Last chance

Last day to enter this giveaway

 and help me help a friend raise money for her adoption.

Thank you to every one who's already helped out. You guys are the best!

1 more day to help me
spread the word!

a gift for giving

Couldn't you just see this pretty wreath hanging on your front door?

I have a very dear friend who has had quite the journey to adopting her first baby.

I'm just so excited for her and her husband as they come closer and closer to the due date. Only a few months away!

There is still quite a bit of financial need for them to finish the process so I'm asking for some help. Please consider visiting Venessa's blog and donating $1 or more to help them get a step closer to bringing home their precious baby girl.

For every donation that is given you will be entered into a drawing to win this 18" rosette wreath from my shop.

Once you donate please leave me a comment below letting me know that you did, or send me an email at nfranke87[at]yahoo[dot]com so that I can add your name to the drawing.

And you will get an additional entry for spreading the word about this giveaway.

Just let me know that you did it.

Thank you so so much for your help!

giveaway ends April 1st!

I'm alive

Hi friends. Turns out snowboarding when you have the flu is not the best idea. I'm on day 3 of recouping and am just starting to feel a little like myself again. I promise more blogging tomorrow. I just wanted to jump on here and tell you that one of my favorite bloggers is having her first giveaway featuring some lovelies from my shop. Head over and say hi to Baily.

Special day

Today is very special for two reasons

1. It's my dad's birthday!

 Happy Birthday dad!

Today I am most thankful for you. I am incredibly blessed to have a dad who isn't just a dad but the person I tell secrets to, person I call to cry to, and best friend I always count on. I love you more than you know.

and 2. we have a winner!

I loved reading all of your comments about who you were most thankful for. I hope you all had the chance to show them how much they mean to you.

Tif over at Granny Panties

Be sure to check out her cute blog where she journals about life taking care of her grandma.

Its sweet and funny.

Tif please send me an email over to nfranke87[at]yahoo[dot]com telling which fall wreath in the shop you would like and your info please.

Also please check out this blog. She is selling tshirts to support her trip to Uganda coming up soon.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday!



a gift for my friends

Because I'm so thankful for you

 I decided that I'm going to give away

 a Thanksgiving/Fall wreath on Thursday.

That way I can get it to you before the big day.

This is for my friends so in order to enter you must

1. be my blog friend or facebook shop friend

and

2. Comment me the person you are most thankful for right now and how you are going to let them know this week.

my first shop giveaways

Hi friends! This week I'm giving away two $30 dollar gift certificates to my shop-handmade colectibles.

The first giveaway can be found at Wild & Precious. Blair is doing a weeks worth of 3 a day giveaways. So check it out and make sure and enter today to win a wreath.

The second giveaway can be found on my friend V's blog-my crazy blessed life. She is selling hair accessories to raise money for her adoption and for every item that is sold you will be put into a drawing for either a gift certificate to my shop or for AZ readers- a $100 dollar gift certificate to my moms hair salon. This giveaway ends on December 1st. More on her adoption story tomorrow.

So check them both out and good luck!

end of summer giveaway

I'd like to introduce you to my newest sponsor

Oh mandie.

In her shop you will find the sweetest jewelry and stitched journals.

Here are some of my favorites from her shop...

Check out the shop & blog

The gift is the winner's choice of hair pins or earrings.

To enter: This is a gift for my friends so be a friend of mine, head to the shop and tell me what you like there. Additional entry for following her blog.

Simple & sweet.

Friday I will announce who gets the prize.

Muchloveilly gift for you

Hi friends.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was amazing, I can't wait to tell you about it later. I thought it would be nice to start off the week with a giveaway from Ilene at Muchloveilly. If you haven't had the chance to check out her shop you should now. She has the most adorable creations. Here are a couple that I've had my eye on...

the gift is a $30 dollar certificate to her shop.

to enter  1st- be a friend of mine, 2nd- check out the shop and let me know what your favorite item is and 3rd-follow Ilene's blog.

For an additional entry you can follow ilene on twitter (twitter name: muchloveilly)

I'll announce the winner on Friday's recap.

giveaway!

tomorrow is the Last day to get the $50 dollar gift certificate to 

and today is the last day to enter to win this really cool necklace from Fiji.

Only a couple of people have entered so chances are really good.

