Monday Musings {no. 4}

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I hope all of you had a lovely Thanksgiving! If you read my {Thankful Day} post, you know that I am thankful for love. But trust me, there is SO much more that I am thankful for. I'd just hate to take up the rest of your life telling you about it.

One thing I am thankful for is my family. I spent most of Thanksgiving with my entire family (who lives near us). I love that we all live close. Grandparents, two uncles, two aunts, nine cousins, my parents, and the five girls. Makes for large family gatherings with lots of food, but we always have enough to go around. And I am thankful for that.

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Gussy!

Okay, yes, I realize that I pretty much shamelessly promote Maggie's products at any chance I get, but I can't help it. I just love me some Gussy!

And this lovely pouch...

...now belongs to me! I love it.

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Did you know that Christmas is approximately 24 days, 16 hours, 4 minutes away as I type this??

photo credit

Wow. I looove Christmas, and I'm starting to get excited about it. Have you started up the Christmas season at your house?

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Happy Monday, everyone!

{Thankful Day}

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You wanna know something I am really thankful for?

I'm thankful for love. Sometimes I just feel like I want to share love with everyone, so that they can be happy the way I am. I'm grateful for my parent's love, as they guide and protect me. I'm thanful for my 4 sisters, who love me even when we don't get along. For my friends, who love me enough to listen, to laugh, and to play. And for my amazing man. Because he loves me through it all, good or bad, no matter what. And I'm a better person because of it.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Super Cute!

Have I ever mentioned that blog award excite me? Whenever I see an award post, and then I see my name? Excitement ensues. I mean, I know that in the scheme of things, bloggy awards won't really get you anywhere, but I still think they're fun to get and fun to give.

This particular award was passed on to me by Kelli at Sustaining Creativity. Thank you, Kelli! The rules of acceptance are pretty simple; pass it on to 10 other bloggers and let them know about it! Well, okay then...

(And these are in no particular order.)

Angel Face Designs--Heather is really sweet, she has an amazingly cute little girl, and she makes jewelry. How cool is that?!

Aunt Spicy--I always enjoy Aunt Spicy's posts. She's very creative, and I wish I could sew like her.

Becoming Briggs--People who write novels (or have novels in progress) are pretty amazing to me. Plus, she posts fun stuff like Not Me Monday's.

Diamonds, Fur and Laundry--Jenn is a sweet blogger, and it's fun to read about her life.

Erica's Bloggity Blog--I think Erica is really cool. Really.

Sparkle is my Crack!--Lisa Kate and I were lip gloss swap partners, and she does a lot of fun things (that I could never do) with makeup.

The Shabby Tiara--I love it when Suzanne posts a "Pink Saturday"!

Jack and Mandy - The Blog--Mandy's stories make me laugh, especially the ones about Jack. They're cute together (in my opinion).

Haus of Girls--What can I say? I live in a House of Girls, too!

Gussy has a lot to say.--I love Maggie's blog. And her Etsy shop. She's just all around amazing.

So there ya go! 10 bloggers that I enjoy, and now you can check them out, too!

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When I posted about my "blog schedule" yesterday, I kind of forgot that Thanksgiving was this week; whoops! So there won't really be a schedule. We'll try for next week.

Monday Musings {and a giveaway winner!}

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I just have to ask. Has anyone tried the new Caramel Brulee Latte at Starbucks? I know, I know...I make it sound like I really am addicted to Starbucks...but I promise I'm not. I just really want to try it. But first I thought I'd see if anyone else likes it! So let me know.

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Guess what? We have a winner for the Cymbaline Designs giveaway!

Snow White Teardrop

I plugged the numbers in at Random.org, and number ONE happened to be the lucky one. And the winner is

Heidi!

I've already sent Heidi an email, so congratulations!

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I really just want to give all of you blog followers and commenters a huge

Thank You

While I try to remind myself that comments and followers aren't everything, they do help me feel encouraged to blog. Does that make sense? So thanks. Because all of you are pretty special.

And really, I'm not just saying that.

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Last night I sat down and wrote myself a "blogging schedule". Not a big deal really, just a simple thing. I'm hoping that having a blogging plan will keep me from getting stressed out when I feel like I don't have anything to post. And this is perfectly flexible for me. It will probably change. Of course. So if you'd like to know what to expect for now, here it is:

Monday--a Monday Musings post like this one. I like the freedom to be random.

