Wonder & Awe

Signature Style

2016-05-12T15:07:00.001-05:00

My signature style is white off the shoulder everything. I have never seen a white off the shoulder top that I didn't love and immediately covet! I got this top from SheInside and have really loved their affordable tops. You really do not need to pay a lot of money for sweet, girly, flowy clothing. For much higher quality, this is the top you want. I also just have a minor obsession with off the shoulder everything and love this beautiful polka dot dress and this adorable white dress. This blue off the shoulder shirt is perfect for everyday occasions and also dinners out. I love this Free People boho top.

Happy almost weekend! I am so looking forward to brunching with friends and getting the chance to clean our apartment! It's the little things :)

Trinkets

2016-05-11T06:53:00.000-05:00

My little clutch is from Forever 21, years ago and it is one of the best purchases I have ever made! People always ask me where I got it, and as a 27 year-old I am always slightly embarrassed to tell them it's from Forever 21! Sometimes you just need some fun little Forever 21 accessories in your life! I

LOVE this bag and then this more formal option // Obsessed with this bag! // Love this yellow cross body bag // This beaded bag // Also this option //

I also love this sweet little golden flower headband! And how fun is this big golden star clip?! These hair clips are so fun and would match any pastel bridesmaid dress and this wedding hand band is so fun.

^^ Matt's hat from 47 Brand, found here // Sunglasses found here //

^^ For my jacket see this post about leather jackets :)

^^ How handsome is this guy?!

Boho Floral Dress

2016-05-10T06:58:00.000-05:00

My weakness = white, flowy boho anything. And this dress is all of those things! I ordered and x-small and it fit perfectly- true to size. I would wear it every single day if that was possible! This dress is also totally different but I kinda love it, right?! I also died over this dress! It is so futuristic and has the best shape! So flattering. My shoes were such a good deal from DSW, found here, also love this very similar option and then these beauties from MGemi are such good quality.

Fitting into a Box and Leather Jackets

2016-05-09T07:19:00.000-05:00

^^ How adorable is this sweet little boy dressed up in a cape outside of the comic book store?! My heart broke in two when I saw this!

^^ AG jeans always fit so perfectly and are so, so comfortable. I just got these and do not want to ever take them off! They're now 20% off at Anthropologie :)

The weekends are such special times for Matt and I to just spend all day together. Working full time stressful jobs means that we only have a few short hours each week night that are often filled with to-do lists and grocery shopping. I do not know how you working mothers do it!

This past Saturday Matt and I got time to play around with ideas about this space and what we feel like we want it to be. I have always needed a creative outlet, always needed to make something visually beautiful and always wanted to speak truthfully to women about how my heart has been transformed by Jesus. I hope this space is always someplace where you feel freedom to just come as you are and that somehow I can meet you there and encourage you about how much Jesus loves you. No judgment. No shame. God is pursuing you- no matter how much you think Christians suck. I thought that too at one point. And now I want you to know Jesus, so there's that.

Bottomline- Free people free people.

I pray that you always feel free to be where you are and who you are and that I can do the same with you. I love my husband and family, clothes, makeup, getting my hair dyed and also really love God. I am left totally awestruck every time I see how He is transforming me and moving in those around me. He is better than fashion, clothes and all of that. He is so so so much better and the ultimate satisfaction. I truly say that and truly believe it.

But I also love girly dresses, white off the shoulder everything and sometimes twirling in front of the camera! I feel so much freedom in God and freedom to be both sides of myself. This space won't be all fashion or all God. It will be like all good things are- a confetti glitter bomb of both!

I hope you feel freedom to delve into your interests and also freedom to openly love your God. You may sometimes feel awkward and like you do not quite perfectly fit in either world, but uncomfortable places bread new beginnings - so stay uncomfortable. There is enough room for all of us.

On that note- let's talk fashion! Jacket time!

