and then you found my blog, welcome.

(green skinnies: Kohls, shirt: Old Navy, boots: Old Navy, necklace: Forever 21)

I have the pleasure of being able to see what searches lead people to my blog. And while some of them are expected (like "trusty chucks blog"), some are not so expected. And some are quite humorous so I thought you might like a little glimpse of some of those today.

Search topics that led someone to Trusty Chucks:

peed her pants scared (every day. at least twice. welcome to my blog.)

family of four pictures in chucks (not here, but it's a good idea...)

polka dotted dresses

trusty chucks

"pooped your pants" grade (this is any grade, really)

blog girls in chucks porn pics (umm, wrong website, dude.)

chocken salad with vanilla greek yogurt (that just sounds gross)

teacher

what to wear on the first day of 6th grade (I imagine some dorky little fifth grader searching this so he/she will be ready for school in August. And that just makes me so happy.)

working at kohl's laced mentality (I've never been to that department before.)

we are friends for reminder (that sounds way too long)

strict restraint (again, probably the wrong website. weirdo.)

decorating with streamers (I found this one insulting. Streamers?! I don't party with streamers!)

hairstyles for lazy people (and this one made me proud...)

Another perk of blogging is spam comments. Spam comments are the main reason I have all my comments set to manual approval. I can delete them without everyone else seeing them, without them clogging up my post, and without weird links showing up on my blog. I'm not exactly sure the reason for spam since I don't know anyone who actually falls for their comments or clicks on their links, but some of them were worth saving.

of course like your web site but you neеd to checκ the spelling on sevеral of your poѕts. Ѕеveгal of them аre rife ωith ѕpеlling issues аnd Ӏ to find it very troublesome to inform the reality on the other hаnԁ I will defіnitelу come agaіn agаin.
(Spelling errors? I don't think so. You, on the other hand, seem to have a hard time with the English language and are randomly using Greek letters.)

Hi, its pleasant post on the topic of media print, we all be aware of media is a enormous source of information. I was wondering if you ever considered changing the structure of your website? Its very well
written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?
(This was spam for this post---which had minimal text and seven pictures. No, I do not want to change the structure of my website. But thanks for all your great advice!)

Piece of writing writing is also a excitement, if you know afterward you can write if not it is difficult to write
If you might be a teenager between 13-18 and you also notice yourself developing moobs, don't anxiety and think you're changing in a woman. In rare cases, the trouble would last around two years. Many times this is sometimes a side effect of other medications you're taking throwing off your hormone balance.
(Someone noticed I was developing MOOBS?!? This is beyond embarrassing. Also, did I just get a middle school health class lesson from someone who just called puberty "the trouble"? I want to meet this person.)

You actually make it seem so easy along with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I believe I would by no means understand.It seems too complicated and extremely large for me.
I am taking a look ahead on your subsequent submit, I'll try to get the dangle of it!
(Oh, good, you're trying to get the dangle of it...good luck, dangle!)

What would be really funny is if I got spam comments on this post. The irony would probably make me pee my pants scared.

a compelling argument as to why I am not a fashion blogger.

(dress, tights, belt, & heels: Kohls! necklace: Belk)

[photos by the one and only Jess Bell]

Lately, it's been brought to my attention that people think I am a fashion blogger.

I would like to dispel that rumor right now.

The things that give me the most pleasure in life are what I show you here: home decor, clothes, sarcasm, books, style, my family, my friends, my faith, and my career.

This blog mirrors my life.

Ultimately, to me, this place is about the words. I am drawn to a good story and am still figuring out how to tell mine. But I started this place so I could practice storytelling. Some times in a snippet and some times over the course of many posts.

I started blogging in January of 2010. I had never read another person's blog, I didn't know that people blogged everyday, I didn't know that you could have lots of people read your blog. I didn't know what I was doing, I just started a blog. It happened accidentally when I came across old portfolios of writing from college and felt like the needed to be archived somewhere because I liked them and I felt proud of them. I felt they were good and I didn't know if I'd ever write like that again and I needed to perserve them. And I felt like a blog could do that for me.

So I started typing up old creative writing assignments from undergrad.

