Friday, February 27, 2015

The Beauty Of Grace

Afternoon Loverlies! What do I think of when I read the words "The Beauty Of Grace"? I basically view it as exactly what it states. Grace is Beautiful and Elegant, especially the Grace God gives us. He doesn't have to be merciful and loving to us, but God is because he loves us. I am very thankful for his Grace. Whenever you don't feel loved at all, by anyone, it is awesome knowing God loves you. 

 I received a book from Revell called The Beauty Of Grace: Stories of God's Love from Today's Most Popular Writers. The editor/photographer for this book is Dawn Camp, and the foreword was written by Holley Gerth. This book has short stories by many authors about how they find God in their daily struggles. I enjoyed reading each story because it shows just how human we are, and how we all struggle with similar issues. No one is perfect and we are all going to go through rough times in our lives. The best thing to do is to find God in those struggles. Yes, I know, it is easier said then done a lot of the times. You know why? Because we let ourselves get in the way of finding him. I think this book is a great way of reassuring myself that there is hope, these authors have found that hope in their struggles. Why can't I? Also God forgives me if I mess up and he has never given up hope on me. He just sits there patiently waiting for me to get up, brush myself off, and try again. I believe this book is great if you are looking for some inspirational stories. The cover is beautiful to look at and so are the pictures that are on the inside of this book. If this type of book is your style of reading, then it is a must, that you read this book. What do you think of when you read the words "The Beauty Of Grace"? I would love to read what y'all have to say. Have a Blessed Day!


Synopsis From Goodreads:

In this hectic life, we all need a little peace, a little quiet, and a little beauty. Combining heartfelt stories from some of today's foremost writers and bloggers with stunning photography of God's incredible creation, "The Beauty of Grace" is a haven of calm contemplation amidst the chaos. 
This uplifting collection includes moving stories of cultivating friendship, waiting on God, choosing joy, staying connected, and more from popular writers such as Jessica Turner, Lisa-Jo Baker, Holley Gerth, Ann Voskamp, Bonnie Gray, Tsh Oxenreider, Leeana Tankersley, Emily Freeman, Margaret Feinberg, and many others. Each story is accompanied by an uplifting Scripture verse, and the book includes Dawn's stunning photos. Foreword by Holley Gerth.



Authors: Kayla Aimee, Tina Anderson, Lisa-Jo Baker, Laura Boggess, Stephanie Bryant,  Dawn Camp, Mary Carver, Robin Dance, Mary DeMuth, Christin Ditchfield, Annie F. Downs, Margaret Feinberg, Joy Forney, Sara Frankl (Gitz), Emily P. Freeman, Holley Gerth, Bonnie Gray, Amber Haines, Seth Haines, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Kelley J. Leigh, Lisa Leonard, Shannon Lowe, Sarah Markley, Elizabeth W. Marshall, Shelly Miller, Angela Nazworth, Tsh Oxenreider, Laura Parker, Katie Kenny Phillips, Rachel Anne Ridge, Deidra Riggs, Jen Schmidt, Arianne Segerman, Melanie Shankle, Kristen Strong, Leeana Tankersley, Jessica Turner, Ann Voskamp, Edie Wadsworth, Kristen Welch, Maggie Whitley, Lisa Whittle, and Amanda Williams

[ Blog Post Sponsored By Revell ]


Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Where Is Your Elk?

Afternoon Loverlies! I have come across a very interesting site called Moooh! They have some of the cutest items I have every seen, including accessories, shoes, and clothing for men and women. What I really love is they even have some home decor items! Whenever you sign up at Moooh, you can follow others, see what they fave, and comment on it. There isn't many plus sized items at the moment. So I asked them if they will get more plus size clothing in, and they stated that they are trying too. It would be wonderful if they do, because they have some cute sweaters I love. This is a very fun site to look at, because they have items you don't see in just any store. I enjoy looking at the jewelry because they have some cute ice cream earrings I adore. There are also some cute pillows I have my eye on.

I was given the Retro Rosette Elk Necklace With Floral from Moooh to review. Let me tell you, I was so excited when I finally received this item in the mail. It took about a little over a week for me to receive this in the mail, not long at all. I believe their items are reasonably priced, because they are about the same price range you would see at other stores. The necklace wasn't as long as shown in the picture, but that could be because I have more up on top. I am very happy with the length it is, at least it isn't a choker. The one downfall of this necklace is, it gets caught in your hair. I am fine with it though, because it happens with necklaces from time to time. I will say I cannot wait to wear this necklace out again! If you are wanting to purchase your own cute elk necklace, GO HERE. Have A Blessed Day!











