Spring around our house

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind. A good and hard combination with laughs and tears and lots of warm sunshine. Last week I headed to San Francisco for a few days with a close friend. She had never explored the city so we drove around and hit all the touristy spots. While I've been to SF many, many times, I'm always amazed at how beautiful it is. We drove down squiggly Lombard St, climbed Coit Tower and soaked in the impressive view of Alcatraz Island, laughed at the sea lions on Pier 39, and went on a gorgeous walk around the Golden Gate Bridge (and sang a lot of the Full House theme song…"everywhere you look…." haha). We actually were there for an MFT conference by Dr. Dan Siegel (if you ever get the chance to see him, do it. He will blow your mind with his brilliance!). 

Friday I drove out of the city via the Golden Gate Bridge and headed up to the mountains where our church was having a women's retreat. It was a great time of rest in the mountains, filled with thought provoking speakers, sweet chats with friends, and personal reflection. We all felt like we were in high school again, staying up late, eating candy and playing games! 

I returned home on Sunday, and my in-laws were visiting. It is always such a lovely treat to see them. They just left today, so i'm recuperating and returning to a bit of normal. 

I'm reading an incredible book right now called The Life Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson. Ever since reading Sally's book Own Your Life, i've been a HUGE fan of her. The Life Giving Home is so up my alley, and I literally have to stop myself from reading all the chapters at once. I want to savor it. One quote I loved in which Sally was talking about the vision behind her home reads, 

"From the beginning, the vision Clay and I had for our home was to reflect the reality of the living God- to embody His sparkle, pleasure, artistry, fun and intimacy. God's truth was to be taught, cherished, obeyed daily within the boundaries of our home. His love was to be the oxygen that each of of us breathed. Observing the words and life of Christ, I began to understand that a servant's heart would be required to adequately meet the needs of those who stepped through our doors- whether those needs involved friendship, a place to rest, forgiveness and grace, guidance and instruction, a safe haven from the stresses of the world, or just a place to retreat from the mundane or the burdens of life. And this task began with a heart commitment to make home a holding place for all that is sacred, beautiful, valuable, and reflective of His reality"

Truly, I want to create the kind of home that reflects our amazing, creative, artistic God. Where people feel instantly welcomed and loved and cared for. While we are on a bit of a shoestring budget for decorating, i'm having fun thinking about the little things that make people feel inspired and comforted. And truly, love is the most beautiful part at all and I can surely give that:) 

I hope you are having a lovely week. If you've emailed me this week, i'm just now getting around to reading them, I promise to return your letters soon:) xoxo 

*ps- I'm a bit obsessed with stripped shirts right now, oops! The peplum top is from here, and the long stripped shirt is from here. 

PS- Today until Sunday there is 25% off your entire purchase at 100% Pure using the friends and family code FNFLOVEMORE25…check it out on this link below!! If you haven't tried their make-up or skincare check out my posts here and here! 

Pretty flowers and a new business

Spring is springing up all around us here in Northern California. It's a most delightful season as the blossoms on the almond trees grace the branches like snowy buds, and the daffodils spring up and scent the breeze so beautifully. My neighbor's tulip tree is blooming and I pause for a few seconds in front of it each day inhaling its sweet scent. This past week I cut a few branches of flowering quince that I spotted growing in our back yard, a gorgeous surprise that has been decorating my table the last few days.

My in-laws were here this past week, and my mother-in-law and I spent 3 days preparing and painting the bricks on the front of my house. Whew, it was hard work but sooo worth it in the end. I will show you pictures one day, the change is remarkable! My, my, what a little paint can do to freshen up a home!!

Speaking about freshening up my home, about a year ago, I got serious about eliminating toxic chemicals in all forms from my house. Pretty much everything I used to use, from make-up to cleaning products, had harsh chemicals that messed with my body.  U.S. researchers report that a majority of ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors. Many products include plasticizers (chemicals that keep concrete soft), degreasers (used to get grime off auto parts), and surfactants (they reduce surface tension in water, like in paint and inks). Imagine what that does to your skin, and to the environment.

So…I started doing my own research on how I could clean my home without disrupting my hormones or putting toxins on my skin and in my house. This led me to essential oils. I know essential oils have been a bit of a hot topic these past few years, but it is for good reason. And if you haven't looked into them more, I'm challenging you to now:)

What essential oils have done for me is open a huge door for making my house toxin free. Essential oils have allowed me to make my own cleaning products (which were so easy and so much more cost efficient than buying them from the store), and empowered me to take my health into my own hands. Since buying my starter kit last year, i've made all purpose cleaner, bug spray, perfumes, and diffuse the oils for a toxin-free air freshener! I'm also able to buy toxin-free toothpaste, soaps, and all sorts of other care products from Young Living.

