06-29-2013

4th Of July Recipes

So with each holiday comes some absolutely amazing ideas that are posted on blogs for decorating, recipes, clothing and more.  I wanted to share some things I had found that look absolutely amazing.

My Juice Cup has these amazing looking 4th of July cake pops.  I have never tried to make cake pops, but there is a tutorial and it may be worth giving it a try!

firework

Fourth of July Firecracker Cookies, yes please!  You use poprocks to decorate the cookies, cake, whatever you are baking.  This is a fabulous idea!

Red Velvet Ice Cream Sandwiches look wonderful!  They have cheesecake ice cream!

Berry parfaits

Skinny Berry Parfaits.  Can I have one now?

11-23-2012

Gifts that give back

As you are [hopefully] relaxing after Turkey day yesterday I know you are probably being bombarded by ads and emails about this deal and that deal and how you need to buy this or that for someone for Christmas.  There are lots of ideas for things to buy people but how about choosing a gift that gives back?  I love buying gifts and I love it even more when I know it is supporting a good cause.

Headbands of Hope was started by a college student while working for Make a Wish as an intern.  For every headband you buy, one is given to a girl going through cancer and $1 is donated to St. Baldricks.

Live Fashionable is a site to buy amazing handmade scarfs by women in Africa who are able to build a sustainable business.  The scarfs are absolutely beautiful!  And they are located in Nashville.

Mudlove Bands.  I love these bands, they are adorable and they are only $5.  These are a wonderful stocking stuffer!  For every $5 you spend you give an African clean drinking water for a year!

Global Goods Partners is a website that sells fair trade products and provides support to the communities that they come from.  You can shop by country, category or producer.

Gone Reading provides 100% of the profits from purchases on their site to help fund libraries.  Definitely a good idea for the book lovers that you know!!

Gifts that Give is a website where $1 out of every $5 goes to the cause of your choice.

 

Same Sky bracelets are made by HIV+ women in developing countries.  100% of the net profits (!!!) go back to helping the women.

The St. Jude gift shop has lots of products that help to raise funds to provide care to the children of St. Jude.

The Animal Rescue Site gives back to help rescue animals and shelters.

Toms Shoes.  I absolutely love Toms.  Yes, they are expensive for just a simple flat shoe but they are SO comfortable and anytime you buy a shoe (or glasses!) someone who really needs them gets a pair too.

 

Global Girlfriend has so many fun gift ideas that helps lots of women around the world.  One of the organizations they help is Thistle Farms which is located right here in Tennessee.  There is even a gifts that give more section where you can purchase non-tangible things such as clean water and health check ups.

Made by Survivors is a program designed to help survivors of slavery and other human rights abuse.

Do Good Buy Us is a large market place of charity made products all in one place.

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If you know of anymore sites that really give back when you purchase please leave a comment or email me to let me know and I will add it to the list.

 

11-22-2012

I am Thankful For…

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so blessed and need to do a better job at remembering that and thanking God for my life and my blessings throughout the year. I absolutely love this time of year and I wish it would extend through the whole year (minus the traffic and the crowds!).

Here is my list this year. Some of them are pretty silly that I am thankful for them but you really have to remember the little things.

  1. My Family & Friends
  2. God
  3. Pancake- she is adorable isn’t she?
  4. My Country & the freedoms we have
  5. Religious Freedom
  6. Toms- because can these shoes be anymore comfortable?
  7. Casual Fridays
  8. A Job
  9. Instagram (I am pretty much addicted)
  10. Diet Vanilla Coke (and Sonic!)
  11. Sleeping in
  12. iPhones
11-18-2012

Gift Guides

Okay, I apologize for being MIA this week. It has been so crazy with job stuff, and I have been doing so much. I did spend some time last night making some adorable new pajamas that I will share with you once I finish them (just a few embellishments to go!) but I wanted to show you some gift ideas.

I LOVE the Handmade Holidays over @ Sew, Mama, Sew. Each day there is a new category of gifts you can sew.

50 DIY Days of Christmas from The Paper Mama.  Each day has a new project and make sure to look at last years!

Make sure to check them out and let me know if you have any others that you know about!!