sponsor highlight + giveaway ((featuring shelby from the brandon & shelby blog))

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Hello Oh, Sweet Joy! readers! Thanks so much Kim for having me here!

First off, there are three things you don't know about me.

1. Who I am? umm... I'm Shelby Osmond (big hug), but you can call me shelby, or shelbs, or ... that girl who's posting on this blog...

2. Where am I from? Well, right now I'm a guest at Oh, Sweet Joy! - its quite nice here. But I normally stay at my home in Boston, and occasionally like to show up at the door at my digital home: brandonandshelby.blogspot.com

3. What do I like? i like what I like. And you like what you like, and maybe what you like is what I like. But if you're reading this blog then we both know we like something similar... so you should come over and see if you still like, what I like.

So now that we've been introduced, lets do a giveaway.

The winner will receive a $30 gift certificate to Ruche-

and... receive this print below in "8x10". My husband is an Art Director in advertising and does great graphic design, so I should thank him for this beauty.

       a Rafflecopter giveaway

love.

Introducing: The Colette Headband

 If you haven't noticed already, the Colette headband is NOW available for purchase in the Oh, Sweet Joy SHOP! The Colette is a spin off of the Fayette headband that is so near & dear to my heart. Instead of coming to a bandana-like point, we've got a bow shape going on here - perfectly feminine. You can still tuck in the "bow" to make a simple knot and most of these ways to tie the Fayette still apply. The Colette comes in a perfect assortment of retro candy shoppe inspired solid colors and polka dots.

 I want to introduce the colors/prints for you and then some fine print/housekeeping is below all the fun stuff. 

The polka dots: 

Lemon Drop - ((driving away those winter blues)) Yellow Polka Dot

Aqua Dot - Mint/Aqua Polka Dot

Bubble Gum - Pink Polka Dot

Blueberry Pie - ((definitely a favorite of mine)) Navy Polka Dot

The solids: 

Sour Apple - ((Color of the Year)) Green Solid

Orange Soda - ((perfect for spring)) Orange Solid

Raspberry - Bright Pink Solid

Teal Taffy - ((teal/turquoise fusion))

Minty Fresh - ((not expecting this one to last long)) Mint/RE blue solid

-I'm PUMPED to tell you that these headbands are already sewn & ready to ship! Please allow 2-3 business days to process, package, and ship orders.

-The Holiday Collection sold out twice within the day, so if you see a color you want, you should go ahead and snag it. If some of the colors sell out, but then I add restock of a color you want and you've already placed an order - go ahead and order it, shoot me an email and I will combine your order/refund your shipping cost.

-All discount codes expire Friday night at midnight.

-As mentioned above, I have LOTS that are ready to ship, but if you add a Fayette to your order then it will take a bit longer for your order to get to you, as those are still made to order. You can absolutely use the discount codes for Fayette headbands, as well. 

-Some of my favorite bloggers are helping me out with the launch and if you happen to read some of the same blogs I do, you'll find plenty of discount codes. 

-Once these are sold out, I have limited fabric to make a TINY bit more inventory. These will be made to order, however. With that said, if you purchase a restocked item after you've already ordered one, your order will be delayed unless you don't mind paying shipping twice. 
-Unfortunately, USPS bumped up shipping costs. I still try to keep mine as low as possible. I've changed all of my shipping prices to reflect the same shipping cost  - whether you buy one or four!

GET THE COLETTE HEADBAND HERE!

Thank you SO much for supporting handmade. I couldn't be more honored to share this labor of love with you.

love.

((outfit schmoutfit)) it was only fitting...

7 weeks to go, y'all. Crazy town.

It was only fitting to take indoor photos for the second week in a row. We had a nice little snowstorm this weekend and it would be silly for me to go outside without my puffy coat on. Even for the sake of outfit photos.

It was only fitting for me to leave the cords instead of photoshopping them out. It's not that you're not worth it...I just don't know how.

It was only fitting to wear the same shirt I wore last week, only in another color (ahem. if grey counts as a color)). I'd be misleading you if I didn't tell you that between the two and one other top, it's been a rotation of three tops, a couple of accessories, and these jeans. 

It was only fitting to pair said striped tee with a spring-y floral scarf. I'm ready for spring, even though I secretly love how everything slows down when it snows like this. 

It was only fitting to break my rule of only two mixed prints with these shoes. It just felt right ;) If loving these Blowfish snakeskin ballet flats and wearing them with two mixed prints is wrong, then I don't wanna be right. ((if you want to snag some for yourself, use the discount code BFSWEET15))

It was only fitting that my hair be in a top knot with my bangs pulled back. This dry shampoo thing is probably on the last day of it's run. It's been a good run, dry shampoo...I just need to wash my hair, yo.  

