Top: Wild Fable by Target Jacket: Universal Thread by Target Shorts: Levi's Shoes: Famous Footwear Butterfly Hair Clips: Amazon Chocker Necklace: Icing

This past weekend I had the privilege to attend Launch Retreat with Watermark Community Church/ The Porch and it was an absolutely amazing experience. It was 90s themed so of course I went all out and rocked that denim on denim trend, complete with a choker and butterfly clips! I LOVED it. 
I sized up to a small in both the jacket {check out the full blog post on this jacket!} and top for a more relaxed fit and everything else runs true to size! The new Wild Fable line from Target is super 90s inspired so it was PERFECT and it is priced even cheaper than Target's other brands- closer to those of competitors Forever 21 and H&M! YAY! This top was only $10 and such great quality!
Dressing up was SO much fun {so I had to share with y'all} but what God revealed was even cooler. Therefore, I thought I would share with y'all what I learned:

-WORRY:
-Matthew 6:24-34 {I especially love verse 34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
-there is a great relationship between what you are devoted to and what you worry about... and between how big our worry is compared to our faith. {belief>worry}
-worry never helps and always hurts us.
-God promises He will meet our needs so we do not have to worry. The Bible repeats 366 time not to be afraid/worry/fear.
-relieve your worries by replacing your agenda with God's agenda. You can have peace and not get everything you want OR you can worry and not get everything you want.
-when overwhelmed, PRAY.

-HOW TO HAVE A BOLD FAITH:
-you know the one in charge in the midst of all things. It always works out- the short run should not intimidate you.
-until God breaks you in your most confident area He hasn't really broken you yet
-we always go to Him in our last resort when things aren't working. Instead, invite Him into EVERYTHING, right from the beginning. He always cares, so if you consult Him in everything from the beginning then you will pray less "God why don't you care?!?" prayers.
-live boldly for His glory.

-WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO USE OUR FAITH:
-what is faith if you aren't going to use it?! Put faith into action and SHARE!
-you never run out of faith, you just have to choose to access it.
-faith without deeds is dead. Faith has to work, move, and create.
-have the faith to follow, to forgo, and to be forgotten. Forgo things that do not glorify Him and give up your plans to follow His {you aren't actually in control anyway, plus His plan is always greater!}. If you are called to be a prophet, do not stoop to be a king. Have the faith and confidence to be forgotten for His glory/ kingdom. 
-you're behavior always follows your belief
-be 100% committed. Change your playground and your playmates.
-do not let your preferences get in the way of your paradise {when it comes to faith/ the church/ etc.}.

-HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT WASTING OUR LIFE:
-we touch our phones an average of 2,617 times a day. This equates to almost 2.5 hours a day. So you HAVE time to do more life-giving things.
-be self controlled. Obstain from sin- it is a complete and total waste of time. We spend more time winding down from sin than it takes to actually commit it.
-get dead serious about Jesus. You cannot do it without Him.
-love people well, your actions are louder than sin.
-be selfless. Do something for others any chance you get as it is far more rewarding.
-be a steward. Be a steward of the time, talent, and treasure that God has given you. These talents aren't really to benefit you, they are to benefit others- don't be a hoarder!
-boast only in the cross!

So overall I didn't really "learn" anything new, but more so was reminded of some great truths that I desperately needed to hear. It was so renewing. I was reminded in the importance of inviting Him into every day, just talking with Him casually makes such a difference and brings a peace over your day. Inviting Him to be present in your every day helps you live for Him and see what He has for you. I was also reminded not to worry or try to seek control, that His plans are always better. Also, not to let my preferences get in the way of what He has for me, and to continue to be a light for His kingdom.
This results in a few next steps for me:) I am starting to read "Welcome to Adulting" by Jonathan Pokluda. I want to seek out  a community group {currently praying over this}, I am making more time for friends to pour into these treasured relationships, and I am trying to talk more with God, especially in the mornings to bring Him to the forefront of my mind and see what He has for me each day. Lastly, I was reminded of the beauty and peace that worship brings, so instead of always turning on some of my favorite secular music, I am choosing to listen to more worship music and I LOVE it!

