Kelly Rae Roberts's Blog, page 40

Hip Hip Hooray GiveawayParty!

image credit: Andrea Jenkins/ Etsy
It's party time, friends! I am so happy to host this Hip Hip Hooray Giveaway extravaganza. I hope you're wearing something sparkly because it's about to get crazy good. We've got major party favors, just for you - everything from free registration for popular creative retreats to free spots in some the most popular (and life changing) e-courses offered on the net to exquisite jewelry, art, and so much more. Did I mention I'm throwing in a few goodies as well? With 31 prizes up for grabs, there are lots of chances to win some really beautiful offerings.

Let's get started! Also, please be sure to read all about our sponsors below- not only are they offering amazing giveaways today, but many of them are offering specific discount codes, just for YOU!



PARTY QUEEN: Tara Mohr 

GIVEAWAY: One person will win a spot in the Playing Big program (a $900 value)! Playing Big is a program for any woman who wants to play bigger in her life and in her work. If you have the subtle sense you are still playing small, but you aren't quite sure how to change that, this experience is for you. The Playing Big journey is part inner work to help you overcome fear & self doubt, and clarify your vision. It’s part practical training in skills such as communication, negotiation, and getting media attention for your work. 

Past participant, photographer & blogger Ariane Hunter had this to say:  “From day one of the Playing Big course, I felt things begin to shift within me like I haven’t experienced before. It was the most transformative process I have ever engaged in."

ABOUT: I am passionate about helping brilliant women like you play bigger - for the sake of their own joy and for the sake of the healing of the world. I'm a San Francisco based blogger, coach, MBA grad, poet, dog-lover and newbie tap dancer. My work on women's leadership and wellbeing has been featured in places ranging from Harvard Business Review to The Today Show to Design Sponge.
CONNECT: WEB| PLAYING BIG | BLOG | 10 Rules for Brilliant Women Workbook




PARTY QUEEN: My Friend Beth

GIVEAWAY: One person will win a one month of free membership to My Friend Beth. This provides full access to Beth's tutorials, resources, templates and the vibrant, private Facebook group, where the members encourage, share + provide information for each other.

ABOUT: If you ever wanted to know how to make your own invitations, party decorations, stationery, iphone covers, melamine plates, water bottles and much more, you can find out how, using all of the information on My Friend Beth. This is perfect for anyone who wants to learn to make things using digital graphics, for personal use or for your new or existing business. If you have a online business, on Etsy, your own website or other online venue, Beth can help you sell better, sell more and make more money. With over 10,000 orders on Etsy in just a little over two years, Beth knows how to help improve your online sales. You don't have to be able to draw or have any artistic ability, just bring your creativity and Beth will show you how!

CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | TWITTER 



PARTY QUEEN: ZOE + PIPER... jewelry with a conscience

GIVEAWAY: One person will win this inspiring sterling silver ‘wisdom, courage, strength‘ necklace with brass star and garnet bauble. This necklace encompasses the positive message of Kelly Rae Roberts' designs that we all love and admire so much. When you wear your necklace, you will be reminded to have wisdom, courage and strength throughout the day, no matter what it may hold. You will also encourage others around you to practice these affirmations.

ABOUT: Zoe and Piper… jewelry with a conscience. Specializing in unique jewelry, featuring beautiful gemstones, crystals and spiritual offerings. By using a combination of sterling silver, gold and bronze, we are able to create jewelry with a message and unique beauty. We are proud to donate a portion of our proceeds to select animal sanctuaries and animal advocacy groups. Visit our website for a large selection of jewelry, sure to excite your appreciation for individuality. We are always adding new designs and welcome your feedback.

CONNECT: WEB | PH: 480.654.3700


PARTY QUEEN:  Live Laugh Love Retreats 

GIVEAWAY: One person will win a Sassy Sister Registration to our April Retreat! Sassy Sister Registration includes: Thursday Breakfast, 3 Breakout Sessions and Lunch Value: $349!

