Hush Fashion

2015-02-08T19:53:00.002-08:00

What I've been up to lately...

2014-10-14T13:40:00.002-07:00

Click to watch my newest make up tutorial, the berry lip!

2014-10-10T17:30:00.000-07:00

Fav Products at the Moment

This is the Beauty Blender! If you haven't seen this before, its a sponge to apply your foundation! It seriously gives the best finish I've ever seen! I've used my fingers, a dense foundation brush, and a stippling brush... and the Beauty Blender, hands down, takes the cake! Take this sponge under the sink and squeeze out the excess water, then apply your liquid foundation. Pressing the foundation into the skin with the sponge, do not swipe. It sheers out your foundation looking flawless and hydrated! Instead of cakey and heavy, honestly it makes your skin look like skin, not like you even have make up on... You can obviously build if you desire a more "full coverage" look. I purchased mine at Sephora!

MatchMaster Foundation by MAC! Holy cow this stuff is amazing. So I've tried a lotttttt of different foundations from drug store to high end, and I really do love the way this looks on my skin and the way it holds up through out my day! It is a natural matte finish, medium coverage, lasts for up to 8 hours, and controls oil through out the day! Its said to "match" your skin tone by reflecting light as your normal skin would, matching your skin, and it doesssss. It actually improves your skin overtime as well, helping your skin produce the right amount of oil it needs. (this foundation is great for oily skin, I am normal and it works well too) Also, I used to have a problem with my foundation breaking up through out the day with other products, but MatchMaster stays put all day and I barely had to touch it up. I'm in shade 1.5. Great buy if your looking for a foundation!

This is the Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper, its basically mascara for your brows. Haha! I love running this through my brows to shape them, give extra fullness, and set them for the day. I have the shade Auburn. I accidentally picked up this shade instead of the blonde, but it looks great so I've just kept using it. If you don't fill in your brows... you need to. It totally shapes your eyes and makes them stand out, makes you look a bit more put together. You don't have to darken your brows at all, just giving them some shape and filling in the sparse areas will make your brows your natural and awesome.

I got this blush at Walmart! Its the NYC Blush in Riverside Rose. ahhhhh gorgeous natural blush for fall. Its so pretty for all skin types. Great to give a natural looking flush of color to the cheeks, I've been wearing this like everyday. And its completely matte with no shimmer! If you have acne or an uneven texture on your cheek area, do not use shimmer, it will just accentuate that texture and bumps, you want to use a matte blush. Also, this looks great on mature skin or if your going for a more elegant looking make up look. Shimmer on the cheeks is more for teen girls in high school. :)

Best lashes hands down! Kiss lashes in number 02. Growing up doing dance competitions, I've been putting on fake eyelashes since I was about 14.... and I've tried a lot of different brands. Kiss just look so natural! I wear fake eyelashes probably once a week if I just feel like drawing a little extra attention to my eyes, or if I have time... lets get real. haha But yes, these are great! Super natural looking, they look like your real lashes, but better!

Reflecting On Your Heart

So often impatience is the result of choosing to do things in the flesh, in your own strength. You get impatient or frustrated with yourself or someone else because your plan for the day, or the event, or the pattern of your life, seems to slam into a roadblock. Your dreams just aren't coming true. Others seem to fail you, and you find yourself alone and trying to pick up the pieces of your goal. Jesus is telling you, as He told Martha, to refocus on what's really important: your relationship with Him. Be patient! Calm down! Slow down! Take time to stop all your busy activity and sit down. Look to Jesus, your wonderful, patient, kind, Lord. Hear His voice. Center on Him. Recall His life and the Scriptures that reveal His character. And pray.

