Date Night Threads >>>

 The other day James wanted to take me out on a date to our local wine bar, so of course I said YES!  I love going on dates when its his idea.  I really wanted to wear my green tights for the first time and I wanted to be sort of dressed up for a date, but totally cozy at the same time.  Besides the tights, the rest of this outfit has been in my closets for years.  Just some good ol' cozy staples to fall back on.  The best part, these amazing moccassins were my moms.  Although Im pretty sure she had them for a halloween costume, i still love them.  I accessorized with my favorite feather in a bottle necklace and a single feather earring from my Roots and Feathers line (both pieces I kept for myself).  For the first time, after seeing these photos, I realized just how long my hair is finally getting!  I love it.  Ive been trying to grow  my hair out unsuccessfully for the past several years.  So its very exciting for me (personally)!

 I want to thank everyone who bought something over this crazy holiday shopping weekend!  It was wonderful.  Im working hard on getting everything out as quickly as I can.  I packaged till my little arm hurt today :)  Which I am so very thankful for!  I have to say, it was almost as crazy as being the featured seller!  I really didnt expect that kind of outcome, so thank you so much!!!  Im pretty sure Im going to be taking the last week or two off from my shops (like actually putting them on vaca) to work on some new things, be inspired, make some gifts, enjoy the holiday season with friends and family, and all of those sort of things.  Im kind of going to have to force myself to do this.  Im not so good at taking off real periods from work.  So well see, I say it now!!!  But I think I owe it to myself.  Sort of like a preparation for a new wind for the new year.  Ill still be here on the blog though.  

Just a reminder, two days left to get a sponsor spot or send me your info if you already placed one!  And be on the lookout for some giveaways coming up tomorrow!!!

 PEACE,

Laura

Family >>>

Bits and pieces from Thanksgiving and the day after.  The first two photos are from the day after.  Or the day before, I really cant remember now, ha ha.  But I tried using the self timer for the first time on my phone, I had no idea it had one!  But it was nottttt as easy as my real camera.  I could hardly find a spot to hold it still and upright in the place i needed it to be.  I found out it wasnt so much fun.  Does anyone else have success with it?  Id love to know the trick.  It was one of those messy hair days, something a nice vintage scarf fixes right away!

The rest of the shots are from my Nanna's house on Thanksgiving day.  It was such a nice time being with family.  This little cutie patootie below is my brother's son Aiden.  He is growing up so fast and learning so much.  He is simply a joy to be around.  See his big boy muscles below???

This gorgeous little lady is my cousin Emily.  Gosh I wish I saw her more often.  We just adore each other.  In a big way.

This handsome stud is my brother.  I love it when he grins.  He has turned out to be such a good daddy.  Im so proud of him. 

And two of my favorite people below, my handsome hubby and my amazing Nanna.  Cant imagine life without these two. 

I wish I would have snapped pics of everyone.  I just kind of grabbed my phone as I thought about it that night.  I even brought my real camera and left it on the counter the whole time!

For those of my who missed my Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sales, I decided to go ahead and have a Cyber Monday sale!  So if you enter the code 'CMSALE15' at checkout in either of my shops, youll get 15% of your entire order.  Please note, orders may take 3-4 days before shipping.

PEACE,

Laura

Guest post by Searching for Serendipity >>>

HI there, my name is Kami and I blog over on Searching for Serendipity.  Id like to take a moment to tell you a very simply way you can make a very big impact on this world, sponsor a blog. Seriously. See here is the thing, I have always been an avid supporter of women's rights around the world. It has been a dream of mine to find a way for my blog to make a difference, but I just didn't see how...until know. Enter the "Because I am A Girl" project by Plan Canada.

 

 

My husband and I sponsor a 2 year old girl from Kenya. Our monthly donation helps send her to school and provide clean drinking water for her and her family. I would love to do more but with my own new child to raise, I simply can't afford it. I believe that a little bit goes a LONG WAY and so I got to thinking. What if I started selling sponsor spots on the blog for just $5, and if 100% of that money went towards the "Because I am a Girl" project? Think how fast that could ad up!!!!

Lets say 10 people sign up, that is $50 that month
The following month more people sign up, there is another $50+ a month
So lets imagine that we could then donate a minimum of $600 towards a "Gift of Hope" that could be a cow, three chickens, a drinking well, midwife kits, baby blankets, and even paying for children to go to school!!!!!!!!! THAT IS HUGE! Look how far your simple $5 sponsorship just went, and you promoted your blog at the same time! How great is that?

At the end of every month I will take the 100% of the money we have raised and use it to buy a "Gift of Hope" as part of the "Because I am a Girl" project. These gifts could be things such as midwifery care kits, baby blankets, education funds, chickens (the girls sell the eggs for money), cows (again milk is sold to provide for their family) etc. I will update my readers on these gifts of hope, how they will be used, and what bloggers helped make this dream a reality.

On our own we can only do so much, but together we can change the lives of girls in need. Just by promoting your own blog for only $5 you can help make a difference. If you are interested please contact me today!

Thanksgiving Threads >>>

Ever since I got my big chunky black glasses that many of you have seen, Ive been a bit obsessed with glasses.  I used to hate to wear my glasses, I always felt silly.  But since I have found some more stylish ones that seem more me, I love them!  I just received these beautiful prescription glasses c/o GlassesUSA.com.  I love love love them.  I adore the brown color with the light blue inside.  I chose this style.  The iSee collection is my favorite.  If you are in the market to buy glasses, Id recommend them!  This weekend is the time to shop if you are really needing some, they are having a 50% off sale of their entire collection of glasses!  But if you are not quite ready, after this weekend you can still get some good deals.  You can get 20% off any of the iSee collection, plus free shipping by using the code iSee20FS.  Or you can get 10% off any other order at anytime by using the code Blog10.  You can also follow their facebook and twitter feeds to find out when the stellar deals are!!  The coolest part is that you can use their virtual mirror to try on eyeglasses before you buy them to see if youll like they way you look in them.  But no worries if you dont because they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and return policy.  They also have a refer a friend program where you get $30 for each new friend that buys a pair!  Ummm.... that alot of different ways to save!  So... if you decide to get some, follow the 'refer a friend' link and you should get $30 off your first pair!!

I wore my new glasses for the first time yesterday for Thanksgiving.  We went to my Nanna's house for our traditional holiday affair.  It was such a nice time.  Everyone seemed to be in a good place.  The food was good as always.  I broke out my bottle of homeade strawberry hooch that James best friend gave me as a house warming party.  Can you tell Ive been hoarding it???  We sat out on the porch as the sun went down and listened to two of my uncles play the guitar and sing.  Delightful.  And the best part, as always was seeing my little nephew run around with a big smile on his face.  

I went super comfy in my maxi skirt and favorite Neil Young tshirt, my thrifted worn in mocs, a stretchy belt, a single chain earring, and I wore my double bird ring that reminds me of my parents. 

I actually successfully curled my hair yesterday!  Everytime I try to curl my hair it ends up either just looking awful or it wont stay curled.  I was so happy with the way it came out!  And it even still looks a bit curled today after sleeping on it!!!  Success!

One of my favorite parts of yesterday's outfit was my Nanoukiko braided ombre bracelet.  I am so much in love with this bracelet its ridiculous!  I cant get enough of this lovely lady.  Her work is so beautiful!

How did you spend your Thanksgiving this year?  What was your favorite part - besides the food?

PEACE,

Laura