please, make a fuss.

In the wake of the election, inauguration and all that has happened since I find myself seeing more and more friends/family/acquaintances getting involved and expressing their discontent and anger at what is going on in our country. 

But I have also started to notice an increase in people posting things like "here's a distraction from all the fuss in your newsfeed" or even passively plucked out Bible verses about how the lord will provide and save us all. 
... 
NO. 
God did not give you a brain, two hands, and two feet to just sit around and watch things fall to pieces. 
God did not give you ears, eyes, and a mouth for you to quietly stand by as people are oppressed, starved, or killed. 
And that IS what is happening and what WILL happen. 
The destruction may not appear obvious or apparent in your view but I guarantee that it is happening.
One of your child's friends at school is on free or reduced lunch and is now going to lose their healthcare. 
I guarantee that someone in your office has severe asthma and will severely affected by the lack of government regulation on our air quality. 
I guarantee that the woman you stand behind in line at Target has had a health scare or pregnancy scare and needed the assistance of a federally funded Planned Parenthood. 
I guarantee that one of your cubical mates at work is a first generation American who's family is now at risk. 

Let's look at what the Bible tells us. Starting with the strong female leads. 

Esther. Yes, Esther prayed and prayed and listened to God. But is that all she did? No, she prayed, listened and TOOK ACTION. She didn't just ask God to free his people. She went into King Xerxes chamber and handled it, freeing her people despite the fact that her husband could kill her for doing so, legally. 

Rahab. Rahab's story is one of my favorites. Rahab lived in ancient Jericho and was not your stereotypical law-abiding woman. She was the owner of a tavern and most likely, a prostitute. But when the time came, she TOOK ACTION. Rahab hid two Israelite spies who had been sent into the city of Jericho prior to Isreal's attack on that city. When these two soldiers knocked on her door, Rahab didn't turn them away or ask God to protect them for her. She acted. And saved her family from being killed in the attack on Jericho in the process. She is also one of four women listed in the Bible as ancestors of Jesus. 

Next up, Jesus. There are so many stories of Jesus caring for the poor, outcast, and sick people throughout the New Testament. But one of the most resonant is the cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem. It is so resonant that it is in all four gospels. Jesus and his disciples travel to Jerusalem for Passover. But the temple in Jerusalem had become overrun with greedy merchants and money changers. Jesus was angry. Seriously, he was furious. Did he turn around and go home muttering about 'all the fuss?' No. He literally turned over the merchants' tables and yelled at them to leave his Father's house. He put an embargo on people carrying merchandise through the temple. He made fuss. He protested. He created the change that was NEEDED. 

Yes. There are many stories and characters in the Bible who are examples of trust in God and faithfulness. But there are also countless examples of that faithfulness taking place in the form of action, empathy and love. Do not use your Christianity or your faith as a reason for silence or as an excuse for inaction. Your silence normalizes what is happening. When you write off the (physical, verbal, visual, social media...) protests of your peers as 'nonsense' or 'fuss' you are giving the current political landscape your stamp of approval. 

If the last week has shown us anything, it is that things are only going to get worse before they get better. Passivity, inaction, and 'not wanting to talk about politics' are what got us here. Speak up, donate, call your representatives, tweet, march, work for a non-profit, raise your children to see their privilege and care for all others--all of these things will make a difference, but do not sit idly by and watch this happen. 

Welcome Back!

image via. 

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by Curly Haired Chronicles. You may have noticed that there hasn't been much action on this blog in quite some time. I plan on changing that! Look for new posts coming soon on all things life, love, feminism, and babies. In the mean time feel free to check out my new About Me and scroll through Curly Haired Chronicles evolution over the years in the Blog Archive on the right. Or if you are feeling especially adventurous you can head to my twitter or Instagram to keep up on current CLC thoughts and events! 

Friday Favorites.