Leather jacket found here// also how cool is this leather jacket in blue and yellow?! so so so cool// or this style // this basic jean jacket is a staple must // I love the short, tight shape of this little number//

Over the Knee

2016-05-08T19:36:00.001-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all those amazing moms and most of all Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful inside and out mother who could not be more selfless! I am so thankful for her and cannot even imagine life without her. I am so thankful I get to live close by her and she can run over whenever I start to have an adult meltdown. I am so aware that there are so many women out there yearning to be mothers or women who lost children and this day is especially painful for them. My heart so breaks for those women who feel pain on this day because it is such a sharp pain women feel so deeply. Praying that those women would be surrounded by other women who could speak words of hope and encouragement to them today.

Matt and I spent most of this past weekend playing around and learning my camera. We seriously learned so much and now the pictures are getting so much better! I can not even believe it. Matt is so talented. I cannot wait to dive in even more.

These over the knee boots are everything! They are so fun and instantly take an outfit up a notch. Plus they are flat and so comfortable! Skirt is from Zara last season but this skirt from Zara is seriously amazing. And this one is perfect for work! I also love this idea of a bright red one.

Evening Walks

2016-05-05T22:58:00.001-05:00

There is nothing more beautiful than dusk on the lakefront. I was born in a hospital overlooking this lakefront and now live with my husband just steps away. One day our children could be born in the same hospital that overlooks this same water. I am so looking forward to so many more evening walks along the lake.

My dress is so beyond comfortable and from one of my favorite brands- Aqua at Bloomingdales. Shop all of the adorable and very affordable options here.

On Living Bigger

2016-04-20T14:59:00.002-05:00

"One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty." Proverbs 11:24

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." Proverbs 3:27

Matt and I had dinner with such a sweet young couple in the process of living out an act of huge selflessness for the joy of another. She spoke about the joy and blessings they had received from this beautiful act. She teared up. I teared up. Her face glowed as she spoke about the joy they got from living for the joy of another. There was such sweet true joy. This was not the miserable, constant suffering as a Christian shtick that runs rampant in certain communities. This was unbridled sweet Jesus joy. It felt holy and true. It was contagious.

I saw it and I want more of it.

I want to make others feel that contagious- give freely- live and love big - type of joy.

You guys there is such a difference in living generously and living small.

I want to live a big life full of big love and big gifts. I want to give without thought of return. I want to love big and widen my life with big generous love. I do not want to sit back and consider whether others are worthy of my love or gifts. I do not want to doubt whether others' gifts make mine less meaningful. I want to be thrilled beyond belief for other's joys. There is just such a difference between those who give freely- time, talent, love, attention, treasure. Their lives are bigger, freer and more miraculous. Comparison and resentment do not live in the lives of those loving freely.

This type of giving only happens when you know you are secure, loved and cared for.

God has shown me those truths so many times throughout my life you would think He would get sick of having to repeat himself. I have been so extravagantly sought after, pursued and chosen by Him- I want to always live from that place.

I am my best self when I remind myself of those moments where God pursued, chose and provided for me. My life becomes bigger and so much more miraculous.

So do whatever you need to do to remind yourself that you are sought after, pursued, chosen and that God will always provide for you.

Let's live really big contagious joy filled lives from that place.

When the Shoe Fits

2016-04-03T22:21:00.003-05:00

You guys. Chicago weather is completely.insane. There are no words. This past weekend was quite possibly the craziest most bi-polar weather weekend of all time! It snowed- like I am talking blizzard snowed, high winds- everything- all day Saturday. But come Sunday it was beautiful and in the high 60s! I.can't.even. Truly, there are no words. I just got these beyond gorgeous M.Gemi Esatto shoes and wanted to wear them all day Saturday but had to wait until the SNOW (and please note that it is currently April...) let up! I love the neutral color and walkable heel height. I definitely will be wearing them for work too. There is just something about Italian shoes...they get me every time. Plus a pointy toed nude heel is just the right amount of adult sophistication for any outfit. The packaging for these shoes is just beyond. Opening the box is a total event. It's so fun. I felt like it was seriously Christmas morning. I can not even bear to throw out the box yet... too beautiful.

