A Pocketful of Faith

Fourth in Fringe

Happy Fourth of July! As I’m prewriting this, I’m already so excited to be spending this holiday with what will soon be some of my closest friends serving on Work Crew at YoungLife’s Saranac Village. However, I am a little sad I’ll be missing the cute festive outfits! Today I’m sharing a fun and patriotic ensemble I’d love to sport today if I was in a less causal setting on the fourth like I usually am at home. Enjoy!

I ordered this J.Crew Factory tank almost a year ago and I’ve loved wearing it since I got it! The embroidery on the straps and fringe on the hemlines are such nice details! I don’t own a ton of red and I love how bright the red hue of this top is. I paired the red top with some navy polka dotted white J.Crew chino shorts. I also picked these shorts up last summer, but the polka dots are absolutely darling and I don’t see my frequent wearing of these shorts slowing down anytime soon. As for shoes, I opted for my gold Jack Rogers sandals for a simple and classic finish. I accessorized with white mother of pearl Kendra Scott jewelry, my Kate Spade watch, and some simple bracelets and rings.

top (similar) // shorts (similar) // sandals // earrings // necklace // watch (similar) // personalized beaded bracelet // MantraBand // cross bracelet // rose gold ring // gold stacked rings

Thanks for reading!

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My blog contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from your purchase of the products mentioned.

Summer Wishlist 2018

The summer solstice just began on the 21st, which means summer’s officially upon us! I’ve grown to love summer style for the fun sandals, bright colors, and unique necklines and lengths that don’t comply with my school’s dress code that I abide by in all the other seasons. Today I’m sharing my summer wishlist, which is a list of pieces I’d love to get my hands on this season if I was made of money. If you’re interested in checking out my previous seasonal wishlists, you can find them here! Enjoy!

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Gap Denim Mini Skirt in Distressed White – I’ve been looking for a distressed white skirt and this one is just perfect! The crisp white shade and distressing placement are spot on.
SheIn Striped Tiered Ruffle Hem Smock Skirt – Ruffles, stripes, and smocking are three of this summer’s biggest trends, so is it any surprise that I have major heart eyes for this skirt? This skirt would be so fun to style and the price is perfect.
Steve Madden Rachel Sandal in Rose Gold – Platforms and rose gold are two huge trends this season, so this pair of sandals is a no-brainer! I think these would be so cute with a white denim skirt and nice top for a vacation dinner, but could also easily be worn with jeans and a graphic tee!
Madewell Mara Hoffman Bikini in Peach Multi (top here, bottoms here) – If you ask me, this could easily be one of the cutest and most overpriced non-luxury brand swimsuits of the season. I’m not usually one for high wasted bikini bottoms, but this silhouette combined with the thin bandeau is so sleek. I’m also obsessing over the print, how pretty are those pastel tones?
Zara Plaid Ruffled Shorts in Blue/White – These shorts are to die for! Gingham has been so in over the past few summers and the darling ruffle hem on these shorts would spice up any outfit. How cute would these be with a white tank and espadrilles?
J.Crew Tie-Waist Tiered Tank Top in Faded Lavender – I don’t have a lot of purple in my closet and think this tank would be a great start! I adore the peplum and tie details almost as much as I love the lavender.
Madewell Curve Statement Earrings in Candy Pink – These earrings are so funky and cool! The shape is so unique but the stud structure would make them easy and likely somewhat comfortable to wear.
Kendra Scott Kristen Gold Statement Earrings In Pink Agate – The way these earrings combine real stones and tassels is so cool to me! These would be such a fun way to spice up an outfit with a pop of pink!
Madewell Halliday Sunglasses in Milky Pearl – The shape of these sunglasses is so cute and I think the color combination would make them so versatile! I find the off-white frames to be so chic.
Converse x Chiara Ferragni One Star Platform Low Top in Gold/Glacier Blue/White – Y’all know how much I’ve been loving the chic sneakers trend, and even though I already have a pair of gold high top Converse sneakers I’m dying to get my hands on a pair of these glittery platform Converses! The glitter and star detail remind me of the trendy but over $400 Golden Goose sneakers.

Thanks for reading!

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Five Favorites; June 2018

Happy (almost) July! I’ve been up to so much over the month of June, including leading at WyldLife summer camp, going on a trip to San Diego (with a stop in Texas), and serving on Work Crew at YoungLife’s Saranac Village in NY (where I am still serving as you’re reading this!). A few material items (and albums) have been key to thriving in this fun month, so today I’m sharing my third “Five Favorites” post, which rounds up my favorite things in the month of June! This is my fifth “Five Favorites” post, so if you’re interested in reading my favorites of January, February, March, and May you can check them out here, here, here, and here! Enjoy!

