Dress Series part IV: Prints are fun!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

Bold Prints are hotter than ever! The dress from Chadwicks kicks up the print factor of more is better.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Not fond of showing my shoulders and arms but I branched out. I have always wanted slender arms but no matter how much I work out they just keep looking muscular.

I digress. Lord deliver me from this self torture.

Oh well I have to love me some me!  Stop the nitpicking of my arms and start embracing that I work out hard so I feel good about that.

Now onto the shoes.

The shoes are from Poetic Licence, such a great find and are one of my favorites for summer. The flowers on the wedges are so 3 dimensional. So cool!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Here’s another view.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This dress is refreshing and great for those summer days because the fabric is 100% cotton.  The fabric is breathable and the pattern is a vibrant paisley.

I added another pop of color with my Dooney and Bourke red and navy bag.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

My jewelry includes two of my favorite pieces. My silver Italian lire charm bracelet and my Amedeo NYC cameo ring.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Color, color, color is the way to go for me.  It not only makes me smile but it gives some confidence in the way I carry myself.

JTwisdom signature

This post is linked to Visible Monday

Book Review: Jesus the One and Only

I am focusing more on reading the Bible and books that I have in my library. How can I talk about what I believe in if I don’t study and continually develop a personal relationship with the Lord.

I am part of FaithVillage.com and they have a great book review group where I can pick out a book from their selection, they send it to me, I read it and give my honest review of it.

Jesus the One and Only  by Beth Moore

Jesus the One and Only
by Beth Moore

The book I selected was Jesus the One and Only by Beth Moore. Beth Moore is the Founder of LivingProof Ministries. In the early chapters of this book, Beth gives a realistic interpretation of what Mary felt like and what she might of went through when giving birth to the Son of God.  One highlight for me is that she made me feel like Mary was human, which she was, not that she was someone that I should worship. I have never read a book that described Mary in so much detail, and Beth writes in a way where she gives her own personal experiences. For example, what she felt like when she first gave birth and how if felt to see her little girl in her arms.

She said that God gave her an example of what Mary’s first moments might have been like as a mother.

A snippet of the book Moore writes:

“Her body lay sapped of strength, her eyes were heavily closed, but her mind refused to give way to rest.  She ached for her mother.”

This book really made me think of Mary differently.  I knew she was the mother of the Son of God; but to see her imagined in a different light was quite interesting and refreshing.

This book gives a view of Jesus all the way to the crucifixion and is so good at giving observation and specific detail. I felt like I was right there.  The author never says that this is the way it was when she describes a specific scenario. She always says that it is an interpretation or what she imagined it might be like. She incorporates scripture so the book is not only of her thoughts.

This book also has a sample of the study guide that can also be purchased if you want to delve into the bible study.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

If you want to have a deeper relationship with Jesus, this is good book to start. The number one book is your Bible; but this is a good book to read.

JTwisdom signature

I received this book free from Faith Village.com. I am giving my honest review and didn’t have to give a positive review. This in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Happy Birthday Vinny!

 Today is our boy’s birthday and he is such a joy and so kind-hearted and loving. When my husband and Gio and I first laid eyes on him we knew he was ours.

 Israel, our collie whom we had for thirteen years, went to be with the Lord in April 2007. That was the hardest time for us.  It took some time to heal, but we had to have another doggie and a little brother for Gio in the family.  I had found a local collie breeder; but we were put on a waiting list because their dogs were not in a breeding season yet. My hubby went on the hunt for a another tri-collie breeder.  He searched in the local newspapers but found nothing. He looked for collie websites, but he could find nothing close to home. He happened to look at the classified section of the Chicago newspaper and found a breeder with collie pups available in Sherrard, Illinois;  a small town south of the Quad Cities. He called the breeder and she had one tri-collie male left. She sent us the photo of him below; and we knew he was the one for us. The breeder called him Tiny Tuxedo, but we call him Vinny. He looks shy in this photo, however is personality is lively and full of fun.

 

Vinny

 

I remember my husband and I set out on the road trip to pick him up after a Welcome Ministry meeting at Church. We drove more than four hours and ended up in farmland that really did not give a lot of direction. We called the breeder to find our exact destination. When we got out of the Jeep, it was like collie land. Rough collies, short-haired collies, tri-collies, blue merle collies, and Lassie collies were all around us.  We got to meet Vinny’s mama, Cleopatra. She was so kind and loving. I see where Vinny gets those qualities from. His daddy is very handsome; but at the time he was in heat so he couldn’t be let out, because, well you know.

