Tag: faith

Wearing Winter White with Roses

Wearing Winter White with Roses

by Pink Collar Coach

It’s about Day 27 of being back to blogging, and today I wore winter white with roses. After subbing for Saturday’s Zumba class, I looked forward to warming up in a cozy sweater and accenting it with a gorgeous new creamy handbag embellished with my favorite flower. After lunch with one of my Swan Sisters I asked her to snap the pic beneath a tree barren of leaves to show the juxtaposition between it and the bag’s colorful embroidered petals. The one speaks to the season we’re in; the other to spring that’s just around the corner. By wearing winter white with roses, I’m embracing the beauty of both.

img_1011.jpg
Me, Pink Collar Coach, wearing a winter white sweater with a rose patterned handbag.           All Calvin Klein from TJ Maxx.

 

Many people find this time of year bleak. With the winter holidays behind us, Easter and spring break can feel a long way off. Though I’ve never really struggled with the winter doldrums –– a D or challenge women face –– I’m not a fan of the cold and can do without snow. Consequently I’m thankful that other than a little extreme winter weather, for the most part, it’s been fairly mild. Even so, I look forward to spring, warmer temps, flowers blooming and Easter. And now that I have a tiny house for personal and professional use, it seems an open house/Easter brunch is in order…

Just as we look forward to get togethers, holidays and parties, spring is a time of new beginnings, celebration of new life and the Resurrection.  As we prepare for it, let’s be mindful of the winter beauty that still surrounds us, which can chase away those doldrums… If  you’re Pink Collar Savvy & Chic and look closely enough, beauty can be seen in the barren trees and overcast skies.  It can even be found in a wearing winter white with roses.

Advertisements
Pink Collar Service on Purpose

Pink Collar Service on Purpose

by Pink Collar Coach ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s Day 26 of being back to blogging, and though I’m unsure about a lot of things right now, one thing I’m certain of is that I’m fully living Pink Collar Service on Purpose. That’s basically my version of At Work on Purpose –– for women. To be perfectly honest, there are days now that I’ve transitioned from running my business –– Pink Collar Savvy & Chic –– full-time to my new role as a Women’s Center Director that make me wonder how I’m going to do it all. Be a wife, mother, author, blogger, life coach, leader, Zumba teacher and maintain my walk with Christ. Then, in the midst of serving all these ways, in ministering to others, I feel that Every. Single. Thing. on my own journey is being put to use blessing another woman and know to the very core of my being that I’m doing exactly what God created me to do in just the way He designed me to do it. And I’m in awe and wonder that I’m fully living my Pink Collar Savvy & Chic on Purpose.

img_0394.jpg
Me, Pink Collar Coach, in a some fun finds. Sweater dress, a $20 clearance steal at Christmas. The scarf was found last week – with the same gorgeous floral motif.                                  Handbag is  one of my oldest. I chose it based on the orange lettering in the scarf.                                  All Calvin Klein from TJ Maxx. 

Am I still exhausted and a bit overwhelmed? Yes, but it’s the best kind of worn out. I want my life to be poured out and used up serving and showing others the love of Christ so that they too can live their best lives. I got to do that for a woman over the last two days in a way that will impact me forever and Lord willing her for an eternity. Thinking on that restores me and inspires me to serve another day….That doesn’t mean I’m not ready for bed, though!

What about you? Are you giving of your time, talent and treasure to bless and minister to others? Through work, volunteering or in another capacity? If you are, chances are you may end up  like me –– too zonked to go to Zumba and too done for a date night with your significant other –– but you’ll sleep well knowing you’ve been emptied out to fill someone else’s cup by living Pink Collar Savvy & Chic Service on Purpose.

Be savvy &  chic,

~Pink Collar Coach

My Furry Valentine

My Furry Valentine

by Pink Collar Coach ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I’ve been back to blogging for about 25 days, and though Valentine’s Day was Thursday, I’m feeling especially grateful for My Furry Valentine today. Three years ago, my sweet hubby took me to our local animal shelter for the event by that name, and it was there a two year old gray beauty, Peppa, stole my heart. I added Loveday –– a character in a favorite Rosamunde Pilcher book entitled Coming Home –– and am reminded how much my husband adores me each time I say it. You see, he really wasn’t in favor of our first kitty, Skylar Belle, joining our blended family, but gave in to my needling for my kiddos to have a pet. They were my first consideration in giving her a sibling, but he confided that he really got her for me. That knowledge and Peppa Loveday’s docile spirit made her my constant companion. In fact, she now resides at the tiny house I rent for personal and professional use. And today, docile as she is, she earned her keep by serving as a mouser and dealing with an unwanted visitor. Her feline feat has endeared My Furry Valentine to me even more!

IMG_1008
My Furry Valentine, Peppa Loveday. At peace in my Petite Place.                                       Abbuson needlepoint rug –– found over a decade ago at TJ Maxx.

As Peppa Loveday sits at my feet while I write, she reminds me that we females can be ultra feminine, pretty, sweet, and meek. But it doesn’t mean we aren’t intrepid too. Though she is skittish –– I believe she was abused by the original owners who named her then dumped her off at the pound –– this trait has been evident in Peppa Loveday from the moment we brought her home. While Skylar hissed and growled, Peppa never once cowed to her bullying. In fact, most of the time she simply responded by sitting serenely and looking at her like, Really? 

