Truly Lovely with the Laney Sisters

Fancy This Fridays #64 and a WINNER!

2012-02-24T05:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday pretties!!!

Remember when I was in a tile coaster making faze?

I made these Scrapbook Paper Tile Coasters.
And these Poker Card Tile Coasters.

Well, I made some more for a gift for my basset hound loving aunt and uncle...

They were way too CUTE not to share...

What do you think?? :) The coffee cup shape was free within my Silhouette SD software, I just added their names... and the cute howling basset hound was purchased from the Silhouette online store.

For a full tutorial on how to make your own, check out this post.

And just to up the cute factor... Meet the basset hounds... Ellie and Jenny. :)

They're not spoiled at all... *wink, wink*.

By the way... About that winner... The winner of the Day 3 500+ Followers Giveaway Celebration has been chosen... You can see if it's you here!!!
An email will be sent shortly to the winner...

If we don't get a response within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

So... what have YOU been up to lately??

We wanna see!!

Fancy This Fridays Party Rules!!!

1. Please link directly to the project post on your blog.

Not the blog itself.

2. Please link only your OWN posts.

We prefer to see what YOU have been up to... not someone random.

3. Please grab a button and display it somewhere on your blog. On your sidebar, on your posts, on your linky party page. We aren't picky!

4. We would LOVE if you would comment on at least one other link.

Just pop over and say "Hello, coming by from Truly Lovely", or something more clever... You know. ;)

Thanks for linking lovelies! Have a fabulous weekend!

Bloggie Bestie Blog Swap with Angela of The Simple Things

2012-02-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

Hello lovelies!
Today we'd like to introduce you to
Angela of The Simple Things!
She has a unique and tasty recipe to share with you all today!
Be sure to leave her some bloggie love below, then I hope to see you over at her place where I'm sharing a fun tutorial myself! ;)
Here's Angela!

Hello Truly Lovely readers!!

I am Angela with The Simple Things.

I blog about ways to simplify your life with SIMPLE recipes, gifts, crafts and organization tips and enjoying the simple things in my life.

I am blog swapping with Kassi today.
Thank You for having me!

Please check out her fun gift idea post at The Simple Things too!

If you are like me, you enjoy an occasional Bloody Mary, but still have a large portion of the bottle of mix leftover. I stumbled across a recipe for a breakfast bake that called for Bloody Mary mix and it got me thinking about what else I could add the mix to. Since I happened to be making chili that week, the partnership was born! We are in the midst of winter here in Wisconsin (far away from the girls at Truly Lovely!) so this time of year, we enjoy a variety of soups to keep us warm. Although this recipe is perfect for any weather.

Here is my super SIMPLE Recipe for Bloody Mary Chili:

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey or ground beef

1 C fresh mushrooms rinsed or 1 can mushrooms drained

2 cans chili beans (not partial to a specific brand)

2 cans fire roasted tomatoes (not partial to a specific brand)

Bloody Mary Mix (I used Zing Zang brand, nonalcoholic)

Brown the beef or turkey and drain

Then add all ingredients to a crock pot. Set on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

I like to top my chili with cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Then, enjoy!

~Angela

Thanks so much to Angela for sharing this yummy idea!

Even though I'm sure it MUCH warmer in AZ than in WI this is still a recipe we'll be trying out ASAP!

Hope to see you over at The Simple Things! ;)

Have a lovely day dolls!

Happy Cooking!!!

By the way! The Day 2 Winner of our 500+ Followers Giveaway Celebration has been chosen!!!

Click over here to see if it was YOU!!! :)

Ten Weeks of Thanks - Kassi's Week 1

2012-02-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

Ok... So I'm a little behind...

But you didn't think for one minute I wasn't going to join in on my sister's linky party, did you?!?

So here I am! Finally. Sorry bout that... heehee.

I'm going to follow Kayli's lead and choose five things I'm thankful for to go along with each topic.

So this week, I'm thankful for these physical abilities...

Sight. I've worn glasses since I was in about 5th grade I think it was... Contacts since about 6th... Without one or the other I am a complete wreck! Like I can BARELY see anything... So near sighted it's ridiculous!

My glasses and my contacts give me sight. Sight to see my sexy hubs. Sight to read the Hunger Games books (which I LOVED!!). Sight to see what I'm typing as I go along writing this blog post... You know, all the good things in life.

Typing. Yep, that's totally a physical ability. All day long I sit at a computer for my 8-5 job. I type emails, blog posts, tweets, etc. I'm pretty proficient at it thanks to my mom who realized what an important skill it was going to become and taught me at an early age... Typing is a key essential to being able to do my job. Typing is also essential to Truly Lovely... another thing I don't know what I'd do without!

Dancing. I'm with Kayli on this one. Dancing is one of the funnest past times I can think of! Turns out I got lucky... Hubs is a great dancer! I wouldn't say it's his favorite thing, but he doesn't mind taking me anytime I want to go... and we have a lot of fun together doing so.

Dancing with our wedding party.

Running. I hate it. Absolutely. I ran track in high school and hated every stinking step I had to take to get around that track. But let's be honest... it keeps you healthy. It keeps you looking good. AND it can save your life as you run away from something scary... SO I am thankful I can run.

Riding. I grew up learning to ride a horse with my Papa and my dad. Riding horses is a huge part of my family's history, past and present. It's what we do. Then I found and married the hubs. Riding horses to rope is his thing. If I couldn't ride I'd be very left out, now wouldn't I...

Click here for the links ups for Week One, Week Two and Week Three.

We'd love for you to join us! :)

Be thankful lovelies!

A Few of the People I Adore. Ten Week of Thanks Week #3

2012-02-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

I hope you've been enjoying all the giveaways going on here! :) Lots of excitement! My journey to being thankful rolls on though, regardless of how hard it's been for me to share. I hear that life begins at the end of your comfort zone. This week's topic is people who are alive and kickin in your life right now. :) So here are just a few of the lovely souls who graciously share themselves with little old me.

