Get Well Gift Guide

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It seems that cold and flu season has been especially bad this year. (I know I've had more colds this winter than I'd care to admit.) Do you know someone who has been feeling a little under-the-weather? I put together a collection of items that would make anyone feel loved and better in no time. Maybe you need to treat yourself, too, yes?

(1) I love this card. Chocolate and tea sound like the perfect remedy for a cold... or maybe just a bad day.

(2) Endangered Species is one of my favorite brands of chocolate. If you like it dark, you need to try it. It's SO good- this one's my favorite! Each flavor has an endangered animal on the wrapper and 10% of their profits go to support wildlife conservation. Help save the animals! :)

(3) Peppermint Eucalyptus bath bombs? Yes, please! These suckers will open up a stuffy nose, I'm sure.

(4) Every time I see the Gloriana scarf pop up in my facebook/twitter feed, I can't help but stare. So gorgeous! Who wouldn't feel better with a cozy sweater around their neck? These scarves are made by my online-turned-real-life friend, Kacia of Coconut Robot. I have a slouchy hat from her that will be making it's appearance on the blog soon! Watch out. 

(5) Load this tea bowl up with your favorite tea, grab a bar of that Endangered Species chocolate, and sink into a hot bath with some of those bath bombs. Perfect.

(6) This is totally new to me (drinking chocolate?) but it sounds amazing. What chocolate lover wouldn't want to turn their favorite food into a drink? It's even organic and fair trade. 

(7) Ellie's Handmade Soaps are literally the only soaps I use- for the shower, face, hands, everything. They're the best! (And I'm not just saying that because my cousin makes them.) Give them a try and you will probably never want to use another soap again. But don't say I didn't warn you. 

(8) When you need extra laughs, Everybody Loves Raymond is guaranteed to give them. It's still one of my favorite TV shows ever.

(9) Vanilla Velvet loose leaf tea- for that tea bowl, you know.

Wishing for Spring

Spring is "officially" just over 3 weeks away- so close, I can taste it! The birds are singing louder and sometimes I get whiffs of that spring-time scent in the air. I'm looking forward to:

• shedding my long puffy coat
• planting new seeds in the garden & watching them grow
• wearing flats
• feeling the warmth of the sun on bare skin

In other news, I'm getting my haircut tomorrow, and I've decided I'm getting bangs. I'm not sure how I want them, though. Going to the salon without a plan is probably never a good idea, huh? I've had bangs on my mind for the past week and it's the first thing I look at on people. I'm excited for a new look!

What are you looking forward to?

Heavy Hearts

Sometimes I feel the heaviness of the world. Listening to concern after concern of people battling pain, disease, death. So many people in need. Yet what hope we have in Christ. We can know who holds tomorrow in a world so full of uncertainty. 

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." (Psalm 62:1-2)

I truly don't know how people survive without that hope. How do they go through life without knowing that there is hope beyond this earthly life? That one day all the pain will be gone and they will see their Savior face to face. I hope you have that hope. 

He has conquered the grave.

{New} Latte Set + a word on collaborations

If you follow me on facebook, I'm sure you have seen sneak peeks of these Latte Sets. I am SO pleased with the results of this second collaboration with Jessica N Designs! The night I first saw the photos that JennaLaurenPhotography had taken, I think I squealed about forty times and was super giddy and definitely couldn't fall asleep. (It's good to be excited about your products, right?)

Collaborating with another artist has definitely been a new adventure for me, but it has been so life giving.

What do you make? Think about what kinds of products would mesh well with your own creations and reach out to another artist! Not only will you have a much bigger audience between the two of you, but you will create a relationship with your partner in crime that is priceless. Jessica and I have never met in person, but I know the first time we do meet, I will want to squeeze the life out of her.

We are THRILLED to bring you these Latte Sets and hope that you get as much joy from using them as we have gotten from creating them for you! 

You can find these sets in the shop here and be on the look-out for individual mugs later this week!

