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| Basic Invite |
Happy Friday friends! Today I am so delighted to introduce y'all to Basic Invite, which is a company that I just recently discovered that is so delightful! Basic Invite is a beautiful branding company with stationary, envelopes, invitations, announcements, and much more. There is truly quality in their products and I was so impressed with what I received from the sample kit that I ordered.
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| Basic Invite |
For my sample kit I chose to focus on different types of note cards that I could use for my businesses and was simply amazed at the unlimited color choices that there were. For a new company that I am starting I have a very particular color scheme in mind and I really didn't think that it could be found on the internet. Imagine my surprise and delight to discover that there it was on Basic Invite's website! Y'all I had checked other websites to no avail so this was simply amazing! If you are looking to design a unique and beautiful card, stationary, invitation or special announcement and are concerned about a special color I have no doubt you will find it among the 180 different color choices!
Curious if there will be an envelope to match your color scheme? The exciting thing is that Basic Invite has over 40 different color envelopes so that you can "finish" out the look you are going for!
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| Basic Invite |
As I mentioned above I placed a sample order to try out several different designs. I loved the fact that Basic Invite allows customers to order an actual printed sample of what you are looking to purchase so that you can discover the paper quality and also how things will look in "real printed" life.
I was so impressed with the samples that I received, the way that they were packaged and the incredible high class look of my samples that I can't wait to place an order. If you want to see some of their work on social media check out there Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter sites!
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There are so many additional things that Basic Invite also has for it's customers including address capturing service. Have y'all heard of this? Basic Invite offers this service that allows customers to share a link on social media to request friends and loved ones addresses. Then those addresses are stored in your account and can be selected through the design service! AND guess what? Basic Inviteoffers recipient address printing at NO cost on all card orders! Can you believe that??
I was absolutely so impressed with Basic Invite, the ease of the website and the quality of cards that I received. I am already planning my full order and can't recommend them enough. If you are looking for gorgeous and yet cheap Christmas cards check out Basic Invite's website! The pictures scattered throughout this post are some of my favorite holiday pic cards that I found!
And right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51 so happy ordering friends!
PS. Already ordered your Christmas cards? Check out their holiday cocktail party invites for that special party you may be throwing this season!
*Thank you to Basic Invite for sponsoring this post. All of the opinions expressed in this post are honest and are my own.*
And as we approach this holiday season with Thanksgiving before us tomorrow, I am well aware that many of you are having some broken-hearted private broken moments behind the scenes. You are bravely and courageously putting on a smile, cooking the huge thanksgiving meal, facing the happy crowds of people in the stores and at your work, but inside you are weeping.
In my own life it seems like this past year has been the most difficult of my life...there have been more tears than smiles, more sobbing than laughter, and more hopelessness than happiness. Some of these things have been public (like the loss of my precious daddy) and some have been extremely personal and private. I find myself fighting back tears as I struggle to hold on to hope and faith and I weep with those of you who find yourselves in a similar place this holiday season.
I get it. I really do. It is hard to face and find thanksgiving when you are brokenhearted and when your dreams feel like they are turning to dust and everything around you is seemingly in ashes. Maybe like me you may be having a few crying sessions that come from the deep recesses of your heart.
Maybe you are a mama who longs to have reconciliation with a child and the holidays remind you of the deep wounds that still exist. You wonder if the holidays will ever hold joy again as you watch families gather and you see the empty seat of the child you raised before you.
Maybe you are in a marriage where you long to have things thriving and you find that instead of moving forward together you find yourselves drifting farther and farther apart. As you watch happy couples before you, you doubt if joy could ever be found again in your relationship.
Or maybe you are unemployed and have been trying so hard to find a job with no luck. You dread the upcoming holidays as you struggle to provide for daily needs let alone the "extras" and struggle to have hope.
Maybe you are struggling through the heartbreaking road of infertility and dread checking the mailbox for the holiday cards that announce more and more births. You weep as you hold the cards, longing for the child you have always prayed for.
Maybe you are walking through a loss from many years ago or recently that still has your heart shattered like we are.
Maybe you are still walking through the journey of chronic illness and struggling through pain and sickness that no one can understand.
Maybe you are heading to a thanksgiving family gathering that you are dreading. Maybe you are single and longing for the thanksgiving family gathering and find yourself alone again this holiday with no invitations or promises of things changing.
Maybe, well maybe, there are reasons that are to painful to discuss and you want to have this holiday season pass as quickly as possible.
This week I was talking with a dear friend and she said something that I have been reflecting on ever since. She said (in tears) after an unimaginably difficult situation has arisen, "I just don't understand Rebecca. Why is life so easy for some people and so hard for others?" I cried with her, understanding exactly what she means and where her heart is at. Some of you reading this are nodding your heads as you are wondering the same thing.
Life is hard. In my own personal life these past ten years have been filled with difficult circumstance after difficult circumstance. Some of these things I have shared in my books and on the blog- like an ex-fiance' who walked out just a few short months before our wedding to fighting several diseases and illnesses to shattered pain and loss and to dealing with such severe pain and sickness to the loss of my hero, my daddy ...that there have been days that I have wondered if I will be able to take another breath.
