THE dress

It is the dress that is sure to make history, in both British and American fashion.  It was the perfect dress, for Kate Middleton's (and the entire world's) big day.  As one prediction proved its validity, Kate stepped out in none other than a dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and her Cartier "halo" tiara.  And, the final product was nothing short of perfection.  She may have arrived as a commoner like she requested, but she sure looked every bit the princess.

This is the dress that will be duplicated from this day forward, designer after designer.

And, that is the hair that will be requested at every salon in the World.

Sarah Burton outdid herself this time.  In honor of her mentor, Alexander McQueen's death in 2010, she has kept his spirit alive in this dress.  I feel that is the most appropriate way to honor such a talented designer's life and death, and to show the future promise that she has for the line he originated.  

The revealing of the dress alone was totally worth the 3 a.m. wake-up call, and I believe this will be my new conversation starter for the next month!  R.I.P. Alexander McQueen...your legend lives on!  AND cheers to you, the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  After 8 years, I am so happy to see that you finally followed through!

And they lived Happily Ever After

Say Yes to (which) Dress?

There are only a few things in this life that I will get up at 3 o'clock in the morning to see... Surrounded by good friends, and the sweet aroma of an early breakfast cooking in the oven, the countdown to the Royal Wedding has begun. 

In t-minus 60 minutes, we will witness the "Wedding of the Century".  In 60 minutes, the whole world (or maybe just the female population) will be on the edge of their seat as they await the moment when this monumental event will be sealed with a kiss.  And, finally, in t-minus 60 minutes the dress that will stop the hearts of millions will be revealed...

The time is close at hand...HURRY UP 4 a.m., America and apartment 4405 is anxiously waiting!

Let the Happily Ever After begin...

Like mother like son

In Him, I find rest

I hope that all 12 of my followers did not file a missing person report, because my very long absence from the blogger world was due to none other than a little thing I like to call...

Exam

WEEK! 

That is right...a week chopped full of too much coffee, too little sleep, and the, oh so, pleasant gifts left by stress himself... PIMPLES.  Well, the good news is that it is Wednesday, which means I am halfway done with this horrendous week!  Now, it feels like it has taken about a year to get to this point, but for the first time I have been able to breathe just a little bit more (and finally get back to blogging!).  I can only imagine that when this week is over, the feeling will be so liberating and overwhelming that my body just may go into literal shock!

With stress being my most trusty and loyal companion this week (and come to think of it, all MONTH), I  have had to continue to lift my eyes to the Lord to find peace in the midst of all the chaos; and, oh how gracious He has been to me.  No matter how hopeless my situation may seem, I know where I can find absolute peace and rest.  This morning, my break down of all break downs occurred conveniently before my 8 o'clock exam.  I was emotionally and physically exhausted, and the weight that I had placed upon my own shoulders had done its toll on my emotional state.  All I could do was cry out to the Lord, and wait for the comfort that I knew I could rely on in Him.  And, it wasn't long until He was easing my worries one page at a time in my devotional.  These are the words of today's devotion...

Come to Me with empty hands and an open heart, ready to receive

abundant blessings.  I know the depth and breadth of your neediness.

Your life-path has been difficult, draining you of strength.  

Come to Me for nurture.  Let me fill you up with My Presence: 

I in you, and you in Me.

My power flows most freely into weak ones aware of their need for Me.

Faltering steps of dependence are not lack of faith;

they are links to My Presence.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall,

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary;

they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31

WOW.  He knows exactly how to ease my worries and fears.  He sings me a melody and puts me to rest in His green pasture.  This is our God, who amazes me each and every day.  

Whatever stress or anxious thoughts that are weighing down your already weary body, let them go now and give them up to the Lord.  I promise that you won't be disappointed!   

5 things...

This weeks current obsessions...

1. STRIPES, STRIPES, and MORE STRIPES

This is a perfect spring outfit-
after Easter of course (notice the white shoes!)

Well anything looks good on Gwenyth...

2. Bohemian Chic

If anyone knows me, then they know that this is my favorite style

every day of the year, but I guess you could say that

my obsession is portrayed perfectly this picture.  

This is what I aspire my style to be!

Aviators (check), long Hair (check);
all I need is that colorful scarf, and perfectly, plump pout!

3. I need a perfect summer HAT

This straw beauty is $7.50 at Forever 21!
I have no excuse NOT to buy it! 

I'm not big on the cowboy inspiration that this hat seems to have,
but I do love that she paired a hat with this vintage bathing suit, SO CUTE

When does she NOT do it right?
Blake Lively everyone.

And you can't forget the floppy hat...
this perfect beach accessory will be on my head all summer long

4. Vintage Rings!

Elle, this summer we WILL be going vintage ring hunting

like we always said we would

5. Pale pink and gold...a formal affair

obsessed.

I'm a blue.

I am more than willing to admit that I am the sappy type.  I am a total goob when it comes to a lot of things... I find a reason to cry in almost every movie, I absolutely melt when I see old people holding hands, and I was truly convinced, after watching "The Princess Diaries", that it wasn't a good kiss if your foot didn't POP.  If this isn't proof enough that I am sappy, then maybe I should tell you that after being forced to take a personality test as a group activity in class, it is official...

Hello, my name is Lindsay Botwinick and I am a blue. 

