Outfit // Daffodil Ruffle

Hello dear friends! Michigan Spring is making it's usual teases of warm and sunny, in the high of 50F one day, to 30F below and 2" of snow the next day. But it's kinda expected after all these years of living in our fine Great Lakes State, so we've been taking it with stride as usual, making those ever "around-the-corner" days of Summer ahead ever more a prize.

Outfit // Beach Garland

Hello all! Priorities are something I've been trying to work on of late. What a task it can be! (Post to follow specifically on that.) But one I've set for myself is to try and spend more time with my youngest two sisters. With working hours long and more "grown-up" things to attend to, I feel this has easily taken a backseat. Two weekends ago now, when these pictures were taken, I decided to just hop up and take a little adventure with the two kiddos in tow one 50F. Saturday and goodness was it fun!

Outfit // Jewel Fall

Hello all! I'm not too sure about you, but I for one think it's crazy that October is already in full swing. September seemed like a week of time instead of four and the thought that winter is coming soon leaves me savoring these last couple of months before we find ourselves having to bundle up. (Not to mention getting back into the dreaded "taking-outfit-pictures-as-fast-as-possible-before-you-freeze" phase for we bloggers!)

Why I || Don't Wear a Headcovering (Yet)

Okay... So, way back on my post when I first asked for ideas, (HERE) Brigid Boyer asked what my thoughts on head-coverings were, nothing in specific, just in general I assume. Well... I'm here today to tell y'all what my thoughts are on the subject of covering hair vs. covering your head, and why I don't actually wear a covering (yet)!

Outfit // Why I May Start Wearing Tzit-tzit || +What Are They?!

 Hello all! So...my title. You probably want an explanation. Well, I guess I should start way back in March when our family first visited the Torah Community Bible Study. Our Aunt had invited us several times and my parents finally decided we could go and see what it was all about. While I didn't really enjoy it (the first time), I was interested and wanted to go back! And go back we did! We've scarcely missed a service since! But how does all this add up to why I might start wearing four weird little strings on my shirt? Read on to find out!

Outfit // Almost Here Darling

Boy, have I missed you all! Since our 'tragedy' that Rebekah wrote about in our last post, we ended up deciding that it would be far too much trouble to blog on this little contraption. Seeing that the pictures we had our posts planned around for this week had already been down loaded to our laptop and just the fact that the format of this thing is so wacky, lead us to these delays- just in case you have been worried about us. :)

An Understanding of Shalom // in Soft Metallics

Hello!
I am so glad that this writing has not gotten pushed back more into the evening! Though our day has not been completely hectic, besides a fussy baby, piano lessons being postponed, and everything else tossed together, it is so nice to just sit and write a while!

Lately, I have been reading a book entitled 'Listening to the Language of the Bible Hearing It Through Jesus' Ears'.My Mom just happen to snatch it up one day last week as she made our usual book drop-off at the library.Being the one in our family who enjoys reading inspirational books the most, she made sure I knew she had found it as she continued to pass out the rest of that days finds to the rest of the crew.

It basically takes certain words that are used in our modern day Bible translations, that take on a higher meaning than what we have come to understand. It is so good! Each 'lesson' gets directly to the core issue without getting off tack or venturing too far in the wrong direction. It takes some Old Testament traditions and New Testament truths come together to make sense as a whole. And since each chapter is just a few paragraphs in length, I am going to be sharing with you today their thoughts on shalom, speaking the blessing and the vastness of peace.These thoughts are absolutely wonderful.

All statements in quotations have been taking from the Holy Scriptures and from Listening to the Language of the Bible written by Lois Tverberg and Bruce Okkema.

It's Finished (Vol.4) | How to Make an Apron Style Tichel out of a 'Dress'

Hi ladies! As I assumed would happen, our worship services were cancelled yesterday. Leaving no outfit to share with you today, and I, with yet another afternoon for sewing.

SO. I am sure you all have seen dresses like the one shown below.The little dress/tunic kind that always, beyond a doubt, have a small amount of fabulous fabric incorperated into them. If you are like me you have probably thought "This fabric is gorgeous, but what could I make out of it...There is hardly anything to work with!"



                  Well, since I had all day yester-eve, I pulled out my pattern basket to put together a list of fabric for future projects and my small stack of clothes to repurpose. Amongst the pile was this 'dress' my mom found a month or two ago at a thrift store to make something out of- look at the fabric combo- too cute to pass up! When it hit me- the shape is perfect for a apron style headscarf. I know, just crazy since I have been such a nut about scarves lately. :)




For those of you who know I have been talking about coverings this past week, I am sure you know the style, but just in case (I don't want you to have no idea of what we are making) so here is a finished one.It is basically the shape of a small apron, hence the name.This one is slightly folded, but you get the idea.
To see how neat these look worn click here.
 
So now you know the shape that we will be creating so you may not even need this little walk through...It is fabulously easy! Here we go with my method.

                                               First cut off the front (or back) of the dress and the ties along the seams.

The dress I was using has a neat little strip of contrasting fabric at the hem which is perfect for this project. You want to fold and pin that back if it is too wide for your taste.

