I’m really excited about this list of favorites this week – and the amazing Starfish Project giveaway! Woohoo!
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Read
Dear Mr. Knightly – Last week I shared about how much I loved reading Lizzy & Jane, so I ordered Katherine Reay’s other book, Dear Mr. Knightly immediately from Amazon. I have to admit that it took me longer to get into this one than Lizzy & Jane. It might have been the format – letters from Sam to the mysterious Mr. Knightly (btw: TOTALLY figured out who he was before the end), or it might have been the harder parts of Sam’s story. But I stuck with it and by the end I was completely and utterly in love with these characters. Reay does an outstanding job introducing Christian characters and morals in a way that comes across as authentic and relatable, rather than cheesy, which I appreciate it.
The Parable of the Lily – We borrowed this one, and The Parable of the Sunflower, from our church library this week, and they have become Madi’s favorite bedtime stories. I love how Liz weaves the story together in a way that tells a beautiful Easter tale with a topic my three year old can relate to quite well.
It’s Good to Be Queen – And fortunately for all of us, Liz writes more than children’s books (and by more, I mean this amazing woman has written over 30 books and is phenomenal). “It’s Good to be Queen” is coming out soon, and I promise you’ll want to pre-order it so you don’t miss out on Liz’s fantastic storytelling skills as she invites into the world of the Queen of Sheba. Plus, the cover is FABULOUS.
2015 Influence Conference Revivals – I can’t even tell you how absolutely honored I am to be among these amazing women leading revivals at The Influence Conference this fall! Doesn’t the word “revival” get your soul all fired up? I’ll be leading a session on revival over our internet spaces – would you pray for me? That nothing but the words God wants me to speak would be part of my message, that my own idea of revival would be challenged in a big way, and that the women who join me would walk away, not talking about how great I was, but how amazing God was? Check out the link above to read more!
Watch
Dancing with the Stars – I’m so glad DWTS is back! Here’s the thing – I go to Zumba on Monday nights and then I come home and sit on the sofa and eat cheese and crackers (I’m so fancy) and watch DWTS like what I do at Zumba is the same as what they’re doing 😉 I’m all “I could totally do that” and in reality? Yeah. No.
And unless something crazy happens I will be splitting my vote between Rumor Willis and Noah Galloway.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – Listen. It’s created by Tina Fey and stars Ellie Kemper. I binge watched this Netflix series in 2 days. 13 episodes in 2 days and now the theme song is stuck in my head. I sent a Facebook message to my friend Mary when I started watching because I needed someone else to know how funny this show is – and it was killing me not to send all the funny quotes to anyone. If you are easily offended, this show isn’t for you. But following Kimmy as she transitions from “Indiana Mole Woman” to “New Yorker” is hilarious and strange and oddly relatable and at the same time so incredibly unbelievable. I love it 🙂
Starfish Project Necklace – when Heather first emailed me to ask if I’d be interested in receiving a free Starfish Project piece in exchange for an honest review and giveaway, I was thrilled. Starfish Project is a socially responsible jewelry business dedicated to empowering women in Asia to come out of exploitation and find alternative employment. Since 2006, Starfish Project has worked to provide opportunities for women to heal and grow through counseling, vocational training, language acquisition, and health care access, as well as providing housing in our women’s shelter.
As of 2014, the Project has grown to support approximately 50 women in three different cities in Asia along with becoming a member of the Fair Trade Federation. These women are employed through the jewelry company where they have opportunities to take on new levels of responsibility and leadership, and are able to provide for their families through meaningful employment. Starfish Project is committed to restoring hope for each woman who enters its doors.
And the jewelry? It’s beautiful. Stunning, actually, and the photo above doesn’t do it justice at all. This necklace – which one of you will win! – dresses up a basic beautiful as the green stones sparkle. And this color? It goes with absolutely everything. I love nothing more than supporting companies that are making a difference, and I’ll be heading back to Starfish Project this spring to shop for Mother’s Day gifts!
Want to win this necklace? Just complete the giveaway widget!
Listen
Feathers Podcast – My friend Amy started a podcast a few weeks ago and I was so thrilled when she asked me to share my story. If you haven’t listened yet, be sure to do that and find out what the verse below has to do with blogging 😉
Passion 2015: Even So Come – Every year the Passion Conference releases an album and it ends up being one of my favorites for the rest of the year. This year is no different – and if you don’t want to buy the whole album, then you at least need to purchase “Lift Your Head Weary Sinner.”
