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Wordless Wednesday: Mom's Naughty List

Can you guess which child is on my naughty list today?  Hint: He's THREE...

Be sure to enter the Pambra's Bra Liner Giveaway!

Product Review: Pambra Bra Liners & GIVEAWAY!

I was so excited to learn about Pambra's Bra Liners.  I am, ah hem, well endowed, and have worn a bra forever.  Well - since I was about 11.  I was a teen when I started wearing under-wires, and I've never been able to switch back.  I love the support that I get from my under-wires (not to mention the extra va-va-voom for the girls - the higher they are, the more attention is drawn away from post-6 pregnancies belly!)

That's a Wrap! (affordable and beautiful gift wrap) - Gift Boxes

But first - be sure to stop by tomorrow for a review and giveaway!

A while back, in an effort to simplify, I gave away all my wrapping paper.  You would think this has made me less creative, but in reality - I like my gift-wrapping much better now!

I kept 3 rolls: brown kraft paper, red zebra and black and white houndstooth.  I've really enjoyed making those  wraps stretch over so many occasions!  Here are a few picks from my Pinterest inspiration board:

Source: creaturecomfortsblog.com via Noel on Pinterest

That's a Wrap! (affordable and beautiful gift wrap) - Gift Bags

When you give a gift, presentation can be as important as the gift itself.  You've taken care to select something personal - you found just the thing!  Don't just stick it in any old gift bag!

Whether you make it yourself or select a custom bag - always think about the gift and the recipient.  I recommend that you keep the following on-hand:

brown or white paper shopping bags

I personally prefer the brown :)

With a little imagination, you can turn that plain bag into one of these:

Source: ginatepper.com via Noel on Pinterest

Source: stamptalkwithtosh.blogspot.com via Noel on Pinterest

Source: olderandwisor.blogspot.com via Noel on Pinterest

Or - you could get really crafty and make your own bags, like these beauties:

Source: urbannaturalhistory.blogspot.com via Noel on Pinterest

Source: howaboutorange.blogspot.com via Noel on Pinterest

Source: junkmailgems.com via Noel on Pinterest

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest and check out my That's a Wrap board!

Does it matter who you are friends with?

In my opinion, we have to guard our marriage from outside influence much the way we guard our children:  We are careful about who they interact with, never leave them unattended and always affirm and care for them.  We don't do this to control them, but to protect them.

How to get your husband to do more around the house

First, make sure that you appreciate him for what he does do, even if it's "his job". When he takes out the trash, say thank you (even if it's the third time you've reminded him) Don't nag. You can remind him, but do it in a loving way (i.e. Honey, tomorrow is trash day, would you mind putting the garbage cans out tonight. Next day: Babe, today is trash day, could you please set the trash out for me? Later: Sweetie, did you remember to take the trash out, I know you're busy so I just thought I'd remind you.)

In Memory...

of Carter...

Milliners are underpaid (or "How to make a pill-box hat")

My in-laws celebrated 40 years of wedded bliss last weekend.  My mother-in-law, Donna, wanted a simple pill-box hat to match her dress.  Armed with the knowledge that everything that IS was made by someone, we set out to create our own.

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Book Review: Fashioned by Faith

Book Description:
Everyone knows that we live in a “skin-is-in” society, heavily driven by media and immodesty. So how does a young Christian woman reconcile a fashionable wardrobe with maintaining her integrity?

Ultimate Valentine's Resource

My Pinterest Valentine's Day Board, of course!  You're welcome :)

You'll find neat ideas like these - to see more information on each, click on the actual pin and then on the link above and to the right of the picture.  It will take you to tutorials, pictures, blogs and all kinds of great stuff!

Perspective

Perspective is a funny thing.  You can look at something and be quite convinced that your understanding is accurate.  You can outline all the reasons that you are right, how others are wrong.  You are right. It's simple, black and white.  And then something shifts, you see the exact same thing in a new light; you have a new perspective.

shadow art

Grief is, perhaps, the greatest illuminator of all.  When something, or worse - someone, is lost you are forced to shift your focus from the tyranny of the urgent.  The mundane things of everyday life become even more mundane.  I've often said that there is a clarity that is the gift of grief - we are able to distill our lives quite effectively into important and unimportant.  Those of us who have received that gift, lived with it and love it have few occasions to share it.  Unfortunately - it seems the most effective teacher is, once again, experience.