Lovin' these Boots

So, I'm sort of obsessed with my new boots.

Like really obsessed.

They are so comfortable and I just love the look of them.

Perfect for tights or skinny jeans!

I was browsing the UGG site, coveting my long wanted pair of UGGs (the Bailey button), when I found these.....

for $395. Yikes!! 

So, I stored these babies in the back of my mind, secretly hoping I'd win the lottery so I could buy them.

Until, I found these that came in 4 colors.

For not even 1/4 of the price of the Uggs. 

And I found them at a shop with tons of real wool lined boots, 

with great quality rubber soles. 

{These are not real wool. But faux fur-lined. Still super warm and great quality rubber soles.}

So my question to you is if I started selling some of these awesome boots via Etsy,

How much would you expect to pay for a boot like this? How about the wool lined ones?

{We haven't been living in the U.S. for the past 2 1/2 years. So, we're out of the loop on prices!}

Just doing a little market research. ;p

Also, how much would you expect to pay for pearls?

Double stranded pearl necklaces? Black pearls? Pearl earrings on sterling silver? And so on. 

Would you be interested?? 

The hubbs and I are thinking about investing. 

Let me know!! :)

Thank you beautiful friends. 

Have an awesome Thursday!

A Fourth of a Century

That's right. I'm old. ;) I'm 1/4 of a century old! 

{My birthday was last Friday, the 16th.}

Pretty great accomplishment if I do say so myself. :) 

Though, I had NOTHING to do with it. All the Lord. 

So thankful He's giving me 25 years thus far. 

I used to think I was going to die my sophomore year of high school in a car wreck. 

Like really,  I thought for sure I would. 

And then I didn't. 

So I thought I was confused and mixed things up and it was actually my sophomore year of college. 

But then I didn't then either. Obviously.

And now, the more birthday's that go by the more I see a future. 

a Starbucks ornament & matching coffee mugs for our hot cocoa this winter :)

A Geek in Glasses

Hey lovlies! How are you?! 

{Check out my new mittens! :)}

I know it's been awhile since I've really posted but don't worry, 

I have ALOT of personal posts planned for these next weeks! Whoop!

{Including updates on my birthday and Thanksgiving!}

Today, I am so excited for you guys to read this awesome post by Stephanie from A Geek in Glasses. 

She's awesome, ya'll! 

And it sounds like her daughter is just as awesome, from the post below! 

What do you think?? 

Fair Trade Shopping

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!! 

We are, of course, sad that we can't be in the States for all of today's festivities with our families, but also very excited because we were invited to a big Thanksgiving meal tonight! 

I'm anxious to eat tons of turkey! I don't care how sleepy it makes me! ;)

Since Friday is Black Friday and everyone will be starting on their Christmas shopping I decided to share with you one of my favorite shops! Green Heart Shop! 

www.Greenheartshop.org

Sweat Shop Free Astoria Crimson Lave dress $68.95

Green Heart is an awesome store that believes "consumers have the power to affect positive World change by supporting sustainable and fair business practices in their purchasing choices. Greenheart is Chicago’s premier eco-fair trade non-profit shop, carrying eco fair trade products made by artisans from around the world. The purchase of these products improves the lives of real people and the products are made by establishments that take care of our Earth." 

Show Em' Some Love

Hello Lovlies. I know all of you have been asking yourselves, 

"Who are all of these amazing woman on the side of your blog?!" 

I mean, you probably just clicked their button and found out, 

but if you didn't, let us keep you in suspense no more. ;) 

I'm so excited to have all of these amazing blogs hanging out on my sidebar this month. 

This was the first month I posted a passionfruit swap and was so thankful all of these amazing woman responded. Check out their blogs and show them some love. 

For realz guys.  You won't be disappointed. 

If you want to get in on the action for December you can go here. 

I would love to swap buttons with you!  

Life Feels Good in Portbail Beach

Pinterest / Instagram / Twitter

Hi there! My name is Malorie and I blog over at Life Feels Good in Portbail Beach. I am a 20-something teacher living in France with my fiancé Ludo and our adorable ginger cat Garfield. Blogging has quickly become my new favorite hobby and I love meeting new people! I write about various topics (daily life, latest favorites, entertainment, fashion,... and lately recipes) and like to participate in linkups and challenges. Come say hi!

