what i love wednesday {plus a giveaway}

If you haven't tried Chick-fil-A's new Frozen Lemonade, you need to get yourself there in a hurry! Mmmmm! It's so good! Many thanks to #ChickfilaMoms for sending me the coupons. I will most certainly be back for this again!

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I picked up The Runner's Devotional from Family Christian the other day. So far it's delightful.

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I won the WBFJ Birthday Bundle a month ago and I received several CDs. My most favorite has quickly become Lauren's Daigle's album How Can It Be. I am in love with the song, "Trust in You" and I play it on repeat in the car most days.

Check out her YouTube stuff here.

I'm also loving the Unspoken album. One of the kids had already gotten this for Christmas and then I got another copy when I won the birthday prize. I'd love to send the copy to one of you that is interested. Just fill out the widget below to enter. I'll choose a winner this weekend.

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I got this dress at the Old Navy Outlet last week in Myrtle Beach. It was only $12 after the coupons I had and the sale that was going on. It's adorable, comfortable, and stylish. I'm average height, not model tall so it comes to the very top of my knee. I love it.

Win a copy of Unspoken's new CD

what i love Wednesday

Have you seen The Tonight Dough, Ben and Jerry's new ice cream flavor? Do I even need to say anything about this other than "Caramel and Chocolate Ice Creams with Chocolate Cookie Swirls and Gobs of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Peanut Butter Cookie Dough?"

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Sequin Skirts
My friend from college is making these GORGEOUS skirts. They are coming soon to MyLovelyYou Boutique. Check out her Etsy shop to order.

Another Sparkly Lovely Skirt handmade by me! Coming this Spring to my Etsy shop! Where would you rock this skirt? #lookbook #styleblogger #seamtress #lovelyyouboutique #ootd #sparkly #skirts #wiw #style

A photo posted by Natasha (@mylovelyyou) on Feb 18, 2015 at 9:39am PST

Chambray + Colorful Sequins = Ready for Spring! This Sparkly Lovely skirt is handmade by me, coming to my Etsy shop for Spring...super excited! #handmade #sequin #skirts #lovelyyouboutique #styleblogger #lifestyleblogger #lookbook #ootd #streetstyle #pretty #sparkly

A photo posted by Natasha (@mylovelyyou) on Feb 17, 2015 at 1:33pm PST

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Teach Your Monster to Read
You probably know that I'm a computer teacher and like most of the eastern side of the country right now, we've been out of school. Josh has spent a lot of time playing Teach Your Monster to Read and it's by the Usborne Foundation so you know it's gotta be good, right? He sits a few feet away from me and needs virtually no help to figure it out. He advances from skill to skill and he laughs out loud along the way. It's completely free and you can print parent reports to see your child's progress.  If you have a little guys learning to read, I think you should take a look at this site. (And no, they didn't pay me to say this.)

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Coffee With A Story
Chick-fil-a's new coffee is scrumptious! Throughout February, nationwide you can get free coffee all day at your local CFA. My favorite is the Vanilla Iced Coffee, but it's really sweet so if you don't like coffee with your sugar I suggest you try the original. But do try it. YUM!

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What are you loving lately? Leave me some love in the comments.

Our #DisneySide Valentine's Party {+ giveaway}

The kids and I were so excited to host a Valentine's Party to show off our #DisneySide!  I was selected to be a host of a Disney Side @Home Celebration! The idea behind the party was to bring our love of Disney Parks to life. We decided to let our Disney Side shine by hosting a Valentine's party for our family and friends of all ages on Friday evening.

My sister graciously offered her house for the party and I quickly made up some invitations on HP Photo Paper with @MyPrintly. So easy and adorable!

Next we started gathering our Disney things.  I ordered a cake pop maker from Bon Ton and with Shop Runner I got it shipped overnight for free. It made the cutest brownie pops!

We had a fun filled prize table for the guests who participated in the games.

As guests started arriving they got to check out the prize table and talk with one another before we started snacking.

Here is a picture of the food table. Lots of goodies for Valentine's Day and plenty of Disney themed food! We had kettle corn, heart bell peppers and strawberries, Mickey tie-dye cake, Mickey pizzas, and Mickey brownie pops.

The Mickey Mouse pizzas we made disappeared quickly.

and the Mickey Mouse tie-dye cake was a huge hit as well!

At the party we played hot potato with a stuffed Lightning McQueen. This game was great for laughs.

A few guests tested their knowledge with Disney Trivia questions.

One of the sweetest things that happened was when my cousin's son got so excited he'd won a prize that he started jumping up and down. He ran to the prize table and gleefully chose a bottle of princess nail polish and ran back to show his dad. He dad started laughing that he'd chosen nail polish from all of the prizes on the table, but then he excitedly exclaimed, "It's for Mom!" So sweet!

We played Pin the Nose on Olaf (I used this printable to print it poster size).

We played Disney Bingo.

We made Valentine's Day cards for Ronald McDonald House like I mentioned here.

A few guests completed Disney themed activity sheets and coloring pages.

