Sseko Designs- 12 ways/ 12 days...

I'm back and as usual...in love with summer...and my Sseko's. I feel so blessed to be involved with a company that has such an amazing goal...and passion. This year the challenge is a bit different...we are celebrating the 12 women who are graduating from the program in August. YEAH! Join us...the challenge is only half way through and everyday someone wins...FREE STRAPS for a YEAR! For inspiration check out my blog posts from the year I won. :)

Day 6-Rosey-Toe-sy

Day 5-My Version of Baylee's Simple Tie

Day 4-Classic with a twist

Day 3-how to-yes or no??

Day 2-Solstice Tie- how to coming soon

Day 1-Be-Weave in Me Tie

To learn more about Sseko Designs...their passion and the lives they are changing visit their website. xoxo

Bloggers for Birth Kits

Who knew that "Every minute a women dies of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth." I most certainly did not know it was that frequent. I learned about a way to help end this unbelievable tragedy when my mom shared The Mommyhood Memos blog with me. I read her post about creating clean birth kits and wanted to do something. I have been praying about how I would help and felt that I should make a donation. As much as I wanted to sit down and create a bunch of birth kits I felt it made more since to give money since I would need to ship them to Australia. $10 will buy 5 kits! Think you can a make a difference in 10 peoples lives for a donation of $10.

Photo courtesy of YWAM ships

For more information on how you can help to please visit The Mommyhood Memos, Bloggers for birth kits post.

Sseko Style 2

Sseko's and Keds for the little guy

I pretty much always have a dinosaur or a car with me...

Cardi-Banana Republic, T-shirt and capris-Target, Shoes-Sseko's

We went to a bakery by the water and enjoyed some coffe, hot choco and pastries. I have been trying to really pull myself together. I used to dress with my own personal style but over the last few years I have kind of just been putting on clothes. As a new mother, I felt like I akways needed to be stain proof. This new cardi is not something I would have usually picked out for myself but now its one of my favorite pieces. I love how it goes with everything and I really love the lace detail that adds something special without being to much.

The good old Classic Tie

And last but not least...my lovely Sseko's! I chose navy straps to add a little more color. We also went out shopping after and I was asked, "hey where did you get those, they are so cute?" I of course explained a bit about them and wrote down the website...I love sharing the Sseko story!

Sseko style

First chance to wear them this year...I love my Sseko's!

I am loving the weather up here, spring is spring not crazy hot! I am still working on finding a great spot to take photos with natural light that works well. It takes time and the camera I am using is missing the charger so I now basically have no camera except one on my phone. Not a necessity of life by any means though. I am working on remembering how to re-tie all the ties I came up with last summer so I can create how to videos. If you have not already checked out Sseko Designs, you really should. There are an amazing not-for-profit helping women and they create beautiful sandals and clutches.

How to clean your house in about 30 minutes a day or less

...unless you can do it under 30 minutes a day...right? :)

I got this idea from apartmenttherapy.com (click to check out there list) and loved it. So I made a few adjustments to fit our house and added some days of rest. We do our laundry and dishes everyday, so I left them out.

1. Change and wash sheets and towels, vacuum
2. Sweep and mop great room (or everything if you don't have a "great" room) and wash rugs.
3. Clean bathrooms
4. Take a rest; put your feet up and relax
5. Clean extra bedrooms
6. Clean entry way and stairs
7. Dust everything
8. Change and wash sheets and towels, vacuum
9. Sweep, shake out rugs
10. Clean car
11. Deep clean kitchen, the stove, baseboards, etc.
12. Clean laundry area
13. Clean showers
14. Clean bathrooms
15. Clean bedrooms
16. Change and wash sheets and towels, vacuum
17. Take a rest; put your feet up and relax
18. Sweep and mop great room.
19. File paperwork
20. Dust everything
21. Clean bathrooms
22. Sweep, shake out rugs
23. Wash blankets and vacuum curtains
24. Dust blinds, clean fans, vacuum couches
25. Change and wash sheets and towels, vacuum
26. Wash and vacuum baseboards
27. Sweep and mop great room.
28. Take a rest; put your feet up and relax
29. Wipe out fridge and purge old food
30. Reorganize something (pantry, linen closet, etc.)
31. Choose a seasonal chore (clean the fireplace, clean the porches, etc.)

