{Life Made Lovely}

I spend most of my days at home...homeschooling, homemaking, because I tend to be a bit of a home body.  I love my life, I love that my husband's hard work and God's blessing allows me to work in the home.

But...ya'll i can get a tad stir crazy.  As such, I may or may not stalk my mailbox until the mailmen delivers.  Our mailman must be on vacation because all last week homeboy dropped the mail off around dinner time and we usually get it at lunch.  Normally {yeah right} I wouldn't mind, but I was expecting some goodies instead of the boring bill and junk promo promising me a million smackers in exchange for buying Cat magazines. {I kid, I kid. Cats are cool.  For you.}

When my pal, Jess raved about Mat Kearney and getting to meet him {yo!} I started listening to his music and homeboy is kinda amazing!  I however, rarely buy a CD, so when One2One Network offered his CD, Young Love to review I was all over that like white on rice {be jealous of my wittiness}!

I love his rustic, soulful voice paired with catchy melodies. One of my favorite things about this album is he leaves you wanting more, you can't help but love every song because it is lyrically and musically married perfectly.  I pretty much keep it my purse to transfer in and out of the car so the hubs doesn't take off with it to work.  Sad, but seriously that good. Here's my favorite track:

One of the things I love about blogging is the community to support handmade business'.  I love finding a new treasure I've been searching for or a shop I have never heard of.  Both are true of Life At The Table.  Kris Hansen has a really adorable blog where she shares her heart and life.  She is truly talented and has some amazing pieces {and prices} in her shop.  I was so excited to stumble across her shop because I have been pinning away trying to find a quality reusable set of sandwich bags in cute fabrics.  Life At The Table, definitely fit the bill.  I was SO happy when her handmade happiness made it's way to Texas by way of Oregon!  I can't recommend her enough...and her reusable lunch totes and bags are ADORABLE!

Along with that fun mail, came some other fun!

Awesome straws and packaging from Urban Scarlet.

Lots of twine goodness from Pick Your Plum.

All of my new marketing materials printed up from Vistaprint with my AWESOME new logo created by the lovely Heather of Life Made Lovely Designs.  She is a rockstar!

Pretty, pretty lace from Cottage Green...can't wait to get crafting with it!

I also participated in the Handmade Gift Exchange with Craftaholic's Anonymous...oh a few months ago.  Just now getting the photos uploaded to share.

This is what I sent to my partner, Emily.  Mostly goodies from my shop and some earrings I made especially for her.

And she made me the most perfect pillow!  I love it!

I really encourage you to participate in Linda's exchange...it's always a ton of fun!

Linking Up with:

{Life Made Lovely}

I'm a big girl, that's not news to most of you.  I haven't always been overweight, but as the babies came so did the pounds.  And as the babies grew, so did Momma.  Not exactly the plan, but soon it was effecting my health and not at all manageable. I have an amazing husband who loves me and has never made me feel less than beautiful, but when he suggested the Paleo Diet...I knew it was time.  Researching it we found it would actually help me with my Multiple Sclerosis too. That is what you call win win folks. 

We spent the weekend ramping up, by eating or tossing the food on the no no list. Picking me out a sweet new set of wheels and rocking helmet to match for some family style exercise.  Stocking up on fruits and nuts, and portioning out our approved snackage.  Making sure all our vitamins were well stocked.  Replacing the batteries in the food scale.  Weighing ourselves for a starting weigh in.  Locating a food diary and prayer, prayer, and some more prayer.  Did I mention prayer?

Funny enough today was a breeze on the diet front.  No caffeine withdrawal headaches yet, although I did allow myself a cup of tea with 2 teaspoons of raw sugar.  And that pic in the right corner was my monster lunch that was super delicious and filling...that one shocked me! {I cheated a little with the veggies, so the fresh produce we had on hand wouldn't go to waste.} Randy was super cute, calling frequently to check up on me and encourage me. I am super proud of us. I am CRAZY proud of myself!  The closest I have ever been to dieting is fasting and I am no champion of that feat either.

I may not be sharing stats and Biggest Loser photo ops, but I will be sure to keep you in the loop of my success...because I WILL succeed!

Remembering this verse to carry me through it:

"Do you not know that your body is the temple the very sanctuary of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received as a Gift from God? You are not your own, 

You were bought with a price purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own. 

So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Amplified

 I'm also sharing a pretty vulnerable post here, on why my kiddos told me I cuss more.  Yeah not my finest moment, but that truth is leading me to Jesus and that is exactly where I want to be.
{100 pounds lighter no less!}

Linking Up:

{Life Made Lovely}

This season has been a journey.  Aren't they all.  I feel that lie creeping in where I'm convinced I have lost my identity in the mundane.  But the truth is that the mundane is the everyday and the everyday is important.  I was so excited to be able to stay home when we chose to homeschool.  The only problem is I have been trying to create this happy little existence of what I think I want.  When I realized I was already living my happy little existence and sometimes it's many hours in the kitchen.

And in the kitchen I find...

a collection of lovelies to remind me to be thankful,

multiple aprons to spill flour with sweet faces,

a fun framed print from Target (less than $2...be jealous!),

and sweet words I 'borrowed' from Meg to motivate our hearts. 

I have a lot of growing to embrace and I'm ready.

Linking Up:

{life made lovely: so much goodness}

These last few weeks have worn me out.  

In a good way .  

Lots of family time, crafting time, being in the moment...great stuff.

