Hello! And welcome! I’m so glad you’re here today, because I’ve got some great news for you. To celebrate my pretty new blog design, I’m giving away some of my favorite pretty things.
Woohoo!
Before we get to the fun giveaway, I want to take just a moment to give a HUGE thank you to Erin of Design by Insight. She took a long rambling list of things I like and don’t like, love and don’t love, know and don’t know, and she created a new online home that I adore. Erin is fantastic, and I highly recommend her for any web design needs you have!
When I lamented last week that the updates I needed to make on my end weren’t finished yet (basically I hadn’t done my homework!), I was just sure I’d get it all done in a few days.
*snort*
My new goal is to update things a little at a time, until one day (probably a few months from now), I’ll have this blog organized the way I want it. Until then, I’m simply happy with the new look!
And I’m even more happy to have an excuse to give my readers some fun gifts!
I’m excited to give away a Family Rules Subway Art poster from Alexander Creative, five taupe Ever Grateful vases from DaySpring, and a $50 gift card to Lisa Leonard’s shop.
I have been in love with this family rules poster since I did an exhaustive search of Pinterest for family rules posters. I finally ordered a copy for my dining room a couple months ago, and now I want you to have one, too!
The taupe vase from DaySpring has been a huge hit with my fellow (in)courage writers, and it really can go with just about any colors or style you have in your home (or office. Maybe I need one of these for my office . . . hmmm . . .).
And Lisa Leonard – well, I love her. Just. Love. Her. Oh, and her jewelry? I love that, too! I have several of her beautiful necklaces and wear one almost every day. Next on my wish list from her shop is the Mama Necklace pictured above. Or the Through My Lens Necklace. Or the Brush Your Teeth wall hanging. I can’t decide!! You can find all of those pieces, plus sign up for Lisa’s newsletter (and get 15% off your order!!), at her website.
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me about the best part of your summer so far. For an additional entry, subscribe to Giving Up on Perfect and leave a separate comment telling me you did it.
The giveaway will be closed on Friday, July 20, at midnight CST.
The best part of my summer was the motorcycle camping trip I took with my husband and friends from church. So. Much. Fun!
The best part of my summer so far has been spent walking in creation with my dog as I listen to praise music and worship Him.
Love the new look!
As for the summer, everything had been great but I particularly enjoyed a trip to the beach!
The best part of my summer has been being able to be at the beach enjoying time spent with her and enjoying God’s beautiful ocean!
I subscribe to Giving Up on Perfect via email!
I subscribe!
My favorite part of this summer has been the rekindling of an awesome friendship! With school done, I am free to meet up with my dear ones. It’s awesome!
I’m also a subscriber. I love your choices for the giveaway:):):) I wanna win!
congrats on the new blog design!
the BEST part of summer is the no school, no schedule, no structure (ok, a little structure) that we get a break from. LOVE it!!!
happy monday!!!
The best part of summer has been getting up a few minutes later and a more relaxed schedule.
Best part of my summer so far is having my girls at home :)
The best part of my summer so far is that, with the Lord’s blessings and mercies, I have regained much of my health and I can enjoy His gift of getting up each day and living it to the fullest, enjoying all the moments and just actually…doing things!! :)
My favs are my garden, my ducks and all the trips to the local lakes! I am so grateful for His blessings!
Love your new design! It looks great! :)
The best part of my summer has been the more relaxed pace and schedule — it is a gift to let the children sleep in and not be so rigid about bedtimes!
First of all….I love the new design!
Now…my favorite part of summer so far…..Getting to spend it with my hubby. He’s been working in Pennsylvania for the past year and my girls and I have been without him at home in Alabama. As soon as school was out we made a beeline to PA and have been enjoying our summer with him. Our days have been full of nothing but laziness and family time. LOVIN’ IT!
PS….I’ve been a subscriber for a while now. Love seeing your posts in my inbox.
Good Morning,
I love the new blog update!! My favorite part of my summer has been playing with my kids, friends and family!! The summer is flying by, but we are trying to make the most of every day!!
Blessings,
Janelle
PS – I am already a subscriber!!
