I love you Valentine! {tiny prints valentine's cards!}

Are you looking for the perfect Valentine Cards to send this year?  My very favorite source for the most unique designs and styles, Tiny Prints might just have what you are looking for!

  Although we've sent Valentines to our friends and family before, this will be our first year of having a class, our preschool co-op, to celebrate the day with!  Now I know you can find Valentines Day Greeting Cards practically anywhere, but Tiny Prints offers tons of really sweet designs that are pretty hard to resist!

Our usual celebration of Valentine's Day is pretty laid back!  My husband and I usually just give the girls a basket of goodies and all things pink, which we're very used to around here! :)  Otherwise it's a day without too much fanfare!

How do you celebrate Valentine's Day?  Any good traditions/ideas for the special day?

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In exchange for this post, Tiny Prints is offering me 50 classroom cards!  All opinions are my own and honest!

Reading Kingdom {review!}

My four year old, Ella, has been super interested in learning and school ever since we started out own preschool co-op this fall.  Since I'm home with the girls, I try to squeeze in learning opportunities whenever I can, but I also embrace other mediums, especially "techy" ones that can help teach my kids how to utilize technology and learn, too!  Reading Kingdom is fabulous mix of fun and games, with online interactive reading programs based on each individual child!  The preschool has proven to be a great start for introducing the basics, and ever since I've discovered Reading Kingdom, she's been diving into her "reading" even more!

Reading Kingdom totally customizes its programs to your learners, after evaluating where your child is and developing goals!  From there, it's all up to you!

We especially love that the lessons are short, and perfect for a preschooler's attention span, but if Ella wants to keep clicking around and learning, she sure can, and she enjoys to find the extras in each lesson.  

If you're looking for way to introduce letters and reading for a kiddo in your life, consider the Reading Kingdom membership!  Good for all learners -- early readers, struggling readers, and accelerated readers -- and easy to gift, too!

Here's a quick peek into how the Reading Kingdom program looks with my sweet little Ella!

This is Ella's first time using the keyboard and mouse for something specific like this.  She's used my Macbook a tiny bit, and both girls have used the iPad quite a bit.  So this is something very new to her.  I love how interactive and encouraging Reading Kingdom is, and it's definitely challenging without being frustrating!  And if you know any four year olds, you know that you'll try to avoid frustrations! :) I would recommend this highly!  

We would love to see Reading Kingdom as an iPad/Android app too!  

James Morrison {new music}

I'm always looking for new music, since I'm a way out of my college "cool music" years, and so I was so excited when Stunt Company introduced me to the soothing sounds of James Morrison!



Here he is with Jessie J in his single "Up".  Love it!

He's currently the one of the top selling UK male artists, so you may want to give yourself a little listen!  He's got a great soul-filled voice, kind of reminding me of Adam Levine, Jason Mraz, and maybe a little like the Fray too.  Pretty much a mixture of my very favorite singers ever. :)



Seriously... l.o.v.e.


What's your favorite new {or new to you:)} music?

peace, love, & crafts {review}

If you've got a love for sweet little crocheted hair bows, rosette headbands, and simply adorable handmade hair clips -- peace, love, & crafts is going to be your shop!

Everything sweet miss Kristen creates is simply stunning!  I especially love that by using bold and fresh colors, your standard hair pieces can get taken to a whole new level!

... See what I mean?  Gorgeous!  While I'm a sucker for a blast of color, I'm even more impressed with solid craftsmanship.  With peace, love, & crafts you can be certain that your pieces are tested to withstand babies, toddlers, teens, and adults alike!

But these handmade crochet hair bows are what made me fall completely head over heels with Kristen's creations.  You'll have to check out our sweet little mustard bow clips that everyone has been sporting around our house!

And, if you need any more motivation to love Kristen and peace, love, & crafts, I dare you to check out her blog, but you might faint over the super cute diy projects, especially fun and easy Christmas ones!  Absolutely L-O-V-E!!!

Source: kristenmcashan.com via Bethany on Pinterest

yeah... see what I mean??  

Anyway, back to these cutie bow clips!  We just love them, and they are definitely made with little ones in mind... which means they are virtually indestructible!

Wouldn't these make a sweet little additional to a Christmas gift this year?  :)

Check out more of the fabulous Kristen and peace, love, & crafts:

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A super special thanks to Kristen and peace. love, & crafts for providing us with a sweet set of clips to check out!  All opinions are my honest and own.  Thanks so much to Kristen!!

Envirosax {review}

No longer do reusable shopping bags have to be boring!  Yay for Envirosax and their gorgeous designs!

See, they are itty bitty and store quite nicely...

... but pack in quite a load when you need them!