I never posted them and eventually deleted them from my drafts.

But through that experience, I learned that I could still write, that I needed to write, and that I didn't care if no one read it, it made me feel more grounded. Writing made my world make sense.

Through trial and error, I learned that more people read your posts if you have nice pictures to go with them. So I started taking pictures of my outfits. Again, when I started a blog, I didn't know that people did this. I'm sure I would have made fun of anyone that did (actually, I still do. Ironic.). 

Eventually I learned some things about blogging and, truthfully, I feel outfit pictures are just an easy way to get a post up, here's what I wore, blah blah blah, but more importantly, here are my words. Please pay attention to those the most. Those are the things I care about.

In high school I kept a clothes journal. Every day, I wrote down what I wore to school to make sure I didn't repeat an outfit. I could wear a piece again, but it could not be the same way I wore it before. It was a little game I played with myself, to see how creative I could get with my clothes.

I believe that weird hobby set me up to one day take pictures of my outfits and let the world see them. It's like a game--how many looks can I get with this shirt? Sure, you've seen those pants before, but this time let's put them with a dress, not a sweater. It's a puzzle that I've made for myself. And I like doing it.

When I don't like doing it anymore, I'll stop.

Which is why I don't want to be a fashion blogger. I want to be a writer that has beautiful words and ideas and thoughts and maybe I wear some cute clothes once in a while. But people come back for my words.

I know that's lofty and dreamy and you're probably here to see what outfit I'm wearing today. And I'm okay with that. Because there are some blogs I visit just to see what they're wearing--I actually don't even read their words. (They are fashion bloggers and I think they're okay with this...)

I don't think "fashion blogger" is a bad word(s), if that's your thing, best of luck. I don't actually know anything about fashion. I shop at Target and Kohls. I don't wear anything that can't be washed in the washing machine on cold because that's what we wash everything on. Most of my underpants come from Wal-Mart. I just don't have the fashion thing down.

I'd like to say I have life down and that's what you're seeing here. But that's completely untrue and so what you're seeing here is me trying to get life down.

And sometimes, you're just seeing life get me down.

It's full circle, really.

Whatever the reason you come here, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I like you just for stopping by.

my husband: the rock and roll show.

(acknowledging the weird eyelid thing and then moving on...)

(skinnies, shirt, and jacket: Kohls, booties: Old Navy)

[photographed by the versatile Jess Bell]

The thing about blogging is that sometimes--probably once every two or three weeks--I spend a whole day on the computer doing blog-related stuff.

Not literally the whole day, but most of it. I do stop to feed my family, play, use the facilities, and possibly get dressed (only when I have to though, I'll avoid that one as long as possible).

This blogging thing can eat up all extra time if you let it. I normally don't, but occasionally, I do.

And so I felt like my husband deserved a little thank-you post for putting up with my weird hobby and, at times, encouraging it.

Unless the outfit pictures are from school (like above), Chris takes them. He does so somewhat willingly. There is never a refusal, but sometimes a quiet grumble. I normally just ignore it. But he's a really good sport about the whole hey-will-you-take-pictures-of-me-in-front-of-our-garage? thing. And I know it's really the last thing he wants to do.

He's also really good at being patient. I know dinner takes a lot longer than it should when I stop after every step to take a picture. Or jot down what I just threw in the bowl so I can blog about it later. Or when I don't let him actually eat the food I've just made because I have to take pictures of it and the pictures keep turning out bad. Sometimes he eats cold food for this blog.

My husband is a pretty good sport about most things. Which is why I married him, but that's not the point right now.

He's also really good at making fun of my blogging.

Recently he's started telling me about this blog he's going to write called "What Mary Should Have Worn" because often when I'm getting ready, he makes clothing suggestions.

I, without fail, ignore them.

Chris really likes this blue flannel shirt and would probably have me wear it every day. He's in charge of the laundry at our house and so, by default, knows what clothes I have, where they are, and if they happen to be dirty or not. This power has brought him to believe he knows what I should wear.

Obviously, this is a mistake.

But it makes me laugh that I have a husband who makes clothing suggestions. Bad ones, but suggestions, nonetheless.

