Month: August 2022

FALL HOME DECOR HAUL

28 August 2022 / Decor, Hauls, Homemaking / Comments Off

BRING THE FALL SEASON INSIDE

Image of a shopping cart overflowing with fall decor items in various shades of orange, yellow, and burgundy. The items in the cart include pumpkins, leaves, candles, and other autumn-themed decorations — **Pin the image to save the post and style tips!**

The fall season is quickly creeping upon us! How exciting! That means harvest season, pumpkin spice, apple pies, and bursts of warm, rich colors like burnt orange, burgundy, yellows, browns, greens, cozy sweaters, crisp weather, and fall decor! What’s not to love?

I’ve made it a personal goal of mine to bring each season into my home by decorating to match it. I may have gone on a shopping craze at one of my favorite home decor stores, but boy, was it worth it! Here’s how you can bring the fall season into your home as I share some of the things I picked up!

FRAGRANCE

Pumpkin spice, apple pie, etc. These were some of the first things that came to mind before the fall decor haul. Those comforting and yummy smells are not strangers to this season. Indulge your senses and create nostalgia. Snag some gourmand-scented candles, form an essential oil blend, add potpourri to a glass vase, and it will feel like it whenever you step into your home. I purchased a pumpkin spice candle, and the throw is so strong that it doesn’t need to be lit to fill the house with fragrance.

I filled a glass vase with potpourri and placed it at the center of my dining table.

Closeup image of a glass vase filled with potpourri in autumnal colors, such as orange, red, and yellow. The potpourri contains various natural elements like leaves, flowers, and berries, making it a perfect fall decor item for a dining table

WARM LIGHTING

We are slowly drifting into that season where the days are getting shorter, and nightfall is earlier—incorporating warm lighting throughout your house using battery-operated candles or real ones to mimic that feeling.

I purchased some candle holders and added floating candles and some timed battery-operated candles.

COLOR SCHEMES

Fall is full of color. Make a mental note of color schemes that include reds, oranges, and yellows, and include these colors into the fabrics of your home and accent pieces.

THROWS & THROW PILLOWS

Something about the new crisp weather calls for a certain level of coziness and warmth. Whip out throw blankets you have put away, or buy more with the color scheme and get underneath! Think soft and furry.

TIP: If you already have an abundance of throw pillows, you can invest in seasonal throw pillowcases to switch out every season.

I picked up some maple pillowcases, and I can’t get enough of how cute they are.

Closeup image of a burnt orange colored throw blanket with pumpkin impressions on it, creating a cozy and festive item for a couch or armchair — Pumpkin impression orange throw blanket

Closeup image of a collection of throw pillows on a couch, each with a different pattern that represents fall decor. The patterns include autumnal colors, leaves, pumpkins, and other seasonal motifs that add a cozy and festive touch to the room. — Throw pillows with textures and patterns

CURTAINS

Cool weather means drafts, and curtains are a great way to add a dramatic effect to any space while providing warmth. When getting curtains for fall, think of heavy fabrics that provide that warmth and a glamorous feel. Fabrics such as velvet, silk, and wool lend to the heaviness and opulence we speak of.

FLORAL

Who doesn’t love flowers and/or greenery to liven up an atmosphere? Get fresh or dried flowers with those rich colors and a colorful wreath, or opt for an artificial garland you can drape wherever you’d like. Pampas grass, yarrow flowers, and eucalyptus are all great options.

DINING TABLE

This is a season of abundance! With harvest and Thanksgiving right around the corner, food has emerged. You will probably spend more time in this room In the next few months or might be open to entertaining. Curating an aesthetically appealing table will undoubtedly draw your guests’ eyes.

Think:

Table runner

Accent pieces

Placemats

Candles

And anything else you can think of

I purchased a gold table runner, gold candleholders, floating candles, and glass pumpkin accent pieces and filled a wide-mouthed cylinder vase with fall-colored potpourri.

ACCENT PIECES

Consider the theme and let your personality shine through with the arrangement of these pieces. Pumpkins, apples, pine cones, anything that comes to mind!

