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Mother’s Day Gift Guide

by | May 1, 2017 | Beauty, Home & Family, Lifestyle

Mother’s Day is approaching. Honoring the mothers in your life is a wonderful privilege of the day. If you’re looking for some Mother’s Day gift ideas, I’ve got some suggestions to get you started.

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Flowers

Flowers are one of my favorite gifts to give for Mother’s Day. I don’t know many moms who wouldn’t love to receive a beautiful bouquet of blooms in appreciation for all they do. I usually order from ProFlowers. The prices are good, service is great, and delivery is guaranteed. And then there’s the convenience factor of being able to choose and order an arrangement from my phone. When I order, I am definitely going to be doing so through my Ebates app; right now, Ebates is offering 12% cash back and several discount codes to choose from. Pretty good deal, huh? (If you’re not signed up for Ebates yet, you should be!)

Clarisonic Facial Brush

This handy little gadget would make a perfect gift. Personal care items like a Clarisonic are a great way to pamper mom with something she may not buy for herself. A Clarisonic is wonderful for enhancing a skin care regimen. Mom will certainly thank you for treating her to this one.

Spongelle Shower Gel Infused Sponge

A Spongelle bath and shower sponge is a clever little invention. It’s a bath sponge already infused with cleansing gel, making it a luxuriously practical little gift. These sponges smell amazing! They’re special enough to gift alone, or one of these would be a perfect addition to a bath-themed gift basket.

Subscription box service

A subscription box service would be a lovely gift, and one that keeps on giving. Subscribe mom for a month, a few months, or a year—it’s up to you. She’ll be impressed with your thoughtfulness. And I guarantee she’ll love getting a gift over and over again, long after Mother’s Day has ended. One subscription box I highly recommend (and the only one I personally have at the present time!) is Fab Fit Fun. There’s is a nice variety of items in each box, which comes four time a year. There are so many different types of subscription box services available, from makeup to books to food, you’re sure to find one that will appeal to you (and you’re mom).

Phone case

A pretty phone case would make a great gift for a mom with a smartphone. If you’re mom is tech savvy (mine is not), a tech related gift like this one could make her very happy.

Heart pendant necklace

This beautiful silver and rose gold heart pendant necklace would be a perfect way to express your love to your mom. It’s a gorgeous piece any lady in your life would be pleased to receive.

Perfume

If she has a signature sent, pick up a bottle of it to give to mom. If she doesn’t have a particular brand of perfume she loves, choose one for her. Lauren Perfume by Ralph Lauren or Creed Spring Flower would be a great place to start.

Floral maxi dress

If you know mom’s clothing size, why not give her a beautiful floral dress as a Mother’s Day gift? This one is a pretty, feminine style in chiffon.

Digital photo frame

Help mom preserve memories with a cool digital photo frame. Load it with photos of her family, and she’ll cherish it (and you’re thoughtfulness).

Beautiful scarf

A ladylike, beautiful scarf makes a wonderful Mother’s Day gift. A soft, flowing, feminine scarf can make her feel so special.

A good book

If your mom likes to read, a nicely bound copy of her favorite book might be a good gift idea. Or maybe you could give her a book she hasn’t read yet. As a book lover myself, I would love a gift like this from my own kids (a little hint just in case you’re reading this, kids)!

A Roomba vacuum

If you really want to splurge on a Mother’s Day gift, why not give her the luxury of not having to vacuum her house? A Roomba vacuum is a great way to make mom’s life a little easier. She’ll love the fact that she no longer has to clean her floors. Imagine the feeling of giving your mom a robot who does housework! Pretty cool, huh?

I hope this list has given you a little bit of inspiration for Mother’s Day gifts you can choose for the special ladies in your life. I know you want to make your mom feel special and appreciated this Mother’s Day. These gift ideas will certainly do that. Do you have any great Mother’s Day gift ideas to add to the list?

