What the Bible says about Tassels

Last weekend, I had the awesome opportunity to be a vendor at the Refresh Conference at Simpsonville First Baptist.  The weekend long conference was dedicated to creating community for adoption and foster parents.  I met so many wonderful ladies and I feel like I learned so much about how God calls on people to love and serve one another.

Another thing that I learned last weekend, was the symbol of the tassel and I was so surprised when I found out that the Bible mentions tassels in numerous places!

• Matthew 9:20 "Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe (tassel) of his cloak." Verse 22 reads, "Take heart daughter, your faith has healed you."  

• Numbers 15:39-41 "It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes...so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.  I am the Lord, your God."

How amazing is that?   From now on, the significance of a tassel will not just be an idea of something "trendy" to me.   It now has a beautiful meaning of our importance to God, and how it can always be a reminder of Him.

I've loved creating tassel jewelry and pretty much all things tassel!   This week, I shipped out a custom tassel keychain and included these verses on a card for my client.  How amazing to do what you love and share God's word too!

Check out my Etsy shop for all things tassel, and even some tassel bookmarks for your Bible!

New Desk Space

In 2015, I wrote a blog post explaining my first DIY furniture refinishing experience.  I loved refinishing an antique China cabinet from my great aunt and a table that was my great grandmother's.
I'm one of those people that actually really enjoys painting!  Walls, furniture, a canvas.  It doesn't matter!  

Yes, I'm the friend that everyone calls on when they're painting their house, because they know I like to do it...  

Anywho!

A couple of weeks ago, a friend posted on Facebook that she was getting rid of a desk.  I jumped on this opportunity, because I've been using my small computer desk, and drawing table in my office for over two years.   I usually sat on the floor to wrap up items or strand beads.  I really didn't realize how excited I would be to actually have more desktop space!  It also has brought back all the feelings of going to work in an office.  All of my cute desk decor that I used when I worked as a Marketing Director have just been stuck in the closet because of the stinging reminder of how hard it hurt to lose my job.  Now, I'm getting those things out and thinking about how far I've come and what God has next for me and this adventure!

Here's how I did it!

The items that I used to refinish the desk are:

• Kilz primer
• Valspar white interior paint
• Small cabinet paint roller and tray
• Paint brush

First, I removed all of the drawer pulls.  Then, I brushed one coat of Kilz over the entire desk.

I waited 24 hours and rolled the desk with the Valspar white paint.  I ended up applying 4 coats of white paint.  I really wanted to make sure that it was coated thoroughly!

Here's the finished product!  I'm still getting this side of my office decorated and situated, but I love it!

6.30.17 Friday Favorites

I think I should rename these posts "Monthly Favorites." haha!

Blogging is no joke when you're working, a photographer, jewelry designer, painter, doing graphic design, and being a wife.  It's hard to make time to fit it all in and I feel like it's gotten even more difficult during the Summer months!

Here's my Friday Favorites list of the things that have caught my eye and made me swoon throughout the month of June.  Hey, that rhymes!

1. A Blissful Nest - Kitchen Inspiration

I've always loved a round or bay window sitting area in any room of the house.  So, I fell in love with this beautiful white kitchen, with mint island, and round breakfast nook area, that A Blissful Nest shared this month.  She has the most gorgeous home inspiration on her blog.  Can I please just vacation in this kitchen though?!

2.  Off the Shoulder Top from Target

I've been such a sucker for the off the shoulder trend this Summer!  I love this blue and white striped off the shoulder top, with cut out embroidery, from Target.  I found it at my local Target and they didn't have my size.  So, I ordered it online and it's the perfect top for the Summer!  It's super cute with navy shorts or white pants if you want to dress it up a little more.  Best part is that it's only $24.99!  (If you plan on purchasing, you might want to go down a size, because it does runs a little big.)

3. Nike In-Season Trail 6

If you know me, you know that I have been faithful to Mizuno for my running shoes.  Now, I still don't think anything can replace them for running...  However, I love these Nike In-Season Trail 6 shoes for walking and everyday wear.  They have a sleek and trendy design and are super comfortable!  The coral color sold me on these, but I literally just bought another pair,  in black and white this week.  They have a memory foam insole which is simply amazing!  I have been wearing them every chance I get! 