A Geek in Glasses

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

 I love all things Vintage and our house shows it. I believe Glasses are like shoes, you can never have too many pairs!!! Momma to an Irish Dancer and Wife of a Medieval Swordsman, we are on the move with tons to do. I have tutorials of crafts, daily musings of family life with a tiny person and more.

We are rockabilly hot rodders, farmers, artists, photographer, fiber spinner, blacksmith, sword fighter, dancer and pirates - just to name a few -- come join us!

Violet Imperfection

Facebook / Twitter 

I'm a wife, a stay at home Mama, crafter, reader, lover of all things Disney and an in-progress reformed perfectionist. This blog is about trying to let go of my desire for perfection and teaching my daughter that nothing is perfect.

Penniless Socialite

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

I can't draw or even craft, I can't sing or dance, I can't cook AND I don't even have any sage life advice. However, there is one thing that I can do: shop for bargains. I can also dress myself in those bargain clothing finds, so I guess there are two things I can do. So, that's what I bring to the table with my little blog. I'm also pretty good at eating and snuggling with my cats...but that's not really what my blog is about (most of the time).

Tales from a FAR

Facebook / Twiiter / Pinterest

Hey! I'm Amanda and I blog at tales from a FAR! My blog is about the life of my husband RB, myself, and our 17 month old named FAR and all of our adventures as I live as a full time mommy, wife, and student. :)

Helene In Between

Twitter / Instagram / Facebook

I was born and raised (and never left) the great state of Texas. I blog about the comings and goings of my life in Dallas as a newlywed, my sweet fur baby Hugo and I am honest to a fault about love and life. My husband and I tend to differ in a lot of ways which makes for some very funny dialogue.

I find myself pretty witty, my husband calls it a little sarcastic. I love anything that has to do with dance, especially hip hop. I love to travel and try new things, especially food!

Eat. Enjoy. Live

Facebook / Twitter / Google+

Hi I'm Helen. Eat.Enjoy.Live is basically my brain on a page.

You'll find everything from recipes, stories of my travels and my continuing journey with the Lord.

I like to giggle and I hope that comes across in each and every post.

Come along and say Hi! I don't bite :)

A Dash of Sunshine

Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest

My name is Jenni and I am the blogger behind A Dash of Sunshine! I am a twenty-something student, mother, wife, and orthodontic assistant. On my blog you can find some tasty looking recipes and some pictures of the cutest kid in the whole entire world!

Dawn's Disaster

Facebook / Twitter
Hi!  I'm Dawn, a mommy of 3.5 girls and a fur ball, wife, daughter and sister.  My little blog started out as a place where I could jot down my thoughts and has grown into a fun place I like to visit everyday!  I've met some really neat people, I hope you'll be the next :)

Check them out!! 

Cinnamon Pumpkin Tea Light Holder

This is a repost from last Fall but since it's that wonderful season again, I thought why not repost it! This is a super easy DIY, using one of, if not THE, favorite fall goody, pumpkin. Happy Decorating!

We recently had a Harvest Party with our church and a few girls and I were in charge of decorations. 

Of course we took to Pinterest ( like you do, also, follow mehere! ) and found this oober easy (see how that's just another way of saying 'super easy', I'm really using my synonyms today. ;)) Fall decoration. 

These smelled great  and  looked awesome! 

Needed: 

Cinnamon

Small Pumpkins

Knife

Tealights

Cut the top of the pumpkin off and scoop out the insides. 

Poke holes throughout the pumpkin and pumpkin lid. 

Poke enough holes for the light to shine through and for enough oxygen to get in to keep the flame lit. 

You can use a pencil or screwdriver for this.

Coat the inside of the pumpkin with cinnamon.

Place tea light in the center. 

Light when you start dinner or company comes over!It makes a beautiful, easy decoration to set the mood for the holidays!

