REBELLIOUS

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dress by Cynthia Steffe, glasses by Gucci, bag Michael Kors,

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I can be super rebellious when it comes to getting dressed.  However,  with the current trend in some churches today, it turns out that being dressed up is being rebellious.

-SDS

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KORS AND MAC IN PINK

KORS & MAC in PINK

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It’s been a while since I’ve attempted anything resembling a fashion post lately.  It feels so odd to have my husband take photos, so a lot of times I just don’t bother.   On this day, however, the weather was wonderful and we were going to lunch and gave it s shot!

     Last summer I did a post with a fantasy collection called Black Summer,  which featured a pink Michael Kors bag. I then attempted to emulate the collection on this old post, Black Summer part 2.  I loved the collection so much, I’d wanted a pink Kors ever since!  

This dress, while shapeless, is so comfortable, it’s one of those easy to throw on, eat as much as you want types of items that comes in handy now and then.  It doesn’t appear dated which is the kind of fashion piece I love. After a zillion years in fashion, you learn to stay away from too many high trend pieces that look dated two seasons later. If, of course, you have money to burn, then this rule of thumb would not apply to you, carry on!

     This dress is  made by a company called Trinity and it is 100% silk.  My friend had a part time job at a Houston retail shop that was going out of business, and she called, begging me to come see what they had.  Reluctant, I did find this dress, originally listed at $175, however it was marked down to $17.  I treat it like a cheap moo-moo and throw it on when in a rush.  But did you hear the 100% silk part?  So I get to feel fancy on the cheap!

I’d initially wondered if a bright fuchsia bag was too much for a woman over 40, but I decided to just do me and let the chip fall where they may.  I am a lover of pink, hear me roar. (I do have a friend that just custom ordered a  fabulous pink camaro, in my heart, I wish I could be that cool but at my age, it would just appear way too kooky.)

The pink Nine West shoes with gold embellishments were already  shown here and here, but they match the bag perfectly so I couldn’t resist combining, although typically I wouldn’t match a bag to a shoe.

The pink necklace I’d already owned and was a fun add-on.  I truly am on a budget and I am trying hard to just use what I already own, and use things that I never usually wear.  It feels like you have on something new when you pull it out from the closet and have not worn in in years! 

The retro style Prada glasses are fabulous and make up for a lot, and I don’t feel so bad for having on a dress I bought for $17 if I get to dress it up with fancier things.

bag by Michael Kors, shoes Nine West, glasses Prada, bracelet Tiffany & Co, earrings Style & Co, dress by Trinity

     As far as make up goes, the nails are pink in a color called La Vida Loca by Orly Polish.  It’s been around a while, and it goes with a lot of the lip colors I have already, such as  the MAC Pink Pigeon with the Melt Cosmetics Melted fuchsia on top.

Studies show that reds and pinks are the favorite and most attractive colors to men. My husband loves pink.  My step mother recently stated that people possibly do not take me as seriously in pinks or reds.  (Well, and with the blond hair color.) At this juncture, since I am not running for Congress or running the Pentagon, I figure it’s ok to just be me. 

 


-SDS

-May 2, 2014

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GOD, SEX & FINANCES…our 3 focal points for marital bliss at the 3 YEAR POINT

Our Three Year Anniversary
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     This past week marked the third year since our wedding.  It occurred to me, that it feels like many more years than it actually has been when a friend of his brought it up to me the other day, “Hey, Ken told me this week is your anniversary! So, how many years is it?”
 
     “Well, it’s only been three but it feels like many, many more!” I’d replied. “Oh no.  Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” he’d asked.
 
     “A little of both.” I’d answered.  “On one hand, it’s fabulous because we are so completely fused together. I feel like only a half a person when he’s not with me.  I feel like I was never married before because there was no real and deep connection like the one I have with him.  It’s sad that you just don’t ever realize how  shitty a relationship actually is, until life forces you to move on to something better.”
 
