Starting A Resolution Revolution with The Giving Keys

There are some things in life that you simply can't pick yourself up from. Sometimes the hurt is too great, and you need to ask for help. 2014 had a lot of pain in it. Henry Cloud said, "We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing." That was the case in my life, and so I put myself in counseling, group therapy and marriage counseling.  There was no way I was going to let pain sit on my heart and kill it slowly - the pain of was too great. I've been waiting for the right time to say something about this journey in counseling, and now it has arrived. I'm sharing this with you in hopes that, you would consider resolving to get your mind and heart to a place of peace for 2015. The reality is that we often can't do that on our own. Without a shadow of a doubt, I know I could not be in this place of hope and peace without the professional help of others.

So, what about this Resolution Revolution with The Giving Keys? Well, The Giving Keys is an inspirational company all about wearing and sharing hope in a fashion forward way. You can read all about their story here, but in a nutshell, The Giving Keys takes old keys that are scratched and scarred, and repurposes them into modern jewelry for men and women to wear. It doesn't stop there though, after you have worn your key for awhile you are encouraged to give it away to someone else that needs to wear that hope. There are all sorts of words that you can put on your key, and I have chosen the word "peace." It's a word I prayed a lot about, and I feel it's the word I meant to wear for the year so that I can share my journey to this place of peace. I by no means am "healed" from the pain, but I'm now equipped with a better understanding of myself and my faith in God so that I can have peace in the midst of the good AND the bad. It's truly a peace that surpasses all understanding that only God can give me.

So, what's your word? Think about it, share it and take part in this Resolution Revolution with The Giving Keys where we can inspire and bring hope to many people!

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Here's what you can do:

1. Follow The Giving Keys on Pinterest.

2. Create a Pinterest board with your word for 2015 in the title along with the hashtag #ResolutionRevolution. Click here to see mine for an example.

3. Populate the board with inspiration that expresses your word (fashion, food, photography, decor).

4. Share it on Facebook and tag The Giving Keys in your FB post.

The Giving Keys will be selecting a winner from the entries, and that person will win a necklace with their word on it.

Photography by Melissa Jill. Get the Look: T-shirt and jeans from Shop Olive You, blazer from Nordstrom, Necklace from The Giving Keys, boots by Matt Bernson, 

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Merry & Bright Christmas

Christmas is almost here. Only four more days until the family is together eating delicious food, laughing at each other, watching kids open gifts...I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year mostly because it's the season of hope, and where would we be without hope?

New beginnings are just around the corner, and 2015 will be a new year of peace and simplicity. More on that soon, but for now may your Christmas be merry and as bright as this neon skirt.

Get the look: Neon skirt from Nove Boutique, leather top from Bailey 44, boots by Matt Bernson.

Photos by Melissa Jill Photography

Winter Date Night Outfit

You can't go wrong with black and white. If you're trying to figure out what to wear for a date tonight, start there. That's what I do.

During the winter, we want to stay warm while looking sexy for our date. My solution is faux leather pants. I paired a silk tunic top with them that extends past my hips, and I added a dressy, white tuxedo jacket to keep me warm.

A black sequin clutch and high heels really dresses the outfit up. No need to worry about earrings or necklaces this time, but if you want to add jewelry, a pair of shoulder-duster earrings would be gorgeous.

Get the look: faux leather leggings, tuxedo jacket, silk top, clutch, shoes

Photos by Melissa Jill Photography

Glitter Challenge

About a month ago, I had the idea of challenging my Instagram community to create art using glitter. I said I would commit to sharing the projects of those that participated in the glitter challenge by blogging about them and pinning images from the creators' sites.

Here is the first submission from Amy Hanen of Amy Frances Photography and Malori Maeva of Hoot and Holler. They collaborated and included some of their friends, Taylor and Kristina. I LOOOOVE what they created.

Go check out their blog post for the full shoot, click here. What do you think the next creative challenge should be?

Photos by Amy Frances Photography

Health & Fitness Goals for 2015

This post is sponsored by Mountainside Fitness.

I know I might be jumping the gun by talking about my New Year's resolutions before Christmas has even happened, but I'm a planner. I just can't help myself. Not to mention, I'm kind of anxious to kiss 2014 good-bye and start fresh. There are many things to be thankful for this year, but emotionally, 2014 has been a hard one for me. So, here are 5 things I'm looking forward to doing in the next year to help my body.

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1| Drink 3 glasses of water a day, every day. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but I hardly drink any liquids that aren't coffee. I'm dehydrated and I live in the desert. This can't be good for my skin or my body, so I'd like to change that by starting with an attainable and manageable goal of 3 tall glasses of water a day.

2| Run a 5K with my husband. Running a 5K is one of my husband's goals, and so I've made it one of mine as well. I'd love to accomplish such a big goal together.

3| Try TRX classes. I've been really interested in TRX training, and I would love to try out a class. I think it's going to be my new favorite workout style.

4| Try a spin class. I haven't tried a spin classes either. I'm intimidated by them, actually, but it's time to get over that fear.

5| Start using anti-aging products morning and night. All I do for my skin right now is wash it with soap and apply SPF in the morning. I'm starting to notice some deep wrinkles, and it's time to do something about it now.

Photos by Sarah Gray Portraits