Thankful Fridays.

Fall always brings about such a sense of thankfulness for me.

It's probably because October-December marks my favorite time of the year, and thinking about that just makes me SO thankful for life.

For the rest of this year, every Friday I'm going to write about being thankful.  When you take the time to actually remember what you're thankful for, how can you not be happy?

So, this week:

1.  I am thankful for the one hour of cooler weather that decided to visit this morning, permitting me to drink my coffee outside without sweating through my clothes in three seconds flat.

2.  I am thankful for nights where I can pretend I have no responsibilities at all and just make crafts instead.

3.  I am thankful for the iphone, because it means I get to see pictures of this little guy.

4.  I am thankful for fall decorations.

owls and pumpkins and glitter, oh my!

5. I am thankful for laughter.  In case you haven't laughed yet today, I've included this video for your viewing pleasure.

What are you thankful for this week?  Have an amazing weekend!

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10 excuses.

For the life of me, I cannot focus long enough to sit down to write something today.  Never mind that I can't even think of something worth writing, that's another story.

So for your reading pleasure, I present to you the top 10 excuses for not writing that I have actually said to myself today.

1. It's raining.

2.  I found this and now I have to stalk everything she has ever written about.

3.  I should make a schedule for cleaning my house.  NOTE:  this is different than "I should clean my house."

4. It stopped raining.

5.  I started panicking that Christmas was soon.  Instead of writing, I need to be planning out my Christmas gifts.  {If you think it's too early to start stressing about Christmas, The Lady Okie has a blog post just for you.}

6.  Maybe I want to go back to school--I should probably look into that right now.

7.  If I don't make some sort of apple dessert right this second, then it will suddenly be Christmas and I will have missed the apple dessert window.

8.  Maybe I should clean my house.

9.  Haha, that's a funny joke.

10.  It's raining again.

Tuesday in a nutshell, folks.


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As only you can.

I'm over at Milk + Crown today with my shop, and one of the things Kristyn asked me was my favorite quote that I live and work by.  I realized I'd never blogged about my favorite quote, so today seemed like a good time to do so!

I fell in love with Neil Gaiman's writing in college.  

What, you don't fall in love with books? 

This is my favorite thing he's ever said, and this is my favorite part of my favorite thing he's ever said:  

"Don't forget to make some art: write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can."

As only you can. 

You. 

I love that he includes life in his explanation of art.  Because living your life is just as much art as writing or drawing is.  And just like no two people can paint the same, no two people can live the same. 

My life is pretty normal.  There's nothing extraordinarily spectacular about it. 

I'm a wife. 

I like to write. 

I'm an office assistant. 

I have an etsy shop. 

Anyone can be a wife.  Anyone can put words down on a page, can organize receipts, can make paper flowers.  But this is the life that I have, and only I can live it. 

And when I live it, as only I can, it becomes something beautiful.  It becomes extraordinarily spectacular art. 

Whatever life God has given you may not seem like anything exciting to you. 

You may think that everything you do, someone else could do. 

But that's just not true. 

No one can live your life for you.  Only you can live your life the way it was meant to be lived. 

When you view it that way, you can't help but view it as something special.  As a gift.  As something spectacular. 

Going to work or being a friend or cleaning a house or driving a car or answering a phone. All of it.  Spectacular. 

So do it. 

Live as only you can. 

And if you do that, I promise you, you will surprise yourself. 

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Nyquil and Pretty Bracelets.

There's nothing like starting the week off with a cold--two thumbs down.   

And then finding out that your email deleted every single email that you needed, just because.

If I had more than two thumbs, they would all would be pointing down. 

While I curl up in my bed and down Nyquil and gatorade and pretend the world doesn't exist all day, you guys can enter to win a really gorgeous bracelet from my friend Katie, and hopefully have a better day than me!

Aren't they gorgeous?!

Katie not only has the cutest ad in all of blogland {see proof below} but she also has an amazing etsy shop full of her own personal designs! 

What inspired you to start your etsy shop?

A Lil Bit Fancy or ALBF came about while I was on maternity leave with my 2nd daughter Willow. I am an ex bikini designer that thought she could leave the design biz in the past but fate just had something else in mind. With some left over chain, a strand of rhinestones and a little leather, ALBF was born!! Each and every bracelet is made by hand and with lots of love. For fear of another failed design venture I told myself this is only a "Hobby!" Listed my designs online and hoped for the best. 3 days after Willow was born my "Little Hobby" exploded and has been selling like crazy ever since

Describe your shop. 

