Love for Etsy

Wouldn't this print be so sweet in a newly-wed home? I love the vintage paper and candy-apple-red lettering. By designer Lisa Congdon.

I would love to be artistic and make my own version of this promise on paper, with a rustic wooden frame. Oh Etsy, how you inspire me.

Couples

I love these chill, quirky couples. Enjoy!

Attached by Monjojo

Illustration by Anne Le Guern. Found via Glamour

Custom Portrait by Nan Lawson. Found via You are My Fave

A Wednesday Woman

Today, we conclude chapter 1 of Captivating, by John and Stasi Eldredge. If you missed last week's post, I encourage you to start there.

Chapter 1 (cont.) - The Heart of a Woman

*words in italics are direct quotes from the book

Every woman in her heart of hearts longs for three things: to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure and to unveil beauty. That's what makes a woman come alive. (pg 8)

To be romanced

This desire is set deep in the heart of every little girl - and every woman. Yet most of us are ashamed of it. We downplay it. We pretend that it is less than it is. We are women of the twenty-first century after all - strong, independent and capable, thank you very much. (pg 9)

Oh my - this resonates with me. Why? Fear, perhaps? Fear that my desire to be romanced will be viewed as a weakness? Fear that my desire to be romanced will go unmet? And yet, the desire remains. My heart longs to be romanced. It did when I was a little girl and it does today. Are you, like me, willing to admit it?

To play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure

There is something fierce in the heart of a woman... A woman is a warrior too. But she is meant to be a warrior in a uniquely feminine way... [she] wants to believe there is something in [her] that is needed and needed desperately. We were made to be part of a great adventure. An adventure that is shared. We do not want adventure merely for adventure's sake but for what it requires of us for others. We don't want to be alone in it; we want to be in it with others. (pg 11-12)

What would it mean for you to be needed desperately? And to be the answer in a way that only you, as a woman, could be? I want to take a risk, do something dangerous, something that matters! I so want to be a heroine in the life of others, especially my husband.

To unveil beauty

The desire to be beautiful is an ageless longing... And it's not just the desire for an outward beauty, but more - a desire to be captivating in the depths of who you are. (pg 15-16)

Oh how I want to be beautiful! How much more so do I want others to see my inner beauty? I'm praying that God constantly work on my heart so that when my husband (who else knows me best?) sees me, he finds overwhelming outer and inner beauty. This is a dream.

February Calendar

Sometimes, it's the simplest things that catch my eye. I was recently browsing Silhouette, the new blog of a college acquaintance, when I came across the calendar below. She designed this herself and offers it free for us to download here.

Each month, she will post a new calendar for your printing pleasure. I was a little late in finding February's post. I'll be sure to get March posted as soon as Jessica makes it available.

I love all the more that she prints hers on linen paper and hangs it with twine.
What do you think of this sweet calendar?

a2 in Review

Yesterday we continued the series, Unshakable. I encourage you to listen to the full message here or visit Pastor Chris' blog for complete message notes. The following includes snippets of yesterday's message and how it touched my heart.

God is Great, God is...

This message overwhelmed me with the majesty and love of our great God.

Chris explained the details of our universe in numbers impossible to comprehend: billions of stars, millions of galaxies. How much is a billion? I know how many zeros come after the one, but how many is a billion? I can hardly grasp it.

Yet, we try. We squeeze our great God into our small minds to try and grasp who He is. And for me, this point really hit home. We trivialize God. We push His majesty aside for a my-size deity.

We overlook that He is "creator, eternal, self-existent, omnipresent, all-knowing, all-mighty, holy and sovereign". We forget that we are "created, dependent, limited by time and space, limited in knowledge, limited in power, messed up".

Why does this matter?

I love the way Chris read from Isaiah chapter 40. Read the full chapter here, as I will just include excerpts.

Yes the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.

Isaiah 40:10 (NLT)

Who is this powerful Lord?

Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?

Isaiah 40: 12 (NLT)

God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them.

Isaiah 40:22 (NLT)

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.

Isaiah 40:26 (NLT)

Are you beginning to feel the awe and mystery of our great God?

Consider this:

Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

Isaiah 40:10-11 (NLT)

Did you catch it?

This unfathomably powerful God will feed you, carry you in His arms, hold you close to His heart, gently lead you.

I remain overwhelmed by the majesty and love of our great God.

Love for Etsy

Have you seen this site? If you crave a home with handmade accents or a closet full of vintage clothing, take a moment to peruse Etsy here. Individuals posts items from colorful party decor to funky art and jewelry, to unique gifts and so much more!

Each week, I'll post a favorite Etsy find or two for your enjoyment.

This week, we'll start with the Etsy items used in our October 2009 wedding. The photos below were taken by the talented and laid-back Kellen Jacob and his wife Paula.

If you like the items you see, be sure to check out the designer's shop!

Birdcage veil and headband with fascinator
This veil comes from designer TessaKim. She did a wonderful job combining a vintage birdcage veil with a funky flower headband. Also, the veil is detachable!

Fabric Bird Cake-toppers

I wanted something to fit our style and budget and designer The Girl in Yellow was so flexible and creative. Don't you just love the fedora and veil?

Lariat Lemon-Drop Necklace
I love the pop of color and the simplistic beauty of this necklace. Wonderful job by JennyTRinh. (This picture was obviously not taken by our wedding photographers)

What do you think about these handmade wedding finds? Would you (or did you) use handmade items for your wedding?

**Speaking of handmade, my crafty mom took the trim from her own wedding veil to make my garter. What a treasure!

It's Good to be Cookie-Cutter

I recently came across the cutest idea in sugar cookie history! If you are like me, you desire to be crafty, but it doesn't come natural. Much as I may wish to write a sweet icing message on a sugar cookie, I doubt anyone could read it.

With these cookie cutters, you can imprint the message directly onto the cookie.

The best part is, you can make up your own message! The set includes 7 words (Welcome, Happy, Birthday, Holidays, Thank you, From, I love you), 3 sets of alphabet letters plus extra vowels and commonly used letters.

My sweet husband knew I wanted these so, so bad. They are currently sold out, but will be back in March. I have my gift card ready! What a treat from my valentine. Now I only need to come up with a reason to use my Message-in-a-Cookie Cutters from William-Sonoma. How does "Happy Friday" sound?

What do you think of these cookie-cutters? Do you have a fun party coming up that you can use them for?