It was only fitting to sit on the sofa for some photos. Growing a baby is hard work and this 33 week baby bump is getting in the way more and more these days ((read: causing the elevator doors to reopen when I stepped up to press my floor's button)). It's funny now, but I'm sure in a couple of weeks it won't be, ha!

It was only fitting to stand on the table to get you a better view of these cute shoes without carpet interfering. ((Hashtag: Blogger life.)) Soon enough, I won't be able to see my feet. That will be interesting.

Outfit Details:

Top: JCP

Layering tank, scarf: Target

Shoes: C/O Blowfish

Skinnies: AG for A Pea in the Pod

oh, and ignore the deer. his name is moose and he likes to photobomb.

love.
linking up with lindsey!

handmade monday ((colette headband teaser))

---> Last call for March sponsors! I still have a FEW spots left, so if you'd like to join Oh, Sweet Joy! to grow your shop and/or small business - email me for testimonials, information sheet, stats, prices, etc. at ohsweetjoyATgmailDOTcom 

Come join the party! <--- b="">

I thought I'd share some of my favorite shots from the Colette Headband photoshoot I did last week for Handmade Monday. Total teaser post, I know. :) I can't wait to share all of the details  with you & make them available for all of you that are waiting so patiently! 

NEW Colette Headbands - Coming Soon!

((Available for purchase Wednesday, February 27th))

love.

tangible encouragement

  Oh hey! Nadine from a Secondary Heartbeat here today. I'm excited to share some words with you!

It's always the right moment to encourage someone with truth. Right? Does there exist a moment when the person you are with, looking at, thinking about, doesn't need encouragement?

Recently I was chatting with my Mom on the phone about prayer and she said something profound:

It's pretty easy to pray without ceasing since everyone around you is going through something they need prayer for.

She was simply echoing the words of scripture in Romans 12:12 with words of her own.

Every single person I encounter needs encouragement and prayer. They need someone who will rejoice with them in the good things and walk with them through the hard things. I want to be that to those around me.

In light of that truth, I want to share 3 ways I tangibly encourage the people in my life:

1. I send mail. 

Mail is something that I'm pretty sure everybody likes receiving when it's not a bill or an ad. So about once a month or two, I sit down for an evening and do a lot of written writing. I buy cards often when I see a good set, and often will go to a card store with specific people in mind and buy something that will speak to their heart. I also make sure to pop in at stores that sell cards on sale and buy there.

Sometimes I'll pick a piece of scripture and put it in each card I'm writing, and sometimes I'll find something specific for each person.

The point isn't to write something profound and life changing, it's to write something life giving.

2. I initiate hang-outs.

I've paid enough attention to realize that most females feel left out. Myself included. I wish I lived a life where I didn't have to initiate all the time, but if I don't, I'll be sitting at home. The people sitting at home have all the opportunity in the world to step up and ask others to do something. I like to have an open door and a bottle of wine or cup of tea pretty much ready at all times. I've got a great comfy couch which has heard many secrets. I truly think that people are looking for safe places to put their hurts. I want to offer space for people because I'm encouraged by the friends that make time to listen to my life.

I also initiate hang-outs with other bloggers. I probably have at least four chats a month, more if I can. As I'm writing this, I'm sitting in an afternoon that has had four different video chats. That is a good (and full) day.

3. I make it a habit to pray for them.

Like my Mom mentioned, everybody needs prayer, and since scripture confirms it, it isn't an option of if I pray but why would I ever stop praying? Prayer is something I write about often on my own blog, not only because I love it, but to remind myself to make it a priority. If someone comes to mind, I should pray. Why wouldn't I? I pray often for the visitors of my blog, that they'll experience truth and come to know Jesus in deeper ways.

This list is easy-peasy. It's basic and not exhaustive. Encouragement is not a hard thing to practice.

---

Thanks for sharing that, Nadine! Let's be encouragers, y'all! I'm so inspired to be less worried about receiving and instead being SO generous in my encouragement and prayer. 

Don't forget to visit Nadine here & here. You will certainly feel a little more loved and encouraged when you leave her space.

love.

sponsor highlight + giveaway ((featuring the wishing elephant))

Today I get to share one of my newest sponsors, The Wishing Elephant! Carolyn is based out of New Hampshire and makes THE most amazingly quirky baby onesies and toddler clothing with her creative appliques. She's even been featured on the Martha Stewart Show, showing how to make her sushi costume design. SO COOL! Every Etsy shop owner's dream, am I right?