Wednesday--Whatever post I think up. This depends mostly on my life. I'll write about what I'm thinking, how I'm feeling, or something funny that happened.

Friday--I'll share something I like. It might be in the form of some Etsy finds, or a product I love. I'd love to do some giveaways, too, but I'm still working on that.

Tomorrow I'll already be changing my schedule, though. I got an award over the weekend and I need to make my "formal acceptance speech". Do you have a cute blog? I need to nominate 10 others for the award, and I'm giving you a chance to get one. Just leave a link and I'll come visit you! Tomorrow the cute blogs will be announced.

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Well, that about all I've got for now. Whew! Hope you all had a great weekend. Feel free to tell me about it!

{Plum}

Plum is one of my all time favorite colors. Not quite purple, but still kinda the same.

Orchid Charm

Plum Luxury

Plum Drop

How do you feel about plum?

Be sure to enter the Cymbaline Designs giveaway! Ends on Monday morning!

{Re-Post} Revealed!

I apologize for re-posting something, but I'm still working on a blogging schedule that will work for me; hopefully to be put in effect next week. For this week, well, just bear with me. 


This was originally posted here, so if you've already seen it, I'm sorry. But for those of you who haven't seen it? Enjoy! 


Note: I still live at home and share a room with my younger sister who has very little in common with me when it comes to design. So we both had to do a little compromising. But I think it worked out pretty well.

The time has finally come.

Are you ready to see what my weekend of cleaning, painting and rearranging has produced?

(If you need a reminder of just how bad it was before, click here.)

Drumroll, please...

This is what you might see right as you walk into our room:

{I apologize if the beds look a little sloppy...have you ever tried to neatly make up a bunkbed? It's nearly impossible, and I'm not that patient.}

We never had doors for our closet. I'm not quite sure how that happened. So getting curtains was a must for me. And I love how it turned out. Now you can't see all my clothes and shoes!

{Don't the curtains look nice? I love the way it drapes.}

My poor piano, stuck in a corner.

I now have paisley sheets. I love it! And the bird pillow was not my idea. I love the pillow, but not the $30 price tag. My mom splurged and got it because my little sister loves birds. It really is a nice compliment to the room.

I tried something a little different here. Instead of hanging my mirror and picture on the wall, they're set on the dresser. What do you think of it? It's different than what I'm used to, but I like it. And don't worry, I made absolutely sure they wouldn't fall.

I love these butterflies. I'd had them for a looong time, but they never quite had a place before. I love how they stand out from the darker color.

{And guess what? I got them from our church's yard sale for like a quarter!}

This is seriously one of my absolute favorite parts of the redo:

{It's right by the door on the way out. The cute storage ottomans came from Target, and I've had the shelf for a really long time. It was always just hung somewhere random, but now I feel like it has new purpose. And I like it.}

Of course, pictures can't necessarily show the whole room...the sweetheart said I should take a video, but that would involve me being in the video, and I won't plague you so.

One of my goals it to keep the look kind of simple with clean lines. Before, I just had so much clutter. And then it looked kind of messy all the time. So I put away things that aren't important, and we'll see how it goes. I also like how the room feels light and airy.

So, what do you think? I really want to hear your input on my "design skills"!

Extra note: Be sure to stop by and enter the Cymbaline Designs giveaway for a piece of jewelry of your choice!

Monday Musings, {two}

Welcome to another edition of Monday Musings!

image courtesy of

I think some hot chocolate would just about hit the spot this morning. How about you? Well, grab a mug and pull up a chair. It won't hurt if you stay awhile.

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If you haven't entered my blogiversary giveaway, you need to. Check out the loveliness from Cymbaline Designs:

Persimmon Blossom Earrings

See? You're missing out if you haven't entered. All the details are right here.

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I've decided that I need a "regular" blogging schedule. Otherwise I get slightly frantic about having to post every day, and then the quality of posts goes down (in my opinion). Do any of you have suggestions? How do you decide when to post? I would really appreciate any help you can give me!

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Today I realized that Christmas is only 40 days away. Oh my. Why is it that the older you get, the quicker time goes by, and the slower you want it to go by? Just doesn't make much sense to me...

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Well, there's really not a whole lot on my mind this morning. Be sure to check out the giveaway and tell me about your blogging schedules!

A Whole Year {+ a giveaway!}

A year ago today, I sat down in front of the computer with a goal in mind. I wanted to start up my very own blog.

I'd been thinking about it for a while. Planning what I would write about, what I would call it, etc. I didn't really know if I would enjoy it, but I wanted to try.