See here to enter.

winners & the weekly

in one word or phrase. simple is beautiful, less is more
I’m dreaming of you. love these pillows. I’m going to try to make my own for my bed.

song on repeat.  Katie Herzig-sweeter than this

You read your book, baby I'll float away

Taking a nap on your lap in the shade,

I could hold your hand all day

If it gets any sweeter than this,

I don't wanna know

gotta write it down. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe." Prov 18:10
lesson learned. be ready for embarrassment when you have a toddler. You never know what is going to come out of their mouth when you’re out in public. ....see highlight of the week below.
picture to frame. The first time in a long time that the original 4 took a family picture. We were at a luau by the way.

highlight of the week. I made the kids oatmeal for breakfast and said that whoever eats the most of their food gets a prize. Micah then says, "what's the prize, something better to eat?"

&

I was standing in the aisle next to some very nice, older people when Micah looks at me and asks as LOUD as he can, "mommy why do those people smell funny?" 

He makes my life so much more fun. :)

weekend to do list. making a welcome home dinner for my close friends that are finally home.

Prize 1- I carry your heart print goes to

Olivia-for me

Prize 2-earrings go to

Kara – It’s a sticky situation

Congrats! Shauna will be contacting you soon.

Have a great weekend friends!

fresh squeezed giveaway

You may have noticed I have two new shops added to the blog. They are filled with everything from fun  prints, custom silhouettes, invitations, adorable earrings and more. All designs by Shauna.

Here are some of my favorites...

Take a visit

lemon drop studio

lemon kissed

blog + facebook

and now a present for 2 of my friends...

&

To enter: be a friend of mine and tell me what is your favorite item in the shop.

extra entries: 1 for following Shauna's blog and1 for being a fan of her shop's on facebook and 1 for mentioning this giveaway in a post.

I'll announce the winners on Friday's recap. Good luck!

wrap up & a winner

<center><a href="http://lettersfromcoco.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Lettersfromcoco" src="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af50/nfranke87/recaprevised.jpg"/></a></center>

in one word or phrase-this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

I’m dreaming of you- I love this typography art from here . It reminds me of my mom.

song on repeat – Sigur Ros - Hoppípolla  Thank you Laura for the awesome mix.
gotta write it down- "People are like stained-glass windows, they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in,  their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

lesson learned- Sometimes the mistakes lead us to even better ways of doing things

picture to frame- This week I watched Sky walk over to the fridge open it up and grab a peach. He’s 1! How is he doing this already?

highlight of the week- Recieved more snail mail from friends. :) And I won my first giveaway!  An Owl Say Designs Portfolio clutch. Such a cute shop. Check it out when you get a chance.

weekend to do list- heading up north to cooler weather.  

Congrats Lindsey! I'll have Jessica contact you soon.

I hope everyone has a great weekend
and that some unexpected kindness
comes your way.

Last chance!

to win a lovely print like this one from vol 25...

Don't miss out. Click here to enter the giveaway.

Winner announced tomorrow morning.

a gift for you...

New week, new sponsor

and a giveaway!

Meet Jessica Rose from Vol 25.

Jessica's blog was one of the very first that I found when I started blogging and immediately it became one of my favorites. Then it brought me to her shop which I fell in love with. She designs the most artistic, charming prints for your home. And she also creates photoshop overlays which are custom shapes that add a little something sweet to your photos and craft projects.

A short bio: I am a completely self taught artist, constantly inspired by every day moments. I have the most amazing thoughtful husband of 6 years, I am a mother to two sweet girls, 5 and 1 1/2 years old. They keep me on my toes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. With each piece of art I create, it is my hopes that it will give at least one person the warm fuzzies. I believe a heartfelt customer testimonial is just about the greatest payment you can receive. It is then that I truly feel like an artist. Many people ask what the story is behind the name vol25. In January of 2008 when I opened the doors to my little shop (via etsy.com) I was 25 years old, and vol25 was like opening a new volume in my life, which in turn has created several new chapters for me.

You can find her here: shop + blog + facebook.

The winner will get to pick the 8x10 print of they're choice.

Here are just a few of many...

Fill up your wall by filling up someone’s heart.

 For 1 entry you must do all 3-be my friend, tell me how you’re going to surprise someone with unexpected kindness this week, and visit vol 25 and tell me which print is your favorite.

For additional entries-become a fan of vol. 25 on facebook and let me know that you did. And tell a friend about this giveaway in a post and send me the link.

