HAVING A LITTLE TOO MUCH FUN...

As you can see from Megan's post, E and I have been having a little too much fun with watercolors lately! Currently working on something for our dining room... be back soon to share! :)

IT WAS FOR HER...

A touching video of the believers from all over the world...

It was for her the church - His Bride.

It was for her, willingly He died.

She is the joy deep in His heart.

His masterpiece...

His counterpart...

BACK-TO-SCHOOL DUCK TAPE® DIY

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walmart. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

So what do you do the the last week before school starts? A fun diy of course! ;)

 

Last week while I was at Walmart in their craft department, I spotted a bunch of cute Duck Tape® designs - ranging from solids to neons, cool patterns to popular cartoon characters. I was excited to see that you can also buy them by the sheet. For under $2, it was easier to commit to these if you don't want to buy a huge roll of tape.

 

With the above project that I had in mind, I picked up a sheet of these cute penguins and a roll of metallic tape. 

 

With a few simple items, I made a small travel tube that's great for safely storing tiny miscellaneous items (bobby pins, jewelry, hair ties, etc.) in your purse or backpack.    

 

 

Supplies:  Duck Tape®, regular clear tape, 2 empty pill bottles, Xacto knife, scissors

 

Directions

• Tape the two pill bottles together (end to end) to make your double-sided tube.
• Start decorating by taping the two ends with the metallic tape first.
• Cut out a strip of the penguin tape using the grid on the back as a guide.
• Tape it to the middle.
• Trace the caps onto the penguin tape and cut out your circles.
• Adhere it to the caps.
• Using an Xacto knife, adhere the rest of the metallic tape to the sides of the caps.

 

I love that the tube has two separate compartments. One side held tiny items like my jewelry, bobby pins, perfume samples, hair ties, etc...

 

and the other side for my chapstick.

 

 

These tapes now are definitely a lot more fun and versatile than the typical gray ones that's been around for years. Especially since they're waterproof and incredibly sturdy, they'd be great for so many other back-to-school projects like covering books, decorating notebooks and pens, and bringing some color to school lockers. They're an inexpensive way to make updates on a variety of items! 

 

 

Interested yet? Go check these out and buy Duck Tape at Walmart. Make sure to also follow @TheDuckBrand for more creative inspiration!

 

DON'T MISS OUT ON THE FREE SHIPPING! :)

Just wanted to pop in really quick and let you know that TOMS is currently offering free shipping and returns on ALL orders right now for the next three weeks! Below are also some other promotions going on too:



TOMS now has Free Shipping and Returns on ALL Orders. Offer valid until 9/5

$10 off any purchase of $100 or more at TOMS.com. Enter promo code: TOMSBTSSPECIAL 
at checkout. Valid 8/6-9/3/13.   

$5 off any purchase of $25 or more with code TOMSFALL5 at TOMS.com! Valid through10/31/13.

COPYCAT: PALIO'S THE "JIMMY"

Happy Monday! I'm here to share a meal that's perfect for those weeknights when you're completely exhausted or have unexpected company coming over. It takes less than 30 minutes to prep, costs less than $8 and can feed about three people. 

One of our family's favorite pizza is The "Jimmy" from Palio's Pizza Cafe. It's the perfect blend of spicy and savory. I recently found a quick and much less expensive way to copy this favorite. With the price of one there, I can easily make two pizzas and still have some change left over! All you need is a ready-to-bake pizza and a few simple ingredients. 

Before...

and after...

Ingredients

1 large pepperoni pizza (Papa Murphy's Take 'n Bake)

1 C frozen roasted corn (Trader Joe's)

2 jalapenos (unseeded, sliced or diced)

3 strips of bacon (cut into bite-sized pieces)

Directions
Preheat the oven at 425 degrees F.

The only items that need to be prepped ahead of time were the jalapenos and bacon. I roasted the jalapenos in the oven (or you can use a cast iron pan) first before slicing them. I also cooked the bacon and took them off the pan just before they got crispy. 

Toss everything evenly over your ready-to-bake pizza and bake it for 12-15 minutes. Enjoy!

*Side note: Make sure you use gloves when handling the jalapenos... unless you want your hands to be burning for a good four hours!

THE HONEST COMPANY - PRODUCTS REVIEW

When The Honest Company first reached out to me to review their products, I was silently jumping up and down. This had to be one of the most anticipated items that I've been wanting to try out. I first heard about this company when Jessica Alba, the co-founder, appeared on The Nate Show (so sad when it got canceled). I was very impressed with the company's commitment to making safe, effective, bio-degradable and non-toxic products affordable and not just a luxury that only a few can enjoy.  All products are proudly made in America and made for the whole family to use. 

