Lies we believe

I've been pensive lately. There are some really crappy things I've started believing about myself. I'm not writing this to get encouragement from someone else but to hopefully encourage a reader....

 

Shake the Dust
(a poem worth listening to..)

A special thanks to my beautiful niece, Alyse, the artist. 

Let's be honest, blogging AND Pinterest make me feel like "I'm inadequate." With blogging, not only is fashion important but so is teaching. It's easy to see how their outfits are better, their home and classroom is more/better decorated, their home/classroom is cleaner, they're more organized, more creative, more [fill in the blank].  It's easy to compare yourself with others because their life is on display and seemingly 'picture perfect'. Let me tell you- it's bologna to feel crappy about yourself because of something you saw on the internet. I'm NOT inadequate and neither are you! Don't believe me? Check it out:  "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

As a student - we all get grades. It probably wouldn't surprise anyone to know I was generally an Honor Roll kid, shoot- I was an Honor Roll adult too! My brain is trained to figure those percentages and turns them into grades. Let me give you a handy reference:
1/5- 20% = F

2/5 - 40% = F

3/5 - 60% = D

4/5 - 80% = B

5/5 - 100% = A+

When someone tells you to strive for "passing" - well, folks, passing is 60%. Sure, it's passing but it's not the best. I LOVE 100%! I'd even settle for an 80% but inside my brain - 60% is mediocre. Mediocre. Yuck. Last week I started believing I was mediocre. Just barely average and just barely passing. If what I believe is true, and God called me to teach, then my Heavenly Father has and will equip me to do the work to which He called me. I will not believe the lies satan is feeding me and neither should you.  

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

I am more than mediocre. My feedback is in the growth I see. My feedback comes from relationships. There is always room for growth and I will achieve more...

Lastly, sometimes life gets to be too much. I feel like you guys get to hear about my messy home too often for it to be entertaining. I've never been much of one for cleaning. I fully realize, no one really likes cleaning, and I'm no exception. It just seems like after I got married, the mess multiplied, had babies, and became a mess monster. It's truly not my husband's fault. At the risk of sounding like a huge baby, being an adult is hard. Working full time, having a social life, avoiding illness, taking dance class, paying bills on time, all that adult stuff- yeah. Add cleaning to that and it's always the last thing I want to do. I mean, sure, my clothes get clean but keeping the house clean and at the same time is a monumental task. It all got to be too, too much last week and I had a meltdown. I told a friend, "I thought about calling my mom and asking for help but I'm almost 30. I'm supposed to have it together!" She said, "Just because you don't have an organized house or organized classroom doesn't mean you don't have it together. It doesn't mean you're not a good person." 

When I relayed the story to my mom later- she said, "Who told you that crap, Jana Faith?! You don't grow out of needing your mom. If my mom were still here, I'd want to talk to her and ask her for help." Long story short- sometimes we are allowed to ask for help. Asking for help doesn't mean you're a failure. It means you're human.

Confession: My super awesome mom came and helped me get my house clean last Saturday. It was like magic and love all wrapped up in quality time with my mom. Plus, she brought me a little bag of candy and anyone who knows me knows candy is the way to my heart.

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:11

I really do love you all and I don't want you to believe crappy stuff about yourselves. I hope there is someone in your life you can talk to and friends or family who can help you through hard times. Whether it's something simple like a dirty, messy home or something like feeling inadequate. You're enough. God's given you enough. It's okay to need help and it's more than okay to ask for help. 

Get your fashion on...

Linking up with The Story Project today

Advanced Tap Class

This year's Miss America Pageant featured several tap dancers. Sure, it's a little awkward rare to see adult women tap dancing... but I do it on an almost weekly basis. I am lucky enough to take an adult dance class at the studio where I grew up dancing.


So enjoy a brief glimpse into my real life...



Get your fashion on...

Sunday Social

I'm linking up with Neely from A Complete Waste of Makeup today- so stick around and see what's up!

What is your ideal way to relax: When I come home after a long day of teaching- I usually get home right in time for Friends. I sit on the couch and completely veg out. Some days call for thrift-therapy. If the funds are available, a brief thrifting trip helps me relax.

