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I love Alexa's Angels.  There, I said it.  They're not only the sweetest ladies you'll ever meet, but I love that the serve a major purpose.  One of brightening the days of friends (or strangers) when they need it.  It's simple really, but so effective.  I'll tell you my personal story below...But first, the product.

These bracelets, they seem simple enough, a rubber band type stretchy bracelet with a silver band that reads "Posi+ivi+y".  Available in various colors, easy to wear, inexpensive, but so powerful.  They come in 3's and the thought behind them is to keep one for yourself, give the other two away.  Give them to a friend, family member, or stranger in need of a little positivity. 

I bought these for my daughters for Christmas.  I thought it would be just a nice little gift that we will all share.  Then I heard the story behind giving them to someone when they're in need of some love and "Positivity".  I told this to my daughters, they need to be on the lookout for someone who they could let know that they are being thought of, that God is thinking of them.  Little did I know that I would be the one to give mine away first.

My step mom's good friend had a stroke almost a month ago.  Can you imagine watching your best friend in the hospital, not recognizing who you are, who they themselves are, seeing the life ripped from her?  At the early age of 66?  This just shouldn't happen.  My sweet step mom has been sitting at the hospital with her, and her friend's newly-married, newly pregnant daughter, for the past 4 weeks, daily.  You can see the stress in her eyes, the constant verge of tears that she is on.  The not knowing if her friend will be able to go have breakfast with her again, let alone live by herself (at 66 years old).  My heart breaks for her, for them, for their friendship. 

 

I gave her, and her friend's daughter, my bracelets.  The one that says Positivity on it, because through out all of the doctor's diagnosis, I just want her to know that we serve a BIG God and that anything is possible.  That her friend could very well overcome the odds, and that with one touch of His favor she could be having breakfast with her dear friend again, sharing laughs over coffee and pancakes. 

If you pray, please say a prayer for all of them, for some positivity... 


Do you know of someone in need of some Positivity?  Or maybe it's you? I'll gladly send you one of my bracelets...

Disclaimer:  Alexa's Angels and Monkey Toes are not affiliated in any way.  This post was on my heart and I felt like I needed to share it. 

ONE Day without Shoes

Imagine even just a day without shoes?  Would your favorite coffee shop let you in for your daily latte?  Could you go to the gym?  Heck, could you even walk outside of your house (for many in a big city that would be pretty gross). 

I love the TOMS One for One cause, I'm a huge fan of the shoes and have a couple of pairs myself. In fact, many of you know that I've begun selling my own hand painted Ladybug TOMS because I love them so much.  In my daily life, I know I take shoes for granted, I've got tons of them.  I cannot even fathom what it would be like to go without something protecting my feet. 

TOMS and Essie Cosmetics (a nail polish I'm completely obsessed with) is teaming up to bring awareness to their cause "One Day without Shoes".  This campaign spreads awareness about the disease and infections kiddos can get without proper protection on their feet.  And there's something in it for you...

Take the One Day without Shoes pledge for April 10, 2012 and Essie is hosting a giveaway of 15,000 bottles of their Limited Edition Nail Color, Barefoot in Blue.  (appropriately named)  At least your toes will be beautiful when you strut down the street in your bare feet.

Here's how you can help:

--  Join the One for One for movement by visiting the website

        (http://www.OneDayWithoutShoes.com)

    --  TOMS' Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/toms), or Essie's Facebook

        page (www.facebook.com/essie)

    --  Go without shoes!  Show support by posting a barefoot photo or brief

        video online showing your bare feet

    --  Link and share!  Post your participation in social media outlets and

        tweet using "#withoutshoes"

A great cause to get the kids involved in... And hey ladies, it's an excuse to show off those cute spring toes ;)  

Support My Woman Owned Biz Friends, Pretty Please

The lovely Katie, of KT Steppers, had the most fantabulous support-woman-owned-business idea. So I am totally copying her.  These gals have become my business posse, so of course I am going to try to help them win.

If you have a moment, can you give these hard working entrepreneurs a quick click to make sure they surpass the competition?  (not that we're worried or anything, they are pretty rad). 

So starting first is KT Steppers, nominated for a Cribsie Award.  She's super stoked, and so am I, that her well deserved "steppers" are being recognized like they should.  They're just as sweet at Katie.  You'll wanna make that click right under "Gear" and "Cutest Step Stools in Climbing Mode".







