Simply Me + Link Up & Firmoo Giveaway

November 30, 2015

First things first is to announce the Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway winner…congrats to Wendy Stacey. Enjoy it and hope you find something perfectly lovely for you! Thank you to all who entered - there were 3,000 entries. Wow!!

Happy Monday, Lovelies! I truly hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with those who are precious to you. As today marks the end of November the countdown begins for Christmas and the end of the year. The next weeks will most likely be filled with family, friends, food and for me a reflection upon my faith and one whose birth is celebrated at Christmas.

For me, a time of reflection began back in August. A stirring of sorts that something was not quite jelling in my life. I have struggled to get at the heart of all of it. But through introspection and prayer I have come to place where the pieces have been coming together. I’m thankful this has been happening over the last several months because I see clearer into the coming new year and am able to think, plan and set goals already. There will be more coming about this in the coming weeks. Hope you’ll stay tuned.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a look from a couple of weeks ago. It was actually the day we had our first frost of the season. It was also a day when I began to be settled and was feeling me {Simply Me}. That particular morning I was feeling free and giddy. These pictures kind of embody me…the fun, silly girl who was trying to make my hubby laugh with me.

To be honest when I’m feeling free I can be silly and laugh and embrace life and myself. That’s what these pictures represent to me - freedom. Freedom in my heart and which reflects in my simple, casual yet put together look. I just have to say it’s Simply Me {or Just Me or It’s Really Me or This is Me or fill in the ______ Me}. Have you ever felt this way or not felt yourself and then BAM! Hey, I’m back to being me! Oh, so much to tell and I’m looking forward to sharing this story and journey with you, friends. But….not all of it today!

And since it’s Monday, it’s time for our link-up. Thanks to everyone who joined in last week. Whitney, Casey and I enjoyed reading your posts and searching for our favorite looks. Can’t wait to see what you lovely ladies link up this week.

Hosted by ~

Carrie/A Lovely Little Wardrobe ~ Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Whitney/Whitney à La Mode ~ Bloglovin/Instagram

Casey/A Little Bit of Cheer ~ Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Each week we choose a favorite…check out Casey & Whitney’s blogs to see if it’s you! My favorite this week is Crissy from Some Velvet Morning. She wrote this utility post which featured a fabulous vest adorned with killer pumps and distressed jeans. What a fab look, friends! Hope you’ll stop by and visit her blog and read the post.

Some velvet Morning - October 27th, 2015-87

Now let’s get linking! We like to keep things simple around here. Just link up your favorite posts-fashion, beauty, food, DIY, anything goes! Follow your hosts on social media, have fun and be inspired! Thanks for linking up! We have added a Pinterest board where we’ll be pinning looks and an Instagram hashtag. Feel free to add #lovelylittlealamode to your looks on Instagram that you link up with us.

SHOP MY LOOK

Interested in a JORD watch for holiday giving? Click the link below to receive a $25.00 e-card toward a purchase. For reference I’m actually wearing my Sully in this photo shoot.

https://www.woodwatches.com/g/alovelylittlewardrobe

Firmoo Glasses Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Where you’ll find me linking up.

[inlinkz_linkup id=577617 mode=1]

Good Gifts for Christmas + Link Up & Giveaway!

November 23, 2015

Happy Monday, lovelies! It’s hard to believe it’s Thanksgiving week. The holiday season is being ushered in and here we go into a time of being thankful and a time of giving. It also means the end of the year is closing in very quickly as well. But before we say good-by to 2015 we’ll be saying hello to Christmas morning and giving gifts to people who are dear to us.

If you’re like me it’s in that moment that I want to have the perfect gift for those I love. Gifts that speak to the fact that I know them well and searched for a perfect gift or two just for them. But sometimes the truth is that those I love really have about all they want or need. Yet I still want to give them something, don’t you? Well, I’ve created a list of what I want to call”good gifts”. These are gifts that could be eco-friendly, give back, or are justice minded. These days, those seem like the perfect gifts for everyone.

1. JORD Watches

I actually own two JORD watches. I cannot begin to tell you how much I simply adore these watches or how many times people have taken notice of them. I have received numerous comments on how unique and gorgeous they are. I wear the Ely and Sully and my husband’s favorite is the Men’s Sully {which he is getting for Christmas and I hope he doesn’t read this post}. By the way, JORD is conscious to use only non-endangered woods and believe in sustainability.

