KC Miller, Author at Mud Boots and Pearls

Five Minute Journal Review & March Giveaway

by KC Miller | Mar 6, 2017 | Lifestyle

It’s monthly giveaway time! Are you excited? I am!

I’ve got something very special for this month’s giveaway…

Five-Minute-Journal

Since the first of the year, I have been starting each morning and ending each evening with The Five Minute Journal. The Five Minute Journal is a gratitude journal that is pre-formated to make it extra easy to use consistently.

From The Five minute Journal Website:

“The Five Minute Journal was designed for those who have trouble sticking to a commitment and have started and stopped journals before. With a simple 5-minute guided format, you’ll create a daily empowering habit that actually sticks….With The Five Minute Journal, each day you’ll focus on the tiny steps towards making your dreams a reality. Start making every day a great day!”

Using The Five Minute Journal has really helped me to be intentional about starting and ending my day on a positive note. As a daily practice, writing in The Five Minute Journal means I am reminded to really focus on my blessings and be grateful for the many wonderful things in my life. God has been gracious to me, and taking the time each day to notice the wonderful gifts He has brought into my life has helped me to have a more thankful attitude.

The format of the journal is easy to use. There is one page per day, divided into two sections—one for the morning and one for the evening. The morning section includes an area to list 3 things you are grateful for, 3 things you would like to see happen that day, and space for an affirmation or daily prayer. The evening section provides a place to list 3 good things that happened that day and one way the day could have been better.

These journal prompts are designed to put us in a mindset of seeing the good things in life with appreciation. Life is a gift, and every day is a treasure. Our time here is precious and the people in our lives are wonderful blessings not to be taken for granted. A gratitude journal brings that truth to our minds on a constant, day-to-day basis.

The point of a gratitude journal is:

Celebrate daily life and choose to be joyful!

Although I do not necessarily agree with everything written in the beginning section of The Five Minute Journal, I believe it is an extremely useful tool and much of what the creators of the journal promote and suggest is incredibly helpful.

Because using The Five Minute Journal has been so beneficial to me, I wanted to share that experience with others. I’ve given several copies away to friends and family, and now I would like to give a copy to one of you as well.

So, this month’s giveaway is a copy of The Five Minute Journal. But, I also wanted to add a little something extra…

One of the things I am incredibly grateful for, and have often mentioned in my own Journal, is YOU! My dear readers, you have blessed my life so much, and I am truly grateful for each and every one of you.

In turn, I want to be a blessing to you as well. So, to show my appreciation, not only am I giving a copy of The Five Minute Journal, but I am adding a $25 Amazon gift card.

To win the Journal and gift card, just enter the giveaway in the Rafflecopter widget below.

And, if you are not already doing so, I would encourage you to keep a gratitude journal of your own. It doesn’t have to be scripted like The Five Minute Journal. You could just use a simple notebook where you write a list of things you’re thankful for each day. It can be a powerful tool for bringing encouragement and thankfulness into your life. Try it!

Five-Minute-Journal-closeup

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Transition Pieces That Should Be in Every Wardrobe

by KC Miller | Mar 3, 2017 | Fashion

Spring is so close you can almost reach out and touch it. With the weather fluctuating wildly between cold and dreary and warm and sunny, choosing the right clothing can be tricky. That’s when it’s important to have a few key transition pieces that can take a wardrobe from winter into spring in style.

Chambray shirt

chambray-and-stripes3

Every stylish woman’s wardrobe should include a chambray shirt. They are truly the workhorse of every closet. I can think of few wardrobe pieces more versatile. A nice chambray shirt can be styled in so many different ways. It can be dressed up or down, depending on what you pair it with. Layered under a pullover sweater, a chambray button-down can keep you warm on a chilly day. Worn by itself with the sleeves rolled up, it’s perfect for a casual look on a warmer day. It can even be worn with a pretty tulle skirt for a dressier outfit.

Pleated midi skirt

pleated floral skirt

A pleated midi skirt is an absolute must for every stylish wardrobe. Can there be a piece of clothing more feminine while still being so comfortable? Modest and pretty, the pleated midi skirt is a perfect transition piece for a winter-to-spring wardrobe. In a heavier fabric, it can lend some warmth, but the length can be great for a sunny spring day.

Suede booties

suede booties

Not as warm as knee high boots, but often as practical, a nice pair of booties can be a great piece to wear in early spring when there may still be some ice or snow on the ground. They are also great for those days in early spring which tend to be drizzly or rainy. Slogging through mud puddles is easier in a pair of booties than in flats or sandals, wouldn’t you agree?

