the kindest person i know.

White Scarf: Thrifted, Striped Scarf: Husband's--H&M, Orange Sweater: thrifted, Jeans: Miss Me from Nordstrom, Shoes: A'Gaci.

My husband is seriously an angel. 

Like, seriously the nicest person I know.

Proof: He's been working on a writing project and the deadline for his final draft is tomorrow. Therefore, he has been trapped in his office for the past week type type typing away while I deal with this beautiful nightmare: 

(he was just helping me reach that highest corner for literally 2 min).

Tonight at dinner I asked him how many more lesson plans he had to write and he was down to one and a half! I asked what the first thing is that he wants to do as soon as he's done writing and, without hesitation, he said "help you with your projects." 

His second choice is to watch a movie. 

He melts my heart. 

my name is sarah and i'm a control freak.

Green Jacket: H&M, Gray Scarf: f21, Dotted Blouse: Old Navy, Jeans: f21, Boots: Shoedazzle.

I've never been the kind of person that obsesses over things and has to be in charge, but over the past few months I've realized something new growing inside of me. 

It's this thing where I want to host every holiday party just so that I can control what music is playing, what decorations are hung, and how the dishes are presented on the table. 

I'm becoming kind of a snot about it too. 

Not because I'm the best, but because when I see something in my head it absolutely HAS. TO. HAPPEN.

I'm gonna be the girl that throws her own baby shower someday.

Yikes. 

No one likes that girl, right? 

Anybody? 

...

the bridesmaid dress.

Necklace: Burlington Coat Factory, Denim Shirt: Old Navy, Sparkly Skirt: Dress from f21, tights: Target, Wedges: Trouve from Nordstrom.

 This sparkly skirt is actually a dress. Not just any dress, no. This was what my bridesmaids wore in our wedding. I loved the dress so much that I got one for myself and I don't get to wear it nearly as often as I'd like to. So, I wore it to work and dressed it down with a denim shirt. Kinda schmancy but it works for me! 

Oh, and here's a picture of some of my bridesmaids in the dress: 

Before you say anything, let me just admit that the dress is the first thing I'd change in our wedding.

 In theory it was great, but they didn't photograph well in the daylight (when our group shots were taken). In fact, they looked a lot more like trash bags than they did elegant gowns of glory. 

Aaaand, I'm pretty sure my bridesmaids hated me for choosing that dress so that's another reason I'd change it. 

Sorry ladies! I promise I wasn't trying to make you look bad! 

But hey, I was 19 and didn't know any better. Whoops!

Have a great thanksgiving y'all! 

coincidence?

Necklace: Burlington Coat Factory, Sweater: Thrifted, Blouse: J. Crew thrifted, Jeans: forever 21, Booties: Urban Original.

On Saturday we went door-to-door delivering cookies with our names and phone numbers on little cards so that we could finally meet all of our new-ish neighbors. The only problem was that 7 out of 10 did not answer their door. Including the two houses on either side of us. Well, right before these pics were taken the neighbor dog bolted out of their house, down the street, towards the busy road. 

I don't think our neighbor knew since she just stood in the doorway calling for little Charlie, so Ian ran off to get him while I introduced myself to Jen. 

Ian ran back with Charlie curled in his arms and we proceeded with the photo shoot. 

It's funny sometimes how you end up interacting with different people throughout your day. I'm glad we finally met Jen, but when I start to think really deeply (sometimes I'm a deep thinker ;) about all the variables that collide to create a unique moment in time for two strangers to finally meet. 

I guess this means I don't believe in "chance". That things just randomly happen for no reason. 

Everything has been perfectly designed ahead of time. 

What do you believe? Coincidence?  

monday night is date night.

I never really saw the point of having a weekly night designated to going on a date with your spouse. 

(Not because I don't love spending time with my honey, but because when it's just the two of us, every night could be considered a date night).

But since so many people recommend it we've been trying to plan something extra special every monday night. Even if it's just watching a movie we've been dying to see, we hype it up all day long so that we're extra excited. 

Tonight we went to New Seasons for dinner:

And ordered my favorite-- hot wok:

I have to smile like this when I wear red lipstick (oh, and note to self: that drink was delicious... Peach Steaz):

Then we went to Bridgeport to see Breaking Dawn:

When we got home we snuggled our poor, neglected pup:

It's been a good night : ) 

I'll be back again soon with some updated dining room pictures! 

the day i was ugly.

Beanie: Vera Wang, Lipstick: Botanics "Rose", Yellow/Green Top: f21, Gray Blazer: Banana Republic thrifted, Purse: Vintage Dooney & Bourke, Jeans: f21, Shoes: Urban Original.

Friday wasn't a good day for me. 

Nothing bad happened.

It wasn't even one of those days. 

The day started off right (with my Bible) but the moment I got to work I was just fleshy. 

By fleshy, I mean selfish, rude, and whiny. Probably more.

Not cute.

