Monday Melodies: Hold Me Together

Annnnnddd it's Monday!

Happy Monday to you.

Good things await you this week.

God has a plan.

He's got the strength you'll need

to face all the challenges

that will come your way.

Sometimes when things get tough,

we all need to remember to give a little shout out,

and ask for that extra grace,

that Hand to hold.

You can trust His heart for you,

and you can be sure

He'll be there to hold you together

when you need it.

Let Him reach down into your world

and hold your heart today as you have a listen

to what Royal Tailor has to say about it.

Enjoy!

~Me~

Dependent Independence Day

Happy Independence Day from America everyone!

I missed my Monday Melodies post this week (sorry!)

so here is a little song to make up for it.

This is the goal of 'independence',
so that one may be free to love God
and follow His ways.
To be wholly dependent upon Him
for all we do and who we are.


Enjoy!
~Me~

*Note- I have no idea why they chose this picture,
this song is 'Declaration of Dependence' by Steven Curtis Chapman
NOT the David Crowder Band.

Dresser Makeover Project!

Yay!

A new project!

So I've been wanting to change out the desk/dresser I have in my room for quite a while now.

But the right piece (and price) had never happened along.

Until recently.

You know all that thrifting I've been doing lately?

Well, when last I was out I spotted an old sewing desk that shouted out possibility,

 hidden beneath the grime and bumps.

Don't you love the doors?

They are what drew me to it in the first place.

It is a bit rough and needs a little TLC and a makeover,

but I think it will be great when I'm finished with it!

So. A blank canvas of a desk.

You know what this means?!

Pinterest, here I come!!

(The best place to get inspiration and ideas for anything creative!)

Here are some of the ideas and looks I like best.

This is my favorite look! I love the crisp elegance of the black paint

mixed with the natural look of wood. Then the beautiful colored graphic

adds just the right pop and flair.

Love it!



Now look at this beauty!

This is more a piece of art than a piece of furniture!

Again, the look of natural wood and paint

just strikes me as a gorgeous combination.

I love the details on the top and drawer fronts.

Gorgeous!

Another prime example of the lovely union between wood and paint

is this gorgeous hand painted piece from a shop on Etsy.

I don't quite have the painting talent to pull of anything like the

dresser above, but this dresser is a beautiful example

of what you can do with stencils!

I think I might do something like this around my knobs as well....??

Speaking of knobs, aren't these floral ones just darling?!



And there you have it!

My Pinterest inspiration!

Now, I just need the supplies and the time

and I'll turn my little mess of a dresser into a gorgeous new addition

to my bedroom furnishings!

I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out

when I get it done!

(But don't hold your breath quite yet,

it will be a while yet til my schedule allows me time!)

Until later then.

~Me~



Thrifty Treasures: Happy Feet!

I LOVE thrift stores!

Most of my cutest clothes have come from a resale shop of some sort.

A couple weekends ago I went 'shopping' and came across some great finds!

Look what I found at Goodwill for only $3!

A cute, practically brand new pair of vintage look leather oxfords!

The cute, slightly ruffled-cut edge details gives them a little femanine

flair to offset their comfortable, low healed and practical style.

I was looking for a pair of more sensible dancing shoes

for all of the swing dancing I've been doing lately,

and think these are just the thing!

See, they still had the stickers on the bottom of the souls!

I have never heard of this brand of shoes, have any of you?


And then my other happy feet shoe find was a steel!

One of our local thrift stores had a bag sale (don't you love those?!)
so mom and I went to see what we could find.

We both found some nice things, all together we got 17 items
(stuffed into one brown paper bag) for $3!
Among the items I got was this pair of shoes, again, they looked hardly worn in!

These are such a versatile color I can wear them almost anything!
Although...I did see a blogger recently who took a pair of shoes
like this and dyed them!
Here is the link to her blog and the adorable shoes.

Hmmm....I've been wanting a pair of red shoes....???

BUT, I have to confess, I have a slight issue with these adorable shoes.
Even though they are the right fit (even slightly on the tight side)
my feet keep popping out the backs!
I already tried putting the little gel-thingies on the heels and
even in the front where the pad of my foot rests, but to no avail.

Any suggestions?

Do you think I should dye these, or leave them?

I'd love to hear from you!

~Me~

Summer Reading List!

Ahhh.

Even though I've been out of school for years, and my day to day is the same summer or fall, there is still something about the allure and adventure of summer.


It breathes a slower pace, a brighter day, a virbrant life. Summer.

In that spirit I have been inspired to compile a Summer Reading List (which, according to the number of books I have on it, might more aptly be called my 2012 reading list). This list consists of books aimed at getting me closer to who I want to be, what I want to know and maybe a couple far away places I can "travel" to this summer.

My goals to accomplish through my reading list were these:

1) I wanted to find a role model, a 'hero' so to speak. So many people have historical or famous people they look up to, modeling their lives and actions after those of their idol. I realized that I don't have a person like that! I know, right?! But really, I don't have a certain person that has really inspired me. So- I'm going to find one this summer.

2) Gain knowledge of other countries, cultures, religions etc.  I already shared with y'all my love of India, but sadly, I don't know much about the culture, people or country. Since I can't really afford to make a trip there this summer, I can maybe travel there through some Indian literature and geography books. A different kind of Indian Summer. :)

3) Recover my heart: stronger sense of strength and purpose in the Lord  I want to always grow forward and be moving in the direction God has for me and I recently realized I had gotten a bit burnt out and lost a lot of my 'heart'. I want to recover it and grow closer to His.


In moving closer to these goals I have been in search of good books!

Last week I went thrift shopping (I hope to soon be sharing some of my fun finds!) and among my purchases was an exileratingly exciting stack of books! Some of them are for future reading and aren't priority for this summer, but several of them are.

Here is my list (so far).

Summer Reading List 2012

* In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado (just barely started this)

* The Great Eight by Scott Hamilton (AHH!! I grew up obsessed with ice skating and this man was the greatest! This book is about his faith, battle through cancer and living in the spot light and staying happy and positive through it all. I am really looking forward to reading this one!)

*The Great Divorce and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis ( one of my favorite authors)

* Revolution In World Missions by K.P. Yohannan (a look into missions and life in India)

* Katha: Short Stories By Indian Women (a look into the life of Indian women, their culture, their literature style and some of their legends.)

*Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs (about the needs of men and women in a healthy marriage relationship. It is always good to learn as much as one can in preparation.)

as well as....

* Appointment in Jerusalem by Lydie and Derek Prince
*Adam and His Kin by Ruth Beechick
*Praying Hyde by Basil Miller (a story of a Indian MIssionary)
* Dare to Desire and/or Journey to Desire by John Eldredge
*Crazy Love by Francis Chan
*The Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
*How to Argue Like Jesus by Joe Carter and John Coleman

Some of these titles I have yet to purchase (we have a tiny library!).

So, there is my list! Goodness! I had better get cracking!

Do you have any suggestions?

What are some books that have really impacted your life?

I'd love to hear from you!

~Me~

Monday Melodies: Marie's Wedding

Get yer swingin' dress on and grab yer las er laddy

'cause this is a great jig to do a tourn aboot the room to. :)

I've danced to this song a couple times now
and it is great fun. You can't help wantin' to stomp yer boots.


Go ahead. Hit repeat.
Enjoy!

~Me~