Meet Your Neighbors //

Driving around town, running errands. I stopped for gas and as I was pulling back out to go home I paused for some pedestrians to cross first. At first glance I saw a white couple with a stroller coming from the right and a middle aged black man coming from the left. I took a minute to really look at them both. The man on the left looked really put together. The couple on the right, I realized, werent a couple and were certainly homeless, their stroller was filled with bundles of clothes. A little dog was tagging along behind them and I smiled. The man saw me see the pooch and he nodded and smiled at me. You dont have to travel far from my neighborhood to see homeless people but this man and woman were literally four blocks from my house -- they were in my neighborhood practically. I went home with their faces in my mind.

A couple hours later I ran out to get some more paint, as this was in the middle of my remodel work a few weeks ago. Driving down the main street I saw them again. The same homeless people from earlier! I have been practicing stopping the first time someone stands out to me but especially when they cross my path a second time. Im too aware to ignore the orchestration of that. So I looped around a couple of blocks, parked my car and walked around the corner to meet up with them. As I came walking up they didnt think anything at first but then I greeted them, not the people walking behind them, and they lit up. I explained how Id seen them earlier and then just had to come say hello when I saw them again. We introduced ourselves and talked about work and where we are from. I met their dog. They thanked me for stopping and we went our separate directions.

Time passes. Ive thought of them. I hoped that was the first of several interactions, the beginning of building relationship with them, with Zach and with Merrill. Then the blizzard hit. Superbowl Sunday and I was snowed into my house, watching the snow pile up on the sills of my windows outside, closing me in and as I went to sleep I wondered if they had found shelter from the storm. I was genuinely concerned. I dont remember if it was that night or another night but I had a dream that I ran into them again, that they were fine, theyd survived the storm. I was so relieved.

The following week I walked out of church late and as I was headed toward my car I saw a man running across the street to meet someone, carrying a little dog above his head. The site made me smile but then I recognized the man! It was Zach, running to meet Merrill near the Goodwill. So excited I called out to them and they recognized me right away. They were impressed that Id remembered their names and I was touched that they recalled mine. "We survived the storm!" Merrill said. Praise God! They asked how I was settling in and if Id made many friends yet. I told them about Cornerstone Church and turned out that Zach is friends with the man who owns the theatre that we hold church in on Sundays. I know the benefit of having a dog when youre homeless, having that companion, and I also know that it limits you from being able to enter certain places. I hope it wont be cause for them not to wander into Cornerstone some Sunday though. I cant wait to see them again.

Stitch Fix >>

Although the colors and pattern were a little out of my comfort zone I was in love with the fit and style of this top. I wore it for a few mins and felt quite at-home in it but I just didnt feel like myself when I looked in the mirror so I didnt keep it.
under $50

I love sweatshirts that are a little dressier than a regular old hoodie. I have three that I wear frequently. You would think that this one would have fit right in with my style but the transparency of the lace parts was too much for me. Haha!
over $50

This henley top was exactly my style. Again the psychedelic pattern was adventurous for me. I really wanted to keep this one but just couldnt bring myself to pay for it that month because of my limited budget.
under $50

The gold bangle is the first piece of jewelry Ive received in a "Fix. I love bangles and it felt extra fancy to get to spruce-up the styling process with a sparkly piece, however the price was laughable to me for a simple bangle.
under $50

This was my keeper piece: the skinny corduroy pants. They fit like a dream and for a girl with limited pant-wear it seemed a worth-while investment into my wardrobe. The price stopped me in my tracks, but thanks to you guys for scheduling your first "Fix" with my referral code, I had a little unexpected extra credit in my account which helped a lot. Thanks, guys!
over $50

"Fix" #3 was a great success, if you ask me! What was in your latest "Fix"?
https://www.stitchfix.com

not sponsored by Stitch Fix

Meet your neighbors //

Ive called Milwaukee “home” for four Saturdays now. The first was carrying box after box up the stairs to my apartment with the help of some new friends and my parents. The second was spent completely with my Momma who generously came back to visit and to help me settle in. My third Saturday was my first weekend off of work at my new job and I used up those days by driving to Michigan to visit a friend. Number four, today, it seals the deal. One month in and this has been home from the first moment. Still unpacking, painting, settling — into my space and my community — but enough time has passed for me to feel comfortable here. Time to press deeper.

Last night Holy Spirit called me out of my comfort zone and into action. I groaned with the soul “stiffness” thats like limbs that have done nothing but sit for hours, but it was Friday night and I didn’t have plans. Ive decided He gets to make our Friday night plans from here out.

