Target Shopping Haul + Free Will?

Romper // Top // Heels // Hat 

Hello beautiful! I hope you had a great day. Today's post is a little different. I am going to discuss free will which means the ability to act at one's own discretion or the ability to choose between different possible courses of action (Galatians 5:13). Awhile back, one of my friend's mentioned the idea of how God knows everything we are going to do before we do it, so how does free will exist? I didn't know how to answer their question nor did their question change my heart regarding my faith, but through studying and researching I now have the answer.

 In life, we have many choices that can lead to different consequences. The choices we make are irreversible in the sense that we can't change past mistakes, and our past always has an impact on our future. Those past mistakes are simply that -past mistakes that we learn from to not repeat in the future (God loves you so much and has forgiven you for your sins, but you have to forgive yourself in order to live freely). 

That being said, God is omniscient of the consequences of every action we make (Hebrew 4:13), but He does not override our free will. By this, God has blessed us with how we should live a good life by first meditating on the Bible. Every life lesson is placed in the Bible to help guide us and allow us to live freely. That being said, we have the choice to live a good life or a bad life. It takes more than knowing the whole bible from Genesis to Revelations to live a good life. Meditating on scriptures, praying, and being aware of your surroundings can influence your path. The old saying, "Bad company corrupts good company" is a very true statement. (1 Corinthians 15:33). Bad influences can alter how you use your free will. 

I know this post may have been a little more intense than my other posts, but if you don't mind let me know your thoughts below in the comments section.

Stay blessed,

Tatiana :)

MLK Day 2019

Dress // Boots // Bag

Happy MLK Day! I hope you had a nice long, eventful weekend. I took a mini-trip to Charleston, SC to visit family. I got a hotel by Tanger Outlet when I first got down there just so I could have some quiet time to read and write. I woke up early Sunday morning and drove to downtown Charleston to surprise some of my father's side of the family at church.

Today, I often think about how inspirational MLK was at such a young age, and how he did the unthinkable without allowing fear to overcome his mission. It makes me think about the gifts God has places in our hearts, but we allow fear to hold us back from using them.

Today's bible verse comes from Matthew 5:43, "You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But, I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven."

Stay blessed,

Tatiana :)

Burnt Orange Turtkeneck Sweater

Sweater // Jeans // Hat // Over the Knee Boots

2019 is the year to be 100% you! For those who know me personally, you understand that I can be extremely timid when I'm around people I don't know or in large groups. I've gotten a lot better, but with more life experiences I'll get even better with opening up to people:) One of the ways I like to express myself is through my fashion. There are so many companies that cater to my style, but one thing that will make me run from a brand in lightening speed is a lack of diversity in their advertisement. I'm not going to put any brands on blast because this is not that kind of blog, but hopefully the idea brings a sense of enlightenment:) The choice to not purchase from brands that do not see all people as beautiful is my prerogative and an important way I stay true to who I am.

Today's bible verse comes from Psalm 139: 14-16 : "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."

Stay blesed,
Tatiana ;)

Faux Fur Vest with Oxblood Accessories

 Vest // Top // Pants // Heels

Hello beautiful! I hope you had a great day. Now, about this outfit. I feel like it's really unexpected, yet simple. I've had this faux fur vest for a couple years, but I didn't know what to pair with it. While, rearranging my closet and playing around with a few pieces, I created this outfit. I think it's really cute to wear out to dinner or to a jazz club:)

Today's bible verse comes from Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” 

Stay blessed,
Tatiana :)

Bold Stripes Sweater

Sweater // Jeans // Booties

Hello beautiful! I hope you had a great day. Yesterday, I watched Married at First Sight and all I can say is that the "experts" (or whatever) did a good job at selecting these four couples. I think all the couples are compatible and very attractive for one another, except for Kate and Luke. I really like Kate and Luke as individuals, but Luke doesn't seem to be interested in a relationship with Kate. I mean, he can't really say he's getting to know her or taking things slow, but took the time to go on this show and marry her (a stranger -_-). Anyways, I've tried watching The Bachelor on Monday, and I felt like I was losing brain cells. I think I'm going to put The Bachelor on the back burner, and just watch Married at First Sight and This Is US (which I need to catch up on). Tell me you thoughts:)

Today's bible verse comes from Galatians 1:10- "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man."