Also with every product purchased, The Honest Company donates product, money, time, and effort to addressing critical health & social issues affecting children and families. This year they are partnering with a nonprofit organization, Baby2Baby. 

As you read on, I will show you what I received and my ratings based on my impression of them after using them for a week. 

So this is what showed up at my doorstep...

How cute is the packaging?

Ok let's start off with the diapers...

Diapers (rating: 4 out of 5)
The Good: Cute designs, non-toxic, chlorine-free, super-absorbent and made with a stretchy band in the back for extra security (you know, for those poop explosions up the back).
The Bad: Found these to be a little stiff compared to Pampers.

Healing balm (rating: 4 out of 5)
The good: This was great for soothing my son's eczema.
The bad: The formulation was a little greasier and stickier than I would like, but it may be due to all the organic oils.

Hand soap (rating: 4 out of 5)
The good: It washed off easily and had a nice clean scent of lemongrass.
The bad: It left my hands a bit dry afterwards.

Face + body lotion (rating: 4 out of 5)
The good: The formulation was very lightweight, absorbed well, and left the skin incredibly soft.
The bad: The initial smell reminded me of barbie dolls for some reason, however it did eventually wear off. I'm not sure if I just got a bad batch, because most reviewers loved the smell...

Laundry detergent (rating: 5 out of 5)
The good: Cleaned very well and did not leave our clothes feeling stiff (even without fabric softener).  
The bad: None



Shampoo + Body Wash (rating: 5 out of 5)
The good: We love this product! Our longtime favorite's been Burt's Bees Shampoo and Body wash for our boys and we found this one to be very similar. The scent is a little sweeter and the consistency is a little thicker as well. I've been finding myself reaching for this more than the Burt's Bees.  
The bad: None

These are some other items that I'm interested in from their beauty and cleaning line:
sunscreen, multi-surface cleaner, and fruit+veggie wash. 

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   

I think it's great that the company's constantly introducing new products and improving on old ones based on their customers' feedback. If you are still skeptical or hesitant to buy their full-sized products, they also offer free trial kits (just pay $5.95 for shipping and handling). 

*Please note that when you sign up for the free trial, you are automatically enrolled to be a member of the Honest Company. You have 7 days to cancel, for any reason, if you choose not to be charged monthly to receive their different bundles sent to your home.  

For more information, check out these links:

• Cute and Eco-Friendly Diapers from The Honest Company
• Non-Toxic Home Cleaning Products for Your Family
• Eco-friendly Beauty by The Honest Company
• Honest Company Bath & Body Products

Have any of you used their products before? What did you think of them? I would love to hear from you!

Disclosure: As part of The Honest Company's affiliate program, I was sent these products to review for my own use. I was not asked to write this review nor will I be paid to do so. All opinions are 100% mine and these products were shared/recommended because our family really like them. This post does, however contain affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission based on any purchases made.

A SIMPLE SPRING BABY SHOWER

Weekends fly by WAY too fast these days. I'm just saying...

Anyways! :) A few months ago, a good friend and I planned a baby shower for this other friend of ours. It was her first baby and we were all so excited that she was having a girl! Since her nursery was going to be pink and brown, we decided to carry this theme into the shower decor. Here a few pictures from that day.

We made a welcome banner with the word "baby" on one side and the couple's baby pictures on the other side...

large paper medallions out of scrapbook paper and brown kraft paper...

a fabric name banner (sorry had to black out the baby's name)...

a framed picture of her sonogram with a verse from Psalm 139:14...

water bottles wrapped with matching scrapbook paper and labeled with the baby's initials... 

more medallions resting inside glasses of soybeans acting as food markers...

and a light spread of finger foods courtesy of Costco (I just love that place).

It was a very sweet time filled with lots of eating and good fellowship. There were some older, more "seasoned" moms there who shared with us their experiences in raising their children to the Lord. The mom-to-be also picked out this hymn that she had been enjoying throughout her pregnancy. 

1. O Jesus Christ, grow Thou in me,
     And all things else recede;
   My heart be daily nearer Thee,
     From sin be daily freed.
• Each day let Thy supporting might
    My weakness still embrace;
  My darkness vanish in Thy light,
      Thy life my death efface.
2. In Thy bright beams which on me fall,
     Fade every evil thought;
   That I am nothing, Thou art all,
     I would be daily taught.
3. More of Thy glory let me see,
     Thou Holy, Wise, and True;
   I would Thy living image be,
     In joy and sorrow too.
4. Fill me with gladness from above,
     Hold me by strength divine;
   Lord, let the glow of Thy great love
     Through all my being shine.