Image of a fall decor sign placed on top of a home bench beneath a high ceiling. On either side of the sign, there are glass vases in orange with LED candles inside, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere

Image of a fall decor accent piece placed on a bathroom counter, featuring pumpkin votive candles surrounded by a larger pumpkin accent piece. The larger pumpkin has intricate designs carved into it, adding a touch of elegance to the overall rustic decor

I hope you enjoyed this Fall Decor Haul!

God Bless!

Feminine Maintenance Routine

27 August 2022 / Femininity / Comments Off

7 Appointments to Book as a Woman

The image features a beautifully designed graphic with florals, a planner and pen in background to represent someone planning their maintenance routine and creating a self-care feminine maintenance routine that suits their needs.

Hello Lovely,

Do you have a maintenance routine or schedule?

The last time we spoke, we discussed self-care and amping up our natural beauty. We had major target areas to focus on, such as our: skin (face and body), nails, teeth, fragrance, and feet. Most of the things we discussed were ways to care for ourselves, taking a hands-on, DIY approach. But…what things should we budget for as a feminine woman? What appointments should we make related to beauty or health and wellness when seeking professional help or when we would like to preserve our energy? That, my friend, is called a maintenance schedule or routine.

Let’s get into it.

We can create a template for this maintenance routine using the same target areas. Please understand that maintenance as a woman is not only for beautifying ourselves outwardly, but it also considers things that allow us to rest in our femininity. Things that allow us to be soft and unwind. Activities that are health and wellness based.

Two things to consider are Your BUDGET and the Frequency of Scheduling. Your frequency for scheduling beauty and wellness appointments for target areas is based on your lifestyle. Ask yourself these questions: Do I want to supplement these appointments with my DIY self-care, or do I have a significant budget to take a hands-off approach? Do you live an active life that requires higher maintenance (exercise, events, etc.) Think about these things and plan accordingly.

As a woman, allowing ourselves to be pampered and paying for services without feeling guilty is okay. This allows for self-preservation in the physical sense (outward appearance) and mental (energy and peace).

Hair

Schedule a Hair appointment.

Find a hairstylist that is knowledgeable about hair health and styling. That way, when you want to look extra dolled up, you can, but not at the expense of damaging your hair. Get an added deep treatment service and enjoy that toe-curling shampoo scrub.

Skin

A woman’s skin is to be nourished, nurtured, and treated. Glowing, smooth skin radiates femininity and can be a glimpse into one’s overall health. Mechanical exfoliation catalyzes removing dead skin cells and is very important in smooth skin. Treatments are also a must.

Book A Facial

Find an esthetician (someone who specializes in beautifying the skin by providing cosmetic/superficial treatments) that you trust and whose services and products offer a noticeable change in your skin. An esthetician will give you extractions and provide services you wouldn’t usually be able to do on your own.

Get a Korean Body Scrub

This form of mechanical exfoliation originating in Korea removes the accumulation of gunk, dirt, and dead skin cells upon the surface of your skin (body), incorporating a gritty-like textured skin glove and hot water. It is worth a try! It is relaxing, and that baby smooth skin is worth it! Many Asian-inspired spas offer this service. There is a certain level of nudity, so keep this in mind.

Nails

Pencil in a Manicure and Pedicure Appointment

Groomed nails give a polished look. Search for a nail tech or experiment with salons that are within your budget and that you feel provide excellent service.

Health & Wellness

Book a massage

Massages are therapeutic in that they relieve stress and alleviate pain. They also provide an intentional way to unplug and escape. Find a spa that has experienced and skilled masseuses and gives you an ambiance of zen. And if you don’t want to leave your space, you can even book an in-home massage!

Join a gym or drop in on a fitness class.

Physical fitness is essential in how we feel about ourselves and our bodies. It can be a chore, but keeping active and exercising can release endorphins that alleviate stress and even help with period cramps! If you are looking for long-term investment and are sure to remain consistent, find a gym and get a membership. Suppose you want more autonomy and don’t want to make a financial commitment to drop in on a fitness class now and again. Zumba, pilates, yoga, HIIT, boot camps, it’s entirely up to you.

