Twenty Twenty

What’s this? What could have possibly delivered me from the vices of reality and returned me safely to my dusty keyboard for the sole purpose of pecking away in merriment, resulting in the sudden creation of a blog post? (Truly, my keyboard is far from dusty, considering I use it every day to write, just not for blogging, nevertheless it sounded nearly poetic, so I left it in.)

Perhaps it was the commencement of a new, exclusive, never-before-seen decade that forced upon me the urge to jot down a few paragraphs? To begin a blogging schedule again in 2020 most certainly is not a New Year’s resolution of mine, I’ve decided, because I know I won’t be able to keep it for very long. Instead I want to write for my blog when I have the time, which is much more fun than crafting a schedule, only to feel like a failure each time I skip writing a post.

But enough about schedules, certain failure, guilt, and the like (horrible things, I must admit). I am only here using up your precious time (technically this is your own fault for clicking on this and I am not to blame, but I do thank you for reading, assuredly), to make myself known as not dead, but alive, contrary perhaps to what was once believed after I abruptly dropped off the face of WordPress in June of last year. No, I am very much alive and inspired to gain nothing but the joys of writing, (because blogging is actually very fun, and certainly takes less effort than writing an entire book.) So, let us each lift a glass of orange tea (or chocolate milk, perhaps) in a toast to the future of unknown happenings and also to the past for all its acquired lessons!

With my parting words, I will leave you: “Use this new decade well, for it is limited edition and only guaranteed to be in stock for the next ten years. No refunds. See calendar for details.”

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Megan Joy

My Crimson Christmas // Ft. Lindy Bop

Quick disclaimer: This is not a paid sponsorship nor am I in affiliation with Lindy Bop.

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This wonderfully beautiful 1950s inspired dress called the “Marianne Red Swing Dress and Jacket Twin Set” came from Lindy Bop. It was the first time ordering from them and I can’t wait to order another dress in the future. I also bought my crinoline there which I’ve already wore this my last fashion post.

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The crimson color, the fullness of the skirt, the style of the jacket, and its perfect fit made this the best Christmas dress. I just love it! It also comes in dark blue, light blue, pink, burgundy, black, gray, and white, all of which I would love to have. Coming from London, it is of high quality and of wonderful craftsmanship. Unfortunately, the price matches the high quality, so I shall be content with this red one for a while. (P.S. I bought this particular dress on sale. Three cheers for Christmas sales!)

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If you love vintage fashion and classy clothes, you must head over to Lindy Bop. They have so many great finds, and coincidentally, they’re having a 60% off end of year sale, which includes the “Marianne Burgundy Swing Dress and Jacket Twin Set!” Go check it out and come back and tell me if you like it!

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The New Year will soon be upon us, so this will be the last fashion post of the year! Do you have any specific goals for 2018? Any fashion goals?

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dress and jacket // lindy bop

shoes // payless

crinoline // lindy bop

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Megan Joy

Retro With a Chance of Flurries

Snow flurries! What can be better than snow flurries? Hot chocolate and a book by a warm fire, actually! But before you sip your steamy cocoa topped with marshmallows, you have to get outside and frolic in the snow a bit. So that’s exactly what I did.

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I was very excited to finally wear the new crinoline I ordered from Lindy Bop. It works perfectly with this skirt that I made last year. They have so many color choices of crinoline, but I chose classic white. Lindy Bop has a great vintage collection. If you love dressing vintage, wish to start, or just want to try it out, Lindy Bop is a great place to shop. I do suggest collecting all the things you want in your shopping cart, and then waiting for a sale because it’s definitely on the pricey side.

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My sister did my hair and added the bows. The whole day I felt like Minnie Mouse!

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While you may see me smiling in these photos, what you are not seeing is: me shivering nearly to death, my feet frozen in the snow, my hands turning red and numb, and me yelling, “It doesn’t matter if it’s in focus! Just take the picture so we can go inside!

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To match all the colors of my outfit, I wore my “I Like Ike” pin. I once wore it to the voting polls and the people in front of me thought it was funny. Comment below if you know what my pin means!

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Besides liking Ike, I also like this little snowflake, resting on my sweater, all by itself. It reminds me of that well-known fact that no two snowflakes are alike. Out of all the times it snows, and all the millions of snowflakes that make up a storm, none seem to be the same. Yes, this little snowflake is different, it doesn’t match another, and maybe it’s a little small among the countless other flakes, but it’s still beautiful. Just like us.