Also ~ I’ve partnered with JORD to giveaway a limited quantity of e-gift cards worth $25.00 each for the holidays! If you’ve had your eye on one of these lovely wood watches, be sure to enter to get in on the savings, tis the season! Entering is easy; click the link below - it will ask you for your email and your favorite JORD watch (so many to choose from) once you hit enter, your code will be emailed directly to you!

https://www.woodwatches.com/g/alovelylittlewardrobe

2. Bluer Denim

Bluer Denim is a buy one give one denim company. They also will take your old jeans and distributed them to people in need in various communities. This is an American company who employ locals and take pride in the construction of their products. I haven’t actually purchased a pair yet but I fully intend to make a pair of Bluer mine in 2016.

3. Will Leather Goods

This is home-grown company from Oregon. They design and create fabulous leather goods. This recommendation comes from my daughter who has one of their backpacks. It’s a pretty fabulous pack. There are lots of options for both men and women available. I adore this re-purposed bag.

4. Fashionable

This is a local + global company. You can find leather goods, jewelry, clothing and a few home goods. They exist to invest in and empower women both locally and globally. This principal is based on the belief that women help to restore communities in which they live. They market themselves by these principals:

We design and make beautiful products
Your purchase creates jobs for women around the world
Wear, share and feel good about your decision

This blanket can be found under new and it’s totally versatile in that it can be worn as a shawl. Love that!

5. Liberty Bottle Works

These water bottles are made with great design by Americans with sustainable products. They have a wonderful perspective:

We promote people, not profit; we protect the environment, not harm it; we make high quality, long-lasting, artistically enhanced bottles we all can be proud of. With Liberty, life is better.

These are but a few samples of their bottles but they have a vast array of options. I actually own a couple of these and they are superb!

6. Dollar Shave Club

DSC changed my life! I’m no longer scouring around looking for good deals on razors for me and my husband. He started using the razors and I decided it would just be easier to add in extra blades and handles as needed for both of us. One of the BEST decisions ever! Each month we receive a shipment of blades {plus anything else we request} and we good to go. These are fabulous razors and quality handles. My husband loves the Shave Butter. It would be a fabulous gift to give for a yearly membership. Feel free to use my referral link.

7. May Designs

Who doesn’t need a cool journal, planner, stationery or cards? What about a photo book? I use their journals and planners. I’ve also gifted their photo books and they were a complete hit! These books are eco-friendly and hand-made in Memphis, TN. May Designs has lots of patterns and color choices to choose from and books with lines or blank pages. You can create the perfect book for just about everyone!

8. Sevenly

Sevenly is an organization which gives back 7% of each purchase to a charity. They have options for men and women especially if you love graphic tees with a message of purpose. Another fun gift would be to give a cause box {these are exclusively for women at this time}. They can be purchased quarterly and serve this purpose:

Make your spending matter with CAUSEBOX. A limited-run, quarterly collection of ethically-made products that give back and empower others.

9. Society B

Society B is another company that also gives back to charity. They donate 10% of purchases back to a chosen charity. They have a wide variety of goods for men, women, kids, home, body and toys. These are just a few of many options available on their site.

10. Krochet Kids

Krochet Kids is another company working to lift people out of poverty. Their handmade items are made for men, women and children. They have some unique pieces. One thing that sets them apart is a name. How cool is it to have a name of the person who created an item which was purchased for YOU? That’s amazing! This is another company which gives employment opportunities to help those in poverty. They have an awesome mission:

We Are Committed To Impact

We work with highly vulnerable women who live in poverty-stricken regions of the world.
Our program empowers women with the resources to rise above poverty. Forever.
Empowered women transform their families, communities, and the developing world.

I couldn’t stop at 10 so I’m giving you a dozen. Yep, twelve options of good gifts!

11. Elegentees

This organization helps women from Nepal who have been freed from sex trafficking. They make tees and dresses from quality materials. I am an ambassador for them and you are welcome to use this code {LOVELY} when making a purchase. This is one of my favorites from their current pieces. It’s just a perfectly simple and versatile dress!

12. Noonday Collection

Noonday is fair trade company committed to:

Noonday Collection is a socially responsible business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world.

Their products are made by women and help them support themselves and their families for a better life. They mainly sell jewelry and scarves but I just adore these Alpine arm warmers. Noonday also has options to host trunk shows in your home or become an ambassador for them with your own business.

I hope you’ll find at least one option where you can make a purchase for good - gift giving is even better when it’s a win-win for all involved. I believe we all should take the time to evaluate how our dollars can help others in different ways. Sometimes I can be convenient and simple and sometimes it’s not. But all of these ways are the online simple thing. Hope you enjoy!

