GFC Blog Hop

I'm super excited because this is my first time co-hosting a link-up. 

I have found so many blogs I love through different link-ups and blog hops and am really excited to co-host this one today!

It's Tuesday again which means it's time for the GFC Blog Hop!

Ok, so let's get to the party, shall we?

RULES are simple:

1. Follow your host via GFC

The First link below

2. Follow your co-hosts via GFC

The Next 8 links below

3. Link up below using your main blog url not a specific post.

4. Make sure to visit some of the blogs in the link up and follow them via GFC 

and if you want to leave them a comment, I'm sure they'd appreciate that as well.

5. Tweet about this blog hop

Tweet

6. Share about this blog hop by grabbing a button and putting it on your sidebar!

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A jacket, a friend and a giveaway

This jacket was one of those items that I bought ridiculously cheap on clearance and barely wore because I wasn't sure I liked it.  I am excited that I now love it and plan on wearing it all Fall.  

I'm also exited because I get to share with you one of my sister's bests friends.

Jen and Lauren have been friends since college and anyone would be blessed to be friends with them.

 They are the sweet, most loving and loyal friends.  

Today I get to share with you Jen's etsy shop, Jen's Gifts.

Jen makes nursing covers, tag blankets, headbands and hair clips. 

Here's a few of  her nursing covers:

Aren't they adorable?  I think this one is my favorite:

What's even more adorable are Jen's daughters. 

This is Jen's oldest daughter, Annalynn, who has the most compassionate heart already!  

She is organizing a fundraiser for her preschool group to raise money to buy a sheep through Heifer International.   In honor of Annalynn, Jen is currently donating 10% of all her sales to help her raise a sheep! 

Jen is also giving all my readers a 10% discount to her etsy shop.  Just use code forlaurenandlauren  until Oct. 19th.  

And the best news is that Jen is giving away one of her nursing covers to a lucky reader. 

These would be a great gift for a mom to be or new mom!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner will be contacted after the 14th!
Good luck!

And congratulations to Jess for winning the teardrop necklace!

Leaving a Legacy

dress: kohls  boots: dsw  sweater: ?

It has been almost a year since my grandpa passed away.  

Two years ago in October my grandpa was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Soon after he was diagnosed my family flew down to Texas to say goodbye, as we weren't sure how long he would have left.
Thankfully, God allowed him to live another year which was such a blessing. 

It was such a blessing to be able to have a year that we didn't think we would have. 

To have a year to make it a point to call him and talk to him more often. 

To have a year to write him a letter telling him how much I loved him and how lucky I was to have him as a grandpa.  

My grandpa was an amazing man.  One of the greatest things that I admire about him was that he was a man of prayer.  My dad spend a lot of time with him during his last year and was able to spend many nights with him. 

I learned that each night my grandpa would spend time praying for every member of his family. 

And not just listing names, but praying for our specific needs and struggles we were going through. 

He knew what we were going through and knew that one of the best ways to love us was to lift us up in prayer. 

About a year and a half ago, Chris and I started praying together every night.  We too lift up our families, friends and our own needs and struggles.  We have yet to miss a night of praying together.

Part of me is sad that my grandpa isn't here for me to tell him when I do get pregnant, as I know that he prayed that for us every night.  But I know one of his prayers is being answered, that Chris and I continue to grow in our marriage and grow closer to God.  

I think of my grandpa all the time and am so thankful for the example and legacy that he left. 

And I'm so thankful for that extra year we had with him so I could tell him that.
I'm so thankful that I have no doubts that right now he talking to God face to face.  

I know he would be so proud of Chris and the man of prayer that he has become.  

sunday style  YOLO Monday
Monday meetup

High Five for Friday

top, jeans, booties: target  scarf: OmMadeWIthLove

1. One of my best friends recently opened an Etsy shop.  

She is beyond talented.  And she is extremely generous and lets me benefit from her talents by letting my wear her gorgeous scarves!