I love Young Living essential oils, and am so honored to be selling them now. Young Living has their own farms all over the world and offers therapeutic grade oils that are tested and approved! If you are curious about oils, or have more questions, please let me know. I hope to share with you how i've used them to keep my home clean and support my health!

Right now, Young Living has a sale on their starter kit. For the month of February only, the kit is $144 and comes with a diffuser (which on it's own is expensive!), and then 11 oils! You literally save so much money when you buy them all together in this starter kit! The oils in the kit are the ones I use the most, so it's perfect to have around. You also get some essential oil samples to stash in your purse, as well as 2 samples of NingXia Red, which is like an energy drink with only fruits and essential oils (that stuff is amazing!). When you purchase a starter kit, you also become a member and get 24% off all your future purchases!

The sale runs until the end of February, and if you've ever thought about purchasing essential oils, this is your chance! You'll also be invited to join a FB group where you can ask questions and learn more about the oils! If you still need some convincing, this is a great video explaining more about essential oils and the starter kit!

If you know you want to purchase one, here is a link where you can sign up under me. I will add you to an email list that shares tips about how to use your oils. Truly, these oils have helped open so many doors for my health journey. It may feel like a big investment now, but I promise you that it will be worth it!!

And lastly, I still have some gorgeous Santorini Calendars (just like the one in the pictures above). I'm selling them for a steal of a deal at $15 a calendar, plus shipping (which is basically just covering my costs without making a profit!!). I love how the calendar offers such a gorgeous touch of color to my home. If you want one, please email me and we'll make it happen! (hopeengaged@gmail.com)

Happy Tuesday friends!

Joules

One of my most favorite things about blogging is the community we make in this online space. I've been able to meet so many lovely women {ie: YOU!} and be exposed to so many wonderful companies and organizations doing good work out there! 

Last month Joules, a British clothing brand, contacted me. In a heartbeat, I was smitten with their sweet line of clothing. Their tagline states that they were "established in the fields of great Britain". If this isn't enough to make my American heart swoon, I don't know what is! {cue me dreaming of running around fields in Britain, haha} 

Here's why I love their product so much. The clothing is simple, classic, but makes a compelling statement. I fell in love with this bright yellow springy floral top. It looked beautiful online, and I was equally impressed when I received the shirt in person. It is simple, the quality superior, and when I wore it I felt so incredibly "springy"! I also got multiple compliments when I wore it to church on Sunday:)

I would absolutely recommend Joules to anyone looking for some new inspiration!

Happy day friend:) 

some spring bling

If you knew me in person, you'd know i'm pretty simple when it comes to make-up. Honestly, I wish I was better and knew all the tricks. But I guess i've just never taken the time to learn! haha However, i'm still a woman, and I love a little shimmer and shine, especially when spring turns the corner into summer and I crave a fresh and beachy look!

Sweet Fannie contacted me about some of her products at Mary Kay. Of course we've all heard of Mary Kay, but I immediately had this misconceived notion that they were super pricey. But when I started looking over their website, I noticed how truly affordable their quality products are!

I had so much fun trying out these new products, and i'm over the moon about how it gave me a little extra glow and pop!

I ordered:
Mineral Eye Color in Sweet Plum {$7} which I used to line my eyes. The purple color gave my green eyes an extra pop!

Creme Eye Color in Beach Blonde {$10) I'm obsessed with this smooth and shimmery cream. I loved how it wasn't too glittery ala 7th grade, but gave me a real glow.

Brunette Definer Pencil  {$10}

 I honestly loved all these products, and plan to restock when I run out. I think the eye cream was my favorite, and am looking at adding the apricot color to my collection!!

As a special gift for you readers, Fannie is offering a 25% off coupon if you order your products through her Mary Kay website.

Here is what you need to do:
1. Go to the site {here}
2. Register and shop
3. Send Fannie an email with your order, and my blog name, Hope Engaged.

an easy peasy way to add some fun glow to your spring and summer look:)

Happy weekend friends,
I hope your Easter is filled with love, laughter, and a beautiful awe of our Savior's resurrection.
He has risen! He has risen Indeed!

love Katie