Happy Halloween! 

Whether you are watching your favorite halloween flick, bobbing for apples, passing out candy, dressing up, attending a costume party, or trick or treating we are celebrating this fun, spooky, and sweet holiday!  As you see I have dressed up as the lovely Minnie Mouse, and am already spinning some wicked cool ideas for next year's costume!  Have a lovely and spooky day!

Old dress- Old Socks- Shoes- SUPER OLD EARS

Photos by Mike Hicks- Edited by Me

Sunday Devotional: James 1:5-8

James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

So many times we have the guts to ask God for something without having faith in Him.  We pray to Him for guidance or help in a situation, but only because it is what "we're supposed to do."  We don't do it because we have the faith.  And how do you know what you're doing?... Well, the answer is simply if after that prayer you go on ahead and take control over the situation.  How often do you do this?  
I think we all do it, whether it is every once in awhile or all the time.  You change this by pursuing your relationship with Him.  Don't view Christianity as a religion, but rather a relationship.  It isn't about a rulebook and a checklist containing how many times we need to pray and a certain length on how long we read our Bible.  It is about pursuing Him, praying to Him, reading our Bible, living a life full of worship, and letting Him shine through your actions and words BECAUSE YOU LOVE HIM AND WANT TO KNOW HIM!  It isn't a checklist anymore, rather you're doing them because you want to.  And that is when faith becomes more relevant.  You are close to Him and know that He can do anything- you just have to have faith.
Dear God,
I pray that each of us will start taking steps to pursuing you and having more faith in you.  I ask that as we do this that you will make yourself present in every part of our lives and not just on Sunday mornings at a church service.  I ask that as we have more faith you that we will show it through our actions so that we can share you and your amazing love and power to the world.  It is in Jesus' name I pray, Amen. 

Tea For The Weekend: A Chai Tea Latte Recipi

Good afternoon on this fine Saturday before Halloween!  I figured what better tea to drink on this autumn day than a Chai Tea Latte right!?  Well, here is my recipe!  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

4 chai tea bags

1 tbl of cinnamon

1 tsp of nutmeg

10 whole allspice

2 tbl of sugar

2 tsp of vanilla 

1 cup of water

1/2 cup of 2% milk

1/2 cup of whipping cream

1) Put all of the spices, tea bags, and 1 tsp of vanilla into a pot with the water.  Once it is brought to a boil let it simmer.

2) Put the milk, heavy whipping cream, 1 tsp of vanilla, and 2 tbl of sugar into a separate pan. 

3) When they have each come to a boil put drain the tea mixture into the milk pan. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes. 

4) Now it can be served in your prettiest pot, and sprinkle some cinnamon to top off each cup!

5) Sit down, relax, and enjoy your tea!

I Feel Like A Nancy Drew

I was one of those girls who read nothing but Nancy Drew for the LONGEST time! I eventually moved on to Goosebumps, and then made a big jump to Harry Potter, but that is besides the point!  I loved reading the original and new ones as a little girl, so one year I got a set of four movies of the black and white Nancy Drew films starring Bonita Granville.  I have always adored her and Ted, her style, and her passion for mysteries.  Then a few years back (okay, maybe more than a few) the Emma Roberts version came out, and still to this day I LOVE that movie!  Maybe it was the actual content- maybe it was her fashion sense.  I guess we'll never know!

  I guess what reminds me of Nancy Drew in this outfit is the fun a-line skirt with the buttons lining the pockets, the oxfords, the fun colored tights, and of course the elbow patches on the top!  I guess with Halloween being on our heels I have an excuse to dress up like her! Speaking of which!!!  Check back on Monday to see my costume! Have a lovely day!

Similar Top- Gap Skirt- Gifted Purse- Red Tights- Shoes

Photos by Mike Hicks- Edited by Me

The Crop Top Rage

As I have said before, I prefer modesty.  So as you can imagine I am not one for crop tops, ar at least I thought!...  I will never wear a crop top that shows any skin, but I wearing one with a high waisted skirt or a dress is a must!  When I was at an Urban Outfitters this summer i was on my way to a dressing room with a skirt and realized that I didn't have a top to try it on with.  So I grabbed what ever was near and went back with this top.  I LOVED it! As you may be able to see I am wearing a tank under it, but it kind of blends in with the skirt as well so it doesn't even matter!  I suggest to try one if you typically vear away from them...  Maybe try it over a skater dress or a skirt!  Just always remember- Modesty is Hotesty!;P  

Never EVER let your standards and morals diminish JUST because society tells you it's okay!  We all have a voice, so let yourselves be heard.  

