ALY ALLEN | THE BLOG

so it's my anniversary week. my husband and i will celebrate 8 years of marriage tomorrow, June 12. to celebrate with you, i thought i'd offer free shipping in the shop this week! enjoy! [only available for U.S. addresses, thanks for understanding!]

so i havent been around for awhile. i know. there was a time, for about six months, where i blogged 3 times a week and had posts planned, written and scheduled a few weeks in advance. i was trying to "grow my blog" but, quite frankly, it didn't work and i got burnt out. that's just the honest truth right there. the thing is, lately i haven't had time and i haven't felt inspired to share anything. not at the exact moment i'm sitting at the computer anyway. i do miss it though. the few of you who were reading and feeling encouraged by whatever i shared... that was worth it, right? because sometimes it can be discouraging and it can feel downright defeating, like a waste of energy. putting your whole heart out there for 72 people to read and go on with their day. you wonder if it's really futile after awhile. if your time could be better or more wisely spent.  everyone likes to say that you should write whether 20 or 20,000 people are reading, bu...

i know, i barely blog anymore. but i need your help :) i've been searching around for a new phone case. mine is over 2 years old and it shows. apparently i'm in a mint/aqua/turquoise mood today. which one is your favorite? help me choose! i really love the blue aztec one but i'm not that trendy or cool. i think the ombre herringbone is probably more me . but i still can't decide... Aqua Ombre Ikat Chevron iPhone 4 Case-Mate Cases by jenniferstuartdesign Browse Ikat Casemate Cases Mint Big Dot Case-Mate iPhone 4 Cases by jenniferstuartdesign Browse more cases for iPhone 5 at zazzle.com Aqua Ombre Herringbone iPhone 4 Covers by jenniferstuartdesign Shop for iPhone 4 Covers online at zazzle.com Ikat Scallop Waves iPhone 4 Case-Mate Cases by jenniferstuartdesign See other Modern Casemate Cases at zazzle Mint Polka Dot iPhone 4 Case-Mate Case by jenniferstuartdesign Browse another iPhone 4 Cover Aqua Cute Girly...

i had to tell you guys about my friend Jami. she's someone that i've been fortunate enough to meet through blogging. i mean, the fact that it's possible to have friends you never would have met otherwise, just because you write a blog and they write a blog and you happen to be going to the same conference two years ago ? pretty mind-blowing. and she's amazing, you guys. hilarious and kind and so easy going. and now i'll let her tell you about the rest... all of the below is from Jami: today is the day! the day you get to see all the goodies up for grabs. aaaand, i'm nervous. there i said it. i feel better already. if you read my post from last week you know that hubby is part of a mission team going to uganda this summer. we are thrilled to be able to participate and can not wait to see what the Lord does. the team will be traveling with children of the nations  spending time teaching and loving on children in group homes. they will also be visit...

i can't believe it's been almost a month since i've posted anything on this here blog... i guess i've been busy? here are some of the things i've been up to though, that i wanted to share with you: first of all, i added some prints to the shop as instant downloads. so you can buy and download right away, to print it yourself from home. the great thing about this option is a) you don't have to pay for shipping b) you don't have to wait for shipping c) you can print as many as you want! if you have three gifts to give...   like maybe a last minute mother's day gift?  you can print out four for the price of one download (one for yourself of course)! find the instant downloads here second, i've been busy making some announcements and invitations for my zazzle store . with zazzle.com, you get to personalize and customize everything yourself, right on the website, and then order straight from them! i make a little royalty from every sale, and...

mother's day is always tricky in our family. both my mom and mother-in-law's birthdays are within one day of each other, and always within a few days of mother's day (if not actually falling ON mother's day some years). that's a lot of gifting and sometimes it's hard to come up with new ideas each year, you know? we usually do photos of the kids, a photo book, or something else meaningful. my mom always told me growing up that she'd rather have a gift i made her (no matter how lame) than something i bought. so i'm going with that. i usually always tuck a little print into their gifts, too. because that's sort of like a gift that keeps on giving, i think. plus it falls into the category of something i made . so i thought a 25% off sale would be fun, because maybe you want to gift a lovely print for mother's day too? use MAMA25 at checkout  from now through May 1st to guarantee delivery before mother's day. click here to shop ...

i remember it so vividly, like it was yesterday. i was about 22, in the shower [i know]  where all the best thinking and praying happens, and trying to figure out what i could do to feel like God really loved me. i knew He loved me because i had heard it all my life but i just couldn't shake this feeling that there was something more i could do to make sure. really, i was searching for something that could help me feel like i was worthy of His love . i'm not sure why God chose that day in the shower to finally let it sink in like it did, but this little thought flickered through my scattered brain: there is nothing i could do [or not do] to make God love me any less. He loves me because HE.IS.LOVE. it's just that simple. there's nothing in me that changed His mind or recommended me to Him. He just loves because that's Who He is. and then this second part hit me even harder, because i've always been the good girl who thought i had to earn God's G...