Finally Finding Me: November 2012

I can truly say that I have never been more excited and even a little honored to share an Etsy shop and its owners with you. Amanda and Heather (the owners and talented creators of the pieces at Starling Night) are two of the sweetest girls ever, I'm sure of it! Not only are they sweet, but what I like best about them is that they love the Lord. How could I not be excited to work with and share about two beautiful sisters in Christ?! They are the most generous and giving girls as well and I am downright giddy to tell you all of the fabulousness that I have experienced while working with them and that you are now also going to share in. It all started when I came across their shop and saw the coziest, cutest, prettiest, adorablest (ok, now I'm making up words...and any other awesome words you can think of) crocheted pieces. Once I started looking around and saw the incredible wreaths they make too, I was in awe of their talent. Since I started talking to them several weeks ago, they have even added a bunch of other cool things like paintings to their shop! Ok, but I'm getting ahead of myself...let me back up a bit. I had contacted them to see if they would be interested in being featured on my blog and the response I got back made my heart and soul smile. These girls were so excited at the opportunity and even told me that they had been praying for opportunities to get their shop known and then my message had come to them! Isn't God just amazing like that?! In fact, their mission for their shop is "We want to be able to craft full time. More than anything we want to glorify God." I LOVE that! Please take a moment to read this to really hear about their passions and vision for their shop. They felt blessed by the opportunity and so did I. That began our little journey to here today. It has truly been such a blessing and a joy to me and I am thrilled to be able to help them in getting exposure for their amazing shop. When they told me what their plans were for what they wanted to do for me for review pieces, I was a little overwhelmed by their generosity and even almost tried to talk them out of it. I just couldn't believe they wanted to share so much with me! They ensured me that that was what they really wanted to do though and of course I was humbled to be given such an opportunity. They asked me to choose my favorite cowl from their shop and told me that they were going to make a special set for me. How incredibly exciting!!! It took me a long time to decide, but I just kept being drawn back to a lovely cream and white cowl. It was just so pretty and snowangelish (again, making up words, but I can't find any real words that seem to express what I'm thinking). When the package arrived in the mail I thought I was going to burst with excitement and I had to immediately try everything on. In fact, this is what I wrote to Heather and Amanda after I had tried everything on and checked it all out..."That cowl is so snuggly and cozy and just gorgeous! I have never had fingerless gloves before, but when I put them on, I realized exactly what it is that people love about them and I know I'm going to love them too! And the hat, that awesome hat...it is the perfect amount of slouch and those buttons are the perfect touch. I have never had a hat that looked that good on me! I seriously am so excited, I could explode over here!" Now, take a look for yourself and you'll know why I was so excited! This is the lovely Amanda, wearing the set.

Here's me wearing my new lovelies (with my "Thanksgiving tree" in the background)!

Aren't they gorgeous?! I absolutely adore them. They are so soft and the colors are so pretty. The PERFECT set to keep me warm and snuggly and also looking cute! When I came out with them on for my husband to take the pictures, he said "Someone made those for you? They are so nice and look really good on you." Now seriously, if a guy notices how great they are, they must be amazing! They now have this set available for purchase too...lucky you! I'm sure you understand after seeing this set, why I was so overwhelmed by their generosity. How could I not be? And if I wasn't completely overwhelmed by it then, when they told me what their plans were for a giveaway for my readers was...well, let's just say I was blown away. But first, before we get to that, let me show you a few of my absolute favorite things from their shop. I know you're going to love them too... A cowl in gorgeous blues.

Seriously, one of the most fun hats I've ever seen!

Owls, tiny hats for babies...pure bliss!

I've always wanted to rock a beret like this one. So cute!

The most gorgeous baby blanket I have EVER seen!

A scarf in gorgeous fall colors that you can wear so many ways!

What a cool painting. The colors are amazing!

I am all about this pink cowl!

COOLEST WREATH EVER! Who doesn't love the Grinch?!

