Jun 282017
 

Summer is officially here, and one thing on the minds of many people is wedding season. There are very few events that make a summer memorable like a couple’s nuptial extravaganza. It’s a time for celebrating the union of two unique individuals, and spending time with extended family and friends. It’s also wonderful to see the new themes in attire and aesthetics that the wedding planners choose.

Deciding to be Different

Everyone respects and admires traditional wedding themes. These include black and white formals, large bouquets, a stretch limo, and flowing champagne. It also means an abundance of fine jewelry. Glittering white diamonds are the standard choice, but some people decide to gain attention with other types of jewelry.

Fine jewelry doesn’t just represent a union, it should boldly state the personalities and mutual interests of the couple. For instance, some couples opt for a wedding ceremony that is casual and full of natural world items because they love an active outdoor lifestyle. Perhaps, their deep-rooted belief in environmental concerns is the most important thing to them. They could have fallen in love during an outdoor excursion. For a couple like this, toned-down gemstone jewelry is the ticket. They can display everything from garnets and regional geodes, to sapphires and precious metals. They can even exchange craft jewelry that is handmade by trade artisans at dealers like Brilliant Earth.

Belief and Dedication

For many modern couples, it is not enough to only be dedicated to each other. It is also important to be dedicated to the beliefs that brought them together in the first place. Again, an extremely common ideal for modern couples is environmental awareness. To ensure that all the jewelry featured at a wedding comes from preferred sources, some couples insist that all the pieces are made through ethical practices. This means buying stones and metals that are extracted, fashioned, and sold through industries with high human and environmental standards.

Extremely luxurious alternative wedding jewelry collections are available through fine jewelers. These companies will always be able to prove their design’s origins and authenticity. Wonderful pieces with components like opals and white gold are growing in popularity. It is also wonderful to choose jewelry options featuring environmental themes. Precious metals can be stamped with personalized custom runes, symbols, and lettering that exclaim the philosophical, religious, and lifestyle underpinnings of a couple’s mutual commitments.

Less Expense and More Meaning

It doesn’t take breaking the bank to show love through fine jewelry. Some couples choose to go “all out” on jewelry expense, and that is wonderful! Other couples however, prefer pieces with everlasting meaning, rather than a huge price tag. A fantastic way to achieve the latter is through planning ahead, and taking advantage of online jeweler coupons.

Some of the aforementioned jewelry options are available through jewelers who only sell their items through brick and mortar stores, or through select online affiliates. Sites like Brilliant Earth not only feature entire traditional and non-traditional jewelry catalogs, but rare coupon codes and incentives for shopping. Sources like this can help a couple achieve the goal of inspiring guests, while saving money for their new start together.

Few elements in a wedding ceremony symbolize and capture the essence of the couple like jewelry choice. There are many ways to display passion, glamor, couture, and personal style. Couples taking the matrimonial leap this summer should consider a jewelry collection that makes it truly memorable.

 

Jun 092017
 

Complete Guide to Bible Journaling: Creative Techniques to Express Your Faith (Fox Chapel Publishing) by designer, inspirational speaker, and author of the Zenspirations® book series Joanne Fink introduces a powerful new way to engage with Scripture through art. Along with co-author Regina Yoder, who is a women’s ministry leader, the pair offers lettering, drawing, painting, and crafting techniques and inspirations to provide artistic new ways to reflect on Scripture.

Both Fink and Yoder are currently available for interviews and can discuss

  • Simple ways to hand-letter and illustrate your favorite verses
  • Tips and techniques for using stencils, colored pencils, watercolors, acrylic paints, rubber stamps, washi tape, and more
  • How Bible journaling is a unique way to connect passion and faith
  • Examples from Bible journalers who report that Bible journaling provides opportunities to deepen faith
  • How the Bible journaling trend took off, after the rise of the coloring book craze, and opened a welcoming and warm community of crafters
  • How some crafters choose to illustrate directly within their Bibles and how some choose to illustrate on paper next to their Bible

I love to doodle and draw. I was excited to start Journaling. The Complete Guide to Bible Journaling: Creative Techniques to Express Your Faith has so many pages of helpful information.  I like the sections on different medias.  The book gives you examples of lettering and layouts are great!  I also like the section that has featured artist.  They talk about how they started journaling and their love of the Bible.