Make this poor self grow less and less,

  Be Thou my life and aim;

Oh, make me daily through Thy grace

  More meet to bear Thy name.

-source-

Lord Jesus, grow more in us today! Hope you all have a wonderful Monday! :)

FRIDAY TREATS + ALL IN ALL FOREVER

Happy Friday everyone! I've been so bad about keeping up with my Friday Treats post. Mainly because I just haven't had much time to be browsing online these days. I did come across some amazing recipes though this week that I could not stop thinking about. This would be my ideal meal for today if dreams did come true...;)

I'd start off with this delicious chipotle chicken and corn chowder...

via Brown-Eyed Baker

Next would be this tasty main dish. My husband and I have been wanting to try paella ever since we saw it on PBS awhile ago. Seeing this one just makes our mouth water even more...

via I Am A Food Blog

Lastly I'd finish off with this beautiful dessert. Roasted plum ice cream... what's not to like?! :)

via A Cozy Kitchen

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    * 

   

Once it was the blessing,

Now it is the Lord;

Once it was the feeling,

Now it is His Word;

Once His gift I wanted,

Now, the Giver own;

Once I sought for healing,

Now Himself alone.

All in all forever,

Only Christ I’ll sing;

Everything is in Christ,

And Christ is everything.

Once ’twas painful trying,

Now ’tis perfect trust;

Once a half salvation,

Now the uttermost;

Once ’twas ceaseless holding,

Now He holds me fast;

Once ’twas constant drifting,

Now my anchor’s cast.

Once ’twas busy planning,

Now ’tis trustful prayer;

Once ’twas anxious caring,

Now He has the care;

Once ’twas what I wanted,

Now what Jesus says;

Once ’twas constant asking,

Now ’tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working,

His it hence shall be;

Once I tried to use Him,

Now He uses me;

Once the pow’r I wanted,

Now the Mighty One;

Once for self I labored,

Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus,

Now I know He’s mine;

Once my lamps were dying,

Now they brightly shine;

Once for death I waited,

Now His coming hail;

And my hopes are anchored

Safe within the veil.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/513#ixzz2bUGK94Tt

COPYCAT: JAMBA JUICE'S MANGO-A-GO-GO

I am back today with another tasty smoothie recipe to share! Mango-A-Go-Go has always been my favorite drink to get whenever I'm at Jamba Juice. Heaps of mangos blended with passionfruit juice and pineapple sherbert - what's not to like?! :) 

As yummy as this was, I sometimes found it a little too sweet by the time I made it down to half the cup.  In my version here, I added some honeydew and apple to lighten and mellow out the flavor a bit. 

Ingredients
1 C frozen mango chunks
1 C frozen honeydew chunks
1/2 C frozen pineapple chunks
2 scoops of mango sorbet
1/2 a fuji apple
1 C peach mango orange juice
1 C ice 

Directions
Throw everything into the blender in the order listed with the ice at the end. Blend it all together until you get a smooth but thick consistency. Enjoy!

TOMS BACK-TO-SCHOOL OFFERS

Hey there again! Most of you know how much I love light comfortable shoes - especially when the weather's cooler and flip flops aren't the most ideal footwear. Besides Sanuks, TOMS are another favorite of mine. The very first pair that I owned was the classic canvas shoe in Ash. I wore it almost everyday and loved how comfy and versatile they were with any casual outfit. Seeing how much I loved them, my husband also got a pair for himself in Chocolate. 

I recently partnered with TOMS and want to share with you some of the awesome back-to-school offers going on right now:

$5 off any purchase of $25 or more with code TOMSFALL5 at TOMS.com! Valid through 10/31/13.

Free tote with orders over $75 & Free Shipping on all orders at TOMS.com! Valid 8/6 through 9/3.

Aren't the ones above adorable?! I've been eyeing this Ash Canvas Tiny TOMS Cordones for E. I love the design and the double fuzzy grip on top.  The eyelets are a nice touch too. Hope some of you take advantage of these great deals! :)


(Disclaimer: Since I am part of TOMS affiliate program, I do earn a small commission on any purchases made through my posted links. However I am only part of programs whose products I've personally used myself and approve of. All opinions are 100% mine. Any other recommendations without my personal experience would be clearly made known to you all.)