You may have noticed that I've pictured a few different cowls/scarves. That would be because they are something I don't think you can ever have too many of. They are such an effortless accessory to brighten up any outfit. I have a special love for scarves and cowls...just ask my husband and sisters. ;-) I somehow manage to get them to buy them for me at any chance. They are easily one of my favorite things to receive as a gift, and I pretty much guarantee that there are people on your Christmas shopping list that would love them too. These girls are the perfect combination of talent, sweetness, creativity and I could go on and on. I feel very blessed by getting even just a glimpse into their passions and being able to share them with all of you. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND considering the beautiful pieces at their shop for Christmas gifts for the people on your list. You seriously can't go wrong with a great cowl for anyone. I think the baby blankets would be such a lovely gift for a baby's first Christmas. There are just so many gift possibilities from babies to women of any age! Ok, now for the whole giveaway part that I know you have been very patiently reading through all of my rambling for (I seriously had to stop myself because I could go on and on about these girls and their pieces)... The incredibly generous Heather and Amanda are offering up 3 giveaway prizes for my readers!!! Yes, there will be 3 winners! Now, here's what's up for grabs... FIRST PLACE: A Custom Baby Blanket - The winner will be able to go to the Starling Night website and create their own custom baby blanket. This means choosing colors, thickness, embellishments, embroidery, or whatever you want. They want to make you the perfect blanket! Here's an example of something you could choose.

SECOND PLACE: 1 Corinthians 13 Love Tree Painting - The winner will receive this beautiful painting. Here is how they describe it..."1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is the inspiration for this painting. This painting is even more beautiful in person. The background is a series of transparent whites, greens, blues, golds, and pearls. In the last picture I tried to better capture the golds and pearls, they lightly shimmer through at you as the lighting shifts."

THIRD PLACE: Cowl - The winner will be able to choose ANY cowl from their Etsy shop, no matter what the price. The choice is yours! Here's one you might like...

Didn't I tell you they were super generous?! At the end of the giveaway, I will simply pick 3 winners through rafflecopter (1st winner gets first place prize, 2nd winner gets second place prize, etc.) I really hope that you will not only enter this giveaway, but that you will be sure to like their facebook page and Etsy shop as well. Most of all, I hope you will consider them when making Christmas present purchases. You really could not purchase from sweeter people. I always feel good when I buy something handmade and know that my purchase is directly supporting genuine, hard-working people. That makes it not only a gift to the person you are giving it to, but to the people you are purchasing it from. What an awesome opportunity that is. *I'll also give 25 EXTRA ENTRIES into the giveaway for anyone who makes a purchase from them* (please be honest, because I will check with them to confirm a purchase). So, go check out all their goodies at Starling Night and get your entries in so that you have a chance at being one of the lucky winners! a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: I was given the mentioned items for review purposes and was not compensated in any other way. All views and opinions expressed in this review are mine alone and were not influenced by any outside party.

I am in sparkle bliss from the gorgeous bracelet that I was blessed with from a great Etsy shop called Faith Hope Inspire! I found this shop while looking on Etsy for faith inspired jewelry and was so excited to see the sparkly joy they offer. When they told me I could choose an item to review, I had to go to the one that just kept catching my eye over and over. How could the colors of the rainbow represented in sparkling crystals not catch my eye? The beautiful Covenant Bracelet is a reminder of God's covenant with us when He sent the rainbow as a promise that He will never again destroy the world by flood. So, not only do I have a beautifully colorful bracelet to adorn my wrist, but a reminder of one of God's promises to us. What could be more beautiful than that? Just look at how gorgeous it is even in this picture.

Guess what...it's even more beautiful in person. When I wear it, it catches my own eye and I can't help but smile. How much jewelry do you have that does that?! I could not be more happy with it. It is made from the coolest cube Swarovski crystals as well as other sparkly beads. The colors make it perfect with almost anything too, so it is very versatile. It's fantastic for when you're dressed up or as a statement with jeans and a t-shirt. I just can't think of any reason not to wear it! There are sooo many other great pieces that they offer at Faith Hope Inspire too and I'd love to share a few of them with you here...

There is so much to choose from! And this is just a very small sampling of all the sparkly goodness at their shop! There are so many great gift items that would be sure to be a favorite for anyone who might find them under the tree this year for Christmas! If you're like me and have a hard time resisting the sparkle, there is some great news I'd like to share with you...they are giving one of my readers a $50.00 Gift Certificate to their shop!!! What a great way to get a gorgeous Christmas present for someone you love or even for yourself, for free! I know you've got to be excited, so hurry and get your entries in below for your chance to win! a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: I was given the mentioned item for review purposes and was not compensated in any other way. All views and opinions expressed in this review are mine alone and were not influenced by any other party.