Happy Feet.

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

    Ephesians 6:24

Grace has always been a difficult subject for me. I tend to have a legalistic personality and I want to have things perfect all of the time. If they're not perfect I cannot seem to forgive myself much less expect others to forgive me. I am still working on comprehending the Father's endless grace. He forgives no matter what. He gives us grace even though we deserve nothing less than death. Grace is a beautiful thing. 

Walking around campus has got me thinking about comfortable shoes. I would love to wear my adorable pumps and wedges around campus, but I do a lot of walking and much of the pathways are brick. Bricks+heels+hurrying to class=bad things. 

Here is a comfy shoes "wishlist" if you will. Though it's really just shoes I love and know would be great to wear around campus. 

First of all: Chacos.

For the longest time I was against these shoes. I thought they were hideous and couldn't understand why people would wear them in places other than the middle of the wilderness. 

And then they began to grow on me. 

And then I saw this picture of Gisele in quirky sandals (Paris Vogue June/July 2012 issue) and I was suddenly convinced that there was a way to pull these off. I am determined to find it.

Second: Keds. 

I'm fairly sure I had a pair of these in pre-school and once I grew out of them I never wanted to see them again. I thought they were for ladies working in retirement homes. (No offense to anyone in that profession, I'm sure it's very rewarding.) And then Keds made a comeback and I fell back in love. They have so many fun colors and patterns and all at such reasonable prices. I know I would get so much wear out of these simple and adorable shoes. 

And lastly: Gap's new loafers. 

I've wanted a cute pair of loafers for so long now. But the only ones I really liked were hundreds of dollars. Thank you Gap, for making such adorable loafers in my price range. They are the perfect addition to any autumn ensemble. 

GAP shoes / Keds shoes / Keds shoes / GAP canvas shoes / GAP canvas shoes / Women's Chaco Z/1 Pro

Sea of Blue and Blue.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

   Romans 6:23

I've been a bad blogger lately. But I told you, sorority recruitment is an extremely hectic time of year. The busiest part is over. It was tiring and we have all lost our voices but I enjoyed it so much. There's no other time when we are all together in one house for such an extended period of time. 

I love all my sisters. 

Oh yeah, and classes have begun as well so there's that. 

But I promise to attempt to be a better blogger this week. 

No excuses. 

I am so thankful for you all. 

InstaTuesday.

"The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, 

    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly."

Proverbs 12:23

Reading through Proverbs with #shereadstruth (I'm a little behind, thank goodness for Grace Days). 

Today is the first day of recruitment! Please keep Kappa, all Panhellenic girls, and all girls going through recruitment in your prayers! 

Go Greek! 

Keep up with all my comings and goings on my instagram! 

Here's what has been going on in the past week. 

follow me @makenagranger 

FDOC. (first day of classes)

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

    Acts 13:52

Our first day of classes is on Thursday. I think this would be the perfect outfit for Columbia weather. And a sweatshirt for the usually high A/C in class. Oh, just dreaming. 

FDOC by momentsofeternity featuring flat heels

T By Alexander Wang sleeveless tank top / McQ by Alexander McQueen jersey shirt / Miso denim jean shorts, $39 / GAP flat heels / Monsoon plastic bangle

Joyful Chaos.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

    Romans 6:11

from the post Castiglioncello

Hey. 

Do y'all remember when I used to have outfit posts and fun things to share?

Yeah, me too. Vaguely. 

My deepest apologies. Preparing for rush is loud, peppy chaos. And believe it or not, I really think I love it. 

I have managed to find a few inspiring posts, though, in the mass of them on my google reader. 

Check them out here, here, here, here, and here.
Enjoy your weekend! 

The Chaperone.

When I first heard of this book and it's 1920s flapper-era setting I was instantly on board. Anything having to do with the Jazz Age is right up my alley. The beautiful cover of this novel only added to my extreme desire to read it.

This novel is about the silent movie star Louise Brooks before she became famous and the chaperone (*hint hint*) who was her guardian when she first went to New York City.

Cora, the chaperone, is a beautiful character and the story is much more about her than Louise, hence the title. But throughout the novel I wanted more about Louise. There were a few moments when the plot was focused on Louise, but they were quite brief. The mix of fact and fiction was confusing at times, as well. Overall, though, I was pleased with the story. I was hooked throughout and was always wanting to read on.

My main issue with the novel is the writing style. Sometimes I grew annoyed because I felt that Laura Moriarty was telling me so much and showing me so little. But that is a preference thing. I always want to feel the emotions and actions taking place. I don't want to be simply told what is going on. I like these interpretations to be left up to the reader. In other words, I felt like I didn't have enough room for imagination. As cheesy as that might sound.

