Friday Faves

It's Friday, ya'll! I think on Friday, I will start posting a few things that I see that I am loving during the week. So let's see what makes the list this week!

1. First and foremost, I am mainly thankful this week for this. It is a huge relief to me to have my office clean and clutter free!  That is why it is making the Friday Faves top spot.

This is my office. And if you will notice, my desk is COMPLETELY free of any papers! My office has been driving me insane here lately by all of the stacks and stacks of things that I needed to get done or put away. As you can see....it's all gone! I stuck around late yesterday to tackle all the things I have been putting off. It was so refreshing to come in this morning and actually see the top of my desk, side table, and hutch! I had stuff EVERYWHERE! Just to prove it, here is what my office normally looks like:

Told ya! Hot mess alert.

2. I am currently digging these earrings. I can't really decide if I like them enough to purchase them, but I think they are cute and whimsical. And if you read my blog, you know I'm not a huge fan of dangling earrings due to my over-stretched ear holes (that sounds dirty, lol).

http://www.bridierbaubles.com/

I think they would be super cute for the summer months down on the beach somewhere.

3. Also making the list is this necklace, also from Bridier Baubles:

http://www.bridierbaubles.com/

I have been eyeing the Bubble necklace from J Crew, but didn't want to spend $150 on a necklace that will probably only be fashionable for one year. The one above is a pretty close second, plus it's only $30!

http://www.jcrew.com/

4. My new sunglasses make the top of the list this week. So pumped for when they come in!

http://www.pineapplegrovegifts.com/

5.  I really love this monogram. I want one to put on a wreath like below. But I love the circular one. Thinking about getting one to go over my bed!

Images via http://www.southernnest.com/

Ok, folks. Those are my Friday Faves! Hope you all have a fabulous weekend/

I have a Heron Problem

Apparently I have a huge addiction these days. I posted earlier about the Audubon print that I was having framed. I got it yesterday and it turned out so beautiful. I can't wait to hang it!

Please excuse the horrible iPhone picture!

I had it matted in a deep navy and the frame is a rich chocolate brown with gold accents. The frame colors match a round mirror that I have that will be going in my bedroom, so I think it will compliment it nicely.

We are moving to another office and I was asked to find some art to purchase to put in some of the various offices. I went over to the new office yesterday to see how the gradual move was progressing. Our official move day is Friday. My office is looking like a hot mess at the moment and still missing a few pieces of furniture.This picture doesn't do it justice because my office is quite large with three windows across the front, which I am excited about because I am going to put up a bird feeder right outside so I can do some bird watching. Ha!

But in my search to find some prints to hang in my office, I came across these:

I told you I have a huge heron problem! However, I tried to get away from my beloved birds to search for a few other prints for the other offices. I found some landscape paintings of St. Marks and the lighthouse, a few paintings of the Tallahassee Capital and Governor's Mansion and a few tiger pictures, since that is the "mascot" of our product that we manufacture. So I spent most of my day shopping online, which I won't complain about.

Funny thing about what I came across while looking for artwork. I went online to Kirkland's to see what kind of art they had and I came across this chest:

Image via

Does anyone else recognize this knock off? The moment I saw it, I was like - hey that's like the one at Pottery Barn!


Image via

The one at Kirkland's was only like $280 if I remember correctly. The one from Pottery Barn will set you back $700 big ones. So, if you like the look, then save yourself $420 and go grab the one from Kirkland's!

Now that I have admitted to my heron problem, I guess I will get back to work.

Beauty and Books

I got a special delivery in the mail yesterday. My December BirchBox arrived! I had forgotten about it, so it was a surprise when Gracie brought it to my office yesterday. So let's see what all I got this month.

I got some face primer to minimize pores, a sample of Harvey Prince perfume, Jouer lip gloss, some L'Oreal Mythic Oil treatment for your hair, some fashion tape, and an energy booster drink packet.