I also want these, these and these. So gorgeous.

Use my discount code mccoy109 to get $40 off your purchase :)

Sweater from Zara, unavailable online// Another beautiful sweater option for summer// Also love this sweater idea// Shirt found here //Also love this // Also my level of obsession with this shirt is very high // Sunglasses Ann Taylor Loft // Shoes found here //

Lake Louise

2016-03-25T14:24:00.001-05:00

After we spent a few days in Banff, we drove about an hour to Lake Louise. Lake Louise is a glacier lake, in the middle of the most beautiful untouched area of Canada. The lake is bright blue in the summer, melting from the winter freeze in May or June. Because we saw it in March, the lake was completely frozen and you could walk right through it. We stayed at the Fairmount right on Lake Louise, which was so so so beautiful. The whole area is just completely breathtaking, no matter what season it is. We got to do some really beautiful hiking through the paths, that were pristine and perfectly white from the completely unpolluted snow. One day we traveled to the Lake Louise ski slopes and Matt did some veryyy intense skiing, whereas I went snow shoeing! Snowshoeing was really fun because it gave those of us who are not expert skiers, the chance to ride the gondola up the mountain, enjoy the views and feel like we got to be a part of the whole outdoor mountain experience. Our guide told us that Kate Middleton and Prince William went skiing here a couple of years ago and stayed at a little hotel on the other side of the slopes that you can only get to by skies or helicopter! Pretty amazing. Matt and I are already talking about planning another trip back during the summer.

Until next time Lake Louise :)

Banff Springs

2016-03-23T10:38:00.001-05:00

This past week Matt and I went with our family to Banff, Canada. We flew into Calgary and then drove about 2 hours to Banff to the Fairmount Hotel in Banff. Banff is located in Alberta, Canada and is a national park full of just jaw dropping mountains, glacial lakes (the glacier minerals makes the water bright blue) and springs. Sorting through all our photos from Banff was just completely overwhelming because I could have literally posted hundreds of beautiful photos from Banff alone, not even to mention the whole separate post I will be doing on Lake Louise! We spent two days in Banff and got to hike through the cute little town and on some of the hiking paths. The weather hovered around 35 to 40 degrees and once you put on long underwear was actually very enjoyable. It was just so fun to get the chance to enjoy the outdoors in a place where the scenery is so awe inspiring and untouched. Living in the city, it was so peaceful to be someplace where there was not a ton of different things trying to grab your attention. Plus it was so special to get to spend so much uninterrupted time with family.

We spent one of the days dog sledding in town located in Banff, called Canmore. Dog sledding was one of the most amazing things I have ever done! It was a complete dream. The dogs were so sweet and the scenery was completely awe inspiring. We also got to dog sled through the only agency that allows you to drive your own sled! Matt drove our sled and I got to enjoy the scenery. Dog sledding was amazing because at one point they took you across this huge FROZEN lake where we had the most amazing views of the glacier mountains. We were able to go dog sledding for almost two hours! It was such a great amount of time because it really allowed you to get enough time to enjoy the whole experience and switch drivers if someone else wanted a chance to drive the dog sled. I would definitely recommend going dog sledding if you ever get the chance.

^^ Exploring the hiking paths at the Fairmount Banff Springs

^^ walking into the town of Banff

^^ Dog sledding out on the frozen lake!

^^ at look out point, looking back at the Fairmount Banff Springs, which is basically a beautiful old castle in the hills!

^^ siblings jumping on the frozen lake!

^^ our dog sled team :)

^^ dog sled selfie!