ABOUT: Have you ever spent any length of time in a room full of artists and creatives that share your passions and dreams? Not many people get the chance to ever experience the joy of this type of kismet.  For Creatives, there is no better feeling than sharing your artistic passion with others who share that same love and the result is a type of sisterhood bond. This is exactly what you will experience when you attend the Creatives Celebrating Sisterhood Art Retreat in Lake Geneva, WI April 17-19th. Spend time with peers, learn new skills, and honor your inner creative with this one-of a-kind Art Retreat. 

CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | TWITTER  


GUEST OF HONOR: Cherie Burchach: Author, Poet, Artist, Geek

GIVEAWAY: One person will receive a copy of Yes, You. It is my hope that these poems inspire you to create beautiful art, to recognize your value as a woman, and to give you confidence to realize your dreams.

ABOUT: Yes, you are worthy! That’s the message of my latest book of poetry, Yes, You. You are special and important, and you deserved to be loved and treated well. Yes, You offers poems of hope and inspiration, ranging in topic from life and faith to honoring other women.

CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | TWITTER



GUEST OF HONOR: Kandy Myny Mixed Media Artist, Bit O' Whimsey Design Studio

GIVEAWAY: One person will receive a 12 x 16 inspirational print titled “Begin Anew.” And one person will receive 5 x 7 inspirational print titled “She Realized Her Courage.” My hope is that my art inspires you and brings a little bit of whimsy into your home! Good Luck and I hope you win!

ABOUT: Hi, my name is Kandy and I am a self taught mixed media artist. Creating fun whimsical art is a passion of mine. I love using found papers, paint, charcoal, and ink to create unique pieces of art full of color and whimsical images all created out of my home studio in Shelby Township, Michigan.

CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | ETSY 

GUEST OF HONOR: Jessica Nichols of Sweet Eventide
GIVEAWAY: One person will win a iPhone case (Choose iPhone case for a 4/4S or a 5) and one 8x12 fine art photograph featuring my best-selling image, Loads of Ranunculus. Celebrate the arrival of spring with Sweet Eventide. 
ABOUT: I’m a self-taught photographer and a four-time lymphoma survivor. I love when Jewel sings, “My hands are small I know, but they are not yours, they are my own.” I believe there is magic in the ordinary and I try to photograph as much of it as possible.

CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | TWITTER



GUEST OF HONOR: Sarah Stevenson of Redline Design

GIVEAWAY: One person will win a $75 gift card to Redline Design. This month, it is my pleasure to share my new photography line, Flourish with all of you through Kelly Rae’s site.

ABOUT: Hello, I'm Sarah Stevenson, owner and creative mind behind redlinedesign®. I’m a registered interior designer with over 25 years of design and architectural experience, an artist and photographer. Whether I am creating a space for others to come and explore their own creativity or I am sharing my art with the world, I strive to develop long term relationships that are based upon integrity and trust. I speak my truth with authenticity, kindness and tenderness.

CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | TWITTER | SHOP


GUEST OF HONOR: Donna Heart

GIVEAWAY: One person will will their choice of any two limited edition prints from Donna's shop. Each print is from an edition of ten and wont be reproduced in this format again! They are printed using Ultra Chrome III pigment dyes and are UV coated to last a lifetime. May they brighten up your home + heart!

ABOUT: Hi, I'm Donna Heart. I make art to brighten your heart + home. I work full-time from my home studio in Western Australia painting and designing patterns rich in colour with a whole lot of heart. I offer original art for all spaces, giclee matted prints, stretched canvas prints, notebooks, cards and bookmarks. I am also available for commissions! I believe that: Beauty is not an indulgence, it's a cultural need, creativity heals, colour makes a house a home and life is too short to play small. All KRR readers will receive a 15% discount when you visit my ETSY shop. Simply use discount code heartlife2013 at the checkout.

