A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.

A very happy Monday to you m'dears! Well, it's currently 64 days until Christmas, (anyone else like me and already excited?) I was reminded yesterday, as the "feeling" came back to me. You know what I mean? That feeling we so know and love, the feeling when Christmas suddenly feels near again; decorations start to appear in the stores, Christmas gift ideas begin to flow through our minds, we start planning little Christmas soirees, and the most important thing of all... we think about celebrating our wonderful Jesus'. It's exciting, it's wonderful, and even though it's still three months away, it brings us a wonderful sense of hope that good things are coming. :)

So what is it, that makes the Christmas season feel so exciting?

Snow?

Pretty lights?

A sleigh full of presents?

Stockings?

Pretty decorations?

A gorgeous Hamptons pool house?

A beautiful table setting? 

Or maybe pretty fairy wings?

Well, while all these things are beautiful, there is something about Christmas that is far more spectacular, creating excitement, life and light... 

Out of all the Christmas songs, this is my favourite lyric: "A thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn". What a wonderful truth! I truly believe as we enter this new season that we are going to be filled with a HOPE like never before. And it's not just an "excitement for Christmas", but a long-lasting, deep sense of hope that fills and floods every area of our lives, catapulting us into this next season.

And it begins today. So let us step into this new season of great joy with boldness and excitement!  Have a great day friends :)

love nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,  9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Friday Fashionista :: { Rockin' the White Jeans }

Well after a few days of (horrrrid) sickness (ok that's more than enough detail), I'm happy to be almost back in the world of the living. Wahoo. Being in bed for two days just feels sooo weird. I mean you miss two whole days of the world for goodness sake! Anyway I am almost 100% and am just very thankful to be feeling better. How are YOU? How's your week been? :) Well I'm excited about today's post. And... I know, I know, I hear some of you already saying to me "sorry Nat, I don't do white jeans" and okay yes I hear you. I admit (although I have at times said that very statement to myself) I did once own a pair of white jeans. It's true... and, let me tell you when I wore them, I just felt... so cool. (Yep, totally felt like I was about to get onto a boat in the Hamptons). So... can you give me the benefit of the doubt and let me see if I can change your mind on this one?!? Just give me three minutes of scrolling. What d'ya think?! ;) Come on... you know you want to! I mean look at these fab white flairs above for instance?! Paired with a trench and a boho hat and hello! Who couldn't and wouldn't wanna wear those guys? (ps... how fabulous is that photo?! There is just so much to look at - what do you think they are talking about?) Ok now onto our Friday Fashion Parade! First up....

How bout this outfit? I adorrrre! 

Navy and white jacket + spotty top + tan shoes. Very fun.

Fun with a simple grey tank and pointies... what do you think?

Now boys you can't say these outfits aren't fabulous! Girls who's with me?

Now how about this one?

Loose and comfy boyfriend jeans + navy blazer, scarf & pointies.

Or be inspired by Emmanuelle Alt in her fab leopard coat + black booties.

A shirt + some sparkles will always work wonders.

More pics at sincerelyjules.com

Casual work attire for you boys - denim + tan.

Totally casual and comfy. Long grey coat, black turtleneck + camel handbag.

Everyone has a jacket and a scarf right?!

Time to layer up - and if it's hot = lightweight scarf & vest. Easy.

How cools is this guy!? Love his shoes. I'm totally showing this pic to my Dad.

Guys for more inspiration check out maxmayo.com.

Any colour will work with white. But lemon + grey is especially lovely.

Denim + black pointies. Classy chic.

Grab a patterned top & some shiny shoes and you're set! 

Check out atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com for more pics.

For a casual holiday feel - navy top, sandles + summer hat.

And just chillin' - Grey jacket, white shirt + runners.

And if you still need some inspiration what about something from above?

~ ~ ~

So... what did you think? Was good wasn't it! Now, let's all be brave and try something and then let me know alright! Have a happy weekend won't you :) What have you got planned? My brother is finally in the country after two birthday's away so I am excited celebrate with him and my sis and the rest of the family tonight! And after being too sick to celebrate with my other brother (in-law-but-really-my-brother) on Wednesday, I look forward to partying with him and my sister very soon! I am also praying that the forecast is telling us the truth and that Saturday really will be 25 and Sunday will actually really be 27! Can I get an Amen?! So have a great weekend, and make sure you do something that makes your heart happyyyyyyyy okay! :)

Love Nat x

Hope advancing.