The first month it will probably take more time since some of the stuff has not been done in awhile. I wanted to make sure somethings got done once a week, while others only once or twice a month. We are lucky and have a huge house but it makes cleaning overwhelming sometimes. With this I can get something done everyday. Plus I look at the list and I think...hmmm...I only have to get one thing done today, I hope it helps!

Black friday deals! This one goes through monday!

Sseko Designs just introduced the Pleated Clutch! They are beautifully handmade purses...I can't decide which one to get! On top of that they are offering 20% off all sandals and straps til Monday! Here is your chance to be apart of their growing story...wear it or carry it with you!

If you can't decide what to get the special gal in your life...get them a Sseko Designs gift certificate!

The perfect gift for any gal...

Us gals love shoes and these ones are for a good cause. These sandals are comfy, cute and can be changed up for any occasion...plus they help women. Check out all the different strap colors they have! The Stocking Stuffer Package is $65 and it comes with the soles and 3 pairs of straps...plus exchanges are free! If you need something under $65 just shop Sseko Designs.

Check out some of my other posts about my favorite shoes ever...

Every sandal has story...

Just few awesome things about Sseko's

30 days 30 way Sseko Sandal Challenge

30 days 30 ways Sseko Sandal Challenge the Beginning, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Finished

As you can see, I'm a bit obsessed and once you read the story you will be too! Check out what is coming on Nov. 25th...vimeo!

PS: I feel the need to share that I am not sponsored or paid to talk about Sseko's. I just simply love them and am inspired by their story.

Sseko Designs Pink Ribbon project: Friday feature-week Three

Check out Sseko Designs third friday feature for their pink ribbon project to show their support for breast cancer awareness month. I have my pink ribbon on my purse and I have been using a pink reusable shopping bag! What are you doing to show your support?

 
 
I think it should be week four but they didn't have one last week! :)
 
Don't forget to enter our first giveaway (free seeds)! You have until Halloween! :)

Sseko Designs Pink Ribbon project: Friday feature-week two

Check out Sseko Designs second friday feature for their pink ribbon project to show their support for breast cancer awareness month. I have my pink ribbon on my purse and I have been using a pink reusable shopping bag! What are you doing to show your support?



Sseko Designs Pink Ribbon project: Friday feature-week one

Check out Sseko Designs first friday feature for their pink ribbon project to show their support for breast cancer awareness month.

30 days 30 ways Sseko Sandal Challenge: Week 5

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Tie 31- Triangle Slingback

Tie 32- Braided version of Baylee's Diamond slingback

Tie 33- From the garden into my Sseko's-This is another variation of the Classic that you start from the outside front loop.

Tie 34- Tirzah's Zebra Tie

Tie 35- Start with a Bow/End with a Bow Tie

Tie 36- Braided Triangle

Tie 37- Woven Slingback

Well I am past my original goal and still going strong. I know now that next year I can definitely make it for 4 months. Thanks to all of you who voted from me and congrats to Kim from oh sweet joy for winning last weeks peoples choice! This is the last week of the contest and I keep telling myself not to be disappointed if I don't win because that's not the reason I started this thing. I started it to share the Sseko story without even knowing that they had a contest. Of course it would be fun to win! :) Happy Tuesday...I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend!

30 days 30 ways Sseko Sandal Challenge: Week 4

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I love love love this challenge. As of right now I am already planning next year! I really want to start even earlier..mid may and keep it up til the end of the Sseko's 30/30 challenge in mid Sept. Yeah Tirzah! Congrats to the winner of week 2! I love all the awesome ties you came up with and I plan on trying some of them next week. For some reason I was extra inspired this week. I'm lucky because this week is peoples choice week in the facebook contest. First like Sseko's facebook page, then click the like button under the pictures this week if you like the ties. The fans and people participating in the contest are all so creative. I hope you like my ties because I need your help to win! My brain won't quit when it comes to Sseko ties as of late...

