{Day 318 (On the 7th day of Christmas)}

“On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, seven swans swimming.”

Okay can I admit something?  I really wanted someone with blonde hair to model seven swans swimming but thought that I probably wouldn’t get that since I wasn’t even sure if I’d have a swan at all!  Yet God totally provided a beautiful “swan” and she even has blonde hair.  Annie, you’re a really lovely woman and I’m grateful that you choose to be a part of this.  You’re putting what you believe into action and that is a truly admirable and beautiful thing.  Thanks for being pretty from the inside out.  I feel very privileged that you would do this project and support these orphans who need our help.  And you look so amazing in these pictures that no one would ever know that it was so freezing cold outside that you were going numb…thanks for being a pro and handling it all so well and being so fun to work with!

Autumn, thank you for taking these wonderful pictures.  Your willingness to be a part of this (3 times over!) has blessed me more than I can say.  I know you have spent countless hours doing all these shoots and editing photos and you’ve done a wonderful job.  Thanks for loving my kiddos the way you have.  Forgive me for getting sappy but it really does make my heart swell with thankfulness.  Thank you for using your talent of making art and putting it into this project.  I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to get to know you this past week.  It’s been an honor.

Karen, you’ve made THE black dress for this blog but thanks for letting us borrow this pretty little white number for the shoot.  Pretty sure we all wanted to steal it!

Dorene, thank you for letting me borrow this amazing feathered piece.  As soon as I put it on Annie it pulled the whole look together and took it over the top!  Your pieces always look perfect.

I’m sure by now you can guess the inspiration: white and feathers and some glamor and grace because that’s just what swans evoke right?!

UPDATE! $63,776.64!  Please, please donate even just $5 dollars today.  It’s Christmas, it’s children, it’s only $5 bucks…need I go on?  We want this to be fashion for a cause but if no one donates then that’s not really happening…

Name: Annie
Age: 21
What state do you live in: Oregon
Activity you enjoy/hobbies: Music – listening to it, playing it, studying it, singing it, writing it; exploring new places, hiking, reading, going on random adventures with friends, people-watching, lap swimming, and drinking coffee.
Favorite Christmas movie: It’s a Wonderful Life, hands down.
Why you wanted to be a part of the project: I guess I would answer, why not? I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a small part of these children’s lives. It’s an excellent example/reminder to me during this Christmas season about what’s really important, and I hope and pray that God will use your gifts to bring these children into loving homes, and ultimately into His kingdom.

(Photos by: Autumn Johnson Photography)

(Dress by: Moulagerie’)

(Fascinator by: Dorene Vandermeer)