Where is your favorite place to be: I'm such a cornball but I love to be with my husband. If I'm not with him, I always enjoy being with my parents.

 

Who do you consider your biggest role model: My mom is incredible. She is one of the most godly women I know. I really respect and admire her pizzazz and love for people. She's fashionable, kind, and funny.

What does your life look like in 3 years? Probably a lot like it does now... maybe a baby (???) but time will tell. I'd like to continue teaching where I am now.

 

 

Disclaimer: NOT our kid - but he is our nephew and he is dang cute!

If you could go back and change one decision what would it be? Perhaps I'd strive to be more organized growing up so that I'd have that life skill now? Honestly - I have no regrets. It's all got me where I am today and I like this place.

What is your biggest accomplishment in life thus far? Before 30- I've graduated Magna Cum Laude, got my first teaching job and kept it for nearly 7 years, purchased my own home, own my own car, have no student loans, and married the man of my dreams. I'm thinkin' my life is pretty snazzy... Not to brag. All glory goes to Jesus Christ, my savior and Lord.

Get your fashion on...

Sunday Social

Linking up with Neely and Ashley today for Sunday Social and this week's questions are:

  All about 3′s

• Top 3 Favorite Kinds of Food: Chicken, Pizza, Steak
  
  My Birthday Chicken from The Brook
  
  
• First 3 Things you do in the morning: Hit snooze 18 times, restroom, check social medias - basically whatever keeps me in bed longer because I do not do mornings.
• Last 3 Things you do at night: Wash face, Pinterest, read in bed 
• 3 TV shows you NEVER miss: Parenthood, Hart of Dixie, Once Upon a Time
  
• 3 Places you want to visit: Comic Con, England, New York 
•  3 People you can always count on: Besides my husband and family...
  
  
  
  My Wolf Pack besties- Jaclyn and Danielle
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  And my teacher friends... this list is by no means all-encompassing but I'm only allowed three!
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
   Get your fashion on!

Friday I'm in Love - #3

Warning: This post is wordy - but it's true.

Okay, I promised I would finish this love story. Somehow the first week of neglect turned into two, then three three, and now it's been a month. Sorry. The middle just doesn't seem as much fun as the beginning and where we are now.The middle gets vague in my mind... so if the details are sketch, I'm sorry.

It seems like we (read: I was still crazy about Joe but felt like we weren't supposed to be together) waited about a year then got back together. We were together a year and I broke up with Joe again.

We went to Mayfest on a Saturday. I got a Cherry Dr. Pepper. I broke up with him on a Sunday. After church. It. Was. Awful. It. Was. Crushing. I still have that day seared into my memory. It's not romantic on my part. All I know is I wanted to be with Joe but couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't supposed to be. To this date, I have no explanation that makes sense out loud.

Here's a sappy moment- Joe kept that Cherry Dr. Pepper bottle until we got back together years later. Gross? Not even. Am I even more in love with that guy because of it? Probably so. 

We waited another two or three years and I never dated anyone else. Joe never dated anyone else. It really sounds like I'm crazy. My brain just wouldn't stop obsessing about the possibilities of whether we were or weren't supposed to be together but I knew I wanted to be with him. The entire time I prayed God would either take Joe away or take my feelings for him away if they weren't supposed to be there.

I truly believe the relationships you experience before marriage shape the way you think about relationships in general. Before Joe, I made a lot of bad thought habits. What I mean is, I allowed another person and other people to speak into my heart and mind. I'd been in another serious relationship before Joe and I'd tried to convince myself to marry that person even though it wasn't the right thing for me.

I've shared with my blog friends about my anxiety, and that was actually diagnosed. I am by no means a doctor and the following is not something that was diagnosed by a physician but in hindsight, I do relate a lot with something called "Relationship OCD". It's not like the kind of OCD where you have outward symptoms of locking and unlocking, cleaning, straightening, etc. It's all mental obsessions and to say the least, it's unpleasant.