The first is my big brother, Toby. Toby is... awesome. He's just the best big brother ever. When we get to hang out, we watch The Big Bang Theory and joke and look up random topics and I make him cookies. He makes me feel better about life, and I like to think sometimes I return the favor. We're just a good time. And he's super protective and supportive. I'm grateful for him because I know that I could make the worst choices in the world and be a total bum and he would still believe in me.

Next are my sister's sisters in law. That might seem sort of random, and I know that technically this isn't one person- but whatever. I love them. They're such amazing examples to me. Arina has the kindest, most genuine heart of anyone I think I've ever met, and she's so talented. Steph is so easy to love, she cracks me up and never ceases to make me smile. And Brianne is the most thoughtful, giving person in the world. They're kind and beautiful and amazing wives and even more amazing mothers and I adore each one of them.

Next up is my cousin and lovely friend, Katie. She's so awesome. We always have the best adventures running around in the summer. (and if we get a chance, in the fall, winter and spring.) We play cards and bake cookies and go to the park and look for cows in the dark and sing. You will never come across a happier, sweeter person. It's never a dull moment. I'm thankful for her because she's so kind and loving and such an amazing example. And she's crazy courageous.

Then there's Laci. (far right) We're sort of a trio, Katie and Laci and I. The three cousins. :) We're a little wild when you get us all together, but we always have SO much fun! I'm so thankful for Laci because she understands me. Even when I get all philosophical and get all these crazy ideas and ask wild questions, she doesn't look at me like I'm nuts. She gets it. We don't get to see each other often, but when we do we stay up until four in the morning and laugh and talk and tell scary stories and make up games. We scheme and have the greatest inside jokes, and I know she's always there. I could never thank her enough for the amazing example and support she's been for me.

And finally, my beautimous, wonderful sister. Kassi is my best friend. She's who I turn to EVERY day. She's the one that tells me to suck it up or that it's okay to be sad. She pushes me and never lets me take the easy way out. I honestly cannot imagine life without her, I don't know what I would do with myself. She cuts my burdens in half and doubles my joy. She teaches me to be a lady, to be a friend, to be kind, to be confident, to take life head on. How could you not be grateful for that? And what kind of sister would I be if I didn't tell her? :)

So those are my five. :) Next week's topic is People Who Have Passed On. They might be gone, but that doesn't mean they don't live on in the way they changed your life. Who are they, and why are they on your list?

I hope you're having a fantastic week and that you count today as another blessing.

Painted Gift Tins

2012-02-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm going to share a fun gift 'wrap' idea with you!!!

Painted Gift Tins!

My mom received a huge stash of those Christmas cookie, treat tins from a friend awhile back... It was actually her idea to paint the tins and add some vinyl cut outs to fancy them up! (Obviously where we get a lot of our craftiness from, thanks Mom!!!)

We laid them all out on some newspaper outside and spray painted each tin with a couple of coats of paint.

We used a few different colors and let them dry really well...

Once the tins are painted and dry, it's time to embellish.

I made this small light pink tin into a birthday gift 'wrap' for my niece.

I used white vinyl cut out in her name and some flowers plus little acrylic diamonds to pretty it up.

If you use the sticky back vinyl you can stick the cutouts on just like stickers.

The little jewels were attached with hot glue.

If you don't have sticky backed vinyl, you can just use regular stickers too! ;)

I filled the tin with several little treats tied it with a ribbon and gave it to our niece for her birthday.

She loved having her own little tin she could fill with her treasures!

We have since made several of these for different gifts... You can use any shape or size of tin and decorate with paint, vinyl, stickers, anything you have on hand to fancy it up!

Happy Crafting!!!

Linking this here and here and to these.

P.S. Today is the LAST DAY to enter DAY 2 of our Giveaway Celebration!

Days 3 and 4 are still open as well! ;)

Fancy This Features #63

2012-02-20T09:55:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday lovelies!!!

We have a HUGE announcement we'd like to share with you today...

We have started the move to WordPress!!!

We are working with the very lovely Sara of Lady Jane Designs and can't wait to get everything moved over!!

That said... You've probably heard that Google Friend Connect will be no more for non-Blogger blogs starting in March... We'd love for you to follow us in some other form so you won't lose Truly Lovely once we make the move... Options to follow include:

Via Email:

BlogLovin:

HelloCotton:

<------- There's also Linky Followers, on our sidebar... Or any of these options. :)

So... we are excited to make this blogging transition and hope you'll be there with us! :)
NOW! Onto the features from Fancy This Fridays #63!!!
How ADORABLE are these baby boots from Rose at A Rosie Sweet Home!?! She even made her own pattern!!! SO CUTE!!!

We ADORE this pantry makeover from Ashley at Domestic Imperfection! You'll want to click over to see all the usable space she came up with!!! Just look at that awesome before and after!!!

We barely got a McAlister's right before I finished my grad program and had to move... But I enjoyed it while I could and the tortilla soup was one of my favorites!!! This recipe from Donna at Loopy Loop Creations is sure to remind me how yummy it was!!!

Here's a featured on Truly Lovely button for you lovely ladies mentioned above. Also, if you were featured over on the Facebook page, please grab a button!!!

Thanks for linking lovelies and thanks in advance for choosing to stick with us as we make this big blogging move!!! :) We are SO grateful for those of you that choose to read and follow along with Truly Lovely! It's because of you that we have decided to continue to try to grow this blog the best we know how!!!So again, thanks!!!
By the way, our 500+ Follower Giveaway Celebration is STILL OPEN for entries!!! All the links can be found here!

and

Sponsor Spotlight - Bethani of Cheers, Bethani

2012-02-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Well hello Saturday!!! So glad you're here! ;)

Today we'd like to share our lovely friend

Bethani of Cheers, Bethani with you!

Like Ami of AliLilly, Bethani is a large ad sponsor here at Truly Lovely and THIS is HER feature weekend!