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skirt // made by me

sweater // target

shoes // old navy

crinoline // lindy bop

hair bows // (white) icing, red (christmas ornament)

pin // (i can’t remember)

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How much snow did you get this week?

What do you think about snowflakes being different?

Do you know what my pin means?

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Megan Joy

First Year of Blogging + Giveaway!

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Guess what? This week Simply Megan Joy is celebrating its 1st year of existence anniversary! To celebrate, I’m hosting a little giveaway. Two separate winners will each receive a special Autumn-scented homemade candle!

The 1st name to be pulled out of the hat will get “Crisp Forest Leaves.”

The 2nd will be sent “Autumn Apple Pie.”

Inside each candle will be a specially designed hand-made piece of jewelry that can be retrieved once a few layers of the wax melts! All jewelry are original pieces created by an aspiring blacksmith who is in the process of starting his own business in that field. He also happens to be my brother!

To get one entry put in the hat you must:

  1. Be a follower/subscriber of Simply Megan Joy

  2. Comment on this post (just to let me know to enter your name into the hat)

(To get one extra entry, you can subscribe to my brand-new Instagram account here! Just notify me that you did this in your comment below)

That’s it! The deadline to enter is Wednesday, October 18th, 2017. The winners will be announced the following Friday. Unfortunately, I can only ship prizes within the U.S.A, so this giveaway is not available for international readers. My apologies!

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Do you like autumn candles?

Which Fall candle scent is your favorite?

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Megan Joy

Sunday Bests // Easter Bloom

Happy Easter Sunday, everyone! It’s time to celebrate the resurrection of Christ on this joyous day! Here are a few photos of my Easter dress this year. It was so much fun wearing it, but also a hazard of either tripping on it or getting it muddy while hiding Easter eggs for our church kids. But I’m glad I wore it anyway. It’s a day to forget our troubles and just be thankful for a God who loves us no matter what those troubles are.

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This dress, having pink 3-D flowers all over it, is one of the most fun dresses to wear. It really says Spring and reminds me that the season is in full bloom.

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With this being a quick post on a busy day, I only have one thing left to say. “He is risen! He is risen indeed!”

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dress // macy’s

shoes // payless

pearl necklace // my sister’s

bracelet // icing

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Do you love Easter as much as I do?

What did you wear for this special day?

Have you heard the news? (He is risen!)

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Megan Joy

A New Beginning: 2017

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Wait a minute! It can’t be the end of 2016 already. It just started a few months ago, right? It seems impossible that another new year is ready and eager to take the wheel and label 2016 as history! This past year held so many events, emotions, stories, people, words, and thoughts in my life. It was a time for learning and growing, happiness and joy, and sorrow and heartache. Though I can’t truthfully say that I had continuously remembered that God was in control all 365 days in 2016, I can now look back at the year and know that He was and IS in control.

Now we must embark on a new adventure: 2017. The train has reached the station so we must step off and board the next one, with carpet bag in hand, and chin held high. With the new year, we must all change our calendars, re-train ourselves to write a different number at the end of every date and make New Year’s resolutions that we pledge to keep, when really…they usually only last a month. Yet, a new chapter of our lives must commence, whether we’re ready for it or not.

Looking beyond the unknown aspects of a new year, I find a new beginning a wonderful thing to have once a year! It’s a time to set new goals and strive to accomplish certain tasks. For me, some of those goals are learning how to crochet a hat, getting better at horseback riding, or practicing Irish dance more! This year, I have made a list of all the things I would like to accomplish before 2017 is over. I know that I won’t complete them all, but I’m okay with that.

The one thing that I would most like to accomplish this new year, is to remember that God is good, He is in control, and He knows what’s best.

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See you next year in 2017!

P.S. I’ve got a special new series coming up for the new year! Check back on Monday the 2nd to see what’s in store!

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Does is seem like the year just flew by to you, too?

Have you ever written the wrong date throughout the month of January because you forgot that the year had changed?

What goals have you set for 2017?

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Megan

Merry Christmas!

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Merry Christmas, everyone! It’s Christmas Eve and all is busy-busy – getting ready for tomorrow’s celebration! Wrapping presents and finishing the last bits of decorating always puts that excitement of my second favorite holiday in my heart. I’m so thankful for the many blessings God has given me this Christmas season to celebrate His son’s approx. 2,012 Birthday!

Every year at Christmas we read Luke, chapter 2, verses 1-20. I’ve just about memorized the whole thing by accident. Reading the history of Jesus’ birth will always be special!

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Does your family have any special Christmas traditions?

Have you ever read Luke 2 and imagined what it was like for Mary or the shepherds?


Megan Joy