Jose Eber Hair Tools + Giveaway

May 17, 2013

Breaking schemes and chasing dreams today friends!

A video review. That thing I thought I would never do as a blogger has come true. My awkward embarassing moments caught on film for your viewing pleasure;) I know videos are sometimes way more helpful than reading through a review so hope this proves to be helpful to you! Plus, I get to give these hair tools away today! Details on how to enter below!

If for some reason you can’t view above, you can watch here.

In the video I talk about my top reasons to love the 32mm clipless curling iron. Efficient, easy, and healthy for your hair. Its been a lifesaver for me on time and frizz management to say the least! Would love to hear your questions if you have any!

I also got to try out the wet and dry flat iron. You can use this tool on wet or dry hair! I tried it out on my post lake day half damp wind blown hair and it felt like I had washed and styled it after using this tool. I think I will commit for life;) I have spent so much money on cheap curling irons and flat irons, so I am looking forward to a having a product that will be around forever (lifetime warranty!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ready to win one of these pro tools?! I will be giving away a 32 mm Clipless Curling Iron as well as the Wet or Dry Styling Iron, so there will be two winners!
You have until next Friday to enter! Good luck and happy weekend!

*This post was sponsored by Jose Eber and is 100% my own opinion.

Little Finds: Kinder Companie

May 15, 2013

I met Jessica through IHOD months ago, so when I saw her announcement that she and her sister Christy were opening an etsy shop, I eagerly clicked over to see what treasures I would find. Based off of Jessica’s taste, I just knew it was going to be good….

Well, not only is it textile heaven through the pattern and color combos, but the styling and design of the shop setup is perfection. A shop full of bows and bow ties for little misters and misses. I sat for twenty minutes before deciding on a few to order for Veronica. When they arrived, I was so impressed with their customer service and packaging and immediately was ready to order bow ties for Gabriel.

Right now, I clip the bows on headbands to sneak on Veronica until her hair fills out more. They are available for order with clip or headband. Gabriel picked out his own bow tie to wear for his fourth birthday and I had a hard time not kissing his cheeks to death that day:) Hope you enjoy this new affordable addiction for your little ones as much as I do!

Kinder Companie Shop | Instagram | Facebook

*Some of the bow ties and bows pictured were kindly gifted from Kinder Companie.

EMMA MAGAZINE FEATURE

May 14, 2013

I had the privilege of working with Sarah Hubell and her beautiful work, Emma Magazine for a DIY feature for the May 2013 issue. I have raved about this magazine before and made an appearance in the April issue. Using some of my necklaces that had been broken or fallen apart, I up-cycled the gemstone pieces and made them into a few new ones. You can read the full deets on page 8:)

Every issue is loaded with style tips, printables, DIY’s, interviews, and color and design genius. You can find the current issue and past issues on Emmamag.com. You can also keep up with Emma Magazine on facebook, twitter, and instagram.

Here are a few additional photos. If you follow the general instructions for the gemstone bracelet DIY, you will be a pro at these! So easy to make and fun to gift. Hope you enjoy! Thank you Emma Magazine for having me as a contributor!

My mother the hero

May 12, 2013

(my mom is the beautiful one in the middle:))

I don’t believe I have ever officially introduced my mom here on the blog, but I talk of her often. Mainly because she is my standard of heroic motherhood to which I hope to stand even at waist length someday. She raised and is still raising eleven children. I was the second oldest, so in many ways, I saw her grow over the years. With each year, and each child, she gave more of herself…her heart, her time, her energy…..and each year I saw her become a better version of herself. I guess that’s how it works!

She cooked dinner every night for as long as I can remember.

She and my dad made many sacrifices of their own so that we each would have the right education scenario for our different needs.

She shared our joys and shared our sorrows.

She made my childhood an imaginative world, challenged me to be steadfast in my faith, encouraged me to be strong in those blurry high school years, and cheered proudly through every small accomplishment I ever achieved.

She is now a very best friend. I miss her each day, and sometimes wish I could go back to my happy childhood… with my sisters by my side, dancing to music or rollerskating in the basement (to records of course)….or as we got older…chat at the kitchen counter.

It is a beautiful thing to witness how she loves each of her children in their own way and all with her whole heart. I hope to carry this into my own life. I have much to learn, but what I know, I received from her.

Now I get to witness my own children come to know and love her, and I am thankful for that. Wishing away the miles in between us today!

Who is the strongest woman you know?

