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Showing posts with label Personal Touch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal Touch. Show all posts

Friday, November 7, 2014

DIY | Mulled Spice Favors

Looking for a fun and festive Fall or holiday favor that is sure to make your loved ones smile? Mulled Spice bags are such a creative yet simple favor, anyone can make them! These little bags of Fall goodness smell like heaven and are the yummiest flavor punch you can imagine. Stick one of these bags into a pot of apple cider and I guarantee everyone will want seconds (or thirds!).


Now, here's what you'll need:
- cheese cloth
- scissors
- tags
- twine/jute
- oranges
- spices
- stamps + ink


Ingredients:
- whole cloves
- dried orange peels
- whole allspice
- cinnamon sticks


When filling the pouches I used approximately 5 to 6 small pieces of orange peel, 5 cloves, 5 allspice seeds and 1.5 cinnamon sticks. Feel free to add other ingredients or fill yours to the amount you desire.


And. . .  here's my "Shauna's Secret Apple Cider Spice Pouch." Isn't it darling? I have an upcoming photography event with "apples + apple cider" as the theme so I think these are the perfect favor for the occasion.  I stamped the apple and SVP on my tags but the possibilities are endless with ways you can decorate these little cuties. I can also see these being an adorable personalized touch for your guests at Thanksgiving. Wouldn't they look great on the plates so everyone knows where to sit? I can't wait to see what you guys do with yours! Please do share. :)






Wednesday, September 10, 2014

...worth more than precious rubies

Sometimes my house is clean, but usually it's a mess (even with the Rainbow).
Sometimes I feel like I have it all together, but occasionally it seems like I could fall apart at any given moment.
Sometimes dinner is prepared, but a lot of the time we order delivery or go through the drive-thru.
Sometimes I'm showered, curled and all made up, but often days I'm working in what I slept in and don't get a chance to brush my teeth until noon (or even more embarrassing: before bed that night).
Sometimes I have patience with my children but from time to time I'm easily frustrated and quick to snap.
Sometimes the beds get made but generally speaking it just doesn't happen.
My car is always dirty, the laundry rarely gets put away and I have no time for yard work. 

As women of today we find ourselves rushing through day-to-day life chasing our to-do lists hoping we can check everything off that needs to be done. Did I respond to those emails, plan dinner, check homework,  pay the electric bill, fold the clothes, schedule that appointment. . . (insert any and everything else here)? Phew. Can we stop and breath real quick? 

As wives, mothers, homemakers, business owners, employees, etc. we often feel like all the responsibility falls on us. We carry such a heavy load that sometimes we just feel, well, tired. It's on these days, days that are heaviest and most exhausting, that I find myself coming to this set of verses :


WOW! Right? Just... wow.

Isn't it amazing to know that all the late nights (followed by early mornings), aching backs, tired hands and glazed over eyes aren't actually overlooked at all? It humbles me to think that everything we do isn't a mere check off the list but actually worth praise!! When we selflessly and consciously put everyone else's needs before ours and eagerly approach the responsibilities we have with the intention to serve others through Him we instantly lose the heaviness. It no longer feels like tiresome, overwhelming chores, but like little acts of service fully designed to honor Him.

Let us not dwell on our shortcomings but focus on our accomplishments!!

Let's continue to:
- be trustworthy wives who honor and serve our husbands
- rise early to create a clear plan for the day
- stay up late working to serve our families
- always provide our children with meals
- invest our money in something that will prosper
- be strong and energetic workers
- never stopping, always doing kind of serving
- shop for bargains
- give to the poor and welcome the needy with open arms
- make ourselves presentable in the way we dress
- make things for our home
- stand strong with strength and dignity
- never fear the future
- speak wisely and always with kindness
- closely watch over every happening in our households
- raise our children in a way that they never become lazy

...because, my dears, we are worth far more than precious rubies and shall be rewarded for all that we do. Keep on shining your light!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Dear Jack,

Yes, it's true. There was once a time before you were born that I debated with your father about naming you "Jack." Even knowing the name's significance and loving the idea of naming you after one of our favorite men in the family (your great-grandfather, Mr. Jack Harris Veasey) it still didn't seem to fit. Fast forward to now and I truly can't imagine you with any other name. Jack fits your personality perfectly!

You are a 19 month old ball of energy that loves to keep your mama on her toes. From the time you wake up until your big hazel eyes close for "night-night" you are 100% full throttle. Not only do you like to keep mama's attention, we've recently discovered that you are quite the little show-off when friends are around. Some of your favorite tricks are walking backwards, flipping and jumping- all of which you will perform on cue. You love to make us laugh. You've also become quite the talker. Some of our favorite words you say are baw (ball),  jooze (juice), noo-noos (noodles), bop it! (stop it!), dah-ee (doggie), wack-wack (quack quack) and lub-ooo (love you).

Currently, your favorite activities are throwing the baseball (no big surprise there considering you spend a lot of time at the baseball field watching your big brother), watching Micky Mouse while you eat breakfast, playing chase and peek-a-boo, and sneaking into your brother's room to destroy all of his Lego creations. You love to climb on tables, chairs and the kitchen island but your all-time favorite place to be is outside where you enjoy running and exploring the great outdoors.

