Dec.14 Friday Faves

Hello Friday - I am so glad you are here.

 

Another long week has finally ended and we are welcoming the weekend that will go by far too quickly.  This weekend I do hope to finish my Christmas shopping - I am embarrassed to admit I have barely started and really lack motivation to get it done.  I usually have everything bought, wrapped, and ready to be put under the tree before December begins.

 

Here is a small collection of a few festive Etsy items that would be perfect for the season:

 

Joy Throw Pillow

Satin Stitch Designs

 

Green Crochet Necklace

B Maja

 

DIY Felt Garland Kit

I Felt Sprightly

{I have this and love it}

 

*******

 

As I am typing this, I was distracted by the devastating news going on in Newtown, Connecticut this morning.  Please know that our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that has been impacted by this very sad event. 

 

*******

 

I am so sorry to end this on such a sad note - I wish you all a very blessed weekend!

 

Holiday Gift Swap

A few weeks ago I signed up to be part of a Holiday Gift Swap with a few bloggers across the country.  I love giving gifts, so I signed right up!   To my excitement my gift arrived last week! Joni from Blended with Love sent me a package full of lovely gifts.  A red mug (my favorite color!!) and hot chocolate, cards, socks, and lotion.

  This gift is perfect for cold Iowa winters. Those cozy socks and hot chocolate were opened immediately!   I sent a gift to Linda from Life With a Big Family. Hopefully she'll enjoy it!   ******* Be sure to check out these blogs: Mom-a-Logues Keeping up with the Sonneks Blended with Love Life With a Big Family   {Do you have a blog? Please share it with us by leaving a comment. I want to check it out.}   ******* Merry Christmas! What are you favorite holiday gifts to give or receive?  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Phew! There is a lot going on this weekend.  Thanksgiving - Black Friday - Small Business Saturday - Cyber Monday.  It's the perfect time for great deals and finishing your Christmas shopping.  (or if you are like me, starting your Christmas shopping - oops!)

 

Our family is very excited about Thanksgiving and spending the time with our families.  This month we have  been talking a lot about what it means to be thankful.  Hannah and Mia had Thanksgiving feasts at preschool and brought home these necklaces about what they are most thankful for. They made me smile.

 

Hannah Mia is having a sale starting tomorrow - November 22 through the weekend - ending November 26.

 

Use coupon code GIVETHANKS at check out to save 15% off any purchase!

 

 

Nov 16 - Friday Faves

First and most importantly woot! It's {Friday}!  :)  And second - woot! This is my 100th Hannah Mia blog post!

 

Okay, enough silliness!  I have a few things I want to share and I hope you all had a really great week! 

 

As a huge fan of dessert and all things sweet, I instantly fell in love with these dessert bowls

made by Quotes & Notes.  {now I seriously want some ice cream... yum}

 

 



These Sterling Silver Stacking Rings are on my "need to buy list" from Indulgent Designs.  Her jewelry is so beautiful!

 

 

And this Black with Gold Rosette Headband will add a pop of color to any outfit made by Our Place To Nest. So cute!

 

 

Please to take a moment to check out the auction happening this weekend on Facebook to help raise money for Nico's adoption.

 

We also have some great new holiday hair accessories at our Hannah Mia Etsy Shop - you'll want to check them out.

 

And don't forget we're having {giveaway} going on right now!! Entries are really low right now (insert sad face here). Who wouldn't love $10 to spend towards some Hannah Mia bows or an adorable headband (or two). 

 

 

Meet Nico

Hello Friends! I would like to introduce you to Nico - such a cute little 2 1/2 year old!

My dear friend Kara and her husband Kyle are in the process of adopting this sweet guy!

 

Today Kara has organized a Share Nico Day!

It's a wonderful way to get the word out about their adoption and hopefully raise some funds.  No donation is too small!  If everyone who saw this would give just $5, the money for the adoption would come in quickly.  So please consider it!

 

To donation go {here} - there is a yellow donation button under Nico's picture.

And while you are there you can read more about Kara and Kyle and their family!

 

If you cannot donate, you can still help by sharing their website on your facebook, twitter, or blog! You can also follow them on {facebook} and please keep them in your prayers!