Hosted by ~

Carrie/A Lovely Little Wardrobe ~ Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Whitney/Whitney à La Mode ~ Bloglovin/Instagram

Casey/A Little Bit of Cheer ~ Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Each week we choose a favorite…check out Casey & Whitney’s blogs to see if it’s you! My favorite this week is Andrea from Living on Cloud Nine. She wrote a delightful post which featured a great dress in a the gorgeous shade of wine. She also wrote about a wine and dinner date with her mom. Aren’t they just the cutest? Hope you’ll stop by and visit her blog and read the post.

Firmoo Glasses Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Where you’ll find me linking up.

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Whatever is Lovely #20

November 20, 2015

First things first! That means it’s time to announce the winner of the $40 custom case design from Case App. The winner is Kim P. Enjoy, it Kim and have fun making your own personalized creation. Also, thank you for all who entered the giveaway. I really appreciate your support!

I’m doing something a little different today for Whatever is Lovely. I typically have not shared much about my family but today that is exactly what I want to do. I tend to have good intentions to share more of my life and family with you but my follow through seems to be lacking. So, guess what? I went a little family outing and tried to be intentional to take some pics and now I’m going to actually follow through and share a little piece of my family with you.

It goes like this: my daughter lives in Oregon, my parents live in Iowa and my hubster and I live in Texas. It can be difficult to coordinate lives and schedules and time zones to get us all together. But then it just all came together and it happened in the last week. My daughter flew to Texas and we drove to Branson, Missouri where my parents were vacationing for a few days with friends. And that’s how it’s done…bam we were all together for a few days.

Now I have to admit Branson would not be my vacation spot but when it works as a meeting place to gather together people I love, then I’m there. Interestingly enough an aunt and uncle just happened to be there for a few days too. How incredibly sweet is that?

We drove to Branson early on Thursday morning and arrived mid-day. That evening we met my parents at Silver Dollar City. Priceless expressions when we all finally found one another.

Friday we had all day to be together. We needed to get ourselves going so a trip to Starbucks was definitely a first stop.

This is my family. Dad, Mom, Hubster and Daughter.

Fave picture of my dad and me. You might be surprised if I told you he is 86 years old. Seriously! I’m telling you the truth.

After some caffeine we were off to a little shopping area {The Landing} where my aunt and uncle were going to be dropped off by their tour bus. We just hung walked around and browsed and shopped until they arrived.

And took a few selfies. Everyone needs a little family selfie, don’t they?

This picture just makes me smile. I love my dad’s expression!

We finally found my aunt and uncle and their friends. Now we needed some food but I had to get a few pics. This is my mom and her brother. He looks exactly like my grandpa. It almost takes my breath away when I see him.

Lunch with the crew and some classmates of my aunt and uncle. My aunt is in the green.

Who can go to Branson and not see a show? Well, not us! We saw the Baldknobbers on Friday evening.

The best part was just being together. Talking, laughing and of course drinking coffee. Mid-Westerners drink lots of coffee.

One thing my daughter remembers from her childhood is a particular noise {i.e. howl} that my dad would always make for no particular reason. Well, we had to get it on video. Crazy and yet a precious memory for us. The Family Shenanigans Howl…enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9BOt9TfRx0&feature=youtu.be

Another special memory of my daughter is a song my mom would sing. They performed this little duet and another cherished memory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex6kgwGNAxE&feature=youtu.be

Besides drinking coffee, eating, browsing and shopping, I met this lady who was from Forest City, Arkansas. I grew up in Forest City, Iowa. Interesting isn’t it?

That’s my family! These are the people who have the same blood running through their veins as me. Our genes and family history began in the same place. Norway. But I have another family. These people are from other places but they are my family in that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. These are my dear friends.

Let me sing their praises and express my deep love and gratitude to them. For the past 13 weeks I have working through an intense program called STEPS. It jumps right in the middle of your life and you come face to face with yourself and the ugly. On Wednesday evening there was a celebration service. I invited these friends and they showed up. Not only did they show up but they prayed over me. They have always loved me well.

First Row ~ Alicia is my adventurous friend. She has traveled the globe and we traveled to Romania more than once on mission trips. Lauren {and her new hubby Joel} is a kindred spirit who knows the deep parts of my heart and loves me anyway. Adorah was my Art Teacher when I was an Elementary Principal and we became fast friends. We have walked through much of life together and some very hard times.

Second Row ~ Renit {and her new hubby Ryan} lived with us for a couple of years. We love her like a daughter. Beth and I taught 4th grade together and she has been a mentor and champion for me. My oldest friend {year wise} in Texas is Dana and a lover of people and curator of beauty to all things. She is one of the wisest people I have ever known. She is a speaker and author too!

