The most important thing to remember is that you can wear all the greatest clothes and all the greatest shoes, but you’ve got to have a good spirit on the inside. That’s what’s really going to make you look like you’re ready to rock the world.
Alicia Keys
(I was going to post some fun fall fashion trends and pics but will save them for tomorrow, and in the meantime, thought this quote was a great lead-in.)
So often things in life feel so random. Desires not yet realized appear crazy and seemingly impossible. Hopes are deferred and doors we knock on slam shut or never even budge.
The older I get the more I’m convinced when we’re living for God, surrendered to His purposes, nothing is random. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course but the LORD determines his steps.” So true and so encouraging.
Relationships in particular, may start out small but lead to strategic possibilities. Three in my life come to mind. Two were bright young students I hired as Alumni Director at Oral Roberts University. Both went on to become CFOs and invited me into business opportunities I’ve loved (John Maxwell’s Speakers Bureau thanks Reggie, and Solavei thanks Nathan!)
Five years ago at a small book signing in D.C. I met Charity Wallace who worked for Laura Bush. She took a signed copy of my book to Mrs. Bush and I got a beautiful thank you letter back. No further contact but five years later Charity thought of me for the George and Laura Bush Women’s Initiative which I’m loving being part of as a mentor and workshop leader. We’re heading to Egypt for a week in September, thanks Charity!
What all this means in my opinion, is the need to dream on all cylinders, and experiment in the direction of even random desires. As my dear mentor Carole Hyatt puts it, “Knock on all doors and see which ones open.”
We can hold onto these promises… “The desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” Prov.13:4. “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” I believe this means “give” as in grant, but also “give” as in putting the desire there in the first place.
Life is such an exciting adventure. And nothing is random.
This song from our MSNY service last night inspires me in this direction
A favorite NYC tradition on Sunday afternoons is stopping by the flea market on the upper west side corner of 77th Street and Columbus. When I lived in this neighborhood I got there more often. Now that we’re east siders AND often in Raleigh on Sundays, it’s a rare treat to make it by.
Today, after Ron preached at both MSNY morning services (awesome message from Philippians on how life is a process filled with tests to overcome, highly recommend this podcast) we took our dear friends Nathan and Jennifer Gooden (visiting from Raleigh) to lunch and then by the flea market (we girls convinced the guys to go with us.)
I have two favorite booths at this flea market, one is that of friend Kitty McBride, The Divine Chair Company, who was not there today (missed you Kitty) and the other is a vintage booth specializing in furs. How fun that Jennifer found two treasures while I enjoyed the thrill of the hunt. Never mind it’s July, fur weather will be here before we know it!
Such a great variety of lovelies to look through
Don’t forget to go low and dig through the box of fur hats and scarves
Honey, check it out, what do you think?
Hmm, looks small and I have a big head (seriously hard time fitting into hats)
Pat is the owner of the booth, I’ve bought many furs from her through the years (can a girl really ever have too many furs?) she’s such an expert and has a great eye. “What do you think Pat, can we make this hat fit somehow?” After deliberating, decided no.
Jennifer looks amazing in everything, we all voted #1 on this beautiful slightly funky-yet-elegant combo of leopard and leather, it’ll work great with jeans, dressing up, or anywhere a former Miss America (‘06) might want to go.
A FURfilling time had by all and a Sunday afternoon to remember…
Only eat sweets when they’re extra fancy/fine, or free!!
I’m back home from a quick up-and-back trip to Lancaster for the Arise Women’s Conference hosted by my friend Mary Hudson (a.k.a. Katy Perry’s Mom.)
The lovely Lisa Lucas served as driver (her Audi is a treat of a ride) and dear friend Sundy Goodnight joined us for her first-ever visit to Pennsylvania.
Loved the richness with all the beautiful women at the conference, plus the time with Mary and her husband Keith was such a treat. Thankful to do what I love and share tools like the 3 Lies of Logic That Will Threaten Your Dream (not sure if a podcast will be posted but stay tuned on that.) My primary Bible passage was Matthew 25, I love this parable of the talents and the call to double what we’ve been given.
Beyond the joy of the ministry moments, we three traveling companions LOVED all the stimulating sights in one of the more beautiful places in the U.S.A.
Load her up and let’s head to Amish Country!
Who knew three blondes could get so excited about barns and silos?!
Leola Inn, such a charming B&B (thanks Mary!)
First night of the conference, sharing stories, giving HOPE, always such a privilege
Shoe designer Lisa donning one of her designs, many oohs and aahs over these
Loved the “Church of the Word” ladies, including Pastor Teri Armstrong (far left)
Grateful for my resource table assistants
While we ladies were in our conference sessions, Mary’s husband/Katy’s dad, Keith, snagged some super deals at a local swap meet, one being a Woodstock poster (Keith himself attended Woodstock and hung out with Janis Joplin) plus a Jimmy Hendricks photo, quite impressive!
Hitting the road back to NYC, reminds me of growing up in Goshen, Indiana
What’s this? Stop the car and turn left…perfect choice for a local lunch
City girl meets Amish cook
Dig in and don’t hold back
My big fat Amish lunch, homemade applesauce is a true Mennonite’s gravy, alongside grilled 1/4 chicken and roasted potato plus grilled corn on the cob, oh yes
Let’s try the homemade root beer (delish)
Such a beautiful produce section, had these tomatoes for dinner tonight in caprese salad, they taste the way a tomato was meant to taste (Ron wholeheartedly agreed)
Love the colors of God’s creation
Let’s not forget dessert, wanted shoo-fly pie but they didn’t have any so we opted for a choc chip whoopie pie and mini peach pie.
Such cute kids all helping this family enterprise, this little guy had just been in the corn field furiously picking ears of corn then lugged them in for the grill
So glad we found this perfect lunch spot!