This farm was out of a book. The collies had free reign and slept underneath the stars. It was a special place to visit. When we picked up our little guy, he jumped in the back of the Jeep like he knew we were coming for him and was ready to go home with us. At first, I was wondering if his mamma would miss him; but after sometime they don’t feel like that, so it was okay. This little guy was already potty trained, but could gnaw paper with the best of them.

vinny

This is one of my favorite pictures of the little fella because he has so much fun in the snow with his big brother Gio.

You may have realized that Vinny is in a chunk of my blog pictures. It seems like when my hubby turns on the camera, Vinny comes running to me so he can get into the shot with me. I don’t have to ask him to be in the picture. He just comes on his own. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

VInny and JTwisdom

VInny and JTwisdom

My husband, his big brother Gio and I love him very much and thankful that Vinny is part of the family.

Happy Birthday Vinny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vinny and JTwisdom

Vinny and JTwisdom

JTwisdom signature

Dress Series Part III: Lovely Lace

Blessings to you and hope your having a great day.

I have found such a pretty dress during my birthday month of May.

JT in dress

JT in dress

The dress by NY Collection is so chic and comfortable in the best way. I was browsing at Macy’s with my husband  on the day of my birthday. I saw this dress on the mannequin. I looked at the price tag and it was a whopping $69.00.  I really liked the fabric because the lace had a touch of spandex and it was fully lined.  Although I have to wear a slip underneath.

Lace Fabric of dress

Lace Fabric of dress

That was not what I was planning to pay for it, so I sighed and said “Maybe someday I will get this dress; but not right now.”  A couple of week later, my hubby and I went to a different Macy’s because I was looking for some black shirts  for the helps ministries I work in at church and I spotted the same dress.  But this time, the dress was on sale.

JT in dress with cardigan

JT in NY Collection  dress with cardigan

It was a good deal because the dress was half priced and I had another 20% coupon, making the final marked-down price of the dress down to $27.60. I have learned that it pays to wait. If you can wait you may get a better deal. It is not always wise to go out and by something hastily, especially with Macy’s. Macy’s seems to be having a new sale going on all the time, and there are usually coupons attached to the sales flyer. You never go to Macy’s without a coupon.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThis is another versatile dress that works by itself or with a cardigan, whether it is for church or for work. My Coach handbag in bright patent fuchsia gave the outfit above a pop of color.

Below is a picture with the cardigan off and its effortless style.  The silver belt came with the dress and gives definition to my waist.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

My shoes  from DSW are a Kelly and Kate ballerina spectator  style that was a nude color with black. It worked without looking too matchy-matchy.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Having a little head banger fun.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Happy Father’s Day to my Dad and my Father in love Dad who are in heaven with the Lord, to the Dads everywhere, Dad role models, those mothers and fathers who are being a mom and a dad to their children.

This post is linked to Visible Monday.

JTwisdom signature

Celebrating Father’s Day

On this Father’s Day, I honor my Dad who went to be with the Lord in 2003.

Love and compassion. He was a kind, God-fearing man who worked hard to provide for his family. My mother did not work she was an awesome stay at home mother; so he was the bread winner. It was not always easy; but we made it. I will always remember him giving me undercover candy when my mother wanted me to constantly eat healthy snacks. He always looked out for me; and I admire him for that.

Tamaki Baby3 (1)

 

I am the only child and I knew that I was in a house of love.

Tamaki and Ed (1)

 

I remember my Daddy riding the bus with me to college because my mother did not want me to be on the bus by myself. I needed to be close to home when I went to college so I went to a small private college in town. At the time, I did not understand why he had to ride the bus with me. But I  look  back now and I am so thankful for him being with me and taking care of me.

When my grandmother became ill, my Daddy stayed with her after he would get off of work so that she would not be in the house alone. She had previously walked out the house and became disoriented. After that time, it was important for someone to be in the house with her. He did not have to do that, but he did when no one else stepped in. I admire him so much for giving of his time.

JT's Grandmother and Dad

JT’s Grandmother and Dad

I know I should be cheerful on this Father’s Day. However, as I write this, tears role down my face when I see these pictures.  My Father is with the Lord in heaven and I am happy that I  know that I will see my Dad, my Mother and my Grandmother again.

Happy Father’s Day Dad!

JTwisdom