So today I'm thankful for an up-for-anything and patient husband who has dreams of blogging and makes what I do on this blog possible. So thanks Crispy, I love you.

three words

(skinnies: Lauren Conrad for Kohls, shirt: Kohls, boots & scarf: Target, bangles: various)

Today, we pause from our regular scheduled programming to get to know me better (I had an exciting post about music and peeing my pants in my minivan planned that will just have to wait...).

Me and all my awkward photos are wrecking havoc on Living in Yellow's blog today and I felt like if people happened to stumble over here, I didn't want them to be confused and alienated.

I'll save those feelings for tomorrow, obviously.

Okay, let's start again...

Hi, I'm Mary, this is my blog. I'm a middle school English teacher who loves to read young adult lit and might be having a one-third life job crisis. Apparently, I don't know what I want to do when I grow up. If you have any ideas, I'm all ears. I have the maturity of the twelve year olds I teach, so it works out well for now.

I'm married to a beard, tattooed man I met at the circus (okay, not really, but that would make a great story) and we have two sassy little girls who are the greatest and hardest thing I've ever done.

But really, that's enough about me. Now I want to play a game. This is something I do with my students often when I need to kill some time to help educate them to be tomorrow's leaders: describe yourself in just three adjectives.

Mine: tall, organized, and tired.

What are yours??

survey says...{look! i'm posting on a saturday!!}

(lace dress: Kohls, tights: Target, booties: Kohls, necklace: Rue 21, ring: Kohls)

I can't believe my 2013 reader survey was the first one I've done. I had no idea how helpful and fun it would be!

Why didn't anyone tell me to do this sooner?!?

(I'm really good at blaming other people for things I miss, but it didn't take a survey for me to learn that.)

I got great ideas that I'm implementing right away:

-color-coding all my outfit posts so it's easier for you to find past looks and get dressed quicker (if you need inspiration)--coming this weekend so be on the lookout!
-an archive tab so you can skip around looking at posts from past months

-my yellow linked text is some times hard to read so I've made it darker recently (is it better now?)

Suggestions that are coming soon:

-outfit/fashion tips and how-tos; what to wear to an event, what to pack on vacation, cheap & easy wardrobe updates

-more book reviews (I'm trying! Anyone have any book recommendations, I'm struggling right now...)

-more money talk (I really don't know what else to talk about money-wise, but I'm brainstorming, I promise!)

-more family & life experince posts (sometimes I forget that other people than my mom read this and that you don't really know that much about me...noted)

-hair color: some many hair questions. I don't color my hair, it's this fuzzy red-blondish-brown on its own. But I've got some past hairstyles/colors to show you. Oh, dear Lord, they're bad.

-cool stuff to do in Indiana

-more on my routines (I basically have a routine for everything in life so that could be a whole series...I'm just not sure how interesting it would be; the jury is still out on this one.)

Things that made me laugh:

-"write about whatever is on your mind...reading it makes me feel more normal." HA! Thanks?

-"naked pics of Chris please" (Christine is no longer allowed to take my surveys. Best friends are gross.)

-someone asked me out on a date (Soon Sarah!!!)

-in response to "Suggestions? Ideas?" someone wrote "I am ridiculous" about themselves. That is so random and perfect.

The top reasons you read Trusty Chucks are for fashion (85%), family/kids (69%), and food/recipes (54%). That is not what I would have guessed at all. So yay for a survey that teaches me things.

Thank you to everyone that took a moment to give your opinions and ideas. It helps me immensely and I really appreciate it. I'll do one of those again fo' sho.

the tattoo project and Africa

Blogging. It's such a funny word and fickle thing. But it comes with great responsibility, too. I can use this platform I have to tear down or build up. And today I'm hoping there's a lot of building up: of people, of money, of prayers, and of encouragement. Let me introduce you to Carly...

/// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// ///

Hi guys! My name is Carly and I'm the blogger behind Texas Lovebirds. You might recognize me from Copycat Linkup, which I co-host each week with Mary. I'm a 7th grade Language Arts teacher turned SAHM to my son, Gunner. I love Dr. Pepper, reading, bad reality television, baby cuddles, and big bowls of cereal for dinner. At Texas Lovebirds, you'll find my thoughts on faith, motherhood, fashion, and whatever else crosses my mind. 