Other things have not been shared in such a public space because they are so incredibly personal and private. Recent days have brought its own challenges and heartbreaks. Life does. Things happen that seem so insurmountable that we think that we will never recover or heal and it often seems like there is tragedy at every corner and heartbreak instead of laughter is what our future holds.
And yet in this hurt... in these circumstances where it feels like we can't even breathe... there is a thanksgiving that can be found. Not in the food or the circumstances that we long or wish for but in the gift of faith.
I came across Psalm 26:3 a couple of years ago which states; "For I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance of your faithfulness." I have read this verse once a month for the past five years but this time it really jumped out at me. I was stopped in my tears and forced to ponder... Am I really always mindful of God's unfailing love? And... if I was wouldn't I be viewing some things in my life that I am going through in a different way?
In tears and a shattered heart that is hurting I can admit that yes, I would.
In admitting this I am forced to see the concept of Thanksgiving and gratitude in a completely different way then I have considered before. Instead of just listing out my thankfulness I am forced in the painful brokenhearted season to write lists etched deep in my heart of the Lord's goodness and mercy to me each and every day. To be always mindful - not just for this day or for Thanksgiving tomorrow but for each and every day.
Henry Ward Beecher once said:
"The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!"
Maybe right now in your grief there isn't anything that you can think of to thank Him for or to find the good in right now. That is okay friends. It truly is. I am reaching out across this space to give you a gentle hug. I am struggling myself a lot as we approach this first thanksgiving without my precious dad and climbing this mountain with you. I am confident that despite our heartache we will find that as we look to God's faithfulness we will find grace that will meet us each moment.
For it is in this tender grace that we will find true thanksgiving. Not for a thing or a circumstance or a person. But for Him.
For Faith.
For love.
For Hope.
For Faith.
For love.
For Hope.
Each and Every day.
"So I never lose sight of your love, Your faithfulness has steadied my steps..."
-Psalm 26:3, the passion translation-
-Psalm 26:3, the passion translation-
Happy Monday friends! I hope that you have had a wonderful week and are excited for this weekend! Today I am excited to share with y'all our sail away experience from our time on our Holland America Cruise.
It was an absolutely beautiful day for a cruise departure and seeing Montreal from the water was so neat. It is interesting that we have been to Montreal so many times yet had never gone to the port on a cruise so it was a really neat experience to have. The day, as I said, was a warm sunny day so it really made for a beautiful sail away.
If you are not familiar with the Port of Montreal, it is a port that is located on the St. Lawrence River and is operated by the Montreal Port Authority. What is interesting is that the port originally was in the historic area (now known as the "Old Port of Montreal"), but over the years the port has expanded due to the vast growth of the number of ships that come in and out of this port. The port of Montreal is now along the waterfront and as you are on the ship cruising out (or in depending on when you leave or arrive) you can see the multiple number of restaurants, shops, water related activities, the La Grande Ferris Wheel, and many other lovely things to experience in Montreal.
This was probably one of my favorite "sail away" experiences that I have had on a cruise vacation. Boaring the Zaandam had been so peaceful, easy, and lovely and that just continued to be the theme as we did our sail away. It was fun and relaxed and really was just a lovely sail away that set the tone for the remainder of the cruise.
There was a huge concert going on as we pulled out in the early evening and it was so fun to see from the boat!
As we approached the bridge it looked like it was going to hit! It was incredible to see us smoothly sail under the bridge yet it be so close!
After spending a lot of time absorbing the incredible beauty that we were seeing we headed in to meet up with rest of the press team in the captains lounge which was incredible. It was truly a beautiful evening a beautiful sailaway time from the Port of Montreal!
Thank you so much for reading! I can't wait to share more with y'all about our cruise with Holland America! It was simply lovely!
Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
It's that time of year again, a time for eating, drinking, and being merry - which it's great; it's a lot of fun; however, it does make it difficult to stick to healthy eating habits and exercise regimes. Of course, Christmas is the time to enjoy yourself, so you need to find a balance so you can do that but at the same time as staying fit and healthy.
Think about what you eat and drink
With so much food and drink right at your fingertips, it can be tempting to overindulge. Whilst indulging is only natural, a little mindfulness can go a long way. If you feel full or bloated and sluggish, stop eating or drinking, don't do it for the sake of it.
Make sure you eat a good breakfast
Instead of reaching for the chocolate first thing in the morning, start the day right, and you might be more inclined to stay healthy for the rest of the day, but if not, at least you've had some goodness inside you. Try a healthy omelet full of vegetables, or a good helping of berries and probiotic yogurt will work wonders for your digestive system and keep the gastroenterology doctor away.
Make Good Choices
Remember, it's not all bad food over Christmas, there's plenty of vegetables with Christmas Dinner, and at buffets, there will always be healthier options. You don't have to miss out on the naughty stuff, but just make sure you have plenty of vegetables too.
Go For Walks
Don't be hard on yourself if you find it difficult to get your regular workouts in, after a big Christmas lunch, why not go for a big family walk? The movement will help to keep your heart healthy and burn a few extra calories, not to mention the benefits of a breath of fresh, winter air.
