Ahhhh ~ with every new season I get giddy with anticipation for not only the weather change, but also the trends it brings with it.  Something old made into something new, something I never even thought of, something I wouldn’t have looked twice at last year, something I did think of, something I am searching for ~ something that puts a smile on my face!  For me a trend isn’t always a tangible item I can pick up at a store though ~ sometimes it is a feeling, a song, a place or a time.  Let me know what y’all think of my Fall Faves!

1.  Ear Cuffs ~ I am an 80’s child; I am somewhat surprised that all those holes in my ear from my numerous ear piercings grew up!  Although, I really don’t think you can even call these anything close to an earring ~ they really are Ear Art.  I still haven’t found the perfect one ~ but trust me folks if it takes all Fall I will find my match.  I am hoping I will get lucky on my trip to Ruidoso next month and find a beautiful turquoise and silver one!  If I do I will let you know!

2.  Denim Overalls ~ now this one truly is a blast from the past for me.  There was one certain summer, many moons ago, that you wouldn’t catch me in anything but my ripped up old Dickie overalls.  I rescued them from my best friends dumpster after her stepdad threw them out at her wedding!  Evidentially they had way to many holes in them for him, but were just perfect for me!  I have found my first pair for the season at Hollister, but have a feeling I will add a few more to my collection before it is all said and done.  I started with denim, but feel a print version coming on ~ or maybe an Amy tricked up special?  Pictures will follow!

3.  Patches!!  On everything!  Finally my years of collecting patches from every junk store and flea market have paid off!!!  I am having trouble though figuring out what new item is worthy of my treasured collection.  Soooo many options! Right now, I am leaning towards splitting them up between my boyfriend jeans and my antique mechanic olive green flight suit.  Also, be on the lookout, you might see a few popping up in the Fall Gypsy Soule line!

4. Purple Lipstick ~ I have found my new love of lip color!  I will never give up the bright pinks or the bold reds (lips this big gotta have some color!!), but I am loving this new trend of purple hues.  Up the Amp Mac Lipstick is my go to right now, but with the cooler temperatures around the corner I am sure the purple lips will go little more plum and dramatic.

5.Aviator Sunglasses ~ I feel like I have Top Gun fever all over again!!!  Normally, with all my curly hair I am not a big fan of metal frame sunglasses with the wire nose pieces getting all tangled up in my hair, but I have found the PERFECT PAIR!!  Maui Jims has come out with a lightweight all black pair that are to die for.  I had to have a pair ~ just sayin’!  I am concerned sunglasses have become my new obsession though.  Because, even though I am digging my new aviators, I couldn’t pass up a chance at these wild bright red cat eye sunglasses.  It is all about making a statement!

From time to time I think of the silliest things! It’s always funny to me the huge differences in personalities and how they’re reflected in something as mundane and simple as voicemail. It makes me think of the people I know who love to talk and those who don’t say a lot, and how their voicemails often mimic those different dispositions.

I can remember when we all had answering machines and we’d always try to have something clever on the message. Each person who lived in the house would leave their name on the recording, or record some cool music in the background—well, you thought it was cool at the time! Maybe you would do the, “Hello…hello,” then, “Nope, sorry, you got my voicemail, not me!”

I know I should spend my time thinking about more important things in my life. But, this topic makes me think about people whose outgoing voicemail message is just their phone number, or people who leave their name and 62 details on how to leave a message! Then there are the people who only say their name on their message. Does your voicemail say something about you? And, what should it say?

I hate getting the “number only” voicemails, especially if you’re not sure you’re calling the right person: “Hello, you’ve reached 555-5555, leave a message.” Um, I’m pretty sure I know what number I called, but who is this?

I do like it when they at least say their name, however, I don’t need instructions on how to leave a message. I think, as a whole, we ALL know what to do at the beep! My Dad’s is so his personality, even if he doesn’t answer, I always listen to it because it makes me smile. I think, in honor of my dad, I need to show my personality more on mine.I want people to smile when they hear my voice. I want them to listen just a little longer.

XOXO- LV LO

To stay married or not to stay married—that is the question. It’s a question that’s usually accompanied by gut-wrenching angst. Yes, I asked myself that same question many years ago—in fact, it was about 15 years ago. Over the past few months, I have had a few people come to me and ask my advice on marriage! Kinda a topic I’m no expert on since I’ve only been married twice, and No. 2 is still holding strong, thanks to my amazing hubby!

