40th My Favorite Things Party

Happy Friday!! Been meaning to share my birthday party so here I am!

This year was a milestone for me...the big 40! And I'm still having a hard time believing that's my age!  I wanted to celebrate how I wanted to and gave myself a party.  Since I'm a big girl now that is most definitely allowed!! I'd been wanting to have a My Favorite Things party and this was the perfect time for the maiden voyage! And let me just tell ya....it was so much fun!

Decorations

I went gold!!

I made an invitation that I just texted out, some signs, and a tag and coordinated them all.  I then found a Printable Gold Banner by Somewhat Simple and printed out the letters to spell FORTY for my mantle. I found the "40 can kiss it" with Hershey's kisses idea on Pinterest.

Invite

8x10 Sign

4x6 Sign

Gift Tag

The sequin graphic I found on Canva. And then I used PicMonkey to add text, etc. 

Feel free to use the signs and tag but for personal use only please. 

Food

I made all of my favorite party foods! Even the cake!

Savory

Fav Veggie Dip & veggies

Herbed Tomato & Mozzarella with Crackers

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Red Onion Chutney with Goat Cheese Crostini

Sweet

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Carrot Cake

Drink

Cranberry and Ginger Ale Punch

I found some gold chipboard letters at Hobby Lobby to use as a cake topper. My friend frosted the cake and added gold icing dots for me! Used only gold and white dishes and sprinkled the table with gold and silver big confetti. Oh and fresh hydrangeas! 

My Favorite Things

I took inspiration from a few parties....one by Java Cupcake and one by Shannon Finds Joy.

After eating we played a 'my favorite.....' game (printable here).

I guess it's like Scattergories ( I've never played!), you have everyone answer what their fav food, fav vacation spot, fav websites, etc and then go over answers and the person with the most unique answers is the winner.  I prepared 2 prizes and had 2 winners!  Then it was time to exchange our favorite things! I had everyone bring 5 of one item no more than $5 of value.  I had everyone write their name 5 times and put them in a bowl. Then each lady chose 5 different names, making sure not to get their own name or duplicate any name. We had a total of 9 ladies so at the end of drawing names we had to do some rearranging of names to get it just right.  Next, one by one we told why our item was our favorite and then gave them to the ladies who we had drawn names. Prior to the party I asked everyone to give my their favorite nickname.  I then made everyone a tote with that name in glitter so they'd have something to tote their goodies home in!

I gave a $3 gold striped plastic tumbler perfect for iced coffee! 

The items above are what I got...makeup brush, lip gloss, frame & seashell, makeup wipes, and a visor scent clip.  Others items were post it notes, chap stick, & orange slices.

Everyone loved their bags and what they got! And it was so much fun hearing why the item was a favorite!

I attached the tag that said 'you are my favorite' to every bag....I wanted my friends to know they were my favorites too!

I really think this is the way to celebrate a birthday!! I mean yes, you can totally do this any time but for someone who talks the love language of giving, I loved seeing my friends receive! That was the best gift ever!!

So if you've been thinking about having a My Favorite Things party then just

doooo it!!!

Have a Happy Day!

{Sharing} Adult Coloring

Did you know that 'adult coloring' was a thing?

I saw a blogger post about it on Facebook but I didn't read the story.  But then I saw someone on Instagram post about Beauty in the Bible....a scripture filled adult coloring book! Which, of course, is right up my alley! Once payday hit I promptly purchased it and some fun triangular coloring pencils that I really didn't want to share but did anyway.  Ah, motherhood!

I love to color any way so adding this to my devo time has been awesome!
My first page...

I quickly did a search on good ole' Pinterest and found a couple of sites that had free pages, cool huh?
So if you didn't want to be out any money you could start there!

Think I'll go color now....
Happy Thursday lovelies!!

{Sharing} One Word 2015

A simple new year practice I've been doing the last couple of years is choosing one word to guide me through the year. And for about the second time now, nothing was standing out to me.  Last year was 'more' as in more of Him and less of me.  The Lord has chosen this time to softly drop 'less' in my spirit. The more I questioned, the more it seemed I heard 'less' quietly as ever. You see I feel like I achieved more of Him but did I really get rid of less of me? Less worry, less feeling like I fail as a mom, as a wife? Not really. So I'm thinking that as I work on less in 2015, the result will be that I didn't have to work at more of Him at all, it will just be so. 

I truly believe 2015 is going to be a big year. And I've got to be in tune so I don't miss a thing!!

How about you?

Happy Mother's Day & What Matters Most

(DIY Tile Coaster I made for gifts!)

Well Mother's Day has been over for about 2 minutes now.  