AND one more thing…

To show my appreciation for YOU, this month I am giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one of my lovely readers. Hint: that means you! This giveaway will only run for 10 days, so make sure you enter right away. Just scroll down to the bottom of this post and you’ll find several ways to enter. You can do one, two, or all of them–the more ways you enter, the more chances you have to win!

Be sure to enter the giveaway in the Rafflecopter widget below!

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that  I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

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How to Create a Personal Sanctuary

by | Apr 24, 2017 | Lifestyle

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Our lives are so full and fast paced these days. Everyone is busy. We all have so much going on. We’re overworked, overstressed, and in constant need of more rest. I think many of us have forgotten the importance of stopping to refresh and renew.

That’s why we need to create a personal sanctuary.

A few moments of quiet solitude to be still with our own thoughts is extremely important to our own health and wellbeing. A daily time of quiet reflection is essential.

For as long as I can remember, spending time alone has been necessary for my own sense of balance and peace of mind. I need moments of solitude in every day to be able to ponder and process through my thoughts. I like to use the time to reflect on the past and make plans for the future.

As a Christian, it is important to me to take a few minutes each day to read and mediate on God’s Word, the Bible. The Scriptures give guidance and wisdom for daily life. They help us know the mind of our Heavenly Father. Spending time in the Bible brings clarity and purpose to my day.

Along with reading and meditating on Scripture, I also love to carve out a few minutes in every day for activities that feed my soul. Whether it’s reading a good book, working on a sewing project, gardening, taking a quiet walk, or practicing an instrument, doing something just for me is an important part of what keeps me sane as a homeschooling mother of eight children.

Karen Andreola, one of my homeschooling mentors, calls this sort of thing Mother Culture.

“When a dedicated, hard-working home teacher takes part in Mother Culture she safeguards her enthusiasm. She will be better able to cope with her responsibilities. To take part in Mother Culture is to feed herself with the Word of God, with ideas from books, nature, art, music, etc., taking care to keep growing spiritually and mentally.”

It’s not only homeschooling mothers that can benefit from taking time to feed their own souls with beautiful, life giving activities. Anyone can find peace and joy by carving out moments in each day to cultivate their own interests. So much more than just “Me Time,” this daily sanctuary helps us to develop as people and brings refreshment to our spirits.

Do you have a time and place each day devoted just to you? A quiet, peaceful place where your soul can be renewed? Do you dedicate a few moments to solitude within your own thoughts? If you’re a Christian, do you spend time reading and meditating on the Scriptures each day?

In the hustle and bustle of life, don’t forget to feed your soul. Humans were not meant to be on the go 24/7. We need times of rest and silence alternated between times of activity and busyness.

Take time to create a personal sanctuary in your life. It doesn’t have to be fancy. it doesn’t have to take long. Just a few minutes of listening to your favorite song or reading a good book can do wonders. If you love to knit, do that. If you like to paint, make time for it. Enjoy a quiet cup of tea in the afternoon. Take a relaxing bubble bath. Just do something that brings you joy and makes you feel peaceful. Do it just for you. Don’t try to find a reason to justify it. Don’t multitask while doing it. Be fully present in it, just for a few moments every day.

This practice to create a personal sanctuary will bring balance to your life in ways you may not expect. It’s a wonderful way to de-stress. It’s great for your overall health and wellbeing. And you may find that you feel happier and more fulfilled in every other area of your life.

10 Best World War II Historical Novels

by | Apr 17, 2017 | Lifestyle

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that  I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

best-wwii-historical-novels

I’m a bit of a history buff. I guess I come by it naturally; my dad had a passion for history. My brother is very knowledgeable about history as well. And it’s being passed on through the generations to my own son and to my nephews.

One era of history that particularly fascinates me and many others is World War II. The horror of that time, as well as the heroism displayed in the face of great evil, captures interest and makes us want to learn more.

From thrilling, to poignant, to romantic, to heartbreaking, there are so many novels available to the WWII history buff.

Here is a list of historical novels that will bring to life some of the events and people surrounding that time in history.

