happy 4th of july!!

 here is a collection that i thought would be perfect to share this 4th of july!

these pretty all-american photos come from:

{stylist} butterfly sparks creative & {photographer} kelli trontell

they are lovely!

it is so fun to celebrate 4th of july!! & i am so blessed to live in America! but when i think about how blessed i am, i can't help but think about all of those in this world who are not free... there are so many all around the world (& in america) who have suffered and are not living in freedom. not everyone has good food to eat & clean water to drink, some people are abused & damaged. some people are sick. people all over this world are hurting & while 4th of july is full of fun, there are more important things than just fireworks & parades. on this day {& every day} it is so important that we think about all of the ways that WE ARE BLESSED. if you are safe, you have food to eat, & you have freedom... BE THANKFUL, so so thankful. & pray for those who are suffering... remembering those who have sacrificed for our freedom. enjoy the day & celebrate, but remember why we are celebrating!!

& most important of all:

"where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

-2 Corinthians 3:17

i hope you all have a happy & safe 4th of july!

:)

{4 things}

{1}

i am so excited! the show for the photography challenge over at thymely thoughts is posted today!! my photo is the first one! i love these photo challenges! they are so fun to take part in & to see everyone's photos, they are all so pretty!! & the coolest thing about this one is that i was chosen as the winner!!! YAY!!!! i can't believe it!!! i won a pretty yellow floral italian square scarf!!! oh my goodness!!! i love scarfs & this one is so beautiful!!! i am so excited!!!! i just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to michelle elisabeth, for always offering these fun photography challenges & for giving such pretty gifts!! you are amazing! :) if you don't follow thymely thoughts, be sure to visit her blog! she is so very talented!

{2}

i wanted to share these photos of this beautiful mason jar shelf that i spotted on hide the good scissors 

i love this idea so much! isn't it so pretty?? i want one!! :)

{3}

so... now on to a few of my photos from today!! :)

{4}

i hope you all are having a happy & sunny summer day! :)

& don't forget to enter my summer giveaway!! {click here}

i will announce the winner on tuesday, july 6th!!

inspired by...

{this engagement shoot}
it is styled so beautifully.
& i love her dress & shoes.

^ photos by 26 merton road

{these pretty summer cards}

{& my recent flickr faves}

1. Untitled, 2. lightness, 3. This one still works, 4. Maybe...

& don't forget to enter my summer giveaway!

through my camera lens {recently}

here are several photos that i have taken over the past week, that i haven't shared yet... plus a little fun from my weekend! :) happy monday!

mini cupcakes {yumm}

picnic ♥

 my sister.

my brother & his new colorado rockies hat!! :) GO ROX!

after the picnic we played frisbee!!!!

after our picnic & frisbee, we went to a saturday evening church service with my uncle, where he lives. it was a large church {i am very used to small churches} but the music & sermon were really good & encouraging for me! :) it was a good weekend! i am so thankful!

ps. don't forget to enter my giveaway!!

summer giveaway!

hello everyone!

it's friday & time for a giveaway!!!!

in honor of the first week of summer, i am giving away this pretty handmade summer-y necklace!

this pink & white floral fabric-covered button necklace would look so pretty with a summer dress!

also, if you win, you will receive 15 vintage stamps, from my stamp collection!! {see stamp post} some of my stamps are actually duplicates, so i thought it would be fun to share some of my little vintage treasures with one of my blog followers! you can use them to start your own collection or you can use them in some other fun & crafty way! :)

 all you have to do to enter is

(1) follow my blog &

(2) leave a comment below

+ for an extra entry:

just share this giveaway on your blog, twitter, facebook, etc.

& leave another 2nd comment below, with a link to that!

it's easy!

a winner will be chosen & announced on tuesday, july 6th!

:)

seasonal flowers.

i took these photos for a photo challenge on thymely thoughts & the theme is seasonal flowers {the photo challenge ends june 30th} these photos were taken at a local garden that demonstrates xeriscaping, which is a very "green" way to garden/landscape in hot & dry climates, such as mine. it conserves water and it includes many different plants, not just cacti!

lavender

& i am not sure what this one is... sorry.

ps. giveaway coming soon! :)

summer love

{pretty summer inspiration for you}

♥

{summer cards from the paper dialogues}

{cute bike tote by andy eats only candy}

i think its sold out... sorry :(

{this cozy spot from house&home}

{not sure where i found this one... but i would love to spend a warm summer evening right there!} 

{pretty summer prints by alicia bock}

{yummy watermelon from richellephant}

{pretty summer bouquet from thymely thoughts}

{summer floral gift tags from eatdrinkchic}


& i won somthing.... {yay}
i was so happy this morning, when i found out that i won these diana mini prints from eli & toggle i can't wait to get them!! they definitley have that summer-y, magical feeling! :) i love them! & i love eli & toggle! it's a really wonderful blog! :)

 thank you so much eli!! ♥