Friday Wish List {In Photos}

{psst. clicking the photos takes you to the source!}

Why I Almost Cried Today

So, do you guys remember how I never got a package for the Send Something Good project...? Well, I don't mean to brag but.... I got the best partner (as in the one I sent a package to) ever. Tiffany Lundin, of The Creative Coastie Wife is seriously the sweetest, most Christlike person.

Isn't she gorgeous?

So today, when I opened up the front door to have my brother take the pictures of me for my Treena Bean review, I found a package sitting on the doorstep -- addressed to me! I am expecting packages, but I was confused by this one, because I knew her name, and I wasn't expecting one from her!

And when I opened it and read the note, I teared up. No joke. And I don't tear up often (not from being overwhelmed by something good that is). I honestly just accepted the fact that I wasn't going to get a package for the Send Something Good, and I thought I was okay with that.... I wouldn't have taken back signing up, even when I was ranting to my brothers about not getting a package, I knew I would do it all over again, because it made me feel good to send something to someone.

Tiffany sent me a package, when she didn't have to, when she didn't need to, just because. I kept thinking about that as I was going through my goodies, and I just kept tearing up--from the pure love and kindness that I felt from her. I still can't believe it! And the stuff she sent me is amazing!

honestly it makes me feel bad about what I sent her

Stalker proofed--heehee

Smell good stuff!!! These have already found their home with my other smelly goodness

She made this, can you believe it? I love it!!! It's now hanging with my other necklaces

A gorgeous peach colored headband! Such a gorgeous hair pretty!

A feather hair clip! Oh my gosh  I love it!

An adorable rosette hair clip!!! She also made this, she's so talented!

Double heart headband -- that she made! Heart indeed!

Also pictured {but not really} is a gorgeous fuh-reakin' adorable floral dress! I can't express how much I love that dress. I wanted to wear it as soon as I saw it! You'll see pictures when I do wear it!!! LOVE!

She also sent me a mix CD... that isn't pictured because it was in my laptop being played while I took the pictures. Oops! Hehe! And you know who she made sure to include on it? Kelly Clarkson--songs from Stronger! You have no idea how much I've been needing that album! No joke, the songs are like, my life lately. And she sent me a bunch! Ah!!!

Isn't she just the most kind-hearted, Christlike, amazing lady ever?!?

Treena Bean {Review + WIW}

Have you guys heard of Treena Bean? It's this absolutely adorable, gorgeous, wonderful, inexpensive online boutique!! I found them through another blog, and I instantly fell in love with them!!!! Here, take a look at why, these are a few of my favorites from their shop.....

Only $18.95!

Only $11.95!

Only $11.95!

Only $17.95!

Only $19.95

Aren't their pieces just fabulous?! I contacted them about Jewelry in July, and they asked if I would do a review in June for them--and I would get one piece of my choice from their boutique. Uhm, of course I said yes!!! 

And oh my goodness, I had the absolute hardest time choosing the piece I wanted. No joke, I went through their shop who knows how many times, going over the pros and cons of choosing this piece vs. that piece. Choosing between gorgeous jewelry is just hard for me! Hehe! Well I finally decided on the following piece....

I decided on this Bangle because well.... look at it, how gorgeous is it? And I don't regret choosing it at all!!

It's high quality, not nearly as heavy as it looks, and I adore the mix of elegance and steampunk! I couldn't wait to wear it!

It's not really as big as it looks on me, I just have tiny {bony} wrists. {oh. and my tiny wrists make my hands look huge. Yeahh I'm kinda weirdly shaped. Hehe}

I just love love it!!! The color combination is wonderful, it doesn't pinch your skin, and honest, it looks like it should cost more than $15.95!!

Needless to say, I would not be disappointed if I had bought it! And trust me, I've been disappointed after buying jewelry. A lot. And I would not recommend those shops to anyone, but I highly recommend Treena Bean!

Not only is the jewelry impeccable, but Abbi was such a delight to communicate with! And, if you do purchase from their shop and for some {strange, weird} reason you aren't pleased, you can contact them! Customer satisfaction, as most everyone says, "number one priority"! And they mean it! I have no doubt that if you were unhappy that they would be kind and accommodating! 

Trust me, you will not regret being a Treena Bean customer, if anything you'll soon be raving about them just like me! Because, they're fabulous. Yup. So why don't you go check them out? Browse their shop for a while, find your favorite pieces! :)

Shop | Facebook

P.S. - They're sponsoring a giveaway over at Olive and  An Arrow! Go check it out! {or don't.... so that maybe I can win. You know. That would be awesome. Hehe!}

Friday Wish List {In Photos + a day late}

Ooops! It's a day late. Oh well!
{Click on the image to go to the source}

Shop My Closet: Poly USA

I love this dress. So much! But it doesn't fit me! AGH! I'm barely barely too wide around the ribs for it to zip up. And so, I'm selling it! I did a lot of research yesterday, and the cheapest I could find these dresses for is $80--I mean, dang!!! 

