Stylenspiration: burgundy grid

Its the eve of the American ThanksGiving celebration, and this officially jump starts the holidays. Through the years, I have noticed that ThanksGiving truly allows people to pause, take stock of their lives and find reason to be thankful, even with little.
Then comes the countdown of days filled with merry making up until Christmas. In my opinion, we live in a time where people do not necessarily acknowledge the reason for Christ's Birthday celebration. Many choose the myth of Santa's globe-trotting-gift-giving excursions with his reindeers, over the truth of a Baby born in a manger for our salvation.
And just when we have survived this merry-moolah, the last few days of the year leads to the birth of a new one filling everyone with the promises of what a New Year holds.
WOW!
I am thankful that today is simply today, and all I have to do is live it, rejoice in it, and be glad. So I went with a laid back look for my pre-holiday eve. The contrasting mix of patterns from my grid-sweater+floral-printed washed denim+striking red scarf+trendy leather sleeve denim jacket, gave my style an enjoyable casual-chic feel. Just what my style story wanted for the day.


Considering the holidays, I pray that we will each celebrate Thanks and Giving through all our days.
Thanks - for the many blessings in all of our lives, no matter how big or small.
Giving - for the wisdom and understanding to know that we are each blessed to be blessing.
"In all you do, whether in word(thanks) or deed(giving), do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." COLOSSIANS 3:17
HAPPY THANKS & GIVING FRIENDS!

 

 

Outfit deets: W118 by WALTER BAKER Sabrina Sweater (grey+ivory option) // Denim & Supply Skinny Floral Print Jeans (fabfind / like it / love it) + Olive & Oak Pleather Sleeve Denim Jacket (buy here / similar here) + Sam Edelman Renzo Ankle Boots (oldie goodie) + Michael Kors Knit Three-Button Scarf (oldie goodie) + Swarovski Crystals rings + Prada Sunnies. All fab finds from my local TJ Maxx

Stylenspiration: "Style can also tell a story of a grateful heart and a life well lived." Y.S

Lifenspire: spoken beauty

I have a new Team Lead at work and she is just all kinds of awesome-ness. One of the best things about her is how she speaks life into her team members. Her words are encouraging and joy-infusing that you just want to do more, and do better.

This is what I have noticed about her in the two months she has joined the team. At first I thought her words were simple eloquence (as I was unsure of her affirmation), but as time went on I saw the sincerity and confirmation with which she spoke. When someone continually tells you "you're the best", "I appreciate you", "that's awesome" doesn't that just give you life? She even wishes her team members "Happy Friday" either verbally or with funny emails.

When you have someone encouraging you on with their kind words, and challenging you to  be better with such encouragement, don't you just want to give your all? My old boss/friend/mentor, Dr. Wiebke, has never told me goodbye. His parting words to me are always 'do better!' I was able to visit with him a few weeks back and his parting words were the same life giving ones: with a big hug he said, "Yemi, do better until we meet again." 

Are you a LIFE GIVER? 
Do you speak life to those around you, strangers and loved ones alike? 
Do the words you speak to others encourage you too? 
I cannot claim to have perfected this nature in me (as my sarcastic mouth sometimes precedes me), but it is a character trait that I greatly emulate and strive to be better at.

As we begin a new week, ending the month of September (that has so quickly swept by) and beginning October, I hope we will each find great encouragement in the beauty of life, in the blessing of those around us, and in the cretainty of the Ultimate Encourager - Christ!

Happy Monday!

1 Thessalonians 5:14

"....encourage the disheartened...."

Deuteronomy 3:28

"But commission Joshua(EVERYONE), and encourage and strengthen him(them), for he(you never know what blessing you might impart into the world) will lead this people...."

1 Thessalonians 5:11

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Philemon 1:7

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you refresh the hearts of the Lord’s people."

Hebrews 3:13

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called TODAY!"

2 Corinthians 13:11

"Finally... encourage one another. And the God of love and peace will be with you."

May our life's goal be to encourage in heart, and be united in love, thereby grasping the full riches of complete understanding, in order to know the mystery of God, namely, Christ!
See Colossians 2:2

Lifenspiration: "Strive to be better and do better, soon enough the best you is revealed!" Y.S