The Mini Project

Can I tell you how excited I am about this today?!? I have been awaiting this day since Kelly first introduced her Mini Project. What? The Mini Project you say? sooo what is the MINI project you ask?! well if you haven't guessed it yet its allllllll about the mini parts of fashion - the ACCESSORIES...which can also play a huge role in our everyday outfits. Just like clothes, accessories are also worn differently by each person depending on their style, shape, look etc. 

So the MINI project focuses only on accessories....but I don't mean just jewelry - tights, hats, sunglasses, headbands, bows, scarfs, shoes, belts, gloves are alllll accessories as well.  Like before - 
The Deal 1 Accessory 4 Girls 4 Different Styles 1 Major Blog Day

And today is my day! So what did my wondering eyes behold in my package all the way from the West Coast? A headband! What? Me? Headband?

The challenge

Hey y'all!

So, I tried it on... But what would the Mini Project be if I just put a headband in the obvious place? So I vowed to come up with something awesome! Except I drew a total blank. Then it hit me.... I had on this outfit when I unwrapped my treat so I thought let's get creative!

just noticed London is backwards and my apt looks like a mess... opps

Workin' It

I love the way shirts look knotted, and its totally in this season, so I just added a little pizzaz in the back with my awesome headband! So....what do you think?

And this is not just any headband ladies, its a one of a kind made by the totally talented  Mila Rose Designs specially for us May Mini Gals! Oh, wait you totally love the headband? Well, you are in for a treat, since Mila Rose is offering 15% off anything in her shop today, just for those Messy Gals! Head over to her site and put in the code MESSYMINI (all caps). 

Ok, so now you need to check out the other Mini Gals I linked up with this Month!

Kelly @ Messy Dirty Hair 

Kristine @ The Foley Fam { Uneditied }

Vanniee @ VIVA BEAUTY ME

Happy Hump Day Ya'll!! 

Purple Tennis Shoes

Apparently, my inner Blue Steel

Yeah, so there I stood this morning around 6:30 am, in my skirt, blouse (untucked), blown-dry hair, and purple tennis shoes, nonchalantly walking my dogs, when I look down the road, and see it. Yes, his BMW.... Mr. Boss.

He comes towards, me, slows to an almost stop and stares at me. Yes, its me. That girl who works down the hall from you. Yes, hi, I see you waiving, ok now please don't roll down your window.... I now I am standing here in the middle of the street, a little disheveled waiting on Chloe to poop, but must you stop and stare?

Ah, you have moved on. Ok, well now I know its inevitable that we will have an awkward exchange at work. So, nope not going to enjoy my bowl of chocolate Fiber One (which you must try) and almond milk. Nope, not one bit  because I know about 7:32 you will be in my office to have an exchange about seeing me.

And yes, it just happened. You came on in and said was that you with your little dogs? (kinda in the wicked witch of the west voice, like "and you little dog too"). So, yes I go outside of my house with my hair not done, make up half on, shirt untucked in purple tennis shoes to walk my dogs.

Exhibit A

I liken seeing my boss in public to seeing your teachers at dinner when you were a kid, or the even better seeing your college prof at the bar drinking on a Thursday. Its just awkward. Your work life and home life just seemingly should not mix. Its such an out-of-body experience. And I did it all in purple tennis shoes. See Exhibit A.

My family at dinner Sunday (Me, Mom, Gram, Bro)

Taking Chances

Every day we each make a million choices. We choose to get out of bed, we choose what to eat and what to wear. We choose how to proceed through each day. We choose when to be happy and when to be sad. We choose to believe and have faith. We choose to take chances or sit on the sidelines and watch everyone else play the game of life.

 

True life, I spent a lot of time on the sidelines. I did the whole I could have, should have, but chose to not to. I let fear guide my heart and head. I let my head speak for my heart. I lived in the past and guarded every part of myself. I often chose the easy way out  because it was safer, easier, and didn't require my to be vulnerable.

 

I hid myself from the world, only letting people see small glimpses of who I really am. I covered the hurt and pain and fear. I clothed my pain in smiles, an outgoing personality and a drive for success. If you appear to have it altogether, you must, right?

