Hello Weekend! Let’s get our sparkle on!

How are you, dear friend?

Its cold and rainy here in Michigan, but nothing can stop the Friday Mojo. Time to make our dreams happen!

Back to taking pictures indoors this week, as we have a pretty soggy forecast. But that’s ok! Its all good in the neighborhood!

Ok Fashion Divas, here’s the skinny on fashion sales going on today that I know of so far (not sure all their cutoff dates):

Loft – 30% off dresses, cardigans and accessories plus an extra 50% off all sale styles (Yowza!)

Talbots – 40% off one regular price item (Code FRIENDS40), and 30% off everything else

Chicos – an extra 30% off sale items

JCrew – 25% off tees, shorts, sunglasses, swimwear, and more (Promocode HELLOSUMMER), plus an extra 30% off sale styles

Old Navy – Online exclusive 30% off adult styles

Gap – 40% off (Promo code YOURS)

Banana Republic 30% off (some exclusions)

White House Black Market- 30% off sale items. For the record, they have added alot of items that are blue… this is unusual for them, I’m hoping to go check them out.

Macy’s 30% off Friends and Family sale

Kohls – Take $10 off your Mother’s Day purchase of $50 or more (some exclusions apply) + 20% off Friends and Family + everyone gets $10 Kohls cash for every $50 you spend. Also running many item specific sales.

Nordstrom has Triple Points for Nordstrom Reward Members and Card Holders now through May 7 (Great time to consider an investment purchase!)

This week, I wanted to do something with black and white. I love how crisp that look is. This fun top has a few layers of ruffles at the base, though not super visible in this picture. But just a fun add to a great tee with a really nice feminine cut to it.

The top is Bobeau, from Nordstrom, my shoes are Clarks (last summer) my clutch is from Nordstrom, but lets talk about my bracelets!

As you know, I’m a little late to the fashion party but am trying to make up for lost time! I have been noticing this “stacking” concept for awhile now (see pic above), where its trendy to “stack” bracelets or rings, wearing several at the same time. Its really kind of fun! I’m not sure if I’ve got it down yet, but then I’m not really sure there are any rules about it!

As many of you know, I’m an independent Stella and Dot stylist (new and learning as I go). They are running a great special right now, buy 2 bracelets, get a third for 50% off (now through May 15).  They call it an “arm party” when you are sporting multiple bracelets… how fun is that?

I wanted to show you this little black and white woven cuff as a really special piece if you are looking for the perfect gift for someone this season. The “Illuminate” bracelet from Stella and Dot is a special collaboration with Every Mother Counts, a non-profit organization that helps support and promote good health programs for Moms to Be all around the world. A portion of the sale for every “Illuminate” bracelet sold goes to help support the programs at Every Mother Counts. Inside the bracelet are the words MERE – SOEUR – FILLE – MOTHER – SISTER – DAUGHTER – MAMA – SCHWESTER – TOCHTER; which translates to Mother, Sister, Daughter in French, English, and German. What an awesome gift! And its really a beautiful and comfortable piece!

To see this piece or any other, here is a link to my Stella and Dot Page .

Below is another ruffle top, this one in navy blue, and the ruffles are blue and white stripe.

Ruffles are popping up everywhere in fashion! I’ve even seen them on shoes! Historically they have been around for hundreds of years, you can go back to the ruffled collars that Queen Elizabeth the First sported (those look really uncomfortable!).  Ruffled petticoats, ruffled dresses for flamenco dancers, ruffles ruffles ruffles (even potato chips)… they just add an exhuberant style and whimsy that seems to celebrate the moment. If you are as old as me, you probably remember the ruffles on Princess Diana’s incredible wedding gown. I digress, but can you blame me? They are simply charming!

Once again with Clark sandals (purchased last summer), some white skinny jeans, silver jewelry (Stella & Dot) and a cross over bag in off white.