2014-10-01T11:26:00.001-07:00

Thick Natural Lashes

This is the L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara I use. I have a couple tricks to get your lashes looking long without clumping! First, I curl my lashes using an eyelash curler. Trick 1: turn on hot hot water, run curler under the warm water for a while to heat, dry off and curl lashes, the heat from the curler will actually curl them better and keep the curl! Second, I grab a tissue. Trick 2: wipe off mascara wand gently to take off the clumps, leaving you with a perfect wand with just the right amount of product. Then coat your lashes with one coat on both eyes. Dip wand in product and wipe off again and lay down your second coat of mascara. Take a tester wand or old tooth brush (got my tester wand at sephora) with no product on it and comb through the lashes to create a fluffy look! You can add one more coat if you choose, just remember to wipe off your mascara brush every time! This helps prevent gross clumps!

I normally dont do all these steps on my day to day, but if you have a few extra mins these tricks really work!!

Reflecting On Your Heart

As a Christian woman who represents Jesus to others, the source of your speech is your own heart. So if you walk by God's spirit... His love, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self-control should be present in your life. Then your choice of words will make these Godlike qualities evident. One key way to be gracious in speech is to follow Paul's guideline: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph 4:29).

2014-09-30T18:43:00.002-07:00

Inspiration for the Week

Smokey shadows bold brow

Color

Health

Pinky nudes

Casual sophistication

2014-09-27T14:39:00.001-07:00

New Supplement

Decided to try out a Vitamin C pill, I've been doing research on the great skin benefits! Here is some research I've found, I'm going to keep taking these and see if I see an improvement and will let you all know!

You probably grew up being told that getting enough vitamin C would ward off colds and other ailments, but now the word is out that vitamin C may not play a big part in staving off the sniffles. However, it does have a vital role in maintaining the health of your skin. That's because vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is key to the production of collagen, a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives skin its firmness and strength [source: WebMD]. Vitamin C also helps create scar tissue and ligaments, and it helps your skin repair itself [source: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center]. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free-radical damage -- free radicals are unstable molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. So vitamin C is great for smoothening out the skin and creating a plumper, more supple, healthier skin! These pills were bought at Walmart. :)

Click HERE to hear what other supplements I use daily for skin and hair!

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." 1 Tim 4:12

2014-09-26T14:53:00.000-07:00

Hired on at MAC!

I applied to work at MAC cosmetics in August and didn't hear a call back for a couple months. Well earlier this week I got a phone call for an interview, within those couple days I studied MAC's history, their funds they give to, and the MAC culture in general. After a 3 hour interview, I was offered a position! There are 3 stages of the interview, and I was happy to have made it to the last stage. I am beyond excited to learn a lot and keep expanding in my make up application on myself and clients. The journey is just beginning.

The first part of the interview was the application of MAC products on a model, and how well you can sell the products, how you use the products, and how well your customer interaction is. They ripped out a pic from a magazine and told me to recreate this look in my own version. Heres the pic I was given to recreate:

They told me to bring a friend to use as a model. The manager gave me 30 min to recreate this look using all MAC products. I to completely start from no makeup, walk through moisturizer, on to the face, eyes, lips the whole works! It was fun and stressful at the same time, she was peering over me with a white clip board watching my every move. I also had to make sure and sanitize everything properly which was actually kinda difficult to remember when trying to beat the clock.

Here is my rendition of a wearable everyday look, inspiration from the Revlon Ad:

The color is adjusted a bit with the warm sun light, but I used matte black on the outer corner and silver/white sparkly shadow in the inner corner. I used a pink/red lip for a flirty everyday smokey look. Here are the products I used:

I used other products but these I mentioned are the main products needed for the look.

I am so excited to start training and working at the counter. YAY! I will share all the tips and tricks I learn on my blog so you guys can look like a pro too.

XOXO

2014-09-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

Hey Smokey

Don't be afraid to smoke it out sometimes! I used the Naked palette by Urban Decay (my fav palette of the three) to achieve this look. I used two colors, Smog and Buck. Smog is a dark brown shimmery color, and Buck is a matte milk chocolate shade. Both absolutely beautiful and compliment green and blue eyes well!

Using Smog, I put that shimmery shade all over my lid. Then I used Buck to smokey it out up into the crease. Took no time at all. Mascara and your good to go. For the bottom, I used a black eyeliner in the water line and Smog to smoke out the bottom lash line. Complimented with some nude gloss and pink blush. Make sure to fill in your brows, they can tend to get lost with a smokey, dramatic eye.

