Black Friday Giveaway!

Hello!!  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  Did you go brave the shopping last night?  We decided not too but went this afternoon instead and it really wasn't bad!  

To celebrate black Friday I have joined with some really great ladies to giveaway a Kitchenaid Mixer, XBox 360, or Kindle Fire, your choice!  Make sure you enter to win!!

42 blogs are bringing you an amazing giveaway to get your holiday season underway! We're hoping to make the holiday season easier for one of our lucky readers, $500.00 worth of easier that is! 

The winner will be able to choose from an XBOX 360 Kinect Nike+ Bundle, a Kindle Fire HD 8.9", or a KitchenAid 5 Quart Stand Mixer in the color of your choice! Oh and to top it all off, we're going to give you the difference in an Amazon gift card to make your grand prize total $500.00! 

For example, if you choose the Kindle Fire HD 8.9" as your prize, it's $229.00. 

$500.00-$229.00=$271 Amazon gift card. 

Amounts based on price at time of shipment.

Sounds like something you'd like to win, right? Well, without further rambling, on to the giveaway! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Literary Junkies

Its time for Literary Junkies!  I love linking up with Taylor and Lesley and sharing what I've been reading!

This month’s questions:

1) What are you currently reading? Tell us about it!

2) How many books have you read this year? Do you set reading goals for yourself?

3) What do you think are the best and worst book-to-movie/TV show adaptations?

4) What is the first line of your favorite book?

5) What’s your favorite quote from a book?

Here are my answers:
1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it!
Well, right now I am at the in between space where I just finished a book but haven't started another. 

I just finished Extras by Scott Westerfeld which is the final book in the Uglies series.  These books were...ok. I lost steam about halfway through the second book but had to finish the series! Extras was a bit better than the other but for the simple fact that it supplied the reader with more information about the way these people live.

I am getting ready to start Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver and am so so excited!  Delirium (the first in the series) blew me away!  Plus, left me scrambling to the library for the next after that cliffhanger!  Here is what Goodreads has to say (if you haven't read Delirium there will be spoilers!)

I’m pushing aside 
the memory of my nightmare, 
pushing aside thoughts of Alex, 
pushing aside thoughts of Hana 
and my old school, 
push, 
push, 
push, 
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

2) How many books have you read this year? Do you set reading goals for yourself?

I never started setting reading goals until I became a member of Goodreads.  Not only can I easily keep track of all the books I have read but setting a goal keeps me reading!  So far this year I have read 118 books!  I have been lucky enough to find great books and have had lots of free time!

3) What do you think are the best and worst book-to-movie/TV show adaptations?

ha well the worst has got to be The Host!  I could barely contain my laughter BUT it was a hard adaption and Im not sure how else they could have done it.
The best...eh. I dont think any movie adaption comes close to what the book offers.

4) What is the first line of your favorite book?
Too many to pick!!

5) What’s your favorite quote from a book?

"Books may well be the only true magic" Alice Hoffman

"A university is just a group of buildings gathered around a library" Shelby Foote

{Wordless Wednesday} Craft Fair

Hello!  I can not, for the life of me, get back into the swing of blogging!  I have so much to share with you guys!  Here are the the rest of the pictures from my trip to Tennessee to see family and do the craft fair with my mom.

Have you ever done a craft fair?  I would love to hear about your experience!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Hello!  I just wanted to pop in real quick and say Happy Veteran's Day!  I am so thankful for the military and all those that have served! I am also very grateful that the military is paying for my schooling and supporting our family!

I also wanted to let you know that I am guest posting for Melissa from Love Like Johnny and June!  She featured my DIY Burlap Banner, check it out here. 

Instagram Blog Hop

Welcome to the Instagram Blog Hop! If you're new around here, the Instagram Blog Hop is a party where you link up your Instagram account, find and follow new Instagram friends, and be continually inspired by what you see in your Instagram feed! No need to have a blog, just an Instagram account!

