Spring Fling Swap

My awesome bloggy friends, Erin from Sweetness Itself and L from All Glorious Within came up with the brilliant idea that is the Spring Fling Flip Flop Gift Swap. The idea behind it was to celebrate spring, make new friends, and send some sweet encouragement to our new friends! The only requirement was to send a pair of flip flops and to spend around $25-$30 on the gift. 

I was paired with Rachel from Along the Way with Rae. She is such an amazing woman! She's studying to be a teacher, loves the Lord and has a blog just radiates inspiration. You should definitely go check her out and see what I sent her! 

 

Yes this lovely lady! 


I actually got my spring fling package in the mail as I was on my way out of the house. The suspense was killing me as I drove with it just sitting beside me in the car so I had to pull over into a parking lot and open it!

I was not disappointed. Rachel spoiled me with some of my favorite things! She even sent a sweet card saying thank you for her package. 

A pair of gorgeous flip flops with gold braided straps-  perfect for a breezy look

They even take your attention away from my chipped pedicure!

Rachel loves coffee as much as I do and included a lovely coffee mug 

with pretty flowers on it. New favorite!

And a precious knit coffee sleeve. With a mint heart. Love.

(ok so there's not really anything in that jar... but I HAVE used it that way. Just pretend!)

And some pretty pretty matching earrings- gold leaves and mint/gold hoops

Swoon!

THANK YOU so much Rachel for the amazing gifts you sent. They've already ALL been used. I'm truly grateful to have been partnered with you for this! I'm looking forward to continuing our friendship!

And the winner of the missions supporting giveaway is....

Ashley! 

Congrats, girl! Email me and I'll get your prizes shipped out to you as soon as possible!

Easter and Other Happy Things

This Easter was so good. 

First off, I woke up on my own which never happens

and I had time in the morning to get cute, go get coffee, 

come back home and make breakfast tacos. And get to church early. 

It was beautiful.

It was the first year that I haven't been in charge of anything in a long time 

(besides making some costume accessories for our drama team).

Our church scaled back- 

no community Easter egg hunt, no sunrise service, no grand musical productions.

But I was so grateful for this. 

It focused our hearts away from the services and activities and onto our Savior. 

We took the Lord's Supper and had a drama about the Roman soldiers guarding Jesus' tomb.

There were only two actors in the production, and they did an amazing job!

But even without all the fanfare and glitz and candy and busyness

Jesus was glorified

His name was lifted up

and we were reminded that Jesus conquered death!

I got to wear this beautiful floral dress that y'all insisted I go back and buy

(When I went back to the store is was marked down from $35 to $19... score! 

Good things come to those who wait!)

Other miscellaneous, lovely things from my week:

I got to hang out with my brilliant and beautiful little cousins

They are seriously the best

We played Trouble, watched movies, and made puff ball animals. So fun!

Pretty new spring nail polish

Austin Restaurant Week date with my roomie at Botticelli's!

During ARW, lots of top-notch Austin restaurants create a menu 

highlighting some of their best menu items and offer it at a reduced price.

This is still more than I'd normally pay for a meal... 

and I felt poor sitting at the [white tablecloth-ed, multiple forks, 

extensive wine menu] restaurant

but it was way fun and definitely a culinary experience!

And you know how much I love food ;) 

seared sea scallop with grilled strawberries

roasted beet salad with fennel and Parmesan

mushroom stuffed ravioli with the best cream sauce eva'

white chocolate raspberry cheesecake

It was delicious. I was so glad I wore an elastic banded skirt. 

Bluebonnets!

I took these three guys to the Youth Ministry Lab at SWBTS 

and they were awesome and let me stop and take pictures in the bluebonnets.

How was your Easter? I'd love to hear how you celebrated!

linkin up!