Bethani's Favorite Date - "The perfect date for me is always dinner and movie (I mean we did that as our first date after all). We love watching movies, so anytime we have a chance to watch one we love to. Whether it's going downtown for a quick bite then a movie in an old fashioned theater or grabbing take out sushi and watching a movie at home together it's perfect for us."

Looking for more fun date ideas??

Check out this post and this post where our other AMAZING sponsors shared their favorite dates as well! :)

Miss Bethani runs the shop, Cheers, Bethani on Etsy!

Getting married this year?? You'll definitely need some of these pretty Eat, Drink and Be Married tags, personalized with YOUR wedding date!

OR how about these cute Mr. and Mrs. tags with YOUR wedding date!

Think of the things you could tag with these pretties!!!

I actually used these exact Handmade with Love tags on the gifts I gave to my bridesmaids for my wedding in July 2011.

They'd be great to attach to handmade items from your Etsy shop as well...

*wink, wink*

A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Bethani for being a FANTASTIC sponsor of Truly Lovely! :)

Hope you're having a FANTASTIC weekend!

500+ Followers Giveaway Celebration - Day 4 (and Fancy This #63)

2012-02-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to another day of lovely giveaways!!!

If you missed the first three days you can enter those by clicking here:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Last chance for a pretty button!!! *wink*

Today is our last giveaway day of our 500+ Follower Giveaway Celebration!!!

The winner of today's prize pack will take home...

A medium ad space and a 50% off code from Cassie at Live. Laugh. LOve.

This lovely white pom necklace from Kristine at J&Ms Eye Candy and The Foley Fam Blog!

A COMPLETE Blog Design from Alyx at Every Day is a New Adventure!!!

AND a SPECIAL CUSTOMIZED prize package from KASSI, put together just for the winner!!!

Items may or may not include Scentsy, handmade pretties, etc...

Depending on who wins and their own personal style!! :)

Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter this giveaway!

Giveaway will be open until February 24th. Winner announced February 25th!

Good luck and thanks for playing! :)

AND Fancy This Fridays is open BELOW the Rafflecopter form.. So link up your pretties for an EXTRA entry in the giveaway! *wink*

AND

a Rafflecopter giveaway

500+ Followers Giveaway Celebration - Day 3

2012-02-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Day 3 of our 500+ Followers Giveaway Celebration!!!!

Thank you for being a friend to Truly Lovely! We wouldn't have made it here without you!!!

Enter Day 1 and Day 2 here!!!

Grab a button to spread the word! *wink*

Today's winner will receive a prize package of loveliness from these lovely sponsors...

A large ad space from Lisa of Joyful Jones

Any Ready to Ship item from Ami and the AliLilly Etsy Shop.

AS well as a $20 gift card to Pier One! "That place is always fun!" ~Ami

A Dream Bigger block in winner's choice of colors from Andrea at Bubblewrapp'd!

AND a SPECIAL CUSTOMIZED prize package from KAYLI, put together just for the winner!!!

Items may or may not include Scentsy, handmade pretties, etc...

Depending on who wins and their own personal style!! :)

Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter this giveaway!

Giveaway will be open until February 23rd. Winner announced February 24th!
Good luck and thanks for playing! :)

AND

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ten Weeks of Thanks: Week Two

2012-02-15T15:57:00.002-07:00

I'm a little behind today. My life is nuts right now... It's a miracle I'm not asleep. So, sorry homies. But this is good, because even if my life is a little wild this week, I was on the look out for things to put on my list. It kept things in perspective. So here are my five MATERIAL POSSESSIONS that I'm thankful for:

I'm thankful for my dream catcher.

So I've had this gorgeous dream catcher for I don't even know how long. And apparently (Correct me if I'm wrong sis.) {Kassi here - She's not wrong, mine is hung over my headboard as we speak!;)} our mom made each of us one when I was really little. For some reason I don't remember that, but I DO remember when she explained what it did to me. Something to the effect of if you put it over your bed, it catches the bad dreams so you won't have nightmares and that it would keep me safe. Which was huge, because I used to have the worst nightmares ALL the time. I like to think maybe it isn't just superstition or legend, that it really does keep the bad dreams away. So I brought it with me to school, and now it's more than just a dream catcher. It reminds me of home, it's a gift from my mom.

I'm thankful for my printer.

I'm so glad I own that fantastic hunk of plastic. :) For all the times I remember at 11:00 that I need a paper for the next morning's classes or I need to print an email for a meeting. I can pull out my printer and in just a minute or two I have whatever papers I need in my hands. I'm so glad I don't have to drive to campus in my pajamas and find a printer or copier. That's awesome.

I'm thankful for my headphones.

Sometimes I just need a minute. Just a minute to be by myself and not think about homework or tomorrow's classes or whatever drama is going on. My headphones give me that. I plug them in, put on some Josh Abbott or Greyson Chance and give myself a second to just chill out. They entertain me between classes, they help put me to sleep some nights, and they help me focus. They're small, and maybe not worth much, but they do a good job.

I'm thankful for my phone.

I know that's pretty standard. But really, my phone saves my life. It keeps me connected to everyone, it saves me from awkward situations. It has all of my music and a camera and a map. Stuff that I use EVERY single day. It wakes me up in the morning and tells me what time it is. It's my favorite thing.

And finally, I'm thankful for my boots.

Kassi's hubs likes to make fun of me for wearing them all the time, but I love my boots. {Kassi here again, yeah, he really does. Weirdo. He wears HIS almost all the time too.... haha.} These are definitely not my first pair. I've worn through four pairs in the last few years. They just made sense at home because of the mud and the stuff I was doing everyday and now boots are just a thing for me. They're the most comfortable shoes ever as far as I'm concerned. And I never have to stop and tie them. Bonus! :)

So yeah, there are my five! You can link up to each week for a month, so if you're interested, it's not too late. And while you're at it, grab a button.

Next week the topic is PEOPLE WHO ARE ALIVE TODAY. Who in your life right now are you grateful for?