I thought for fun I'd share my current top 5 fav worship songs:
-So Will I
-Let Go
-Oceans 
-Holy Spirit
-Spirit Break Out

If you have any questions about faith or need help styling your 90s outfit, please don't hesitate to reach out!:)

xoxo, Jess

Top: Victoria's Secret PINK Sport Leggings: Victoria's Secret PINK {similar} Shoes: Famous Footwear Bracelet: Ringly

Hi friends! It is SO incredibly HOT here in north Texas right now- I'm dying. I just had to share my current fav athleisure outfit  {AKA: what I am wearing when I get home, escaping this heat}. 
I love so many things about this outfit, but the color scheme is at the top of that list! I am obsessed with mint and obviously black goes great with everything! My crop tee is cotton and so comfy. It's a little warm to workout in so that's why I prefer it more for an athleisure look. It is currently sold out, so I am linking a VERY similar crop tee I also love from Madewell here. I have a striped version of this {wearing in my last post} that I adore and they are so similar- promise!
If you shop at VS PINK often you know their leggings change out so quickly so unfortunately I couldn't find the exact one, but I linked a similar option above. It's a marble print {which I am also obsessed with} but it has the same mesh pocket detailing and inserts along the legs.:) In the second to last picture you can see my hand tucked into the mesh pocket- I think this is such a cool design detail!! VS PINK has the best sport leggings- I have way too many pairs, but I just can't stop. They are always coming out with new designs and prints that are must-haves!
I feel like I post about these shoes like nearly every post, so if that doesn't tell you something..lol! But seriously, they are just so versatile and comfortable! A closet staple!
Lastly, I have also spoke about my Ringly bracelet before and I JUST learned that they are no longer manufacturing new products!:( I AM SO SAD ABOUT THIS! Their products were SO cool and inventive so I will definitely be on the lookout for a similar design to come out through another brand because I know this will not be the last we see from stylish wearable technology. I will keep y'all updated, but until then you may still be able to find a Ringly product for resale somewhere! They are so cute and functional so I totally recommend!

If you have any questions or need help styling your athleisure outfit, please don't hesitate to reach out!:)

xoxo, Jess 

Top: Madewell Shorts: Levi's Sandals: Universal Thread by Target​

Cliche Target obsessed girl photo above- I mean, it was too perfect for this post. PS: Bullseye is the cutest ever!
​Quick side note: I am OBSESSED with this shirt. It is currently sold out, but when it comes back in stock I highly recommend it! It's a new summer staple. 

Target has had SO much growth in the last few years, and most recently has become much more competitive with their pricing. Although, the best ways to get great deals aren't always obvious so I have made this insider's guide on just how to optimize getting the best prices on your Target Runs {online or in-store:)}!

Having the Target app is now a MUST. Remember a year ago when quite frankly the Target app sucked and its only real use was if you wanted to order something from Target.com? And remember that one time when Target confusingly had 2 apps- the other being Cartwheel, which was for their in-store coupons/ offers, but it also was terrible and glitchy? Well friends- NOT ANYMORE! {hallelujah!} Target put a lot of time and money into updating the Target app and merging the Cartwheel app into it and now it is flawless and amazing! Honestly, one of my favorite, most easy-to-use apps on my phone. It is free on both the Android and Apple app stores! If you still have your Cartwheel, go ahead and delete it. It is just taking up space on your phone and you can't use it anymore {but like who would want to anyway...}
There are SO many reasons this app is essential:
1. You can VERY easily order anything from Target.com on it and complete your order in minutes. I've literally ordered shoes at a bar once and it took me less than 2 minutes to complete the entire transaction- YAY! You can also select in-store pick-up or drive-up {select locations} for your orders on the app!
2. You can view the weekly ad digitally on your phone so no more hunting down that silly paper ad in the store and trying to fumble through the pages as you push your cart. Plus the coupons from the ad are conveniently located on the "wallet" tab for you to scan at checkout!
3. You can easily scan the barcodes on your items as you shop or before you get to the checkout to check for any Cartwheel offers {AKA: Target's "secret" coupons- only those that have the app can obtain!}. THEN: if your item has a Cartwheel offer it automatically adds it to your barcode on the top of your "wallet" tab so you can scan at checkout! All the offers you got from your items will them come off! There are usually over 600 offers in Cartwheel alone each week and sometimes they are as high as 50% off an item! The more you shop and use Cartwheel, the app will start to give you "exclusive" offers based on what you buy- so this is super helpful! Normally Cartwheel offers are in-store only, but sometimes you will see a code to use online to redeem the same offer!:)
4. If you have a REDcard you can add it very easily onto your app for an extremely quick checkout process. Under the "wallet" tab when you scan the barcode at the top for your Cartwheel offers, if you have a REDcard linked it will pay for your transaction at the same time! If you have giftcards then you can easily add them on your app and select them whenever you're ready to use them and then the app is smart enough to pay with any giftcards first and THEN your REDcard {if you have one linked}.
5. You can make your grocery list on the app before you head out to the store and not only will the app tell you where in the store the items should be located, it will add any valid Cartwheel offers to your barcode on the "wallet" tab for you! 
6. The app also will give you a map of whatever store you have "set as your store" so that you can easily navigate around!:)

