Monday, December 05, 2011

Beauty!

I found this blog on my sister's site (Thebusynothings.com) and had to share!

BLEMISH IS BEAUTY

This umbrella initiative is focused on educating others on the plight of special needs children globally. It is our desire to advocate on behalf of these children who are often discarded, forgotten and pushed to the margins. Through this initiative, we hope to connect you with great works, individuals and ways to get involved.

The blog posts from our 8-week series can be found here. Also, huge thanks to everyone who helped us with our first International Project! 

Thanks to everyone who participated and followed along with Blemish is Beauty! We look forward to doing this again!






http://www.99balloons.org/blemishisbeauty.php

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Christmas sparkles

I just love Christmas time! I think its the best holiday to invest in because it celebrates something truly special to me. Plus living in Florida it doesn't really feel like the traditional cold, wintry Christmas I grew up with. So I made it my goal to make it as home-like as I can! We finally got up all our decorations and I never want to take them down!

Even though it isn't very "green" to buy a live tree, I just cannot help myself! When I was a kid my favorite memory was my whole family going out to the tree farm outside of Arkadelphia Arkansas and picking out our tree from a tree farm. We would make a day out of it, going on hay rides, jumping on hay bales, drinking cider and hot cocoa. They'd give my dad a hand saw and let us cut it down ourselves! So a real tree is an important tradition. Plus I love the scent that fills the home, yelling at my cats to stay out of the tree, and decorating each branch. Frasier Firs are the BEST when it comes to pleasing smell and easy decorating with their extended branches.This was my inspiration for decorating our tree this year!




Since Firs are not as full as traditional trees I wanted to buy some fillers. I bought some glittery branches at Micheal's. **Sparkles** were the theme for our Christmas this year! 

I even have some glittery disco balls!!

The finished product! I love how it sparkles, it lights up the room! 


 I even got us new sparkly stockings to match! 
 I love walking into my home and seeing, hearing and smelling Christmas!! Hope you all have Happy Holidays! And when in doubt- add sparkles :)

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Dave Ralph Photography

Just in case you haven't had a chance to see my husband's photography I just wanted to share. I've been going through them to see which ones I would like to print and frame in our house and I'm so moved by his vision. I love seeing the world through his lenses.

I first have to share this one which was a birthday present to me. It is a picture of a beautiful white oak in Arkansas, in a field we would drive by every day and we would enjoy watching it change through the seasons. So it was "our tree". 
Here are a few pictures from David's trip to Europe: 






Sunday, October 24, 2010

Bohemian look number one

So as my previous post stated I am on a Bohemian journey to "rediscover" my fashion style. I've always collected random pieces of jewelry, long scarves, cool knits...and never fully realized that it was an actual style! My husband thinks its hilarious when I showed him my post because he just stated, "that's like Katy-style". Yep. There is a method to my madness! Bwahaha! So here's my first look all put together for a casual weekend. Not for work. Just for  pleasure. And remember this is just my first look. Not that WOW-za but an attempt. Oh and please ignore my attempt at a model-esq picture...


I know. Not that exciting but I did utilize the BIG wooden jewelry, big bracelet, funky 3/4 cardigan thingie, and big ole sunglasses. And the long hippie hair I already have is a plus. BAM!
Wooden jewelry- thrift store. Sunglasses- Target. Cardigan thingie- TJ Maxx. Bracelet- thriftie. Probably about $30 max. Woot woot!


Thursday, October 21, 2010

My Bohemian Quest

So I'm embracing my inner Bohemian-ness. It's true. I admit it. I've been confused. I've been all over the map fashion wise since I was young. My first fashion statement was Umbro's and matching t-shirts. I was half tom boy half poor pastor's kid--needless to say--I had a difficult time defining myself fashion-wise.  Here's an example:







 But looking back I also saw I had a little Bohemian in me all the time...














So recently I decided to "define" myself fashion-wise. So I took a quiz and fell under every category of "Bohemian". For example: loving eclectic jewelry, ethnic bags, long flowing dresses, boots, big glasses and strappy sandals, also known as a "global" style. Its considered also a "state of mind". The epitome for me is Janis Joplin, one of my favorite music artists. Of course she exaggerates the style, and it was the 60's. But I still love it, and her music. Soulful, free flowing, easy. 
 So as the goddess of psychedelic fashion as my guide, I go forth on my bohemian quest, to define my personal fashion. Using the website "the chic fashionista" I did some research on all the things Bohemian! I love everything in this picture:




 Also this Jessica Simpson bag:
And these shoes:
 Though I know fashion doesn't define who I am, at least it gives somewhat of an accurate picture of what I feel inside. That I am uninhibited, enjoy the beauty of intricate patterns and unique jewelry, the freedom to be who you are. And the coolest thing about this style is that there are many non profit organizations that help third world country entrepreneurs sell their products such as Heart Craft, that makes these beautiful prints and journals!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

My style quiz!

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Escaping Darkness, Beyond Brothels- Combatting Sex Trade Industry

We forget that people in parts of the world cannot even put food on the table. The sex trafficking industry is alive and thriving, especially in the United States. According to Woman's Funding Network in an Article published "Enslaved in America" we must break the typical stereotype of what we think the sex industry is:
"When we hear the words "sex trafficking," as Americans we immediately think of women and children overseas who are being forced into the sex trade or who are brought into the United States for the purpose of sexual exploitation. We don't usually think closer to home — Americans trafficked by Americans. But I want you to think about young women and even girls that you have seen late at night when you come home from work or a social event. Maybe you have seen them in the streets in short dresses and spike heels. You turn your heads to look away. We do not look at the faces of these young women and girls who are forced to be out in the street. Maybe we think this is what they want to do or they wouldn't be out there. Maybe it is easier to believe that it is an empowering choice they have than face the harsh reality of child sexual abuse, physical and mental abuse, and the pimps that prey on the young women and girls.
To understand all aspects of sex trafficking in the United States, you have to open your mind and let go of what you have seen or heard on television. You need to let go of the media's portrayal of the "joys" of street prostitution, and open your eyes to the violence and control the pimps and sex traffickers exercise over their victims, who are mostly girls and young women."

The FBI estimates that well over 100,000 children and young women are trafficked in America today. They range in age from 9 to 19, with the average age being 11. There are so many things that we can be doing TODAY to combat the sex trafficking industry. This is an outrage, and we need to be advocates for these young women.
According to Equality Now's website, these are some ways we can combat the sex trafficking industry:

Working to End Sex Trafficking Around the World

Through its Trafficking Program, Equality Now works to end all forms of trafficking in women and girls, most of whom are sold into the commercial sex trade, by educating the public, targeting sex tourism operators, monitoring trafficking that occurs on the internet, and influencing policy makers to pass strong, effective anti-trafficking legislation.

How you can Help:
Taking advantage of action techniques such as letter writing, fax and email campaigns, media events and public information activities, Equality Now mobilizes action on behalf of individual women whose rights are being violated and promotes women rights at the local, national and international levels. You can help protect the human rights of women by joining the Women’s Action Network and supporting Equality Now’s Trafficking Fund.