Let them know while you can. :)

OH.. and P.S. THIS is still going on! Just scroll down to enter Days 1 and 2!!!

500+ Followers Giveaway Celebration - Day 2

2012-02-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Whoot!! for Day 2 of our Giveaway Celebration!!!

Have you entered Day 1 yet??

Again we are celebrating YOU!

Thank you for following along with Truly Lovely!!!

Want to share a button?!? *wink*

Day two's winner of our 500+ Followers Celebration Giveaway will win a prize package of the following items from our SUPER AWESOME sponsors!!!

A 3 MONTH sponsor spot with Lelanie of Two Sew With Love AND a Feature Post!

A pair of Romantic Heart Earrings from Jerri of Simply Sweet Home and Simply Sweet Creations

From Katie at Punkin' Heads and Dooda Loo's....

AND from Aleks at Aleks Handmade, 2 journals.
Both have 40 pages - a mini journal for a bible or pocket book and a bigger one for personal writings.

The larger journal measures 6x9 inches.

The smaller journal measures 4.5 x 6 inches.

Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter this giveaway!

Giveaway will be open until February 22nd. Winner announced February 23rd!

Good luck and thanks for playing! :)

AND

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Valentines Gift Swap

2012-02-14T09:54:00.001-07:00

Again, Happy Valentines Day lovelies!!!

Have you entered Day 1 of our 500+ Followers Giveaway Celebration??

Just scroll below or click here.

In the meantime, I joined another gift swap! :)

This one was a Valentines Day Swap hosted by Caroline of Good Times Never Seemed Sew Good and Alissa of Rags to Stitches.

I was partnered with the lovely Chelsea of Live Laugh Lynae.

Her post is already up if you'd like to click over and see what I sent her. ;)

Here are the pretties that I received...

A lovely scarf from Old Navy, a turquoise necklace from Charming Charlie, a pretty heart headband,

a sweet card and some fake mustaches for fun! ;)

You can clearly see what item was my nephew, Chancey's, favorite.... ;)

Might as well sneak in a What I Wore... eh?! :)

The scarf is of course from Miss Chelsea (Old Navy).

And yes, I'm standing in one of the hubs ropes...

He cleaned out his horse trailer and everything went in the guest room (with the mirror) until he could put it back. :)

THANKS SO MUCH for the LOVELIES Chelsea!

And THANKS to Alissa and Caroline for hosting!

Have a lovely Heart Day dolls!!!

500+ Followers Giveaway Celebration - Day 1

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day Lovelies!!!

What better day than the day of love to celebrate our 500+ followers!!!

Today through Friday we'll be hosting a giveaway a day to say THANK YOU for following Truly Lovely!

WE LOVE OUR FOLLOWERS, SUBSCRIBERS, etc!!!
Each giveaway day will feature a prize pack of loveliness from our AMAZING sponsors!

Feel free to spread the word! *wink*

Today's winner will receive:

A two months ad space on Veronica's blog, Life in the Thrifty Lane!

A Big Girl Romper PDF Sewing Pattern from Mandy at Sugar Bee Crafts!!

A HUGE doTERRA Essential Oils Prize Package from Amanda at doTerra Essentials Oils Blog.

Prize Pack Includes:

A doTerra Intro Kit of Lemon, Peppermint and Lavender Essential Oils

A Citrus Bliss AND a Serenity Bath Bar

A bottle of Fractionated Coconut Oil

(used for dilution and carrier of oils)

AND sample sized bottles of Breathe, Balance, Lemon, Slim & Sassy & On Guard Essential Oils

Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter this giveaway!

Giveaway will be open until February 21st. Winner announced February 22nd!

Good luck and thanks for playing! :)

AND

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fancy This Features #62

2012-02-13T16:17:00.001-07:00

Oh, Mondays... The start of another week, huh!?!
But this week we have LOTS of fun planned!!!

This week Kayli's Ten Weeks of Thanks topic is Material Possessions.
Check out Week One here for inspiration and more instructions....
And grab a button from here:

Also, don't forget our 500+ Follower Celebration is starting TOMORROW!!!Hope to see you back here for Giveaway day one!Please grab a button and help us spread the word! :)

Now for the features from Fancy This #62!
I just adore this music family room from Michelle at That Mommy Blog. The details!!! That chair!!! The framed music!!! Lovely!!!

Need a dessert for your Valentine?? These peppermint cream cheese brownies from Katie at Raising Oranges look and sound AMAZING!!!

Or how about a last minute Valentines gift/date idea???

Check out this fun Date Night in a Bowl from Vicky at One Orange Giraffe! Love this idea!!!

Here's a featured on Truly Lovely button for you lovelies!! :)We've also shared a few links over on the Facebook page... If you were featured there, feel free to grab a featured button as well! :)

Have a great week dolls!

Sponsor Spotlight - Ami of AliLilly

2012-02-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday lovelies!!!

Meet Ami of AliLilly!

She is one of our featured Large Ad Sponsors on Truly Lovely for February.

Some of our other sponsors shared their favorite dates with you last week... To see the small ad features post click here. Today Ami is sharing her favorite date.

If you're looking for something fun to do this Valentines Day... ;)

Ami's Favorite Date - "BEST DATE I have ever been on....well, I am a die hard Rockets Fan. I have been slacking in the DIE HARD part for the past year but things are looking UP for the Rockets with a new rookie that is just CAH-RAZY awesome named Chandler Parsons. (Look up Chandler Parsons tip slam on JaVale McGee on youtube! I could watch that all day!!) So back to the date! For our anniversary David took me to watch Year of the Yao and then for dinner afterwards we ate at Yao's restaurant in Houston. The food was AMAZING! We had the most wonderful server as well. He even decorated our desert plates with a happy anniversary message. It was such a great night. It was nice that David didn't do the "usual", he knew what would really put a smile on my face!! I have to add too, that he has taken me to countless Rocket games for my birthdays. And All Star Weekend always falls on Valentine's Day weekend and you wont hear any complaints from me about watching All Star Weekend!! Of course I watch it with a heart shaped box of chocolates and fresh roses near by!! :)"

Ami is the propietor over at AliLilly on Etsy!