The necklace in the pic above is “the Sutton” in silver. Here, I removed the strand that has the sparkles in it, because I wanted a little more relaxed look. I paired it up with 2 bracelets, the Quinn Cuff, and the Cage Cuff, both in silver, and the rings on my right hand are a stackable set “Claudia”.

On to denim and leather goods… ok, faux leather goods.

For this last outfit, I was trying to pick a purse. My son Jake (also my photographer for this shot) gave me some great advice. And I took it!

I love love love denim! My jacket is from “The Limited” which has since gone out of business. The shirt under my jacket is from Evereve, and its actually sleeveless. My jeans are from White House Black Market, and the shoes are from Macy’s, a nice wedge sandal. And the bag is a Sole Society bag, and its just a great size and shape. I love the boho tassel on it, too. My necklace is a layered set through Stella and Dot, called the Riad (I’ve worn this one a ton, has multiple layers and is super flexible)

Had to include my bloggy doggy, Kasey! This little darlin’ grabbed a stick of butter off the counter this week, and buried it in some laundry that was on the sofa. My little Buttercup!

I also wanted to share a little bit about another part of my life, since we are coming up on Mother’s Day.

I work with a MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers), which is a huge organization that supports and encourages moms of younger children. They have a chapter through my church (where I am on staff). Specifically, I work with the team that does childcare while the moms are in their meeting. We strive to provide meaningful programming for the kids; babies are given tender care, and those children ages 2 and up are treated to a really fun morning which always includes an engaging and encouraging large group program. This is one of my favorite things to do, I write the program for large group, and this amazing team of young people you see below lead it out on the stage.

Our goal is to bless the kids just as their moms are being blessed elsewhere in the building, so that the kids are truly happy their moms brought them. Honestly, we have a blast. This team of young people I get to work with are simply amazing. I give them the script and then they pour their own ideas and lively personalities in it, and my oh my, each and every time, I am simply so humbled and honored just to get to serve alongside them! Its kind of like a sundae with a cherry on top! I just love it! There are lots more fantastic volunteers on our team, I just happened to get this picture yesterday, as the MOPS leadership threw a lovely luncheon for all of the volunteers. With over 100 kids to care for, we have quite a crew that volunteers, and it runs like a well oiled machine thanks to the faithfulness of the leadership and volunteers in every room.

They presented each of us with a lovely sign that says “You are Loved”.  The lady who presented them to us, Beth Kirkpatrick, said the words seem to come up to her over and over again this past year, in song lyrics, in Scripture, and other messages she would see them, hear them, and feel them, three little words… “You are Loved”. She said she wanted us to feel and know that same message. I was truly touched. Those words were precious to me, and I knew I wanted to share them with you too.

Because its true, You Are Loved. I know sometimes love may seem far away when trouble strikes or disappointments come. You are not defined by the trouble you might be going through, but rather by the fact that you are the child of the God who goes through the trouble with you, holding your hand every step of the way. He says, “This one is Mine.” He never ever lets go, doesn’t that feel good to know?

Just like the fingerprint you bear, there is only one you, complete with a special divine symphony of talents and gifts, things you love, your beautiful style, things that make your heart break, and things that make your heart sing. There is only one you with dreams of things you want to see and do, ideas that are uniquely yours, and eyes that see in a way only you can see things. Words that flow from you come from your heart, and no one else would say them exactly the same way. The way you smile, the way you choose to help people from those closest to you to the person you stumble upon that simply needs a helping hand. You may not realize it, but you are a priceless treasure. You are absolutely beautiful! Even if we haven’t met, I think of you often, and I love you,  and count you as my friend. While I may not know all the precious ones in your life who most assuredly love you, most importantly of all, you are loved endlessly by the Author of Love and Creator of Everything. He looks at you and sees a breathtaking masterpiece! You Are Loved!

I hope you have a fantastic weekend!  Whether you put that pretty lipstick on, or simply go with the natural look you were born with, you are dazzling! I can almost see your beautiful one of a kind smile and sparkle in your eyes now and its warming my heart to think of it!

Love Always,

Amy

“See what great love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!” I John 3:1