Packing Made Easier

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Every summer our family takes at least one trip to the beach, and with four kiddos, it is quite a task to get every one packed for a week!  Usually it would take me a couple of days to make sure we had everything cleaned, laid out and ready to pack.

My oldest loves lists and is old enough to lay things out herself, and she had been asking the last few times for me to write out a list for her to help pack herself.  So last summer, instead of just writing out a list for her, I came up with printable packing lists that would help the kids pack themselves.

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The kids loved them because they could color the pictures as well as follow the lists.  I can’t tell you how much this helped!!!  With each child being able to lay out their own clothes, toiletries and beach items, it cut my involvement to about one third of the time.  I still had to help the youngest with a few outfit selections, but for the most part, these lists made our packing so much easier!

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These lists made packing so much easier for our family, that I thought you might want to use them for your family, too!  Just click the link below to download the .pdf file of your choice.

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Girls Beach Trip Packing List

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Boys Beach Trip Packing List

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We just took a trip this past week to visit family, not to the beach, and the kids asked to use the same packing lists again.  The way I’ve saved the .pdf files, you can just edit the text in Adobe Acrobat, or you can cross out the ones you don’t need or use the extra spaces for additional items you do need.

Happy Packing!!!

DeNyse Family {Maternity Session}

Happy Wednesday!  It’s been hard getting work done this week with the kiddos at home for spring break, but between kid time and work time, I was able to finally get this family session done of my beautiful friend, Shae, and her growing family – expecting boy #2 soon!

Shae and I met back in 2014, when we both started working at the same company in the same week.  We immediately clicked, and I knew God had put a wonderful friend in my life.  Thankfully our friendship has lasted beyond working together, Shae leaving the job after having her first child, and me going back to freelancing that better suited my family.

It has been incredible watching Shae become a mom for the first time, and now again for a second time!  She is so sweet, patient and caring!  And I just loved being able to capture these beautiful “before baby #2” moments for her and  her family.
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The Top 12 Things on my Birthday Wish List

In our family, Christmas is just the beginning of gift giving season.  We have a birthday in January, February, March, and three in April!  So by the time my birthday hits at the end of April, I almost forget to add ideas to my own gift list!

{Side note: My family and extended family definitely use a gift list!  Because there are so many people in our family, it just makes life a little easier.  It doesn’t mean we have to buy only what’s on the list, but it’s a good starting point.  The online gift list we use is Giftster and love it!  So if you’re looking for an online gift list for your family, I highly recommend it!}

Before I forget, yet again, to add ideas to my list, I’ve taken some time to think about a few things I’d really like, for myself.  Here are just a few ideas I came up with:

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  1. SOLANA GRAY AREA RUG BY THRESHOLD | target
    I’ve been needing a new rug for my office, and I saw this one in Target the other day and just fell in love with it! 
  2. CHEVRON PENDANT NECKLACE | jcrew
    Just thought this was really pretty and would go with everything.  
  3. JANE AUSTIN CLASSIC NOVELS | anthropologie
    These novels are some of my all-time favorites!  And these ones are so beautiful, I’d love to display them in my room.  I was given the Pride and Prejudice (my favorite) book already for Christmas, so I’m hoping to complete my set.
  4. WATER LILY & ALOE CANDLE | target
    Candles are one of those things I’ve grown to love, that help me relax and think, especially while I’m working or actually able to enjoy a quiet moment in my room.  I also love how they cover up any smells that may come from having four children and three dogs!
  5. THE INSPIRED ROOM BOOK | amazon
    I’ve started collecting books that inspire me, like Styled by Emily Henderson or The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith.  I don’t have this one yet, and would love to have it, not only for inspiration, but it’s so pretty, too!
  6. STRIPED THROW BLANKET BY THRESHOLD | target
    Cuddling up on the couch with a soft throw blanket is one of my favorite things to do!  And I love the navy stripes on this one!  
  7. GILDED CAFE MIRROR TRAY | west elm
    I’ve been looking for a mirror try to use in my dining room, and I love the look of this one.  
  8. COPPER MEASURING CUPS | anthropologie
    I’ve been eyeing these pretty things for a while now!  I’ve never had decent measuring cups, and these would great to have in the kitchen – pretty and functional!
  9. S’IP BY S’WELL WATER BOTTLE | target
    I already have a larger swell bottle, and love it!  {I got a gold one on my trip to Napa at the Chandon vineyard!}  But this one is smaller, and so adorable!  It would be perfect for tennis, which I just started actually playing on a team!
  10. RECIPE BOX BY RIFLE PAPER CO. | anthropologie
    First of all, I love Rifle Paper Co.!  And this box would be a beautiful accent in any room, not just the kitchen.  I may even use it in my office!
  11. UNC BASEBALL HAT | amazon
    I’ve been wanting a ball cap for a while, and lost the one I got while I was a student at UNC.  So it’s time for another one – not just because they may be national champions, AGAIN!  GO TAR HEELS!!!
  12. TOMBOW FELT TIP PEN | amazon
    These are so great for hand lettering!  I’ve been working on mine, and would love more of these pens.  I’m also interested in getting an architects mechanical pencil, like this one.  

Now to put all these ideas on my actual Giftster list!  Hopefully you have enjoyed my list, and maybe it will inspire you as you think about the things that would make you happy this year on your birthday, or perhaps for Mother’s day.

Is there anything else you all think I should add?  Or something you’d like on your list?

Round Table Institute | Logo Design

The Round Table Institute for Christian Studies brand was designed for a pastor in Wilmington, North Carolina.  His passion for using conversation and time together as a way to teach others about Christian principles and life lessons was the main motivation and need for this brand .

In this brand design, I wanted to steer away from any thoughts of King Arthur and the knights of the round table!  Really, I just wanted to get across the idea of conversation, being together and of community.  The smaller end table made me think of a piece of furniture you’d find in your living room, something you’d put your cup of coffee on while having meaningful talks with friends or family.  I think my grandmother had one a lot like it in her home when I was a child.  Overall, I wanted this brand to reflect timelessness, comfort and warmth.  The rich black, warm wood tones and fabric textures all work together to achieve this feeling.

I hope this logo gives you the same feelings of sitting together and having a memorable conversation.  Anyone want a cup of coffee?!  

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Hanley Family {Christmas Session}

This time of year is always so busy,getting ready for the holidays – buying gifts, decorating…and don’t forget about Christmas cards!!!

This session was so much fun with the Hanley family (as usual!).  Janine came up with some adorable props and outfits that totally fit their family’s personality – bright and fun!

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Didn’t their card turn out so cute?!

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