Some of my favorite shops and one I don't recommend

So it is Christmas time and things always seem to get busy this time of  year and we do so many fun things but that is for another post or two. Today I wanted to talk about my favorite shops online and one that is local plus one I do not recommend. I love finding and support shops like these and love to share them with friends.
 The first shop is the Vintage Pearl a wonderful shop I have been following for years . I love to use them as a teacher gift usually I buy a gift card so the teachers can pick out something they like. They have necklaces you can put your kids names or grandkids or they have other necklaces and earring plus ornaments that are super cute. For the kids first grade teacher both had first year teachers so we did ornaments for them. They have keepsakes like key chains or they have ready to ship items like necklaces that say Blessed Mama or rings etc.https://thevintagepearl.com/home.php

The next shop I love for gifts is Barn Owl Primitives they have the cutest hand painted signs. I also love these for end of the year teacher gifts but make great presents for Christmas for a friend or family member too. One of my favorites is we can do hard things because I feel like sometimes life can be hard but with God we can do hard things. They also have other things you can buy this Christmas they had some cute mugs and other decorative items. Check them out for some unique gifts.  https://www.barnowlprimitives.com/

A shop I just recently bought a gift from and I love is Ahoy Amigo they have super cute shirts for kids. I saw these cute cat Christmas shirts for the kids and I knew they would love them. They both wanted the same one but by the time we ordered the one they wanted was gone and so were all the long sleeve shirts so Logan chose a cute short sleeve blue one with a different cat than the one he wanted but it is still cute. The package came with an eye patch ( which my kids fought over who would get it)  that made Payton change her mind so we went back and they were having a good sale and got her a short sleeve red one with the dog with antlers. I loved how quickly they shipped things and the time to make things look so cute. I love company's that have great customer service and make  you feel like they care about  you.https://www.ahoyamigo.com//

Ok the last online shop I have been watching for a few year but only have a blanket scarf from but this year most of my Christmas stuff was from Grace and Lace. They have such cute clothes that look so cozy and soft and that is exactly what I look for in clothing as a mom. I don't like scratchy sweaters but I do love soft cozy sweaters and socks which they have and some are made from bamboo. If you have not checked them out do it they have a lot of great pieces. While you are there read their story and how the shop came to be. I love that a portion of every sale goes toward building orphanages in India and helping the people there by training them and helping rescue girls from human trafficking.http://www.graceandlace.com/

  Today I went to a local toy store called Snapdoodle Toys because my daughter wanted a gift card for Christmas. So I went and go both kids gift cards because it was a really fun play with lots of great toys that I know they will love. I didn't have time to look around but what I saw was really cute plus they have tea or coffee for people who might want something warm to drink while the kids look around. I know we will be heading back after Christmas to go get some toys with those gift cards.So if you are local and live near Kenmore this is a great place to check out for gifts for kids of all ages. https://www.snapdoodletoys.com/

Ok so on to the last store, I really wanted to like  because I have heard good things about the sales they have and maybe they are just overwhelmed by this big sale they had but my experience was not good and the customer service was horrible.
 So let me back track a little and say that I have been wanting a double hood hoodie by Ampersand Avenue for years but have never been able to get one on sale anywhere. I know Mindy Mae's Market has them and often has sales but you have to be quick to get one in your size so I had been planning and waiting and finally on Cyber Monday I went on right way and was able to find one I liked ( but most I wanted were already sold out in my size - not surprising) I was so excited to get one and could not wait to get it so I could wear it! Then they e-mailed saying that it was going to take time because the sale was huge and they had a ton of orders to get out. I was fine with that then last week I final got and e-mail saying it was coming. Then it didn't come because some how my address got messed up and I did this on my computer and it was delivered to someone else. So I contacted them and apparently they didn't understand the situation and thought I got someone else's order  and they got mine but once they realized what happened they decided it was my fault and they could not longer help me and they were not nice about it. I felt like maybe they probably had computer problems from all the sales on cyber Monday that it mixed up my address so now I have no sweatshirt and I will not be buying from them again.
It is the Christmas season so can't we just be nice and find a way to help each other.I understand that are busy and they are stressed and they are busy running this company but they basically told me the computer doesn't change addresses - hmm computers make mistakes all the time or my husband would not have a job. Honestly  I just wanted them to care and maybe give me a refund  or even send me another one. They just kept saying sorry if you had done this and blaming me or  oh you have to contact the post office for that ( oh and when I went through the form it said the time to file had expired and I didn't do anything else because I thought they were going to help me). Not good business .  I want to shop at places that care because they also sent this e-mail with a coupon to say thank you to everyone but also to say oops we messes up and they had to refund some orders etc . So why can't they help me because that is all I want , give me my money back and I will go find my sweatshirt somewhere else. I was really disappointed because there were a few other things I considered buying when they were back in stock that I will not be doing now. So If you want to risk it go to Mindy Mae's Market and hopefully you will have a better experience than I did. Maybe try a different time of year when they have a sale.

