Party Awards

I recently received two awards for parties I've thrown for my kiddos!

Birthday Express gave me the "Best Birthday" badge for my Sea Monster party for Nolan.

 

Shindigz gave me the "Party Expert Approved" badge for my Lego party for Nolan.

   

I'm excited to receive these honors!  Check out these websites for all your party needs. ;)

Jessica 

Blog Spotlight: Jones Design Company

My amazing friend Leslie just sent me a link to the blog Jones Design Company, and it is awesome!

About JDC:

"Jones Design Company began as a small stationery design business in 2001. As my family has grown and my creative interests have expanded JDC has taken on a new identity as a lifestyle blog. This has become a delightful place to document projects, share ideas, offer my designs and hopefully make you smile along the way. You will find many free printable downloads, tutorials for simple and inexpensive projects, as well as my musings on family, faith, motherhood, design and the randomness that is my life."

This is Emily, the author and designer of Jones Design Company:

She wrote this note on the bottom of her blog:

"I love sharing my life on the blog - my thoughts, my struggles, my successes and those moments in between. My hope is that you will leave here feeling inspired and encouraged and perhaps like we're friends, even if we've never met. Please come back to visit soon!"

I had fun browsing her blog, reading some of her writing, and checking out her tutorials.  Suddenly I realized that I have been on her site before to see her Painted Wallpaper Tutorial!

I really really like her style.  I love her use of modern patterns, colors, and fonts.  

I'm a font junkie, not that you would know since I haven't figured out how to incorporate different fonts on my blog.  In the JDC shop I found two fantastic fonts that Emily has created.

Guess what else I found in her shop...

Does that verse sound familiar?  It's part of the section of Philippians that follows me wherever I go.

I've been working on photos to share with you from my birthday party.  And for the first time ever, I will post a picture of myself on my blog.  Stay tuned!

Jessica

Blog Spotlight: Beautifully Rooted

I just discovered this amazing blog called Beautifully Rooted.

It's "a place for women to deepen their relationship with their Savior through encouraging words, inspiring projects & creative vision."

The blog consists of posts from tons of talented guest bloggers.  It's a lot of reading, but well worth it.  I got choked up several times in the 15-ish minutes I spent scanning recent posts.  It's definitely a place to be encouraged, challenged, and reminded of what's important. 

Jessica

Blog Spotlight: Lil Blue Boo

I love to read craft blogs.  I get so inspired when I see what other people are making.  I have approximately 9,000 tutorials bookmarked as projects/techniques I would like to try.  I have another 3,000 blogs bookmarked as sites that I love to visit.

Lil Blue Boo is one of those bookmarked blogs.  

I have visited this site, run by the beautiful Ashley, many times over the last couple of years because she has fantastic tutorials and really cool projects.

Ashley, Lil Blue Boo Editor/Designer/DIYer

Last year proved to be an extremely tough year for Ashley.  She suffered a miscarriage, her father passed away unexpectedly, and then what she thought was another pregnancy turned out to be nasty uterus-eating cancer.  After she nearly died on the operating table while doctors performed an emergency hysterectomy, she had to jump right into chemotherapy.  

And in the midst of all that, do you know what her motto is?

That's right.  Her motto is "Choose Joy."  Click here to read her awesome post about choosing joy.

I have spent hours reading Ashley's incredible posts on Lil Blue Boo.  I get that super-concentration look on my face (and occasionally tear up), and my husband will say, "You're on that cancer blog, aren't you?"  I always defensively reply, "Yes, and she would not appreciate you calling it that."

I encourage you to watch Ashley's Rite of Passage video.  But have a box of tissues nearby.  I full-out ugly cried when I watched it.  Not because she was sad.  Because she was so strong.

And while you're on Lil Blue Boo, check out some of her fantastic tutorials.  Ashley is one of those women who accomplishes so much in a single day that I can't figure out how it's even possible, even if she never slept.

Oh, and did I mention she has her own clothing line??  The spring line of Lil Blue Boo was just released.  I need this outfit for my daughter:

Only One of Me in All Time Pink Tee

Parlez-Vous Français - Reversible Bubble Skirt

I hope you enjoy exploring Lil Blue Boo as much as I do!

Jessica

Blog Spotlight: Moms By Heart

 Lori, the author of the brilliant blog Moms By Heart, is my hero.

My obsession admiration began a while back when my family (like so many others) was really struggling financially.  I wanted to be able to stretch our dollars to provide everything my kids need, but I didn't want to be a crazy coupon hoarder (sorry).

Lori is a super mom who balances raising five children and running a fantastic blog (and I'm sure 152 other things).  She occasionally shares stories from her personal/family life, and I really enjoy her writing.  At the end of last year, I printed out her series called In-Law Survival Guide and discussed it in my Sunday school class as we were encouraging each other to make the most of Christmas with difficult family members.

Click to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.  Funny and helpful.  And applicable to more than just in-laws and for times other than Christmas.

If you want to know more about what kind of blog Lori runs, read her post entitled "6 Reasons You Should Not Subscribe To This Blog."  It will make you subscribe immediately.

I check Moms By Heart daily (usually twice per day) to see what Lori has rounded up.

A quick glance at the blog will show you all the current sales and best deals on items such as clothing, toiletries, food, and toys.  She also features tutorials and free printables from other great blogs.  

One stop to Moms By Heart might help you buy some clothes for your kids (on sale plus an additional discount code with free shipping), snag some free makeup for yourself, figure out what to make for dinner tonight, and make cute decorations or treats for the next holiday.  

When you have a few minutes, I suggest that you explore the whole blog.  You'll find helpful information about how couponing works, how to earn money from home, how to get the best deals at your local stores, as well as tons of helpful information about homemaking (recipes, meal planning, cleaning, crafts, entertaining kids, etc.).  

The thing I love most is Lori's attitude of sharing whatever she finds that might help someone else.  I think life can be tough sometimes, so we might as well help each other along.

More of my favorite blogs to come!