ON THE BLOG//
archive
Tea Time
Tea time is the best time! Part of my evening ritual (during the week) is drinking a cup of tea before bed. It's the perfect way to unwind and makes for an enjoyable transition between awake and sleep. I just started drinking sakara sleep tea and love it, but I also love rishi turmeric ginger tea. Below are links to teas, mugs, and teapots that I am loving. [image via anthropologie]
*teapot from anthropologie
*mug from anthropologie
*mug from created co
*tea kettle from sur la table
*rishi turmeric ginger chai concentrate
*tea travel mug
*sakara detox tea
Winter Recipes To Try
I love cooking home-cooked meals all times of the year, but especially in the winter months. There is something so comforting and cozy being inside when it's dark and cold outside! Below is my current list of recipes to try and I would love to hear any recommendations that you have in the comment section. xx meliss
*basil cashew chicken via half baked harvest
*creamy roasted red pepper and cauliflower soup via closet cooking
*garlic butter mushroom risotto via pinch of yum
*chicken tikka masala via savory tooth
*leek frittata via coveteur
*garlic butter white wine pasta via savory nothings
*beet risotto via well plated
*asparagus and smoked salmon pizzas via from the kitchen
Save More, Spend Less
*all images by felicia lasala*
THE OUTFIT : sweatshirt (c/o) | denim (c/o) | sunnies | sneaks
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2286327"]
Following up on our thoughts for the new year post from Tuesday, I want to chat a little bit more about saving more and spending less. Anyone else making this a priority in 2017? I would love to hear from you in the comment section below. Saving money is a hard thing, as needs and wants are real. However, this year I am making it my heart's mission to resist most wants and stay strictly to the need list when making purchases. Working in the fashion industry is a major blessing and I am so thankful for what I do, but it does make the desire for new sartorial items quite strong. This year, I want to be more aware and conscious of the desire to shop, and have the control to reel it in when necessary. Something that I *try* to always keep in mind is this: appreciate more, accumulate less. I plan to write this down and repeat it on the regular, when something new catches my eye that I don't actually need / xx meliss
Practicing Patience
Yesterday we shared a post on thoughts for the new year and one of those things was practicing patience. Something I have been praying for a lot lately is patience. Having patience, showing and feeling patience, and giving patience has always been a struggle for me. However, I completely realize the importance of it and lately I have been craving it hard, and seeking it wholeheartedly. Most of all, I want to be patient in faith, as I wait on God’s timing. His timing is by far the best, but my head sometimes does not always get this memo. My heart does though, because His timing is what my soul needs and wants. Sometimes I lose sight of the big picture, and get so caught up in my “plan” and what and when I think things need to happen. Instead, I want to be much more intentional in putting my “plans” on the backburner, and wait patiently for Him and His plan. It’s laughable how much better His plan is for me, compared to mine! I am making 2017 the year of patience and I hope you will join me, if patience is something that you want more of as well / xo
*images: felicia lasala*
THE OUTFIT: trench (c/o) | sweater (c/o) | denim (c/o) | booties | sunnies
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2286360"]
Thoughts for the New Year
The new year is always a chance to refocus our hearts and minds and this year I have a few things that I plan to focus on in the months ahead. You can read my list below and I would love to hear you thoughts in the comments! xx Meliss
*Take care of my body and soul- this includes eating well, sleeping well, spending time in the His Word, surrounding myself with positive people, making time for yoga 2-3 times a week, and dwelling on the positive.
*Save over spend- I thankfully grew up with parents who taught me good financial habits, but I really want to make 2017 of saving more money than ever before. This includes taking a major break from shopping for wants.
*Practice patience- this is something that I am really devoted to and committed to working on in 2017. Patience is such an important characteristic, and it is something that I personally need to work on.
*Slow down- 2016 was an amazing year, but definitely a busy one. It has left me with the best memories and a full heart. I am definitely craving a slower pace this year though, with a lot of time at home, cooking, in comfy clothes and just generally taking things slower and savoring the little things.
image via vogue
Thank You and Here's to 2017!
