Follow Your Purpose + Giveaway
August 24, 2015 • giveaway, review
Sponsored Content
On March 12, 2005, I'd been dating Sean for just a few weeks. I was taking college courses. I was working as a manager at ULTA.
And I was completely unaware that just a few states south of me, a woman was being held hostage in her home by an escaped murderer.
I'll admit that I hate bad news and don't always keep up with current events, but it makes me sad that only now, ten years later, have I heard the story of Ashley Smith spending 7 hours captive in her apartment.
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I read the whole account in 2 hours, refreshed by Smith's honesty (her personal life was a hot mess which she openly admits), and stunned at how the whole account plays out. At one point, she reads out loud from Rick Warren's bestseller, The Purpose Driven Life
, only to be interrupted by her captor, Brian Nichols, upon reading the line "Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose.":
, only to be interrupted by her captor, Brian Nichols, upon reading the line "Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose.":
"Read that again."
She did, and a conversation better suited to a Bible study group ensued. What was Ashley's purpose? What was Brian's? If you opened the book at this page, you might mistake this for a conversation between close friends.
The moment comes as quickly as it passes, but is one of the book's biggest highlights. Don't we all wonder about our purpose from time to time? Or perhaps we know, but something is holding us back...keeping us captive.
As it turns out, Captive has been on the bookshelves for some time now. Formerly titled Unlikely Angel, the book has been adapted to film (check it out September 18) and re-titled Captive, providing a perfect metaphor for Smith's story: not only was she literally captive in her home by Nichols, she was personally captive to poor decisions she'd made throughout her life.
Though nowhere near as dramatic as being held hostage, I think of captivity in my own life—of how I let my thoughts hold me captive instead of living freely. Thoughts like "it's too hard, don't even try," or "keep it to yourself, nobody will understand you" are common lies of Satan working to keep us in captivity when there is absolutely no need.
I encourage you to read Captive for yourself and consider your own purpose...or what keeps you captive from it. If you enjoy it as much as I did, be sure to check out the film next month!
One reader will win a copy of Captive the book. Just enter below!
She did, and a conversation better suited to a Bible study group ensued. What was Ashley's purpose? What was Brian's? If you opened the book at this page, you might mistake this for a conversation between close friends.
The moment comes as quickly as it passes, but is one of the book's biggest highlights. Don't we all wonder about our purpose from time to time? Or perhaps we know, but something is holding us back...keeping us captive.
As it turns out, Captive has been on the bookshelves for some time now. Formerly titled Unlikely Angel, the book has been adapted to film (check it out September 18) and re-titled Captive, providing a perfect metaphor for Smith's story: not only was she literally captive in her home by Nichols, she was personally captive to poor decisions she'd made throughout her life.
Though nowhere near as dramatic as being held hostage, I think of captivity in my own life—of how I let my thoughts hold me captive instead of living freely. Thoughts like "it's too hard, don't even try," or "keep it to yourself, nobody will understand you" are common lies of Satan working to keep us in captivity when there is absolutely no need.
I encourage you to read Captive for yourself and consider your own purpose...or what keeps you captive from it. If you enjoy it as much as I did, be sure to check out the film next month!
One reader will win a copy of Captive the book. Just enter below!
a "let's be real" cruise packing list
August 19, 2015 • travel
Very soon, I'll be embarking on my very first cruise. Naturally, I've been scouring the internet for what to expect and must-haves to pack. From travel sites to message boards to blog posts, I've found a wealth of information...and a menagerie of sponsored content that left me rolling my eyes.
Clearly I'm not bashing sponsored content. Bloggers work hard and deserve compensation. But, not all sponsored content is created equal, and quite frankly, I couldn't care less what you're wearing on your cruise. Of course I'm packing clothes. I don't need outfit collages to help me with my packing.
So, in sponsor-free, "let's get real" fashion, here's what I've determined, without any compensation, are my cruise packing must-haves:
Have you cruised before? What are your essentials?