The Rules are Simple:

1. Follow your HOSTS:

Kimberly of A Night Owl | Instagram: @anightowlblog Erin of My Thirty Spot | Instagram: @mythirtyspot Angie of Little Inspiration| Instagram: @blogali

2. Follow your CO-HOSTS:

Kara | Instagram: @karakieran

You can find Kara here: Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest

***

Laura | Instagram: @belindamarie1006

You can find Laura here: Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest

3. Link up your Instagram Web Profile:

Just link up your new Instagram Web Profile (http://instagram.com/username) -OR- your web viewer of choice in the linky below!

4. Check out and follow a few fellow Instagram friends.

Tell folks you follow that you found them through the IGBH!

5. SHARE THE IGBH LOVE!

Before you link and run, we'd love for you to SHARE THE IGBH LOVE! We'd love to grow this lovely community, so we're asking you to share - with your friends, on your social media! Tweet about it, share it on G+ and Facebook or post about it on Instagram!

Tweet

The Christmas Sampler

Hello all!  I am popping in to let you all know about The Christmas Sampler!  My mom called a couple months ago and told me she just happened to get a booth at the sampler and was sharing all of her ideas.  I casually said "I wish I could come!" Which then led to why not?  So, I have been crafting and creating for a couple months and the time has come, its this weekend!  I have no idea what to expect, this is my first craft fair, but am so excited!  I cant wait to see how people react to the things I have created but also, to wonder around and enjoy what other people created!  Here is a sneak peek at what we will have in our booth:

If you live in the Nashville area, we would love to see you!  Come stop by and browse around and say hi!  Here is the address:

At the Center
401 North Main Street
Springfield, TN 37172

Premier Night
Friday, November 1
4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
(Admission $7.00)

Saturday, November 2
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Admission $5.00)

{Review} ItWorks

One of my very good friends, Megan, recently started working as an independent distributor for the company, ItWorks! She was kind enough to send me a few products to test out in exhange for a review.  All opinions are my own!

Megan sent me the Ultimate Body Applicator, Face Wrap, and samples of Greens & It's Essential Energy Bar.  I was super excited to try out the body applicator!  With powerful, all natural ingredients, the applicator promises results.  Tightening & firming, minimize cellulite, and easy to use! 

ItWorks caters to many different target areas.  Are you looking to lose weight? Minimize stretch marks or scarring? Or maybe you are looking to Detox?  ItWorks has products for it all!  

How use the body applicator in 6 easy steps:

1. Peel the wrap open ( inside will be covered with gel)

2. Apply wrap to your troubled area (Abdomen, booty, thighs, arms etc)

3.Wrap with plastic wrap to keep in place

4. Let the wrap work its magic for about 45 minutes

5. Unwrap, rub in remaining gel, and admire results!

6. Drink LOTS of water!

I probably could have picked a better place to wrap but the tummy seemed like such an obvious place!  I did see small results but the impact came in inches!  Make sure that you measure the area that you choose to wrap before hand. After you remove the wrap, measure again!  There will be a difference! Here's what ItWorks has to say:

It Works ingredients can be considered “food for the skin, allowing it to do what it wants and needs on its own.” The process of skin renewal is a vital component of maintaining good skin health. The natural active ingredients in the applicator target the processes of skin rejuvenation and detoxification to produce multifaceted results inside and out of the body.

The applicator’s ingredients help the body to increase the rate at which the skin regenerates itself. Skin growth progresses as new skin from the basal layer grows outwards, the skin’s top layer hardens and dies, then falls off. The ingredients in applicator work to “turn back the hands of time on your skin” simply through substantive, natural nutrition.

• Enhances the body’s ability to build new basal (underneath) layer skin
• Facilitates the production of newer skin quicker and healthier
• Leaves skin more elastic, less saggy; decreases fine lines, wrinkles and cellulite

This bar was yummy!  Like most energy bars, this does have a gritty texture, but the delicious flavor makes up for it!  I got the dark chocolate berry ( because, come on, who doesn't love chocolate?!) It is made with all natural ingredients, packed with fiber, and keeps you full!  If you like to snack throughout the day, these are perfect for you!  They are also great for after you work out.