It is truly a fascinating and intriguing book. I definitely learned a lot more about the era and Louise Brooks as a person. I highly recommend this book to those who love the 20s and historical fiction.

InstaTuesday.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Trust with everything. That's what I want to do. 

 Instagram is definitely the social network of the moment. 

 I'm slightly obsessed. 

 follow me @makenagranger

Personal Space.

 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

1 Peter 9-10 

Ok. I promise the much longer than originally planned blogging hiatus is coming to a close. 

However, I think I have a pretty good excuse. 

From Friday until Sunday my family was helping me create this beautiful space. 

 I never knew interior design could be so stressful. But I had a blast in the process and am so happy with how everything turned out. 

I'll give you some details on the pieces in my room. 

P.S. The walls are very bare, but I am keeping an eye out for local art and art on etsy. Let me know if you have any names or websites I should check out. 

the bedding- Restoration Hardware 

the linens- Bed Bath & Beyond 

 the desk- Flea Market $75

the club chair- found in the basement 

the end table- Pier One 

floor lamp- found in the attic 

 the shower curtain- Bed Bath & Beyond 

 I have an enormously large closet. My little is currently living in it until her apartment is available. See that pillow in the bottom left corner?

 I was so happy to bring my turntable and records, making it feel even more like home. 

 curtains- Bed Bath & Beyond

the horse lamp was my grandmother's 

I am so blessed to have had most of the furniture waiting for me in the attic. The bed, nightstand, dresser, linen chest, desk chair, club chair, mirror were all already in our possession. 

All in all, I LOVE my new space. I can't wait to fill the walls with art and photographs. I hope you like it, too. Let me know your thoughts.

Scenes From My Weekend.

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent."

    John 6:29

So sorry for the brief hiatus. I was very far from internet and rather enjoyed the break. 

Here are some photos from my weekend. 

It was a beautiful few days filled with family and breathing in the salt air. 

I was instagram-ing like a maniac. If you want to keep up with me on weekends like this last one, follow me! @makenagranger

July Lookbook.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

James 1:19-20

So I've never done one of these before, but I felt like this was a successful month outfit-wise. Here are my looks from July. :) 

from Orange.

from Green.

from First Friday.

from Let It Go. 

from all my dreams, my dear, they are of you.

from Outdoor Sauna. 

from Summer Sweater.

Have a great Friday! 

Are you doing any special shopping for tax-free weekend? 

Unending Blessings.

photo from Great Falls on 6/13/2012

I have a little bit of sharing I would like to do today. 

Have you ever had one of those realizations when the simplest concepts suddenly make sense? When something you have heard your whole life, something you thought you understood, is put in a new, brighter light?

These moments are a big part of what assure me that the Holy Spirit is working. 

This morning I had one of these moments.

I was reading Jesus Calling for today. 

"Bring me the sacrifice of your time: a most precious commodity. In this action-addicted world, few of My children take time to sit quietly in My Presence. But for those who do, blessings flow like streams of living water. I, the One from whom all blessings flow, am also blessed by our time together. This is a deep mystery; do not try to fathom it. Instead, glorify Me by delighting in Me. Enjoy Me now and forever!"

As I came across the words "the One from whom all blessings flow" it suddenly hit me. He is the One who blesses. No one and nothing else. He is the one who shines light in the darkness. He is the One who saves us, who brings us Joy. It comes ONLY from Him. How beautiful is this?

I realized that I have been basing my security and my happiness on circumstances. When things were bad, there was no joy. When things were good, joy was abounding. But our Father provides reason for Joy in all situations! No matter how dark or grim life may seem at the moment, He will always find a way to bless us. ALWAYS. Because HE IS PERFECT. 

One of the verses accompanying this devotional is Psalm 21:6 which says, 

"Surely you have granted him unending blessings

    and made him glad with the joy of your presence."

Father, you have and you continue to do so. 

May the Spirit fill you today. 

Dream Room.

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual server, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." 

Romans 12:9-12

Trying to meditate on this today. 

Summer is coming to a close and I will be moving into my new house in Columbia in a little over a week! I have waited until the last minute to think of decorating. It is all a little overwhelming. I am pondering what kind of bedding I would like. Anthropologie has such beautiful choices. If I'm lucky, maybe I will get to see one of these in my new room :) 

Anthropologie bedding by momentsofeternity on polyvore.com

Atley Bedding / Skyla Bedding / Selby Bedding

Which one do you like best?