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Kristen Anne Glover

Five in Tow

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Origami Owl Giveaway

If you’ve been reading this blog and have wondered how I came to be so incredibly talented and witty, not to mention humble,  it’s time you knew my secret: I was homeschooled.

Yes, it’s true.  I was homeschooled off and on during my elementary years and all through high school.  It was a great experience, for the most part.  I got to take naps right in the middle of Algebra and never had any pop quizzes.

But my senior year came and went and I graduated with very little fanfare.  One day, I ran out of school work to do and that was it.  My high school years were over.  I didn’t have a class ring, a year book, or even a cap and gown.  There was very little to commemorate my years of effort except an ACT score and a stack of college applications.

So when Shannon Ferraby contacted me a few months ago about the possibility of doing a giveaway for customizable jewelry, I was thrilled.  Shannon is an independent consultant with Origami Owl Custom Jewelry.  She is in the business of making wearable works of art that tell a story, the story of what you’ve accomplished, what you love, or maybe even what you dream of.

Shannon is a memory-keeper, a story-weaver, a dream-catcher.

All I could think about when I was introduced to her business was how perfect her jewelry is for all the other homeschooled girls out there who graduate without much to show for the milestone they have achieved.  I thought about how perfect her living lockets would be as a graduation gift for a special young woman, like my own daughters, and I knew I had to do this giveaway.

Of course, this giveaway is not just about me (ahem) and Origami Owl is about more than just making lockets for homeschooled girls.  Origami Owl is about preserving any story in jewelry form.

Being a story-teller myself, I kind of love that.  A lot.

Shannon specializes in creating Living Lockets, although if you look around her site, you’ll see some other types of jewelry too.  It’s just that these are my favorite. 

These beautiful pieces are like scrapbook pages on a chain.  You all know I don’t scrapbook, even though I love the idea of scrapbooks.  I just. can’t. do it.  So I am thrilled by the idea of having a “scrapbook” without all the, well, scrapbooking.  

Much like the page of a scrapbook, each locket can be filled with personalized charms that tell a story.  The story can change over time, and you can add or subtract charms as often as you like.  Change it to suit the season, a new goal in your life–whatever you like!

Origami Owl Locket

Lockets are secured with strong magnet closures so they can be opened and changed as often as you desire.

The story you choose to highlight might be an accomplishment, like a graduation,

Origami Owl

Graduation Locket with school colors and year

the story of motherhood,

Origami Owl

Origami Owl

or a lifetime achievement.

Origami Owl

You might want to preserve the memory of a special trip,

Origami Owl

a beloved pet,

Origami Owl

or remind yourself of the person you strive to be,

origami owl

and what you believe.

origami owl

origami owl

Whatever your story is, Shannon would like to give you the chance to tell it with Origami Owl.  She is giving away a $35 credit to Origami Owl to one reader!  All you have to do is enter the Rafflecopter below.  Don’t forget to share the giveaway for extra entries, and stay tuned to Shannon’s Facebook page for other specials you won’t want to miss!  You can even send your husband to her page and Shannon will help him create a Mother’s Day gift you’ll adore. 

That’s what I call a happy ending.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reviews, Uncategorized 83 Comments

A Giveaway for a Cause

Aunt Mae

A few months ago, I heard about a family who had been in deep financial distress.  The husband and father had been out of work for over a year.  He and his wife and young son were living off his small military pension, trying to make ends meet any way they could.

Like most people in their situation, this man and his wife, Mae, had to cut expenses.  They hoped the next job was right around the corner and did their best to live simply until then.  But the months passed and there was no work.  They had to cut more expenses, even important expenses, like their life insurance policies.

Then one day in February, everything changed.  Mae’s husband died suddenly.  One day he was there, and the next he was not.  Mae and her son were left with nothing.  No income.  No way to pay for his funeral or burial expenses.  Nothing to live on.

Mae’s friends rallied around this woman who had been so generous with her time and affection.  She had been a mentor to many of them, including Sarah Ives, who is a sponsor of this site.  Sarah contacted me and asked me to be a part of a team of bloggers who have come together to help Mae.

