My Favorite Mondays no. 2

It’s Monday! Now, that isn’t always a thing to celebrate but I think this week, we should be excited for Monday and the week ahead. It’s our week filled with love (only 3 more days until Valentine’s day!) and, also, it’s Random Act of Kindness week!

Here’s my five picks for ‘My Favorite Mondays’ – inspired by this special week.

Favorite Pin
Sometimes holidays have a way of sneaking up on you. Valentine’s Day is a bad one for this because, truthfully, I think we are still all recovering from December a bit. I absolutely adore this pin fromCrafted by Lindy because it is a thoughtful, easy way to give something different at valentines (AND a free printable never hurts!). What a perfect idea for a teacher, co-workers, or your day home/daycare provider.

Favorite Etsy findThis is, by far, my favorite Etsy find this week! Image 3D sells these uber cool view-master style custom reels and viewers. The awesomeness of this product does not require much explanation, however, I will say that if my Valentine were to get me one of these and fill it will our favorite photos, I would absolutely be swooning. The possibilities of cool things you can do with this are endless – picture this, use a reel and viewer as the greatest way ever to announce your pregnancy or engagement.

Favorite Charity
Last year I found out about a fabulous charity called CARE Canada (there is also a CARE USA) whose mandate is to empower women and girls, particularly those living in poverty. This worthy cause is one that every person should take notice of because, according to CARE, if a single woman rises from poverty, she typically takes 4 people along with her. Also important to note, as with any charity you choose to support, CARE Canada operates with an average 6% administrative cost and have all of their annual reports available on their website.

CARE is currently running a Walk in her Shoes fundraiser that I encourage you all to learn more about (here)!

Favorite App

Okay, when it comes to cool new apps, I’m usually pretty far behind on things and I’m guessing that most people already know about this one, but Songza is my favorite new app. It is a mind-blowingly awesome app where you can stream playlists onto your smart phone (or stream onto your computer). There are no audio ads, it’s free, and the play lists are killer – need some new workout tunes? Songza! Need some low-key background music at work? Songza! Need someone to suggest some new music? Songza!

Favorite Personal Update

OH, I am so excited for my upcoming trip to France. There are so many things that I want to see when I’m there I am finding it tough to pencil everything in (while trying not to pencil too much in)! The exciting new development for this trip is that we will now be spending 3 nights and 4 days in the south of France as well, and taking a trip to Monte Carlo too. Any tips for must-sees when I’m in Paris – send them my way!

Thanks for joining me this fine Monday and I hope your love-filled weekend is LOVE-ly!  Leave me a comment and share your favorite monday finds!

My Favorite Mondays no. 1

I've noticed that many of the blogs I subscribe to, do a "my favorites" list once a week.  I love to share and highlight anything I've got going on or think is awesome, so, of course, I decided to jump on this bandwagon.  I wanted to do it on Friday...but, I ran out of time and therefore am doing it today.  SO, my favorites list will be on Mondays now - thus, the title, "My Favorite Mondays"!

My Favorite Pin

Without a doubt, this pin that originates back to lesapea.tumblr.com, is my favorite pin of the week (maybe ever)!  Good lord, click on the link and you will be in awe of all the amazing images...simply stunning.  I am a calligraphy junkie and this quotation is beyond lovely.  This is a perfect pin!

My Favorite Etsy Find

I'm so excited to bring this Etsy shop to your attention.  I just happened to come across it on the main page this weekend in that scrolling area where they show newly listed items.  Ohhh Lulu is stunning.  I love pretty much everything she has listed in her shop and I am now creeping on her twitter and FB, excitedly waiting for anything she posts!

My Favorite Blog Update

As you've probably noticed, my blog has had a rehaul and I am now supporting an awesome new look.  I am so thrilled with the outcome and want to give a huge thanks to Hannah from Sweet Mod Designs a big thank you for her hardwork (look for a posting on her in the near future!)

My Favorite Personal Update

I am pretty much beyond excited for next April when I, so luckily, will be going on my dream vacation to Paris!  This isn't new news but, I'm so happy because I am starting some refresher French language classes this week!!

Je suis trés excité!!



