Sparrow Nest Designs on Etsy

So the other day, I was scanning the usual stores on Etsy.com looking for something to get my bridesmaids when  I found the cutest little store called...

I messaged Jasmine (the owner) and described what I wanted.. she was so helpful and kind, messaged me back very quickly! A couple of days ago I received my order in the mail.. it was perfect, just what I was looking for! You all should go check out her store because she has some really cute jewelry. 

[And BTW, she didn't pay me or anything to say nice stuff about her.. haha.. Her store is just really that adorable] So here is a preview of what Sparrow Nest Designs has to offer:

You should totally check it out and order from her! I messaged her and let her know I was doing a shout out! She will hook you up! That's all for today hope you all had a great Thursday!

xoxo Jen.

Thank God for Grandparents

Today I'm going to a different kind of blog post than the typical DIY craft or recipe. This is more personal. I wish I was an eloquent writer then I could describe what I want to say in the best way. 

Mother Teresa rejoicing in the gift of life of a beautiful baby.

Life is so precious. Every day is a gift. Enjoy each day and live it to the fullest because you may not have tomorrow. I say this not as some little cutesy saying but as a fact. 

Yesterday my grandfather's cousin and best friend passed away. I saw him about a month ago when he came to visit our family. It is just so weird and difficult to grasp that now he's gone but this I know... 

God has a plan for each of us... and all plans begin and end in His time.

Although that can be difficult to grasp at times, I trust in the Lord. For he knows far better than I what is best for you and me.

On a different note I wanted to do a little ode to my grandpa and say...

Thank God for Grandparents

Not everyone has them. Those of us who are blessed with grandparents, even if its for a short time should take pleasure in their company and give thanks for the opportunity to know and love them. My grandma passed when I was in third grade and my grandpa moved near us soon after. I'm so thankful that he has been a part of my life growing up and blessed to know such a good man. He is one of the kindest people I know and would give you the shirt off his back. That's why I wanted to do a little tribute to him today saying Thank God for Grandparents. I just love spending time with him and hearing about his life when he was my age.

Just thinking of him today as he copes with the loss of his cousin and friend-- wishing I could be there to play cards with him and cheer him up.

here's me, my brother and grandpa playing cards around the holidays. He taught us card games since we were little.

mom, bro, me and grandpa (making a silly face)

xoxo Jen.

PS. Linking up here today: 

Engagement Pictures

So I re-did my blog & used a lot of my Engagement pictures to spruce up the place and make if more personal. Let me know if you like it via comment.

But speaking of Engagement pictures...I don't believe I've shared these yet on the blog.. so I've decided to share today! I am so blessed with an awesome sister-in-law who looks more like me than my brother and is crafty too... She took our awesome Engagement pictures! I love them! So if you ever need a photographer in Panama City, FL- Leave me a comment and I will hook you up. I also know a few other great photographers there too! Our wedding photographer is: Marianne Greig! and I'm beyond excited.  (I'll share those with you after the Big day! - 95 days!) but for now, here are a few of my favorite engagement pictures!

in front of an old shed in down town Panama City, FL

The picture we used for our "Save the Date"

Originally, we wanted to use this as the "Save the Date" but it was difficult to see the Scrabble letters

Love this one!

This one is just silly.

This is absolutely my favorite!

I like this one too. The green wall is just really cool!

That's all for now!

xoxo Jen.

Easy Personal Art

I'm so excited and proud to show you a piece of art that I made today! I can't wait to frame it!

it says: Robinson est (established) 2011. 

I know we aren't married for another 98 days but I happen to be living where we will live when we are married and have been desiring some home decor. Right now things are really bare because having a wedding is expensive haha...Also, I have showers coming up so I didn't want to go out and buy everything! I've been on Pintrest a lot lately and found so many DIY crafts that I long to do! This was was so easy! The only cost is buying a frame for it (which I have yet to do). 

So how did I do it?! Well with the help of an older post from Mel at The Crafty Scientist.. She posted some helpful website where you can get really cool pictures of letters and numbers:

The One Letter Pool

My favourite Letter

Leo Reynolds Collection: Letters

Leo Reynolds Photo Stream

I then cropped the letters that needed to be cropped in paint and saved each letter as a .jpeg file! 

I opened Microsoft word. I had to right-click each picture, scroll down to wrap text. Another menu will open and click "In FRONT OF TEXT" That way you are able to re-size and move around the picture wherever you want. Set it up the way you want it to look and Voila! FREE ART!

