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Friday Morning

Can we just talk about my breakfast for a minute? It’s like, Valentine’s Day in food form. Brown Cow CREAM-TOP Strawberry yogurt and a DOUBLE CHOCOLATE muffin. Strawberries and chocolate. Mmmmm.

Mmm, God, you have definitely filled my heart with greater joy. And this breakfast did a pretty good job, too.
The saying on my Chai tea bag “Chai-med” in (Hahaha, I’m so hilarious) with a pat on the back.

And I think this will also do well for Friday morning God-time. Indeed, it will. 

Another post is (almost) ready for you all later today! Yay!

Style Week: Part 2

The beautiful Biltmore hotel in downtown Providence, Rhode Island served as the stunning hostess for a week of  StyleWeek Providence fashion shows.
The glamorous came out in droves to mix, mingle, and show off their highest heels (and highest hair).
And I got to be a part of it to support Sarah, of YellowClover, a local fashion designer.
Presenting….

“An Ageless Reflection”
Such a great look! Love the sweet Peter Pan collar, made grown-up with monochromatic sequins. I would wear this right this second, and I might never take it off.
The models had oil airbrushed onto their faces to create the Fountain of Youth-inspired look. 
Chartreuse and beautiful draping.
This skirt is just TOO CUTE! I would wear it all the time. And loving that color. And the shoes!
 How very vintage! Where’s the party?
I adore this little peplum skirt with sequined Peter Pan collar.
Some of Sarah’s first menswear. I’d say she knocked this suit outta the park!
Oooo, remember this charming little dress? So glam on the runway! Love it. The jewelry was meant to look like water dripping water and sparkling youth.
  
Yet another look I’d wear hook, line, and sinker. Metaphorically speaking. This is way too nice of an outfit to wear fishing.
The model’s hair was “wet” looking to accentuate the Fountain of Youth theme. 
My favorite look from the whole collection. {not everything is pictured here}
 AMAZING work, Sarah!!!
And a giant THANK YOU!
Girls, don’t you just love her sweet, sophisticated clothes? I’m sure you do. Check out her website, because it’s darling. 
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Style Week: Part 1

Meet Sarah Elizabeth of Yellow Clover.
She’s kind of awesome.
And super sweet. 
And we met at the fabric store.
And you guys, she’s an amazing fashion designer.
She was very kind to let me visit her studio to explore the beautiful world of her clothing line and how it comes to life. The large, light-filled studio was filled with beautiful fabrics, inspiration pictures, and swoon-worthy garments. 
{Natalie and Sarah}
Yellow Clover clothes are like a best friend. They’re the clothes that make you feel full of youth, energy, and beauty. And they are chock-full of handmade details. The clothes are infused with a sweet personality that has just enough edge to stand out. These are quirky, cool-girl clothes, but still feminine and accessible.


I want people to feel special. I use different linings in the pockets, or vintage buttons–something special for the wearer, so when you wear it, you feel like it’s yours.
~Sarah of YellowClover

{garments have different, wonderful tags}
{Sarah’s sewing space}
“I have it all in my head. I don’t usually sketch, because it never turns out like that.” Sarah says of her design process. “I design what I’d like to wear. If you aren’t comfortable, it isn’t fun. If I had to use three words to describe my line, I’d say: Feminine, Vintage, and Youthful.”
Three of my favorite words, Sarah!

{Sarah’s sketches in the studio}

{trademark hand-embroidered detail}

{how amazing is her trademark ruffle waistband?}

This top would be amazing…  a.) tucked into a pencil skirt, with a fabulous necklace, b.) with wide-leg palazzo pants, c.) with skinny jeans and high espadrilles, or d.) with shorts and gladiator sandals, or e.) with a jersey maxi skirt…should I keep going? I’m sure I could come up with a whole alphabet of possibilities. 
Sarah’s previous lines have been inspired by Victorian furniture, reworked men’s clothing, and 1920s style (her favorite period of fashion and design). Next up for her fifth line? The Fountain of Youth. 

Her Fall/Winter 2012 collection is inspired by The Fountain of Youth–rocks, water, moss, and ethereal beauty. It was presented at StyleWeek Providence 2012.
Sarah was kind enough to invite me to the fashion show, so I’ll be able to show you the finished, styled pieces straight from the runway at StyleWeek 2012. A little bit of high-glamour fashion comin’ right up, girls!
Sneak peek, you beg? Ok, sure, I’m happy to oblige!

Wait until you see this darling dress (with tons of trademark hand embroidery) styled on the runway! 
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New Music

Kari Jobe is just….wow-God talented, to quote Lisa from the K-Love morning show.
THIS new song (Kari Jobe’s “Find You On My Knees”) is crazy-good for my heart right now. Spot on. Speaks to me.
“You never leave me thirsty…”
Not to mention she’s the sweetest, coolest girl around. Can we be best friends? And share clothes? And have awesome girl-to-girl talks about life and God over coffee?

Good Morning!

Good morning!! This is my new favorite mug, a Christmas gift from my grandma. It’s giant, and has just the right shaped handle. Plus, it reminds me of her 🙂 She also sent me the Bigelow “Eggnogg’n” tea that I LOVE but we don’t have Bigelow brand here. It is YUMMY!
Don’t judge. I also may or may not be eating at least one of those cookies above for {part of my} breakfast. 
Have a beautiful day!

Hot Pink, Leopard, Cupcakes, Happy

We all know I like birthdays (especially my own, hehe). So I baked up these totally “Natalie” cupcakes for my ice skating birthday party.

I’m preeeeeeeeeetttty sure we all know I LOVE hot pink.

I hope by now you’ve realized I love me some leopard print.

What do you get when you combine all of my favorite things?

