Stylenspire: spring pursuits

Just as I have broken free of the winter vortex I got sucked into, I get sprung into a deluge of spring pursuits. In a good way though. The frost is gone and the air is lighter, the warmth of the sun has lost its cold glare and the rain has come. All wonderful changes that usher in the Spring season and a long list of to-do, the biggest part being a new move for me.

I am sad I have been unable to blog for a while, yet joyful because there is newness all around me with lots to accomplish. While the Creator reveals His glory with this budding season - both in my life and in nature, I spring forth into all the promises it holds and the fulfillment He'll give. 

My pursuit of fruitful finds may keep me away from blogging much this season, but I will look forward to when I am settled and able to share the joys of style art with you again.

I am so grateful that God "sends the rains in their proper season - the early rains and the late rains - so we can each bring in harvests" of the abundance of His Beautiful Grace". "For He is about to do something new. It begins to happen even now. Do you not percieve it?"
DEUTERONOMY 11:14  and ISAIAH 43:19

Outfit deets: 

Washed Denim Jacket - BAR III (old from Macy's)

Metallic Glazed Lace Skirt: Bespoke tailored by me / DIY (Fabric from Joann's)

Crystal Tri-Color Leather Bracelets - Jessica Simpson (old from TJ Maxx)

Ring: Swarovski Crystals

T-Strap Pumps: Ivanka Trump (old from Nordstrom)

Stylenspiration: "Spring happily with all the beauty in bloom." Y.S

Stylenspire: emerald

I love many shades of green but emerald is my absolute favorite! The Pantone Inc. are the leading masterminds on color, providing the most accurate color innovations that transcends into every area of fashion. Each year, they forecast the color trends & accurately dedicate a color that will rule for that year. For 2013, they announced emerald as the ruling color & this color has reigned beautifully, staying true to its nature.

Pairing this sweater & skirt was an absolute win, with an interesting take on the choice of shoes. I kept jewelry simple & in line with the gold zipper detail on the sweater. I do enjoy wearing lace pieces & this lace skirt is a bespoke remake. The original skirt came with black lining & I wore it that way for the last few years that I have had it. This spring I took it apart, matched the lace with a gorgeous emerald lining & the result is what you see. 

I think I will change it again come next year. 

Before that time, do enjoy today's take on this brilliant hue!  

Outfit deets: Talbots lace skirt (old, consignment find) // MICHAEL Michael Kors zip hem sweater + Juicy Couture Emerald & Amethyst Stone ring // Donald J. Pliner two tone heels (timed sale) are fab finds from TJ Maxx // Necklace (gift from mom)

Stylenspiration: 
"Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty 

that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."

PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, a lively, radiant, lush green, is the Color of the Year for 2013.

Photo Credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

Stylenspire: lace identity

My lace top is another oldie goodie that I tried on this morning for fit (since I have not worn it in over a year). I liked, so I looked to find what to pair it with. Subconcsiously, I did not think this ankara skirt with lace trim would work. Consciously, I chose to try the skirt on & voila! Perfect pairing!

The skirt is one of my bespoke tailored designs from this summer. The light fabric of the ankara & lace makes it a summer wear, though with layering, I believe the rich jewel tones of the skirt can transition into fall with me. I guess I'll have to work that style & see the result.

I got a lot of compliments about this outfit & it's turning out to be one of those days that I just want to keep the outfit on forever. I'm sure you can identify with that. Yet no matter how lovely & flattered we can be in a fabulously styled outfit, our identity is not in the outfit. It is in Christ the Creator of all things bright & beautiful Who graciously provides for each stylish ensemble.

Enjoy!

I knew my day would be busy with errands, so I chose this kitten heeled pink suede pumps. For oomph effect, I would also wear it with the black d'orsay pumps  for afterhours mingling.