Happy Friday everyone! And happy last Friday until Christmas (or possibly an early Christmas, if you have four Christmases like me). Since it's (holiday) shopping season, and since it's been a while since my last Friday Favs post, I have a whole slew of fun for you today, so let's get started. 

#1. Mint and Teal (in) kitchens. This is really just a dream right now since I live in an apartment and have a mountain of debt, but I just LOVE these kitchens. I still have a strong love for the classic white kitchen, but I just can't resist these pops of mint and teal. Bonus, it would go perfectly with my red, turquoise, and lapis blue Fiesta ware collection. 

images via

Friday Favs!

I have ANOTHER new fun feature on the CHC blog for you guys today! Friday Favorites is a feature that tons of bloggers (including one of my favs, Iowa Girl Eats!) use to share things that they've loved from around the web during the week. So to follow in the trend of those who came more successfully before me, here are my Friday Favs of the week! 

Let's start out with something hilarious and stylish, shall we? HGTV designer Emily Henderson recently designed a space for Snoop Dogg with Airbnb at SXSW and the finishing product is this strange combo of totally outrageous and kind of chic? Check it our for yourself on Emily's blog here!

image via.

For another design related favorite from this week take a look at Karlie Kloss' New York townhome on Vogue.com. I love seeing younger celebrities who are totally down to earth and I think Kloss epitomizes this. And not only was her short hair do' my inspiration for a cut last summer but now her design style is an inspiration as well. Karlie worked with the wonderful Nate Berkus on getting the right look for her first home.

See more of it here!

image via. 

Next up is this week's Must Read: "When Women Have It All" an editorial by HuffPost blogger and Girls Globe Communications Director, Emma Saloranta. 

We want a world where women everywhere can, truly, have it all -- a safe, healthy, balanced and fulfilled life, with equal opportunities for everything and anything despite where they are born, where they live, what the color of their skin is, what religion they practice. We need a world where women can finally realize their full potential and become agents of change and progress. In a world where women have it all, it is not only women and girls who benefit, but every single one of us -- because women's and girls' well-being translates into well-being and progress on a much broader level.

Read her whole post here.

Favorite Food I want to try to make is next! I've been wanting to try making Indian food at home now that i think I've got the hand of our new rice cooker/veggie steamer (possibly my favorite wedding gift) but I've been a little intimidated. But Damn Delicious' recipe for a crockpot Indian Butter Chicken seems right up my alley, I think I might have to give this one a whirl. 

image via.

And apparently overalls are having a fashion moment?! Although I have to admit I kind of love Atlantic Pacific's look here, I'm not totally convinced that they will ever override a farmer stereotype look in the great state of Iowa. However if you're totally diggin' this look you can check out Kendi's post or the Glitter Guide's post. 

image via. 

And last but not least, and to start off your weekend in the happiest way possible, I give you a puppified version of Pharrell's "Happy."

video via.

Happy almost weekend, and thanks for reading!

Bag of the Week: Coach Factory Satchel

Happy Friday Everyone! I hope your weekends are filled with fun and holiday cheer!

I would like to start off today's post by first acknowledging a few things. 1). some may say I have too many purses, or that I have a purse addiction. I prefer to call it a collection of fine things. 2). it may be true that I have an addition to factory outlet stores and their sales--I fully acknowledge that such stores can often be hit or miss but when there's a hit and it's on sale, it's SUCH a good deal! 3). I know I don't neeeeeed a new purse. Now, with that out of the way I present to you this week's Bag of the Week: the Coach Factory, Peyton Leather Cora Domed Satchel. The shape/style/class/versatility of this bag make it stand out from all the other factory bags, and put it in the realm of a much more expensive tote. I've been eyeing it for weeks with every Coach Factory sale but with these new colors I don't know if I can say no to it anymore!

I find that I've been oddly attracted to the color brown lately. I say oddly because I'm usually a classic black or navy kind of girl but recently I've really been loving rich deep brown tones. I searched high and low to find a cozy brown infinity scarf or snood for winter and now this beauteous leather brown satchel is calling to me. 