4. Hazel and Olive Paradise High Low Palm Maxi Dress

Hazel and Olive always have the cutest outfits and tops!  When they posted this dress on Instagram this week, I instantly thought I needed it for a beach trip this Summer, or maybe a cruise...  I wanted to plan a vacation around this dress!  I love the palm print and the high low cut of it.  So stinkin cute!

5.  Iced Coffee Recipe

This week, my mom decided to make iced coffee and made up her own recipe.  The results were amazing!  I can't get enough of it!  Check out my blog post for the recipe here.

6.   Pearl and Gold Oyster Shell Necklace

Us Southern girls love our pearls.  You know what else I've been loving lately?  Oyster shells!  I've made several oyster shell necklaces lately, and this one might just be my favorite!  Check it out in my Etsy shop!

Iced Coffee Recipe

Last week, my mom made the best iced coffee ever!  She was tired of paying crazy prices for different brands at the store that had all kinds of preservatives in them.

So, she decided to make it herself and the results were amazing!

Ingredients -

• Coffee
• Ice
• Fat free milk
• Can of sweetened condensed milk
• Vanilla flavoring

Here's the recipe:

• Make a full pot of coffee (regular or decaf, whichever you prefer).

• After the coffee is brewed, pour the coffee into a pitcher or gallon container, and add ice cubes to cool faster.

• In a bowl, pour in a can of sweetened condensed milk, a cup of fat free milk,  a teaspoon of vanilla and mix together.

• Pour the sweetened condensed milk, fat free milk, and vanilla mixture into the fully cooled pitcher of coffee.

• You can add more fat free milk to the pitcher until its full, or is the desired color or taste.

You could also add chocolate for a mocha flavor! 

5.26.17 Friday Favorites

Happy Friday yall!  I've been swamped lately and haven't had time to compile my Friday Favorites list, but this week, I wanted to make sure that I got it together!  It's almost June!  I hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend!

Here's this week's Friday Favorites list... The things that caught my eye and made me swoon this week.

1. Tiffany Blue Kitchen on Better Homes & Gardens

When Better Homes & Gardens posted this beautiful kitchen this week, I fell in love!  The Tiffany blue accent wall, with the white cabinets is just classic and clean.  I'm always a sucker for a subway tile backsplash and dark wood floors too.  Love everything about it!

2.  Pulte Homes Office Space

As much as I love my office, how cool is this area that Pulte Homes posted on Facebook this week? I'm in need of more storage space for shipping supplies for my Etsy orders, and for more cabinet space, in general to organize better.  This would be perfect!

3. Abbey Grim's Photographer T-Shirt

Where are my photographer friends at?!  This shirt is life!  Abbey Grim has it all right!  Photography is not for the faint of heart.  You do way more than just hold a camera for hours at a time.  I'm more sore after photographing a wedding or marathon for 6 hours, than I am when I run a 5k.  I've directed weddings, as I've shot them.  I've put the bride's makeup on.  I've wiped up baby spit up.  Photography ain't easy, yall!  ;) 

4. "Me, Myself and Lies, a Thought Closet Make Over" by Jennifer Rothschild

Earlier this week, I saw something about this book on social media and I remembered that I had bought it five years ago, during a Bible Study.  I decided to get the book back off the shelf and start working through it again.  All of the notes that I had written in the book 5 years ago about myself, my insecurities, and my thoughts were still relevant today.  We all need to think about how we treat ourselves.  What we think is important and it makes us who we are.  Us over thinkers and worriers, need to be more aware of how we put ourselves down sometimes.  Stand up for yourself and love yourself!

5.  Necklace by the Lucky Feather

Us girl bosses need a little pep talk every once in a while.  How cute is this "Getting it done" necklace that The Lucky Feather posted on Instagram this week?  We got this, girl bosses!

6. Tassel Necklace by Painter Designs

Sometimes I make a tassel necklace that I just fall in love with.  This gold, coral and aqua necklace was one of those!  Love!  Check out my Etsy shop!

New Patriotic Napkin Rings!

I'm so in love with these adorable burlap red, white and blue napkin rings!