Here are some of the super sweet moments I found on instagram from those who took part in #mothersdaypostcard fun! Thanks for sharing them with us:
@thelilyfield // @dressupfiles // @oliviaainsworth15 // @camp_patton //
@daraschultz // @sarahunfiltered // @lifeinmod //@jessicoffey

Wishing you all a beautiful mothers day! Hope you get to spend it with loved ones.

Make//Hang .01 – Giant Corkboard Letters DIY

May 9, 2013

Supplies:
24” x 36” Cork Panel (Use their %40 off coupon)
Hand Saw (picked mine up at Lowe’s for $6 – just make sure its fine tooth)
Ruler and pen
Hammer and Nails
*If you are making smaller letters you can just buy the cork squares that should only require exacto knife to cut.

Giant letters are at antique markets everywhere these days, and I have seen cork letters in smaller sizes. Since they are easy to make, they are more affordable to do them yourself. I wanted a larger size so I used the large cork panel to cut the letters from. You could use a series of letters (A,B,C would be fun for a children’s room) or just a solo one, and even do shapes rather than letters. You can potentially make up to three letters with this size panel.

Instructions:
1) Using your ruler and pen, draw your letter.
2) Placing the board on its side on the floor, hand saw your way through the lines. The saw I use was very direct and stayed along the lines easily. It took a total of 15 minutes to saw the three sides of the L. The inside of the panel is a tougher material and the outside is cork.
3) Nail to the wall until the nail disappears in the cork or use a strong mounters tape.

Easy enough, right? Its a fun addition to a gallery wall and allows you to change things up from time to time.

Tried an IHOD project recently? Would love to see!

Bump Styled: Crop Top It!

May 6, 2013

Dress: c/o SheInside (non-maternity) // Top: F21 (Similar or loads of cute ones here) // Belt: H&M // Clutch: a mother’s day gift from Red Envelope! // Chain Bracelet: c/o Lisa Leonard // Rings: c/o Hello Fab

_________________________

Crop tops are everywhere right now. Its a Saved by the Bell meets Punky Brewster come back to life trend. However, I am not about to show my midriff, so I had a better idea. Use it as a layering piece. I put one over this maxi dress for a way to add some fun pattern to the rainy day that was before me.

And hey teachers….the ones who spend extra after hours and weekends working on your classrooms, tutoring your students, or grading papers,
The ones who teach life lessons through your actions and classroom environment,
The ones who give all those extra hugs, wipe away tears, and solve some pretty tough math problems,
The ones who put yourself in harms way to protect the children you are in charge of…
You know, those teachers we all knew and wouldn’t be here without. Thank you.
You are SO appreciated, your actions are not unseen, and your place in society is irreplaceable.
Just wanted to remind you!

~From a wife of a teacher who sees more than meets the eye;)

Hope your spoiled this teacher appreciation week!

One Truth: How I got out of a speeding ticket..

May 5, 2013

*photo from my instagram

This may not be the best info to publicly disclose on the www, but I will take my risks.

I recently got pulled over for speeding. It had been several years…(the majority of my driving mishaps happened in my teens-go figure). I will put the spoiler at the beginning. I got out of the ticket. How did I weasel out of it? The same way Reese Witherspoon just allegedly tried to get her husband out of a DUI here in the ATL.

A few months ago (I was about four months pregnant), driving home on the freeway after 9pm at night. I had to use the restroom, and when you are pregnant, the urgency is times ten. So, without realizing it I was lead footing it. Only a few exits from home and that is all I had on my mind. I caught myself at 80mph in a 65 and slowed down. Guess it wasn’t in time. A minute later I saw the cop lights behind me.

The copper said he had been trailing me for a few exits and caught me at 80mph in a 55. Oh snap. He asked me why I was speeding, to which I blurted out my honest reply, “Because I am pregnant and I gotta pee REAL bad.” I am so graceful I know. Luckily he must have detected I was being truthful (or didn’t want to see the pregnant lady have an urgent and awkward situation before his eyes) because he let me off with a warning and a scolding. “Next time just pull over at the nearest exit.” Lesson learned. I am now in the system so that excuse won’t fly a second time.

I am by no means proud of this mind you. It gave me a heart attack to get pulled over (my heart races whenever I see a police car no matter what, and I am that obvious driver who slams on the breaks) and almost cry every time. Can someone explain this? I can’t…

So there you have my somewhat embarassing and slightly humorous account of how I was spared a $150 speeding fine on the highways of Atlanta. Have you been spared of a ticket before? Do tell..

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!