Fog is NOT Cloudy

This morning, I drove to work in a thick, grey blanket of fog.

Let me show you......

Here's what I saw driving down the road today.......

Here's what I typically see.......

BIG DIFFERENCE. I think typically we think of fog as clouding our vision - blocking us from what we want to see. Well, it occurred to me that I was actually a better driver this morning because I wasn't distracted by all of the scenery, businesses, cars, police clocking speeders, or traffic up ahead. I simply had my complete attention focused on what was happening right in front of my face. I thought about this all the way to work on my 40 minute drive.

It's so easy to get wrapped up in life responsibilities, the mundane work at work, time stuck in traffic, finances and bills, and so on. Especially now with Christmas, and the holidays in general, it feels like sometimes it engulf me into a giddy spirit. One of "Everything is so wonderful, so great" when it may not be, and may suggest for me to go crazy to become the perfect Giada, Martha, Tori, Kate, Jackie O [insert your own holiday idol of perfection], ensuring I have the perfect holiday decor that rivals any home magazine, and making every effort to visit every Santa/snow machine around town. It can be stressful, and I can stuff that feeling down inside like we did to the turkey and the stuffing on Thanksgiving last month as it secretly eats away at my happiness. These distractions may blind me. I may lose sight of what is actually important - things that are right in front of my face.

This all reminds me of this Words of Wisdom post a few weeks ago.

Always, and especially with the holidays, life should be about family. About friends. About relationships. About blessings. About celebrating faith, God, Jesus. [Santa, step aside]

 I pledge that I will not let distractions get in the way of all that I have, love, and am blessed with. I will see the wonderful family, friends, and faith that are and have always been right there close beside me. I will look at everything that life is offering right now, and embrace it, wrapping it up in a big grey blanket of soft fluffy clouds cotton.

Bring on the fog!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday & GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED

Miranda, from June Bug & Co, and I are so excited to be giving away one of her beautiful wall hooks today on Words of Wisdom Wednesday!

Source: oleana.wordpress.com via Jessica on Pinterest

And the announcement....

THANK YOU to all of you who entered! I hope you'll revisit Miranda and her Etsy shop to scoop up her wonderful pieces!

 The giveaway item....

I am excited to announce that the winner 

of the June Bug & Co giveaway is.......

MEREDITH from Sunglasses and Sippy Cups

Congratulations! Meredith, please send me your email address as soon as possible to get your beautiful wall hook sent to you!

Last day for the GIVEAWAY

GO ENTER my June and Co. giveaway! 

The giveaway entries close at 5pm EST today!

Giveaway upgraded! Miranda from June and Co. upgraded the giveaway to this beauty. I LOVE the crown!!!

TGIF

HAPPY FRIDAY!  

FIRST go enter my June Bug and Co GIVEAWAY,

and then have a lovely and relaxing weekend!

Source: pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

GIVEAWAY TIME!

I am so excited to share with you the beautiful salvaged and vintage wood wall hooks created at June Bug & Co. She is an inspiration for making sure you're doing something you love in life.

Miranda, owner of Etsy's June Bug & Co, is a self proclaimed southern gypsy who loves adventure, treasure hunting, delicious food and lounging on the beach. Currently, she's shacked up in Nebraska with her fella and three darling labradoodles.

Miranda started her Etsy business to fulfill something in herself. "As a 30th birthday gift to myself, I decided to reclaim my creativity and love for old vintage trinkets. I feel so passionately about bringing items into your home that have a history that I started my own lil’ biz, June Bug & Co. I truly believe that salvaged, vintage and antique items add a depth to your home in a way that no store bought item can."

June Bub & Co. wall hooks are created from salvaged and vintage wood that Miranda collects on mtreasure hunts throughout the year. Each creation truly has a story and is sure to add functionality and character to your home.

Miranda has kindly donated a wall hook to giveaway!!!! But be sure to visit June Bug & Co to see all of the amazing items. They are great gifts!!!

Here it is!!!   Repurposed Crown Molding Wall Hook

Description: (Upgraded to crown hook Tuesday)

Add a tidge of royalty to your wall with this salvaged crown molding wall hook. This crown molding was tucked away and well forgotten in a barn just outside Grand Island, NE. After catching a glimpse of some distressed wood, I got to diggin' and found four of these beauties. I love the contrast of weather paint and wood against a cool cast iron crown hook. It's pretty darn cool.

Approximate Measurements:5 1/2" wide12" tall

Don't you soooo want this cute birdie wall hook with a story just in time for Christmas!!?? 