I have to say that I have so many to be grateful for in this life. This post is full of people I love and those who love me. I am blessed with sweet family and sweet family. I am ever so grateful. I have much to rejoice about this Thanksgiving. What about you? What beautiful people do you have to be thankful for and rejoice about this Thanksgiving? Be grateful. Be thankful. Be joyful because if you’re like me you have much to rejoice over.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, friends!

If you would like to enter the Nordstrom gift card giveaway there is still time.
Happy Monday! A few of my blogger friends and I wanted to kick start your week by joining together to bring you a giveaway - a $150 Nordstrom gift card! Are you the one lucky reader? Simply enter via the widget below!

Prize: $150 Nordstrom gift card

Hosts:
Sequins & Denim • Fashionably Employed • Shopping My Closet

Co-hosts:
The Red Closet Diary

Peaches In A Pod • The Kissing Booth Blog • A Lovely Little Wardrobe • heid’nspeak • Style-Blueprint

Giveaway open: Monday, November 16 at 12AM PST through Monday, November 23 at 11:59PM PST

Are you a fellow blogger who’d be interested in hosting similar giveaways to help grow your blog? Then, click here to find out how you can join!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And if you’re interested in the Winter Style Challenge, it opens today.

Where you’ll find me linking up.

Style & Gratitude + Link-Up & Giveaway

November 16, 2015

Hello Lovelies! I’m giddy today because there are lots of things going on in this post. I have been so excited while I planned and wrote this post. This post is also going live on The Blended Blog and I am finding it so fun to collaborate with the ladies that I met over a year ago through a Style Challenge at Get Your Pretty On. I’m also collaborating with a new blogger friend, Emily who blogs at Darling Dearest. New friends just get me pumped! Collaborating also gets me pumped! Style and gratitude with the added bonus of a link-up has me over the top enthused today. Glad you’re along for the ride, so put on your happy face and let’s get to it.

Recently, I participated in the Fall Style Challenge with Get Your Pretty On during the first part of October. Our Texas weather did not really cooperate but regardless I did wear a some of the looks and definitely want to share a couple of favorites.

The tone on tone was quite popular with the participants. What makes it such a popular look is the ability to change-up the color for tone on tone. The recommended look encompassed these shades of wine/pink but in the past I have worn a similar look in the grey tone family.

Present look.

Past look.

Another favorite look of mine was olive and orange. I decided to pull from my closet and here’s what I came up with on that day.

Another look swapped the olive pants for boyfriend jeans. Super comfy! This day was just a work bathroom selfie kind of day. It happens!

These are all looks that I would wear to a family Thanksgiving dinner extravaganza. I would probably opt for the boyfriend jeans look because you know they allow for a little extra room for eating more than normal. Who can relate to that truth?

Well right there smack dab in the middle of fall comes Thanksgiving. In that vein, I become acutely aware of my need to be grateful. When I venture down that road I am immediately stopped by all I have in the realm of material wealth. Yes, I am wealthy, maybe not by some standards but I realize I have plenty to eat and wear. I also have a solid roof over my head when I lie down at night. There are so many who do not know that luxury. Beyond those basic needs I can add more and more to the list of comforts I enjoy daily. I image you are most likely in that boat with me, friends.

Although I am grateful for all I have I am even more grateful for “things” that cannot be purchased. For example, love. From love flows the ability to forgive, to offer grace, to be reconciled, to grant mercy, to sacrifice, to care, and the list goes on. Love casts our fear {a big struggle for me}, it trusts, it hopes, it doesn’t envy, it is patient and kind…I’m quoting a little bit of 1 Corinthians 13 here. But my point is without those “things” that money cannot buy I would be undone. I would be lost and a person searching for a purpose through material wealth, which by the way is just fleeting.

Ultimately, I find all of the “things” that are most important to me through my faith. My faith in Christ is what changes my perspective and allows me to really capture what is most important in life Honestly, it’s what I’m most grateful for while I journey through this life. What are you grateful for especially during this season? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments, lovelies.

Lest I be an ogre, please let me not forget how thankful I am for people. My people…like my hubster, daughter, parents, brother and his family and a multitude of friends (online and IRL) as well as brothers and sisters in Christ. My goodness, I am relationship blessed beyond my imagination. Thankful, thankful and thankful!

Hello friends! I’m Emily from Darling, Dearest, a life and style blog. While I love writing about and sharing style frequently, my favorite thing to share is my faith. When Carrie reached out to me to collaborate on a post, my day was made! When speaking of gratitude, there is no better occasion than when I am already feeling grateful.

