Feathering the Nest : GIVEAWAY

Home. Just saying that word aloud brings such peace to my heart. Home has taken on many different faces for us over the years, but my passion for creating a space we LOVE has continued to burn bright and strong. 

I am always on the search for resources and inspiration regarding homemaking, so when I found this delicious course crafted by Stephanie & Leah, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more! Here is what they had to say about adding a little love to your home!

How can creating a space we love make a difference in our everyday life? 

Our surroundings have a profound effect on our daily lives...from the new linens you picked out for your bedroom to the piles on the dining room table. Depending on what it is, it can make us feel whole and nourished or scattered and drained. We want to help you get in tune with yourself and connect areas in your life that you want to improve with the corners of your home. When we "feather" it's not just about cleaning and organizing, we are taking a look at what you are choosing to surround yourself with, what you are allowing in. Together, Leah and I enjoy helping others figure out how to honor beloved items and let go of things that don’t lift us up. Doing this can breathe new life into your space. 

Can you offer a few tips for cultivating creativity and beauty into daily life? 

Creativity and beauty are often borne out of simplicity. The more space we gift ourselves with, the more we can relax into the beauty that is already there around us. Keeping a gratitude journal can help us all to slow down and notice the little things that happened through the day and made us smile. We have learned that less is truly more when it comes to feeling creative in life. Sometimes saying “no” a little bit more often allows us to have more unstructured time to relax, play, and simply enjoy how the week or weekend wants to unfold. And when in doubt, turn to nature. We are always inspired by going to the coast and collecting shells and rocks, or taking long walks and noticing the smallest things that pop up along the path.

What is your favorite way to bring more of yourself into your living space?

We adore the way that creating an altar or vignette that you absolutely adore looking at on a dresser, bookshelf, or small table can bring a blossoming energy to your dreams and desires. An altar is a place to connect with what’s most important to you through a physical and visual reminder you walk by daily. Your own personality and instincts are the only guides you need to create a collection of objects, totems, and perhaps words, that remind you of what is most important to your soul. If you are hoping to attract something into your life, such as a partner, a soul-satisfying career opportunity, or greater prosperity, an altar can be a way to maintain your focus on these desires. You can create any kind of altar that calls to you. I like to bring natural objects into my home, like feathers, shells, driftwood, and beach stones, as a way to connect more fully with the earth. I am always reminded to slow down, take a deep breath, and feel a surge of gratitude when I pass by these sacred objects.

What's one simple tip we can implement now to create a more nourishing space?

Give your entryway some love! When you arrive home and open the door it never feels good to trip over a pile of shoes or a backpack. Instead, you could create a beautiful landing space for all that goes in and out of your home with pretty bowls for your keys or cellphone and a new tray for the mail. Perhaps a small basket on the floor can hold items like sunblock, a scarf or an umbrella.

Hang a coat hook for every person in your home so they feel welcomed. When we give any area in our home some love and attention, it gives back to us (and we show you exactly how that works in Feathering the Nest). We feel calmer, happier and ready to take on tomorrow's adventure.

How can our homes support our dreams and soul’s desires? 

When our homes are in balance, we create an environment that nourishes us from the inside out. Spaces that are arranged to enhance the flow of energy and are accented with things of beauty that we truly cherish bring us joy. This supports us in all of our other pursuits outside of the home, like work and community activities. Stephanie and I both believe that when our homes reflect our soul’s true desires, it amplifies them and you feel more relaxed, supported, and alive. And we also believe that creating that kind of sanctuary is something we can all do if we follow our intuition and our hearts.

About Feathering the Nest:
Feathering the Nest is a beautiful, two week journey created to guide you into making your home into a beautiful space that mirrors the love & dreams you hold in your soul. Your guides, Stephanie Perkinson & Leah Kent, help you connect with your deepest desires & favorite things and show you how to make your house into a nurturing soul-space. Feathering the Nest begins on March 17th.

 

Is your heart longing to feather your nest in a way that brings life and simplicity? I know mine is and I can't wait to apply these yummy ideas to our new home. 

