Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Navy and Sage

I never tire of showcasing the beautiful clothing that my grandmother saved in such great condition. This is another one of her amazing coats. I believe it is from the 1960's (which I seem to be particularly enamored with as of late). It has a lovely one button closure with large cuffs on the sleeves. Not to mention the nubby material and in such a perfect shade of sage! I wore this for church and to hang out with my family last Sunday when I was home. Tomorrow it's off to Sean's hometown. I need to get packing for the five day weekend! Sometimes, I am so thankful I am on a teacher's schedule.


This bag is that amazing vintage find I raved about in my last post. I saw it buried under stacks of mediocre, cheap purses placed on a high shelf. I pulled it out, looked at my mom (whom I was thrifting with) and just gasped. It has got to be the oldest, most well made item I have found at a thrift store. It is all leather  with such a beautiful design. The lock is especially unique- you turn the charm on the front one way to lock it, and then flip it around to unlock it! I thought it was so neat. It is pretty small, so it will be one of those 'special occasion' purses, but so worth it in my eyes. I'm interested to know what era it is from. If you think you have an idea please let me know! I would love to find out some history behind this baby.






And a little 60's inspired jump shots :)




This was one of my favorite things to wear. Of all time. I found this little vintage dress at my favorite thrift spot a couple of weeks ago and have already come up with about a zillion ways I want to wear it. I can't wait to wear it as a blouse, a skirt, and just by itself as a cute little summer dress too. What a find!  I loved the collar, the stripes, the faux buttons down the front and the tent shape. It makes it super versatile.








Have a very blessed week all :) Be sure to smile a lot, ok?
God Bless, 
KJA



Jude 1:20-21
But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. 



Wearing:
Earrings- Gift from my lovely sister
Necklace- Gift from my beautiful Mama
Dress, Cardigan, Bag- Vintage, Thrifted
Coat- Grandmother's
Shoes- Target
Tights- Walmart 



Monday, November 19, 2012

Fruity

This is what I wore to hang out with my family last Saturday! I got this vintage dress/miu miu/who knows what from a friend who gave me a bunch of her grandmother's old clothing. I can't decide what this garment is! Could it be a waitress outfit, a morning robe? A maternity dress? All I know is that it has only one pocket, either flowers or pineapples running down the front, and it is a color that I love :) with a big ole' collar of course! 
I couldn't resist pairing it with my yellow pointed hat. It is one of my favorite things to wear! Sean thought I looked like a banana. I suppose I do, but I can never resist matching my hat to my dress.
I wore this to do a bit of thrifting with my mama. I didn't buy any clothes, but I bought a ridiculous pair of men's oxfords (can't wait to show you those!) and the most PERFECT vintage purse find ever. That you will see in my next post :)
When I found the shoes my mother exclaimed, "Uh oh Katie, I think those are men's shoes." To which I curtly replied, "Yes, of course they are. I have like four pairs of men's shoes, haha!" It made me laugh. 










I definitely know this dress is far too large on me, but I feel like when it comes to vintage clothing I don't care if it fits me perfectly or not, I just make it work because I have about zero sowing skills. How about you? Do you wear clothing that doesn't fit simply because you love something about it, like a collar or print? 

God Bless!
KJA


Psalm 50:14
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High.



Wearing:
Hat- Vintage, Uptown Flea Market
Dress- Vintage
 Jeggings- Macy's
Oxfords- Target
Bag- Vintage Coach
 

One Thanksgiving Weekend Down, One To Go


This is what my weekend was filled with:

 My mama and I are twinsies apparently. We had such a fun little photoshoot together! We went thrifting, did some baking, and of course talked each others' ears off ;)


A little family picture time! This was grandma and grandpa with my two precious nephews. 


 Of course there was lots of play with these two sweethearts. We played monkey games, built robots with blocks (I had to speak in a robot voice for almost an entire day people!) and ran around like crazy when it was time to go to bed  ;). Love it!


It was also such a deliciously lovely day outside that we were able to take the boys for a walk on the trail near my parent's house! Funny part is that it was a two mile trail and I ended up carrying a sleeping nephew for  quite a bit of it! Aw, precious moments indeed (even if my arms did punish me for it later). 
I found out this morning though that I left my keys at my parents house over two hours away!! Oops...That's what you get for having your hubby be the only driver of the weekend I suppose...