CONNECT: WEB | FACEBOOK 


GUEST OF HONOR: Debby Monk

GIVEAWAY: One person will win a cop of Debby's eBook, Searching for Julia Stone.

ABOUT: When a dancer builds her life on a secret, it's only a matter of time until she loses her balance. To everyone who knows her, Julia Stone appears to live the picture-perfect life. She owns a successful dance studio, enjoys the love of a much younger and sexy man, and bursts with pride over her beautiful teenage daughter. But inside Julia is falling apart. Hiding a terrible secret and fighting self-hatred, Julia faces a huge personal crisis. Can she overcome the demons from her past and regain touch with the one thing that made her whole?

CONNECT: WEB


PARTY GUEST: Galia Alena

GIVEAWAY: One person will win a place on "Of the Heart: The Making of an Heirloom" mixed media workshop. The juicy details.

ABOUT: This is an online mixed media workshop, making a special book to gift, a love letter from the heart and soul, a testament to one you love. Together we will be making a treasured keepsake with lots of writing prompts, poetry, and lots and lots of ideas about what to include. Hands and hearts aligned.

CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | TWITTER


PARTY GUEST: Beryl Young

GIVEAWAY: One person will win a spot in the 6-week Momtographie Online class (starts May 5th, 2013).

ABOUT: Photography teacher Beryl Ayn Young is excited to announce, Momtographie Online: A mom's 6-week recipe for photographic success. Momtographie is perfect for moms with a DSLR camera looking to master technical photography alongside a community of moms just like them. Each week will incorporate PDF guides, workbooks, videos, and community support into lessons that will fit easily into a busy moms life, and will encourage capturing the little things moms love doing with their family.

CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST

PARTY GUEST: Laurie Copps, Young Living Independent Distributor
GIVEAWAY: One person will win one Therapeutic grade peppermint essential oil.

ABOUT:  Essential oils are concentrated liquids extracted from aromatic plants. When grown, harvested and distilled properly, essential oils can have a wide variety of uses and tremendous health benefits*. Essential oils can be chemical-free replacements for items you use every day. Please visit my website (www.youngliving.org/lauriecopps) for suggested favorites, review the product line, or browse other menu options. Thank you.
* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
CONNECT: WEB 


PARTY GUEST: Live.Life.Wonderful.

GIVEAWAY: Three people will win a spot in the eCourse Live.Life.Wonderful.

ABOUT: Live.Life.Wonderful. - The eCourse: 30 days of thought provoking words, images, and activities to get you thinking, dreaming and scheming about ways to bring more wonderful into your life. This course will guide you in ways to manifest a mindset of positive thinking, gratefulness and abundance. Designed for those in transition; soul searchers and seekers; feel good junkies; anyone in need of inspiration and affirmations that life is indeed, pretty darn wonderful.

CONNECT: WEB | FACEBOOK |  TWITTER 



PARTY GUEST: Superhero Life

GIVEAWAY: Two people will win a spot in the Superhero Photo e-course. 

ABOUT: Photography is more than a hobby — it’s a way of seeing the world. And it’s not about technical skill, or having the latest lenses + gadgets — it’s about chasing light, capturing delight, and shifting our perspectives — literally and artistically. With Superhero Photo, we'll transform the way we take photos + the way we see our world. Class begins Monday, June 24th, 2013! Register now! I’m also giving away 3 spots in the upcoming session!

CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | TWITTER


PARTY GUEST: Curly Girl Design

GIVEAWAY: One person will win a framed collage wall art + super sweet card pack (both pictured above)!

ABOUT: From stationary to home goods to personal accessories, Curly Girl Design is all about fabulous products for imperfectly delightful living! We love adorning our walls with happy, inspirational, & beautiful things, which is why we are giving away our Off Your Path Wall Art and a suite of our newest cards! We hope you love them as much as we do! Check out our website for a slew of lovely gift ideas and home decor at curlygirldesign.com!

CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | TWITTER


PARTY GUEST: Koren Motekaitis

GIVEAWAY: One person will win a space in my 6 month weight loss coaching program. $800 value!


ABOUT: How she really does it is a radio show where inspiration + possibility meet. It is a place for you to learn how to create the life you want. Koren is the host of the show as well as a coach helping REAL women end their food struggles + build relationships so they can live peaceful + fulfilling lives. If you are interested in ending your food struggles I invite you to join the Circle.
CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | TWITTER

PARTY GUEST: Jennifer Valentine of Sacred Cake

GIVEAWAY: One person will win a $25 gift certificate to Sacred Cake.

ABOUT: At her beloved shop Sacred Cake, Jennifer Valentine creates timeless, heirloom quality assemblage jewelry to delight you. Whether it is for a wedding, a graduation, or a gift to yourself to celebrate everyday victories;  Jennifer provides personal, professional service that you can always rely on to exceed your expectations and make you feel as special and as singular as you truly are. Kelly Rae's readers recieve 25% OFF your entire purchase with coupon code HIPHOORAY at Sacred Cake on Etsy.

CONNECT: WEB |  FACEBOOK | ETSY

AND YOUR HOST! Me, Kelly Rae Roberts

GIVEAWAY: One person will win the Unleash Your Joy Tote bag. One person will win the signed wall canvas called Slow Down.  Six people will win a selection of jewelry (about six pieces for each winner!) from Kelly Rae's new collection. Holy smokes, that's a lot of goodness.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment below to enter the giveaway (31 winners!). Tell us what you're celebrating (it is a party, after all!). Please enter just one comment. Comments will be closed Friday, at 3pm (PST). We'll randomly select the 31 winners and announce them shortly after comments have been closed. Please be sure to check back (or get blog posts delivered to your inbox) so that you don't miss the announcement. 

Whew! That was FUN. Thank you sponsors for your extraordinary offerings. Want to be a sponsor at our next giveaway (once per month), we'd love to have you.

on not turning down the volume + announcing giveaway party!

(me, a couple of weeks ago on the OR coast)
I am a HUGE fan of Gay Hendricks. As I wrote on this page where I share my favorite supplies and books, I read his book Conscious Living  in college and it has fully informed my views on life, partnership, vulnerability, and more. I have read and re-read it. It’s a book that speaks my language and has changed my life. Highly recommended.

Recently, I bought his book, The Big Leap, and again, another life changer. This particular passage about the hidden barriers we have when it comes to shining brightly in our lives stopped me in my tracks:

Hidden Barrier No. 1: Feeling Fundamentally Flawed.

The belief that one is fundamentally flawed in some way is an immense barrier to optimal experience. And it brings with it a related fear: If you did make a commitment to fully using your unique gifts, you might fail. This belief tells you to play it safe and stay small. That way, if you fail, at least you fail small.

Hidden Barrier No. 2: Disloyalty and Abandonment.

This barrier is the feeling that I cannot expand to my full success because it would cause me to end up all alone, be disloyal to my roots and leave behind people from my past.


Hidden Barrier No. 3: Believing That More Success Makes You a Bigger Burden.

This barrier is the feeling that I cannot achieve my highest potential because I'd be an even bigger burden than I am now.

Hidden Barrier No. 4: The Crime of Outshining.

The unconscious mantra of the outshining barrier goes like this: I must not achieve my full success, because if I did I would outshine someone and make him or her look or feel bad. This barrier is very common among gifted and talented children. They get a lot of their parents' attention, but they also get a strong subliminal message: Don't shine too much, or you'll make others feel bad or look bad. One unconscious solution that gifted children devise is to turn down the volume on their genius so others don't feel threatened by it. The other solution is to continue to shine brightly but turn down the volume on their enjoyment of it.

(me, couple of weeks ago on the OR coast when I was returning to my confidence)
Good stuff, right?