I had plenty of meals I could make but just really wanted to get something warm delivered. Pizza is always a good idea. A little research, a few questions, a phone line busy… “Ill just walk.” That stuck. I could’ve driven but He wanted to walk. So we did. And we saw many more souls through glancing eyes we rubbed shoulders with than you can from the street anyway. “Maybe I should just get a frozen pizza and take it home?” Nope. Hot, fresh, cooked for me. Okay. Down the street and around a corner, passing the building where French lessons are given — a little nudge of encouragement to keep at my own lessons in the language from Him on our way — and in the door of a whole-in-the-wall pizzeria with only two chairs to wait in and clear site to the very back of the tight kitchen. I still distinctly felt like I was supposed to get the pizza delivered so I said, “Maybe this is odd but could I order here, now, and have the pizza delivered to me? I don’t want to carry it all the way back.” “Of course! Whats the address?” I told her and she paused, “I live on the same block as you.” We chatted and wrapped up my order. Leaving the building and walking home though I burst into laughter because my heart is to meet my neighbors, to love my neighbors — from the crossing guard to the baristas, the grocery clerks to the people living in the apartments next door — I just haven’t met any of them, its been so cold out. But here was one! At the pizza place I was supposed to walk to but have delivered. 

Maria with the social german shepherd, as you said, Im sure Ill see you around!

Stitch Fix >>

In my second Fix I received an infinity scarf, a very modern cut blouse with cute sleeves, a blue knit hoodie, a knit sweater and this teal colored tunic top. I kept the tunic top. Its become one of my favorite go-to pieces in my wardrobe.

Pacifica >>

My "beauty" story reads like this: When I was twelve years old and began to experiment with wearing makeup it became apparent that I was allergic to it. Around the same time I discovered my skin was too sensitive to tollerate scented lotion any longer or perfume and, while we were at it, any artificially scented or chemical-full substance used for cleaning or filling a space with scent. 

Friends felt sorry for me but honestly I was content being an "all natural" girl. Less fuss, much less expensive, and my skin was only being touched by the sunshine and fragrance-free, natural lotion. I wasn't complaining! At the age of twenty-two I'm still happy to be sporting my no-makeup face everywhere I go. So why are we talking about makeup all of a sudden? Frankly, because its winter in the Midwest and that means very cold, very dry and rather dark. It also means evening parties -- the only place that my natural face feels out of place. 

I was in Target and decided to look for a lipstick or gloss that would match my natural lip color and serve two purposes: save my lips from getting chapped and keep them bright even on days where the color was drained from my face. I'm a big fan of Burt's Bees and their products are in the "natural beauty" aisle of our store. While standing there I noticed Pacifica products for the first time. Having no knowledge of their products I got on my phone and began researching reviews on other women's blogs. Sufficiently convinced by what I was reading to give them a try I went home and ordered a couple products from their website. This is what I got >>

 Enlightened Gloss >> Opal
This is a very natural color, almost opaque. It goes on evenly and the shiny feel lasts for several hours.
$12.00

"Ingredients: Carthamus tintorius (safflower oil), oleic/linolenic polyglycerides, euphorbia cerifera (candlila) wax, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) esters, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, silica, olea europaea (olive) oil, parfum (natural), tocopherol eupatorium rebaudianum bertoni (stevia) leaf extract.  May contain: calcium sodium borosilicate, eclipta prostrate extract (natural color), media azadirachta (neem) leaf extract, manganese violet c1 77742, titanium dioxide c1 77891,  iron oxides c1 77491, c1 77492, mica, tin oxide."

I learned from becoming a conscious shopper of whole foods to read the ingredients label. Its amazing what can hide in there. I care what I put into my body and I also care about what is being put onto my skin -- especially the most delicate places: lips and eye lids. Ingredients are listed in order from greatest to least content amount so the first item listed is what the product contains the most of, the last ingredient listed is what it contains the least of. I can recognize almost every ingredient on this list as something that I could grow myself which is a sign that we are definitely in a "natural camp".

Devocean Natural Lipstick >> Tenderness
Goes on like butter and lasts half the day. It really soaks in and keeps my lips moist and bright. This color was the nearest to my natural pigment.
$14.00

"Ingredients: oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglycerides (from sunflower oil), butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, diiostearyl malate, caprylic/capric triglyceride (from coconut oil), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) esters, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, euphorbia chinensis (candelilla) wax, cetyl alcohol, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, flavor oil (all natural), tocopherol (vitamin E). May contain: melia azadirachta fruit extract, mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, tin oxide, vaccinium macrocarpon fruit (cranberry) extract, coccinia indica flower extract, daucus carota sativa root (carrot) extract, lycopersicum fruit (tomato) extract, and beta vulgaris (beetroot) extract.

