Hey, Kendi

I have recently upon my return from Ecuador fallen into a even greater appreciation for fashion.

Not that high-end, top-of-the-line, fashionista type thing but the down-to-earth, here's-what-I-dug-up-in-my-closet type thing. What I wear has been an expression of myself ever since my freshman year of high school (I recall wearing brown bowling shoes and a "hip" sweater vest). My closet has collected clothing like a vacuum and I still piece together outfits that include a shirt from tenth grade. People seem to compliment me often about my clothing when, in actuality, I look at everyone else and think they are the ones who look fashionable. I tend to see the best in people, even in their clothes. I don't turn heads but I like shoes. I like clothes. I like the art in the way a dress can flatter a woman's hips while at the same time express her inner humor or compassion. A shirt doesn't just have to be a shirt all the time. It can be paint.

So, I'm a fan. Oh, Kendi Everyday, you inspire me.

I follow her blog daily (okay maybe twice daily...among others). She colors up life in her own little way and is proud of it! I don't have the budget to shop Anthropologie or J.Crew but there is treasure at the thrift stores, right? One day this blog may actually have a "lookbook." That is a possibility. But what I have a hard time dreaming about is opening up my own boutique one day. 

Kendi has done it all. 

Her story: Kendi Skeen of Kendi Everyday and Bloom Boutique

On no, I should have majored in Business?

 Hoping in God above all,

♥f

Wedding Wednesday: Ready, set, go!

The wedding planning has begun, not quite in full-throttle (since I have to make it to graduation in 2.5 weeks) but it sure has been feeling like it! I actually got good sleep last night which was greatly needed! I have been up thinking about all there is to-do, all my ideas brewing, the what-ifs, and all the excitement J & I are antsy with. I am constantly being reminded to focus on God and His control. Everything will work out beautiful in his good and perfect timing. J has been awesome at reminding me of such Truth and peace. 

My mom & J have been incredible in their communication and making many phone calls all week. I am so blessed to have a fiancé that loves my mom as much as I do and vice versa. 

Because of their diligence we now have a date set, a reception venue booked in Milwaukee and an available photographer most willing to get to know J & I and make us look lovely in their photos.

A late September wedding is planned! 

(I know, I know, that is soon! but we are ready

to plan, create, and be "merried" in such a beautiful month!)  

With that being said, I already began antique shopping for various items the first week of engagement with a couple of my friends, the beauties, Elizabeth & Meagan. 

Besides decorating a home one day, this may be the most creative time of my life! I love it because it is giving me a rewarding and lively pastime.  

As more things fall into place I am getting more enthusiastic. 

It will be a special time to be a loving fiancé to Jason, an endearing time to enjoy and appreciate my family, especially my mom, and a time to bond with my girls! All in all, my prayer is that my life would reflect Christ during the entire process. I want to honor Him in my attitude. He is faithful to carry J & I through all things. 

p.s. If any of you see me hypocritically forget what I wrote in the previous sentences 

feel free to call me out on it! :)

Happy Wednesday! 

♥f

Engaged! From His Angle.

With just a little over a week into the engagement, it has been joyous, uplifting, loving and natural. 

All flowing from the blessings above, from a God who gives abundantly. 

But let us rewind a little.

You have previously read the details from my beautiful bride to be,

but now is my turn to give you the scoop on that wonderful day.

My heart began to whisper to me around the end of last summer and as Faryn departed for a semester in Ecuador that whisper became a roaring lion of sorts. Thus began my creative flow of possible proposal ideas.

After many days of dreaming, thinking, crafting, starting over and the like, I felt confident in my idea and the thought of it coming to life. 

I took my time with the preparation. God really put on my heart two different times of the year in which the proposal could happen. It was made obvious that it would happen in the spring and doors were opened to allow that to happen. 

Location was key. It became clear to me that it was right under my nose and ultimately the perfect spot. 

A few calls and I had it booked. A short couple of weeks after I would be on one knee. It was a go!

I began piecing together my ideas, mostly in my head as I lay on my pillow each night and morning. Envisioning my idea coming to life within the space and the unique moment it would be, brought much excitement and anticipation. 

Below is a short video of the testing and setup of the scene within the lighthouse. 