Clearly I'm not bashing sponsored content. Bloggers work hard and deserve compensation. But, not all sponsored content is created equal, and quite frankly, I couldn't care less what you're wearing on your cruise. Of course I'm packing clothes. I don't need outfit collages to help me with my packing.
So, in sponsor-free, "let's get real" fashion, here's what I've determined, without any compensation, are my cruise packing must-haves:
- Clorox Wipes because I've heard too many stories of viruses spreading on board.
- Bubbly because alcohol markups are highway robbery.
- Corkscrew because corkage fees are crap, too. I'll drink in my cabin, thanks.
- Sunscreen/Aloe/Floppy Hat because when you're German/Irish, you burn.
- Power Strip because rumor has it, cabins only have one outlet and multiple devices need charging.
- Highlighter because we like to mark the fun things we'd like to do.
- Gift for cabin steward because a little kindness goes a long way.
- Waterproof mascara because duh.
- Diffuser because I want to sleep as well as I do at home.
Have you cruised before? What are your essentials?
Baltimore, MD, USA
Let's Be Friends Blog Hop
August 18, 2015 • link up
Welcome to the Let's Be Friends Blog Hop!
A blog hop is a set time frame for current or aspiring bloggers to find new blogs and quality content. It is a great way to make new friends and find inspiration! It is also a fabulous way to promote your own blog and posts.
This is the 131st week of the Let's Be Friends blog hop! Thanks for joining us on this special day. Chelsee and Tiffany are extremely delighted to see the way this hop has grown and love to see your faces each week!
**IMPORTANT HOUSEKEEPING NOTE! We are looking for co-hosts for our blog hop for September/ October! This is a great way to gain new followers and network with other bloggers! If you are interested please email thedwellingtree@gmail.com! Thank you!
Join us every Tuesday at 7am (MST). This blog hop focuses on content. LINK UP YOUR FAVORITE POST from last week in this fun content-sharing blog hop! I love the idea of blog hopping, but I love the idea of reading posts and quality content on new blogs I've never been to even more. Instead of simply linking up your blog button, you are now able to link up your favorite post you recently wrote. Have a delicious recipe to share, DIY tutorial, or heartfelt post? Share it with us! All hosts and co-hosts put up some unique and fun content from the past week. Make sure to check them out. P.S.- you may still link up your blog button and blog name, but it is encouraged to link up your favorite post instead. You will get more page views and interest if you do so! Some of the most successful blog hops I have participate in focus on content rather than just exchanging follows. You never know who will become a loyal follower or pin that delicious new recipe you posted!
The BEST part of this blog hop? Each week there will be a WINNER! That's right, each week we will choose one lucky blog to feature from the previous week's hop. This hop receives thousands of page views every week, so your blog will have the chance to be center stage for free. You must follow all the hosts and co-hosts in order to win. Only those who link up a specific post are eligible to be featured! *You must follow all the hosts and co-hosts in order to win.
The last exciting change is that the co-host spots will now be available to all sponsors of The Dwelling Tree or Southern Beauty Guide. If you are interested in co-hosting the blog hop, email Tiffany or Chelsee about sponsorship opportunities and how to co-host the weekly hop!
Let's Be Friend's Blog Hop Guidelines
1. Link up your favorite post from your week.
2. Follow your hosts and co-hosts.
3. Grab the button and post it on your blog so we can share the love.
4. Visit 3 other blogs, comment, and follow them along!
5. Tweet about this blog hop, using #letsbefriends
6. Pin the button on pinterest so we can spread the news!
***Once a week, one blog will be chosen to be the featured blogger from the previous blog hop.
Meet your hosts:
The Dwelling Tree: Blog, Bloglovin'
Southern Beauty Guide: Blog, Bloglovin'
Meet this week's co-host:
Jess @ Finding Sunshine
Rachel @ Life as Rachel
Ann @ Annster's Domain
Bekah @ Resolve
Aleshea @ Glitz & Grits
Amanda @ Uniquely Unfolded
***This weeks featured post from last week's hop:
Thank you all once again for continually linking up at our blog hop. It is such a fun time and I am so impressed each week with all the amazing posts. Please continue to link up an actual post instead of your blog. We want to keep reading your content and it makes it more fun to pick a winner!