^^ My dad and sister enjoying some of the dogs from the dog sled team :)

Flower Arranging with Christine Noelle Floral Design

2016-03-11T15:30:00.000-06:00

Whenever I get really overwhelmed, I always tell Matt that I want to quit everything and make flower arrangements. So, for my 27th birthday Matt surprised me with a personal flower arranging class at Christine Noelle Floral Design studios with Christine Noelle, herself! It was so, so, so much fun! Christine is a true artist and expert about all things flowers. She taught me how to start with a base and then build out, adding different layers and textures. She had such fun terminology (like "bathing the flowers" and making sure my arrangement was "telling the right story") and really the class so informative and fun. I love the look of these new wild floral arrangements and it was so much fun to get to make one of my own! I would do it again in a second. You can take a floral design class from the studio for a Bachelorette party or birthday party!

^^ Isn't he the sweetest??!

Little Treats

2016-02-15T11:14:00.001-06:00

Everything hearts- check. Everything pink- check. Everything sweet- check!

These little heart cookies were really imperfect since.....guess what I do not own a heart cookie cutter! I had to go through and draw each heart by hand so all the hearts turned out a little quirky... but still so good. I had planned on making royal icing so that the cookies would look sleek and perfect. but the one magic ingredient in royal icing - meringue powder- is next to impossible to find. You basically have to get it at a specialty baking store or order it online. Instead, we made buttermilk frosting and gave up on the idea of sleek perfection of royal icing. Buttermilk frosting tastes better anyway :) Recipe for the sugar cookies found here and the buttermilk frosting made from the recipe on the confectioner's sugar box with a few drops of red food dye to make the frosting a light pink :)

Valentine's Day Outfit

2016-02-07T17:17:00.001-06:00

Growing up my sister used to wear pink every single day beginning after Christmas and until Valentine's Day. My mom used to have to do laundry constantly because Shannon only had so much pink clothing. But needless to say ....clearly... my family embraced and LOVED Valentine's Day. Some of my best memories involve making Valentine's cards for all my friends and still to this I day love love sending Valentines. Tomorrow begins Valentine's day week and in honor of this fun girly holiday you need a fun girly pink shirt! I found this adorable off the shoulder shirt from ASOS. This weekend I plan on making Valentine's day cookies, eating lots of candy hearts, and wearing red lipstick. I hope you have the best Valentine's day week and get the chance to indulge in some sweet girly joys!

Bell Sleeve off the shoulder top here.

xoxoxox!

What to Do in New Orleans

2016-01-17T16:05:00.003-06:00

· Dinner at Peche Seafood Grill (Notable mention Le Petite Grocery)

You must, must, must eat here! This laid back seafood restaurant was the winner of 2 James Beard Awards- one for best new restaurant and the other for Best Chef in the South. There was just so much flavor in all the food- you really could not go wrong with anything on the menu. Make reservations ahead of time because you won’t be able to get in without one.

· Drinks at the Carousel

Located at the historic Hotel Monteleone, this bar is made out of an actual Carousel and the bar seats slowly move! It was such a fun New Orleansy place plus the bar is a fun excuse to see the inside of this beautiful historic hotel.

· Explore the French Quarter

The French Quarter feels like another world. You do not feel like you are in the United States. The whole neighborhood is so unique and unlike anything I had ever seen or experienced before. I would stay away from the Bourbon street part of the French Quarter. Bourbon Street is just a little too crazy for my tastes. There were just too many super drunk people going from bar to bar. However, if you keep walking and even just walk one street off of Bourbon street then there are tons of fun antique stores to explore.

· Eat Beignets at Café Du Monde

The famous Café Du Monde! I am going to give you the best tip that someone gave us before we went and it made ALL the difference in the world!..... You do not have to wait in the long line that inevitably wind down the block! There are signs in the restaurant saying “seat yourself”- so you can just walk in and take an open table if you see one. Only tourists wait in the line because they see everything standing in it and think that they also have to! You guys- do.not.wait.in.the.line! This will change your life. The beignets are gooey, warm and totally worth it.

· Eat donuts at District Donut

Just another one of the fun donut shops in the US. They also have Nitro beer, which, apparently, is very hard to find.

