Natalie - Natalie Wise Blog

Snack

A beautiful snack in a bit of beautiful light.

An orange in a wax paper bag taped with my favorite washi tape, and a sunny Apricot granola bar that tastes *exactly* like that pre-packaged super-sweet oatmeal I ate as a kid. *note that these are NOT certified gluten-free, but neither myself nor my friend have issues with them. I just wanted to make people aware!

It’s snack time at work!

I thought I’d share a quick “spiritual snack”, too; a miniature devotion:

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”

Luke 1:38

I am the Lord’s servant. But if I can’t hear what he is saying—nay, if I don’t LISTEN to what He is saying–how can I say, “May it be as you have said, for I am your servant”? It is so easy for us sometimes to put our hands over our ears and say, “La-la-la-la-la, I can’t hear you!”

I cup my ear to the door, I fervently search the Word, I petition and lay in anxious wait for answers.

May my ears be listening–may my heart be hearing. May it be to me as You have said, and as You are saying.

Yes, Lord, I am your servant.

Natalie

Week Four: Do Without

Week Four’s challenge is to “Do Without!”

I was going to make a picture with all of the things I’m wanting to spend money on right now–and then I thought, How cruel, Natalie, to make them drool over the things you want, too!

So none of that. I’ll just tell you, there are plenty of things I want. But do I REALLY need to spend $7.99 at the drugstore for that exact same Revlon lip gloss that Emma Stone was wearing at the Oscars?

Um, probably not.

And J.Crew adorable Spring catalogue items? Drool. But no.

Polka-dot scarf my best friend just sent me the link to?

Gonna say no.

{as if this girl needs more scarves}

The small things add up.

So practice thrift, practice self-control, practice good stewardship–do you really need that $2 candy bar at the gas station?

{when did candy bars get so expensive? seriously, $1.69, people?}

And besides, $2 can probably give clean water to a child in Africa for a day.

{No, seriously, check it: Blood:Water is proposing a challenge for Lent to only drink water, and to give all of the money you save towards clean water in Uganda. You don’t have to join their mission, but think about saving your fancy-drink money and donating to a charity you love. Remember to make giving part of your budget! And if you find a charity your really love and believe in, it also fulfills your values & goals. I particularly love to help families access clean water.}

Draper Girl

Oh my, do I love a good hat!

A girl hop on a train to anywhere with a good hat.

{midnight train goin’ anyyyyyyyyywheeeeerrrrrrreeeeeeee}

Ahem. Pardon the complete digression. But these photos were taken at a train station. And then I just got carried away. Bachelor night seems to make me feel a little over-dramatic.

And then the sun came out for a hot minute before it started snowing lightly. The wind was blowing something fierce, so I had to hold on to my hat for dear life.

When I saw that this particular hat was a “Draper” hat, I just had to get it for the Mad Men reference. Apart from its particular cute-ness.

But goodness if there isn’t a bit of romance in that, don’t you think?

Train stations, vintage hats, wind, Draper…

A bit of romance, if I do say so myself.

{See what I mean about Bachelor nights making me overly dramatic?}

Style Secrets

Hat: Vintage

Sunnies: Local store

Ring: H&M

Blouse: Thrifted

Jacket: F21

Pencil capris: Gap, thrifted

Heels: Thrifted

Friday Morning Musings

It’s a quiet Friday morning here–my favorite kind. I awoke late, and turned on my pretty little reading lamp. Stumbled to the kitchen, arranged a cup of tea, a buttered piece of toast, and some strawberry yogurt. Brought the meal back to the bedroom, fighting the urge to snuggle back in bed with it, and instead hunted down some museums and recipes and such online. With just the light in the corner from my little bedside lamp, it feels rather wonderfully old-fashioned in here; as though I were going to sit in the corner with my quill and write a letter, or a great American novel. Instead, I click-clack away on my laptop, creating a blog post. And now, I shall return to my bed with my second cup of tea and my book! Wake me upon lunch time should I snooze 😉

(I am currently reading The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, which I have been completely enamored with since I saw the HBO series a year or two ago. I have since bought the DVDs and the books, and turned many people into fans of the series. It is only too bad it seems to be on an interminable hiatus 🙁 I HIGHLY recommend it! Go get it now. It is so soothing, and beautiful, truly being filmed in Botswana. Let me know if you want more details!)