Harvest Soup Party

So excited to share with you the pictures from our Church's Harvest Party a few weekends ago!

We had so much fun preparing the decorations, soups and food for this party! 

I am so happy with how everything turned out! 

We had a soup party, where everyone brings their own soup.

At the end, everyone voted on the best soups!

We took normal frames from around the house and replaced the pictures with Harvest Sayings.

Gooey Butter Pumpkin Cake

Hey friends! I have a re-post recipe for you today that I'm dying to make again! With the pumpkins popping up in stores & TX fall creeping in (only in the mornings before noon, but I'll take it!), I'm itching to start making pumpkin goodies. Chances are you are, too! Delicious-ness is what this recipe is!  It's amazing you guys. Ten times better than any pumpkin pie I've tried. (I'm not a fan of pumpkin pie though. So that might be a biased opinion. :) ) Also, it's easy, which is a huge plus when there's so many things to do this Fall!

For the Cake:

• 1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1 egg
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted

For the Filling:

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pour the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased  baking pan. (I used a 13 x 9 glass baking pan.) 

In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. 

Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and mix together. Add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. 

Spread pumpkin mixture over the cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.  

Sprinkle it with powdered sugar for looks. :) 

Happy Baking! And, try not to eat the whole pan! Trust me, it's tempting!

Recipe is taken & modified from here.
 

Baby It's Cold Outside

Ladies and Gents, 

We are officially bundled up in Qingdao. 

It's in the 30's now with a high of 55 for the next few weeks. 

I think we've officially entered into the winter season.

Our floor heating was turned on this week, too! 

Man, it feels like ages ago when we were huddled up in our Dongying, ice box apartment, with no heating!! 

So thankful to have it this year!

Texas people. You don't know what your missing!! Floor heating is the best! 

(Of course, you don't really need it in Texas.) 

November Giveaway!!

Get Excited because it is time for November's Giveaway!! 

And guess what?! 

This baby falls on my birthday week and ends on my big day, November 16th! 

So get your entries in, show me some birthday love, and get pumped 

Because all of these prizes are going to one lucky person! 

Good Luck!!! 

*If your not a blogger: Enter anyways!! You still have the chance to win the gift cards & nail polishes and I'll pick another winner for the Ad spaces. 

$15 to one of my favorite Fair Trade stores, The Green Heart Shop.

From:The Mosby's

And of course, $10 to my favorite place to sit for hours, Starbucks. 

From: The Mosby's

3 whole months Ms. Middle Ad Space on the lovely blog, Dawn's Disaster.

From: Dawn

1 Month Large Ad Space on Life Feels Good in Portbail Beach

From: Malorie

1 Month Large Ad Space on Helene in Between

From: Helene 

2 Months!!!!  on A Geek in Glasses

The Big One: 200 x 200 

A Big Ad that will promote your awesomeness with twitter shout outs, 

a facebook thanks for Sponsorship and a blog post with link. Plus the opportunity to guest post if you want!!!

Your ad will be placed on the right side of my blog above the small button ads. 

From: Stephanie

1 Month Ad Space on Tales From a Far

From: Amanda

2 Cynthia Rowley Nail Polishes 

From: Tara at Penniless Socialite

$5 Credit to Violet Imperfections

From: Leslie

$10 Target Giftcard

From: Jenni from A Dash of Sunshine

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Weekend.

Hey everyone! 

Just wanted to say that I hope everyone has a good weekend!

Enjoy it! 

Get excited because tomorrow I'll be posting the 

November Group Giveaway!

 There's lots of ad spaces and gift cards up for grab! 

And incase you were needing some extra cute-ness to get you through this Saturday or you haven't seen all of these photos on Pinterest already, I've provided the list of pictures below. 

I don't know why they are all of animals... They just are. 

Friday Chaos

It's week 12 of the FRIDAY CHAOS Blog Hop!

 Each week it is growing and last week over 180 bloggers linked up! 
Lets see if we can grow the hop this week.

**If you would like us to follow you back please leave a comment & we will do so!**

 Be sure the check all the co-host's out, follow via GFC and leave a comment! 

