The Sasse Life: April 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

WIW Wedding Edition

I'm so excited to link up with Absolute Mommy with her WIW: Wedding Edition.

So here goes..

My dress - David's BridalHusband - Marine Corps Dress Blues

When I put my garter on, I put two signs under that huge dress too.  

One that said "Keep Out" & "No Trespassing"

Go show off your Wedding Day and link up too! I can't wait to see all the others!

Sponsor Spotlight: Chronic Christen Crafter

I'm so happy to introduce you to Erin. Erin, take it away!

Hello lovely readers of "the Sasse Life". I am so blessed to be asked by Kim to guest post here at her amazing blog, "the Sasse Life". She is just the sweetest, and I was the luckiest girl just a few weeks ago to win one of her BEAUTIFUL "loved" brooches that she hand crafts in her new "Loved" shop, which was opened to remind us that we are to love one another and to raise suicide awareness...a WONDERFUL CAUSE!

My name is Erin, and I blog @ Chronic Christian Crafter. I blog about DIY home decorating, crafts, and recipes. In addition, I try to post inspirational, encouraging, and uplifting blog posts. And, I do suffer a chronic illness which has been one of the biggest "teachers" in my life to date, so I occasionally address some "life lessons" that I have learned from this...in a positive way and hopefully in a way that is applicable for each and every one to apply to their life. I would love to have you visit, and I have various ways to follow. I included them at the bottom of this post. When I received Kim's brooch, I was very excited...I knew exactly where I wanted it to go. I know it can be worn as a brooch, but I decided to utilize it in another way...as decoration. I wanted to use it as decor in my half bath downstairs...loved how it fit into the decor...

Top Left: close up of brooch, Bottom Left: Brooch, red and black beads purchased @ Dollar Tree , Right: Pedestal dish inherited from great aunt...I love to integrate heirlooms when I can

Just as I like to integrate heirlooms, items of special meaning (i.e. "loved" brooch) throughout my home...I like to integrate items which invoke "memories". I've done just this in our half bath by decorating with pictures, postcards, drawings, etc. purchased from my husband and my travels. Here's pictures:

Top left: Pictures we bought on vacation in New Orleans, Bottom Left: Post Card of trolley purchased on same New Orleans trip, Top Right: Another Picture purchased on New Orleans trip as well as framed "L" purchased from a Charleston, SC trip, Bottom Right: We framed photos, post cards, etc. uniformly to create a unified black and white look

When we first purchased our home, our half bath was painted burgundy. I personally like burgundy walls...but, it was not becoming of our small half bath. So, we found this greyish paint in the "oops" bin, and liked how it complemented the black and white scheme. In addition, we painted the cabinet black...ALL of our cabinets in our home were a natural color with a heavy varnish over them (thankfully I have a very handy husband who has painstakingly updated all of our cabinets since except for our upstairs bathroom...which I am going to try to tackle). We also added a new light fixture in here, new fixtures, etc. (the little touches really do make a big difference)! And, to add an additional "pop"...I added a few reds. However, one of the biggest changest in this room was when we laid tile over the UGLY laminate...BIG IMPROVEMENT!!!

Since the "mini-makeover" was all BEFORE I ever even dreamed of a blog, I don't have before and after photos. However, here is pic of the tile...just take my word for it...BIG IMPROVEMENT!!!

So, there it is...a "mini tour" of my half bath...as well as a glimpse at where I used my "loved" brooch. And, while we are on the subject of the "loved" brooch...I thought I would share a little bit about why I'm SO GLAD Kim is supporting suicide awareness. Kim shared a very touching story of how suicide touched her life so personally...I'm going to share a little story as well....

I went to a private, christian university...some of the best years of my life! We had rules at our university...one of them being a curfew...so we had dorm monitors/RAs to check everybody in at night. One semester, this was my work study job. One night, I was up late, checking people in...when a friend ran down telling me to "call 911"...someone I knew had slit her wrist, and her roommate (that I had just checked in) had just found her. Sparing all the details, the ambulance arrived...and, after a stint in the hospital...she survived. Why did she do it? She and her boyfriend had broken up...she felt hopeless...like there was no tomorrow. I remember that night to this day. One of the more memorable nights, not in a good way, from my college experience.

In addition, I graduated from college with a degree in social work...I worked with individuals diagnosed with clinical depression (something NO ONE should ever be ashamed of). Depression is real, and it is no respecter of persons, social status, etc. Don't be ashamed to ASK FOR HELP!!! As a social worker, I worked with people stating they "wanted to kill themselves". And, I worked to help caretakers in setting up suicide prevention plans. Unfortunately, I've seen the hurt that suicide leaves behind...

