Hello Autumn

Today's the first day of my favorite season!  I've already donned a comfy long-sleeved tee, done a bit of yard-sale-ing, & hung a leafy garland outside.  Let the season officially begin!  Here's some festive fall style inspiration I handpicked just for you via Pinterest!

  

Source: thenglishrose.tumblr.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Source: turningpoint2.tumblr.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Source: keikolynn.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Source: thenglishrose.tumblr.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Source: offofbroadwayblog.blogspot.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Source: brooklyntweed.net via Vicki on Pinterest

Source: 2ndbook.tumblr.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Vicki on Pinterest

Source: nadiaesra.blogspot.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Source: gildedcoast.tumblr.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Source: fortheloveofmegan.tumblr.com via Katelyn on Pinterest

First Day of Autumn Love,

-Bess-

Black & Blue - Fall Trends: 2012

In traditional fashion of years gone by there were rules - rules like no white after Labor Day, navy & black don't mix, no socks with sandals =), you know. Today, pretty much all the rules have gone out the window. One rule we always keep, however, as godly girls - daughters of the King - aka His princesses - is that of modesty. Today we will be breaking one of the other old rules & that is mixing navy (& other shades, too) blue with black. You used to have to scrutinize & take garments outdoors to check if they were pure black or just a dark navy, because heaven forbid you mix & match the two. This year the runway showed us that not only can we break this rule, but it's the thing to do this autumn/winter. Take a peek at the rule breakers in action...

The Pain of {Fallen} Dreams

Have you seen Disney’s Tangled? I know this is a strange way to start off a post with the above title, but if you’ve seen the animated movie {the story of Rapunzel}, you probably know what I’m getting at here. In the flick, Rapunzel yearns to see the “floating lights,” which happen to be lighted paper lanterns let loose in the sky once every year. It’s her ultimate dream to see the lanterns up close & experience their magic. Here’s one of the songs from the film that’s all about dreams…


Fact is, we all have dreams. Some dreams we vocalize to all who are within ear shot, & other dreams we lock away. Some dreams we keep even from ourselves – dreams way down deep. But, what about when dreams fall flat? What about dreams that don’t come true? To quote the song, “I had a dream… once,” but it didn’t come true. I worked hard for it - did my best to do my part to help it come true. But, it must not have been meant to be, because it fell apart and scattered with the wind… & it left me disappointed, hurt, jaded, & uncertain about life. What was I to do now? I had built up my dream with faith it would come through, but been disappointed. Now what? I felt lost.

It felt like the doors were all closing - shutters, too. Why was God allowing this? I would have accepted an open window and a ladder, but it felt like nothing was coming my way. In addition I felt horrible for feeling this way. Innumerable blessings were still mine. So many people in the world had it far worse than I, but I couldn’t shake the pain of my broken dream.

Learning to hold on to Jesus when dreams shatter is a journey. I’m still on it. He has the count to my tears. He understands my hurt. He is still working behind the scenes. Those of us in the fallen dream club have to hold on to that. Dreams won’t always come true, but God will never fail us. Even when we feel forgotten & hopeless, He is there, working on restoring our brokenness.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

-Romans 8:28 NIV

One day we will "see the light" as to why things happen as they do.  Perhaps it will not be until we see our Savior face to face in Heaven.  However, we can be certain He is working for our good.  Knowing all this gives a whole new light to the song below...

Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: You can dream again.  No guarantees, but most dreams are worth the risk.

Hello Out There

I'm sorta uncertain about Bess' Bag right now.  Should I continue with the blog?  Should I rename the blog?  Should I start a new blog?  These are some of the questions that are plaguing me.  I haven't had many comments lately {which I know shouldn't be the main reason I blog, but it is nice to hear that someone is enjoying or benefiting from what you're doing}.  Plus, I've had a poll in the sidebar for a few days & not one single vote.  So, I'm thinking about what I should do {& praying too}.  If you're out there & have any suggestions - I'm open.

Love,
-Bess-

I ❤ Thursday: Owl Always Love You

Yes, owls are a popular bird these days.  It seems trends do run on a circular track, bound to come around again at some point {if you just wait long enough}, as owls were popular in the 60s & 70s, too.  This makes it especially fabulous, as you can find the old hoot-callers at yard sales & thrift stores if you search enough.  
    

Fashionable Owls

Household Owls

Here's an owl from my very own apartment.  I found it for $3 at an antique mall {I think it's from around the 70s-80s}!  It was originally painted like a typical owl (brown/black/gray).  I took some white glossy spray paint to it & voila!  Instant modern update {sorta Anthropologie-inspired}!  My owl even plays music!  Turn it upside down, twist the knob, & he plays "Born Free!"  That & the sale price sold me on him!

Hoot Hoot!

-Bess-

I ❤ Shabby Apple Dresses {+ Exclusive Coupon Code}

Alice dress

Shabby Apple dresses are some of the most fetching frocks around!  Just take a look {above} at the lacy tiffany blue Alice dress decadence - reminiscent of lush garden parties, high tea, & English countryside strolls!  Would even make a charming bridesmaid's dress.