This particular sentence in No 4 hit home for me (big time):
The other solution is to continue to shine brightly but turn down the volume on their enjoyment of it.

Ah yes, this sounds familiar. This is my struggle. As I made my way into the creative life, I learned to shine. I also believe that when we allow ourselves to shine, we give others permission to do the same. What I'm really working on these days, thanks to Mr. Hendricks, is not turning down the volume on my enjoying it. Major aha. It made me think of the idea that until we really enjoy it, then we haven't fully received the gift. And if we haven't fully received the gift, then we're not filling our well to then give and radiate out to our families and into our work in the world. And perhaps one of the reasons we're not fully enjoying/receiving the gift is because there is a sense of undeserving/shame attached to it. Not deserving = can't enjoy it. If we think we're deserving, then full permission to enjoy. So yes, I'm working on this. Something tells me it's critical in order to take the next big leap. Thank you, Mr. Hendricks. You have been a huge guide for me. So thankful!

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.”- Marianne Williamson     



Speaking of joy and really good things....I am hosting a HUGE Hip Hip Hooray Giveaway Party here in this space on Thursday. One day only. Major prizes and party favors. All free. All awesome. And YOU are invited. Put on your party dress, friends. And I'll see you here on Thursday!
XXO, Kelly Rae

Yes to Growing. Yes to healing.

Signed/matted prints available here.

I've been thinking so much about healing. About how we all need it. About how we must heal ourselves before we can fully nurture others (including our children), before we can fully offer up our work/vision to the world, before we can fully lean into the joy.  I think I used to think that healing was for those who were in serious trouble or for those who were in incredible despair, depression, or worse I didn't occur to me that healing was something we all need, and often. I also thought that healing was something that happened to you vs something we create for ourselves.

I'm learning how untrue both those beliefs were and how healing, in some ways, is a life long process + practice of unlearning much of what we've been taught and told along the way. Unlearning as in pealing back the layers of fear and armor and all the stuff that gets in the way of our truest voice. Unlearning as in going all the way back to the moment of trauma and healing that younger version of ourselves with compassionate guidance. Unlearning as in unraveling all the untrue stories we tell about ourselves while we begin to tell new, more accurate stories (I AM enough. I AM loved. I AM worthy.).

"Like archaeologists of the soul, we need to excavate our hidden depths to unearth the shards of the spirit, and then reassemble those fragments into a whole self." - Caroline Myss 
As I continue my everyday healing practice/awareness, I am amazed at how my older life, my social work life - the younger version of myself that was lit up by self discovery - is re-emerging back into the fold as new kind of soul work life. That's what it feels like. Good, solid, healing soul work.

Wishing the same sweet healing for you, too.


A couple quick announcements:
- Remember back in early Feb when I told you that the amazing Alex Franzen was coming to my studio to teach a workshop? Friends, the workshop sold out quickly. The even better news? We've added a second date. Want to come hang out in my studio with me and about 20 other people for what will be an incredible workshop? Come on over friends. There are seven spots left. Act fast! All the details are here. 
- This week, on Thursday, we are hosting a HUGE Hip Hip Hooray Giveaway Party. Huge. Mark your calendars, friends. You won't want to miss it. Lots of winners, and major party favors for you! Super excited. 

Brene + Oprah!

© Harpo, Inc 2013 | George Burns
A few weeks ago I was was taking a quick stroll in downtown Portland and had a sudden inclination to call my friend Brene. And so, I did. "What's up, friend?!"
Brene's response: "I just finished taping Super Soul Sunday with Oprah. I'm at the Chicago airport on my way home."

This is when I tell you that I had known that she was going to tape an episode of Super Soul Sunday (one of my FAVORITE shows) but I had no idea that it was happening that day. As any good friend would do, I began to properly freak out and squeal.

The more Brene shared about her incredible experience, the more excited I became for her. I could barely contain it. At one point, I was a girl on a downtown sidewalk in Portland, OR screaming into the phone, "Brene! Brene *&%# Brown! No! Get out! That sounds amazing! Holy S**t!"