 

I only took calculated risks. Ones that I knew the benefits outweighed the costs and came with quick and instant results. I planned and plotted and often gravitated towards the safe, sure thing. I didn't take any chance I couldn't predict the outcome.

 

I found myself falling back into this same pattern as of late. I went into defense mode, fight or flight. I guarded, put up walls and refused to let anyone see the pain and hurt. I said "I'm fine" more time than I can recount. I didn't take any chances because the D was a huge chance. It was leaving behind a sure thing so to speak. But I was transfixed again. I was scared, afraid. I felt pulled towards my old ways.

 

I have thought so much about what other people would think if I took a chance. What would people say if I let myself feel again, be again, fall again. Would they judge? Would they say its too soon? Would they think I had lost it and gone off the deep end? And then came the naysayers of oh, you need to wait, or don't seem to anxious or available. And there was just keep busy, don't sit home alone, go out, do things.

 

I listened to all the voices in my head, except mine. Only I know how I feel, only I know what's right for me and what I need or want. I had that moment when I had to take a chance a jump. It was staring me right in the face. I could fall or stand planted in the past.

 

Take chances. Don't be afraid. Tell people how you feel about them. Don't worry about how anyone else will react, if they love you and care about you, they will support you. Let people in. Tell them they are important and make them feel that way. Let yourself take chances and fall. We only get once life here on earth. We can spend it standing on the sidelines, or playing the game. I'm ready to play.

 

 

Toes in the Water

Yes, you heard me singing a little Kenny.... I want to be no where else but the beach. Sweet, calm, ocean waves, beach. Sandy butt, toes, hands, legs, ears, beach. Book in hand, lathered in sunscreen, getting a tan beach. (you think I like the beach?). But no, alas  I am here.. at work... looking at the pile of to-dos and projects that need to be finished, oh yesterday. And to top it all off, I am feeling less than stellar. (as in sore throat, swollen glands, completely exhausted sick).

I have looked at places to go. I have dreamed of Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean... and then I come back to reality, that I am a civil lawyer, and an associate at that. No earned vacation, sick or PTO time. Just me, the computer and billable hours. I hate Wednesday when that little piece of paper shows up in my box and tells me how many hours I have billed... I cringe... How can one piece of paper make you feel that unmotivated?

I am then reminded that the week before I stared in space for 4.3 hours, yapped with coworkers for 3.2 hours, went to the bathroom for about 1.1 hours, and actually napped at my desk for 1.2 hours. Add that up and I am failing (at least in my mind).

I just need out. I need to be somewhere that no one walks in the door and asks you to write this, research that or draft this. Where someone waits on me, and fluffs my pillow. Where the only reading I do is of the trashy romance persuasion. Yes, I need the beach.

My skin is so pale I make Casper look tan. I started using tinted lotion just to cut the glare and was totally called out on it when Mr. Kent said, ummm did you go tan? I was like ummm, errr, no, totally lotion, thanks for pointing out my obvious lack of color. This lack of tan makes my brightened blonde locks look less than perfect with my skin tone, and no amount of bronzer can give me the hint of summer glow.

So, if someone would kindly book me a trip, make all the plans and send me the itinerary I'm game. Well, only of you can find a heck of deal where I am not out of the office too long as to feel guilty and lose too many billables and a place where I can get Internet, cause duh you know I will work some... yes I know I have a problem, which is why I NEED THE BEACH!

Being Still

  Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it  

This one isn't hard for me. I have shared before my life with you all. The story of my father, he stay courtesy of the State of Texas, my struggles growing up in a single-parent home, "daddy" issues, coupled with my recent life changes in the marriage department.

 

I have long accepted my lot in life. I know that this is where God wants me. He has chosen me to accept the challenges presented me and work through them. He has made me His disciple, His mouthpiece, His example.

 

I have struggled, hard and often. I have doubted, been angry and turned away. I have questioned more than 1000 once "why?" I would not wish what I have been through on anyone other than to say it has provided me a strength that is unlike any other. My lot has fueled me to reach higher, push harder, strive to overcome. It has allowed me to see both sides of the coin and use that insight to reach out and help others.