So, that's December's goody box.

Moving on. I just started reading John Piper's God is the Gospel. I haven't finished it yet, but so far what I've read is great.

This book was given to me as a gift for us to study in January for Bible study and I can't wait to discuss it. I didn't realize that this was the same author that wrote probably my favorite book on marriage. This Momentary Marriage was also written by John Piper.

I have read lots of books on marriage, especially in the early stages of our divorce. Some are good, some are not so good, some give good advice, hope, encouragement, etc. but this book was just awesome. I will have to talk about this book more in depth one day. It really is a book everyone should read. Married or single. Until I can get the time to blog about this book and do it justice, go check it out here. You can also download the PDF version from this website. It's not really about how to "fix" your marriage or anything like that. It breaks down what marriage really is- in God's eyes, since He is the one who created it. Not what man has made marriage out to be. That its not so much about "being in love" but about keeping covenant and displaying Christ to the world through your marriage. So please check it out. I think it would be an awesome wedding gift (or preferably engagement gift before someone actually gets married).

Back to the other book. Here is what John Piper's website has to say about the book :

"Gospel" means good news—but what makes the good news good? What is the goal of the gospel, without which it is no longer good? It is that Christ’s death brings sinners to God! Were it to bring us anywhere else we would be left hopeless. But the gospel is that God gives us himself—Christ died to give us Christ—, and this self-giving is his highest mercy to us and the best news for us! The most profound, most exceedingly gracious, final and decisive good of the good news is Christ himself as the glorious image of God revealed for our endless satisfaction.

You can also download the PDF version of this book here. What I've read of this book so far has really spoken to me. God IS the Gospel. God IS the ultimate gift of the Gospel. Not heaven and getting to be at peace and be happy. But spending eternity praising and worshipping our Creator. I guess I should have saved writing this book until I actually finished reading it, so I could talk about it a little better. But I wanted to go ahead and share it because in the few chapters that I have read, it has really made me stop and think about things.

That's what I'm reading these days. I haven't really read that much in the past few months, which is odd for me. I'm always reading something. Guess I will have to step up my game. And speaking of books, if your local Goodwill has a bookstore, go check it out. They just opened another Goodwill bookstore here in Tallahassee right up the road from me. So I am pumped that I don't have to drive downtown anymore to go. They have lots of books, super cheap. The one here in Tallahassee usually has fairly new titles/best sellers so it is a great way to save a few bucks, if you like to read as much as I do. (well, I guess there still is the library...) One day I may get into the whole Kindle/eBook thing, but for now I'm a purist. I like actual physical books. But never say never, right?

Come to Mama

Maybe I should have had a Beauty Bonanza theme for this week!! But I did want to post very quickly on this website. It's a beauty website where you can shop for different products, etc. But they send out a monthly products box with beauty product samples for you to try out. I decided to sign up for the BirchBox to see what it's all about. I love me some free samples and how do you know if you like a product until you try it? I'll let you know what all I got in November's box!! Go check out the website http://www.birchbox.com/ for more info. And if you decide to sign up, message me and I will invite you so I can get points :-) Guess it kinda works like Rue La La where you get points/vouchers for inviting people to join. So chekc that one out as well. Its more for fashion, some home stuff, etc. where you get good deals on designer stuff! http://www.ruelala.com/. And I just noticed that I have a $10.00 credit that needs to be used, if you can see! Uh-oh!

Alright. That will be my last beauty post for quite some time. I know I can beat a dead horse!

The Attack of the Zig-Zag

Missoni has completely invaded Target. This was a much anticipated launch for many girls across America. On the first day that Missoni hit Target's website, it caused it to crash for several hours. The majority of the stuff online now is sold out. When I ran into Target yesterday afternoon, all the Missoni racks were pretty much picked clean. It. Is. Insane. Who knew Chevron was so popular? I have always like Missoni's stuff, but in moderation. It is a little loud for my tastes. Reminds me a little bit of taking a trip on acid in the 1970s. (Not that I would know) But there were a few things that I did like in the collection.