Valentine's Day as a Single Woman

I had no intentions of writing about this today. I wasn't even planning a Valentine's Day-related post. Then I thought, "I can't just pretend it's not happening. It is a national holiday, after all." So I snapped a few photos of my Valentine-ready pup and thought "casual-happy post." I'm all for celebrating the family and friends the Lord has blessed me with (including the furry ones), and that, to me, is what Valentine's Day is all about.  

But I know. Valentine's Day can be hard. Really hard. Life can be hard and this day that seems surrounded by couples in love doesn't make it any easier when you are not in their shoes and you want to be. 

The Lord in His endless mercy has been teaching me a lot about security this year. (Remember this post?) I've never had V-Day plans with someone of the opposite sex. I've never received a bouquet of roses. I've spent years of my life wondering how long this wait is going to be. 

And you know what? It's okay. I don't need a man to make me whole and worthwhile. In fact, a man can't make me whole and believing that one will is a lie straight from the pit of hell.

Celebrate the people you love today- your girlfriends, family, significant other. If you don't feel like anyone loves you, I can tell you that the Maker of the universe is crazy in love with you, and He's the only One who will ever make you whole. That is worth celebrating.

Shop Update- 2-12-13

I unloaded the kiln this week and my shelves are packed with items that are ready to ship! Since adding some new bright glazes to my shop last August, the shop has been so much more cheery. I love it! I'm going to be loading up the shop over the next few days. Here are some items that were sold out and are now back in stock!

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I'm also super excited to launch a brand new product in the next week or two! You'll have to wait to see what it is ;) I'm doing another collaboration with Jessica N Designs and the details will be coming soon!

Happy Tuesday!

Earning Love

Do you ever feel like you're going through different "seasons" of learning? Like God keeps reinforcing the same subject matter in your life in different ways?

I've come to the realization that I subconsciously believe that I can earn God's love. That if I make all the right decisions, He will love me more. That when I make mistakes, He's sitting up in heaven hopelessly shaking His head at me.

I once heard a pastor say, "We can't let God down because we aren't holding Him up."

So true. Yet how often do I feel like I'm letting Him down when I mess up? I'm not the one holding Him up, He's holding me.

It boggles my tiny human mind that when God looks at me, He doesn't see all the sin in my life. He doesn't see the mess. He doesn't see the mistakes I've made. He sees the blood that was shed to set me free. I am righteous before God because of Christ Jesus alone. That's not to say I go on and do whatever I please because I'm forgiven anyways. I want to do the right thing out of a grateful heart. Grateful for His grace, love, and forgiveness. Grateful for the One who poured out His life on the cross as a sacrifice for my ugly heart. But doing the right thing isn't what earns His love.

"...we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Jesus Christ when he freed us from the penalty for our sins." (Romans 3:23-24)

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:11)

It is my prayer that God helps me to live in the freedom that Christ died in order for me to have.

Valentine's Gift Guide

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Valentine's Day is just around the corner and lately I've been crushing on hearts, red, and all things shiny & sparkly! If you need a little something special to treat your loved ones (or maybe yourself), here are some great gift ideas AND all of these items are handmade(!) Keep in mind that handmade items may take longer to make/ship then mass-produced, so if anything catches your eye, be sure to order soon!

(1) I received a few of these cards from Red Letter Paper Co. recently and the quality is fabulous. I love the card pictured above, but they have many other unique designs.

(2) I don't have these gloves, but I would sure love them :)

(3) These pretty heart bracelets are from Nestled. The owner, Megan, is my cousin! Lots of beautiful, sparkly pieces that any girl would like.

(4) Lisa Leonard... need I say more? I actually have this necklace and love layering it with other pieces, but this "xoxo" one is too sweet for Valentine's Day.

(5) Cherry lip tint by Orange Thyme- best lip balm ever.

(6) I'm crushing on this gold clutch. Perfect for a night out on the town!

(7) What pup wouldn't want to feel extra special on V-day? My dog Buster has one of these bow ties (in a different print) and he looks so handsome in it :) This red one with hearts? Swoon. Too bad the cute model doesn't come with it.

(8) Have you seen the {new} tea set collaboration that jessica N designs and I have available? Would make a great gift for a stressed-out mama or busy business lady. Just sayin'.

(9) Who wouldn't want this gorgeous red statement necklace? ((Shameless plug))