That is why I appreciate Kim in raising the awareness of suicide prevention. This is my personal thanks, Kim.

Thank you again, Kim, for allowing me to share with your wonderful readers. If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to come visit me @ Chronic Christian Crafter. I would love to have you. You can find and follow me via:

I also co-host a link party on Tuesdays each week with Debbie @ Debbie Does Creations where you can "toot your horn" about anything that you have created/blogged about. We would love for you to join us...double exposure...double features! Here is our blog button:

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4: 10

Thank you so much, Erin. Love seeing you using a creative way to use the brooch and also sharing your story. Don't forget to shop by and say hi to her!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sunday Social

It's that time again! Time to get social!

How to participate:

1. Follow your host (The Sasse Life).

2. Follow the Featured blog. (The Grant Life)

3. Link up your blog's home page -- not a specific link or you will be deleted!
4. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!
5. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

If you are interested in becoming the Featured blog, please email kim@thesasselife.com

Featured Blog

Kelley from The Grant Life 

Hi! My name is Kelley and I blog over at the Grant life. I share all kinds of mommy goodness. Im sometimes crafty, and I pretend to be a chef but I am always a momma. I am so excited to be hosting the Sunday Social today! I love love love Kim and Audra's blogs! Plus they are Texas girls like me. ;)

Thats me and my little lady at the San Antonio zoo.

blog - shop - twitter - facebook

1. Our kids names - My daughters name is Ryley Ellen.. a combination of our names Ryon and Kelley. Ellen was my grandmas name. My sons name is Avery James.. NOT after the jewelry store. Avery is my in-laws best friends last name. They both passed away around the time we found out we were pregnant. James is Ryon's grandpa's name. I love names with meaning.

2. I have an obsession with twitter and swear that my twitter friends are my real friends. [Just tell me its true.. I dont want to think otherwise.]

3. I have an equal obsession with McDonalds iced coffee.. but wont eat any of their food.

4. My favorite job was coaching high school softball.

5. My favorite colors are navy and cream. They were our wedding colors and I sigh whenever I see them together.

 Let's get social!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Love Simpy Spray

You may have heard me talk about Simply Spray a time or two.

Like that time they gave away some upholstery paint OR

when I painted my couch!

Well guess what? If you didn't get to win some upholstery paint before or you are thinking of painting your own couch.

Simply Spray is now available at Wal-Mart. (which means it's EVERYWHERE) But don't worry, if you live in the middle of nowhere, you can always buy it online!

Never heard of Simply Spray?

Let me introduce you..

Simply Spray is giving you a chance to win one of the Paint Packs.

Here are your choices:

Soft Fabric Paint 3 pack - Blue Jay, Lavender, Black
Stencil Paint 3 pack - Sunset Gold, Red, Black
Stencil Paint 3 pack - Caribbean Blue, Pink, Hot Lime

Excited yet?

Are you ready to enter?

Go Crazy

Some of you have might have noticed I haven't been posting DIY projects recently.
Working full-time
Blogging part-time
Being mommy & wife over-time
I just haven't had anytime.
I have been really focused on my shop too.
I was thinking about this yesterday. That it's okay to take a break. Sometimes we just need to take a break and go crazy.

I'm over at Just Love.ly sharing my story. And there might be a giveaway with it. Guess you will have to check it out to see.

Which also made me think, I would love to hear your stories about suicide. How it has affected your life? And even share your stories here on the blog. Email me at kim@thesasselife.com to share yours.

Mean while, don't forget to go crazy! :)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Crafty Sasse Wednesday Link Party 34

Another week has gone by.

And it's already time for Crafty Sasse Wednesday.

Just a little FYI, Cooper turned 19 months old today. To celebrate, we are giving 20% off at the shop. Use the code 19MONTHS.

Remember every purchase, 50% is donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Features from the week before:

Cherished Bliss's Entry Way Pallet Wood

Crochet Dream's Baby Gladiator Sandals

Scottneal Design's Bench Re-Do

If you were featured, please grab a button.

You have also been pinned on my Pinterest here.

You know the rules.
Let's party!

**If link party isn't showing up, please refresh.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Sunday Social

It's that time again! Time to get social!

How to participate:

1. Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life).

2. Link up your blog's home page -- not a specific link or you will be deleted!
3. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!
4. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

If you are interested in becoming the Featured blog, please email kim@thesasselife.com

Let's get social!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Send Something Good

I'm partipicating in the Send Something Good exchange. VERY excited!

