Thoughts on Giving and Receiving Thrifted Gifts.

Something I realize is that although I love thrift stores, and finding treasures, not everyone does. So I often find myself asking the question, with no truly unbiased answer: Is it appropriate to give a gift that has been purchased second hand? Of course, with my very best friends, finding things thrifted can  mean the satisfaction to an inside joke, that vintage flare that she loves so much, or something so silly it is worth the $2 just to wrap it up and put it under her Christmas tree. But for other friends, and relatives, the question of giving thrifted items remains a bit murky. I mean, you can't return it, the item has a prior life, and it may have collected dust. And even more in the grey, with hefty inclination for people to shake their head "no" is, what about gifting clothing items that have been purchased from a thrift store? (See, half of you are shaking your head no...)

To me, a treasure from a thrift store means thoughtfulness and the potential for one of a kind giving, but to another it may mean dirty, cheap, and old. Going into this holiday season, I have set a promise to myself that gifts will be intentional and frugal--mainly on sale, hand made, or bought second hand. But for the last of those three, I thought honest conversation on giving and receiving thrifted items might be one worth having. And hey, who knows, you may be one of the people I'm thrifting for.

On one more note, everything pictured in the above photograph? All thrifted at Goodwill this week. Even the scrabble letters. I know, I know, such potential to make fun word art! Does the above photograph change your mind on thrifted gifts?

To the Hills

Wide open space. This was in our top five reasons for why we must move to Colorado. Days like this are the ones I hold onto when the city gets to be too much. When to-do lists and chores try to become my focus, and when its easy to forget this, this beauty, that I was created to find solace in. There is a longing in my heart, and I think in all of us deep down, for wide open space. A space to feel so little, so vulnerable, so out of control as the world around feels so big, sky so high, while wandering at the will of the rising and setting sun. I like to imagine what it must have been like to discover this place. This western wide open space. What did they say? What did they see? Truly, where the buffalo roam, to the hills and through the valleys is what I hold onto. I hold onto it and keep it tied up in a leather bag that I open whenever I need a reminder. A reminder that this, this beauty, is what I was created to find joy in.

These photos were taken just outside of Morrison, Colorado.

Linking up with Annapolis & Company.

WEAR | Six Dollar Browns & a Little Bit of Black

Sweater Top // LOFT (sale $4)    Skirt // Thrifted ($2)

 Belt // LOFT (similar)   Shoes // Urban Outfitters (old)

I like to brag that this outfit cost six dollars. Minus the shoes and belt, which I have lost track of the cost of those since they are oldies. See, thrift stores aren't scary, they provide work attire when you are willing to dig.

This weekend my best friend was supposed to visit. And when your best friend from age three is planning to visit, you can only really think of slumber parties, laughing ti'l it hurts, and the best time ever. But then Frontier cancelled all of their flights, because someone decided to be violent at LAX. So no more girls weekend. But even more tragic, lives lost today in Los Angeles. So sad. I am still giddy for our reunion, though, which will hopefully happen in the next few months. So now, a fancy gala tonight and a wide open weekend. Maybe we will go to the mountains for some skiing and snowboarding? 

Oh, and happy November!

The Harvest Festival

If you didn't know, I work at a school. For various reasons, I don't share much about what I do there, as I tend to keep all of that for in person conversation. And mainly, I don't talk about it because of the privacy factor--both for the company I work for and for the families I work with. So, relative to my day job, this blog doesn't see much of the ins and outs of my role as Educational Coordinator. And that's okay :) But sometimes, we plan really fun events, and I get to transform the school for whatever festival or parent partnership event we are doing that day. And with the teachers' help, we provide really enriching experiences for the children. Today is one of those days. It is Harvest Festival Day! You may remeber this moment on Instagram a few days ago. It was all in prerpation for today's festivities. Pies, pumpkins, and a collaborative of carnival games will ensue this afternoon. And although I don't share much about my day job, I thought just a glimpse with a few (not so high quality) photos into today would give you a taste of what I do. Happy Halloween!

An Afternoon Perspective.

Without even knowing if the season will bring rain or drought, the farmer plants his crop. I long to be like the farmer, don't you? To have enduring faith, and yet to even know if drought comes, harvest may still come elsewhere or next year. So what about you. If you knew that tomorrow would go to pieces, would you still plant your "apple tree"?

Donate a Bra | Free The Girls

You probably have figured it out by now that I'm pretty passionate when it comes to advocating for underprivileged women. So when Dave shared the vision behind Free the Girls at church this past Sunday, I wanted to find out even more about the non-profit, and how this organization has turned the second hand clothing market in Mozambique, namely reselling bras, into a business endeavor that empowers women coming from extremely abusive situations and the world of sex trafficking. And after reading more, I knew I had to tell you about it. Not only is the non-proft giving job opportunities to women rescued from sex trafficking, but they are being sensitive to these woman who have been so taken advantage of, even worse than we can fathom, by having their work be mainly focused on a female market --selling bras-- with female mentors alongside them.

SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

Currently 27 million men, women and children are being held as slaves around the world— more today than in any other time in history. 80% of those slaves are women and girls. There are a number of amazing organizations that are helping to rescue these women out of a life of prostitution, but what happens after they are rescued? Many safe houses and aftercare facilities are doing great work in providing comprehensive rehabilitation and educational opportunities to survivors, but often their resources are limited.

OUR SOLUTION

By partnering with safe houses and after-care facilities, we provide an opportunity for women rescued from sex trafficking to earn a living selling second-hand clothing while going to school, getting healthy, and caring for their families.

WHY BRAS?

"Let’s face it, ladies: the back of your underwear drawer is most likely a graveyard of bras you don’t wear anymore or that never fit right in the first place...

Creative Space & A Saw Horse Desk

I have been reflecting a lot lately on who God has created me to be. When I think back to my little girl memories, and the things I would pour myself into and spend my time doing (because as a young girl your agenda is to play and explore the world and nothing should stop you) what my eyes are re-opened to is this image of me with a pencil, a paint brush, glue, scissors, paper, and whatever else I could find to make things with. I spent "me" time drawing, making, and in a child-like manner designing. Before the busy-ness and demands of life came swopping in, this was my priority. letting my artistic inside come out, reservation free. So when I reflect on how God has knit my inner most being, this is so much at the core. A part that will always be there. 

For a long time now, years really, I have made this creative core something to be put on pause. Until recently, I hadn't picked up a paint brush for 5 years. Because drawing, painting, designing, or making--I was jaded into not making them a priority. Even though, the core of who I am longs for these things. The world for a long time negated me when it came to the arts, and told me that to be successful, to contribute to society. An I believed it, feeling guilty when I'd lock myself away from the world to spent time in my artistic element. I've realized, though, I am my best and I am my happiest when I can create and have the space to do so. One space being this blog, and another a tangible work space. And not just any space, but a retreat of sorts--a place that can be away, free of guilt, and full of artistic potential.