But it's not just the brown! No, all the colors! I'm not even joking. I've seen bloggers and stylists using bright magenta bags like this for pops of color in outfits everywhere. And this satchel in red would be a classic for years to come. Not to mention that beautiful jade hue or classic black. I actually want all of them. 

And here is some more detail on the bag. The cross-body strap and roomy interior make this satchel totally practical,while the trimmings and that tan tag make it look super luxe. 

So, maybe don't be surprised if you see me toting this lovely tote around town sometime soon.

(a girl can dream, right?)

Happy Weekend, thanks for reading!

Bag of the Week: TJ Maxx Bow Satchel

Hi Everyone! Happy December! 

Things have been C-R-A-Z-Y around here for the past month (and they probably will be for the next month too!). I feel like with the wedding (dress fittings and showers) and now with holidays I've been out of town almost every week! And while it's all been for wonderful things, I think once January comes around we'll be ready for some couch potato weekends. 

On another note, I don't know if y'all have noticed but you can shop online at TJ Maxx now! Maybe I'm way behind on this but I never realized this before! So, obviously when I discovered this I immediately went to their website and searched every page (and almost doubled my winter wish list, I might share later this week!). But there was one thing that I loved so much I thought it deserved the bag of the week title!

This Nila Anthony Bow Satchel is a bag after my own heart. I've been drooling after similarly bowed bags for months at Kate Spade but just couldn't justify the cost. But never fear! This little beauty is under $30.00. A budget even my wedding planning self can appreciate!

isn't she a beauty? 

And if you're like me in your purse-wearing habits then you know that a cross body strap is essential, don't fret! This little bow satchel has one! Making it the perfect bag for a night out on the town or a day out exploring. 

AND! she comes in a lovely shade of purple as well--
dare I say it's Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid?

You can find this lovely here and possibly in your local TJ Maxx!

Happy Friday!

Bag of the Week! Fossil Memoir Novella

Happy Friday everyone! This week has been a long one, hasn't it? And there just seems to be no rest for the weary with this wedding coming up--though we officially booked our honeymoon this week (!!!) so there is rest in sight.Today I am so excited to bring you a new/modified feature! I've been doing my Shoe of the Week posts for a long time, and my love for great purses and bags is just as everlasting as my love for shoes so I thought it would be fun to mix things up with a Bag of the Week post every now and then. 

For this first Bag of the Week post I introduce to you the most perfect little cross-body bag you ever did see: the Fossil Memoir Novella! You all know that I have been wanting the perfect little cheetah print cross body bag since this Tumblr Tuesday post a few months ago. Well, my desire has not waned, and from the first moment I saw this Fossil beauty, and learned that it came in the perfect calf hair cheetah print, I willed it to be mine! And alas, it's on sale now. I am not sure that I have enough will power to resist it. 

isn't she a beauty? (sigh)

And if cheetah print just isn't your thing, the Memoir Novella also comes in a variety of really really great colors for fall, there's a perfect cobalt, a light sage, this season's it color:--cranberry, and a vibrant orange that is surprisingly must-have, as well as your classic black and camel. 

You can find the cheetah print Memoir Novella here and the classic leather version here.

Have a good weekend everyone, and thanks for reading!

What I'm Loving: J Crew Factory Fall

Is it just me, or is J. Crew Factory hitting this mark perfectly this season? 

I've noticed that lately J.Crew has been shifting their style from classic pieces to a more designer, high-end aesthetic (which it still does marvelously). But unfortunately for us regular gals, that seems to push the J.Crew brand even farther out of my reach and price range (though my shrine isn't going anywhere). This has caused me to turn to J.Crew factory more and more. Here are some of my favorite Factory pieces for fall! And hurry, because some of these are sure to go fast. 

Red t shirt / Cotton shirt / Cotton sweater / Hoody / Peplum jacket / Factory tailored shirtdress / Rayon skirt / Wool skirt