Outfit deets: DIY Ankara lace trimmed skirt (bespoke tailoring by me) // Ralph Lauren lace top + Izabela Nine West suede pumps + Gold on Gold Leather Michael Kors Darrington leather bracelet + Juicy Couture ring + Swarovski Crystals ring all TJ Maxx maxxinista fab finds // Jayra Nine West d'orsay glitter heels (here, here, or here)  // Movado Bold Series watch

Stylenspiration: "Do you ever wonder how others identify with your style? If emulated, what message does it send out? What is your style identity?" 
Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

Stlyenspire: laser laced

I started this post thinking of the design similarity of my dress & shoes. They are both laser cut. Earlier I was listening to a Joseph Prince sermon & he made reference to how the Word is "living & active; sharper than any double-edged sword"; "what can be sharper than a two-edged sword?" he asked. A laser! 

  Naturally, my mind wandered to the reference Joseph Prince had made & I started to consider all I know about laser cutting. A double-edged sword can only cut on two sides; the flat planes of the sword cannot cut, but the pierce of a laser cuts on all sides.

wikipedia

"Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power laser, by computer, at the material to be cut. The material then either melts, burns, vaporizes away, or is blown away by a jet of gas,^[1] leaving an edge with a high-quality surface finish."

The intricate laser cut design on my dress is so pretty. The silk fabric is cut to look like lace & I cannot help but think of the fiery-piercing process that created this delicate beauty.

Likewise, the shoes.

Living under grace, I think on how we are laser cut on all sides by Him, through Him, & for Him. Not unlike silk & leather, the process of our cutting in this life is to yield a beautiful result; that the image of Whom we are created for might reflect in each of us.

I know that there is a process of 'His laser cutting' being done in some area of your life. After you enjoy the stylenspiration below, take a moment to reflect, understand & yield to His process; the fiery cuts you are experiencing will produce the rare beauty of who you are, to the Glory of Who you were created for.

❌⭕❌⭕❗

Outfit deets: Jessica Simpson dress/belt + Juicy Couture Karina booties are maxxinista fab found from Marshalls // Salvatore Ferragamo bag + Swarovski Crystals ring + Jessica Simpson crystal tri-color leather bracelets are maxxinista fab finds from TJ Maxx // Movado watch

World Wide Wonders, remember that through any fiery trials, His Presence is with you. He will never forsake you whom He has chosen for His own. "Do not be afraid for I am with you" (Genesis 26:24) is His unfailing Word of promise to His chosen ones who are experiencing "the fiery furnace of affliction."

Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

Stylenspire: week ender

There was something about this morning as I walked from the parking lot to my office that just surrounded me with calm. I feel relaxed & at peace. I'm not thinking about the day ahead, the challenges that may come, or the promises of God that I am waiting on. & in this calm, somehow, I feel beautiful! Yes, beautiful! The beauty of the peace of this early part of the day is not in my looks, nor about what I am wearing. Fact is, the weekend's here & my style choice is a casual spin. 

My thoughts led me to the question about how & when people feel beautiful. The beauty of ourselves & our lives should always transcend how you feel, how you look, what you are wearing, & even what you may be going through. Outside of all that, the beauty of you is in you. I'm even enlightened in the story that my outfit tells with its dots on circles. 

I totally know that it is His perfect love that envelopes me this morning with the serenity that allows me to feed on inner beauty on the outside. Christ is the perfect circle & we are the dots that fill it up. & with the nature of a sphere, His love surrounds us all sides in continuous harmony. 

I hope that as you enjoy stylenspiration from the pictures below, you will look within yourself & reflect on the beauty of Whose you are. 

Outfit deets: DIY Swiss Voile Lace Skirt (bespoke tailoring by me) + Polka dot+lace top + Bag by Cromia + Vera Wang Lavender Label black flats + Prada Sunglasses + rings + bracelets are all maxxinista fab finds from TJ Maxx // Sleeveless demin jacket from Levi Jeans // Watch Armani Exchange // DIY Necklce (by yours truly)

Stylenspiration: "Sometimes, the beauty of your style is not in what you are wearing, it is in how you feel about yourself & the world around you. You are fearfully, beautifully, & wonderfully made in the image of God & for a purpose too."

Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

*moment of truth: "In retrospect, I really needed to feel God's Presence overcome me with His peace. It is not because I am ever without Him, but that the frail nature of my human self needs to feel His revealed presence every now & then. & I am ever so grateful for today's kiss from His throne of grace."

I pray that whoever you are, wherever you may be, God sends you an intimate show of  love from His throne of grace.