We Are Not Competing

I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the way women treat each other sometimes. I have always been one to believe the best about someone, to optimistically hope for the good in every situation. I think sometimes I forget we are imperfect people living in a fallen world. So, when I do witness less than becoming behavior from grown women, it does kind of take me by surprise. I know it shouldn't. Maybe I'm a bit naive. 

But, can I just talk to you for a minute? Woman to woman? 

Why do we feel the need to tear each other down, especially when a peer starts to excel or succeed at something? Why, when we see someone who is reaching for her dreams, do we want to nitpick and talk about her behind her back? 

It's almost as if women will cheer each other on......at first. Then, when we see that someone is going a little further than we do, or lose a little more weight, or get that promotion we wanted, or, or, or.....we bristle, get jealous, and resent them for their accomplishments and successes. We do the opposite of encourage and exhort.....we want to sabotage and tear down. 

That is prideful and selfish. That is not wanting the spotlight on anyone but ourselves.  And that is not how we are called to act. 

//Via//

In a perfect world, our sisters in Christ would rejoice with each other as we succeed. We would cheer each other on. We would rally behind and support, helping each other reach our goals. We would esteem others, selflessly putting them ahead of ourselves.  We wouldn't secretly gloat when we see them stumble. We would be the first to help them back up.

//Via//

Ladies, we are not competing with each other. There is no need for pettiness and bitterness. I am not claiming to be perfect. We all struggle sometimes. When we do get that twinge of jealously, let's quickly put it away. When we are tempted to say a not-so-kind word about someone, let's check our tongues and our hearts.  Let's love one another. How can we expect others to receive the love of Christ if we are backbiting gossips who compete with one another for every little thing? That is not love, that is hatefulness. 

//Via//

I really have no interest whatsoever with competing with any other woman. Why can't we all succeed? Why can't we all "make it?" Why can't we be glad for others? God has gifted us all in different ways, and we won't succeed in the same ways. If we are secure in our position in Christ, there is no place for petty jealousy and needless competition. There is only room for love.

Linking up to: What You Wish Wednesday

What You Wish Wednesday #22

Last week was our biggest link up yet. We had so many great posts shared! Here are my top three from last week!

//Via Three Kids and a Fish//

These little buckeye bats are so adorable.....great for that Halloween party!

// Via A Hot Southern Mess//

My family loves camping and I loved this fall camping survival guide from A Hot Southern Mess. (Fall is, after all, the best time to go camping.)

//Via No Bohns About It//

I could so relate to this post.  What mom hasn't forgotten to clean out a school folder or forgotten other such pertinent details. I know I have. I love that she decided to turn her focus positive and end with 1o Ways I'm Winning. 

If you were featured, grab a button!

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Okay, let's get this party started!

WYWW DETAILS:

• SHARE A RECENT POST FROM YOUR BLOG. 
• INCLUDE THE WYWW BUTTON (CODE BELOW) AND/OR A VISIBLE LINK-BACK TO THIS POST.  

• CHECK OUT A FEW OF THE SHARED LINKS.
• BY SUBMITTING A LINK, YOU ARE GIVING ME AUTHORIZATION TO FEATURE YOUR POST.  IF YOUR POST IS FEATURED, I WILL INCLUDE A PICTURE AND A LINK TO YOUR SITE TO SHARE THE LOVE!
• FOLLOW ALONG: 

AMANDA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

LESLIE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

MELISSA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

NIKKI | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

STASIA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

                                                                                                     <a href="http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/amandore1/media/WYWW1_zps9fe7dbe8.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o730/amandore1/WYWW1_zps9fe7dbe8.png" border="0" alt=" photo WYWW1_zps9fe7dbe8.png"/></a>

An InLinkz Link-up

Southern Entertaining Essential

#1: Versatile Dinnerware

When it comes to entertaining here in the South, I like to keep things simple.  I like to have items on hand that are easily interchangeable and will work in a variety of settings. Having versatile serving pieces are key, especially when it comes to dinnerware. I like crisp, white dishes that are beautiful in any situation or occasion, as well as everyday. 

