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 ;)

four weddings and an outfit

wedding attire with a hint of mint by acontreras21 featuring antique hair accessories

I just love weddings, don't you? Talk about lovely. I was in the mood for a good wedding, and it just so happens that I have FOUR to look forward to, one of which I have the honor of being a bridesmaid in :) Sounds exciting, huh? & expensive for sure. In light of the up and coming wedding season I thought I would put together a dream outfit on polyvore. I love the simplicity of this dress with the addition of accent mint accessories. Overall lovely I'd say. I'm inspired. Definitely something I would love to wear to one of the four weddings! Now, if I could only get back to the states so I can see my friends say, "I do" Doesn't the government know how many weddings and parties I need to attend? Ugh!

Do you have any upcoming weddings to attend? What are some rules you have on wedding attire?

Love you, my friends.

Annie

currently obsessing over...

leather pants!

Source: google.com via Alexandra on Pinterest

To be honest, I've never been a huge fan of them. I blame it on Ross and the episode of "Friends" when he fails to put them on. So, thank you Olivia Palermo for making leather pants cool again.

If you need a good laugh, go here. It's one of my favorite episodes :)

"Someone comment on the pants!" -Chandler

I used to be a creeper

Don't you love finding pictures of your adolescent self? I sure do. Especially when they are as lovely as the one I found in my grandmother's album. I also LOVE my creeper glasses! No wonder I was so popular in middle school :)

Anyway, I like to think I've grown into myself quite lovely. I got through my awkward "is that a boy or a girl?" and "tweezer happy (I use to tweeze my eyebrows SUPER thin)" stage with help from my friends and family. Thanks you guys! :)

But, no really...Thank God beauty is only skin deep. & I'm blessed to have had people in my life to teach me inner beauty is far more valuable than physical appearance.

Now, speaking of glasses...have you guys heard of warby parker? It's like the TOM'S for eyewear! I'm excited to try them out. I'm gonna order my 5 test glasses as soon as I'm home! Hopefully I can restrain myself from ordering creeper glasses...we all know how much I love them! You guys should look them up...buy a pair, give a pair.

Love you all! xoxo.

Annie

P.S. I changed the blog a little...what do you think?

Annie.

Babe.

Sister.

Mija.

Banana.

Trompis.

Me.

favor like Esther's

I am in a situation where I am in need of the Lord's favor over my life. So, tonight (it is very late) the Lord directed me to the book of Esther (isn't it great that God speaks to us through his word? I'm so thankful!). The word "favor" is all over this story. It's not only about Esther's courage to save her people, but it's also a testimony of how God gives us favor with men in order to carry out his will and plans. Esther had a need. She placed herself in the middle of God's plans. She put even her own life on the line. She (and her family) armed herself with prayer. She is...me. You are my Mordecai. I need your prayers. Although my situation is a lot different then Esther's, the Lord has encouraged me through her life. I am seeing myself in Esther, and she was given favor.

I am exactly where the Lord wants me to be. Where I am was in his plans and I know he will show me favor to continue in this beautiful journey he has set me in.

We are blessed and HIGHLY favored. Amen!

in this forever

I recently purchased "In this Forever" album by Rita Springer. She's always been one of my favorite singer and worship leader so I couldn't wait to buy it on itunes! I took my mom to a concert she held in Southlake and even she felt God's presence through her music & she doesn't even speak English that well. I've had her songs on repeat since I got it...it's just so uplifting and it has helped me spend some time in worship, which I love and can't live without. I wanted to share a few of the lyrics and how they have ministered to me...

1. In this Forever: "and I can hide in your shelter. you reach down to me, I reach up for you...cause i'm in this FOREVER!!" A song about giving everything to him, completely surrendering to him because he is worth it. There are so many other directions I could go as a person who has been given free will, but I have chosen Jesus...and I am in this FOREVER.

2. Oh How you Love Me: "how wide, how deep, how great your love is for me. how high, how endless, and oh so beautiful." A song that just sings his love all over me! "Let go of your heart, let go of your head...how great is your love for me!" & how much I just want to surrender to this love and be completely intoxicated with it.

3. Make You Happy: "You make me fall here at your feet in total abandon...you make me happy!" I can dance to this song :)

4. Come In: "with every turn, with every breath, with all my life, my thankfulness. My heart your home. call me your own, and come in" All about inviting Jesus to come in and dwell in our lives.

5. I Call You: "I call you one who always will come through" One of my favorites on this album, especially this lyric.

6. You are good: Your good and your faithfulness go on, and on, and on , and on, and on (you really have to hear this part of the song)." He is so good and I LOVE to sing about it!

7. All I need: My song. Being away from my "normal life" and my loved ones has been tough at times. Therefore, this song is on all the time. "All I need to do is worship. All I need to do is say his name out loud. All i need to do is lift my hands, surrender and bow down. All i need to do is let his presence fall." There is nothing I have experienced in my lifetime that compares to being in his presence. It's like being home.