Hunter boots (or rain boots)

Or, you could wear boots actually designed for mud.

rain boots

Surprising as it may seem, the hunter or rain boot is one extremely practical accessory which has become quite a trend. A bright colored pair of “wellies” can not only keep your feet dry on a rainy day, but they can accent the right outfit as well. Around here, this style of boot is known as “mud boots,” probably because these boots are most often worn in that season affectionately known in this part of the world as “mud season.” (Yes, here in rural New England, we have an entire season named after mud. If you’re ever here during mud season, you’ll understand why we call it that.)

You may have noticed this particular clothing item has some significance around here. After all, the name of this blog is “MUD BOOTS and Pearls.” Coincidence? I think not…

Three-quarter sleeve cardigan

pink cardigan

I have long been a fan of the 3/4 sleeve cardigan. Whether in cotton or cashmere, a pretty cardigan can be the perfect spring layering piece. Every girl should own one. The 3/4 length sleeve is a versatile length, able to add some warmth to an outfit, but not too heat-inducing. In a lovely spring color, this is a piece that can be worn again and again throughout the seasonal transition.

These five fashion pieces can help any wardrobe transition stylishly and beautifully from winter into spring.

Do have any must-have transition pieces in your own wardrobe? Any I missed mentioning here? Please share in the comments.

Shop This Post

Chambray Shirt
Pleated Midi Skirt
Suede Booties
Rain Boots
Cardigan

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links. Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

4 Teas Perfect for a Winter Afternoon

by KC Miller | Feb 27, 2017 | Home & Family, Lifestyle

Though winter is wrapping up and spring is quickly approaching (and may have already hit where you live), around here we’re in for a least a few more weeks of chilly days and snow on the ground. Which calls for a good cup of tea on a regular basis.

tea cup with books

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a cup of tea and a good book. It’s one of my favorite ways to spend a stormy afternoon. There’s just something about enjoying a hot cup of tea that helps me relax and regroup. It has a way of bringing balance and perspective. There is a sense of civility and gentility in tea time. There’s no denying it’s a lovely way to pause in the midst of a busy day.

And when you find a flavor of tea you really love, the experience is made even better.

tea cup

I love to try new flavors of tea. One entire drawer in my pantry is devoted to all the different types of tea I like. My daughters each have their own favorite varieties as well. (Apparently, our tea habit is a family affair.)

My favorite place to get tea is The Republic of Tea. Many of the teas they sell rank in my list of all time favorites.

I’d like to share my picks for 4 of the best teas for a late winter afternoon:

1. English Rose Tea

The English Rose Tea is part of the Republic of Tea’s special Downton Abbey themed series of teas. This tea is delicate, fruity, and utterly delicious. It has a sweetness all its own. I find I don’t need to add anything to this tea. It is perfect even without any sweetener or milk of any kind. Plus, there’s a picture of the Crawley sisters on the front of the tin. Ah, lovely! What more could you ask for in a tea?

2. Almond Coconut Macaroon Tea

As the name implies, this tea tastes like a coconut macaroon (without the calories!). It is a red rooibos tea with a bit of sweetness from the coconut. There’s also a nice hint of almond flavor in this tea. It really is like drinking a cookie. So delicious!

3. Caramel Vanilla Cuppa Cake Tea

I’m a lover of all things caramel, so this tea is right up my alley. It’s perfect with a nice splash of cream or milk added. The vanilla and caramel flavors of this black tea blend nicely and make for a smooth, dessert-like taste.

(Are you sensing a theme yet? Apparently I really like teas that taste like dessert….)

4. Earl Greyer Black Tea

What true tea connoisseur doesn’t love a nice Earl Grey? And this is one of the best Earl Greys I’ve tried. This tea is a lovely blend of bergamot, orange, and quality black tea flavors. It is warm and inviting and absolutely perfect for afternoon tea time.

I highly recommend trying any of these teas for your own afternoon tea time. Go ahead. Take out the fine china tea cup, brew one of these teas, and sit down to relax and enjoy a quiet moment this afternoon.

tea cup with flower

(Just as a side note: This post is in no way sponsored by Republic of Tea. I simply love their teas and wanted to share the love with you. So go check them out, and enjoy!)

Modest Fashion Friday: Cheery Blue and Pastels

by KC Miller | Feb 24, 2017 | Fashion

blue-sweater-pastel-skirt

Though spring is still several weeks away for our area, I’ve had the itch to dress in bright, cheerful colors and pretty pastels. I’ve been searching my closet for items with springtime appeal that are still warm enough for our current wintertime weather. I love a challenge like that.