I'm so grateful that Mary is letting me take over her space today. What I'm sharing today is no small matter. It's not an easy DIY or a 30 minute meal, although those things are pretty awesome. What I'm sharing today is a calling, a calling to take care of the orphans.

Did you know that 8 out ofevery 10 children who have lost parents to HIV/AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa? In the sub-Saharan region there are more than 34 million orphans, 11 million of them have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. In fact, the number of orphans in sub-Saharan Africa would be declining were it not for HIV/AIDS. But because of the disease’s spread, the number of orphans is increasing exponentially. In sub-Saharan Africa, 12% of all children are orphans, compared with 6.5% in Asia and 5% in Latin America and the Caribbean (all statistics via UNICEF).

 

As a mother who feels called to international adoption (read more here), those stats are heartbreaking. I want to do something about it. And as a Christian, there is no doubt in my mind that we must do something about it. In fact, James 1:27 makes a Christian's role in orphan care pretty clear...it reads, "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."

So, I decided to do something about it. And so came the idea of "The Tattoo Project."

My goal is to raise $1,000 during the month of January. $1,000 provides for FOUR orphans for one year. The money will help provide safe housing, protection, food, education, spiritual direction, medical
attention and vocational training.

And what will I do when the funds are raised? I'll get that BIG tattoo I've always wanted. The tattoo I've always made excuses to not get. This project is now the motivation, the meaning behind that tattoo.

All donated funds will be directed to Mocha Club, a non-profit organization who is helping to rehabilitate the people of Africa in so many ways. If you'd like to read more specifics on how Mocha Club is taking care of the orphans, you can read about that here. They are doing some awesome work, and I am so excited to be a part. 

Today, I can excitedly tell you that almost three weeks into The Tattoo Project, $610 has been raised! That means TWO orphans are being provided for for ONE year. But, there's still work to do. There is still $390 to go until we reach our goal. There are still two orphans out there waiting for our help. 

You can help in two major ways...

1) SHARE! I'd love for you to blog, Tweet, Facebook, Instagram about this project and get the word out there! Share it with your friends, your family, your town. We need your help.

2) Today, I would love for you to prayerfully consider donating to The Tattoo Project. Every single bit helps, every single bit counts. All donations are tax deductible. 

Please know that your donation will go to these children, it will not, in any way, go toward the purchase of my tattoo. 

Again thank you to Mary for letting me take over her space, and thank you for letting me share my heart and my project!

Let me know if you stop by the blog. I'd love to say hello!

/// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// ///

$200 ad space giveaway action.

From one of my lovely sponsors, Lisette of Northern Belle Diaries.

You know you want to...

It's HERE!  The lovely friends and sponsors of Northern Belle Diaries have come together to bring to you over

$200 of ad space!

Today is also my birthday, the last one before 30 (eek! OK, I am a little excited) and I thought I'd treat all my lovely readers to a fun giveaway!  These bloggers are all awesome and have been so generous with offering a little real estate on their blogs.

The fine print:

*Open internationally

*You must follow Northern Belle Diaries via GFC or Bloglovin' to win.

*Winner WILL be verified.

1// Abbey  2// Ashley 3// Chrissy  4// Belinda  5// Alexa  6// BreAnna  7// Chymecindy  8// Helen  9// Alyse  10// Breanna  11// Diana  12// Mary  13// Andrea  14// Cara  15// Erin  16// Nicole  17// Shannon  18// Shanna  19// Sarah  20// Rachel  21// Kaitlyn  22// Tookie  23// Summer  24// Shannon 25// Lisette
$5 value ad from The Makings of a Mess
$6 value ad from It Is What You Make It
$15 value ad  from A Lil Dash of Diva
$4 value ad from Found Love. Now What?
200 x 200 ad from Southern Living Our Way
$7 value ad from Peacoats and Plaid
$20 value 2-months ad from a.k.a. Chymecindy
$5 value ad from Eat. Enjoy. Live.
$10 value ad from The Enchanted Owl
$5 value ad from Sweet Silver Lining
$12 value ad from Nanny2Mommy
$5 value ad from Trusty Chucks
$10 value ad from Glam Hungry Mom
$20 value ad from The Marvelous Flight of Cara
$10 value ad from Shades of Gray and a Pinch of Pink
$10 value ad from Pharr Away
$5 value ad from Imperfectly Perfect Grace
$10 value ad from Because Shanna Said So
$2 value ad from Love, Sarah K
$6 value ad from Rachel's Country Roots
$8 value ad from Wifessionals
$10 value ad from Oh My Tookies