My shop is a bracelet lovers paradise! I have A "Lil" somethin for everyone! Lots of colors, shapes and sizes. I cover all the basis in terms of style. Whether you like dainty accessories or a bolder look I have got something just for you!

What do you like to do when you're not working on your shop?

When I'm not working on bracelets I am with my girls. Olivia 4 and Willow 1. I am  full time Mama and love every moment of it. Olivia is actually my little helper when I'm hard at work on orders. She likes to sit next to me and make her own "Pretties." I am also a hair stylist and specialize in bridal so my weekends are filled with beautiful brides at beautiful locations all over Monterey. I am so grateful to be blessed with a life full of lots of fun and creativity! 


Can't wait for the giveaway?  I don't blame you.  Use code "CHELSEA15" to get 15% off your order!

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Your newest blog friend.

FRIDAY.

I am just so happy to see you this week!

As if your day wasn't already good enough (it's Friday, and you can't have a bad Friday.  It's actually impossible), I'm here to introduce you to your newest blog friend, Courtney from Titus2minutes.

Describe your blog:

My blog is comprised of short posts that you can read in about two minutes. Meant for busy women, the heartbeat behind my blog is to encourage women (and men too!) to fulfill their God-given roles and responsibilities found in Titus 2:3-5. Primarily, I encourage this through writing about homemaking, creativity, honoring the Lord, and relationships. 

What inspired you to start blogging?

Initially, I was inspired to start my blog because of my desire to see women grow in their relationship with the Lord. I have a passion to encourage women to be godly. I want to help them put "arms and legs" on their theology - meaning I want to help them bridge the gap between what they know and what that looks like lived out in daily life. 

What are three things readers may not know about you?

1.  I was homeschooled and enjoyed it a lot!

2.  I have a secret (ok, maybe not so secret!) love for cat videos! I know that fact, in combination with being homeschooled, makes me pretty nerdy! ;-) Here is one of my favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieax46UMtm4. Trust me, you will love it! 

3.  I have a passion for adoption. My youngest brother and sister are adopted from Haiti.  

Go say hi to Courtney!

Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Twitter

I wish you a weekend full of pumpkin flavored things! 

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The Handmade Fair

Happy almost-weekend!

I have something SO exciting to tell you about today!

One of my favorite things to do is go to the farmer's market.  {If you have never been to a farmer's market, stop reading right this second and google one close to you.  You're welcome.}  It's so much fun getting to shop things you probably would have never heard of otherwise, and it's so cool knowing you are supporting local business and getting things for cheap.

So, after much brainstorming, I am so excited to announce The Handmade Fair--your very own online farmer's market!

Mark your calendars, because the first weekend of October is going to be filled with lots and lots of handmade shops offering discounted items--up to 50% off--for one weekend only.  All in one place for you to shop--just like a farmer's market!

I'll post more information soon!  If you are a shop that would like to participate, send me an email!

Have a wonderful Thursday!


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the best things.

The best things in life are things you can't quite put into words.
Moments, feelings, relationships--the best things are very rarely actual things.

Sometimes the best things are unexpected.

Like suddenly realizing how far you've come in the past few years, and being proud of that.
Or maybe realizing that you haven't come as far as you would like, and making a plan to change that.

The best things are the moments you can look back and reflect on your life, on all of the wonderful nights you spent making memories that will be with you forever.

The best things are relationships, past and present, that helped shape the person you are and the person you will one day be.

I wish you a day full of remembering all of the best things in your life.



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The Ruby Heart

I am so excited about today's post!

Today I have Margaret talking about her etsy shop, The Ruby Heart.

Why did you start your etsy shop?

"I started my etsy shop because of my love for design. I knew I wanted to mix that love with my desire to create something purposeful. All of my prints focus on inspirational messages or scripture, so it's the perfect way to combine my purpose and passion. Plus, they're an easy way to add some affordable art to any home! As a brand new homeowner, I know how that is.

What goals do you have for your shop?

"I have a lot of goals for my little shop. Of course, I hope that my shop helps to spread the gospel and allow all homes to have a piece of uplifting art. At some point I would like to add some very pretty home management printables. These printables could be used in a binder to manage home maintenance, bills, wish lists, etc! Most of all, though, I started this shop in hopes of one day being able to be a stay at home mom while still contributing to the household. I am not a mom yet - I'm just a planner-aheader. ;)"

What types of items do you sell?

