Living Outside the Stacks

Navigating through life away from the library

Apr
23

By

Favorite Winter Outfits and a Boots Storage Tip

Category: In the Closet Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a Comment

What I Wore {Living Outside the Stacks}You guys! I think winter has finally ended. It’s been rainy and windy and a little bit chilly just about every Monday for the last 3 weeks but I’m not complaining because at least it’s not sleet, snow, or ice. In fact, every day except for Mondays it’s been really nice. Like nice enough that I’ve been able to go outside and enjoy nature. tosses confetti and glitter

So to celebrate the end of winter and the official storing of the boots, I thought I’d share some of my favorite outfits from the winter… But before I do that, let me share a little winter storage tip with you:

To keep your boots in shape during Summer storage, zip them up, roll up a magazine, and put it inside the boot. The magazine will keep the boot from falling over and cracking or creasing. 

Gray Cardi Cream Shirt Brown Skirt Black Tights and Brown Shoes {Living Outside the Stacks}

A few months ago, I “discovered” {can also be interpreted to read “found on Pinterest through a pin from a friend of a friend} an artist named Dottie Angel. I. Heart. Her. Anyway, this outfit is kind of like a mixed up crazy homage to her and my obsession with teen angst movies from the 80s/90s. I like the pattern mix on the skirt, the handmade {by me} flower on my cardi, and the black tights. Seriously, what is it with me and the black and brown color combination? I’m totally digging it.

Black Cardigan Horse Print Dress and Wine Shooties {Living Outside the Stacks}

The Hubs picked this dress out for me. And at 41 years old, part of me thought I was waaaay too old to pull this off. But the black tights and cardi along with the suede oxfords keep it grounded. And, you know what, age ain’t nothing but a number, amIright?

Mustard Cardi Teal and Brown Floral Skirt with Brown Boots {Living Outside the Stacks}

I had to force myself to leave this skirt in my closet. This is hands down one of my favorite articles of clothing. Florals are versatile and fun, especially when they’re in a season neutral color and fabrication. And, ummm, take a look at those boots. Are they not the most fabulous pieces of footwear you’ve seen in a long time?

Gray Cardi Chambray Shirt and Skirt {Living Outside the Stacks}

I’m not even gonna lie. My favorite part of this outfit is the bag. That is all.

Now that the weather has warmed up, what are you looking forward to wearing?

I’m linking up with:

Please check them out for more fashion inspiration.
Daenel T

Apr
22

By

The Sseko Brave Collective

Category: In the Cafe Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

#ssekobrave {Living Outside the Stacks}

Last summer, a friend of mine showed me the cutest pair of sandals that she’d just bought at a local boutique. I instantly fell in love. Y’all know, I’m all about shoes. Then she told me the story:

Sskeo Designs is a fashion brand, based in Uganda, that makes handbags, accessories, and leather sandals with beautiful interchangeable fabric straps that can be styled many different ways. The women who create these beautiful items use the profits to attend university and better their lives as well as the lives of their families.

Beauty with a purpose? I was all over it. The following weekend I went to the store and bought a pair of Sseko Designs sandals, you can see them here. Those sandals became my go-to shoes for the summer. I even stepped out of my comfort zone and bought the metallic gold straps! Which you can see here.

So when I was invited to become a member of the Sseko Brave Collective, I was beyond thrilled. I’m truly passionate about empowering women to do more and be more through education. And as a mother of five, I know how important it is to get an education and to be an example to my children.

In the picture, I’m holding a copy of the Sseko Brave Manifesto: a collection of empowering phrases that help encourage the women who are involved with Sseko Designs. Each of those phrases appeals to me for various reasons but I think the one that resonates most with me is:

Every Great Journey Begins With A Small Step

I’ve always tried to live my life fearlessly. Well, that is until I became a mom, but even that requires a delicate balance of bravery and vulnerability. Since childhood, I’ve dreamed of big adventures: I wanted to travel the world as a journalist {for a minute, I even wanted to be a spy}. Instead I traveled the world as a military family member and then as a soldier. I traveled by bus in a country where I didn’t speak the language and made friends with people I’d never see again. I went to college and earned two Master’s Degrees while raising four children under the age of five and battling cancer. And I’ve walked hand~in~hand with The Hubs through the various phases of our lives.

Each great journey in my life began with one small {brave} step forward…

Daenel T

Apr
21

By

Week in Review: Week 15

Category: In the Dark Room Tags: , , , , , 2 Comments

Week in Review: Week 15 {Living Outside the Stacks}

Just about every morning I post a picture of myself with a cup of coffee. I do this as a way of connecting with my friends and just starting my day off right. As much as I’d love to sit with each of you, share a cup of coffee, and enjoy a laugh, I know that’s not possible… So this is my way of making it happen. If you’re on Instagram or Facebook, please feel free to share a picture of yourself with your favorite beverage.