(Please be aware that these books should be read with discernment. Not all the content in all the books is easy to take in. Considering the subject matter, some of the details and incidents in many of these books may be disturbing or graphic.)

This is not a comprehensive list by any means. It’s just a few recommendations to get you started, if you’re interested. Choose a book or two (or more!) from this list and allow yourself to be immersed in this major turning point in modern history.

World War II Historical Novels

 

The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah

Two sisters make decisions and live with the consequences in this war-time story set in France.

 

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

A poignant tale that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

 

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

If you didn’t have to read this one in school, you should read it now. It may be considered YA, but like most good books, it has value for a large range of ages.

 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

This is an imaginative and somewhat quirky novel that gives a taste of live on the German-occupied British isle of Guernsey during the war. Oh, and it’s about people who like books.

 

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Several women from different background struggle to survive a Nazi concentration camp.

 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

A young girl finds hope and beauty in the midst of tragedy and the horror of war.

 

The Sisters of St. Croix by Diney Costeloe

A beautifully told tale of the lives of people in an occupied French village.

 

The Violin of Auschwitz by Maria Angels Anglada

This haunting story shows the strength of hope and the power of beauty in the face of atrocities.

 

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Patterson

This isn’t a novel about World War II per se. It is a coming-of-age story set during the war and gives a glimpse of life for families on the home front.

 

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Not a novel, but well written and highly recommended. Arguably the best on the list. Corrie Ten Boom tells the story of what happened to herself and her sister when her family hid several Jews in their home.

 

Go ahead, immerse yourself in the reading and learning!

Spring Fab Fit Fun Unboxing

by | Apr 10, 2017 | Beauty, Lifestyle

It’s that time again—time for another Fab Fit Fun Box!

Fab Fit Fun is a subscription box service that comes four times a year. Each season brings another box of goodies. Getting one of these boxes in the mail is so much fun. I love to dig right into it and see what kind of surprises await!

spring-fab-fit-fun-box

The spring box had some interesting items included in it. I was really excited about some of them. Others didn’t catch my interest quite as much, but they may still be useful in some way.

So let’s dig right in and see what’s in the box!

Gypsy 05 Roundie

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This is a cool, hippie style beach or picnic blanket. It’s large, tie-dyed, and…well…round!

Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-in Conditioning Spray

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I can’t wait to try this leave-in conditioner. It looks like it will be perfect for my curly hair. The ingredients are safe and curly-girl method approved.

Milly Zip Pouch

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This water-resistant bag is perfect for travel. You can throw a wet swimsuit in it and keep it from soaking anything else in your bag.

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator

fab-fit-fun-dr-brandt-microderm

I’ve never tried anything from the Dr. Brandt brand, but this looks like a good product to use at the end of a long winter. It claims to help “reveal radiant and renewed skin.”

Karuna Hydrating+ Face Mask

Another good product to rehydrate the skin after a long, drying winter. This is an all natural sheet mask. I’m looking forward to trying this one.

RealHer Lip Kit

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These lip products are made from natural ingredients. The kit includes a liquid lipstick, plumping lip gloss, and lip liner.

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish Set

fab-fit-fun-nailpolish

The pretty blue of this polish is perfect for spring.

Luv AJ Diamond Kite Crawler Earring Set

fab-fit-fun-earrings

This 14K rose gold earring set has sparkly appeal. I’ve never worn crawler earrings before. It will be interesting to try them.

Bonus item: Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin, & Nails Gummies

fab-fit-fun-vitamins

Often, the boxes contain an extra item or two as a bonus. These vitamins are a really good quality supplement. I was close to running out of my current vitamins, so this was perfect timing!

Total retail price of the box: $374

The subscription price is only $49.99 per box!  How’s that for an amazing deal? Plus, use this link and get $10 off your first FabFitFun box!

I know you’ll love receiving a surprise box of amazing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle items each season as much as I do!