Some of my favorite items currently listed in her shop are...

Headbands are a newer addition to her shop... And this one is just GORGEOUS!!!

Love the pretty cameo!

All you Twilight fans!! These Twilight Saga Inspired Earrings would make a lovely addition to your next date night attire!!! :)

And of course, every girl needs a sparkly Valentines Bracelet!!!

Thanks to Ami for being an AMAZING sponsor of Truly Lovely!!!

She's contributing to our giveaway next week, by the way, so be sure to come back for your chance to win your very own AliLilly item!!!

Hope you're having a TRULY LOVELY weekend!

Fancy This Fridays #62

2012-02-10T05:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday lovelies!!!

We have some exciting new to share today!!!

We will be hosting a 500+ Followers Giveaway Celebration starting Tuesday, Valentines Day!!!

Please grab a button and spread the word!!! :)

There will be FOUR days of AWESOME giveaway prize packages from these AMAZING sponsors!!!

It's our way of saying THANK YOU for following along with us!!!

Until then, let's see what you've fancied up this week!!!!

Fancy This Fridays Party Rules!!!

1. Please link directly to the project post on your blog.

Not the blog itself.

2. Please link only your OWN posts.

We prefer to see what YOU have been up to... not someone random.

3. Please grab a button and display it somewhere on your blog. On your sidebar, on your posts, on your linky party page. We aren't picky!

4. We would LOVE if you would comment on at least one other link.

Just pop over and say "Hello, coming by from Truly Lovely", or something more clever... You know. ;)

Thanks for linking dolls! Hope to see you back here next week for the big giveaway celebration! Tell all your friends! ;)Have a lovely weekend!!!
AND

Bloggie Bestie Blog Swap with Anshu of Blooms and Bugs

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Good morning dolls!!

Today we'd like to introduce you to a new Bloggie Bestie of the week!

Meet Anshu of Blooms and Bugs!!!

She has a darling skirt tutorial to share with you lovelies today! Please share some love with her here, then pop over to her place where I'm sharing a tutorial as well! ;)

Here's Anshu....

Hello Truly Lovely readers. Kassi has got a truly lovely blog going here and I have been participating in her linky parties ever since I started blogging. So when she mentioned that she is looking for Blogging Besties I jumped at the chance.

A little (too much) about me...

I'm Anshu and I blog about my adventures with needle and thread over at Blooms And Bugs (and have so much fun doing it). I'm an engineer by education but it might have backfired because I'm mostly technology averse (or so my hyper techie husband thinks...more on that later). I'm also mom to an energetic 2 year old who feels no obligation whatsoever to try on whatever I sew for her. Frustrated, I opened an etsy shop for little girls so I could sell my lovingly made clothing to other moms (so they get as frustrated as I am while trying it on their daughters...lol). My dream is to find my daughter buying one of the items from my store and wear it with pride...A woman can always dream, right?

Visit me at Blooms And Bugs, for sewing tutorials, project ideas and whenever you have way too much time to hear me rambling incoherently...about sewing, family etc. Yeah about the husband...he's a technofile both by education and at heart and tries his best to sneak in technology upgrades in my workspace whenever I'm not looking. I, of course, get upset at all these attempts and get mad at him initially and later wonder how on earth I could live without this cool widget/gadget (but never tell him that much).

This sail away skirt came with me for this Bloggie Bestie post. She wanted to show herself off at Truly Lovely...so I prepared this tutorial.

This skirt is made with 3 coordinating knits and is embellished with a grosgrain bow.

Sail Away skirt in size 2T

Supplies:

3 coordinating knits

Knit 1 - 24 inches wide X 7.5 inches long

Knit 2 - 36 inches wide X 5.5 inches long

Knit 3 - 36 inches wide X 4.5 inches long

Grosgrain Ribbon (5/8 inch wide) - 10 inches

Elastic (1/2 inch wide) - 19 inches

Construction:

Cut three wide strips from 3 coordinating knits. Strip 1 is 24 inches X 7 inches. Strip 2 is 36 inches X 6 inches and strip 3 is 36 inches X 4.5 inches.

Sew the shorter ends together on all the strips (right sides together)

Fold the Strip 1 quarter inch inside an sew a seam.

Sew a seam on one side of Strip 2 and Strip 3 each with the longest stitch length, pull the bobbin thread to gather each of them until they both become equal to Strip 1.

Baste the Strip 3 (the one you plan on becoming the inner layer of second tier) to the raw side of Strip 1 ( Wrong sides together). Yes these will be joined wrong sides together.

This is how it will look from the right side once you're done.

Baste Strip 3 to the Strip 1 (Right sides together this time) Try to align the side seams on Strip 1 an Strip 3 while you're at it, though its not that important.

This is how it will look once both layers are attache to Tier 1. Top-stitch along the seam. I used zigzag to do it, but I would just do a straight if I were to do it again.

Fold the top of the skirt 1 inch again. Sew a seam while leaving a gap of 1 inch to insert elastic. Insert the elastic and sew the opening shut.

Make a bow using three ribbon pieces as shown by pics above.

10.

Hand sew it to the waistband of the skirt. Finish the raw edge of top layer with a rolled hem. Finish the inner layer with by folding the raw edge twice.

Now go make some sand castles...or chase some butterflies! Sail away!

Isn't that skirt ADORABLE!?!?! We LOVE it! :)

Thanks to Anshu for sharing her tutorial with us today and for being the Bloggie Bestie this week!

Interested in being the Bloggie Bestie?! Check this out! ;)

Have a lovely week dolls! Happy Sewing!!!

Ten Weeks of Thanks: Week Number One!

2012-02-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

It's finally here! The first of ten. :) For those of you who don't know, I'm doing a project of Ten Weeks of Thanks and you can join in the fun, it's never too late and I'd love for you to get in on it! For those details, the original post is HERE. Last week I announced that the topic for today would be Physical Abilities. I spent the week trying to think about little things under that topic that I'm thankful for instead of just the big things I already recognize. It was hard. I had to work on really thinking about what I've been given and understanding that the normal is actually really extraordinary.

