on the fashion wish list

Invest in the classics

Christian Louboutin

Simple 100 Patent Pumps

I want these, badly. I would take very good care of them, and would wear them with practically everything. My plan is: as soon as I am home and have worked for a little while I am totally treating myself with a pair of Loubs :)

Do you have a fashion wish list? If so, what's on yours?

Annie

alice, olivia, krysten, & stacey

Stacey Bendet, founder of my newest obsession: alice + olivia 

I love quirky, yet sophisticated fashion. There is just something about the a+o brand that inspires me. I mean, don't those striped jeans make you feel some sort of way about them? They do to me. 

I would pair these beauties with some bright colored blouse. 

The lovely Krysten Ritter in a+o

Krysten Ritter in a+o

By the way, I'm also REALLY obsessed with this lovely lady. Is anyone watching "Don't Trust the B in Apt. 23? So hilarious. & she is perfect in it. She so reminds me of Audrey Hepburn. Anyway, she pretty much epitomizes the a+o brand. Quirky, girly, sophisticated, and just lovely. 

Do you have a favorite designer/brand?

annie 

the intimate few

"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence"

I've been struggling to find something to blog about lately (I'm so boring, I know!). I read this tonight though, and thought it was very blog worthy. Also, during one of our Monday night talks (our weekly facetime date <3) with Hannie this topic actually came up...along with other "life" convo's :) and given my current situation and season of my life, those "intimate few" are the people I trust and appreciate the most.

If you're anything like me, you desire to have those intimate and real relationship with people. You work hard at them. Invest time and energy into creating what you hope will be a forever friendship. Unfortunately though, (if you're anything like m) sometimes those friendships are just...seasonal. fleeting. here one day, and gone the next. I know it can be disappointing; it is to me, anyway. To lose a friend you hoped would last forever.

With all that being said, I also know the joy of having friendships I know will be forever. The thing that lost and disappointing friendships have taught me is to cherish and develop a strong relationship with the intimate few.

So, this blog post is for you...the intimate few. I LOVE you with a passion! I love spending time with you and sharing our life together. I love going on dates with our hubby's. I love going shopping with you. I love knowing if I ever have a problem I can count on you, your encouragement, and your prayers. I love that we can go weeks without talking (we're busy aren't we?), but when we get the chance to talk it is like we didn't miss a day. I love that our friendship comes from the Lord. I love that our friendship has passed the test of time, arguments, and at the current moment-distance. You are so, so, so precious to me.

xoxo,

Annie

my first D.I.Y

Hi lovelies! The last few months I've really been struggling with horrible, horrible acne. I've always kind of struggled with breakouts, especially as a teenager, but lately it's been so out of control. So, I've been attacking my breakouts by getting on a regiment. Washing my face every morning and night (I sometimes get really lazy and skip washing my face at night, removing my make up...big NO-NO!). It also dawned at me that I hadn't cleaned my make up brushes since I bought them (eeeek!). That could be a big reason why my face hates me right now! I immediately went to youtube to try and find a D.I.Y bush cleaner...and I found one! I'm going to post it on here, but let me just say this video is not the best quality...and maybe sketchy for some, but I found the cleaner to really work.

Hopefully my skin gets better :)

xoxo, Annie

trusting God

Trusting in God to me is not an act I have to do, nor is it something I do because I have no other choice. Trusting God, to me, is simply a response to the fact he is Good & the work he is doing in my life (even if the process hurts) is good. When God created the world it was a process, and each day even though the world was not yet complete, he would see it as good. He knew the Earth, and exactly what it was missing. He knew the dark, formless, & empty Earth needed light, living things, and beauty. He provided all those things in an orderly, creative, and perfect way.

I trust in God who is in control of his work, and is so creative about it. I trust in God who knows exactly what is coming next in this process.

I trust in God because I am his creation.

tacky or trendy?

Today is December 1st. It is officially okay to play Christmas music without annoying certain people. If it were up to me, I'd play Christmas music all year long! This Christmas will be incredibly different for me. It will be the first Christmas away from my mom, sisters, in-laws, and nieces/nephews. However, my husband will be coming down to Mexico to spend it with me & my family. *MUST FIND MISTLETOE!*

Anyway, since we are on the topic of Christmas...have you ever been to a "tacky Christmas sweater" party? They are so much fun! Although most Christmas patterned sweaters can be pretty gaudy and well, tacky...I have found some to be wearable. And by wearable I mean out to the store without being looked at funny.

Source: us.asos.com via laurel on Pinterest

Source: fashionsalade.com via Jules on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Carley on Pinterest

Source: anthropologie.com via Kinzie on Pinterest

Source: modcloth.com via Tina on Pinterest

Source: modcloth.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: kieljamespatrick.tumblr.com via Ana on Pinterest

You see, not all Christmas sweaters are tacky :)

skype dates

Hi, friends! I LOVE technology. Without it I would not be able to communicate with the people I love. I am especially thankful for skype. I LOVE having skype dates with my friends and family. It makes being so far away just a little bit easier. Thank you to all my friends who are constantly keeping up with me while I'm in Mexico. This has been such a difficult process...We could not do it without your prayers & encouragement! Here's a few screen shots of some of my favorite skype dates :)

my brother in law checking himself out on the camera

having pillow talk with my mommy :)

meeting my baby niece for the first time :) Such a special moment

Diego was showing me how many teeth he has lost!

being silly with Cole bear

Let's have a skype date soon, shall we? acontreras0821! call me ;)