Throughout the book there are lots of ideas and tips. Another favorite is the bonus section – there are stickers, tabs, journaling and vellum designs.  I am having so much fun designing page after page.  It is so much fun to sit down and draw. It helps me relax and I actually can draw better than I thought!

You can buy your own copy below and start Bible Journaling today!

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Jun 062017
 

I am not sure I mentioned it or not I am getting married next year!  So that being said I need to lose weight – I want to look good going down the aisle with everyone looking at me.  I am always looking for something that is low in calories but high on flavor.  That is why I really like these Almondina® Toastees.  They have a lot of flavor and are crispy. They are the perfect treat!

Toastees™ flavors include:

Cranberry Almond – the toasted goodness of premium almonds combined with the

                                   tang of dried cranberries

Sesame Almond – healthy sesame flavor with almonds making snacking or

                                spreads equally enticing

Coconut Orange Almond – the citrus comes through with the dual nuttiness of toasted

                                              coconut and almond making this a perfect anytime snack

I think I like the Coconut Orange almond the best – but they all really have a lot of flavor. I like them for an afternoon pick me up.  The nice thing is that they have no cholesterol, no added fat, salt, trans fat, or preservatives and is dairy free.  Toastees™ also has 1 to 2 grams of protein and only 60 – 70 calories per serving (4 pieces). Deliciously Snackable & Crunchy! 

About YZ, Enterprises, Inc. and Almondina®: YZ Enterprises, Inc. is located in Maumee, Ohio and is the manufacturer of Almondina Brand Biscuits (www.almondina.com). Founded in 1989 YZ is entering its 25th year of providing unique all-natural, delicious, healthful products.

Almondina® is the inspiring success story of a man who had a great love of wonderful food. For generations his family loved his grandmother Dina’s most secret cookie, which she called Petit Gateau Sec. Long after his grandmother’s death, Yuval Zaliouk, Owner and CEO of YZ Enterprises, Inc., became aware that the remarkable characteristics of this addictively delicious but extremely nutritious cookie fell squarely in line with the growing demands of health-conscious consumers.  Within seven years, having started baking in his kitchen, the cookies (renamed Almondina® after Dina, his grandmother), were available in all fifty states, sought after in seven foreign countries, and had brought him recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year.

You can find Almondina® products all over including at one of my favorite stores Trader Joes.  Toastees are being carried coast-to-coast by stores including all Sprouts Markets, Bed Bath & Beyond, Publix, Giant Eagle, Lowes Foods, Fairway Markets, Kroger Michigan,  Amazon, Almondina.com  and others.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

 

 

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Jun 062017
 

When you’re interested in celebrating an anniversary or a birthday, a seafood restaurant is a perfect place to eat with your family members and friends. Enjoying delicious cuisine in a high-end setting will allow you to make memories throughout the year. When you’re considering where you want to dine on your evening out, there are a few benefits of visiting a seafood restaurant in the local area.

Fresh Cuisine

Seafood restaurant offers plenty of flavors and will allow you to enjoy fresh cuisine that is prepared in a variety of ways. From crab cakes to fresh lobster tail, several different menu items accommodate various types of palates. You’ll feel pampered once you’re served fine cuisine that is prepared with fresh ingredients.

Luxurious Environment

Most seafood restaurants offer a comfortable environment with the furnishings and decor that is used. You can enjoy dressing up and feeling pampered by the staff by dining in a beautiful setting that will prove to be memorable.  Seafood restaurants in Allen TX offer an intimate environment that allows you to enjoy plenty of romance with your spouse while going out on a date.