We want to thank everyone for an amazing year in 2016! We have so much fun writing posts and connecting with you on social media. We are truly thankful for your support and interest in lolo mag! The blog journey would be nothing without you and for that we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. There is something exciting coming in January, too! Lo has been working super hard on rebranding lolo mag, with a focus on wellness, honest talk, and balance. We could not be more excited for the refocused direction, and we hope that you continue this journey with us.
Have a fun, safe, and relaxing weekend and see you back here next week! XO
Top Five of 2016
It's so crazy to think that 2016 is coming to a close this weekend. We cannot wait for 2017 and have some very exciting things planned, so stay tuned. Below are five of Lo's outfits from this past year that continue to inspire us sartorially and have us looking forward to spring and summer 17'. Links are below with the full outfit post. Enjoy xx
#1- FRINGE TOP
#2- SUEDE SKIRT + TRUMPET SLEEVES
#4- BOHO TOP + SKIRT
Q&A with lysa terkeurst
image via the proverbs31 facebook page
Lysa Terkeurst is the author of quite a few books including The Best Yes, Unglued, and most recently, Uninvited. She is also the founder of Proverbs31, a ministry that seeks to help women find and develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Lauren and I are both big fans of Lysa, her books, and Proverbs 31 and are so excited to share with you a Q&A series that we recently did with Lysa. Our questions and her answers are below! xo
-Hi Lysa! We are such big fans of yours and are so excited to be chatting with you today. First question- what was the inspiration behind Uninvited?Thank you for this opportunity! The process with Uninvited was a bit different than my other books. Most of the time when I write a book I’m on the other side of whatever issue I’m tackling. So, when I wrote Uninvited, I thought I was writing from the vantage point of looking back at past rejections to admit they were still affecting me and seeking healing. But God saw what was about to hit me and had me knee deep in studying how to handle rejection with a deep assurance of His unwavering love because He knew I would need this message most of all. I had no idea that the words I wrote in this book last year would be a pure gift from God I desperately needed this year. I didn’t know I would find myself curled up with the rough draft pages of Uninvited thanking God through my tears for the healing balm this message has poured over my soul. Rejection isn’t just a complicated emotion. It’s an utter devastation of what we thought was real and safe and secure. And it affects us all way more than we’d like to admit. We are all either trying to heal from a past rejection, deal with a present rejection, or fear that an unexpected rejection is just around the corner. So this book is about finding the acceptance and love we’ve always longed for and starting to pick up the pieces that we’ve been trying to put back together for years. I chose this topic because I want us to dig in to the core of who we are and expose and finally heal rejection’s deep infection. It’s not a tidy process. But it’s honest. And it’s good.-I am currently reading Uninvited and one of my favorite messages so far is the concept of Living Loved. It’s truly amazing how much better everything is when you come from a place of love, instead of insecurity, rejection, and fear. Do you have any quick tips how to get back to the feeling of Living Loved, if you have found yourself slipping away from that loving, safe place?Satan’s lies flee in the presence of God’s truth. So I think the best thing we can do is saturate our hearts with Scripture when we start to lose sight of God’s love for us. Some of my favorite passages to go to are:Psalm 91 | Zephaniah 3:17 | Colossians 3:12 | Psalm 139:13-16-You seem to have an amazing and tight-knit family! I follow your daughters Hope and Ashley on Instagram and love seeing their pics. Can you tell us about your family and how you guys stay so close, despite different locations and busy schedules?Four out of my five kids live in town which is an amazing blessing. Several years ago, our family started a tradition called Monday Night Dinners where we all gather together at our sticky farm table to share a meal and spend time together. It’s a constant in the midst of everyone’s busy schedules and our favorite day of the week. I think the secret to staying close is intentionality.