i thought i had nothing to write to you today until i reopened my etsy shop yesterday morning.

cup of cold coffee in hand.

pajamas. messy hair.

frantically texting erin & megan panicky sentiments of self-doubt right before opening my shop. 

you know the ones. the “i suck” texts.

i think i can, i think i can, i think i can…

i wasn’t so sure i could.

if this experience of leaving my day job to blog, create & teach has taught me anything, it’s this: 

be your own cheerleader.

i am so good at putting myself down.

even when i click the publish button & my shop re-opens & all of you amazing people show up & purchase my goods with your hard-earned money, i simply don’t show up for myself.

i doubt. i worry. i self-criticize & eat bad food.

maybe this rings true in your life.

i believe this struggle is real in all aspects & roles of our lives. 

i think the world tells us to hush, be quiet, compare, judge, worry, criticize & doubt ourselves. 

i see this in how we parent, how we love our partners, how we view ourselves in our faith, how we lead & teach, how we work, how we give as friends…

the list goes on.

& yet you think we would have learned. but as always, we don’t show up for ourselves. rarely do we cheer ourselves on & celebrate our victories. we allow those ugly words to seep into our skin & name us without even realizing it.


friends, how do we expect others to believe in us when we can’t even believe in ourselves?

my people, it’s about time i show up & believe in myself.

i am a good blogger.

i am a good maker.

i am a good wife.

i am a good daughter.

i am a good friend.

i am good.

let’s be our own cheerleaders.

tell me your thoughts. let’s start a conversation.

love,

natalie

over the weekend, i received the happiest package from FAIR treasure filled to the brim with the best fair trade goodies. as i write this i am sporting those earrings & that cushion cover is already hugging a thrifted pillow on my church pew. it was love at first sight, y’all. 

one product i received from FAIR treasures was this amazing cotton apron.

side note:  i love that you can shop for items that you absolutely love within the FAIR treasure shop or simply purchase a subscription. this allows you to budget accordingly, which as you know, is my favorite. the subscription would make the best gift this holiday season!

as soon as i saw this little apron, i was inspired to create a hostess with the mostess gift idea just for you!

 i love attending parties during the holiday season & it’s always so nice to come with a little something as a thank you.  i wanted to create a gift that would allow the hostess to host future parties with ease. 

i included a mrs. meyer’s pine candle, the nora cotton print apron, anthropologie napkins (from the clearance section!), burlap bunting, happy paper straws & this wonderful thrifted metal caddy. 

if you’ve been around these parts for any time at all, you know i love a fun, festive tag. i added a tag from katygirl designs’ shop (i love these tags & use them regularly during the holiday season) along with a homemade baker’s twine tassel & homemade kraft tag. 

i tied the goodies with ribbon & packed them into my little metal caddy. i cannot wait to gift this at our next holiday party!

what sort of goodies do you gift to your hostess friends during the holiday season? please share!

love,

natalie

p.s. FAIR treasure is offering 20% off all orders over $25 with the code NATALIE20. offer expires 11/27. yay!

of course, as i wrap up this year & start thinking of the new year ahead, i am reminded of all of the good stuff. 

i love this blog space & the creative outlet it gives me. i love that i can write about the meaningful things in my life as well as the silly & mundane little things. 

i have been writing in this space for seven years now. i am thankful that you keep coming back each morning as i share our adventures, struggles, successes & everyday moments.