My Favorite New App

I know I am so behind in this but, I FINALLY joined twitter!  I downloaded the app on my phone and have been addicted to it since.  My friend was constantly trying to get me to join and now, looking back, why did I resist?  I am @mycraftyblog so look me up (or simply click on the twitter button under the "About" section on my blog)! :)

My first favorites on My Favorite Mondays are pretty good, right?!  I look forward to the week ahead and finding some new gems to share with you next Monday!!
Be sure to leave a comment with your favorite news for the upcoming week! :)

5 Perfect Bridal Shower Gifts

In exactly ten weeks I get the privilege to stand up with one of my best friends on her wedding day.  I'm so thrilled to be one of her bridesmaids and am so looking forward to her big day!  She was one of my bridesmaids when I got married (5 long years ago, lol!) and I just can't wait to make her feel as special as she made me feel when I was a blushing bride.

Shannon - girl, I love you so much and wish you every happiness in the world.  You are one of the kindest people I know on this Earth and you are going to make a wonderful wife to your very lucky man.  I CAN NOT WAIT for your stagette next weekend...bring it on!! :)

So, before the wedding there are the obvious events to get through first.  First on our schedule is the stagette (have I mentioned I can't wait for it?!) and then, later, the bridal shower.  I especially love bridal showers - I love anything traditional that requires baking and pretty gifts!!

Many of you may be approaching bridal shower and wedding season yourselves.  Personally, I always like to give a physical gift (rather than a gift card - although, I do love getting giftcards myself!) because as I mentioned I like tradition!  I have also said this several times in my blog, but, I also love a personalized gift. Therefore, I thought I would share with you a few gifts that I have up my sleeve for a show-stopping, perfect bridal shower gift.

Door Country Woodworks is without a doubt one of my all time favorite Etsy shops.  Just take a look in his shop for about a millisecond and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.  Now, this birdhouse would literally bring the show down at a bridal shower.  It works as a card collector at the wedding (and you can custom colour it so that it matches the wedding colours) and then, when the wedding is over, converts to a birdhouse for the newlywed's backyard.  Notice in the picture that there is even space for the couples name and date of the wedding.  This one is $125USD and there are many different to chose from.  The "Just Married" bunting on it is just spectacular!

Oh.my.lord. I am obsessed with calligraphy. My ONEday Wishlist (my version of a bucket list - only I dont' use bucket list because I hate that term)includes to become a skilled calligrapher. Ink Blot Calligraphy is the proud owner of this wonderful skill and this listing for some custom calligraphy art is right up my alley. So beautiful and there is so much talent that goes into this. I believe that it would be a perfect gift for a bride, especially if she's a close friend, because what set of girlfriends don't have a special quotation, funny inside joke, or just something special shared between them? For a $10USD deposit you can get started with your ink colours, font and flourish preferences, sizes, etc. I can totally picture "to have and to hold from this day forward" in beautiful calligraphy and then framed in something lovely.

This listing from Black Scrap Cat is a favorite of mine for several reasons.  First, this shop originates from Canada and I love supporting local artists (we are in the same province even).  Second, just think of the wedding pictures, what a wonderful photo prop!  And third, this amazing gift doesn't have to just stop here - you can get one for mother of the bride, bridesmaids, flower girl, etc.  It makes such a special memento to use on the wedding day and to keep forever.  For $27 USD you can really create some wow!

Define your Space Vinyl is an Etsy shop you should become familiar with.  I love it.  There are so many amazing pieces to chose from I really don't even know where to start.  I love this one, in particular, because of the coordinating fonts and the flourished design along the bottom.  It would look so lovely on the wall and I know when I was a bride (with a newly acquired last name) I loved seeing it and displaying it with pride.  This one is 18 inches in diameter, a good healthy size, and can be done in your bride's custom colours for $42 USD. 

This I love because it is so unique.  I'm guessing that most of us do not know the coordinates of where we got married (or another special occasions in our lives) but what a cool thing to find out; and don't let the wedding place be your only option - first date, first home, where they met, etc.  AND, what a conversation piece this would be.  You can pick one of these up at The Drifting Bear for $48USD.

I wish I could get all of these for my special lady.  She certainly deserves them!! :)  BUT, who knows, maybe on her bridal shower day she'll unwrap a little something special.... ;)

(and no I can't tell you...she might be reading this right now!!!)

If you know of any special bridal shower gifts you'd like to share, please list them below in the comments section!! :)