the Elements of Style:
Edition I
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 The Little Black Dress:
Always Fabulous, All the Time

Leila, Samantha, and Meredith

Easy, understated, and always classy, the little black dress is perhaps one of most versatile pieces of clothing you will ever own.  Throw on a blazer and pumps and its office wear.  Add some flasy earrings and stilettos, and you're ready for a night on the town.  Make it nice casual with a denim jacket.

Old Hollywood:

Banana Republic bateau-neck shift, sequins trimmed black fur shrug,

vintage chandelier earrings, and red open-toe stilettos.

The LBD comes in all shapes and sizes, but that doesn’t mean all shapes and sizes will look good on you.  Find something that flatters your figure, and avoid uber-trendy styles that won’t work past next year.   Your best bet is to look for something simple and unfussy that can go from casual to cocktail in four accessories or less.

Modern Retro:

J Crew v-neck sundress, white scarf, snakeskin wedges,

red leather jacket, and retro sunglasses.

And we can’t forget the accessories. The LBD is simply a canvas—accessories make it a work of art.  A sassy fuchsia wrap, a vintage clutch, a flowered scarf, peridot chandeliers, red kitten heels—the possibilities are endless.  But remember, less is more—if a little is good, a lot is not better.  If your earrings are big and flashy, adding necklace will often overwhelm the outfit; leave it off in favor of a matching bracelet or cocktail ring.  If your LBD is particularly ornate, stick with understated hair and accessories.  Balance is key.

Country Club Classic:

New York and Company dress, vintage white day coat,

pearls, garnet cocktail ring, and buckle-toe pumps.

Remember, above all, that a little black dress ought to make you feel incredible.  If you walk out the door feeling less than, turn around, go back to your closet, and start over.  You’re fabulous.  So why not look it?    

Happy shopping, you classy lady you. 
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Written for January 31st  edition of the Source, a Patrick Henry College Publication
Photography and Stuff byYellis
Creative Genius: Yours Truly.  Of course.

Currently Listening Awake By Josh Groban So She Dances see related

And thence we came forth to see again the stars...

Well hello everyone.  Long time no blog.  Did you miss me?

I didn't really mean to disappear.  I think I even started a blog or two.  But I just never seemed to have time...and the time I did have, I wanted to spend with people, so I did.   And then suddently the semester was done. I got off the plane, blinked, and somehow found myself on the good side of finals. 

Alright, so maybe it wasn't that painless.  But then life always feels like yesterday in hindsight, doesn't it? 

The semester.  What do I say about my third semester at PHC?  Let's try this on for size:

I'm nowhere that I thought I be, but happy where I am.

It's funny how things happen.  The things you never thought would change, do change.  And then the completely unexpected drops in your lap.  Nothing stays the same. I never thought I'd develop a taste for country music or come to appreciate reformed theology.  I suppose just about anything can happen now.

So now I'm looking across the next few years into the rest of my life.  In more ways than one.  And I'm in awe of what I see.  The road won't be easy.  But it will be good.  Because God is good.  And He "leads his dear children along."

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
"This is the way; walk in it."
-Isaiah 30:21

Fall '06: A Semester in Snapshots

Right, so I couldn't possible do justice to the last four months with a digital camera, but a few shots of the important people and moments of the semester.  Buen provecho!

Home Away From Home: My amazing roommate Lisa.  Anyone who lives with me ought to be canonized for putting up with my stress and tears, both academically-induced and otherwise.  Love you babe!

The Wing: The wonderful wing of girls that God put together. [From right to left, minus Christine: Molly, Lily, Christina, Cheyenne, Tia, Lisa, and Moi.]

The Muses: Samantha and Leila.  Need I say more?  What would I do without my two beautiful best friends? 

The Freshman Social: The first dance of the semester, to welcome the incoming class.  A smashing success.  You can't tell from the picture, but we had almost 140 there.  Great fun.  Co-hosted with my perrenial dance partner, the ever cool and collected Andrew J. Tyrrell.  Ask us about Costco and the tropical storm sometime.

