Coffee Dates // April

Welcome to April's coffee date! I don't know about you, but I am enamored with this spring weather! I just can't get enough of the sunshine, birdsong, and blossoms everywhere. Today in Maryland would certainly qualify as a dreary spring day--with this cool breeze and the slow-moving clouds. But I would still take this weather over the frigidity of winter... any day! So in honor of this new warm(ish) weather, brew yourself a cup of iced coffee and settle in for this month's coffee date!

Obsessing over...
Capsule wardrobes.

You may or may not have heard of this concept, but lately it seems like every where I turn this topic crops up. Whether it be in my email inbox, my Facebook homepage, my Bloglovin' feed, or Instagram. In keeping with a minimalist philosophy, a capsule wardrobe consists of a pared down clothing selection. You essentially limit your wardrobe to a predetermined number of clothing items from which you can create numerous outfits. The often-used number seems to be 37. Thirty-seven pieces including tops, bottoms, dresses, outwear, and shoes.(Your capsule wardrobe understandably excludes your PJ's, undies, workout gear, accessories/jewelry, and swimsuits. Because let's face it: we all need more than, say, two pairs of undies.)

At first, the idea of a "capsule" or "minimalist" wardrobe rankled me. Why toss out all your perfectly good clothes? After all, you spent good money on them! Yet, as I mulled over the idea, I found myself slowing agreeing with the philosophy. Why do I think I need so many pairs of leggings? Or jeans? Or heels? Or cardigans? How much money have I wasted on clothes that were oh-so-cute in the store... only to take them home and find myself wearing them only once or twice. While such a lean closet does still sound a little intimidating, I do find myself wearing the same pieces over and over again anyway. Why not just donate or sell all those pieces I never wear?

So, this weekend... the closet blowout shall begin. I may as well give this a try and see how it goes. Stay tuned for updates!

A life update...

You may remember in this post that I recently began a new job for the vintage furniture shop Repurposed and Refined in downtown Frederick. Three weeks later and I am still in love! I'm sore, creaky, and covered in paint by the end of the day, but I always begin and end the day with a huge smile on my face. While working in a creative capacity does have its drawbacks (less pay, for example), I find myself making time for the things that truly just make my soul happy. I now have time to read, sip my coffee, and meditate in the mornings, whereas before, the long commute to work required that I roll out of bed before the birds even began tweeting. I have time to work on my own creative projects-- such as my Etsy, our home renovations, and my writing. Just this week I was able to add five new items to the Etsy shop!  Plus, working downtown allows me to walk to work, which not only saves on gas money but also provides an opportunity to get some exercise and to enjoy this wonderful spring weather we have been having.

Frederick readers, please feel free to stop by the store and say hello! We are located at 217 W. Patrick Street.

Check this out...

1. the ultimate guide to building your own capsule wardrobe

2. some spring outfit obsessions that I found myself drooling over

3. Don't forget about our book club with Wit&Spice! The general busyness of spring has pushed our April read to May, so you still have time to catch up on your reading if you want to join us. This month's book is The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling.

Image source for the capsule wardrobe shot can be found here. All other images are my own. 

Mr. + Mrs. // The Best Marriage Advice Ever

In all that you do, endeavor to make your spouse feel wanted, needed, and loved.

The night before our wedding, our officiant pulled us aside. Our rehearsal dinner was winding down, the guests starting to dissipate. Only our bridal party and a few family members remained, chittering and laughing over glasses of sweet tea, as excited as us for what the next day would bring. Noticing a lull in the festivities, our officiant--who also happened to be my best friend's father-- pulled us aside to a quiet booth tucked in a back corner of the venue. There, he proceeded to give us the best marriage advice anyone has ever offered to us. It's advice that I can't say that I've been faithful in remembering or living everyday... but I can honestly say that--on the days I do remember it--it has proven its worth.

"In all that you do,  in the actions you take, in the words you speak, in the decision you make... endeavor to make your spouse feel wanted, needed, and loved," he said. "Ask yourself: does what I'm doing make my spouse feel like she's wanted? Like he is needed? Does it make him/her feel that s/he is truly loved? If the answer to one of those questions is a definite no, then maybe you should rethink your words or what you are doing."

