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!

Pin It

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.

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. 
   
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. 

Pin It

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!

Pin It

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

Where We Call Home

I'm a born and raised Texas girl with the extent of that year and a half on the West Coast. I came back and that's what counts. 

We call Austin home now. We've been here for 2.5 years and can't think of a better place to be. It's the best of everything, and it's Texas of course! Here are all the reasons that I think you should move visit Austin;)

via

#1 Zilker Park's Barton Springs: 

This is Hubs favorite place. No kidding the man swims daily come rain or shine. The Springs are beautiful, natural spring fed swimming area that remains 68 degrees year round. It is definitely a must do when you are in town.

via

#2 Jo's Coffee

With their iconic "I love you so much" graffiti and a nice cup of Jo. This is a great place to sit and people watch and there are always fun people to watch along the South Congress. 

via

#3 Bat Watching: Congress Street Bridge

We have yet to make it out to the bridge at just the right time. Nightly from April to October the bats fly out at dusk and are quite a sight.

via

#4 Homeslice Pizza: South CongressAfter trying this our first week in town on a friend recommendation, it has continued to be a weekly tradition for the past 2 years. They have the most amazing pizza and subs. There is always an awesome mix of music playing, booths are great for large groups, or enjoy a seat at the counter and watch you pizza made. Kids get a plate of pizza dough to play with while mom and dad can enjoy a glass of wine or a cold one.  

via

Make sure that while you are here you stop by our awesome mural  and take you souvenir post card photos.

via

Pin It

Influenster...can you be Influenced?

 

 

Turn Your Social Influence Into Rewards

 

 

 

Have you heard the word on the street? All the cool kids are hanging out over on Influenster. They have recently given their site an awesome makeover!

 

Earn points by taking surveys, answering questions about the products you love and blogging of course! The more points you earn the more badges you unlock. Badges for every topic you can think of from beauty to pet care and fitness. Badges that focus on the different stages of our life.

 

Influenster chooses from their active user to send awesome product testing boxes to! I just got my first box in the mail the weekend so stay tuned to see all the goodies that were included in my box!

 

 

I would love to send you an invite, so if your interested in participating leave me a comment!

 

 



Pin It

Friday Letters

Dear Hubs,

Thank you for making time for me this week. I think we both needed it.

Dear Mom,

I had so much fun this past weekend on our road trip.

Dear Shoulder,

I need to get through the next 3 months, please, please behave! I can not afford days in bed.

Dear Country Music,

I've missed you. It's been a fun reunion. 

Dear Customers,

Why would you think you can order a custom product for  a holiday and expect to get it within days. Do businesses really do this? Sad to say I have had to turn a lot of you away this week:(

Dear Skye,

Once again you are my hero this week.

Dear Twitter,

We got this. 

Dear Etsy,

Thank you for being you! So excited that we reached the 500 sales milestone this morning!

Dear Facebook,

Yes, that is 2000+ followers!!

Pin It