I have some really fun things to chat about today – and after a day earlier this week where I knocked out 5 blog posts and a bunch of other tasks on my to-do list, it’s a really nice break to just write about things I’m loving.
If ever I were to share a piece of blogging advice, it would be this: don’t corner yourself so far into a niche that you don’t leave any room for fun.
You’re welcome.
Anyway, the weather here is cooling off, I wore cowboy boots on a date with hubs earlier this week, and we’re digging out the long sleeves in the evenings. Fall has officially arrived, and I for one could NOT be more excited. Pumpkins, apples, hot chocolate, football games, scarves – if it’s warm and cozy and fall-ish, I’m all for it. Except for hay rides. My allergies aren’t loving those. Here are some other things I’m loving lately
{affiliate links are included, which means I’ll make a small commission – at no charge to you – if you click through and purchase. obligatory disclaimer. email subscribers, y’all will have to click through to see some of the links.}
I thought we had a lot of stuff to cart around with us when Madi was a baby, but I had no idea that toddlers come with a whole new set of “stuff.” And opinions about all the things she wants to bring with her to all the places. It started with a stuffed animal friend to church, and then one of my old iPods as her “phone.” Of course those things needed to be in a purse like mommy carries. Which then ended up full of dress up jewelry. Oh and she’s on a blanket kick lately, which is super strange because she’s never needed a comfort item before.
Between books, toys, Leap Pads, and other gadgets, the odds that we’re going to forget something somewhere are high. And we have – we left a very special stuffed penguin at church one Sunday and had to wait A WHOLE WEEK before we could get it back. It ended up in the toy bin with the church toys and – had we not emailed to ask about it – would have been a loving donation.
A few weeks ago I received some Mabel’s Labels to review – and I am in LOVE. I have put these puppies on everything Madi owns and carries around with her. The iPod has one, her purse has one, her stuffed friend has one wrapped around it’s tag. They’re super affordable, come in amazing kid-friendly colors, and stick to just about anything. I wish we’d had these when Madi was an infant and we had to tag all her bottles and gear for daycare! I am loving AND highly recommending these!
A Southern Foodie’s Guide to the Pig
I have the chance to review all kinds of books through BookSneeze – a great site if you’re a blogger who loves to read and review the latest and greatest books. I’ve requested all kinds of non-fiction before, and even a children’s book once, but this was the first time I’d seen a cookbook on the site. And let me tell you – I totally judge a book by it’s cover and it’s title and I knew this one would find itself a happy home in our kitchen.
We love us some bacon around here. And A Southern Foodie’s Guide to the Pig is all about the awesomeness that is bacon, and bacon-y neighbors like brisket and pulled pork and all the things we love to put on our smoker. HEAVEN. If the recipes weren’t amazing enough (we made several, like the maple bacon muffins, and will go back to this book for years to come), the photos? Good grief – amazing photography. Plus a guided tour of the best of the best of the south? Sign me up for a BBQ tour. Great writing, incredible information, beautiful photos, and yummy food. It’s a win/win. Unless you .. um.. don’t eat meat, I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll love this book.
I love nail polish. It’s seriously one of my happy places to get to walk through the nail polish section at Target and look at all the colors. I have more than I need and know what to do with, but now that Madi likes her nails painted, too, it’s even more fun! I’ve gotten so used to the quality of the under $1 polishes that I’d been buying that I forgotten that nail polish actually can last for a long time and go on beautifully. When I got my Julep polishes from my first order, I was smitten. Amazing colors, beautiful coverage, long lasting and you can get your first order free! Woot! Become a Maven today, use the code SPELLBOUND to get your own Free 4 Piece Halloween Welcome Box for New Maven Subscribers ($58 Value) for FREE (you just pay $2.99 for shipping).
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp & For Such A Time As This by Angie Smith
Two of my favorite women on the internet have books coming out that I simply can’t wait to add to Madi’s library. We read 4-6 books every night before bedtime, and it’s one of my favorite times of the day with her. Her latest love is Audrey Bunny, but I think that she’s going to be very excited about Unwrapping the Greatest Gift and For Such A Time As This. Jesus has put such a love for His Word in her heart, and both of these are going to be amazing ways to share scripture and God’s love as a family, especially as we prepare our hearts for the holiday season. I’m so grateful to these women for writing books that will leave such a beautiful legacy for my girl.
Lindt Hello We Are Some Chocolate
Y’all. Listen. I don’t even think that these need an explanation. Just go get ye some and enjoy. Let the kids have the junky Halloween candy.
In one of my #write31days posts next month I do a video chat with my friend Kris, all about the struggles of leadership. In fact, the other morning in a half asleep state, I thought about emailing all the amazing female leaders I know and asking them to share with me what their biggest struggle has been. Because this thing? It can be lonely. And hard. And it can be nearly impossible to find a resource to encourage and lead the leaders. Except that while God was putting it on my heart to have these conversations in my space, He was working through Christine Caine to start a new site called Propel – for exactly this purpose. My heart could not be happier. If you lead out in any way – online, in real life, at home, wherever – go get their first magazine and download it. Watch the video from Chris. And get excited – I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to go from stumbling to soaring. And I think they might know how to propel me down that path 😉
What are you loving lately?
Thank you for including Mabel’s Labels in this awesome round-up!
Super helpful! Check out Propel and Julep now! 🙂