Not to say that I would buy any of it. Seems like every woman in the country will be sporting this stuff. Not so sure I want to be one of the masses. Although I came really close to buying those pumps. If they had a 7.5 and not an 8, then those puppies probably would have been mine.

Thoughts? Love it? Hate it? 


All images from http://www.target.com/

CD Release Party

I want to give a quick heads up to anyone who is reading this from the Albany, GA area. If you are looking for something great to be apart of, you can head over to the CD release party for the TJ Mauldin Band tomorrow, September 9. It starts at 6:30 pm and lasts until 9:30 at the State Theater in Albany. Admission is $10 and that includes a copy of the band's CD that they are releasing "Here and Now." The CD will be available on iTunes on Friday I believe. You can check the band out at http://www.tjmauldinband.com/ or check out YouTube, or TJ's personal website http://www.tjmauldin.com/. This guy rocks. Literally. He has a great heart for Jesus and he and his wife are just good, salt of the Earth people. So head out and support him if you are in the area! Here is what TJ said about his album release on his website (http://www.tjmauldin.com/).

I know if you live in or around the Albany area you may have seen a poster or heard someone speak about the CD Release event. I want to quickly (yea right) unpack the heart behind the night and what we believe God is going to do in, around, and through the event. This is why I want you to get your ticket and join us.

I have been carrying a four point mission statement for months about what I desire the night to be so I’ll just list and expound: Glorify God, Magnify Christ, Spotlight the Cross, and Unite a City.
Glorify God-
We realize as a band/ministry that everything we say and do should be and hopefully is for the glory of God( 1 Corinthians 10:31). Every song is about Him, for Him and given by Him so we want to give honor where it is due and it is surely His. He is the Greatest of all time and we will make it the aim of the night to make much of that. We are trusting and desiring that everyone leaves the release event with the desire to honor God in every area of their life.
Magnify Christ-
John 3:30 says, “He must increase and I must decrease”. We firmly believe for God to be glorified then we must make Jesus the ultimate treasure in our life. He must be the goal and prize that we are pursuing with everything that we have. Jesus is the only eternal answer and refuge so He will be magnified above all. He will be lifted above the music, the “show”, the volunteers, the venue, the cd, the… well you get the picture. He’s the point!
Spotlight the Cross-
I totally understand that preaching the cross is foolishness to some and to want to spotlight it may seem odd so I want to be very clear. The cross was a place of brutality, torture, and death. It was the place where Jesus hung and was nailed for the forgiveness of our sin. He willingly gave his life so that you and I could go free. Why spotlight the cross? Because we need to drink deep from the reminder well that, that was our cross, our judgment, our sin that fixed Jesus securely on it and to abandon any conversation of the cross would be to abandon the dynamic gift given to us by a perfect God. Beyond the cross being the tool in which God crushed Jesus in our place it’s beautiful because Jesus is no longer on it! He is alive…MAN! I AM EXCITED!! EXCLAIMING WITH EXCITEMENT EVEN!!!!
Unite a City-
How incredible is it going to be to have Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Pentacostal, Non- Denominational… and on and on in attendance in the same building lifting up Jesus. I see this event as an opportunity to bring the body of Christ together to worship God and then share. This isn’t about a certain church or at a certain church. This is about Jesus and his name being championed through our city. I firmly believe that God can change a campus, a church, a family and a community. My desire for this event is to see the body of Christ come together for the sake of the kingdom and the advancement of the gospel only to leave encouraged and empowered to share their faith, live their faith and see their faith impact Albany, Ga and ultimately the world.
I want you to know I am crazy excited about releasing this album because this was written from, about and to serve scripture. Therefore, this album is slammed packed with the beautiful gospel of Jesus Christ. I know this is going to be a tool God uses to change lives, to bring the lost home, restore broken relationship, deliver those in spiritual, emotional and mental bondage. The only reason this album is going to be powerful is because it is for and about Jesus. Can’t wait for you to hear it!
So, I would love for you to come. Every last one of you… You can get tickets here
http://www.eventbrite.com/org/1368491853
www.facebook.com/tjmauldinband

And I will post up another one of TJ's posts from his website, because it really spoke to my heart this morning and it may speak to a few other people's hearts as well.