Overall, I am IN LOVE with everything I tried and I HIGHLY recommend them!  Megan is so easy to work with and has great knowledge of the products she is selling. If you are interested in trying some of these products for yourself, she is the person to contact!  Here is a direct link to her home page where you can shop, get more information on products, and contact Megan! If you do decide to try ItWorks, or have in the past, let me know!  I would love to hear you experiences and results!

Stitch Fix #3

Time for another Stitch Fix! I have so much fun getting these fixes and they really blew me away with this one! If you aren't familiar with Stitch Fix, here are some basics:

• Sign up, pay $20 styling fee (that can be used towards your purchase)
• Stylist hand picks 5 pieces that fit your body type and style based on the style profile you fill out
• Box is shipped to you, try on all your pieces, decide what to keep and what to send back (if you keep all 5, you receive a 25% discount)
• Ship all the rejects back in the prepaid envelope that is included

Oh, this sweater!  I barely could bring myself to take if off to get a picture!  It is so thick and warm and exactly what I have been looking for!  I have about 10 of these type of sweaters on my Pinterest board, so I am VERY glad my stylist got the hint ; )

I loved all of the pieces that I was sent!  I wish I could have kept them all but, whomp whomp, I have to follow a budget.  I ending up only keeping that dreamy sweater but my runner up was the grey diamond print tunic. It was thin enough for the very un-fall like weather we get here in SC but also thick enough not to roast.  Overall, this was the best box I have gotten so far and only makes me want to get as many boxes as I can!  If you are curious to see what I got in my other fixes, you can find them here.

Stitch Fix 1

Stitch Fix 2

If you want to sign up for your own personal stylist through Stitch Fix, here is a direct link to use! If you sign up through this link, I do receive referral credits, its much appreciated!

Literary Junkies

I cant believe October is almost over!  But the good news is that its time for Literary Junkies!  I love dedication an entire post to reading and the books I have been loving! Joining the link up with Taylor and Lesley. 


This month's link-up questions:

1) What are you currently reading? Tell us a bit about it!

2) What are your five most recent book purchases?

3) Have you ever named/nicknamed anything (person, pet or thing) after a character? Who and why?

4) If you could live in one book, all of its characters and in the town, which would it be?

5) Can you think of a book you read that taught you something concrete that you've never forgotten? Tell us about it.

My answers: 

1) What are you currently reading? Tell us a bit about it!

I just finished Pivot Point by Kasie West but I wanted to include it here because it was SO SO good!  Addison Coleman is a Searcher, which means that when she is faced with a challenge she can look into the future and see both paths and both outcomes. What she didn't see coming was her parents divorce.  Now, she must search into the future to see which parent to live with and what is at stake when she chooses.  

I am also about half way through This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales.  This book has rave reviews from most of my friends on Goodreads but I am finding it a bit boring.  Gasp. Its a very easy read and a short book so I have no doubt that I will finish it but I am hoping that I can find that one thing that will draw me in. 

2) What are your five most recent book purchases?

Savages by Don Winslow

Marked by P.C. Cast

Chosen by P.C. Cast

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

Midwives by Chris Bodhjalian

All of these books were thrifted, except Savages, that one I bought on eBay.  I rarely buy my books new unless I am absolutely in love with it. 

3) Have you ever named/nicknamed anything (person, pet or thing) after a character? Who and why?

No, I haven't.  I always tell Sky though, that if we ever get a cat we have to name him Mango from one of my favorite books A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass. 

4) If you could live in one book, all of its characters and in the town, which would it be?

Harry Potter!  That was an easy answer.  

5) Can you think of a book you read that taught you something concrete that you've never forgotten? Tell us about it.

