My husband and I love Halloween... we seriously adore seeing all kiddos in their different costumes, giving them a big handful of yummies, and watching their faces light up every time we do! No, we aren't creeps! That's just how it is when you haven't been able to have your own kids... you get all excited to be around other people's. LOL!
Wow, I really can't believe Halloween is just one week away though! But hey, don't sweat. You still have time to come up with an awesome treat bag idea! In fact, let me help you out with that. Here are a few of my favorite DIY Halloween treat bag ideas this year that are sure to impress the littles. Now I just have to decide which one of these we are going to do!

DIY Duct Tape Treat Bags

DIY Printable Treat Bag Toppers

DIY Journaling Card Treat Bags

DIY Printable Treat Bag Tags

DIY Printable Ribbon Treat Bags

DIY Gold Letter Treat Bags

DIY Ghost Treat Bags

DIY Candy Corn Treat Bags

Sixteen & Ninth Etsy Shop Giveaway

Alright, lovelies... are you ready for a giveaway on this beautiful Friday morning?! By now you all know how big of an Etsy fan/supporter I am. Today I want to introduce you to Sixteen & Ninth, a whimsical little shop that features vintage items and handmade market-style decor. Sixteen & Ninth is owned by my good bloggy friend, Jaimee of Craft, Interrupted. Jaimee changes Sixteen & Ninth's inventory regularly to coincide with her creative whims (an idea that I love!) and has recently been making goodies such as yarn pom garlands, stitched hoop art, handcut silhouette art, and more.

Jaimee has so graciously offered to give away one of Sixteen & Ninth's beautiful hand cut, matted silhouettes! This particular foxy fellow was designed and crafted especially for the Fall season and would usually cost $16.00 + shipping if purchased from Sixteen & Ninth, but this weekend one of you lucky duckies is going to get one for FREE! How freakin' fabulous is that?!

So without further ado, using the Rafflecopter widget below enter away, my lovelies! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Infertility Journey : Lessons Learned

I was so moved this week after reading THIS amazing post by Jaime at Raising Up Rubies. The words she wrote were so meant for me. Jaime, if you ever read this I want to thank you for sharing your heart and for being so real. It made me want to share a little bit about how God has been working on me lately. I hope you guys don't mind.

I have been really blessed in my life. I grew up with two great parents and two super fun siblings who were (and still are) my best friends. I always had food to eat and a roof over my head. I had an amazing church family and lots of people who loved me. God always provided above and beyond. But did I take time to thank Him for those things? Did I appreciate how invaluable they were? Not really. I simply got used to the blessings and I got comfortable. It's sad that it took a really horrible trial for me to be thankful for all of those things that I thought were so small before. Now I know they were huge. I was am SO blessed. 

Infertility has been the worst and best thing that has ever happened to me. It's been the hardest time of my life, but my faith is stronger than it's ever been. Had I not been forced to endure this trial I wonder how long it would have taken me to get to this point in my spiritual life? Years? Decades? Never?

Is it weird that I'm even thankful for this season in my life? As hard as it's been I know I'm stronger for it. I can't put out the fire, but I CAN let myself be molded into something beautiful in the meantime. The alternative is sad and depressing. In the end, the phrase Jaime shared (based on Daniel 3:17-18) says it all. "And if not... He is still good". I'm thankful I'm in this place. I'm thankful for the peace I have even in the storm. I'm thankful for the lessons... no matter how hard.

Free "Home" Prints

I have a little obsession with prints. For me, it all started with Etsy where there are SO MANY talented print designers in one place! It is amazing and I love it, but it can also start to get a little costly when you are as crazy about them as I am. Lately, Darren and I have been attempting to budget every penny that goes out the door. That means I can't just purchase a new print whenever I feel like it. Thankfully there are lots of amazing bloggers out there that have designed free prints for times like these!  

In addition to tight budgeting I have personally been working on embracing what I have rather than always wanting something else. That includes my house. What better way to make a house a home than with a framed piece of unique and personalized artwork? So in keeping with that theme here is a little round-up of some prints about one of my favorite places to be... home. <3

SOURCE

SOURCE

SOURCE

SOURCE

SOURCE

SOURCE

SOURCE

iPhone Recap : September 2013

September was a busy month... it was obviously TOO busy because I hardly have a picture to prove the month existed. Not cool. Here's to hoping my life slows down in October and that I have more time to stop and smell the roses. Actually... it's more like smell the mums right now, isn't it?  :)  Whatever. Here's to smelling something and enjoying the next 31-ish days!

September brought back the PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte). Everytime I see PSL all I can think is PTL (Praise the Lord). They just make sense together.  :)

Darren and I started a new tradition in September... the Saturday Farmers' Market! Believe it or not, we were both born and raised in Indiana (farmland, USA) and still somehow missed out on this experience. Now that we've tried it we're hooked. 

One of my favorite parts of September. Wild weeds that look like flowers. Really, who cares about what they technically are or aren't... they're pretty.  :)

Aaaannnndddd.... more PSL.  :)  PTL I have an amazing husband that allows me to buy Starbucks brand coffee, sauce, & syrup so I can make these amazing drinks at home. Did you notice I did that thing again? Seriously, they were meant to go together.

TTFN! Until next time, lovelies. 

xoxo