Trending: Faux-Fur Vests {With Styling Tips}

Have you seen these furry vests popping up all over this autumn?  From Target to Forever21 {showcased here} to high-end designers, these vests are the cat's pajamas!  But, don't fret they're all faux!

Not sure how to style one of these?  Keep reading & let that fear of resembling a yak or cave girl go the way of the woolly mammoth!  {That is, extinct.}

Furry vests aren't actually anything new, they've been around before. They can definitely have a boho/hippie feel & what better way to pair em than with a vintage-style, patterned frock?

Most fur vests are collarless, which makes them the perfect match for a collared shirt {or bow blouse}.  Dress it down with a chambray shirt or make it work-appropriate with a pretty silk button-down.

Make it fit for a fancy dinner out by pairing it over a top or dress with a sequined, lacy, or otherwise fabulously embellished sleeve.

Maybe the furry vest just isn't your style.  You can still try out the faux-fur trend, just go for smaller bits of fluff.

Style Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: How do you wear any furry wardrobe pieces?

3 Free Thanksgiving Printables {+ Font}!

I'm all about giving Thanksgiving its own special place.  Don't get me wrong, I'm uber-excited about the approach of Christmas {my favorite holiday ever}, but I don't want to miss the grateful heart & autumnal beauty of the current season.  In honor of Thanksgiving {& its cozy, homespun feel}, I've whipped up 3 simple printables to remind you to savor this November.  The font used for these is called "Autumn Gifts" by West Wind Fonts & is 100% free {click here to get it for yourself & create even more}!

I designed these with no background to save your ink {you're welcome}, & so you can print them on colored paper or scrapbook paper with a minimal design {if you wish} + Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for all those simple gifts & blessings we often overlook.  There's a beautiful fanciness to not being fancy sometimes.

INSTRUCTIONS: Click on each image, then right click & save to your computer {or copy & paste}.  Open in a word document, resize if necessary, print, & have a blessed Thanksgiving!

CONDITIONS OF USE FOR PRINTABLES: My printables are free for personal use only. Feel free to share them on Pinterest provided you credit & link back to http://bessbag.blogspot.com/ {Bess' Bag}. If you want to blog about these printables, or share a project you created using them, it would be fabulous, just be sure to credit & link back to http://bessbag.blogspot.com/ {Bess' Bag} (feel free to use 1 or 2 photos, but please don't share the actual printable on your site - just add a link to it). Thanks & enjoy!

Love for the Printing,

-Bess-

P.S.: Gather together.  Give thanks.  Count blessings.  Repeat.

Currently {November}

+Looking forward to celebrating my b-day more this weekend!  28 years, man!

+Creating tissue paper tassels & other Thanksgiving-y projects that I can't wait to share soon.  I've had a couple fails & made a few messes, but it's all good.

+Drinking Alka-Seltzer Plus trying to get over my second icky cold of autumn!

+Looking for a great classic {that I've never read} to dive into on this start of my 28th year.  Any suggestions?

+Loving the coziness of this season!  {You know what I mean?}

+Thankful that I live in a country where I can vote.

+Counting my blessings!  God is good!!!

+Listening to Sara Groves tunes.  I find her lyrics so thoughtful & real.

+Excited about the holiday season we're on the cusp of!  Giddy about it, really!

Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: What are you up to lately?

Another Year Older

Yep, it's my birthday & I'm excited about it!  Sometimes we {especially us females} have trouble making peace with adding yet another candle to the cake & ahem, aging.  I've been there, too - when that age that you're turning seems so old - which I think it always does {or at least has the potential to}!  

Adding years is all a part of living this life God has for you!  He's given us only so much time on this planet & it's a mystery to how long we've got... so we've got to make each day count.  Whether it's your real honest-to-goodness birthday today or an un-birthday day, celebrate, live joyfully, share the good news of Jesus, love, laugh, cry, seek His grace & forgiveness, keep marching, pray, & live this life you've been given - oh, & blow out every candle each year with abandon!

Love {The One Year Older},
-Bess-

P.S.: Don't forget to make a wish!

Song Love {November}

"Beautiful" by Dan Bremnes


"What We're Here For" by The Afters


"No Man is an Island" by Tenth Avenue North

Musical Love,

-Bess-

Snapshots

First time buying gourds for fall!  I love how they are strangely sculptural {God makes amazing things, doesn't He!}  The lady that sold them said when they begin to go bad to plant them in an old flower bed & next year there should be gourds aplenty {with little work}.  Love that, but don't think my apt. people would be so amused.  I can see it now, I went straight over the typical cat fetish & became the "Crazy Gourd Lady."

A fallish bouquet - because sometimes you just have to buy yourself a bunch of flowers.  Just cause.  {Click here to learn how to recreate this DIY vase.}

A sweet little note from a little {1st grade} girl I subbed for last week.  Tiny blessings like this make my day!

I found these boots in perfect condition at a thrift shop for about $6!

Snapshot Love,

-Bess-

Hello November!

I've been waiting for you.

Waiting for your cozy festivities
& gatherings with frosty breath -

A harvest of dear ones - silver & gold -
Glowing round a table -
As a wreath of love.

A recounting of blessings - old & new -

Sweet November, may we carry 
Your grateful heart
Eternally - all the year through.

Love,

-Bess-