Blessings,
Janelle
Mary!!!!!!!! It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite part of summer? …. this might sound lame, but having relaxing (non-rushed/mom-is-not-a-crazy-woman) kind of mornings. Everything is so rushed when school starts, I just like our peaceful mornings. It’s a whole new kind of wonderful. :)
Hugs!
Melanie
I am an email subsciber and a google reader follower
The best part of this summer so far has to be finding that we are expecting a new baby this coming Feb!
The best of summer has been that I have had the opportunity to spend time with my daughters. This is a first, for me, I am retiring from the military and it has been wonderful to be home and not at work!
The best part of summer? Not having to take the kids to school. And beach days. Yes, beach days with the family!
I subscribe to your blog :), love it!
I’m with Jac above. No school and heading to the beach as often as possible!
The best part of the summer has been the family road trips we’ve taken. We went to North Carolina, via Ohio, and saw the Royals play in Minneapolis and St. Louis!
The best part of summer so far was when my kids and I went to the beach 4 days in a row. We had so much fun!
Free music in the park on Saturdays! I love Nashville summers.
This week at a cottage with the family. We’ve laughed so hard and I’ve read 2 books so far. Bliss!
haven’t looked around at everything yet, but i love the colors and the apple buttons at the top right. so far i’m enjoying seeing my 3 year old learn to swim then going to the water park with her. she’s a fun girlie!
i already subscribe to ‘giving up on perfect’
The best part of our summer break has been having more free time.
Amy
The best part of summer thus far was swimming. We love to swim.
We just spent 11 days on the beach with 39 of our family members, BEST part of my summer!! We have a family tradition of being together every summer! Nettie
This summer has been a trying summer for us as we had to pack up everything that we own and move from Atlanta, GA to a small town called Bloomington, IL. We have 3 girls (10, 9 and 6) and no amount of preparation could have prepared us for how hard it was to move them away from friends, family and a church they loved. Despite it all, we are blessed to say that this summer has been one of the best we have ever had! Our girls have said this to us more than once. We have done things this summer that have been FUN but I don’t think that is what has made it so great! I believe we have had the best summer ever because we have now, since we moved
to our small little town, been able to spend more time as a family. And THAT is what we have needed and what has made our summer so AMAZING!
The best part has been having my kids home from school. While I totally enjoy my time when they are in school, I love being able to go to the park or other places with them for the whole day!
I subscribed to Giving Up on Perfect! Nettie
I tried to subscribe by entering my emai address at the top of the website and i keep getting an error message. It’s a message from Feedburner saying its not been set up yet? Not sure if I’m doing something wrong.
Seeing my kids playing on the beach for the first time ever today was pretty awesome! I am going to be a bridesmaid in my best friend’s wedding Saturday, so I imagine that will be great too!
I am a subscriber.
it’s looking good!
the best part of my summer? well it’s definitely NOT today! lol! probably our minnesota vacation we had in june.
Oh it’s sooo lovely, Mary. Wonderful and warm and welcoming – just like you!
Hmmm… haven’t done a lot this summer. I guess the best part is volunteering at the food pantry, b/c I can’t do that during the school year since they give out food during the day.
And I subscribed via email.
Best part of my summer has been having my husband DONE WITH GRAD SCHOOL!!!! (and home for 3 weeks!)
The best part about our summer has been on Oceans of Fun passes! It is such a great way to keep cool (if that is even possible when it is 105 outside!!)
The best part has been seeing my two oldest come home from their youth group missions trip just overflowing with excitement having been able to lead childen to Jesus and connect them to the local church for continued growth. To see them blossom and continue to grow spiritually has been the greatest reward this whole year!
VBS. (Awful, am I not?) Five peaceful mornings in a row?? Priceless.
I have so many “bests”…the best part of my summer has been the birth of my 3rd grandson to my 1st child! Another best has been that my 2nd child is now the author of a book! And another “best” was checking a book out of the church library and being surprised to find a note inside that it had been given in honor of my 3rd child.
