Minted Design Challenge

Hey guys! I have just submitted several designs to Minted: one of the most infamous paper stationery companies in the world! Click on the images below to view them on the website. And if you like them, I would really appreciate a vote! Thank you guys so much!

If you would like to purchase any of these "Save the Dates", visit my ETSY SHOP!

Which is your favorite?

save the date cards - Chevron Stamp 

CLICK HERE TO BUY

   

save the date cards - Dainty Flower Charm - No Photo

CLICK HERE TO BUY

save the date cards - Dainty Flower Charm

CLICK HERE TO BUY

Don't forget to stop by my ETSY SHOP and see more designs!

Simple Bedrooms

Time and time again I have had major decorating urges. And most of them have gone horribly wrong. I make all of the common mistakes:

-mixing colors/fabrics that clash

- making things match TOO well

- overcrowding the space

- too many photos on the walls/dressers

...the list could go on and on! 

With this post I would like to direct some attention on some bedrooms that are absolutely gorgeous, but best of all.....THEY ARE SIMPLE!! So so simple! Literally anyone could decorate a space like these! 

I will admit that I am on a bit of a "minimalist" kick nowadays. I just don't understand who wouldn't love to downsize and minimize clutter and chaos in their lives! 

All of the bedrooms featured are simple but they are also cozy! I am a sucker for cozy rooms and bedrooms should be the most cozy of them all! So with out further adieu, lets take a look!

House Envy via Lark & Linen

 The color scheme is so neutral! Shades of beige with subtle pops of darker shades accompanied by a beautiful diamond ikat print!

Serenity Now via SF Girl By Bay

 So this one is my favorite. I love the pattern combo of the striped rug and the "plus sign" bed spread. They lengthened the appearance of the room by adding a wooden headboard with the same stain as the hardwood flooring. Pop on a super soft down comforter for that "cozy warm" feel!

Bohemian Vintage Bedroom via Lonny

I would do a lot of things to get my hands on that patterned blanket! Sheesh! Notice that with such a bold piece, not many other colors or bold patterns are used. When you have a statement piece, it is important to keep accessories pretty neutral to avoid a cluttered and clashy feel.

via Red Online

 Who knew plywood could be so beautiful? I love using dark fabrics to compliment light wood and light fabrics to compliment dark wood! Make sense? Good :)

Nordic Design Blog via decor8

The floors in this bedroom are to die for. They ooze with charm. Notice the colorful wall hanging above the bed? Notice the neutral colors paired with it? I see a pattern emerging here...

via Apartment Therapy 

Again, notice the bold pattern (the rug) paired with subtle shades and hues! This is so important guys!

via Indulgy

The "pallet rage" has been going on for a while! But I really like the soft color scheme in this bedroom. There are also endless storage opportunities within the gaps of the pallets! Store extra pillows, blankets, magazines, etc.

via Apartment Therapy

So so simple. If you find your bedroom too plain and boring, try adding a super fun and colorful art piece right above the bed! It is a lot cheaper than painting and buying all new accessories and sometimes, it's just the right touch!!

Here are my guidelines for simple bedrooms:
- Choose a statement piece to add color.  This could be a rug, a bedspread, an art peice above the bed, lamp shades, even curtains!
- Choose complimenting neutral tones to pair with your statement piece
- Stay away from a lot of bright colors. Yes, they may look nice together, but the bedroom is a place to RELAX!
- Keep bedside tables free of clutter. Actually, keep all surfaces free of clutter. Cause we all know it just looks nice that way!
- Have fun and make sure the patterns in the room reflect your taste!

-- Katie Emslie

G'Day Y'all

Update on the Southern/Australian Family!

We have been in Australia now since May 28! That is 2.5 months, or 11 weeks, or 77 days. Because I know you were very interested in the exact number of days and all...ANYWAY, I would just like to take a moment to reflect and share on what has happened since we have been here! 

Since we have arrived we have been on the search for jobs and a house! Neither of which have been found yet. Yes, we get discouraged. Yes, we get impatient. Yes, we want to scream and cry (but we are adults and apparently that isn't socially acceptable anymore). Nonetheless we will trudge on rely on the fact the we know we are right where we are suppose to be!