3 hours later, lots of girl talk, and downloading Katy Perry’s latest single (Wide Awake), we made it back to the city, hearts and stomachs full and satisfied. A trip to remember.
It was such a joy sharing the podium with my dear friend Mary Hudson, a.k.a. Katy Perry’s Mom. I spoke Friday evening to both men and women, then Saturday morning the workshop focused on “3 Resistors That Hold You Back From Doing Your Dream.”
The drive to and from NYC was enjoyable with pals Sundy Goodnight and Lisa Lucas, with plenty of Amish/Mennonite treats found, including a memorable Amish lunch of grilled chicken, corn-on-the-cob, and applesauce as we headed out of town.
I grew up Mennonite (anyone who knows Mennonites would have guessed given my maiden name Troyer.)
Since I’m heading to Lancaster, PA (the heart of Mennonite and Amish country) to speak at a women’s conference this weekend, thoughts are drifting back to many things I’m grateful for in growing up Mennonite, not the least of which is FOOD!
Certainly there are more things to appreciate than this, but given Amish and Mennonites are known for their cooking, many childhood memories include these treats….
Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cake (recipe on my website, so YUM and even better the 2nd day)
Grandma’s pumpkin pie, just the right balance of fluff and substance, extra irresistible in the Mackenzie Childs pie plate.
We Mennonite girls can whip up a cobbler, blackberry is my husband’s favorite, and mini ones parlay the guilt.
Husband enjoying it, two scoops are better than one.
Homemade ice cream is a big Mennonite treat, fortunately Cuisinart makers have replaced the hand-cranked types for faster results. Last summer we hit upon a new recipe, fresh mint from the garden steeped in the milk mixture plus shaved chocolate for the most delicious awesome mint chocolate chip creamy delight you’ll ever put your palate to, oh my, thinking of it now is making me drool for the cool.
Other classic Amish/Mennonite treats would include cinnamon yeast rolls, shoofly pie, and the ever-famous Auntie Anne’s type pretzels. Lancaster here I come!!
If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing started with a dream and a mouse.
I like to think of myself as organized, but am finally resigned to the fact that yes indeed, I’m a pile person. Sadly, or maybe fortuitously, my husband is too. Good thing — our piles don’t get on eachother’s nerves. Bad thing — we’re of no help to one another in getting rid of said piles!
Eventually, the piles just gotta go, like today, after working around them for almost a year!
Our new marketing assistant, Amy Lentz, interned for us two summers ago and helped with the original MAJOR home office overhaul. Today she attacked our piles again, and what a JOY to see my beautiful desk reemerge. Other assistant Whitney, and Ron’s secretary Pam, are both super heroes, having kept the piles at bay until now.
Here are a few before and after shots of our original office redo, in honor of today’s pile-high-rebound back to beautiful.
Cluttered piles, bad wall color…
A before-new-decor shot, granted some of these boxes were part of prepping for redecorating but still, no doubt we tolerate piles!
This morning, dreading these piles, “You’re too busy to really dive into details.”
After, now this is what I’m talkin’ about…clean and white and bright and a workspace to love sans piles!
What a treat having a clear view of Ron and our boys on our wedding day (I prayed for one man to love and got five!!)
Thank you Amy, your organization skills ROCK, then and now!
Let’s hear it for pile people who overcome!!
When I moved into our home nearly 8 years ago, the master bath was No. 1 on the “gotta change it” rooms in the house. Boys’ bedrooms, home office, and a host of other smaller projects took precedence until finally, in the last year, we did it!
You all know how much I love decorating, so the months (okay years) of planning were part of the fun, looking at blogs, websites, and in countless magazines. My goals were simple — make it beautiful and affordable.
For $$ sake we hoped to salvage some of the old bathroom, but in the end realized it was a “gut the whole thing” plan. Helped by talented designer/friend Christy Rosario, (check out Cridesignz.blogspot.com), along with her dad our tile guru Daniel Croom, we demolished, laid tile, designed mirrors, reconfigured furniture, painted, and added bling.
Sadly, all the “before” photos got lost when the iCloud transfer happened last fall, but here are the “after” shots. We (okay, mostly me) are enjoying every moment in the bathroom of our dreams!
What do you think? Was it worth the wait, dust, and investments??
Wanted a jewelry-like chandelier so customized this one in the Lighting District in NYC, it’s on a dimmer, soaking in this tub has been even more luxurious than I imagined, never been a bath person til now!
The 100% Pure brand from Ulta has THE BEST bath crystals (lavendar or eucalyptus are my two faves), makes the entire bath smell like a spa and no greasy film
Medicine cabinets, light fixtures, and wood furniture piece that we made into a vanity, all from Restoration Hardware
Added new handles to the furniture piece, I especially love the thick statuary marble slab
Christy and I laid out all the marble tiles for the shower to get the lined pattern, shower floor is sparkly little mosaic tile. Enjoying the large shower head a whole lot (thanks Beth Brown!) Drapery panels West Elm
Beautiful venetian mirror doorknobs from Anthropologie marked down from $53 to $18 each, always love a beautiful deal!
Inexpensive 20×20 dark charcoal floor tiles turned out even better than I hoped
Fresh roses from our garden in antique glass compote, a daily treat beside the sink
Discovered this fun crystal lamp at T.J.Maxx ($29) and added crystal stones found on sale a couple years ago at Pottery Barn. Love having this lit at night.
Barbie, you know how I feel girlfriend!
Favorite Design Sources: Pinterest, Elle Decor, Tiffany Cole at Restoration Hardware, Beth Brown at Ferguson (Raleigh), and a myriad of amazing stores in NYC
Special thanks to my generous husband for his patience, and letting me “go for it”
©2013 Lynette Lewis. All Rights Reserved.
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