Win Earwarmers & Meet New Bloggers Giveaway

I am so excited for this link up. I "met" Kassi when I first moved to Arizona. She was the first blogger that I talked to about driving across the country to a new place. I am so honored to be part of the 20 Wishes in 2014. This month is my store, Pearls N Stitches. 

It's FINALLY here!!! Time to link up and share your Twenty Wishes for 2014!!! You can read more on why we started this project back in 2013 here, but the gist is that life is too short. Too short to not really strive for those things you really wish to do or wish would happen. SO this year we're all going to make a real effort to mark those wishes off our lists! 

First you'll write and then link up your list of Twenty Wishes here. In doing so you're entered in this month's giveaway! (There will be a new one each month.) Then you'll work on those wishes throughout this year coming back here the last Wednesday of every month to link up and share your progress. Here's a button to add to your side bar to remind you to come back and link monthly, and to serve as a little encouragement to work on marking off your wishes!!

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This year we are doing things a little differently. Mostly in an effort to be more organized than last year... But again, the link up will be the last Wednesday of every month. Each month one or two of our ten hostesses will offer a little something as a giveaway for those that link with us. So, allow me to introduce your hostesses for the 2014 Twenty Wishes project...

Kassi & Kayli @ Truly Lovely

Nay @ Coffee-N-Ink

Jessa @ Life of a Sports Wife

Kate @ Life as I Know It

Sarah @ SaturDIY

Chrissy @ Whimsical Poppysmic

Katie @ View From the Fridge

Bethani @ The Texan Pantry 
Kristine @ The Foley Fam 
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

 

For this month's giveaway Jessa of Life of a Sports Wife is giving away Ear Warmers from her shop, Pearls N Stitches!! We aren't requiring you to follow anyone, the only mandatory entry is linking up to this party with your list of 20 wishes. BUT the more you do the more entries you'll receive and I can personally promise you if you do follow, like, etc and of these awesome ladies you WILL NOT be disappointed!

So, link your wishes and enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter form below! The giveaway will end at midnight on February 12th. Can't wait to see what you lovelies wish for!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway !-- start InLinkz script -->

Also meet one of my amazing sponsors!! 
Meet Rachel from Postcards from Rachel. 

Bloglovin // Instagram // Twitter

I absolutely LOVE this girl, and wish that I had more time to hang out with here while she was living in Arizona. On her blog she talks about her life traveling around the world, her cute little pups, and ways to be a better blogger. My questions this month to her was: What is the best advice you received about blogging? 

Her advice was be real, be relatable and refreshing. 

Her Favorite Posts:

15 Blog Post To Get Over Writers Block

Improve Your Photography

Why I Choose My Husband Over My Friends

My Favorite Posts: 

Grow Your Blog and Love it Too

What's In A Name?

Just Breathe 

A Day with my MVP girl, Foxes and Graveyard

If you haven't noticed but Kelly from Foxes and Graveyards is my MVP sponsor. This girl is absolutely amazing!! She takes the most amazing photographs ever. 

1. How did you come up with the name of your blog?

When I lived in Austin, TX there was a time when I lived really close to a cemetery.  This was when I rode my bicycle everywhere.  I would pass by the cemetery at night and see glowing eyes.  During the day I would pass the same cemetery and saw that the glowing eyes belonged to foxes.  I'm enamoured by the dichotomy of these foxes living in a place where we lay people to rest.  Death and life mixing together instead of being kept in separate spaces.  The title of my blog holds a lot of beauty to me.  One that I'm not sure everyone gets.

2. How long have you been blogging?

Originally I just wanted a place to share my artwork.  In 2011 after I got married to my Mister I started focusing on my photographs more.  After the birth of our daughter in 2012 I did a 52 week project that really pushed my photography in a really good direction (or so I believe).  I think that is when I actually became a blogger.  I never intended to become a mommy blogger but something changed inside me after the birth of our daughter.  I feel gratitude for the community of mommy bloggers that I've come into contact with.  I feel lucky to be part of that movement even if I'm a very small part.

3. Any New Years Resolution made? Have you broken?

I usually deter myself from committing to New Years resolutions.  It can be daunting.  I've been really wanting to better myself in more internal ways so this years resolution will be to Listen more.  I find myself jumping in to give comment on almost everything.  I want to "fix" situations.  It maybe the innate mother inside me now but I want to strive to listen more in 2014.  I've probably broken it already but I still want to strive to work on it.  

