FANTABULOUS Five for Friday

T.G.I.F!

Since Fridays are my favorite day of the week, I thought I would share a few of my favorite things. Each week, I would like to share with you these "FANTABULOUS" items in hopes that you share some of your favorites with me but also get you introduced to some products or services that you may not have known about otherwise.

Today is all about my favorite Etsy shops so far... I am sure I will have many more and will share them with you as I find them!

 Have a HAPPY Friday!

• GeeZees Canvas and Prints
• A local shop who creates beautiful canvas art. Stephanie, the shop owner was wonderful to work with and very prompt in her delivery even with having such a short deadline. I had purchased a canvas that had a picture of my parent's engagement photo with the lyrics to the song they used for their 1st dance (similar to 1st picture below). The piece was just amazing. I was shocked at how beautiful it was because the picture I gave her was a 31 year old photo that wasn't of great quality and it was scanned in. These pieces would make for a great gift (think wedding, birth, anniversary, etc.) or even for decor for your own living space.

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• Morgan Lane Boutique
• There is nothing more to say other than the hair accessories that she makes are just too darn cute! The shop owner took her love for big stylish headpieces for children that even her daughter  wears and decided to start her own shop making them. Her choice in fabrics and colors are eye catching and still provide a bit of uniqueness in the world of big hair accessories. Also, her blog is a great one to follow as well. 

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• miaMallows
• Homemade gourmet marshmallows? Um... Yes, please! These little squares of goodness apparently are worth every penny! Unfortunately, I did have not had the pleasure of eating these yet but when I bought them for my dessert table at my wedding, they were GONE! We had some pretty happy guests. I think the best part of these marshmallows is the variety of flavors. We're talking 35 flavors folks! These pics make my mouth water!

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• Keep Calm Shop
• Just the name of the shop can change your mood... OK, well maybe not BUT I would love to say a few of these phrases to people sometime except for my words may not be so nice :) ! These vintage inspired prints and posters are a cool way to "spice" up your decor and even would make for cool gifts. I know at some point I will be purchasing a few for my daughter's 1st birthday party. It will help to decorate a few spots that need a little help!

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• TomKat Studio
• A one-stop-shop for all your party printables! Geared more towards birthday parties, this is a great shop to get some professional looking designs for your DIY party. Need some favor tags, fancy labels, or a birthday banner, then this is the place for you! For your convenience, they also provided full packages for particular themes. I have seen work from similar shops but by far these are my favorite! Again, I haven't purchased anything yet but I will be using them in the very near future. You will see that clearly they are a favorite amongst other Etsy-ians too with their 100% rating. It's worth checking them out!

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What are some of your favorite Etsy shops? Please share!

**Disclaimer:  I did not receive any compensation or discounts for posting these shops. These are merely my opinions based on the products that they provide or the quality service that I had experienced.

Celebrations and Updates

Well hello there my FAB followers! There have been many things that have occurred that I would love to share. Just finding time to do so, is yet another challenge. Little by little, I will let you back into my life. There's so much to share :)


So to get things started...


I want to say THANK YOU to all who kept my sister in your thoughts and prayers while she battled her bout with Hodgkin's Lyphoma! As of the 2nd week of February, she had completed her last round of Chemotherapy. A few days after, she had a scan taken and was in the clear. Now the only trace left of her battle is her hair, which is growing in differently but quite nicely. My sister is now in remission :)! Hoping and praying for her future and that nothing returns!

Since her 28th birthday was a few days after her last treatment, my family wanted to hold a surprise birthday party to bring together all her supporters to celebrate her "new" life. Let me tell you how difficult that was! We've never had a "successful" surprise party for her because she is very nosy about the details but some how we were able to pull it off. It really did end up being a great celebration and the best part of it all is that she was truly surprised! BTW - Say HELLO to Natalie! All her wigs were given a name and it was quite funny because she took on different personalities depending which she wore!

In closing, I would like to provide an update on a little boy named, Brayden, whose life story I have been following through his Mother's blog, Live. Laugh. Love. Born 12 weeks early at just 2 lbs. and 14 oz., he had a long road ahead of him with many obstacles that he would have to overcome. I am elated to say that this once very fragile, premature baby boy has grown into this strong and quite handsome little boy. With all the love, support, strength and prayers of his family, caretakers, friends and followers, he has been able to take on these obstacles head on with a few set-backs. What a little soldier he is!


So if you have a moment to spare, check out Brayden's life story and show some love and support to Brayden and his family!


Until next time!


ETA: I was incorrect about my sister's next scan. She is in the process of having a scan and depending on her results, she may have to have chemo for another two more months. Please keep her in your thoughts!

Urgent Call for O- Blood Donors - Philadelphia

Urgent Call for O- Blood Donors

YOU can save a life in Philadelphia today!

Are you an 0-negative blood type?

In support of a local blood cancer patient in need, LLS & the University of Pennsylvania Hospital's Blood Donation Department are asking for your help today.

Please donate.


All donors should visit the Blood Donation Department at:
3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA
Penn Tower, Bridge level
or call 215-614-0406 for more information

Upon arrival, please inform the Blood Donation Department your donation is in support of patient #6549 at Miller Keystone Blood Center.


Thank you for joining The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in supporting local patients, and remaining relentless for a cure.

For more information on ways to support LLS, please contact the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter at 1-800-482-2873 or visit lls.org/epa.

Thank you!

Thank you all who donated and supported our team, Tanya's Soldiers! Your generous donation made us all "Champions For the Cure"! Big or small you have given people like my sister a fighting chance against this nasty disease. Your help has given these fighters a chance at a better and longer life. You are greatly appreciated!

For those still interested in donating to our team you can do so until December 31st. Just click on the banner at the top right of this page.


If you wish to follow my sister's progress through this battle, please click TanyaMarie


Thanks again and God Bless!

Only 3 days left...

To become one of Tanya's Soldiers in her battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma!

On Saturday, our team, Tanya's Soldiers, will be participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk: finding better treatments and cures for blood cancers so patients can live better, longer lives. I'm asking you to help by making a tax-deductible contribution! Please use the link below or the widget at the top right of the page to donate online quickly & securely. You will receive an email confirmation of your donation as soon as it is made. I thank you in advance for your support which will make a difference in the lives of thousands of patients battling blood cancers.

Just remember, every little bit counts in the fight against cancer. Helping fight one cancer, helps them all. I really appreciate your generosity!!

Light The Night Walk: Click Here To Donate


To follow Tanya with her battle with Lymphoma, please visit her CaringBridge page.

We did it!

We bought our first home! 

Details and more pictures coming soon. 

{Photo by My Dad}