Amy J. Bennett

Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life

What I Wore Wednesday 04.03.2013

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It’s Wednesday!  I share my outfits from the week with The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore Wednesday.

I pair my outfits with inspirational photos.  Read more about that here.

 

NOTE: Pinterest has updated all of their embed code and I don’t have as much control over how the pins are displayed as I previously did. I wish I could make the pictures bigger and get rid of the footers and buttons on each one but I can’t. Apologies! Hopefully Pinterest will get some feedback soon from bloggers and make some updates!

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Here’s another work from home day.  I went out on a limb with this color combo but was happy to find it in a bracelet I already owned.

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I wore this outfit out shopping for Easter dresses on Saturday.  My boots are great when we’re walking a lot and the skinnies and shirt couldn’t be more comfortable.

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I wore my Easter dress most of the day Sunday but never got a great pictures of it.  That’s ok though, because if you read Monday’s post, you’ll know why I like this picture so much.

 

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Squee!  I finally got the maxi I wanted at TJ Maxx this weekend.  You might remember I almost kept a striped maxi in my first Stitch Fix but couldn’t pull the trigger.  I’m glad I didn’t.  I got this one I like more for a 3rd of the cost.  I wore this working from home and then out to Chuck E. Cheese with the family.

Clearly with all the plants I picked this week, I am READY for Spring and Summer! And seriously, I want a lemon tree or three now.

Question: who has a good source on Pinterest or otherwise for some great summer looks? Were any of you doing WIWW last summer? I really, really need to update my Summer closet this year.

Behind the Easter Picture

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That picture?  If I could frame their childhood, that’s what the print would look like.

We’re all dressed up in clothes that we went shopping for the day before.  Even though they were begging me to leave by the end of the 3 hour shopping trip, I loved when Emma would lace her fingers through mine walking through the mall. Or, how Lexi straight up told me my dress was ugly.

I love that even though I didn’t push for it, both of them settled on that same green dress immediately.  While I didn’t get patent leather shoes and Easter hats like the little girls in the purple dress in the mall, I still got a little bit of my matching baby girls.

I love Lexi’s long hair and her bare feet because that’s just Lexi, kicking off shoes wherever they land and swinging that hair she says we’re never allowed to cut.

I love that Lexi’s not wearing her jacket like Emma’s because we can’t find it.  It’s missing somewhere under a pile of who knows what in our house.  Emma’s was rescued late last evening from a friend’s house where she left it Wednesday night.

Emma’s wearing sandals she didn’t wear to church because the sole was coming out of her dress shoes—the same ones from last year. We had to hot glue the soles down 10 minutes before church because they kept coming up and irritating her. I told her she could throw them away if she would just get through Easter with them.

I can see Emma’s new earrings she bought through her hair.  She wanted “dangly ones” like a big girl and used her own money to pay for them.  Her left ear is getting infected because she says she has a bad habit of twirling it.

I love that I’m wearing a dress that I bought because I love it.  I didn’t have to call anyone to see what they thought and I ignored Lexi when she didn’t like it. It’s hard for a people pleaser when you have to look yourself in the mirror in the dressing room and just answer, “What do you think of it?”

I love so much that we’re laughing because Lexi kept running her little fingers up the back of my knee just to aggravate me and make me laugh while Mom was taking a picture.  Just. like. her daddy.

Her daddy, might I say, who was off working.  I sure do miss him in this picture but that’s the sacrifice we make.  The three of us girls find ourselves alone a lot on weekends. I love our girl time and this picture reminds me of those moments.

I want so much for my girls to remember me like this—forgetting hot-glued shoes and lost jackets—and just laughing for no other reason than they wanted me to.

Stitch Fix – Fix #3

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Yahoo!  I still LOVE to get my email saying a new fix from Stitch Fix is on the way.

I found my 3rd fix on my porch Friday. I’ll be honest–I had some credit (THANK YOU, FRIENDS) and I really hoped I could take advantage of the 25% deal if you keep all 5 pieces.  I’m all about free clothes, friends!  But alas, it was not meant to be.

 

Item #1

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I love the print of this dress and the bright, bold pattern.  It’s light and airy and would be great for the summer.  If I could pull it off (and usually I can’t), I think it’d be great with a belt.

Here’s my possible issue (besides the fact I desperately need a tan): I think it’s too short.  I think with some flats, I might feel a bit better.