I love to use reusable bags when I shop, and I can't tell you how many compliments I get on my pretty Envirosax!  We've all seen the plain old green ones, but I'm telling you, these are quite the sight!  Vivid designs {and TONS of options} and sleek yet durable construction makes Envirosax bags stand apart from any other bag on the market.

Plus, what a great gift idea for that special person in your life!  And check out the matching water bottles!  I love it!

Envirosax offers designs for men and women, old and young alike!  

In fact, my daughter and I have been sharing our sweet little bag -- she takes it to dance, with her shoes and water bottle, and I've been taking it to volleyball practice and to Bible study!  So, our bag has been busy!  :)

Isn't it great?  It's from the Organic Cotton Bag collection, and we're officially in love!

Check out Envirosax for tons of designs and great gift ideas for the holiday season!

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Thanks to Envirosax for providing me with a reusable bag to review.  All opinions are my honest and own!

Shutterfly Christmas Cards!

So, I definitely like to shop around when it comes to choosing my Christmas cards.  For me it's not a task I dread, I actually LOVE browsing around, comparing prices, styles, and getting inspiration for pictures from the examples on the cards!

Shutterfly makes it pretty easy though.  SO many cards to choose from, in every style under the sun.  Modern, classic, even beach-themed -- you've got it all!

Last year I ended up using a card from Shutterfly similar to this one, with funky flowers and a sweet picture of my girls.  I was so pleased with the speed of shipping and quality of the photos, which were printed on a nice thick sturdy cardstock.

Isn't this the sweetest!  My mom always appreciates photo cards that you can really see the picture, and this 5x7 style really shows off the cute photo!

Do you see my "joy" theme?  :)  To be totally honest, I haven't even taken the Christmas card pictures yet, and I probably will wait about 2 weeks before I order.  But I do like shopping and checking out my options, and Shutterfly sure has a lot of them!  I also appreciate Shutterfly's many promos that you can take advantage of, so even if you're a little late with ordering, you can still get a great deal!  {as of today all photo cards are 40% off, and free shipping with any purchase of $30 or more!}  If you're looking to get more gifts crossed off you list, I ordered a photo mug last year and it was a hit!  I'm thinking of creating a travel mug this year, and might just order it along with my photo cards!

How about you, have you ordered, addressed, stamped, and sent your Christmas greetings yet?  Or do you prefer to wait a bit?  Do tell!

A special thanks to Shutterfly for providing me with 25 free cards in exchange for my honest opinion!

Auri Footwear {review + outfit!}

{bear with me... it's my first outfit post!}

During volleyball season, I find myself stretching my closet limits and putting together outfits that I don't wear on a normal basis.  So this is a typical "coaching" outfit, and I try to pair anything with my favorite leggings!

dress: Target

leggings:  Target

belt: Forever 21

necklace: gift from my mama

shoe:  Auri Footwear

I have a long been a shoe lover, and my new ballet flats from Auri Footwear have been such a versatile and comfy addition to my wardrobe!  I feel like flats can take a turn for the ugly pretty quick, but I'm a huge fan of any shoe that can be dressed up or down.

I have to say, flats that are actually supportive and cushion-y are hard to find, but Auri Footwear, based out of Laguna Beach, seems to hit the spot!  So now, gorgeous shoes + comfortable can actually go together in a sentence!!  Check out some of Auri's latest designs:

cute cute!

woah mama cute!

boot scootin' cute!

So adorable!!  Check out Auri Footwear for your favorite styles of ballet flats, boots, wedges, and more and keep connected on Facebook and Twitter for promotions and sales!

I've linked up at The Pleated Poppy, where you can check out many more outfits inspirations from some pretty awesome ladies!!

A very special thanks to the fabulous crew at Auri Footwear for providing me with the cute ballet flats to test out!  All opinions are my honest and own, of course!

Teamotions {review + discount}

I can't wait to share my newest favorite treat for fall, Teamotions Teas!

Yummy, loose leaf teas that come in great flavors, too!  Can't beat that!

Teamotions Teas are more than just good teas though -- they are specially formulated to support the emotional well-being, making each cup a healing experience.  Using special herbs called adaptogens, like chamomile for rest and oatstraw for stress relief, they encourage relaxation and recharging.  The company itself was born out of infant loss and grief, with two sisters coping over cups of tea, and deciding that there needed to be teas that helped people feel better.

When I was in college and 10 hours from my family, my mom frequently sent me care packages, often including tea.  I'm always on the hunt for soothing teas, and love trying new varieties.  I'm in love with Teamotions because the teas are truly delicious, and unique!  There's something about the fresh flavors of loose leafed tea!

This Discover Joy Lemon Vanilla Green Tea is my favorite, and I don't usually favor green tea!  I thought it had great flavor without being too overpowering, too.  I drizzled in a hint of honey, and it has been my drink of choice each night!