The Target REDcard is another key to saving at Target. There is a debit and credit version of the card. I personally have the debit version and it is awesome because I don't have to worry about another credit card to pay off AND I get the exact same benefits as those that choose the credit version. It is whatever you prefer! The debit version links to your bank debit account and generally posts about 2 days after your Target Run. The benefits for both are:
1. You save 5% on EVERYTHING. This means if something is already on clearance and you use your REDcard then you get an additional 5% off. If there is a sale going on and you use your REDcard then you get an additional 5% off. Literally 5% on EVERYTHING. 
2. You get free shipping, which is amazing and Target actually offers pretty fast shipping, so yay!
3. You get an extended return policy!
4. You get early access to certain sales/ events/ etc. and exclusive offers!

Target RED is a new loyalty program Target is testing in Dallas- so all my Dallas friends & fam- listen up!
In an effort to be more competitive in the loyalty market, Target came out with RED which saves everyone 1% back on EVERYTHING {that is NOT a REDcard purchase}. This is not a card, it is just a simple loyalty program. Target recognized that some guests preferred using a different major loyalty program for all their shopping {ex. American Express credit card} and having all their points accumulate on one card. Target wanted everyone to be able to share in the excitement of loyalty with them so RED was the perfect solution. In addition to the saving 1% back on purchases you also get a vote for each purchase to where Target gives back to the community {you can use votes under the profile tab on the app}. Also, you get free shipping on Restock orders and 50% off your first year of membership with Shipt {Target's same day delivery service}.
RED is easy to activate. If your app is updated it should pop up asking you to join on the next time you open the app, but if not simply go to the profile tab and at the top on the Target RED banner click "learn more" and then "Join Target RED"- the end. That simple. Then your 1% savings will start accumulating in a new banner in your "wallet" tab, and you can click on the banner to use your earnings like a coupon at any time. You can even use your RED earnings online!
If you have a REDcard you still need RED. This is because you still earn a vote each time you purchase, even if you use your REDcard. Plus, if you ever use a giftcard then you will earn the 1% back on it. Also, if you use your Starbucks app to pay at Starbucks in Target you can scan your "wallet" barcode and earn 1% back on that purchase since you're paying with your Starbucks card and not your REDcard!:) You also get the 50% off your first year of Shipt membership if you're wanting to try that out!

As a Target obsessed girl, I have noticed some trends with sales, etc. at Target that help me further save so here I will share those findings:
1. NEVER pay full price for bedding, bath, or rugs. There is almost ALWAYS some type of sale, usually online more frequently than in-store, but it's typically like at least 15% off {normally more like 30%}.
2. The ad changes every week on Sunday, so if something is on sale make sure you take advantage before Sunday- or check to see how long that sale price is valid for {the end date is in the bottom left corner of the sticky sale sign that hangs on the shelf over the barcode of the item}.
3. After each season items go on clearance and sometimes there are Cartwheel offers that are valid for these clearance items that make them an even BETTER deal!
4. If you are ever in need of furniture check in-store or especially online because there are always some GREAT deals! I got my couch for $135 on clearance with my REDcard when it was BRAND NEW and it was originally $600. 
5. Each Target store does clearance differently. This is odd to me, but it makes for an exciting hunt on each Target Run! You never know what amazing treasure you might find. For example, my couch was significantly cheaper at one store on clearance than at another. Again, sometimes it's frustrating, but if you are diligent the end result of an incredible deal is worth it!

So to recap: have the Target app, utilize Cartwheel on it, get a REDcard, activate RED {if in Dallas}, be savvy when it comes to the ad and any deals going on/ coming up!

