MISS ELAINI OUS

I sat on the bench and read my book while the voices of the many passersby were faded by the rushing of the waterfall.  The sun beat down upon my head and the breeze played with my hair.  Yet the best part was having my body misted by the tiny droplets of water pulled into the air from the crashing curtain of liquid.  It was so refreshing.  Individually the miniscule drops of water wouldn’t even be noticed but millions of them together made all the difference.  That’s how this project is.  One dollar doesn’t seem like a lot or even five dollars but if everyone of you gives that much together we can make a difference.  A rushing torrent that can’t be stopped.  Please join the movement and donate $5 dollars today.  It will make a difference in a child’s life.  And that is a very refreshing thing.

I just want to thank Liz over at Xtabay for lending me these beautiful vintage pieces.  I really can’t say enough how fabulous her pieces are.  Xtabay pays attention to quality and detail and it definitely shows!

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Clothing and styling by Liz from Xtabay}

Step, step, back step.  Step, step, back step.  Twirl, twirl, twirl.  Our bodies swirled across the slick wood floor as the sound of catchy melodies came loud and clear from the speakers.  We moved from the Lindy hop, to the Charleston, to the “Titanic”.  Then my cousin looked straight into my eyes and said, “O.K. at the end you need to jump.” “Jump?” I asked.   I hesitated as I was unsure exactly what he wanted and how it would go and even though I knew he would never drop me the fear was still present.  I gazed back at him and then jumped.  And he caught me.  As we spun around and around it was perfect.  I trusted and he didn’t disappoint.  This scenario is similar to how I felt about doing this project (and how I still feel at times).  God said to trust him and jump.  Take a leap of faith.  Yes there has been fear and hesitation but I know that in the end it will be perfect.  Not because it went exactly how I thought it should or because I executed it properly but because the One I am following is a perfect lead.  Will you join this dance with me??  Please give even $5 today to the sweet children in India who need your help.

There is a lovely vintage shop that I simply adore here called Xtabay and the generous owner Liz agreed to style this fun outfit today.  If you enjoy beautiful clothing then you should definitely check it out here.  Thank you Liz for all your help and for lending me these items from Xtabay!

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Clothing and styling by Xtabay}

Swish, swish, swish.  Ta da! With each stoke a letter.  My name in lights…even just for a second.  I love sparklers.  But that isn’t all I love about today.  I am so grateful for what we celebrate in America every 4th of July.  Independence.  Freedom.  It is so easy to take what I have for granted.  I have been given so much.

Happy 4th of July everyone! May you all have a fun day celebrating the amazing gift of freedom we have.  Take time to enjoy the day with your family and friends and a moment to recount your blessings.  And yes even as an adult sparklers still haven’t lost their charm… 😀

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

We had such beautiful weather at the beach yesterday.  My cheeks are all rosy and I am turning olive… The best part of the day was seeing my cousin experience the beach for the first time.  Pure delight and bliss in her beautiful, tan form as she raced down the beach and jumped in the waves.  Our toes squished sand while the breeze tossed our hair.  It reminded me of this picture I posted a while ago of some of the orphan’s first time to the beach.  It was such a blessing to be with my cousin as she had this “first” and I am equally grateful that these orphans are now in a safe home and having the opportunity to visit the beach.  Have a wonderful Sunday and check in tomorrow to see my 4th of July outfit.  Totally themed. 😉

Check this out to see how you can have a fun party and raise money for orphans! “Throw a Party“

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

Isn’t summertime just delightful??  I love that the weather gets warmer and everyone comes outside.  The grill sizzles and fruit salads abound while fingers get sticky with dripping ice cream cones and melted s’mores.  BBQ’s and parties….ahhh summer.  So I have something exciting to share with you!!!  You can have a party and lots of fun while raising money for orphans.  😀  All you have to do is click on our “Throw a Party” page at the top of the site.  It is super easy and it can be really whatever you want.  Nothing is too random.  Because these are miss.elaini.ous. parties. 😉  Just have your friends over for a pool party, basket ball night, picnic or whatever you desire and ask your friends to donate to orphans.  100% of the money will go directly to the orphans for things such as new orphan homes, education, food, and so much more.  Since I can’t be at your event I made this video.  Please forgive the dorkiness….plus it was my first time “on camera”.  Just go here to get all the details for your amazing party!  Wish I could be there and I can’t wait to see how creative everyone is to raise funds for orphans. 🙂

MissElainious – Throw a Party! from Christa Taylor on Vimeo.

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

O.K. randomness coming your way!  The name IS miss.elaini.ous after all. 😉  After yesterdays post my mom reminded me that I had a similar photo from when I was 8 buried somewhere.  I can’t seem to find the “cute” one but here is one from that dress up session. 🙂  Seems like things come full circle sometimes!

