Traveling Diva: Savannah, Georgia

My darlings, I had an absolutely wonderful trip to Savannah, Georgia for Memorial Day Weekend. Hot, sunny, and full of sweet tea, it was just what I needed for a good southern fix! Plus, it was so wonderful to get a nice break from the city rush and spend some quality time with the fam.

Our view from the hotel, overlooking Savannah's Historic District

(complete with a ferry boat to shuttle you back and forth)!

Savannah is like a canvas of inspiration, between the cobblestone streets and the 

swirly wrought iron work, every turn brings a new wave of artistry.

I just love how all the streets in the south are framed by massive sweeping oaks that hang Spanish Moss. 

It feels like you are walking through a movie set. 

So tell me mes cheris, are you jonesin' for a trip down to Savannah, Georgia now? 

I must say, I loved eating all my comfort foods I can't quite get in NYC, but man if I didn't have to eat salad the entire next week to feel like I wouldn't gain 10 pounds from visiting Dixie country! 

Y'all come back now ya hear?

God Bless America

A huge step in the Fight on Terrorism was made yesterday and God Bless America as we move onward. I had an entirely different post in mind for this lovely Monday morning, but when Osama Bin Laden is finally found dead...all else holds no priority.

{Thanks to Twitter last night}

Twitter was absolutely flooded last night with streams of comradery, support, remembrance of lives lost over the last 10 years, and live pictures of NYC as the news broke. Here is a video from Ground Zero last night. Running through New York this morning was like breathing in freedom. I never tire of hearing the amazing stories every New Yorker holds of their attachment to that fateful day when our skyline changed forever. And seeing the people gather together in Times Square and Ground Zero to celebrate this great feat was truly  moving.

{photos pinned on Pinterest}

God Bless America

Personal Style: A Family Easter Weekend

 (wearing my mom's vintage dress and some thrifted, red vintage shoes, necklace f 21. love them)

Our Easter weekend was busy and wonderful. Our church family had a temple outing and then headed off together for a little bbq and Easter egg hunt, followed by a slide show of everyone. A very lovely, very pleasant, somewhat stressful, very exhausting day. Our Sunday was full of reflections on Christ, chocolate, salsa and naps. I hope everyone's Easter was wonderful!

 

*Linked to: Clothed Much's Rule Breaking Monday

Faith, Hope and Charity

Jordan River Temple print by Hiya Papaya

While my weekends are usually crazy, aside from my child's little soccer game, most of our weekend was spent watching The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints semi-annual General Conference. Twice a year, in April and October, the members all over the world  gather to listen to our church leaders, who are divinely appointed apostles and prophets speak to us. Their talks are so inspiring, they help us see how to be stronger, better people and issue moments of warning at the same time, yet they are always full of love, hope and sincerity. I always listen intently with much faith and reverance am never disappointed. Not to mention the legendary Mormon Tabernacle choir singing, moves me to tears almost every time.

 together forever print by sugarfresh

I loved the talk by Richard G Scott's. He speaks about his family being together forever and how to strengthen family ties and marriages. Which was so touching to hear as he not only lost his wife recently, but two of his children, one of them as an infant while he was a young man. His little stories of his marital antics are so sweet.

search ponder and pray print by sugarfresh

 Another one of my favorite talks was Jeffrey R. Holland's. He explains what General Conference his and how it is divinely inspired (around the 3 min mark), and how God truly lives and communicates with us today. It was so powerful, but his always are.

Salt Lake City Temple print by katies clicks

Our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, spoke 5 talks this conference, that can be accessed here. There is also so much love in his voice, and he always has the best stories. I truly have a testimony that he and the other men and women called in these positions in the church are truly inspired by God, and that they communicate His messages. While I know there is a lot of misinformation about our faith in the world, my heart knows of it's truthfulness, and that God truly has a plan for each and every one of us. Past conferences, since 1974 can be seen here.

Leo the cuddle bug.

A few weekends ago I got to watch my brother & his wife's pup Leo & took these silly photos.  The best way to describe this nine month old, 145 pound, pup? Cuddle.bug.

He gives the best hugs & loves to pal around the house with you.  he is a strong pup but extremely gentle. from his silly expressions to his snores that shake the room, i love this pup to the moon & back.

xo-

Blogging has Heart: Support Japan through Tragedy

The tragedy that has unfolded day after day in Japan has been unbelievable. As bloggers, everyday we set out to share a little of what we love with the world; forming friendships and discovering so much along the way. Blogging is a community that is driven by heart...not faceless corporations with agendas but real people with compassion.

Hearing of the tragedy in Japan was overwhelming, how do you even begin to make a difference for people so far away that need so much? I was so uplifted to see the blogging community reach out with their hearts the way they did. Friday, March 18th was a Blogger's Day of Silence in an effort to raise money for Japan.

Originally started by Ever Ours + Utterly Engaged HERE

For Japan with Love has grown exponentially and now has its own website.

Please join in helping Japan through 

this tragedy by going HERE. 

Every little counts.

Violence Against Women: Fashion Organization challenging Sex Trafficking

Violence against women has long been a problem that has been fought hard in developed countries. And as much as I love fashion, and blogging to you everyday about the various ways it can inspire you, none will every touch me more deeply than living for a cause. In many underdeveloped countries sex trafficking is a heavy threat to women, and today I wanted to share with you an organization that is changing lives. I recently met Supei Liu and discovered her organization that I was quickly enamored with, as it helps rescue hurting women through fashion.

The Nomi Network was co-founded by Supei. After many years of working in fashion retail in New York City, Supei told me she visited various manufacturing plants in Cambodia for fashion buying, and was touched by the sex trafficking problem that was brought to her attention, and from there her direction changed.

Nomi Network is a non-profit organization that aims to leverage the marketplace, film, and fashion to eradicate human trafficking. We aim to increase the financial independence of women who are vulnerable to or survivors of sex trafficking.

Buy Her Bag Not her Body is created by Nomi Network. 

We've created a partnership between the fashion industry and cause-driven, well-designed merchandise made by at-risk women and survivors of sexual exploitation, providing them with fair, sustainable employment opportunities. Supported by people like you, our stylish, high quality products don't just look good, they do good. 100% of the profit is reinvested into training and career development programs for women. For more information about our work, please visit our website at www.nominetwork.org.

Repurposed from Vietnam Rice Bags these totes, cosmetic bags, laptop cases, etc. exemplify how fashion can have a heart. I personally love the top bag with the Nomi slogan because I believe it is very catching and concise as well as well designed!  But you may be in the market for a new makeup bag or gym bag....

The products are actually extremely well designed and well priced and 100% of the proceeds go to rescuing, rehabilitating, and educating girls and women that are victims of the sex trafficking trade. The best part is, the women benefitting from this foundation...are making the bags you are buying! You are actually directly impacting their life! I personally can't imagine a better organization to support!

BUY HER BAG NOT HER BODY... TODAY.

Don't Forget to Vote!

Dear Lovelies,

The Lovelies Awards are getting closer to a close and I could really use some help s'il vous plait!
Bloggers are nothing without their community, in fact its the thing that keeps us going, and you Embellishers are fantastic! So please click me a favor that will take 2 seconds :) I appreciate it more than I can say!

Go HERE to The Lovelies: Fashion Blog Category

and Vote for The Embellished Life!

Enjoy the dreamy inspiration via Flikr!