You are obsessed with:
  • dogs
  • mommy and daddy smelling your stinky feet ("shooo-weee")
  • baseballs
  • coloring
  • shooting Bubby's Nerf guns
  • brushing your teeth (chewing on our toothbrushes)
  • being tickled 
  • daddy throwing you in the air
You could care less for:
  • mommy brushing your hair (Jack's motto: messy hair don't care)
  • bath time
  • people telling  you bye (you cry when friends and family leave from a visit)
  • going down for a nap
  • snuggling 
  • brother when he locks you out of his room 
We are having a blast watching you change and develop into such a cute little boy (I mean, those curls are just too much) with so much charisma. You entertain us from sun up to sun down. Your energetic, passionate and vivacious personality is such an adventure. We are so thankful to have you!

Love,
Mommy










Monday, June 2, 2014

American Boho | Sarah Norman Photography

A little over a year ago, an old friend from elementary school, Sarah, reached out to me for advice about pursuing a career in photography. I love to help other photographers any way that I can so I invited Sarah to shadow me on a few sessions to give her an idea of how I run my business. In my experience, being around other photographers is the best way to learn, and I have been amazed by the photographer that Sarah has developed into over the last few months! She has really pushed herself to hone her camera and editing skills, I couldn’t be more proud of her!

A few months ago, Sarah asked if I would let her photograph me for practice. Like most photographers, I am very reluctant to get in front of the camera. I can't recall my exact response but I'm sure it was something along the lines of... "Do I have to?" Although I was hesitant, I agreed to it. 

The longer I have been a photographer the more uncomfortable I have become being a model, but Sarah made me feel so relaxed in front of the camera. She pulled me right out of my discomfort! I had so much fun shooting with Sarah, it was a blast channeling my inner hippie and pretending that I was a flower child living in the 70's! 

Sarah Norman Photography did such a great job capturing the mood of this shoot. I can't wait to see where she takes her talent! :)













Thursday, March 13, 2014

Jack's Woodland Themed Nursery

A while back I shared with you guys that we purchased a new house in March of 2013. You can read more about that here. Since we moved, I've had a chance to slowly transform the house into our home. We have done a lot of work (with a lot more to go) and I plan to share the progress here on the blog as things get completed. Interior design is something I'm passionate about. I really enjoy creating visually appealing spaces, transforming something old and ugly into something new. The first space I want to share with you is my littlest man's room. Before doing so, I think it's only fair to show you a before picture so you can see what I had to work with.

Jack's room before:

As you can see, there isn't any damage - just a desperate need for an update. White walls and mauve (yes, that's PINK) carpet are not going to cut it for a little boy's room. Before searching for inspiration, I knew I needed a theme for the space. When Jack was born, Ariston (my oldest son) gave him his first stuffed animal, a fox. You can see him below :) "Mr. Fox" quickly became the inspiration piece for the room.


With "Mr. Fox" in mind, I decided to go with a woodland theme for Jack's nursery. I wanted it to be fresh, bright, and colorful with a whimsical touch. I knew I wanted to keep the walls and furniture neutral while bringing in layers of color and texture with the textiles. Incorporating organic elements was also something I knew the space would need. After a little Pinterest inspiration and scouring the internet for ideas, I was on a mission to make Jack's room the perfect escape for a little tot. Although I'm always changing, adding and moving things around, I'm pleased with how the space has turned out so far (product details at end of post)

Jack's Woodland themed nursery:





















 "Before and After"


wall color: Sherwin Williams "accessible beige"
crib: Jenny Lind (it was mine when I was a baby)
dresser/changing table: antique
side table: Target years ago (spray painted yellow)
crib skirt: "no sew" DIY, fabric from JoAnn's, tutorial found online
white crib sheet: Wal-Mart
aztec tan pillow: my grandfather's sweater made into a pillow
other pillows: here and there ?
stuffed animals: IKEA
ottoman/pouf: Target
characters on wall : Hobby Lobby
shelves: DIY (bought brackets at local antique store)
wood/bark pencils: TJMaxx
blocks: gift from friend (etsy)
lantern: antique
succulents: TJMaxx and Garden Ridge
"Locally Grown" print: DIY on photoshop
"I knew you" print: DIY on photoshop
"You are deer to me" print: Printed Pallette
"Born to be Wild" print: Printed Pallette
"I could eat you up" print: DIY on photoshop
wood slice art: DIY gift from friend
orange initials: Hobby Lobby cardboard letters spray painted
window cornices: DIY (fabric from spoonflower)
white sheer curtains under cornices: Wal-Mart
fox pillow: homemade (fabric from local store)
faux fur: Hobby Lobby
toy jack: Hobby Lobby
frames: Hobby Lobby (Annie Sloan chalk paint)
driftwood frame: homemade with scrap pieces
orange owl: Garden Ridge
raccoon print: local antique auction
owl night light: Cracker Barrel
gold metal reading light: local antique auction
rocking horse: L.L.Bean (was my little brother's, added moose antler headband)
organic basket: mother-in-law's garage (haha)
shag rug: Garden Ridge
birch vase: Hobby Lobby
bunny piggy bank: mine when I was a child