[ Sponsored Post Brought To You By Moooh! ]

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Kawaii All The Way!

Mawnin' Loverlies! This is just a small post today! I wanted to share with y'all a gift I sent a friend of mine, but I had to wait until he received it first. I Did not want to spoil his surprise, lol. I went online and found some cute kawaii cupcakes and sushi to draw from. Sometimes when I am first drawing something, I draw better by looking at an example. I also purchased from Blippo a cute neko plushie charm. Blippo has a lot of cute kawaii items for a very decent price. It did take them almost two months to send it, but I'm assuming that is because I ordered it at the end of December and it is from a different country. I even emailed them about my item, because I was worried about it, and the customer service Representative that emailed me back was very nice and helpful. I enjoy looking at all their items on their store site, I wish I could buy it all! What is your favorite Kawaii store? Have a Blessed Day!



The card I made! I used watercolor to paint it and for the sprinkles acrylic.

The CUTE plushie neko charm from Blippo!

I also made him an ATC, which is an artist trading card. 

Monday, February 23, 2015

The Need To Paint Often

Mawnin' Loverlies! I recently received a book from Blogging For Books called Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often to Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist written by Carol Marine. In the beginning of this book Marine talks about she got into selling her paintings and entering them into galleries. In this book she explains the benefits of blogging and selling online, and painting often and small. Marine also explains what materials she uses, how to place your still life objects correctly before painting them, and Marine also has quite a few paintings where she shows what she did step by step. This book is a great book for an artist that is first getting started, because it has so many tips and information that will help. This book mainly talks about oil painting, but you can use this information with any type of paints. Go HERE if you are wanting to purchase the book. Have a Blessed Day!


Synopsis From Goodreads:

A unique system for jump-starting artistic creativity, encouraging experimentation and growth, and increasing sales for artists of all levels, from novices to professionals.

Too many artists find themselves in a frustrating rut: unable to sell paintings hanging in galleries, bogged down by projects they can't finish "or "abandon, and using any excuse to avoid working in the studio. Author Carol Marine was herself suffering from painter's block--until she discovered "daily painting." The idea is simple: do art (usually small) often (how often is up to the individual) and, if you desire, post it and sell it online. Today Marine is among the best and most celebrated daily painters, and the curator of the popular online gallery dailypaintworks.com. In her debut, "Daily Painting," Marine reveals the tips and tricks that helped her and other daily painters pick up the paintbrush and start creating beautiful, bountiful, marketable work







ABOUT THE AUTHOR: CAROL MARINE is an artist and the creator of the popular blog A Painting a Day (or Almost). She is a member of Daily Paintworks, a distinguished group of daily painters, and she teaches daily painting workshops around the country. Marine lives in Eugene, Oregon. Visit www.dailypaintworks.com.


"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."


[ Blog Post Brought To You By BloggingForBooks ]

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Worry Less So You Can LIVE More!

Afternoon Loverlies! I received a book to review from Bethany House called, Worry Less So You Can Live More: Surprising, Simple Ways To Feel More Peace, Joy, And Energy by Jane Rubietta. In each chapter Rubietta starts out telling a story of her past of when she had trouble with worrying. I find she wrote each chapter beautifully, and has a distinct way of telling her stories. At the end of the chapters there are questions you can ask yourself or even if you used this book for a bible study group. She also ends the chapter with a votum and a benedictus she has written. Rubietta has a way of keeping you interested while reading about this worry or that worry, and also does a great job of explaining how those worries are not needed. She writes about how we need to give those worries to God and have faith. It really hits home for me because I have always worried. I just need to trust God more, and know that he is there with me and he will take care of it. Not only is the book beautifully written it has a gorgeous cover! It is worth a read if you struggle with worrying. Have A Blessed Day!


Synopsis From Amazon:

Weary of worry and its tagalongs: anxiety, discouragement, and exhaustion? Jane Rubietta invites you to leave behind your heavy heart and learn to truly live again. To experience joy and rest in the moment-by-moment pleasure of a God who delights in you--and has all your tomorrows under his control. Jane's picturesque prose offers enduring encouragement and practical tools for change. Discussion questions and journaling prompts make this the perfect book to read on your own or share with your small group and discover how to worry less and live more.

You can purchase this book on Amazon


This is one of the sentences in the book that stood out to me! I love it so much! I went to Unsplash and found the picture of the mountain. They have pictures on there that are amazing and you can use them for anything. Well I believe except for selling.


