Thrifty Tip Thursday #2: Shirts + Sweaters

I like clothes, a lot. Unfortunately, my budget doesn't always support my clothing addiction. I'm all about minimal in our home, clutter-free if you will. But clothes are my weakness. They are such a fun way to express yourself and can be done WAY cheaper than people might think. This just may be my favorite Thrifty Tip Thursday that I'll ever do! Why? Because I think outside of shoes, a good top makes or breaks an outfit. There are SO many variations that you can use with just a few key pieces. I've put together some pictures showing just how to achieve two or more looks using thrifted-only tops (obviously they can be recreated using pieces you already own OR pieces purchased at other stores too). I'm going to break down how I find multi-functional tops for my wardrobe at a fraction of the cost and why it's important to think outside the box sometimes when doing so. I'm going to share how I decide which to keep and which to leave when I really want them all. And finally,  I'll even include a super easy wardrobe DIY that you can do with an old sweater (or a cheap thrifted sweater). Are you ready?

It's a very fair statement to claim that 95% of my shirts + sweaters are thrifted. I've had a few mishaps where I thought something was really cute, only to realize 6 months later that I never even wore it. This is my first tip today. BUY WHAT YOU KNOW YOU'LL WEAR. I try now to stick to pieces that I know will get a lot of use, which I primarily buy items that can be layered or worn different ways. Here are a few examples of how I paired ONE cardigan-esque sweater with several different shirts (yes, a thrift store dressing room photo shoot happened).

I layered this sweater on top of a very summery shirt,
but it is LONG and covers my butt, so it works well under a sweater.

This plaid flannel shirt is actually short sleeve (see below),
but again it's long + wintery-looking, so it works well layered. It's also good for
transitional weather when it's cold in the morning, but warms up during the day.

Here I'm wearing a short sleeve flowy black top that is longer in the back.
Another great transitional piece that can be worn year-round.

This is long which is AWESOME and it's lightweight so it's a perfect transitional piece.

This "dress" is actually a swimsuit coverup, I believe.
But, I layered a tank under it + a sweater over it to create this look.
AND I'll be able to use it next summer over my swimsuit.

We all know how much I adore leggings in the colder months. I just can't be constrained to pants with buttons, especially during these heavy-eating holidays. Am I right? But, one of my biggest pet peeves is when ladies wear leggings with shirts that don't cover what needs to be covered. So, to insure that you are not one of those ladies, buy shirts that cover your booty (and preferably prevent any visible camel toe too, sorry, but I had to put it out there). When I shop for shirts or sweaters for the colder months, I ALWAYS try to stick to those that are longer, especially in the back because I know my undying love for leggings ain't going anywhere. I hit the jackpot on my most recent thrifting trip. Here are several examples of shirts/sweaters that are long enough to cover AND that can be layered. They're a double whammy making them even more worth the $2-4 purchase. ;)

This is lightweight enough to be layered, but long enough to work by itself too.

Long sleeve black shirt that is perfect length in the back + great for layering all winter long.

This is super comfy, but covers the rear. I could add a vest or jacket over top too.

This is a good example of a staple piece, much like the long sleeve black shirt above.
 I can wear this year round, but because of it's length in the back, it's perfect for layering with leggings.

When you find one that's long in the front + the back, you grab it! Loved the shape of this one.

I really liked this sweater, but it's kind of short in the front, which I didn't love, especially with leggings.
BUT look how cute the back of it is!

I LOVED the zipper detail on this sweater, but I ended up passing it up
 because it was too short in the front for my liking. PLUS I noticed that it had some
 weird blue markings on the bottom that I wasn't sure would come out.

Another tip, ALWAYS check your pieces thoroughly for rips, stains, pilling, etc. There's nothing worse than loving a piece, buying it, and then realizing when you get home that it has a hole in it.

It was a yellow tag too (which meant it was 50% off)! Dang it!

