My Top 10 Things I've Learned In 2011

I feel like I've learned a lot this year, or maybe I'm just more aware of what I've learned. So here are the top 10 things I've learned in 2011.

7. I feel a heck of a lot better when I'm not eating so much sugar.

6.  I need to be passionate about giving back.

5.  Maybe I do want to go to Africa on a missions trip.

4.  Don't judge people by their appearance, get to know their heart!

3.  Just because the number of your age changes doesn't mean you have too :) 

2. My life is extremely blessed!

2.  I'm really enjoying my teenagers!

2. I have an amazing husband!!

 2.  It's still not all about me!!

And the number one thing I've learned this year is...

 1.  God is always in control, even when it seems hopeless He is always faithful!

 

I know, I know, many of them are twos...I wasn't able to put any of them more important than the other!

Happy New Years from my Family to Yours

Now, instead of resolutions for the new year, I'm going to do my best to apply what I learned in 2011 to 2012.  I won't make it to Africa (this year) but I will be sending my daughter in my place!!

 

What have you learned this year to make you a better person??

Renée

Obsessive Monday - Sparkles

I've always loved anything that sparkles!!  My family laughs at me because I have to "bejewel" anything and everything!  My friends typically know that if it sparkles I WILL like it!

Here are a few sparkly images I found on Pinterest.

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I hope you had a fabulous Christmas!!  We did, now off to post Christmas shopping and a movie!

Renée

Merry Christmas From My Family

Obsessive Monday - Candy Canes

There is just something about that red and while swirl that makes me smile!!

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Have yourself a very Merry Christmas!

Renée

NYC New York Color

I'm so excited!  I just received

a tube of NYC Liquid Lipshine in the mail today!

 

Photo NYC New York Color

 This Lipshine is great!  My lips are shiney and moist without feeling sticky or gummy, and at $2.49 a tube, you can't beat it!!  

 

They have 10 different shades availabl from neutral nudes, to berries & fuchsias. NYC is available at  Walmart, Target, CVS and others.  Go to newyorkcolor.com to see their different shades and other products from New York Color!

 

I was given this product to test through Influenster’s VoxBox program.

 

Renée

 

 

I Ordered Me Some Boot Socks!

My Monday's post was all about Boot Socks...Guess what I just did??  I ordered some boot socks from GroopDealz.  

 Image from GroopDealz

Here is the direct link to this sale.  These were offered last week and I missed it :(  I'm so glad they were offered again.  I'm getting the brown and grey.  I'm a happy girl!

Here's how GroopDealz works.

 

Image source, GroopDealz

All opinions expressed are mine.  I am not receiving compensation from GroopDealz.

Renée

Obsessive Monday - Boot Socks

My "uniform" of late has been a cute top, sweater, black or brown flat boots with my jeans tucked in. I've seen some photos of socks sticking up over the top of the boots. Guess what I want to add to my "uniform"?

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Boot Socks!!,that's right, boot socks. Aren't they so stinkin' cute??

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Maybe Santa will bring me some (hint, hint, wink, wink Hubby Dear!) Or maybe I should just go to Goodwill buy an old sweater and make my own!!

Renée  <3

Gingerbread Houses

This past Thursday night, we had our annual gingerbread house building evening.  

When the kids were little (and I had control) I would make a house completely from scratch (crazy but true). I couldn't compete with Martha Stewart but I would do a pretty darn good job!  As the kids got older, we would buy a kit and candy that we liked.  I learned to glue gun the walls together (much, much easier) and let go of wanting the house to be beautiful!  The only problem is, we couldn't agree on how to decorate the house (there are 5 of us).  We would all take a side or room and have a hodgepodge house.  In the past few years, they've come out with little village kits and guess what??  There are 5 little houses!  We all get our own! Now the only thing we fuss about is who gets the frosting bag next!