I also made a pitcher of iced Have Hope Citrus Strawberry White Tea, which was so good!

Browsing their website, you'll find all sorts of flavors and even more important, encouragement.  You can tell they've done their research and are looking to create the most comforting tea expereience for you!

Teamotions is offering an awesome free shipping code for Ivy Twines readers!!  Use FIRSTFREE to ship your entire order free!

Be sure to keep track of Teamotions for more info and promotions!

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What kind of tea do you like?  Please share!!

The Fulfillment Principle {review}

The Fulfillment Principle: Experiencing Pure Joy in Your Life

I just love this message!  In Bob Westfall's book, he uses the parable of talents {in Matthew 25} to discuss finding joy and fulfillment in life.

The short but enriching read combines real life stories of people seeking to live a life of joy and thoughtful discussion questions to further explore the principles.  The focus that dreams can be attainable and very possible shows in Westfalls own life, as Westfall presides over Westfall Group which raises money for Christian ministries and charities.

For me, I think that it's important to figure out just what my talents might be, and then look at how I can best put them into practice and invest in others.  The Fulfillment Principle is a great reminder of how we can all better serve, and in serving, find joy.

I highly recommend this quick read to anyone looking for inspiration and motivation along life's journey.  It encourages that we're not stuck, we just need to look in the right places.

"Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me.  See, I have gained two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave.  You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'" -Matthew 25:21

Many thanks to Leafwood Publishers for providing me a copy to review.  All opinions are my own, of course!  Thanks again!

Mat Kearney - Young Love {review!}

I'm finding that the more years I'm out of college, the less cool I am about music.  You know what I mean?  I really rely on Pandora, my sisters' recommendations, and iTunes "we think you might like..." to fuel any kind of new music loves for me.

I was so excited to see Mat Kearney out with a new album, because I've loved his music ever since "Nothing Left to Lose" {circa 2006}.  His new album, Young Love, which debuted August 2nd, is awesome and let me tell you, this one is packed full!

I especially love "Hey Mama" and "She Got the Honey", but Mat's style is eclectic and punchy, and the lyrics are brilliant.  If you like the singer/songwriter types, Mat's your guy!

He's currently on tour, so check out to see if he's at a location near you!  Hey Mat, come to Montana! :)

The whole album is only $4.99 on Amazon right now!  {I use Amazon for most of my music downloads! :)  Super easy, most of the time it's a less expensive, and it automatically imports to your iTunes!}

Mat Kearney
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{word around town is that he wrote this song after meeting his future wife for the first time!  he started singing in the hotel room, and came up with this!  love it!!}



I was given a download of the album thanks to One2One network.  All opinions are my own, as always!  Thanks to One2One for the fabulous opportunity!

Fruit of the Spirit: Love {review}

Oh my, the beloved Galatians 5:22-23 verse.  The fruits of the spirit.

Calvin Miller's book Fruit of the Spirit: Love, is actually a small group study that takes a close look at what it means to live in love.  Although I didn't actually read this with a small group, I found it enriching and very helpful just on my own.

The book is set up simple and to the point:  each week focuses on a separate aspect of love, and a memory verse accompanies the week as well.  I also loved the discussion questions and found myself thinking about them throughout the day!

Miller also published the remaining fruits in the same format.  I'll be checking them out too, as it's one of my favorite verses and something so easy to remember!

And, I just found this awesome fruits of the spirit printable, thanks to Daisy Cottage Designs!  I just love it!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Snappy Canvas {review}

I'm so excited to share with you a fantastic and simple way to display your favorite photograph -- with a photo to canvas by Snappy Canvas!

Snappy Canvas is offering a more artistic edge on their canvases, along with creating sharp, beautiful images to have for a lifetime! Plus, it is such a unique gift!

Plus, when you're creating your custom canvas artwork, the possibilities are seriously endless!  You can choose the size, thickness and finish... and it's not just your average black and white or sepia, either!

See what I mean?  The team at Snappy Canvas are brilliant!  Along with cool options like this silhouette canvas, you could choose pop art or watercolors... just head over to take a little peek!  Plus, Snappy Canvas offers free shipping within the US, all the time!  That -- my friends -- is a great deal!

Snappy Canvas created this beauty of my little beauty!  Isn't it gorgeous?

The artists at Snappy Canvas gave my photo a great vintage-y wash, which turned out simply stunning!

Treat yourself to a little Snappy Canvas and show off your photos like artwork! With the affordable price customer service, and the quality canvases, you can't go wrong!

Check them out!

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A very special thanks the entire team at Snappy Canvas for providing me with a complimentary canvas!  All opinions are my own!