Bundle Up!

November is almost upon us and that means cooler weather! Who wouldn't want to take advantage of the cooler weather! Go outside and play! Play a game of badminton, jump in a pile of leaves, or plant some daffodils! But before you go outside, be sure to brag your coat or jacket! Check out some of my favorite picks!

This military style jacket is super-cute! Sadly, it's only available online, but hey, I'd take a risk for this jacket!! Click here if you're willing to risk it ;) This jacket is also available in red and seaweed.

This little water repellent short trench coat will go with just about anything! Wanna know what makes it even better? It comes in 12 different colors!! Click here to obverse those colors! And, sadly again, it is not available in stores, but I couldn't help but add it.

This cotton-blend trench coat is adorable! It gives you a feminine look and will always be in style! Check it out here.

How cute are these?!?! Coats with ruffles! Plus, that belt at the waist... to die for! Check here to buy it now!

So, before you head outside to enjoy the wonderful fall weather, be sure to grab your coat or jacket ;)

Hairstyles!

Hey girls! If you are anything like me, you are always looking for new ideas for your hair. I'm going to try to help you out a little with some ideas that I've learned! If you click the underlined style names, they will take you to a tutorial on YouTube! Sorry that most of the pictures are awkward ones of me! Haha

• You've seen it, braided bangs! I love this look, and it keeps my bangs out of my eyes! The style is a simple french braid that starts from your natural part and goes across your head ending an inch or so above your ear. In my braid I like to only add strands from one side of the braid. You can secure the look with a bobby pin or cute clip.
• Curls! You can never go wrong with curls. There are so many ways to get this style. I like using my cheap half inch iron from Walmart. I don't like to use the clamp, I take a section of hair at a time and wrap it around the rod. I'm hoping to get a clamp-less iron or wand soon to make this process a little simpler!
• Knot it! If you go searching on YouTube, there are a ton of tutorials that will show you ways to spice up a simple bun, braid, or ponytails with knots! Some of them look super complicated, so I stick with a simple twist that my mom probably did to my hair when I was 5! I tie my hair in a ponytail, loosen it a little, and then divide the hair just above the hair-tie with my fingers. Then I reach through the space I created with my fingers and pull the ponytail through it. I usually braid the rest of the ponytail.
• Fishtail braid! This braid is becoming so popular! It looks complicated but it's pretty easy once you've practiced a little. I like to wear a fishtail on the side. The only drawback to this style is it can be kind of itchy on your neck!

I hope those ideas can get you started. If you have some of your own favorite hairstyles, comment or let us know on Facebook. I'd love to hear your ideas, my hair is always in need of advice!

Authentic Beauty

Recently God has been teaching something important. To live for eternity. When you look at something in the light of eternity, your perspective changes.

It reminds me of the lyrics of Turn your Eyes upon Jesus which go "And the things of this world will grow strangly dim in the light of His glory and grace..."

That is so true! When I sing those words, suddenly the choice between the blue or the purple nail polish seems frivolous. Deciding which coffee flavor at Starbucks I'm going to buy isn't so important.

Ok, sorry for the rambling:) My point is, God has been showing me that I have been overly concerned with outward appearances. I was spending so much time making sure my skin was perfect or that I was always wearing a new stylish outfit. I was running after the kind of perfection the world screams as important. Well you know? Those things aren't what really matter.

God is teaching me something else: I'm not perfect (wow, big shock there, right?;) But I don't have to be perfect! My skin (one of my biggest insecurities) is a little blotchy and has a few acne scars - but that's ok! Really it is! Every strand of my hair won't always be perfectly in place (a.k.a I might have a bad hair day!) - that's ok! I'm not the 2011 airbrushed Covergirl model - and that's ok, I don't have to be! Realizing that I don't have to be flawlessly beautiful lifts such a huge weight off my shoulders!

I'm not saying wearing make-up or wanting to wear stylish clothes is wrong! I love those things:) But if that's what you're chasing after to find your self worth, you'll be left with an empty, unfulfilled heart and even more insecurity.

In the end, it's what's in your heart that makes you truly beautiful.

I have this friend (we'll call her Rebecca). Rebecca is one of the most beautiful girls I know. And it's her inner beauty, not her Covergirl bronzer that makes her glow from within! She's funny, compassionate, and possesses the radiant love of Christ. Although she is physically pretty as well, it's her inner beauty that makes her truly beautiful. I know many woman like that (men as well) who the world may not consider attractive, but their love for Christ makes them inwardly and outwardly beautiful.

That is the beauty I want. I would much rather have inner authentic beauty that represents and draws others to Christ. The beauty that lasts for eternity.

Whatever worldly things you pursue will someday be gone and forgotten forever, but whatever you do for eternity will last.

Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:35

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

That may of sounded a bit scatter brained (sorry!), but it was something I felt I should share.

Have a great day beautiful girls!

-Grace<3

Be Inspired.

I have to admit, I haven’t been really excited about the fall 2011 trends as I usually am about fall trends. There was nothing really new and innovative to me. But recently, I was inspired by these looks in the current Ruche lookbook. Take a look with me and shop the looks by following the links below the pictures.

Shop the Look 

How pretty is this? I love the yellow maxi skirt, more of a brown mustard-y color for fall. The comfy knit sweater is cinched at the waist with a skinny belt for some shape and the statement jewelry finishes the look. You can’t see her shoes very well but she is wearing some cute brown wedges (click on “shop the look” for a better view)

Shop the Look 

This outfit is vintage and classy with the below-the-knee length, high-waisted pleated skirt and white blouse. It incorporates a pop of color with the mustard yellow belt. The outfit is tied together with the adorable clock necklace and the lace up, peep-toe heels.

Shop the Look

Speaking of vintage, this outfit screams 1960 with the mint blouse and high-waisted eyelet skirt. This ultra-feminine outfit would be paired with none other than the eggplant 4 ½ inch heels (if you dare walk in them!).

Shop the Look

This one is my personal favorite. The flowy, polka-dot top tucked into a lace skirt makes for a beautiful and romantic, effortless outfit choice. I love the pattern mixing. Plus, the shoes with the bow detail are to die for!

Shop the Look

Here is a stylish, office appropriate outfit. Wide leg jeans and blazers are very trendy this season, and the ruffles on the blouse add a feminine detail. I love the flower pin to dress up the outfit a bit more.

Shop the Look

This outfit is very pretty and romantic with the burgundy colors of the sheer blouse and the ruffles and bow pencil skirt. Of course, you’d want to make sure to wear a tank top under the shirt for extra coverage. I’m really liking that skeleton key necklace she’s wearing!

Shop the Look

Duster cardigans have been all over the runways this season and it adds a fall look to this beautiful, classy outfit. The calf-grazing skirt adds a pop of color and is light enough to catch in the breeze but long enough to still be modest. 

Shop the Look

What’s more fun than some nerdy glasses? You can be nerdy and cute in the edgy cropped blazer and polka-dotted top that drapes perfectly and ties at the bust (wear a camisole for extra coverage!). The burgundy corduroy pants are a showstopper!

What are your thoughts on the trends for this season? Do they inspire you or have you felt like it's all the same as last season/year?

P.S...tomorrow is my birthday! I turn 20!!! Ahhhh!