freedom

I can't wait to wear loud red stockings when I'm working. In fact, I can't wait to work for myself. Well, I don't know if I'll consider it work. I can't wait to live my own life, free from the confines of an office that isn't mine. This past weekend at home I got a glimpse into who I really was created to be. I see the next mountaintop. Now I just have to patiently work my way down into the valley and up that next hill. But I actually don't see myself "working." I don't want to work a day more than I have to. I want to follow my interests and my calling. There's a huge chance that what my heart longs for may never make any money for me at all. And that's why I'll have a husband. See how He works everything out?

shower

There's really nothing like sitting in a circle of women, both your contemporaries and your elders, and sharing the world of love and marriage and husbands. This weekend was my first stage of my rite of passage. It absolutely takes an army of women to share their wisdom and insight. My favorite words of advice:

- Pick your battles.

- You can be right or you can be happy.

- He doesn't know what you're thinking until you tell him. Tell him!

- Think a lot, say a little.

- Patience.

- Choose your angry words wisely. You'll never get them back.

- Always kiss good night and always kiss good morning.

ring of fire

What's emerged in the last six months is something so incredible to me. I adore women, and I adore the women God has surrounded me with. CM said it best: It's so rare to find an environment where women lift each other up and aren't competing or striving. I love our different backgrounds, skin tones and styles. I love that our common thread is Jesus and fashion, of course. I love that throughout the day we get immediate inside into one another's thoughts through our blogging. It's like we're running a racketeering ring of fabulousness.

victory

I'm taking it upon myself to let you know how much I love Victoria Beckham. I mean, is it a coincidence that she became that much cooler, sexier and just simply more stunning after she became a wife and mother? No way.

transparency

Who knew that welcoming someone into our home would result in far more than a nice evening. The key to all that I am rests in expressing myself in every area of my existence. The home we decorate, the food we cook and the clothes we wear are far more powerful a witness than one can give them credit for. Transparency and consistency throughout my life will set me adrift toward the land I want to conquer.

engagement party

Our engagement party was incredible - and this is no compliment to us. We have amazing friends who did so much work to make the evening so enjoyable for us. I loved the different mix of people who came together to celebrate what I think took all of us to achieve - the climatic rise of our relationship into marriage. God has surrounded us with those specific people at this specific time to nurture and embrace what God is doing in us. The marvelous women with me that night are truly divine. Each in their own way, they have given me the gift of themselves. I cannot ask for anything more. The pleasure they're getting in invested in our engagement leaves me constantly breathless and in awe. I can't imagine how God will repay them. It will be heavily and it will be soon. I won't soon forget the atmosphere in our apartment that night; the laughter, the voices, the conversations, the doorbell, the water running and dishes clanking in the kitchen. I won't soon forget the music and the dancing flicker of candlelight on the coffeetable and on the balcony.

How great You are. I can't count the ways. Your loving kindness is overwhelming.

embracing uncertainty

"Embrace relational uncertainty. It's called romance. Embrace spiritual uncertainty. It's called mystery. Embrace occupational uncertainty. It's called destiny. Embrace emotional uncertainty. It's called joy. Embrace intellectual uncertainty. It's called revelation." -MB

new neighborhood

Our new apartment is only a matter of blocks away from my old place, but this part of the neighborhood has an entirely different feel. I love waking up to so much sunlight pouring in from the east. I love the movement of airplanes, cars and trains bustling back and forth. I love the night noise in the restaurants below. I love walking to grab a late dinner or coffee at my favorite spots - Cosi, Chipotle and Starbucks. I love that this is my first home with him.

control

One of the most difficult parts of merging my life with someone else is relinquishing the control of bearing my own load. For a woman of thirty, it doesn't come naturally. To ask him to help me with certain responsibilities is a lesson in unlearning my feminity. Our point in history has taught the women of my generation the selfishness of doing it all alone. But when you're given a partner, a husband, everything changes. Bearing that load alone is simply wrong and often a huge mistake with inevitable consequences to the relationship. Two becoming one isn't for the faint of heart. I'm rethinking all of my old tendencies and forging onward with a lighter load.

dinner at home

The thrill of becoming a wife has been met with the realization that I'll now be responsible for cooking dinner... every night... of the week. Nonstop. This task is so daunting to my little soul. But I won't fear! I have hidden in me a very chic Betty Crocker. I will also have the help of Not Eating Out in New York.

stella everyday

Stella McCartney Fall 2010. If I'm looking this good this fall, I'll be one happy wife with one happy husband. Nothing looks as elegant and effortless and simple and American than these ensembles. Monochromatic love.

aspiring to be

I aspire to exude this level of effortlessness and refinement.

mrs. inspiration

Mrs. Lilien is what I consider to be the perfect stylist. Her world consists of so much more than clothing and running around for lazy clients who just want to say they have a stylist. I absolutely love her perspective and diversity of talent. She has a whole neighborhood, an entire lifestyle of fabulousness. Mrs. Lilien gives advice through her creative eye and may never even meet her clients. Isn't that amazing? And I adore how she continually highlights the title of Mrs and makes it something so wonderful, so ladylike. She harkens back to a time gone by and at the same time brings you right into our modern age. Needless to say, I'm completely inspired.
I owe her discovery to my dear friend, MJ!

light

Little else is as important as good lighting. It has the power to change an atmosphere, remove confusion and capture the essence of a subject perfectly. I'm enamored by light - candles, lamps, sunsets.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. -Isaiah 60

Candle favors. Brilliant.

60

Only 60 more days until black dresses with gold accents, candle light and city light, fresh fruit and indulgent desserts, worship, vows, the great exchange. Friends, family and the new thing God is doing.

My girlfriends should know they're next! I can feel it, ladies! I'm feeling it so strongly today!