a giveaway of sorts

All right, y'all, I have some exciting news. Remember this giveaway? Well, my friend, Courtney from Noonday Collection, thought she would spread the love again to my readers. But I have to say, this one is even cooler. And I'm a little jealous of the winners already. So here's the rundown.
Courtney is offering one of these necklaces (pictured below, a $72 value) to the FIRST THREE people that offer to host a trunk show in the month of March. So, obviously, the catch is that you would need to be in the Houston area, and if you don't live in Houston, then I am sorrier for you than you'll ever know. But if you do live in the area, then you have an AMAZING chance to win this GORGEOUS necklace. 

inca steps (in 3 colors to choose from)

Seriously, isn't it a beautiful statement piece? My sister-in-law owns one and she said that every time she wears it someone asks her about it. And isn't that a great opportunity to share about the vision of Noonday with complete strangers?! So, if you want to commit to host a trunk show in the month of MARCH, then you need to contact me immediately via email. cheryl dot wimberly at me dot com. Oh and ONE MORE thing, not only do you win the $72 necklace, but if your show does $500 or more, you receive the 10% hostess reward to go towards Noonday purchases OR an adoption.
So, what are you waiting for? Pick some dates that work for you and email me right now!

 

Road Trip, Part 2

via pinterest

I knew that when I wrote at the end of part 1 that there would be a part 2 of our anniversary road trip story, I was possibly over committing myself. I tend to not finish things and although it took me awhile to get motivated to actually write it, I finally did it. So here's to me actually finishing something!

When I left off in Part 1, we had just entered this place. . .

After I went to the bathroom, I walked past the groceries and into the warehouse. Immediately my mouth wanted to drop to the floor. But I had to keep it cool. I had to keep on my poker face, you know. I couldn't give anything away. If you watch American Pickers, Mike and Frank always talk about "breaking the ice," getting that first price agreed on as being crucial to the rest of the pick. So Patrick asked about the first thing he knew I would want:

7ft tall metal lockers.

 

I have wanted something like this for our kitchen since we moved into our house 5 years ago. Patrick knew I would want to buy them and that I would pay a pretty heavy price for them. New lockers like this can be about $500. So, Patrick said to him, "How much do want for the lockers?" And the owner replied, "$20." Are.you.kidding.me???? I knew right then that we were going to be taking a lot with us back to Texas. When the owner turned his back to me, I looked at Patrick and gave him that look. You know the one that says, "We hit the mother load." And I just went crazy. Pretty much everything I pointed at, my mouth wanted to drop. Old shutters - $.50 each/ Vintage Blue Ball mason jar - $4/ Wooden school desk & chairs - $4 each/ Wooden choir chairs - $3 each / 15 old windows - $10.

 

We ended up buying this small trailer on our trip as well. I know, right?! We're nuts. We looked up trailers on Craigslist when we were in Asheville and found this one for a terrific price. Patrick had been wanting to buy one for the past 6 months, so it made sense. 

 

 

We drove through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Gorgeous. Seriously. I have been to a lot of mountain ranges, but these are so pretty and so different. Plus the leaves were starting to change, so that was a bonus.

And this is what our truck looked like when we got home. Patrick has his work cut our for him, no?  ;)

 

We had a wonderful time and it's been over a month since we got home. It feels like it's already been a year and we're due for another one. Ha! I'm only kidding, grandparents. We'll at least wait until 2012, before we hit you up for another week of fun!

 

 

friday favorites pinterest project

I'm sure everyone is well aware of my obsession with pinterest, and how much time I've wasted inspiration it has given me. 

Well, one of my favorite things about it, is actually completing a project that I started. Here is one more I finished after seeing this on pinterest.
We have a small bathroom for the kids and it is quite comical when ALL 5 of us are in there trying to get the kids ready for bed. I was getting tired of the Reederator always getting his toothbrush and scrubbing the sink with it! So I was so happy to finish this project that has saved space and kept their things organized at the same time. I am so happy with how they turned out! 

 

 

Happy Friday, y'all!

 

fair-trade fashion {a Noonday Collection giveaway}

 

". . . when you satisfy the needs of the oppressed, your night will become like the noonday." 

