Early morning devotion + Fall weather

Life has been very crazy lately. I've been stressed out, worn out, freaking exhausted, and just feeling like I'm ready to quit life. I'm always up and doing something, whether it be to hang out with family and friends or run errands. I never have "me" time. You know, time alone with yourself to relax and not say a word and just reflect. 

In the past few weeks, I feel that I have become very irritated with people. No one in particular, it's anyone I come in contact with. Its like everyone annoys me and they haven't even done anything wrong. 

I decided I needed some time to myself. And that's just what I did. 

Yesterday, I relaxed. Yeah that's right, I did. And it felt GREAT. I hung out with myself all day. Some people get weirded out by that. "You hung out by yourself and enjoyed it? Wait you wanted to hang out by yourself?" 

Today, I woke up and had my morning devotion. It was quiet and the Lord really spoke to me. It was about discouragement. I've been pretty discouraged lately. I try not to let it show because 1. People will be all up in my bidness and 2. I don't like talking about myself or my problems. (I'm a listener rather than a talker.) Here are some things that stuck out to me in my devotion this morning. Maybe they will help you, maybe they won't, but I thought I would share anyway :)

• Discouragement comes when there is a gap between what you expect and what you experience -- when there is a gap between what you hoped would happen and what actually does happen.
• Discouragement can destroy your passion and undermine your purpose.
• What you see as one of your greatest setbacks might be one of God's incredible setups for marvelous miracles to occur.
• What the devil really wants to do is to steal your confidence and the best time to rob you blind is during a season of disappointment.

So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. Hebrews 10:35

Overall, I'm obsessed.

WITH OVERALLS.

I love how easy they are to style. Not only can you make the outfit casual, you can dress them up as well. Converse, heels, flats... they all go with overalls.

For the spring season, I like to focus on what I can wear on top of the overalls, not just underneath. Pair them with an army style jacket, leather jacket, or even a plaid shirt (just in case the weather is too hot, you can tie it around your waist).

I do this with my jeans, so I can totally see me doing this with overalls. Roll or cuff the ends. It can make the outfit have a completely different look just by doing that simple trick!

Rocking a pair of printed overalls? Don't be afraid to pair them with another print! Or a plain tee or tank or even a graphic tee.

ALSO, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!!! Whether it with a tote bag, sunglasses, a hat, or some bling, you can never go wrong. I love wearing stackable bracelets, so that would be my go to.

What is your favorite way to style overalls?

xo, lo renee

Heatless Waves

Who doesn't want heatless waves?

For months... Yes months, I've been searching and testing different "heatless wave" tutorials (too many tutorials left my hair kinky or I ended up having to use heat.. No thanks) and sea salt sprays (not only have to work, but smell good also #picky). I can FINALLY say that I have found the best tutorial and spray that work. 

Want to achieve this look? Here's how to get it: John Frieda's Beach Blonde Sea Salt Spray & Heatless Headband Waves tutorial. 

John Frieda's Sea Salt Spray is light and doesn't weigh my hair down. The smell is not a perfume or heavy smell, but a light coconut-y smell. As soon as I spray it on my hair I can instantly see the waves start to form and it doesn't leave my hair dry. 

This Heatless Headband Waves tutorial is by far the best one I've ever found. I've seen so many where I have to use a million clips or have awkward buns all over my head. I nanny super early in the morning so it's nice to just wake up and go, and be able to leave my hair like this while working and then come home and taken it down and my hair is wavy and I'm ready for class.  I've tried other heatless headband wave tutorials before, but it says take a small section of hair, wrap it around the headband, and then add hair and repeat until finished. My hair gets so kinky and just ew. This one, you will twist half your hair, and put all of that around the headband... Just watch it and try it!