Now, this only makes sense if you understand the logistics of this, oh so, scientific test.  We were each given a questionnaire, that contained different groups of words in which we were supposed to choose the word that described us best.  30 or so words later, and we were magically given our personality type described in a color...I am a blue, and believe me, this color could not describe me more perfectly.  So what exactly does being a blue mean.  

Here are a few of the characteristics of a blue described by this test:

• BLUES need connection – the sharing of rich, deep emotions that bind people together.
• As a BLUE, you will often sacrifice a great deal of time, effort, and/or personal convenience to develop and maintain meaningful relationships throughout your life.
• BLUES seek opportunities to genuinely connect with others, and need to be understood and appreciated.
• Everything you do as a BLUE has to be quality-based, or you won’t do it at all.- (this sounds like something only a diva would do :) )
• BLUES have distinct preferences and are the most controlling of the four personalities, although they may not acknowledge (or even realize) the fact.- (well this is comforting, insert sarcasm HERE)
• BLUES are extremely passive, avoid conflict, and suppress problems.- (this is freakishly true)
• BLUES tend to be moody- (hate admitting this one!)
• And most of all, BLUES' capacity for emotional depth is remarkable.- (aka- my sappiness is extremely prevalent)  

Clearly, there is no fighting the facts, I am a Blue.  And, I wouldn't want to be any other color.  I love that Taylor Swift songs have the ability to make me cry, and that I dream of the day when someone special will be waiting for me in the rain (cough cough, just an idea Andrew!).  This strong emotional heartstring, God plays upon every single day.  I am a goober for a lot of things, but God's little "love notes" are my favorite.  He knows exactly how to romance this very emotional blue.

So, thank you Lord.

Love,

your forever grateful BLUE

This is the stuff...

Happy Friday :)

5 things...

This week, I am currently obsessed with...

1. Emerson Made's rain boot inspiration!

I have come to the conclusion that I NEED these for the spring
(and the little white cottage in the background too!)

Well, I do live in Starkville...so these might fit in quite nicely

I'm not sure about the gun...

I will take one in every color please :)

2. This DIY headboard

This really doesn't need a caption,
but it sure will go perfectly in that white cottage I want!

3. Purple nails by Essie

 

Merino Cool

St. Lucia Lilac

Nice is Nice

4. Bicycle rides

I love everything about this picture.

5. Messy Hair: Buns and Braids

If only my hair looked this perfect "messy"

Thank you Alexander Wang for the braid inspiration in your Spring 2011 collection

Alexander Wang again

And again

And the best of both worlds... Bun and Braid Combo

When God gives you gold...

I have a very dear friend, who once told me something that I will never forget... She enlightened me on this brilliant truth: "God will never show you GOLD first, and then give you SILVER".

"WOW" was my only response.  We have such a gracious God, that this really shouldn't have surprised me in the slightest bit, but then again God always finds ways to amaze me every single day.  After she told me this, I couldn't wait to share this great news!  And, it wasn't long before I was doing just that, over and over again.  It may sound impersonal that this phrase was being recited in every one of my conversations, but there is something about this advice that I felt EVERYONE should hear!

Especially college students.  Being in college myself, I know how hard it can be during those 4, 5 (or dare I say more) years of your life.  It is full of uncertainty and anxiety, because for the first time YOU are making decisions, that will affect your future and the rest of your life!  I am a bit of a scaredy-cat to begin with, but this absolutely TERRIFIES me, and I know that I am not the only one... And, as if the pressure of being educated on how to score the most perfect job wasn't enough, we also have to deal with BOYS and all of the drama that seemingly comes with THEM!  Even Mother Theresa would have a panic attack if she was expected to finish school in 4 years (and no more!), never repeat an outfit in her entire college career, AND attend every social event, where she would need to find the perfect man that would, of course, grant her the simple wish of having a candlelight!

Thus, leading to this umbrella of unrealistic expectations that we feel we are constantly under, which only makes us feel worse when we come up short.

Back to the incredible quote i first mentioned...The reason it inspired me, so much as to write a post about it,  is because of the hope that I felt it gives in this world of failed expectations.  What I mean, is that sometimes we are so scared of trusting the Lord with our lives that we hold onto things that we KNOW are not right, only because they fill the checklist of what is expected of us.  This is mainly seen in the "boy" department.  Girls are stuck in relationships, accepting the countless cons, because they are fearful that God won't have anyone else planned for them.  Which will then lead to a life spent alone (which is most definitely not expected from a southern belle!).  

BUT, what if you knew that God wants to give you GOLD!  The kind of gold one could only dream of, because it does not have a monetary value!  If your heart is seeking diligently after Him, He wants to give you this precious gift.  Whether this blessing comes in the "expected" and limited time frame of college, or sometime after, His blessing is all the same!  He doesn't want us to accept silver, because we have not yet seen the gold.  And, He doesn't want to flaunt this priceless gold only to turn around and detract it from our sight.  We have such a compassionate God, who genuinely longs to be an active part in every aspect of your life, including the "boy" department.  If you can trust Him with this part, He will show you infinitely more than you could ever have imagined.  So, let God amaze you and remember...

God will never show you Gold first, and then give you silver. 

Happy Friday :)

Have a blessed weekend :)