A family lifestyle blog
Disclosure: I received this book to review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.
Looking for a great beach read? Check out the first installment of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency series. The main character, Kitty, is a teenage pilot with a thirst for adventure and certain proclivity for trouble. In the first book, Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold, we get to know Kitty as she embarks on her first great journey. [Read more…]
Mamas have so many dreams for their children. Happiness in school, marriage, career….they’re all in my prayers for my kids. The biggest desire of my heart, though, is the hope that my babies will love Jesus with all their might. My prayer is to be able to show and teach them that single thing. To hear my sweet children say, ” I believe in Jesus.” My response? Oh, the places you’ll go.
Disclosure: I received this book to review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.
My grandmother recently took a road trip to Tennessee to visit my family, courtesy of her private driver (my cousin). It was the first time she’s visited in several years, so we were very glad to host her! While she was here, we got to visit the Biltmore Estate and watch almost all 6 seasons of Downton Abbey. The splendor and opulence of both surpasses our lives in such vast measure that we found ourselves laughing about what it must be like, being surrounded by luxury on a daily basis. When I read A Fine Imitation by Amber Brock, though, I was reminded of how blessed I already am. This book allowed me to consider what it would be like to live a different life.
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We all know a Wonder Woman — the kind who can tackle anything, and still has good hair. She makes beauty and life look effortless. Rumor has it that Wonder Woman shops at Idakoos! Welcome to the Wonder Woman Giveaway Hop, an event hosted by Savings in Seconds. The grand prize winner can choose $50 in Idakoos products! After you enter my giveaway, head to the other participating blogs for chances to win the wonderful items they’ve featured. This giveaway runs from 7/20 through 8/3. Good luck! [Read more…]
With the heat of July, you might have trouble thinking about Christmas. Believe me, it’s going to be here before we know it! I love to get started on my holiday shopping. Though I’ve only purchased three gifts so far, I have been actively keeping lists so that I can remember what to shop for, as sales come up. Those of you who have a crafty or DIY person to shop for will want to check out Cricut’s price cuts. The Cricut Christmas in July sale makes it easy to stretch your Christmas budget, especially when you’re starting early! Right when I opened the page, there was a popup that offered a $10 savings on a $50 purchase. That’s 20% off right away. [Read more…]
Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I received a copy of the book All Things Bright and Beautiful in exchange for this review and post.
For both of my children, music is a part of life. My daughter has always loved poetic books with a natural rhythm and rhyme. We turned even the simplest of stories into song without meaning to. My son, on the other hand, prefers recognizable stories that have familiar rhymes that he might hear at school or at church. Both of my kids would have loved All Things Bright and Beautiful when they were little! This beautifully illustrated book is based on the traditional hymn by Cecil Frances Alexander. The beloved lyrics are made fresh with Katy Hudson’s marvelous artwork. Just check out this gorgeous hardcover book! [Read more…]
Statement necklaces are still all over the fashion world right now. The biggest trend, though, is the statement they actually make. Put away the bold, chunky beads and big rhinestones. Allow your jewelry to tell a story about you. Just like the cute of-the-moment state t-shirts, necklaces can be part of your story. For me, this state necklace reminds me of home.
Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions shared are mine.
What if everything you grew up “knowing” was a lie?
Once again, author Tracie Peterson gives us an a captivating character to follow. A Beauty Refined features a lovely heroine, Phoebe, with an unlikely Montana jeweler named Ian. The characters are as different as night and day — German aristocracy meet Western tradesmen. Those who like the contrast of social classes in Downton Abbey would enjoy this twist of culture. I took this book while on a vacation to Washington D.C. and enjoyed it while my kids were watching TV. I was thoroughly engrossed in the story, despite my misgivings about some of the characters. Without giving anything away, let me just mention that I felt frustrated with the choices made by more than one character. Additionally, the romance wasn’t convincing for me. I struggled with who I wanted the main characters to love….other people or each other. A Beauty Refined contained some troubling scenes in terms of domestic abuse, violence, and a fairly dysfunctional family.
On a related note, during our vacation I had the chance to visit the Gem Exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. We admired so many jewels including the Hope Diamond, diamonds worn by Marie Antoinette, and exquisite sapphire and emerald necklaces. Seeing this beautiful jewelry while reading this novel gave me a stronger appreciation for the deeper meanings in A Beauty Refined. Young Phoebe was trained in the ways of society, but had not been polished in her walk with Christ. Tracie Peterson’s story gave Phoebe a chance to learn about faith and its brilliance. Flaws and imperfections can be buffed away by the Master, if only we allow Him to work. By looking past the roughly cut characters, I was able to enjoy their refined beauty.
Disclosure: Post contains affiliate links. Opinions shared are mine.
First of all, THIS.
I feel like it’s my duty to let you know that there’s another HP story coming! I still have friends who are surprised by this news. Friends don’t let friends miss amazing stories. [Read more…]
Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.
There have been times of uncertainty in my life, but motherhood was probably the height of that misgiving. I wasn’t one of those women who always knew she wanted to be a mother. It was a spark that grew into a flame within my heart. Perhaps that made my children even more precious to me — the realization that I wanted to be a mom more than I wanted anything else in my life. The roller coaster ticked upward again, though, as my pregnancies were difficult and I learned how to care for these tiny people who depended on me for survival. When I read The Mother Letters by Amber C. Haines and Seth Haines, my heart fluttered at the reminders of those precarious days of infancy, toddlerhood, and beyond.