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life". What does this mean for you? Deferred actually means to postpone, delay, hold up and hinder. Ouch. No one likes delays, I mean, who gets excited when you hear your flight has been delayed a few hours?! I don't think so!! So let's look at our our lovely friend the caterpillar below. He's looking pretty miserable, waiting, waiting, waiting, but what might seem like a delay is actually an essential part in preparing and strengthening for his next season. AND... look what happens the very next day... :)

We are always going to be hoping for something. We are created by the God who created the entire universe, so as His kids, of course we are constantly going to be longing and yearning for more. It's in our nature!! But in times when it seems nothing is happening, all the doors are closed and it seems there is no way, guess what...?

Ah, how comforting is that? :) So today, instead of allowing our "hope to defer", let's see it advancing.  Did you know...?

So be encouraged, whatever it is you are going through, whatever you are waiting for, whatever you are believing for, God is shifting things around as you read these very words and He is working things together on your behalf. You are going to have an amazing day today!

love nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4.

Friday Fashionista :: { Pattern on Pattern }

Yay it's Friday! I hope to be feeling better today after two days of not feeling the greatest... yukko :( Being sick is nottttttt fun. So how's your week been? I thought I would do this fun post today... as requested by my lovely friend - some fab new pattern ideas in here, I hope you enjoy and find some new inspiration :) Speaking of which, how cute is this outfit above?

So relaxed.

Oh and everyone needs a pink clutch.

Woolen stripes & animal print.

Suuuuuits.

Stripes on spots with leopard on the side. Lovely.

Checks and stripes for the boys.

I love this pic.

Flower power + giant zebra print. Wild.

Hello fabulous patterned skirt & leopard clutch.

Check + check + stripes. Very fun.

Turquoise & leopard print. Perfect match.

Stripes + patterned scarf and lotssss of pink.

This outfit = chilled out Summer...

And I love this outfit here. So bright and summery. Hey have a fun weekend won't you... catch up with someone you haven't seen in ages and have a good old laugh ;) And why not pop out for a bit of a shop... hey, who knows you might see a good pattern or two you like... ;)

Love you guys ~ get ready for something new today!!

nat xx

The gift of friendship.

So I've been thinking... sometimes I don't really realise how precious friendship is, until I actually hang out with one of my friends. This may sound silly, but bear with me. We are living in the fastest growing technological age the world has ever seen. We are spending more time on our iPhones and iPads and less time with our friends and family. But when we finally stop (put our phones away) and spend quality time with a friend... it's actually amazing. :)

You know that feeling you get after you've had a really good chat with your friend, you jump in the car to drive home and you suddenly realise you're beaming? You know what I mean?! Well that is God's gift of encouragement to us! He's all about relationships, so this is one of His ways of blessing and encouraging us. He sends us a personalised present... all wrapped up inside a person. And there's more where that came from today my friends! 

Today I'm going to purposely think about the friendships I have, and how they bless me. Wanna join me? If so, this is our challenge for today:

1. Think of 5 friends that make you feel totally joyful when you hang out with them..

2. Write down those names..

3. Call, email or SMS them to let them know just how thankful you are for them and how special they are to you... :)

Love Nat x

Images via graybenko.com and wedbook.com and www.frostedproductions.com

Hide and seek.

How much fun was it playing hide and seek as a kid?! That exhilarating feeling of quickly running to hide as the other person started counting... maybe it was in the cupboard, or perhaps under the bed, or the all time favourite, behind the curtain. Then you'd hear those words... "ready or not, here I come" and suddenly the excitement would intensify as you held your breath, hiding, in silence... waiting to be found. :)

But as exciting as hiding is... the greater thrill actually comes when you're the one seeking. After all the seeker is the one who finds and discovers new things. :) 

So today we have an opportunity. God wants to play hide and seek with us! Just like a parent who's planned a day full of crazy surprises for their child's birthday, God has hidden so many surprises for us to discover throughout this day. And all we need to do is ask. :)

This is our promise. When we ask Him, He tells us His remarkable secrets. :) Another version says "Call to me and I will tell you great and unsearchable mysteries." So today, let's ask. Your heavenly Dad is watching you read these very words at this very moment, and He's got something amazing to tell you... 

So... are you listening? Take five minutes right now (don't put it off till later) to stop, ask and listen. 

Trust me you'll be glad you did.

You , my friend, are going to have an amazing day, did you know that?! :)

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5