The style card also suggests wearing it with leggings and I definitely can do that in the Spring and Fall, but then I don’t know if I’m a big fan of that. 

Maybe I just need to play dress-up with it a little more before I send it back.

 

Item #2

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This is just a “no” all the way around for me.  The top didn’t fit right, the waist line isn’t flattering, the pockets make it bulky and I don’t like that high-low thing going on. 

 

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I almost didn’t post these pictures.  Both the ankle pants and shirt were in my fix and WOW.SERS.  Those pants were TIGHT.  It reminded me of mozzarella cheese in casing.  Just unroll me and make some pizza.  Yikes.  

I do have to make note that I’d love to try these pants in a different size.  I know I’d wear them all the time if they fit.

The collared shirt is cute.  I like the coverage in the back and I think it’d be cute with my jean jacket.  The style card also has it tucked in a nude colored skirt which would be great for work.  I like the print up close but I’m not loving it far away. This is a definitely possibility though.

 

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Item #5

 

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I like the color of this mint sweater.  If I remember correctly, I think I asked for something mint.  However, I feel like I’m wearing something out of Emma’s closet.  You can see the fit is pretty small and you can’t see the glittery threads.  In some ways, it felt juvenile and in others, I felt like it aged me.  Scott likes it though so what do I know?

 

I think the sleeveless top is going to win out as much as I like the idea of the first one.

 

But wait!  There’s more!

 

My friend JoAnn got her first fix this week and came over one day at lunch for me to help her decide what to keep.  I snapped some pictures and thought I’d share.  Sorry about the bright! sun!  It was noon.

 

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Let’s go clockwise starting in the middle.

Middle: The color and neckline on the coral dress is fabulous but we both wished it had come as a top instead of a dress.

Top right: I liked the black and white sweater but JoAnn felt it dated her and she let it go back.

Bottom right: The print is fun on the black and white dress but the pleats were a no-go.

Bottom left: The floral sleeveless top was super cute but the bust was just too tight.

Top left: I wish I had gotten a better picture of the black cowl shirt on the top left.  I think my camera didn’t take a picture from the front like I thought. It looked really, really great and this is the item she kept. 

 

Even though it doesn’t seem like we had many wins, the process is still super fun. 

 

If you want to try it out, I’d love for you to use my referral link…for every person that signs up, you get a $25 credit to use on your next purchase!

Behind the Easter Picture

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IMG_5148

That picture?  If I could frame their childhood, that’s what the print would look like.

We’re all dressed up in clothes that we went shopping for the day before.  Even though they were begging me to leave by the end of the 3 hour shopping trip, I loved when Emma would lace her fingers through mine walking through the mall. Or, how Lexi straight up told me my dress was ugly.

I love that even though I didn’t push for it, both of them settled on that same green dress immediately.  While I didn’t get patent leather shoes and Easter hats like the little girls in the purple dress in the mall, I still got a little bit of my matching baby girls.

I love Lexi’s long hair and her bare feet because that’s just Lexi, kicking off shoes wherever they land and swinging that hair she says we’re never allowed to cut.

I love that Lexi’s not wearing her jacket like Emma’s because we can’t find it.  It’s missing somewhere under a pile of who knows what in our house.  Emma’s was rescued late last evening from a friend’s house where she left it Wednesday night.

Emma’s wearing sandals she didn’t wear to church because the sole was coming out of her dress shoes—the same ones from last year. We had to hot glue the soles down 10 minutes before church because they kept coming up and irritating her. I told her she could throw them away if she would just get through Easter with them.

I can see Emma’s new earrings she bought through her hair.  She wanted “dangly ones” like a big girl and used her own money to pay for them.  Her left ear is getting infected because she says she has a bad habit of twirling it.

I love that I’m wearing a dress that I bought because I love it.  I didn’t have to call anyone to see what they thought and I ignored Lexi when she didn’t like it. It’s hard for a people pleaser when you have to look yourself in the mirror in the dressing room and just answer, “What do you think of it?”

I love so much that we’re laughing because Lexi kept running her little fingers up the back of my knee just to aggravate me and make me laugh while Mom was taking a picture.  Just. like. her daddy.