I was so excited about this one, but then I saw the hole...
(Also, this particular sweater fits into the very next category I'm about to describe).

Now, so many people ask me about my oversized sweaters. I usually have to tell them that it's thrifted and that I'm not sure they'll be able to find the exact replica (unless it's a popular brand that recently produced a similar style), BUT I can tell them how I find oversize sweaters in a non-conventional way. Normally in real life, I wear a small or a medium top, sometimes a large depending on brand and fit. But for the sake of this post, lets say a small fits me best most times. When I purchase sweaters, often times I find them in sizes that are too large for me. Instead of pitching a fit that it is "too big", I try it on anyway. Nine times out of ten, it doesn't even appear overly large on me, but rather fits like an oversized sweater should. It's the style these days, ladies. (I think) So, here's my tip: when purchasing sweaters, size up on purpose. I've included some outfits/tops where I've sized up intentionally to get the appearance of an oversized (but "still fits") look. Now, obviously you don't want it falling off or looking super bulky, but here's some ideas for what I mean.

This sweater is a size large and is slightly baggy under the arms,
but you'd never know that's not it's intended design because of how it's paired with leggings. 

This is sweatshirt-esque and it's a size 3X. It is intended to be a shirt I believe,
but I'm using it more as bulky sweater look because of how it hangs on me.
You'd never know it was much larger than my actual size unless you checked the tag.

Size large cardigan that fits loosely but is PERFECT for layering.

Finally, SO many people ask me how and where I find my long tanks that I use to layer. The answer actually isn't that simple. I only have a few that I wear on repeat. One is actually a maternity shirt because they're SO long usually (it cinches on the side, so I usually wear something over it so people don't ask me if I'm pregnant, haha). Another is a size large razor back tank (see below) that is unusually long, probably because of the larger size. Sometimes I find shorter dresses that work as "long tanks", or long t-shirts that layer well. Speaking of layering, sometimes a long tank and a cardigan or poncho or vest can go a long way. Cue the photoshoot...

Long tank that's a size Large making it extra long on me! It is almost a short dress length, haha. Perfect!

I didn't end up getting this because it had a small hole on the front that was noticeable.

LOVED this fringe vest, but didn't get it because I wasn't sure how much I'd actually wear it. 

This vest was adorable, but I ended up finding a different one near the checkout line that I got instead. :)

This poncho was so cute. I'm actually kicking myself for leaving it behind.
Ponchos (I assume is what they're called) are really fun because you can wear them with
a variety of outfits to create a different look. It could totally be dressed up or down.

I really liked the shape + detail of this one too,
but I was afraid it looked a bit granny-esque, so I passed. What do y'all think?

Just be open-minded when it comes to shopping, especially thrift stores. Think outside the box and when looking at pieces, think of versatility and overall function, instead of just seeing it at face value. The possibilities are endless...

My cart was SLAM FULL of shirts and sweaters. I went home with about 12 pieces.
 I did not pay more than $4.99 for any individual piece.
(I did buy a few things for Emerson + a shirt for my husband too).

And just for fun, here are several outfits that I pieced together using sweaters or shirts that I found while thrifting!

Teal shirt was thrifted

Plaid flannel wrap was thrifted (size L)

Pink sweater was thrifted (size XL)- SO COMFY!

This is the sweater I shared above styled 2 different ways.

J.Crew Shirt (size Large which gives me the length I like) and Old Navy vest both thrifted

Chunky sweater (size L) is thrifted

And now, for an easy DIY that every woman can do!

DIY BOOT SOCKS

Use an old sweater or pick one up at the thrift store.

Cut the sleeve off about halfway up the sweater sleeve.

You will be left with two "socks" that look similar to this.

Put them on like you would socks (the uneven end closest to your calf/ankle)

Tuck the "boot sock" (uneven end) into your boots.

Voila, instant boot sock. You can tuck the uneven
end into your regular socks too if you want to keep it in place.
You can also fold over the top portion that sticks out of the boot.
YES, this does work on top of jeans too!