This is a link up for bloggers who want to increase traffic to their blogs and meet new friends!

1. Follow both hosts (The first two links below) via GFC, Facebook & Twitter and any other one's you fancy.
2. Follow all of the co-hosts
3. Grab the button and put it on your blog somewhere to be seen.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.ohsoamelia.com" title="ohsoamelia"><img src="http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj578/BericeBaby/Untitled7.jpg" alt="Ohsoamelia" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

4. Don't just add your blog hoping to get followers, join in the fun and visit a few blogs.

4. Tweet about this hop
Tweet

 If you would like to co-host one of the weeks let us know.

Okay, Lets get this chaos started! BLOG

TWITTER
FACEBOOK
YOUTUBE
PINTEREST
INSTAGRAM

Poop Face to Road Kill Lover

Very luxurious Chara went to the spa tonight at the pet place in our apartment complex and had a bath. I love it when she gets bathed because afterwards you can tell she feels fresh and beautiful. 

She prances around and acts like a little girl showing off her new dress. 

I imagine I would appreciate showers more too if I only got one once a month. 

Look at that silky gold coat. 

She HAD to have a bath because this morning Zachary took her out and she was being all cute and playful {you know, like usual}. She was rolling around on the ground and jumping back n' forth, pouncing and playing with something. 

Zachary thought she was cutely pouncing on a tree stump, until he went closer and realized she was playfully rolling around, tail wagging, tongue hanging out happy, with a dead animal. 

Not sure what kind of animal, just that it was dead and had black hair. 

And that Chara took a fancy to it.

All day, we've been teasing her. Her new nickname is Road Kill Lover. Remember her previous one was Poop Face. :) 

So innocent. 

We keep joking that she thought it was playing back with her and didn't realize it was dead, which is probably true. Chara often misses social cues like that. When cats and dogs growl at her or humans shriek away from her, she happily pounces back and forth trying to play, like she thinks that's what those growls & shrieks mean. 

She's a smart girl but clueless. :) 

Brothas' from the same Motha'

Happy Birthday Brothers!!

Cool fact about my brothers, they have the same birthday but are 4 years apart! November 7th.

I can still remember the day Jacob was born, we were at the hospital, on Justin's birthday, playing with our blue jean bags that my mom had painted with our names and ironed on fun pictures and filled with toys, candy, coloring books, and lots of love. They were our special presents for having a baby brother! 

My mom had Jacob, but had to stay at the hospital, so we all went to Golden Corral, a buffet in Austin, I was super excited because I used to love buffets, all the food you want?! What?!?,  and celebrated Justin's birthday. I love my brothers. Not to sound partial, but they are seriously the best brothers in the world!

The View from our Bed

Is just a white wall. I should probably do something about that. That's the only view I've seen the last few days. The hubs is at work and I'm bedridden, with no computer. Which has been nice actually. I've slept ridiculous amounts and spent much needed time with Jesus. I will say though that my back is killing me and I've missed blogging like crazy! But it's been so good. 

via

Last week my heart started skipping pretty continuously. This past weekend and the last two days anytime I get out of bed it skips and flutters constantly. It's scary stuff but I am trusting God with my little ole' heart. Well, trying to. :) I will get a holtor moniter for 24 hours tomorrow and one day I'll blog about this whole anxiety/heart experience I've had the last 7 months. But not today. 

Because today is Tuesday! 

And it's time for 

Tuesday Tidbits!

Since I didn't do one last week, there is TONS to catch you up on! 

• Last week we had a "See Ya Later" pizza party for Jessica and Marrick. :( We were so bummed to see them go Saturday but we know God has amazing plans for them. Honestly, I'm super sad. I feel like a huge part of my heart and life here in Qingdao, got on a plane for South Africa Saturday. 

For all you Morning People

Are you one of those "early morning people" that have it all together? 

If so, I envy you. 

{Zachary is {most days} one of these people.}

I am finding myself so often lately exclaiming to the Lord, "I can't do it! I can't do it all." 

I feel swallowed up in to-do lists and hopes. 

And constantly tired.