Giveaway entries will close Tuesday at 5pm EST time. A winner will be announced Wednesday morning!

Here's how to enter to win this June Bug & Co birdie wall hook:

For ONE entry:

1. Be a follower of Sincerely Sara Cate

2.  Visit either of June Bug & Co's sites and add as a favorite or like!

Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/junebugandco

Facebook: www.facebook.junebugco.com

3. Post a comment you did so! 

DONE!

You can get 2 more entries if you share this giveaway!

You can post on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter (Twitter tag JuneBugandCo)!

Just leave a separate comment with the link to where you posted it! (Max 4 additional entries)

GOOD LUCK!

Sincerely,

Sara Cate


http://www.etsy.com/shop/junebugandcohttp://www.etsy.com/shop/junebugandcohttp://www.etsy.com/shop/junebugandco

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays

Get ready....I'll have a GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW!

Source: etsy.com via Gypsy on Pinterest

Christmas Giving

1. Useful and gorgeous trinkets.
Gold Keychain Measuring Tape, Aspinal of London $39; Perfect for those who love crafts and design!

2.  Luxury in a jar.
Creme Brulee Sugar Scrub, Laura Mercier $46

3. Beautiful smelling and looking candles
Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle, Anthropologie $25

4. Decorative or functional bowls.
Ikat Mini Bowl, Anthropologie $8 each - Anthro has lots of amazing bowls! Like this one too.

5. The best bronzer and brush I've ever used!!!
Honey Bronzing Powder, The Body Shop $18.50

6. Technology with style.
Duchess iPad Case, Etsy - helekstudio $89

7. Statement accessory.
Infinity Scarf by Rubbish, Nordstrom $24

8. Dream and action gifts.
1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Amazon $12.96

9.  Decorative trays.
Martha Stewart DIY Decorative Tray - make one or buy one.

10. A great coffee table book.
The Perfectly Imperfect Home, Barnes and Noble $20

11. Something for holiday spirit.
Santa Cookie Plate and Ceramic Milk Carton, Table Top Christmas $20

12. Don't forget you can always make a donation to your special someone's favorite charity in their name.

And for another gift...you can enter the giveaway I'll be posting THIS Thursday!

Happy Birthday, Jesus

We decorated our tree this weekend! With all of the colors, we decided it was a Birthday tree for Jesus.  I think it turned out beautiful, and it is much brighter and prettier in person. I am waiting until after Christmas to purchase a few more large bulbs to fill out the rest of our tree for next year. We also incorporated the handful of special, sentimental ornaments we've collected thus far.

 Our good friend, Wes, also came down to Tucson to visit us. He even helped Dashing pull weeds in the back yard! He is a doll. He and Dashing are a hoot to be around. Yes, they ordered this margarita for two and shared it.

We also visited the Oro Valley 25 ft. tree and Christmas festival. We since have had Christmas music on non-stop. Love the holidays and what it means - celebrating Christ and spending time with loved ones.

PS.....Stay tuned for some Christmas giveaways! Sharing cheer and giving is part of the holiday spirit!

We wish you a Merry Christmas...

We picked a tree!

We do live in Arizona, so typically December weather still feels like early fall. But we got the full cold weather while picking out a tree experience last night. It included rain and a few of my fingers turning completely white - I should have taken a photo. We got the full "I can see my breath" weather.

Anyways..... Dashing and our tree!

It smells glorious. If it were a candle scent, I would name it North Pole. Our cat Sophie loves the new tree too!

As of this morning, our tree still looks like Sophie's picture - it's on the floor. We tried to use a plastic base from Walmart. Total fail. Lesson: Plastic does not adequately hold up a 7 foot tree. I couldn't sleep last night, so I was at Home Depot this morning at the crack of dawn buying a real metal one.

I can't wait until we will decorate it with lights and all. My tree inspiration is below. I'm think color blocking for Christmas!

Source: brightbazaar.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

The Christmas Season has Begun!

I'm so excited that is December 1st! This to me truly marks the beginning of the Christmas season (in complete opposition to retailers who believe this starts in October.)

Tonight, Dashing and I are going to go get my FIRST real Christmas tree. I grew up with artificial trees - and I'm perfectly ok with a full, straight, non-shedding tree. Dashing, however, is not. So, off we'll go to get one of these....

Source: google.com via Julie on Pinterest

I can't wait for us to decorate it. I'm inspired by the trees at our local Fry's grocery store....Aren't they beautiful!

If you have any tips or tricks regarding real trees.....I'd love to hear them!