My last tip in regards to finding tops for yourself or to use as boot socks, shop the sale colors whenever possible. Yellow tags were on sale this past week and the little tag is often small and sometimes hidden, so look for it! Also, cut the tags once at home, don't try to rip them out...you'll put an unnecessary hole in your garment (trust me).

What'd I tell ya? That was SO EASY!! :) Think of all of the possible boot socks you could make...And now, just because I'm all about keepin' it real. How perfect is this fitted sweatshirt that I found for $2 at Goodwill the other day because it was a yellow tag (sale color)?! In this picture I'm wearing it overtop of the long black tank I found and my leggings, so I'm like super casual and super comfy!

Oh, and one last thing...

JUST IN CASE you think I always look put together...

This was me at 2pm today. Have no fear people. This outfit is totally duplicatable.
Basically, open your husbands closet and eat your heart out. ;)

Thrifty Tip Thursday

Welcome back to my little corner of the world! If you're reading this, then chances are you can be categorized as one or more of the following:

On a budget
Fashionista
Curious about thrifting

Did I peg you? Well, whether you fit into one of those categories above or if you don't really, but you're still here, welcome and let's dive right in!

Thrifty Tip Thursday

What is it? Why? When? How?

What is it? Basically, I will be teaching/showing you a thrifty tip about how I shop on a super budget, how I find amazing pieces for super cheap, and just basic tips on how to piece together outfits, shop for a purpose, shop the specials, and flat out, how to maneuver a thrift store to find all of the goodies inside.

Why? Excellent question. I was chatting with some girlfriends when it was suggested that I start a section on my blog for all of my thrifted/super deal outfits. I stewed on it for a bit and quickly realized it could be super fun! I love fashion {not like NY Fashion Week fashion, just normal, everyday woman fashion} and I love shopping on a budget and saving loads of money, but still finding amazing pieces that are fashionable. I won't claim to be "on trend this season", but I do think I have a decent eye when it comes to putting together a cute outfit on the cheap.

When? Every Thursday until I decide to stop. :P

How? Through the use of pictures, videos, and words such as these. I will document specific articles of clothing and/or accessories, outfits, and overall advice on how to shop similarly. I'll share stores I love, brands I adore, and how to get some of the best deals around while still looking fabulous!

Thrifty Tips #1

Shop for multi-functional pieces that will be worn time and time again. Don't buy on a whim or if you are questioning it in the store. Chances are if you question it there, you won't wear it much. This entire outfit seen below was either thrifted or purchased at Walmart. AND, don't judge a book by it's cover. Most times when someone asks me where I got an article of clothing, my response is USUALLY "the thrift store", "Walmart" or "Target". Jaws tend to drop, especially when I mention those first two. Again, don't judge a book by it's cover...you'd be surprised by what's inside. ;)

Let's just get this out of the way: I shop at Walmart and Goodwill mostly. Occasionally, I'll purchase from Old Navy, Target, or a discount store like TJ Maxx or Marhsalls. These tips will be primarily focusing on thrifted finds (but you'll probably see a lot of Walmart stuff in there too). On average, I spend about $20 per Goodwill trip. I primarily shop the sale color each week to save money. I will purchase some items at full price if I really feel like it's worth it/I need it. By shopping the sales that the thrift stores offer, I often save anywhere from 20-50% on my entire purchase of already discounted prices. If you're unsure of the sales, ask a sales associate upon entering the store. They're happy to tell you. Some stores do Manager's Specials, others do a Color of the Day which is always 50% off), and some have Military Day or other such days. Some even offer discounts for certain vocations (primarily service type careers: paramedics, firefighters, teachers, police, military, etc). ASK for the specials upon arrival before you ever shop because this will help you to really hunt down the best deals.