John's House:  How much do we love off-campus life?  One of many relaxing evenings in a real house in a real kitchen with real food.  Many thanks to the gracious host.  Wassail, anyone? 

Campaigning:  50 kids, four days.  An experience, to be sure.  I think I can indentify a house number from a mile away now.  And....oh yes...she won.  Boo-yah! 

Moot Court:  Right, so I'm not quite sure how I got myself into this one, Con Law being the scourge of my young existence.  If someone wants to know how two blondes with zero debate experience stumbled into outrounds, don't ask us.  Lancee, my co-counsel, is amazing.  Here's to frappucinnos, pearls earrings, and border searches!  My favorite quote from the tournament:

Judge: Counsel, do the dead have rights?
Lancee: [pause, deer in headlights] Well, your honor, that's a very philosophical question, and beyond the scope of this Court...

"The difference between you and me, is that I make this look good."

Thanksgiving:  Leila came with me to see Mom and the Boys in Tennesee.  The boys are huge!  Sam is almost as tall as I am now,and Charlie is catching up fast.  Mom cooked almost constantly the entire time, so Leila and I ate very well.  The new house is amazing.  A beautiful view of the Tennesee Valley.  We even saw the actual TVA of Ashwander vs. Tennesee Valley Authority!  Alright, so only Con Law students would be excited about that...

Goofing Off: Which, of course, I did none of this semester. [wink] A small tribute to big smiles, self-portaits, good friends, and the two men in my life, Ben and Jerry.

The road goes ever on: Three semester down, five to go.  Not quite halfway, but well on my way.  The road goes ever on...but I think its going to be a beautiful ride.

_________________________________

That's the Savvy Socialite Signing Out,
From Flyover Country, U.S.A, or Home, Rather
Wishing You Silent Night and Sweet Dreams,
And God Bless You Too.
Meredith

"God bless the broken road that led me straight to you."

A Wedding

I feel like it was just yesterday that we were dreaming about today.  We were little girls, awkward and unsure.  And we stayed up until 3 am talking about life and love and wedding dresses and eating too much chocolate and laughing until our sides ached.  And of course, we were the "Chicks With Guns."

And now we're all grown up.  We're scattered accross the country, working and studying and living life.  We're learning and growing and making mistakes and meeting new people and becoming who we will be.  And the time is flying by.

And we aren't just dreaming about weddings any more.  Now one of us is married.  I have never seen her look so beautiful.  When she walked down the aisle, I had to catch my breath.  And when she she said "I do," I cried.  To see Jim and Cassie is to see God's hand at work.  I was honored to be a part of their wedding,  And I am honored to know them.

God bless you two.
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For Cassie, who found her Abraham

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
-King Solomon

All glorious is the princess within her chamber
Her gown is interwoven with gold.
-The Sons of Korah

I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation.
It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.
-Mr. Darcy

She walks in beauty like the night... And on that cheek, and o'er that brow
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent
The smiles that win, the tints that glow
But tell of days in goodness spent
A mind at peace with all below
A heart whose love is innocent -Lord Byron

Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting
But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
-King Solomon

My beloved is mine, and I am his.
-Song of Solomon
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Love,
Meredith

P.S. Cream soup.  Enjoy.
P.P.S. Sorry I don't have any good pictures of the ceremony...or any good kissing ones.  I got kind of busy!

Currently Listening Corinne Bailey Rae By Corinne Bailey Rae Put Your Records On see related

In God We Trust

Trust me: (trst m) v. intr.

Phrase used to preface any claim of a questionable nature, supposedly convincing the hearer of one's own integrity and credibility.  See: "I promise" and "Would I lie to you?"
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I trust a lot of things.  I trust that when the stoplight is green for me, it's red in all the other directions.  I trust that the water coming out of the tap is mostly potable.  I trust that the chair I'm sitting on will hold me.  I don't necessarily trust people.  But before you start thinking I'm paranoid or cynical, read on.