Now, I am going to take some time to catch you up on us as individuals: 

MY SUPER HANDSOME HUSBAND: Papa Bear

This man, you guys.... He is literally good at everything. Annoyingly good at EVERYTHING. Since we have been here, he has built a dining room table (that I will post about soon), fixed a broken guitar, been a single dad for TWO WEEKS (while I was on a mission trip to the Philippines), worked as a traveling coffee barista, and as I write this he is making a red velvet cheesecake....go ahead. Swoon away.

Anyway, he is currently looking for a job that does not mind sharing him with the University of Queensland. After he starts graduate school, it will take two years full time for him to complete the degree. 

MY SUPER CUTE NOW TWO-YEAR-OLD: Baby Bear

This kid, you guys.... He turned two on June 7! WHAT?! Can anyone explain how quickly two years goes by? Before we know it it will be 5 years, 10 years, 20 years! Slow it down puh-lease. 

Here are a few cute things he is saying now:

- Fire Bus = Firetruck

- He will walk up, shake your hand, and say "Nice to meet you"

- He has to tell everyone in the restaurant "goodbye" before we can leave

- Buzz Ranger = Buzz Lightyear (but he IS a space ranger)

- He greets people with a Southern/Australian G'DAY Y'ALL

- When asked what he is doing, he replies "Just Chillin"

- He also says that he is "the man"

And a quick list of his development:

- Letters he consistently recognizes: A, B, C, H, J, L, O, R, S (he calls it a snake...i'll count it), T, W

- Colors he can name: red, blue, black, purple, pink, green, yellow, orange

- Gross Motor Skills: hop with two feet, jump, kick a ball, catch a ball, throw a ball overhand and underhand

- Fine Motor Skills: pincer grasp (see what that is here), holds paper down while drawing, can stack lots of blocks, and LOVES to give me a "thumbs up" 

* sorry if the lists bore you! They are mainly for my friends and family who want to know how he's growing!! *

 

AND MRS. ALWAYS BEHIND THE CAMERA SO THERE ARE NO PHOTOS OF ME: Mama Bear

Since I am not allowed to work in Australia until October, the only "job" I have is my America based Etsy Shop! SoI have lots of free time right now! As great as that sounds, I am getting a little case of Cabin Fever so we have made a goal of leaving the house at least once a day! 

And that brings me to driving. On the other side of the road. Holy "other side of the road", Batman. I feel like a brand new driver over here! The only things I don't have to re-learn are accelerating and breaking. 

Everything else about driving is different:

- You sit on the opposite side of the car. Which means you have to look different ways when checking your mirrors.

- You have to turn to the opposite side of the road

- No right on red (which would be left on red over here)

- TONS of roundabouts

- I have NO idea where the left side of the car is because I sit on the right

Several curbs have fallen victim to my "newbie" driving and I just pray that other drivers stay patient as I learn! Whew!! 

All in all we have settled into Australia quite well! We still have lots of settling left but we are off to a great start! 

Feel free to ask us any questions about Australia, Family Life, etc!! :)

Love Does: God Does

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

So I’d be lying if I said that I was 100% ready to move across the WORLD! As the move date gets closer, the emotions get stronger. Some days I feel as though we are just prepping for another visit. And then….HOLY BATMAN WE ARE MOVING….hits me! I have always embraced changed and adaptation and have learned to be content in every situation. BUT moving across the world is super super daunting and I feel the weight of it settling in.

Now before I go into total freak-out  mode, I thought I’d share with you guys to see if you would mind praying to calm my nerves! ­­

LOVE DOES

STORY TIME! A few weeks ago I had lunch with the sweetest lady/mentor a girl could ask for, Kristi Brantley. At the end of our meal she challenged me with a question, “If you could as God for one thing that you needed more of, (outside of anyone else) what would it be?”.

Clarification: something that God could give me outside of my husband, my son, my family, everything. Just for me.

I was completely stumped on that one. I am sure many mamas would be right there with me. We don’t stop and think about ourselves very often because we are too busy thinking about other things!! I left there without an answer to her question. A week or so went by and her question ran through my mind again. This time, I asked God to show me an area in me that needed more attention.

As real as this computer beneath my fingers, He said “love”, “physical love”.

I give lots of love. I love to give. It genuinely makes me happy to help. I do not need affirmation about a gift. I don’t need recognition. I love giving. I love doing. 

