Fall '13 Cara Box Reveal

This fall I participated in the Cara Box exchange for the first time. During the Cara Box exchange I was able to get to know 2 new friends Codi and Talicia. It was so much fun to get to know these sweet ladies and was super encouraging to e-mail back an forth throughout the past few months. I loved packing a box for Talicia so be sure to check her blog to see what she got.

Codi packed the sweetest box for me! The theme was fall and I was so excited to finally open my package (it arrived while I was on vacation so it was waiting for me the whole time!)

One of the requirements is to include a note of encouragement, and being a person who loves handwritten notes this had to be one of my favorite parts of the box!

Isn't this bracelet so cute! I love how is wraps around multiple times.

Gloves are so necessary in Indiana during the fall and these are perfect! They are even smart phone friendly :)

One of our conversations based around coffee and tea, which I love both! I told Codi I especially loved drinking tea at night in the fall and winter and I was so excited to have my first cup of this tea, it's fantastic!

And here is an adorable mug to drink it with! I also love the verse, it's the perfect reminder all year long.

Finally, I love cooking and was SO excited to get a new cookbook. I have loved looking through this one and it was so sweet of Codi to include some of her favorite recipes for me to try!

I loved participating in the Cara Box Exchange for the first time and will definitely do it again. If you want to try it (which I highly encourage you to do) the next sign up is December 2nd and Kaitlin from http://www.wifessionals.com is the host!

PS- I added new items to my Etsy store this weekend! Remember, 50% of the proceeds are donated to orphanages around the world!

Weekly Finds

I love reading blogs. Every week I read so many good articles and find so many good recipes that I thought I should feature some of them in case you missed them. This may be a weekly thing, or knowing me it will be more bi-weekly, but either way I'm excited to share these with you!

The Read Truth about 'Boring" Men- and the Women who Live with Them: Redefining Boring-When I read this I wanted to scream YES! Don't get me wrong, I have always said I want a more exciting proposal story than my parents (whose I would call boring, but it worked for them!), but what I really want is a daily life full of those boring moments spent together and serving each other.

True Belgium Waffles- When I saw this on pinterest I was excited but hesitant. Once I read the recipe and saw it was based on Bruges Waffles in Salt Lake City (which I still dream about 3 years later) I knew I had to try them!

You Need a Tribe- I am loving all of Jon Acuff's new blog posts, but this one really hit home. When I first thought of Even Better I had to tell people or it never would have happened, I needed (and still need!) my tribe.

Even Better Designs- Speaking of Even Better, did you see my Etsy store opened last week! New designs are being added and remember 50% of the proceeds will always go directly to orphanages around the world!

Pumpkin Alfredo Tortellini- I am dying to make this recipe. Pumpkin, alfredo sauce, and tortellini, all things I've been craving lately!

18 Things Everyone Should Start Making Time for Again- Take time for the things that have been wrongly termed dated or boring.

And finally, a quote to leave you with

via

Etsy Shop Open!!!

I am SO SO SO excited to be able to announce that my Etsy store is now officially opened.

I would be honored if you check it out. I will be adding more designs in the next few days and am always taking suggestions for new designs as well. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EvenBetterDesigns

Thank you for all your support, encouragement, and prayers!

Thankful Thursday 11.7.13

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night                                                                         -Psalm 92:1-2

69. Subbing in the community I grew up in is such a blessing. I love that I know all the secretaries and they always ask me if I am getting enough jobs.

70. Making chocolate chip cookies and my dad asking if I made half a batch because he didn't know I already had a pan in the oven.

71. Sunday afternoon hikes with my dad as the leaves are turning their beautiful shades that are a sure sign of fall

72. Babysitting 2 of my favorite boys and rediscovering how fun Candy Land can be with a 3 year old

73. Beth Barron, a dear friend who has done so much to encourage me

74. Guys, she designed this amazing logo for me!

75. Taking the huge step of announcing Even Better Designs to the world and the amazing support I have received

76. The Olympics are now less that 100 days away!

77. Carving the pumpkin with the thickest skin I have ever seen, but not caring because it is the first pumpkin I carved in 4 years

78. Passing out candy to adorable trick or treaters, hearing their sweet little voices, and their beyond excitement when they saw they got popcorn

79. Receiving my Cara box! 

80. Mustard pants that are perfect for big announcements

81. Captions 3 year olds come up with to describe pictures they drew, "my dad with a smiley face in Hawaii"

82. The leaves are seriously beautiful this year!

83. While drinking tea out of my big McConn mug it never ceases to remind me pray for a dear friend

84. Hearing news that brings me to my knees and knowing that God is there to catch me every time

85. Reading 5 books at a time, but learning SO much from each of them

86. Pumpkin Spice creamer for my morning coffee

Orphan Sunday: Part 2, a HUGE announcement

About a month ago I attended the Influence Conference. The Conference was all about how everyone can use the influence they have to further the kingdom. As I was listening to the speakers and writing down truth after truth an idea was becoming clearer and clearer to me. As this happened, I became more and more unsure.  But I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt this idea was from God and was a way He was revealing to me of how I can use my influence and talents to further His kingdom.

So, without further ado I am SO excited to introduce you to Even Better Designs!

The whole idea behind this business is orphans and how I can help them in creative ways. Since my nephew was born I have made him appliqued shirts which has expanded to making them for friends when their babies are born. Now that is expanding to making them for you! But here is the big deal, the thing that makes me really excited, you get an awesome one of a kind shirt, and 50% of the proceeds will be donated directly to an orphanage! (yes that number scared me at first, but I believe God absolutely has a reason!)

For the past month I have been researching like crazy, making designs, and preparing everything for the ambitious opening date in November. I want you to be the first to see what I've come up with. I'll be opening an Etsy store in the next week or so and am so excited to see how God grows this business.

Scrappy Christmas Tree (with or without bow)

Polka Dot Elephant

Cheery Giraffe

I'm 1! iron on

(just a sampling of designs. I have a few more Christmas ones in the works and am absolutely open to ideas!)

For the months of November and December 50% of the proceeds will go to New Day Foster Home. This is amazing foster home just outside of Beijing that cares for special needs orphans. Check out their website to learn more.

If you want to know more or want to partner with me in any way leave a comment or send an e-mail to evenbetterdesigns@gmail.com. 

Orphan Sunday: Part 1

We've learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes.   -David Platt

I know their names

I've seen their faces

I've held them in my arms

and everything has changed 

my life will never be the same

my prayers are filled with their faces

my arms yearn to rock them to sleep

I have to do something

part 2 and a HUGE announcement coming next!