If you have any questions over any of this or need help saving at Target, please don't hesitate to reach out!:)
​
xoxo, Jess

Shirt: Victoria's Secret PINK Shorts: Victoria's Secret PINK Shoes: Famous Footwear Purse: Klutch Handbags Choker Necklace: Claire's Long Necklace: Target {similar}Earrings: Kendra Scott Bracelet: Kendra Scott Tattoos: Flash Tattoos 

It's FESTIVAL SEASON! 
I am STILL so excited because yesterday I got to attend the Post Malone concert in Dallas with one of my best friends! Post Malone is definitely my 2nd love {right behind Taylor Swift of course} so I had a blast styling myself for this concert. It was at the new venue, the Toyota Music Factory and we got lawn tickets so we could dance and feel more festival-y haha! It was SO. MUCH. FUN. He was a great performing and I felt like I was in a dream getting to hear all his great songs LIVE!

My smocked tube top and denim shorts are both from PINK. The top runs a little small so size up one for the best fit {I'm wearing a S}! The shorts are SO nice & I added the distressing after purchase {mine are from last year- they have them every year in slight variation so this years already has distressing! Yay- linked above}! My all time fav Adidas shoes made for the perfect pairing! I think I blog about these shoes in like every other post lol- so there's not much more to say other than THEY. ARE. THE. BEST. 

Top: Target {similar} Jeans: Target Shoes: Nordstrom Earrings: Kendra Scott Necklace: Kendra Scott

One of the hottest trends this spring is definitely GINGHAM! At first I was hesitant to jump on board, but I'm so glad I did! I have a regular gray and white long sleeve button up and this adorable little top. I am SO sad Target has already sold out of it because I love the bell sleeves and the button up back! Button up backs are one of my favorite top elements! I paired it with these light pink raw edge skinnies, also Target's newer brand Universal Thread. I've talked about them before, but I will say again- they are a MUST for spring! Plus, they are under $30 so you can't go wrong! The fit is true, soft, and stretchy!
Since this particular top is sold out, I am going to link a few other gingham pieces that I'm loving! These Who What Wear Target skinny gingham pants are SO cute! I definitely have my eye on them! How cute would these be styled with a flowy white top?!
Target's A New Day brand has this perfect gingham rain jacket. I have it in black and if I needed another rain jacket it would be this one. I can't say enough good things about the fit, comfort, and value of this jacket! I actually really love the way they styled it with a red top and black leggings! Totally cute for those rainier days!
I found this cute gingham peplum off-the-shoulder top from Gap. It looks so comfortable and easy to style for any summer occasion! Bonus: it's under $25 on sale right now!
This top from Calvin Klein is the most closely related to the top I'm wearing so I totally recommend it! It's on sale for nearly 50% off right now making it under $35! Total steal! It's even black and white, just like mine {even though mine looks navy in the pictures:(}.
Quick highlight over my accessories: shoes are the iconic Miller sandal from Tory Burch and to this day I'm even a little shocked I spent nearly $200 on flip flops, but LADIES, let me tell you: IT'S SO WORTH IT! I literally dress these up or down so easily and they are even great for travel. Totally splurge- you won't regret it! {although, there are some pretty good dupes out there if you can't bring yourself to spend that much right now}. My earrings and necklace are again my fav: Kendra Scott! I linked them above, they are so easy to style so I 100% recommend!

If you have any questions or need help styling your gingham, please don't hesitate to reach out!

xoxo, Jess

Shirt: Victoria's Secret Sport {similar} Sport Leggings: Victoria's Secret Sport {similar} Bralette: Victoria's Secret PINK {similar} Shoes: Famous Footwear