This was so much fun that it might become an annual event in our family. Everyone loves Disney and Valentine's Day is a good time to get together for silly games and treats.

Check out the many ways you can host your own Disney Side @Home Celebration here. There are some really cute ideas!

In addition, if you weren't able to attend I still have several Disney themed prizes leftover from our prize table. I'll select a name on Friday night and the winner will receive a prize pack full of Disney stuff from Disney Parks, Mom Select, and myself. Use the widget below for your chance to win. Good luck and happy Valentine's Day, friends!




Disney Side Prize Pack

what I'm loving Wednesday (a day late)

We'll be making these at my upcoming #DisneySide party but I'd like to share the link in case any of you wan to participate as well. The Winston-Salem Ronald McDonald House is asking for Valentine's Cards for the families that are staying there. Many of them are dealing with difficult circumstances and their family is split because of it. They might not be able to spend Valentine's Day with all of their loved ones and a card just might bring a smile to their faces. Please consider making a few extra Valentine's cards this week and sending them to the address below.

The Ronald McDonald House of Winston-Salem
419 S. Hawthorne Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27103

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Julianna showed this one to me. All I have to say is EXCELLENT! Well worth the three minutes to view.




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I love my church and if you're local I really don't have enough words to describe how much I think you should come. We're kicking off a new small group called Summit Runners and if you're a beginning or an advanced runner who has a passion for fellowship with other Christians then you really should come check it out. There's more info here and if you're totally not interested in Summit Runners then I encourage you to check out all of the other small groups that are starting up.

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Another running link: You still have time to join a winter training program with Fleet Feet. Here's a $20 off coupon that's about to expire next week. The programs that are about to start are great for beginners. I've said it before and I'll say it again. The accountability that you get from group fitness is incredible and the friendships you'll form by being a part of one of these programs are priceless.

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BONUS: I love how Jane says quadrilateral. Check it out.

links i love

Winstagr.am
This site compiles all the photos on Instagram that are tagged with the hashtag wsnc. So cool! Locals should definitely check out the gorgeous photos taken in our City of the Arts.

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Eagerly awaiting this completed development.

source

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It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Fleet Feet Sports. I started my first training program there in January 2012 and it has changed my life. I have continued training with Fleet Feet for three years and I've made more successful changes as a result of my affiliation with this store than anything else. Plus, the friendships I've made and the confidence I've gained from becoming a runner are pretty amazing. I never would have thought I could do the things I've done with Fleet Feet.

If you're curious about running a 5K or some other distance, I want to encourage you to check out the training programs offered by Fleet Feet. Now through February 13th you can use this coupon to take $20 off any winter training program. The support and accountability that group fitness provides cannot be matched.

what i'm loving Wednesday

Are these not the most adorable little girl shoes you've ever seen?! I'm loving Livie and Luca shoes. Perhaps Jane will have to get some for her birthday.

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These new Stand 'N Stuff Soft Tacos from Old El Paso. My family didn't think they were any different than regular taco shells, but I thought they made the actual eating easier and besides, Julianna filled hers with SALAD so I'll certainly keep buying them!

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I read Eugene Cho's book Overrated and it was FABULOUS. I hope you read my post yesterday because I'm giving away a copy to one lucky reader, but YES. It's a good one!

source

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I know this is old news, but I am still loving Chick-fil-A's Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake. It's the perfect blend of cool and creamy and it's not so minty that my kids refuse it. Yum!

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The Big Eat is going on in WSNC again this January and February. Every Tuesday for the next couple of months you can eat at a slew of local restaurants and get delicious menu items at half price. We ate dinner at Bibs last week with all of my family and it was yum-o! Check out the website linked above and see what is included each week.

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This has quickly become my go-to salad dressing. It's Harris Teeter Organics' Miso Ginger Dressing and it's fabulous!

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Is there anything that you've come to love lately that I should know about? Please leave me some comment love!

links i love

Santa 'N' Winston is a Secret Santa that buys gift certificates to local stores and hides them around town for people in the Dash to find. Local peeps, you can follow him on his Facebook page and join in the fun. Thanks for spreading Christmas cheer, Santa!

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Things are Looking Up
I recently shared with my coworkers that I struggle with a bit of on and off again depression and anxiety and ever since then five other people have approached me sharing their similar personal stories. It's such a taboo topic and people don't really talk about it publicly. Even I regretted saying it once it came out of my mouth, but I'm starting to think a little differently now. I want to share this link of the current sermon series at my church. These have been some of the best messages I've heard in a while and I encourage you to check them out. Really good stuff, folks!

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Candy Cane Oreo Pie?
Yes, please.

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I'm not a DIYer but I have dreams of becoming one. (Standard response to myself: After the marathon.) At any rate, Beckie created the cutest hallway cart and you can find out how here. Seriously, very cute.

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Thuy's Berry Basket series is one of the most creative gift wrapping ideas I've seen this year. Get five gift ideas wrapped in a simple and adorable berry basket here.

What are you loving lately?

Also, I still need book recommendations and giveaway entries here.