You may remember the burlap bunny rabbit napkin rings from Spring.  Before Easter, I sold over 230 of those precious little bunny ears!   Since those did so well, I knew that we needed to create something similar with burlap, but for Summer.  My mom came up with this design and I absolutely love it!  Last week, she finished an order of 70 of them, for a wedding in Washington.  I'm so thankful for her!

Please check out my Etsy shop for these burlap, red, white, and blue napkin rings and many other Painter Designs items!

3 . 3 . 17 Friday Favorites

Happy March!  

I hope everyone had a wonderful first week of March!  As you may know, March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month.  Four years ago, my mom was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, and our lives changed forever.  It's one of the least talked about cancers, but if caught early, can easily be treated.  Help spread the word this month to create awareness for this terrible disease!

Since it is Friday, here's my Friday Favorites List!  A list of the things that caught my eye and made me swoon this week!

1. Tobacco Baskets

Lately, I've been obsessed with tobacco baskets!  Every time we go in an antique store, I always look for tobacco baskets and Coca Cola crates.  I finally found some that were reasonably priced, even though they aren't actual "tobacco baskets" or technically antiques.  I found them at Hobby Lobby! I was so surprised!   I love how Bits of Vintage styled these baskets on their Instagram page.  Check them out for awesome farmhouse decor inspo! 

2. Wahl to Wall Word Love prints

I came across this print from Wahl to Wall World Love this week on Instagram.  My devotion this week, was about Ruth.  So, these prints definitely caught my eye.  I also love the square frames and the styling of this photo.  Awesome job!  

3. New Orleans Home on Southern Living

How gorgeous is this sitting area that Southern Living featured this week?!  This color is amazing and I love how they added the pops of color, and also the topiaries beside the daybed/couch.  The article discusses the renovation of this 1850's Greek revival home in New Orleans, Louisiana.  

4.  Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte' Shine Oil-in-Stick Lipstick

I received a sample of this lipstick in my Sephora order and it's awesome!  It tastes and smells like a fruity drink and the color is perfect and doesn't feel dry, like a lot of lipsticks do.  Try it out!

5.  Painter Designs Royal Blue Keychain

This week, I decided to venture out and add some new tassel items to my shop and I am so addicted to this royal blue tassel keychain.  I think it would be perfect clipped on a mint or pink tote for spring and summer!  Love it!   Plus, it's perfect for Colon Cancer Awareness Month!

6. Jack Rogers Pineapple Flip Flops

If you know me, you know that I LOVE pineapples.  So, of course I LOVE these Jack Rogers Caribbean Blue pineapple flip flops.  I need these AND a trip to the beach.

2.17.17 Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! It's been a busy Valentine's Day week, but a wonderful one, spending time with my husband, family, and friends!

Here's my Valentine's Day week, Friday Favorites list, the things that caught my eye and made me swoon this week! 

1. Apple Pencil 

One of my Valentine's Day presents was an Apple Pencil, which I am super excited to use with my iPad Pro and the Pro Create app! Typography has always been one of my favorites and I'm excited to learn more about hand lettering and graphic illustration on my iPad!

2. Kate Spade Keds

How adorable are these Kate Spade Keds?! I'm all about some comfy shoes, but sometimes adorable and fashionable, don't always go hand in hand with comfort. These are both! They would be perfect for running errands or even dressing up for Sunday brunch.  Adorable!

3. Mint Tassel Earrings 

With the warm weather we've had, I couldn't resist being in the spring trends spirit. So, I decided to make some new tassel earrings to add to the Etsy shop.  I am loving these mint tassels! They would be perfect for any spring or summer outfit, and adorable with your favorite Lilly Pulitzer dress!

4. Southern Pressed Juicery

I was so excited to try Southern Pressed Juicery this week at a Valentine's Day pop-up, helping my sweet friend Tabathia of The Adorned Fox.   Since we were there most of the day, I tried the Honeysuckle Dew smoothie for breakfast and the Mama's Jam parfait for lunch.  Both were amazing and so fresh!  Plus, the Mama's Jam is almost too pretty to eat!  Check it out in that cute glass jar!