I'm so excited! Leave me a comment if you need help making your own, have any further questions or would like me to make you one for you to print. Its pretty easy!

xoxo Jen.

Linking up with:

Delicate Construction

Be Different, Act Normal

Homemaker in Heels

Funky Junk Interiors

Tater tots and Jello

A Vision to Remember

Pinterest Loves #5 (for the future kids)

Hey Everyone!
Sorry! Grad school has been consuming my life which is why I haven't updated! Today is a big day.. College Game Day on ESPN @ FSU!

GO NOLES!

But now I'm going to share some adorable things I've found on Pintrest for the future.. when I have a kid.. haha

this is so cute.. a before and after pregnancy picture-- loves it. pinned here

a little girl ribbon wreath.. i love this too-- pinned here.

how great would this be for a kid

paint in a bad.. no mess.. pinned here

make your own baby stockings.. i love them

pinned here

i love this room 

pinned here

Now.. GREAT KID PICTURE IDEAS:

hahaha so cute! pinned here

these little girls are sooo cute

pinned here

That's all for now. I will try and have some better updates. I know, its been weak lately but I have been doing homework like nobody's business.. its been crazy. 

Leave a Comment and Thanks for Stoppin by.. :)

xoxo Jen.

9-11. Where were you?

Where were you on that September day?

I was in 8th grade at St. Johns Catholic School. I'll never forget because I was in Algebra 1 class when the announcements were made to us. I didn't really even know what the World Trade Center was-- which is horrible, I know. Our church had adoration available for the first time in years for people to come pray for our country. The whole school went for some time through out the day. 

After school, I wen to my grandpa's and watched the news the rest of the night on TV to see what was going on in New York. The images will never disappear from my memories.

Years later, my junior year of high school, I was able to visit the site of 9-11. It was so quiet and so empty. I was shocked at the massive structures that were missing, even though I never had seen them when they were there. The lot was so empty and just a large hole with subways still running through it. I teared up at I looked at the spot where two of the largest buildings ever once stood. The whole place just makes you want stop, be quiet and thank God for the gift of life- each and every day. 

I know there has been debate about a Mosque being built.. whether we were supposed to go to war in Afghanistan/Iraq and all the drama.. but today of all days, its NOT about that.. Its about being American and loving our country. We are so blessed. We are free and are able to make our own choices: get an education if we choose, work where we want, marry who we want, go to church where we want and so much more...or not do any of those things..  

This song just sums up how I feel! Gosh, I'm so proud to be an American!

I feel like today we all need to stop and remember even if you are just reading this. I know. Its all over the news and sometimes we just want to forget but we can't. We have to remember all of those who sacrificed their lives for us and so many others.

Today, I want to say Thank you. Thank you to the troops and all those who fight and work for our safety: police, firemen & women, EMTs, and certainly, our soldiers: all military. Most of All, Thank you God for allowing to live free in such a wonderful country and pouring your graces upon us daily.

Praying for all of you who lost family, friends and acquaintances on that difficult day,

xoxo Jen.

Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia

Date of Visit: July 2, 2011

Highlights: So first off, I LOVE this zoo. We got through it in half a day but you could definitely spend the whole day there! They have an amazing "African" area and "Asian" area! The animals are all awesome! There are some spots where you can't see certain animals, but there are so many viewing decks, you could probably move somewhere and get a view of them! We went to the Snake feeding.. its kind of a casual show where you go from cage to cage watching the crazy zoo keeper feed the snakes.. Um WOW.. This was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. The snakes launch at the food and attack it like prey. Its crazy cool. If you go here, you have to check it out! We also got to see the feeding of the baby Komodo Dragon.. Very cool!

Pictures:

entrance

Elephant! 

Another Elephant!

warthog in the mud.. There were also baby warthogs but I didn't get a great picture.

This one just looked so chill.

rhino

here is a different shot of him

giraffe and ostrich

largest flightless bird

otters!

Red Panda - member of the Raccoon Family

Gorilla & baby

gorilla & baby

another gorilla

Momma & Baby Panda Bears

kangaroos! I've never seen them until these ones! so cute! 

This was the baby komodo dragon.. 

The picture is foggy but he was moving so fast!

And here we are! 

Disappointments: Honestly, the only one I can say is that the big Komodo Dragon was hiding! Komodo Dragons are our favorite.. but other than that, WE LOVED THIS ZOO! 

We gave it a 5 out of 5!

That's all for now! 

Leave a comment or your opinion if you have been to Atlanta Zoo!

♥ jen