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SheIn Ruched Bandeau Bikini Set – After seeing a colorful smocked bikini in Instagram spring break posts all through the month of April, I began searching for this trendy set. For the longest time the only suit I could find that fit the pictures was a pricy Tory Burch set (I’m talking $118 for the top alone), but while browsing SheIn’s website one day I finally found this coveted set under $20 total! I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this bikini and I’m so excited to continue wearing it all summer!
Freestyle Shark Classic Clip Watch in Taupe/Neon – I’ve been wanting one of these fun sports watches for a year now and I’m so happy I received one for my birthday before leaving for Work Crew! I personally think this watch is much cuter than most sports watches, plus it reminds me of something from the 80s! This hot pink, neon orange, and taupey grey color combo is hands down my favorite, but I also like this white, purple, orange, and mint combo!
don’t smile at me EP by Billie Eilish – I have no idea how many hours I’ve spent listening to this EP (especially while traveling) in the month of June but if I knew it’d probably be some crazy and embarrassing number. Billie’s music is just so beautiful and relatable while simultaneously being violent and exaggerated. Her voice is absolutely stunning and I will never be over the fact that she is actually younger than me. My favorite songs from the EP are currently “Watch” and “COPYCAT.”
Target SUGARFIX by BaubleBar Gold Hoop Studs with Crystal Earrings in Gold – I bought these earrings from the Target x BaubleBar SUGARFIX collection a few months ago and I’ve loved wearing them! The simple gold and crystal combination makes them super versatile and the trendy shape spices up any outfit!
invisibobble Original Traceless Hair Ring in Royal Pearl – I know these hair ties have been trendy for a couple years now, but I honestly thought they were so ugly until a month or so ago. My little sister bought a set of these while we were in San Diego and she let me have one (shout out to her!) and I’ve kept it on my wrist ever since. I do think they seriously make a difference in regard to dents in your hair post-ponytail plus they’re just way cuter on your wrist than any other hair tie!

Thanks for reading!

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My blog contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from your purchase of the products mentioned.

Southwind WyldLife Summer Camp Travel Diary 2018

I had the privilege and pleasure of accompanying my area’s WyldLife group to Southwind (a YoungLife camp in Ocklawaha, Florida) June 7-11 and boy, was that long weekend a blessing! This is going to sound crazy (especially if you’ve ever been to weeklong YoungLife summer camp), but I think I might have actually enjoyed leading a bunch of middle schoolers at Southwind for WyldLife summer camp more than I enjoyed the “best week of my life” as a camper at Frontier Ranch for YoungLife camp last summer. Don’t get me wrong, I had a great time at Frontier Ranch (watch my video and read my travel diary from the week here), but getting to be behind the scenes in all the fun and hear about why we do each activity that just seems like fun for the camper was so neat. I also loved playing a part in the growth of those sweet eighth grade girls’ relationships with Jesus. I’m so excited to be sharing this special time at camp with you today! Enjoy!

Much like my Frontier Ranch travel diary last summer, I’m not going to go into a ton of detail on the itinerary of each day at Southwind because that could potentially ruin surprises for any readers that are also going to Southwind this summer, and if you’ve ever been to a YoungLife camp you know that the time is jam-packed with surprises and that the surprises are half the fun! All that you really need to know about my time at Southwind is that it was truly the sweetest. The cabin of eighth grade girls I’ve been seeing at WyldLife club all year and led at Carolina Point back in February began to see me less as a chaperone or counselor and more as a leader and friend. Suddenly I was included in the inside jokes, invited to tag along to the snack bar, asked to make matching friendship bracelets, and became a shoulder to cry on. When I got on the bus at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday I was hoping and praying that I’d impact these girls in my time doing life with them at Southwind, but they impacted me more than they’ll ever understand. Their sweet smiles during worship songs (“Rescue” now holds a special place in my heart) and genuinely thoughtful responses in cabin time reminded me what God’s love really looks like. A relationship with God looks like a tight hug. It looks like the jumping and screaming of a united cabin after winning a game of octaball. It looks like deep conversations while learning to weave an anklet. It looks like the words “I’m so glad you came to camp with me.”

As per usual at YoungLife camps, the food was impeccable (especially big cookie). The club speaker, Hancock, was absolutely amazing and used so many neat and unique illustrations of our relationship with God that we hadn’t seen before. All of the program activities were so fun, even the ones I was a little scared to participate in at first. As usual, club was definitely my favorite part of camp. Screaming the words to our favorite songs, watching the program team make fools out of themselves, and hearing the Gospel in a new light never gets old. See some of my favorite photos from our time at Southwind below!

Since I’m not describing each day of camp (and also just because making videos is so fun), I’ve included a video below! I recommend you watch the video in HD by clicking the HD button in the bottom right corner of the video.

This video was created using iMovie. All the clips were taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T6 and a Canon EFS 18-55mm lens. The background song is “By Your Side” by Jonas Blue featuring RAYE.