Gratitude, while a simple concept, isn’t something that is simple to wrap our minds around. It requires awareness of the gifts you’ve been given, and an act of response to show appreciation in return. It isn’t too great of a challenge to say “thank you” to the visible acts of kindness from the friends and family around me. But when it comes to saying “thank you” to the Lord? Although he deserves it the most, he receives it the least.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of our enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5

I fail to thank the Lord daily for the gifts I have been given. And yet, my cup overflows. At times, I refuse to acknowledge the beauty around me. Still, my cup overflows. I fuss at those who love me and take my hardships out on them. My cup continues to overflow. I rush to leave my job behind at the end of every day. And as always, my cup overflows.

This, my darling, is why I have come to understand gratitude when it comes to the Lord. I will never be able to fathom the work that he has done, I will never repay the gifts I have received, and I will never own up to the love that he gives. And oh, does he give. He continues to give when I fall short. This great love makes me eternally grateful.

There is so much in this life to be thankful for. While it should be a daily occurrence, I’m so glad that we have a day that makes us realize it. A day to surround ourselves with blessings, with family and friends and food and joy. That, in itself, is a blessing. When gratitude is at the forefront of our minds we can take actions to pursue it, to even just be aware of it.

Thanksgiving is in my top three favorite days of the year [no surprise that it’s second to Christmas and Christmas Eve]. I want to soak up all the goodness around me, and I want to be comfortable in doing so! I like to be presentable for all the family pictures that will no doubt be taken. BUT I also like to be prepared for the food I’m about to savor - and have room to expand. Because of this, I tend to stick to my favorite fall and winter outfit: an oversized sweater and leggings. To add a bit of festivity to it, I threw in a gold belt and tartan plaid scarf.

I am grateful that I can enjoy a passion, like style, and discover myself through it. And I’m grateful for my fun-loving family that brings me more joy than I can say. But these things wouldn’t even be a possibility if the Lord hadn’t provided me with them first. He is the source of my gratitude and the reason I can express it.

Sweater: similar (mens) // Scarf: similar, similar // Leggings: White Plum // Belt: similar // Booties: similar

Remember I said there was lots going on in this post? Here a little more. Our weekly link up and a giveaway. I hope you’ll take the time to enter. I wanted to participate in a giveaway and give you the opportunity to enter as a little thank you for following along and reading my blog. I am truly thankful for you! I appreciate you reading and commenting each week. It really does bless me. Thank you, lovelies! I’ve added the giveaway at the bottom of the post.

Hosted by ~

Carrie/A Lovely Little Wardrobe ~ Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Whitney/Whitney à La Mode ~ Bloglovin/Instagram

Casey/A Little Bit of Cheer ~ Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Each week we choose a favorite…check out Casey & Whitney’s blogs to see if it’s you! My favorite this week is Irene from The Daily Lace. She featured a gorgeous feminine floral dress. A picture perfect look can be found in here in the post. Hope you’ll stop by and visit her blog where you’ll find gorgeous photos, spot on fashion and a few little extra surprises!

http://thedailylace.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_8815edit.jpg

Happy Monday! A few of my blogger friends and I wanted to kick start your week by joining together to bring you a giveaway - a $150 Nordstrom gift card! Are you the one lucky reader? Simply enter via the widget below!

Prize: $150 Nordstrom gift card

Hosts:
Sequins & Denim • Fashionably Employed • Shopping My Closet

Co-hosts:
The Red Closet Diary

Peaches In A Pod • The Kissing Booth Blog • A Lovely Little Wardrobe • heid’nspeak • Style-Blueprint

Giveaway open: Monday, November 16 at 12AM PST through Monday, November 23 at 11:59PM PST

Are you a fellow blogger who’d be interested in hosting similar giveaways to help grow your blog? Then, click here to find out how you can join!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Where you’ll find me linking up.

[inlinkz_linkup id=576394 mode=1]

Whatever is Lovely #19

November 13, 2015

Happy Friday, lovelies! I’m loving the beauty of the season especially around the blog world where many fellow bloggers have had some gorgeous outdoor photos. Here in Texas our leaves do not have the brilliant colors of other areas of the country. Actually we have some trees that do not lose their leaves at all. Crazy? Yes, it is! Today I want to share a journey of beauty with you from some recent posts I read. I thought it would be fun to share the scenery and the looks. Here’s some of my favorites. I hope you enjoy the journey.

1. Karen ~ She Thought She Could shared this post.