The truth is, is that I'm incredibly proud of all of my friends, Oprah or no Oprah, book or no book, "success" or no "success". I know what it takes to be brave with your life (in parenting, in marriage, in our day jobs, in our dream jobs etc), to show up, be seen, be vulnerable, and take huge risks.  It's not easy. But it's beautiful + rewarding + whole. All of my friends, in one way or another, are incredibly brave with their lives and I stand in awe. My heart bursts often, with pride.

(that us, a few summers ago)
But when things of this kind of magnitude happen (big launches, awards, recognition, Oprah shows, etc), my level of excitement blows up. I want to jump, scream, yell into the phone, send cards, flowers, do happy dances, and properly celebrate. To me, that's what being brave in love is all about. It's standing in the center of your shine, dreams, your pride, your love, and courageously shouting it all from the rooftops without playing small.

And so today, friends, I'm shouting out my excitement for Brene. Go Brene Go! I'm not just thrilled for her, but for all the people in the world that are now going to witness her incredible offering + message, including Ms. Winfrey herself.

Brene's first Super Soul Sunday episode with Oprah airs tomorrow at 11am ET/PT on the OWN network. You can watch a preview here. John and I will be watching, toasting, celebrating, and learning. If you don’t have access to the OWN network you can watch it online live via Oprah.com, Facebook.com/supersoulsunday or Facebook.com/OWNTV at 11am ETPT. More details on the silmulcast here. There's also a part 2 episode that airs 3/24!

Don't already know Brene? You are in for a big treat. Don't miss her books (all of them), her blog, or her TED talks.

Nourish Your Soul: NEW necklaces, canvas art, and birdie love.

Each week, I shine a spotlight on a few creations that I'm particularly proud of.  May you be inspired - and perhaps find a little something to nourish your soul.  Click here to see all the posts in this series. 
PS: All of the products featured below (and more) are sold online via Garden Gallery Works (a local shop here in the Portland area), but if you're looking for signed/matted prints and/or originals, you can get these in my online shop. 

PPS: International customers, Garden Gallery is HAPPY to ship worldwide. Please email them  at gardengalleryorders@gmail.com to get started.  



Loving these NEW charm necklaces. I especially love them as layering pieces to be worn with other necklaces for a fun, artsy look. What's really cool about these is the velvet ribbon that is intertwined with the chain - super cool. You can view the full collection of these right here. 


I'm partial to the love charm, but we've got ones for other soul stirring words: create, explore, believe, and faith as well. Cute, no? Awesome gift if I do say so myself!

Considering we started the beginnings of a tribe, I thought I'd share my favorite "Become A Possibilitarian" canvas with you - only $15! Did you guys know that we make "pop frames" for the canvases? As seen above, you can purchase a frame and simply pop your canvas in it, and voila! A whole new way of creating interest on the wall. Pop frames are available in a couple different colors and for every canvas size that we make! 
By the way, we've got a full range of Possibilitarian products to help declare your Possibilitarian voice!

One of my all time favorites, this decorative birdie stand makes me swoon. It's yellow partner in crime is a favorite as well. Aren't they sweet, unique, and artful! Soar on over. 

Thanks, friends. Our mission is to continue to create products that blend creativity with meaning, beauty with function. I so love what I do.

Warmly,
Kelly Rae

Around here lately

That's my old friend Karen and me, about 15 years ago. We were 22 years old and on our first trip out West, from FL to OR. That road trip absolutely changed my life. I wrote about it in this post way back in 2007. 