You know when you mess up and you feel bad afterward for what you said, did, didn't say, or didn't do? Well, this wasn't like that.

I totally knew, in the moment, that I was being obnoxious, hurtful, and hypocritical.

This is not the girl I want to be. 

I want to be a woman filled with joy.

I want to be a selfless human being always looking for ways to help others. No matter who they are.

I want to be beautiful on the inside.

I want to be known for my patience.

I want to be kind to everyone--to her face and behind her back. 

I want to be a crown to my husband.

I want to work hard without complaining.

I want to maintain a beautiful home where others can rest and be known.

I want my eyes to be OPEN.

I want to love when I've been wronged.

I want to be calm. 

I want to be motivated.

I want to be able to handle much with little.

I'm not trying to be perfect, I just want my ugly and vulnerable side to still be presentable to others. 

That is the kind of woman I want to be, always. 

i love my city.

 Collared Shirt: Thrifted, Sweater & Necklace: Burlington Coat Factory, Belt: Thrifted, Jeans: f21, Shoes: Trouve from Nordstrom.

You know when people stretch the truth to make it sound cooler? 

That's totally me.

I say I live in Portland, but the truth is I live in the 'burbs. 

I'm cool with that! 

If we had the funds to afford a house in the city (if that even exists) I would totes be there, but suburban life is big enough for us small-town folk. 

That doesn't take away my love for the city of Portland (and surrounding areas) though. 

Sometimes I'm just so overwhelmed with how right this place is for us. Not only do I love the area, geographically, but I love the people here. And not just my friends. But like everyone. I'm so blessed to interact with these people. 

This is where my heart is.

facebook + reading list.

Why don't all the blogs I follow show up on my little reading list newsfeed on blogger? 

I just assume that some of you aren't posting as regularly as you used to, but when I click on your link you've posted daily and it just hasn't shown up on my blogger home page... any suggestions as to how I could fix that???? 

Also, Frills is on Facebook. If you would like to follow me there so that I don't feel like a loser click here. 

friends.

yellow jacket: nordstrom, striped shirt: old navy, jeans: f21, purse: thrifted, boots: mom

We had a reunion with our Africa team last night and it was seriously so much fun.

Our time together was short, but needed and enjoyed, so I am not complaining. 

When you share an experience like a two week trip in Africa, it's hard not to love every single person you went with. When we first got home from the trip I was going through withdrawals. 

All of these people are amazing. 

That's something else I've learned; you meet some pretty amazing people when you step outside of your regular circle. That might be obvious to some, but I think it's a good reminder to keep your eyes out for people that you see all the time (at work, school, church, starbucks, etc.) and start getting to know them! Life is too short to limit our narrow circle of friends. 

video--scarf tutorial.

Enjoy the awkwardness...

(p.s. i forgot to say that you have to fold the scarf in half before you put it around your neck. i'm not the best vid editor.)

denim jacket.

Denim Jacket: Old Navy thrifted, Pink Blouse: thrifted, Necklace: f21, Pants: Nordstrom, Yellow Shoes: Target.

Although it reminds me of the 90's and I got some majorly awkward pictures in it, I've been loving my denim jacket lately. It's really hard not to wear it every single day because it's so easy to layer with and much less bulky than any other jacket that I bundle up in. 

What does your favorite coat look like?

P.S. Can you just check out how gorgeous those trees are behind me???? I love autumn in Oregon. Seriously gorgeous. 

P.P.S. I'm blogging over at Clutch Talk today on quality v. quantity when shopping! Visit here.

open to interpretation.

So, the girls (see below) asked me to be a special guest for their series "Open to Interpretation" where every other week one of them chooses and inspirational outfit picture and, based on their own style and closet, they each interpret the look. Doesn't this sound fun? It is. And I can't believe they asked me to be their first guest! I am so honored and secretly wish I could do it with them every time because it's just plain fun! 

I'm sure most of you have seen my Copy Cat posts (here, here, and here) so you know I already had this inspirational picture pinned on Pinterest just waiting to be mimicked:

{via}

I loved everything about this outfit. The pops of color on top mixed with the dark neutral bottom. Feminine with edge... my fave. Oh yeah, and when I look for inspirational pictures I try to find some that actually use items I already have in my closet so forgive me for my lack of creativity. I mean, I even copied some of the poses... No shame! 

Ray Bans: Husband's, Scarf: Steinmart, Necklace: made it mah-self, White Tee: f21, Yellow Coat: Elle-gifted, Black Shorts: Old Navy, Purse: f21, Tights: Ross, Shoes: Urban Original, Watch: Target, Bracelet: mom.

Don't you just love the internet? I am bombarded with beautiful inspirations daily and I just can never get enough! Plus, you get to meet such great people too. Funz! Speaking of...

Be sure to visit the original interpreters (Amy, Kayla, and Erica) here: 

Thank you so much for letting me interrupt your interpretations with mine : ) It was so fun!