Deidrea of Hot Mama Gowns is up for the About.com Reader's Choice award.  If you had the choice, wouldn't you go for one of her stunning delivery gowns?  I know, right?  They ARE so lovely, and functional too. One quick click will get her another step closer to raising that award above her head and then admitting she'll be heading to Disneyland...







My sweet friend, Michelle, is looking to try to get her Busy Breather's Oxygen Back Packs on the shelves of Walmart stores (great fit, don't you think??).  She has a special place in my heart and after you read her story she'll be in yours too.  This one is super easy, just send a text or click here.


And lastly, but definitely not leastly, Amanda from Cutie Pa Tutus, is up for an About.com Reader's Choice Award too.  Give her Cutie Pa Tutu a click and make her twirl in circles for days.  Seriously, she'll do that if/when she wins.  #Swearsies














I thank you, and I know they thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!  <3 Jenny

Do you need something voted for?  Post the link below, we'll gladly reciprocate.

Booyah!

There comes a time in every parent's life when you look at your beloved child and wonder where the heck they got "that" from.  Whether it be some strange piece of "mystery meat" from the backyard or new sayings that have you baffled.

This is my moment... I admit, there are many sayings going around our house, but Booyah, I can honestly say, is not one of them...

Cute, isn't it?  I can take no credit from the cuteness, except that he did come from my womb. *enter applause here*

What is your child doing that has you saying "huh"?

The hunt - play a game

I LOVED hunting for Easter eggs as a child.  In fact, my brother and I would beg our parents to hide them over and over again.  We would spend our entire Easter Sunday doing it - big pats on the back Mom and Dad for doing that, that must've been really annoying!

With the creation of the new LadyEggs (Ladybug Eggs found here in our Whimsy Collection), I thought it would be fun to create a game out of hiding the special egg - maybe you already do this?  Hide the special egg in a really tough spot, making it the last egg to be found.  The first to find this egg will win a special prize.  Maybe a toy or candy, just make it extra special.  The kiddo who finds the egg will get to display it in their room for the entire year, bringing them special positivity.. 

Buy them here

I guarantee your kiddos will always remember this new tradition...

Pin It

I created...Ladybug Easter Eggs

When a pin goes nuts on Pinterest, you kinda pay attention.  I had uploaded this image of a Ladybug Easter egg, made a few years ago - and it's gone nuts.  So...the opportunist I am, decided to create a few paper mache eggs and sell my hand painted cuteness (scroll to the bottom for the link to purchase).

The more you layer on the paint, the cuter they get, doncha think?  (You'd think I would clean my desk before starting this project or snapping a picture, but NOPE not me)

 Getting closer...

How adorable are these?  (totally tooting my own horn here, but I LOVE them)...Drum Roll, please.... I present to you, the finished LadyEgg :)

Want one? Or a dozen? 

Food I've made from Pinterest

I admit, completely obsessed.  Pinterest is how I do my meal planning lately (we write our our calendar for the week - yes, we're dorks).  There have been some pretty delicious meals I've created and I wanted to share them with you...

I made these after I found out we were out of Waffle mix Valentine's Day morning...doh!  I sassed them up a bit by making them heart shaped of course

Source: motherthyme.com via Monkey Toes on Pinterest

No Bake Nutella Peanut Butter Nibbles - oh so yummy!

Source: sugarloco.com via Monkey Toes on Pinterest

Cilantro Lime Rice (above) and Mexican Burrito Bowls - I'm not a fan of cilantro, but really loved this rice!

  
Spaghetti Squash w/ Grilled Chicken + Sun Dried Tomatoes

Source: tastykitchen.com via Monkey Toes on Pinterest

Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com via Monkey Toes on Pinterest

Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com via Monkey Toes on Pinterest

.

Hearty Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash & Quinoa

Source: cookincanuck.com via Monkey Toes on Pinterest

Peanut Butter Buttercream Bon Bons - enough said

Source: sugarloco.com via Monkey Toes on Pinterest

I drink this Green Monster shake almost daily for lunch now

Source: iowagirleats.com via Monkey Toes on Pinterest

Crockpot Sandwiches

Source: bigredkitchen.com via Monkey Toes on Pinterest

I tried doing this for my son. He picked the noodles OUT of the hot dogs

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Monkey Toes on Pinterest

Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread 

Source: jasonandshawnda.com via Monkey Toes on Pinterest