From Carolyn:

"I try to make clothes that will make people smile.  I'm a mom too.  I'm tired, covered in food and in desperate need of a laugh. If my shirts make you giggle, I've done my job."

Giveaway Item:

Discount Code:

OSJ for 15% off ((through March 15th))

Link Love:

twitter // instagram // facebook // etsy shop

a Rafflecopter giveaway

love.

PS Would you like to be featured on Oh, Sweet Joy? Email me at ohsweetjoyATgmailDOTcom for sponsorship and advertising rates. 

rest

((french press mornings))

This week has been so jam-packed that I went to bad last night thinking that today would be Thursday. Our Missional Community meets at our place on Tuesdays so the fact that they were in our home should have helped regulate my crazy brain but it didn't. 

My to-do list yesterday was insane and I was wiped - compleeeetely wiped - by 3 pm and a Dr. Pepper + Ellen Break didn't even spark more energy. Yet, I powered through and cleaned the entire house from 4-6ish ((homegirl even dusted the baseboards on the stairs)) and prepped the kitchen/some food for the meal we'd share with our MC. I got to the point at about 5:30 that I was so tired that all I wanted to do was sleep, but all I could do was tear up. It was kind of pathetic.

Thankfully, my heart wasn't in it's occasional Martha state, I was just exhausted in every use of the word. 

I went to bed around 10:30 pm and woke up about every 15 minutes until midnight. I slept until 2 am, woke up to pee ((we're at about 3 times a night these days haha)) and then even though I was so tired, I was wide awake from then on. I was tossing and turning and since Chase had to wake up early and commute to Denver to head to seminary this morning... I decided to go downstairs and lay on the sofa. I just laid there, praying, and thinking and wondering why the cuss I couldn't fall back asleep. 

Anywho, needless to say, when I got up out of bed this morning I felt that exhaustion ten-fold and my head was pounding. All I could do was grab my phone and go straight to my Bible Ap//She Reads Truth reading for the morning. I needed the Word. I craved it. He was the only thing that was going to get me through today ((I'm somehow not always aware of that))...and maybe He'd use some caffeine to help along the way ;)

The passage and devotional I read this morning wasn't about being tired or working hard. It wasn't relevant to this story at all, actually...but I'm just in this place of desperation for the Lord and this gal likes to be self-sufficient and do things on her own so it's a welcomed change. ;)

I am not naive enough to not be aware that being this super tired thing & lack of sleep situation is just the beginning of motherhood. I know I have many uncomfortable & restless nights ahead of me. I just see my heart changing from trying to accomplish things on my own accord & depending on myself towards leaning on Him more and needing His word like water. It's been a while since that has been the case and I'm so thankful that the Lord is meeting me where I'm at.

Two verses came to mind as I typed out all of this nonsense & I simply want to encourage you with them.

On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Psalm 62:7

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

I'm praying that if you're having the same kind of week as me that you would find your refuge in God. Your to-do list will inevitably not get completely scratched off and your day will, of course, not go completely as planned. You might even have to reheat your coffee an obscure number of times before you get to finish it. 

It's okay. Breathe. Seek His face. Run to Him. Lay your burdens and stresses down. He will give you rest.

love.

((outfit schmoutfit)) a hooligan in hindsight

My hands are blurry. Must have been doing the robot again.

Oh...and hey 32 week bumpity bump.

I wore this outfit to church ((nope. not all pastor's wives get all fancied up for Sunday mornings)) and when I got home I realized I looked like, what my mom might call, a hooligan. Someone at church told me I looked like a neutral Where's Waldo. Cool. 

Oh well. Everything was covered and I was comfortable. That's all that matters to this preggo these days! 

Outfit Details:

Beanie - Some alpaca store on Pearl Street. Seriously.

Glasses - Warby Parker

Necklace - Anthropologie

Striped Dolman Tee - JCP. Seriously again.

Skinnies - AG for A Pea in the Pod

Boots - Kohl's ((similar))

Now then, let's chat about this adorable gold clutch with a mint zipper. It's amazing, right? You can get one of your own over at Rouge & Whimsy and get 17% off with the code JOY17.   Jackpot, friends. Jackpot. 

While you're at it, check out her new crossbody handbags. If I wasn't about to upgrade to a ginormous diaper bag, I'd be all over this one...especially with 17% off. 

Kbye.

love.

handmade monday ((floral pocket tee DIY))

1.  I have a confession. These days, if something is on sale & it fits me, I buy 2-3 of them in different colors. A month or so ago, I bought 3 boat neck tees for $8 at Old Navy. One of them is a solid white and the other two are striped. 

2. If you know me at all, you know that I do not purchase or wear pink. But this tee was an exception because it fit and it was only $8 for crying out loud. However, if I was going to wear pink I needed to find a way to make it more...me. 