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Book Review and Giveaway: The Magnolia Story

by | Apr 3, 2017 | Lifestyle

This month’s giveaway is especially for all my book loving friends! It will also most likely appeal to those who enjoy DIY projects, home decor and design, and any of you who like to read biographies of interesting contemporary figures.

So, without further ado, on to the giveaway!

The Magnolia Story book review

A while back, a friend asked me for some book recommendations and then mentioned that she had recently finished reading The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines. I was vaguely familiar with the Gaines’ names. Though I had heard they are Christians, I had never seen their HGTV show. I hadn’t heard any specifics on what exactly it is that they do. However, knowing that my friend’s taste in books is excellent, I figured I’d go ahead and read it for myself.

I’m so glad I did!

Chip and Joanna Gaines are a fascinating couple and their story is an inspiring one. Their hard work and determination are an example to those around them. The way they work as a team on any project they tackle is a beautiful picture of what a marriage can be when both husband and wife are willing to fulfill their roles and lay aside selfishness for the benefit of one another and their common goals.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The Gaines’ writing style is appealing and accessible. Their story is told in an interesting and compelling way that will keep you turning the pages to find out more about them. And their faith in God is genuine and completely uncontrived.

Reading their book made me determined to see their show, Fixer Upper. What a refreshing thing to see a clean, family-friendly, faith affirming show on tv! Programs like their’s are very rare in this day of no-holds-barred, anything-goes, throw-off-your-inhibitions television. They are certainly not your typical reality tv couple.

I highly recommend both their book and their HGTV show. (I read The Magnolia Story on ebook. It was the cheaper option, and I love the portability of ebooks. I watched the show at my mother’s house because we don’t have tv access in our home.)

For this month’s giveaway, I will be offering a physical copy of The Magnolia Story and season 1 of Fixer Upper for one of my readers.

Entering is easy: just use the Rafflecopter widget below.

If you’d like to purchase a copy of your own, you can find The Magnolia Story here and the ebook version can be found here. Or try the audiobook. You can find Fixer Upper here.

Happy reading!

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to Create a Morning Routine

by | Mar 13, 2017 | Lifestyle, Organization

morning-routine

Having a morning routine can be incredibly helpful. The benefits of a regular morning routine include better productivity, efficiency, improved mindset and attitude, and a smoother start to the day. If you don’t have a regular morning routine, I highly suggest developing one.

I have several tips on how to create an effective morning routine, one that will get your day off to the very best start.

Tip 1: List Tasks Needing to be Accomplished

Make a list of all the tasks you need to accomplish each morning. Include everything—brushing your teeth, showering, exercise, breakfast. Write it all down, so you know exactly what needs to be included in your routine each day.

Tip 2: Figure Out How Long Each Task Will Take

Assign a time frame to each item on the list. Of course, this is a ball park estimate. It doesn’t have to be exact.

Tip 3: Assign an Order to the Tasks

Decide what tasks should be done in what order. Will you brush your teeth first, or shower first? When will you eat breakfast? Place each task in the order that makes the most sense. Write down the order and keep this list handy for reference

Tip 4: Find a Rhythm

Begin implementing the order you assigned to each morning task, referring to your list if needed. Reevaluate and see if anything needs to be shifted around. Allow yourself to fall into a natural rhythm.

Tip 5: Make it a Habit

Keep at it each day until it becomes a habit. Do each task in the relatively same order each day until it is second nature.

Tip 6: Be Consistent

Continue with the routine each day. The longer you follow the routine, the easier and more smoothly it will flow. You’ll speed through your morning, knowing you’ve covered all your bases and gotten every task done that you needed to.

Tip 7: Reevaluate and Revamp

If after a while you find your routine isn’t working for you anymore, reevaluate to see if any changes or adjustments need to be made. It’s a good idea to do this on occasion anyway, as needs and priorities change and a morning routine may have to change with them.

A morning routine is a helpful tool. Making one work for you can make your mornings easier and your outlook better.

It works for me!

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