Here a few things I like:

The color teal

Plates

Lace

Funky patterns

Flamingoes

Chevron

Anything pretty & cute

Traveling

Different cultures

I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Also, can I let you in a on a little secret?

I just recently updated the shop with some new Friendship Necklaces.

Remember 50% of every purchase is donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

You are loved, my friend :)

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

7 Questions & Crafty Sasse Wednesday Link Party

I'm killing two birds with one stone and doing two posts all rolled into one.

Let's start with 7 questions. Which if you aren't familiar with it, Gentri Lee hosts this every week. She posts 7 questions for you to answer and you link up. It's an awesome way to meet new bloggers and get to know each other. So come join us! If you are looking for Crafty Sasse Wednesday, scroll ALL the way to the bottom. It's there, I promise! :)

First my silly photo.

This is Cooper and I having a Google Hangout with Jamie & Lindsay. SO much fun.

1. What is your favorite App? (even if you don't have a smart phone I'm sure you've played around with someone else's)

Either Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.. oh and Draw Something.  Addicted to social networking.. I think so.

2. You have to come up with a book title on the spot- what is it? (don't think- just say!)

Hunger Games.  EVERYONE and their grandma have been talking it.  So yes, I went and bought the book.

 3. You are given the choice between laughing at everything- always, or never being able to laugh again. Which would you choose?

Easy peasy squeezey.. laugh at everything.

 4. What natural disaster scares you the most? (tornado, hurricane, earthquake, flood, etc)

Tornado lol, we had one that touched ground about 1/2 mile from our place.. scary! 

 5. What time do you wake up each day? What time do you go to sleep?

Whenever my son wakes up, lol.  Usually go to bed anyway from 12- 2 AM.. sigh

 6. (question courtesy of Katie from http://marriedtoredwhiteandblue.blogspot.com/) Who's your daddy, and what does he do?

Random lol. My father is named David and he's retired. 

 
 7. What's the craziest dream you've ever had? (like an actual dream- while you were sleeping)

I don't know about the craziest one, but I have dreams where they are at the same place over and over again.  But that place doesn't exist.  It trips me out. 

Now let's get to Crafty Sasse Wednesday!  Sorry, there was no party last week.  It's been SUPER busy.  

So features from the week before:

 Stone And Rose's Teen Boy's Room

 Sip-n-wear's DIY Fancy Collar

 The Farm Girl Recipes' Butterfinger Pie

If you were featured, please grab a button.

You have also been pinned on my Pinterest here.

You know the rules.
Let's party!

By leaving your email you are agreeing to be sent email reminders.

**If link party isn't showing up, please refresh.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Sponsor Spotlight & Giveaway: The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife

Hello Everyone, I am Melissa from The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife. A big thank you to Kim for letting me take over her blog for a little while! Here is a little Q&A about me and my blog. Oh and P.S. there is a GIVEAWAY down below.

And now for the GIVEAWAY.

I will be giving away a $10 Macy's Gift Card

And a 200x200 ad on my blog which includes a featured post!

Hello Everyone, I am Melissa from The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife. A big thank you to Kim for letting me take over her blog for a little while! Here is a little Q&A about me and my blog.

Why do you blog?

I blog to expose what's on my heart. I'm quiet in the "real world" so blogging is just an outlet for me to write what I'm really feeling. I'm also a pastor's kid and I work mostly just for my dad's church which makes my life very busy and my posts show a lot of the fun we have in our day to day lives.

I have been married to the love of my life for 7 years and we have been dealing with infertility for our entire marriage. I feel like God has put this issue on my heart to help other women dealing with the same things I am. You can read more about my story of infertility in the About Me section of my blog.

How long have you been blogging?

Well I started secretly blogging for just me in 2011 and then my family found out and told me to get the word out. Once I did that in February 2012, I was amazed at how big the blogging world was and totally fell in love with the people, the community and the day to day writing.

What blogs have inspired you?

Wow! ALOT of blogs have inspired me, everyday I find new inspiration and new friends. Some of my all time favorites would have to be The Letter 4, Living in Yellow, Casey Leigh and of course The Sasse Life!

What do you do outside of the Blog World?

I think my husband would laugh and say "I think the question should be, What doesn't she do". I feel like I start new hobbies everyday from sewing, baking, graphic design, couponing, photography, and so much more. I LOVE learning new things all the time, that's why I fell in love with pinterest so much

Any advice for new bloggers?