Check out her shop here.

2.  Here are my other favorites:

                                                 button scarf                              multicolored cowl

3.  Loving this verse lately and clinging to it's truth.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness. 
2 Corinthians 12:3 

4.  I'm adding this sweater to my birthday wishlist: 

(Which is less than a month away!)

forever 21

5.  I read this interesting article the other day about the amount of money being spent on beauty, from products to procedures.  It was definitely interesting and you should check it out here.

Chris and I are leaving tonight to spend three days in Wisconsin thanks to a great deal we found on groupon.  I can't even tell you how excited I am to spend some quality time together.  

Life has been challenging and stressful lately and it is so easy to let that take over your daily life. 

I'm excited to spend a few days away from life's distractions and busyness.

Hope you have a great weekend!  

Confessions

 
shirt: AE (high school old)  skirt: old navy  scarf: gap

I confess this is my first attempt at pattern mixing and I feel like I pretty much failed.

I kind of feel like a homeless person in this outfit.  Not sure if it's the extreme tired Monday face or what. 

(I confess that I'm pretty sure this was actually a Thursday.)

I wasn't even going to post this outfit but it is crucial to the next part of my post.  

I confess the day I wore this outfit to school I wore my shirt backwards.

Thankfully it was only 9:00 when one of my students told me there was a pocket on the back of my shirt and that I must have my shirt on backwards. 

and thankfully they are only 8 year olds that saw.  Still embarrassing.  8 year olds can be brutal.

I confess that my bedroom used to be decked out in everything Mickey Mouse. 

Wallpaper, bedspread, figurines, pillow, even my pajamas. 

As a matter of a fact this was my Christmas loot one year. 

Maybe I was a little too obsessive.  

I confess that I that I've pretty much failed another year in a row at growing a successful garden.
This year I produced one pepper.

It better taste delicious. 

Congratulations to Sarah C. who won the September giveaway!  An email has been sent your way!

Happiest Dog Award

sweater: old navy   pants: express (many many years old)  shoes: dsw

I think it's about time to dedicate a post to my dog, especially since she intruded again on an outfit picture. 

I'm sure this is one of those things like every parent thinks their kid is the cutest, but I truly believe that Molly is the prettiest, sweetest and best dog anyone could have.  

Recently Chris took Molly to the vet and the vet told us he has never seen a happier or healthier golden retriever.  

We were quite proud.  

Since I take my pictures with a tripod it isn't uncommon for Molly to try to get into at least one picture.

I've gained quite the collection of Molly pictures.  

Let's just say I'm not always too pleased. 

But seriously, have you seen a happier dog?

And if that doesn't make you smile, then maybe entering to win this tear drop statement necklace from yesterday's post will.
Enter here.

Statement Necklace Giveaway

dress: jcpenny (similar)  vest: old navy  shoes: target

I know I mentioned last week that I have a slight obsession with statement necklaces. 

I'd like to wear one every day, as here is another outfit with one. 

This post only fuels my addiction, as I would like to own every necklace in Carrie's shop. 

I was so excited after I talked with Carrie about doing a giveaway on my blog. 

Excited because after we emailed a few times I just want to be friends with her in real life. 

Carrie started her shop as a hobby two years ago while working as a teacher.  After selling her products to co-workers and parents, and participating in a few craft fairs, she decided to pursue it with a goal of doing it full-time.  She walked away from her full-time job has a teacher about a year ago, and has been on a roller coaster ride ever since!  Her goal is to make and sell affordable pieces that add a little color and happiness for the every day girl and woman to wear. 

That they sure do!  

and they are so affordable.  

Carrie is offering 50% off all necklaces and bracelets with the code Jewels50

(Go to her facebook page for discount updates!)

And I'm so excited because Carrie is giving away one of her necklaces to one of you. 

This necklace is now on my birthday wish list! 

Winner gets to choose their choice of color.  Check out more of her necklaces in her shop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!  Winner will be contacted after October 8th!