4. Favorite comfort food?

This question is quite difficult because I find food to be comforting in general.  I'm a huge fan of vietnamese food.  Especially Bún or Bánh mìwhich I could probably eat it everyday.  

5. One thing that you can't live without?

As I get older I think Nature is pretty high up on the list of things I can't live without.  Part of me wants to move our family onto some land and have some animals (i.e., goat, chickens).  I grew up in the country and the time spent in nature and with animals is included in some of my fondest memories.  My heart longs for our daughter to have the same access to the natural world as I did.

What is it about Conferences?

No matter what kind of conference it is I always feel re-energized and inspired. This weekend I volunteered at the AJLI (Association of Junior League International) Conference, but I learned so much as if I was there as a delegate. This conference is for President Elect, Presidents Elect-Elect, and other women in high leadership in the league to learn about how to improve the leagues. Not only did I meet some great women in Junior Leagues around the US, but I meant some great organizations as well. (If you follow me on twitter and facebook then you saw that I gave them love this weekend.)

To be honest before the conference I was ready to quite Junior League. It just wasn't what I thought it would be. I did part of my provisional year in OKC and it was fabulous. Then we moved to Phoenix, and like a sorority each chapter is different. I was like that new kid who moves in half way through school. It was also tough because money was tight the first few months, and everyone always wanted to go out. I was going to give it this year then decide what I was going to do. 

During the conference was a different experience. The other people that volunteered were amazing leaders within Junior League Phoenix. I got to ask them tons of questions that I have been wanting to know. They also challenged me on what I want to do with my Junior League experience. 

Both days I volunteered we got to go to the luncheon as well. They had amazing speakers both days. The first day was all about past AJLI Presidents. They gave advice and told us about their experiences. It was inspiring to see one of the past Presidents had thought about quitting as well and ended up as President over all the Junior Leagues. 

The second day was a Betsey Bayless, who is sustainer for the Junior League Phoenix. She is also former Secretary of the State for Arizona. She spoke about what we can do as women to make a difference. One of her best quotes was, "We talk about sitting at the table, but as women we OWN that table." So inspiring.

Both days when I got home I talked to Gary for at LEAST an hour straight about everything that I have learned and the people that I have met. I can't wait to see how this unfold. 

What was the biggest thing you have taken away from a conference?  

Saturday Spotlight: Ladies You Need to know About

I have some of the best swapper ever! I have loved getting to know them this month. These ladies are all bloggers you should be following now. 

Jessica from Livin on Sweet Tea

Twitter // Bloglovin // Instagram

My New Years resolution?... hmm. It's not so much a resolution as a life goal. I want to figure out where I belong. Where I should live and what to do for the rest of my life. There may be a bit of sporadic thinking this year. 

https://twitter.com/livinonsweettea

http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/10000501

http://instagram.com/livinonsweettea3

Laura from Mrs Laura Beth
Twitter // Facebook // Instagram
I didn't really make a resolution but more so a goal for 2014. To become more organized and motivated! I am slowly attempting both of these, it is really hard to break old habits!!

Kelsea from Hey Kelsea Rae

Bloglovin' // Twitter // Pinterest

One of my goals this year has been to speak positively, especially to my husband. It's definitely a choice that needs to be made daily and so far I've done a pretty good job of being encouraging towards him and pointing out the positive over the negative. I hope I'm successful on days when the negative things seem to be overpowering the positive things! 

Amanda at Voyage of Mee Mee

Twitter // Bloglovin 

Welp, I can tell you right now that I'm definitely not making any resolutions. Can THAT be a resolution?? ;P

Spreading Joy & Random Acts of Kindness

One of the things that I wanted to do more of this year was VLOG. I know right! I never thought I would LOVE to vlog. At first I was a little nervous and wasn't sure if I would even like it, but I do. I often think of things to talk about. My goal is not to be on TEDTALK or anything but it's another great thing to blogging. 

This week is a random thought and was going to talk about it last week. Let's spread joy instead of gossip and bickering in the blog world. We all start for a different reason, but we can build each other up instead of stepping on each other. 