For church recently, I chose to wear an outfit that featured a beautiful and classically simple sweater. The sweater has a sweet little bow detail at the neckline, giving it an super feminine feel. The periwinkle blue shade is just right for this time of year. Three quarter sleeves help the sweater give the perfect amount of warmth.

I paired the sweater with a coordinating skirt with splashes of pastels in shades of blue, lavender and yellow. The knee length skirt is modest, cute, and easy to wear. It’s from the brand J. Jill. I have many pieces from J. Jill in my closet, and love wearing every one of them.

The skirt was another ThredUp find. i know I mention ThredUp a lot, but it really is my favorite place to shop. I’ve found so many beautiful clothing items at amazing prices from ThredUp. (It’s the only way I could afford high end and designer brand clothing!)

blue-sweater

This simple combination made for a lovely and stylish look. A pair of navy tights and taupe suede boots rounded things out and kept the outfit weather appropriate.

Spring may not be here quite yet, but the colors of my late winter wardrobe can lean in a positive direction, right?

What I Wore

Sweater: Banana Republic (via ThredUp)
Skirt: J. Jill (via ThredUp)
Boots: Nature Breeze (via Zulily)
Headcovering: Garlands of Grace

How to Cover Melasma and Skin Discolorations

by KC Miller | Feb 20, 2017 | Beauty

how-to-cover-melasma

I’ve struggled with melanoma (an area of dark skin on the forehead or around the eyes, also known as the mask of pregnancy) for several years now. It came about as a result of hormonal changes related to pregnancy and was exacerbated by a case of adrenal fatigue. In many people, it clears up after pregnancy, but I’ve had a hard time getting rid of mine. I’ve had to become creative in how to cover it up.

If you have melasma, dark spots, discolorations, or hyper pigmentation, these tips can help cover the discoloration and even out your overall skin tone. It’s a fool proof method I’ve used with great effectiveness for quite a while.

Here I’ll share with you the products I use to cover my melasma and how I apply them.

Concealer

I’ve tried several concealers over the past couple of years to cover my melasma. Some have worked better than others. The two concealers I have found most effective concealers are Benefit Erase Paste and Maybelline Instant Rewind Concealer.

Generally, I dot the concealer over the darkest spots, then blend it lightly onto the skin with my finger. The Benefit Erase Paste is a peach-toned color correcting concealer that evens out darker skin discolorations. It’s perfect for wearing underneath foundation. It does a very effective job of covering melasma, especially on the forehead. I do find that it tends to crease a bit on the under eye area, but setting it with a translucent powder helps keep it from creasing a lot.

For the under eye area, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind is very effective. It’s a lighter formula than Erase Paste, so it doesn’t have the same tendency to crease. The applicator makes applying and blending super easy. Plus, because it’s a drugstore product, it is fairly inexpensive.

Foundation

My all time favorite foundation also happens to have the best coverage for skin discoloration issues. It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ is the foundation I wear nearly everyday. it has amazing coverage and it so easy to apply, blend, and wear. The staying power is impressive and the look it gives is flawless. Its formulation is perfectly suited to covering up skin discoloration issues. I highly recommend it.

For a drugstore foundation option, Covergirl Outlast 3-in-1 Foundation is a great choice. The coverage is excellent and it’s very build able. It’s creamy and easy to apply.

Setting Powder

It’s always a good idea to set the T-zone and under eye areas with some powder, especially when covering discolorations in those areas. I like to set my foundation with a translucent pressed powder. My favorite powder to use for this purpose is Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless translucent powder. it is inexpensive and extremely effective. It’s nice and light, so it won’t settle into fine lines like a heavier powder might.

Ultimately, I realize that finding ways to deal with the root cause of my melasma will be the most effective way of dealing with it. However, until I find a way to clear it up, I know that I have found a method that works to smooth out my skin tone and make the discoloration less noticeable.

This method can work for several types of skin discoloration issues, including hyperpigmentation, age spots, and even dark circles. Hopefully, these tips and recommendations are helpful if you are dealing with the same sorts of skin discoloration issues such as I am with my melasma.

Do you struggle with skin discoloration issues? Do have any additional suggestions on how to deal with it? Please share in the comments.

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Hello there!

I'm Kimberly, and I'm a country girl who loves pretty things, mama to 8 (yes--8!) amazing kiddos, and blessed wife to one amazing guy. Here I share inspiration for beauty and elegance in everyday living.

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