Ah festival season, a time when people get together in the insufferable heat and think it's a good idea to add loads of fried fair food and spinning carnival rides to the mix. Every year, my mom, sister and I look forward to going to the Strawberry Festival together. We make it a point to consume all of our favorite fair foods - Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger (yes, it really is the most amazing substance to ever hit your tastebuds), frozen lemonade, funnel cake, corn dogs, piles of french fries, and the ever-so-famous strawberry shortcake topped with whipped cream. We typically go for the fried Oreo's as well, but this year my sister and I discovered the wonder of fried cookie dough, and my fried food days will never be the same. I'm drooling just thinking about the gooey deliciousness of every savored bite. The rides are exchanged with just walking around the fair grounds - because honestly, who could handle being spun in lightening-speed circles after in-taking that much food? There's always a musical band performing somewhere, crafts to check out, and cute bunny rabbits, along with other animals, to awe at.

Most every night of the festival, a well-known musician or band performs at the main stage, in which tickets cost extra. In the past, we've seen Demi Lovato and The Newsboys. This year, we had the honor of experiencing yet another exemplary show by popular Christian band For King & Country. I have had the incredible opportunity to attend these guys' concerts on several occasions, as they are by far my favorite Christian band. Unlike other artists, the members of this band play many different instruments, always performing with all kinds of drums and cymbals as well as string instruments and the normal piano and guitars. The show leaves everyone mesmerized, as it's something different from your standard concert experience. This band is raw and true, laying out the reason for which they make music without even coming close to shoving it in our faces. They genuinely love people and make their efforts show that everyone is valuable and important.

I think that one thing our culture is lacking in today's society is the willingness to speak up and be heard as Christians among the sea of voices shushing us into silence. We're afraid of being judged and labeled, ridiculed and banned. We start to believe that maybe if we don't say anything, people will just come to know God without our help. That way we can continue to be accepted by others and not responsible for their own life choices. But what if I told you today, that is not what we're called to do?
The Bible explicitly tells us on several occasions to speak the Word of God and not to worry about whether the world accepts us or not.
Mark 16:15 says, “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'”
We are called to share the good news with others, so that they might too have to opportunity to hear and understand this very important message that they can be saved as well, if they just lay their life down and fully believe.
John 15:19 says, “The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.”
Living in the world and being of it are two completely opposite ideas. We live in the world without any choice. I mean, unless you choose to live on the moon or Mars... That would be another story for another time. But just because we are born into this world, doesn't mean we have to be like it. When the time comes that our lives change and we begin to live for His will and His glory, our hearts should change as well, altering our actions along with it. Just because the world says something is cool, doesn't mean we have to do it too, especially if it's something that goes against what the Bible tells us in reference of how we ought to live.

We are an example to the world of what it should look like to be a modern day Christian. People are often stuck on the stigma that has been around for years, portraying us as stick-in-the-mud goody two shoes. But we are so much more than that. We are people just like everyone else. We have our faults and weaknesses too, but the thing is, we choose not to dwell on that. Because we have been made blameless by the one who already was and is perfect in each and every way. Our sins have been forgiven, and so we choose not to center our focus on what we do wrong, but rather on our savior, who is the prime example of how we should be as a people. We are a people who just want to share the love of Christ with others, because we want you to experience the life-changing power of being saved.

I only hope that each of us gains the courage to stand up, come together, and go out into the world, unafraid and unashamed. Because, as For King & Country says, we are irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable. And we are priceless.

Wedding season is right around the corner. I can already hear the bells...or is that just the sound of another lonely heart crying? Despite the damper that sappy love stories often place on single people like me, the feeling of watching two people in love come together to say "I do" and celebrate their new life is like none other. Whether you're single or in love, it's something to appreciate.

As spring approaches, couples prepare for their big day with last minute arrangements. If you have ever been a bridesmaid (or a bride), the months leading up to the wedding are always the most hectic. There are flowers to order, food to choose, dresses to buy. If you're still on the search for the perfect bridesmaid dresses, I have found a shop that sells beautiful gowns and is bound to include the right looks for that special day. Aisle Style offers every kind of dress for every kind of person, from long bridesmaid dresses, to plus size bridesmaid dresses, to even short bridesmaids dresses for shorties like me! Some of my favorites of this shop are the lace bridesmaid dresses. These are to die for. The lace adds a level of beautiful sophistication, perfect for not only the wedding but for formal events later on as well.