Coconut Oil- Absorbs easily and keeps lips soft and supple. Helps to slow down the signs of aging.

Shea Butter- Rich in essential fatty acids that are super antioxidants. Provides moisturization and hydrates lips.

Jojoba Esters- Provides a buttery smooth application.

Vitamin E- Helps minimize fine lines and fights free radicals."

100% vegan - cruelty-free - and a portion of each product's proceeds go toward clean water

Stellar Eye Trio >> 
This gift set was the perfect package to test the eye products on my skin. Though I would only use the shadow and liner for events a good mascara can be used any day of the week -- just for fun! I was pleased with how each item went on. The shadow was quite shimmery but was easily blended and softened with a finger tip. The pencil liner went on smooth and didn't feel chalky or heavy. It was also easily blended with a q-tip but lasted all day. The mascara was perfect, not greasy or clumpy. Washes off cleanly.
Unfortunately the products weren't natural enough for me. My eyes itched and watered on top of getting very dry during the day that I wore the products. Still, for under $20, I'm glad to have given it a shot!

 
Eye Shadow Duo >> Unicorn/Moonbeam

"Ingredients: Mica, caprylic/capric triglyceride (plant source), magnesium stearate, tridecyl trimellitate, polyethylene, dimethicone, silica, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylgylcerin, tocopheryl acetate. May contain: iron oxide (CI 77492, CI 77499, CIC 77491), manganese violet (CI 77742), titanium dioxide, ferroferric oxide."

 Natural Eye Pencil >> Jet
"Ingredients: iron oxide CI 77499, hydrogenated simmondsia chinenesis seed oil, caprylic / capric triglyceride, simmondsia chinenesis seed oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, butyrospermum parkii butter, sclerocarya birrea seed oil, mica, candelilla cerifera cera, glyceryl caprylate, copernicia cerifera cera, tocopherol, helianthus annuus seed oil, ascorbyl palmitate

Jojoba Oil - Helps keep skin around the eyes moisturized

Shea Butter - Helps protects and moisturizes skin

Vitamin E - Provides anti-aging benefits in addition to helping reduce the appearance of fine lines

Vitamin C Antioxidant - natural preservative that helps fight free radicals"

$11.00

Stellar Gaze Mineral Mascara >> Supernova
"Ingredients: Aqua, glycerin (vegetable), glyceryl stearate se, jojoba esters, tapioca starch, stearic acid (vegetable), copernicia cerfera (carnauba) wax, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, arabic/acacia gum, acrylates, crosspolymer, potassium cetyl phosphate, microcrystalline cellulse (plant), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, panthenol (vitamin b), cellulose gum, gluconolactone, macrocystis pyifera (brown kelp) extract, hydrolyzed oryza sativa (rice) protein, sodium benzoate, iron oxides c1 77499.

Infused with coconut oil and Vitamin B for healthy lashes.

100% vegan. Cruelty-free. Formulated without FD & C color, parabens, talc and mineral oil."

$14.00

Pacifica products are well-priced and there is usually a sale going on. There is free shipping on orders over $50. When you join the loyalty program you earn points with purchases and by referring back to  Pacifica on social media. When you earn 100 points you get a free sample. My free sample was of a solid perfume Pacifica makes as well as a bonus eye shadow duo.

Solid Perfume >> Island Vanilla

"Pacifica’s Island Vanilla Solid Perfume contains organic cocos nucifera wax (coconut wax),  organic glycine soja wax (soy wax), parfum (Pacifica’s own perfume blend with natural and essential oils), prunus armeniaca wax (apricot wax), caprylic/capric triglyceride (coconut source). No parabens, animal testing, animal ingredients or artificial colors. 100% VEGAN and Gluten-free."

An open love letter to Milwaukee //

An open love letter to Milwaukee —

They told me: “be careful, you’ll fall in love”. I said, “I wouldn’t mind.” Here we are.

I never would have pictured myself with you, but I choose you irrevocably. I’m bringing myself under your name, your reputation, and pouring all of myself into you. Hard, good, painful, worth it. 

People have some very black and white comments about you, no pun intended. I take them all with a grain of salt because theres grace — for us, for them, for me, for you. They say you’re beautiful, they say you’re dangerous, they say you’ll steal my heart. 