Lately I have been super into athleisure and this look from last year is still my fav. I had to link a lot of similar items because of this, but this look is just too good not to share!
I love the simple details of this top and the V-neck in the front is the perfect depth, so it's super flattering! It is cotton which isn't normally my fav fabric to workout in, but I do like how breathable it is! After researching, it looks like scoop necks are more in for this year's sport look, so I linked a VS Sport tank that's scoop neck but still has a cute open back! Plus, this one comes in 6 great colors and is under $25! I found a bit more similar top on Lululemon, but it is definitely more pricey. Another great brand I've been loving recently is Target's newer athleisure brand, JoyLab- definitely go check it out if you haven't already! There's some really cute stuff!:)
Even though I couldn't link my exact sport leggings I found some similar ones from VS PINK {my other go-to sport/ athleisure brand} and they are on sale for under $40! I think they are also a bit more comfortable than the pair I'm wearing. Even though I love my pair, because of the smoothing, wicking nature of the fabric they are very tight fitting. This does make them great for working out though!
I LOVE these bonded bralettes from VS PINK! They fit AMAZING and make my smaller chest look so good! Bonus: they are comfortable, fashionable, and go with basically everything! The only real difference between the one I'm wearing and the one I linked are the one I'm wearing does not have that extra detailing in the front just above the band. Also, it appears mine might have about 2 more straps across the back. Anyway, I have this style bralette in 2 colors and will probably get another soon- they are THAT great! I've also seen my exact style in stores recently, so I think they still offer it, just maybe not online!:) When doing a medium to intense workout I would definitely choose a more supportive bra though, this one is best for those lighter workout days- like yoga or walking the dog!:)
Y'all know how much I love these shoes, since I'm pretty sure this is at least my 3rd post in them already, lol. They just go great with everything and are so comfortable and simple. Right now they are on sale for 15% with the promo code on the website! Great time to get some if you haven't already!

I also wanted to take a quick minute to talk about two of my fav workout must-haves: my Camelbak water bottle and my Ringly bracelet. 
I linked both for y'all and can't express enough how much I love them. I now have 3 Camelbaks and I love them so much because honestly they are so different and fun to drink out of that they actually help me drink more water. To be honest, I don't really like water, so I have to find creative ways to get myself to drink more, and buying this water bottle helped greatly! Totally recommend. Plus, this brand has come such a long way since I bought my first one {which is the one I featured- love the pink!}. Now they have all kinds of accessories and a greatly expanded product line. I bought some of the colored drinking stems {linked here} because they come with a clear one and I just think the colored ones add a little more fun and personalization!:)
My Ringly was my college graduation present to myself last year and I love it. I love the mission/ morales behind the brand and my favorite part is that it solved a problem I had for awhile: ugly fitness jewelry. Before purchasing my Ringly I always wondered why Fitbits and similar brands had to be so ugly. They were not something I could transition from day to night outfits and that was disappointing to me since I wanted to track my steps, etc. ALL day long and not just whenever I had an outfit on that it would go okay with. Then I discovered Ringly and it's amazing. The company really strides for making your life better, more fashionable, and less "connected" {digitally, like not looking at your phone every other minute}. They implemented reminders to "stay mindful" throughout the day- like breathing exercises and guided meditation. It also alerts you through vibration and colored lights for alerts from your phone {you customize what these are- so maybe phone calls, calendar alerts, and emails}- this helps you to not feel like you need to check your phone constantly so that you can live more in the present. On top of all this it is still an activity tracker too- that you can literally wear at all times because it is SO cute! Can't say enough good things- go buy one! My color is from last year and their website wasn't working for me {I will update this once it is} so I linked their Instagram page where you can gather inspiration and see all the color/ style options!:)

If you have any questions or need help creating your fav workout outfit please don't hesitate to reach out!:)

​xoxo, Jess

​Target's designer brand partnership of the year was with the iconic Hunter brand! Hunter for Target launched a little over a week ago and I was really surprised by the quality of the clothing. Originally I was planning on buying just rain boots and an umbrella, but I ended up falling in love with this sporty cropped sweatshirt. I linked it as it is RESTOCKED and I am wearing size XS. Hurry before it sells out again- this is a limited edition launch. It has great weight and is so soft- definitely recommend! Sadly, the boots and umbrella I wanted sold out/ were not available at the store I went to. I was originally really sad that the tall women's rain boots were cancelled, but after looking at the quality of some of the other boots I was not as impressed. I think it was wise for Target to cancel this launch because quality is definitely something you shouldn't compromise, especially not with a designer that is known for their iconic rain boots. I'm surprised it wasn't as great as the quality of the clothing, because even though the price was low I was assuming Target would just sacrifice a bit of margin {not making as much}, at the expense of more brand exposure, instead of having the quality suffer... If you haven't looked into the clothing though, I definitely suggest doing so! There are some great rain jackets and sporty tanks- perfect for working out!
I paired this top with some yoga leggings from my fav athleisure brand, Victoria's Secret PINK. Another thing I love about this top is it is really easy to pair with almost anything. I chose something simple- these black sporty leggings, but you could totally add a bottom that has a bit more going on! PINK has some great options right now, mine are older so I linked a similar basic pair... but definitely go check out their website!:)
​