Seek counsel

Mental health has become increasingly normalized, and for a good reason. If you need help, seek it; there is no shame in this. Whether it’s a pastor, a counselor, a life coach, or a therapist, you cannot be your best self as a woman if you are struggling mentally. This counsel can be the one thing holding you back from embracing your God-given womanhood, so please consider it. It is worth the investment.

This list is just a reference. You may opt to do more or less. Have fun with it and make it your own. Tailor your womanly maintenance routine to fit your personal needs and desires. Having a maintenance routine allows you to be structured, organized, and intentional about self-preservation and allows you to put your most beautiful self forward.

The image features a beautifully designed graphic with bold typography and feminine colors. In the center of the image is a text box that reads '7 Appointments to Book as a Woman' and below it is the website link to the blog post. In the bottom right corner, there is a button that reads 'Save' to encourage saving the pin to Pinterest. Clicking on the image will direct you to the blog post on the website. Get tips and advice for taking care of your health as a woman and creating a self-care feminine maintenance routine that suits your needs. — **Pin this to save the post!**

God Bless!

The Biblical Virtuous Woman vs. The Secular Renaissance Woman

6 August 2022 / Biblical, Faith, Femininity, Self Development / Comments Off

Hello Lovely,

As we embark on this journey of virtuous renaissance womanhood, I thought it essential to discuss the foundation, model, and this state of being a woman. Who is a virtuous renaissance woman? Where does the idea come from? What does it mean to have either virtuous or renaissance qualities? And, how do the two parallel?

Comparing the two starts a conversation, shares insight, and presents an archetype. This archetype represents a woman of excellent capability, morale, and worth. I am also on this journey and don’t claim to know it all.

The “Virtuous Woman” comes directly from the Bible, also known as “The Proverbs 31 Woman.” Proverbs is a book of wisdom in the Bible, written in poetry. Chapter 31 in the book of Proverbs introduces a prophecy told to King Lemuel by his mother. I encourage you to study this passage for yourself.

The Virtuous Woman

“Virtue” is the sum of her characteristics. The tenth verse of Proverbs chapter 31 introduces her as a wife. But, if we pay careful attention to the words, “Who can find a virtuous wife?” we understand that having virtue is a quality that exists before marriage. It is a quality that all women should work towards, regardless of marital status. But still, what does that word mean? To have Virtue is to have a high moral standard, according to the Oxford Dictionary.

Outside of the secular definition, the Bible gives us this blueprint. Here are the 12 most notable characteristics of a Virtuous Woman.

Qualities of a Virtuous Woman

1. She’s TRUSTWORTHY

2. She’s a HARD WORKER

3. She’s GENEROUS and HOSPITABLE

4. She’s AN INVESTOR and makes smart investments

5. She EXERTS HER STRENGTH

6. She’s RESOURCEFUL

7. She is WELL-DRESSED

8. She’s INSIGHTFUL (has wisdom and intelligence)

9. She’s KIND in speech (check out this post on emotional control)

10. She’s a HOMEMAKER

11. Those closest to her know her worth and she is praised.

12. Her value comes from her FEAR IN THE LORD (not in her charm or looks)

The Renaissance Woman

As you can see, the qualities of the biblical virtuous woman are extensive. Now, let us look at the secular Renaissance Woman. There is not much of a blueprint for emulating this woman, but by definition, we know her to have many talents or areas of knowledge. Her many interests make her well-rounded. What we do know is that she was trained in the areas of arts and sciences; and committed to lifelong learning.

Both the biblical and the secular are exemplary. They both describe a woman who possesses great worth and is an asset to those closest to her. I can’t help but notice that the biblical example of this valuable woman has more depth and is less vague. The Bible focuses on the character qualities of an individual, in addition to developed skills, with emphasis on her love for God. In comparison, the secular renaissance woman tends to focus on just the surface level or worldly achievements.

The Word of God will forever be my ultimate blueprint of what it means to be a high-value woman, not what the world spews out to me through social media, society, others’ opinions, etc. You see, God has bought us with a price, and it is in our best interest to follow his lead in all things. I encourage you to follow God’s blueprint to become the woman he has ordained for you to be.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Virtuous Woman Pinterest link — **Pin the image to revisit and save the post!**

God Bless You!