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We've Come A Long Way

Earlier this year I wrote a post about myself. It was all about me, and everything I thought you should know if we were gonna be bloggy friends. You can catch up {HERE} if you missed it. I figured almost a year has gone by {we have officially lest 20's welcomed 30's} and a few things have changed so I might need to update all of you.

I currently have 4 emails, yet I answer them all from 1 so what is the point?
I gave up cokes, with the exception {like 1 a month} root beer.
I have palpitations, everyday, and its annoying
I'm becoming a better business women
I'm working on my {elevator speech}
I'm traveling to my first business conference in 2013
I miss Red Bull and Diet Coke
I can't justify buying a new iPhone just because its new
There are days I want to give up capital letters & punctuation

It took me a year and a half to decide how to decorate my living room.
I'm giving up craft shows...completely
I still read a book a day, most days anyways
I miss blogging regularly
I always take on more than I should and then stress
I saw my family more when we lived halfway across the country than I do now that I live 5 hours away

I can't handle it when people doodle on my desk calendar
I LOVE sweets
I've been married for 3 years last month

I STILL love Jesus with all of me
I feel better about 30 and feel I have a goal in life
I am planning to attend 3 amazing business/blog conferences in 2013
I'm going on my first grown-up women's retreat next year

I have new goals for this year, 20 of them! I would love to be able to cross them all off by mid year and know that its done and I can relax. The reality is that I'd just make a new list to drive myself crazy with. 

Would love to know more about you! Share something fun in the comments. 


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Merry Christmas

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Who My Junk Folder Thinks I am....

Have you actually looked in your junk/spam folder lately. Forever I just deleted it and moved on. Recently I realized important emails were being filtered in there and now I look every time before I delete them. All I can say is clearly my junk folder doesn't know me very well. You should see what is in that thing!

via

According to my junk folder I am....

• Desperately in need of a date, it recommends younger men {Cougar site} and that they be Jewish. Occasionally a senior site pops up too. We don't discriminate.
• I need better tv service
• I need a payday loan {like everyday}
• I should go back to school, something in criminal justice
• I'm stupid lucky, you should see all the money I win
• I need better insurance, life, car and medical
• I need to loose my belly fat and this raspberry thing will do just the trick
• I've been wearing glasses for too long and should get Lasik surgery

Who does your junk folder think you are?? Link up and share with us.

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Make a wish

I recently stumbled across this 20 Wishes post from Truly Lovely inspiring their readers to create a list of 20 things they want to do in the next twelve months. I love this idea. I love that it's not about things you should do or things that need to get done.

The way I see it, if I could create a blueprint for this next year made of only the things I want to do, this is what it would look like...

1. Meet a blog friend.{Planning to meet several}
2. Attend a business conference.
3. Lose 10 lbs and ton up{this is on everyone's list}
4. Jog 3 5Ks
5. Reach 1000 sales on Etsy
6. Get new sewing studio completed
7. Keep blogging throughout the year
8. Do one Celebrity gifting with Elle Dee Designs
9. Host a awesome swap
10. Attend a blog conference
11. Read 40 books (ten more than this year)
12. Go on a trip with Hubs
13. Ride my bike more
14. Keep in touch with my brothers and Sister in laws
15. Update business website to contain all items and keep it updated.
16. Get Family Pictures made, just me and hubs.
17. Furnish guest room
18. Build amazing friendships, whether new or current
19.Become an LLC
20. Meet my newest nephew

Fun year, right?

If you make a list too, I'd love to see it.

Recap of 2012...


So here they are...12 in 12!
1. Read at least 30 books (exact list is in the works)  Read over 100 books this year!
2. Lose 10 lbs (this is an ongoing goal that I'm not very motivated to work on) {lost and then re-gained 10 lbs!}
3. Continue to Pray and read the Bible daily.
4. Continue to stay away from Red Bull (going on 4 months{NO REDBULL:(})
5. Grow my business and reach 2000 facebook fans and 400 sales on Etsy.{2400 facebook followers and 631 Etsy sales to date 12/21/2012}
6. Stay involved in our Missional Community & actively volunteer with them.{Just too many things to juggle}
7. Exercise at least 5 days a week...and change it up sometimes.{yes!!}
8. Continue to faithfully tithe.{yes!!}
9. Purchase Living room furniture.  {arrived this week!}
10. Cook dinner once a week.
11. Update business website to contain all items and keep it updated.
12. Get Family Pictures made, just me and hubs.