 

Have a blessed Monday!

xo, Jenni

November 9 - Friday Favorite

Something I have been becoming more and more passionate about is buying with a purpose.  It's so easy to got to the store and buy what you need - but when you can buy a product that also helps those in need - BONUS!

 

Today Friday Favorite is the Etsy shop Live With Less.

 

There you can buy this amazing shirt {i love it!}

 

A portion of every t-shirt that is purchased helps to provide clean drinking water for people around the world with The Mocha Club. {amazing!}

To find out more about this shirt and donating, head on over to their shop on Etsy or on facebook.

Not only will you look good, but you'll feel good knowing you have helped make a difference.

 

Please take a moment to check them out.  It'd make my day!

 

***

Have an amazing item you'd like me to check out and share?  Contact me at hannahmia@cfu.net

 

And don't forget to enter our {giveaway}!

 

***

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!

xo, Jenni

Family Pictures and Pumpkin Bread

I sure hope you all enjoyed your lovely weekend!  Daylight savings always throws us off a little bit.  Even though we changed our clocks early Saturday evening - and kept the girls up to their 'normal' bed time - they still woke up very, very early!  I was one very tired mommy all day on Sunday, but still managed to get the energy to take some family pictures for Christmas cards. 

Being a busy family, we didn't know when we'd be free to schedule a photographer so we attempted to take them ourselves. 

This one is my absolute favorite!  I love my girls!

 

The temperature is dropping quickly and it has been a rainy week here in Iowa.  So my favorite way to warm up the house in the fall is to bake.  Today we made pumpkin bread... yummy!

 

Pumpkin Bread

(adapted from Simple Recipes)
yields one loaf

 

You will need:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup Splenda
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

What you need to do:

1- Preheat oven to 350°F Mix together the flour, salt, Splenda, and baking soda.
2 - Mix the pumpkin puree, oil, applesauce, eggs, water, and cinnamon. Add to the dry ingredients. Remember - do not over mix. 
3 - Pour into a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 50 to 60 minutes then test with a toothpick - poked in the very center of the loaf and if it comes out clean, it's done. Turn out of the pan and let cool.

I totally recommend doubling this recipe and baking two loaves.  Hannah and Mia loved it so much, we had half the loaf gone in no time!



 ***

 

Have a great week! 

 

As always, contact me if you have any questions or comment!

hannahmia@cfu.net

 

xo, Jenni

I cannot believe it!

Yesterday morning I woke up to an amazing surprise!  My Chevron Bitty Bow Set made it to the front page of Etsy with this beautiful and colorful treasury.  It was a busy, busy day at the Hannah Mia etsy page. I was beyond thrilled!!

 

And just a friendly reminder - we are having a GIVEAWAY!!

Enter for your chance to win a $10 Hannah Mia shop credit on last Friday's Favorite blog post.

Just go {HERE}

The giveaway goes all month and very few have entered, so your changes look really good!

Have a great day!

November 2nd - Friday Favorites!

Welcome November! Halloween is over and our little family had a fantastic time - lots of trick or treating and candy galore!  Yep - guilty - I have been enjoying some of the chocolate. 

Here is a photo of Hannah and Mia in their adorable costumes!

 And the girls had some fun dressing up our pup Bella - She really didn't seem to mind.

 

 

And here we go - our Friday Favorites I found on Etsy....

 

Brown Kraft Thank You Tags by Blue Violet Sentiments

 

 

Give Thanks Burlap Banner by Butterfly Above

 

 

Merci Thank You Rubber Stamp by Happy Rainy Day

 

 

Are you seeing a theme here? I sure hope so. :)  This time of year is when so many think about what they are thankful for.  And this month I want to share that I am so thankful for my Hannah Mia costumers and fans.  So we're having a giveaway to show it!  Here is your chance to win a $10 Hannah Mia shop credit.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends November 30th. 

(and please be patient with me - this is the first time I have used rafflecopter.)