Healthy Choices

Seafood restaurants serve an extensive list of healthy choices for those who want to enjoy a fresh meal that is guilt-free. The menu items will have lower calories and a high nutritional value with omega-3 fats. The different fish items are also known to have plenty of protein, which can make you feel energized and more alert. The seafood can also allow you to intake your calcium intake and can also benefit those who have diabetes. It is also known to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes while also lowering blood pressure levels when consuming tuna, trout, mackerel, herring, and salmon.

Enjoy Good Conversation

You can strengthen your relationships with family members and friends while dining at a seafood restaurant where you’ll enjoy good conversation. You can have an escape from your busy schedule and recharge when you need a break from work or your household responsibilities. The music, fun environment, and laidback atmosphere will allow you to relax an forget about your worries.

By getting out and dining at a seafood restaurant, you can have a memorable experience in a beautiful environment. With high-end cuisine and fresh options available, it will prove to be a valuable time away from home where you can relax and indulge in delicious cuisine.

Jun 052017
 

If you have a skin laceration or sprained wrist, then you need medical attention right away. Rather than spending several hours at a hospital’s emergency room, visit the  24 hour emergency clinic Cypress Creek residents recommend to their friends and neighbors. Not only can you have a laceration stitched, but also, you can have a sprained wrist examined to determine if it has any additional problems. There is a good chance that a walk-in medical clinic is covered by your health insurance, and an additional benefit is that you can receive medical care faster to avoid having any complications.

You Can Save Money At a Walk-in Clinic

Walk-in emergency clinics are convenient places where medical professionals are available to diagnose and treat health conditions such as influenza, insect bites or minor injuries. Your insurance provider may supply a list of emergency clinics near your home so that you can seek fast but affordable medical care at anytime of the day or night. Insurance companies understand that walk-in clinics cost less, helping to reduce the price of essential services.

Inform the Medical Staff That You Require Emergency Treatment

When you have a major injury or severe illness, make sure to notify the admission staff in order to have a faster evaluation. If your condition is more serious than you thought, then it is possible for the clinic’s employees to contact the paramedics so that you can go to a hospital for treatment. Some of these situations can include having severe indigestion that is actually a heart attack or having constant vomiting that is caused by an infected appendix. If you believe that you have a major health problem, then you should contact paramedics on your own rather than driving to a walk-in clinic.

Bring Your Health Insurance Card

Emergency walk-in clinic physicians can prescribe medications, collect medical images or check your blood glucose level. The medical personnel at a walk-in clinic are able to treat different age groups. It is important to bring your health insurance information with you to a walk-in clinic, and if you have medical records, then bring those along so that a physician can understand your health history. You can pay for a clinic’s services with cash or a credit card, but it is also possible to have the facility bill you for the treatments.

Jun 052017
 

Brave Is the New Beautiful: Finding the Courage to Be the Real You (David C. Cook, March 2017)

Our culture bombards women with “thinspiration” messages and pressure to “do it all” while wearing the mask of perfection. 

Women are left feeling alone and overwhelmed. How can they stop comparing themselves to others? How can they live out who they really are?

Lee Wolfe Blum offers stories from everyday women who have answered these questions with their lives—and found true beauty in the process. In Brave Is the New Beautiful, Blum weaves reflections from her own journey with inspirational stories from everyday women who chose to take off their masks and live authentically. Through call-to-action questions and ideas, she encourages readers to be brave enough to be who they really are and the beloved that God knows they are.

My Review:

I found that Brave is the New Beautiful – was good. It helped me think  in a different way.

One of the nice things is after each chapter there are question for you to reflect on and think about. In one Chapter the question was How do you define beauty? Can authentic living and cultural ideals of beauty overlap? What are some of the challenges a woman might confront when trying to be both authentically herself and physically beautiful?

How do you think you would answer the question above? To me beauty is so many things – it can be found in a person, in a kind act, in nature and I could go on.

Each chapter was interesting and made me grow.  You can buy your own copy of Brave is the New Beautiful HERE.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

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