Because LOVE DOES.

By now I am in tears because God hit the nail on the head. But He is God, so I should not have been surprised. Then I get to where I am going and continue my day as normal. I had a coffee date with Katie Rivers that afternoon and as we sat and chatted about our semi-new ‘Mama Lives’, we found our way to the topic of cameras. I have been wanting a new camera for a while so I asked her if she could recommend any for me. After about 20 minutes of camera convo, she stopped, looked me in the eyes and said, 

“Katie, I am going to give you my old camera.”

Okay guys, this camera is not a rinky dink point and shoot camera. Brand new it costs $1,000….I was absolutely SPEECHLESS! I literally had nothing to say. The kindness and selflessness of this gift was incredible.

Here it is:

Later that day I received a message from an old friend. I currently coach her little girl Thursday morning at the YMCA. She asked me if I would like any coffee from Starbucks Thursday morning FREE OF CHARGE! Heck yes I want free coffee.

And then it hit me. Like a huge emotional tital wave. You know the ones God bring to you? 

On the SAME day I asked and prayed for God to show me what I could receive more of, He gave me “love”, “physical love”. The kind of love that does and expects nothing in return.

I needed that hug from my Father. Thanks God.

I would LOVE to hear your recent “slap you in the face, I love you God” stories!!

The Big Move & Philippines Mission Trip

THE BIG MOVE- MAY 27, 2013

The Emslie Family is experience some MAJOR life change right now.On MAY 27th, 2013 we will be taking a trek across the "Big Pond" and settling into our new home is Brisbane, Australia. This is such an exciting and scary time for our family!
We know without a shadow of a doubt that this is God's plan for us! We look forward to growing closer to each other as well as growing as a family. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful support system both here and in Australia! 

PHILIPPINES MISSION

A message from Katie:

"From July 10-23, I will be headed to the Philippines! I will fly by myself from Australia to meet up with a team from River Point Community Church! While we are in the Philippines, we will be holding assemblies in schools, giving out food, and showering people with the love of Jesus! We will have the opportunity to share God's Word with thousands of adults and children at a time!! Can you imagine??  Since becoming a Christian in 2003, God has given me a heart for missions. During those 10 years I have been on over 12 missions trips! God has given me a heart for people and a passion for exploration and travel. Those combined attributes create in me a desire for missions! This is an area that our family plans to pursue heavily after Reegan completes his schooling! 

I cannot wait to share our experiences in Australia as well as my experiences in the Philippines!

HOW YOU CAN HELP!!

So, moving across the globe and going on missions trips is 100% FREE right? WRONG! We count on the support of our families and friends to make all of this possible! God is continually working in our hearts and a call to missions is something we feel very strongly about. With that being said, we will be needing support from you guys!! We want to make you a part of our journey! We promise to keep everyone updated on our travels and experiences! Nothing would make us happier :) We love you guys and cannot wait to share all that is happening in our lives!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

- pray that God will continue to pave the way for us in Australia

- pray for a new church family (we have NO clue who they will be)

- pray for peace and discernment for Reegan and I! 

If you would like to contribute financially to The Big Move or The Philippines Mission Trip, click the button below!!

Be on the look out for some FUN fundraisers from The Emslie Family SOON!!

-Reegan, Katie, & Charlie Bear

Email: TheEmslieFamily@live.com

Why Don't We Talk About It?

Confessions. 

Growing up, I often saw confession that was not matched by an effort for redirection. There is something about physically saying words out loud that can heal, mend, and help make sense of a situation.

Lots of times when someone is overcome by emotion, the best thing they can do is verbalize what they feel. When you say things out loud, they become more concrete. But when thoughts are kept in they are  like random words and emotion flying around our brains at the speed of light, bouncing off the frontal lobe, back down to memory lane, and out our eyes in the form of tears.

Now lets change gears for a second. Think about a time in your life when you have had really exciting news. How much more gratifying was it to share that positive emotional experience with others? The pleasure doubled when you shared the news with them! 

Now lets flip back to the negative emotions. 

I bet you did not know that the burden of negative emotions can cut the load IN HALF!? It is no secret that talking to someone about burdens makes you feel better. Naming or labeling emotions reduces their intensity and helps make them easier to deal with. 