Week Three: Make it Do

The Week 3 Challenge is to: Make it Do!

Above is a photograph of my little laundry station. The green laundry bin is cracking in all sorts of places, but I am making it do! The towels are the older ones–grungy, ratty, and bleached-stained– you know the kind I mean. And the old bathroom rug is the same. I keep these in my rotation to get more use out of them drying my thrift store finds and hand-washables. I lay the old bath mat down to catch all of the major drips, and then wring things out in the towels before hanging them on an old-fashioned wooden drying rack. It’s rather a fun process, and I enjoy it very much on a sunny Saturday morning!

Photo and Art Print by Christy on Etsy

Making do also means mending–a forgotten art! I don’t do a whole lot of mending myself, I’ll admit. I have a giant old basket full of mending I need to tackle, so I am preaching to myself this week!

But I love to re-use “make do” with worn out things! When my very favorite winter socks got nasty holes in the toes, I cut the toes off and did a quick zig-zag stitch around the bottom, and now I have the cutest legwarmers! Love it.

And then there’s this bag, which was once (and still is) a very beloved Longchamp handbag, well-used, and looking a bit worse for it. There are decent-sized holes in all 4 corners. I tried to mend it, really, I did, but it was tough work since the material is a thick neoprene and the holes are oddly shaped. So! I thought, “OH, it’s perfect for a new lunch bag! Nothing small can fall out of my lunch bag!”

{focus is totally off in this picture, sorry}

Ahem. SPRINKLES, friends. SPRINKLES will fall out of my lunch bag everywhere, probably forever. I had a container of sprinkle-covered chocolates that accidentally opened, and there is a veritable trail of sprinkles in my car, office, and house. I kid you not.

What do you/are you planning to “make do” with this week or “mend”? I’d love to hear your suggestions for my giant mending pile! If I make some progress, I’ll be sure to share.

Wednesday Work to Weekend

Ahh, halfway through the week, my friends!! We can do it!!

A bright floral outfit and some awesome boots oughtta help, don’t you think?

And when it’s time to rock the weekend look, chill it out with some softer tones and flat boots. I switched black (more dressy and professional) accessories for camel/brown tones, and threw my hair up. Perfect for some antiquing!

Work Outfit

Earrings: F21

Blouse/Tunic: Tucker for Target

Skinnies: F21

Belt: Thrifted

Sweater: TJ Maxx

Boots: Payless

Weekend Changes

Belt: Thrifted

Boots: Walmart

Happy Endings OR Breakups, Bangs, and Bacon

I’m feeling great! I might get bangs!

~ABC’s Happy Endings

Welp. Here are a few ways to have “Happy endings” even after…not-so-happy ones. Like breakups. But I’m sure you’ve figured that out, you little detectives you. And my not-so-subtle hints {oops}.

Anywhoo, all is well and tonight, I have a happy ending. Happy, like:

Break-Up Remedy Sundae

(aka “My Husband Will Crazy-Love Me Someday for Making Chocolate-Covered-Bacon Sundaes” imho}

And dancing to this song:

Because this song allows for some amazing dancing. {despite the kinda weirdo video, sorry about that}

And besides, I might be feelin’ a little hot to trot with my new haircut…

yep, it’s truly me. promise.

So I’d say that makes for a few happy endings tonight.

Sweet dreams!
xo

Advanced Budgeting: Values and Goals

Two of my very best friends in the whole world (who are super good with numbers; I call them S&S Financial Advisors!) have introduced me to the concept of values and goals relating to budgeting.

*Values are the underlying principles you want to live by, and, therefore, spend your money by.

*Goals are specific, measurable steps you would like to take with your money.

