Natalie - Natalie Wise Blog

Winner

We have a winner, folks! Random.org chose Leigh as the winner of the Thankful cards {and fun extra little trinket}. Congratulations, Leigh!!!!!!!! And thanks to everyone who entered, and for all of your sweet comments.

Goodnight

After a weekend with my boyfriend, I feel like I could conquer the world. It’s such a wonderful feeling, my dears. What makes you feel like you could conquer the world?

I’m posting this to remind myself (and you, if you need it), that come Monday morning, I want to hold onto that feeling.

Goodnight!

{P.S.> I drew the winner of the Thankful cards tonight, and I’ll post the winner tomorrow. And also, I’ve got some really fun outfits to share this week.}

Love!
Natalie

Thankful: Giveaway

{Handmade Thankful cards on handmade ‘leaf’ potholders I sewed a few Thanksgivings ago}

It’s my first-ever giveaway! Granted, it’s very small, but I’m excited nonetheless, and you should be too 🙂
Up for grabs is a stack of these lovely pale-yellow/orange handmade (by me!!) “Thankful” cards. I envision placing them on each plate at the Thanksgiving table. The backs are empty, so you can either write something about each recipient that you are thankful for, or have everyone write something they are thankful on the back and put them all in a big pot. Then take turns guessing who wrote it! Tie them on presents, slip them under doors, leave them under windshield wipers…No matter how you use them, they’re classy and cute at the same time.

{drying on the letterpress machine…see, I have plenty to share}

And did I mention handmade? I made these on an authentic antique letterpress, and I just have to share them. Don’t worry, they’ll come packaged with an extra goodie or two, hopefully in time for your Thanksgiving festivities.

{tied with a scrap of wool}

Since this is my first giveaway, and it’s small, it’s casual. To enter, leave me a comment. If you want an extra entry, follow my blog by clicking “Join This Site” on the right-hand side. Only two entries each, please! And share the news! Giveaway ends Friday night at midnight so I can send them to you in time for Thanksgiving!

And I just wanted to say: I am thankful for YOU, dear reader. Thanks for reading, for your kind comments, your friendship, and for being awesome.

Overflowing Happiness

This past week and weekend has been absolutely overwhelmingly beautiful with overflowing happiness. I give it ALL back in praise to God, the source of it all. My boyfriend and I went on a quick trip to Iowa for a special project {to be announced later} and to visit my family. I am still just giddy with the goodness of it all. The fun-ness! See, don’t I look happy:

Yeah, maybe just a little bit happy.

{eyes are open, promise}

Style Secrets
Necklace: Gift from Israel
Tee: Old Navy; hand-me-over
Cardi: J.Crew, thrifted
Scarf: hand-me-over
Belt: Coach, thrifted
Jeans: Joe’s Jeans, tag sale
Boots: Consignment trade-in

More of the good things:

Being {Home}; Pretty red coat and gingham curtains; Boyfriend with coffee from a favorite diner

And we stumbled upon a great little Christian bookstore, too, called Branches. I picked up what is destined to be a new favorite:

This beauty. {image from dayspring}

The verse is

“You have filled my heart with greater joy.”

Psalm 4:7

I think it was a suitable souvenir, wouldn’t you say? I’m sure you’ll see it in future blog posts.

Remember, God is the only one that can bring us back to life. This song has been on repeat tonight—such a good reminder that our God does and will fill our hearts with greater joy. Amen.

Breathe Your Life, by Chris and Conrad

Monday Mid Day

This image makes me smile:

{found on Tumblr with no source. Know?}

Resource:

Real Simple online is my favorite. They picked some awesome affordable winter clothes. Check it here.

Look, it’s me!

And one last purrrrrrrrrtttttyyyy picture:

From the new Design*Sponge at Home book, found here

Have a great Monday! I’m busy packing for a trip {gah!} and such.

