"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak." // Rachel Zoe

Before I can continue, I have to explain how I approach a shopping trip like this. I use a half-cart (for mobility purposes) with the intent of filling it. I grab anything that catches my eye within the guidelines set in the following steps. After I have covered all of the ground I intended to cover, I head over to the dressing room and begin the gleaning process. I try everything on. Two-thirds of it goes back on the rack.

The truth about consignment is that you cannot hold up a piece in the isle and tell whether or not it will fit or flatter you. You have to try it on.

MATERIALS: MINI GARLAND (target), TWINE, AND A NAME TAG

3. Now that your wreath has been established, it's time to add the name card. Cut roughly six inch strands of twine. Secure a strand onto the wreath with a simple knot

4. This is when you'll slide the name tag onto the twine. Secure with a bow.

5. Poof! You're done! Whether you set it on top of your plates or use them as makeshift napkin rings (like me), these place cards are absolutely adorable and will complement any place setting.

Don't worry! Thanksgiving photos still to come (;

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." // Psalm 107: 1,8-9

xo, Alyssa

PS // November 30th

birthday girl is the one on the right (;

 Naturally, as we progressed on the tour, the option to be more adventurous increased. Of course, we started out just holding on the handlebars and trying it out, but by the end, we each had zipped through upside-down with no hands. Talk about a memorable experience.

disclaimer: I did not land on my feet

My life is nonstop. A friend of mine today made a comment that college life will probably be a break compared to the craziness of my schedule. I'll spare you the details, but I'd like to now declare some personal goals I have as I look at the next few weeks of beautiful, beautiful November.

1. Peace

We all feel that these next couple days/weeks/months/hopefully-not-years are sort of looming over us as it comes to politics particularly. I had considered sharing all of my thoughts and opinions on such a topic with you but decided to stay silent. However, I will say that this peace is something that each and every one of us is going to have to actively pursue. Rest in the simple knowledge that we sing to six-year-olds: "He's got the whole world in His hands."

2. Contentment

The autumn months of my high school years have been dominated by musical theater auditions, and this is like no other year. Pride and covetousness are both easy pits to fall into during the audition season; the latter particularly due to the situations that I always find myself in - there is always a catch. Not once have I gone out for a part with nothing holding me back. This year I am standing for the Lord's Day. In order for me to be cast in this show, I must be either double cast for a part or have an understudy to perform in the Sunday matinee performance. It's up to the director; no, scratch that. It's up to the Lord.

3. Persevere

All of my dreams are about to come true. Well, in 292 days as according to my phone. August 23rd if any of you don't care to do the math. August 23rd is the day I leave for college. Just a bit of background for you, I have been dreaming about college since I was in fourth grade when my family began involvement in the college student ministry at our church. When I graduated eighth grade from the Christian School, I was ready to completely skip high school and head straight to college. I already knew what I wanted to do and {thought I} knew where I wanted to go. Confident 14 year old me was ready to pack my bags and ship out.

At any rate, it is easy for me to get caught up in the plans, details, and preparations especially because of how long anticipated this 292-days-away day has been. And, yet, there is ever so much else that needs to be done between now and then. Books, papers, experiments, an online college class (spring semester), and my senior project stand between me and graduation. Keeping my eye on the prize is key. Let's go, seniors! We can do this!

4. Prepare

Something that I have been inspired to do this year is host Thanksgiving. Now, obviously, this is not a task I could ever achieve by myself; however, this is the perfect year for me to tackle such a task. In September, my grandparents moved up to my hometown from down in North Carolina. With my dad's parents living in a lake house a couple hours away, Thanksgiving has not been hosted at our house for many, many years. I am so excited for this day!

My original inspiration was through reading Lauren Conrad's latest book Celebrate. Wisdom from years and years of experience in hosting every sort of event fills its pages, and I have loved every minute of it. (Super excited for the Wedding chapter coming up!) On top of basics like decor and menu, Conrad touches on event-specific etiquette and tips that are sure to help your party go off without a hitch.

5. Pray

Cause who couldn't use more prayer in their life? {Still loving the Valley of Vision book you can read about in my last post}


Happy November!

xo, Alyssa

A month spent at camp is a pocket in time - as if you could sew together both ends and step right over it. The world outside continues as usual. But the pocket is so deep and overflowing with people, stories, memories, emotions, and growth in character that the shock of stepping on the other side can be rattling. How can one experience equate to both a year and a day? A year looking at the pocket itself, and a day as you look at the whole spectrum of your life. Maybe in some respects that part of the taste of heaven that camp offers; the experience solely God's that a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day. (2 Peter 3.8)





Oh, my partners in crime. No, we were not always dressed like hula dancers. Yes, we always acted this insane. We formed bananas; we rig-of-bambooed; we had the time of our lives. Describing my love for these sisters in Christ is practically impossible to put into words; however, I will do my best.