Opening my shop has been a whirlwind, trying to figure out what being a business owner is all about and how to make it successful.  I have had no shortage of support and it has made me feel so incredibly loved.  First my awesome sister-in-law offered to host a giveaway for me on her blog Melissa Stuff. I got my first ETSY order and have gotten three custom orders from family and friends!  I have several fans on my Ragamuffin Beauties Facebook page, which is awesome, because I was sure it would be comprised of just family.  A sweet bloggy friend, Janet posted about several Mom-Preneur's and included me on her post and gift shopping guide!  Today my sweet friend Heather offered to feature my shop in a giveaway on her series, Life Made Lovely and her shopping guide...so thankful.  I adore Heather for her generous nature and sweet friendship!  Then on Twitter, my sweet friend Shealynn of SheyB gave my shop a shout out!  Topping it off my kindred spirit friend, Julie, let me guest post in her sweet series, Joy's Hope hearts.

My cup runneth over.

I am blessed and I have loved feeling loved.

So thankful.

My heart is so, so, so full.

 I am most thankful for my sweet nephew Mason Tyler making his debut last Friday...he is already a crowd favorite!  

Thank you, thank you, thank you for everyone who has visited my shop, made a purchase, entered a giveaway, placed a custom order, blogged/tweeted/facebooked/social media'd of any kind promoted it...I am blown away by your kindness.  It isn't over, because my beautiful and very pregnant friend Rachel, is due any day now and will be hosting a giveaway dubbed the Labor Day Giveaway and I will be part of that too!  Please keep me in mind for all your handmade needs...I would love to create something special for your someone special!

XOXO,
Jenni

life made lovely {mail}

I {heart} mail.  I love letters, cards, goodies, packages...good 'ole fashion UPS goodness. I typically receive something fun everyday.  Well, at least fun to me.  A freebie, a coupon, an ETSY loveliness either I've purchased or won, a card of love from a friend or family member, and the occasional bill and waste of paper political ad. (side note...raise your hand if you are OVER all these political ads. A to the MEN)

Back to your regular scheduled program.

Course, I would have to blog regularly enough for anything to be regular around here.

***crickets***

Anywho, I also love, love, love craft swaps on blogs.  You never know who you will get paired with and what you will get...it's a lot of fun to give and receive.  I participated in a swap at Amanda's blog Every Crafty Endeavor for a Fall swap.  I {heart} Fall and loved the idea of sharing some of my Fall faves!  I got paired with Ami at Ali Lily.  First of all her little one is adorable!  And she made me the most adorable Fall wreath.  I'm really, really, really loving rosettes right now so it was PERFECT.  She even included a bracelet for me and everyone in our family...how sweet is that!  Check out her blog at the link I provided to get a better shot of the adorableness that this wreath is!

So what did I send her?  Well, take a look...

 

* I love candy corn.  I know I'm kinda alone on that one, but paired with salty peanuts it is one tasty treat!  

* Bath and Body Works goodies...who doesn't love a bubble bath in the Fall. 

* Candles. I love baked good scents for Fall, my fav is Pumpkin Spice!

* Starbucks Gift Card!  I can drink hot coffee year round and LOVE the Pumpkin variations that Starbucks releases exclusively in the Fall!

* And a jersey knit scarf.  I actually made this one.  I love scarves and would be trendy and wear them all year long, but I can't do a scarf in the Texas heat...just can't do it.  It turned out pretty cute, so I hope Ami loves it!

I'm linking up to Heather's post:

and also to Kyla's:

So how about you...do you like mail?  What is your favorite mail day?  And what lovelies do you love for the Fall? 

I'm trying my best to get back into the swing of blogging, bare with me as I get the blogs I write in my mind everyday posted.

{Life Made Lovely with my Sissy}

My sweet friend, Heather hosts a weekly link up to showcase the lovely in our life.  I love that!  An intentional reminder to enjoy your day, your week, your life.  To embrace and document the sweet moments big and little.

28 years ago God blessed me with one of my very best friends, my sister Jackie!

Being the only girls in what seemed like a sea of boys we were buds growing up.  It wasn't until we both got married and became Mamas that our true friendship blossomed!

We have weathered many storms together and have never left each other's side.  We are completely ridiculous together and laugh harder together than with anyone else, with the exception of our hubby's.  We love each other's kids like they are our own and pray for a day when our little girls that look just like us, will be besties, too!

When we were little Jackie couldn't say sister and ever since we have affectionately called one another Titters.  It sounds funny, but the weight of that word makes me tear up.  It's a reminder of the love only we share for one another and the promise that we will always be there...through thick and thin.

Titters I am so proud to be your sister!  So thankful for every laugh, tear, hug, kiss, memory, boob pinch (sorry TMI, just keeping it real), memory, and even the fights.  Each one has shaped us and our relationship and I am a better person because of it.  I pray this year you run even faster after Jesus with a desire to earnestly serve him.  I pray your marriage continues to build and grow and weather any storm it encounters and come out stronger.  I pray your babes rise up and call you blessed and honor you the way you deserve because of the incredible Mom you are.  And I pray we don't waste one moment in this last year we have together before you move. I love you most and always will!

And here's a little shot of some crafting I was able to accomplish this weekend....by the way huge shout out of thanks to my amazing hubs who left Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon with the babes so I could refresh and have some time to myself.  It was amazing and I highly recommend it!

This is the shirt I made for Jackie's bday gift.

Here's a close up on the flowers.

Hope you enjoyed my lovely and remember to embrace and enjoy yours!

XOXO

Jenni