So the next time you feel overwhelmed, talk about it!! 

AN UNTOLD STORY NEVER FULLY HEALS. 

-Katie (Mama Bear)

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

The Big Move

Hey guys! Sooo as you see in the picture above, we will be moving to Australia this year! We are so excited and so anxious all at the same time!

Why?

In Australia they have a program called HECS-HELP. HECS-HELP is a loan program to help eligible Commonwealth supported students to pay their student contribution amounts. 

So Reegan will be able to go to grad school for FREE until we make over a certain amount of money and then we will start paying that money back. 

If we were to stay in America, we would have to pay $100,000 in schooling fees because of Reegan's residency status. 

Financially this is the best decision for us! I am sure Reegan's family is pretty excited too ;)

When?

Reegan's student visa ends after graduation in May 2013. We are planning the move for July 2013! Yes, that is FIVE MONTHS away! 

I have been living in this town since birth. I love everything about the small town life!

-I like running into fourteen people I know in Walmart (most of the time)

- I like having friends everywhere you go!

- I LOVE quick access to hunting and fishing 

- I love having one high school in the entire county

- I LOVE SMALL TOWNS

This will be such a great adventure. Right now I am too busy applying for visas, proving our marriage (which is surprisingly difficult), getting certified copies of EVERYTHING, to realize just how emotional it is going to be to leave this country. Sure, I have been on missions trips to other countries. I LOVE to travel! But packing up and moving to another country is a whole other story! We are so excited to be able to get closer to our Australian family but very saddened by what we will be leaving behind here! 

I will be posting many more updates about visa status, moving preparations, etc! 
P.S. sorry the "big news" wasn't another baby. Maybe in another couple of years ;)

-Katie

Why We Pray

Christ went away to pray in the garden before the crucifixion. That night Jesus said "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" (Mark 14:34). Lets stop there. 

Some of us have been in that very place. Some of us know all too well about that gut wrenching desperation. When life delivers unbearable heartbreak, unprecedented dispair, extreme anxiety: Jesus knows how we feel. He felt it too. 

"He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."

Even in the face of the most gruesome death imaginable, Jesus prayed for God's will. 

This chapter of the bible absolutely breaks my heart. 

How many times have we prayed for God to change something in our lives? How many hours have we spent praying for OUR will to be done? And how many times have we given up because our prayers aren't answered? 

Maybe we are praying the wrong prayer. Maybe we should instead be praying for God's Will. God listens to our prayers and God answers prayers. But lots of times, God's answer to our prayers is either "no" or "wait". 

Then we ask: 

Why pray if my prayers cannot change the outcome? 

But have we ever considered the internal transformations that occur that in us when we pray? Have you ever noticed the peace that comes over us in the impossible situations? 

Maybe prayer changes our hearts more often than it changes the circumstances.

What if God uses prayer to meet us right where we are and change our perspective on something? The situation may not change, but prayer has the power to change us and our attitude towards a situation. 

 "But those who trust (and wait) for the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

When I was pregnant with Baby Bear, I prayed a lot. 

For the first 2-3 months of my pregnancy, I prayed that God would find the perfect family to adopt Baby Bear. I prayed for MY will: not HIS will. 

One night, my prayer changed. I realized that I had not surrendered the situation to God. It was that night that I prayed the prayer for God's Will to be done in my life. 

From then on, my prayers were different. 

God worked in me day after day and through my prayers, He changed my heart. The situation never changed. At times it actually got worse. But despite the situation, God changed me. He gave me strength. He gave me peace. I knew He was in control. 

I do not believe in luck or coincidences anymore. God's hand is always guiding a situation. I believe in blessings, faith, surrender, and love.  

We have to let go of our will so God's plans can take flight.  

Maybe prayer changes our hearts more often than it changes the circumstances.

The Perfect Musician

By Your Side

Late night designing for the shop and Pandora can sometimes make a very interesting and emotional combination. I have always loved music. I love the poetry, the melodies, the rhythm  I grew up in a house where the sound of a guitar always accompanied me. My father is an amazing musician. Every night when he would come home from work, he would play until his fingers physically would not let him hold another chord. That guitar rang throughout the house, bounced off the walls at night and made its presence well known in every room. Reflecting on my childhood, that guitar remained through every circumstance. I remember it as a little girl. It was there through middle school instant messaging on the shared kitchen computer. It remained on the night after my first day of high school. It was there the night my family learned the news of Baby Bear's unexpected arrival, and it rang even louder. Through life's ups and downs, the music remained. It never left. It never stopped.