 

***

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions/comments

hannahmia@cfu.net

 

***

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Favorites - October 19

Sorry for only one post this week... It's been another crazy week!!  I am still working on getting into the habit of sharing with you more often. :) 

 

And today's Friday favorites is actually going to be a little different.  My favorite for the week is an amazing opportunity to give {and something you should know about me, giving is my favorite thing! I love to give to others, especially when it helps them}

 

 

A dear friend of mine is in the process of adopting a cutie names Nico!  How can you not love that face?!  And as any adoption, it takes a lot of money.  So to raise money the McIntee family is having a giveaway on their blog!  By making a small donation, you will get the opportunity to win 1 of 5 amazing gifts - beautiful artwork by Nico's future big sister, a cute doll, Starbucks gift card, a balance bike and the GRAND PRIZE is an iPad!!  It only $5 for 1 entry and you can purchase as many as you'd like!! You can also earn bonus entries by sharing the giveaway with others!

 

Please consider what you can do to help bring Nico home - I am so excited for Kara and her family and am thrilled for the day I will be able to meet this little guy!

 

***

As always, have an amazing weekend!!

Be sure to stop by our Etsy shop to see our new items if you get the chance. :)

October 12 - Friday Favorites!

What?  It's Friday already?  Where did the week go?? :)  I really shouldn't complain - it's been a fantastic week!  We finally got the chance to play outside in the leaves which made Hannah and Mia so incredibly happy.  Their smiles and giggles always make my day.

 

 

So here we go - these are my Friday Favorites for this week:

 

Felted Handbag  by Mad Orange Shop

 

Set of Embroidery Hoops by Makenzi & Madilyn

 

Floral Wallet by ECSquared

 

Fabric Covered Notebook by Greengrass

 

 

As always, we hope you have a great weekend!!

Many blessings!

 

 

 

Yummy Pumpkin Donuts

I am not sure if it is the same where you are, but it seems like the temperatures dropped over night here in Iowa.  All last week the girls were begging us to rake the leaves we didn't have to jump in them, and now our yard is covered! As soon as the wind dies down, we'll be having some fall fun!

Also over the weekend, we did a little shopping and found THIS!

 A donut maker!  I am now the happiest mommy of a three year old ever!  I can now make my sweet girl some sugar free donuts!

 

And, I thought I would share our recipe with you!

 

Pumpkin Donuts

(adapted from {this} recipe

 

What you'll need:

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce

3 large eggs

3/4 cup splenda

1 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Mix all ingredients together until smooth

Then add

1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour

Mix until smooth.

 

 It took me a few tries to figure out the best way to fill our donut maker.  I was over filling and our little donuts didn't have holes :)

 This recipe makes A LOT of donuts - which was not a problem! We ate them all with no trouble!

 I hope you try and enjoy these donuts as much as we did!

October 5th - Friday Favorites!

Goodbye September - Hello October! 

It amazes me how quickly times goes by.  This week was a more mellow week for our little family.  We spent lots of time playing outside - my girls' favorite thing to do.  And I had time to work on Halloween costumes!  {Yay!}  Yes - I make them, every year. I love it, part of the fun of the holiday for me.  Any guesses on what they might be this year?  Hint - It's an adorable little costume I found on Pinterest.  It's going to be a hoot! ;)

 

Well, what you have been waiting for - Friday Favorites!!

Today I have a sweet tooth and these tasty treats look delightful this Friday.

 

French Macarons - 24 Assorted French Macaron Box

Made by Janjou Pâtisserie

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Bites

Made by Lynsey Confections

 

Luscious Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Made by Butter Blossoms

 

Southern Butter Caramels

Mady by Karma in the Kitchen

 

Yummy - these make me excited for the cooler fall temperatures and baking! Not that I really bake a lot, but it sounds good today!

 

***

What is your favorite snack?

 

***

Have a great weekend! See you next week with more favorites!

 

***

Questions or comments - email me - hannahmia@cfu.net

I would {LOVE} to hear from you!!

 

Spooktacular Sale - If you could cast a spell...

Halloween is right around the corner.  Everywhere you go, you see spooky {yet fun} decorations for this holiday, many include witches! This reminds me of a brief moment in our countries history in 1692-93 - the Salem Witch Trials.  During this time 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft and 20 were executed before admitting this was a mistake. 

