Get Lost in a Good Book

I know most of us moms rarely get time to read when you have small children, but don't you just LOVE getting lost in a good book?  I think we should make it a priority every once in a while even though our time is limited. It's good for the soul, especially when it's an uplifting book. Right now I'm reading this BEAUTIFUL book inspired by a true love story that took place during World War II.

This book By the Stars captivated me from the very beginning. It's about a young couple who first met when they were in the 8th grade and instantly had a special connection. Over the years they lost touch for a time until one fateful day crossed paths once again. 

The author LindsayFerguson is seriously amazing! Her words are so beautiful, poetic and engaging in a way that allows you to feel as if you are witnessing this story in real life. She really did her research when writing this book. I love what she says at the end--"everyone has a story to tell".  I totally agree with this and just love that she was inspired to use her gifts to share this one with others. 

Getting Ready For Christmas~ Part TWO

One thing Sean and I argue about this time of year, is WHEN to put up the Christmas tree. We had a little debate about putting it up BEFORE Thanksgiving but he's learned to follow the very wise quote, "Happy Wife, Happy Life" :) :) :)

Then he REALLY started to get into the Christmas spirit!!!

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I found another company called Shutterfly that has a great selection of Holiday Cards. They are a little cheaper than the last one I posted about too. They happen to be the  #1 choice of professional photographers.

I didn’t order enough Christmas cards so I’m going to go with this company for the next batch. Here is the one I picked along with some information directly from their website. Just choose the card you want and upload your pictures, it's that simple.

•Store all your pictures on Shutterfly free of charge, safely—without limitations, or deletion.

•We do not shrink your original high-resolution images—giving you the best professional-quality prints and products in the industry.

•Instantly share your pictures online—friends can see them without signing up.

•Turn your pictures into personalized gifts—we’re #1 in quality, having won awards for our photo books, cards, and editing tools.

•We’ve got articles, videos and plenty of “How To” tips to support and inspire you.

•Pick up 4x6 prints at Target, Walgreens, and CVS in as little as an hour.

*If you have a blog and would like to receive 50 FREE cards then go HERE to see how.

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One last thing before you go! I talked with Effie's Heart about changing the Giveaway Prize. I wasn't getting much response with the gloves, so we decided to just make it a $36 gift card instead. This way you can choose what ever you want. Shirt, Cabaret leggings, gloves, or whatever else you want on their website. Remember they offer free shipping anywhere in the US and this weekend for Black Friday, EVERYTHING is 30% OFF!!!!!!! To enter the giveaway, leave your comments  HERE.

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Last year at this time I came up with a little schedule for the month of December and called it Gearing up for the new year. It's a whole 3 weeks of Christmas. If you'd like to check them out here is a link for each week.
Week #1
Week #2
Week #3

Getting Ready For Christmas!!!

Yes, I said it, I'm getting ready for Christmas even before Thanksgiving. I've got my Christmas cards all ready to go...

I ordered my cards through Tiny Prints, they are a premier online stationery website that offers exclusive designs for birthday invitations, holiday greetings, baby shower invitations, and many other cards and stationery for many different life events. To see their full collection, visit: http://www.tinyprints.com. If you become a fan of their facebook page you can have access to a couple promo codes their offering right now. Here are a couple of my favorite Christmas Cards.

I've been burning some yummy Christmas scented candles...

You've got to try Stephanie Lee's Silent Night candle, SOOOO Yummy!!! And she's got a great shipping policy. All packages are a $10 flat rate, but she throws in $10 worth of extra candles to make up for the cost of shipping. So I got the 3 smaller candles for FREE! How nice is that? Visit her website at www.stephanieleecandles.com

We've pulled out the Christmas decor and have been watching The Santa Clause movie...

And thinking of gift ideas for the family...

This weekend through Monday My LDS Memories is having a sale with all photo book prices starting at just $15. They are regularly $35. They have a new photobook called My Family Proclamation. It combines many quotes from "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" by The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Twins!

