Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Bookshelf Styling

 
 
I love bookcases because they are the perfect solution for adding storage and style to your surroundings.  Books and collectibles on display add personality to any space. A bookcase will communicate what you read, what you collect, and what you love.  Bookcases are a window into your passions and pursuits, and an opportunity for you to put your most favorite things on display. 
 
 
The challenge for most people is how to style a bookcase well.  Styling a bookcase is an art, but a job easily tackled if you study those done right.  Check out some of these I found on Pinterest.
 
 
You can follow me on Pinterest here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here's how I styled mine below:
 

 
 
 
How do you style your shelves?


Monday, October 27, 2014

Who am I?

You know the moment.
 
That moment where reality splashes you in the face like a Neutrogena face wash commercial.  Only you’re not left refreshed. You’re left dripping wet, shaking off like Fido and oh wait, you get splashed again.
 
Reality hits us in some of the most inconvenient ways. We are often left wondering “Who on earth have I become? What am I doing here?”
 
We’ve all said these words at some point in our lives. It’s easy to lose sight of who we are if we don’t see who we are in Christ.
 
I’d like us to take another moment here to really think and define who we are in Christ. And we are going to do that by writing a few things down. We will call it our personal mission statement. Get your pen and paper ready…
 
A mission statement focuses you on your target goal and keeps you from drifting off course. It also serves as a solid foundation defining who you are and where your purpose lies.
 
 
 
 
Creating a mission statement will not be easy. It will take time, inspiration, and consideration. So first, I want you to make a list of all the good things about you. Everyone likes at least one thing about themselves, so go ahead and make your list. I’ll go first:
 
1.       Compassionate
2.       Creative
3.       Musical
4.       Driven
 
That was painless. Now, what is important to you?  Me again:

1.       To know God and his love through the study and practice of his written Word
2.       To endlessly love and support my family and friends
3.       To take care of the people entrusted to me; i.e. senior adults, Alzheimer’s patients, orphans
4.       To continually grow; to never be done growing
 
A little harder, but necessary. Once we’ve reflected on things we like about ourselves and what’s important to us we can begin to write our mission statement. We all have one general mission, or shall I say commission: Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.”
 
 
Our personal mission statement should reflect this commission:
 
 
Jean Claire:
 
I am committed to living my life for the sake of the Calling, offering compassion to those entrusted to my care. Driven by love and creativity, I will value life and growth in the knowledge of God and his love through the study and practice of his written Word.
 
Remembering who you are and whose you are sometimes seems difficult. We must practice our mission statement daily, trusting God to fulfill in you what he says he will. We can do all things through Christ. Phil. 4:13.
 
And remember, if you still aren't sure of who you are...
 
 
I hope you all have a great Monday!
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                               
 

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Just Me, JC - Heels

 
So many shoes, so little time!
 
 
I did a post on Collections yesterday, and I probably could have said I "collect" heels. I just love a good pump! This post is just as JC as you will find. I am a shoe hoarder! Check out these I found online and I am literally drooling over as I type:
 
 
 
 
Love, Love Love the pink ribbons!
 
 
 
 
Anybody else in need of CPR? I'm dying over those cobalt blue ankle straps!
 
 
 
 
No, really I don't. Remember that collection?
 
 
 
 
 
This is just the colored shoe collection. I have another shelf in my bedroom of the blacks and browns (it doesn't photograph as well). This one was so big I had to stand it in my laundry room.
 
Fun fact about this shoe shelf - My dad had to custom build it for me because when you wear a size 10 and add an inch of a pointy toe, no store bought shoe shelf is a foot deep and my shoes hang off the shelves.
 
 
 
 
 
Can I get an amen?!
 
Below are my favorites from my personal collection.
 
 
 
My absolute favorite pair - BCBG
 
 
Red suede with zipper detail - Fergie
 
 
Turquoise suede - Jessica Simpson
 
 
Red patent peep toe - Jessica Simpson
 
 
Watercolor print - Anne Klein
 
 
Plum suede peep toe ankle strap - BCBG
 
 
Every girl needs a nude patent pump close to their skin tone - Lulu's
 
 
 Leopard is a neutral! - Lulu's
 
 
 
 
I found this graphic on Pinterest detailing the different names of the different style heels.
What are your favorites?
 