Of course, I could not say no.  I was raised by a widow, a woman who was left too soon with children to raise and mouths to feed and no man to help.  But we were better off than Mae.  My dad had a life insurance policy and we were eligible for Social Security (because of certain circumstances, Mae is not).  But still, there were many years of hand-me-down clothes and free school lunches and the constant ache of wondering what would happen next month, or the month after that.

I agreed to join in with the other bloggers to tell you about Mae, trusting that some of you might be able to help.  Mae owns a business, and we’re hoping to drum up some work for her so she can provide for her boy.  Mae crafts homemade soaps with natural ingredients.

We are spreading the word about Mae’s business by giving you an opportunity to win one of six $25 gift certificates to her site!

Aunt Mae's

Even if you don’t win, we hope you’ll consider visiting Mae’s website and ordering from her the next time you’re in need of soap.  I always love to support small businesses, and you all know how much I love handmade products!  Mae’s soaps are just as luxurious as they come.

Another blogger had this to say about Mae’s products: “These natural soaps made with real tallow will delight your senses! Mae lovingly makes all her soaps in small batches to ensure the highest quality. She uses the best of the best ingredients: real tallow is gentle on your skin while at the same time is used for the bar’s hardness, which means it doesn’t get mushy in the shower. Olive oil is added for further gentleness along with a touch of coconut oil for a fluffy lather.

Cranberry-Fig-resized-300x199“Only high quality soap scents or essential oils are used, and even then they are added with a light hand. Mae’s bars give you an absolutely delicious scent you can enjoy in the shower, without becoming obtrusive during the day. Even her coloring agents are of a natural origin. These unique combinations make long-lasting, gentle bars that your whole family will love.”

You Can Win Natural Handcrafted Soap!

Would you like to win some of Mae’s Natural Handcrafted Soap for yourself?  Well, here’s your chance! Enter below and be one of SIX winners for a $25 credit that you can use to chose your favorite soaps from Mae’s delicious selections.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 




 

If you’d like to give a donation, you can send your gift via Paypal to RaymondBenevolentFund@gmail.com. Please remember to choose “Personal” giving so the Raymond family doesn’t incur fees with your donation. If you need more details on how to do this, please contact sarahevan5@aol.com and she’d be happy to send you directions.

A big thank you to all the bloggers participating:
Ann @ DuctTapeandDenim.com
Anne @ Authentic Simplicity
Tara @ Everyday Ramblings of My Life
Jill @ Jill’s Home Remedies
Sara Elizabeth @ A Mama’s Story
Gail @ The Imperfect Housewife
Renee @ I Am The Clay
Del @ Devote & Seek
Jill @ Blessed Beyond a Doubt
Rebecca @ Rebecca’s Ramblings
Hilary @ Accidentally Green
Marci @ Amazing Graze Farm
Susan @ Learning and Yearning
Erin @ The Humbled Homemaker
Justyn @ Creative Christian Mama
Chelsea Rebecca @ For Unmarried Christian Women
Chelsea Rebecca @ Hearts for Home
Paula @ Whole Intentions
Amy @ A Heart Surrendered Blog
Bambi @ In the Nursery of the Nation
Dana @ Clan Chris Dean
Kristen @ Smithspirations
Caroline @ The Modest Mom Blog
Alicia @ Walking In Faith
Stephani @ The Cheapskate Cook
Amber @ Homemaker by Choice
Marci @ Thankful Homemaker
Katie Sullivan @ Brighton Park Blog
Anjanette @ Raising the Barrs
Pam @ Mom Does Reviews
Kristy @ Little Natural Cottage
Stacy @ Something Whimsical
Natalie @ Visionary Womanhood
Paula @ Beautiful Life of Joy
Rachel @ Of Love and Beauty
Reagan @ The Arsenal
Kelly @ Generation Cedar
Kelly @ Practical Savings
Stacy Karen @ A Delightful Home
Kristen @ Five in Tow
Diana @ A Little Bit of Spain
Elizabeth @ Yes They Are All Ours
Jacque @ Deep Roots at Home
Karrilee @ Abiding Love, Abounding Grace
Karrilee@ Blessed Memories Scrapbooks by Karrilee
Shawnee @ The Apronista
Adrienne @ Whole New Mom
Janine @ True Aim Education
Kathryn @ Singing Through the Rain
Alicia @ Fun Reviews and Giveaways
Deborah @ A Delightful Glow
Stephanie @ The King’s Bookworm
Christy @ The Simple Homemaker
June @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Shadedlily @ With Them
Joy @ Artful Homemaking

Reviews 1 Comment

Win a $50 Noonday Gift Certificate

My friend Abbie and I have a lot in common. Together, we have ten kids, two sets of twins, a mess  of crazy big hair, and the corner on the market when it comes to blogs starting with the number five.

