What Do Ralph Lauren and Etsy Have In Common?

I make no claims of being a cowgirl.  I don’t even like horses.  That might go back to the time when I was about six. My dad and I were on a horse, the saddle was loose, and before we knew it we were underneath the horse.  My grandfather stood there and laughed, while my dad yelled for him to come and help us.  Thankfully nothing bad came of that event.  I don’t think I have been on a horse since then.  I told y’all a couple of weeks ago when I was doing my jewelry themes, that I love cowgirl jewelry.  Ralph Lauren’s spring 2011 collection, that he revealed at the September 17^th runway show, was cowgirl glamour.  He was true to his classic style with a very feminine, cowgirl glamour look.  This week I will show you his spring 2011 collection along with Etsy.com shops that sell cowgirl jewelry.  What do Ralph Lauren and Etsy have in common?  They both have shops that are selling cowgirl glamour.  Make no mistake; you don’t have to be a cowgirl to enjoy the chic look.  Although I will say, you won’t ever see me in a 10 gallon hat, wrangler jeans and fringe on my denim shirt.  I don’t own any of that, nor do I want to.  I, however, wouldn’t mind owning any of the things pictured below, as long as it doesn’t have a horse on it.

Ralph Lauren Spring 2011 Collection



Sanna Designs shop owner creates unique one of a kind jewelry to unique designer belt buckles.  Her designs are ornate and chic.  She is always adding new designs to her shop.  To see more of her beautiful, shiny, feminine designs click here http://www.sannadesigns.etsy.com/.  

Oval Cowhide Print Crystal Cross
Embellished Belt Buckle

Turquoise Sun Crystal Wave
Belt Buckle

Ralph Lauren Spring 2011 Collection

Caya's Cowgirl Creations describes itself as fun, funky, and fabulous chunky jewelry with a cowgirl flair.  I call it EYE CANDY.  I love shops that have so many wonderful and unique items it's hard to choose just one.  This is one of those shops.  To get lost in a shop of beautiful, detailed, unique jewelry click here http://www.zippos55mom.etsy.com/.

Cowgirl Rodeo Queen Chunky Necklace
French Vanilla

Cowgirl Rodeo Queen Necklace
Cherished Moments



Ralph Lauren Spring 2011 Collection

Pete's Blue Scooter Bug describes the shop's products as funky-chunky-gypsy-cowgirl-junktastic bling, fashioned on a Wyoming cattle ranch.  Click here to shop http://www.petesbluescooterbug.etsy.com/.

Funky-Chunky-Jeweled With Vintage Jewelry
Belt Buckle

Funky-Chunky-Gypsy-Bling
Belt Buckle

Ralph Lauren's Spring 2011 Collection

 One Spirit Artworks describes it's elaborate creations as wearable art and altered couture.  They have purses, belts, and fabulous jewelry.  To visit the shop of embellished accessories click here http://www.onespiritartz.etsy.com/.

 

Hair On Hide Bracelet

Charmed Cross Necklace

 



Ralph Lauren's Spring 2011 Collection

Cocky Cowgirl is for women that don't want what everyone else has.  If you're not afraid to be different and want to kick it up a notch with your cowgirl jewelry click here http://www.cockycowgirlinc.etsy.com/ you won't be disappointed. 



Waikiki Cowgirl Necklace



Khloe Earrings

Ralph Lauren's Spring 2011 Collection

Out West Jewelry Designs states that it sells handmade western style jewelry for the rodeo cowgirl who wants to get noticed.  I am definately not a cowgirl, I don't know anything about rodeo's (except that they have clowns, and I have a strong aversion to clowns), but I love jewelry that will set me apart from the rest.  If you would like to see more click here http://www.outwestjewelry.etsy.com/.

Christian Cowgirl Maple Turquoise
Cross Necklace

Christian Cowgirl Pink Turquoise Necklace

Well there you have it.  The Ralph Lauren collection and the Etsy shop's collection.  You don't have to be a famous designer to create well made, sophisticated designs.  While any of these designs might make us feel special and set us apart from the rest, it doesn't make us special.  Let's face it; as women we all want to feel special, but at the fall of man that specialness was lost.  The reality is that it's going to take more than a piece of jewelry or a fabulous outfit to make us feel truly special.  It's not God that thinks differently of us, we believe the lies that we aren't special enough.   Why do you think as women we are so competitive with each other?  We want to one up one another on specialness.  In God's world there is pleanty of specialness to go around.  God's children are all equally special.  He is always faithful and trustworthy, and we can believe what he says.  In the Bible, Psalm 139:13-16 says, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  A God that created you and knew you before your mom was pregnant with you, thinks you are special.  Besides, this life is NOT about us.  The reason we were created was to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  I think the only thing we need to surpass each other on is worship of Him.  In the Bible, Psalm 86:9 says, "All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name."  When we worship him, we bring glory to His name.  The Psalmist writes, "I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever."  Psalm 86:12  Let's strive to glorify God with our whole heart.

From Concept to Reality

Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, states that, "The cure for our self absorption is an encounter with God.  The real God is infinitely glorious, weighty, and beautiful.  When God moves from concept to reality, he changes our beliefs and priorities by displaying his beauty, man's sinfulness, and purifying man by grace.  Once changed, we can live new lives for him."

Holy Name of Jesus
  

St. Bernardine of Siena was an "Apostle of Italy."  He frequently preached on the Holy name of Jesus.  His preaching attracted sometimes as many as 30,000 people.  It was said of him that by his sermons he "cleansed all Italy from sins of every kind in which sin abounded."  The Sienese were so moved and changed by his preaching that they would put the symbol in the picture above their city gates, businesses and homes.  The preaching of Jesus' name brought peace to an area that was plagued with hostility.  God must have moved from "concept to reality," and Italy was changed because of it.  In God's Word, Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that, "God exalted him *(Jesus) to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  People are radically changed by Jesus.  What would your city look like if it were radically changed by Jesus?

*Word in parenthesis mine.

Do You Know Who To Thank For Your Creative Talent?

As I reflect on what I am calling “Thankful Thursday,” my trip this past weekend is fresh in my mind. I had the privilege of taking a short trip with my husband to Marco Island, FL. If you don’t enjoy being out in nature then you have no business going to this island. It is a very sleepy town, except for fishing, water sports and eating. We mainly participated in the later. One morning I was able to spend some time at the beach. When I came face to face with the enormous ocean, I couldn’t help but be thankful that I have a personal relationship with the one who created it. He knows how many grains of sand there are on the beach. He knows the age of each shell. He created the creatures that used to live in them. And can we talk about the sunsets? They are never short of amazing. He is the only designer and artist that has been and always will be “in.” His design and art are never trendy. They have been and will continue to be the inspiration for artists and designers. The Bible says in John 1:3, “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” If you have been blessed with any creative talent, it is a reflection of Him. The next time you are able to express your talents and gifts that you have been given, remember that it is God that blessed you with that talent. He is the only one that is worthy of your “thanks.”

Living graciously,

Lisa