☆ Special thanks to Zenni Optical for sponsoring this post! ☆

As you probably know, eyewear is one of my favorite accessories. Nothing can transform a look quite like adding the right pair of glasses. I wear prescriptions, so finding high quality, trendy and affordable RX lenses is a MUST.

And whenever I’m shooting outfits for my blog, I normally add the eyewear last as a finishing touch or optional accessory, but with these, my Zenni Optical eyewear actually inspired both of these desert chic looks!

I want the pink monochromatic look to draw attention to the utilitarian, stainless steel aviators. (Must note the scalloped edges on this tee (under $20) too! I love that little detail.) As for the cat eye shades (also available in reading glasses), they totally set the tone for this festival-inspired pom pom jacket (low in stock) and UFO vibes. Say no more.

☆Shop the look ☆

Tee: Missguided | Jeans: ASOS | Glasses: Zenni Optical | Shoes: c/o Ivanka Trump

How To Find Hope In The Desert

1. Count your blessings

Make a list of what you’re grateful for. Once I remind myself of the overwhelming goodness that surrounds me, my heart takes a deep breath. Thankfulness resets my focus.

Remember: Your grumbles and complaints may be among your neighbor’s greatest desires. We so easily forget our miracles. Don’t let them become washed up memories, for they are Faithfulness in flesh and blood. They give us hope for the asking, faith for the knocking and belief for the seeking.

2. Put Courage In

“Encourage” simply means to put courage in. Hand out sincere compliments like candy. Challenge yourself to send one encouraging text to a friend per week! Set reminders on your phone to help.

If you think a kind thought about someone more than once, TELL THEM! We oftentimes don’t verbalize how amazing we think someone is (for whatever reason—maybe they already know, we don’t think they need to hear that from us, etc.). I personally believe we’d all feel 10000000% more hope-filled, inspired, loved, appreciated and encouraged if we took a moment to adopt the IN-courage concept! Pour courage into others, and you’ll find yourself encouraged.

3. Serve

Serving others redirects our focus and resets our hearts. Help at church, lead a small group, step up in your community. Take a mission trip or volunteer in your own backyard. The point is, help out and jump in. It’ll do your heart good.

☆ Shop the look ☆

Jacket: ASOS | Jeans: Old Navy | Booties: Marc Fisher | Glasses: Zenni Optical

4. Look up

Where is your head? Is it down in the trenches of your difficulty? Where are your thoughts? Hope can be found in the desert by setting our minds on things above, because God has a future and a plan for us. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Ask God to change your perspective to see how He sees your circumstances and the people around you. Seeing through His eyes should change the color, clarity and focus as much as me putting my pink shades on. Wow, what a change. "Wonder" from Hillsong United always reminds me of this! Check it out:

I see the world in light ☆ I see the world in wonder ☆ I see the world in life ☆ Bursting in living color ☆ I see the world your way ☆ And I'm walking in the light ☆ Turning wilderness to wonder

Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (NIV)

Psalm 121 – "I look up at the vast size of the mountains—from where will my help come in times of trouble? The Eternal Creator of heaven and earth and these mountains will send the help I need. He holds you firmly in place; He will not let you fall. He who keeps you will never take His eyes off you and never drift off to sleep. What a relief! The One who watches over Israel never leaves for rest or sleep. The Eternal keeps you safe, so close to Him that His shadow is a cooling shade to you. Neither bright light of sun nor dim light of moon will harm you. The Eternal will keep you safe from all of life’s evils, from your first breath to the last breath you breathe, from this day and forever." (The VOICE)

5. Press On

Keep going. Don’t give up. This won’t last forever. Press through and press on.

Psalm 30:5 – “Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (NLT)

Isaiah 58:11 – “The Eternal One will never leave you; He will lead you in the way that you should go. When you feel dried up and worthless, God will nourish you and give you strength. And you will grow like a garden lovingly tended; you will be like a spring whose water never runs out.” (The VOICE)

Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (NLT)

Finding Hope In The Desert