5.  Jones Gap State Park

I remember the first time I went to Jones Gap with my husband and his family.  We were only dating then, and it was in the fall of 2009.  Since then, it's been one of our favorite places to hike.  The views are gorgeous and it's a fairly easy trail, if you're not an avid hiker.  My husband and I went for a hike on Sunday and it was beautiful!  It had been way too long since we had been there.  If you've never been to Jones Gap State Park, you need to check it out!  It's only a short drive from Greenville.

6. Life Of Bliss Blog - Wreath

I started following LifeofBlissBlog on Instagram this week, after I came across this image.  I love absolutely everything about it!  The wreath, the flowers, the pillows...  All. of. it. !!  Her page is gorgeous and it inspires me to redecorate my whole house in Spring decor!  Beautiful!

1.20.17 Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!  This week, I met with another creative friend for coffee and we talked a lot about what we create and how we try to promote ourselves on social media.  It really made me take a step back and think, "Am I doing all of this right?"

Do you ever have moments like that?   Am I sharing the right things?  Am I creating the right things? Am I saying the right things?  I've been hesitant to post for the last couple of days, and that's not normally how I am!  Maybe its the uncertainty of the new year, or the feeling of creating in too many different ares.

My sweet artist friend Pamela Bates (@pamelajbates on Instagram) posted this week saying, "Have you noticed that most creative people are compelled to work with different mediums?  I think it is an innate drive to create, and we will use whatever is available to us at the time."  Her words really jumped out to me.  I thought, "That's me! I love being creative in any outlet!"  So, I'm going to continue creating, enjoying it, and see what others enjoy and are interested in.  Check out my Etsy shop for some of the items that I've created.

Since it is Friday, here's a list of the things that caught my eye and made me swoon this week.  These are my Friday Favorites!

1.  Hillary Butler Painting

I absolutely love everything about this painting!  I've been following Hillary Butler Fine Art on Instagram for a while and all of her paintings are absolutely gorgeous.  The way the mints, blues, and turquoise are blended in this painting are beautiful!  Love it!!

2.  Monkees of the Westend, Trina Turk Dress

We are blessed with some awesome boutiques in downtown Greenville.  If you haven't been, you need to take a stroll through downtown and check them out.  Monkees of the Westend always has the cutest trendy items!  If you're looking for Tory Burch, Trina Turk, Frye, etc., check them out!  When they posted this hot pink Trina Turk dress this week, I instantly wanted to get this dress and be at a fancy beach bar somewhere in Florida.  This adorable dress screams Spring beach trip to me!  I just need a tan and a cocktail in my hand!

3. DIYinspiredhomedecor on Instagram

You know I love some good Farmhouse decor!  Brianna at diyinspiredhomedecor posts the best DIY and Farmhouse decor pictures!  I love all of her posts!  This week, this picture caught my eye with the white and black buffalo plaid  (I love this print!)  I have decided that I might need this cotton wreath too!  So stinking cute and Southern!  Great job, Brianna!

4. He and me Hair Designs

I have been going to this salon for years.  My mom starting going to David Roop (Check out the article about him by Off the Grid) when she was in her 20s and now David's daughter, Sarah K. Roop runs the salon, He & Me Hair Designs.  Sarah never disappoints! I always love my hair when I leave and this week was no different!  She darkened my roots and undertones and brightened up some of my blond for the perfect bayliage look.  I even got my eyebrows tinted, which I was terrified of, but they look great!  No more penciling them in everyday when I'm putting on my makeup.  They now have an adorable boutique and event space too! Swing by and check them out on Stone Avenue in downtown Greenville!

5.  TSG Greenville Master Bathroom

TSG Greenville shared this dreamy master bathroom by Frances Kinloch Still this week.  I love the mix of prints, neutral tones and all of that mirror and lighting!  Gorgeous!

6.  Strip Club 104 

One of my most favorite places to eat on Friday's for lunch is the Strip Club 104 in Greer, South Carolina.  Ok, it's not what you think!  It's a steak house and they only serve lunch on Fridays.  If you're looking for the best burger ever, check them out and bring your appetite!  My favorite burger is the Southern Comfort with fresh made pimento cheese, jalapeño bacon and a friend green tomato.  All of the sides are wonderful too!  Yum!  I'm hungry now!