I don’t want to end this post without mentioning my YoungLife leader, Townsend, who moved to my area at the start of my sophomore year. Getting to know Townsend has been such an adventure and such a blessing. Getting to be her “YoungLife kid,” leader trainee turned co-WyldLife leader, Work Crew trainee, and friend has been a definite highlight of my time in high school. The energy and love she pours into me has changed my life. Townsend gave me the opportunity to lead at Carolina Point back in February, then gave me the amazing privilege of coming to Southwind as the only high school age leader from our area this year. Her faith in me and constant support is the only reason I’m anything close to a good leader to these girls. The way she’s loved me throughout my high school career is such a model for me in how I love others and how I love my WyldLife girls. Townsend was in our cabin, Tarpon Point, with me at Southwind and getting to lead the eighth grade girls alongside her was such a joy. I don’t know if she’ll ever read this, but thank you Townsend for shaping me these past two years. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.

Thanks for reading, and more importantly, thank you to the girls of Tarpon Point for the best possible time. I’m so blessed to be a part of your lives.

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P.S. – All of my pictures posted during/of my travels on my Instagram are under my hashtag, #farawaywithfaith, so be sure to check that out (or even follow it!) throughout the summer to keep track of my adventures!

Navy & A Neat Neckline

In a couple recent blog posts, I mentioned how I love to buy summery pieces in the winter. The prices are unbeatable and it’s so easy to find cute pieces that you’ll get to save and wear as “new clothes” when summer rolls around! The top I’m styling today is actually one I picked up at LOFT during my girls’ weekend in Charleston (read the travel diary here) back in January for $11. Yes, eleven dollars! I’m so glad I bought it, it has such a cool neckline and I love the print. Today I’m sharing my favorite way to style it. Enjoy!

The top is a pretty navy with a yellow and blue ikat-esque print, so I like to contrast the dark hue with white bottoms like this distressed white denim skirt. I actually picked up this skirt at Marshalls recently for under $20, so definitely check your local Marshalls store for something similar! I linked an almost identical (but slightly more expensive) skirt from American Eagle below. I matched the trendiness of the off the shoulder top with some lace up sandals accented with gold stars (in case you didn’t know stars are my favorite thing right now), which I think were an easy way to dress up the look without wearing less comfortable heels or wedges. As for jewelry, I wore Kendra Scott white mother of pearl Danielle earrings, a gold Kate Spade watch, a Sashka Co. beaded roll on bracelet, a gold MantraBand, a silver cross cuff, my ever-present friendship bracelet, and my everyday rings.

top (similar) // skirt (similar) // sandals // earrings // watch (similar) // MantraBand // cross bracelet // rose gold ring // gold stacked rings

Thanks for reading!

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My blog contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from your purchase of the products mentioned.

Five Shoes Every Girl Needs in her Summer Wardrobe with Brooke from Live the Prep Life

I’m Brooke from Live The Prep Life, and I’m so thrilled to be guest posting for Faith today! I’m currently fifteen years old, and I live in the amazing city of Dallas, Texas. In my free time, you can find me cooking, running, reading, and of course, blogging! I love to shop, so my blog is centered around fashion, with some elements of lifestyle and faith as well. My mission is to help girls put together affordable outfits that help them look good on the outside and feel good on the inside. I’m a big believer that the right outfit will give you confidence, which is so important in life! I’m not sure why, but over the past few months I’ve fallen in love with shoes, so that’s what today’s post is about! I’ve always just worn whatever shoes were inexpensive and versatile, but this year, I’ve started to notice that I always gravitate to the shoe department whenever I’m shopping. Today I’m sharing five shoes you need for summer!

shoes you need for summer

1. Birkenstocks – Birkenstocks are far the most comfortable shoe you’ll ever own! They look so cute paired with some shorts and a tee shirt, but you can also dress them up with jeans and a nice top. They’re a bit pricey, but Steve Madden and Target make some similar dupes that are under $50. I personally have and love the Brando sandals by Steve Madden – they look just like real Birkenstocks and are just as comfortable, but they’re only $40!

2. Espadrilles – Easily one of the biggest shoe trends this summer, espadrilles are perfect for wearing out to dinner or on vacation – they look so cute with a dress or white jeans! For a dressier look, go for a wedge pair, but you can also keep things simple with an espadrille flatform. I don’t own any, but I have my eye on this pair and this pair.

3. Vans – A classic pair of Vans will be your go-to sneaker this summer! They come in so many cute colors, and are casual yet can still be paired with dressier outfits. Black Vans will go with everything, but I think fun colors like pink and blue are perfect for summer.

4. Slides – You always need a pair of casual slides or flip-flops for lounging around by the pool! Urban Outfitters has a great selection of slides; they’ve got Adidas, Vans, Nike, and more. Slides are pretty inexpensive, and like Birkenstocks, they’re so comfortable!

5. Jack Rogers – It’s definitely worth the investment to purchase a good pair of Jack Rogers for the summer. They’re such a versatile sandal and they last a lifetime! While their classic styles can be a bit pricey, they make a jelly sandal that’s only $50. I have and love it – it’s actually very comfortable, and goes with pretty much anything!

There are so many cute shoes for summer that it’s hard to pick just one or two pairs to purchase, but I hope this post gave you some inspiration for your summer wardrobe. Thanks for reading!