Super easy look that anyone can do!

Reflecting the Heart of Jesus

"Jesus went about doing good." (Acts 10:38) There five words inspire me. I fix these words in my heart and let them guide me daily. Jesus accomplished so very much during His lifetime, and it all came from His goodness. The Bible says that Jesus is the key to your goodness, this means that the only way to reflect the goodness of Jesus is to get close to Him, and let His character rub off on you. Stay near to Him until you don't know any other way to walk and live except by going about doing what is good! So pray daily for Christ's goodness to flow through you to touters. Be on the lookout for opportunities to show His goodness in deeds of kindness.

2014-09-19T15:56:00.002-07:00

Rose Gold

This look is all about bronzed, redish hues with sparkle and soft golden skin. I love pairing warm browns with green eyes, it really makes them pop because red and green are opposites on the color wheel. The flash in the pictures dilutes how red/brown this look actually appears in person. But I wanted to show you the shadow I smoked out at the bottom lash line. Because the color is so close to my green eyes, it really makes them stand out against the wash of color. Also, bronzey tan skin is great with this color combo. Grab some sparkly bonzer and dust lightly around the outer edges of the face and down the nose.

This is the NYX Eyeshadow Palette I used for this look. I used the last three shades from each row, the light gold color, the coral, and the wine color. I used the darkest shade on my lower lash line to contrast with my green eyes. This palette is from Ulta and its $10!! Great buy.

Reflecting On Your Heart

When you're rejected, downplayed, or ignored, do you take it personally and let your feelings get hurt? Do you lash out? Do you imagine or come up with a few creative comes backs? Its so natural and easy to respond in such ways, isn't it? But what should you do instead when you're wronged? One way you can respond is to follow Jesus' example and do nothing. Then, while you are doing nothing, you can pray. Take time to reflect on God's way of treating those who annoy and frustrate you. God's brand of goodness will not retaliate with evil, but will instead find ways to show kindness. Just think, next time someone says something rude, instead of a common response... wouldn't it speak louder to not say anything at all. Sometimes silence speaks louder then retaliation.

2014-09-17T22:31:00.003-07:00

Cater to Your Skin Type

I have been experimenting lately with a lot of new skin products (cleansers, toners, scrubs, moisturizers). Since I am a combination skin type, oily in T-zone but still have some dry patches, I have tried products for oily skin and dry skin. Here are some combo's I have found best for oily and dry skin, and everything in between! I actually have all these products and use them daily, so here is my recommendation and what I've been loving lately....

First for normal to oily skin types: Mario Badescu Glycolic Cleanser paired with the Origins Oil Free Night-A-Mins moisturizer. I lean more towards the oily side and get occasional pimples here and there. I love this glycolic cleanser because it leaves my skin squeaky clean with out the harshness of other acne cleansers. Its soothing as well as treating my skin! Also, the Origins Night-A-Mins, holy cow cannot rave about this stuff enough!! Its amazing and feels great on my skin, not to mention nourishes like none other. Make sure to get the OIL FREE one, or else you oily girls will not be happy. This is a great combo, loving this for everyday use.
Glycolic Cleanser Night-A-Mins

Second for dry to normal skin types: Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleanser paired with the Josie Maran Milk Hydration. Both of these products leave my skin feeling like a baby's bottom! The Mario cleanser is great for after I do a deep exfoliating, it makes my skin so smooth, like amazing!! Also, with the winter months coming up, the Josia Maran Milk product will be a must for me. Its super light weight but feels like its actually penetrating moisture back into my skin. Tried it after exfoliating my skin and woke up with glowing, hydrated skin!
Enzyme Cleanser Josie Maran Milk

Products good for both skin types: First are the LUSH Fresh Handmade Face Masks. There are about 12 different choices that will fit your skins needs whether its to brighten, tighten, smooth, or help with break outs. I highly highly recommend these masks along with all the other LUSH products. The one I'm currently using is called Branzened Honey, helps with congested pores leaving skin fresh and bright. Second product is the Origins GinZing Eyecream. This stuff rocks! Its made to de-puff the undereye and brighten all in one! It goes on like butter and is great if you wear concealer, because that area can get crusty and crease easily if you wear a heavy concealer.
LUSH Mask GinZing Eyecream

Well girls, I hope you learned something new and are inspired to try some of these products. The Mario Badescu line is really affordable, I believe the cleansers are $12 and can be purchased at Ulta. Lush masks are about $7. However Josie Maran (Sephora) and Origins (Dillard's) are a bit pricey, but well worth it.

