Fresh Start

I have been wanting to revamp my blog for a while now. (Why I chose pink as my main color... when I am not really a pink kinda girl is beyond me!) So the other night after I put Mo to bed I set out on the quest to refresh my blog. I wanted to change the name of it to describe my life philosophy in one word. While contemplating this notion the word 'Selah' kept coming into my mind. And although I like the word itself I felt like it was a bit to "religious" in a sense. Not that that is a bad thing, but I wanted it to have a bit more... flare (so to speak).

I Googled the word 'Selah' and found out that one of the meanings is "forever". This really struck a cord with me but again the word was not quite right. It seemed a bit to... daunting, final, grandious, and almost too cliché. Then I was reminded of the French translation for forever: toujours. This was it: forever, every day, all the time. It stuck a chord and got the wheels turning. I began to think of what I do every day. Every day I try to learn the 'art of being', whether that means being a better wife, mother, Christian, gardener, artist, seamstress, etc. Learning the art of being still and listening with full awareness. This 'toujours' and 'learning the art of being' is what I see the Lord challenging me to pursue. Being fully aware of Him in every aspect of my life, which has been quite the challenge lately as I have been really going through some tough things with my health right now. Not that I have not been aware... but I certainly have not been resting in Him as I should.

All this to say that some things will be the same here and other things will be different. I am not looking for fame or glory, but just a place that may be an outlet to encourage at least one person, in one way or another. Join me as we journey through this life learning the art of being... toujours.

xo,

Influenster Vox Box!

A few weeks ago I received my complementary Rose Vox Box from Influenster. I always get so excited to try out the new products! This one was a fun one. I have been slowly trying out the products from my Rose Vox Box from Influenster! I really enjoyed the Lindt (of course) and Belvita (honestly they did not last long! I really liked using the Kiss Nail Gradation kit (super easy and pretty!) and I just put the Dr. Scholls inserts in a pair of my rain boot. They are so much more comfy now! Have not tried the mascara yet. I think it will be great for my next modeling gig though! Thank you Influenster!
Please note: I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

@belVita #DrScholls @KissProducts @RimmelLondonUS @Lindt_Chocolate

I realize that it has been a loooong time since I have written. I am making it a goal to post at least twice a month to update you on craft projects, DIYs, and recipes. Really. :)

With that said... it has been a CRAZY year! I had a baby, my hubby was traveling a lot this past year (which resulted in me getting in a funk and not wanting to be social), my hubby getting a new job so that he can be home with me and the little man, and so much more. I have basically quite my job as a professional domestic helper/ house manager to be a full time stay at home mom... which has been quite the adventure! I have to say that I LOVE being a mom of our little boy whose nickname is Mo. He is by far the best thing I have every created! God is so good! We have a healthy baby boy... after losing two babies two years ago... we have a gorgeous baby! Yeah, I am a bit excited.

Anywho... I have been working on so many projects so my goal is to start posting them and sharing my little DIY tips. This post will be mainly some update photos. I hope you enjoy them!

My little guy, Mo will be six months old next week! (One of these days I will share my birth experience. It was truly amazing!)

I have been wanting to make a Waldorf doll for years now. One my my very good friends' daughter just turned 1 and I thought it presented the perfect opportunity to make one for her. This little beauty was a blast to make! I can hardly wait to make Mo a little boy one!

I just had to make a silhouette of Mo. I was amazed at how much he resembles my hubby as a baby from the side!

I knit this little sweater before Mo was born. I used Amy Butler Rowan yarn (which is a dream to knit, BTW). Because he surprised us by being three weeks early this sweater was too big! But still super cute on him. By the time he fit into it it was was too hot for it. And now it is too small on him! Lol! Oh well! Guess I will have to knit him another! 

Giveways!

I just wanted to send you over to Oh, Hello Friend for some fab giveways! I love the clogs!

 

Influenster: Venus & Olay, Stash, Ghiredelli, Truvia, Kiss goodie pack!

So I have been meaning to blog about this for a while. I joined a group called Influenster.com in which I get products and then review them. Below are all the products that I received in my VoxBox (in other words... a great goodie box!!!!). Please note that the following products were complementary to test through Influenster's Vox Box program.



So... needless to say the chocolate did not last long. Although I am a dark chocolate lover... this was not bad! It was way better than some milk chocolates. I have tried Truvia and Stash teas before and really like them. The teas that were sent to me will be perfect for ice tea this spring and summer. And I will most likely sweeten it with the Truvia. :)

I loved the Venus & Olay razor! It is so convenient! No shave gel, no bumps or irritation. It is a dream for legs! Check it out at www.gillettevenus.com.

Product Details

• Venus’ five-bladed razors shave you close and adjust to women’s curves for a smooth and comfortable shave, even over tricky shaving areas like knees and ankles.
• Olay Moisture Bars contain skin-enhancing elements found in Olay products: Petrolatum helps lock in skin’s moisture for less dryness and Glycerin helps offer that goddess glow! Just wet the razor to release a light lather – no separate shave cream required.
• As with most Venus razors, new Venus & Olay also features a rounded, pivoting head designed for women’s curves, and a soft-grip ergonomic handle for confident control, even in wet and soapy environment

My sis and I had fun with the Kiss Nail Dress nail decor. I was pretty skeptical about them... but ended up really really liking them! They lasted for two week without looking awful! I will be getting some more of these.
I got so many complements on my toes after I using the Kiss decals. I took so many pictures on Instagram!

Anyway... I am having fun with this program and hope to be reviewing some more products soon! In the meantime, check Influenster.com out!

Spring is here!

We welcomed Spring today with a whoppin' 87 degrees here in Nashville! And what a glorious day! Last week my sis came to visit and we rent a decent sized tiller to get the garden ready for planting. Then yesterday I got two rows of raddishes, three of carrots, six of kale and three of spinach planted. It feels so good to dig in the dirt! Our two dogwoods that flank our front porch have started to bloom... just as spring got here!

Today Miranda, my sis, and I decided that the front door needed some spring cheer. She had seen a really fun idea in Midwest Living magazine and we decided to make our own rendition. We tried finding a cheap umbrella with a fun handle... but, alas... found none. So I cut a painted dowel rode, sharped one end and wrapped the other with some ribbon then started to build from there. Below is our inspiration and then our own. We could have made it a bit looser... but over all I am really quite pleased with the way it turned out! The little birds nest was one that a bird had built in a Christmas wreath a few years back that I had kept. I just liked it tooo much to throw it out.




Here is Miranda holding it whilst I position the various items. She was the hot glue queen though. :)



I found this little birdie on the wreath that had the birds nest. She is the perfect finish to the umbrella. So all in all we spent about $4 on this project. Pretty good I think!

Happy 1st day of Spring!

Isn't this pin cushion just one of the most beautiful ones you have ever seen?! My mom wanted to try needle felting so as a birthday present I sent her a starter kit and boy did she take off with it! She ended up making several of these little beauties and sold some. When I saw them I had to claim one for myself! :)

Anyway... just had to share! Hope you are having a wonderful week! I have great new photos to share with you. Just need to do a bit of editing then get them up!