My father does not always have the words to say, but when he picks up a guitar there are no need for words. His emotions become melodies. His words become notes. He becomes what he is playing. Through the harder parts of life, his guitar remained. It is a part of him and as a direct result of musical osmosis, it has leaked into and become a  part of me.  

What an immaculate companionship: a musician and his music. Such pride is taken in his work. 

The same can be said for another Musician: The Perfect Musician. This musician does not always have words that we can hear, but He makes Himself known through the melodies and notes he orchestrates in His people. His music always remains. It never leaves. It never stops. As a direct result of musical osmosis, our Creator's melodies should leak into and become a part of the unreached places of this world. 

What an immaculate companionship: the Creator and his Creations. Such pride is taken in His work.

The image posted at above is from a song by Tenth Avenue North: By Your Side. It is so easy to forget that He is by our side. When I was younger, my father's guitar would sometimes drown away while I focused on more important issues. It was not always the center of my attention, but it was there. When we let God fade into the background noise,we forget that He is there. But when we take the time to  stop to listen, His melodies can easily be heard. And as we reflect on our lives, we start to appreciate the constant song of our God. 

In this busy life we need to stop and listen. Maybe then we will hear His melodies and start to harmonize with Him through our lives.

-Katie  

My Way vs. His Way

The Battle Between Planning and Faith

This morning God reminded me of His all consuming love and power over my life. Last week I made the decision to stay at home full with little Baby Bear time and dive head first into "The Art of Being You". This week alone has brought in multiple sales and for that I am so thankful. Praise God for the gifts He gave me and for the privilege of being able to get to know so many wonderful people on a daily basis! Please continue to support small business owners!! It means the world to us :) 

Speaking of Small Business Owners, I am overjoyed to share my Etsy Shop with you! First, lets talk about the "why" behind creating my own business! In October of 2012, I was in school full-time, working a part time job 11 hours a week, as well as being a mom & wife. I left the house at 7:00am and had classes until 2:00pm. I immediately left class and went straight to work from 3:00-7:00pm. I would then come home, eat a wonderful dinner that my family so graciously prepared for me, work on any homework for the next day, tuck Baby Bear into bed and then crash around 11:00pm. Though outwardly I seemed to have it together, my soul was screaming for God. I literally was too busy for Him. I would find myself searching for Him all day long but would never carve out enough space in my day for Him to find me. Something had to give. I knew that in order to hear what my Father was telling me, I had to SLOW DOWN and downsize my obligations in a major way. In November of 2012, I decided to take an entire semester off from college. In my head these words rang as constant background noise: "Woah woah woah, are you sure? You've worked your fanny off to get ahead in school so you can graduate early. What about all the hours of class planning and class transfer equivalency searching? What about all those e-mails you wrote to deans and professors asking what more you could do to assure deadlines were met, letters where appropriately written? What about ALL OF THAT STUDYING? Are you just going to throw it away?".

It was a Sunday afternoon after a church service when I realized that I had been trying so hard to make plans for my life that I had forgotten to ask God what His plans were. I had Baby Bear when I was 17 years old. He was very unplanned and since then, I had become obsessed with planning every detail of our lives to make sure that nothing unexpected caught us off gaurd. Guys, I not only had Plan A, I had Plan B, Plan C, and in some instances, Plan D. Do you know what all those plans push out the door? Faith. Trust. Surrender. Peace. I was pushing God's way out so I could make my way work. And you know what? It was EXHAUSTING. 

After the trip to Australia to visit my husband's family (more on that later), I started my first month as a stay at home mom and an online business owner. It hasn't even been a week and my soul already feels lighter. Cleaner. Less scattered. More focused. I cannot wait to see what God will do with the time I have carved out for Him.  I hope that you'll follow me through this journey. Share some laughs, a few tears, and maybe even a few ideas! I look so forward to writing again! 

To View my Etsy Shop, click here!

What has God been doing in your life recently?