Have you Heard? || Google Photos

Google-- a new toy?!? Last week they announced Google Photos, a app that stores and automatically organizes photos-- Hooray!! Google's storage is unlimited and best of all, FREE!! The app will be available from any device and is a great way for users to privately and securely back up and share photos from one single point. 

As an added bonus an in typical Google fashion, it has a search feature. This bonus is something we are all sure to LOVE-- especially so you can find those throw back photos for #tbt. The new app will also build videos and collages for you. There will be an "Assistant" who can offer suggestions.

Pretty neat, Google.

xx

Have you Heard | Beds For Kids

Did you know that thousands (over 7,500) of children in the Charlotte area sleep without a bed or on the floor every night in Charlotte? I was shocked when I heard and I wanted to do something, anything, to get involved and let others know about a great organization, Beds for Kids.

Last week I was able to attend the Beds for Kids Dream Big Benefit with my friend Lyndsey and her dad, Jim. The event was created to raise awareness, funds and resources to supply families in the Charlotte area with furniture.EA Decker was at the event not only to enjoy, but also to take pictures. I hope you enjoy a few snapshots of the event.

Beds for Kids (BFK):

Mission: To provide a bed and other essential furniture to every child and family in need in Charlotte.

Program: Furnishes futures for children and their families through the referrals of other effective agencies as families move from shelters in to permanent housing.

Not Just Beds: In addition to beds, donate your new or gently used furniture items and lamps to help us fully furnish a family's home.

How BFK got started:

In 2010 church small group delivered some furniture to a family in need pieces to a family who had just moved out of a Charlotte shelter and into a home. Realizing something needed to be done for this family and many others one of the small group members, Tim Rowley, decided to do something and in 2011 BFK officially began. Since 2011 Beds for Kids has delivered 2,386 beds and 15,433 essential furniture pieces to children and families in need.

Interested in Beds for Kids and their mission? See how you can get involved here.

  

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies- in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 

1 Peter 4:10,11 

xoxo

Have You Heard || How to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2015

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! 

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17th and is a cultural and religious holiday named in honor of the patron saint of Ireland. It commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland as well as Irish heritage and culture. It is not only  celebrated by the Irish, but also many people throughout the world. According to the U.S News & World Report, "A reported 127 million Americans plan to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year, as a group more than 26 times the Republic of Ireland's total population plans to wear - and spend - some serious green."


Here is my list of How To Celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2015:

1. Wear something GREEN or get *pinched*
Now for this you can go all-out head to toe in green or wear something more subtle like a green shirt or green shamrock socks. If you don't wear green, beware you may get pinched. The thought of pinching someone for not wearing green started in the early 1700s when the holiday started being celebrated in the US. The thought was that if you wore green you were invisible to the Leprechauns, which was a good thing because Leprechauns pinched anyone they could see.

St. Patty's Day 2014

2. Add some Accessories
Jewelry, buttons, pins, headbands are all great ways to dress up your green. On St. Patrick's Day, nothing can be considered overdone. I think it would be fun to accessorize with something like this little Leprechaun Buddy. 

Party City

3. Learn some Irish words and sayings
Of course the Irish have their own words and sayings so if you want to sound like a true Paddy, try inserting some Hiberno-English into your conversation. Here are just a few you can try: 

• "What's the craic?" (their version of "What's Up?"). Craic is an important word in Ireland what describes the enjoyment of an activity or event.
• "Ah, now" (their version of "hey now") This saying expresses dismay at something and in this example is a playful one towards someone giving them a difficult time about something that is not really that bad.
• Eejit (their version of idiot, but in a playful way). If someone does something silly you can comment "Ah, now ya big eejit!!"

4. Try Irish dancing

Irish dancing is a form of step dancing which is not only popular in Ireland but also all over the world. It is a fun way to burn calories. You can learn to Irish dance by attending formal classes, but if you are like me, you will just try to copy something from YouTube and have a fun time pretending you know what you're doing.

 

5. Drink Something Green!

Most bars and pubs love St. Patrick's Day {because it is one of the few holidays known for an increase in alcohol consumption} and will cater to customers with festive St. Patrick's Day themes. If green beer does not interest you check out the Shamrock Shake at McDonalds or make your own.

Whatever you do, have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day and don't forget to pinch those not wearing green!





xoxo

Have You Heard | Throat Coat Tea

North Carolina's weather seems to change with the snap of your fingers. One day it’s sunny and 65 degrees and the next it’s cold, overcast, with a high of 36 degrees. When the weather jumps all around on me, I usually end up with a sore throat, never fun. 

When I have a sore throat, I turn to one of my favorite products, Traditional Medicinals Organic Throat Coat Tea. A few friends have asked me about this tea because it smells so wonderful and I always seem to be having a cup of tea.

The tea is made from Slippery elm, a beautiful, native North American elm tree. It’s the inner bark of this tree that is actually called “slippery elm” due to its, slippery, smooth, and slimy-in-a-good-way properties. Combined with licorice and marshmallow root, the tea blend is very comforting and provides temporary relief from an irritated mouth or throat.

So the next time you have a sore throat, give it a try, you will be glad you did!!

p.s. you can find Throat Coat Tea at MOST grocery stores in the coffee and tea aisle. 

xoxo

Have You Heard | C. Wonder

C. Wonder, the beloved retailer, launched by Chris Burch (Tory Burch's ex husband) announced yesterday that they will be shutting down its remaining stores. They have already shut down most social media BUT their website is still up. Be sure to check them out and HURRY. Their 50% off sale will be up until the end of next week. 

C. Wonder is a lifestyle brand that is know for bright colored apparel and monogrammed goods {in case you didn't already know} and, since opening in 2011, has been criticized for carrying product that reminds many people of Tory Burch. 

I am pretty upset that C. Wonder is closing its doors. I have some pieces that I really love from their stores and always enjoy shopping in store or online. The company now is working out wholesale plans and I cannot wait to see C.Wonder back on shelves...eventually

Until then join me and shop the 50% off sale!!! 

xoxo