Hope you had a great one! Ha! I sure did! I try not to make a big deal out of this day that way when I do get blessed it means a little more, know what I mean? A couple of week's ago my hubby surprised me with a bird bath that I've wanted for a while now.  Totally not like him! So I just kept telling myself that the bird bath was enough.  Well I came home on Thursday from work and Hunkie had taken Lil' Hunkie shopping and I immediately had to open my gift or else someone would've have eventually just told me what was inside! A lovely new hummingbird feeder, my favorite perfume and some pretty packaged lip balm. I sure am feeling blessed and my hubby probably doesn't realize he's speaking one of my love languages...gifts.  So it's not really about the things, though they are awesome and I love them!, but more about doing for others and how you make them feel. I feel like my husband might finally be 'getting it'.

And guess what? I totally stunk at being a blogger this last week! I had intentions of posting more than just the party but life has been a bit more full lately.  We had a lovely lady in our church lose one of her sons unexpectedly and his service was last week. Another lady lost her dad.  My sister was on pins and needles waiting to hear if she passed one of her extremely tough classes so she could graduate nursing college. My niece had her last high school band concert.  And Lil' Hunkie had a routine heart doctor visit. 

So during all that I found it hard to be a blogger.  Sometimes what matters most is being there for a friend, giving encouraging words, sitting front row at a concert, and just being the best mom you know how. I love being a blogger! But it got rearranged in the list of what matters most. And you know what? 

That's ok. One of the bottom lines of blogging is being good at balancing it within your life. And my opinion is that it's more than ok if there's no time to blog if your attention needs to be elsewhere. 

I've wanted to say that for a long time.  

It felt good.

I really do hope you had a great Mother's Day!!

Like the tile coaster I made for my family? How about I share the graphic?

Just right click and save!

Have a great week lovelies!

{Sharing} One Word 2014

Last year was my first year of choosing one word to guide me through the year.  

I kept seeing several people share theirs for this year on Instagram and began thinking about doing this exercise again.  I admit, I was feeling a little blue because nothing was coming to me.  Maybe it is the fact that I don't feel a complete success with living unhindered for God the entire year.  Looking back though, I'm sure God doesn't see it the same as me.  And remembering the outstanding encounter I had with Him on our ladies retreat....well that event alone I was completely unhindered for Him. But since that retreat I've felt dry. But I've also felt like God was teaching me unhindered trust in Him in a dry season.  A dry season is not the absence of God or His Spirit or Him accomplishing things on our behalf. It is the 'are you going to truly believe He is with you at all times' season. And I believe He is.  Still I was a little worried there would be no word from the Lord for 2014.  But I was gladly wrong!

Yesterday morning I was cleaning the kitchen.  Cleaning house is more enjoyable with your favorite music on in my opinion so I had Hillsong's Glorious Ruins playing. My favorite song came on...To Be Like You...while wiping the microwave and out of the blue my eyes filled with tears and a lump came to my throat and dropped in my spirit was the word 'more'.  And right there, doing nothing special, God sweetly showed up.

   More of Him and so much less of me. 

And so, today my church is staring it's annual 21 day fast. I'm thankful to have my word to focus on during this time! Among certain foods, I'll be fasting Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. I'll still be here blogging.  I'm excited to start 2014 this way! Do you have a word?

And here, be blessed with this......

♥♥

Gift Wrap Organization

Happy Thursday!!
 One more day and I get to enjoy a gal's weekend!
It's time for my church's ladies fall retreat and man am I ready!!
 I recently added a gift wrap corner in my craft room and initially shared it at Today's Creative Blog.
Please tell me I'm not the only gift wrapaholic out there!!
It wasn't until I started organizing all that I had that I realized I might have an issue! It was a total mess before and I'd have to dig to find tissue paper and then couldn't really tell what all bags I had.  Well now that I'm organized I've made a goal.  To not buy any more until I use up most of what I have! Although places like the Target Dollar Spot will be challenging!

First thing I did was buy a narrow bookcase from Kmart (about $70). There is a similar one at Ikea for about $60 but there's not an Ikea in Oklahoma.  And Kmart offered free shipping! I wanted a narrow one because I wanted to use this corner in my craft room.  The cart I found at my church.  It was just sitting in a spare office collecting dust so I asked if no one claimed it during some clean up if I could have it and was thrilled to bring it home! And the only other things I bought were the navy plastic tub and navy wire trash can from the Dollar tree.  Keeping with how I decorated my craft room I found a file organizer and basket to spray paint pink.  And here's what's what......

I do have some shred and small boxes tucked in the cube to the right of the cart. 

And of course I had to do something on the top of the shelf.  All items I had I just pulled them together!

I did make the sign in the white wire frame in PicMonkey.  

It's so nice having it all organized. Now to use it all!

You lovelies have a great weekend!!

{See my Link Parties Page for the shares!}

#SheReadsTruth's 1 Year Anniversary!

Hey lovelies!!

Got a little something different today!

In honor of #SheReadsTruth's 1 year anniversary I joined their link up party and made a vlog!