Anyway, we were "friends" for another three years. We did everything together. Literally everything. Shopping, thrifting, movies, dinner (he paid), went to the park and swung on swings, went to the fair, and Octoberfest. We still spent Valentine's together and had a weekly "hang-out" night. (Um, call it what it was: DATE NIGHT!) He helped me clean the carpets when I bought my house. He helped me paint a wall. We shopped til he dropped for household items. Yeah. My friend. My best friend. Teacher-friends told me, "That guy is not just your friend because he wouldn't be up here grading papers and working in your classroom with you." Regular friends, "You guys spend too much time together to be 'just friends'." My parents, "Are you sure Joe is just your friend?" Church people, "You guys are such a cute couple. When are you getting married?" Somehow, the entire time, I rationalized in my head that we were truly "just friends" but he was in fact, my super attractive, hot friend I had a massive crush on.

Joe, you are a king among men for your patience.

Part 1

Part 2

It'll start getting fun again in #4, promise. ;o)

Get your fashion on! 

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Thrifty Thursday

As you know, I enjoy thrifting. And today you'll see - it's a familial trait. My niece says she started thrifting again after reading this post. Naturally, we knew we'd be great thrifters together and we got to spend some quality time together.


We started the day off at her tidy, cutely decorated apartment.


We took the always popular "car shot"

Thrifted the afternoon away and I found these lovely treasures...

This vintage, plaid shirt is my FAVORITE find of the day. Can't wait to pair it with shorts this summer!

All my thrift finds totaled under $25.
(Not pictured is a book for my classroom)
 BONUS tip for thrifting:
We both wore leggings with a longish shirt because it makes it easier for trying on items in the dressing room.



After an afternoon of thrifting, we headed to a local cupcake eatery, Cupcakes to Go Go. Alyse is a HUGE fan of cupcakes, and really, what girl in her right mind isn't? 

Hello, delicious cupcake. I really enjoyed this icing. Nom.



Clearly we're related because we're both a couple of hams. Sidenote: How much do you loooove the orange and pink color scheme here?! So stinkin' cute! Also, sorry to use disgusting manners and show you my food, but oh well, right? ;o)


Get your fashion on!

2013 - What I'm looking forward to...

A Special Thanks to Christina, of Skip a Beat photography, for the gorgeous photo.
 

It's funny how things work. You guys already know I'm working on getting my house in order. Honest truth: I'm not doing well with my goal. We've already talked about that though... so let's move on.

This year I have exciting things happening. First of all, I'm attending my first blogger conference, Blissdom, over spring break. I'm not sure what to expect but I hope I find inspiration, motivation, friendships, and more blogging strategies/techniques. Plus, I can't wait to meet the real life people behind the blog!

As far this blog goes, I hope to gain more followers this year and continue to post on a semi-consistent basis. I was so thankful and humbled to have touched many people with my post about anxiety. I'd like to share more about my faith, life, and of course, fashion. Somehow my blog has morphed into a fashion/lifestyle blog and I'm okay with that.

In the middle of this year I'll hit the big 3-0. I've decided to have the non-aging birthday, an unbirthday a la Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter.To send myself off into a new decade, I am planning an Alice in Wonderland themed party for myself.

July will mark two years of marriage to my Prince Charming and I can't wait to celebrate and grow together. 

I have friends who are having babies and friends who are getting married. I enjoy teaching. I enjoy blogging. I enjoy shopping. I enjoy time with friends and family... and I can't wait to keep it all up this year!

 Get your fashion on!

Stylish Sunday

If you follow my Instagram: everydayisyourrunway then these are old news. If not- get ready for some outfits!

My version of pattern mixing:

 

This outfit was "stupid" until I put on a vest and hat. I'm pretty sure the reason I thought it was stupid is because I waited til the last minute to start getting ready that day. Whoops!

Shirt: Thrifted
Vest: Thrifted
Hat: Grandma's hand-me-down
Skirt: thrifted
Tights: gifted
Boots: gifted

Hey ya'll - look it's a bubble necklace! Every good fashion blogger has one, right? Ha. I have no idea but I like it!