Let's focus on this outfit for a second: The jeans are Seven brand and were $3. The sweater is a random brand and it was $2. The statement necklace is from Walmart $5, and my booties (more on these in a minute) were $19.99. I wear the jeans, necklace and booties multiple times a week! The sweater can be dressed up or down, making everything here MULTI-FUNCTIONAL!

When shopping, particularly thrift stores, you want to shop with a purpose. Don't go in blind unless you've just never been and you want to literally just look at everything. I try to go with a few pieces in mind that I hunt for. Recently, I'd been specifically looking for distressed skinny jeans for the fall and winter. I found these + 2 other pairs and paid under $9 total for all 3!! I went back the next week and focused on shirts + shoes. I will say, I do tend to browse the children's section each time I'm there because my kid is growing like a weed and we're always needing new items for her. While shopping, I am not a snob about name brand, although I do try to search for brands I know and love. I am partial to old navy, Target brands, H+M, Loft, J. Crew and Forever21. Do I buy random no-name brands? Absolutely, but I'd say 70-80% of my thrifted wardrobe comes from those places mentioned.

PSA: People donate REALLY NICE clothing in like new condition, you just have to be willing to search for it! That's the thrill of it, in my opinion. When you find a shirt from J. Crew that would normally be $40 for $2, that's cause for a celebration! I'd say 85% of mine + Emerson's wardrobe is thrifted, possibly even more than that. You would NEVER know except that I openly admit it and am proud of it. 

So to keep these posts from being a mile long, I thought it best to focus on a particular item (or a couple of items) each time. Lately, I'm all about shoes. I just think they totally make or break an outfit. So, this thrifted graphic tee is a PERFECT intro to how I shop for shoes on a budget and why I'm not grossed out by thrifted shoes.

When shopping the shoe section of any given thrift store, always check the soles of the shoes for prices. Some stores do all shoes the same price (like my favorite Goodwill where all shoes are $5 unless otherwise marked), but others mark them individually on the soles. I, again, tend to shop with a specific type of shoe in mind, although if something extra cute is sighted for less than $5 that I think I'll wear a lot, then I'll snag it (or "them" I should say since shoes are sold in pairs). When shopping thrifted shoes, always check for a few things:

• Stains or Marks (minor is okay, but anything major is a pass especially on the inside-yuck!)
• Sizing + Heel (if applicable)
• Soles (check the soles because sometimes they may look great, but they're worn slam out on the bottom)
• The overal condition of the shoe is important. If it's banged up and clearly worn, then pass. If you can't really tell it's been worn (aside from wear and tear on the sole), then it's a GO!

Thrifted booties {Old Navy brand} $5

I adore booties in the fall and winter. They are so versatile and I like having a couple of options.
The top pair is from Walmart online last year for $26.99 + they've held up GREAT!
The bottom pair is from Goodwill for $4 (from Target originally).

$3 B+W Striped Casual loafers;
Anything cloth gets thrown in the wash, other shoes get anti fungal spray!

So the moral of today's thrifty tips is to go in with a purpose and hunt for items that fit the bill (both literally and figuratively). I always try to set a monetary goal in mind that I'd like to stay within. Usually, I opt not to spend more than $20 as a general rule. I've gotten 10 items for that much EASILY!  My challenge for you is to TRY to find one pair of thrifted shoes that you think you can and will wear and rock proudly! I LOVE when people ask me where I found my clothes because when I respond with "the thrift store", the response is typically the same: "REALLY?" or "Of course you did" (if they know me well, haha). 

Thrifting does take a bit of time and work. It is essentially a treasure hunt, and when you find that treasure...It's SO exciting. If you're on a budget, if you have a large family to clothe, if you have little ones to clothe, or if you just want to find some cute stuff for yourself to put a little pep in your step but you don't have a lot of "play money", well thrifting is an awesome solution! My mantra is "Don't knock it til ya try it". And here's a quick story for proof before I leave you to go thrifting (haha):

A mom friend approached me today and said,

  "I've got to tell you, because of your posts, I went to the thrift store recently for the first time and I found THREE J.Crew shirts for like $8 total. I still can't believe it. SO CHEAP!"

