dream big. sparkle more. shine bright.

Happy Friday everyone! Today I'd like to share a cute hiking boot option, a few outfit ideas and a little inspiration :)

Pictured below are the Women's Ahnu Montara Hiking Boot from REI. Regular price: $160 (on sale for $110)

IDEO side size: Women's 11
non-IDEO side size: Women's 9

Pros: fits true to size, comfortable, is not a men's shoe (yay!), stylish, light-weight, fairly wide toe box, non-bulky/boxy, breathable, waterproof, & easy to get the IDEO inside (use a shoe-horn).

Cons: REI doesn't let you split sizes so I had to purchase the pair in both 9 and in 11 to make it work. Oh well, I think these will last a long time so I consider this a good purchase!

http://www.rei.com/…/…/ahnu-montara-boot-hiking-boots-womens

 

Here is another picture of how the Ahnu boots look on as well as a Spring dress photo in my grey NB MT1210's.  Note: Though super cute, the black boots did not look good with the dress, so I think I will save the boots for jean outfits :)

Lastly, a little inspiration. Never forget that with God all things are possible. Never lose your faith or your spirit. ♥

 

 

 

I hope everyone has a Happy Memorial Day weekend!  #dreambig #sparklemore #shinebright

self confidence is the best outfit. rock it. own it.

It's not easy wearing a visible brace everyday, but I've decided it doesn't matter what people think about me - it's okay to be different. It's not how the world perceives me, but rather it's what I see in myself. ♥

I am strong.
I am fearless.
I am brave.
I am kind.
I am determined.
I am independent.
I am me.

Everyday you have a choice. Are you going to take in what the world perceives (injured, weak, broken) or are you going to believe in all that you are? You are more than what meets the eye. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise. Find the beauty in your strength and let that be your confidence.

Here are a few cute outfit ideas from the last couple weeks. ☺ It's been a little chilly and rainy in Dallas lately so while it may already be summertime, I'm still sporting a few winter favorites. With warmer weather in the forecast, I hope to post some cute additional outfits later this month!

 

Style tip: Neutrals are my favorite. ♥ You'll see nearly all my posts are with shoes that have a neutral base - grey, black, navy, tan. I really recommend finding a neutral colored shoe that you like - it will make all the difference!

Though not posted here, I wanted to mention Nordstrom Rack has really cute neutral colored Paige Denim skinny jeans that work great with the IDEO. The material is really light and fits close to the leg so that there is no bunching. I have a black and navy pair that go with a lot of outfits. #favorite #treatyoself

 

Workout update: Currently training for my next 10K race in about 5 weeks! Still on track for the Race for a Soldier 1/2 marathon in September so let the training continue :)

Bottom line, the world may try to make you feel different because of your injury, but you have to choose to see the strength that lies within. You are beautiful just the way you are. Rock it, sister! #OWNIT

how do you move on from an injury that doesn't?

Growing up playing sports, I had my fair share of injuries ranging from a broken thumb to a torn ACL. Though each one brought challenges, each one always healed.

I'm finding it's a process to learn to live with a life long visual injury. Some days I'm okay with the questions people ask, but other days leave me wanting to get an arm sleeve of tattoos and paint my nails black, secretly hoping people will think I'm too badass to ask what the deal is with my leg. If I let my mind go there, it can be overwhelming to think of answering people's questions about what happened... for the rest of my life. In a large way, the IDEO and my injury define me but I'm learning to find a balance - because though to the world my injury is what they see, I don't want it to be everything.

So how do you move on from an injury that doesn't? I don't think I have the answer to this yet but I'm pressing on, one day at a time. If there is one thing this injury has taught me, it's that God will never give you more than you can handle and when you feel like he does, He will be there to help you. So I'm holding off on the tattoos and black nail polish for now :) and keeping my head up, knowing that God is with me, every step of the day.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your steps." - Proverbs 3:5