So here are my five:

I'm thankful I CAN READ.

It seems obvious to tie this to sight, but it isn't just that I'm grateful for sight, but for what it gives me. I can read words. I can take in entire stories and lives and emotions and a single word never has to be said out loud, all because I can read. I can look at a book and understand lessons and assignments. I can write this right now because I know how to read. On any given day I take in so much written content, there's no way to measure it. Books, scriptures, road signs, blog and Facebook and Twitter posts. It's a simple thing- but there are so many people who never even get the opportunity to learn. And let's be real- I don't know what I would do if I had never read Harry Potter, or The Hunger Games, or Hattie Big Sky, or If I Stay, or Remembrance, or...or...or...

I'm thankful I CAN REMEMBER.

I just started college, so it's not like I have decades of memories to recall. But the short amount of life I have under my belt has been amazing. It's never been perfect- but isn't that the point? EVERY memory is a lesson at the least. And I'm just thankful I can look back at all. What if as every day went by, it left us completely? What if tomorrow you woke up and didn't recognize anyone or anything? I think that would be awful. I'm grateful for that part of the brain that stores all my happy times and stupid choices. I'm grateful that for now at least, it does a good job of keeping it all in there.

I'm grateful that I CAN DANCE.

Fun fact: There is more than one version of the Cotton Eyed Joe, and I can do two of them. I can also legit two step, macarena, chicken dance, electric slide, YMCA, cupid shuffle, do the Love Shack dance, I can jerk, Dougie, AND I know how to do the jitterbug. I also awkward 80s dance like a pro. That's not to say I do all of them particularly well- or that I even do them right. But I can do them. :) I can get out there and make a total fool of myself. I love to dance. More than a lot of things. I'm so glad I don't have to worry about what I would do if I couldn't bust moves and look ridiculous.

I'm thankful I CAN BAKE.

Random thing to be thankful for? Maybe. But homies, if you know me- you know I have to bake. Even if I don't eat it. I'm totally cool with giving all of it away as long as I can stir it up, put it in the oven and decorate it. It's a stress reliever thing. And there's something comforting about knowing that no matter what- if you put certain ingredients together, stick them in the oven and watch them, you'll get something good. Always. It's also something that ties me to my Granny. Proof that she's still with me because she taught me how to do it. That's priceless.

And last- I'm so grateful I CAN WALK.

It's something so obvious, but something I hadn't really put much thought into before. Everyday I get up and walk around the house getting ready. I walk to my car. I walk up and down stairs to get to class. I walk around the grocery store to shop. I walk up the steps into church. And Tuesday, while walking to class, I saw a young man in a wheel chair, and I thought "What if that was me? What if I had to work through a million obstacles just to get to school in the morning?" And I was amazed at how happy he seemed. Those that can't walk or are bound, even for a little while, to a chair or to a bed are a kind of strong I don't think I could ever be. And that I don't have to go through that, is something I don't want to take for granted.

So that's my list! Now it's your turn to link yours up and share what YOU're grateful for! Also, next Wednesday the project moves forward with MATERIAL POSSESSIONS.

What are five material things that you are grateful for?

And please, take a button!

You're all amazing and I love the heck out of you.I can't wait to see your lists, and hopefully see you back here next week. :)

Caramel Brownies

2012-02-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

So the hubs' birthday was last month.

I think I've mentioned it before, but he's not the biggest fan of sweets. *Gasp!*

I know... really messes up my happy little baking plans, but whatever. haha.

He does like brownies though.

I asked him what kind of cake he'd like for his birthday and he said, "Brownies."

OK, brownies it was.... But extra special birthday brownies it had to be!

Birthdays are special where I come from anyway... ;)

So I concocted some extra special birthday caramel brownies!

I had some caramel syrup in the cupboard and a large family size brownie mix (hubs will eat them all week long if I make a big pan). So I simply combined the two!

Half of the mixed brownie went into the pan, a few squirts of caramel syrup, then the rest of the brownie mix on top! Bake according to the package directions.

They were part way gone before I could even get a picture!!!

Hubs said they were extra good, which was the point! ;)

I loved them, but then again I LOVE all sweets.

Maybe YOUR sweet would like some caramel brownies for Valentine's Day?!? :)

Happy baking lovelies!!

Linking this here and here and to these.

By the way... Did you know you can find Truly Lovely here...

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Fancy This Features #61!

2012-02-06T15:22:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday afternoon! It's Kayli! :)

Let me start by saying, you guys are amazing. I went through the link ups and it took me forever to pick just a few, everything you made either looked super cute or super delicious! Here are some of my favorites.

The first is this adorable Argyle Valentine Wreath from Cassity at Remodelaholic! So easy, so cute and not over done. And homies, it's ARGYLE. A-R-G-Y-L-E. Yeah. You cannot say no.

Carlee at Ladybird Ln. shared her idea for a Little Love Notes box. I love this because I've kept pretty much EVERY card and letter I've ever received. I have the first letter Kassi ever wrote me from college that I got when I was in like, fifth grade, and almost every note since then. We all have a stash right? It makes sense that you would come up with something to put them in- but I'd never thought of it until I saw this- and it's genius. It's also incredibly pretty. Bonus!

Last, but absolutely not least, are Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies from Allison at Feeding my Temple. Dude. (I say dude when something is either incredibly legit or I'm about to say something really important. Both apply here.) You get to use the box mix. You can decorate them anyway you want. They're called CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX COOKIES. There is not a single word in there that isn't awesome. I'm just throwing that out there.

And that's it! Here's a button for you lovely ladies!
It links right back to THIS very post! ;)

Also, on Wednesday I'm kicking off my

***Ten Weeks of Thanks Project***

The topic is Physical Abilities and you can get the details HERE.