Drink plenty of water
Water really is a miracle worker when it comes to health and fitness. Drinking plenty of water can help to keep your metabolism moving, meaning that you are less likely to pile on as many pounds after Christmas dinner. What's more, with more alcohol flowing and later nights, keeping hydrated is essential for staying awake and alert to enjoy all the fun during the day.
Enjoy yourself
Whilst it is important to eat healthily and stay active, there's also such a thing as "everything in moderation." Make sure you take the time to enjoy yourself during the holidays and embrace the time you have with friends and family. It only comes once a year, so don't worry about it too much, there's always time to undo the damage.
Get Back On Track
You don't have to wait until January to get back to your normal routine, remember that Christmas Day is just one day and while there will be other occasions around that time, there will be somewhere you have no plans and can get on with your normal routine. Do it where you can and then get back to normal as soon as possible.
*contributed post*
With so many bad temptations always available in modern life, it can be easy to fall into a negative cycle and begin to lose your way. Getting back on track can be tough, as often the behaviour becomes addictive, and this makes it almost impossible to break free from your bad habits. However, you do not have to struggle for much longer, as there are a few simple concepts that can help you to get set in the right direction towards healing and positivity. So, if you’re ready to make a change and want to know where to start, then read on for some of the best top tips to begin your journey to freedom today.
You Don’t Have To Do It On Your Own
One of the most important things you must remember whilst trying to overcome any big obstacle is that you are not on your own. There are people around you that want to see you succeed, and they will surely be there by your side if you take the courage to ask for their help. You do not need to feel any guilt about your need for support, as you are simply in the process of healing, and this process will be much faster and easier if you aren’t on your own. If you’re battling health issues from detrimental eating habits, ask a family member to embark upon a healthy eating challenge with you - having someone else doing the same practice as you can really aid in making you feel less alone, and you can share the similar problems that you face along the way whilst figuring out solutions together. Contacting a professional to guide you with cognitive behavioural therapy for addiction will give you such a higher chance of getting sober, as this can be one of the hardest experiences somebody can face alone.
Replace The Negatives With Positives
Replacing your old negative habits with new positive ones will help to give you something more beneficial and rewarding to focus on, which in turn can aid you in staying on track and not going back to your bad ways. Obviously the activities you choose will be completely individual to your own unique preferences, but just ensure that they are on a completely different scale to what you used to get up to. Taking part in self care activities can be great for your mental health, and there are so many different things you can do to look after yourself better. As well as this’d doing some volunteer work can be an extremely uplifting experience, and spending your time doing something that can improve the life of someone else is one of the best feelings ever.
Breaking free from your bad habits doesn’t have to be as stress inducing as you might think. Follow the vital steps above to lay the best foundations for change, and remember to get up each time you fall down. There are always going to be bumps in the road, but the feeling you will get at the end of your journey will make it all so worth it.
*contributed post*
Happy Saturday friends! As I am happily finishing up all of my journals and junk journals that will be going into the shop for this Christmas season, I thought it would be fun to share one of the most popular Christmas junk journals from last year! This "Merry Christmas Junk Journal" was a favorite and sold within a few minutes of being listed! I was so delighted it went to a happy home!
It is always fun to look back on some of the creations from previous years and I can't wait to show you in the next few days all of the new and exciting junk journals for the 2019 Christmas Collection starting TOMORROW!
So without any more delay here is a look back at one of my favorites from the 2018 Christmas Junk Journal collection...
Happy Monday friends! Today I am so excited to share with you one of those fun and cute Christmas additions to the shop! This adorable Merry Christmas Junk Journal is now available for purchase! (You can find it HERE!)
Y'all know how much I love creating different and unique journals and altered books. These beautiful and unique journals are the perfect way to grab onto ordinary moments or days and remember special times in life, especially during this holiday season!
This beautiful Merry Christmas Junk Journal is a Christmas Lovers Dream. I knew it would make a special Junk Journal for this holiday season.
I fell in love with the precious pictures, the detailed illustrations, and the vibrant colors of this classic book that has delighted happy Christmas lovers for generations.
This Merry Christmas Junk Journal contains approximately 150 pages that includes quality and beautiful scrapbook paper, adorable vintage and modern embellishments and tags, original book pages, cards, ribbon (both vintage and unique modern) and pretty surprises, this Junk Journal will create a treasured keepsake for a lifetime and can be used throughout the holiday season and year.
You can easily add in pictures and quick notes so that you can remember the special days forever.
This Junk Journal would create a treasured keepsake for a lifetime and can be used throughout the holiday season (for special holiday parties or a special occasion) or as a December Daily album for those who may be participating in that!
Oh and did I mention the size?!? At 6x4 it is the perfect mini junk journal!
No matter how you would use this junk journal it would be precious. *smiles*
If you are interested in this Merry Christmas Junk Journal can find it HERE.
If you are interested in looking at other Christmas items in the shop you can find them HERE! A video of this junk journal is available on my new Youtube page which you can find HERE!
Happy Monday friends! I hope that you have a wonderful day!
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