· Go to the World War II Museum

The only World War II Museum in the US is in New Orleans. Buy tickets and spend the whole afternoon there. If you are a World War II buff, then this is a must do. I went because Matt was interested in it and actually did not hate it. I learned a lot and was really moved by how much our veterans sacrificed for our country and safety.

· Walk Down Magazine street

What to do in Charleston

2016-01-06T12:40:00.000-06:00

You guys so much has happened, I cannot even believe that it is 2016 and I have so failed Wonder & Awe for far too long! These past couple of months have been filled with lots of holiday to do’s and sweet little weekend trips. Matt and I want to travel and explore as much as possible in the next couple of years, so whenever I have a free day we take a little trip. We went to Charleston, South Carolina after Thanksgiving this year and it was so beautiful and surprisingly warm! The weather was around 70 degrees and sunny the whole weekend. Perfection. I am oddly obsessed with the photographer, OliviaRae James, who is based out of Charleston, so before going I basically stalked her instagram to figure out what she does on a typical Charleston weekend and then made it the itinerary of our whole trip!

^^ The College of Charleston

· Stay at Zero George Street.
Zero George is the newest boutique hotel in Charleston and it is drop dead gorgeous. The hotel is very small so make sure to make your reservation far enough in advance. But if you cannot stay there, definitely eat dinner in their beautiful restaurant. Matt and I could not get into Zero George so we made sure to make a dinner reservation there and it was well worth it.

· Tour Boone Hall Plantation.
Boone Hall Plantation is about a 20 minute cab ride out from the city. You can take a tour of the home and the property, all of which are included in the general admission ticket. If you have never toured a plantation in the south before, this is a must see. So romantic and beyond gorgeous. Plan on spending an afternoon there.

· Eat at Chez Nous.
(Notable mention- Five Loaves, very close by…) Chez Nous is tucked off the street in a little alley way, located in a beautiful little house. This small little French restaurant was one of the best meals Matt and I have had in a long time. Olivia Rae James is a regular, so obviously it was a must-do for me and one of the best parts of our trip.

· Get a drink at Bin 152.
We loved this laid back wine bar. Stop by for some wine and cheese.

· Take a carriage ride.
Take one of the city’s many carriage rides to get a tour of different historical parts of Charleston you might not have seen otherwise. The tour guides are entertaining and teach you lots of historical information.

· Walk around and explore the city.
Walk the Battery to see some of the old mansions. Charleston is filled with American history. It is small enough to explore on foot but big enough to constantly be surprised by new little quaint neighborhoods.

^^ Stop by the store Candlefish, which is basically a beautiful bar for candles!

A Premature Advent Post

2015-11-17T16:43:00.002-06:00

Chicago’s weather is not mild. Our winters are painfully frigid.

Come daylight savings time, darkness descends upon our city at 5 p.m. The trees become barren and eventually covered by snow. January is not for the faint of heart. By February you have a deep yearning for the balmy temperatures of May.

Then it all changes.

The warmth and sun returns. When the weather finally becomes temperate you feel a sense of accomplishment as if you truly earned it. You did the hard work and now you get summer.

I moved to Georgia for a season thinking that I would love the year-round warmth and sun. But I didn’t. I missed the distinct changes between the seasons, putting on coats and hats, feeling the whipping wind against my face. I missed having a running nose and having to alter my schedule to the weather.

Somewhere deep inside my heart understands there is a greater joy in redemption than constant happiness.

My heart leaps not at perfection but at the imperfect that reminds me someday Jesus will bring perfect. Georgia was perfect and beautiful. But it felt artificial and like a forced, boring story. Where was the darkness that eventually brings forth light? Where was the climax? How did we earn this? How could you even appreciate it?

I love Matt more than I could possibly love anyone because he knows the bad, broken parts of me, parts that may be unresolved yet he committed to stay until those become beautiful. Life is not constant joy and light. But it eventually will be.

For our lives now we have broken joy.

We live in seasons. Seasons of darkness and then incredible warmth.