I encourage you to invest in your skin,

its the skin your going to have all your life!

2014-09-14T10:46:00.002-07:00

Natural beauty is the best kind, this quick 3min video shows you how to look
like you have no make up on, sneaky sneaky. Look gorgeous while keeping your natural glow. CLICK!

Being Virtuous Women.... & MEN!

Far too long our society has tended to think of virtue as a quality desirable only for women. We are led to think that women should be virginal and good, at least the ones men marry, but men are to be somehow above such sissy notions.... Such thinking may be convenient for men, but it reveals a tragic misunderstanding of true virtue. Why do we hold women and men at different standards? This worries me.

The very word virtue derives from the Latin word for strength. The connotation is of straining, as the muscles of a man might strain during a workout. In other words, virtue is restrained strength. It actually implies manliness. Withholding yourself from something to actually make you stronger. There is power in virtue and virtue in power. Resident in the virtuous is inestimable power to impact others for good.

Character matters, and virtue is the strength of character.

So lets hold each other to a standard of virtue, men and women alike.

2014-09-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

Emily's MAC Favorites

1. Angel Tinted Lipglass- This lip gloss has great staying power and color pay off! MAC has the best lip products, in my opinion. This color, Angel, its a pretty light pink color with a pretty shiny, sheen effect. It doesnt have any actual sparkle in it, but very shiny!

2. This is the 217 Blending Brush. I use this everyday for blending out my eyeshadow! Its perfect! They last forever, I think I've had mine now for 5 years. Creates a flawless blowout of color, great for blending colors in the crease. An eyeshadow must have.

3. Mineralize Skin Finish in Light Plus. AHH this powder is incredible. It mimics the look of skin, so it doesn't look chalk-board powdery, it have some sheen to it with out looking shiny or sparkly. Its amazing for all over the face, or just in the T zone.

4. Saddle Eyeshadow. Great warm toned brown. This is my go to shadow for blending out other colors on the lid. I use this in my crease to give depth and dimension. Looks great on green and blue eyes.

5. Twig Lipstick. Hello Kylie Jenner lips!!! This is the perfect color for that almost natural lip look, its a satin finish which isnt completely matte but not shiny at all. Line your lips in a nude pencil and put this lipstick over it, and boom Kylie lips. Ahh gorg.

6. Large Duo Fibre Brush. I use this for a lightweight coverage for foundation! I put a small amount of foundation on the back of my hand, swirl the brush into the product and buff in small circles onto my face. It looks beautiful and really natural, great for a light application, doesn't cake.

2014-09-06T09:51:00.002-07:00

Click this picture to go

straight to my new video :)

This video goes over some of my most favorite products for skin and hair needs. I use a lot of different products but these I have narrowed down to be the best for me! I want to share that I am a normal/oily skin type and have semi-dry/damaged hair from coloring and using heat. This video was fun to create and I hope you learn something new from this video.

I will be updating my blog soon on products I love (make up, skin, hair) more in depth and describing why I love them. I've gotten some requests for this so I'll be busy workin on that for you guys:)

Gentleness and Your Walk with Jesus

Are you grasping how important gentleness is? Its an essential elements in your walk with Christ. Lets take a deeper look into what the Bible says about gentleness, I think you'll agree that when you exhibit gentleness, or meekness, you reflect Jesus.