-We know that you had three family weddings this year- so crazy and incredible! What was that like? Give us a few details :)I never thought or dreamed in a million years that three of my kids would get married in the same year. It was quite a journey filled with lots of planning and late night crafting sessions. Our oldest daughter, Hope, wed in February with an elegant, formal, uptown wedding complete with the unexpected twist of playing corn hole in our formal gowns. Ashley was married in the Alabama countryside in April with market lights, vintage furniture, a pizza and hamburger reception, and her favorite popsicles and donuts! Our son, Jackson, just said “I do” this fall in a lovely garden ceremony in Knoxville, Tennessee. I told each of my kids before their special day, “Embrace the unexpected. Smile at the crazy. Laugh at the unplanned. And relax. If you bring the happy, your day will be beautiful.” But this advice was really for day one of their marriages as well. The happiest couples are the ones who are able to embrace imperfections!-I am a loyal reader of Proverbs31 and follower of the Instagram! I don’t know what I would do without the daily encouragements that you and your team provide on the site and on social media. Can you share with our readers the concept behind Proverbs31?Over 20 years ago, I helped start a place where women could gather and learn God’s perspective on how to do life through the pages of His Word. Proverbs 31 Ministries exists because I desperately needed someone to help me connect life with God’s truth. And I still do. So, every day my team and I gather together to think through life-giving resources like our free devotions, First 5 app, online Bible studies, social media encouragement, and more. We’re so very grateful to be able to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth!-After writing that last question, it occurred to me that you are one busy lady!! Do you have any tips on how to wear several different hats, as many women do?Honestly, I have to say “no” to many things so I can give my “best yes” to the unique things that God has called me to. This doesn’t come naturally to me because I struggle with being a people pleaser! I wrote a book about this called The Best Yes where I share Biblical ways to prioritize in a world full of endless demands.-Your Facebook page is a favorite of mine and I am so thankful for your daily posts, quotes, and words of encouragement. What is your strategy when using Facebook to connect with fans?My deepest desire is to meet women where they are – whether it’s a mom in a carpool line, a wife facing a hard marriage, or a single gal trying to figure out what God has for her. So with that in mind, I weave together encouraging words to whoever might be on the other end of that computer screen or smart phone. It’s an amazing privilege to get to speak life into women around the world.-It’s tough to just pick one, but we would love to know your all-time favorite biblical verse, that you always keep in mind?That really is a tough one! I love God’s Word so much. I don’t think I could pick a favorite. But I do love Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” This brings me so much peace and helps me to remember that a pure heart doesn’t mean a perfect person. If my pure intention is to see God, I will. And while I can’t see the Lord’s physical form, I can see evidence of His activity all around me. This is my hope in the midst of hurt and the great joy of my life despite painful circumstances. The Lord really is the greatest love of my soul!
*Shop Lysa's books, here:
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2286115"]
Savoring the Christmas spirit
There is something so sweet about the holiday season- a sort of “magic” that fills the air, our homes, and everywhere we go. It’s an underlying excitement and joy that is unique to this time of year. We are making it our goal to savor the Christmas spirit and hold on tight to it, even after the new year. May we all carry it with us in to 2017, spreading good cheer everywhere we go. Below are a few ideas of how we can do this // xx meliss
-Smile always! A smile is seriously so powerful- it can easily spread joy
-Invite people over more to gather around the table for dinner at home- playing hostess is enjoyable anytime of the year
-Give a gift for no reason to someone special in your life or to someone in need
-Send cards as much as possible. Buy them, sign them, and send them snail mail. This could be for birthdays, thank yous, or just to say hello
-Dress up for fun. Even if you are just going out to dinner in your hometown, put on your favorite outfit and make it a special night, just because
-We say baking cookies, scones, and muffins is an all-year-long kind of thing. And to make it even better, whip up a big batch and gift some of them to family and friends
-Decorate your home with fresh flowers and other decor that makes your home space feel cozy and welcoming
-Keep that glimmer in your eye all year long! People have a certain “look” this time of year and we are determined to keep it past the holiday season