$10 value ad from Simply Summer
$5 value ad from Polish and Sugar
$10 value ad from Northern Belle Diaries

polka dot pants & seven things

(polka dot pants: Kohls, blouse: Marshalls, heels: Target, necklace: Lisa Leonard Designs)

At my 6th grade basketball awards ceremony, I got the coveted "In Your Face" award for having the most blocks that season.

It was one of my finer moments and all due to skill and not the fact that I was just taller than everyone else.

I'm sure of it.

As a sophomore in high school, I earned the "Most Improved Writer" award with my friend Ryan for a couple hard-hitting pieces we did for our school's newspaper. One being on where to get the most burger for your money. We had a fancy graphic and everything. It was groundbreaking and saved tens of teens fifteen to twenty cents.

So it's probably no surprise to everyone (read: my mom), that I received another award a couple weeks ago.

The awesome Lena at Lena B, Actually, nominated me for this award. There are rules and obligations to this award, but I'm not very good at following the rules. So I'm just doing the part I want to do which is sharing seven random facts about myself because who doesn't like to talk about themselves as much as possible, right?

1. I talk in my sleep all the time. I used to sleepwalk pretty frequently too, but haven't done it in years. Although, I have recently started sleephitting. It's obviously lots of fun to sleep in a bed with me.

2. I'm tongue-tied, literally. Look it up for weird pictures.

3. If you don't know me in real life, you probably can't tell by pictures, but I'm really tall, like 5'11''. At some point after I turned 30, I realized that I wasn't getting any younger and if I wanted to wear heels, I needed to do it now. So I've been buying and wearing heels ever since. And I don't regret it one bit even if I'm occasionally 6'2''.

4. I don't care what time of year it is, I only take scalding hot showers. Like burn-your-skin-off hot. They are glorious.

5. I am addicted to diet Mt. Dew. You don't want to know how many I drink every day. (three to four)

6. I can't tell you the last time I did a load of laundry. Some of you just had a heart attack with that sentence, but I honestly can't remember the last time I did laundry. I know it was sometime in July, but not specifics. Because Chris is a stay-at-home dad and I work full time (and more), it's his responsibility to wash, dry, and put away clothes. I'm not going to lie, it's magical and I don't miss dirty clothes one teeny tiny bit.

7. I am obsessively neat and tidy. My house is never messy. It might be dusty, but never messy. I am constantly picking up after my children (and husband and dog), straightening books, fluffing pillows, and putting up toys. It's a sickness really. But on the plus side, my house is always ready for company.

So what do you think? Do you have any deep dark secret you need to share? Can you at least come up with something weird so I don't feel like such a freak right now?

back at ya, 2012 (+ survey + giveaway)

This year was big for Trusty Chucks--here's some numbers for you:

-I did my first (super-scary) outfit post on January 21st.

-My most viewed posts, hands down, are always outfit ones.  The five most popular ones I've done this year were Two Birds with One Stone, Pastels & Happy Clouds, The Black Maxi, Green Skinnies and the End of Teaching, and Pigeon Toed & Polka Dots.

-Pinterest went a little crazy for this post: pictures from this simple, yet cozy outfit have been repinned over 200 times.  That makes me giggle.  And then sweat a little.  But mostly giggle.

-The only non-outfit related post that got the same amount of traffic as the above posts is Come on Over, a tour of the inside of our house. (part two here.)

-The most commented post was Pigeon Toed & Polka Dots where I'm actually pretty grouchy.  Maybe that's why so many people chimed in.

