asked God was "Please give her friends." Sunday started crying. She told Chris and Cameron that that was what she had been asking for.

I had a definate God meeting. It was near the end of our time on the streets handing out fliers. I was with 2 of the girls that were part of Ablaze. We went up to a group of women sitting on the grass near MCV. I started talking about the flier and the movie. I found out right away why they were there. A young man, Kevin age 20 had been in a major car wreck the night before. A 15 year old girl had been driving. The car flipped. He was now in ICU with brain damage. He was confused. His mom Traxie, girlfriend and aunt and Cousin were who I was talking to. I asked if I could pray for them.

I was sitting on the ground near the cousin. I started praying soon the mom sitting across from me started crying. So I leaned in and got on my knees. I put my hand on here and prayed for this mother. I also cried. I prayed for Kevin to be healed, for God to comfort and wrap his arms around this mother. I prayed for Jesus to be putting his hands on Kevin's brain. I don't remember everything that I prayed but I know I shared Jesus' love through that prayer and sharing that moment of pain with that family. It was very special to be able to touch a heart in pain with God's love.

Friday morning we had a special time with the young people. We did something called "Step into the Circle." If the young people made a conscious decision to follow Jesus, no matter what, they were to step into the circle. Many did. We were prepped to lay hands on them and pray for each of the young people that made that choice.
like the verse says 2 Timothy 2:6
“And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed-keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold, and loving and sensible”
The Message

It was a very special time. I had the chance to pray over a number of the kids. I felt the Holy Spirit in some powerful ways. I believe we were able to share God's heart with these kids through the laying on of hands and prayer.

Our summer outreach of Ablaze Worship and Missions Gathering was definately a success. God really blessed us and anointed the time. The implications of what God did and will do are beyond what we will ever see. The fire has started.

One Step at a Time

So I have lived in Richmond since the end of January. Kinda feel like I've been here forever :) (I don't mean in a bad way.)

Alot has happened since my last update. My Certified Nursing Class finally started March 9th about a full month later than it was suppose to. They postponed it 2 or 3 times!! FINALLY they started it. I have an excellent instructor Vivian. She has 2 sets of initials after her name for all the education she's gotten with nursing. She's 2 years behind a doctor with all the education she has. She's great! Definately called to being a nurse. In the 70's she actually contracted HPV through blood, they didnt' wear gloves back then because they thought they were too expensive! She was sick for 15 months and was actually dying from it. One night she told God If it was His will to save her, she wanted to help alot of people. The next day instead of getting worse like she had the previous days she stayed the same. From then on out she started getting better and better until she was complety well! Yup she's found her destiny.

I did very well on the "book larnin' " part of it. I didn't really understand what an acclerated class meant until I took one. It means you have VERY LONG classes a few days a week for a few weeks. My classes were from 8am-2pm , with a few breaks.... that's one class for over 5 hours a day, for 3 days a week. Can you imagine? A FIVE HOUR CLASS with 2 quizzes each class. For homework we had to read 2 chapters a night. It's like drinking from a fire hydrant.

I have officially completed 5 of my clinical days. The first day of clinicals was kinda crazy, think first day of a job. Where everything is new and you don't know where anything is and what the heck is suppose to happen. Day two was better but I still didn't get a lot of hands on training. I think day three was better because I had my "own" resident but ended up gettin' alot of help with her... but got ALOT more hands on experience.

I found out from the charge nurse or her CNA that she's thirsty alot because she has CHF :( Congestive heart failure. Where your body retains liquid and liquid backs up into the heart from the lungs... and they end up often with edema... alot of swelling. Her legs and ankles are very swollen. She's such a sweet heart. Loves her jewelery and even wears a black feather boa at times ;) She was apologizing for being a bother a number of times the first day.

We gave her a tub bath and she really enjoyed it... she was swishing her legs in it and saying that it felt good. :) As patients deal with Dementia and as a CNA student it can be hard to care for the patient. At one point when we were caring for her we needed a total of 3 students to hold her up. I think "bilaterally" she was getting tired/weak. I think her CNA would have been able to possibly deal with her by herself ;) instead of needing the help of 2 others. But we're learning.... That comes with time.

My first day with the jewelery lady I got to a point (I wasn't very far along) and I didn't know what to do. I was stuck, I was standing there not knowing what to do next, "What do I do, what do I do?!!"... I was like God help me! And the next thing I know one of the other students walked in and asked if I needed any help. She had taken care of my lady for a few days the first week. Oh that was such an answer to prayer!

My clinicals end April 28th. On the last day we have a little celebration. We also bring in our money to send in all together to the state boards to cover the cost of the certification exam. The exam is 70 multiple choice questions and 5 skills that we have to perform. We only have 25 mins. to perform the skills. One very lengthy skill which we might end up with is making an occupied bed. Fun... hope I don't get that skill!!!

At this point I'm planning on staying at YWAM for an extra month at least. It might be another 5 weeks before we can take the state board exam.

The 2nd day of clinicals I was told by the DON (Director of Nursing) to stop by once I'm certified and to fill out an application. That was at the catholic nursing home that I'm doing my clinicals at. It's one of the better nursing homes. The ratio of CNA's to residents is 1 to 5 or 6. Usually at nursing homes the ratio can be 1 to 12 or even 1 to 15!! I've heard that they can be rather smelly and really bad :/ I hope to get started in the nursing field Lord willing at this nursing home. Once I get a job I will need a place to live in Richmond. I can only live at YWAM if I'm volunteering full time.

Once I have a job I won't be able to volunteer 40 hours a week. So I've started looking a bit for a place to live in Richmond. I'd love to stay near the YWAM base but am willing to move a ways away from it. If anyone has any ideas let me know. I'm moving closer to another transition point. I seem to be in transition often. I guess at this point in my life it's normal.

A time line of all the transition I've had since last year.... 2009, beginning of the year, 3 months in Berryville own apt., moved home for about 1 month... 5 months in Michigan, moved home end of Oct. Home for about 3 months than here at YWAM since end of January. I am asking God to lead me. To show me even what to pursue... where do I find housing? should I be considering an entirely different step?

I know YWAM has a school of primary health that would probably be more focused on international medical care. I know God's got my back and He has led me time and time again. I know He will do it again. But it's still not easy as I am in the process of transitioning.

Some of my dreaming/thinking about nursing is that I will one day go overseas and and use it. I would like to do medical missionary work. Maybe someday even go to one of Mother Theresa's home for a time to learn from them. I do not know how God will lead me. He's a man with a plan, I know:) One step at a time. That's what it always is for me. One step.... one step.