Fresh Finds: Aztec Cardigans

So, I really enjoyed creating my last post on Fall Boot Finds, so I've decided to continue posting Fresh Finds on all sorts of things.  Today's post is going to be on another trend happening right now, Aztec Cardigans.  Don't you just love them?!  They are pretty expensive at most places that you can find them, so I have searched high and low and found some good deals just for you!

This Aztec Inspired Cardigan is from Body Central and only $24.90!

Don't you just love this wine color!  At only $36, this Sophie Aztec Cardigan from Boohoo is a winner!  Plus it also comes in navy or black!

 

 You can find this adorable  Aztec Print Light Cardigan at Charlotte Russe for $26.99!

You don't see the Aztec cardigans with color very often so I am drooling over this colorful option!  You can find it at ParisComing for $37.99

Here's another option with some colorful touches.  Find it at Bebe for $32.95!
 

If you don't mind paying a little more, this ELAN Hooded Aztec Open Sweater from Piperlime is SOOOOOOO cute!! Even though it is $89 I am having a hard time resisting it right now!

Fall Boot Finds

YES!  The breeze has come in, the leaves have fallen and the smell of bonfires is in the air!  Fall is finally upon us!  Can you tell I'm excited?!

I love the brisk mornings and evenings that fall brings.  I love bonfires and layered clothing.  I love fall boots and scarves.  I love the effect the changing leaves have on Tennessee's picturesque landscapes.

Yep, there is a whole lot to love about fall.  So, today, let's snuggle up with some soup and spiced cider while we talk about some fall boots!  If we haven't bought some for the season already, then we are definitely on the look out, so I thought I would share some great finds with you all.

I just bought some ADORABLE riding boots (please excuse the awful photography of them) from Urbanog.com for only $34.99!  I was a little worried that they would be a weird material or cheap looking when they came in, but I was pleasantly surprised!  They fit perfectly and are actually pretty comfortable.  And right now Urbanog.com is doing a 20% off sale through 10/14/13 on their entire website.  Enter code 20ALL at checkout.

How cute are these Explore Outdoors Boots from Laposhstyle.com for $73.99!  I love the color, the zipper with the black outline and the buckles!  

You can find these Brown Wrapper Riding Boots at Francesca's for only $59!

These Miola Boots are from Aldo and only $100.  Plus you get free shipping.

I know, I know, I'm posting a whole lot of brown boots.  Brown boots are definitely my go-tos but if you are in the market for some black boots these Madden Girl Andris Boots are $70.99 with free shipping at 6pm.com.

Another black boot option, if you are willing to pay a little more , are these Guess Hertlez Boots for $99.  I cannot get over how adorable the little peek of plaid is!!! I found them on Zappos.com, which has an absolutely wonderful return policy with free shipping both ways.  Shoes are usually a tad bit more expensive from Zappos, but sometimes the ease of shipping and returns can make buying from them worth it.  

Ok, back to brown.... I just love these City Snappers Riding Boots from Tilly's.  They are only $44.99 with free shipping!

P.S.  Have you heard of Groopdealz?  It's a website like groupon, except with only clothing and accessories.  I just discovered it today and think it could be a winner.  Check it out here.  

Becoming Minimalist Blog

    If you are looking for a great blog to read that gives you encouraging words and motivates you to become a better person day in and day out then check out Becoming Minimalist!  A friend of mine has sent me two or so emails from this blog and today I just couldn't help but share.  This one post in particular is good, but be sure to keep checking it out because he has some great words of wisdom! 

This Speak Joy blog post is completely written by Joshua Becker.  I had no part in it and take absolutely no credit.  Check out his blog to read more good stuff!

Speak Joy

by JOSHUA BECKER

“In every encounter we either give life or we drain it; there is no neutral exchange.” - Brennan Manning

Seth Godin, who I enjoy reading, once wrote, “If you come to my brainstorming meeting and say nothing, it would have been better if you hadn’t come at all. Not adding value is the same as taking it away.” In Seth’s context, he was writing about business and organizational contribution. But the thought holds true for each of our interpersonal relationships as well.

Not adding value to the people and the conversations around us is the same as taking it away.

For one reason or another, we have been brought into the lives of the people around us. Sometimes we are involved in their lives because of choice (a spouse, a friend), sometimes because of a mutual interest (groups, clubs, churches), other times the nature of our relationship may be out of our control (work, assigned groups). But regardless of the nature of each relationship, we have a unique opportunity to add value.

There is incredible potential in the words we use to speak hope and joy and peace into the people around us. We need to be reminded of this truth often. And it should impact our approach to nearly every conversation we enter into.

Correctly understood, this simple, profound thought calls us to be more intentional, more thoughtful, and more persistent. It calls us to speak joy and contribution into our relationships whenever possible. It invites us to:

Speak with optimism. Optimism always lays a foundation for hope.

Give more compliments. Genuine words of praise are powerful. Yet, too few.

Draw on past experiences. Because of your history, you have learned unique life lessons—some have been positive, some have been negative. But nobody else in the entire world has had the same experiences as you. Draw on them. And when they are helpful, pass along the lessons you have learned.

Learn to listen. Every story is unique. Every life circumstance is different. The first step in adding value to another person’s life is to correctly understand their worldview and situation.

Ask more questions. Asking questions communicates interest, concern, and care. Plus, you can learn a lot about a person by simply letting them speak uninterrupted.

Earn the right to speak. Live an others-centered life seeking to put others first with your actions. You earn a far-weightier right to speak improvement into other’s lives after you prove with your actions that you genuinely desire to help them. Words are cheap. Actions reveal our true motives.

Speak always in love. All truth—even the most difficult—can be communicated with love. In fact, the more difficult the truth, the more love is required.

Our lives hold great potential. So do our words. What you say matters, choose wisely. And speak joy. "