Her daddy, might I say, who was off working.  I sure do miss him in this picture but that’s the sacrifice we make.  The three of us girls find ourselves alone a lot on weekends. I love our girl time and this picture reminds me of those moments.

I want so much for my girls to remember me like this—forgetting hot-glued shoes and lost jackets—and just laughing for no other reason than they wanted me to.

Five Minute Friday: Broken

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Writing on “broken” for five minutes without editing with Lisa-Jo.

 

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Go

I watched the group of girls to my left, all crowded around the two tables.  A few of them eating and laughing and talking.  But one of them with the wiry strawberry blond hair pulled back looked away from the group.  I imagined her thinking she just wanted to go home.  She didn’t look mad, maybe just sad and a little broken.   I wanted to hug her and tell her she should laugh.  She should laugh and she should cry and she should enjoy those girls she was with.

I can’t help but think there was an enemy whispering lies to her.  Telling her they didn’t like her and they must be talking about her and maybe telling her that her parents hated her and that bad grade she got this week must mean she’s stupid and she’d never amount to anything.  I think the enemy is doing that a lot with these teenagers these days.  I’ve listened and watched to the stories just this week and know its true.  He tries to tell them their broken and to give up.

I pray they get it, really get it that maybe they are a little broken but there is hope.  There is One that was broken for them and in all their mess they are valuable and loved.  He has plans for them and those friends are gifts.  He wants them to hear those lies and then remind the enemy of truth.

He delights in me.

He has plans for me.

No weapon formed against me shall prosper.

He wants joy for me.

Remind the enemy of that day he thought Jesus was defeated and then remind him of 3 days later when the gates of hell were busted open and he learned who really was broken and defeated.

I walked away from the strawberry blond and didn’t tell her, didn’t hug her.  Didn’t even try to catch her eyes to smile at her.  Maybe next time I will.  And in the meantime, I’ll remind the enemy just who is broken and where he can go.

End

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What I’m Into – March 2013

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Loonng iPhone Cord

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Shelley from TheHouseofSmiths posted about this cord from MiniInTheBox a few months ago.  I finally remembered to get one this month and man, oh, man.  What a difference it makes. 

I plug my cord in behind my bed.  With the old cord, I’d have to lay on my side at the edge of my bed to read my phone.  Now, Scott can read it plugged in on the other side of our King-sized bed if he needs to.  It’s pretty great.  And wow, I’m entirely spoiled.  The good news is these only cost $2.99.

 

iPad

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I know, I know, I’m like 3 years late.  I always said I didn’t see a need for an iPad but my faithful Kindle finally died this month.  I was set to replace it with another basic Kindle but after checking Craigslist, I found a pretty sweet deal on a used iPad 2 and couldn’t resist.  Apparently some parent was having a “teachable moment” with her son. Poor kid.

So far I like how the screen is lit so I can read in bed after Scott’s asleep.  I’ll be interested to see how much I like it compared to my Kindle when I’m reading outside more in the Summer.

I also really like the Evernote app a lot better than my iPhone since the keyboard is so much larger.

And of course, the kids love it.

 

Snuggle Fabric Softener

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Man, I know this is old school stuff here but I branched out (not far, clearly) to try a different fabric softener and wow, what a difference.  Seriously, the entire family is going around sniffing their own clothes.

 

Almonds

 

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In January, I posted about the Smokehouse Almonds I’d found that I like.  Turns out I like the several of the other flavors.  Last time they were on sale, I picked up Smokehouse, Bold Jalapeno Smokehouse, Bold Honey Dijon and Toasted Coconut and they’re all yummy. I eat a handful almost every morning for snack. 

 

Hazelnut Macchiato

 

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Starbucks is offering a new Hazelnut macchiato and I think it’s perfect when you don’t want plain coffee but white mocha is just too sweet.  Which, in my case lately is just about anytime.

 

Candle

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I tried this scented candle (Boticario de Havana) from Archipelago from the 31 Days to a Heart of Hospitality ebook from LifeinGraceBlog.com and I love it so much.  It’s rich and smoky and is perfect for our bedroom.  Wait for a sale to pick this up though.  It’s kind of pricey for the size.  This would also be a great idea for Mother’s Day coming up for yourself.

 

Online Finds

 

 

Make sure to check back mid-April when I join Modern Mrs. Darcy to talk about all the great books I’ve been into lately.

What are YOU into lately?