 

I have been allowed to counsel others, walk with them, carry their burdens when they are too weak to do so. My lot has made me who I am today. This lot was chosen for me, destined, mine. I have always abided by the mantra that God does not put anything  before you that you cannot handle, so I must be pretty darn strong. But it is the truth. He always provides, always gives you want you need, not what you want, but what is needed to live out your lot.

 

Right now I am working to be still. We discussed this a lot lately in our group and sermons about being still and being comfortable in your season. I shared with my CG family what the last few months have been speaking to me. It has told me to be patient, be still. Its is in those quiet moments that I hear Him telling me that I am ok. I am doing what He wants. I hear Him calling to me. He speaks words that are often hard for me to hear. But it is what I need. When I am still I heard His words providing comfort, telling me to accept the things I cannot change. He has granted me courage to move forward; put people in my life to show me what love should look and feel like; surrounded me with a family of believer to lift me up and love me unconditionally; and  allowed me peace because He is carrying my sin.

 

I overcome my lot with prayer.

 

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

My Big Girl Lawyer Pants

Hi, my name is Lynn  and I am a lawyer. But today, I have to be big girl lawyer Lynn.

Yup, me taking my first depo all by myself (ok so the partner in charge will be 2 inches away). But still its all me! So.... things to know before your first depo:

• stand your ground
• silence is ok
• outline
• listen to the answers
• kill them kindness
• kill them with your firmness
• its ok to be a lil flippant
• trust your gut
• don't drink too much water and have to pee
• when in doubt, turn to the partner next to you and give him the look of fear

So, send me good vibes tomorrow as I put on my big girl lawyer pants and take these depos by the balls!

Finding Superman

"faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound"

After yesterday's post I sat down and reread all your sweet comments. Thank you. Thank you for supporting me and letting me have this outlet. Thank you for allowing me to share a piece of me with you all each day. I strive to be real and raw. Its not always easy, but who said life was supposed to be. But the more I thought about  my past the more I thought about my future.
As women begin planning our weddings as little girls. We think about the dress, the cake, what it will be like to be a wife and a mom. We want the American dream. We want the perfect day where we get to be the princess and look beautiful. We want GI Joe, Ken, and Superman all rolled into one. We dream of this perfect man waiting there for us who will become our future husband. He is tall, dark, handsome, perfect job, falls in love with us instantaneously and does all the right things. He knows when we are upset, sad, picks out the perfect gift and always knows what to say to make us feel better. Yup... Superman. He is rough and aggressive, yet brave, kind-hearted with a strong sense of justice, morality and righteousness. He is the ideal. This is what women are taught is what we should find. Its not wonder men think women are crazy. We have been looking for this man who just does not exist. We want to form men into this perfect ideal. We fantasize and when we can't find this "man" we begin to think there is something wrong with us. Men aren't perfect, women aren't perfect, and no relationship, or marriage is perfect for that matter. So, as I enter this new stage of my life I sat down to think about my ideal, my Superman. He's not perfect. He comes with his own "baggage", his own past. He will have good days and bad days. He will disappoint me, frustrate me, leave the toilet seat up, forget to make the bed and be able to eat ice cream every day without gaining a pound. He is imperfect though.
But, he will be honest with me, open, vulnerable. He will seek Christ everyday. He will hold my hand and love me when I'm having a fat day. He'll never understand why I have those fat days though. He will accept me for who I am-- my past, my present and my future. He will understand that I am imperfect just like him. I come with baggage and wear my heart on my sleeve. He will see me when no one else does. He will make the effort. He wants to see me every chance he can. He says he's sorry. He respects me, my thoughts, and my drive. He sees the independent woman who is really a little girl at heart. He will walk hand in hand with me and lead me on the journey of life. Like Superman, he will appear when you least expect him, but need him the most. So, Ill wait patiently, not as a damsel in distress, but as a confidant woman waiting for Him.
10 Things That Make Me Happy
Flowers just because

1. City Group
2. Having a great group of Christian women in my life
3. Cookies
4. Chloe and Sophie
5. A good book
6. the beach
7. finding the answer to a complex research issue
8. the perfect  text message at the right moment
9. Knowing I get to live each day because of Him