Winner announced on Friday's recap. :)

week in review & 3 WINNERS!

in one word or phrase- 

love this hymn print from one of my favorite etsy shops TankandTink. It describes my heart this week.
I’m dreaming of you- A really good rain/lightening/thunder storm. Monsoon's get here already and stop teasing us.
song on repeat – Halk Nelson-Take me (acoustic)
take me under your wing tonight
make me so perfect in your eyes
hold on cause it will be alright
you’re not alone
gotta write it down- Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, "you owe me." Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky. Hafiz

...and loved this quote from vol. 25

lesson learned-

the most important things in Life are not things 

picture to frame ---->

highlight of the week- A lot! finally getting up on the wakeboard, Stephen being home 6 days in a row, finally scratching things off my 29 before 30 list, receiving snail mail from blog friends (thanks Kelly Ann & Lindsey!), and receiving a love note via Stephens blog. <3

weekend to do list- learning how to make cake balls, seeing inception and trying to find a new sewing machine.

Play along if you'd like

<center><a href="http://lettersfromcoco.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Lettersfromcoco" src="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af50/nfranke87/recaprevised.jpg"/></a></center>

First prize love letters go to Lauren.

Second & third $10 gift certificates go to

 Chloe & Shauna

Email me a hello so that I can have Jenna contact you.

nfranke87[at]yahoo[dot]com

Thanks for playing along.

I hope something great happens to brighten all of your weekend.

new sponsor & giveaway!

What better way to start off the week then by having a giveway.

I’d like to introduce you to...

I custom ordered these letters for a friend's bridal shower gift in May. She loved them.

I love all of Jenna's handmade designs. From her handpainted love letters to her inspirational hang tags.

Be sure to check out Jenna’s shop + facebook +  blog. They are all favorites of mine.

 A little bit about Jenna the artist behind tucker reece…

I Graduated from FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles) with a degree in Visual Communications. After many years in the retail and visual merchandising field I began designing for my love tucker reece the summer of 2009 after the company I worked for went out of business, a blessing in disguise. I have always been a creative person for as long as I can remember and thanks to Etsy I now have an outlet to make and sell my own creations.

The prize is a set of these love letters in any color you choose. Plus...

Two others will win $10.00 vouchers towards any item in the shop.

You all know that I like to do give-away’s a little different.

So for 1 entry -leave me a comment telling me something you are going to do to brighten someone’s week. AND be a blog friend of mine & tell me what item in the shop is your favorite.

For additional entries- Become a fan of tucker reece on facebook and let me know that you did. And tell your friends about this giveaway in a post and send me the link.

You guys are awesome, just wanted to say. Good luck!

I will announce the winners on Friday’s recap.

100!

Wow! I wasn’t expecting responses like this. You guys are incredible. Even though only one person can win the necklace I feel like we are all winners because so many lives were touched this week by you all. I feel so inspired.  Thankyou everyone for giving.

Congratulations to Joyeful! Your story really touched my heart. You took in that woman and showed her so much compassion. You didn’t hesitate to comfort a person who just needed to know that someone cared. It reminded me of this quote-
"There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread." I hope that when the day comes when someone comes to me in need of compassion that I won’t hesitate to give of myself in the same way that you did.

It was so fun to do this give-away that I think I may do a few more in the future. So keep your eyes open. I guess to end this here are some of my favorite quotes from the most self-less, beautiful, giving woman who ever lived.

"Intense love does not measure, it just gives."

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

-Mother Teresa

it’s getting really close

We're only a few away from the big 100. So I thought in order to celebrate that I want to do something really cool. I decided to do a giveaway but not just an ordinary giveaway. Details in a bit but first the reason why I want to do this is to thank all of the wonderful people who read my stories and leave me such encouraging messages. You guys make my day.

I’m a big believer in “you reap what you sow” and “you get what you give, so give good.” So this giveaway is going to be a tad different because in order to get the chance to receive something that I think is pretty cool, I’m going to ask that you give something first.

What is the gift? About a month ago I blogged about a purse I bought that was made by girls rescued from the sex slave industry in Fiji. Read the details here. I had so many responses on that so for the giveaway you will have the chance to win this necklace made by these same girls. It is so much cuter in person, I feel like this photo doesn’t do it justice. Plus it's really nice when you buy and wear something that is supporting such a great cause. Guys can enter too. This would make a lovely gift.

So what do you have to do? All I ask is that this week you give. Leave me a comment telling me what you have done to make a difference in the life of someone who is suffering or someone less fortunate. It could be anything. You could donate to charity water; sponsor a child through world vision, give to someone who is in need of clothes a bag of some that you don't wear anymore. The possibilities are endless.

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. Anne Frank
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. Edward Everett Hale

It’s time to give, whether it’s your money or your time. We show tangible love in how we care for those who are hurting and suffering. I’m really excited about this. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen.

I’ll post the winner of this gift on my 100th post so keep an eye out for it.

(photo from here)