At that time, sitting in that booth clutching Mark's hand, I know that I didn't fully comprehend the entirety of his words. I understood that these were words springing from years of marriage experience and from godly wisdom. Yet in that moment, my mind brimmed with last-minute wedding worries: did we have enough napkins? Were there enough flowers in each centerpiece? Would the DJ play the right song when introducing us at the reception? The answer to that last one turned out to be NO by the way.

Now, after two and a half years of marriage, I think I'm beginning to comprehend what this advice may mean.

In short, it means to put each other first. To weigh your daily decisions and actions with your spouse in mind. To consciously choose selflessness. To be willing to make a decision you may not want to make or to do something you may not want to do simply for the other's benefit and joy. To seek your spouse's happiness above your own, to seek their comfort above your own, and to encourage them always.

When we're locked in a heated newlywed fight--whether it be the slamming door kind, the spewing tears kind, or the silent-but-deadly kind--this advice requires that you be willing to swallow your pride. To apologize sincerely, without having to be asked. To be willing to give some ground to spare the other's feelings. It requires bending your will in order to heal the other's heart. And I'll be honest: as a fiercely stubborn and proud person, apologizing first or admitting I'm wrong is one of the hardest tasks that I ever have to do. But then I pause and ask myself "Did what I say make my husband feel loved? Or needed? Or wanted?" If the answer brings guilt, learning to apologize and admit my own faults comes a little easier. As time passes, I'm learning that apology is just another part of marriage.

Lastly, it's important to note that this advice applies to both people in the relationship. These words aren't part of the wives-submit-to-your-husbands mantra. No. Ya'll know me better than that. Both parties should strive to uphold this advice. Because if each person endeavors to put the other first, well then neither one will miss out on much will they?

After all, I think our society could use a little more selflessness and kindness in daily life. And what better place to start that under your own roof?

What's some of the best marriage or relationship advice you ever received? Feel free to share! 

The New Job // Paint, Wax, & Brush

Some of you have recently expressed interest in knowing what I do for a living. So today I thought I would share a "day in the life" style post. A little insight into the normal day job that behind the scenes of Amp & Abi,

Back in January, I shared this post, explaining why I felt the need to make a change in my life by leaving my M.A.T program. Shortly thereafter, I began a job at a nearby liberal arts college, working as their Assistant Director of Financial Aid. It was a great job--for the first time in my life, I had my own office. I had a title. My name plaque hung by the door. I had business cards.

There was only one problem: I wasn't happy. While the job paid well and was what many would consider a great job, it simply wasn't for me. Here we go again, I thought. Since college, it felt like I had two options: to pursue a career that would make money but leave me bored and unhappy or to choose a more creative job that brought me joy but paid significantly less. Why was life like this? I moaned. Why did one always have to choose between responsibility and happiness? Between what you wanted to do and what you felt you should do--whether due to personal or societal interpretations of "what you should do."

I spent many nights clutching a pillow to my chest and talking to Mark about how I felt. Finally, he shrugged and said "Baby, you're only 23. Now is the time to experiment and find out who and where you want to be. If you don't do it now, when else will you do it?"

He had a point.

The following Sunday found me at a local vintage furniture sale, talking shop and craft with one of the shop owners. To my surprise, that evening I found a job offer sitting in my email inbox. A part-time position working as a painter for the vintage furnishings company Repurposed and Refined. Rather than sitting in front of a computer, punching numbers and fielding phone-calls, I would get to spend my days covered in paint, turning cast-off pieces of vintage furniture into polished, refurbished beauties. The hours I didn't work I could devote to writing and my own painting projects. Um, yes please.

Here are a few images of the pieces I painted my first week (last week):

Needless to say, I've been in heaven since starting my new job. This experience has truly proven to me that money isn't everything. While it certainly helps to have extra cash, there's something to be said for simple happiness. Who knew that I would love working with my hands so much? One week alone has left me brimming with ideas for projects and pieces which my fingers itch to get started on.

I so look forward to what the future will bring as I devote more time to creative projects like these. I hope to share more photos in the future-- so stay tuned! In the meantime, if you have any furniture refinishing needs or questions, please don't hesitate to ask!