Trust is established on the basis of past experience or knowledge, whether direct or indirect.  The only reason I trust the chair I'm sitting on is because my vast knowlege of chair-sitting tells me that chairs are a generally reliable construction.  99.999 % of my chair-sitting experiences have been successful.  (Ask me about the 0.0001% sometime.)

Even if I had never experienced this particular chair before, I probably wouldn't feel the need to give it a good shake before I sat down.  Why should I?  Chairs have proven themselves, time and time again, to be strong, reliable folk.  Chair-kind -as it were- has my deep and unwavering trust.

But chairs are not people.  Mankind has a far wider range of integrity and reliability.  From one to the next, you never know what you'll get.  This should be nothing new to any of you.

So I take people on a case-by-case basis.  I'm not neurotic.  I don't do background checks on the guys who bag my groceries.  But I'm not really talking about casual trust either - the trust I have in my dentist or mechanic..or even the woman who cuts my hair.  I'm talking about trust.  Real trust.  The stuff friendships and marriage are made of.

I don't necessarily "open up" to a lot of people.  I don't tell everyone I meet my deepest secrets and desires.  In fact, most of my aquaintances don't know the half of what really goes on in my life.  That's on purpose.  Not necessarily because they're bad people and will stab me in the back, but because I don't have enough experience with them to determine whether they are worthy of my trust. (Nor enough time to do so.)

To trust is to be vulnerable - to reveal one's soft underbelly to another.  Trust without caution and you will eventually be hurt.  Trust with caution and you may still be hurt.  Trust never and you will be alone.

But we still don't fault the surgeon for wearing gloves or the rock climber for his harness.  How much less should we fault the one who guards their heart?

So when you look someone in the eyes and ask for their trust -their deepest trust- be sure you are worthy of what you ask.  And if you are, that you have proven yourself to be so.  Likewise, trust with care, and never place the burden of complete trust on one who does not want or cannot handle what you have given them. 

Trust takes time.  It is a not a switch you can turn on, but a commodity that must be earned.  It is won with great pain and often broken with great ease.

So why go on trusting if it is so hazardous?  Because it is one of our deepest desires and it makes us happy to do so.  As George MacDonald said, "few delights can equal the mere presence of one we trust utterly." 

And that delight is all the greater in the presence of the One we trust utterly.

Trust me.

Behind the Veil

My last ESL session was very...well...I'm at a loss for words.  I must have a lot of people praying for me.  About 15 minutes into the lesson I could tell she was getting tired of it.  So we started talking about other things.  Life, love, marriage.  She told me about her life as a refugee in Kenya and about her two children who died and how she met her husband.  And then she told me that I should get married have ten children...yes, ten, because anything less is just not enough, and also that my father should marry again.

We laughed and talked, not as teacher and student, but as women, and for the first time, I saw light in her eyes.  And then, suddenly she said, "Why you say God bless you when I sneeze?"  She started to explain Islam to me, what she is required to do and how she doesn't know if she'll ever get to heaven.  The door was not just cracked, but swung wide open.  I stumbled through it, trying to explain the message of the gospel in words she would understand.  At the end she looked at me and shook her head.

"No, Jesus is not the son of God." 

And that was the end of it.  And then the light left her eyes again.  But for those 15 minutes, she heard.  Now, I can only pray. 

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone"  Col. 4:2-6, NIV
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Savoring a bittersweet last week at home with Dad,
Celebrating life and love with a dear friend,
Looking forward to the joys and trials that await me,
And that God for the blessings he gives,
And God bless you too,
Miss Meredith Schultz

"Summer came like cinnamon, so sweet, little girls double-dutch on the concrete..."

Currently Reading C.S. Lewis: The Signature Classics Audio Collection: The Problem of Pain, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, Mere Christianity By C. S. Lewis see related

Cooler by the Lake

Back from the North Shore!  Since Wednesday, I...