​I also want to take a moment to talk about my shoes. I just got these and am IN LOVE! I am normally a Nike fan, but these totally won me over. They are so comfy and stylish! They run pretty true to size, but are a little bit wide. I wear a 7.5 generally and ordered a 7 {but would have been fine in a 7.5}. I linked them above and totally suggest ordering a pair! There are also more color options!:)

If you have any questions about the HunterxTarget product or need help styling it please don't hesitate to reach out!:)

​xoxo, Jess

LIFE UPDATE:
So, today I am sharing something that only my closest family and friends have known about me. I'm not normally one to share something this personal, but I decided to post about my 7+ year struggle with chronic idiopathic urticaria {fancy term for unknown cause of chronic hives} to raise awareness and hopefully inspire others. This is my story:
After moving to Texas my sophomore year of high school I developed these spots that I thought were mosquito bites so for several months we kind of ignored them and I tried using bug repellent to prevent more "bites". We had our house treated more than normal for pests to try and help prevent these assumed mosquito bites, but it seemed to be doing nothing. I didn't have them every single day and they only lasted for a day or so, itching, slightly hurting, and swelling a bit- kind of similar to mosquito bites {which is where the assumption comes from}. Plus, living in Texas there is no shortage of these pesky bugs- LOL.
We went with this assumption for about a year before my mom and I went to a primary care doctor to inquire further. The doctor was "certain" that I had ringworm. My mom and I were so surprised by this as all the ways you get ringworm didn't really seem to fit with my lifestyle, but we trusted his expertise and went with this new diagnosis. The only issue was I had to get my blood taken every 3 months to make sure the intensity of the medication wasn't affecting my liver. After 3 months I saw absolutely 0 improvement and didn't see the reason to continue on such intense medicine {along with having to get blood drawn again} in order to keep trying something that clearly wasn't working. 
With this we went to a dermatologist. After meeting with them, they basically said they couldn't help me and recommended I go see an allergist. At this point I am a senior in high school. We then go to the allergist, but after the meeting we just didn't feel confident in the doctor's opinion or plan of action, so again we were back to square one. Feeling defeated I just kind of tried to ignore this issue and "suck it up" to try to just "recover" on my own from whatever this was that I was suffering from. However, that didn't last long before I was ready to try something to help me heal. We decided we needed to go back to the dermatologist because we were convinced that since these we spots on my skin that they should be able to help me. Well, they told us the exact same thing as the first time- that they couldn't help me and that I needed to go see the allergist. After this I felt REALLY defeated and frustrated because I was about to go into college and had been suffering for 3 years now with literally no answers. The top picture in the collage above is from the fall of my freshman year of college- probably when my hives {unknown at the time} were at their worst. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was sitting on my dorm bed and lifted up my shirt and gasped. I was shocked at all the spots I saw and I cried because I knew I looked horrible and I had no idea how to heal my illness.
With this I went back to the allergist and this time we felt more confident about their plan of action to finding out the cause of these spots. They took 7 vials of blood to test me for all allergies {this is also when we figured out I have a vasovagal response to blood drawn/ injections-basically fainting- more fun! NOT}. The results came back that I had no allergies to anything and was just pretty deficient in vitamin D. Although, this finally led to a true diagnosis. I didn't have mosquito bites or ringworm, but instead chronic idiopathic urticaria. This translated basically means I have chronic hives that the cause for them is unknown {since my blood work came back clear}. I was prescribed a high dose of vitamin D to take for a few months to raise my level back to normal and they hoped this would cure my chronic hives. The vitamin D was great, except unfortunately it did not seem to be a long term solution for curing my hives. After about 6 months I was seeing them increasingly again and was pretty disappointed. I decided to just ignore it and hope, once again, that they would naturally go away.
Unfortunately, my spots didn't just "go away", they persisted, and over the course of my junior and senior years of college they seemed to increase and spread across my body. For my college graduation gift my mom took me to The Bahamas for a week and while there my hives were so bad we decided it was time to act again. It was time to REALLY find a cure. Upon returning to the US we made another appointment with the allergist. The bottom picture of the collage above is right after college graduation, right before this next allergist appointment {showing how bad it had gotten again}. This time the allergist told me about an intense medication, Xolair that was used to treat asthma and chronic idiopathic urticaria. I was skeptical at first because the medicine was newer, it was extremely expensive {like thousands of dollars per month}, was labeled in the same category as chemotherapy, and came in the form of two thick shots per month. I knew though after 6 years of suffering, I had to give it a shot because I NEEDED a cure.
So, in order to be approved for Xolair I had to first "fail" the most "rigorous treatment plan". That involved taking 2 different types of over-the-counter medications twice a day for a few months, not seeing significant improvement in my condition. That's exactly what happened, so after those few months I was approved for Xolair and was prescribed to be on it for 6 months, being hopeful it would cure me! The day after my first injection I had literally one spot and then for the next 6 months I had no more spots! It has been a miracle. That 6 months ended today as I had my last injection! It has been the longest, hardest road to recovery, but through this long journey I have experienced God's goodness. HE IS SO GOOD. Medicine is only half the battle, He had to make it actually effective and I am overjoyed that He has healed me and taken all the pain away. I've always been a really healthy person- rarely getting sick or needing to go to the doctor, so fighting this long battle was so hard for me, but I am SO excited to be able to proclaim VICTORY! Additionally, I only had 2 vasovagal responses out of the 6 months, which I consider a win since it very easily could have happened every time, making it an even more difficult road to recovery. 
Having chronic idiopathic urticaria has taught me so much. I had so many days of embarrassment because of these spots, and being someone that has always been very confident with myself and my appearance, this was something that really plagued me. I learned to love myself and care less about the small minded judgements of others. I also learned to not be so quick to jump to conclusions about people. Everyone is walking their own path with their own struggles- whether it's internal or external, so this entire battle really helped remind me to ALWAYS practice kindness first. The allergist believes this condition could have been triggered by stress {and sadly there's no guarantee I won't struggle with this condition off and on throughout my life}. Therefore, I have really been forced to slow down, take deep breaths, practice things that destress {yoga is a great one I'm looking forward to hopefully getting back into}, and to always make sure I am placing myself in healthy, encouraging, passionate situations- especially related to my career. Life is too short to work in a job where you are always stressed and unhappy. Be confident and strong enough to make the change! I did, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and now I am even better at identifying what I need in my career.
So from sharing my story I hope y'all feel a renewed hope that God can work miracles in the most hopeless situations and that He makes everything good in His timing- NEVER give up. That He is so powerful and the importance of living KIND and being strong enough to place yourself in only healthy situations!

