fashionABLE scarves

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  We got to celebrate with my family here in NC, and had such a great time together (post to come on that soon!)  But now that all the bows are untied, the wrapping has been torn and the tissue paper has been crumpled, I know some of you might be feeling similar to the way I am feeling.....overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness.  So blessed to receive all these wonderful gifts and cards from loved ones and friends.  Thankful that we have the means to have our stockings over-flowing and presents piled under the tree.  And although unwrapping these wonderful surprises is such a treat and a joyous tradition, I can't help but feel a little selfish for all the gadgets and goodies that I have added to my collection.  If you're like me, you might want to give back a little, and maybe to someone you might not even know.........

I was first introduced to the company fashionABLE by the gorgeous Bachelorette, Jillian Harris, when she gave one of these beautiful scarves away on her blog: 



Her blog post sent me to the website where I learned all about this amazing non-profit company, fashionABLE, that gives the women of Ethiopia a new chance at life.  And now I want to share this company's mission with you....

 1 out of 9 girls who live here in Africa, are forced into prostitution due to extreme poverty.  fashionABLE employs and trains these women in the art of scarf-making, and 100% of the scarves' profit goes back to help Ethiopian women/girls literally work their way off the streets.  Each beautiful scarf is handmade by these amazing women.  Attached to each scarf, you will find a personalized note explaining how, because of that scarf purchase, they are now more ABLE to live productive and dignified lives, while supporting their family in a healthy way. 

Some of these brave women:

Bezuayhu

Mulu

Etanesh

....and their VERY fashionable, handmade scarves:

So if you have any last minute gifts to give, or if your favorite scarf is starting to fall apart, or if you simply have the means, and are in the GIVING back kind of mood, head over to fashionABLE, and help change the lives of the women and girls of Ethiopia.  And I bet that feeling that you get will be even better than opening up one of the items that was on your wish list :)

XOXO

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

love,

John and Emily

Wishing you a wonderful holiday filled with great friends and family, delicious food, and memories that will last a lifetime.  And hoping that the light of Jesus Christ shines bright in your homes, as we celebrate His wondrous birth.

We've got a winner!

Congrats to Val Harston!  You won the Sassyrae Giveaway! 

I'll email you shortly :)

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Val Harston said...

Left a comment on Sassyrae's Facebook page.

And for all of you who weren't as lucky as Val, stay tuned!  I've got 2 more fabulous giveaways coming up right after Christmas :)

XOXO

This and That

Happy Wednesday!  Can you believe there are only 11 days til Christmas!!  AHHHH!!  I hope you all are excited and enjoying all of the fun festivities that the holidays bring :)  I definitely have got the Christmas spirit (it's my favorite holiday, hands down) and have been loving playing all my holiday tunes, baking goodies, and decorating the apartment.  

We had a great weekend, filled with delicious food, parties, and shopping of course!  And we got to celebrate John's last day of class on Friday -- only 1 semester left to go! 

I made this dinner (from Pinterest) and it was a HIT.  It is Oven Baked Chicken Fajitas, and I baked as directed (using a frozen bag of peppers/onions), and then used whole wheat tortillas to wrap them up in.  YUMMO.  John said that it was one of his favorite meals to date -- which equals a big ole SUCCESS in my book :)

not the prettiest dish ever, but easy and yummy! 

 Saturday, I got crafty and knocked out a few little Christmas projects (again, thanks to my Pinterest obsession).  I made a Christmas Card Wreath, and a decorative Tree Canvas (made from rolled wrapping/scrapbook paper)...I like how they turned out!

Some other decorations in our humble abode.....

my handy chalkboard frame, also seen here 

mini tree :)

John and I had a delicious and cozy lunch date at Toast on Saturday....it's one of our absolute favorite spots in downtown Durham.  

toasted panini and warm butternut squash soup = perfect winter day lunch :)

I got THIS lovely coat at Anthropologie on Saturday.... while I was supposed to be Christmas shopping for others.  But when I saw the sign outside the store that read: "50% off ALL jackets and outerwear!", I couldn't resist.  I bought this beauty in the winter white color.  I have ALWAYS wanted a winter white coat -- I LOVE IT!!  (and it was a steal at only $98!)

navy blue color:

me, in the white version :)

my Anthro finds....I got the orange sweater in the middle :)

Sunday, one of my dear friends, Meredith, hosted a fabulous Christmas brunch, complete with a mimosa bar, hot chocolate station, bloody mary's, frittatas, and an amazing game of "Dirty Santa".  

we love ribbons ;)

From the game, I ended up bringing home:

This cozy scarf

and this nail polish (love!)