Gentleness is a key to abundant living-

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5

Gentleness can bring peace instead of strife-

"A soft gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 51:1

Gentleness is considerate of others even when confrontation is necessary-

"If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness."
Galatians 6:1 *Gentleness seeks restoration rather than lashing out at someone*

Gentleness is a reflection of love-

"With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bear with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:2. *A gentle spirit goes a long way in preserving unity*

Gentleness is confident, yet respectful-

"Be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the
hope that is in you, with meekness." 1 Peter 3:15

No matter who society or those around you regard gentleness, it is an exquisite, powerful, and lofty Christlike attitude. Take every opportunity to bear mistreatment or misunderstanding with tranquility. I want to be seen as steady, consistent, and not easily angered by trivial things, keep your heart and your head up and deal with situation with meekness and gentleness.

2014-08-30T19:02:00.002-07:00

Click this picture to watch

my latest makeup tutorial!

I've been getting a lot of questions from friends and family lately like what products I use and how I do my make up, so I decided to film a short video for you all! I have provided all the products I used in this video in the description box below the video. Check it out and let me know if you would like me to do more videos! They are fun and only take me a day to complete.

Character in Action: Diligence

The virtue of diligence has four faces:

1. Diligence means constancy. Temporary obedience is disobedience.

2. Diligence is instant. Delayed obedience is disobedience.

3. Diligence is exactitude. Partial obedience is disobedience.

4. Diligence is observant care. Careless obedience is disobedience.

Diligence is the responsible, orderly, steady application of God's power within you toward whatever responsibilities you may have. In a marriage, the diligent husband and wife knows that true love transcends the emotional rush of the honeymoon. Love is constantly choosing. They show diligent love because they choose to love, and they choose to love no matter what. There is a dreadful fragility in any marriage that depends on love being "felt." There will be those moments in any marriage, or in any relationship, when honeymoon romance in nowhere to be found. In those season we must love not passionately but earnestly, because we choose to do so. Diligence makes all of life a labor of love, all the way to the finish line.

2014-08-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

Site Seeing

Reflecting the Heart of Jesus

Can you imagine having everything and yet being willing to give it all up? Well, thats the model thats presented to you and me in the life of Jesus. If you want to reflect the heart of Jesus and mirror His character, then generosity is a must. Its true that no one can out-give God, and if you are a child of God, you should desire to give and give generously to others. As Jesus told His disciples, "Freely, you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8).

Let us freely give-not only possessions- but time, help, mercy, wisdom, talents, and must of all love.

2014-07-28T20:16:00.002-07:00

Art Museum

White Tank and Scarf: F21

White Jeans: Lucca

*These pics were taken at the National Art Museum in Washington, D.C*

A Heart After God

God is always looking for a heart that will obey Him, that will do His will. Do these words describe your heart? Is God's desire your desire? Do you follow hard after God- close to Him, on His heels, clinging to Him? If any behavior is keeping you from pursuing God with your whole heart, confess it, cast it off, and step right back onto God's path of peace and joy. Spend time in God's word every day so you'll grow to better understand His character. Are there people in your life who have this kind of passion for God?

As you desire all that God desires, love all that He loves, and humble yourself before Him, your heart will indeed become a heart after His.

2014-07-18T18:31:00.001-07:00

Summer Time White

Let's Do Our Part

Commit yourself to actively choose God and His ways in your decisions, words, thoughts, and responses. Becoming a woman of God is about living according to God’s priorities, and we want the choices we make to reflect that God is our Ultimate Priority. After all, the word “priority” means “to prefer.” We want to choose to prefer God’s way in all things.

Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” This well-loved verse describes a two-step partnership with God. Our part is to stop and acknowledge God along the way, and His part is to direct our paths. This means we are to consult with God regarding our decisions, thoughts, words spoken, or responses. Before we move ahead or merely react, we need to stop and pray first, “God, what would You have me do or think or say here?”

What exactly does Proverbs 3:6 look like in daily life? Let me share an example. I wake up and the day begins. As I go about the buisness of life, a crisis suddenly arises. The phone rings and it’s bad news or a decision needs to be made. I try to remember to mentally, and maybe even physically, stop and check in with God. I pray, “God, what do You want me to do here?” That’s my part of the partnership. It may take a split second or some minutes in prayer.