I hope you enjoyed my little life update! I am so happy to close this chapter of my life!:)

xoxo, Jess   

Bar carts are probably one of the biggest trends in home for the last year- so of course, I HAD to have one! I will preface this post by saying, they are not an inexpensive piece of furniture. In fact, it is very hard to find one at full price under $100. I purchased mine from Target, although I literally got the last one online back in January. They still have mine on the website {linked here} so hopefully you have good luck finding it in a store near you! We are sold out in Dallas:(. Therefore, here is a similar one.
Before purchasing I did a lot of researching on Pinterest to gain ideas for what all I needed. I would still like to add a nice tray for the bottom and maybe some cute cups? But for the most part I am super happy with how mine turned out!
So here are the tips I followed that helped me decorate mine:
1. Having something "living" is a must! I searched FOREVER for these perfect faux flowers and realized it is actually pretty hard to find a decent arrangement that is not $50. Top places I looked are Etsy, Pier 1, and Target. I found mine at Pier 1 and couldn't have found a better fit!
2. Drink accessories! I chose festive drink stirrers and they are from Target's Bullseye's Playground section. They came in a pack of 10-12. Bullseye's Playground is an AMAZING place to find fun, festive, inexpensive drink accessories and they almost always have some. Right now they have some really cute summer related drink accessories! Target doesn't have all their Bullseye's Playground merchandise online so I can't link mine:(. My towel, napkins, and pink "BAR" sign is all from there! They also almost always carry little fun towels and signs too!
3. Find something "artsy" to display! I chose a white and gold pineapple because I felt it really went with the cart and my overall style. I also placed my simple, unique cream colored candle on my cart too! My candle was a gift so I can't link it, but I would suggest just going with something simple in a scent you already like!:) My pineapple is from Home Goods and sense they don't have their merchandise online I linked the same one from Kirkland's. 
4. Everyone needs a good cocktail shaker for those fancier drink nights. I chose this simple hammered gold one from World Market. I really liked a lot of their drink accessories so I definitely recommend checking them out. I liked some I found at Target too, but many styles were out of stock both online and in store, therefore I went with the one from World Market.
5. I totally recommend a fun wine opener too and LOVE the ones from Francesca's {featured in my last Easter Gift Guide post!}. Mine says "You know what rhymes with Friday? WINE!" and I love it. There are so many great ones though, so go to Francesca's and pick the one that fits your personality best!:)
7. I also think placing something personal on your cart is a cute touch. For this I placed my little framed drawing from my sweet sister- friend Kelly that she drew for each of us girls in her bridal party! The detail of it is so spot on and she's so talented! It made for a perfect addition to my cart!:) Visit her website to see more of her great work: http://kellyannbegley.com
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8. An ice bucket is another must! I got mine from World Market, but like the cocktail shaker, I found some I liked at Target too, but they again had poor inventory in many styles:(.
9. I added a decorative drink vase that was my grandmother's and while it may stick out a bit, I really like how unique it is and just couldn't not display it! I have 0 clues as to where she got this though, but she had expensive taste so I am sure it is an unreasonable price even if I could find it!