My dishes are square with more modern lines, but it you prefer, round white dishes would work wonderfully as well. (Mine are from Pier 1 about three years ago, but you can find similar ones here.) Here are some examples of why I love my white dishes and how well they look in a variety of occasions.

*Colorful Children's Party

*Gameday Dinner

*Tricks or Treats Party

*Thanksgiving Dinner

*Girlfriend's Christmas Gathering

I have so much fun with tablescapes!  I really enjoy having dinnerware that is versatile enough to look great in a variety ways. And my family uses these everyday. 

Having versatile dinnerware tops my list for essentials for Southern entertaining. What would be your top item?

Linking up to:

Spooktacular Serving Pieces

 As I was on the prowl for beautiful Thanksgiving serving pieces, my eye kept being drawn to the fun patterns and colors of Halloween. I really have never decorated for Halloween or had a Halloween party. We don't usually like spooky things around here. But the oranges and blacks and birds and pumpkins were so cute, I just had to show you what I found. These items are oh so spooktacular without being over the top gory or gross.  And did I mention adorable?

1. Tombstone Slate Cheese Board// Crate and Barrel $14.95
2. Bat Bowls (set of 2)// Crate and Barrel $7.95
3. Pumpkins and Ravens Dish Towels (set of 2)// Crate and Barrel $11.95
4. Spiderweb Candy Bowl// Target $8.99
5. Pumpkin plate//Crate and Barrel $4.95
6. Raven plate// Crate and Barrel $4.95
7. Black plastic punch bowl// Target $14.99 

One more thing.....tomorrow is the last day to enter the Lilla Rose hair clip giveaway. Be sure to click here to enter. 

Also, I had to privilege of guest blogging over at Alabama Women Bloggers this morning. The topic was Guilty Pleasures.  Head over and find out just what I confessed was one of my guilty pleasures.  (You can see that post here.)

Linking up to:

Lilla Rose Giveaway

 This is a sponsored post.

Up until recently, I had never heard of Lilla Rose.  So, when Melody Detwiler, an Independent Consultant for Lilla Rose, contacted me about doing a giveaway for my readers, I was eager to learn more.  I received a beautiful Lilla Rose hair clip to try out. 

This clip held my hair well and didn't slide out of place. I felt like it gave my hair a little visual interest instead of just pulling it back with a ponytail holder or bobby pins. I like that it can be worn with a casual outfit, but is versatile enough to wear with a dressier outfit.  I received a medium, which was large enough to hold my hair in a half-up style, but wasn't large enough to hold my hair for an all-up style. (Sizing chart below.....for long, thick hair, a large or extra large would be needed for an all-up style.) The medium size was great for my girls' hair, as well.  

In addition to this style hair clip, Lilla Rose offers hair bands and bobbi pins and lots of other beautiful styles to choose from and they are great for both kids and adults. Here are some other styles and products of Lilla Rose, and different ways to use them.  

Right now, Melody is offering a Buy 3 get 1 free for new customers. You can see her website here to look around and order. Also, contact her directly (see here Facebook here) and learn more about hosting an online party where you can earn free product!

Be sure to enter the giveaway below for your chance to win your own Lilla Rose hair clip!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking up to:

What You Wish Wednesday #21

Welcome to this week's What You Wish Wednesday link party! I hope you are having a fabulous week! Let's take a look at my top three from last week's WYWW. 

//Via Designs by Miss Mandee//

I love this cute printable fall card.  Foxes are so cute. It reminds me of the fox (or foxes) that live in my neighborhood. 

//Via New Mrs. Adventures//

Looking for fall treats for a party or gathering?  Look no further.  These fall treats are as cute as they come and will taste good, too. 

//Via Nikki's Nacs//

                                                            
I couldn't not mention this 31 day series by one of our hostesses, Nikki. She is posting 31 days of painted projects. Go check it out for some amazing inspiration!

                                                              If you were featured, be sure to grab a button!