Sometimes we have to bundle up and put on twinkly lights when it turns dark at 5 p.m., and wait for the balmy warm winds to return.

For the coming Holiday season, I am going to put on lots of layers , let the cold wind whip against my face and light candles in our apartment in anticipation of what is to come. I am going to let the darkness point my heart back to the one who will be born who brings true light.

A baby born in the middle of the night will lead us into a greater story.

It will not be told on a balmy beach in Florida but will begin in a manger in the midst of darkness.

If you are over the age of twelve, the Holiday season is full of contradictions. It is generally not Christmas until someone cries in our family.

The Holidays heighten my desire for wholeness and joy, and yet something will always go wrong.

Someone will hurt my feelings. I will be let down in someway. Not everything will be shiny and warm the way I want it to be.

There will be broken joy and yet it will be perfect. I will turn on the heat and cover our little apartment in lights, and remind myself of the light He brought out of darkness in my own life.

Black and White

2015-11-06T08:42:00.000-06:00

Black and white is always simple and chic.Black swingy skirt with a white peter pan collared shirt and black booties screams perfect fall day outfit. Add a red lip for a little pop of color.

// Skirt from LOFT found here// Boots similar but without the fringe here // Boots with the fringe here// Similar option found on sale here//White shirt from Free People, similar here//

Everything You Need To Know about the Chicago Sky Deck

2015-11-05T07:46:00.000-06:00

I have lived in the Chicago land area for my entire life, yet like most Chicago natives I had never been to the Sear’s (always and forever) Tower! Making an outing to the Sears Tower became much more enticing after seeing the pictures of the new Sky Deck. Since the whole event is about as touristy as it gets, there are a few things you should know before buying tickets:

Check bargain websites for discounted tickets. Tickets are $20 per adult but be on the lookout for discounted tickets and pricing through bargain websites like Living Social and Groupon. I bought our tickets on Living Social at a slight discount so we spent $15 per ticket as opposed to the normal $20 pricing. You can buy tickets there as well. Unless you have bought the more expensive ticket ($45- the Fast Pass) even if you bought your ticket ahead of time, you will still have to wait in line with everyone else.
You will wait in line and actually enjoy it. Even if you do not see a line outside the building you will wait in line for 2 hours. Matt and I went on a beautiful Sunday afternoon and felt naively optimistic about our wait time since there was no visible line when we walked up to the building. Normally, when I walk by the entrance to the Sky Deck the line flows out of the building and down the street. However, we ended up waiting in line for 2 hours in an intricate line that flowed through the building. The wait time actually went surprisingly quickly since the line flowed through galleries with interesting facts about Chicago and Chicago history. We even got to watch a short movie about the history of the Sears Tower. All in and all, although the wait was much longer than we had expected it was surprisingly enjoyable.
You will wait in another line once you reach the 103^rd floor to go out on the Sky Deck. Once we reached the 103^rd floor observatory, we were surprised to see that we would have to wait in line again to walk out onto the Sky Deck boxes. The wait for the boxes was not very long, but we still waited for about 15 minutes to step out into a Sky Deck box.
You will not be alone. All the pictures taken in a Sky Deck box make it appear like you have the whole box to yourself. Not the case. The lines filter about 3 different people into the Sky Deck Boxes at a time. If you go during the weekend, you will likely be standing in a small area of the box and then have to leave after about 5 minutes to allow someone else to step out.
You will be more impressed than you had thought you would be. I was surprised by how high up we were. It was very cool to look down at the Trump tower and see how much the other buildings paled in comparison to the Sears Tower. The view was totally different than anything I had seen at the Trump etc. just because you are looking down at everything. The Sky Deck is also more amazing than I thought it would be. The cleanness of its design really adds to the scare factor of the whole experience. I looked down and my stomach dropped. I did not look down again...
You can eat Pizza here! For $100 per person you can purchase the “Pie in the Sky” dining experience where Giordano’s Pizza provides you with a 3 course catered menu after hours at the Sky Deck Ledge. To book your date night here, click here.

