This Will Change You

I feel like I've been in a bit of a dry spell when it comes to blogging. It's not that I don't have anything to say, but rather haven't quite found the words. I have some posts stored up as drafts just waiting for a day when I feel brave enough to hit publish. The last few weeks I've been trying to soak up just how blessed I truly am. I feel like the more we immersed ourselves online, the easier it is to slip into a comparison mindset. I always feel the need to pull myself offline a little bit more when moments like those creep in.

There is this one daily commitment I made to myself and let me tell you; its a game changer. A few years ago, I started to write down 3-5 items that I was thankful for at the end of every day. At first, I did it every once in awhile when I remembered. But I started to notice a pattern where the more often I did it, the fuller my heart felt. Teaching/training your heart to be full of gratitude is no ease task especially when in the day and age of technology we live in. But I can promise that the more things you write down you are thankful for, the less you feel a need to fill your life with more.

25 Necklaces Giveaway

The most emails I get are about the free necklace promotion I ran in November of 2012. It was a huge hit and the necklace has become our top seller. It comes in two styles; a 3-stone and 1-stone design. They are simple designs add just a tiny splash of color to any outfit. In order to satisfy the many emails I've received, I decided to run the promotion one more time. This time I even add in a mint color which is to die for!

The good news is FIVE of you are going to be lucky winners of FIVE 3-stone necklaces!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 Things to be Happy About

1. I got back from Snap Conference on Monday and I'm in the process of catching up on sleep!

2. I celebrated my birthday in Utah for the second year in a row. My sweet friends sent me some beautiful flowers to enjoy while I was there.

3. I got to hang out with my lovely mentor Amy Cornwell. She makes beautiful jewelry and has an even more beautiful heart.

4. Old Navy has stolen my heart this season. They have had some many great patterns and bold colors; which is right up my aisle.

5. I had a birthday celebration a few days ago with some good friends and tried some delicious gluten desserts.

Spring Fling Giveaway

\

Prize Package #1: 2-night stay at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn & Suites in San Diego, California

Prize Package #2: Nikon 3100 DSLR camera

JoTotes camera bag (your choice)

Kristen Duke’s beginner and intermediate photography eBooks

Prize Package #3: $50 Gift card to Hoop-La Earrings

2 pairs earrings from Elisabeth Ashlie Jewelry

$25 Gift card to Caroline G

$50 Gift card to The Chic Orchid

STEP 1: Pin the following:

Step 2: Click on each of the 11 images below to follow these amazing companies/bloggers on Pinterest:

Step 3: Fill out the following form (so we can contact you if you win):

Giveaway will end at 11:59PM (MST) on April 26, 2013 . Three winners will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email within 48 hours of the giveaway close. Winners will be announced on the post, not on Facebook. The winner must respond within 48 hours of receiving the email or a new winner will be chosen. No purchase necessary. The total prize package has an msrp value of $1,250.00. No purchase necessary. 2-night stay in San Diego is transferable, should the winner wish to gift the stay. It does not include transportation to/from San Diego, California. Must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of the U.S. to enter. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook or Pinterest. Facebook and Pinterest will be completely released by each entrant. One entry per person. Entry includes filling out the form above including name, email and pinning. One entry for filling in the form. You are providing the information to the The Chic Orchid who will in no way sell or give your information to anyone including Facebook or Pinterest.

Hello 27

Today I'm turning 27. I actually started my birthday celebration at 10am at Utah; this time zone business is messing me up real bad. I thought it would be fun to include 27 "fun facts" about myself!

1. My name means beautiful grace. If you saw all the scrapes and bruises on my body you'd know that I barely live up to it as graceful isn't something I've mastered just yet.

2. My good friends call me carebear or merry carrie. I've been told "my happy" is sometimes too loud.

3. I'm deathly afraid of heights. However, what I'm really afraid of is way too embarrassing to ever put in a blog post. Trust me!

4. My favorite color is pink which shocks absolutely no one. I often like it with a splash of green.

5. I used to be fluent in spanish, which I'm sadly no longer.

6. I'm a city girl at heart. (Born in Boston)

7. I dream of owning a girl's dress line. I'm about 252 steps closer to that goal than I was a year ago.

8. I can't sound out words to save my life. Not sure how I passed the 2nd grade.

9. I believe that kindness never fails.

10. Handwritten letters are my love language. If I were to start a second business it would be very similar to Edible Arrangements. I mean who doesn't like to get chocolate in the mail!

11. I want to see a taping of the Ellen show but haven't been able to get tickets to save my life. *fingers crossed for this upcoming year*

12. I believe that everything is better with a monogram on it.

13. I eat an excessive amount of ice cream. Check out my instagram if you don't believe me.

14. I went gluten free and it was life changing. Goodbye bread, hello rest of my life!

15. I feel like you can't go wrong with cardigans and big sunglasses.

16. I used to be a teacher and have the upmost respect for people in that field!

17. Spring is my favorite time of the year; just hate all the pollen.

18. I'm a bit sassy after you get to know me a bit.

19. Scary movies and I don't mix well. I've been known to watch the Disney channel more times than I should probably admit to.

20. I make bows just to wear them on my shoes because I can.

21. The blogging community has changed me in the best possible ways.

22. I wish someone had told how hard it was to own a business, but also how rewarding it is.

23. I have an entire closet for dresses. It's kind of a problem that I'm addressing.

24. I started a gratitude journal a few years ago and it was a game changer. It has made me look at the brighter things in life and taking the focus off the negatives.

25. I would wear pajamas any day of the week if it was appropriate.

26. Sometimes I like to give gifts and balloons to strangers.

27. I have never been more grateful for the life I have. I'm so so blessed with all that I have. Thank you for walking through life with me. Y'all are the best!! 

5 Things to be Happy About

1. Tomorrow is my 27th birthday! It's a little different because I'll be in Salt Lake City for  the Snap Conference. A few years ago, I barely spent anytime online and now my whole life has shifted. I feel so blessed to be in such a great community! It has been life changing and life giving to me.

2. Kate and I had a good heart-to-heart. It reminded me how thankful for a friend who can speak truth into my life but do it in such a loving manner. She keeps it real and then some! And a little ice cream never hurt anyone, right?!

3. I got an early birthday present of a mani and pedi and decided that I wanted some bright pink nails before I headed off to Snap. It was a good way to relax prior to jumping on a plane, which I strongly dislike.

4. Facing fears is not a speciality of mine, maybe not yours either. I absolutely dislike flying for a number of reasons, and always dread the taking trips. But I'm thankful that my business has taken me to new places and experiences and allowed me to continue to face my fears.

5. This is my new life motto. It's simple, yet very to the point.

Goodbye 26

In two short days, I'll be turning 27, so I've been doing a lot of reflection back on the past year of my life. I think both 25 and 26 were incredibly great years for me. They were filled with adventures and risk taking. They taught me a lot about myself, grew me, strengthened me, and gave me such great blessings.

It was the year that I realized dreams can come true.

It taught me that its okay to fail and that getting back up will only make you stronger.

It reaffirmed that any chance you get, choose joy.

I learned that its okay to ask for help.

It reminded me that being true to yourself is always best practice.

I learned to laugh at myself and all the mistakes I've made along the way.

It's brought people into my life who have taught me the kindness of strangers, and its taught me that there is always room for more; kindness, grace, love, and hope.

It's made me realize that true friends are rare but an absolute treasure to the heart.

I think turning 27 will be a bit bitter sweet for me after this amazingly great past year. However, I'm looking forward to new memories, adventures, trials and errors, and more chasing dreams to come!