I just finished The Last Survivors series by Susan Beth Pfeffer and while the series was mediocre it did teach me that I should be prepared for the unexpected. And to maybe hoard canned good ; )

Julep: October Box

I was so excited to see Octobers Julep box in my my mailbox the other day!  When it comes to Julep, I have been known to skip boxes.  I love painting my nail and have a huge, unnecessary stash of nail polish like every other woman buuuut I rarely paint my nails (gasp). I find it tedious and annoying.  You go through all the trouble of cuticle care and base coat, two color coats, top coat, well, its just tiring. However, I love finding new colors and have all the aspirations in the world to use them and sometimes that happens. Julep is so great in that not only do they send you new polish but they also include beauty extras and candy corn!  

In the October box I got two new nail polish colors (Winona & Anisa), a double sided eye liner that I have already used multiple times and loooove, small sharpener, and yummy candy corn. Julep knocked it out of the park with this box!

I would HIGHLY suggest signing up for Julep boxes!  They are a monthly subscription, much like Birchbox or Glossybox or any of the hundred other options circling around the web. If you are new to Julep, your first box is free with code FREEBOX. If you are wanting to sign up for Julep here is a link that you can use (I get referral points).  Do you subscribe to Julep?  Let me know what you think!

Lately

I participated in the Scarf Swap hosted by Meredith. LOVE the scarf my partner sent//Emmett feels the need to drag out every.single.one. of his toys//Best cake I've made in awhile!  So fall!//Trying to catch up on the Woodland Sampler, so behind!

Cake & coffee for breakfast//First day that I was able to have my windows open all day!//Season 6 finally came out!  Its been on repeat every night.//Hiking & geocaching with my boys over the weekend!

Also, funny story.  The other morning Sky got up for work and went to let Emmett out (like every other day) he turned the back patio light on, opened the door, and saw a opossum hiding out in the corner! Emmett ran off like a crazy dog, sky yelled, woke me up and I ran out of the bedroom like the house was on fire.  I found Sky laughing out on the patio telling me all about the opossum. Uh huh, that's all normal and funny but Sky says "Wouldn't have been hilarious if the opossum ran in the house?!" umm...yeah...so funny.  People, don't ever say that. That's just asking for trouble.  Well, its 5 in the morning and I want to go back to bed but Emmett wont quit doing this ^^  Whining and sniffing and running around the bedroom. And guess what?  Yup, there's a opossum under our dresser.  Let me just say that it is STRESSFUL trying to get a opossum out of your house.  Using a broom and a blanket we finally got him but dang!  Emmett searched for him for days!  Anyway, I digress.  Hope you are all having a great day!

Keeping secrets is really hard. And sad.

This post is probably the hardest I have written to date.  I just cant seem to get all of my thoughts out without over sharing.  First, Sky and I have been trying to have a baby for awhile now. The length of time is irrelevant because no matter which way you look at it, we still don't have a baby. We have been to doctors, I have taken medicine, and I have almost broken with the stress and the guilt that seems to go hand in hand with infertility.  Many times a day I sit and reflect on my life.  I think how lucky I am and that maybe its just not our turn yet, and as hard as that is to accept I don't have any other choice.

Last month all of our waiting paid off.  I got my first positive pregnancy test and my hope were high.  I let myself dream and envision our life with a brand new baby.  My blood work came back positive the first time and iffy the second time.  My numbers weren't rising the way they should but the nurse kept saying positive things that made me think that everything was ok.  I had a scheduled ultrasound for 9 Oct to see the baby for the first time and begged my body to keep hold of this tiny miracle that we had waited so long for.  I woke up the morning of Sept 27 to lots of bleeding and cramps that brought me to my knees.  I knew that both of these were very bad signs but called the nurse anyway and she confirmed my fears, miscarriage.  I was told that it really wasn't needed but to come in for blood work and an ultrasounds anyway. I love my doctor, I mean, I really love her.  She is so kind and reassuring.  She did the ultrasound and gave me details but said that this was most likely a chemical pregnancy.

