Taking Inventory, The Perfect Accessory? + #LetItShine Link-Up

Denim Vest: Old Navy | T-Shirt: JCrew Factory | Lilly Pulitzer Beale Maxi Skirt in Sea and Be Seen | Necklace: Target | Clutch: Similar

I don’t know if it’s just this time of year – the fact that my birthday is coming up and the fact that we are quickly approaching Lilly’s first birthday, or what… but I’ve been very, contemplative, if you will, lately. I feel like I go through these phases every once in a while where I just get very analytical about my life.

I always end up taking a serious inventory of what I’m investing my time in, my money in, how I’m investing in my relationships, how I’m doing as a wife, a mother, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, a Christ follower, and such. It’s not that I feel like I’m doing a bad job or anything, I guess I just want to make sure I’m being the best “all of the above” that I can be.

I realize this sounds like Noxema commercial or something, but I’m being serious. I keep being reminded of the fragility of life and the preciousness of our time together and here on this earth… and I don’t want to waste a minute of my life or my time investing in something that just, for all intents and purposes, doesn’t matter.

Even though the majority (certainly not all) of what I blog about is totally material and frivolous in nature, I don’t ever want you guys to think that those things are what I place my value and worth in. Because they aren’t. Sure, I like nice things and purses and makeup and clothes as much as the next girl. But, I don’t lose sleep over not getting the skirt I wanted from a sale, or the fact that someone else has more blog followers than me, or the fact that I sometimes wish I could just spend money without having to worry if I can afford it or not.

And as I was looking as the weekly inspiration for our #LetItShine link up this week and thinking about the “‘perfect” accessory… the more I realized that my perfect accessory isn’t a necklace or a bag or earrings or shoes. Not that I’m not a fan or those things or anything… The fact is, I’m blessed beyond measure. When I look at the person that I was a little over four years ago, I realize more and more how broken I was. How depressed I was. How incredibly selfish I was. How broke I was. How (insert terrible adjective here) I was.

As I’ve matured and come to grow in my walk with God and as I’ve come to terms with how jacked up I am, I’m realizing that my “perfect accessory” is actually things that aren’t really material at all. Things like my family. My dogs. Evening walks when it’s nice out. Burger sundays. Smiling. Seeing the best in people. Giving generously. Laughing uncontrollably. Watching reruns of The Andy Griffith Show. Reading for fun. If an accessory “completes” a look, those are the things that make me feel “complete.”

I hope I’m making at least a little bit of sense.

What about you? What’s your “perfect” accessory?

Welcome to Let it Shine! Welcome to the new, revamped Funday Monday! After two years, we decided to rename our link up to something we felt was a better fit. Welcome to Let it Shine! Why the name? Because, we want this link up to be just that: your chance to let it shine! We will be sharing our favorites each week here, and on social media! The biggest change? Monthly Inspirations! Each month we will share some fun post ideas, one for each week. Do you HAVE to follow the inspirations to link up? Absolutely not! If you’d like to be considered for a feature, those will be picked from the inspirations.

Check out the August lineup:

Last week, we talked about beauty tips….and we got some GREAT ideas! We’ve both filled our to buy lists with fun new products!

/ Wedding Day Beauty Prep / My Favorite Highlighters / Sunless Tanner /

Another place we will be showcasing our favs? The Let It Shine Pinterest Board! We will also be posting ideas for the weekly themes… so be sure you’re following!

Linking up to Let it Shine? Don’t forget to link back to our blogs or share our button, thanks y’all!

Now…..talk amongst yourselves……….