Go With The Flow

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson Top: Diana Warner Shorts: Diana Warner

To wrap-up my collaboration with Diana Warner, I bring you one of my favorite pieces currently in her store.  I am all about a flowy top – especially one in this gorgeous blue!  I also love the shorts because they are super comfortable (primary requirement for me), and I could dress them up with wedges or wear them casually with sandals.  Either way, it’s a win, win for my summer closet. 

One of the reasons why I love a flowy top is because I feel very relaxed while wearing it. I don’t have to worry about getting too hot or having fabric stick to me.  It’s just simple, flattering and COMFORTABLE.  Did I mention that I really like to be comfortable in what I’m wearing?

While a flowy top can make me feel more relaxed, “going with the flow” often creates the exact opposite feeling for me.  I don’t know about you, but I like to be in control of all areas of my life. So, going with the flow is NOT something I’m good at.  Ask anyone who knows me.  They will tell you that I am far from laid back about most things. It is both a blessing and a curse, and I have spent most of my adult life trying strike the proper balance.

In life, however, we are often presented with situations where we just have to go with the flow.  Whether it be in your job, your family, or your friendships, you get to the point where you just have to sit back and let things happen on their own time. And trust me, recognizing that you are at that point is probably the hardest part about going with the flow.

What areas of your life do you need to just go with the flow? How can it help you better deal with the situation? And now for that all too familiar question… Have you prayed about it as much as you’ve talked about it?

Don’t be afraid to hand over your worries to God and ask him to help you go with the flow. After all, it’s kind of His job. 

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7 

Funny How A Memory

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson Dress: Diana Warner

Don’t you just love this maxi dress? It reminds me of being at the beach. I could totally see myself strolling down 30A in this outfit. Actually, let’s be real. I would be happy to stroll down 30A in a trash bag – I love that place so much. But, if I could wear this dress, it would be all the more perfect.

This dress is brought to you by Diana Warner; and, if you haven’t been to her pop-up shop in Nashville (or at least browsed through her website), I highly suggest that you head over there… like now.  Diana will always hold a special place in my retail heart.  A little more than four years ago, she designed the most beautiful necklaces for my bridesmaids to wear at our wedding. And let me tell you, it made my day to walk into an engagement party this past weekend and see Jamie, one of my bridesmaids, wearing the necklace.

I also loved pairing this look with another favorite jewelry piece from Diana Warner: the Obligato necklace. I bought it while attending the University of Tennessee; so, whenever I wear it, I’m instantly brought back to those beloved college days. 

I know material things shouldn’t be that important, but I love how a simple necklace can bring back such wonderful memories… Memories that remind you how you got to where you are today. They also serve as good reminders of how the Lord’s plan for our life can be better than anything we could ever think up. Memories can be a comforting reminder of how he is in control. I wasn’t supposed to attend UT for college. I originally started at Ole Miss. But because I ended up there, I met Jamie, who has since been my sorority sister, roommate, bridesmaid, teammate, and best-friend that I couldn’t imagine doing life without. 

Have you ever stopped to think about how you got to the place you are today? And all the twists and turns you made along the way?  Did you know that with each step you took, God already knew you would take them? How can the steps you’ve already walked help someone who is trying to find their way?

We have an amazing God who gives us so much. I just hope He will guide the way to get me to 30A in this dress very soon! Until then, I’ll just sit back and reminisce about all these happy memories. 

"I thank my God every time I remember you." - Philippians 1:3

Find Your Way Back Home

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson  Shirt by Aviate at Diana Warner

If you haven’t picked up on it already, I love Nashville. Like, L.O.V.E my city. I love the different neighborhoods… I love the people… I love the energy. So, when I was asked to collaborate with Diana Warner and given the option of wearing this adorable BNA shirt, it was a no brainer.  I was 100% on board.  Because not only do I love my city, I love to rep my city. I’m already the owner of the BNA hat; so, of course, I needed the shirt to go with it.

If you are thinking about purchasing your own BNA Aviate gear (which you should), I will warn you… Every time I wear my hat, I get asked if I work at the airport. Every. Single. Time. 

What’s funny is that to an outsider, the initials “BNA” wouldn’t mean much. It is really just the airport.  If you had asked me to wear a hat that said “Nashville International Airport,” I would have looked at you like you were crazy.  That thing would never go on my head. But put the letters “BNA” and this new Aviate trend is a total game changer.

Lucky for me, Adam and his family love to travel just as much as my family does. Therefore I spend a lot of time at the airport.  Being able to break out of Nashville and explore somewhere new—or even somewhere familiar—is a very comforting activity for me. With each new destination, I gain a new experience; but, at the same time, I also realize just how grateful I am for my home. 

I fully agree with the saying, “Home is where the heart is.”  Yet, while our homes will often look different, there is one member that belongs in each of them. And that member… that protector… is Jesus. Some days, we are very aware of His presence in our home.  It is as if he is sitting there with us at the dinner table.  Other days, we might not even welcome him through the front door. But, no matter what you are trying to escape or where you are running to, He is always waiting to lead you back home. No matter where that home may be. 

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be." - Matthew 6:21