You can use the sea salt spray without having to do the tutorial, but they're better together :)

Let me know how it works for you! 
Instagram: @lo_renee 

Liebster Award

I was nominated by Jillian of The Darling Dreamer for this Liebster Award! I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to have received this award! For those of you who don’t know what a Liebster Award is, it is an award given to bloggers by other bloggers. Liebster has several definitions including sweetest, kindest, pleasant, lovely, etc. I am so excited to answer these questions and ask questions of my own to the bloggers I will tag! Here are 6 things she wanted to know:

1. Why did you started blogging?

I starting blogging because I wanted to inspire others, not just with fashion but with my life. I want to encourage others and be a positive role model.

2. What or who inspires you the most?

My grandfather, Pops, is the one that inspires me the most. He passed away a little over a year ago and I miss him so much. He was the most godly, kind-hearted, gentle, and loving man. Pops was so faithful to my grandmother, Nana. He treated her with respect and took care of her. He raised me to love the Lord and to not be ashamed of that. A true role model. 

3. Chocolate or candy?

 Hardest question EVER! I’m going to go with candy on this one. My absolute favorite candy is Mike N Ike’s! (The green box, my birthday is June 9^th just fyi :) )

4. What is your favorite thing in your closet?

·         This changes every week. Right now, I would have to say that my little black dress is my favorite. I live in the south and the weather is different here every day. Yesterday, it was sunny and in the upper 60’s and today the low is 30. I can wear the black dress with some cute tights and a sweater when it’s cold or I can grab a fun scarf and some sandals when it’s a bit warmer out!

5. Introvert or extrovert?

·         I love questions like this. I used to be SO shy, and when I say shy, I mean it. In high school, if someone were to come talk to me I would literally be so nervous my face would turn red and I had no idea what to say. When I started college and my first job(s), I became an extrovert. I love talking to people! Completely different from how I used to be :)

6. What piece of advice would you give to someone who is just getting started with blogging?

·         Don’t try to be something that you’re not just to get more followers or to try to be the perfect girl. First of all, no one is perfect. Second of all, there is only one YOU. Be yourself because everyone is already taken. (so cheesy but so true!)

   My Questions:

    1. Why did you start blogging?

    2. What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up?

    3. What is something you learned in the last week?

    4. If you could go to lunch with any celebrity who would it be with and why?

    5. Shoes or Purses?

    6. 3 words that describe you.

    7. How long does it take you to get ready?

    8. What is your favorite part about blogging?

    9. What is your skin care routine in the mornings/night?

Tagging:

Laurie of The Upstate Stylista

Kristen of Adventures in Tulle

Claire of Beauty and a Bargain

Kellie of With Faith, Love, and Coffee

Claire of Claire Brody Designs

Heather of A Little Casual

Valerie of Vallarina Creative

Can’t wait to read everyone’s responses!

Lo Renee

DIY Kimono

If you're anything like me, then you love DIY projects. Some can be tricky and I end up frustrated and then others are SO easy. This is an easy DIY. It took me no more than 30 minutes to make and I didn't get frustrated once! This kimono is made out of a scarf. I found the redish one at Target for $4 and the yellow one from Charming Charlie for $4 as well. A $4 kimono and I get to pick the print too?? DEAL. Now, this project does require a little sewing, but if you're not a sewer DON'T FRET. You can use fabric glue :) Instead of getting out my sewing machine, I just hand sewed the entire thing and it didn't take me long at all. Sooo let's get started :) What you'll need: Scarf Scissors Needle & thread or fabric glue Measuring tape or ruler Pins (to hold fabric together for easier sewing) Directions: 1. Fold scarf in half inside out, lining up the edges. 2. Sew each side, leaving room for your arms near the fold. 3. After sewing the sides, measure the scarf at the bottom to find the middle of the scarf 4. After finding the middle, cut from the bottom up to the fold and stop ***ONLY CUT THE TOP LAYER*** not both layers!! 5. Fold over edges and iron them down, creating a crease for easier sewing. Sew the edges.  Turn right side out and VOILA! Kimono :) Comment/e-mail me if you have any questions! If you make a Kimono, tag me on instagram so I can see it :) @lo_renee  Don't forget to subscribe to my blog!!