I really hope you'll check it out.

If you're planning on joining me, take a button! :)

I hope you have an amazing week and that I see you all on Wednesday.

Sponsor Spotlight Plus Fun Date Ideas

2012-02-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

We LOVE our sponsors... and we really hope that they love us...

Let's share a little love this Valentine's Day month, huh!?

Still looking for a Valentine's date idea??

Meet our awesome sponsors and their loves, then read about their most FAVORITE date! Share the love by clicking over and commenting on their SUPER fun blogs!

We'll LOVE YOU for it! :)

(Click the pics to be taken to their sites!)

Alyx's Favorite Date - "Oh my gosh... Best date? Would have to be with my husband when we first started dating. He had just gotten back from his mission (in the LDS church, young men can volunteer to go abroad for 2 years and teach what we believe), so he was living at home while he looked for an apartment. His parents lived out in the middle of nowhere and had a lake in their front yard. We went paddle boating, had foil dinners, roasted marshmallows, and laid out under the stars. It was perfect. Sorry if you men out there don't have a lake and warm weather readily available for this date idea. :)"

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Jerri's Favorite Date - "What's a date? Haha. I'm kidding! But it is a tough question. I guess the best date I've been on lately was for my birthday. We went to my favorite local Italian place and ordered wings, grilled chicken alfredo, and cannolis for dessert! Then my husband took me shopping for some birthday presents. (He hates shopping, so this was extra special!) And then we came home and had birthday cake."

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Jodi's Favorite Date - "We didn't celebrate Valentines Day on the actual day for a long time and one year my husband woke me early and put a blindfold on once I got in the car, drove me around for a bit and then walked me into a building which was a hotel room. We did a mini-vacation and went to dinner and it was just wonderful to spend time with him. The perfect Valentines Day."

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Bobbi's Favorite Date - " Two Valentines day stick out in my mind. The first would be our very First Valentines day together. He took me to the nicest restaurant in town, we got all dressed up, we had to borrow clothes because we were in college and didn't have nice clothes with us. He bought me a big lighted diamond ring, told me that it would have to do until he bought me a real one. To this day I have that ring, and it still lights up.

The second would have to be the Valentines before we moved to Mississippi. We went to an amazing restaurant next to the Airport where they had a 7 course meal with champagne and roses. It was so romantic and beautiful! Those were definitely the best Valentines ever! Now, we spend Valentines with our boys, doing whatever, they are special because we are together, but if anyone wants to babysit, I would love a romantic dinner with my husband again alone! ;) "

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Rachael's Favorite Date - "We are pretty low key, so I don't have any super date ideas...our standard is dinner and a movie-which was also our first date. But we have also been skiing on a date which was fun :) We also go hiking quite a bit."

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Kristine's Favorite Date - "Going to a Packer Playoff game! It was SNOWING like a beast, we could barely see the field. We reminisce about the hot chocolate and frozen beers in our hands, cheering and high-fiving "strangers" next to us, it was such a fun time!! And we won to boot! We enjoy going to sporting events together, and are long overdue for one :)"

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Aleks' Favorite Date - "My favorite date? Well, first you have to know that I can't be wooed with roses, fine dining, and movies. (sidenote: Fiance and I haven't even been to the theatre more than 4 times in the last 5 years) I like simple, outdoors, and cheese. My absolute most favorite date of all time is ordering a hot cheesy pizza, packing a couple drinks (beer is great haha), a blanket and eating outside. I swear there is very little that beats beer and pizza. My fiance and I used to go to this hill at Purdue University during the summers, have a pizza picnic and watch the guys playing baseball. It was so amazing!"

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My Favorite Date - "Hubs and I enjoy going to concerts! The local center for the arts brings in really great bands every few months. The tickets there are only $15! If you look awhile in advance you can find really fun things to go do at a decent price! Above photo is at a Reckless Heart concert!"

Interested in being featured as a Sponsor on Truly Lovely?

Click here for more info or shoot us an email. ;)

AND

Fancy This Fridays #61

2012-02-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday lovelies!!

Looking for a fun and easy project you can do this weekend?

Something the kiddos could help with maybe??

You can purchase these fleece throw kits at pretty much any craft store or discount store like Wal-Mart.

My mom gave me this Precious Moments wedding throw kit for Christmas.

I have always loved and collected Precious Moments items and being that the hubs and I were married in 2011 my mom chose a truly sweet and sentimental gift!

Plus it was also a craft I could do, so a two for one!

(The zebra print rotary cutter was also a Christmas gift from Kayli!)

My little dog, Pandy, and I ;) sat down in the living room floor one evening and cut short strips using the rotary cutter and my self healing cutting mat into the two pieces of fleece fabric. Then you simply tie the two pieces together. Directions are included in the kit.

So easy and oh so cute!

The kiddos will love being able to say they helped mom make a blanket! ;)

So! What have you been up to lately? We wanna see!

Fancy This Fridays Party Rules!!!

1. Please link directly to the project post on your blog.

Not the blog itself.

2. Please link only your OWN posts.

We prefer to see what YOU have been up to... not someone random.

3. Please grab a button and display it somewhere on your blog. On your sidebar, on your posts, on your linky party page. We aren't picky!

4. We would LOVE if you would comment on at least one other link.

Just pop over and say "Hello, coming by from Truly Lovely", or something more clever... You know. ;)

Thanks for linking lovelies!!! Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Bloggie Bestie Blog Swap with Becky of Reinventing the Ordinary

2012-02-02T08:25:00.001-07:00

Hello dolls!!!

We have the first Bloggie Bestie of 2012 to introduce you to today!!!

Becky of Reinventing the Ordinary

How cute is her pup there on her blog button (above)!
She loves her pets as much as we love ours!
Today she has a fun pet idea to share with you!

Take it away Becky!!!

Hi, I'm Becky from Reinventing the Ordinary.

I want to thank Kassi here at Truly Lovely for allowing me to Guest Blog ... and also for her agreeing to Guest on my little site.

A little about me ...