And now, a year later?

Well, first of all, I never expected that people would end up reading my blog. Never! And now, with 98 followers? It excites me more than I can say. Every comment makes my day a little brighter. Every kind word about this blog makes me smile. Each one of you reading this right now makes me happy.

So thank you. Thank you SO very much.

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And in honor of this one year "blogiversary", I'm celebrating by giving back to one of you lovely readers!

If you browse around Etsy, you may come across a great little shop called Cymbaline Designs. Take a peek at what Sharon has to offer:

Stormy Flutterby Necklace

Wine Lily Earrings

Shades of Pink Posy Necklace

Isn't it all lovely?

And guess what?

One lucky reader will win their choice of ANY piece at Cymbaline Designs!

Would you like to win? Well, here's what you've got to do.

FIRST (mandatory) ENTRY:: Click over to Cymbaline Designs and find your favorite piece, then come back here and leave a comment telling me about it! (You must do this before your extra entries can count.)

Please leave your email address in each comment so I can easily contact the winner!

Want some extra entries? Here's how you can get them:

• For a second entry, mention in a separate comment that you are a follower here at The Sweetest Petunia.
• For a third entry, tweet about this giveaway, and include the link in your comment.
• For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway, come back and leave TWO seperate comments with the link.

I will be using random.org to pick a winner, and the winner will be announced next Monday, November 23rd! This giveaway is open to anyone, since Sharon told me she'd be glad to ship worldwide.

Good luck!


***I was not paid/reimbursed in any way for hosting this giveaway***

{Notebooks}

Nicholas Sparks is really one of my favorite authors ever. He makes me cry. And smile. And think.

I had read The Notebook before, but I recently watched the movie for the first time. I cried some more. If you've seen the movie, you probably know what I mean. I don't necessarily agree with every decision the characters make, but I do think it's a beautiful story.

And sad. Have I mentioned it's sad?

But I digress.

I stated thinking after I watched the movie. About memories. That notebook held such memories for Noah and Allie. All written down and carefully treasured.

We each have our own ways of preserving memories. It could be that you take a million pictures so you'll always remember. It could be that you make a video to commemorate a special event. You might scrapbook. Or blog. Or journal. There are many possibilities.

Pears

I have a stack of notebooks. Well, not a huge stack, but you know what I mean. I write. Sometimes they end up being glorified daily logs of activities, but I do it for a reason. I want to remember.

Some things are easy to remember. A big day at school, graduation, a wedding, a special anniversary, etc. I want to remember all that. But I also want to remember the small things.

Funny things a little sister says.

A family dinner full of laughter.

Someone whispering, "You look awfully pretty."

Little things.

My notebooks are far from eloquently written. They probably wouldn't make a good movie. But the memories are important.

How do you save your memories?

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, I will have a "real" post up.

The day after tomorrow, some fun stuff will be happening. Remember? We'll be celebrating my first year of blogging. And there might be something pretty involved.

Today, I have a lot to do. So today, there really isn't much going on for the blog. Sorry.

BUT, be sure to come back!

Thank you.

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To all Veterans. Past, present and future. We thank you.

Wardrobe Wishes

Ever wish you could update your wardrobe just because? Without all the cost?

Me, too.

But since I can't, here's some items on my "Wardrobe Wishlist".

Sleigh Ride Skirt from DownEast Basics

Isabelle from MikaRose

Drape Front Cardigan from Shade

And trust me, the list could go on...

What would you put on your Wardrobe Wishlist?

P.S. If you'd like to read about why I wear skirts a lot, you can read my posts about submission and my confession.

Monday Musings, {one}

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Mmmm, Fall. Have I mentioned that sometimes I wish I lived up north where there was actually a change of seasons? I found these beautiful leaves and had to share.

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So, Monday Musings. Did you notice the title? I find that on Mondays, I have a lot to say, but not a definitive subject. Monday Musings will just be a post of anything (and everything) I can think of!

Oh, and if anyone else already has the Monday Musings title, I'm not trying to steal your thing. It's just what I though of off the top of my head. If it's too big of a problem for you, just let me know so I can work it out.

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Guess what?! I am very excited to tell you all that this coming Saturday (the 14th) is my first "blogiversary". Yep, I've been blogging for one year. I can hardly believe it myself. When I started blogging, I never really thought I would have a true following of readers. So each and every follower, subscriber, kind word, comment...means SO much to me. Thank you.