The No. 1 thing I ask people who’ve asked that question is this: Is your core the same? Do you both love God, do you both have the same beliefs, do you want the same things in life, will you raise your kids the same? I am a true believer that your cores have to be somewhat the same. The rest can fall into place.

Even though my ex and I had the same hobbies and we seemed to be on the same page, our cores were not even close. What he wanted in a wife and what I wanted for myself were not even on the same globe. He was sweet and a great person, but our core beliefs did not match.

So, after three years of wedded bliss, it was over. As I journeyed through the Big D, I really took time to write down all the things I needed in the core of a man. What’s crazy is, I came across that paper a few years ago and read it to Joel. He is every single one of those things.

So, back to saying yes to staying married, I always tell people I am on the side of marriage. I don’t take sides unless there is cheating, abuse, etc. I tell them, “No one can give you that answer, it’s your decision and you’ll have to own it.”

It’s a long, hard road whether you choose to stay or to go. I can tell you from experience, a long, heart-bleeding D-I-V-O-R-C-E can crush your spirit and soul. If you choose to leave because you discover your cores are not the same, make sure you remember why it didn’t work. Remember what kind of person you said “I do” to, so you don’t do it again!

Summer is in full swing at the Van Newkirk casa. We have been to dance nationals in Vegas, showed livestock at our county fair, we’ve been to the water park and the list goes on and on. It’s been as exhilarating as it has been exhausting!

I was looking forward to the week my girls were going to stay at their Memo’s house in California—that’s my Mom. I had these huge elaborate plans for myself and I had visions of all the projects I was going to complete. Why not? I would have lots of extra time, right? I was going to work out every day, ride my horse Prince and get that year old to-do list done. Oh, and work 10-hour days on top of that.

Well, during that week I worked out one of the eight days they were gone, never even got to ride my horse, and the list of what I did not get done goes on. What’s crazy is, I get more stuff done when they’re here! My kids are my balance. I think I just got the first little bitty taste of empty nest syndrome. I always joke around saying Joel is going to have a hard time when they leave for college or move out. OMG! It might be me having the meltdown. The house is so boring and quiet without them. I feel like I’m missing half of me and I can’t function!

I did find myself working way too much—the 10-hour days turned into 12 or more hours of work! I’m all for working and I love it, but you need to find a balance between work, family, fun and time for yourself—like riding your horse, working out, shopping for a new pair of flip flops or indulging in a quick pedicure.

I posted a few weeks ago about your “Top 3,” but I think I totally forgot what I wrote about  that week! So it is safe to say that I missed the heck out of my girls, and I need them here to keep Joel busy!!!

Dream It, Love It, Live It!

Crossed by GypsySoule^®

I can’t believe we are heading into our 12th year of Gypsy Soule^®! What a DREAM come true. So many blessings over the years, along with a lot of blood, sweat and lots of tears of stress! We’ve taken to heart the saying: The harder you work, the luckier you are.

We are excited for what the coming years will bring. With all the new product we’re rolling out, Gypsy Soule^® is graduating from an accessory company to a full brand. Amy and I wanted to do more than just have a wholesale company. We wanted to empower women, so we came up with CROSSED by Gypsy Soule^®.

CROSSED by Gypsy Soule^® is our sister company that allows women to grow their own business, make their own money and be apart of the Gypsy Soule^® fashion movement. Our team members, soule sisters in fashion, will establish their own clients and plan home parties where guests can purchase Jewels^® and other accessories along with custom footwear with all the flash and flair you expect from Gypsy Soule^®!

Yes! Custom shoes! Each party guest chooses her favorite sole style, leather or fabric flip-flop straps and front embellishment. The shoe is then handcrafted and mailed directly to the guest’s home. We’ve combined women’s passion for shoes and fashion and created design perfection!

With price points from $25 to $135, there is something for everyone. CROSSED by Gypsy Soule^® is a phenomenal way to combine fun, fashion and friends—and your clients get to design their shoes, their way.

CROSSED by Gypsy Soule^®, it’s not just fashion, it’s a statement.