sparkling wednesday

Today's post is about taking a break. Taking a moment in the middle of your week to say "okay... here's what I need right now." Today I needed some freaking chocolate covered pomegranate seeds. So when I gave myself a break around 2pm today I made sure that they happened. 

I am teaming up with Ozarka® Sparkling Waters to help you relax this Wednesday, so how do you like to treat yourself during the week? Do you have a midweek ritual that helps you make it to the weekend?

Every hump day Ozarka® is sharing some of their favorite ways to feel good and escape the midweek hump.  Head over to their Facebook page every #HumpDay to have a feel good moment and share your own!

Happy Hump Day!

This post is sponsored by Ozarka® Brand Sparkling Natural Spring Waters.

center of the universe

In July I had the pleasure of being a vendor at the first ever Center of the Universe Festival here in Tulsa. It was hot, hot, hot, but I decide to go to let people know about my shop grand opening. I handed out almost 1000 grand opening flyers and got heat sickness, re-sprained my ankle, and battled a thunderstorm with my products made out of - that's right - paper. 

But you know what? At least 50 people who went through my shop this week met me there. They have told their friends, and my network of supporters has grown and grown thanks to that two days of sacrifice. So that's what I'm reflecting on today as I wear my commemorative COU tank top - with a little bit of hard work and sacrifice up front you never know what might come to be.

flock of seagulls

This dress reminds me of Chandler's wonderful 80's hair in the flashback episodes of Friends (which were always my favorite). I saw a trend report recently that told everyone to throw out their bird prints and embrace "non-floral, natural prints," which I clearly listened to. Not really.

Truth is that this is the FIRST bird print thing I have ever owned and I just got it, so I'm not about to let it go that easily. Those lists are stupid anyway; who wants to sheepishly follow all fashion trends? Except for the bird print one. That one's okay because I like it.

be a little brave

Today I rode my bike to work, and for me, that's brave.

I only live about 15 blocks from my shop, but I was wearing a dress (with shorts underneath! Always!) and carrying a super heavy backpack, so the 15 blocks were plenty long. When I made it to work I felt like I have really accomplished something.

Then later on this morning a sweet girl came in to the shop to buy her sister a present. This sister, she told me, was constantly trying to conquer her fears and she did that by repeatedly skydiving, despite the fact she hates both heights and falling. When the girl checked out she had finally decided to get her sister a set of three charms that featured Thor and the two words: Jump now. 

Fitting, right?

So what's that little thing that needs some bravery to conquer? Whether it's biking to work or sky diving, showing off some white Irish legs or facing an upcoming presentation, be a little brave and jump now. Conquering fear is always worth it.

fake first day

Today is my first regular day at the shop and it is so strange not to have a to-do list that needs to be frenziedly attended to in order to be ready for an upcoming something. Today I'm just here, at the shop, no pressing deadlines, and it feels amazing. It's the first chance I've gotten to just stop and look around at this place. It's still sinking in that it's mine.

Because that's what happens when dreams come true, isn't it? We look around and think, this is it right? This is what I wanted? And when the answer is yes you have to just slow down, get out of your head, and be happy about it. It's real and YOU did that. So today I'm just giving myself permission to enjoy my hard work and my real first day on the job.

back in black

Alright, you miss me yet? I know it's been a good long time, but I am finally back to a point where I can start blogging again! New home is almost all settled (pics to come!) and my closet looks like a place one could actually track down something to wear. 

Tommorrow (TOMORROW!) I get the keys to my new shop! We're cooking with gas now - literally. My new stove is gas. But anyway, having the shop keys is going to mean leaving the house in real clothes, so back to blogging it is!

Here we go!

how I feel about things

Things are going well. 

I am learning to take the small victories and enjoy the process more. I'm learning to let my love dictate how I spend my time. I have rediscovered my passion for handmade, for crafting each individual piece with care and attention. I'm learning to solve math problems again to prepare for that pesky GRE next weekend. 

Things are good. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

peace&love,

Jill

all striped up

There's something about stripes that just seems to make them such a happy choice, especially when they're multicolored. This dress is an excuse to have a good day in one easy step - two if it's dark in the room.

Step 1: Find said dress.

Step: Proceed to wear said dress all day.

Dress: The Girls from Savoy, Shoes: thrifted, Earrings: vintage from my grandma

This outfit went from church to errands to a backyard picnic with friends with ease. Can't beat that.

Now if I can just find a way around getting it dry cleaned.

So whether it's a stripey dress like this one, some subtle bedroom stripes, or all out crazy fuzzy stripes, rock some stripes today. Your mood will thank you.

peace&love,

Jill

{This post was written in partnership with ivgStores.com. All writing and opinions are my own.}

that girl

Jumpsuit: BCBG Max Azria, belt: thrifted, shoes: thrifted, earrings: Favoring Brave

I have this very clear memory of a time in college when I went to a First Friday art gallery opening in Kansas City with some friends and saw this girl there in a strapless, electric blue jumpsuit. We all rolled  our eyes as if to say, oh my gosh, it's that girl. 

Well, ladies and gentlemen, thanks to a dollar sale at NBC and some unusual confidence, 

today I am that girl. 

At least I paid $1 for it instead of the $158 ticket price.

Have a great weekend!

peace&love,

Jill

no reason at all

A big hello to all my new followers! So glad to have you along for the ride!

Do you ever feel like getting dressed up for no reason? I do. All the time. 

So yesterday I wore blue silk and pearls to make dinner and run errands. 

1950s, anyone?

Clothes: thrifted, top from Loft, necklace by Favoring Brave on Etsy

I'm strongly considering making a tutorial for this necklace, so keep your eyes peeled.

peace&love,

Jill

just like peter pan

I have been seeing collars everywhere lately and so I decided to embrace it and make my own so that, voila, any thing can have a cute collar. This is my classic blank slate dress so it was a natural choice to show off the handiwork. 

And guess what? I'm going to show you how to make it right here on my blog tomorrow! 

Be sure to check back!

peace&love,

Jill

mecca discovered

Do you ever discover the most amazing place that you just can't stop talking about? Well I just discovered the Half of Half Store, also called Name Brand Clothing Store or NBC for short, which is my new fashion mecca {Seriously! Click the link to see if there's one near you!}. They have new, imperfect items from all your major brands shipped in weekly, usually at 75% off retail, and then the older stuff goes on sale. Like a dollar a piece sale.

And I kind of went crazy.

But it was only $18 worth of crazy, so that makes it okay right?

A lot of the pieces do need minor repairs or stain removal and two pieces are slated for dyeing, but seriously. A dollar a piece. You pretty much can't go wrong. Thrift stores are even more expensive than that!

So in my outfit today I'm showing off two of my new pieces: this great grey bag and my pink and navy shirt with an enormous pocket. I spent all day on Saturday running errands and finding incredible deals at a garage sale, but more on that later.

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

peace&love,

Jill