-Carly at Texas Lovebirds and I started copycat linkup and have been having lots of fun with it.

-I did a series on money and it started some great conversations. 

-I got to attend The Influence Conference where I met some amazing people, learned about this blogging business, and got involved in some amazing new adventures.

I'm thankful that people continue to come here to read my words and know about our lives.  Sometimes I still find that funny: that people come back here.  That's very humbling.  Thank you.

For 2013: what would you like to see more of?  What questions do you have for me?  My brother is trying to convince me to do a vlog post, but I am pretty set against it--thoughts?  Would you mind taking a second and filling out this survey--you don't have to leave your name and it will only take a minute or two tops, I'd just like to know what you'd like to see more of, what you don't like to see (don't say my face...), what you'd like me to write about, and any ideas or suggestions you have.  I'm not going to pretend every topic I write about comes from my own ideas, I have some pretty awesome friends and readers that ask questions, suggest topics, or tell me stories that inspire my writing.  So if you wouldn't mind--tell me what you think! (And as a thank-you, I'll select one person to send a Thirty One bag [obviously, you'll have to leave your name if you want to win, but participation in the giveaway is optional].)

Take the survey here!
 

five for friday

1. This picture--oh my goodness.  If I had to have only one picture to sum up that little girl, it would be this one.  She has more attitude than her one-and-a-half year old body can hold.  (Also, random side note: if you're looking for a great kids' book, both my daughters love Hooray for Fish!by Lucy Cousins and it would make a perfect Christmas present.  There's just something in me that makes me want to share books, thank you for indulging that English teacher moment...)

2.  Are you guys shopping today? Did you already finish?! This is the first time in at least fifteen years that I haven't stayed up late or gotten up early for some deals.  Guys, this money series really is kicking our butts.  (Although, I did order two pairs of boots online yesterday, so I don't feel completely left out of all the chaos.)

3.  Thanksgiving day somehow turns into Thanksgiving week at our house, there's pitch-ins at work, there's lots of eating out, and then, of course, the never ending food of yesterday.  So today we're spending the morning at the gym paying for what we did this week.  I'm assuming the rest of the day will be spent on the couch unable to move.  Bonus: I won't be tempted to shop because my legs won't work.

4. Read any good books lately? For a while I was having a hard time finding books I wanted to read and now I seem to be on a mission to stock up on books.  Something about colder days makes me want to stay inside, wear sweatpants, and read good books.  Tell me what to read!

5. Did you guys notice the awesome new blog design from Royal Daughter Designs? Amanda did an amazing job and knew exactly how to translate all my random ideas into a beautiful new spread.  I highly recommend her for any of your blog needs.

Have a great weekend friends.

Linking up with High Five for Friday with From My Grey Desk blog.

about offering grace

The thing about grace, for me, is that I'm good at accepting it but bad at giving it.

And God, in all his infinite wisdom, uses our weaknesses to remake us in His image.

But dang, does it hurt...


I'm contributing to the Living Out His Love series on Marie Osborne's blog today--hop over there and finish reading my post.  (My comments are off so make sure you leave one on Marie's blog.)

five for friday

1. Halloween: well, that was fun.  And I can happily say that we ran out of candy again this year.  I always think we got too much and then always run out.  I would share cute costume pictures if I had them, but mostly what I have is crying kids or fuzzy, blinking parents.  So I'm sharing those. 

Ellie was Curious George and Harper was The Man with the Yellow Hat but she refused to wear the hat.  Something to do with her mother accidentally snapping her face with the rubber band that held it on.  It was quite tragic.

2.  My co-workers and I paid tribute to a fellow teacher's mustache on Wednesday.  Everyone loves a good 'stache, right?  Well, I got the red one (go figure) and suddenly turned into the Lorax from the Dr. Seuss book. 

That one's going to haunt you for a while, huh?  Me too.

3.  Since it's Friday and no one's going to get any work done anyway, why don't you head on over to check out my friend Brittany's blog.  She's got this crazy goal of raising $1600 to buy four women out of bondage.  And when she reaches her goal, she's fulfilling her dream of dying her hair hot pink.  I can't wait to see what God does through this project and through Brittany.  And see her hot pink hair, of course. 