1. I am thankful for like-mindedness

Now, this is sort of a silly thing to say, but what a refreshing feeling it is to come back to people who support and respect what you stand for. When your friend affirms your convictions or when your pastor proclaims the truth, your heart warms with satisfaction that you do not stand alone. Though it may seem as if you are standing alone in a canoe with waves crashing around you, as believers we stand together. Our differences are inevitable, but our commonality, our like-mindedness in Christ is something we are to be beyond thankful for.

2. I am thankful for To Kill a Mockingbird

If you follow me on Instagram, you will have already seen my love for this story and its beautiful characters. Who could not admire Atticus for his wisdom, humility, and courage! With all of the odds stacked against him and his spotless reputation on the line, he still stands up for what he believes is right and just. Lord knows what years to come have in store, but may we be prepared to stand as firmly and as humbly as Atticus when faced with whatever the world throws our way.

And dearest Jean Louise. I admire Scout's confidence in herself; her steps never sway by the thought of another's opinion. The author writes, "She was one of the rare ones, so effortlessly herself, and the world loved her for it." Let us strive to be increasingly more like Scout - unconcerned with what anyone else thinks of us while identifying ourselves in Christ.

If you happen to fall into the 115.5 million viewers of that cute little girl singing on America's Got Talent, then you watched as the cameramen focused on her sweet, darling mother with tears in her eyes as she watched her baby sing in front of some of the biggest names in the music industry. Well, the biggest name. *cough, Simon Cowell cough* Even a healthy dose of closeup time was spent on her big sister glowing with pride.

But did the camera ever focus on her father?

The answer is no. In the fleeting shots of the whole off-stage crew, you might catch a man behind the mother squeezing her shoulders and reminding her of his presence. Now, I am no expert on their family situation, but I'm telling you what I see. I see the world chopping out the significance of a father figure in the home. I'd bet money he had tears welling in his eyes as he watched her perform - welling with pride. As a viewer (of at least 10 of the 115.5 M), I feel cheated of my viewing experience. Expressions and reactions were given of several audience members, the entire panel, in addition to the mother and the sister.

I wanted to see her daddy.

I wanted to see him smiling. His thoughts cross his eyes.

There is no way that he was not involved in the process. Were her skills honed through his instruction, or it was his encouraging words that inspired the idea to audition? Even in the interview beforehand, I didn't hear him say one word. And, I'm sure he did.

If it were me and my father was slighted, I would be furious.

My father's impact on my life - musically or otherwise - is not something to be cut out. He has been beside me every step of the way even when steps were not mine to have. When my legs were barred in a full-body cast, he picked me up to dance. And that's most of what we did together - danced. Most of what we still do. If we're not dancing then I'll bet we're singing something. Listen carefully and you'll hear my brother's in on the action usually creating a 3-4 harmony piece. Pretty solid. I'm so proud.


Not only has my father given and enhanced my musical abilities, he's also fostered a love for children in me. A love for children's ministry. My father is an elementary school teacher. How many men are found teaching at an elementary age? One to fit the qualifications and enthusiasm is rare, much less one who actually does it for a living. Through so many interactions with different kids and situations, I have watched my father display enormous amounts of patience. Undeserved amounts of patience.

Beyond his work as simply a classroom teacher, his hours at the Christian school are poured into teaching 1st-8th grade technology and 3rd-8th grade typing, being the church/school's year-round I.T. guy, directing the boys a Capella group, coaching the middle school boys soccer team, and doing whatever odd job is asked of him to do. His responsibilities are endless. But he never complains. All of his tasks are done to the absolute best of his ability for the glory of his Savior.

So back to my original question: Why are fathers forgotten in the world today?

So many children grow up without a father present and, out of those present, many are not respectable. I could go into statistics of recent generations and the affects of a father's presence on this and that, but I don't need to. You know the reality. Children need a father. Not two mothers. Not two fathers, even. Our God as an all wise God structured the family perfectly.

The world has, is, and will continue to distort the image of a family until its dying breath. As believers, let us hold fast to the family as the Lord ordained it in his holy and inspired Word.