Is there anything we can do differently or better? Please share in the comments!
...on to the Winner!
Collecting Moments
Why Parents should take a break from Technology
I needed to read this post by Maria from Collecting Moments. I am often guilty of having my phone out too much... taking too many pictures, or simply being distracted by social media. I absolutely love her perspective on using technology wisely and in moderation. I LOVE her blog, and am super happy I had the opportunity to read it this week. Please make sure to go check her out and follow her blog! I do not have her photo to share, so please go check out her post and read it- it is well worth 5-10 minutes to read!
Keep posting awesome content! You make it so fun for us to read all your posts! If you can, please link up a specific post. It makes it easier for us to come and visit!
Win a doTerra oils intro kit!
August 11, 2015 • brands, giveaway, link up
Sponsored Review
ear infection essential oils
muscle pain essential oils
decongestant essential oils
It's wonderful that information on the best oils to use for any ailment is so quickly and easily accessible, and I love that I always have at least one of the recommended oils on hand. I've mentioned in multiple posts that my go-to bedtime oil arrangement is a mix of lemon/lavender/peppermint in a diffuser. The three together are an allergy-fighting powerhouse, and separately, they all have amazing properties. At least one of them was mentioned as a treatment for each search above.
The people at doTERRA are no dummies. While I'm still researching the best oil for every little thing, they already knew what I've discovered—lavender, lemon, and peppermint oils are must-haves for oil users and have nearly infinite uses. In fact, their intro kit, put together with beginner users in mind, contains just three oils and I'm pretty sure by now that you can guess which three.
Did I own these oils before I received my intro kit from doTERRA? Yes, but oh my goodness. I've heard lots about this brand and I've been dying to get my hands on some. I wasn't convinced until trying for myself that not all oils are created equally. I alternated brands for the first few days after receiving my intro kit for comparison, and now I use the doTERRA as much as possible. I can literally feel the difference—I gave Sean a back massage today using the lavender and peppermint oils for his sore muscles, and as I type this, my hands are still tingling from the coolness and they smell amazing!
I've definitely been spoiled now that I've experienced the difference for myself. God help me and my wallet as I expand my collection!
Onto the great news—Olive You Whole provided me with this kit for review, and is also giving one reader the same intro kit which includes 5 mL lavender, lemon, and peppermint essential oils with use recommendations for each (you can apply oils, diffuse them, or in the case of high-quality oils like doTERRA, even ingest them!). Whether you're a first time user who is curious or a veteran looking to compare quality for yourself, good luck! Enter for your chance below.
Looking to expand your collection and even have the opportunity for income? Take a look at doTERRA's membership options and their amazing kits, like the Family Physician's kit:
Looking to expand your collection and even have the opportunity for income? Take a look at doTERRA's membership options and their amazing kits, like the Family Physician's kit:
- Go to mydoterra.com/oliveyouwhole
- In the menu click "join and save"
- Choose your language and country
- Choose Wholesale Account
- Enter your info and either choose the Family Physician's Kit OR
- Choose Introductory Kit ($35 wholesale membership fee that gets you 25% off!) and add oils to your cart by searching for each individual oil in the search box.
- Then checkout and you're done! :)
CO-HOSTED BY: Our Mini Family
Each blogger participating in this hop has a giveaway with a prize value of at least $15 - and some are much more than that! Be sure to scroll down the whole list and visit them all - there is no limit to how many you can win! Good luck and have fun!