As I finish up, here are a few more from today's Outfit of the Day {ootd}. To see my outfit daily, follow me on Instagram @alittlethriftychic. Until then, I'll "see" you next Thursday, if not before!

Walmart Statement Necklace $5

Walmart Booties $19.99 VERY comfortable!

Walmart Watch $5 on clearance {came with 2 bracelets too}
I always wear a watch. I like to change them up depending on my outfit, so I don't like to spend a fortune not hem,
but I do like them to look nice. I gravitate towards gold personally.

Thrifted sweater $2 + distressed jeans $3. The detail on this sweater is gorgeous.

So, what do you think? Will you hang around? Did you learn something/find this useful? What do you want to learn/know/see?? Let me know below and have a blessed week!

I Was Me Before They Were They

Women, especially moms, run themselves ragged caring for everyone else in their lives. We usually end up last in the assembly line of life. Kids, husband, job, house, meals...mom. I think it's amazing that we're so selfless, but I also think it's wrong to be selfless all the time. Allow me to explain.

Before I had children, I always spent time doing my hair, picking out a "cute" outfit, and doing my makeup. Every day, I would put myself together. I didn't do it for other people, I did it for me. I did it because it made me feel awesome. Then, I had Emerson and went into a spiral of depression that made me care very little about myself. It was a weird phase and one I hardly recognize as being real life. Mostly. because at the end of the day (or like half way through it, honestly) I was just too tired and emotional to care if my hair looked good or if I went out in anything other than yoga pants + a messy bun. I "lost myself" in that sense. If I'm being totally honest, I don't love the phrase "I lost myself" because I don't think you truly ever lose yourself, but for the sake of this post, that's the best way to describe it. I wasn't me for a while; maybe that's a better way to describe it. When I finally started on the up and up, I started caring for myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Motherhood took me on a wild journey the first year (shoot, some days I'm still hanging on for dear life), but I'm in a better place now and I attribute it to starting to care about ME. Selfish? Dare I say, NO WAY.

Why is it important to be a little selfish once you become a mom? Well,  simply put, you can't care for others until you properly care for yourself. For some that means a bath once a week to recharge, for others it means hitting the gym every day, and to some, it means locking oneself in the bathroom or closet to inhale a candy bar in 5 minutes so that you don't have to share. For me, it meant that I started talking with Jesus more about how I was feeling and how overwhelmed and alone I felt. Then, it meant I started working out and bettering myself physically, which led to me bettering myself emotionally, which then put me back on track with feeling like the confident and driven woman that I "used to be". See, working out releases endorphins and those little babies can help your mood...like a lot. Working out brought my husband and I closer at a time when I felt very distant from my life in general. Then, once I started feeling better, I started seeing myself differently. Once I started seeing myself differently, I started truly caring for myself and my appearance again. Not so that others would approve {ha! I don't really care what you think-love me or hate me}, but so that I could feel like ME again.

Do any of you relate to that sentiment? I think the reason I'm so on fire about this is because quite frankly {and I might get backlash for this}, I'm sick and tired of hearing moms say that they "don't have time for themselves." Since when did that become the norm? Since when do we just not care about how we look or how we spend our time anymore? Since when do we just let ourselves go and only give, give, give to everyone else? That's not how it was even 30 years ago. It must be a millennial mindset to just "settle" and let life happen. I really think that's an unhealthy mindset and I truly in my heart of hearts believe that EVERY women, mom or not, wants to feel good with herself. Sure, I understand we all have different circumstances and some of us have like a bajillion little people running around making the whole "caring for oneself thing" seem much easier for someone like me with just one kiddo. HOWEVER, whether you have 18 or 2 kids at home, YOU matter. You were YOU before they were THEY. Does that make sense? We can have both, we don't have to choose, contrary to popular belief these days.

