beginnings {seventh giveaway}

item no. 1

the holidays have come to an end. and it's almost impossible for me to believe.


and with the start of this new year, my life has radically changed. i chose a word for 2012, and then i found my way to live it out in ways i never could have imagined.


and now, it is time for another giveaway, another time to share and connect with one another. 


i cannot begin to say how much i enjoy doing these giveaways. they are such a blessing to be able to share beauty with each one of you. this is my way of giving back to those who have given so much to me.


i cannot fully speak my incredible thankfulness for mancave soapworks {Carrie}, silver lotus designs {Darcee} and raziela designs for their willingness to share their craft with you and with me as we start off this new year. 

item no. 2

item no. 1: chocolate craving handmade clay pendant from raziela designs

item no. 2: working jewels steampunk ring from raziela designs


item no. 3: old fashioned men's shaving set in scent of the winner's choice from mancave soapworks 


{this item is a man's item intended as a gift. if you do not have a man in your life, please make mention in your comment.}


item no. 4: love birds personalized necklace {initials of winner's choice} from silver lotus designs

item no. 3

{here is how to enter to win one of these beautiful items. please leave each entry as a SEPARATE comment, and please leave your blog address or email address in at least one of the comments.}

(IMPORTANT NOTE: while i dearly love each one of my international readers, this giveaway is only open to the United States at the shipper's request.)

Entry No. 1 (mandatory): did you chose a word for 2012? if you did, what is it, and why? if not, did you make any resolutions? what are they, and why?  (+1)

Entry No. 2 (mandatory): follow this blog and put the new and improved button on your sidebar. (+1)

Entry No. 3: blog/tweet/Facebook about the giveaway, and leave a link to your post/tweet/blog post in the comment. (+3, one entry per and one comment per, please)

Entry No. 4: visit raziela designs and comment with your favourite item from the shop. (+1)

Entry No. 4: visit Darcee and comment with your favourite item from the shop. (+1)

Entry No. 4: visit Carrie and comment with your favourite item from the shop. (+1)

Entry No. 7: purchase an item from any shop {+10 entries per purchase, MUST be verified}

this is the time for newness. the time for fresh starts and new life. i am overwhelmed as i reach out and touch brave in 2012. 


what will you grasp firmly this year?

this giveaway ends on February 6th, 2012 at midnight. 

winners will be chosen via random.org and announced within the next day or two. 

winners have 48 hours to claim their prizes or new winners will be chosen

{a} {b} {c} beyond

{via pinterest}

this thing of Thanksgiving overwhelms me.

this one day in the midst of 365 to sit back and reflect on blessings, surrounded by those whom we love and whom we love to aggravate.

as i said in yesterday's post, today may be Thanksgiving. but so was yesterday, and tomorrow will be again.

even still

my soul loves this day.

and so i will be joining with rachel today to list my gratitude from a to z and all the moments in between.

afternoon walks // best friends  // candles in white jasmine

dates with my Daddy // eggshell white // family {cliche but so true}

grass between my toes // Him // inspiration

 jazz music // kisses and caresses // last rays of evening's sun 

moments shared with my mother // new books // opportunities to breathe again 

 peppermint hot chocolate // quirks // resolve 

secret laughter with my sister // the man i love // umbrellas when the sun shines

victory in Jesus // winter's first snow // eXtra minutes in the shower 

You // zoos {they're my favourite}

writing this list alone was worship for me. 

i'm undone by Him. this incredible life i have, the people that fill my hours, and the overwhelming realization that i am the furthest thing from destitute. 

it's precious, this thing of dwelling in His shadow. my gratitude is endless.

is yours?

happy Thanksgiving and endless blessings from DramaticElegance 

{linking with rachel and so many others in these 26 glimpses of gratitude}

in which i am more than paper

{via pinterest}

i helped my mom put out the family Christmas cards today.

i spent my afternoon standing at the kitchen island in the home where i grew up, stamping envelopes and adding address labels to what seemed to be a never-ending pile of cards.

and it got me to thinking about Christmas and letters and packages tied with paper and string.

it's strange for me to realize that the beautifully wrapped gifts, which are carefully assembled by those we love, will soon be transformed into empty boxes and crumpled piles of wrapping paper.

is it strange that i find God in this?

you don't have a soul. you are a soul. you have a body. 

~c.s. lewis

the packages are beautiful as they sit below the tree, their colours flickering in the lights like a strange sort of decoration. and i can't help but feel the same as my eyes dance in childlike wonder and i realize that those packages are just like me.

i'm more than brown paper and string.  

i'm more than what i'm wrapped in -- more than this body in which i find myself a resident for this brief time.

{via pinterest}

because you don't just hold the package in your lap and gaze at the paper. it's an insult to the giver.

so why would i stand in the mirror and gaze at my flaws as though they are worth something?

it's an insult to the Giver. 

as Lewis said, i have a body. this external garment i wear for now.

but oh, so much more.

because one day -- one new morning, fresh like Christmas to a child, i will stand shining in glory at the side of the One who breathed me.

because i am more.

i am a soul.