Similar Crop Top Sweater- Similar Skirt- Similar Shoes- Vintage Brooch

Photos by Mike Hicks- Edited by Me

School Days

Good morning!  With autumn being POSSIBLY my favorite season it gives me quite a bit of artistic inspiration for not just my style, but for my writing as well.  So here is a little poem inspired by this season's true beauties.

Autumn

The autumn soft air

And the beautiful changing leaves affair

They whistle and embark down the lane

Causing nothing less than a stop and stair kind of strain

The hayride down the pumpkin patch

Breezy days, spice lattes, and auburn tights are quite the match

Cookies, pies, and all the goodies from one sweet pumpkin

And our country mom cooking bumpkin 

Days with trickling light

And more abundant dark nights

Soon these days will fade

This season truly has quite the trade

- Cori

Have a lovely day, and indulge in one of this season's gifts!

 Skirt- Shoes- Shirt- I want these socks!!!- Similar Jacket

Photos by Mike Hicks- Edited by Me

Sunday Devotional: Fear

Good Morning and Happy Sunday!  Today's devotional is a bit different.  I am going to share with you something that I have had a hard time with a long time, and that I am finally trying to overcome with the help of only my Saviour, Jesus Christ.  I have been so full of fear for such a long time.  It's not a fear of not being saved or a fear of not going to Heaven.  I am scared of the dark, scared of getting attacked, scared of being by myself, scared of my house getting broken into when I'm home alone, scared of being raped, scared of being kidnapped, scared of the thought of people hiding in my house ready to attack me, and I have even been scared of taking my dog out at night in case someone is ready to attack me.  These have all consumed my mind and penetrated my heart.  This is the exact way Satan tries to get to me.  It is my weakness.  It can be so bad that I lock myself in my room until someone gets home.  I have even called my grandpa to come out to my house to wait with me until my parents get home.  It has become so bad, and I no longer want these fears to paralyze me, stop me from living a normal life, or from living with a peace knowing God is protecting me.  

Is this something that you can just say, "I'm not scared anymore!"? I don't think so.   It is a process and certainly has been a process.  When that fear comes to mind I started singing 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman to myself.  Here are a few lines from it. 

Bless the Lord oh my soul

Oh my soul

Worship His Holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I'll worship Your Holy name

The sun comes up

It's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass

And whatever lies before me

Let me be singing 

When the evening comes...

And on that day

When my strength is failing

The end draws near

And my time has come

Still my soul will

Sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years

And then forevermore

Forevermore

Bless the Lord oh my soul

Oh my soul

Worship His Holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I'll worship Your Holy name...

This has certainly helped.  It makes me focus on Jesus, His love for

me, and everything I have to be thankful for no matter what is going on.  I also (and still do) pray and ask for protection.  Talking to God is just so intimate knowing He hears EVERYTHING.  Every thought, every whisper, every shout, every word spoken to others, and every word spoken to Him.  He can take your fear away, but He wants you to trust Him and go to Him first.  I will admit that this is difficult.  Difficult to not think of every possible thing I should do and can do if something happens, but faith in God is my biggest and most powerful weapon.  I just forget to use it sometimes.  

Like I said it has continued to get worse over the past few months.  Well my mom shared a few stories with me here recently, and has told me pray pray pray.  It has certainly been helping, but I think what has helped me the most is scripture.  These past few weeks I read scripture about fear everytime I get scared along with prayer and worship music.  I want to share with you scripture that has truly helped me and penetrated my heart to fight the fear that got trapped in there.  

John 14:27 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 43:4

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Psalm 34:4

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 56: 3-4

3. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

  4. In God, whose word I praise—

in God I trust and am not afraid.

    What can mere mortals do to me?