Week in Review: Week 15 {Living Outside the Stacks}

Last Spring, these little guys were all over the library as part of a game being played by students. I thought it was creative and fun. There were toy soldiers in the stacks, on top of display cases, hidden in plants, etc. It makes me happy that our students are comfortable using our library as a staging area for their games.

Week in Review: Week 15 {Living Outside the Stacks}

This was my entry in the weekend photo challenge hosted by Instagram. The theme was “Type in the Wild”. I like the message on the side of the barn, even with the spelling error.

Week in Review: Week 15 {Living Outside the Stacks}

The Hubs and I took the kids to see “God’s Not Dead” on Saturday morning. I enjoyed the movie and appreciated the message. You can’t prove or disprove God’s existence to someone who doesn’t want to believe. Ultimately, it comes down to choice {which is based on faith}. Whether we choose now or we choose later, at some point, we all will have to make a decision as to what we believe.

Week in Review: Week 15 {Living Outside the Stacks}

Quill by Dan Perry

Week in Review: Week 15 {Living Outside the Stacks}

Nature’s Quintet by Stephanie Sailer

The Cape Arts Council in Cape Girardeau is hosting the 2014 Cape Girardeau Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit this summer. This means there are all of these beautiful sculptures in different locations in downtown Cape. My goal is to get a picture of each of them.

Week in Review: Week 15 {Living Outside the Stacks}

This week ended Week 2, Day 3 of Run for God. Every time I run, I think: I got to run today, not I had to run today, but I got to run today. Each day I have a choice: I can accept the challenge laid before me or I can quit. This weekend, Easter Weekend, is a reminder of why I must press on. He gave His all for me, so I give my all for Him.

What was the highlight of your week?

I’m linking up with:

  • 2014 Daily Selfie ~ Instagram: I’m doing this with a few of my Instagram friends. “Selfie” is open to interpretation, as long as there is part of your body in the photo, it counts. Use the hashtag #2014dailyselfie.
  • Life Rearranged ~ Instafriday: Share the stories behind the filtered pictures. Link up on Fridays.

Daenel T

Apr
20

By

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Category: In the Church Tags: , , , , , 2 Comments

He Is Risen {Living Outside the Stacks}

Matthew: 28:6

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Jesus offered himself up as a sacrifice for my sins. But the redemption wasn’t in the crucifixion, it was in the resurrection. Jesus stated that he would die but that he would be raised up from the dead three days later. This is the foundation of our faith.

Even though there are days when I stumble, I walk in the knowledge that Jesus is the risen savior. And my confidence, my life, is in his hands.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me so much that you took the punishment for my sins. It is through your life, death, and resurrection that I am guaranteed eternal life. I love you and I thank you. Amen.

If you’d like to accept Jesus as your personal savior, all you have to do is confess with your mouth that Jesus loved you so much that he died for you and that God rose him from the dead {Romans 10:9~10}. That’s it. 

Daenel T

Apr
16

By

Dress Over Jeans for Work

Category: In the Closet Tags: , , , , , , , 18 Comments

Dress Over Jeans with Wedges {Living Outside the Stacks}

Let’s give it up for jobs that don’t have dress codes! When I first re~entered the work force, I remember wanting a job that required business casual attire: skirt, hose, and pumps. It made me feel all grown up, you know, after years of wearing nothing but oversized tees, scrunchies, and sweat pants. Hey, it was the early 90s, we didn’t have all of these lovely blogger ladies encouraging us to shower get dressed. Now that I’ve been in the field a while and I’ve become more comfortable in my skin, I enjoy being able to express myself through my clothing.

Dress Over Jeans with Wedges {Living Outside the Stacks}

My job consists of a lot of desk duty and paperwork, so there are very few real opportunities for creativity. So on days when I’m fairly certain I won’t be doing anything weird like climbing on furniture, it happens, I like to do interesting things with my clothing.

Dress Over Jeans with Wedges {Living Outside the Stacks}

One of my favorite things to wear is a dress over jeans. I’ve mentioned before that I struggle with dresses. Sometimes I think they’re too short or too shapeless or too something for them to be worn on their own so I add jeans and call it a day. For work, I had my cardi buttoned because that’s a whole lotta shoulder to be showing in the library, ya know? The funny thing is that my 18~year~old daughter now rocks a very similar look. Hmmmm, come to think of it, maybe she should change her style. I’ve been wearing this look waaaay longer so I shouldn’t have to change just because an 18~year~old and I are dressing alike, right? As I was saying, she wears a similar look except she prefers jeggings and boots, which look absolutely adorbs on her. You’ll just have to take my word for it, she’s so not a picture person.

Do you have a “go to” outfit for work? What is it?

Dress Over Jeans with Wedges {Living Outside the Stacks}

I’m linking up with:

Please check them out for more fashion inspiration.
Daenel T

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