Little Hot Pink Seahorses

How fun it is to mix pattern and print, and how easy it is to pair bright colors when the sun is beaming. Lately, that is everyday--especially so while I've been in California this past week. I have always been drawn to prints on sweaters and button ups, whether its polkadots or a horse pattern, so while in Target with my friend Kara, I couldn't resist this summery button up with its (hot pink!) seahorses. 

disclaimer: don't mind my messy pulled up pool hair, its been a swimming-full vacation :)

I styled the shirt by simply knotting it right above my high waisted shorts. I plan to wear it at the beach in Mexico (in a few weeks!) over a swimsuit, when needing a bit of coverage, along with a few of my other favorite sun protection styles. The light weight cotton makes the top breathable, so wearing its long sleeves will be bearable on a hot summer day. And the great thing is that button ups are so versatile! Paired with chambray, tucked into a skirt, worn loose over jeans, and even knotted with a simple maxi (like this one here) would be darling.

Button up aside and versatility aside, I cannot get enough of seahorses! Good thing, because they seem to be everywhere in design (ahem, Anthropologie). And there are so many prints with sea creatures that I want to purchase for a nursery (One day!) You can shop the look below and see what I mean about the seahorse craze!

Update : The Winner of the Feature Giveaway is Kristen and her team A Woman Inspired! Congrats, email coming soon! And thanks to all who entered!

Darling Magazine | In My Toolbox Series . Part I

Below is Part I of a series I wrote for Darling Magazine, In My Toolbox: Must Haves for the DIY Girl. Matt collaborated with me on the piece, and I am so thankful for his tool guidance! Even better,  the tools photographed for the series are a combination of tools passed down to us from our grandfathers. Scroll down to read it in full, and check out the original on Darling Magazine's Website. 

With warm weather and longer days finally here, visions of projects dance in our heads. The itch to get deep into DIY abounds—“But wait!,” you say, “ I don't have all those fancy tools! I wouldn't even know where to start.” Three words. You are mistaken. To complete the most simple to moderately involved DIY projects you only need a few basic tools. Having the right tool for any job keeps the task from becoming frustrating, taking more time than it should, and possibly ending up with something ruined. Think of an artist, a gardener, a cook—their craft requires the right tools, and the most basic if that, to be enjoyable and successful. In this series, we'll explore those basic tools that any diy girl would need—novice or expert—so that you can have a most successful handmade, make it from scratch, paint-the-town type of season.

Hammer

Everybody has to have one (emphasis on essential). The most well-rounded choice would be a 12” curved claw nail hammer. One of these in your toolbox, and you are good to go! For the more rustic, you can choose a hammer with a wooden handle. For the more modern, you may opt for a metal handled hammer.

Pliers

When asking a turned city dweller: “Why didn't you stay on the farm and be a farmer?” Their response makes case and point: “Every good farmer can fix anything with bailing wire and a pliers. I couldn't.” That statement couldn't be more true. For a lot of wood working projects pliers won't be used much, but having a standard and needle-nose pliers will get you places in life. The Craftsman set of both types from Sears, for example, are a great option.

Adjustable wrench

Yet, another very handy tool. Get a 10” and never look back. This choice fits nearly any size nut or bolt with its adjustable spinning parts. And darling, you won't regret it when you've mastered fixing your leaky sink sans plumber thanks to your handy wrench.

Screwdrivers

There are an abundance of types and sizes of screwdrivers, Philips and Flathead being the most common. A good alternative to getting a full set of different screwdrivers is going with a ratcheting style screwdriver along with a set of interchangeable bits. A set like this can be found at any hardware store, like Harbor Freight. Along with a standard set, you may also need to get a set of very small screwdrivers separately for smaller screws.

Hex Keys

These are not as common and many times come with “build-it-yourself” furniture, eh-em Ikea. However, have you bought something preassembled or already built off Craigslist or thrifted and now it is loose and falling over? Tighten it up with the marvelous hex key. Many bit sets come with these included with them. If you purchase a bit set with a ratcheting style screwdriver, check to make sure it includes hex keys.