Perfect is the word that comes to mind when thinking about how it all went. From the song that was playing when we walked into the lighthouse to the tears of joy in her eyes, it was flawless.

I have been dreaming of that day for years and as I was down on my knee I felt at home. I felt comfort, peace, and humbleness. 

Truth.

The beauty that came across her face was indescribable.

It truly was a moment in which I felt the spirit move and draw us closer.

To each other.

To Him.

J

Engaged!

I should add a billion more exclamation points to the title of this post. My heart is just about to burst and I don't want to contain it. I am immersed in an ever-sweetening love that Jason has promised will never leave. This past weekend Jason gave me a most generous gift! I have accepted his proposal of marriage and have received his deep love. 

The low-down: This is how it happened (in case you are on the edge of your seat).

J picked me up for date night at 5:30 pm sharp in snazzy attire. He opened the car door for me (a regular occurrence- I just want to brag about how much of a gentleman I have) and I made sure my skirt was tucked under me well so that it would not wrinkle. He drove us to Windpoint Lighthouse in Racine, which has been our favorite location for some time now. We have seen multiple sunrises there sharing a seat on one of the benches. J sat me down on this bench and we chatted until I felt chilly. Walking back to the car, he pulled me towards the lighthouse itself and blindfolded me! At this moment I knew that the rest of the night held something very special and monumental. 

I heard one of my favorite songs playing as he led me inside the lighthouse (I didn't even know you could go inside!) and carefully sat me down on a chair. Tears immediately began flooding over the moment he took the blindfold off. I opened my eyes to see a room lit up with christmas lights which were interwoven between thrifted picture frames (representing our 'polaroid' memories). But first my eyes found the opposite wall where J had hung four different sized canvases. After he hit play on the laptop, I saw the magic appear. A film telling 'our story' began filling each white canvas with different images; images & video clips of him, me, us, family, and friends. I was speechless (and shaking like crazy!). After the video peacefully ended, J stood me up. First, he attempted to dry my drenched cheeks which I must say was impossible since the joyful tears were abundant! Then he got down on one knee, spoke some perfect words (those of which I do not remember because I was so giddy), and asked me to marry him. I literally threw back my head and said YES!

The ring was (is!) perfect. I think that personally I could never have imagined my perfect ring. I had to see it to know it. J picked out the ring on his own. I trusted him and for good reason. He has an artistic eye and he knows me. That was enough for me. He chose the most beautiful piece of jewelry. The ring has three stones which stand for J, God, and myself. The band is etched with a lovely vintage design which I totally dig. But as he gave me a ring, he also gave me an even more tender piece of his heart. He gave me ache, trust, and hope. 

Even though the proposal was more than I dreamed and the excitement left my phone battery dead, I never lost sight that I had made a promise on Saturday. A promise is for ever and ever and ever and ever and ever... J asked me to be true and I said yes with my whole entire soul. I would die for him. With God's grace and love inside my spirit, I will honor and support Jason, always. 

It is difficult to express how much God's love has hit me. 

 It is true, so true, and alive. 

Lord, in humbleness I thank you. 

In you, my soul delights! 

♥f

Love, Love, Love

source: Vimeo

Afternoon tune

Source: Olafur Arnalds

Easter

_____

Source: Jason John

All Things

Doxology

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
   How unsearchable his judgments,
   and his paths beyond tracing out!
 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
   Or who has been his counselor?”
 “Who has ever given to God,
   that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
   To him be the glory forever! 
Amen.

Romans 11: 33-36

Tu es beau

Source: tumblr

"You have to keep moving, as you are doing. Live a faithful, disciplined life, a life that gives you a sense of inner strength, a life in which you can receive more and more of the love that comes to you. Wherever there is real love for you, take it and be strengthened by it. As your body, heart, and mind come to know that you are loved, your weakest part will feel attracted to that love. What has remained separated and unreachable will let itself be drawn into the love you have been able to receive. One day you will discover that your anguish is gone. It will leave you because your weakest self let itself be embraced by your love."

-Henri Nouwen

♥f

Monday Mood

Wishlist: Isn't that the cutest clutch you have ever seen?

Source: one, two, three, four

f