I'm going to sell it for $35 (that's including shipping!)

Extra Small - Strapless - Black Cocktail dress - Poly USA

Aside from being wrinkly and a few light spots (that could be cleaned off) it's in fabulous condition!!!

Comment on this post or email me to purchase! :)

Amanda of RDD (Guest Post + Giveaway)

Are you guys just the luckiest readers or what?! You know why? Because you're reading my blog. Duh. ;)

Hehee I'm just kidding!!! Today I have another fabulous lady guest posting!! Can you guys guess who??

Can ya can ya can ya????

Probably not. Because you know, she's kinda a big deal in the blogging world. And I'm just starting out. So you're gonna be like, "no, she's not posting here!" and Imma be like "uh, yeah she is! *insert hair flip here* people just love me, okay." ...okay I'm just kidding. {maybe}. But she is a big deal!!!

Do you guys know Amanda over at Royal Daughter Designs? I'm sure that you do, she's amazing!!! I kinda flipped for joy when she agreed to guest post! And then she threw in something that surprised me!

~drum-roll please~

A faaaabulouuuus giveaway!!! {yes, I did say that as if I was announcing you guys won a braaand newww carr!!!}

I didn't think she was going to, because did you know she had 30 days of giveaways on her blog?? It was insanely awesome. OH OH and I won something from it!!! Can you guess what?

A blog design from Amanda herself!!! So keep your eye out for some amazing eye candy changes around here. I can't wait! Anyways, enough with my ramblings. On to the star guest!

~~~

Hi y'all! I'm Amanda, the creative mind behind Royal Daughter Designs. I'm a country girl, farming and ranching on eight beautiful Texas acres. My husband, Mr. E., is a minister and a seminary professor and I'm a small business owner and a graduate student. I'm a has-been foster mom, a self-proclaimed animal lover, laundry procrastinator, sweet tea junkie, and high-heel hater.

Last September my husband and I became first time parents to three foster boys, ages 10, 11, and 15. (My husband and I aren't even old enough to have a 15 year old!) Our boys lived with us for almost six months, and throughout their stay with us people told us how brave we were.

I'm not brave.

Really, I’m not. But for some reason people kept telling me how brave I am. As if doing something completely crazy is automatically equated with bravery.

Three boys.

Three.

Boys.

How is it that the idea of taking in three boys is both reminiscent of a classical piece of literature and a modern day suspense thriller movie at the same time? 

How is it that my heart was filled with love and compassion for them, yet also afraid for them? How is it that my mind knew the craziness of it all, and knew that if it was His will, it wasn’t crazy? How is it that my heart was filled with excitement when the paperwork came in the mail, yet sank in fear at the thought of sending it in? The dual-mindedness was quite vexing!

I wanted my motives to be

pure

righteous

honest

God-honoring

selfless

I wanted to be obedient and surrendered to Him. If He asked me, I wanted to say yes.  And only if He asked. I didn’t want to say yes to anyone but Him, the only One who has the right to ask me to such a thing. That endeavor was so much bigger than me. So much beyond my ability. No one else had the right to ask that of me. And when He but whispered, I was compelled to say yes.

And in our hardest times with our boys, I always heard Him.

Trust me.

He'd nudge my soul with the reminder to trust Him.

To trust that if He asked me to do this:

I will never be alone.

He will equip me.

He will uphold me.

He will sustain me.

He will empower me.

He will give me wisdom.

He will receive the glory.

Throughout the process I realized that it wasn't about me, or our boys at all. It was always all about Him.

Thank you Rachel, for allowing me to share a little piece of what the Lord has taught me over the last year. Y'all can get to know me better over at my blog, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

~~~

Isn't she amazing? And I must say. Not many women can pull off brunette and blonde! I'm totally jealous. Head on over to her blog, follow her, and say hi! You won't regret it!!! Okay, ta ta for now!

psych.

You didn't think I forgot about the giveaway did you? Amanda is generously giving away the following prints!

Mannn. I'm jealous. I want to win these!!!

And you know what's even better? She's actually going to print them out and send them to the winner. How amazing is that?? So getta entering!!!! {oh, and puhlease be honest. I will be checking. Loves and hugs!}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday's Treats!

Oh my goodness, I am in love with this dress!!! I want it. Bad. (psst. clicking on the picture will take you to the source)

Isn't it so so cute? You mayyy see this again in my Friday wish list post. Maybe. Yes, I want it that badly! I'm posting it today for Spot of Tea's Tuesday's Treats blog hop!!

Oh and BTW.... Frances of Spot of Tea is amazing. Just sayin'. She's British = AWESOME. And she's the sweetest lady everr = AMAZING. yeah, we're like bloggy BFF's. okay not really. But I wish! Hehehee