Ok, so there is my weekend update!  Hope you all are having a lovely week!!

Don't forget, only 1 more day to win the notecards and desktop calendar!!
Enter here!!

XOXO

Stuffing the Stockings

Confession:  Stockings are my favorite part of Christmas morning.  Ever since I was little, my brother would wake me up early, and we would run downstairs to peek in our stockings.  We would take them down and they would always be packed FULL of amazing goodness.  My mom is the stocking queen.  We would spend forever going through them, and then seeing what Santa had put in everyone else's stockings....oh the magic of Christmas :) 

I've put together a little "stocking stuffer" gift guide, and it's a tad more sophisticated than the contents back then (which were usually Lisa Frank erasers, Jolly Rancher candy canes, a Tinkerbell toothbrush, and stickers galore).  Take a peek inside my modern day "dream" stocking....

1 - Tory Burch iPhone Case, 2 - Cozy Cable Mittens, 3 - Sparkly Wallet, 4 - Stila Lip Glaze Set, 5 - Flowerbomb Bath Pearls, 6 - Diptyque Spruce Candle, 7 - Pave Bow Earrings, 8 - Leopard Scarf, 9 - Philosophy Bath Kit, 10 - Kate Spade Bangles, 11 - Polka-Dot Socks

Does anyone else loves stockings as much as I do? 

P.S. Check out my Etsy Gift Guide here
P.P.S. Enter my fabulous holiday giveaway here

XOXO

Holiday Gift Guide - Etsy Edition

I LOVE gift guides! They're popping up all over the blogosphere and websites, now that the holidays are just around the corner.  I decided to make my own list, featuring items that are all found on Etsy!  (And nothing is over $40.)  I'm sure you'll find something for Mom, Dad, your BFF, or even yourself.  So check it out!  And be sure to visit these Etsy stores for more fabulous gift ideas :)



for her:

Mug Cozy - $9
buy here

Leather and Chain Friendship Bracelets - $17
buy here

Kindle/Nook Cover - $40
buy here 



Grapefruit Handmade Soap - $6
buy here



Chevron Desk Calendar - $12
buy here
win here! 



Vintage Pillowcase - $10
buy here

 

Turquoise Cross Necklace - $23
(on my wish list!)
buy here

 

Gold Love Necklace - $20
 buy here

for him:

Star Wars Cufflinks - $20

buy here



Mustache Glass Set of 4 - $24.99
buy here

State Cutting Board - $40

buy here

Ninendo Iphone Case - $20

OR Kindle Case:

$35
buy both here

for the kiddos:

Owl Set: Bodysuit, Bib, Burp Cloth - $23
buy here

Personalized Name Puzzle - $15
buy here

Personalized Beach Towels - $22
buy here

Super Hero Mask - $20

buy here

Now I'm off to go Christmas shopping!!
You should too!!  

XOXO

Turkey Day re-cap

 Finally getting around to posting about our wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  We were able to fly to Nashville, TN (thank you in-laws!) to celebrate with John's family for 3 glorious days.  We spent lots of time playing with our sweet nieces and nephews, enjoying the crisp Tennessee weather, eating wonderful food, and  soaking up the holiday season.  Enjoy the pics!!

unkie john!

kiddos

our sweet "newest" niece, AG! 

1st fire of the season

puppet-making time!

now time for the show!  ;)

perfect thanksgiving dinner

visiting with my bestie, Aubs!

and Bentley!

It was a fabulous weekend!  Hope you all had wonderful Thanksgivings too!

Don't forget to enter this WONDERFUL holiday giveaway!!  

Enter HERE

Trust me, you don't want to miss it!!

XOXO