Honey, I see who and what you are, and you’re right: I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, but I’m choosing you for all you are and all that may come. I will love you at your darkest. I look at you and I see you as you’re meant to be and I can look your ugly square in the face and say, “you are SO loved”. The best is yet to come and I’m excited to journey through the days ahead with you.

Chelsea

Note: I’m moving to Milwaukee to partner with a handful of other people lovers, game changers, who bear Holy Spirit’s passion about their city. While I will, by my Father’s sweet favor, be working and living in a very low-crime area of the city, my heart is for the at-risk and needy. I will be safe but my calling is not to stay safe, it is to love — and to love is to be vulnerable, to risk it all because you see worth. My Father’s evidenced Love is an atmosphere-changer, a heart-toucher, a mountain-melter. He has a Body filled with His heart so that He can touch people with it. I’m just willing to be made willing to move in sync with it. This is not meant to be incredible. It’s, quite simply, reasonable. His love is what’s radical, not our moving in it. 

MKE is one of the most segregated cities in all America and that eats at me. Unity is my dream. There are a lot of stories to be told — hearts to be heard — in the barrier-breaking process. I want to listen. I want to see. I want to share. Regardless of what side of the river I’m found on I want to be found serving someone other than me and loving with that unearthly, lavish Love. As far as I’m concerned, Milwaukee is chuck full of family I’ve yet to meet — and this family is multi-ethnic but we all share the same Father. Family dinners are gonna be epic.

You can find this letter and others on: http://nomadandnesterchronicles.blogspot.com/

Stitch Fix >>

I signed up for Stitch Fix this season because I needed some pieces to round out my Autumn/Winter wardrobe. A $20 fee secures a delightful little package in the mail with my name on it and five pieces of clothing. Being that this was my first "Fix" I anticipated that the pieces would be close to a good fit, in the same vicinity as my style sense, and a little too expensive to afford. I was pleasantly surprised! The items fit like a glove, the styles -- though simple -- were my style, and the prices were too high to purchase every item but not outlandish.

There weren't any hidden fees. The $20 styling fee for the "Fix" is put into my Stitch Fix account and counts as a credit toward any piece that I purchase from the box. I don't remember paying anything extra for shipping, a prepaid bag to send back the pieces I decided not to buy was included in the box, and the price listed for each item was the price I paid when I checked out online. It was a convenient and fun experience -- being able to try clothes on in the comfort of your own home, with all the undergarments and accessories or layers you could want to see if they would go with -- and my next "Fix" is scheduled for mid-November. Can't wait!

>> Daniel Rainn // Burgundy Heart Print Henley Blouse
The neckline and 3/4 sleeves are exactly what I look for when purchasing blouses. How specifically ideal that was to me for my stylist's first time styling me amazed me! I didn't purchase this item because it was entirely polyester and I don't like how that feels in a blouse.
$68.00

>> Mavi // Freida Tall Skinny Jean
These dark-wash skinny jeans were the perfect length and were crazy flattering. They looked SO good on but were made of a stretch material that I just didn't feel comfortable in and, as I already have a nice pair of skinny jeans, and as they were the most expensive piece in my box, I passed on them.
$118.00

>> Veronica M // Bellatrix 3/4 Sleeve Chevron Print Shift Dress
When I pulled this dress out of the box I wasn't swept away by it but when I tried it on I never wanted to take it off. It fit like it was made for me -- the neckline, the waist line, and the 3/4 sleeves. It is so flattering! The amount of ways I can style this dress with the rest of the pieces in my wardrobe makes me excited. This was one of the most expensive pieces in the box but this first "Fix" came shortly after my birthday and I had funds specifically to get myself a birthday treat.
$108.00

>> RD Style // Annie Navy Ombre Striped Sweater
I was excited to find a chunky, knit sweater in the box. The sleeves were perfect, the neckline amazing, but the way it lay on my waist wasn't my favorite so I didn't keep it.
$64.00

>> Market + Spruce // Chaplin Hooded Anorak Olive Cargo Jacket
Opening up such a quality piece and ideal layer made me feel a bit giddy. It isn't my typical style but I decided to be adventurous and adopt it into my wardrobe. All the little details are great. The deep pockets, the thick draw-strings, the contrasting zipper. I just like it. And, once again, this piece fit just right. The price tag surprised me pleasantly for such a nice layer. Worth the investment for sure.
$88.00

>> Stay Tuned <<

What I Wore post to follow with the pieces I kept fully styled!