Tie 24- Double Knot Cross over

Tie 25- Cardinal Slip on-it reminds me of a compass for some reason, even though it has five points for direction.

Tie 26- Figure 8 SSK(stopper sailor knot) slingback



Tie 27- Double Twist x2

Tie 28- My variation of Aggie's Butterfly tie (not a great picture)

Tie 29- Maritime Slingback- It reminds me of one those life saving rings you would throw to someone who fell overboard. I feel the Starboard strap is the only one that can give any nautical inspired tie justice.

And finally...




Tie 30!- Togo tie (my favorite tie of the week, and favorite so far!)

I made it to Day 30!  I also managed to show off 30 different ties! My favorite tie of all (so far) is the Togo tie!

The Doctor (my hubby) spent four years in Africa with Peace Corps. He is awesome and let me use some of the country cloth he brought back from Togo (in West Africa) to create these straps.

They ended up being almost twice as long as the others but I still managed to come up with something unique! This is not only my favorite tie because of the straps but because of the tie I came up with! Its simple, cute, comfy, supportive and easy to slip on and tie!

Don't worry I'm not done yet...I plan on finishing out the Sseko 30/30 challenge by adding an extra 15 days and 15 ties...

PS: I have been asked for instructions and I promise I will get something up soon. I plan on taking pic after pic of how to and posting them all soon.

a new vintage cookbook

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Copyrighted, 1915-By Larkin Co.~Received (by previous owner) Nov. 27th 1917~Price, 25 cents.

To the woman who takes pride in serving tasty and attractive dishes, who delights in placing on her table "Good Things to Eat," who wishes to have the means of "variety" ever at her command, this Cook Book will be a valuable and constant adviser.-It is interesting to note that is contains recipes from North, South, East, and West; the favorite recipes of practical and experienced housewives. No recipes were accepted from professional cooks but all from the homes of our many customers. We believe that this book will prove unique on account of the immense variety given.-Here will be found an answer to the question that is ever perplexing the housewife-what to serve for the coming meal. Here she will find the most valuable suggestions that will enable her to prepare, in a great variety and in a practical and economical way, delicious and appetizing dishes that will be a source of real satisfaction and extreme delight to those in her home who truly appreciate "Good Things to Eat."

speechless...

Oh and thanks to my impressive mom, who knows me well and picked this up for me at a yard sale...then because she is more awesome than your mom, shipped it to me, along with fun stuff for Gnar, the doctor and me. Be on the look out for new and most likely, interesting recipes from this cookbook!

30 days 30 ways Sseko Sandal Challenge: Week 3

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I am so excited to be apart of the Sseko movement and happy for the lovely Ashley, the first weeks winner in Sskeo's 30 days 30 ways challenge! Congrats to Ashley! I have decided to try and push myself to come up with 45 different ties...it won't be hard with help from all the wonderful Sseko fans! This is what I came up with this week:


Tie 17- Classic Revisited another variation of the classic that I came up with.

Tie 18- Bohannon's Best Tie

Tie 19- The Grecian two strap ( my fave of this week)

Tie 20- Aggie's Butterfly Tie

Tie 21- Simple ZigZag

Tie 22- The Double cross

Tie 23- The Goddess two strap

I think the Grecian and the Goddess would be so fun for a wedding party. You could use the base color, say ivory and contrast with the main/bold color, say purple! So fun and pretty!

I am a mommy so most of the time I use one of my fave and memorized ties during outings...its quick, easy and supportive and then during nap time I get creative! Of course I complete all my mommy/wife duties like canning, weeding, cleaning, prepping dinner, and etc. This is one of my outlets...I know a little silly but mommies out there know what I mean. I'm a proud Sseko fan!

PS: I had two Sseko sandal dreams this week...so far! :)

30 days 30 ways Sseko Sandal Challenge: Week 2

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The 30 days 30 ways Facebook Challenge started yesterday and I have decided to continue my challenge through Sept 13th! Join in on the fun and you could be a lucky winner of free straps for a year!