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My heart breaks...

Mothers and Fathers of Sandy Hook Victims, 

I do not know your sadness. I am not a mother and can not begin to understand what you are feeling. What I do understand is that every time I think about this tragedy,  see something on the news or read a blog post, my heart breaks for you, my eyes tear and I am baffled. I am baffled as to what leads a person to act in this way. 

My hearts breaks for this young man's family as well. I know that in this time they are suffering as well and there will be {have no doubt} people that will question why I feel for them. They will wonder why I feel bad for these people, why I would give them my prayers, why take those thoughts away from the defenseless children and teachers that were slaughtered. 

It's sad that in these moments we are quick to judge and equally quick to forget that a young man died this day too. His mother lost her life as well and a father lost a son, and surely is surely questioning what they could have done differently, where they went wrong. 

I pray that something good can come from this loss. I pray that these families will turn to God and surrender to Him and know His comfort and peace in the coming weeks.  We know that we may never have answers as to why this happened. I pray that God will bring peace to each and everyone of these families. I pray that their community will surround them with love and embrace them. 

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Friday Letters

Dear Hubs,
Have I told you lately how proud of you I am? Well, I'm really proud of you. Thank you for being my Hubs. 

Dear Tisa,
Sad you are in OKC without me, but I know you are going to totally rock it!

Dear Santa,
I've been pretty good this year, just sayin'.

Dear Craigslist,
Please find people who wants my old random Living room furniture so I can make room for the beautiful new furniture that is coming:)

Dear Radio,
I really don't like Christmas Music. I know, I'm weird. Unless you want me to complete give up on you please play some non-Christmas music too!

Dear Vacation,
I need you!

Dear 4 Day Work Week,
You rock! I love being home on Thursdays to work on Elle Dee Designs and catch up on life.

Dear Legs,
Thank you for getting me through the Dirty Girl Mud Run, sorry for that fist size bruise on the calf. The wooden wall was harder than I thought.

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5 things I'm Loving Right Now!

5 things I'm loving right now! by elledeedesign

Skinny Jeans Plain Shirts Messanger Bags Pei Wei EOS Lip Gloss

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Red Letter Paper Co.

The countdown has started. Christmas is only one month away, which means that its time to start decorating, stringing lights, baking goodies and sending our Christmas Cards. As a business owner I like to encourage others to participate in the movement to Shop Local, Shop Handmade that is currently sweeping the nation. One of my favorite things to purchase handmade is stationary. Whether it is designed by a local artist and professional printed or hand pieces together.

This year I will be sending out cards designed and printed by Red Letter Paper Co.. Red Letter Paper Co. has put a spin on the traditional Christmas Card and turned it into a fun and hip way to share the season.

They has everything from traditional styles....

To something a little more modern...



I have a variety sitting right here on my desk and I can't wait to send them out. Remember Red Letter Paper Co. doesn't just design amazing Christmas Cards, but cards for all occasions from Fathers Day, birthdays to baby congrats and just because.

 

You can follow Red Letter Paper Co. here

 

 

{This is a sponsored post, however all opinons are my own.}

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This or That Link-Up

I'm back and am ready to share the skinny on me. I can't wait to hear what you chose, this or that! So grab a button and link up!

1. Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate

2. Morning or Night: Night

3. Eating in or Out: Eating in if Hubs is cooking, out if I am:)

4. Cats or Dogs: Dogs

3. Apple or Windows: Windows

4. Store bought or homemade cookies: Homemade always

5. East coast or West Coast: West Coast

6. Night out or night in: Night in, I need my bed close by.

7. Coke or Pepsi: Coke..Diet Coke that is

8. Laundry or Dishes: Dishes

9. Football or Baseball: College Football, otherwise baseball

10. Reality TV or Sitcom: Sitcom

11. Electronic reader or paperback: Ereader, sometimes its nice to hold a real book

12. Facebook or Twitter: Facebook

13. Eloping or Wedding: Wedding

14. Math/Science or Language Arts: Math/ Science

15. Salt or Pepper: Pepper

16. Friday or Sunday: Friday

17. Movie theater or rentals: Theater

18. Paper newspaper or online news: Newspaper

19. Valentine's Day or Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving

20. Oscars or Grammy's: Neither- don't really care

21. Gas stove or electric: Gas

22. Gold or Silver: Silver

23. Coke or Tea:Tea

24. City or Country: City but I love both

25. Diamonds or Pearls: Diamonds

26. Peanut butter or Jelly: Peanut butter-but really what is one without the other?!

27. Colors or black/white: Black and White

28. Online shopping or actual shopping: Actual shopping, as long as its anywhere but the mall.

29. College or High School:  high school was way more fun than college

30. Breakfast or Dinner: Breakfast for Dinner!

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Friday Letters

Dear Families in Midland,

We are all praying for you. 

Dear Christmas Affair,

I'm spent after 1 night, here's to the next 2!

Dear 4 day work week,

I LOVE you!!

Dear Customers,

You never cease to amaze me! You make my me smile so much.

Dear Etsy,

That Cha-Ching noise on the mobile app is amazing!!!

Dear Husband,

Thank you for everything! You are the best.

Dear Followers,

I'm trying to figure out what our new look will be.

Dear Twitter,

I think I got this...finally!

Dear Cinsarah,

I love my necklace, thanks for hosting your awesome giveaway.

Dear Simply Livly,

This necklace is perfect!!! Thank you Thank you!

Dear Hubs,

I promise the couch is more comfortable than the chairs. You are gonna love the new living room:)

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Currently

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This OR That: A Link up

I saw this adorable post last week and thought it would be a great link up! I would love to get to know you better! I found this awesome survey to simply ask you to pick between this or that. Feel free to elaborate anywhere you'd like to explain your choice. Simply copy and paste the survey into your blog post and enter in your own choices between this or that. Come back on Monday November 19th and link up! If you don't have a blog feel free to share your answer in the comment section below.

1. Chocolate or Vanilla:

2. Morning or Night:

3. Eating in or Out:

4. Cats or Dogs:

3. Apple or Windows: 

4. Store bought or homemade cookies:

5. East coast or West Coast:

6. Night out or night in:

7. Coke or Pepsi:

8. Laundry or Dishes:

9. Football or Baseball:

10. Reality TV or Sitcom:

11. Electronic reader or paperback:

12. Facebook or Twitter:

13. Eloping or Wedding:

14. Math/Science or Language Arts:

15. Salt or Pepper:

16. Friday or Sunday:

17. Movie theater or rentals: 

18. Paper newspaper or online news:

19. Valentine's Day or Thanksgiving:

20. Oscars or Grammy's:

21. Gas stove or electric:

22. Gold or Silver:

23. Coke or Tea:

24. City or Country:

25. Diamonds or Pearls:

26. Peanut butter or Jelly:

27. Colors or black/white:

28. Online shopping or actual shopping:

29. College or High School:  

30. Breakfast or Dinner: 

31. Make up your own This or That for readers to answer in the comments section!

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Friday Letters

Dear Job,

You really shouldn't be this stressful.

Dear Country Music,

You made my morning with another Eric Church song.

Dear Hubs,

I can not wait for our "anniversary dinner" part dos tonight.

Dear Customers,

I promise I am going as fast as possible.

Dear Veryjane.com,

You rock!

Dear Groopdealz,

Thanks for helping with so much of my Christmas shopping.

Dear Sandy @ Firefly Confections,

I had so much fun writing about your amazing caramels, thanks for the opportunity!

Dear Meghan,

I can't wait to use all of my goodies and start my new book!

Dear Swaps,

You are so much fun!!!

Dear Craftcation and Snap!

I CAN NOT wait!!!

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Book Swap!!

If you've been around for long you know I love two things, swaps and books. So you can imagine how excited I was when I saw that The Sweet Green Tangerine and Friends were hosting a BOOK SWAP! Now that's what I'm talking about! I love reading and recently converted over to using my iPad for checking out books from the library and new book purchases. There is something to be said for holding an actual paper book in your hand. On occasion I am drawn to used book stores just to get my paperback fix. Anyways, on with the swap....

The mystery of who you're paired up with and followed by the mandatory stalking of all social media to "get to know" your swap partner. These are the key things to a good swap in my opinion. I was paired us with Meghan of Shine On. So I checked out her good reads, twitter, and blog. What I found made my day, the girls loves Nora Roberts as much as I do! Which was clear since we both sent each other one of her books.