So there they are my favorite online stores to shop at for gift or for myself. What are your favorite shops or do you have any that you wouldn't recommend. Gift card are great for these stores if you have any last minute shopping. 

Daring to Hope

 So I stared reading Katie Davis Majors blog in 2008 when I was a new mom and I found her words so inspiring and they challenged  me in my relationship with God. I loved her honesty and how much she loved the people in Uganda and how all this happened because she listened to God what he wanted for her life.

 Her First book Kisses From Katie the same title as her blog was so good and I loved hearing all the amazing things that God was doing in her life. I felt like I was there with her experiencing the joy and the trials with her and it made me think about what God wanted for me. So I was really excited when I learned her publisher WaterBrook and Multnomah  was putting together a launch team I really wanted to be on it. So when I got the email saying I was pick to be part of the Launch team for her new book Daring to Hope I was so excited. I really took my time reading this book because I didn't' want to miss anything and I feel like there is so much we can learn from Katie and what she experienced.This is definitely a book I will read and reread because I will probably miss something and I don't want to miss anything.
 I really loved how this book was honest about everything about the hard times she had because haven't we all had those time when this were so bad or hurt so much and we questioned Gods timing because we feel like our plan or view of how things should is better. Reading this book I was reminded that God is always there for us especially when we need it, he wants to comfort us. These are the times the we learn the most because we need to lean on God for support and strength.Katie says" Our hope is our offering to Him, our sacrifice.And in our hope He is shaping us,molding us, drawing us to himself." I love that ,  our hope is an offering to him and I think that sometimes it can be hard but if we keep that in mind when things our tough we can learn a lot and be lifted up instead of brought down.
Here are some links to visit to learn more about Katie and the amazing work she is doing in Uganda.
Amazima

https://katiemajors.blog/ 

Fall Favorites

I love fall for many different reasons one being the cute and cozy clothes I get to wear but I have many other reasons it is a favorite of mine.
  Yummy fall treats
Today I made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, they are so good especially when they are just out of the oven. We also love pumpkin Pancake we get the mix from Trader Joes and pumpkin bread or muffins. I usually make a yummy butternut squash bisque that is so good on those cold fall nights. I want to make beef stew sometime this fall because I think it is another great fall meal.

Fall fragrances.
 I love having a nice candle or Scentsy going to make the house smell good. I love Bed Bath and Beyond candles especially the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. The have some new fall candles that i want to go test, I recommend going to the store and seeing if you like the scent because there are some I thought would be great and they were not. Trader Joes has a pumpkin vanilla candle that I have heard is good and it is only 3.99.  I bought a candle from Arbonne for the Holidays that is a Vanilla chai that I think will be good next few months.

We love the the beautiful fall colors and usually around this time or beginning of October we go for a leaf walk and enjoy the beautiful leaves, toss them around, pick some of our favorites and just have fun.

The last think I love about fall is the Decor, Cozy blanket and pillows plus cute pumpkins and pinecones to add some fall touches. The target dollar section has had some really cute fall things. I love the soft colors of these pumpkins I got that will help the fall decor last through November.

fall fashion

So School has started which means fall is almost here. Here in Seattle our weather stays nice through September and slowly gets a little colder and a little wetter. That is when I love to bring the cozy warm clothes out and snuggle up with a good book. I have been checking out things at the Loft , Nordstroms, Old Navy , JCrew Factory store and even Target too see what they have and what I like for fall. I also check out AE and Abercrombie even though I don't usually shop there sometimes they have something that is cute.Here are some of my favorites from these stores:
A cute cardigan
https://factory.jcrew.com/p/womens_clothing/weekendcollection/striped-always-cascading-cardigan/H3700?color_name=hthr-grey-ivory

A puffer vest is something I have been wanting for a few years and this a cute one
https://factory.jcrew.com/p/womens_clothing/weekendcollection/quilted-puffer-vest/G7520?color_name=vivid-ink

A nice warm sweater and I love the color
https://www.ae.com/women-aeo-pleated-shoulder-sweatshirt-purple/web/s-prod/1457_8647_500?cm=sUS-cUSD&catId=cat90048

 A cute dress is a must anytime of the year
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1044743&pcid=10018&vid=2&pid=820930022

I also like to check out these smaller online boutiques.
Grace and Lace - Love this knotted Tee and cozy cardigan http://www.graceandlace.com/all/luxe-sueded-modal-knotted-tee/
http://www.graceandlace.com/all/lounge-cardi/


Minday Mae Market: This double hooded sweatshirt is so cute https://mindymaesmarket.com/collections/home-of-the-doublehood/products/double-hooded-sweatshirt-navy
 I love this cardigan
 https://mindymaesmarket.com/collections/new-releases/products/macy-cardigan-grey
These loungers would be perfect or a lazy fall day
https://mindymaesmarket.com/collections/bottoms/products/breakout-loungers-charcoal 
I also love these loungers in the camo print.
Ok those are some of my finds and I am sure there will be more as I look around. What are your fall favorites?