We, as women claim that we don't have time for ourselves, when that's just not true. {OMG, no I just didn't!} Ladies, it's not that we don't have the time, it's simply that we don't make the time. I'm about to drop a bomb...I love makeup. Shocking, I know. For me, taking 15 minutes to get my hair semi-tame and my fresh face on gives me just the time and boost that I need to feel like me. Like the Chelsea-me, not just the mom, wife, housekeeper, dinner-cooker, laundry-doer, bath-giver, butt-wiper, booboo-kisser, so on and so forth-me. I want to always keep a part of the Chelsea-ME, and I know how important it is to do that, especially after coming from that place I was two years ago.  I stopped making excuses, and now I find a way EVERY DAY to make time for me. It's not only important for me, but it's important for my family that I make ME a priority. In my case, it just so happens that a fun lipstick or a cute outfit does the trick for me. For you,  it might be a 5 minute makeup routine in the morning, or a 2 hour shopping trip alone, a walk outside, a hot cup of coffee during nap time, or even changing from nighttime leggings into daytime leggings {haha, don't lie}. No matter the means, if you really want it, you'll find a way to make it happen. And I'm here to challenge all the moms to stop making excuses for why you "can't", and just do it already. Heck, even just showering every day does wonders for your mood...so maybe start there. ;)

It's that TIME of year...

A watch is a mom's best friend. I don't think that's an actual saying, but it totally should be. I don't know about y'all, but I HAVE to wear a watch. Does this guarantee I'm on time? Um.....no. Does it help me keep track of exactly how many minutes behind I am? Yes. I absolutely cannot go without a watch, ever. I have many watches; different styles, sizes, colors, faces, etc. I change my watch depending on my outfit, don't judge me. So I was pleasantly surprised when I got my JORD Watch in the mail and realized not only is it the perfect size for my itty bitty wrist because they were able to size it before they even shipped it (!!!), but the face on it is gorgeous and the detailing of it literally matches every outfit. Best watch everrrrr!

JORD watches come in a variety of wood tones with different size faces and bands. AND, they aren't just for women! No, no! They make men's and women's watches! These watches are well made and fit so nicely. They're not only practical, but they are super stylish! I literally think anyone can rock a watch like this! The gold tones in mine is what drew me in. I have been really drawn to gold accessories lately, so the dark wood band mixed with the gold details in the watch face were perfection. I just really think my watch is so unique, like it's not something you'd see everyday. Cool watch= cool mom...or something like that. If you want to view my watch specifically, click here. Another great feature is the closing mechanism. It closes from both sides to insure a secure close. That baby isn't going anywhere {see below}!!

I may never be on time even with a watch this awesome, but hey, at least I look super stylish when I show up 10  15 30 minutes late. Lucky for you, you have the chance to win a $75 e-gift code to get yourself a watch like this. The contest runs through October 9th at midnight. All you have to do to enter to win is click HERE and enter your name and e-mail address. THAT'S IT! Hold up, sound too good to be true? It gets better, ALL entrants will receive a $20 e-gift code just for entering the giveaway, even if you don't win! How awesome is that?! Hop on to the website listed HERE to view all of the watches available for purchase. 

This is my newest staple in my fall wardrobe. Be prepared to be seeing it a lot. ;) Now go back up there and enter the giveaway (because entering is easier than making a cup of coffee), then go buy yourself a pumpkin, or at the very least some pumpkin spice coffee. <3

It's All In Your Perspective, Really.

Life is a series of changing how you do + think about things. What's the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade". Well, I'd like to challenge that. Just because life gives you lemons doesn't mean you need to immediately turn them into something sweet like lemonade. Perhaps, life {or God} gives us lemons to make us appreciate the process of turning lemons into lemonade. Lemons are sour. Lemons aren't generally most people's first choice in fruit, at least not when eaten alone. {If you're reading this and you love lemons by themselves, then you're the minority, but GO YOU!} See lemons taste better when paired with other things, like on tacos, or fish, or when mixed with sugar to create a sweet lemonade. Lemons themselves are not bad, not at all. Sour? Yes, but not bad. This is much like the "lemons" in life. But how?