     He went on to ask what the bad part was, at which point I reminded him of the hard times we had right after marrying, due to an extremely severe financial loss my husband had within the first 6 months of getting married. He knew the whole story already about that drama and how hard it was. 
 buckandwinie

     
     The whole issue was hard, not because of sudden financial trauma, but it was especially difficult because of the emotional toll it took on my husband, to have been stolen from by a long time friend.  The feelings of shame for not being able to see the person for who they really were, the embarrassment for not being able to detect the constant lies.  The hell of knowing if you had only listened to your wife in the first place, you would have never trusted this person and could have saved both of you tons of sleepless nights and grief. Oh, and of course 3/4 of your money being gone. Of course, with that, comes depression.  Ugh.
 
    The good part, is that this situation forced our bond to grow to superior degrees.  Rebuilding our lives, changing the game plan and growing together financially helped us to begin working together financially instead of him feeling like he was the decision maker in all things because he was the money man in the relationship.  
 
     In marriage, all financial matters need to be made together, period.  The reason being… if one of you makes a terrible financial mistake, the other person is along for a ride they did not sign up for.  It creates joint responsibility if there are discussions beforehand.  I actually heard financial guru Dave Ramsey telling a listener on his radio program the other day the same thing.  Dave claimed that although his wife had been a stay at home mom and homemaker for over 22 years, he still consulted with her on everything financial.  
 
yellow flowers
 
     This is a point that my new husband had to learn the hard way.  He felt that he could do whatever business ventures that he wanted with his “friend” because the money he was using “was his own.”  He learned. Unfortunately, I was along for the ride.
 
     Again, the entire circumstance was painful and stole precious time and energy from our lives, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
 
     As far as our marriage feeling like forever, it does, but in a good way, as well.  One of the main things that promotes this euphoric feeling and connection is that we share the same faith.  We agree 100% on everything as far as our religion goes.  That being said, we have no religion.  We believe in the written Word, that is The Bible and everything it states has happened and will happen, everything it says on how we are to live our lives, treat others, deal with problems and more importantly…believe and accept. It’s a handbook for every aspect of your life.  Are we perfect? Nope. (Especially him!) That’s not what a Christian is.  A Christian is a Christ follower, a believer of His Word and a deep desire in your belly to aspire to become a better person because of your belief and because of your love for those around you and God.
 
     The people I know that stand firm in their “religion” usually know the least amount about the particulars of that religion and absolutely nothing about the Bible and that’s the main thing your Christianity should be drawn from.
 
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     Additionally, today on The Talk, the ladies group was mentioning a study about having either a happy marriage or a happy sex life.  The study supposedly proved that it was impossible to have both.  Basically it stated that rough, cavemen types were the better sex partners and the sensitive and caring types usually were no bueno in the sack.  So choose carefully, because you can’t have it all, according to this new study.  To that, I say, whatever.  We actually were home together, when this show came on and we laughed so hard.  I actually have a caring and sensitive caveman. 
 
     Again, I was married before. Once for 11 years, which was an
acceptable-ish relationship and another time for 6 painful, exasperating and worthless years.  Now, it’s like they never happened.  The cumulative  negative issues in both relationships were three main things, which we choose to focus on in this marriage so that we can remain happy and fulfilled with each other and ourselves.  Our three main areas of focus, here, at the three year mark, are God first in a sexual wonderland for each other and a financial plan of agreement.  Sexual issues and terrible finances are the kiss of death for most marriages, and many a faulty marriage has been rekindled and saved through the bond of discovering God’s word and desire for your life, together.
sjoberg039
 
     Three years, and yes, I want to absolutely kill him sometimes. Actually, the real fantasy for me during those times he makes me crazy mad, is to sell everything, pack up and move to Laguna to start my what-I -assume-will-be-fabulous new life.   However, with a steady focus on our top three areas, this one is looking like a keeper and as I always say, if I were to die tomorrow, at least I was finally madly, truly, deeply loved.  
 