 

This post is linked up to LeighKramer.com

What I Wore Wednesday 3.27.2013

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It’s Wednesday!  I share my outfits from the week with The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore Wednesday.

I pair my outfits with inspirational photos.  Read more about that here.

 

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Like Tucker photo bombing?  He always gets so excited when I go outside to take a picture because he thinks I want to play with him.  Bless his heart. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Source: flickr.com viaAmy on Pinterest

 

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While it looks super sunny and springy, it was FREEZING that day.  I ended up wearing my winter jacket around all day.

 

Source: metrodorus.tumblr.com viaAmy on Pinterest

 

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I wore this to the Lysa TerKeurst event.  I sorely misjudged the weather. I wanted to look cute and springy and I walked out and it was rainy and freezing.  I changed into jeans and boots as soon as I got home.  On another note, does anyone want to comment on the streak of gray hair in right front? 

Source: elfentau.tumblr.com viaAmy on Pinterest

 

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OK, so not my most fashionable moment ever.  I was tired of it being rainy and cold and felt like looking “mountainy.”  Oddly, Scott really liked this outfit.

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com viaAmy on Pinterest

 

Let’s connect!  Like Permission to Peruse on Facebook (where you can see some outtakes from my pictures).  Follow me on Pinterest (where I post these inspirational pictures), Instagram (where you might sneak an early peek of an outfit) or Twitter.

In the Loop with Lysa TerKeurst

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A few months back, I joined author and Proverbs 31 Ministries founder Lysa TerKeurst’s “In the Loop Group”—basically a focus group that helps promote Lysa’s books and gives extra perks to members. 

I was ecstatic to see she wanted to get a group together in Charlotte to brainstorm for her next book over lunch this past weekend. A group of about 75 ladies would have some Q&A time with Lysa, a little message and then do some brainstorming over lunch. 

The Questions

My life-long love of question-asking paid off as 2 of my questions were chosen ahead of time to ask Lysa Saturday. I got to sit front row and ask them personally. 

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I thought I’d share my questions and her answers.

My first question:

Looking back to the preschool years of my children, one of my biggest regrets is getting so angry during potty training and at other times when I was expecting too much for their age.  As I head into parenting tweens now, what one piece of advice would you give me to cherish this new season of parenting?

I was in heaven as Lysa took several minutes to address this question.  First, she admitted she was not a great mom of younger children but says it turns out she is a great intentional mom of big kids.  I so appreciated she was vulnerable enough to say that and it relieved some of my own guilt.

Second, she gave 3 pieces of advice about going into the tween years:

  1. Date your kids.  Lysa says don’t be in parenting mode but just listen and speak truth without lecturing. She talked a lot about connecting on issues that they care about and used the example of pop music.
  2. Invite them to fight for something good.  Lysa spoke to her texting and driving lesson I talked about yesterday where she had her kids do reports and has them really own the issues.
  3. Issue yourself lots of grace.

And my second question:

What advice would you give to writers who are trying to grow their platform?

Lysa said write as much as you can by grabbing snippets of time just for writing.  Also, ask God for your assignment today, do that and walk away.  She said you could go crazy spending your time 24-7 building a platform, but it would cause you to lose focus with other areas of life.

The Message

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Lysa shared her message from her latest book Unglued.  She described the four types of reactors: exploders that blame, exploders who shame themselves, stuffers who builds barriers and stuffers who collect retaliation rocks and what each needed to do to make changes.  Really great stuff–if you haven’t read her book, you can get Unglued on Amazon.

The Brainstorming

 

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We finished out the day brainstorming over lunch.  You can read about the concept of her next book on one of her latest posts.  This time was a good ‘ol white-boarding session.  The floor was open to all the attendees to talk about what topics should be addressed in the book. 

This part was really the most fun of the day.  I loved the idea of getting a group together and coming up with ideas for a book and there were so many wise women I learned from.  I don’t want to give too much away as I’m sure she’d like to communicate these messages through her book but I’ll just say I think her next book is going to be another life-changer.

 

Whew, all in all a great morning.  While I know the actual intent was to help Lysa with her book, many of us walked away feeling connected, pampered and valued.  Thanks to the team for all their hard work!

I’m not sure if there’s currently a waiting list or not but if you want to join Lysa’s In the Loop Group head on over to her site.