Life is a lot like a lemon in that it throws us some sour times and then it greets us with sweet times after the process of removing the sour is gone. I've been learning that just because I don't like lemons on their own doesn't mean I don't eat them and it certainly doesn't mean I just toss them aside. Life, like lemons, has handed me a fair share of troubles. Maybe not in terms of illness or miscarriage or chronic pain, like it has for many of you reading his, but it's given me quite a bit of emotional turmoil. My marriage has been through more than many of your marriages. My journey in motherhood has been different from most moms I know personally. My adjustment to stay-at-home mom life has been an unexpected journey. My constant struggle between fighting my selfish desires and giving up control has been much like a lemon: tough, difficult to peel without some tools, and sour to the core. But you know, much like a lemon, there have been seeds of hope scattered along the process of turning lemons to lemonade.

For the longest time, I made excuses for myself and others. I didn't always see the possibility of change occurring. I would question God. I would question myself. I would question life in general, as in, what is my purpose here? Then, when my marriage hit a really hard time, and when motherhood wasn't anything like what I expected, I wanted to toss every last lemon life handed me in the trash and just give up. I didn't want to expend the energy to view those lemons as a process of turning me into a better, wiser version of myself. I didn't want to use those lemons to change my perspective. But, like most things, just when you start thinking that you will never be able to change something, life throws you a curveball, or a reminder that changes your entire viewpoint, thus chasing the entire outcome.

Perspective is a powerful tool. Allow me to share with you some ways in which changing my perspective in a few particular areas of my life has in fact CHANGED my life:

1. Marriage. I used to think marriage was going to be easy and constantly fun. Then, I got married and I quickly learned that marriage ain't all lemonade. In fact, I'd say marriage is a whole lot of lemons, with the occasional lemonade thrown in there. I'm no stranger to admitting that marriage is hard. Marriage takes work...daily, hourly work sometimes.  My marriage has been put to the test on numerous occasions and I used to let that consume me and control me and my thoughts. So how has changing my perspective shaped how I approach marriage now? Instead of focusing on all of the things my husband does wrong or the qualities he does/doesn't possess, I have chosen to see him as a sinner, just like myself. I have chosen to love him in spite of his flaws and weaknesses, because you know what, I have them too, they just look differently. I have chosen to pursue him, even when I don't always feel pursued. I have chosen to love him and show him grace, even when I don't think he deserves it. Why do I do this? Because Jesus does this with us and I'm called to be like Jesus even when it's painful. My perspective of my husband greatly impacts how I treat him and how others perceive him. When my perspective is on honoring my husband and loving my husband in spite of his flaws, marriage doesn't seem so hard.

2. Motherhood. Again, much like marriage, I thought motherhood was going to be MUCH easier than it actually is. Motherhood has changed me forever. Want the raw, honest-to-God truth? In the beginning, I regretted becoming a mom. {Did I really just say that for the world to see and hear?} How dare this child take all of MY free time! How dare this child change my body shape and make it so hard to get back to how it was! How dare she make it so that her dad and I rarely get alone time! How dare she require so much attention that I no longer get to shower myself with attention! How dare she THIS or THAT. It was all in my perspective, my selfish, selfish perspective. How has changing my perspective made me a better mother? I have learned that SHE is God's tool to bring that selfishness out and replace it with selflessness. Motherhood has a way of doing that. Am I right? Once I stopped seeing all of the negative aspects of becoming a mother, I was able to see the richness that it brings. I am now able to view my daughter's extroverted personality as a trait that I love in her father. I see her carefree spirit and it makes me appreciate her innocence and her beauty. I see her smile first thing in the morning and it reminds me daily that God's mercies are new every morning. I'm able to see her love for me in the way she simply says "mommy". She brings a new joy to every day. My perspective has drastically changed as I've grown as a mother. Has it been easy? Heck no, but remember it's a process much like turning lemons into lemonade.

