AZ Share That You Care

I'm really excited to start featuring some local finds on the blog, and I'm starting off with a super cool event that I attended a few weeks ago!

The event was called AZ Share That You Care and was put on by Pineapple Triangle, a group of awesome girls who host events to promote local businesses while giving back to the community.  For AZ-STYC, they set up something like a "local market," invited the community to come and shop, and each shop donated 20% of their revenue to their favorite charity.

First of all, what an awesome concept, right??

Second, the venue was A-MAZing.  It was an indoor/outdoor abandoned (and refurbished) building called The Icehouse, and if you are looking for a venue in the Phoenix area, you have to check it out.  

If I was throwing a huge party, this is where I'd have it.

Third - there were so many awesome shops there, I couldn't even get to them all!  My favorite, which also happens to be owned by my close friends, is called 

Free Range Apparel.

They have an online store filled with super cute kids shirts and sweatshirts, super unique printables, and just recently they added beautiful, one-of-a-kind handmade capes!!  

Because don't all kids need a cape??

Isn't this perfect for a nursery or kid's room!!??  I plan on hanging all their prints when we move Mia into her "big girl" room. 

So, to stay in the loop about Pineapple Triangle's next events, follow them on Instagram or checkout their website! 

And Shop Local!!

A Mother's Blessing

Earlier this week I was honored to be a part of a beautiful ceremony celebrating my friend Sharon. She is a few weeks from giving birth to her second child, and she wanted to do something different than a baby shower this go-around.

So some of her good friends gathered around her and threw her a Mother's Blessing.  (aka. Blessingway)  It was one of the coolest evenings I have ever experienced!  Here is a brief recap of the night in seven {Awesome} quick takes!

And thank you Sharon for letting me use your photos!! :)

1.

The night started with amazing food and great conversation.  Our favorite wine sommelier (everyone needs one of these in your friends group!) poured up some awesome wine and we started the night off right.

2.

Knowing Sharon would love it, we hired a Henna artist to paint a tattoo on Sharon's belly.

You guys. I am not exactly the type to show my bare belly during pregnancy, but I would seriously consider getting a Henna tattoo next time I'm pregnant.  It is just so beautiful!!!!

3.

After we ate, we went outside to this amazing set-up:

4.

We then each lit a candle that we had brought and went around the circle offering encouragement and our favorite things we love about Sharon.

5.

Then we each took a rock and wrote a word on it that we wanted to offer Sharon to think about, or know that we were praying for while she is in labor.  Strength, peace, grace, etc...

6. 

Throughout the ceremony there were beautiful readings from the Bible as well as from the book shown above, Jesus Calling.  Then at the end we did two things - we connected ourselves by one piece of string around our wrists, and then cut it.  We will wear it until she goes into labor.  Then we laid hands on her and prayed.

7.

At the very end of the night we took home the candle we had lit.  We are then going to re-light it when Sharon goes into labor as a reminder for us to think about her and send her positive thoughts and prayers.

You guys, what an amazing night.  I highly recommend doing something similar for any mom you know who is about to give birth.  It can be done so many different ways depending on what kinds of things the mom likes to do.

It was just such a meaningful night for everyone, and while the night was all about Sharon, it really bonded us as fellow mothers and friends.  

It was -- you guessed it --  freaking awesome.

8th bonus and completely shameless take: 

I released the 3rd and final part to the Child Development and Identity podcast series today!  It is an awesome interview, you have to check it out!!!!

In it I interviewed MaryRuth Hackett, a developmental Psychologist and mom of four.  In the 3rd part of the series we talk about how to help instill confidence and a healthy self-esteem in our kids.  We talk about things like body image, family culture, and the importance of the language we use with our kids.

Check it out! :)

...Ahem.  This is part of my current 31 Days of Awesome Kick.

MP9K

This morning I woke up in the dark and headed out to the MP9k, a race that helps support Maggie's Place (my previous employer / the best nonprofit ever).  

It was a great morning -- beautiful weather, a good friend to jog/walk beside with our strollers, and our little girls were just the cutest in their race bibs for the Kid's Dash.  

I just think her ponytail is the cutest thing ever.  Basically because I'm her mom.

It was truly an awesome morning seeing old and new friends, enjoying the beautiful weather that we've been waiting (And waiting) for, and pushing myself to jog Faster!!! as the cutest 3-year-old slave driver above shouted us on.

...Ahem.  This is part of my current 31 Days of Awesome Kick.

Second-Hand Shops

Buying things from second-hand shops (thrift stores, consignment shops, yard sales) is one of my favorite things.

Not only do I find great things that I need (and often don't), but I find them on Tha Cheeaapp.

How fun is that????

It's so fun, it's Awesome.

Another awesome thing: When your friend takes you driving around on a Saturday morning, with 2 kids in the back seat, looking to score some sweet deals.  And then when that friend stuffs a huge Little Tikes car in the front seat while you chill in the back with the kiddos...that is even better.

...Ahem.  This is part of my current 31 Days of Awesome Kick.

Story Time

Well it's almost to the end of day 2 of this ridiculous 31 Day Challenge and I realllllyyy would like to skip today because I have *so* much to do yet tonight...

BUT - I am resolute. I will not skip a day, no matter what. <<<The things I tell myself.

So today I am posting a great photo from earlier today, which was taken at Story Time (a loose term with these hoodlums) at a local coffee shop / bookstore called Changing Hands.

I call it:

That Time All The 1-Year-Olds Sat Still For A Photo: AWESOME.

Photo Cred: @PrivatePour

...Ahem.  This is part of my current 31 Days of Awesome Kick.