The French Bird

Thursday, November 17, 2011

A Christ-centered Christmas: a XMAS LINK UP PARTY!!

Today, I'm SO excited to link up with my friends

Erin from The Humbled Homemaker

Tifaine from Through my Lense

Mary from The Encouraging Home

Taylor from Mama Java

Jennifer from This Gal's Journey

CHRIST-like in Christmas

Source: frogprincepaperie.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

Christmas is around the corner, so we're all thinking: What should we do for Christmas? How can we make this Christmas special? What could be the highlight of this year?

We think of our list: meals, decoration, presents, and so on.

But how can we really make this Christmas different, unique and special?
By remembering, honoring, being thankful and walking like the One this season is all about:

CHRIST
How do we do this?

By making Christ the center of it

By walking the way He did

By loving the way He did

By forgiving the way He did

By blessing the needy the way He did

By going the extra mile the way He did

By accepting and honoring others the way He did

By giving others the value they deserve

By feeding the hungry

Helping the orphan and the widow

By giving without expecting anything in return

By not holding back

By giving it all for LOVE

Source: prayergroup.org via Katie on Pinterest

That's how we can teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas
That's how we can make this season memorable and special for our families
Cause one day we will forget what presents we got for Christmas this year
But we will never forget how it felt to be the hands and feet of Jesus
Our kids will never forget how it felt to love on someone else
And people around us will never forget that one day, for Christmas, someone thought of them
and reached out
and loved them.

Let's be like Christ, let's be like LOVE.

XOXOXO

Monday, November 7, 2011

Exhaustion

Source: positivelypresent.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

I can't believe I haven't posted anything for like 5 days!!?? Sorry about that, friends! It feels like this past week consisted of 40-hour days. No joke. Andrew and I have been getting just a couple hours of sleep at night and are currently suffering of a coffee overdose.. and still going. SO much going on. I:FEEL:EXHAUSTED. It's more than just physical tiredness, though. I literally feel like I have no energy whatsoever. I wish I could put it in words, but I can't. It's almost like an exhaustion that starts in my body but ends in my soul. It feels like even my emotions are tired. I think when you go through bumpy roads in life, your soul becomes somewhat sore. Your feelings are worn out. Your heart is worn out. There are seasons in life that are so full of decision making, responsibilities and deadlines. But it's in those moments when His whisper is heard. His invitation, we can't turn down. He invites us to rest in Him. This doesn't require any effort. It's simple surrender. It's letting go and letting God. It's acknowledging my weak nature and trusting in His omnipotent nature. And once we're ready to lift up the white flag, our hearts can sing these words:

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word,

you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through

Death Valley,

I'm not afraid

when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner

right in front of my enemies.

You revive my drooping head;

my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me

every day of my life.

I'm back home in the house of God

for the rest of my life.

xoxoxo

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Vintage baby : droolin' over these!

source

... I want them ALL!!!!!

xoxoxo

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Parenting + milestones

Today Abi started "officially" crawling (she's been "worming" her way around lately, which was extremely cute to watch!!). I can't believe my baby girl is already 7 months old... I can't believe I have a baby girl. I've dreamed of her for years. I longed for her. I loved her even before she existed. And now she's here, and she's the most loving little baby I've ever seen. Sometimes I just sit and stare at my babies. I can't believe how blessed I am.

Parenting is one of the most challenging things I've experienced. But the love force that comes with becoming a parent is overwhelming. Yes, sometimes I feel like the "Riddler", covered in question marks. clueless, not knowing what in the world I am doing. But I always remember the sweet words of a friend, after I pretty much puked all my questions on her:

"The Lord trusted you with their lives. He put Josiah and Abi in your family for a reason. He knew what kind of parents they would need."

These words brought such a relief in my heart. I still wonder, I still have tons of questions, I'm still trying to figure out my "parenting method". But deep down in my heart, I choose to believe that, if I cling onto Him, I can do this. I can be a great parent. I can be what they need. I can make them happy. But I can only do all these things in and through Him, who strengthens me. Only His wisdom can guide me. Only His love can carry me through. Only His grace can forgive my mistakes and protect their little hearts. I'm so thankful for them tonight. Writing this post made me miss them a lot. They're now in bed, so I guess I'll have to save all the hugs and kisses that I want to give them for tomorrow. =)

xoxoxo

Sunday, October 30, 2011

The French Market (link party): Frock Stock

When I first came to Chicago to get a degree studying opera I found myself in a city ripe with fashion. The vintage and indie styles I came upon were nothing like the glam-valley girl or beach bum-chic I was so used to back home in Southern California. The city's classy fashion was exciting and I found myself getting a job in retail so I could afford these indie gems. I loved thrifting, estate saling, even trolling the sales sections of labeled stores like Top Shop and Anthropologie, always looking for something that I called "affordable adorable."

My quest eventually led me into the land of indie boutiques. While working in this oh-so-exclusive world, I began to see items exactly like the ones on my favorite online boutiques but for half the price. How could this be? I wondered. Were these beloved indie brands like Tulle and BB Dakota really being so drastically marked up online? I realized that because boutiques were off the beaten path, not-so-mainstream girls who wanted mainstream prices were getting left out if they didn't live in a big city or know how to track down the right places. Thus, the idea for Frock Stock was born.

My business model became focused around price point. I knew I had to bring girls like myself vintage-inspired and indie clothing for a price they could afford, which is why I have no set profit margin. I know what broke college kids can afford because I AM a broke college kid. I don't put things on the site that are a quality or price I wouldn't pay for myself. I figure when I do things like give bloggers discounts or do giveaways on my blog if I'm only coming out even, I've still achieved my goal of making some girl out there "affordable adorable" too. That is my wish with this store. Frock Stock is not my place to make loads of money off of. I already have a career in opera waiting for me one day. Frock Stock is not my career, but instead my collaboration with all women who share my passion for vintage-inspired clothing.

Start date:

We only just started in September, 2011. The store is small now but our inventory and customer base is growing everyday!

Visit Loren's Blog, Shop, and Twitter! Let's show her some love!

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Don't forget to link up your Etsy shop/product/ giveaway!! Thanks for coming to the Market today! =)

xoxoxo

Friday, October 28, 2011

A retro modern ABCs book by Paul Thurlby

When I found this retro modern ABCs book by Paul Thurlby, it was love at first sight. Then, I found the author's website, and that was it. I had to have it. I found it around September, but the book wasn't out in the US at the time. The pre-order option was open, so I did. His book started being sold on Amazon.com, so I got it as soon as it came out. It's beautiful!! Mom and kids are just so excited!! Josiah and Abi Liv LOVE it.

Hope you love it as much as I do!!

PS: Don't forget to link up your Etsy shop/product/giveaway at The French Market link party on Monday! Have a sweet weekend!

XOXOXO