Things you should care about

Vlogging Like A Boss with Always Ashten

Happy Galentine's Day

Favorite Post this Week: My Intangible Item

My review of the Fitbit Flex

I have had several people ask me about my fitbit flex. So I thought I would share my experience with it. 

By the way Gary purchased the Fitbit as a Christmas present that I got way early. I did my research between the a couple different devices that are similar and decided the Fitbit was the best decision. 

I really wanted a fitness tracker because I have gained a lot of weight since been married, and we are wanting to get back in shape. I planned on using it to track how many steps I took, the amount of sleep that I have been getting, etc. The fitbit company has a fidbit one that is like traditional pedometer but I thought I would lose that one too easy. 

Pros: 

Tracks the steps that you take in the day. You can set it to whatever goals that you want to accomplish. At first I had it at around 5000 steps in a day. I was hitting that goal pretty easily for about a two weeks, and increased it to 7500 steps.

I love the silent alarm. The wristband vibrates to wake you up. I love it because it doesn't wake up the husband who gets to sleep in later than I do. 

It goes great with every outfit. It doesn't look like a fitness tracker. 

It connects with all my other fitness apps: My Fitness Pal and Gym Pact. 

Cons:

It says that I can wear while showering, but I haven't tried it. I'm actually do afraid too. 

It takes about a day to charge. (Plus side it's last about a week before needing charged)

Not the easiest to add people. Right now it's only available to facebook and google+. (if you know how to add people other than that let me know.)

What I have noticed:

It's hard to get the recommend 10,000 steps a day. 

How restless I am when I sleep. When I tracked my first few nights it said that I was restless 24 times in one night, and that I got up 5 times. 

TGBTL: My Engagement Rings

This is one of my favorite link ups lately. Each week we answer a question set up by Hayley from A Beautiful Exchange and Lauren from The Albrechts Blog. I have participated in the past and check them out here, here, and here. 

This weeks questions: 

Tell us about something tangible that you have that has intangible value.

My item is my engagement ring. I absolutely love it. My husband got me a pearl engagement ring. After the shock wore off that I was engaged, I asked him why a pearl and not a diamond. His answer is priceless. He said, "I have never seen you wear diamonds, but you wear pearls all the time. Why would I get you a diamond?"

What a great answer. I love pearls, and always have. I don't know why but I think they are amazing. 

 

Life Lately

We are a little over the half way point of the first month of the new year. Aren't we suppose to be full of motivation and excitement for the new year? I wish I could say that for me I have been motivated, but it has been far from it. I have been in rut lately of coming home after working and doing nothing. I have done the bare minimum on my blog and with my sponsors which is embarrassing to say but it's the truth. I thought I would be in this blogging mood. I have a bunch of posts in the draft, but I have ZERO motivation to write them. 

I wake up and get ready then go to work. After work I pick up the hubs then go home. We make dinner as a couple then I just sit in front of the tv. I haven't even been wanting to knit or crochet lately. Who I am? 

I signed up to a devotional with Jennifer Smith from Unveiled Wife and I haven't been done it everyday. I haven't even it my all lately. I feel really bad because this is something that I really wanted to do. 

I don't know why but I have been feeling really down and not just feeling myself lately. I have been playing a horrible game of comparisons with other people and other bloggers. I keep telling myself to keep my eyes on my own page, and that there are a lot of really good thing going on in my life. But that doesn't stop me from thinking maybe we should start having kids? Why haven't we started? 

This past weekend I was sick and it was a good opportunity to escape from reality. Unfortunately I was sick and is wasn't a choice, but I hope that shake this negativity and get back to my normal self.  

Another Arizona Blogger + Giveaway

One of my favorite things about doing swaps is the bloggers that I have a chance to meet. I recently met Leann through this month's Cara Box. She is also an Arizona blogger so of course I had to participate. Sit back and learn more about why Leann started blogging, and there is a giveaway. 

This has been an amazing, fun year! I started blogging because I was lonely, honestly. I was in the middle of starting an Etsy business and I got involved with some social media outlets and noticed a lot of people also blogged. The idea of building a community of friends like me got me so excited I couldn't wait to get going! I was very impatient and wanted everything to flourish right away. 

My first blogging name was the name of my business, "Top This by Leanne". That name gained a lot of followers and I had a wonderful time interacting with all of you! I got so sick with my pregnancy in 2013 that I took a break until I could focus on my blog more. 