Well, you get HAPPY, of course!!!
{what i wore}
Yay for hot pink & leopard & cupcakes & skating & HAPPY!
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Keepin’ it Real

I just really feel like keepin’ things real tonight, and popping in with a ‘regular’ post.

Regular like, I’m sitting here in my yoga pants & sweatshirt, wearing a scarf & hat. Inside. I’ve got a cold, so there’s a giant box of kleenexes next to me. And I have Vick’s rub under my nose. To be honest, I’m a hot mess over here.

And I’m drinking a protein shake, and listening to Andrew Belle, and I’ve got one of my best friends chatting away with me about the different phases my eyebrows have gone through.

Yes, that’s right. My different eyebrow phases.

It’s a pretty awesome Saturday night, I gotta say. Prettttttty awesome. Hehe.

God’s Words

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5


You’re heard this verse a million times, I’m sure.  But we usually focus on just the first part, usually during our Sanctity of Human Life services. But tonight, I embrace it on a slightly different level. God had a plan for Jeremiah before he was even formed in the womb. Craziness! So many times we say cliche things like, “Don’t let life happen to you; make it what you want.” and so forth. But what if we believed, truly believed, God had words for each of us in our lives?

Even Jeremiah doubted, saying, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child!” 

But God says, “‘Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.’ Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘Now I have put my words in your mouth…'”

I love that Jeremiah admitted he was fearful. Sometimes it’s tough to step out and embrace God’s words for our lives. But God said, do not be afraid of them! I’ve got your back! Remember, I’ve got this plan…this plan set in motion since the beginning of the world, and I know YOUR place in it.

I believe God has, at least in some small way, touched my mouth and said, “Here are my words for you to share, Natalie.” And they are words about my faith in Him, and my love for faith-based fashion, and how the two combine to give glory & testimony to God. 

God has given you words, too. Listen to what God has put on YOUR heart. Follow His plan for YOU. 

We live in such a busy world. It’s tough for us to even sort out our own thoughts, to keep our own words in check as we type & text & tweet. Help us to meditate upon Your Holy Word, and Your words for us. Speak to the deepest part of us, Lord. Help us to “get” what You’re putting on our hearts. Help us to have the courage to act on it. Calm our fears, like you calmed Jeremiah’s. Let our words reflect YOUR words, and may our lives be worthy of Your death on a cross. You have set us free, not to be slaves any longer, but to run in the path of your commands.

“‘Stand at the crossroads and look; 
ask for the ancient paths, 
ask where the good way is, and walk in it, 
and you will find rest for your souls.’
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.'” 
Jeremiah 6:25

Don’t be the one who says, “I will not walk in it.”
Walk, walk with our God, who has your back, who knows the plans He has for you.

Speak His words. 



Life is Beautiful

It’s my blog come to life! (well, my blog IS real life…but….well, you know what I mean!)
If you’re out and about doing some post-Christmas exchanges/sale shopping, keep an eye out for the absolutely lovely winter 2012 issue of Life:Beautiful magazine. I was SUPER blessed & excited to be able to share my passion—-faith-based style—-on such a great platform. Life:Beautiful is “faith for your journey”–on par with Martha Stewart Living  in quality, beauty, and content, but with Scripture and Biblical affirmations the whole way through. So uplifting to read a magazine that offers encouragement instead of false ideals and empty promises. It is truly inspiration for a beautiful life. 
I wrote an 8-page article for them on modest fashion & beauty, with tips for thrift store accessories & vintage finds, along with 12 “Foundational Pieces” every woman should have in her wardrobe. 
I had SO much fun and so many amazing, wonderful memories from this trip (remember my secret trip? It was for this article! and so were the ‘photoshoot’ false eyelashes!).
There it is, nestled on the shelf 😉

So a big WELCOME to my new beautiful new Life:Beautiful readers!!! 
I’m so pleased you’re here! I am super excited to continue sharing with you what God puts on my heart about beauty, women, and style with substance. I hope I can do justice to it, with God’s blessing & inspiration. May my blog become even more and more a tool of God’s hand, and may my art be from His heart.
And a big thank you to the Life:Beautiful team for not only doing what they do, but for letting me be a part of it!

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
~Psalm 119:32
Amen.

PS. Your best bet for finding the magazine is Barnes & Noble! Also try Walmart, Hallmark, Joanne’s fabrics, and Walgreens 🙂 Or just subscribe!



Cold Hands Warm Heart Swap

The Cold Hands Warm Hearts blogger swap hosted by Sandy a la Mode and Much Love Illy was so much fun!!! I was partnered up with the super adorable Mrs. Stephanie T. She is so sweet and sent me such a great package! Also, her handwriting on the address label was perfect. Like, better-than-Kindergarten-teacher-perfect.

Stephanie sent me these great wine-colored fingerless gloves and cute beret. Funniest thing is: I sent her the exact same fingerless gloves (but in yellow), and the matching legwarmers (oops, sorry Stephanie, I thought it was a scarf). Second funniest thing: I immediately left these at the ice skating rink. Sad face! I’m going by tomorrow to pick them up. I need them!!!! She also sent me that amazing ring you see in the last photo. So statement-y and cool. 
This is the last super fun thing she sent me! An Archie Grand for J.Crew journal. I love it!! Haha. 
Thank you so much, Stephanie! It was great to swap with you and get to know you. I hope you liked your goodies 🙂 
Did ya’ll jump over and say hello to Stephanie? I bet she’ll be posting what I sent her soon.
Style Secrets
Beret: swap from Stephanie
Scarf: Hand-me-over
Fingerless Gloves: swap from Stephanie
Ring: swap from Stephanie
Button-down: Vintage
Cami: ?
Belt: Thrifted
Cords: AG
Boots: Thrifted