Some day, we’re going to rob a bank together.  I mean, write a book together.

In the mean time, we’re teaming up to bring you a great new giveaway sponsored by Brandi Mendenhall from The Fair Trade Fashionistas.  As her blog name suggests, Brandi’s passion is fair-trade fashion.

Honestly, that was not something I spent much time thinking about before I met Brandi.  I was pretty satisfied to find good deals and clothes that fit.  I didn’t really think about how my purchases were impacting the global economy and combating the problem of poverty…or not.

But I couldn’t help but be drawn to Brandi and her commitment to combine her love of fashion with her heart for the world.  That’s why Brandi became an independent ambassador for the Noonday Collection, a company that strives to break the bonds of poverty by training artisans all over the world and providing them with an opportunity to earn a fair and life-changing income.

Brandi sent me a piece of Noonday jewelry made by an artisan in India so I could see for the jewelry for myself.  She also sent something equally stunning to Abbie.Noonday bracelet

The cherry-red bangle I received is gorgeous.  I love the blue and gold details over the solid brass bracelet.  The colors on this piece make me happy, and I like to wear things that make me happy.  That means I’m wearing this bracelet almost every day.

Every time I wear it, I think of the young girl from India who made it.  Noonday includes a laminated picture and bio of the artisan who made each piece.  My cherry-red bracelet that makes me so happy was made by a young girl who is working to send her six younger siblings to school.

Now that gets at my heart.

I look at my bracelet and I think of that girl and I just want her world to be different and better, and if one bracelet can help her have that, I’m sold.

Now, I don’t have a lot of extra income to spend on jewelry and accessories.  But I do have gifts I purchase for others, for Christmas and birthdays and even Mother’s Day.  It seems to me that it’s better to purchase something for my loved ones that also spreads love to someone in need.

I could purchase something pretty at a mall or a big box store.  It might even be cheaper.  Or, I could purchase a gift that helps to change the world.  That is invaluable.

money as a vote

It makes the decision easy when I think of it that way.

Brandi would agree.  Listen to her words as she shares her heart:

“You can’t just sit in a comfortable chair one Sunday morning and hear that every DAY 5,760 more children become orphans, or that 60% of the orphaned girls are lured into prostitution, and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals, and not be compelled to do SOMETHING.”

Brandi’s “something” was to join forces with Noonday.  And it’s working.  Check out this video to see how Noonday is changing lives around the world.

Noonday: Kampala, Uganda. from Jessica Honegger on Vimeo.

Don’t you just love that?

As a means of getting the message of Noonday out to the world, Brandi has graciously offered one reader the chance to win a $50 Noonday gift certificate.

Oh. My. Goodness.

You will not know how to spend it!  You might want to buy a beautiful necklace like this:

Noonday Olivia necklace

The Olivia necklace is beautiful in mint.  I am in love with this piece!

or this…

Noonday necklace

The layers of this necklace make you look ten times more put-together in yoga pants and a hoodie.  I kid you not.

Maybe you’re the bracelet type.

Noonday bracelet

I love the color of this tagua seed bracelet in LAVA!  Oh!  But it comes in seagreen too!

Or the decorator type:

Noonday bowls

I’m a sucker for adorable bowls. Love these!

Of course, bowls won’t look as good on your ears as these beauties:

Chevron Dangle Earrings

I could post pictures all day, but it’s better if you check out Brandi’s Noonday site to see all the handmade items for yourself.  Which is your favorite?

Also, be sure to read Abbie’s review and her giveaway post! You’ll love how the jewelry looks on her because she’s so stinkin’ cute.

But for now–ENTER!  I’d hate to have to keep this prize for myself.  Worse, I’d hate to have to arm wrestle Abbie for it.  {I think she’d win,}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reviews 40 Comments

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I believe you can find grace for the mother you are and help to become the mother you long to be—a mom who has the freedom to choose the better things and enjoy her kids right now.

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