Photo credits from top to bottom, left to right:
1. Vintage bird save the date tag magnets from SunshineandRavioli
2. Goldfinch among the budding maple trees 10×10 print by Raceytay
3. Large yellow tree necklace from JustineJustine
4. Grey and Yellow Rosette Headpiece from Houseoftelsa
5. Little Desert Flowers 5×7 Fine Art Print by Gandolphoto
6. Yellow silk roses bouquet by Patkas

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Photo Credits (top to bottom, left to right):
1. Cirrus Bedding from Anthropologie
2. Sundance White 16-pc. Dinnerware Set from Target
3. Pirouette Chair from Crate&Barrel
4. Estuary Shade from Anthropologie

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I was so excited to learn about how Tamara of McFarland Designs combines recycled metals and fair trade gemstones to create beautiful, custom jewelry designs such as engagement rings and wedding bands!

Read about Tamara and her commitment to making fair trade jewelry and check out her design process on her blog. Her blog even has some jewelry making tutorials and vegan recipes!

To view more of her work, visit the McFarland Designs Gallery and her Etsy Shop.

Photo Credits: Images are from the McFarland Designs Etsy Shop

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Engaged Marriage has an interesting post on what an extraordinary marriage looks like. Here were some of the reader responses:

I would say being on mission together for something much bigger than yourselves describes an extraordinary marriage. More than likely, almost every couple would say they want that, but most don’t know how or just don’t want to do the work to be extraordinary and end up settling for less.

and

An extraordinary marriage is when both partners seek to serve each other. It’s one where communication is free flowing and each partner is safe to share issues that concern them. It’s a marriage where both partners are quick to forgive. It’s a place where commitment is unswerving. It’s realizing that you always need to be learning more about each other over time.

Engaged Marriage also had the following to say about what an extraordinary marriage looks like…

* It serves as a vivid example of God’s love for His people.
* It takes two people and joins them together with the capacity to do more good than the sum of the individuals.

Read the rest of the post on the Engaged Marriage blog here.

Photo credit: Holding onto Love by D Sharon Pruitt

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The Pomodoro Technique was created by Francesco Cirillo in 1992 and is a simple and useful time management technique for managing projects and tasks amenable to small, recurring breaks. All you need to start using the Pomodoro Technique is a timer, a sheet of paper, and a pencil.

The basic steps are outlined on the Pomodoro Technique website as follows:

1. Choose a task to be accomplished
2. Set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes (the Pomodoro is the timer)
3. Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
4. Take a short break (5 minutes is OK)
5. Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break

Read more about the technique and download the book on it for free from the Pomodoro Technique website here.

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Idea Journal: Pink Peonies

March 8, 2010

Photo credits from top to bottom, left to right:
1. Mollie Collection Lined in Garnet Silk from Fiazco
2. Cabbage Roses Ribbon in Peony by Memrie Mare
3. Peony letterpress flat notes – set of 5 by Parrott Design Studio
4. Purple Peony Passion Ring Bearer Pillow by Mackensley Designs
5. Peony by jamelah
6. peony-2 by balookey

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Idea Journal: Decorating with Doilies

March 1, 2010

Photo credits from top to bottom, left to right:
1. Doily candle holders from Martha Stewart Weddings
2. Doily envelopes & liners from Martha Stewart Weddings
3. Doily girl framed print by Trace My Face
4. Doily cupcake stands from Apartment Therapy and Martha Stewart Weddings
5. Doily napkin holders from Apartment Therapy and Martha Stewart Weddings
6. Doily place holders [...]

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Avoiding the Grass is Greener Syndrome & Friendship in Marriage from Revive Our Hearts

February 26, 2010

I recently found an interview from Revive Our Hearts Ministries on avoiding the Grass is Greener syndrome in marriage. The interview also had some really excellent insights from a couple who have been married to each other for over a quarter of a century on how they work on their friendship in marriage. [...]

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DIY Favor and Gift Tags from Nice Package

February 26, 2010

I love the packaging ideas from Nice Package and recently purchased several sets of their mini clothespins after seeing this blog post for a really cute and inexpensive way to incorporate photos in my home decor.
Recently, they posted another great DIY idea featuring DIY candy paper toppers and party decor as inspired by their patterned [...]

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A Behind the Scenes Look on Designing and Printing Letterpress Products

February 24, 2010

A short while ago, I blogged about a personal DIY letterpress machine from Lifestyle Crafts. After that post, I started noticing more things about the art of letterpress and soon made this post titled the Story of a Letterpress, which highlighted a letterpress renovation journey and a video showing a letterpress in action.
Today, I [...]

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