I love these songs so much! I'm so thankful for divine timing. I'm thankful for the immediate mood booster worship gives me. I'm thankful that God uses music to encourage us to worship him. I'm thankful for the voice God has given me...I'm not trying to say I have a great voice or anything, but I do LOVE to sing like I'm the best singer in the world when I worship...I'm singing to my King, so I have to saaaannnggg it! lol.

So, this is it for tonight. maybe after reading this you'll go read your bible, or turn some p&w music on, or pray...just go be with the Lord already!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday...

Go Cowboys!

I always look forward to the weekend here in Mexico. There is almost always something going on. I especially look forward to Sunday because I go with my family to their mass service, which even though it's really different then what I'm use to God has really spoken to me through the messages. I'm really starting to miss taking communion, though. The Catholic church is kind of particular as to who can take communion. From what I understand communion is such a sacred act you have to be in full accordance with Catholic church teaching and theology to take part in it. I don't really understand it, and maybe it's because I believe communion is for all believers. No one is worthy to partake in it, but Jesus invites us all to his table. Either way, I appreciate how the Catholic's treat communion as something so sacred. So many times I have come to the Lord's table without even thinking about it...I've done it like it's something so mundane, and it's totally NOT. It is something we should feel privileged to do. It is something we shouldn't do out of ritual, but as an act of gratitude and worship.

Sunday also means my uncle takes us to dinner & a movie. I've seen more movies in one month in Juarez than I ever have in Ft. Worth! BTW, everyone needs to see "Planet of the Apes" It is a wonderful movie! Um, skip "Cowboy's vs. Aliens" though...it was a snooze fest for me.

My Sunday has changed, though, now that football is here :) My uncles is the biggest Cowboy's fan I've ever met. This also means there will be many profanities throughout the game! {must wash ears out after Sunday night football}. I understand, though. You can't help but get so into a game to where you're screaming and hollering. I'm for the most part a composed person, but if you've ever watched a sporting event with me you know I usually lose it (example: when the MAV'S won the championship game). I can't wait till next weeks game! :)

Who ever came up with the expression "it's not good-bye it's see you later" is totally full of it. "See you later" totally suck, too. It was the hardest thing to have to kiss my husband and family good-bye...even if it is only for a little while, it still hurt. I am better now...thanks to a great family here in Mexico and skype and facebook. I am better now.

Today I got to see the city where I was born. It's a beautiful place...once you can see past all the dirt roads and old buildings. My first meal in Mexico was tacos (yummmm). And, I experienced riding in the Mexican transit system (exhausting). All in all my trip is going wondefully. I love my family and am so blessed!!

Thank you all for the prayers! Keep them coming :)

it won't be like this for long

This song came on the radio this evening on the drive home from dinner. It was like it came on just so Fern and I could hear it. Our circumstances are different than what this song is talking about, but part of the chorus spoke to both of us. Fern holds my hand and we continue to sing...really sweet moment. Thank you Darius Rucker for singing such a pretty song :)

it won't be like this for long...this phase is gonna fly by so baby just hold on. 'Cause it won't be like this for long.

good things come to those who wait...and post things on fb

So blessed to have people who love and care for me. I LOVE my new woven leather fossil watch. & I love the Miller family...especially my sweet Coco :)

my home sweet home

I get goose bumps everytime I sing the National Anthem and I always put my hand over my heart when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I sound like a total valley girl when I talk even though English is technically my second language. I love country music. July 4th is one of my favorite holidays. I cried on September 11th. I thanked God when Osama Bin Laden was killed. I believe deep down in my heart in the first ammendment...even though sometimes it hurts when people exercise it. I grew up watching t.v. shows like "Saved by the Bell" and "Power Rangers." I have been to Disney World. I graduated from both High School and College. I strive to become a productive member of society.

I love the USA. So much so that I call myself and American eventhough I was not born here. I know today is not any significant American holiday and this post is sort of random, but I felt the need to express my feelings towards this great country.

I'm thankful for the privliege of being raised here and given the opportunity to go through its amazing educational system.

I'm especially greatful for living in a country where I could accept Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior without the fear of being persecuted.

I know none of these things make me a "true" American simply because of the fact I was not born here...but I feel American. I read this once in a running magazine, "If you care even a little about being called a jogger versus a runner, you're a runner." I totally feel this way about being an American.

I heart you, America. You are my home sweet home :)

we call him "Papi"

Happy Father's day to one of the best dad's I know. My brother-in-law, David Garcia. You are my sister's knight and shining armor...and my nephew's hero. In a world full of men who don't stick around you prove that good men do exist. We love you!!





-Ana & Fern

fossil does it again

I'm obsessed with everything Fossil. There is just something about their vintage, cool, and clean style that makes my heart skip a beat. & I'm not even being dramatic. Here is another piece of wrist eye-candy :) Isn't she lovely?