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So that’s the round up this week! What have you been loving? What do I need to check out for next week? I’d love to chat in the comments!
The Helena Green-Sea Necklace you featured is beautiful and so is the Miriam necklace. The longer I look, the more favorites I find. : )
Just reading your site for the first time after “knowing” you through podcasts and your posts elsewhere. Enjoyed your Friday Fav’s and will be back to check them out next week. Looking forward to your creative basics “class” next month! 🙂
I love the Helena yellow necklace – so pretty!
Oh dear .. definitely shouldn’t have clicked over to the Starfish project .. 🙂 Beautiful stuff there! I think I’d probably go with the Katherine White necklace or Katherine gray .. so pretty! Also, *loved* Dear Mr. Knightley, then couldn’t get into Lizzy and Jane. Funny, eh?
Such a fun post! Thanks for introducing us all to this really great company! I love the Madeline necklace 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway, Crystal!
I absolutely love the metals, both necklaces and bracelets. My favorite was the Blake bracelet. AND this is a WONDERFUL post. I really enjoyed reading all of it! (ps I binge watched Kimmy Schmidt in 2 days too–it was pretty much fabulous. Can’t wait for more episodes)
Love your favorites! Thanks for the giveaway from the Starfish Project!
I loved the Starfish necklace but of all your favorites hearing you on the Feathers podcast was my favorite.
When you wrote “church library” I was intrigued. I’m the director of our kidmin and we’re moving into family ministry. I want to have a family resource shelf (since we don’t have space for a room or center) and I want it to be like a mini-library with books (maybe CDs & DVDs) for parents and kids that they can borrow. Please, can you tell me more about what your church library looks like?
Ours is a room with 10 floor to ceiling book shelves, chairs, bean bags, a round table, and a desk where volunteers check the books in & out. I actually donate a lot of books I get at conferences to it, and they have a large selection of kids DVDs, Bible study materials, books for all ages, etc. Basically a one-room version of a typical library. I wonder if something like a “neighborhood library” {search that term on Pinterest for ideas} might work well for what you’re doing?
Now hooked on looking at “neighborhood library” or little library pictures! SO adorable! Took a break to thank you for the ideas 🙂
OK, I’ve heard so much about Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt I might just have to cave this weekend and watch.
Also–THANK YOU for coming on my podcast and sharing.
Let me know if you watch it, and thank YOU for having me 😉
Oh! And right now through next Wednesday, it’s BOGO 50% off on all jewelry!
LOVE the picture you took with the Helena necklace and matching earrings! So excited to be featured on your Friday Favorites.
Also? I’m voting for Robert Herjovac…
I missed Robert’s dance last week (bedtime gets in the way of the first half of the show) but I do love him on Shark Tank 🙂
Thanks for introducing me to the Starfish project! I love buying from companies making a difference… Good stewardship with the added bonus of pretty girlie things 🙂
That one is gorgeous! What a statement necklace!
I think I might have to get the Helena yellow necklace…so pretty!!
I can’t even describe properly how beautiful the Helena necklaces are – and that sunshiney yellow on you would be wonderful!
Thank you so much for introducing me to the Feathers podcast. I have been listening to lots of business/blogging ones for so long and I have felt God telling me I need to pivot and move closer to Him. I have a 35 minute one way commute every day to work, so I have lots of time to listen. I’m so glad to have this as an option to listen to to be encouraged spiritually. My fun thing this week was going to the Send Conference with David Platt and the Passion Band. That album that just was released? Yep, I got to hear some of it live on Monday. So. Good. Have a great weekend!
I’ve never heard of the Send Conference – but how awesome that you got to hear the passion band! So fun!
LeeAnn, oh how fun it was to check this list out and see your comment about Feathers! I’m so glad you’re listening. If you want another great faith-based one, check out Mud Stories by Jacque Watkins!
The Shea-Beige Necklace is absolutely beautiful as a piece to wear with my variety of maroon shirts (how did I end up with 3 of the same color shirt?!). But the one you’re giving away is my absolute favorite color ever!
I am in LOVE with this color lately! I think it just screams “spring” – and since it’s currently snowing outside, I’ll take all the spring I can get!
Your Friday fav’s are always fun to read. Thanks for introducing me to the Starfish project 🙂
Xxoo
Aren’t they so fun? I’ll take one of everything, please!
Totally my favorites too – I always find something new here that I’d never heard of before. And I love “Revival leaders” – such a great description. Can’t wait to be at my first Influence Conference. And do you think the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt will help my heart break over Selfie getting cancelled?