Mug Love Exchange + Starbucks Giveaway!

For the second year in a row I have teamed up with some of my favorite bloggers to participate in a blogger exchange, and this year I’m a co-host.

If there’s one thing that us bloggers have in common it’s that we all adore fall.  The scents, the crispness in the air, the coziness of it all.  And nothing makes things cozier than a cup of coffee and/or tea!  I typically drink a cup of tea every day, and then I treat myself to coffee occasionally during fall and winter.  When I saw the announcement for a mug exchange I couldn’t sign up fast enough. 

Don’t coffee and fall go hand-in-hand perfectly?

This year I was paired with Danielle at A Sprinkle of Joy, and I could not have been happier.  I have been following along with her and her sweet family for a couple of years now so it was like being paired with a good friend.  She and I both agreed that we would love something fall-themed for the exchange because – surprise! – neither of us actually owned any fall-themed mugs. 

Shocking, I know.

When my package arrived, I was giddy because who doesn’t love receiving stuff in the mail?!

When I unwrapped the mug I almost died.  Y’ALL.  THIS MUG!!!!  Is it not perfect for me?!  It’s currently gracing the top of my two-tiered stand as a piece of my fall décor because it’s just too cute not to display for all to see.  I will probably bring it to work soon as that’s where I do most of my tea drinking.

She also sent a sweet note and some crocheted covers for my other coffee mugs, one for regular mugs and one for travel mugs.  That curly Q on the pumpkin stem is seriously the cutest thing ever.  I think I love those just as much as the mug itself!

Thank you so much, Danielle!  I definitely hit the partner jackpot with you.  XO

If you would like to see what I got for Danielle, you can check it out on her blog.

And now for the fun part… we are giving away a $50 Starbucks gift card for one lucky winner.  You can enter via the Rafflecopter below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

 And if you were part of the exchange, don't forget to link up below! 

*Linking up with Home of Malones for Thoughts for Thursday.

 

An InLinkz Link-up

The Weekend With One of My Birthday Celebrations + CASH GIVEAWAY!!!!

This weekend was a good one!  The weather was perfect, we got a lot done, we had lots of family time, and we had some time to just relax.

We kicked off the weekend with the first of my birthday celebrations on Friday evening.  My father-in-law, sis-in-law, bro-in-law, and nephews met us at Olive Garden for dinner, and then we headed back to my FIL’s house for presents and cake.  Olivia helped me blow out my candles and, y’all, look at the expression on her face when my FIL was lighting the candles.  #Classic  I had no idea that she was even making those faces until I saw the pictures, but she was extremely concerned about the fire and she was talking about how she doesn’t like it.  Lol.

Saturday the weather was ideal.  The high was in the mid-seventies, there was a cool breeze, and the sky was as blue as I’ve ever seen it… not a single cloud in the sky.  We cranked up some music (Ed Sheeran’s newest album… can’t get enough!) and set out clean off the porch and get it ready for the summer.  We moved everything off the porch and I hosed the furniture and pillows down while B cleaned off the porch. 

B had to play tennis around lunchtime, so we finished up the cleaning, and then it was time to get the kids some lunch.  Afterward, I painted Olivia’s little fingers and toes, and then I put her down for her nap, and then I rewarded myself with some relaxation out in the sun.  I put on my swimsuit, grabbed some sunscreen and my book, and I laid out in the sun for a little over an hour.  Pure heaven.

Saturday evening we went to church, and it was finally warm enough to bust out the spring dresses and sandals.  I had gotten just the right amount of sun, so I was on a Vitamin D high for the rest of the evening and it felt amazing.  The kids looked so stinking cute in their spring colors, so I had to snap a few pictures of them… impossible these days, I tell ya!  Jacob is always running off and Olivia never looks at the camera, so we’ll call these a win!

We met my parents and my uncle and his girlfriend at one of our favorite local pubs for brewskies and dinner, and then we headed home to binge watch GG.

Sunday was lunch at my mother-in-law’s and then the kids played in the garden forever.  Olivia had refused to wear shorts and tennis shoes, and had decided instead to wear one of her “pretty dresses” and then she got it all dirty playing in the muddy water.  Sigh.  #JustWearYourJunkClothesForOnce

Late afternoon was spent relaxing because, for once, there was no laundry to be done, and then Sunday evening was spent at my parents’ house.  We brought the fixins’ to make Moscow Mules to go with our chicken and dumplins, French green beans, and roasted brussel sprouts with bacon that my Momma made.  I'm drooling just thinking about it!