And then God takes over and does His part—He directs my paths. Often it’s almost as if the next thought to enter my mind is from Him. Because I ask Him for direction and want to do things His way, not my way, He directs me. He instructs me and teaches me in the way I should go (Psalm 32:8). He guides me in what to do, how to act, and what to say. God is faithful to His promise: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21).

2014-07-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

Arm Candy

Square Blush Bracelet: Mindy Mae's Market

Cable Bracelet: Tobi

Reflecting the Heart of Jesus- Humility

How can you reflect a heart of humility? Is it by putting yourself down or by thinking you are of little worth? No, humility is no passive resignation. And it's not the fine art of belting yourself or others. It comes from knowing Christ and knowing your worth in Him. It takes place in the mind and heart and is referred to as "lowliness of mind" (Philippians 2:3). And it can be matured and cultivated...

I bet your wondering, "Well, how can I be more humble?" Begin each day by reflecting on Christ's great sacrifice on your behalf and considering your own sinfulness. When you follow this pattern, you will be humbled by the grace God has offered to you. Next, make willful choices that give humility place in your life. Talk less, listen more (and def talk less about yourself!). Look for those who are suffering or alone, and reach out. Wherever your day takes you, go to give and to serve as many people you can. Volunteer to help clean up or set up. Commit yourself to a ministry that no one sees- cook or bake for other at home, visit those in hospitals, take a special meal to a cancer victim, clean an elderly's home. And lastly be a woman of prayer! Everything about prayer breeds humility. The posture of prayer is downward. Talking to God is humbling- He is holy. Worshipping and praising Him is humbling- He is bigger and greater than you. Think of Peter's words: "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God" (1 Peter 5:6).

2014-07-10T14:36:00.001-07:00

Black Lace

Jesus Shows Us the Way

Praise, thankfulness, and gratitude should be a regular part of our everyday life as Christians. Think about it- we have so much! But unfortunately our affluent society has dulled our sensitivity to God's grace and gracious provision. It seems to require a trip to a county where Christians are persecuted and deprived to wake us up to appreciate even the smallest blessings we enjoy as God's children.

As we read throughout the Bible of Jesus' qualities, we come to the masterpiece of His thankful attitude. It is a truly amazing quality because, as the Son of God, He created and possessed everything. Yet He never failed to demonstrate a thankful spirit to His heavenly Father. As we spend time thinking on thankfulness, lets first thank the Father for "His indescribable gift" of His Son Jesus, our Savior (2 Corinthians 9:15).

2014-07-09T13:10:00.001-07:00

Olive Green

Reflecting the Heart of Jesus

No matter how society or those around you regard gentleness, it is an exquisite, powerful, and lofty Christlike attitude. To reflect this precious-in-the-sight-of-God quality, first desire it with all your heart. Then take every opportunity to bear mistreatment or misunderstanding with tranquility. Like Moses, fall on your face before God and wait for His action on your behalf. In prayer, seek His wisdom for your every move. Trust in the Lord to protect you and guide you, to empower you with His grace to respond to trails with Jesus' gentleness.

2014-05-20T19:12:00.001-07:00

Guest Post

Check out Mindy Mae's Market for details on this look
and what a "touch of elegance" means to me.

2014-04-27T14:12:00.004-07:00

Guest Post:

I have been given the opportunity to be featured on Mindy Mae's Market blog!

Check out the look and outfit details on their site; click the MMM icon below to go straight to the post.

Make sure to check out their online shop for great pieces to add to your wardrobe.

Love you all, have an incredibly blessed day.

2014-04-26T19:47:00.000-07:00

Festival Fun

Top: Image
Skirt: American Eagle
Sandals: Gap
Purse: F21
Ray Ban Sunglasses

Had a great time at the OKC Festival of the Arts today!

My dad has had a booth here for the past 8 years. It is always something I look forward to :)

Choose Boldness

God has great plans for our lives. It’s exciting when He puts dreams and desires in our hearts, but it can also be challenging. Because fear always comes against us when we try new things. That’s how the enemy tries to keep us from moving forward—through fear. But instead of giving in to our fears, we can choose to be bold, conﬁdent and courageous through Christ.