As my 20th high school reunion approaches, I've been thinking about that girl - who she was, what pieces of her still remain. I think I'll probably go. To the reunion, that is. I have a penchant for getting super duper nostalgic. It suits me beautifully :)

These two continue to capture my heart, daily. John is officially a full time stay at home papa. He couldn't be more proud, more excited. And this makes me incredibly proud, excited. I am in a state of constant gratitude that this is a move we can afford to make. The other day John said he was considering a blog about his stay at home papa adventures. Oh, swoon. I would so read that blog :)

The sun came out for a few days. I notice that I'm in the BEST MOOD EVER when the sun comes out. I'm not going to lie. It can get rough living in the NW with all this rain and gloom. Jan-Mar are the hardest. I'm going to try and manifest tropical travel next year during these months. Please, oh, please! 

We throughly enjoy ourselves when the sun does come out.

And even when it doesn't, of course. Here's True getting in on my daily gratitude practice. Yes, it's a giant piece of paper taped to the fridge. Whatever works, friends. Whatever works. 

Found a little love on the sidewalk the other day. I'll add it to my collection, for sure. 

The other day this is what happened:Friendly stranger: "Hey kid, what's your name?"True: "True"Friendly stranger: "Huh?"True: "T.R.U.E. True!"
I almost fell down, barely believing that True just spelled out his name for someone so that they GOT IT. I love this kid, so so much.

Lately, he's into knee boarding on the tennis courts. 

And staring at the outdoors, possibly dreaming of knee boarding at the tennis courts.
Life, you are so cool.XXO
PS:


Recently, Lacy and I were driving down the street when we saw a sassy woman wearing a very cool coat. Lacy rolled down her window, "Hey sweets, cool coat! Where'd you get it?" The answer? Anthropologie. We bee-lined it to the nearest store, and as luck would have it, they had ONE left, 30% off the already marked down price no less! Oh yeah, baby. I love this coat. Feels like me, and I'm pretty sure I would have worn it in high school, too. It may just have to take the trip with me to my 20th reunion :)

Who knew, I love carrots!

Lacy is my newish biz doula/manager/health coach. And she is amazing. Isn't she cute?


Recently, she made some carrot juice that didn't taste like carrot juice at all (a great thing, if you're me), and it's been my way into juicing. I thought I'd share a bit of our conversation....

Kelly Rae: Why juice? I know people are crazy about it ....

Lacy: Juicing is an easy + efficient way to get loads of fruits and veggies into your diet. Since the fiber is removed in the juicing process it's super easy for your body to digest and absorb all the nutrients. And you feel amazing after.

Here's the recipe we used for the carrot juice that doesn't taste like carrot juice:

Carrot, Apple, Lemon, Ginger Juice

You'll need:
a juicer
6 - 8 carrots, cut off the tops
2 large or 4 small apples, remove seeds*
1/2 lemon, juice skins and all
1 thumb of ginger


Lacy: *Apple seeds contain a small amount of cyanide. It's really nothing to freak out over, the amounts are so small the body can easily metabolize it but I make a habit of taking them out.

Ginger is a STRONG flavor so when you're starting out a little goes a long way. When I say use a thumb I mean a piece the size of your thumb or smaller. You can always start with a little and add more after you give it a taste. 
Ta da! Isn't it the most beautiful color!


Kelly Rae: Lacy, thank you SO MUCH for showing me the way. Seriously friends, my life has been changed! 
XXO
PS:

John (who, by the way, is now a full time stay at home papa!!) has caught the juicing bug. I caught him and True juicing an enormous amount of veggies the other day. True hands John the veggies, one by one. Super cute. 

How Cute Is That: love letter for the wall

 
How Cute Is That? is my mom’s favorite expression — and our ongoing home decor & DIY series. From aprons to attics to alternative offices, we’re breathing new life into anything old, sharing inspired ideas,  and spinning mismatched scraps into charming decor. And YES, you can try this at home!
Click here to see all the posts in this ongoing project series.

Super simple idea that is super adorable. Step one: Grab an empty collage photo frame. I got the one above from Pier One.