After dinner we took a walk down by the lake to soak up just a little more outdoor time.  It was perfection.

 

It was another great weekend... bring on the week!

Now a little something for you to stick around for... A GIVEAWAY!!!!  

I have teamed up with some lovely ladies to give away $50 in PayPal cash!!!!  You can enter via the Rafflecopter below.  It will be up for one week so tell your friends about it!  And good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Linking up with B Loved Boston for Weekending, My Glittery Heart for Hello Monday,  More Pieces of Me for Hello Monday Linkup, and HoHo Runs for Weekly Wrap.

Moscow Mule Gift Basket + $150 Cash Giveaway

Happy Tuesday, friends! 

Brian and I took our first sips of a Moscow Mule at our favorite restaurant in Athens around a year ago, and we’ve been major fans ever since.  In the months following, we tried them at several of our favorite restaurants all over town, and both of us agree that it’s now one of our very favorite cocktails.

When Father’s Day rolled around earlier this year, I was struggling to come up with something great to gift B (he’s impossible to buy for) when the idea hit me.  Why not give him his very own copper mugs so we can start making Moscow Mules at home instead of seeking them out at restaurants?!  Better yet, why not give him a basket of all of the ingredients so we can whip some up the same evening that he opens the gift?

Such a brilliant idea that was also very easy to pull together.  Here is what you need:

A basket (mine is from Hobby Lobby)

Shredded paper or something else to line the bottom of the basket

Copper mugs (I bought four of these.)

Ginger Beer

Vodka

Limes

The first thing I did was find the perfect copper mugs.  I ended up purchasing these on Amazon as the reviews were fantastic, and I was assured that they were authentic copper.  Real copper mugs are more pricey, but they hold up way better than the cheap ones.

The next thing I did was to research the very best brand of ginger beer to use for a Moscow Mule.  There are many to choose from, all of which have very different flavors, so I wasn’t even sure where to begin.  The overwhelming majority of people on the internet recommended Fever Tree as it is the most full-flavored with the perfect amount of spice, so that’s what I went with.  You know, because the internet is always right.  ;o)  And fun fact, there’s actually no alcohol in ginger beer... #TheMoreYouKnow

As far as vodka goes, Tito’s is my go-to when I want something nice that also won’t break the bank.  I typically use something cheaper like Smirnoff when I’m cooking with it.

Once you have rounded up your supplies, arrange everything in the basket and you’re done!  It's the perfect Christmas gift for cocktail lovers and the presentation is just so cute!  You could even hand-write the recipe on a card and stick it in the basket for a personal touch, or tie a buffalo plaid bow around the basket to make it festive!

Now for the recipe…

Use It

Copper mug

Buy It

1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

2 oz. vodka

6 oz. ginger beer

Ice

Make It

1/ Juice your lime.

2/ Pour the lime juice in the copper mug and throw in the hull from the lime as well.

3/ Add vodka and ginger beer and stir.

4/ Fill the mug the rest of the way with ice and enjoy!

It's crisp, it's refreshing, and it has the perfect amount of zing to keep your taste buds guessing!

Now for the really fun part... THE GIVEAWAY!!   

I have teamed up with some wonderful ladies to give away $150 cash!!  ‘Tis the season for shopping, so I’m sure we could all use the extra cheddar.  AmIRight?!  You can enter via the rafflecopter below, and the more ways you enter, the more chances you have to win!  Giveaway runs from now until midnight on 11/22.  The winner will be verified, and will receive the money via PayPal.  Good luck and happy shopping!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Linking up with Our Pretty Little Girls for Tuesday Talk.

Fall Fashion Staples with JORD + Giveaway

Not to sound repetitive, but fall, ahhhh, my favorite time of year.  Nights get a little chillier, clothes get a little cozier, and fashion gets a little more fun.  There are several staples that everyone needs in their fall wardrobe and I’m going to share a few of my favorites.

O N E – Puffer Vests or Utility Vests

These have been all the rage for several years now and they are adorable with a long-sleeve tee, skinny jeans, and boots.  They are also uber warm for those of you who live in colder areas.  Down here in the south it doesn’t tend to get super cold, and that’s why I’m loving this vest. It’s very slim and not too bulky.

T W O – Boots

If boots over skinny jeans is wrong then I don’t want to be right.  This is my go-to look for all of fall and winter.  What did we ever wear before that?  