No, I'm not pregnant with twins. Actually not pregnant at all,  that I know of.  If you read my "Thinking Maternity" post, then you'd know that it's very much a possibility for me to be pregnant, not with twins though :). Don't worry I'll keep you all posted AS SOON as it happens :). Anyway, the real reason for this post is to tell you about Lily's new favorite doll.

I got this stuff for her as a back to school gift. Actually we already had the doll, and it's not an American girl doll, we got it from Costco last year for $35. They are selling them again right now for Christmas, you can find them online too. The outfits are from K-Mart and they're called What A Doll Girls. You can buy the dolls there too but I personally didn't think they were as cute as the Costco ones:) The outfit sets are only $25 in stores and $20 online. I just went online and bought her a few more outfits to give to her as birthday gifts. She's turning the big "5" this month, and she's extremely excited about it.

Here are some of the other outfits they have.

These pajama's are only $10

 There is another company called My Twin, that sells all kinds of cute stuff like this, but WAY expensive. Here are some of the things I've been eyeing, and MAYBE I'll have to splurge on this adorable doll bunk bed for one of Lily's Christmas presents.

And I just wanted to throw in these recent pictures I took of little Olly and his daddy. I'm pretty proud of the way they turned out, thanks to my wonderful friend Carrie. She's teaching me some of her skills.

Oh, and I would sure love it if you voted for me today on Top Mommy Blogs.  The numbers were reset again, gives other bloggers a chance to be in the top 25, so now back to square one for everyone. I really appreciate you all so much!!! It's simple to vote, just click on this icon, then click on the "click to vote" and you're done. You don't have to register or go searching for my blog on their website, it's that easy :)

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

Cozette Couture

I got these cute little vintage handcrafted flowers so I could sew them on to a pair of flip flops for Lily. They turned out so cute don't you think?

I just love all the creative things I find at Cozette Couture on Etsy. Here are some of my favorites.

Vintage Lace Headwrap/ Sash $25

Vintage Lace Pearl Bracelet $14

Don't ya just love these Flower Wipee Cases!!! $18

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My new favorite chips!

I LOVE the Blue Corn Chips, so yummy!!!

These tortilla chips are made from the highest quality, all-natural ingredients baked into the chips. 

Gluten Free
Cholesterol free
Trans fat free
Certified Kosher
Lower in sodium
Great source of fiber
They are available in ten varieties! Multigrain, Sweet Potato, Olive, Jalapeno, The Works, Chocolate, Lime, Yellow Corn, Blue Corn, and Cheddar. 

You can find these chips at Costco, Albertsons, StarBucks, Whole Foods, and many many more. Or you can just buy them online at  www.foodshouldtastegood.com. You can even get $1 off coupon from their website.

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FREE Simulated Diamond Earrings

A new website called DiamondEarrings.org has an innovative promotion going on.  They’re not selling anything yet, but are spreading the word about their site by giving away free pairs of simulated diamond earrings set in sterling silver, and will ship them anywhere in the continental U.S.  It works like this:

1) Mention the site DiamondEarrings.org on twitter, facebook, myspace, or your own blog.

2) Go to DiamondEarrings.org and click on “Order Now” on the top right of the page.

3) Fill out the required information and pay for shipping, only $3.77.

4) Wait for your earrings to arrive!

I just got mine in the mail the other day. So excited to get free stuff :)

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Sojo Salon & Boutique

I recently bought this dress and cabaret leggings from this Boutique in the Sojo Salon located at

1098 W South Jordan Pkwy (10600 S.)

South Jordan UT 84095

I just LOVE the dress and love the leggings even more! I got the dress for $56, and the leggings for $39

I got the burgundy ones too.

They also have this color as well. 

FAB Friday~ Jewelry Giveaway!!!

