fashion: Rainy Weekend Wear

A rainy weekend is in full swing here. The past two days have been filled with clouds, puddles, fog, and rain. So to make the weekend brighter, I'm wearing my red rain boots, soaking up every minute with my family, and making the best of this rainy weather. Happy weekend!

// jacket // boots // umbrella // jeans //

running my race

My week didn't start out well. Preschooler meltdown in the middle of Chick-fil-A, feeling like a sub-par mother, messy house, a runaway dog, cloudy weather, and feeling under the weather. I just felt off. I know we all have days like this but I just felt so down on myself. All that ran through my head was, "I'm not good at anything." I never really told anyone but Josh how I was feeling those days but so many people who didn't even know I was struggling, lifted me up and encouraged me. God heard my prayer. I prayed for reassurance and encouragement that day.

One of my mommy friends posted a link to a blog post by Jen Hatmaker, one of my favorite Christian authors. The mom group that I lead is currently studying a book by her called Tune In. This is the blog post. It was called "Run Your Race." My mommy friend shared this post and through this post, we lifted up and praised other moms for their gifts. A mom friend, whom I've never met in person but I feel like I've known forever, called me out. She said, "I am calling out Emily Soto this morning...she always has a smile on her face. We don't live near each other but I can tell that family is everything to her..she is an awesome Mama to her two girls. And don't get me started on her fashion sense and consignment shopping..You rock Emily!!"

Wow. I stopped. I cried. The day before this, I prayed my prayer and it was answered. I am a good mom. I needed that reminder when I felt like I was simply failing. So thank you, my friend. I needed your kind words at that moment. Then two more sweet friends shared kind words about me today. Words are so powerful. They can bring us down or up. These words brought me back up to where I needed to be. Thank you, ladies. So much.

So back to the article, it's about running your race. Using your God given gifts and letting them shine. I immediately thought when I read this blog post, um... "what gifts do I have to share?" That mindset has always been with me. I quit everything I started growing up if it caused me to go a little out of my comfort zone. Softball, cheerleading, basketball, chorus. I quit because to continue I had to audition or tryout and that frightened me to death. Rejection and failure scared me. I have always wondered if maybe I could have excelled in one of those areas if I wouldn't have been so afraid?

I am running my race. I am going to share the gifts that God has blessed me with and not let my fear of failing hold me back. Not anymore.

"God truly built gifts into our lives. Everyone is just innately good at something." -Jen Hatmaker

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me this week, even if you didn't know that I needed it. Keep running your race.

fashion: Style Me March 19-25

I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking with a challenge. I have completed 25/31 days of this challenge. It's been fun to check to see what the challenge is each morning and get dressed accordingly. It gives me inspiration when I have none. I'm hoping there will be a similar challenge for April to keep me creative and inspired.

19. In Black & White

I added a black and white tank from Old Navy underneath a comfy top from the Target clearance rack. My comfy Old Navy jeans and even comfier Target cheetah flats. Do you see a comfy pattern here?! Threw on a necklace from Our World Boutique and tossed my mommy gear in my Wal-Mart tote. Mission complete.

20. My Best Feature

I was thinking that my best feature was my hair. I really do like my hair but then I forgot to take a picture where you could actually see my hair. So instead I will pick my legs. They are pretty good too but I like my hair better. This outfit was all about tassels. Tassel necklace from Groop Dealz and tassels on my Old Navy Tote. Another Target clearance top, Old Navy Jeans, and these adorable and comfortable, Sam and Libby bow flats. 

21. Ladylike Lovely

I got all dressed up to go do all sorts of fancy stuff like... grocery shopping with my toddler. I paired my maxi skirt c/o Our World Boutique with adorable Target flats for a pop of color, my "little black tee" from Old Navy, a thrifted Gap denim jacket, and a big sparkly necklace from eBay. Oh so ladylike.