Budgeting can be rather black and white. What comes in, what goes out, blah blah blah. But when you introduce the concepts of values and goals, a budget suddenly comes alive! You can see how it works into your whole life picture. You can see how you can use it, mold it, and shape it to align with your values and goals.

A budget of $75 a week for groceries? Well, that’s boring, and doesn’t add anything to your life other than a number. But if you add the value that you want to buy as many locally grown vegetables each week, well, look at that! You’ve just added value to your life picture. Now, you can sew up a cute tote bag in 20 minutes, and enjoy your Saturday mornings at the farmer’s market. You’re killing a few birds with one stone–a fun sewing project, supporting farmers, eating healthy food, and entertainment for a Saturday morning! One of my favorite things to do!

An example of a goal would be, say, for instance, that last winter you really got the doldrums. Just like, really, really, got cabin fever/the blues/the mean reds and/or a stomach flu. All things that made you desperate to escape, but it wasn’t in the cards (and by that I mean, the budget). So start saving! Set a specific, measurable goal: I want to save $800 for a winter vacation next January. That means you have 10 months to save, so you need to shave off (or earn an extra) $80/month to achieve this goal.

Here’s my suggestion: Come up with THREE values that guide your money decisions, and three GOALS you’d like to see happen in the immediate, near future, and distant future. I’ll share mine in the weekly recap, and you can share yours, too! I have just been loving reading your comments and suggestions.

Etc.

My Valentine’s Day turned out to be one of my favorites yet! How was yours? Gosh, I’m one loved-on and spoiled girl! Chocolates, flowers, and an impromptu dance party–might have been one of my favorite Valentine’s Days yet, and nary a boyfriend in sight! <3

I hardly slept at all last night. And then I woke up before my alarm. Kind of a bummer, but I used to be SUCH a morning person, so this was actually a nice surprise. I enjoy a little space to the morning before the day really gets going. I like to sit in my bed, warm and cozy with my down comforter pulled up tight, and I ponder the day, and send a few prayers up. Then I slip into my favorite slippers and make a mug of tea, pick a song for the day (if one hasn’t been in my head already, as it usually is!), and then it’s into the day!

I found the link for the little Owl image I used on my Valentines. Find it here!

Lately, I’m loving happy little love ditties:

“Falling for You (Piano Version” by Sean Fournier (an oldie but goodie)

That’s all for now!

Red & Pink & Lovey Dovey

Gosh, I do love an excuse to wear red and pink and heart-shaped things.

And to celebrate love in all of its capacities, all its foibles, full of hope and enduring power… tenuous heartstrings, pulling to and fro.

Gosh, I’m such a romantic it’s not even funny.

Totally struck by Cupid’s arrows.

heart clutch + cupid arrow + red lipstick

Style Secrets

Shirt: NY&Co

Rose earrings: ?

Heart Wooden Necklace: Store in FL

Sunnies: Local store

Leopard-print Barette: ?

Heart bracelet: Gift

Red bead/Silk bracelet: Art fair

Capris: Gap, thrifted

Heels: Thrifted

Clutch: Aldo

{I just couldn’t resist one more silly picture!}

But lest you think I’m just another one of those girls with a hot date and a mushy love story, let me say: I’m not. I don’t have a date at all. I don’t have a love story (yet). My heart? Well, it will be hidden in God, tonight, as I relish the love HE puts in my life, that HE showers me with. It amazes me. God has overfilled my cup with love, and for that, I am entirely grateful. It is absolutely worth celebrating. I was never one to be down on a day of celebrating love. {but if you do need a broken-heart sad-song, I’d recommend this one, neverminding the video, just the song}

So tonight I’ll spend some time communing with God. Yes, I’ll probably watch a sappy romantic movie and drown my sorrows in some chocolate. But reading my Bible makes my soul and heart sing. It makes me want to be a better woman, a better friend, sister, daughter. It fills me with hope.

“Set your heart on things above…”

Col. 3:1

Indeed, I will set my heart on things above.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Phil. 4:8