• Discovered a town with a population of 16 (Ronneby, MN)
• Moseyed around Duluth
• Found a Christian tea shop in Two Harbors
• Had a frightening "like Father, like daughter" moment over a piece of artwork
• Hiked to Shovel Point at Tettagouche State Park
• Swam in Lake Superior (Cold, yes...)
• Walked up the Kadunce River (highlight)
• Climbed a waterfall (albeit a small one)
• Found an almost perfectly round rock
• Ate lunch at a 100% organic restaurant in Grand Marais (interesting)
• Had high tea at Naniboujou Lodge (quite lovely)
• Journalled on the shoreline
• Hiked to Pigeon Falls (the highest falls in MN)
• Travelled internationally...to Ontario...for about twenty minutes
• Took a picture with a (cardboard) mountie
• Hiked to the Devil's Kettle at Judge C.R. Magney State Park (really cool)
• Drove, and drove, and drove some more...and Dad also went golfing every day

All in three days and two nights.  A lovely little trip.  I've been sitting here for about an hour trying to figure out which pictures to post out of 300.  I narrowed it down to about...oh...15.  So I'm just going to post one three and call it a night.  However, comma, if you want to see me getting pummeled by an icy torrent of river water, the smallest town in MN, and one very leftist warning sign, I might put some up on Facebook.  But, without further ado.

Shovel Point, at Tettagouche State Park

Walking the Kadunce

Just the two of us

Like sands in the hourglass...

...so are the summer days of our lives. The Guatemala weekend has come and gone.  I have another 300 pictures from that.  The team reunion was very pleasant, as well as the committee reception and the various dinners.  The golf tournament seems to have done well on all fronts.  And of course, hosting Steve for the weekend was wonderful. 

ESL continues, with slow progress.  Please pray for my pupil, if you remember.  She didn't show up to our last lesson.  To say her situation is "difficult" would be the understatement of the year. 

The painters will be done working on the house on Monday, we hope.  It looks fabulous so far.   I'm quite impressed.  Whether we can get the flower pots on the front porch to look equally fabulous during a 99 degree heatwave is doubtful. 

In other news, I received my class schedule today, and I am very, very pleased.  Except for keen disapointment over learning that Dr. Mitchell is no longer my advisor.  I have one of the new profs.  Probably because I'm not Theory.  Still, very sad.  Anyway, I got all the classes I wanted, at the times I wanted.  Though, of course, I still tremble at the thought of four Tuesday-Thursday classes in a row and 8 am's straight across the board.  There was no way around that.

Western Literature II: Libby MWF 8:00-8:50a
The Congress: Raeder TuTh 8:00-9:15a
Constitutional Law: Farris TuTh 10:30-11:45a
Western World I: TBD TuTh 12:00-1:15p
Freedom's Foundations I: Mitchell TuTh 1:30-2:45p

Last, but not least.  Sam and Charlie have cell phones now.  I get about 10 text messages a day.  And they call a lot.  And talk a lot.  And I couldn't be happier.  Especially since I don't see them but two or three times a year anymore.  Now that they're growing up, it's like I have two friends that I didn't have before.  They actually want to talk and spend time with me...and well, be friends.  And that's something you can't put a price on.

May I recommend...

• Audiobooks: We listened to Screwtape Proposes a Toast, a selection from Mere Christianity, and half of The Great Divorce on the way back from Up North.  Very nice for the car.  Makes time pass quickly and much better than trying to read aloud.
• Riverwalking: More fun than regular hiking.  But only if the river is low enough.  And you have good shoes.
• High tea: A delightful and delicious vestige of the Mother Country.  And a good female bonding experience.
• Brothers: Friends, bodyguards, openers of jars - a fun, all-purpose family member.  I have two, but the more the better, really...
• Journalling: The old-fashioned way...with a pencil and notebook.  I started one last night.  Yes...another one.  The 6th or 7th one.  It's actually very relaxing to put your thoughts on paper, much more so than on the computer.  And good for your penmanship too.

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For my little brothers, Sam and Charlie,
And God bless you.
Miss Schultz

"When I've fallen and strayed, there were mercies anew, for You sought me in love, and my heart you pursued..."