procrastinating and a giveaway.

Procrastinating listing my Spring 2013 lookbook on Etsy means y'all get a giveaway (and maybe this will make up for the fact that I'm a spectacularly horrible blogger). This lookbook is 12 pages full of all things spring: poetry, quotes, paintings, photography, and colors palettes. It also features the infamous 'letters of' (envelopes of inspiration and encouragement in the form of drawings and quotes on paint chips).

TO ENTER:

(mandatory)

Comment below and tell me what you're looking forward to this summer.

EXTRAS:

(each site is a separate comment)

You can post this giveaway link on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram for extra entries. Just comment below with the link of the post from any of the above sites.

FEATURE || Laura Chavous

Hi friends! Today I'm happy to be featuring the lovely lady (who I spend my spare time obsessing about her house and clothes) over at You Are My New Dream- go check her out! 

1. First off, tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Laura and I am married to a guy named Jonathan. This year we will celebrate 10 years of marriage! We have 2 daughters, Hannah (7 this month) and Sophie (4) I love to be busy and am always engaged in a project!

2. What are a few of your hobbies?

Oh where to begin?! Child rearing. Thrift shopping. Making piles of clothes and pretending to plan on refashioning them. Singing. Upholstery by necessity. Interior decorating. I am a Jill of all trades and master of none!

3. How and why did you get into blogging?

I don't know anyone who has a personal style quite like mine. It was when I began reading blogs that I realized there was a whole world out there with people who shared my affinity for unique and vintage things. I began my blog as a way to share some of my projects and vintage finds with the world and hopefully make friends with some fun people who share my interests.

4. Your shop is darling. What do you enjoy most about it? 

Well honestly I most enjoy getting emails that say I have sold something!!! Haha

For years I have wished that I could open an eclectic, vintage boutique but there is not really a market for that kind of business in my town. I think Etsy has helped me live that dream without the commitment of a physical shop location and with two small children its really the perfect fit for me.

5. There are so many people who haven't discovered the reward of thrift shopping, do you have any tips for them on finding deals?

Thrift shopping is one of my favorite pastimes. Really take your time.  Its all about context. You have to imagine the item away from the rainbow sea of clothing that smells of a thousand laundry detergents. Sometimes all a piece needs is a little modification. Use your imagination. And never turn an item away because of the size or fit. Many of my favorite dresses have been altered in some way. And keep in mind that spray paint does wonders for thrifted furniture finds!

6. You recently took a mission trip to India, can you tell us about your most memorable experience there?

It was after dark and we were waiting to go into a native service in a village, and we could hear the people passionately worshiping. The power went out in the whole village but they never stopped! I have never heard a sound like it. I couldn't understand the words that they were saying but I could understand the common language of love and adoration for God. It is the beautiful sound of a people who have been redeemed.

7. Top 5 favorite songs, books, and movies?

Hmmm that's a tough one. I'm going to go with songs...even though my top five favorite of anything will always be in rotation...HA!

1. Oceans-Hillsong-United

2. Hope Will Lead Us On-Barlow Girl

3. Our Father-Bethel

4. Come To Me-Bethel

5. Take Heart-Hillsong-United

8. What are you looking forward to in the coming future?

Hopefully adoption. Our process is complete and we are in the "waiting" phase which is can be be very short or very long. I think adoption is an event that is often laced with romanticism when reality is that the institution of adoption exists because of someone's loss. Its bittersweet.

9. What do you value most in your life right now?

Hope. God has given me the strength to forge ahead even when I am heartbroken and His promise is that he makes all things new. 

10. How do you want to be remembered?
Most importantly I want to be remembered as a woman, who through worship, helped facilitate the exchange between God and man. I want to be remembered as a loving wife and mother. But it wouldn't hurt my feelings if I were remembered for having great style too! *wink*

...ugh, she's perfect.

xx

kj

18 before 18.

1. write the first draft of my novel. (a bit far fetched, i know, but i am attempting it)

2. hike in the Appalachians.

3. eat healthier and exercise more. (cliche, but much needed)

4. cut my hair and dye the ends after summer.

5. read a Charles Dickens novel.

6. see Catching Fire at IMAX in November.

7. head up an event.

8. have an official photo shoot.

9. get in the car and drive with no set destination.

10. go to the state fair.

11. try sushi.

12. climb a tree without falling off.

13. learn how to shoot a bow and arrow. (Hunger Games fans holla!)

14. befriend someone. (not my strongest area)

15. sew a quilt.

16. send a care package.

17. travel to a new state.

18. go a week without my phone.

I'll be honest, I originally thought this idea was kind of absurd, along with the infamous "bucket list". but the older I get the more I'm drawn to this idea, having a list of things to accomplish by the time I'm eighteen. since my birthday is in December it only made sense to create a list of things to do this 2013, before I blow out eighteen candles and sing happy birthday to myself. some on this list I know I'll easily do this year, and some I'll have to step out of my comfort zone to accomplish. do you have a bucket list?

xx
kj