4.  Tonight Chris and I are heading to our friends' Jeremy and Renae's wedding.  Can I just tell you how excited I am?  Dressing up, being with friends, no kids, watching two people who have dated for fourteen years get married, and watching my cute husband do a reading are all things that are making this Friday just a little bit sweeter.

5.  Did you guys catch my giveaway from yesterday?  I'm honored to have you here and thought I'd show the love by giving away some sweet prizes.  So get in on that since you deserve it!

Have a great weekend guys and be blessed.

Linking up with High Five for Friday with From My Grey Desk.

dots and appreciation

(cropped pants: Old Navy, shirt: Madewell, sweater: Old Navy, wedges: Kohls, necklace: Target, watch: Kohls, bangles: Rue 21)

Notice anything different about the right side of my blog? 

Look, it's ads!  It's like I'm a real blog or something.

You're right, it's probably just the something.  Definitely not a real blog.  Let's not get carried away here, folks.

But since it is the first of the month (did anyone just start singing that song in their head all hip-hop like?), I thought I'd do a little reader appreciate giveaway. 

Because I have some pretty loyal readers that need to be rewarded.

So here's what's up for grabs:

Selections From One Thousand Gift: Finding Joy in What Really Matters by Ann Voskamp

This book is excerpts from the hugely popular bestseller and full of beautiful pictures.  It's a quick inspirational read that would make a good pick-me-up for a bad day or a great gift for a friend that needs encouragement.

The Beauty Book by Nancy Rue

A book targeted to pre-teens, this book is all about encouraging girls to see past what Hollywood tells you is beautiful and see what God sees.  There's quizzes, activities, and illustrations, all things that make this look more like a magazine than book.  This book is pretty down on tattoos and it made me giggle when it talked about all the risks involved.  But definitely a good handbook for those awful and awkward pre-teen and teen years.

Love Came Down heart-shaped trivet from DaySpring

The nice thing about this trivet is you can put it out with your Christmas decorations and then keep it out until Valentine's day.  And who doesn't love a good trivet? (That sounded sarcastic, but I do love a good trivet for the dinner table...I just have a way of making things sound sarcastic even when I don't mean to. It's a gift.)

Cradle Rock CD lullaby versions of Michael Jackson songs

This is my favorite of the four gifts.  A lullaby version of Thriller and Billie Jean?  You guys need to hear this.  It's easy listening for your babes, but it's a Michael Jackson song so you won't be mad when it gets stuck in your head.  Because there's nothing worse than Row, Row, Row Your Boat on repeat.  I'm serious.  It's torture.

Is that the weirdest mix of gifts ever?  Yes, yes, it is.  A random mix of goods so I can make sure there's a little something for everyone.  And the rest can be Christmas presents if you want.  Or just horde them, they'll be yours after all.

Giveaway ends at midnight on November 4th.

Open to US residents only.

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becoming real-life friends

I don't know what you heard, but I did not try to kill anyone the first day of The Influence Conference. 

And if you hear different from anyone, they're lying.

I think I might have been half-asleep or drugged, but I offered, via The Influence Conference facebook page, to pick up some people that needed a ride from the airport to the hotel.  People I had never met before, didn't know anything about, and might not like.  It was a risky move, to say the least.

And you know what?  Some of the freaks I picked up happen to be my newest best friends.  Really.

I spend the morning shopping with this girl and then cleaning up a big puke mess in the van from Harper so that when I rolled up late to the airport, the first words out of my mouth were "sorry if my minivan smells like barf."  It obviously won them over because we were together the rest of the conference. 

I've always had a way with words, it's a gift.  A gift from God. (sarcasm)

I had no idea the relationships I would form while attending The Influence Conference.  True, real, important relationships.  And when it was over, it was a little like summer camp ending and not wanting to go home.  Who was going to chug large amounts of black tea with me?  Who was going to be completely inappropriate with me?  Who was going to braid my hair??

Okay, might have gone too far with that last one.  No one braided my hair.  But I'm sure if I had asked, Carly or Brittany would have been right there.

Can't wait until our road trip girls, see you soon.