Mixed Blues

I’ve been so into wearing blue lately, which is strange because I’ve never been much of a blue person. I’m much more a green person. As in, fan of the color green. Though I can be a jealous person (tsk tsk), and I am often sick (sadly, it seems). But anyhow, upon noticing this recent fascination with blue, my friend sent over a box of blue clothes to try! How wonderful! I’m loving this subtly striped blue shirt with a ruffle!

Style Secrets

Cami: ?

Blouse: Old Navy, borrowed

Belt: Thrifted

Scarf: Gift, from India

Necklace: Gift, from Israel

Jeans: F21

Boots: Garage Sale

Vintage Inspired Coat: F21

Weekend

Things I Can’t Quite Wrap My Head Around:

{This photo should be an oxymoron. 13″ almost to the top of my wellies.}

and

{The fact that I want these pants. I’m strangely attracted to them.}

Things I’m Quite Happy About:

{New Stamps & Tag Sale Finds}

{Amazingly delicious gluten-free coconut guglehopf (sp?) in the middle of a snowstorm}

Little Things

Oh, it’s always the little things, for me! They are my favorite 🙂 Linking up with From the Aisle to Aloha for her Little Things post!

Wonderful new patterned socks!!! {american eagle}

{his + hers cell phones, each in their place!}

{eating the laaaaaaaaaaast pumpkin peanut butter muffin for breakfast!}

{more awesome socks + matching fingernails! missoni for target, a present from my momma!}

Hope you had a great week, dears!!

Wednesday Work to Weekend

It’s Work-to-Weekend time, since it’s mid-week and we’re all pining for the weekend!

Gosh I love this outfit. Sequin tank is from one of my best friends, who traded it in for another color, and let me borrow this peachy-pink one. We often send each other boxes of clothes to trade/borrow, and this was in my latest installment. I’ve got one allllmost-ready for her by the door!

The beautiful Rome-scene silk skirt it a great new find. I think it will work in spring, summer, and fall (not so sure about winter?)

Weekend Wear:

Jeans, a more casual scarf, and a slightly different take on the color combo, and I’m good to go! Sequins can take a girl anywhere!

Style Secrets

Work

Hairclip: Goody, gift from mom

Necklace: Self-made

Tank: Talbots, borrowed/hand-me-over

Scarf: Hand-me-over

Bangles: Local store

Sweater: Tag sale

Belt: Thrifted

Skirt: Talbots Collection, consignment shop

Boots: Thrifted

Weekend

Jeans: Earnest Sewn, TJ Maxx

Sunnies: Local store

Earrings: Lia Sophia, gift

Belt: from another shirt

Striped Scarf: Gap, thrifted

Autumn Baking

Oh, autumn is so lovely! It’s all about the good things: sharing, warmth, family, thankfulness, and God.

And Halloween, but us ‘churchy’ types tend to gloss over that in favor of “Trunk or Treat” or “Nut Night” or similar church-directed activities. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about church-directed activities, and I myself enjoyed many a “Nut Night” dressed as a clown, or a bunch of grapes (that was a moment of genius on my mom’s part, not gonna lie).

All of that is to say, I generally don’t ‘celebrate’ Halloween per se, but I’m not above some orange pumpkin muffins with Halloween-y themed decorations. Like fall leaves cupcake liners, cemetery gate-inspired cupcake holders, and spiderweb napkins.

Now let me tell you my secret: These are PEANUT BUTTER PUMPKIN gluten-free muffins (using this recipe from King Arthur Flour and all-natural Sunspire Peanut Butter chips!)! And they are delicious. Now don’t give away my secret, or I may have to release the bats & spiders! Muahahahahahahahahaha.

I got some other Autumn-y goodies at the Dollar Store:

The napkins & cupcake liners, of course. And some feather eyelashes cause I’m a dork and I want to try them (and because boyfriend said he would laugh at me if I did), some pretty hair clips, Thanksiving cards & pretty stickers to seal them with (3 for $1)!