In other news this is an exciting weekend for me because my cousins are coming into town AND I am going to have something fun to bring you in the next few days.  (Any guesses?) Of course some dorkiness too…because that’s just who I am!

Today’s outfit is special because one of my amazing readers Caitlyn, from across the country, shipped me a few items and this fun belt and fabulous scarf are two of them. 😀 Thank you!

Can you believe that there are only 38 days left?!
I wanted to show you some of the pics from a home in India that is part of Warm Blankets.  Isn’t that neat?  If we could be transported there (this is where super powers would come in REALLY handy) then this is what we would see.  A nice home for the homeless orphaned children.  Beds in place of a dirt street.  Food to satisfy previously hungry bellies.  That’s who you are giving to. 😀  It makes a difference.  YOU are making a difference.  Please give $5 dollars today.  That is enough to feed an orphan for a month.  Woah! That is 90 meals!!!

{Top 2 Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Last 2 photos: Warm Blankets}

{Scarf and belt donated by Caitlyn}

Ridges form into hard gritty lines one after the other on the shell clasped tightly together.  This creature’s appearance is much like the environment it lives in with sand curves left by the outgoing swells of liquid on the beach.  A crusty exterior to protect the soft insides.  Yet often as hard as it tries to keep out what it doesn’t want in it still fails.  One tiny speck of sand barely visible to the eye pierces the soft flesh.  It rubs and irritates the poor animal who secretes nacre to wrap the pain up and take it away.  Layer upon layer of glimmering tears encase the foreign substance.  Eventually a luminescent drop of light lies in the oyster. A brilliant pearl resulting from suffering.  I have been through some pain and I know many others who have gone through far more.  Perhaps you?  We didn’t ask for it and we even asked that it wouldn’t come but it did.  Yes it was or is painful but it can turn into something incredible that only comes from the trial.  No one may ever see it but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.  God turns our trying circumstances into something that we can marvel at.  If you are in pain right now I am grieved for you.  Yet there is hope.  There is a priceless gem being formed in you if you are willing.  I always need to be reminded to not waste the difficult parts of my journey.  It is an opportunity to find great value.  A priceless treasure.

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Styled by Karen}

Day 60!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow. CA RAY ZEEE!!!!  How does it feel to have worn the same dress for the past two months? Not bad actually.  I like wearing dresses although I definitely need these last 40 days to figure out how to exit my car gracefully…right now I just tumble out.  Maybe that should be my next project…ahem.  I’ll be honest though.  I am looking forward to wearing my own clothes again.  This project has been fun, hard, and exhausting all rolled into a single roller coaster ride.  I will be more likely to experiment with my own outfits when I am done and I may have a hard time defining what “my” style is after wearing everyone’s clothing.  To add to my resume: Professional “Borrower”.  Yes I could be an honorary member of the Borrower family from that children’s book… 😀  Definitely some items I want to keep! I hope you are enjoying all the outfits and look out for some crazy ones coming up in the next several weeks. Have a fabulous Wednesday all you wonderful people!

P.S.  In case you were wondering I haven’t bought any clothing/accessories/shoes since I started the project and I won’t until it is over.

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Styling by Karen}

The strands wove in and out making a glorious mass of curls.  Dainty little flowers with pearl centers were a beautiful compliment to her richly hued red, gold hair.  She was the picture of loveliness and womanly grace.  When did we go from being young girls to women?  It was very surreal for me as I watched her untie ribbons from packages and pull clouds of tissue paper from bags.  Approximately every 2 years since I was 14 I have been in a wedding.  This is year two and I am a bridesmaid for the 5th time.  I am very honored.

Looking at the picture above of the girls from one of the new orphanages makes me smile. Someday they too will go from girls to women.  Because you gave them the opportunity to have a future.  A future where they are educated and given skills to help them make a good life.  So please give at least $5 dollars today to continue this amazing work.

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Styled by Karen}

The small hand didn’t move as I stood there, and although the large hand really didn’t make a noise it seemed to sound out the perfectly precise beating of a drum.  Everything froze for those few moment that felt like forever.  Me waiting before the three judges to give my speech.  Somehow I was calm and still breathing as I viewed the clock at the back of the room and contemplated the oddity of time.  The segments of which we measure events.  How can something that is so regulated to the very second at times seem to slow down to a halting stop or race by at such a rate as to blur vision? There are moments that seem like I have been doing this project for a long while now but most of the time I feel like the days are rushing by me.  Yet I feel peace.  I am actively waiting to see what will happen.  I am looking forward to seeing how many orphan homes we can open and how many lives we can effect.  42 days left to raise $43,000.  We don’t really know how much time we have been given so lets make it count!

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Styling by Karen}