I have to say I feel bad, I sent Meghan her book with a quick note. I was rushing to get it in the mail and not forget about the mailing deadline. When I got Meghan's package she had spoiled me! I got the awesome above mentioned book, but she also included these adorable owl magnetic book marks and an awesome mini book light! Meghan I promise I'll make it up to you next time we partner up!

Do you swap? What is your favorite so far? Do you have one in the works? Share so I can check it out!

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Firefly Confection - A Mouth Watering Review

It's that time of year, Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, followed by Christmas and then New Years. Most of us will spend the time with our families and friends. One of my favorite things to do during these cool weather months is bake. When I lived closer to my parents I remember hours of baking with my mom getting ready for family gatherings, church events and the ever famous Cookie Exchanges. I was never one to get too adventurous with the cooking. I like to bake, but tend to stick with cookies and pies. If you are like me in this regard, fear not, you have options! I love to order homemade goodies from the pros!

Last year I won an amazing giveaway that featured a package of Salted Caramels from Sandy with Firefly Confections. Now, I have to admit I have attempted to make caramels myself in the past, they were nothing like this. These are amazing! I couldn't get enough and finally had to give the bag to my bestie to keep them out of my reach. Last week Sandy sent me a bag full of her two newest flavors, Gingerbread and S'more. They are packaged perfectly to show off the yummy crust and marshmallow top of these melt in your mouth bite size bits of S'more heaven.  The gingerbread flavor, which can be a tricky one was perfect! The mix of flavors are amazing and I can't say enough about how wonderful they were. 

I unwrapped just a few, because I know where my weaknesses lie. I had to try one of each flavor and since hubs was home this weekend I shared some with him as well to get his opinion. I knew I was going to love them as I am an experienced Firefly taste tester, but Hubs was tricky. He's a bit of health nut and tends to shy away from most sweets. That being said he pretty much inhaled these, and I quote, "these are amazing, tell her not to send more." I was laughing so hard I could hardly think straight, I'm expecting him to ask for more any moment now. Oh, he'll be back, I'm confident on that one. 

So when you are planning our your holiday baking, consider bring something different this year as your hostess gift. I think you will love all of Sandy's products, but I personally recommend the caramels. 

Sandy makes a variety of goodies, everything from specialty cookies decorated for your parties perfect theme to caramels and other goodies. She is an active participant in Operation Shower, an amazing organization that supports the expectant spouses of our military servicemen by throwing them fun filled group baby showers. She has two little baker assistants at home who I am sure are helping her come up with these amazing ideas. 

                                     

You can learn more about Firefly Confections and Sandy in the following places:     

Facebook

Twitter

Blog 

Shop 
            

Please note that this is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own...and hub's too.

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Write in Down & Link It Up

Handwriting can be so fun, practiced and perfected, it can tell a lot about a person.  As little girls we practice our signature or hopeful signature of the future. It usually ends up with little hearts above every i. As we get older our writing changes with our personality. I remember my cursive L looked like a giant 2 for years, it wasn't until I was married and had a D in my name that I actually like the way my cursive D looked. 

I couldn't pass up a fun link up all about handwriting! So I headed over to Something Charming and started on my "writing post." She provided a simple prompt for what to include in each post...

                           

I got to work on my writing and only started over once!

{I guess you're never too old to practice}

So there you have it! What does your writing look like, what does it say about you? 

Did you write a post and link up?

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Friday Letters

Dear Hubs, 
Thank you for taking me out for a wonderful dinner last night. It was nice to actually sit down, eat a meal and talk together. I need a little one on one time. 

Dear Etsy,
You rock! I love your platform and I love my customers. 

Dear Grown Up Job,
40 hours a week is just too much, can't we negotiate?

Dear Bloggers,
I love all of the holiday gift guides. So glad that I could participate in a few of them! 

Dear TV,
I didn't really miss you until this morning when everyone was talking about how amazing the CMAs were. Now I wish I had watched some how. 