 

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Collections Love

Too many people spend time collecting "things" and never spend time collecting moments/memories!
I am a big supporter of living in the moment. I get so sad when I think about how quickly life flies by. When I saw this quote on Pinterest, I thought it would be the perfect opener for today's post on Collections. I collect a lot of things - and some unintentionally! One of my favorite things to do is scour the internet and Pinterest looking at what others collect. Here are some of my favorites:
(You can follow me on Pinterest here.)


Vintage hankies, fishing reels, brass candlesticks and crosses.

 


Turquoise patina frames, cobalt blue bottles (my mother used to collect those!), vintage trophies, and Martha Stewart's Jadeite collection.



Purple glass bottles, wicker jugs, antique keys and sea coral.
What do you collect? I'm curious to hear your responses in the comments!


Monday, October 20, 2014

Motivational Monday

 
 
Hey, everyone! I'm sorry I've been away from the blog for the last couple of weeks. Life was crazy busy with the Walk to End Alzheimer's, 3 concerts and starting a new job. Fortunately, the things keeping me busy are all things I love doing. Since today is Monday, let's see if we kind find some happiness to get this week started!
 
 
 
 
 
I am so enjoying my weekly Bible study Believing God. Things are really starting to heat up. I'm starting to see stretch marks from where my faith is being stretched farther than before. My question for you as we start this week is
 
 
What are you believing God for today?
(Leave your answers in the comments below.)
 
 
You may remember a few weeks ago where I shared the 5 statement pledge of faith. This week's pledge is centered around God's Word being alive and active in us. Before we can reach our earthly Promised Lands, we have to know the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, "The Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing and effective]." Our lives are meant to be effective! Is yours? How do you become effective? We speak out of what we believe! Using our instruments, our mouths, we declare battle against the enemy by speaking God's truths. Speak out, my friends!
 
 
 
 
 
Saturday I had the privilege of attending "Praise in the Park" in Lucedale with my church's children's choir and youth group. I practically grew up in the park as a little kid when my grandparents lived in Lucedale. The city is like a second home to me with many great memories. However, I cannot believe such a small town houses such a big concert. And this year's headliner was the Newsboys! After the success of the movie God's Not Dead earlier this year, the Newsboys are more popular than ever (and they've been around since I was in middle school...!) Anyway, the concert was a blast, and I enjoyed spending time with all my favorite kiddos! Some of the pictures are fuzzy...nighttime photography isn't that easy on the phone.
 
 
 
 
 
They love them some Miss Jean Claire
 
 
 
 
Me and Miss Abby
 
 
 
 
I photobombed the kids because I'm cool like that!
 
 
 
 
All the chaperones (and Jordyn photobombing us...)
 
 
 
You can always follow along daily on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
 



Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Paws for a Cause Pet Walk

 
 
A Pet Walk has to be one of the cutest fundraisers I have ever witnessed! My friends at Bedford Alzheimer's Care Center in Hattiesburg, MS, hosted a "Paws for the Cause" Pet Walk and it was so precious! Peanut had a blast - and even won a door prize! It was so much fun I decided to do this recap on the blog.
 
You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
 
 
 
Poor P had no idea what he was about to get himself into
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I still can't believe he walked the full 5K. Thank you Bedford for all you do to raise funds for Alzheimer's awareness!
 
 
 

Friday, October 3, 2014

Friday Makes Me Happy!

 
 
Whoo, what a week! I think I've had something big every single day. That's a good problem to have because that means a lot of money is being raised for the Alzheimer's Walk! I am so looking forward to the Pet Walk fundraiser this weekend. Peanut is going to be so cute in his little purple bandana. Do you have any big plans for the weekend? I'd love to hear from you!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Some friends from Bible study.
 
 

 
 
Cute quote
 
 
 
 
 
My brother and I used to say "rabbit, rabbit" on the first of every month. Do any of you remember doing that?
 
 
 
 
Mom and I helped assemble almost 800 of those flowers for the Walk. Let me rephrase that. She supervised me and a few other residents as we put the flowers together...
 
 
 
 
Working on Bible study homework. It's not a quick read. We have to work!
 
 
 
 
 
I saw this at Meistersingers rehearsal. I wonder if the sign works.
 
 
 
 
I was interviewed by Hotline about Alzheimer's research and trial studies. My segment should air this Sunday. Radio is so much easier than TV!
 
 
 
I hope you all have a great weekend!