"Smitten With You" give a way from Take the Cannoli

Last week I "met" via blogging Natalie and I feel in love with her blog and her shop and her! She is a doll and it has been so fun getting to know her! She is such a beautiful person inside and out. You can just feel the love that she has for her little ones and for her husband (read more about that below).
 I was so excited to work with her as I LOVE her hand stitched gorgeous decor and I am SO thrilled to offer a GIVE-A-WAY on my blog.
Without further ado, meet Natalie...

Hi there, I'm Nat from "Take the Cannoli". I am a twenty something (for just a little longer), wifey to Micah, mama to my two sweet babes; Elsie Pearl & Vernon Ribble, a Southern Californian girl, and a crafter of sorts. I am a lover of Jesus, coffee, the beach and of course pastries!

Through my blog I share about our life, faith, marriage and motherhood. I love sharing new inspirations, projects or whatever else I'm loving at the moment. Of course you will find touches of crafting, recipes and even fashion (which is rare due to the this season of life and having wee ones which translates to me never wanting to get dressed) I have just recently launched my new online shop and will often share my newest creations and promotions through my blog!

In the spirit of the upcoming holiday of Love I thought I'd share a teensy bit about my Sweetheart. We are coming up on our ninth year of marriage this May, which seems utterly impossible considering it feels like only yesterday we said yes to the greatest adventure of our lives. I couldn't imagine a better fit than Micah. God really knew what he was doing. I talked about him a little here in a recent post, but just can't help but let you all know how Smitten I am about this man. 

So I'll stop there before I get all mushy and move onto the good stuff. In celebration of LOVE, Sarah in all her awesomeness is giving one of you the opportunity to win this little gem titled "Smitten" Of course being inspired by my own hubby I created this for one of you! Hand-stitched on linen, accented with vintage lace and displayed in a 6" wood hoop this piece is ready to be hung in your own home or will make a perfect gift for best gal!

Thank you Sarah for letting me share a piece of me with all your readers and hope you will all stop by for my ramblings of life and the lessons I'm still learning from it!

Smooches, Nat

Sarah here, Isn't Nat so cute? I just knew you'd love her and her darling items! Which one is your favorite? I am personally SO smitten with this one above. It's so romantic! Follow these simple steps to enter the give a way (fyi~you might have to click "read more" below to see the Rafflecopter tool. It makes entering SO much easier)! The give a way ends Sunday.

Blog/Shop/Facebook/Twitter

Eisley Rae and a Give a way

 

Do you follow Alyson over at Eisley Rae? If not, you should. She is such a cute mom, crafter and blogger. I love her ideas and inspiration. Her blog is so fresh and fun!! 

Speaking of blog, she is doing a Penelope Lane give a way over on her blog right now! 

I have loved getting to know Alyson via her blog and I was super excited to work with her. I sent her over a package of LPL goodies for her and her cute daughter (seen above). She had an awesome photo shoot with Tammie Halcomb Photography and got some great shots!! 

Take a moment to go visit Alyson over at Eisley Rae. 

You won't be sorry!!

Hair Wrap Sale

 There is a hair wrap sale going on over on Facebook today! $8 each or THREE for $20. Just leave your paypal email address under the hair wrap(s) that you would like, I'll send you over an invoice and ship your hair wraps out TODAY! Shipping is only $2 (flat rate)! 

Remember hair wraps are ONE SIZE FITS ALL! 

Simply tie the ends together for the perfect, most comfortable fit! 

 Click here to go to the Sale

XO

Simple Things Sunday, A Love Moment

The bright Blue mornings this week have been breath taking! This morning I grabbed my camera and went into the back yard to snap a few pictures of the sky. Blue is my favorite color and I love starting the day, especially Sundays with gorgeous skies like these. 

 
This little guy was all ready for church and while he waited to go he was playing with an eye ball and a squishy. All boy I tell you! 

This is typically how the girls spend the majority of the weekend. Playing dolls, barbies, animal hospital. They will play for hours and hours. I love listening to their pretend play. It seriously melts my heart.

Speaking of heart, this morning while I was getting ready for church, listening to Sunday music, hearing the kids laughter, looking over at my husband dressed in his suit, I had one of those love moments.
The kind that takes your breath away and leaves you with a tear in your eye. The kind that makes your heart almost hurt because it feels like it could burst. The kind that makes you feel so much joy because of the love you feel.
That kind of love moment.
It really is the simple things that can bring those kind of overwhelming moments of love.
So grateful for those simple things that make life so sweet and so full of love.

linking up with Rebecca for

{Simple things Sunday}

My little boutiquer

Is boutiquer a word?

Last night Ella and I were in a cute Valentines Boutique. It was local and only three hours, so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to take Ella along. She was thrilled. She came up with some new bow creations and took her display so seriously.  

After we were all set up we waited for the doors to open and she could hardly contain her excitement. When she had her first sale and they told her to "keep the change" her smile beamed from ear to ear and she got teary eyed (happy tears). So cute! 

When things slowed down she took the opportunity to go from booth to booth and look at all the handmade creations. She wanted one of everything and has such a love for all things crafty and creative! 

It was such a special and fun night spent with my Ella girl! 

A big thank you to everyone who came by and a huge thanks to Liz for hosting a great boutique! 

diet coke date

I sure love the "coffee dates" that I read on others blogs. They are so uplifting, intimate and real. Recently, this blog has started to become my little guilty pleasure. A place for me to just have fun with.

For five years I have been blogging on my family blog. I have loved it, continue to love it and have loved the doors it has opened. I love looking back on our adventures, our joys and even our heartaches because we have learned and grown so much from them.