Baltimore, MD, USA
Let's be Friends Blog Hop
August 4, 2015 • link up
A blog hop is a set time frame for current or aspiring bloggers to find new blogs and quality content. It is a great way to make new friends and find inspiration! It is also a fabulous way to promote your own blog and posts.
This is the 129th week of the Let's Be Friends blog hop! Thanks for joining us on this special day. Chelsee and Tiffany are extremely delighted to see the way this hop has grown and love to see your faces each week!**IMPORTANT HOUSEKEEPING NOTE! We are looking for co-hosts for our blog hop for September! This is a great way to gain new followers and network with other bloggers! If you are interested please email thedwellingtree@gmail.com! Thank you!
Join us every Tuesday at 7am (MST). This blog hop focuses on content. LINK UP YOUR FAVORITE POST from last week in this fun content-sharing blog hop! I love the idea of blog hopping, but I love the idea of reading posts and quality content on new blogs I've never been to even more. Instead of simply linking up your blog button, you are now able to link up your favorite post you recently wrote. Have a delicious recipe to share, DIY tutorial, or heartfelt post? Share it with us! All hosts and co-hosts put up some unique and fun content from the past week. Make sure to check them out. P.S.- you may still link up your blog button and blog name, but it is encouraged to link up your favorite post instead. You will get more page views and interest if you do so! Some of the most successful blog hops I have participate in focus on content rather than just exchanging follows. You never know who will become a loyal follower or pin that delicious new recipe you posted!
The BEST part of this blog hop? Each week there will be a WINNER! That's right, each week we will choose one lucky blog to feature from the previous week's hop. This hop receives thousands of page views every week, so your blog will have the chance to be center stage for free. You must follow all the hosts and co-hosts in order to win. Only those who link up a specific post are eligible to be featured! *You must follow all the hosts and co-hosts in order to win.
The last exciting change is that the co-host spots will now be available to all sponsors of The Dwelling Tree or Southern Beauty Guide. If you are interested in co-hosting the blog hop, email Tiffany or Chelsee about sponsorship opportunities and how to co-host the weekly hop!
Let's Be Friend's Blog Hop Guidelines
1. Link up your favorite post from your week.
2. Follow your hosts and co-hosts.
3. Grab the button and post it on your blog so we can share the love.
4. Visit 3 other blogs, comment, and follow them along!
5. Tweet about this blog hop, using #letsbefriends
6. Pin the button on pinterest so we can spread the news!
***Once a week, one blog will be chosen to be the featured blogger from the previous blog hop.
Meet your hosts:
The Dwelling Tree: Blog, Bloglovin'
Southern Beauty Guide: Blog, Bloglovin'
Meet this week's co-host:
Christine @ Life With a Side of Coffee
Lindsay @ The Flynnigans
Jess @ Finding Sunshine
Rachel @ Life as Rachel
Bekah @ Resolve
Aleshea @ Glitz & Grits
Amanda @ Uniquely Unfolded
Thank you all once again for continually linking up at our blog hop. It is such a fun time and I am so impressed each week with all the amazing posts. Please continue to link up an actual post instead of your blog. We want to keep reading your content and it makes it more fun to pick a winner!
Is there anything we can do differently or better? Please share in the comments!
Hi friends, It's Chelsee this week! As a Beauty Blogger and Makeup Artists I am always on the hunt for organization ideas to implement in my collection. If you are a lover of makeup then I am sure you know exactly the struggle that exists in organizing a collection. When I saw this I knew I had to share it. This is the perfect solution for those that have even the smallest amount of makeup. You can never have enough organization in my opinion! Kierra talks about her makeup organization journey that includes very affordable suggestions. If you are looking for some makeup organization ideas then I highly suggest you check out this post!
Go check out Kierra 's blog and post! :)
Keep posting awesome content! You make it so fun for us to read all your posts! If you can, please link up a specific post. It makes it easier for us to come and visit!
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