And in honor of one year of blogging, there might be a little celebration. Just maybe. And it might be something you could find in this post. Have I piqued your interest? Be sure to come back on Saturday!

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If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you may have picked up on the fact that I have a Starbucks addiction. I mean, it's not that bad...mainly because it's a little out of my budget. But on Friday morning I did go to Starbucks, and the girl who took my order made me laugh. Our conversation went something like this:

Her: So, I noticed that you wear skirts all the time...

Me: Oh really?

Her: Do your legs ever get cold?

Me: Well, it's not really that cold, here, so not really...

Her: Oh, okay. I think my legs would get cold.

I live in Florida, so it's not really cold. I just thought it was really funny that she asked me that!

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Well, I think that's about it for this edition of Monday Musings! Tell me, what did you think of it? And be sure to check back on Saturday for a blogiversary celebration!

I've Got My Sew On!

I would not say that I am a stranger to sewing, necessarily. My grandma taught me the "basics" when I was younger, and I can definitely sew buttons and mend tears and that kind of thing. Earlier this year I made myself some skirts and a dress for Katheryn.

So, not a complete stranger.

However, I would love to be like the fabulous Gussy and churn out cute little pouches like she does. Maybe someday I'll be able to. Anyway, Gussy was sweet enough to suggest some books and give me some sewing tips, and so now I'm (finally!) revealing what I've been working on.

This is the book that I've gotten the most use out of:

Bend the Rules Sewing

I love the cute patterns in this book, and my first project was to try the Artsy Clutch (which is the project on the cover of the book). It took a little doing, mainly because sewing lining in really confuses me, but finally I figured it out:

It has a button-and-loop closure, and it's pretty much just a soft bag folded in half. Open it up, throw in you cellphone and some lipgloss, and you're ready to go!

Then I thought, Well, that wasn't too awful...I'll try another!

So I did.

Burgundy, Black and White is one of my favorite color schemes ever.

After I made the clutches, I decided to try for an actual bag.

It's not really a purse, but I've been carrying it around, and it's great for my small stuff, especially since I usually don't need all the stuff in the huge purses I carry around!

There's even a little pocket inside!

So yes, I've gotten my sew on. Do think I should keep it on?

And many thanks go out to Gussy for all her help! =)

Today I Am...

• Tired. But I guess that's what happens when you stay up until 1:00am to finish "just one more chapter..." Someday I'll train myself into a better sleep schedule.
• Contemplating blog posts I should be writing, but I'm ignoring it because I have emails to write. That really need to be written.
• Looking forward to tomorrow...for no special reason, though. Just because.
• Excited because I did all the prep work last night so that today I can sew two adorable bags! I finished one last night, and it turned out great. I promise that pictures are coming, as soon as the camera is charged.
• Almost finished with my third book for November. I'm seriously almost averaging a book a day. Want to see what I read in October?
• Very happy to see my sweetheart tonight. =)
• Not looking forward to cleaning the kitchen today. Ugh.

And that's how I feel today. How's your week going?

Yellow

Some colors make me happy just to look at. Yellow is definitely one of those colors.

Lemonade Necklace

Take Me Out Shrug

Ceramic Flower Dish

Lemon Pucker Soap

What about you? Does yellow make you happy?

{Not Me!} Monday, Nov. 2nd edition

Welcome to the carnival of fun known as Not Me! Monday. MckMama is our lovely hostess; however, her sweet Stellan is in the hospital, so I'm not sure if she's posting a Not Me! Monday today...but check out her blog anyway. =)
This week has not felt like a crazy whirlwind that went by too fast. I did not have trouble remembering if I watched that sweet, smiley baby this week or last week...and that is not a sure sign that I was busy.
I did not manage to crank out 5 Christmas card designs, photograph them, and list them at The Art of Paper all in one week. Of course, in saying that, I am not admitting that the process usually take me a while.
I have not had 3 Caramel Frappuccinos in the past 8 days. I am not that indulgent.
I am also not addicted to sugar. *ahem*
I did not get to go wedding dress shopping with a dear friend this weekend (for her wedding, not mine). It was not so much fun, and not so exciting to see her as a bride.
And I never once wished it were me getting married to my amazing sweetheart.
...Certainly not the same amazing sweetheart who surprised me with this:

Which I am not still super excited about. =)
So tell me, how was your week?
*this post was not scribbled out on notebook paper at 11:48 on Sunday night*