{act}
I have a love for style and art. The southpaw in me says it's so. I've always loved colors and shades and movement. Oh, how I love movement. Texture, fine lines and the theatrical story are just some of the concepts behind creating that entices me so.
I love people, connections and learning too.
The human electricity we call relationships is so magnificently 100 watt to me.
So creatively & uniquely in this year of twenty-twelve, I wanted to story my journey of being a better me by melodically using a mixed bag of my favorites:
style {see Cheap Thrills}
words
personal photographs
connections
details
{Kinda like the 5 bean medley soup we are having for dinner tonight simmering in the crock pot right now.}
And, I want to take time to celebrate and share on the last day of every month.
my word
my mission
my status
my memories
It is my hope that this end-of-the month progress report is obtuse with growth.
I promise to be truthful even if I suck it up at success.
You have my word.
In the world of blogging and for the 7 people who read this bad boy, it seems anything is worth chronicling.
So chronicling, I will commence on this 31st day of January.
Allow me a warm-up exercise with the ensemble photographed above.
Ensemble Statistics:
shoes-
- Target clearance for $6.96 circa 2010
- They are the coolest pink/purple color. I call them Puce inspired by this movie I adored when I was a little girl. Anyone else remember the color of the candy canes?
- They have real grosgrain bows with silver tassels on the end.
- The style name for the shoe on the tag was "Meghan" Destiny, I tell you.
- They are totally patent leather pleather and that is freaktastic fun if you ask me.
jeans-
- bought last weekend at 50% off Goodwill in my little East Tennessee town.
- paid $1.50 for them
- They are the perfect shade of charcoal grey denim.
- They have little black studded rhinestones scattered about.
- AND, they have black lace appliques too. EEK!
- Casey's response when he first saw me in them, "Mama, it looks like your underwear is sewn to the outside." Nice. Kenny would be proud.
shirt-
- Goodwill
- $1.00
- perfect length for layering and covering the tush
- great neckline for necklaces or to give that barely there skin vibe
- would be super for cleavage, but I don't have any
- tiny tuxedo buttons with the elongated cuff look
- black-n-white stripes
jacket-
- It's that weird length that you're always guessing about. You know, like, is this length in style still or not?
- I opted to go for it anyway.
- Goodwill.
- Merona brand
- $1.29 paid
- I feel all Michael Jacksony in it as it has the gold metallic zipper action goings-on and some ad hoc pockets too.
- cUhRaZy about the mustard color.
scarf-
- $5.00
- Big Lots
- a flat silvery shade
- flimsy
- I kinda tend to choke myself with over wrapping if I'm not careful.
- I have a small and quite long neck, hence the above observation.
sunglasses-
- $4.00
- bought at a killer cool boutique of all things AWESOME in my new-to-me little town, The Steamer Trunk. The house is painted a mint chocolate chip shade on acid. Love it. The owner is so cool. She is all trendy & classy and so witty too. Real down to Earth, which I love.
earrings-
- They straight up look like they are heirlooms inherited from my great, great grandmother.
- Antiquey diamonds surrounding a black onyx riveted center stone set in an oxidized ole world silver
- paid $7.00 for them
- The Steamer Trunk, yep.
- There is a room in this boutique, I KID YOU NOT, that is floor to ceiling jewelry.
hair-
- brought to you by Dove.
- washed 2 days ago and slept on
- bangs are pulled back as I am due for a haircut and I can't stand them in my eyes all skateboardy like.
TOTAL financial investment in outfit: $26.79
Chronicling can't stop there as my fingers have just primed themselves for the most important. So for you readers ready for the real meat of this post, I will gladly serve you now.
January 2012
January 2012
My word:
My personal word of growth for the month of January was {act}.
My mission:
I wanted to dissolve all anxieties of I can'ts and I don't have times.
- try new designs.
- make time for my personal reading (1 book a month)
- reach ones I love far away (cards, calls, presents in the mail)
I wanted to see a need and fill it.
- be there when someone needs you (by phone or by physical presence)
- remind someone that you are thinking of them in a special way
I wanted to take a chance and push myself in something I love to do.
- write more on this blog
- advertise my designs more
- do a Bible study with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law
I wanted to push myself in patience.
- listen to the boys stories and dive into the details asking them questions.
- speak less negatively to the things that irritate you
- snuggling more with my boys when I want to jump up and get something else done
I wanted to really put myself in someone else's shoes.
- I wanted to listen and REALLY hear their heart song. I wanted to envision myself in their place with their hurts and happys too. I wanted to remind them of the hope they have within His plan.
I wanted to magnify my presence in my home.
- get the laundry done and put away, damnit.
- plan and carry out dinners consistently
- organize
- get rid of the things you don't need.
My status:
* * * *
4 out of 5 stars
I have not finished my personal reading book for the month. {Don't think for one second that I haven't considered pulling an all night reading marathon tonight just to check this off my January list. It's the overachiever in me. But, alas, I have sewing to do, so the book will move on into February.}
My memories:
I have a glorious feeling inside me looking back on January 2012. A sense of accomplishment resonates my being. I can be better than my yesterdays. I can grow with the love I have for myself and the love I have for others. I can find peace in what God prepares for my soul's next mission even if it is in my ordinary everydays. I can smile at the woman God wants me to be.
Ready for February,
.mac :)
p.s A special thank you to my lead photographer, Eli Cobble.