When I came back after a couple of months I had decided not to continue my crocheting business because I just didn't have the time. Between school, work, motherhood, wifeyhood, and being a human being, there wasn't time to work on lengthy projects. I could barely write a blog post! I then decided that since my business was no longer, I should change my blog name so that it had a meaning. I went with "Sock Monkey Momma". Initially I adored it and thought it encompassed everything I was and wrote about. 

As time went on I realized it didn't have the class that I wanted to emanate from my blog. It didn't sound versatile enough to last me years and years, and to reach a variety of people like I intended to. Yes, I am a mother, but I hope to be even more than that in my daily life and blog voice. 

Hence, "Being Jane" was born. I think I am happy now! I have a huge passion for Jane Austen novels/films and thoroughly enjoy any book or movie from that time period. I mean, my girls are named Emma Jane and Audrey Elizabeth. Just last week I noticed that their middle names are the two eldest daughters in Pride and Prejudice, and they have their coloring! This was done partially on purpose, but I didn't have any control over their coloring ;)

I hope you'll take a moment to look back on some of my favorite posts from this year!

How Do You See Yourself?  / Help! My Daughter Loves Me Too Much! / Attachment / Who Are We?

Now please celebrate with me and enter my "One Year Blogoversary" giveaway below!

I am SO excited to be able to team up with some great bloggy friends and bring the opportunity to win a $50 Starbucks gift card!! I mean, you can NEVER have too much Starbucks. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Boys Behind the Blog

This is the first Boys Behind the Blog of 2014 with Mal from Mal Smiles and Stephanie at Never the Same Spice Twice. I love that these ladies come up with best questions to ask the guys in our life. 

Gary said he is going to take over more days on the blog this year. I am so excited to have him on the blog. He has talked about creating his own blog so I think he might write on mine before he steps out on his own. 

This month is all about movies...

1. What was your favorite movie of 2013?
My favorite movie last year is a hard one...I would have to say "42" or Catching Fire...yeah I'm a nerd when it comes to that kind of movie.

2. What is your all time favorite movie quote?

From Bull Durham... I held the ball like an egg. (nuke) Yeah and he scrambled the son of a Bitch. Look he even hit the bull. He gets a free steak!)(crash)

Side Note: They are making a musical about this movie. We are so excited about this. Really debating on going to New York and see it. 

3. What is your favorite type of movie? (Action, scary, comedy, etc)
I'm a big fan of sports movies, but I do like scary movies. Its hard to watch those because Jess doesn't like them.

4. What is your New Year's Resolution?
Lose weight and stick to our budget

5. Finish the sentence: This year I will.... 
Be better in all aspects.

My Make Up Bag

To many peoples surprise I love makeup! I have always loved mixing and matching eye shadows. One of my goals in my 40 before 40 to have a makeup and skincare routine, but I like trying new things. 

Most of my makeup is mineral makeup right now. I am loving the coverage and natural look in mineral makeup. 

Every morningI start off with moisturizer then cover with primer. If I am in a real hurry (which is every morning) I mix the moisturizer and primer together. The moisturizer is from a brand called Simple and my primer is ELF.  I really like them both because it allows my make up last longer but it's not greasy. I use the whole Simple collection as my skincare routine. 

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This weekend we went to Kierland Commons and a place called The Cos Bar. It's a really cool little place. It has all types of make up brands in one place. Plus they give you tons of samples to take home with you. I am in the middle of trying a new foundation from Chanel. I really like it so far, the only con is the price. 

I'm actually really picky about my eyeshadow. Some of my favorites are: Clinque's Beach Plum and Lucky Penny from Bare Minerals. I'm so picky about my eyeshadow. When I find something I stick with it. 

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I'm not a big blush fan and rarely wear blush. I rather wear bronzer. I am really afraid that I will look like a clown. If I do its an amazing color from Bare Mineral that's a perfect peachy color. I absolutely love it and the little bit of shimmer as well. 

Mascara is something that I have recently started using again. For the longest time I didn't apply mascara because I have naturally long lashes and mascara usually made them so much longer! I hated it but now should love my lashes instead of hating! 

And to set my look I use ELF Spray. It's great because just 3 sprays and my make up is set. 

What do you use that you LOVE?