The end of summer break

 School started this week but before it did we wanted to make sure we spent it doing some fun things like going to the beach or exploring new places. I think it is so important to get them outside while we can and they really love it.
So the last few days before school we headed to our favorite spot Marina beach in Edmonds and later in the week we went up to Howarth Park a sort of new place ( we went there years ago for a photo shoot when Logan was a baby.)

 

 

Went spent part of the morning Sunday at Marina beach a sweet little beach with a nice playground near the Marina.
We have been so many times and it is always fun to see what the kids will do. This time they choose to play in the water and jump over the waves.

 After that they climbed on the logs and ran around.

Tuesday we went to Howarth Park a place I love because you start off there is a path and a little stream then you walk up this path through the woods and then over a bridge that goes over the train tracks and then you are at the beach. It is a fun place to explore.

 Finally at the beach

 They called this the octopus since that is what it looked like.

 They had to stop at the stream and see if the could get things to float down it.

  The sun has been red for days from all the wildfires.

  Before we left we drove up to the playground which has a nice view from it.

  They had so much fun playing and being silly at the playground. They especially loved the merry go round but it made me sick just watching them spin round and round.

That is how we ended our summer break, it was a lot of fun. Now they are back in school having so much fun with their friends.

Fashion

I have always loved fashion but I don't feel like I am always the best at putting cute outfits together or finding great pieces for my wardrobe. I find I buy a lot of striped striped shirts or navy blue things . Really it is a problem when you look in your drawer and have 5 navy long sleeve shirt and a few short sleeved ones and then a bunch or striped ones and then some other ones. I think I get stuck in this rut because I feel like certain colors look good and it is hard to try new things or know what to try. I love to be comfortable but also look good. I also like to have clothes that I can wear to teach but I could also wear them with other things just for everyday. 
 I really look up to moms who look stylish but comfy at the same time. There a few bloggers I follow who do clothing post that I love ( like Emily @Jonesdesigncompany) and usually find a few things I like and Instagram is a great place to find inspiration for cute clothes. There are Celebrities who always look cute like Candace Cameron Bure and I would love to know her secrets. She has a new book coming out in November and I think it will be on my must read for fall list. It looks like it going to be a good book not just about fashion but also fitness and living a healthy life style so  you can look and feel your best.
Now that the kids are back in school I can go through my clothes and maybe get rid of some things and who knows maybe try some new colors or styles.  I love the Loft of Jcrew when they have good sales or Mindy Mae's Market when shopping for new things. Who are your fashion inspirations? What are you top new trends for fall? I want to get some boots or booties for fall and also a nice cozy cardigan.

Barre 3 #B3anywhere

So for the past four weeks there has been a Barre3 summer challenge. I started late because I didn't know about it and stumbled upon it a week late. They had live work outs on Facebook and Instagram and each week in an e-mail they had links for some workouts for that week plus recipes and motivational post to keep you going.
I loved being able to try Barre 3 since I have wanted to for awhile but just didn't want to spend the money on it and then not like it. I have heard so many good things from people I follow on Instagram that I just felt like this challenge would be the perfect chance to try it .
It has been fun and I love the challenge of holding the poses. It has been fun to learn a few new moves and learn how to modify moves I have done before. It is a great work out and left me sore and feeling good. I love that they don't use heavy hand weights because I bad wrists and that they give you modifications and help so you can do the moves in a way that feels good to you or what your body needs. We were in a car accident a few years ago and ever since have had really bad tightness in my neck and I get bad tension headaches so I have found that certain workouts don't work for me and heavy weights make it worse.
They also have some cute tanks , accessories and things you can buy in the shop. I have a few tanks I have been look at this one is cute :https://shop.barre3.com/collections/barre3-apparel/products/b3-tropical-tank 
 or this one. I like it because Barre 3 Started in my home state Oregon so this one would be cute too.
https://shop.barre3.com/collections/barre3-apparel/products/state-collection-tank-oregon-edition
So if you have been thinking about it go and give a try. You can start a 15 day free trial right now to see if you like just like I did.

Seahawks training camp

We have been going to Training camp for about 8 years. Payton was so little and would get so excited. Now the kids are bigger and still love it but the have favorite Players and try to get their autograph. Logan really wanted Jimmy Graham and was really hoping to get it and Payton was trying again for Richard Sherman. We got Russell the past few years and I totally appreciate how he signs for the kids and is out signing forever.

  

 Waiting for autographs and yelling" Jimmy"

This year it seemed like not many people were coming over to where we were and it was disappointing. The kids were watching the players who were signing and one of them was Jimmy. He was coming toward our section but Kevin told us to go down closer to where he was signing. So I went down with the kids and after signing for a few other kids he came over to us. He said" Hey buddy how's it going? Logan said good but that is all he would say. He just had this big smile on his face.I told Jimmy he was his favorite player because I think it is a really special thing. He thanked us for coming and was really nice. Logan said it was the Best Day Ever!

 

I know this will be one day he will remember for a long time. We can't wait to see who we get at the next two training camps we go to. More on training camp coming soon.