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we had so much fun last year at disneyland we decided to squeeze another mickey visit in this year.  it’s amazing how much more the boys are enjoying it this year.  they loved it last year, but one year older makes a big difference. seeing it decorated for the holidays is even more magical.  are you rested after the long weekend?  or did you play too much??

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hello friends!  we’re recovering from lots of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and stuffing, paired with laying around and catching up with aunties, uncles, grandma and grandpa.  i’ll be avoiding the mall today, but i’m making my christmas shopping list and doing some planning. we got our family pics back and i can’t wait to share them with you next week.  do you have a turkey hangover?  what does your friday hold?

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for my sweet little family

and my bigger, amazingly supportive and loving family

for coffee and sunlight

and being able to set my own work schedule

for a husband who is my best friend

and friends who understand my soul

and the friends i’ve never met who read my blog

and care about me and my family

for hope and happiness

even on the hard days.

i am very thankful.

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what are you thankful for today?

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not sure if it’s the upcoming holiday, or our internet going down for a couple days or what but i completely lost my rhythm this week.  i’ve been feeling really out of sorts and like i’m constantly trying to keep up/catch up/patch up.  sigh.  so looking forward to time with family over thanksgiving.

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on a lighter note, i’m obsessed with hot chocolate right now.  with marshmallows.  so yummy and comforting. what is soothing your soul right now?

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one of my favorite shops downtown is paper sky.  i leave buzzing with inspiration.

and jessica, the owner, kindly agreed to answer some questions for us!

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1. Your store in so inspiring!  How do you get inspired?  What ignites your imagination?

I get inspiration from just about everything…color, humor, odd moments, great packaging, anything handmade, the sound of the ocean…

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2.  What is your favorite craft or thing to create?

I love the hands on creative process. I am all over the board when it comes to creating but I typically gravitate towards paper crafts. I’m having a lot of fun right now creating our holiday window. It’s a very whimsical snow village entirely made out of paper, ribbon and of course, heaps of glitter.

3.  What’s the hardest part of owning your own shop?

There is always something else to do, always another idea on your mind, and never enough hours in the day.

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4. Any great ideas hit you today?

This is not my idea but I just color coordinated the spines of all the books in our built in shelving unit and it looks so cheery and artful now!

5.  What advice would you give to other women who want to start their own business?

Stay focused and never deviate from your overall vision. But mostly, GO FOR IT! This has been the most amazing and gratifying experience ever!

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6.  Plain or peanut M&M’s?

Ha! Ha! Both?

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Thanks Jessica!  Paper Sky is located at Higuera St.  If you’re looking for unique cards, custom wedding invites, table decor, or general inspiration, paper sky is your best bet!

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hello friends.  we ate breakfast in morro bay and then did a family photo shoot.  fingers crossed we got a couple good ones.  i’ll share more later this week.  the sun was shining and it didn’t feel at all like winter. what are you doing today?

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our winners for the paper lantern necklace are…

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Jessica

I would put the words “walk” “in” and “light” on this necklace. What is really causing me to glow lately is walking in the light of the Bible. God’s truth is giving me joy an I am trusting Him to continue making me into a new creation. This lantern necklace would be perfect to express that! “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

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Nan Gough

Today I had a wonderful afternoon outing with my 4 year old daughter (a bit of Mommy and me time without sister baby) and a bit of quiet time with the baby when we returned home. I also have an anticipatory glow because tomorrow my husband returns from deployment! Hooray!

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Ladies, email me your shipping addresses and how you want your paper lantern necklaces stamped.  Congratulations!!

You can be my noise
When I have no sound

You can be my net
When I stumble down

You can be my leap, up off the ground
My escape
From the live and lose

Our friend Chad started writing a song last weekend.  Hearing him work through the melody was amazing-so peaceful, so beautiful.  And he told me that a big part of his inspiration for this song was our sweet David.  You can find the words and the audio here.  Go and listen and download it if you’d like to.  It’s so lovely.

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ps.  do you tweet?  follow me on twitter.

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little bits of christmas are starting to pop up around the house.

it’s a good motivation for cleaning.

this year, we’re sticking with silver and aqua with punches of color.

and there might be christmas music playing, too.

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would you rather spend the week in southern california, playing at disneyland, munching on hot dogs and cotton candy, sleeping in a comfy hotel and humming ‘it’s a small world’ *

OR would you rather spend a the week in a snow covered, mountain cabin, reading a good book, sipping hot cocoa, playing board games and snuggling under warm blankets?

if you could get away for the week, which would you choose??

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i am so excited about the new paper lantern necklace.  there are three {exlusive} lanterns to choose from.  aren’t they fun??

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the sterling discs are small and perfect for everyday.  And of course, you can customize each disc with a hand-stamped name, date or word.

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so we should give a couple away, right??  leave your comment and tell us what’s making you glow today?

and you can see the new piece here.

* GIVEAWAY CLOSED, thank you!