Top-left to right:

Tie 9- My variation of Robinah's Diagonal Bow Tie

Tie 10- Teddy's Thong Sandal

Tie 11- Betty Jr's Gift Box Tie

Tie 12- Baylee's Braided Thong Sandal Tie

Bottom-left to right:

Tie 13- Bow tie Beauty

Tie 14- Two Strap Braided Classic

Tie15- Stellar Tie

Tie 16- Two Strap Double Bow tie

I am really loving this challenge, my feet are enjoying it too. Sseko's are comfortable and I have completely lost my terrible sandal tan! YEAH! A few tips from the Sseko facebook crew for care of your straps...

Just throw the solid straps in the wash. And a hint; use a hair straightener after they dry them to make them nice and flat. The pattern straps can usually machine wash, but you need to test them for color fastness first and the specialty straps we recommend you spot clean.

PS: Chico ladies Bridging The Gap By Giving has Sseko's!

PSS: You should also check out Sseko's blog and my lil' sisters blog! :)

30 days 30 ways Sseko Sandal Challenge: Week 1

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Top-left to right:

Tie 2- Monica's Toe Sling Classic Tie

Tie 3- Talent's Double X Tie

Tie 4- Star tie (inspired by last years 30 days 30 ways photos on facebook)

The Star Tie was my favorite tie from this week!

Bottom-left to right:

Tie 5- Lea's Ankle Flip Flop Tie

Tie 6- Original Flip Flop Tie

Tie 7- Mercy's Star Tie

Below:

Tie 8- Flo's 2 Strap Tall Gladiator Tie

I used my Sseko Starboards and ribbon to re-create this tie.

30 days 30 ways Sseko Sandal Challenge: The beginning

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First off I would like to thank Sseko Designs for these lovely new starboard straps, I won them in a contest they had through facebook!

Today starts my 30 days 30 ways challenge. The little guy and I headed out this morning for a walk to the grocery store sporting the classic tie. I will be posting a weeks worth of ties every Monday, and on the 31st day I will show off my favorite tie. I will admit that I won't be wearing them in the garden or chicken coop...I want them to stay pretty, but everywhere else I will be sporting my Ssekos all month long! Join me!

PS: Sseko will be holding a 30 days 30 ways challenge through facebook this month too!

Happy 2nd Birthday Sseko!

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So I don't know how to load this video but it made me smile so I had to share. Happy Birthday, I love you Sseko!
Sseko turns Two!

30 days 30 ways...Sseko Sandal Challenge

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I'm so excited and I hope some of you will join me in this challenge. I have decide that I will be wearing my Sseko sandals every day in the month of August! I will also attempt to come up with a new way to tie them everyday! I'll only post pics of my ties once a week. They had a contest on facebook yesterday and I was one of the lucky winners of a pair of straps from the new neon collection! Thank you again Sseko! I love you!

PS: Sseko has a contest starting sometime in August! Find them on facebook and join in the fun! You might be the lucky one who wins!

Dryer balls

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A friend of mine from the moms group I am in, just started a work from home business making felt food and dryer balls. I had never heard of dryer balls, oh my goodness what a great thing they are. Here is some info on how they work. Please check out her website Shayna's Treats for more information and order yourself a set.

Why use dryer balls?

Using 4-8 dryer balls can save you from 20% to 40% (depending on the size of the load and what kind of fabric is in there) on your drying time!

Dryer balls replace expensive dryer sheets and fabric softener and help to get your clothing soft and static free without the chemicals!

Our dryer balls are made of 100% wool, a natural alternative to plastic balls, they make less noise, work better, and last longer!

How do they work?

The dryer balls bounce around in the dryer with your clothing, lifting and separating them and allowing the air to circulate much more efficiently. They also absorb some of the water, and the gentle friction of the wool against the fabric softens and gets rid of static electricity.

I personally have a sensitivity to wool products so I am working on making myself a set that are cotton. When I have it worked out I'll share so those of you who are wool sensitive or allergic have an option to take advantage of this cool product!