Browsing through the gorgeous dresses on this shop makes me wish that I was an upcoming bridesmaid just for the chance to wear one of these beauties. The best thing about this shop, however, is that I don't even have to be a bridesmaid for a reason to buy a gown! Aisle Style also includes wedding party dresses and special occasion dresses. So although I'm not part of a wedding, there are weddings and events in the coming months that I will be attending as a guest and could use a new gown for.

I even looked through the bridal collection just for the fun of it and may or may not have found a few stunning options for my future wedding dress. I might just have to buy one - or three - and store it away.😉

Below are some dresses that caught my eye, so have a look! If none of these are what you're looking for, there are plenty more bridesmaid dresses of 2017 to choose from for your upcoming wedding or event this year.

3/4 Sleeved Long Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress

Classical Blush Strapless Bridesmaid Dress

Sleeveless Pearl Pink Bridesmaid Dress

Long Sleeved Lace Pattern Bridesmaid Dress

{This post is sponsored by Aisle Style.}

What's better than feeling so stylish that you can take on anything? Nothing. Nada. Well, unless you
consider the feeling of being loved by God. That's definitely a game changer.

When I styled this outfit, I felt like I had my special powers back after being dormant from creative intuition. There are times when I just cannot style anything that I'm proud of. Then somewhere along the lines it's as if a switch has been flipped and I'm back to doing what I do best. And that is styling outfits with a chic perspective.

I layered a thin, chiffon-like material white button down blouse underneath a grey (or is it gray, I'll never know) cami dress. For the longest time, I debated on whether to wear these strappy white heels to match the top or to allow for more of an even flow with grey pumps.  When decision time came, I thought I'd jump right in and go for the white heels to reinforce the color coordination. I accessorized with minimal jewelry consisting of simple gold rings and this Boho Betty bracelet - seriously the cutest wrap bracelet ever. To tie in color, I threw on this oversized pink blazer and a pink striped crossbody bag, both of which are my favorites as of this transitional winter-to-spring season.

Because I was feeling a girly chic vibe, I caught on to the half-up topknot hair trend, pulling half of my hair up and braiding on the very top then twisting into a bun. It might go unnoticed, but I actually did attempt to curl the part of my hair that was down. Unfortunately, with straight, stubborn hair and the unending humidity, the curls didn't last past noon.

Recently things have been not great but not bad either. In the past I've written fairly personal posts but have begun to stray a bit from that, so I thought I'd use this post sort of as an update on what life is like at the moment. As you may have noticed, my writing style has altered a bit, as I have been writing articles for College Fashionista as a Style Guru Intern. I absolutely love being a Style Guru, because it consists of two of my favorite things: writing and fashion! If you're interested in being one next semester, fill out an application here.

I have also really been working on my heart lately by getting into God's word and making my life more about Him rather than me. It has been somewhat of a struggle, as people tend to make assumptions about me based on how I choose to live and act. Continuing involvement in the church and with people my age has been tough as well, for it seems as though everything has been against it. My anxiety starts to act up and before I realize it, rather than feeling fulfilled, I'm leaving with this heavy cry of not doing or being enough for other people. But I'm striving to come to terms with going into things with a heart and mind that knows how loved I am instead of looking to others to satisfy the longing for acceptance. I am already fully loved without conditions or strings attached by the One who made me and saved me. Walking into things with this life-changing affirmation alters how I view certain events and how I and others treat one another.

I am taking life one day, one moment at a time, handing over my sorrows and troubles to God, knowing that I am blessed beyond what I could ask for and loved fuller than I can comprehend. All that I can say is that things are looking up. Despite the temporary outlook of a fallen world, I have hope in that my life does not lie in the hands of other people. There are more opportunities and experiences to look forward to. So I intend to take it one chic outfit at a time.