3. Self-love. I've not been shy about how I have struggled with body image since having Emerson. I used to berate myself when I'd look in the mirror. It got to the point, where I didn't see anything positive, only negative qualities. It wasn't until one day when Emerson wrapped her little arms around my leg and mumbled some little phrase about how she loved my leg, that I snapped back to reality. I sustained her. I carried her and I was able to bring her life into this world, something so many pray so desperately for. It was then that I changed my perspective. How did changing my perspective of myself change my life? I certainly wouldn't be able to change my body without putting in the effort, so that's what I did. For the past 6-8 months, I've tried to think of one positive thing about myself daily {many days it's the same thing on repeat, lately my makeup-haha}.  I now talk positively about myself TO myself and to my daughter. It's called self-love and I believe it's Godly because God has written that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, so I need to embrace that and preach it to myself. I now exercise regularly because it makes me feel confident. I wear makeup because it also boosts my confidence, not because I "need" it. I try to eat better because it helps me to feel like I'm making conscious choices to better myself in every way, plus it's important to my husband. Not to mention, by changing my perception of myself, I'm teaching my daughter that loving herself the way God made her is not only necessary, but healthy.

4. Calling. Teaching is a calling. I truly believe that not everyone can do it because it requires a lot of patience and endurance. I didn't quit because I lack those things, but because I felt called to stay home with our daughter. Thankfully, God opened the door for us in that regard. But, as you know, that brought with it many, many struggles both for me personally and for our marriage. It left me feeling a bit empty, unproductive, and lonely. For close to 2 years, I felt like I had no clue whether I'd ever be considered a professional again. Would anyone ever look to me and feel inspired like those kids did in my classroom? Would anyone ever rely on me to get things accomplished? Would anyone ever respect me in a professional setting again? I thought no, until I changed my perspective and found Younique. How has a new calling with Younique changed my life? I won't go into much detail, but Younique has enriched my life and renewed my spirit. Let me rephrase. Younique has changed my life as a mother, by allowing me to continue to stay home while also fulfilling my strong desire to impact others and make a difference. I feel my calling is teaching. I know it's what I was designed by God to do, that's never been a question. So, when I left the field of education, I felt lost. God changed my perspective on direct sales within days {what!} and brought me to this place, that has now put me in a leadership role. Yes, you read that correctly. It hasn't been long, but God has brought blessing upon blessing and has confirmed that He "knows the plans {he} has for me; a plan to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me a hope and a future." I have now gotten to a place within this company where I am building a team underneath me, like a real legitimate team. Ladies look up to me. I AM TEACHING THEM! Did I think that I would fulfill my calling through teaching business and makeup? UM NO! But you know what? The moment I believed in myself and told myself that I deserve to feel success, accomplishment, value, and productivity outside of motherhood is when everything changed. I decided to trust that God could turn lemons {in this case fear, anxiety, unproductiveness etc} into sweet, sweet lemonade. I feel a sense of pride in my business. I am teaching. I am helping others. I am making an impact, even when I don't see it. That is how changing my perspective has already changed my life from a professional standpoint.

God has taken lemon after lemon and He has used it to change me. He's used it to better me. He's used it to mold me into the woman I am right this minute. Three months ago, I would've never expected to be on this path; to be absolutely LOVING the fact that I get to stay home full time AND work {basically full-time} AND make friends AND earn income AND feel the most confident I ever have in myself, both externally + internally. Lemons don't always have to be made into lemonade. Sometimes lemons are just a tough time that lead to a lesson {or five} that lead to something so much sweeter than you ever could've imagined. It's all in your perspective, really. How can you change your perspective?