3. I love pattern mixing. If it is done well ((which so often I'm sad to say it is NOT done well.)), it can be used to create a look that is uniquely you. 

These three random facts led me to today's DIY. Enjoy!

((fabric is by tula pink. it's one of those pieces that i cringe when i cut into it because it's SO pretty!))

Directions:

1. Pick an underutilized striped (or solid) tee from your closet. 

2. Pick a floral fabric from your stash. ((Try and pick something to match the color of your stripe. This is a surefire way to get pattern mixing right.))

3. Cut out two ((identical)) pocket shapes. I just eyeballed it.

4. Sew around the edges of your pocket, but don't sew up the top.

5. Flip your pocket right side out and press/iron it nice & flat. Right before  you press, fold in the top so  the raw edge isn't exposed. 

6. Sew two lines ((to make it look all profesh and stuff)) at the top to secure the edges and to make it look like a finished pocket.

7. Try on your top and figure out where you want your pocket to be placed. Pin in place.

8. Sew very close to the edge of the pocket all the way around. Make sure to only sew the top of your tee and not through both layers. 

9. Admire your work.

Woohoo! Isn't that fun? 

Some options: 

Make a tiiiiny little pocket! 

Have fun mixing OTHER prints. Have a floral top you haven't worn? Add a polka dot pocket!!

Make the inside of your pocket a solid color. 

Make the whole pocket a solid color.

The possibilities are limited only to your imagination, friends.

love. 

Gotta Get Down on Friday

There are 6 slices of gourmet, thick sliced, smoked bacon in the oven.

I have a messy sewing table full of fun things for the new headband line.

I get to buy lots more "retro" candy today for the photoshoot. 

There is a fresh layer of powdery white snow for me to go cross country skiing on later...to burn off some of the previously mentioned bacon.

I get to meet my new sewing assistant this afternoon and drop off some fabric for her to sew up some headbands so we can get the new line launched a little bit faster.

I was awakened by fierce kicks to the ribs this morning from my Little One. I can't wait to see him. I can't wait to hold him. 

There are gorgeous red+yellow+orange tulips on the table. My favorite. My lovey knows me well. Such a lucky gal.

I have not been good about being in the Word the past few days. I woke up craving it. So thankful for Grace and a desire to know Him. 

I'm looking forward to tomorrow because, not only is Chase taking the day off, but my phone will be turned off. Best days and dates ever are when we are unplugged. I highly recommend it, y'all.

There's a giveaway to win a $1,500 visa gift card here. I hope you win and give me $100.

This ol' blog hit over a MILLION page views last night. I'm so grateful for all of you who have read over the years and for the new faces joining daily. Mmmmuah!

((And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father. Colossians 3:17))

Now then, off to make some eggs to accompany that bacon that is smelling so incredibly delicious right about now.

Happy Friday. Happy weekend. Hope it's wonderful.

love.

$1,500 Visa Gift Card Valentine's Day Giveaway

A bunch of us bloggers decided to get together again and offer ONE reader a chance to win a $1,500 Visa Gift Card. Y'all, you could buy groceries for MONTHS, pay it forward and pay for the person's in front of you in line, or go on a shopping spree for some amazing shoes. I wish I could enter! The more of the (generous) bloggers you follow below, the more entries you get. Enter via the Rafflecopter Widget below. Easy Peasy. 

In order to get all the entries, it may take a few minutes...but let's be serious...OVER A THOUSAND dollars is on the line. I think that just MIGHT be worth your time :)

Gussy Sews | Living in Yellow

The Shine Project | The Wiegands | JustLove.ly

Saturated Canary | Sugar & Dots | La Vie Petite 

Running on Happiness | Cupcake Mag | Oh Sweet Joy

House of Rose | Because Shanna Said So | The Pleated Poppy

Don't Quote the Raven | Wonder Forest | KV's Confessions 

Across the Pond | Tales of Me & the Husband | Crowley Party 

Julie Ann Art | Take Heart | Sparkling Footsteps

Aunie Sauce | My Keep Calm & Carry On | Rags to Stitches

The Chiffon Diary | The Daily Tay | Life of Bon

Eat Yourself Skinny | I Wore Yoga Pants to Work

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GIVEAWAY RULES: No purchase necessary. To enter, participants must use the Rafflecopter form above. This giveaway is in no way affiliated, administered or endorsed by Facebook. The giveaway closes on February 20, 2013. The winner will be notified by email on 2/21/13 and will need to respond within 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen. Winner must be 18 years of age or older and a US resident in order to win. Prize is valued at $1,500. Good luck!

love.