Woowee! 

I really tried to get this posted before now but I'm not familiar with video stuff at all! I made the video on my cell phone and boy was it difficult getting it from phone to computer! And it's funny to me that you have to download to upload! Ha!

So bare with me as I was nervous and can't even tell you how many times I hit the stop button!

If you are searching for a way to help  you read the bible everyday then I encourage you to check out #SheReadsTruth!! A new plan just started! 

Have a Happy Day!

Tissues of Thanks

In case you didn't know, I'm an Okie. Born and raised and it's the only state I've ever lived in.  Tornado season is part of Oklahoma life.  It's funny to me that to this day my momma can be cool as a cucumber when it comes to tornadoes and my daddy the worry wart. And guess what? That's basically how it is with me and my husband!

I got home from work on Monday about 4 in the afternoon.  I could tell it was fixing to storm but didn't realize how close a tornado was.  The weatherman predicted it to come our way by about 4:30.  Moore had already happened.  Well turns out the possible tornado kept to the north of us but went directly over my sister's house. I texted her to make sure they had taken cover....they live in a double wide mobile home.  She had taken the kids to the Collinsville Library but she had to leave her dog, Buddy outside in the yard....thinking he had a better chance outside then inside.  When I read that I choked up. And all I could do was pray. And make the rounds of making sure my parents and friends who all live in the vicinity of my sister's home were ok. 

I was calm because I was praying. 

When all was over, everyone, everything was ok. Except our hearts, they were heavy.  I literally had a heavy  heart. Still do to a degree. All the support for Oklahoma through all of my social media feeds was overwhelming and helped so much!  And apparently donations have gotten to be overwhelming too! Amazing!

Then I saw Aedriel of Aedriel Originals post on Instagram that Jacin of Lovely Little Details was giving a jar of jam to anyone who had donated to the Red Cross for Oklahoma (with proof). And then Aedriel joined in herself with her own way of helping with some personalized dishes that looks like are sold out already! And even then a church friend making a plea 'to do something about it' on Facebook.  So that got me thinking....what can I do?  Times like these you feel like you need to do something besides pray. 

So I thought of all the crafty things I've made over the years and came up with 

Tissues of Thanks.

With proof of donation for Oklahoma emailed to jennifer@vintagegwen.com, I'll send you a red patterned purse tissue holder filled with tissues. 

I know it's not grand but it gives me the 'do' that has helped my heavy heart already. 

And I know I won't be able to say it enough.....thanks for all the support!

Happy Thursday

Good Friday This & That

First of all the winner of the #ReadyDoneClean Giveaway is Dana!! 

An email has been sent!

 Congrats!!

And second of all....

I sat down to write this post about Easter clothes but just wasn't feeling it.  Perhaps it was because I was tired or perhaps it's because today is Good Friday.  You know the day that was bad for Jesus but good for us. And so Easter clothes just wasn't as important to me as me recognizing this day is. 

I've been reading the #SheReadsTruth Holy Week plan this week and it's been oh so good. Even though it's almost over it's not too late to read through.  Or even do this.... if you're an Instagram user....go to the search function and search #shereadstruth and just look through the pics.  I do this through out the week and am blessed at how others interpret the same reading. 

{These are mine for the week!}

And lastly I did want to share probably one of my most favorite manicures that I have come across to date.  I can't stop thinking about it! Why? Because of the cross.....

I like it all but funny how I think I need that cross!

This awesome mani is by Trina  and Julep featured her on their Facebook and Instagram this week! I'm so glad they did! I like girls who love nail polish and Jesus!!

So I'll be reflecting on the cross today and spending time with my guys. 

And maybe figure out how to get my hands on some studs! ☺

Happy Good Friday lovelies. 

Vintage Gwen now on Bloglovin'!

I've been meaning to use Bloglovin' and so now that Google Reader is going away then it's a done deal! I'm holding out on Google+....I know several of you use it but I can barely keep up with Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest! Oh and Instagram!
For those of you who already use Bloglovin' to follow me thanks so much!!


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Blogiversary Time!!

I can't hardly believe that is time to celebrate another year of blogging!  This coming Thursday will be 2 years for me!  The best part of the last two years? Making friends!  So I thought I would gather some of those wonderful blogging friends and have a My Favorite Things party blog style!  A couple weeks ago I discovered the party trend which was inspired by Oprah and her Favorite Things. And wanted to use that type of party to celebrate blogging and blogging friendships. 

So here's how it will go....I've invited 5 friends to share with us one of their favorite things that cost $6 or less.  Starting tomorrow till Friday, each friend will share her item.  On Saturday I'll share some of mine.  Then one of you will win all the Favorite Things!  Nope, this isn't an elaborate giveaway, it's a fun, maybe I'll find something new I like giveaway!  I will be using Rafflecopter for entering and will have it up everyday so you can enter anytime between Monday and Sunday. 