Next, measure from where you want your covering to lay (the top of your hair line) to the back of your neck plus about 2-3 inches. For me this was 18" with SA.

Your next measurement will be around the crown of your head plus 1" for SA. For me this was 24".

You now should have a slight square of 18" (from your hair lie to the middle of your neck +SA) by 24" (the measurement all the way around your head.)

                                                           Now you are going to iron everything down.

My ties were 35" long which I did not do any measuring for....they turned out to be the perfect length.
This is where the style can get really pretty.Pin lace (or anything you like) down the ties so that when you lay the ties over your head they lay accordingly.

                                                   Serge or create a small hem around the three raw sides.

                                                      Pull through the ends as usual if you are serging.

Top stitch the part you folded over for the crown.You could also add the lace and flounces now if you want them along the top also.Just lay lace from end to end and sew! This is how most of them are made.It looks so radiant!

                                                                     This is how it should now look!

To put it on (I will do a video tutorial later) take the scarf over your head so that the crown is where you want the edge to lay and the ties hanging over the front of your shoulders.Throw the ties over your shoulders and cross them in the back over the hanging (apron skirt) part.Bring the ties over your head and back down.Tie them and tuck everything under!

                      And there you go! Hopefully this gave you some inspiration and benefited you!
                                                          Did this help some of you out?
                                             Was your Church service cancelled yesterday?

                                                                          TTFN!
                                                                         Cassie
                                                         the Elder sister and Writer 

p.s. For those of you who were waiting for my sewing project I wrote of last week, this is by no means        taking it's place. I will still be sharing that project. I can't wait!

     

Outfit || the Smell of Spring

  Hello dears! I hope that your week has found you well!

Today I am sharing an outfit that I wore to church a few Sundays past.

It reminded me so much of spring.The smell we could faintly sniff as we stepped out last eve.

How we wait and wait in the mist of brown dreariness for the slightest hope of new life. Of something green. If you have not guessed it by now of this nature-loving lady, that my friend is my utmost favorite color- green- all shades. It does not matter what hue it is. I love it because it reminds me of life and of our Creator. How detailed this world He made is!    I, my dear ladies am ready for spring - for new life!

                                                      

                                                       "When daisies pied and violets blue

                                                       And lady-smocks all silver-white 

                                                    And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue 

                                                       Do paint the meadows with  delight, ...

                                                               The cuckoo then, on every tree,

                                                         Mocks married men; for thus sings he,

                                                                                  Cuckoo;

                                                            Cuckoo, cuckoo: Oh word of fear,

                                                                   Unpleasing to a married ear!

 

                                                                      When shepherds pipe on oaten straws,

                                                                     And merry larks are plowmen’s clocks,

                                                                       When   turtles tread, and rooks, and daws,

                                                                     And maidens bleach their summer smocks,

 Shoes- gifted // stockings - vintage- gifted // Slip- made by me // Skirt- thrifted- $3 // Undershirt (worn backwards)- thrifted- $1 // Sweater- Anne Taylor- goodwill- $4 // Tichel/headscarf- gifted // Belt-goodwill- $1

Okay, who loves my new shoes?! My mom presented me with them on Christmas day.
They are simply fabulous! These are something that I would pin and hope one day I would be able to afford to send away for....I love everything about them...

How do you like our new picture setup?! We were in a rush the afternoon of this Sunday, when we took these outfit photos so we really didn't want to go trudging out in the freezing weather just to hurry up and come back to prepare for our departure.
I have been brainstorming were we could have an emergency photo shoot (inside) since we started blogging- I have no idea why I did not think of this sooner! This is the small hall way into our sewing room.The lighting is practically divine (when the sun is out) because we have two windows in the tiny make do space.
I am one happy camper about this!

                                                                   
                                                                                   The cuckoo then, on every tree,

                                                                                Mocks married men; for thus sings he,

                                                                                                Cuckoo;

                                                                            Cuckoo, cuckoo: Oh word of fear,

                                                                                Unpleasing to a married ear!"
                                                                                                           - Shakespeare

                               
Oh, and Rebekah and I are going to be starting a photo a day series this Friday! So keep a watch out for that! We have been following a few lately and have really been enjoying it....so we thought we would start one for y'all! Instead of it being a 'challenge' (a picture per day for a certain amount of time) it may turn into a common post around here.There is seldom something more wonderful than a glimpse of a friend's day- 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. :)

                                   I'd best skedaddle! Evening Church services are coming on quick!

                                                           Do you like our inside pictures?
                                                           Are you ready for spring yet?
                                                      Have you held a photo a day before?

                                                                             Shalom!
                                                                              Cassie
                                                               the Elder Sister and Writer

P.S. Thank you all for your wonderful comments on our last post, featuring our new header!
        Check out some of our new gadgets on our sidebar and tell us what you think!
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Inspiration for Fall Outfits!

Hello friends!   Today I am posting an outfit that we took pictures for back in August I believe!  Though this is a spring/summer kind of outfit, the basics are the same for the coming- wait the season we are in!- Autumn!