This blog, however, for the past two years has always been a place to post about upcoming boutiques, events, or whats new in my shop. But, this year I wanted to mix it up and dive more into this creative world and also get to know other creative bloggers that I have so much fun with. So I am spending a little more energy and time over here and really loving it.

So, on to our diet coke date....

I don't drink coffee but I sure drink diet coke (a little too much) and if I have a few limes handy, I throw those in for fun. Are you a diet coke fan?

If you came over for a diet coke you would walk into my front room and see a large mirror leaned up against the wall. I would tell you that I heard a large crash last week and ran to the living room to see that the mirror had fallen off the wall and had broken a few decorations that were under it. I would tell you how grateful I felt that none of the kids were playing near that area because they would have been seriously hurt. I would tell you how much I love my children and how that is one of my fears, them being hurt or scared and how I want them to have a magical childhood free of worry and pain.

I would ask about your children and what your hopes and dreams for them are.

I would ask about your favorite family traditions and what your plans are to celebrate Valentines day. I would tell you about how last Valentines Day my husband sent me flowers and my daughters and I gushed over them all day. I would tell you how I pray that my daughters end up with someone like my husband and then I would get mushy and probably cry as I tell you how much I love that man.

I would tell you that he wakes up early every morning and lets me sleep in 15 minutes longer as he starts the process of getting Katie ready for school. I would share with you how she can not feel her feet, so she needs help getting her leg braces on and how she has to be cathed every four hours every day and how grateful I am for a helping husband. I would share with you some of the miracles and answers to prayers we have received and how much peace the Lord has given us.

I would tell you how sweet Ella has started to make little bows and has worked so hard on them. I would tell you how I invited her to come with me to the Valentines Boutique on Friday and told her she can sell her bows there! She was so excited and last night came up with a display. I would tell you how Ella often makes me cards and wraps up presents for everyone in the family and then calls a family meeting to give the presents away.

I would tell you how fun it is to have two little girls that are growing up with a love of creating. I would tell you how Katie has made a goal to sew 25 new things this year at sewing class and how cute I think that is.

I would tell you that Carter rocks my world every day with all things BOY and how he keeps me on my toes but melts my heart all day long. I would tell you how we rocked out to "Let's Hear it for the Boy" on the way to school this morning and how the Footloose soundtrack was my favorite growing up.

I would ask you about your childhood and where you grew up and if you put the Footloose cassette tape in your stereo (whoa, words from the past) and danced around too.

As we finished the last of our diet coke, I would hope that I did not talk your ear off and that I had asked enough about you and how you were feeling this day. I would hope that we could gather again soon for another chat over our favorite beverage of choice.

XO

WIWW AND Penelope Lane Parties

 This is my second week of joining the "What I wore Wednesday" Challenge started by Lindsey over at the Pleated Poppy. She started this WIWW to help us get out of our pj's and put more effort into ourselves each day. I have to say it has been really helpful. I was finding myself in my sweats more and more, so this has been a great challenge and a lot of fun (and a little embarrassing, I must say, I am still trying to feel comfortable in front of the camera vs. behind where I usually am).

So without further ado, WIWW....

First off, a little afternoon at the beach with Ella. We went shopping on main street, walked the pier, enjoyed the gorgeous Southern California weather and had a little lunch. It was a fun mommy/daughter date. 

outfit: seriously can't remember, hair wrap in the shop here

I love Seal Beach. 

 Miss Ella Bella in her skinny jeans and new O'Neil shirt and cozy boots

Pump It up Birthday Party (always a treat to chat and catch up with with good friends)

jeans: forever 21, Top: O'neil, shoes: Sears ($7 clearance) 

On my way to do some Valentines photo sessions last Sat. morning

Top: TJ Max, Jeans: Target, Boots: one of those mall shoe stores, Necklace: Allora Handmade

After the photo shoot I picked up Katie and we spend the day at the ability expo at the aquarium. 

After the expo, we hurried home, changed and got ready for a baptism at church for one of our good friends. After we got some frozen yogurt with the kids. dress: old Navy, sweater: Target

On Sunday Bryant and I were asked to speak to the young adults at church (age 18-29) about Dating. My sister is in that group with a lot of her friends, so it ended up being really fun. We shared our story, shared how important dating is, fun date ideas and opened it up for a discussion. This is our third time giving our little talk. Bryant keeps questioning how in the world he gets himself in these speaking situations, but in the end, it is always a really fun and neat experience. above: Bryant and I on our way out and Sandy (my sister) and I at church. 

Monday, I wanted to wear my PJ's, but hurried and got into this outfit. Nothing special, but not PJ's!

Black Jeans: Target, Top: ?,  Ruffled Necklace and shoes: local boutique

Tuesday Night I was off to a bow party  (where other people host Penelope Lane parties, invite their friends, I bring all my hair accessories for their friends and family to try on and shop and then the host gets 10% of what the party earns in free hair accessories). 

above: Carter giving me some loves before I left. 

Boots: payless, hair wrap "the mom" here.

 Super fun bow party hosted by Laura! She had such a great party!

I have recently started shipping "Penelope Lane Parties in a Box!" (see example here) Like a trunk show!  Where you can host an LPL party where ever you live (in the USA) and earn free hair accessories (10% of the party, ex: if the party earns $500, you get $50 worth of hair accessories)!!
I have gals that are on their FIFTH Penelope Lane party because they have so much fun hosting them, their friends enjoy the party and they love getting hair accessories for free!
If you are interested in hosting a party or would like more information, email me littlepenelopelane@hotmail.com

I have enjoyed doing WIWW for the past two weeks and I have enjoyed getting to know so many more bloggers recently. It has been so much fun! 

Now, off to get out of my PJ's and meet a friend for lunch!

XO,

Sarah



linking up with

the Pleated Poppy

and

the letter 4
and

momma go round