Dear Vacation Time.
I wish I was using you to take a fabulous trip that involved sand, bikinis, me and my hunky husband. I guess we'll both have to come to terms that you are being used for days to stay home and sew orders:)

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Currently- Fall Edition

Some of my favorite bloggy friends have been posting about what they are "currently" doing. I felt inspired and honestly can't believe I pulled off this adorable post. I did make it then close the window without saving it and had to start all over. So here is what I am Currently up to - Fall Edition!

Thanks for the inspiration Carly at TexasLovebirds!

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Where you SHOULD be shopping

If you are like most people you haven't even started to think about Christmas shopping. I have to admit I am a little excited that I have gotten a jump start on it already and have managed to pick a few things up already. I thought I would share a few awesome companies with you that are giving back.So not only are you purchasing a great product but you are supporting something bigger. 

Your purchase of a fashionABLE scarf creates sustainable business for women in Africa.  Their commitment as a non-profit is to the development of people — fashionABLE works with women who have been exploited due to the effects of poverty.  So, when you purchase a scarf you are providing jobs, and then they send the net profits back to holistically rehabilitate more women. This is the beauty of non-profit….Scarves provide jobs, profits provide restoration.

One of Better Life Bags purposes is, Give back to those in need.  They started by loaning 10% of every purchase to low income entrepreneurs in developing countries through Kiva.  Incredible.  NOW, they hire first generation immigrant women in their community who otherwise could not work outside the home.  They rent them a sewing machine and tools while teaching them a skill set that allows them to become a primary or secondary provider in their families.  Each bag is lovingly made with their hands and each purchase gives respect and dignity to their lives.

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5. For the past two years Tisa's Creations designs an item in their shop and then donates the proceeds to a local non-profit. This year you will find this colorful and bold poster with powerful words of encouragement. The proceeds of the teal version {pictured}will go to the Austin Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Also available is a pink version benefiting Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas.

Do you have a favorite shop that gives back to the community or even on a bigger level? We would love to have your share about them in the comments. 

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Friday Letters

Dear Grandma,
I hope you feel better, being sick is no fun and everyone is worried about you.

Dear Bed Bath and Beyond,
Thanks to the awesome anniversary gift card from grandma, their is a Keurig in our future:)

Dear Hubs,
I wish you hadn't had to go out of town this week, or least that I could have gone with you. So glad you are home now. 

Dear Craft Show,
Lets rock this, please?

Dear Schedule,
Something has to give! There are just not enough hours in the day. I swear as soon as the holidays are over I am taking a staycation. 

Dear March,
Hurry! I have so much fun planned. 

Dear Eric Church,
I really like this Springsteen song.

Dear She Reads Truth,
I am really enjoying your site, you rock!

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Samaritan Purse...Because We Can

Part of my Winter Bucket List {still in the works} was to be involved in a holiday charity.  We always help a local family in need at the office by providing Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners as well as gifts for the children. This year I wanted something that Hubs and I could do together and incorporate Elle Dee Designs into as well. 

Last year my parents were active in OCC or Operation Christmas Child in their community. This year my mom took on a more active leadership role and is working hard to spread the word about this awesome cause and get others involved {as you can tell, she really good at it}.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

So this year we're putting together 5 boxes and praying daily.

  What is in these boxes you ask? Well, a little bit of everything! Here is a list for the Samaritan's Purse website with a few suggestions.

I shopped Target and Dollar Tree to get everything that was on my mental list.Here is the breakdown of who our boxes are for.

Boy 10-14 yrs

Girl 10-14 yrs

Girl 2-4 yrs x2

Boy 2-4 yrs

I figured that the 5-9yrs age group would be popular, so I figured I diversify some.

All packaged up and ready to go.

Girl 2-4 yr Box

Girl 10-14yrs Box 

Are you interested in putting a shoe box together? You can request the supplies to be shipped to through the OCC website, or use a similar sizes box and wrap it fun with Christmas wrap. The labels identifying your box can also be printed directly from the OCC website. 

After you have filled your box check the website to see where the local pickup is in your are. November 12-19 is the official collection week and there are locations just about everywhere for you to drop your box off. They would love for you to include $7 to help with the cost of getting your shoe box to its location, but understand if you can't. By donating your $7 online you can track your box to its destination {great way for the kids to see where their box goes}. Please continue to pray for these children and the workers with Samaritan Purse as they hear and spread the Word of Christ.

I hope that you will join us  Pin It