So, since fall is upon us it is sad to see some of our favorite summer dresses hang in the closet till the daises bloom again- what shall we do to wear them ?    Wear a sweater! Or more common for the leafy weather, a jean jacket! One that I am sure to be posting alot of soon!

 

This week has been a full one! Believe it or not we had two different posts to share with you all!

Sometimes things don't go as you planned or they do and you find yourself busier than you thought possible! :)

                                                                           Wondering where I found everything ?
                                                                                Shoes: Ariat brand, goodwill, $3
                                                                                 Patchwork dress: goodwill, $5
                                                                                 Full length slip: made by me!
                                                                                 Lime green shrug: goodwill, $3
                                                                                 Green scarf/headband: thrift store, $1

Yes, great finds! This is one of my favorite 'go to' summer outfits for church services.Yes, I am somewhat sorry to say have worn it more than once! The scarf matches perfectly with the shrug and gives such a lively feel!    So, if (or when) you find yourself searching for an outfit- any time, just pull out a dress and match it up with coordinating jacket and headband! This almost always works for me.
   

Hope that you all are having a great week!    This had been a quick post just to say that we are still around and kickn'- no, I know that it has not been that long, but I have been wanting to share these few tips and it worked out perfectly for our 'filler' today!

For anyone who has been following The Boyer Family Singers' Finding Your Style blog series, I will be posting my personal 'outcome' outfit for the end of this great series tomorrow!   Anyone who has not have the pleasure of following along with this or have been searching for some information on this topic- your time is not up! Just click the 'Finding Your Style' blog button on our sidebar!  This was a great (and fun) help to me!

I encourage you to read through the posts and also link up your perfect personal style outfit for the coming Castle of Success party here!

Have you been following the Boyer ladies series ?   

Do you like jackets ?

What is your favorite season ?

ttfn!   

                  Cassie 

Counting On God // In Cosy Pastels

Happy week to you all!
   Yesterday was rainy and a bit dreary, but we had a restful afternoon of sewing and getting ready for our hay stock up for the coming winter. This week I was so happy that it started  getting cooler. Though I do not enjoy winter as much as summer, leaving the windows open at night while wrapped up in a thread bare quilt and a good book is so wonderful! 
  I have collected a few wonderful sweaters and was so happy to be able to wear one to church this past Sunday! I love the ease of long jean skirts, long sleeved dresses, flannel slips, thick tights and big floppy sweaters! The cosiness of autumn has crept up on us!

                                                                            My outfit:
                                                             Shoes: yard sale, $1.50
                                                             Tan skirt: thrift shop, $4
                                                             Slip(not pictured): made by me
                                                             Brown undershirt: thrift store, $2
                                                             Pink button up sweater: goodwill, $4
                                                             Pink floral head band/wrap: thrift store, .50
                                                             Flower hair combs: Hobby Lobby, $2

    Our sermon was about counting on God in the midst of our loneliness and  discouragement.This would be ever so hard to deal with without God to comfort us! We mainly stuck to four main points of this topic and kept close to the scriptures since that is the only place we can find true peace!  Since this is something that most everyone goes in and out of at some point in their lives, I thought that I would share a few of those verses with you.

1. When I am lonely Jesus is my constant companion.
    Psalms 139:7-12   We all have (hopefully) heard these verses before but they still bring in a comforting peace every time...    "Where can I go from Your spirit ? Where can I flee from Your presence ? If I go up to the heavens You are there, if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise up on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is light to You. For You created my inmost being; You knit me in my mother's womb."
Jeremiah 23:23,24   "Am I only a God near by, declares the Lord, and not a God far away ? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him ? Do I not fill Heaven and earth ?

2. When I am worried God is my confidence.
   Psalms 16:1 O how this sounds like our plea unto God!   "Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take my refuge.  
   Hebrews 13:5  God's reply...   "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.
   Psalms 23:4   From one of the Christian's favorite palms...  "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

3. When I am tempted God is my counselor.
     1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."
     Job 13:27  "You fasten my feet in shackles, You keep close watch on all my paths."

4. When I am discouraged God is my comfort.
     Psalms 34:18  "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
     James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."
     Psalms 116:8  "For You, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling."

     We can know that God is always with us, but sometimes we need to be refreshed by His promises!
This was fairly simple, but I hope that you find comfort and encouragement in these verses. Keep trucking along everyone!  :)

    I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.                 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will find rest.
                                                                                                                           Palms 16:8,9




           I, Cassie, did Bekah's hair from a tutorial off of The Boyer Family Singers, thanks ladies! We love the turnout!

                                                                        Rebekah's outfit:
                                                       Black ankle strap shoes: goodwill, $3
                                                       Black and floral skirt: had forever,   ?
                                                       Black long sleeve shirt: thrift shop, dollar day
                                                       Coral sleeveless shirt: thrift shop clearance rack, .50
                                                       Pink headband: ?
                                                       Black leather hair 'stick through': fair stand, $5
                                                      

                            What was your sermon about ?
                                        Did you have a chance to wear one of your cosy favorites yet ?
                                                 What season makes you happy ?

                                   Better get down to dinner!      ttfn           
                                                                                                            ~ Cassie