ECCO Flip Flop Review

**All opinions are 100% mine.  I was not compensated in any way.**

Ok, the ECCO brand is new to me.  I'd heard of them before, but never tried 'em.  These flip flops are the most amazing shoe I've ever worn. 

On my feet all day, and I don't feel the need to kick off my shoes.  Soft and comfortable for hours at a time.  The adjustable buckle comes in handy to find the perfect fit.  The leather between your toes is hardly noticeable.  If you have a problem with flip flops normally, these might surprise you.  The straps go far enough up your foot that you don't have to "drag" your shoe along.

One thing to note is that for those who need a wide width, this shoe may not be for you.  You might find your foot hanging over the edge a bit.  It's worth a try though.  Just make sure you walk around the store long enough to get a good "feel."  (Wide width not available.)

Thankfully, I caught a marvelous Holiday sale and picked these up for $40.00.  While still a splurge for me (I'm used to garage sale bargains of $5 or less, or maaaaaybe $10 at Goodwill) it was worth every single dime!  These shoes are going to cushion my tootsies as often as possible this summer.  Forget those flat, uncomfortable, funny foam, cheapo looking "thongs" (as my Mother calls them.)  THIS year, I get a REAL shoe.

YOU can find these shoes named "Passion" on the ECCO website.  From their site you can find a store near you!  (Don't forget to look for an outlet store - maybe you'll be lucky enough to have one close by.)

Amazon also carries them.  And don't forget Ebay!

Gift Wrapping

I know that some folks just grab a gift bag and tissue when it come time for wrapping presents, that's their style.  Really, I don't like to do that.  Granted, with my busy life I do typically resort to the oh so common gifty bag, but deep in my heart I want to go all out with wrapping paper and all those grand extras! 

Such as these weddings gifts I wrapped.  They were taken to an indoor/outdoor chapel wedding this past May.


Pic snapped with my Mom's I-Phone!

 Sometimes the wrapping costs as much as the gift!  *sigh*  Even if you do go with the gift bag, they can run you $4 or $5, plus tissue paper, plus a card!  (Heeeello dollar store!) 

If you want to give wrapping your gifts a try, here are some nice ideas I found...

http://www.realsimple.com/



www.adelle.com/au



http://www.cathiefilian.blogspot.com/



http://www.marthastewart.com/

Get creative...send me pics of what you wrap.  And think outside the box - comics from the newspaper, craft paper, a cloth napkin or scarf, maps from that last vacation, etc.  Have fun!!!

Favorite Blogs

Here are a few of my favorite blogs, enjoy browsing!!!

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/

http://www.homemade.tipjunkie.com/

There are MORE...just look on the left side of my page to see the links!

What are YOUR favorite blogs to follow?  Tell me...

When It's Sunset in Hawaii



Snapped out the car window off the coast of Molokai.



Small island is Niihau, I loved the swirling clouds!

Thanks for Hawaiian memories, Honey!

Knee Time

On My Knees
Words and music by Rory Noland
Willow Creek Music (Album: "A Place To Call Home")

When so many voice surround me
Screaming for attention all at once
Makes me long for some time with my Lord
And that old chair by the window where I go
To be with Him alone

On my knees is where I wanna be
When this life overwhelms me
I can pour my heart out, and bare my soul
To the one who loves me
On my knees

Just me and the Lord in a quiet place
That's the best way I could ever start my day
But when life moves so fast I can't catch my breath
That appointment seems to be the first to go
And it's what I need the most

Oh, I can pour my heart out
And bare my soul
To the One who loves me
On my knees
On my knees
On my knees
On my knees

This is a song that comes to mind so often.  Sometimes I catch it on the radio.  It isn't very popular, but then again, most of the songs I like don't make it to the "Top 10 Charts!"

Last night my husband and I had a discussion.  We talked about knees.  He was kneeling down on the floor by the bed trying to plug in his phone charger.  And "it" dawned on him, here I am on my knees for a phone, but I can't get on my knees to pray to my Lord.

We then began talking about other reasons we get on our knees - to bathe our baby girl, to scrub the floor, to use our lap top (out of the way of little hands,)  to repair the car and to reach behind the couch to get that lost object.  Then it's that silly printer again, or maybe "busted" plumbing under the bathroom sink.  What about our crying child who needs a hug or puppy who needs a good scratch behind the ears?  When my husband proposed, he was on his knees before me.  During the day, we find ourselves on our knees, somehow.

It just struck us how often knees play into the equation, and yet how little of that "knee time" is spent humbly before God.

Our world is so stuck on "me."  The customer is always right, food the way YOU want it, what ever feeeeels right to you muuuust be right for you, follow your heart, you deserve it, and on and on.  We should quit with the "me time" and get on to some "knee time!?  (Preachin' to myself here.)

Baby Shower - Revisited

Originally posted on my previous blog, I wanted to bring these pics over here too!

Last year I co-hosted this baby shower in my home.  All decorating ideas and crafty things were me.  (With help from various online sources, naturally!)  A mutual friend of our mom-to-be shared the load by being in charge of the invites, cake and cupcakes!  They both helped with set-up, food prep and clean up. 

Tip: If you want to throw a good shower, have plenty of good help from planning through bye-bye!  *smiles*

Red and teal were chosen as the primary colors - two of my all-time favs!  "Oh Joy, It's a Boy!"  was our slogan.  A touch here and there of birds and eggs were thrown in too!




Guest's view as they came through the door.



Vintage suitcase - the mother now uses it to hold those special momentos from her son's baby years.

  

This was my first diaper cake! 




Name tags.





 

Cupcakes and cake were professionally made by a local bakery.  Cupcake toppers were from Etsy.





Beverages at the kitchen bar.





Food table.



Wood Block Photo Frame and Canvas Art (Copy cat!)

Admittedly, I'm a copy cat.  Yup.  Here and there you can find my inspiration. 



Now atop my refrigerator!

The canvas art was fun and simple to make.  I didn't invest in expensive foam stamps, just bought the cheap-o's from Hobby Lobby.  Since I'd never tried this line of craft before I didn't want to spend a lot just in case this wasn't going to be up my alley.  I had fun and it stretched me a bit.  I've seem to have lost some of my crafty-creativity and enjoyed gettin' back into the swing of things.

Actually, this was simple!  Sanding on the canvas was trickier than expected as the canvas would stretch and it wore around the wooden frame underneath.  Stamping was easy.  Practice beforehand was the key for me!  Because of the cheap stamps, my method was odd, but it worked in the end.

Obviously, I didn't take any "step-by-step" photos.  Forgot to!  *smiles*  But, it spurred on the following project!



Already given as gifts and one is on my mantle.





My husband went about and beyond helping me with these.  Pulling out the router was his idea.  He even picked the style!  (The router usage was not in the original idea from ByStephanieLynn.)   I opted for a thicker rougher twine, as that's what we had on hand.



Waiting for the paint to dry was the hardest part for me.  Of course, I didn't use the saw or the router, my sweet man did.  *winks*  In the end I was proud of the project we did together!