Isaiah 58:10

I can hardly contain my excitement! And I will tell you why in just a minute, but first, do you know about Noonday Collection yet? It's a company where fair-trade fashion meets helping the oppressed. Now, that's a Win/Win, amen? 

  

"Our passion at Noonday Collection is to connect you with the lives of artisans struggling for a better future while styling you along the way. Fashion and design are a vehicle for opportunity and change. You, too, can be a voice for the oppressed!"

The company was started by a woman in Austin named, Jessica Honeggar. She was asked by friends in Uganda if she would sell some fair-trade Ugandan made goods in Austin, in order to raise money for her costly adoption process of her son, Jack, from Rwanda. You can read the story of Jack here and here. She, of course, agreed and started this incredible company. They now have artisans from around the globe and you can go here to read more. Here are just four of the countries below:

One of the things I love about Noonday is their passion for orphans. I was introduced to this wonderful company by my friend Missy. She sent out an invitation to a trunk show that would benefit the adoption of her baby girl, Bethlehem, from Ethiopia. My girlfriend Jamie, and I went together to the trunk show and left so encouraged and inspired by what this company was all about. Not to mention falling in love with all of the beautiful jewelry. Since then, we have been advocates for this company and are always excited to share about it with others.

There is where it gets good, people. Recently, Jamie and another woman from our church, Lee Ann, hosted a trunk show and I came home with these earrings. They're the Cleopatra earrings, made in India. Gorgeous, aren't they?

  

I was also introduced to one of the Houston ambassadors, Courtney Garrett. Y'all, she is fantastic! She's gracious, smart, beautiful and passionate about what Noonday is all about. And you want to know another reason why she's so awesome? Because she offered to give one of my readers a $50 gift card towards purchasing something from Noonday Collection. I know, seriously, this is exciting, people.

Here are the 4 ways to enter:

1.  *UPDATE: Please make sure to leave your EMAIL (I am new to this giveaway thing and this slipped by me, but if I can't contact you, I will pick another winner!!)
2.  Mandatory Entry: Go to Courtney's page and pick out your favorite jewelry and/or accessories and come back here and tell me what it is in the comments below
3. ALSO, I would really appreciate if you were a follower of finding the beauty and/or subscribe via email or via RSS (let me know if you already are)
4. "Like" Noonday Collection on Facebook
5. Share this giveaway on your FB page and/or blog (and leave the link)

Please let me know what all you did in the comments below.
Enter before midnight, Thursday, October 27
Winner announced on Friday, October 28

Right now this is my favorite necklace - the Light Layers necklace, which I believe comes from Ecuador. Y'all, isn't is fabulous???? Oh, be still my beating heart.

Now, go and come back and tell me your favorites and get a chance to win! You need some Noonday Collection!

 

friday favorites {linky love}

via pinterest

 1.

I pray regularly that God would capture my children's imaginations. My good friend and my children's godmother (no, I'm not Catholic, but my husband and I wanted this particular family to be more than just friends, we wanted them to be set apart as spiritual mentors in their lives as well). Anyways, I digress. This friend of mine always prayed that for her kids and I started to when my kids were born. I want them to know that the theme, of good vs. evil, plays out in every story ever written. That God wrote that story and He placed it into man's heart. So when they read their favorite book or watch their favorite movie, they will know that the theme is not original. That it originated in God, in the creator Himself. I want them to see Christ when they read all sorts of different stories. Because ultimately we have all been written into His Story.
So when i read this article by N.D. Wilson, I couldn't wait to share it! He captures so well this idea of God capturing our imagination. I encourage you to go read it now.

 "Kids (and adults) don’t just need the truth in their heads — they need it in their bones. They need to know what courage looks like and tastes like and smells like before they ever have to show it themselves. They need to do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly — heroes and villains can show them why. They need to loathe the darkness and love the Light."

source

2.

Pie season is quickly approaching. Pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie...mmm... what's your favorite? Well, if you enjoy making pies as much as me, then check out this wonderful article on the Pioneer Woman's blog, by her friend Pam, about different pie crusts. It is SUPER HELPFUL and actually pretty interesting! Don't you just love the Pioneer Woman?

3.

And it wouldn't be a friday favorites {linky love} if I didn't include an article from the ladies at Femina.