For those curious on my current alcohol collection, above is a closer look. Can you tell what my favorite wine is?! Lol. I love Cupcake Moscato D'Asti. If you haven't tried it and like a sweet wine I totally recommend it! I haven't tried the Courtage or Korbel sweet rose yet- waiting for a great occasion, haha. Always have to have a bottle of Korbel brut on-hand for any potential mimosas {my fav drink EVER}. I normally have Svedka lemonade vodka on hand, but just finished the bottle I had with friends a few weeks ago- I really love how well it mixes with juices! One of my good friends just gifted me the Smirnoff peach sorbet and it's really interesting- we enjoy mixing it with Sprite! {the other bottle of wine is unbranded from a wedding}.
In case you wonder, the little "Cheers" wine topper is another one from Target's Bullseye's Playground! I find other great ones from World Market, Pier 1, Home Goods, and Francesca's!

If you need help styling your bar cart or have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out!

xoxo, Jess

Top: Nordstrom Rack Cardigan: Target {similar} Jeans: American Eagle Shoes: Target Purse: Target Statement Necklace: Kendra Scott
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Happy Easter everyone! Today I am sharing my Easter outfit and this year I really focused on accessorizing! I can't get enough of these shoes and purse- LOVE!

To be honest, I love all the details of this simple outfit. My shirt is a white cami with adjustable straps, but has the cutest scallop detailing that gives it a little character! Sadly, it went on a major sale and is currently sold out, so be watching for a restock {wearing XS}! My cardigan is the "Mossimo" Target brand, but I tagged their newer "Universal Thread" brand version that's also super cute {wearing XS}! These cardigan/ sweater pieces are a perfect transition piece to have in your closet!
These jeans are my FAV- seriously so comfy! Truly the perfect mom jean, or as AE calls them, "Tomgirl" jeans! Definitely size down in these, I normally wear a 1 in jeans, but I have on a 00 in this style. I love the versatility because they are easy to dress up {like I did here} or down with a cute one-piece swimsuit for summer or a plain tee for running errands!
Now to the best part: ACCESSORIES. I am seriously OBSESSED with lavender this year- I can't get enough. It's definitely going to be my color this year. Therefore, this purse was a must-have! I not only love the color, but the round shape is SO in right now and bonus: it has a detachable crossbody strap! Plus, it is under $30 and comes in 2 other colors! The shoes are "A New Day" from Target {like the purse} and are just the perfect block heels for spring. I love the pastel blue color, but it also comes in olive and orchid in case blue isn't your color. These run a half size large; I normally wear a 7.5 but purchased a 7. Block heels are a staple for every girl's closet and they are so easy to style! Plus this pair is under $25, so it makes it a guilt-free purchase! If you can't tell by now, Kendra Scott is a must-have for jewelry and I love layering pieces. I love how this clear stone looks against white- I linked it again above in case you missed it in previous posts!

If you have any questions or need help styling your fav accessories please don't hesitate to reach out!

xoxo, Jess