I'm so excited to tell you about this fashionable jewelry I love so much!!!  I own a few of these  Jewel Kade Charmz and Chainz and they are definitely my most favorite jewelry to wear. Guarantee you're going to love them all!!! I'll let my friend Kathy tell you a little more about herself and how she got involved in selling this jewelry. Oh and she's also offered to sponsor a giveaway. The lucky winner will get to choose an item of their choice up to $60. Pretty generous of her don't you think?

My name is Kathy Andrews- I started my Jewel Kade business last September. Jewel Kade is a new direct sales company out of Utah. Janet Kinkade is the designer of this unique, vintage style charmware. She is a mother of  5, that has been in fashion and jewelry designing for many years. She made a photo charm of her 5 children and everyone noticed her work. She made the decision to perfect that design and produce unique charmware during the summer of 2008. In July of 2010, Jewel Kade went National. There are only 600 Stylists in the entire country.

I am so proud to be one of those fortunate stylists. I was awestruck when I noticed someone wearing this line, and made the decision that day to get involved. I have never looked back. This charmware is so fun to wear. There is not a day that goes by, that people don’t compliment my jewelry.  The jewelry makes you feel so pretty! What I love about it- is that you can wear it with jeans, work casual, business/professional and even formal. It is so versatile.

The charms are all hand crafted, made out of pewter that encases cut, beveled glass. Many pieces have German glass glitter- a very high quality coarse glitter. The artwork is applied to canvas. The front of the charm is always different from the back- so it is like wearing 2 different pieces. The chains are a mixed metal, silver and gold, and also, there are georgous pearls (white, chocolate and champagne colors) to choose from. The chains and charms are all interchangeable- as each chain has a claw to attach the charm- so you mix and match everyday. Layering is “the look”- mix silver and gold, with pearls and chains etc. It is so incredibly fun!  It is truly like wearing a piece of art. And what could be more personal than a photo charm of your kids, or your new baby, or your grandchildren, or your wedding day, or your anniversary—the list goes on!

My business is primarily home parties, on-line ordering, and vendor/expos. You can do a business part-time (as I do, I have a full time nurse job) or full time—you decide! It requires no education, previous experience or prior knowledge.

Joining the Jewel Kade team is an incredible  “timing” opportunity- as there are so few people that even know about it. This is a grass roots business, and I am certain, Jewel Kade will be a “household” name in a few years. So much potential also- especially, because, at this point, Janet has only focused on chains and charms- there are lots of ideas on the horizon, including more bracelets, earrings, and other accessories.

Jewel Kade is a perfect option in this down economy- sales are wonderful- you would never know there was a recession!! You can start your business with as little as $400 and most reps make that initial cost after 2-3 parties. The business is very simple- I carry my collection in my car everywhere I go!

I am looking to grow my team and have reps in every state. I can coach on the phone, and I am willing to travel.

Thank you for your time- this should be helpful as it gives you a bit more insight to me, my Jewel Kade business, as well as the uniqueness of the Jewel Kade quality charmware.

Kathy Andrews----248-895-0046

www.jewelkade.com/kathyandrews

kathyandrews@wowway.com 

“Charmz n’ Chainz” on Facebook

So here are some things you can do for us to help spread the word. Leave a separate comment for each thing you do. I will be selecting a winner using random.org. You can pick just one thing to do, or you can do all and increase your chances of winning!  We sure appreciate your support, and GOOD LUCK!!!

• "Like" Charmz and Chainz on Facebook, and leave a comment on her wall so we know you're a fan.
• Suggest to at least 5 of your friends to "like" Charmz and Chainz on facebook.
•  Follow my blog, or follow me on twitter
• Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs.
• Tweet about this giveaway, copy and paste the following. 

$60 Charmz and Chainz giveaway!!!@balancedmomshttp://www.wannabbalancedmom.com/2010/08/fab-friday-jewelry-giveaway.html

Thanks again everyone!!!!