The Red Queen dress

Of course if Alice is all pale blue, the Red Queen is, well, red - or more accurately striking "pimento."  Like a fiery, freshly turned autumn leaf, this dress rules!  Attention getters, like, "Off with their heads!" need not be shouted, as this dress turns heads, just as well. 

I'm Late! I'm Late! dress

You'll look like a certain duchess we know, when donning this sharp frock.  Fashionably late or properly punctual, this sophisticated lacy navy creation will definitely get you there {& in record time, too}! 

Now, to aid you on your chic pursuit...

Enter the exclusive coupon code favorite10 for 10% off site wide.  Remember the dress above & don't be late!  Offer expires 9-14-12.

Click the link below to begin shopping!

Shabby Apple Love,

-Bess-

Tuesday Tutorial: "Go" World Lamp

 "Therefore go & make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit"

-Matthew 28:19 NIV

What You Need:

-paper lantern

-various colored/designed tissue paper

-glue stick

-scissors

-tassel (optional)

-print out world map for tracing {optional}

What You Do:

You can either find a printable {or book version} map of the world to trace your tissue paper continents or you can just free hand em {which is what I did}.  Cut out your Bible verse letters/numbers in the same way {with a tracing guide or freehand}.  Next, glue your tissue paper cutouts onto your lamp.  Add a tassel if you wish, hang, & enjoy! 

Shine your Light!



Love to Everybody Everywhere,

-Bess-

Music Monday: "Free"

"Free" by Ginny Owens

This song isn't brand spanking new.  In fact, when I first heard it I would have been about 12!  The artist here, Ginny Owens, has an amazing story.  She's blind, & has been since she was 2.  This hasn't stopped her from living her dream.  She graduated college, snagged a record deal, & went on tour.  This song is one of my favorites from her.  In Christ, we are free - completely.

Here's some of my favorite lines from the song...

Turning molehills into mountains,
Making big deals out of small ones,
Bearing gifts as if they're burdens
This is how it's been.
Fear of coming out of my shell,
Too many things I can't do too well,
Afraid I'll try real hard and I'll fail -
This is how it's been.
Till the day You pounded on my heart's door,
And You shouted joyfully,
"You're not a slave anymore"

.....

My mind finds hard to believe
That You became humanity
And changed the course of history,
Because You loved me so.
And my heart cannot understand
Why You'd accept me as I am,
But You say You've always had a plan,
And that's all I need to know.
So when I am consumed by what the world will say,
It's then You're singing to me,
As you remove my chains

As girls - especially as girls - we have this fear of what people will say or think about us.  Let it go!  We need to seek to please God & if the rest of the world abandons us for it, we still will have gained.  If the world accepts us, but God does not {because we did not accept Him}, then we have lost everything.  Be bold!  Do what God is leading you to do.  Remember, you are
"Free from worry, free from envy and denial
Free to live, free to give, free to smile."

Musical Love to You,

-Bess-

P.S.: Here's a Music Monday bonus!

"I Am" by Ginny Owens

Modest Autumn {Runway Rundown}

 

 

Let Us Laugh

=)

 

Love,

-Bess-

Tuesday Tutorial: Sweet Words

I was out thrifting the other day, standing in a long line {it was sale day}, when I spotted a large letter 'F' perched on the top shelf.  I didn't know anyone with an 'F' name... no Felicity, Frances, Finola... no Mrs. Farris or Ms. Freeman.  But, as I inched along in the line, the letter kept staring at me.  Hmmm... what could I do with that?  That's a question I love to ask myself at shops, especially thrift stores - to think of an alternate, unexpected purpose for an item. 

Here's my answer to my question...

 

Supplies:

-decorative alphabet letter -floral wire -hot glue
-spray paint (optional)

 

What You Do:

Think of a word you want to spell out.  Here's a few ideas: grace, hope, love, imagine, dream, live, believe, explore, dance, play, smile, peace, pray, joy...

Then, buy {or thrift}, a decorative letter (found in plenty at craft stores).  Next, buy some wire {mine is floral wire from the Dollar Tree & easily pliable (no tool needed)}.  Manipulate the wire into the letters to spell out the rest of your word - remember your decorative alphabet letter is the first letter of your word.  If you want you can spray paint the letter &/or wire {I used gold spray paint from Walmart}.  Finally, use hot glue to affix the edge of your wire letters onto the back of your decorative alphabet letter.  Ta da!  A sweet word worth remembering - display it & read often!

 

Crafty Love,

-Bess-

 

P.S.: I got the letter for $1!  



Music Monday: "It's Only A Mountain"

"Only A Mountain" by Jason Castro

 

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

-Matthew 17:20

 

 While we may not uproot actual lofty mountains & put them in another spot {though with God all things are possible}, we must enable our faith to get through this life's ups & downs.  We must have faith to trust God's Word & promises - that in the end all struggles will cease & we will be with Him forever if we have accepted Jesus & obeyed the Lord.  Have faith that He will guide you to the end...

& He will do it.       

 

Monday Music Love,

-Bess-