Needing Beauty

2015-11-04T08:46:00.001-06:00

"Glorifying God does not mean obeying him only because you have to. It means to obey him because you want to — because you are attracted to him, because you delight in him. This is what C. S. Lewis grasped and explained so well in his chapter on praising. We need beauty."- Tim Keller

We all need beauty to connect us back to the glory of God and to remind us that He is actually good. It reminds me that He knows better than I do and that His way leads to more beautiful results than my own. My prayer for this new season is that I would see beauty where others might not see it, that this beauty around me would stop me in my tracks, that I would be overwhelmed every day by some beautiful moment, and that the beauty would always point my heart back to Him. Here's to being overwhelmed by beauty and working to encourage and create it in our own lives.

Two New Favorite Restaurants

2015-11-03T15:29:00.004-06:00

1) Restoration Hardware (RH) The Gallery at The Three Arts Club.

(Hours: Sunday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.)

Restoration Hardware just opened its new gallery store in Chicago and it is to die for! The space is worth a trip in and of itself, and the food is really, really good. Perfect Sunday lunch or brunch spot. There is also a bar where you can grab a drink and sit on the roof or you can just take your glass of wine and walk around the store. You can also grab coffee and a donut in the coffee shop. Basically, there is something for everyone. I could not get over how beautiful the entire space was, just perfection. Beware of the daytime hours and make sure you plan a Saturday lunch outing to check it out.

2) Parachute.

This Avondale restaurant was runner-up for the 2015 James Beard award, and after the first bite you can immediately see why. Make sure to make a reservation far in advance since the space is small and there is limited seating. We had to make our reservation a month out and, even then, the only day open was a Wednesday night. The food has so much amazing flavor that you will not be disappointed. If it wasn't so hard to get in, we would be here all the time. Get the Bing bread for sure and do not skip dessert! The Pavlov was unreal.

^^ The pork belly and mung bean pancake was absolutely to die for

Camouflage Coat and Colors of Fall

2015-10-26T16:40:00.001-05:00

This past weekend we got to explore some forest preserves in the area which were absolutely breathtaking. The weather was warm and perfect which made the whole experience even better. Fall clothing is so fun because you get to layer and wear fun coats! This season, I am especially loving all new layers with this white sweater vest and a unpredictable coat. My camo coat is relatively inexpensive and a great fun little addition to the normal monotone coats. I am pretty petite and extra layers can over power me and make me look even shorter when they are too big. This sweater vest was one of the only ones I tried on that did not make me look like I was drowning in fabric.

Sweater Vest from Loft, found here // Camouflage jacket from H&M, found here // Skinny jeans from Zara found here //The most comfortable, worn pair of shoes in my closet, found here//

Distracted by Christians

2015-10-24T19:13:00.001-05:00

I get easily distracted.

During law school I could not study unless I was locked in a room with no windows, sound or visual stimulation. I was never one of those people who could put music on and study. Put music on and suddenly I am thinking about the lyrics of the song, the meaning behind the song and why the songwriter wrote it. Basically I spiral quickly.

Someone once very nicely put it this way- I am super observant, which is basically code for someone who is closely paying attention to everything going on in the room but cannot focus in on one person when there are crowds of people… the kind of person who sucks at the typical after church conversations. I would need deer blinders to focus in on one person and actually listen or remember anything we talked about.

I spent most of my younger life resistant and suspicious of anything and everything Christian.

When I attended church or youth groups I was hyper focused on the people there. I mentally picked them apart to pieces. My thoughts went something like this,

“Oh these people are Christians? They all seem super lame. Have they even ever dealt with anything difficult? Do they ever even have fun?!”

I looked around and could not see anyone who looked like they could understand my background and my heart. I thought every Christian I saw seemed too picture perfect and naïve. I thought that no one there could ever understand what I was going through.

I was the arrogant, small minded and judgmental one.