Enter now to win a spot in this course and start showing YOUR home some love!

TO ENTER:

Leave me a comment below and tell me one your favorite ways to feather your nest. What have you done lately to create a space you love?! If you have a photo, include a link!

This one has a quick turnaround! Enter to win by Saturday, March 15 at noon MST. I'll announce the winner later that day! And then the course begins Monday.  

If you're ready to jump right in and start feathering your nest, go directly to their site and enter discount code “NESTINGGYPSY” at checkout for a 15% tuition discount.

Happy feathering everyone!

Cruiser Love Affair

I've always loved bicycle culture. In fact, I've already blogged about it here. But I didn't know how MUCH I would love riding a cruiser. I had a mountain bike for 10 years and I REALLY did not like riding it. It was uncomfortable and cumbersome with all the gears. So in April, we finally found a really nice cruiser on Craigslist (Giant "Simple" Cruiser) and my love affair began again.

My only way of transportation lately has been my bike, because Matt has had the truck at work for the last couple of months. If I wanted to go anywhere, it was either walking or biking. Bella, Lucy, and I have enjoyed touring Golden together. When my parents came to visit, we rented bikes so that we could all bike together. Those are beautiful memories that we will have forever! Such fun.

I love the simplicity of the single speed. Even with a 50 lb Burley trailer, it's great (unless I'm going straight uphill!). There is nothing better than jumping on my cruiser, parking it at the cafe, and sitting outside to sip my steamy latte. I think I was supposed to be born European. I've been occasionally riding to the coffee shop after Matt gets home to do some work and I just adore riding at night when no one is out and I have the street all to myself. Bliss.

I recently realized that I have now spent more money on accessories for my cruiser than on the cruiser itself. :) But OH! I love it so. I had a custom Betty Basket Liner made, and got a delicious seat that I've been dreaming of since I saw it on a cruiser in Bozeman 2 years ago. And I can't forget my little ding bell. *ding ding*

There is something about photos of cruiser bikes...I get so happy when I see them! So my request is that you post links to photos of you with your cruisers. Or links to photos of ANY cruiser! *love*

I also want you to tell me your favorite "bikeable" towns in the U.S. I want to go there!

"Not So Fast" Giveaway

notsofastbook

"Life is not a sprint. Yet, we live in the land that values and even glorifies speed -- mind numbing, adrenaline-churning, distracting, dangerous speed. And few families can sustain that pace over the long haul. Those that try end up with indicators that it's time to slow down. Is that pace of life inevitable? I don't think so, because as I look to Christ and try to discern in Scripture His pace, there's something I can't help but notice. Jesus never seemed to be in a hurry."

-Excerpt from Not So Fast, by Ann Kroeker

Have you ever wished you could just SLOW IT ALL DOWN? Life moves so fast, and unless you are intentional about creating a slower pace, you will spiral out of control at the pace of your surrounding culture.

My friend, Ann Kroeker, has written a book called "Not So Fast: Slow Down Solutions for Frenzied Families" that talks about this phenomenon of the "over scheduling"of our families and our children. She explores this topic beautifully and offers practical wisdom on how to slow down your life so that you have more time for family, friends, and most importantly, Jesus.

I've really been enjoying her book (available in Kindle format too!)...and I love the she has featured excerpts from blogs that I know and love, including Andrea, Aimee, and there is even little blurb from me as well.

This giveaway will feature a signed copy of Ann's book...the winner will be chosen at random on Monday at 12:00 CST. To enter:

  • Leave a comment below and tell me one way that you have intentionally made a choice to slow down your life.
  • For an extra entries, put a link back to this giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter (and then do a second/third comment here that says “FB/Twitter”)
  • You will get yet ANOTHER entry for posting about this giveaway on your own blog (add another comment here that says “blogged here” with a link).

I will be doing MANY MORE awesome giveaways over the next couple of weeks to celebrate Walk Slowly's FOURTH birthday. Crazy, I know :) I can't believe it's been that long. So stay tuned for lots of fun stuff!