 

Cardigan: clearance Target
Chambray Shirt: thrifted
Raspberry Jeans: Ross
Bubble Necklace: Amazon

 

Dress: Thrifted
Cardigan: Target
Belt: forgotten

 

Gorgeous hats from my in-laws. I have 3 more boxes of hats that are going to go in the Etsy store at some point. It's a matter of getting around to taking pictures.

Get your fashion on!

The Geek in Me

Hello, my name is Jana and I'm a geek. This is a term I accept but haven't always acknowledged. I've always known I was different from other people but thanks to Pinterest, I've been able to identify some more "geeky" areas of my life.  I'd also like to blame this on my Mister. I had geeky-leanings before I knew him but since he's come into my life I've been blessed to become more knowledgeable in these areas. Wanna know more? Read on!

Source: whospam.tumblr.com via Jana on Pinterest

(source)

In case you didn't already know, I'm a Hello Kitty fan. I'm also a Doctor Who fan. River Song is hardcore. Spoilers, sweetie. Spoilers. 

Source: breadfishandchips.tumblr.com via Jana on Pinterest

When I find a fellow fan - I feel like this girl.

I could continue with Whovian items - but if that's your thing - you should visit here. My geekdom is not limited to the Doctor. It also includes Star Wars.... this costume is right up my alley.

Yes, I plan to subject our future children to this.

Source: imgur.com via Jana on Pinterest

Don't worry though, because I already wore a Leia costume. Check it out!

 

And our wedding cake topper was a Han and Leia kokeshi doll set we purchased from Etsy. 

Doctor Who, Star Wars, and of course - Batman cannot be forgotten!

 

Source: battrambles.tumblr.com via Jana on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Jana on Pinterest

Let's be honest though - I like fashion that's not quite "main-stream" and I'm okay with that. I've always been fascinated with different. 

Source: ravelry.com via Jana on Pinterest

Source: bocadebuho.tumblr.com via Jana on Pinterest

Why keep your inner geek a secret? Let your "freak flag" fly, so to speak.

Get your fashion on!

 

Can't never could do anything or Quittin's for sissies!

I hate to be a band-wagon jumper - but it's happening. Like everyone else on the planet I've made a bit of a resolution. I don't want to be the girl who has the messy house anymore. And ya'll, I'm working. I made a healthy dent in the collection called my wardrobe. After getting rid of over 27 items during the Christmas Break - I still don't have enough hangers or room in my drawers. I also chose 10 things to donate in the living room tonight. Plus- January's not over, yet I'm fighting the urge to... quit. There. I said it. It'd be so much easier to be lazy. 

 

(My niece and I  went thrifting last week - so expect to see my 3 shirts and 1 pair of shoes I thrifted soon!)

How do people become domestic? Some of the adjectives that others have used to describe me lately have not been my favorite. They didn't say it to be hurtful. Probably didn't even know it got under my skin... but it happened nonetheless. People, I do want to be a Proverbs 31 type gal. Know what else? That does NOT come natural. 

Wool is itchy and flax seed tastes like sandpaper (v 13) She gets up while it is still night (v15)? Geez, I don't do mornings. Lord, you know my best time is probably like.... 10 a.m. That's pretty much the opposite of night. Planting a vineyard (v16)? Um, hi. I kill houseplants. A vineyard probably wouldn't fare well in my care. Also-my arms haven't been "strong" since my Color Guard days in high school. So- that scrubbing situation may take more elbow grease than I've got (v 17). As far as scarlet clothing goes (v21), well red is lacking in my attire. I maybe have 3 red items. Dang. Yeah, and that quilt aka 'covering' (v 22) on my bed? Girl don't sew. I bought that thing on Overstock.com 5 years ago. Hey, and remember how I'm a worrier? I don't do a whole lot of 'laughing' at the days to come (v25). I tend to lean towards worrying.

I'm probably being way too literal with all of this. Maybe it made you laugh, giggle, or the very least, smile. Thankfully- there's grace Lastly, the best part is - I have time to get it together and a Savior to help me get it right. 

Do tell- how go your resolutions? Have any tips? Just wanna commiserate that urge to quit too? We just can't actually let each other quit...

28) Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:   

29) Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.   

30) Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 

31) Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Get your fashion on- - -