-SDS
-April 17, 2014
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TWO THOUSAND and THIRTEEN: TOP TWELVE SHOTS

two thousand thirteen
top 12 shots
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     The year zipped by quickly.  What happened to the good old days that you see in movies in which people had time to sit around outside on the patio, drink tea and gossip?  I need time like that.
 
     There were a lot of photos taken for the blog… probably thousands, but these are the ones I am choosing to highlight.  
 
Prada, Michale Kors,  Movado, Tiffany & Co, David Yurman, Stephanie Dawn Sjoberg, Houston , Photography, Top Blog, Luxor Living and Style Photography Blog, fashion, beauty, relationships,
   If you click on each photo, it takes you to the original blog post to see more. I choose photos of people, since that is one of my passions.   If there is a photo of me, my husband took it, which is a miracle/fluke, but it’s included because he does help and when we are not rushing, it’s fun for us.
  
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     I try to use other people at times, for the blog.  Although it my site, I try hard not to shove my grill front and center of every photo or post.  
 
     The blog is about beauty, fashion, relationships, travel, life and basically my vision of the universe and my passions.  It is not about me.
 
 
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    I chose to include my shoot with Jennifer, because I am so proud of the make up artistry, styling of the shoot, photography and editing.  Not only that, she’s so nice and we had fun, and will be working together again.
 
 
Prada, Michale Kors,  Movado, Tiffany & Co, David Yurman,  Chico's, Stephanie Dawn Sjoberg, Houston , Photography, Top Blog, Luxor Living and Style Photography Blog, top model, The Woodlands, fashion, beauty, relationships,
    Photography helps to release a creative facet of myself, and to be able to style a shoot, and do all the cosmetics artistry and hair, is a plus.
 
     I love the photo of me and my husband above, because we were having a great night, going to dinner and a concert. I like how you can see us, but you can’t.  It’s more the idea of a couple that is portrayed.
 
 
Prada, Michale Kors,  Movado, Tiffany & Co, David Yurman,  Chico's, Stephanie Dawn Sjoberg, Houston , Photography, Top Blog, Luxor Living and Style Photography Blog, top model, The Woodlands, fashion, beauty, relationships, Old Town Spring photography
     I am an animal print lady.  I love my cheap, new hat in this, and I love that we are at a place we like to go together.  This picture is the true me.Throwing on a hat, lipstick, glasses and ear bobbles, and BAM!  
 
 
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     This was interesting.  Blogging the same look daily isn’t any fun, so it’s nice to step out a little.  It turned out sort of Marilyn.
 
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     It was a blast shooting Vinnie in Laguna Beach.  Click on the photo if you want to see more.  What I learned was that it is entirely different photographing men than it is women.
 
    They want to look good, but you don’t want to take away from the manliness by over softening with filters.  He’s a very masculine type guy, and I wanted to enhance that. His little pet Sabatino helps to show his sensitive side, however!
 
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      The Perfectly Pradablog post was one of the first of the year.  This is the point I decided to just be myself, take pictures and create style how I want, and not try to meet typical expectations.
 
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     Mr Sjoberg of KS Tennismade a reluctant appearance for the blog, so I could further my photography portfolio experience with the male species.
 
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     Full body shots are hard to shoot, when you’re an average person.  Sitting down usually doesn’t help matters either! However, it was a lovely Saturday night at church, it’s in focus, and did I mention I love animal printy things? It’s sort of a reserved jungle kitty look.  Fun.
 
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     Part of the fun of running your own blog venture, is the opportunity to work with various brands.  
 
     This shot was part of a Studio Gear Cosmetics post, and there will be more from them to come, but it’s so much more difficult than it looks to photograph makeup artistry, so I was glad they were pleased with the outcome.
 
     I have deals pending with other types of companies, a forthcoming book and can not wait to see what happens and where we are a year from now! Thanks so much for reader and follower support, and I wish everyone the best possible for 2014!
-SDS
-December 31, 2013
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