All in all it was a wonderful pre-Thanksgiving with my family. We missed my sister Jenifer immensely and I also regret not getting pictures with my older sister while we were together, I suppose I'm too preoccupied with the nephews! 

I hope you have a lovely (and short!) week! There will be another Thanksgiving endeavor this weekend with hubby's side of the family, so I have that to look forward to :)
God Bless!
KJA


Colossians 2:7
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Fur and Spots

I am so excited to be going home this weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family! Some of the menfolk will be hunting...but us girls will be filling up on pie no doubt and gabbing the day away :) Blissful

Also, may I say that the lovely and oh so stylish Jessi of Haircut and General Attitude almost didn't get this dress back from me. She's a blogger I recently found and I'm so glad I did! Her style is perfection, you simply must check her out. I knew I wanted to swap/secretly steal this dress the minute I saw the picture of it! It is the perfect color, has a polka dot print and is made of the softest material. I was so glad it fit me! I loved the pairing of the seafoam green and burgundy together. Everything else I'm wearing is thrifted!
I also wanted to try braids with this  ensemble. My hair has always been too long to do milkmaid braids, but I decided to try them and I really liked how they looked!












Yay for it being Friday tomorrow! Enjoy it you lovely creatures, you :)
God Bless, 
KJA


Psalm 119:143
As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.




Wearing
Dress- Swap with Jessi of Haircut and General Attitude
Earrings- Forever 21

Fur, Jacket- Vintage
Shoes- Thrifted
Tights- Walmart

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Casual Work Look


Friday is my last day working at my current school as a lead helper in the afterschool program. Next week I move on to a different school with different students. I am going to have to relearn everything about my job again, relearn the ins and outs of each of the kids, and become the person in charge (which I am SO NERVOUS about). I am the one who has always followed a leader. I always take orders and do what I'm told. Never have I been the one to decide schedules, have a helper under me whom I direct according to what I want to do. 
What I'll miss the most are the relationships I've built at my current job. I absolutely love my coworkers and we've become very good friends. I adore my students (even the more challenging ones). We announced to them today that this was my last week and some of them cried...ahh seriously it broke my heart. One little dear girl (a first grader) told me in tears that I was her only best friend and that she wished I were a kid so I could stay and play with her. 
I know I am on to better things for my future, but I'm so COMFORTABLE where I am right now. I know my expectations, I'm good at what I'm doing and I enjoy doing it. I hope that this new opportunity will be one I can love and excel at just as much. I need to realize that comfort isn't always a good thing. If I just stayed comfortable forever I may never grow or change at all, and that isn't what I want. 
I'm so thankful to God for granting me all of the wonderful opportunities throughout the past few years. He was carefully orchestrating my placement at this current school to build the relationships I needed which brought me to the place I am now. All along I just needed a bit of trust in Him!
Enough of the sappiness though :) I hope you are enjoying your week! I can't wait to see my family oh so soon!
God Bless, 
KJA

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."













Wearing:
Earrings- Claire's
Top- Shopko, old
Jeans- NY and Company
Cardigan, Shoes- Target
Scarf- Thrifted

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Layers


I took these photos when the light was fading quite quickly. I'm still getting used to it being dark now when I leave work! It seems so late and I just want to fall into bed when I get home. 
I wore this to a lovely game night with my coworker and friends. I made the most delicious and easy chocolate cheesecake. It was sooo good you guys. We left the rest there so Sean and I wouldn't eat it when we got home! haha. That's what I love about friends. I can bake up a storm and give away most of it so that I don't eat it all ;)












The best part about last night was that I got to skype with my sister whom I haven't spoken to in around 6 weeks! She was without reliable internet access on her mission trip and we so missed talking to her and getting updates on how she was doing. It's going to be quite different not having our family complete with the holidays approaching. We told each other lots of stories about life and it was quite lovely to laugh with her and see her gorgeous face. 

Sisters are the best, for sure :)
God Bless all!
KJA


Psalm 135:13-14
Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation.  For the Lord will give justice to his people and have compassion on his servants.



Wearing:
Necklace- Gift from mama :)
Blouse, Blazer, Belt-Vintage, thrifted
Dress, Wedges- Kohl's
Hat- Target
Tights- Walmart