It’s important to understand that courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s moving forward when you feel afraid. And if we will do that, God will lead us straight through our fears into His perfect will for our lives. God doesn’t want us to live timid, shy, weak, wimpy, fearful, boring lives. He wants us to be bold, conﬁdent and courageous, unafraid to try new things. And it never ceases to amaze me what God will do through a person who simply steps out in faith.

When God starts you on His path, it’s hard to see the enormity of His vision for your life. If you choose to follow that vision, you’ll be met with plenty of opposition, but you will never regret following God. Don’t let other people make your decisions. Follow God’s destiny for your life. Find what’s going to fulfil you—and start embracing all that you’re meant to be in Christ. Choose boldness!

2014-04-03T11:04:00.003-07:00

Sporty Cute.

Hat: Souvenir shop in LA
Dress: Gap
Cardigan: Lucca
Sandals: Plato's Closet
Watch: American Eagle

Joy is not an emotion...

True spiritual joy is not happiness. No, "happiness" is an emotion, a state of good fortune and success related to our circumstances. If all is going well, we are happy, but as soon as some dark cloud or irritation enters our life, our feeling of happiness vanishes. I'm sure you're aware that pain is a fact of life. Contrary to our wishes, easy circumstances are not life's norm. Jesus warned, "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33). Paul explained, "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). In the midst of that reality of pain and sorrow, God's joy is a grace gift. He give his joy to us as we encounter the hardships, tribulation, problems, and persecutions of life. Amazingly, this supernatural joy, given through God's spirit, transcends all of the tough conditions of life.

As God's child, you can experience and enjoy God's joy- regardless of what life offers you. You can truly and genuinely be happy... no matter whats going on around you. Thats because your joy as a Christian:

1) is not dependent on circumstances, but on the spiritual realities of God's goodness, His unconditional love for you, and His ultimate victory over sin and darkness.

2) is not based on your efforts, accomplishments, or willpower, but rather on the truth about your relationship with the Father through the son.

3) is not merely an emotion, but the result of choosing to look beyond what appears to be true in your life to what is true about your life in Christ.

Joy is a sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person

who knows all is well between them and the Lord.

2014-03-27T18:35:00.002-07:00

Lime.

Top: F21
Jeans: JCrew
Purse: Coach
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Necklace: Etsy.com

Struggling to be faithful.

There's no doubt that to be faithful is a natural, fleshy, struggle. When I say faithful, I mean in all areas of life. In school, jobs, and in all relationships. That's why we need to choose to look to God for His strength! Every day we are tempted to do nothing... or as little as possible. Every day we struggle with excuses and challenges like these:

Tiredness says, "I can't do it." I can't make it to church, I can't study, I'm just too tired!

Laziness says, "I don't want to do it." Laziness whines, I don't want to get up.

Hopelessness says, "It doesn't matter if I do it." Hopelessness asks, "why try" and gives up.

Apathy says, "I don't care if I do it." I don't care if I'm a good friend, daughter, student.

Rebellion says, "I won't do it." This is the attitude that should frighten us most. Rebellion stubbornly states I won't do what the Bible says, I won't help out, I won't do what my parents ask. Rebellion is hardness that we should fear because, as the Bible teaches, "A man [or woman] who remains stiff-necked... will suddenly be destroyed without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1). There is no deadlier attitude of the heart than rebellion, whether blatant, outspoken, or quiet about it.

We all have areas in our life that need improvement. Our great God ends our struggles by making all we need to be faithful available to us through His grace. Praise God that you and I can choose to go to Him when we are too tired, too lazy, too sick, for ourselves. We can choose to do as David, the shepherd-king of Israel, did. He "found strength in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6). David repeatedly declared, "The Lord is the stronghold of my life" (Psalm 27:1). We too can find in Him the strength, the vision, and the faithfulness we need in these areas of life. He is readily waiting to give us these things!