Hi there, how was your Christmas Day? We have this tradition for our Christmas Day. Usually, the girls are the first up, but this time, believe it or not, my husband and I managed to have a quiet  cup of coffee before their arrival. Tardy teenagers! Anyhoo…we read about the birth of Christ in Matthew 1.  This helps slow down the pace immensely and also reminds us that the only reason Christmas exist in the first place, is because the Son, who is God, came to earth as a Babe, with the purpose of saving His people from their sins.  Praise the Lord! Then of course, we open our gift, that’s always a fun time.

My sweetheart (being the wonderful man that he is) then takes us out for breakfast and a drive. We live in a very snowy city, most times the drive around is stunning.  There are more cars on the road than expected, but not as many as a normal day.  The sun was out in all its beauty and the reflected rays off the snow was just breathtaking. I love days like these.  I loved my gifts.  These activities provide lasting memories.  How was your Christmas? What are some of your Christmas memories?

 GROWING FAVORITES:  

Receiving gifts are great! I love presents, I have to admit.  Perhaps because of the busyness of this time of the year,  I was reminded that everything I received today, from my sweet family is temporary. They are all susceptible to rust and moth. They will fade, fall apart, finish or be lost. These are objects I have to replace or restore eventually. No thing is truly an investment; I know society would like to have us think differently. Yes, it is sad, but inevitably these Christmas gifts will too soon be gone.Let’s grow together in 2018. Let’s desire the more permanent, intangible gifts, such as love, joy, peace. Let’s run to the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, wise God, who gives all things for us to enjoy. (I Timothy 1:17). Let’s take pleasure in the material gifts, we have been blessed with, but let it stay in its proper place.  We will give the Lord and the people, He has placed in our lives, their best spots; first and second respectively. I will welcome 2018, seeking to be a woman of beauty.  Join me, on this journey, I promise 2018, if our eyes are fixed in the Lord, will be a great one. 

 BEAUTY FAVORITES 

Most of these need no introduction.

I have spoken about them before, have a great read, enjoy the previous monthly favorites.   But I could not believe that I have not told you about this lipstick. What!  This is Mac Ruby Woo  I. Love.This.Lipstick.  It is a matte lipstick, and because of this, can be a bit drying.  This isn’t an issue for me, because I always moisturize my lips before putting on any lipstick. Ruby Woo is very pigmented and it will last for hours.  Even after meals, it remains evenly on the lips, perhaps just a bit faded. It does not transfer, which is amazing.  This is usually my ‘pop of color’ because it is a bold, bright and vibrant lipstick. I love it.  You can find it on Amazon (here) or Macy (here) to just name a few.

FASHION FAVORITES

These shoes are beautiful and surprisingly comfortable, surprising because it is a closed stiletto heel shoe.  Usually, I have found most closed up stilettos are not the most comfortable, because there is very little room for the feet, but these are not too bad, perhaps because of the peep toe.  I do not particularly like red, I find the color a bit too bold for me (says the person, literally showing two red favorites, really, Brenda? Really? And a red dress too?) In my defense, these articles of clothing come out during this time of the year, okay?  It is a beautiful shoe, isn’t it?  I do like it!  They are by Jessica Simpson and I found them at the thrift store!

These are all lovely things that adorn the outside woman.  Great inventions that beautify the outward appearance.  Thank You, Lord!  But true beauty is an overflow from the inside; from within us.  ‘True beauty’ isn’t possible without total obedience to the Word of God, but fortunately, we can count on our Redeemer to renew our minds daily.

I would love it if you would ‘follow’ the blog and be part of this family.  How was your Christmas?

Have a blessed day and remember, God’s love is unfailing, unwavering and unconditional!