*Don't forget, you can still enter the giveaway that's happening for a feature ad spot through Friday afternoon--go HERE. 

An Announcement from Shelby

Shelby is right. You can still enter! The winner gets a feature spot for 30 days, a feature post here on Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up, social media promotion, and other fun details. Go enter! HERE is more about the giveaway--all that's needed is at least one comment on the original giveaway post. There are additional ways to enter, but a simple comment is all thats needed. Giveaway closes 12:00 p.m. Friday (pacific time). Winner announced Friday afternoon, May 24!

Lace and Doilies

Of course when I come to California, and have my mom and two best friends around, its inevitable we  stop in at a few of our favorite stores. I had yet to find the perfect lace pieces for Spring, that exude femininity, so I was delighted when I found some quality pieces on the sale racks at Anthropologie and Aerie. From Aerie, a linen and lace combo beach cover up, and from Anthro a bright cobalt lace skirt. 

Dear Future 80 Year Old Me

I am writing today as part of the Love Yourself Linkup--an ongoing series that will focus on topics such as self image and body image. Writers, bloggers, and women alike will talk about our thoughts on these subjects, tell stories of our personal experience, share what has inspired us, challenged us, and more. Learn more over at Ann the Adventurer. You can read my thoughts from the past weeks here and here. 

With wrinkle ointments, botox, plastic surgery, and a world that very much cringes at the thought of inevitable aging, it is crucial to plunge in against this group think rip current, swim upstream, and embrace the beauty of being older. We must internalize that with each wrinkle, each freckle, each grey hair, that we are even more beautiful from the inside out. As woman, we must focus on our character as the true source of beauty--choosing beauty over vanity. Below is a letter I wrote last year to a future 80 year old me. I hope it encourages you to reflect on what an older you would want to hear from herself, and what you would want an older you to instill in her heart about beauty. And perhaps, you too, will want to write to a future you.

Dear older me,

Your years have made you wiser, with a  wise soul that is discerning. 

Discernment has made your speech sweet like a honeycomb, with gracious words that are sweetness to the soul. Your words carry like a tune throughout your your family. Your young, their young, and generations after. May your words and their words be ever filled with harmonies of kindness.  

Your years have caused wear on your face, your hands, your heart. Wrinkles of joy from laughing and kisses from the sun. Rough hands from the work and love you have poured out through touch, and craft, and thoughtfulness. From a lamp that never goes out. A worn in heart secure in what you know is rock, and what you know is passing like the wind.

Your years have made you lovelier. The way you sip your tea, relish in frienships, and still wear pearls, just because. More precious than the jewels that adorn you, your beloved trusts in you, and has no lack of gain. Your years have made you independent and strong. Continue to dress yourself with strength and dignity, and laugh at the time to come.

Your years have made you fear the Lord. Love the Lord. Know the Lord.

Your years have made you just the way you are.

Embrace it, every bit. And know I am learning how to be more like you.

Love,

A younger you

Beautiful Woman Photo via Lee Jeffries | Portions of this letter referenced from Proverbs 29 & 31, ESV

Love for Oklahoma

My heart is breaking for the people of Moore, Oklahoma. Tragedy has struck our nation, and our world, on such a large scale these past few months. I am praying for the people of Oklahoma, near and far, and for the healing of that community. Remember, you can help bring aid even if you live across the country by donating to the Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit their website at redcross.org for the simple ways you can help. You can also text to REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Print via Etsy | Stamp via Etsy

Cacti Blooms and Belonging

The cactus tells me that Spring is here, as I hike the trails right outside the door of my parents' Southern California home. After standing alone with its prickly parts all winter, blooms of yellow and pink are gracing the tops of the warding cacti.  I love how Spring looks so different here. So different than the Colorado Spring I now know. And as I'm reminded of California Spring, the once ever familiar desert terrain and the dusty trails fill my heart with a sense of belonging.