a little shop update

coral and coconut has been quite the adventure.
i swear every time we make something i wish i could just keep it.
my latest obsession is our terra cotta pots.
i guess that is the hardest part about opening up a shop with pretty things you love.
can i sell to myself please?
anyway- lots of fun new items in our shop windows.
check it out here.

and for all you baby lovers out there, i didn't forget about you...
this little mess had a ball learning how to draw on the sidewalk with chalk.
he kind of figured it out after he ate a handful of dirt, wiped his runny nose all over his face, and ate some chalk.
the boy is loving being outside.

oooh i just want to kiss his skinny little face.

crayola, you can use this photo for advertisement if we get a lifetime supply of chalk!

the etsy shop

dearest dearies,
i would like to make an announcement.

the only one that may be hard is sliding down a rainbow
not quite sure how i am going to make that one work.
but for now...i started an etsy shop!

i have finally checked an item off my bucket list.
it feels really good to do so.

starting an etsy shop has been in the back of my mind for a LOOOONG time.
i would think of things to do and then back out thinking they weren't that great.
i finally just stopped dreaming and started making things.
things i thought were pretty.
i create with some of the loveliest ladies

allyssa
kristina
and my stellar sister natalie (who still has yet to hop on the blog bandwagon)


so to keep you from falling out of your herman miller 1952 eames lounge chair  (which i know you probably own)
it is with greatest pride and deepest pleasure
that i give you
the shop






visit the shop and let me know what pretty thing is your favorite.

what motivates you?

when i run i always keep in mind mini motivations to accomplish bigger goals.
if i can just make it to the other side of the park i can slow down.
when i hit 300 cals i can run downhill.
when this justin bieber song ends i will sprint.
the list goes on and on until i feel like i have reached my main goal.
i began thinking about my habit of forming mini motivations throughout other aspects of my life.
i started listing off the things that motivate me...

• a happy husband
• a healthy son
• a natural relationship with Heavenly Father
• a strong body
• a clean home
• fresh relationships
• the ability to have an eternal perspective

all these things motivate my everyday choices. 

i am learning more and more to filter my decisions with what i am motivated with in order to create the optimum sense of happiness day to day.

i have gotten to the point where i am surrounding myself with multiple projects that are driven by my motivations listed above. 

i often wonder if what motivates me is really why i do the things i do.

i run a company, i have the blog, i started one of these bad boys with some great friends, and i work with the youth at church.

but more importantly...

i am his wife

i am his mother (don't mind my honker.)

and that seriously is all the motivation i need.

PS- that was the unofficial etsy shop announcement.

she is just a babe right now, but get ready. 

when she is working it full force it will be as exciting as hearing fireworks boom on a day that isn't the fourth of july.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...Little Okins Guest Post

Christmas just ain’t what it used to be.  The older I get, the more the magic fades and I miss the days when my sister and I would stay up all night giddy with anticipation wondering what Santa would bring us.

I remember one Christmas, I really really wanted this charm bracelet I had seen in a catalog. I carriedthat catalog with me everywhere, coveting the giant sparkly “diamond” and imagining what photo I would put inside the small little locket.  I bugged my mom relentlessly and put it onthe top of my Christmas list to Santa.

I woke up that Christmas morning bursting with excitement and my sister, brother and I rushed downstairs to find our gifts and we waited impatiently for our parents to wake.  It felt like magic the moment I ripped open the wrapping paper and saw the shiny gold charm bracelet that I had wanted so badly.  I remember feeling so incredibly happy.

I have long outgrown the charm bracelet I had once wanted so badly.  It’s now dingy and a couple of charms are missing, but after all of these years,it’s still one of my most treasured possessions.  It reminds me of this incredibly magical moment where I believed that dreams could come true. 

It makes me miss being a kid. I miss the excitement of Christmas.  I miss ripping wrapping paper off and screaming with delight.  Although appreciative, I’m slow to open gift cards and cash enclosed in generic greeting cards, knowing the magic of Christmas is definitely not hiding inside. 

Now, it’s better to give than receive.  I love to give gifts.  I love creating simple and uniquely magical moments that will be remembered forever.   This holiday I wish you and your loved ones an abundance of magical moments.  If you’re looking for a little help in creating a little holiday magic for your loved ones, check out my Little Okins… the perfect mix of thoughtfulness and the element of surprise!

xoxo,

Tara

www.LittleOkins.etsy.com


I got Blake a little okins. 
It is hiding in his stocking.
I don't know who is more excited!

'Tis the season for some Give+Away **CLOSED**

So last week I was introduced to a lovely little etsy shop that has captured both the elements of unique and splendid at the same time.
Little Fortune Eggs!
I loved Little Okins so much, that I got one for myself.
I would show you mine, but it is a stocking stuffer for a special someone, so without divulging too much more about my choice of egg, without further adieu...

TIME FOR THE GIVEAWAY...

Your own special little egg.
Little Okins can be customized and the little message inside can be as witty as you want it to be!
Here are some of my favorites.

 How can you win one of these sweeties?

• Visit Little Okins
• Leave a comment here with what egg you would choose.

 For an extra entry:

• Become a follower of The Bishop's Wife.
• Share on Facebook or Twitter.

Best of Luck.
The winner will be announced sometime next week!


** GIVEAWAY WINNER - SONIA from The Healthy Foodie**


These eggs are sooo cute! I agree, though that it's sad that you have to crack them open to get the message! I would NEVER be able to crack mine open, and its content would forever remain a mistery.

I think my favorite is "You're my best friend, will you move in with me?" I just think it's sweet.


All winners are chosen at random, using random.org. When entering giveaways please make sure to leave your email/contact information so that I can get back to you if you're the winner! Please also take a quick minute to subscribe to The Bishops' Wife blog!