I'll draw a winner and announce next Monday the 18th.  Show & Share will still be up and running on Wednesday too! And here's the friends who are coming to the party!...

Monday-Clydia of Three Mango Seeds

Tuesday-Rebecca of My Girlish Whims

Wednesday-Lindsay of Southern Lovely

Thursday-Marilyn of The ArtsyGirl Connection

Friday-Emily of Putting Down Roots

So I hope you'll join us! And thanks so very much for being a reader and/or following me in any way, shape, or form! You lovelies make blogging so much fun!

{Sharing} Favorite Photo Apps For Android

Not gonna lie...I love taking pictures! I realize I may not be as artistic and creative as some but I love the magic that happens.  If you think about it with today's technology photography can be instant art. Especially if you're using a cell phone. Since joining the #SheReadsTruth community I've found I enjoy making and sharing 'word art' on my cell phone too. So today I thought I'd share some of the apps I use on my android.  If you're an Iphone user then most of these apps if not all should be available to you. 

Note:

*All of the following apps can be used to edit, edit and edit some more any picture you take

or

-any digital scrapbook paper you can download to your phone

or

-you can do my trick: open PicFrame and choose the frame that allows one picture, then save it. Or before saving pick one of the available patterns or pick a color.  It will look like it's the frame around a white box. Then save. Go to your gallery, then under "PicFrame" you should either have a white square, a patterned square or a colored square. It's like making your own scrapbook paper!

~For Collages~

PicFrame

What I like about PicFrame is that it allows you to round the corners and then gives options under 'Style' for the patterns and colors.  

~For Light/Filters~

Real Bokeh

I loovvee Bokeh! It's just so cool! Real Bokeh is much easier to use on my phone then Lumie.  But Lumie is great too, I just need a newer phone! You should definitely give both a try!

Real Bokeh you control where the 'drops' of light go but with Lumie there's predetermined edits(unless they've updated the app-I don't have much space on my phone for a whole lot of apps-I said I need a new phone right?)

Magic Hour

I haven't gotten to play much with this app but if you love the 'pastel' editing then this app provides great options. This is one of the first apps I've seen where once in the app you can buy more filters to add to the free options it provides. 

~For Font~

Phonto

This is easy to use...I've tried a few other font apps and I think this is the best! 

Plus you can add your own fonts which I want to learn how to do! There's also a cool lady named Rhonna who designs fonts and graphics that you can add to your pics and Phonto is the app to use to accomplish this!

~For Graphics~

Picute

This is my newest app and I love what you can do with it! It has graphics or stamps as they call them, frames, labels and some options to add font.  My bloggin' buddie Eva shared this fun app with me! Yay!

Masking Tape

This is another easy app with a ton of options! 

[All app graphics courtesy of Google Play.]

And here's some examples:

*PicFrame + *Phonto then edited in Instagram

*Picute (the background, envelope & stamp are all in Picute!) + *Phonto then edited in Instagram

*Real Bokeh then edited in Instagram

Of course there are tons more apps, these are what I've been playing with! I keep waiting and waiting for an android version of BubbleFrame! Have you seen it? It's pretty cool! Just look up #bubbleframe on Twitter or Instagram and you'll see what I'm talking about!

What's your fav photo apps? 

Happy Thursday!

{See my Link Parties Page for the shares.}

{Sharing} One Word 2013

Sometimes it's hard not to follow the crowd.
 Especially when the crowd is doing something positive. 

As you may know, choosing just one word to define your year is pretty popular in the blog community.  For some it takes the place of resolutions and goals. For others it aides in accomplishing the resolutions or goals. Which is what my word, I think, will help me do.  

I had been thinking I would jump on the band wagon this time and without expecting it God gave me my word last Sunday morning during worship at church.  Just a drop in my spirit.  And I haven't been able to quit thinking about the word ever since.  

"I want you to live unhindered for Me."

And really if I do that then whatever resolutions, goals, hopes and dreams, etc. etc. I may have...well they'll fall into place.  Because I believe these words...

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." 

Matthew 6:33 New Living Translation 

So I plan to live "not slowed or blocked or interfered with" this year.

Unhindered as a Christian.....

Unhindered as a wife......

Unhindered as a mom.......

Unhindered as a blogger........

Pretty bold, eh?

God said to!

And I won't lie, it's only January 3rd and already I've been challenged as a mom!  And there's a whole other post I need to write about being unhindered as a blogger! 

But since God said it I expect nothing less than Him being by side for the challenge.  I'm ready to be in a place where I'm not easily shaken. And I'm pretty sure God's been preparing me so I'm excited for what the year holds!

To find out more about choosing just one word go to this awesome website...

Believing 2013 is the best yet for us all!

{See my Link Parties page for the fun!}