I got distracted by the people of God and did not actually seek to encounter God, Himself. Because I could not see anyone who looked like they had my background there, I felt rejected by God, like I did not belong with “Christians.”

But God, did what only He can do. He showed Himself to me and how much He loved me with such clarity that it was suddenly impossible to get distracted by the people of God when I felt intimately connected with Jesus himself.

When I first started really going to church to hear about Jesus, this Jesus that loved ME and not just all those other “picture perfect” people, I sat in the front row so that I would not be distracted and looking at the people of God.

I wanted to deeply know God, my God, my Savior, Best Friend, Protector, Father, and Satisfier. I sat and listened for months. Closed my eyes when I felt myself thinking too much about the people there.

Then a funny thing happened, I felt truth settling deep into my heart. I no longer noticed most of the people there. I no longer crucified the people there, when I had an actual Savior who crucified Himself for me. I started sitting in the back and loved getting to see how God moved people in the service.

Whenever someone tells me that they do not like Christianity because of the hypocrisy of Christians or the terrible experience they had with Pastor-So and so, I so get it. I get how easy it is to be distracted by the people of God and miss an actual relationship with God himself.

So often, we do not help. So many people in the church desire to be worshipped and willingly distract the people in church away from God to place all the focus on themselves. It makes me sick. But at the end of the day we are all sick and in need of Jesus. Only Jesus.

We need to stop getting in the way.

Let God have His way and do what only He can do. If you hate Christians and do not relate to anyone you see at church, please do not be distracted by the people of God and miss getting to know God Himself.

The people of God are not and never will be a substitute for God, Himself.

Midwest is Best

2015-09-14T10:08:00.002-05:00

Fall is officially here! The best season of the year is upon us! I could not be more excited for all things fall. Cozy, fall nights spent cuddled up inside. Warm drinks. Caramel Apples. Crisp, cool air. Fall clothing, (Hat season is finally back friends!) Butternut squash. Soup. The Midwest really does fall the best. There is nowhere else I would rather be around this time of year. It's not too cold but is cool enough for everything to be cozy and enjoyable. So! so! fun! This past weekend we went out to Grand Rapids for a wedding and on our way there got to stop at Robinette's, an orchard in the area, for some apple picking, wine tasting and exploring. My favorite thing to do in the fall is to go to an apple orchard. If you are looking for a great orchard closer than Grand Rapids, MI, check out County Line Orchard in Northwest Indiana.

^^ Leather jacket from Zara, similar here. Jeans from American Eagle, found here. Cowboy boots from Steve Madden, found here.

Shirts for Spinning and Italian Ice

2015-09-07T13:44:00.001-05:00

Three-day weekends are the best. I hope you all had the chance to have a great Labor Day. Matt and I got to visit Little Italy for some Italian ice at Mario's. The perfect treat for the hot days we had this past weekend. Trapezy and flowy this shirt/dress tunic is the best for hot summer days. It easily transitions to fall as well- paired with jeans or a sweater. I love the other colors it comes in as well! Love the darker options, which would be perfect for fall.

Moments from Summer 2015

2015-08-31T12:56:00.002-05:00

"People take pictures of summer, just in case someone thought they missed it, and to prove that it really existed." - Ray Davies

Summer 2015 was beautiful in a million ways and so full of life that that there was never a moment to put those snapshot moments on Wonder & Awe. Now that the summer is coming to an end and Labor Day is around the corner I wanted to compile some of the best pictures from the past few months. I hope your summer was filled with lots of gorgeous pink flowers, sunsets, time out on the water, and that you got to spend a night on a ferris wheel.

^^ The bar at Little Goat

^^ The most delicious scones from Little Goat

^^ The best 4th of July celebrations in Hinsdale

^^ time spent out on Cape Cod

^^ a sweet final date before the big day

^^ lots of beautiful flowers at the Lincoln Park farmer's market

^^ moving moments

^^ saying goodbye to my single girl space

^^ the most beautiful view from our new apartment

Here's to soaking up the last moments of summer 2015!