Fun Ways to Save Money

“New year. New me.” Blah, blah. Been there. Done that… in high school. Frankly, I like who I am, but I could use some improvement in a few areas. That is where New Year Resolutions come in. I do not know about you, but I love a nice, fresh start. My top NYR are: to run more, encourage others, and the hardest one for me: to save money. Saving money is sooo boring. Spending money is more fun! During 2014, I discovered a few ways to save money and it honestly does not even feel like I’m saving money, but the end results are very nice :) I have found that when using cash, I tend to spend less money. It is so much easier just to change your credit card, but when carrying cash you have already set a limit on what you plan on spending.

1. Use Cash

• I have found that when using cash, I tend to spend less money. It is so much easier just to change your credit card, but when carrying cash you have already set a limit on what you plan on spending.

2. Save Your Coins

• This is probably my favorite way of saving money. Whenever you use cash and get your change back, SAVE YOUR COINS. They add up quicker than you think. For example, if my total was $7.33 and I handed the cashier a $10 bill, I would get $2.67 back. The $2 would just go back into my wallet and the $.67 would go into my piggy bank. I have gotten to the point now where if I have to use coins, I get so annoyed. That is how much I love saving my coins. In a month’s time, I had over $100 saved in JUST coins. Pocket change people :)

3. Pick a Number

• You are probably a little confused by this one. What I mean by this is to pick a number between one and twelve. Got it? Great! Now go to your wallet and grab a few bills. Look on the front at the number on the left side, top or bottom. If the number you chose is on one of the bills, you have to save that bill and you cannot spend it! At the end of the week, deposit those bills into your savings. 

4. Savings Chart

• This 26 week Savings Chart can save you a lot of money! Just putting back a little each week can help tremendously. Just look at how much you're saving at the end of the 26 weeks! If you are wanting to save money for next Christmas or even a vacation, this is the way to go. You can even double the money each week and save even more. I have found this to be helpful for me because I am a poor college student. This chart is designed to start next week, but you can always start whenever :)

Budget Friendly Christmas Gift Ideas

Buying Christmas presents for my family and friends is easily on my "Top Five Favorite Things To Do" list. However, when you are a poor college student it is hard to afford buying everyone a gift. Last year, I started making handmade gifts. It is a fun and definitely cheaper route and I feel like anyone who gets a handmade gift appreciates it more! On this blog post, I want to show you different gifts you can make for your family and friends that will not break the bank!

1. Body Scrubs 

•  Pinterest has many recipes for body/face/lip scrubs. Last year I made a body scrub to give our at Christmas and everyong loved it! I had many people ask me what was in it because it made their skin feel so soft and clean. Here are some of my favorite scrubs from different bloggers. You can always change the scent or color to personalize the gifts for each person.
• Love Grows Wild
•  Brit + Co.
• Homemade For Elle

2. Ornaments 

• I would normally give this gift to friends or co-workers, just because they usually get their gifts before Christmas day. You can find the clear ball ornaments at your local craft store and fill them up with whatever you please. Here are some ways to decorate them: 
• The Nail Network
• A Pumpkin and A Princess
•  Sassy Sites

3. Knitted Items 

• I have recently picked up hand knitting. Obsessed? Just slightly. You will need time and patience in learning how to hand knit. You will get frustrated and will have to start over a few times, but once you get it… you will not stop. Trust me! I think I knitted four scarves in two days. I love it. There are many videos you can learn how to hand knit from, but many of them might confuse you. I will link the video I learned from.
• Hand Knitting Tutorial

4. Coasters

• Coasters are neat because you can customize them to match the theme in one’s home. You can add an initial or a quote to personalize the item even more and it is SO simple to make. Here are some ideas from different bloggers:
• The Frugal Girls
•  Beneath My Heart
• Stranded in Cleveland

There are plenty of things you can hand make and give as gifts without spending a fortune! If you have any other ideas leave them in the comments below!