I left the doctor not sure how to feel.  Do I still grieve even though this wasn't technically a real pregnancy?  I was sad the entire next day but I felt ok.  I think, looking back on it, I just wanted to accept it and move on.  I felt like the "baby" wasn't really ours to begin with so grieving felt a little silly. Boy, was I dumb.  The entire week I went about my normal routine and kept pushing the miscarriage out of my head.  Then, like I was run over by a truck, I was SAD.  So so so sad.  I was weepy and depressed and I couldn't find the happy anywhere. But even though I had to go through this rough patch, I came out the other side, wiser and ready for what comes next. 

It's Finally Fall!!

So, this post was meant to go up on Monday, ya know, that day after the first day of Fall but c'est la vie. Anyway, its FALL!!  My very favorite season, the time of the year I look forward too.  While it is still hot here in SC, I have been wearing sweaters with my sandals and drinking hot chocolate like its going out of style. Here are some of the things that I am loving for fall!

Apple Picking//Big chunky sweaters//Coffee coffee coffee//Apple cider donuts//October//Homemade apple butter//Thick socks//Magic of the season//Plaid scarf

If you missed my Fall Bucket List, you can find it here.

Keep up with all my fall adventures

Instagram//Facebook//Pinterest

Literary Junkies

Yay!  Its Literary Junkies time! I love linking up with Taylor & Lesley to share some books I'm loving!

Here are this month’s questions:

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.
2. Autumn is coming! What’s your go-to drink when curling up with a book at night?
3. Printed books vs. e-books: What are the pros and cons of each?
4. Buying books vs. library books: Which do you prefer and why?

Here are my answers:

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.
I just finished City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare. It was...ok? I was actually really disappointed because I have LOVED the entire series up until this book.  I felt like this book was all about relationship angst between Jace & Clary and Alec & Magnus and even Simon & Isabelle & Maia. Ugh.  It was too much love drama and not enough actual plot. Here's what Goodreads says:

The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And - most importantly of all - she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out that he's a vampire and now he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side - along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls - neither of whom knows about the other one.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

..........................................................................................................................................

I also just started the second book in the Last Survivors series, The Dead and the Gone. I am very excited to get into this book, I LOVED the first one. Since I am literally on page 5 I will let Goodreads tell ya about it: 

Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life as We Knew It enthralled and devastated readers with its brutal but hopeful

look at an apocalyptic event--an asteroid hitting the moon, setting off a tailspin of horrific climate changes. Now this harrowing companion novel examines the same events as they unfold in New York City, revealed through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Puerto Rican Alex Morales. When Alex's parents disappear in the aftermath of tidal waves, he must care for his two younger sisters, even as Manhattan becomes a deadly wasteland, and food and aid dwindle.

With haunting themes of family, faith, personal change, and courage, this powerful new novel explores how a young man takes on unimaginable responsibilities.

2. Autumn is coming! What’s your go-to drink when curling up with a book at night?
Hot chocolate!  And sometimes hot apple cider! Yum!

3. Printed books vs. e-books: What are the pros and cons of each?
I like both but love printed books the best. I like the convenience of e-books for traveling but honestly I mostly end up just playing with the apps.  I have a Nook color which has a lot of tablet features but my favorite is that it actually has color! It seems more sophisticated than the Kindle. Nothing can top a real, printed book though.  The new book smell, the crack of the spine, the sound of turning the pages.  The best!
4. Buying books vs. library books: Which do you prefer and why?
The library and I are best friends.  I love that I can request books online and go pick them up or just casually stroll through the shelves.  I usually only buy books that I have read or big series.  I also get a ton of my books second hand from Goodwill.  I have found entire series at Goodwill for a fraction of the price!

Okay, so those are my answers. Now it’s your turn to link up! 

{How We Weekend} Going on a Hike & some Geocaching

Oh, Monday. I hate you. You are such a glorious weekend ruiner! However sucky Mondays are, I did get a few projects done and I cant wait to share!

Over the weekend we went on a loooong hike. The days are finally getting cooler where we can actually be outside and not fear heat stroke. Awesome. So we hiked around the park for a good part of the afternoon and did a little Geocaching. Afterward, we came home and had some yummy chinese food for lunch and lounged the rest of the day having a Bones marathon (thanks Netflix!)  

I hope you had a great weekend!