                                                                                          <a href="http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/amandore1/media/featured_zpsa75aa649.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o730/amandore1/featured_zpsa75aa649.png" border="0" alt=" photo featured_zpsa75aa649.png"/></a>

Okay, let's get this party started!

WYWW DETAILS:

• SHARE A RECENT POST FROM YOUR BLOG. 
• INCLUDE THE WYWW BUTTON (CODE BELOW) AND/OR A VISIBLE LINK-BACK TO THIS POST.  

• CHECK OUT A FEW OF THE SHARED LINKS.
• BY SUBMITTING A LINK, YOU ARE GIVING ME AUTHORIZATION TO FEATURE YOUR POST.  IF YOUR POST IS FEATURED, I WILL INCLUDE A PICTURE AND A LINK TO YOUR SITE TO SHARE THE LOVE!
• FOLLOW ALONG: 

AMANDA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

LESLIE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

MELISSA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

NIKKI | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

STASIA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

                                                                                           <a href="http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/amandore1/media/WYWW1_zps9fe7dbe8.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o730/amandore1/WYWW1_zps9fe7dbe8.png" border="0" alt=" photo WYWW1_zps9fe7dbe8.png"/></a>

An InLinkz Link-up

Fall Entryways

I spent the afternoon, yesterday, freshening up our entryways for fall. If you follow on Instagram, you've probably seen the struggle I have been having with my puppy, Molly, regarding this fall decor. Apparently, her favorite thing in the whole wide world is a hay bale. And she thinks the small pumpkins are new balls for her to play with.

She scratches at the hay bale to loosen the hay, then makes a little bed she can snuggle down in.  She has a nice little dog house and we even put lots of hay in it thinking that it would entice her to stay in her house. But nooooo. She prefers to make my fall decor her bed and camps out there everynight (and throughout the day).  We have found pumpkins on our sidewalk and in our front yard. We have scolded. We have swept up the hay and put the pumpkins and mums back, and we continue to find Molly in "her" spot when we check on her. She has claimed it. It is hers. 


Side Entry

Yesterday, determined to commandeer my fall decor, I decided to spruce things up a bit, adding some pots with ornamental kale and cabbage, pansies, snapdragons, and violas. I "fixed" Molly's hay bale as best I could and decorated away. This is the first year that I have used hay bales and corn stalks in my decor, but I thought that since I have the room at the side entry that I would do a little more this year. 

As you can see, I tried to fix Molly's hay bale as best I could, but it is still in poor condition. I tried. 

 Front Entry

Here, I kept everything simple only using pumpkins, mums, cornstalks, and the dried hydrangea wreath I made last month. 

I added a small chalkboard sign on the door for a little something extra.

I planted ornamental kale, cabbage, snapdragons, and pansies in my front window box. Since I just planted it yesterday, it is small. I will update when it has filled in a little more. 

Transitioning Decor 

I like to use the same decor from September through November if at all possible. Sometimes, the pumpkins might need to be replaced or thrown out depending on the South Alabama heat, but for the most part, it lasts pretty well. I keep things simple in September. When October arrives, I might add some fall flowers like I did for my side entry and window box.  Then, adding something simple like these crows can transition fall decor into Halloween. Now, I don't usually decorate for Halloween, but I wanted to show how easy and inexpensive it can be to transition your decor for a slightly different look. These crows were only $1 each at the Dollar Tree. Adding a few of them to the corn stalks is an easy way to get a Halloween feel without having to completely start over with the decor. 

 Same concept with the front door. I simply changed out the sign from "Welcome Fall" to "Boo!"  Adding the birds on those cornstalks as well would complete the Halloween look, and once again, all on a budget. 

The Culprit Strikes Again

Last night, when I arrived home from my Zumba class, I found little miss Molly back in her spot.  After all that work yesterday, I still lost to this puppy.  I guess I will concede. She can have her hay bale. For now. 

Linking up to:

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House
Sunday Brunch link up at Alabama Women Bloggers