Once in a While & White Dresses

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson  

Dress: Nordstrom || Shoes: Target || Similar shoes here and here

When I think about summer one of the things that always comes to mind is a simple white dress. Even though you can totally wear white all year round, there is just something about a white dress and summer. They just go together. This one from Nordstrom was one of my favorites from this year. Mostly because it is so bump friendly, but I also love how it can easily go from dressed up to dressed down. This one is currently on sale too! I have listed some of my top white dress picks below. A good white dress only comes around every once in a while. 

One of the things I constantly work on in my relationship with Christ is letting Him be in control. I am sure I am not alone in this. I spend my days praying for Him to make certain things work out on my time. As each event unfolds, my prayers will become more dyer to have things work in my direction. Instead of taking the time to listen to what He might be trying to tell me.

We can try to control our plans, but ultimately they are in God’s hands. Something we know yet often have to remind ourselves. I know He attempts to tell me this on a daily basis. And even with those reminders, I still find myself trying to control His plan.

Every once in while, when I go to pray the words “just be still” will come through so clearly. It is as if He is screaming them into my brain. I’ll begin to pray for things to work out a certain way and suddenly God interrupts me with this command. More than ever before I have been hearing those words over and over again.

Realizing I need to trust in His timing has never been so apparent. Mostly because I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little one. But I also know He means it in so many other areas. So for now, I am doing just that. Being still. Trusting in Him to know where the next steps are. To know the exact date when she will arrive. And to know He will lead me through the paths that are presented before me.

More than anything, I pray you will be able to hear what God is saying to you as you pray today. I pray He will clearly give you an idea of what to do next. Because there is nothing more comforting then hearing Him say “I’ve got this, just be still.” 

Be still and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10

Staying on Target & Target Style

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

Outfit details are all from Target: Dress || Shoes 

In Genesis 1 you can read the scripture of God creating the earth. How God took 6 days to make this amazing world for all of us. On the 7th day, He rested. And on the 8th day, He started making plans to bring all the women of the world a place of pure happiness called Target. Well ok, probably not. But I do consider Target to be a blessing from the Lord above.

Isn’t it so exciting to walk into Target to pick up something so simple, only to know you will actually walk out with probably a new outfit, a pair of shoes, maybe even a new comforter for your bed. Whatever it is, you will likely get inspired at Target. And this dress is one of those things that I did NOT walk into Target to buy – but left with anyways. I mean it is so hard to turn down an adorable summer dress that cost a total of $20. Am I right?? Something I love and hate about Target all at the same time. 

What I have learned over the years of shopping at Target is as long as you walk in with a budget in mind, you will walk out happy. I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten to the register and suddenly spent $100. Which then follows with a frantic check and recheck of the receipt trying to figure out how the heck that even happened. So nowadays I try to keep a plan, a target in mind, for when I enter this store. That means I actually walk into the store telling myself “you will not go to the shoe section today.” Oh the struggles of first world problems.

But shopping isn’t the only place where we might miss our mark. We can run into trouble in hitting our target when it comes to following our dreams. I struggle greatly with following through with goals and plans I have for my book and for this blog. One week the ideas will be flowing like crazy and the next week it is all I can do to pick up my computer and get to work.

Same is true for our faith. One day the Lord is present in every situation. You are talking with Him throughout each step of the day. The next morning you wake up in a rush to handle the daily tasks and forget He is even there to greet you with the blessing of a new day. We lose our target. We get off track.

Similar to every good shopping trip to Target, our faith requires discipline and focus. It is a gift to be given peace and love from Jesus Christ. But it isn’t a gift we can just accept, write the thank you note for and move on. It is one we accept and work at everyday. And with each amount of work on our end, in building our foundation in Jesus, the gift becomes even greater. The targets sometimes become clearer. And our walk with God can turn into a beautiful adventure.

So whether you are making a trip to Target today or just going through your daily to-do list, I pray that you will remember where to keep your true focus. Remember the target you should be aiming towards. And that is growing, with Him, and His love for you. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as your trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

PS: Below I have linked some of my current summer to fall favorites from Target. Just scroll over each picture to shop the item. 

Final Weekend: Nordstrom Sale

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson 

This look is all from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Cardigan || Top || Jeans || Shoes 

Final two days of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Can I get an AMEN?!  I know y'all have been hearing about it for weeks. In all seriousness, this sale really is the best of the year. Tons of fall pieces that are discounted now and prices will only go up later. I personally think it is a great time to invest in those shoes you will be wearing once the weather gets colder. Below are final picks for the sale. But you can always shop my other favorites by visiting the Nordstrom Sale tab. Just scroll over each item to see the price and shop! Happy weekend and Happy shopping!