Next up: Instead of photos, insert hand written words that spell out a statement. For this one, I simply wrote one word per photo frame. I used a sharpie to write the words on torn sheets of old paper. I then taped them to the cardboard that was already in the frame (placeholders for photos) with washi tape. 

You are so very loved....a perfect, instant hope message for the wall.

I hung this one up next to the bed in our guest room. I love the idea of our guests lying down after a busy day only to look over and see this sweet little message hanging on the wall.
Now, seriously friends. HOW CUTE IS THAT?

Click here to see all the posts in this ongoing project series.

Nourish Your Soul: New scrapbooks, wall art, + locket

Each week, I shine a spotlight on a few creations that I'm particularly proud of.  May you be inspired - and perhaps find a little something to nourish your soul.  Click here to see all the posts in this series. 
PS: All of the products featured below (and more) are sold online via Garden Gallery Works (a local shop here in the Portland area), but if you're looking for signed/matted prints and/or originals, you can get these in my online shop. 

PPS: International customers, Garden Gallery is HAPPY to ship worldwide. Please email them  at gardengalleryorders@gmail.com to get started.  


NEW!!!! Inspired by oversized vintage scrapbooks (the ones that hold newspaper clippings and such), we created this GORGEOUS, crazy beautiful oversized scrapbook/memory book. The front cover is made of fabric and features lace and rhinestone and a place to hold a 4x6 photo.

When you open the scrapbook, you are greeted with a stunning collage, velvet ribbon holders, and delight! 

Turn the page once more and you'll find the rest of the pages - thick, oversized pages to hold photos, clippings, writing, and more. Sure to be a family heirloom. GORGEOUS.
There are two of these books. One is here and the other is here. 

Dear Faith, Thank you for holding the spaces between fear + love, mystery + trust, and for your unending courage. This is a new 12 x 16 wall canvas, available here. 

Soon after True was born, I painted a canvas of the two of us. It read "your heart will never be alone." We've reinvented that lovely phrase for this adorable, meaningful locket. I LOVE how this turned out. Mine holds a photo of True on one side, and me and John on the other. It can be yours, too - lovely gift if I do say so myself! Available here.

Thanks, friends. Our mission is to continue to create products that blend creativity with meaning, beauty with function. I so love what I do.

Warmly,
Kelly Rae

Room Tour: Living room (again!)

I'm thinking third time's the charm, right? We've lived in our house now a couple of years now but our living room has gone through several various arrangements (you can see one and two variations). I love rearranging furniture, but there was something always a little off about the living room arrangement for me - something to do with it's irregular shape (it's on the skinny and long side), and not having a solid wall upon which to anchor the space (all the walls either have windows, doorways, or a fireplace).

And so, we took another stab at reconfiguring this space.

(bookshelves going up!)
We put in some built-in bookshelves, which was a good move. A very good move. Made the room look wider, grander. Also gave us some space to add in some charming personality with our books and meaningful trinkets. 

Totally love how they turned out. Also totally love that the the built-ins we originally put in the dining room to hold books can now hold dining room stuff, and not books.
(Love how you can see True's construction paper hearts in the adjacent room)
Another big move we made (besides scoring a chevron rug on overstock.com) was to get rid of our one big couch and replace it with two small loveseats. Best move ever. It allowed us to anchor the room with the couches instead of a wall and it also allowed the room to be what it really wanted to be: sort of skinny and long. Result? LOVE! 

I had a super fun time making this wall of art. I'm not a big fan of planning it all out to precision. Rather, I attack it like a painting: just start hammering stuff up until if feels/looks just about right. Really happy with how it all turned out.
Toddler True loves it too. Turns out the chevron patterns on the rug are prefect pretend roadways and train tracks. And the skinny coffee table is a perfect pretend bridge or pretend horse or another racetrack and on and on.
I deeply believe in creating home spaces that inspire us, that lift us up, that remind us of who we are and the life we've built. Beauty matters! 

Check out our other room tours, DIY projects, and renovation madness stories here.