22. Noticeable Necklace

The only challenge about this day was picking a necklace. I have growing collection of fun necklaces but this sparkly J. Crew inspired piece from eBay was the winner. I wore this cute little outfit for a date night with my husband on a night that actually felt like Spring. The top, skirt, and bracelets are from Old Navy and there are those Target flats again. Love them.

23. Coziness is Happiness

I picked my coziest sweater and paired it with my highest heels... that makes sense, right?! The sweater is a great thrifted find by Express, jeans are from Old Navy, heels are from Target, and I bought the necklace on Groop Dealz last Spring.

24. A Little Bit Tomboy

How cute are these little sneakers? I love them but this will probably be the last time I wear them. They are just a little too small. They will need to go to a good home but they did make this outfit a little bit tomboy. I paired them with a Sira & Mara bracelet and Old Navy jeans and jacket.

25. Plaids and Polka Dots

It feels like winter today. Rainy and yucky but this bright plaid shirt from Old Navy helps. Polka dots peaking out from the bottom and happy pearls from Forever 21. 

fashion: Pattern Play

I love patterns! Polka dots, stripes, animal print, floral, and geometric. I love them all. I also love to mix my patterns up! How fun would these shorts and scarf be together?! All items are available online via the links below. Happy pattern shopping!

// shirt // shorts // purse // shoes // scarf //

fashion: Hello, Spring

It's officially Spring! Today is sunny, warm, and gorgeous! I will just pretend like I don't see those snowflakes in the forecast for next week. I created my first style board on Polyvore and I'm so excited to share some Spring inspiration with you. I love the embellished chambray paired with neon shirts and bracelets. Casual shoes and perfect shades. An adorable striped crossbody and bright, yellow nails. So perfectly Spring! And everything is very affordable! Happy Spring!

// Shirt // Shorts // Bracelets // Nail Polish //  Shoes // Purse // Sunglasses //

fashion: Style Me March 11-18

Style Me March continues with these eight looks...

Items that are still available for purchase online are linked.

11. A Little Bit O Sparkle

I wore a few of my favorite sparkly things. My eBay J. Crew inspired necklace (which is on sale right now for about $11), Target watch, and J. Crew Factory bracelet. I love sparkle.

12. Sweet Pinks & Peaches

I am loving this bicycle shirt from Target. The little bicycles are a fun neon pink. I couldn't resist wearing my new neon flats with this outfit. The shoes are pinkish coral color. I added a pop of yellow with one of my go-to Spring necklaces from Groop Dealz. My jeans are from Old Navy- sweetheart style.

13. So My City

I really wasn't sure to start with what to wear for this challenge. What describes my city and how do I incorporate it into an outfit? So I decided to go with a pattern that I see everywhere- chevron. In the South, girls love some chevron, me included. I added a colorful necklace from Our World Boutique with cowboy boots, of course to complete the Southern city look.

14. Pucker Up

This challenge was all about the lips and somehow my lips are missing from this picture. But I promise, my lips were pretty. Red and glossy. I wore a striped skirt from H&M with my old Charming Charlie boots. A thrifted sweater and my look for less scarf kept me warm and cozy.

15. Makes Me Feel Sexy

Being comfortable is always sexy in my opinion. This was the outfit I wore to Julianna's birthday party and I wanted to be comfy. I'm wearing an Old Navy embellished t-shirt with distressed jeans, also from Old Navy. My purse is from Old Navy, too. I finished off the look with a fun bracelet from Our World Boutique and my sparkly party appropriate shoes from Just Fab.

16. Saw On a Style Blog

I've seen more looks similar to this one on Pinterest and Instagram. I love how these Hunter boots look with this scarf from Ali Express. I winterized my chambray Target dress since Winter won't go away.

17. Color On My Feet

Red Hunter boots on my feet for another rainy, yucky weather day and a little sparkly leprechaun hat on my head.

18. Layers & Layers Oh My

We got ice last night and it's still cold and wet. Layers were a must for today. For the third day in a row, I'm wearing Hunter boots with old comfy Target jeans, an Old Navy sweatshirt, Target cardigan, and an Ali Express scarf. Oh so cozy.