Stay blessed,

Tatiana:)

Dark Grey Sweater Poncho

Sweater Poncho // Jeans // Boots // Bag

Hello beautiful! Okay, I totally lied to you when I said I wasn't going to tell you my new year's resolution. I'm not going to tell you the super deep, sentimental ones, but I am going to tell you my top 5 for this year.
#1- Become more culturally aware. I'm planning a couple of big trips this year in places that I have never been. The best way I know how to be more culturally aware is by expanding my monthly reading. Back in the day, I used to knock out two to three novels a month. But, now that I'm usually not home until late and I leave before sunrise everyday; finding time to read has been a hassle.

#2-  SAVE. SAVE. SAVE. I've already voiced my decision about spending less this year and spending more time on experiences. I've come to a new point in my life where things are just things. Don't get me wrong! I still love a super cute outfit from head to toe, but my priorities have changed.

#3- Travel to more states and countries this year. So, I touched on this above. I'm planning some dream vacations this year. One of the destinations is a place I've always dreamed of going to. I don't know if it's the antiquated aesthetic of the country or the colorful scenery. There are a couple of other places I'm going as well, so stay tune for those coming trips ;)

#4- Paint my nails! There is no as lazy as me when it comes to painting my nails or going to a nail salon. On a yearly basis, I usaully get my nails done two times: one is with my mama for mother's day and then again for a family reunion in July. I never get them done. If I do paint them, the polish will stay on my nails until they eventually disintegrate.lol.

5- Grow my hair past my collarbones. Okay, so my hair growth journey was going great. I've never really wrote about my hair journey, but I'm natural and I've had a difficult time finding a hair stylist who specializes in natural hair. I decided to try out the Ulta salon a year ago, and ended up going every two weeks for over a year. Well, I'm not sure if my hair decided it was done or the stylist decided she was done, but my hair became so damaged. My ends were thinning, so I went to another stylist and she cut some inches off my hair. I'm not sure the length of my natural hair now because she cut it so fast and then immediately began the sew-in process. My hair goal is collarbone length because before the cut it was collarbone length, and so if I can get it back to that length I'll go back to wearing my natural hair:)

Today's bible verse comes from Luke 1:37- "For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Stay blessed,
Tatiana:)

Michael Kors Sweater and Booties

Sweater // Jeans // Booties
Happy Monday beautiful! I hope you had a great weekend. I spent my weekend running errands and working on "teacher" stuff. I'm really looking forward to a super productive week because last week wasn't the best I felt like I was lagging in every area of my life. I'm starting to write things down, while focusing on what I do have control over.

Now, to this sweater. I actually purchased this sweater for $20 at a Michael Kors Outlet store. I knew I was getting a super deal, but I didn't realize how big of a deal until I went to the Michael Kors store and saw the exact same sweater on sale for $95! I'm more than pretty sure the outlet store marked this sweater wrong because there is no sale where you can get a $255 sweater for only $20!

Today's bible verse comes from Matthew 5:19- "Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Stay blessed,

Tatiana :)

Sunny Floral Wrap Dress

 Floral Wrap Dress // Booties // Aldo Bag

Hello gorgeous! It's been a little over a month since my mother and I were in two car accidents. The first accident left damage to my bumper, but we were well enough to leave the scene after the police received their information. Five days later, I was waiting at a red light when a truck hit us from behind. This accident left us damaged. We left the scene in an ambulance and sat in the ER for six hours while the nurse and doctors checked us out. Since the accident, I've been receiving treatments from a physical therapist and occasionally visiting a licensed masseuse with the gift card my brother got me for Christmas. I've been asked by people close to me why do I keep a smile on my face after experiencing such a traumatic event. All I can say is that I am blessed that my mother and I are in one tact and weren't left with any life long damages.

Philippians 4:4- "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."

Stay blessed,
Tatiana :)

Natural Shearling Jacket

Jacket // Jeans // Booties

Hello beautiful! I love this outfit because it's it's so unexpected. You don't usually see floral print worn with moto pants and a sherpa jacket. I actually threw these items together when I was in a rush to meet up with a friend for brunch a couple of weekends back.

Today's bible verse is coming from Romans 5:2, "Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."