When I tried to bring Peppa over to the tiny house, at first she wasn’t feeling it and let me know when I tried to put her the pet carrier. Not wanting me to get scratched up again, my husband got a large dog crate, put her food and water inside and trained her not to be afraid to go in. That’s how we finally got her over to what I’m beginning to think of as “My Petite Place”. Having her with me makes it feel even more like a home/office. And it makes me feel my husband’s love all over again. After all, not only did he go to great lengths to get Peppa Loveday for me in the first place, he’s gone above and beyond to bring me My Furry Valentine.

Be savvy & chic,

~Pink Collar Coach

Pink Collar Coach’s Positivity Post – February 17, 2019

Pink Collar Coach’s Positivity Post – February 17, 2019

by Pink Collar Coach ♥ 1 Comment

Takeaway from this morning’s sermon:

Women, not only can we be free from the pain of the past,

Through Christ, we can be at peace with it. Amen!

Peace sign on pink wall

Little Gifts Given with Great Love – Part 2

Little Gifts Given with Great Love – Part 2

by Pink Collar Coach ♥ 1 Comment

It’s Day 24 of being back to blogging, and since I didn’t have my kiddos on Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating now with little gifts given with great love. I went to a German bilingual school and began my lifelong love affair with Gummi Bears in first grade when our teacher gave them as a treat. The love affair with roses started shortly thereafter. My children were delighted to receive the former, specially packaged for the holiday with only the  red and white candies, and my sweet hubby surprised me with white roses lovingly arranged in an uncommon red vase. The thought and time put into finding favorite things for others not only bless the recipients but make the giver feel pretty good, too. Yet another benefit of  little gifts given with great love.

C8AD9956-0110-4023-BE1E-5D05AC15AFA0
Red & white Gummi Bears & floral arrangement make a lovely Valentines Day vignette . Bucket bench is a favorite antique store find. Simply Shabby Chic pedestal mirror. 

Besides making a holiday special, inexpensive little treats like these –– all purchased at the local grocer –– can encourage others and lift their spirits. So the next time you’re out doing the weekly shopping, why not be Pink Collar Savvy & Chic and pick up a little something for that someone in your life? You never know, a little gift given with great love could make a BIG difference in their day.

Be savvy & chic,

~Pink Collar Coach

Little Gifts Given With Great Love

Little Gifts Given With Great Love

by Pink Collar Coach ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s Day 23 of being back to blogging, and in preparing to celebrate Valentines Day with my hubby, I’m reminded it’s little gifts given with great love that are often the biggest blessing. Back when I was newly in love with my preppy husband, I went on an elaborate shopping spree and purchased several updated classic argyle sweaters for him. At the time, his reaction –– appreciation for the thought but NOT the gift ––  surprised and hurt me. But that was before I understood he didn’t wan’t his classic clothing and or any other aspect of his appearance updated. Over time I learned he doesn’t wear cologne, hates jewelry and doesn’t enjoy my taste in art, books or music. What he does value is quality time spent, heartfelt messages and favorite fat free foods! Armed with this knowledge, I skipped Zumba for an early date night (so we could beat tomorrow’s crowds), added a hand written note and symbol of our love story to a faith based card, and gifted him with fat free Fig Newtons. Sounds pretty simple but he was blessed by these little gifts given with great love.

IMG_0998.JPG
A Valentines Day Vignette – Roses, a favorite fat-free dessert tied with a handcrafted heart, a lovely hand drawn card from Dayspring, a crocheted heart and velvet ribbon –                                           All masculine versions of Shabby Chic. 

It isn’t necessary to break the bank to make Valentines Day special. Instead, with a little effort, thought and time, the holiday can be one that reflects the things that are meaningful to your relationship. When this happens, there’s a magical opportunity to create a lasting romantic memory –– which I consider priceless. Based on our sweet time together this evening, I believe my hubby agrees. Though there were no extravagant gifts or grand gestures, there was lots of laughter and lobster dinner! We enjoyed these little gifts given with love. Another thing there’s lots of.

Be savvy & chic,

~Pink Collar Coach

 

 

Give Me Your Heart

Give Me Your Heart

by Pink Collar Coach ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s Day 22 of being back to blogging, and as Valentine’s Day approaches, many are asking others, Give me your heart. Most often, this is a romantic request. For me, working in the social service industry as a Women’s Center Director for a homeless shelter for women and children, my prayer has been that God give me His heart –– for the hurting. Daily I work with those the world considers “the least of these” and am learning such valuable lessons on servant leadership. The most impactful one is viewing them from His perspective. The addicts, those with developmental disabilities, the mentally ill, the poverty stricken, the promiscuous, the traumatized.   I look at them and see them as God’s beloved daughters and precious children. They are beautiful and lovely to me. Because God has somehow answered my prayer and given me His heart.

IMG_5911
 A heart pocket. A shabby chic antique store find, filled with my favorite flowers – roses. 

Not only do I feel as though my prayer has been answered, I’m humbled to know that others see it as well. In dealing with a situation regarding one of the non-compliant residents, I basically expressed what my dear Aunt Birdy used to –– If not for the grace of God, there go I. That realization allowed  me to move from a place of judgement to one of empathy. Witnessing this, one of the amazing staff members I inherited teared up and said something that let me know I’ve been granted what I really desire this Valentine’s Day.  “You really do have a heart for them.”

My prayer is that all of us who work in social service/ministry would be Pink Collar Savvy & Chic and demonstrate our Father’s heart for the ones we serve. What a beautiful expression of His love…

Be savvy & chic,

~Pink Collar Coach