T H R E E – Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans look fabulous with pretty much any footwear – tall boots, booties, heels, flats, Converse… they are extremely versatile.  You can dress them up or you can dress them down.  I wear them non-stop during the winter.  My favorite pair (and the ones I’m wearing in these pictures) are these from Target.  They are comfortable, they have the perfect amount of stretch, and they don’t slide down when you bend over.  The fit is perfection and they just got a fresh batch of them, so buy away!

F O U R – A Flannel Shirt Dress… or any Flannel for That Matter…

My new favorite purchase is this flannel shirt dress from Target.  I saw the red and black one online and I was heading to grab it on my lunchbreak when Jennifer from Jenuine Happiness told me how beautiful the green one was in person.  Y’all, she was right!  So I bought the green one!  I love everything about this dress.  It’s comfy, it fits perfectly, and the details are so beautiful.  The inside of the dress is lined with black and white gingham for an extra pop of pattern when you roll up the sleeves.  So fun!

F I V E – Booties

I wasn’t so sure about booties when they first came out, but last season I finally embraced them, and I realized that they are perfect for dressy dresses and skirts that don’t look right with taller boots.  

S I X – Scarves

My love for scarves runs deep.  So deep.  The scarf trend is one that I have participated in from the very beginning.  I was the first of all of my friends to wear them, and one of the few in our city to start wearing them for fashion rather than the cold.  I got some weird looks in the beginning, but they have since exploded, and so has my collection.  They are perfect for spicing up an otherwise boring shirt, and these days you can find a scarf to go with pretty much any type of outfit.  

S E V E N – Flats

Since I live in the south, our winters are pretty mild, so flats are perfect for transitioning to fall and winter and they are also perfect for those odd warm winter days that are too hot for boots.  I have lots of flats and these days they come in all colors and funky patterns.  Oh, and they’re comfortable!

E I G H T – Leggings and Tunics

Holy comfort!  Anything that allows me to be appropriately dressed for the public, but feeling like I’m wearing PJs is okay in my book!

N I N E – Game Day Gear!

My personal favorite… If you’re a long time follower, then you know that we cheer for the Georgia Bulldogs.  I was born and raised a Dawg fan, and I bleed red and black.  We are all about the team spirit here on Saturdays.  Heck, I usually wear red and black Friday and Saturday during the fall.  And sometimes Sunday, too!

T E N – Accessories

Since fall and winter is full of long sleeves and layers, I tend to keep my jewelry (especially on my arms) pretty minimal as most of it gets covered up with sleeves anyway.  One thing that I’ve pretty much always worn since I was little is a watch.  I’ve always been a very punctual person, and time is always in the forefront of my mind.  

JORD has a gorgeous collection of watches that just screams fall.  Gorgeous dark browns, blacks, and burgundys are perfect for pairing with your fall wardrobe.  I loved my first JORD watch so much, that I have partnered with them again to showcase another one of their watches.  

The CORA Purpleheart & Mother of Pearl is stunning.  I may even like it better than my first JORD watch, the Fieldcrest in Zebra and Maple.  The CORA features sapphire crystal glass and Swarovski crystal markers, and the color of the wood against the mother of pearl is perfection.  The pictures don’t even do it justice. 

I have received tons of compliments on my first watch... numerous people have asked about it including my midwife’s assistant while I was in the middle of my annual checkup earlier this year.  Haha.  Probably too much info, but I’m just keeping it real over here like I always do!  At least it kept the conversation flowing so things didn’t get awkward!  Anyway, bottom line.  You’ll get lots of compliments and questions about this wrist watch.  

JORD has very graciously offered to give one of my lucky readers a $100 e-gift code for the website, and all other entries will receive a $20 e-gift code… everybody wins something!  The winner will automatically be picked and notified via email at the end of the giveaway.

Christmas will be here before you know it, people, and JORD makes women's watches as well as men's watches.  So even if you don’t want one for yourself, it would make the perfect gift for your husband… and your wives, men!  Do I have any male readers?!   

ENTER THE CONTEST HERE, FRIENDS!

And if you use your prize for a gift for someone else, put one of these on your Christmas wish list.  It will be the most unique watch you will ever own. 

*This post was sponsored by JORD Wood Watches.  All opinions are my own.

*Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for What I What I Wore, Life in the Green House and Taz and Belly for Wardrobe Wednesday, Sydney Fashion Hunter for Fresh Fashion Forum, Pumps & Push Ups for Oh, Hey Girl! Link-Up, The Mummy Chronicles, Tucker Up, Shopping My Closet for Style Me Wednesday, Classy Yet Trendy for Trendy Wednesday Link-Up, The Blended Blog and Jessi's Design and Going the Distance for What's Hap-"Pinning" Wednesday.

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