At this time I sell modern art prints that can be instantly downloaded (many more items coming soon!). Most of my prints have the option to choose custom colors to ensure they fit your home perfectly.

Not only is Margaret giving away two free printables from her shop, but she is also giving out a 20% off coupon for the next two weeks.  If you use the code "GIRLWHOLOVEDTOWRITE" with your purchase, you can snag one of these beauties for less than five dollars.  

{via}

How beautiful are these?  I know I'm personally going to be grabbing that coffee one for my kitchen.  

Have a wonderful Monday, friends!  

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My friend Sue and her incredible shop.

Happiest of Fridays to you!

Today I have my sweet friend Sue on the blog talking about her lovely etsy shop.

Chevron and Lace is an adorable etsy shop where Sue sells handmade things for both moms and babies.  Her maxi skirts are incredible--they're made with a yoga pants band.  {Yes, she did just combine the two most comfortable clothing items ever} And she manages to make changing a diaper fashionable:

Amazing, yes?  Hello, perfect baby-shower gift.  If you have a baby, or know someone that has a baby, or have ever seen someone that you think might have a baby, you need to go buy one of these, pronto.  And lucky for you, there's a discount code at the bottom of this post!

Here's a little bit more about the shop from the creator herself: 

After my husband and I graduated from college together, I was pregnant and we were playing the worst kind of waiting game. Not only were we anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little girl, but we were waiting for the job offers that we knew were just going to come flooding to us, eventually (ha ha). I started to go crazy with boredom, and that's when I busted out the sewing machine.

I started out sewing some things that I saw on Pinterest that I thought would be useful for baby and me. Almost a year after our baby was born, I decided that maybe some of the things I made would be useful to other moms out there, too!

Since then, I've experimented with different listings and found three items that really work. Now, I'm a fully-fledged shop owner with some great mommy, baby, and clothing items to offer, with more ideas in the works. I love to sew and nothing makes me happier than creating a cute, functional item for women and babies alike! I hope you take time to stop by and see what I have to offer. Thanks to Chelsea for having me on her blog today and I hope to see you soon!

Sue//Chevron and Lace

susanstange.com

www.etsy.com/shop/ChevronandLace

P.S. Be sure to stop by my blog and follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to be the first to know about any deals, sales, and promotions, like the one going on right now for all of you, Chelsea's readers! For two weeks only, enter CHELSEAWRITES at checkout and you will receive 20% off any purchase! This promotion will expire on September 21st. See you there!

Sue is an absolutely amazing person who creates amazing things.  Do yourself a favor and check out her shop this weekend! 

Today I believe.

{Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway!  The winner has been notified.  If you would like to participate in the next giveaway, click here}

Today I believe in being thankful.

It is truly amazing how much your perspective (and sometimes even life) can change with just a tiny bit of effort to start being thankful.

I made a reverse bucket list this week, and it was incredible how much my attitude changed just from looking at pictures and trying to remember all the exciting things I've done in my life.  I wasn't having a bad attitude about life before, but as I looked at those pictures and sifted through my memories, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed at just how full my life really was--and is.

I had such a good day after doing that, I decided from now on, I am going to make a real effort to be thankful.  Overly, annoyingly, utterly thankful about everything.

Fall is here.  {I know that most of you think that fall doesn't actually start until October.  I'm sorry.  You are wrong.}  For me, fall always brings about a feeling of thankfulness.  It starts my favorite time of  the year--September 3rd-January 1st.  It means pumpkin spiced everything, baking, decorating, turkey, Christmas music, and feeling incredibly grateful for my life.

This year, I'm going to be crazy thankful everyday.  I am thankful for my pumpkin spice lattes, obviously.  But I'm also going to be thankful for the small things.  For the moments in the morning where I can sit with my coffee and it's just me and Jesus.  For the books I read.  For the fact that I live in a state where I can drink a pumpkin spice coffee in the morning and lay out in the afternoon.  For good movies.  For sweet texts.  I'm going to be thankful for all of it.  And if writing that reverse bucket list was any indication, my days are about to get a whole lot happier.

Care to join me?

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Monday, friends! 

I hope you're all relaxing and doing something that involves family, friends, and sunshine. 

If you happen to be stuck inside, here's a little coupon to brighten your day! 

Use code "LABORDAY" to take 25% off your entire purchase in my etsy shop for the next 24 hours. 

Here's to only having a four day week!