The best part of my summer has been spent at a good friend’s pool with our children. We’re all teacher’s and so not only are our kids home for the summer, but we are too! Seeing all of the kids – ranging in age from 3 months to 11 – jump and splash and play together while we sit on the steps catching up has been the PERFECT way to spend the summer.
The .best part of my summer so far has been baking treats with the blackberries I’ve picked in the yard. I love to bake and share baked goods with friends and family.
Best part of the summer has been meeting up with old friends in Chicago :)
I subscribe to Giving Up on Perfect
Best part of the summer is loving the warm weather
The best part of summer so far has been a glorious week at the beach!
I subscribe via RSS
Beach!!!
Subscriber
The best part of our summer has been watching our youngest learn to walk. The whole family cheers and giggles and gets excited! I love seeing our children encourage one another and rejoice in each others victories!
I subscribe via Google Reader. Love the new look, by the way!
I’m a subscriber! Thanks!
The best part of my Summer so far was getting away to Montana to spend some time at my family’s lake cabin! Too short a trip, but my favorite place ever. It was sweet to share that with our energetic 2-year-old this year.
I am a subscriber! Thanks for the chances to win. Btw, cute new look!!
4th of July & spending time with our neighbors :) We made our driveway into an american flag with chalk.
This summer….well, I am doing what you are…..a little each day, I tackle the chaos in my home, hoping to have that elusive organized home by the end of the summer! Ha!
I subscribed to Giving Up on Perfect via email!
The best part of my summer has been cooking out and swimming on the 4th of July.
I subscribe to Giving Up onPerfect via google reader.
The best thing about my summer is getting to spend more time with my children while they are out of school.
I just subscribed to Giving Up On Perfect.
Well, actually I tried. I see that I got a message saying “this feed does not have subscription by e-mail enabled”.
Just subscribed to Giving Up on Perfect!
It’s been so hot this summer it’s been hard to “enjoy” much outdoors. But the best part of my summer is the time spent with my family.
The best part of summer so far was our family reunion to celebrate my grandfather’s 90th birthday!
What a great giveaway! How exciting! My favorite part of summer so far was visiting New York City and turning 30 in Time Square.
And I subscribe. :)
Love the new look! It’s great!
Best part of the summer for me has been being home with my boys and enjoying all the little things that I miss during the school year–making them breakfast, playing outside for ages, going to the zoo for the day, and all the other daily fun.
My favorite part of the summer so far has been sitting on the front porch with my husband in the evenings.
I subscribe through Google.
Picking strawberries with my mom and making fresh jam that will be a wonderful reminder of summer all winter long.
Love your new look! The best part of my summer has been TIME with my family. Yes, time is my love language.
Oh, and I subscribe!
The best part of my summer has been the three days that my daughter and I spent by ourselves while the rest of the family was at cub scout camp. Three days of girl stuff. We had fun.
Best thing was moving to a new town, so my husband could be home in 15 minutes instead of 2 hours. And getting a bigger home for our big family (there are six of us.)
The best part of my summer so far has been our weekly playground meet-ups and reconnecting with other moms I haven’t seen since last summer!
I have really enjoyed spening a lot of quality time with my little sister this summer. She is home on break from college & she is getting married next May, so this may be our last real “summer together.”
I subscribed via Google Reader.
Love the new look! My daughter and I went to the New Dinner Theatre Restaurant last week and saw “Hairspray.” The show was excellent and we had a very enjoyable evening. It was nice to be able to spend time with her since she moved into her own apartment earlier this year.
My husband and I took out our above ground pool last fall, so the best part of my summer has been planning, shopping, building and planting a new butterfly/hummingbird garden with my husband in it’s place.
The redesign is BEAUTIFUL! I love it!
This summer has been unique in the number of trips I’ve taken just with my girl. We’ve had some meaningful discussions in the car, some great late night ice cream eating in hotel rooms and all around awesome bonding time. I think God provided this time for us this summer as she is just on the cusp of becoming a young woman. It’s been very special.
I am going home in several weeks to see my mom/sis
thanks
I am a email sub
I missed the giveaway, but just wanted to say that I love your new design. Very nice!