With degrees in Art ... Architecture & Interior Design ... I have always enjoyed

rebuilding ... reworking ... and restoring.

I absolutely hate boring and really like to shake things up whenever possible...

of course I gotta do it myself ... and always on a budget.

My Etsy Shop features things I've made for my own home and pets ... then decided to share with others. Today I thought I'd share with you my latest addition to the shop.

I'll be adding this Fleece Crate Cover next week ... so I thought I'd share a quick DIY for you guys.

Materials Needed:

1 1/3 yard fleece Color 1

1/2 yard fleece Color 2

*** this is for a small 12" x 14" x 18" crate***

From Color 1

Piece A) Cut one piece 26" x 48" (sides and bottom)

Piece B) Cut one piece 20" x 20 " ( liner for front door)

From Color 2

Piece C) Cut one piece 52 " x 20 " (back, roof, and front door)

Piece A

At corners cut out 4" x 4 " squares as shown.

Fold under one long edge of Piece A for a 4" hem. This will be the front of the cover.

On the other 3 sides cut slits 2" wide and 4" deep.

Sew Piece B to front short end of Piece C.

Cut 4" x 4" square from corners on Piece C as shown ...

then fold under a 4" hem.

On the remaining 3 sides slits cut 2" wide and 4" deep.

Wrap Piece A around bottom and sides of crate.

Hemmed edge should butt up along front edge of crate.

Wrap Piece B/C across back/top/front.

Align the top and back of the two sections.

Tie the top section to the side section.

As you can see I also used the same tie method to make a pillow. This is just only a short tutorial. I just gave you a thumb nail explanation. It's is a quick project ... about 1 hour. If you have any questions ... you can leave a comment at reinventingtheordinary.com ... and I'll be happy to give you further directions. Starting next week this crate cover will also be on my Etsy Shop.
I hope you get a chance to visit my little blog some time.
Thanks again Kassi.

Thanks to Becky for sharing her cute crate cover and pillow with us today!

AND of course, for being the Bloggie Bestie at Truly Lovely this week!

To learn more about being a Bloggie Bestie, click here.

Have a lovely Thursday!

Ten Weeks of Thanks- An Announcement

2012-02-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday from Kayli!
I wanted to announce a little bit of a project today.

I've been inspired by a really fantastic church lesson. We were given ten topics and asked to write something that fell under them that we're grateful for. At the end, we were encouraged to expand our lists. I'm a firm believer in counting my blessings and being aware of what I've been given. It's something I need to work on though. I'm so blessed, but with all the hustle and go of school and life, I often forget just how good I have it. Don't we all?
Don't we all lose sight of how amazing our lives really are and how much there is to be thankful for?

Source: zulily.com Via Kayli on Pinterest

We tend to remember our blessings around Thanksgiving time and the holidays- but the holiday season has come to an end; our New Years Resolutions are getting hard to keep or we've completely dropped them and life is so stressful. We forget.

So here's the plan: Every Wednesday (starting this coming Wednesday, the 8th) for ten weeks, I'll be taking an area or topic from the activity and talking about 5 things and/or people within it that I am grateful for and why.

I want to expand my list and count my blessings.

Here's where you come in! Every Wednesday, you'll have an opportunity to link up YOUR lists. I'll give you the first topic today and you'll link it up on the 8th- then next Wednesday I'll give you the next topic and so on. I'm taking a little bit of a risk here, I've never done anything like this- so I really hope you'll join me!

The topic for the 8th is PHYSICAL ABILITIES.

What are five (or more/less if you want) physical abilities that you are grateful for? Why are you grateful for them?

Your list can be made of whatever comes to mind.
Big things, small everyday things, something that maybe you haven't thought of as a blessing before. It's up to you! The point is to really think about how much you've been given and maybe put a little perspective on all the crazy that's your everyday. Life is good and full of beautiful things, let's name a few. :)


Source: traceysthoughts.tumblr.com via Kayli on Pinterest

I hope I'll see you next week!

A uh.. Unique Date Idea

2012-02-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

I may have mentioned before but for those new to Truly Lovely, the hubs and I attended the same university.

Go AGGIES! {NMSU, specifically.}

In college we played a lot of a game that we'll just call um... water pong. haha.

Also known as beer pong to some... but any who....

It was kind of our thing. We even had a HUGE piece of plywood that we spray painted black, then invited all of our friends to sign using those paint marker things.

It served as our pong playing table top.

It was awesome!

While doing our Christmas shopping this year we discovered that Wal-Mart carries a Sports Pong set.

Yep, you can now buy your plastic cups and ping pong balls in a nicely boxed set for less than $10!

Who knew?!

I thought it would be fun to get a set for the hubs' birthday and surprise him with a college flashback style date night!

It's been windy here lately and everyone knows you can't play water pong in the wind! ;) So I set up a pong court, as it were, inside! Complete with plastic drop cloths to save my carpet if any water were to spill... which can happen. ;)

The note in the middle reads, "Consider this a challenge! See you tonight!"

The sports pong set comes with 12 games, which makes for lots of fun, friendly hubs and wife competition. ;) Don't worry, if you can't find a Sports Pong set, a package of those good ol' Red Solo cups (Toby Keith, anyone?!) and a set of ping pong balls is EXACTLY the same thing. :)

The point of the game, in case you're unversed in the art of water pong, is to stand at one end of the table, and take turns tossing your ping pong balls into the other person's (half water filled) cups, essentially knocking out all of their cups before they get yours!

SO if you're looking for a fun date night idea this Valentine's Day...

Or any night really...

Maybe a friendly game of water pong would be just the thing.

In this date night version winner gets a back rub. ;)

Or if water pong isn't your thing, the point is to think of something your love used to really enjoy and bring it back for date night! ;)

Have fun lovelies!

Linking this here and here and to these.

By the way... Did you know you can find Truly Lovely here...

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AND Kayli will be ANNOUNCING something SUPER fun here in a few hours!

Hope to see you back later for that! :)