{source}

 

This kind of gets me thinking...

If you could cast a spell, what would it be?

 

Here is how a few of my fellow Etsy shop owners in the Handmade Circle Team answer this question.

 

Holly at Holly's Homemade Goodies said:

"If I could cast a spell...I would stay skinny and 29 forever. Of course, everyone around me would continue to age and add on poundage. Oh! and I would make candy corns calorie and fat free"

{Be sure to check out this adorable Owl and Birds Quilt/Blanket}

 

Carlin of Polly-Wog Patterns said:

"My spell would be that everyone in our HMC team would feel very loved and appreciated and would sell everything in their shops by the end of the year."

{How cute is that Vintage Art Trading Card Ornament?!}

 

Ashley of Brenny's Bibbies said:

"A spell to get rid of financial woes.  Not to be rich, just to be able to get by without worrying."

{You must check out this cute Felt Witch Hat and Magic Wand set}

 

Neena at Handmade Exclusives said:

 

"If I could cast a spell... I would eliminate the need for folding laundry. The clothes would shake out, fold and in individual drawers they will go.  More time consuming and thankless chore I am yet to come upon... Not to mention how much more time there would be to paint."

{And painting Neena does well! These Hand Painted Note Cards are amazing!}

 

 

Jessica at The Prismatic Peacock says:

"If I could cast a spell... I would turn everyone I meet into a loyal customer of The Prismatic Peacock! That would make my business thrive for sure!"

{I am sure this smells delightful - Witching Hour Scented Natural Soy Candle}

 

 

JoAnn of I Sew Much Time said:

"If I could cast a spell... I would have groceries appear in the cabinets, pantry, refrigerator and freezer without going to the store!"

{I would love that! And I also love this Pumpkin and Crows Table Runner}

 

 

Marsha of Bags by Hags says:

 

"I would cast a spell,

For all of us to be well,

And it would be swell,

If everyone would sell, sell sell!

(very cute!!)

{As is this Pumpkin Hot Pad Set - perfect for fall}

 

Jayne of Twiggy and Opal says:

"My spell would be cast upon my Etsy shop! No one would be able to resist my creations and would have to buy! It would become so successful, that I could finally quit my day job and devote all of my time to the one thing I love to do-SEW!"

{And how could you not want to add this Red Quilted Pillow to your home?}

 

Shannon of A Moment in Paradise says:

"My spell would enable me to click my heals together and be transported to Key West any time I wanated."

{I just love this Graveyard Coffee Mug Candle... spooky and perfect for the holiday!}

 

 

Troy of California Mermaid says:

"If I could cast a spell, it would be that financial and other resources would always be available as I needed or wanted them!"

{And this Witch Bottle Cap Necklace is so fun!}

 

 

I think these are some great spells!  They all seem to be along the same line - making lives a little bit easier!  Wouldn't that be lovely?

 

 ***

You can check out these shops above and other wonderful Handmade Circle Shops and get a really great deal right!  Our Spooktacular Sale is going on now! Use coupon code HMCSPOOKY to get anywhere from 5-50% off your purchase!

You can check out a list of all the shops {HERE}

 

September 28 - Friday Favorites

Another week has come and gone. Wow, was it busy around here - which is becoming the norm for our family.  As you may remember last Friday was Mia's 3rd birthday.  So this week we had a birthday play date party for her with a few of her friends.  She had a great time!

As you might be able to tell, she loves Mickey Mouse!  Can't blame her - he's pretty cool! 

 

What else does Mia love - snacks! Which seems to be this weeks theme in our Friday Favorites found on Etsy!

 

I am not sure about you, but this Canvas Tote Sandwich Bag just makes me smile. It's darling!

You can order it at Olula.

 

 

And isn't this a lovely Picnic Blanket?  The colors are fabulous.

You can get this, and other adorable items, at Three Fat Birdies.

 

 

And felt food sets are a favorite in our house. 

 

I just loved this Bagel Sandwich Set from Kenshop

 

***

Do you have any fun weekend plans?

 

***

I would love to add your shop to our Friday Favorites -

you can contact me at hannahmia@cfu.net