The Problem With Self-love

Unless self-love is abandoned the believer shall forever shrink back when called actually to take up the cross for Christ. - Watchman Nee


I always write from a place of, well, weightiness. I am not trying to be some deep thinker or well worded theologian. In fact, if you know me you know that I am neither. I am simply following Christ, loving his church and occasionally glancing in the mirror at myself as his reflector. I write when something strikes my joy. I write when I want to communicate my heart and point people to Jesus. I write when I don’t like what I see, when I stumble and more often then not when some of my own deficiencies are exposed. I write. Tonight I want to write on self-love. I love myself way too much. I love my wants, my opinions, and things way too much and you know what? That communicates to Christ that my love for him is more like, like and to my wife that my love for her is based on my wants alone. I am not writing from a place of self-pity or condemnation. I am writing from a place of great hope because in all of my selfishness I can hear Jesus speaking, convicting, and prodding me to die to myself. So, am simply sharing with you what I am walking through internally. Self seems to be the subtlest idol we as believers bow down to on a daily basis and I believe it does three things to cripple, chain, and sometimes kill our walk with Christ.


First, self-love keeps us in a place where “we” matter most and when we live in that place we will not forsake it all or even most of it for the sake of the gospel. I am reminded of 1st Corinthians 16:9 that says, “a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” The greatest adversary you and I will ever face as Christians in America are our selves. The fear for our life, persecution, and famine are not the things that keep us from serving Christ from a place of self-less ambition. It’s our self and us thinking that we are owed grace. The bottom line is that we love our things and ourselves and when that love is threatened we retreat into a place of casual Christianity. As if there was such a thing.


Second, self-love keeps us in a place where we can’t love others fully. A sure sign that you are in love with yourself is when you enter relationships thinking, “what am I going to get out of this”, when the attitude should be, “how can I serve, support and surrender to this person for the glory of God”. I am the worlds worst and especially with my wife. I like to do what I want to do too often and that doesn’t glorify God, give security to my wife nor sanctify me as a man who is following Christ. The bottom line is that we love ourselves and our things and when they are number one we neglect Jesus and those he has called us to love.


The last problem with self-love is that it keeps us from taking the gospel where it needs to go. When we are in love with self we will neglect the call on our lives to go, even if it is just across the street or with a colleague at work. Listen, when we fall in love with Jesus and divorce our stinking flesh and it’s desires we will find that Jesus was no respecter of person and that he loved everybody, including us. When we look into the undeserved and powerful love of Jesus our response should be to love everyone with selfless ambition. The bottom line is that if we are in love with ourselves then we haven’t or haven’t often enough looked at the wretchedness of our sin and rebellion towards God and his tender mercy towards us. He loved us when we were and sometimes still are unlovely. Oh, and he said we are suppose to “be like him”.


Love you
tj

Ok, now that I have put you on TJ overload, I will just remind you to check him out on your own. It's always a good thing to support a brother or sister in Christ and lift them up. So if you can't make it or don't live in the area, send up a prayer that TJ's ministry through his music can reach the lost and just glorify Christ.

