For the Love of Jesus, Jeans & Cabernet

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For the love of Jesus, jeans and cabernet highlights three of my favorite things this month!  Not only will I show you a favorite pair of jeans but a new wine to try and a book that will have you laughing and loving. 
 
I recently finished For the Love and have determined Jen Hatmaker is my spirit animal!  I seriously want to go hang out with this woman and just soak up every word.  I found myself relating to her over and over again regarding how I feel about life since gracefully growing into my own in my 40’s. 
I love this outfit but I have yet to have the courage to wear this hat aside from taking pictures at my house.  Safe right?  Why in the world would I even be worried about what other people think about me wearing a hat?
 
Isn’t it true sometimes we are a little more self-conscious because we find ourselves judging others for what they are wearing (doing, saying, etc)?
 
“When Jesus said to “love your neighbors as yourself,” I don’t think He meant judgmentally; but that is exactly how we treat our own souls, so it bleeds out to others.  Folks who thrive in God’s grace give grace easily, but the self-critical person becomes others-critical.  We “love” people the way we “love” ourselves, and if we are not good enough then no one is.”   – Jen Hatmaker
I love clothes and always have but I do not believe I am particularly fashionable.  I know what I like and I try to pull things together that I feel good in and I’m always shocked when someone actually says they think I’m “fashionable”.  What I do know is pulling these looks together for me is fun! I really love seeing an outfit come together and I really love hearing from others they found some inspiration from what they saw me wear!  
 
Here’s what Jen says and I think it is definitely something I’ve embraced in my 40’s that I definitely would not have had the courage for 10 years ago.
 
“You get a decent handle on who you are, what you are good at, what you love, what you value and how you want to live.   I know what I am good at now and I do it.  I’m not apologetic and uncertain and aw-shucks about running my race.  I no longer tiptoe through my own life, doubting my gifts and my place to scared to go for it, seize it, pray for it, dream it.  When you’re forty you no longer wait for permission to live.”  – Jen Hatmaker
A great outfit always has some balance.  Aren’t we always searching for balance in every area of our lives?  I know I seem to be.  
 
“Balance.  It’s like a unicorn; we’ve heard about it, everyone talks about it and makes airbrushed T-shirts celebrating it, it seems super rad, but we haven’t actually seen one.  I’m beginning to think it isn’t a thing.”  – Jen Hatmaker
Not everyone is going to agree that this outfit was pulled together well.  I get that.  I don’t always love everyone else’s style and that’s okay.  Having a different style does not mean I cannot still have respect for another person.

 

“Let’s lay down our junk, our wonky junk that messes up relationships and community and togetherness.  We won’t let our own crazy stop us from affirming each other and banging the drum for our sisters.  There is enough for every woman to live beautifully.  When one woman rises, we all rise. Let’s open our hands and give it all away….esteem, honor, attention, love. What’s good for one is good for all.”  – Jen Hatmaker

Of course there are always going to be those few that just don’t get that and to that situation I give you one of my favorite lines from the book.

“Don’t try to win over the haters; you’re not the jackass whisperer.”  – Jen Hatmaker

I picked up this bottle of Cabernet because it was close to Halloween and the name seemed appropriate and if I’m truly being honest because it was a screw top!  It has a nice balance and is slightly fruity and very smooth.  You should totally grab a bottle and invite a girlfriend over for a chat.  Jen would totally approve.

“I’ve left a friend’s table as sanctified and renewed as any church service.  If you have a porch, then you have an altar to gather around.”  – Jen Hatmaker

I hope this gave you a little taste of what this book has to offer but know this is just a small, small sampling.  Jen also talks about marriage and parenting and really just has some chapters full of belly aching laughter. This book is a great read for all women so grab it for all the girls you know! Every wise woman is reading it.  

“We need to quit trying to be awesome and instead be wise.  Wise women know what to hold onto and what to release, and how to walk confidently in their choices – no regrets, no apologies, no guilt.”  – Jen Hatmaker