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May 22, 2013

Shop Globally With Novica! {Giveaway}

May 22, 2013 By 9 Comments

Disclaimer: I was provided with a gift certificate by Novica in order to facilitate this review and host this giveaway. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

 

In the last several months, I have been very deliberate in trying to change the way I shop. Not only have I sort of changed the rules I have set for myself but going on disability has made an obvious impact on my shopping habits. It has definitely been a challenge to reframe the way I think but I feel really good about it.

I have had the opportunity to work with Novica several times over the last couple years and have always had an amazing experience so I was really excited when they contacted me about hosting another giveaway for my wonderful readers!

Novica is a fair trade organization that works to provide artisans all over the world a platform to share their products and creativity! When you purchase an item through Novica, you are able to see the face of the artist that created it which is a completely unique and amazing experience! You can find everything from hand crafted jewelry to dresses to belts and accessories to home decor. Novica has it all!

I have shopped with Novica on many occasions and have always been thrilled with beauty and craftsmanship of the product and had  great customer service. It means more to me now than ever to know that I am supporting a fair trade organization and know that not only am I receiving a quality hand crafted product but to be able to see the face who created it.

Some of my current favorites:

Novica - Fair Trade Global Artisans

 amazonite pendant/ silver heart necklace / onyx choker

For this giveaway, Novica has offered one lucky reader a $50 Gift Certificate to do some shopping of their own!

To enter:

1) Visit Novica and come back telling me what you would purchase with your gift certificate if you win! (mandatory)

2) Tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment letting me know that you did!

Winner will be drawn on Monday May 27th! Good luck!

Disclaimer: I was provided with a $50 gift certificate by Novica in order to facilitate this review and host this giveaway. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. 

Filed Under: giveaway, review, style Tagged With: , , , ,
May 21, 2013

8 Amazing Years!

May 21, 2013 By 2 Comments

I cannot believe that it has been eight years since I said “I do!” I am so incredibly lucky to have such an amazing husband, partner, best friend, and advocate!

Eight Wonderful Years of Marriage
When I was in college Donna Douglas (you may know her as Elly Mae Clampett from the Beverly Hillbillies) came to speak at our weekly chapel service and she said, “Before you go get kissy-faced with some boy, you need to make a list of qualities that you want in a husband and pray over that list. Add what needs to be added and take away what needs to be taken away. God will bless you with an amazing partner when you follow Him.” I went back to my dorm room and created my list and John fulfills every quality that I was desiring in a husband and more. God is good and He is faithful!

When I walked down the aisle eight years ago, I had absolutely no idea what the future was going to hold but I was excited to be starting the journey with my best friend! It has been a wild ride and I doubt that will change but I look forward to every minute of it!

 

Filed Under: marriage Tagged With: ,
Apr 25, 2013

Taking Some Time Off

April 25, 2013 By 9 Comments

As I mentioned briefly in my turnout post, I’ve been struggling this last little bit. I can tell I’ve been shutting myself down and withdrawing quite a bit even from my family who mean everything to me. I thought the two day breather would help get me back on the horse but I’ve realized that I’m still not quite ready. Some new and somewhat symptoms have shown up this week which in themselves make it difficult to write. I’ve been trying to use braces and/or ice packs but with little relief. I see my pain management Dr tomorrow and I see my rheumatologist on Monday and hopefully he can make some sense out of everything. I am praying that he does as if we continue in this ‘I’m not sure what else we can do for you rut,’ I’m not sure how I’m going to maintain. I feel like I’be just fallen apart in the last week. I’ve had to spend my days almost entirely in bed so while I am glad that I have the option to rest now when I need, I did anticipate feeling well enough to keep the house clean, dinner on the table, and time to play in the yard until it got dark. But I don’t have it. Maybe I will one day. I keep reminding myself that i cannot expect to feel fully restored and suddenly have no pain or fatigue since I am not working but at least some improvement would be nice. I have a dear friend who as made this move herself and she reminded me that it may take up to 3 months before my body begins to feel restored and fully nourished as I had been rinning on empty for too long and now that i have the chance to slow down, it will take awhile to get that back.  It was what I really needed to hear.

Between all of this drama, we have a special event in our family happening this weekend! Abby is turning 4 on Saturday!! Can you believe it? Her party will be the following weekend so we will have family in town so we’ve got quite a bit on our list to be ready for Mermaid birthday bash!

So to save my mental health and to be able to focus more on our family during the events throughout the next week, I will be taking the next week off from writing! I really wanted to finish out the HAWMC with WeGo Health but I gave it a good run and really enjoying participating in it again this year. I just need this next week for myself and my family. I plan on working on some things behind the scenes and I’ll still be around on Twitter and IG as I get all of the party decorations pulled together for her party.  Still feel free to contact me if you need me!

Thank you guys for your continued support and your endless encouragement that you give me each and every day. You all mean so much. Can we just all get close to our screens so we can have a big group hug? Seriously guys, I love you and I will be seeing you in a week! With pictures from all the birthday festivities!

Hugs & pain-free wishes,

P.S. I will post one more time in the morning to announce the winner of the MIRA Stainless Steel BPA-free snack containers tomorrow so be sure that you entered!

Filed Under: chronic illness, family, health Tagged With: , , ,

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