[ Sponsored Post Brought To You By Bethany House ]

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Oh, To Be As Brave As Rahab

Afternoon Loverlies! I received The Crimson Cord: Rahab's Story written by Jill Eileen Smith from Revell books to review. I was excited to get this book to review because I heard good things about it. I think Smith did a marvelous job in this dramatization of this story, I really don't think I would enjoy anyone else's telling of it. I love that she shows how faithful Rahab was, especially when she got to know the Lord. Since I decided to choose Faith as my word this year, I believe this is another great story for me to remember when I start to have doubts in my Faith. I will say the beginning is very emotional, because of the men that Rahab had to deal with. I just love how brave she is and how she doesn't give up. This book was very easy to get into and kept me on the edge of my seat. I am going to have to keep reading Smith's books, I just love how she puts the story together. I recommend reading this book and also recommend reading the Bible verses about Rahab. I think it is always best when reading a dramatization of a story in the Bible, that you go back and read the scriptures also. Have a Blessed Day!


Synopsis From Goodreads:

Wife to a gambler who took one too many risks, Rahab finds herself sold as a slave to cover her husband's debt. Forced into prostitution by Dabir, counselor to the Syrian king, Rahab despairs of ever regaining her freedom and her self-respect. But when Israelite spies enter Jericho and come to lodge at her house, Rahab sees a glimmer of hope and the opportunity of a lifetime. In one risky moment, she takes a leap of faith, puts her trust in a God she does not know, and vows to protect the spies from the authorities. When the armies of Israel arrive weeks later, Rahab hopes they will keep their promise, but she has no idea what kind of challenges await her outside Jericho's walls--or if she will ever know the meaning of love.



[ Sponsored Blog Post Brought To You By Revell ]

Monday, February 09, 2015

Fun Apps On The Weekend!

Afternoon Loverlies! I hope everyone had an awesome weekend! Mine was a bit on the stressful side, because I needed to shop for a new bra. Let me tell you, Shopping for a bra is the most stressful and depressing thing ever. I think its so frustrating because of each brand makes their sizes different from the other brand. Wouldn't it be much simpler if all brands stuck with the same exact size. I would also love if brands made in between sizes, not just for bras but for every type of clothing. Anyways, that is my little rant of the weekend.

 For news that is fun, my sister in law came and stayed three nights! I do love when she comes, we don't get any company really. ( Yes, I know, we need to try and attempt to get out more and meet folks. It is just scary sometimes. ) Lately I have been attempting to find some fun games on my phone, so I will share with you a few I have found so far. If you know of any awesome apps I am missing out on, comment below please! Have a Blessed Day!




Hatch







Trivia Crack


Of course, I marked out my friends names for their privacy. :)





Star Trek Trexels






Alice's Mad Tea Party




   






Thursday, February 05, 2015

Good Food at Rock House!

Mawnin' Loverlies! This is a quick share today about a restaurant in Searcy, Arkansas. There used to be a Doc's Grill in Searcy, but recently they had new owners buy them. These owners decided to turn it from a Doc's Grill into Rock House. I believe Rock House is a chain, because my friend I have from Chicago said they have one there. My husband and I were just driving around Monday night and we noticed they were packed and with a new name. So we decided to try it out. It was slow service, but only because it was a Grand Opening. I enjoyed the food and love the menu. The menu has hamburgers, tacos, shrimp, catfish, sandwiches, crab legs, salads, etc. We decided to try their hamburgers, because they were build your own. We also ordered fried pickles for an appetizer and they were delicious. I apologize for my pictures. I am lucky I was able to get some pictures of the food, because it was delicious and I was hungry. lol I suggest trying out this restaurant if you ever stop by searcy. Here is their facebook page so you can see more information about them. Have a Blessed Day!








The fried pickles. I was chowing down and forgot to snap a picture of the full basket. lol 
My hamburger I built. I had fried egg, lettuce, tomato, sauteed onions, mayo, I can't remember what else. lol
I also ate the first half and then remembered, ahhhh! I need a picture.



Monday, February 02, 2015

Art and Celtic Woman

Afternoon Loverlies! My sister in law wanted me to make her a watercolored lotus recently. I thought I would share it with y'all, there isn't much I did to it, but I hope it looks decent. :) Hope y'alls weekend went well! I will leave y'all with the picture and a song from the youtubes you can watch. Have a Blessed Day!





I love listening to Celtic Woman! I think it would be fun to actually be in the group and get to sing.