That last one is my favorite... "What can mere mortals do to me?"  Practically all of the fears I listed has do to do with something that a mere mortal could do me, but they can't do a thing to me.  I am a child of God living in a temporary place.  My home is in an eternal Heaven with my Saviour, Jesus Christ.  

Dear God, 

I thank you for the protection you give me.  I thank you for the love you give me.  I thank you for the scripture you have opened my eyes to so that I can overcome my fears with you leading the way.  I ask that you will continue to overcome our hearts with your love so that we can live fearlessly for you, and do what you have set out for us to do.  I ask today that you will continue to help me overcome my fears daily, and constantly remind me that you are with me.  It is in Jesus' name I pray, Amen. 

Photo by Me

Tea For The Weekend: A Lovely Cup

On this fine Saturday morning I will share with you another little tea poem that I find quite sweet and fun, but first!!! I got a new tea cup!  I was at Marshalls strolling through and eyeing all the cute cups.  The moment my eyes fell on this cup I HAD to have it... Okay, so that may be a slight exaggeration, but I really wanted it!  It was only seven dollars too!  I fell in love with the color, the shape, the little points on the cup and saucer, and I absolutely L-O-V-E the floral print on the outside AND INSIDE of the cup!!! I just loove that as I typically stare into my cup as I sip (while looking cross eyed) I can see all the beautiful flowers stairing back at me! I mean come on.  WHO WOULDN'T WANT THAT???  In my lovely new cup I am sipping the lovely Youthberry I have shared with you before from Teavana...

  Well, with that I will give to you a poem I recently found!

 Cup Of Tea  
When the world is all at odds
And the mind is all at sea
Then cease the useless tedium
And brew a cup of tea.
There is magic in its' fragrance,
There is solace in its' taste;
And the laden moments vanish
Somehow into space.
And the world becomes a lovely thing!
There's beauty as you'll see;
All because you briefly stopped
To brew a cup of tea.

"If you are cold, tea will warm you; 
if you are depressed it will cheer you; 
if you are excited it will calm you."
~William Gladstone

Auburn and Aztec

Good Morning! This past weekend I was kept inside of a dreadful cold, but thankfully I am finally feeling better (at least for the most part).  No one likes colds, but it isn't until I get a cold again that I am reminded once again how miserable they are.  Stuffy nose, cough, sore throat- it's all bad, but no worries!  There was a highlight of my weekend! Despite my cold my boyfriend and I celebrated Sweetest Day by going on a picnic with soup, ice cream, and sparkling grape juice (perfect for my sore throat).  Then we finished the evening by seeing an outside production of Dracula!  Now I am not one for scary movies, but a classic will always have a spot in my heart.  The play had the perfect element of thrill and comedic relief all at once.  So thankfully I didn't go home in wet pants with nightmares awaiting me!  Despite my fear of super scary movies I will ALWAYS LOVE Hocus Pocus- especially at this time in the year! How about you!? What is your favorite film for this Halloween season?

Marshalls Dress- Similar Jacket- Similar Purse- Shoes- Similar Socks
Photos by Mike Hicks- Edited by Me

Windy Days In Autumn

Am I the only one that thinks autumn is bipolar???  The past few days were chilly, windy, and made you in need of a jacket, but now it is back to the low 80's! What is this?! I want my sweater weather back!... Well, besides my weather rant I wanted to give you a few pointers for fall floral.  I am madly in love with anything floral, which makes spring and summer very easy for me to grab something out of my closet and throw it on.  However fall makes us lean towards the dark colors, which in my opinion makes it easy for us to veer away from the florals our hearts beat for.  That certainly hasn't kept me from wearing my favorite florals in the chilliest time of the year, but it can make me feel out of place in the season though!  So when my mom pointed this shirt out to me I LOVED it, because it was FLORAL and PERFECT FOR FALL!!!  Despite  flowers being more of a spring or summer thing these dark colors and artistic flow of the flower design make it much more suitable for fall than any other floral I own.  So if you're like me, and can't help but reach for florals in this time of year- go for the darker colors!

  

Similar Shirt- Similar Skirt- Shoes- Similar Bag
Photos by Mike Hicks- Edited by Me