1. Mine
2. Dad's (aka The Outhouse)
3. Dré's
4. Colette's
5. Dominique's

In the end, Dré ended up with the frosting bag and photo bombed my pictures.  I LOVE my teenagers!

Renée

Obsessive Monday - White Trees

Howdy...I know I've been missing for a while, things have been quite hectic.

While I should be decorating my own Christmas tree, at the moment, I'm lost in Pinterest Land looking at white trees.

 

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Ok, now that I'm inspired, it's time to take care of my 13 year old green tree.

Happy decorating!!

Renee'

Cyber Monday Sale!!

Sorry, sale is over...


It's Cyber Monday and time for a sale!

 Through Tuesday night at Midnight MST all items in my Etsy shop will be 20% off when you use the code CM2011 at check out.

 

 Glitter Snowflake Bobby Pins

 Silver Tear Drop

Tiffany Blue Rose Necklace

Also, all shipping is reduced by at least half for items shipped to United States addresses.  Many of my items are one of a kind or limited numbers.  Unique and handmade!

Happy Shopping!!

New Items, Just In Time!!

Just in time for my Pre-Black Friday Sale!!  New items in my Etsy Shop!

Ivory Ruffled Headband

Mirror Compact

Golden Daisy Necklace

And more, plus more to come!!

Here's the code again

PBF11

Good through Thanksgiving night, Midnight!!

Reneé

Pre Black Friday Sale

I'm having a Pre-Black Friday Sale in

my Etsy Shop!!

 

Now through Thanksgiving Day, 11/24/11, 

Receive 25% off everything!  Just enter this code when prompted at check-out.

PBF11

 

Stay tuned, I'll be adding some new things in the next couple of days!!

White Bow Ring

3 Hair Ties, Your Choice Of Colors

Owl Necklace

And much more!!

Reneé

Obsessive Monday - Compassion

Once again, I'm a day late!!

This week, I'm obsessing about giving.  The Holiday Season is quickly approaching and this year my family wants to do something more.

 

 

We currently sponsor a little boy through Compassion International and this year they sent us a Christmas Gift Catalogue.  They have everything from soccer balls and Bibles to small business launches and vaccinations that you can purchase to send to a community or family in need.

 

 

In our family, we have set a budget of how much we spend on each person, if the gifts that the kids want don't add up to that amount they get cash.  This year we're all giving some our Christmas gift money to buy something for someone in need.

We're buying...

  A Goat!!

Goats provide milk, meat and generate income. Families will receive training and other resources to help them successfully raise and care for their animals.

 

Also...

 Protecting Children At Risk

 "Children can be vulnerable even in their own homes. Children with severely ill parents, children who must serve as the head of the household, or children who are at risk of abuse or exploitation need extra attention and protection. Your gift will help Compassion provide a safe place to live, legal care, and/or foster care for a child who is living in an unsafe environment."  Compassion International

I'm so proud of my kids for agreeing to do this.  Next year we plan on buying a....

 Holy Cow!!

And the kids are wanting to save money through the year to purchase other items.

Be sure and take a look at what they have.  If you have a friend that has EVERYTHING but you still want to do something for them, you can Give a gift “in honor” of a friend or family member.  Once you select your gift, you can choose a greeting card to be sent to your honoree.

This year let's make Christmas special for those in need! 

Photos from Compassion International

Reneé

Obsessive Mondays - Bathrooms

Here is another dreamy Monday...Bathroom images from Pinterest.

Source: thecreativechronicles1.blogspot.com via Adrienne on Pinterest

Source: thecreativechronicles1.blogspot.com via Adrienne on Pinterest

Source: cdn.home-designing.com via Keely on Pinterest

Source: google.co.uk via Maudlin on Pinterest

 

Source: i4at.org via Garland on Pinterest

Source: dailydivadish.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Brittany on Pinterest

Source: brabournefarm.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

While it's not a trip to the spa, I can just imagine how nice it would be to escape to almost any of these bathrooms.  Well not the red one.

Happy Monday!!

Renee'