"God will never give you more than you can handle?" How many times have you heard that? I know I have heard it more times than I can count. And it just has never made sense to me. I understand in essence people are saying that God will be there in time of need, but the fact of the matter is that - God gives us more than we can handle all the time. And Nancy Ann Wilson explains why in this awesome article. 

"But He never promised not to give us more than we could handle. In fact, He gives us more than we can handle all the time. If He didn’t, then we would not need to lean on Him for grace and strength." Keep Reading.

Join me over at Rachel's blog for {friday} favorite things. Link up and read along!

Happy Friday, y'all!
 

10 years and still having fun

We packed up, I took Saige to school and told her good-bye, my mom came over to the house, we told all of them good-bye and we left. Just like that. It was so strange to drive away from the house knowing I wouldn't see them for a week. But it was also so exhilarating. The open road with nothing but XM satellite (mainly NPR), coffee and an iPad to direct our path. I was absolutely giddy. 

My husband and I love road trips. When we were first married we took a road trip (big or small) every 4 months. And on our last one we went to California when I was 2 months pregnant with Saige. So when we started talking about our anniversary trip, we started dreaming about the open road. And thankfully Patrick likes to drive. I like it, but I get what I call carcilepsy. Literally. Whether I am driving or not, I will get so drowsy, that I can't shake it. It's not all the time, just usually in the afternoons but I obviously can't drive for very long.

Here is a run down of our trip.

Drove to Pensacola, Florida, stayed the night in a hotel on Priceline for $45. Got up the next morning, found some coffee and drove to Savannah, GA. 

And oh my, Savannah is gorgeous. And so interesting. To me it had a small town feel, with some really great old buildings and lots of yummy food. I mean, Paula Dean's The Lady and Sons restaurant is there, so you know it's good. Although we didn't eat there, we ended up eating at the Olde Pink House, which was our most luxurious evening out of the whole trip.  It was built in 1771 and apparently it's pink because the red brick bled over time and dyed the white plaster that covers it. Pretty interesting, huh?

 

After Savannah, we headed to Charleston. When we got there we took a walking tour of the city. I love history. I minored in it college, so this city was

VERY interesting to me. And we couldn't have had a better tour guide in terms of getting a feel for the city where bloodlines are so important. She was such a character and actually reminded me a lot of Hilly from The Help. Strong, Southern, extremely proud of her town and her heritage, and honestly a bit racist. She was very defensive of anyone painting Charleston in a bad light and I almost got the sense that the rest of America owes Charleston for their efforts in business, culture of course the Civil War. It was an interesting tour to say the least.

From there we headed to Folly Beach, SC. And what a gem. A laid back surfing town with great food and a great atmosphere. I wish we would have planned to stay there longer, honestly. Below is our picture from our hotel room. We also found a great restaurant called Taco Boy, which was like Californian Mexican food. Fish style tacos but with like 10 different spins on it. I got a tempura shrimp taco with remoulade sauce and oh wow, was it good! Folly Beach is somewhere I would definitely visit again.

In the morning, our goal was to get near Asheville, NC. But this was the day we set aside for picking. You know, antique picking. We are total nerds. Our new favorite shows are American Pickers and Picker Sisters. Have you seen either of these shows? American Pickers is just fun, but I am totally inspired by Picker Sisters.

Well, Patrick thought it would be a good idea to take back roads to Greenville in the off chance that we would see something. I am not exactly sure what we were looking for. Treasures along the side of the road that said, FREE, maybe? I kept thinking that we needed to go up to a door and knock and ask if we could look in their sheds and barns. Patrick said, "Sure, if you want to get shot." So we just kept driving. 

And as I was literally laying my seat back, getting ready to take a nap, carcilepsy strikes again, I saw a huge building with the word Auction on the side. I yelled for Patrick to stop and pull in. 

 

He said he didn't even notice it and just thought it was a convenience store. Well he was partly right. They did have grocery store items, but they also had a warehouse with things for sale. Come to find out later, they hadn't been having auctions due to the heat and were more than willing to move stuff out. So we asked if we could take a look. After I got out of the restroom, Patrick told me that I was going to die when I walked in. And he was just about right...

And with that, I am going to end this post and finish it up with a Part 2.

I'll leave you with one gem that we acquired though . . .

1920's choir chairs

Stay tuned for part 2...

Happy Monday, y'all!