 

PSA for Lazy People

The craze right now in exercise is Zumba. Well, I have found something better than Zumba, the Roomba! Yes that's right. Instead of getting in some "light" exercise while cleaning, now all I have to do is lay on the couch and watch my little robotic friend clean for me.

image from www.irobot.com

I haven't named my little friend yet, but I'm thinking about it! It has to be a name that is super awesome for a super awesome vacuum. I scheduled Mr. Roomba to clean this morning at 7 AM and he didn't sleep late. We heard him turn on and get to cleaning. He had our entire house cleaned in about 1.5 hours. And when he was done he happily took his cute patootie back to his docking station to recharge his precious little batteries. I know that Mr. Roomba will help me keep all the dust and grit to a minimum here in the Dapper Castle. I could sweep my floors twice a day and it would still need it the next morning. Now that we have nothing but wood floors this is really going to help out. I even sent my old vacuum a-packing to the prison that is our storage unit. I'm envisioning it hooking up with some random thing in there a-la the mop or broom in the Swiffer commercials.

iRobot has not paid me for this little commercial for this little man. But I love it so much I had to share. We have it scheduled to clean every other day while we are at work, so when we get home, everything is nice and clean. The only bad thing is that the dogs don't really care for it. They usually ignore it until it starts coming their way and they think it is chasing them. It is pretty funny actually. So if you are a busy gal like me, I would suggest you look into this product. It will really cut down your cleaning time, so you only have to do a deep cleaning of the floors like every two weeks or so. He vacuums hardwood, tile, carpet, rugs, you name it! So if you want to join me on the lazy train, here's your chance!! Jump on board!

The Hunt for Red October

No, I'm not searching for rogue Russian submarines. I have been searching for a cute camera bag for when we travel to California next month. Yes, I could go with a standard black, blah bag, but I'm a little bit more stylish than that! The hunt lead me to the epiphanie website (http://www.epiphaniebags.com/). They have the cutest bags, that actually look like real purses. Love it! They are slightly pricey, but I figure that I pay more than that for a regular purse and this one I will always be able to use. They are so cute! Take a look. They only have three styles at the moment, but are in plans of coming out with new styles. I chose the Lola bag. I think it is a nice pop of bright color.

The nice thing about these bags, other than being so freakin cute, is that they have compartments for all of your camera gear.

And there are places to put your phone, makeup, etc in there as well. I think it will make the perfect travel bag and keep my camera nice and safe! So, if you have a really big camera and want a stylish way to carry it to and fro, check these girls out. They are fabulous!

All that and a bag of chips!

I have a new addiction. My cousin gave me some enamelware for Christmas and I fell in love. If you have never tried enamelware, I encourage you to do so. It comes in a variety of colors. I have the yellow and white speckled, as seen below.

I am still amazed at how well this stuff bakes and even more amazed at how easily it comes clean. I can have the worst baked on food in my roasting pan and all it takes is a little bit of water and soap and a gentle sweep of the sponge and it's clean. I think that is my favorite thing about these. Stacey got my pan in a little shop in Walnut Hill, FL, but since I know this isn't a shopping mecca, here is the website for you to check out. It is http://www.crowcanyonhome.com/ . If you love kitchen gadgets and love to cook, these pans are for you. Not to mention that they are more festive than your everyday, run-of-the-mill cookie sheets and muffin tins!

A Few Good Deals...

My friend Becki alerted me to this great thing on Smashbox's website. Every Tuesday and Thursday they have a thing called Let's Do Lunch. If you order during a specific time on those days you get a full size product free. It's a great deal, plus you still get all the free samples when you order and shipping is free.

And on the home front....if you want a good deal on China go to http://www.giftcollector.com/ or http://www.replacements.com/ for some great deals. They have some awesome pricing. I just added a few more pieces to my everyday collection for a fraction of the cost. I was pumped to find that a 16 piece place setting of Lenox's Butler's Pantry Gourmet was only $150. Wish I had that kind of deal when I was starting the collection!

These are a few pieces that I got a couple of weeks ago from gift collector. Got a great deal on it! Of course the hubs asked where in the world I was going to store all this mess when the boxes started pouring in and why I was so excited over china. Guess I am just a nerd like that. Let you know if I come across any other great finds!