Me being fairly new at blogging myself, advice is definitely fresh in my mind. I would say GET YOURSELF OUT THERE. I mean go to every blog big or small and advertise, swap buttons, guest posts, and a big thing is MAKE FRIENDS. There are a lot of fabulous girls out there and if you don't say hello first, you might miss out on a great friendship.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

I'm a simple girl in the fact that I LOVE plan ol' Chocolate Chip Ice Cream! It's a winner every time!

Thanks so much for letting me share with you today! Feel free to stop by my blog at anytime to say Hello, I would LOVE to meet you!

Thanks Mel for sharing all this with us. Isn't she adorable and AH-MAZING? What are you waiting for go to her blog now and say hi! Don't forget to enter the giveaway either!

Sunday Social

It's time to get social again and meet new friends!

How to participate:

1. Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life).
2. Follow the Featured blog. (Debbie Does Creations)

If you are interested in becoming the Featured blog, please email kim@thesasselife.com

Featured Blog:
Debbie Does Creations

I’m currently a stay at home Mom with two gorgeous boys, Alec and Asher, who are five years apart. I’m married to a wonderful husband, Jay, who works in IT for a major retail chain. I became a stay at home Mom in November of 2008 while my first son was 2 1/2. I’ve never considered myself “crafty” and then…PINTEREST! Now I host a monthly Pinterest girls night and I love to create things. I am the only girl in the house and any chance I can use glitter I do. I am hoping we can glitterize this world together! I also host a Toot Your Horn Tuesday Link Party where you can link up anything you want to Toot Your Horn about. We all need to do that sometimes :)

5 Funny Facts:
1. This might be dating me a bit but in high school, I was nicknamed Boxcar from the Boxcar Willy infomercials. I loved country music and all I wanted to do was be a country music singer. I was country, when country wasn't cool! Moved to Nashville like everyone else and didn't follow my dream. Now I rarely listen to country music unless it's one of my favorite artists.

2. We have a cat and she actually was going to be called Lucky. When we took her to the vet, they begged us to change her name because most animals with that name aren't so "lucky." Her name is Happy.

3. I was a band geek in high school and I absolutely loved it!

4 . I was well known in college for a Pete's Dragon imitation (don't ask!)

5. I have a very long tongue. I can touch the tip of my nose.

Let's Get Social!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Power of Prayer

I used to know this girl who was young and naive.
Thought she was completely invincible.
Then when she was in high school, you got into a bad car accident.
They thought she was just unconscious with an concussion.
But really she had a blood clot on her brain.
The doctors told her family if she would have gotten there 15 minutes later she would have been brain dead.
The doctors told her that luckily an off duty EMT saw the car accident and that's what saved her life.
The police report told her that if they didn't hit that tree they would have all died in that car accident.
But no one died.
Instead this girl was having brain surgery to save her life.

How do I know all of this?

Because I was this girl..

Because I believe the power of prayer, I was saved.
God had bigger plans for my life.

Why I write this?
Because it has been exactly 10 years since this happened to me. Ten years ago to this date. I was that girl in high school with half a shaved head. I have learned through prayer that God had bigger plans for me. He wasn't ready for me. I had a purpose in this life. Since then I have learned so many things.
After my own personal life experiences, maybe this is why? Maybe if I spread my own personal story, it will help others.

Only God will know.

source

Prayer is so amazing.
God is listening..
You just need to listen.

Today I'm celebrating 10 years of being alive.

What are you making of your life?

Linking up to:

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Sunday Social

Happy Easter!

Only a couple more days to enter The Letter 4 Plus 1 Giveaway!

How to participate:

1. Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life).
2. Follow the Featured blog. (Crayon Freckles)

Featured Blog:
Crayon Freckles

i'm a Christian, homeschooling, sahm. i have a teenage heart-daughter who goes to public school and a 3 1/2 year old that i home-preschool. i've been blogging over a year and have loved meeting all the wonderful bloggers that i have on this journey. i also enjoy photography and creating digital and mixed media prints to sell in my etsy shop.
i also have a meet me page at: http://www.crayonfreckles.com/p/about-me.html

5 silly facts
1. i use plastic silverware at restaurants
2. i eat fruit loops in rainbow order
3. i love chocolate cake covered in milk
4. i can burp the abc's (gross and embarassing, i know)
5.i love to sing and dance wildly with my son (we were doing this one time when the sheriff drove by and he stopped to make sure i was okay!)

Let's Get Social!