It's that time of the year again

I've been using Shutterfly for years now. It started with printing hundreds of pictures from my travels and their competitve pricing couldn't be beat. Every year, they add to their product list. They're building a lifestyle brand, I've made now made iPhone covers, address labels, cards, postcards, So naturally, we make our Christmas cards through Shutterfly. This has been our second year and every year I love the results. 

Also, every year I think I'm going to be on the ball, make my own cards, have a professional photographer and do our cards but let's be honest. I'm not that put together. I love that the card selections expand every year and I find that I can always find one to fit our families personality. Sometimes I notice that the printing might be a bit off from different batches but if you contact them, I've had friends that have had stand out customer service and speedy reprinting. I've never contacted them for this reason, mainly because I'm already a little behind the times on sending out cards. But none the less, people have loved our Christmas cards so much that if I run into someone at a coffee shop or supermarket they ask if they are on our Christmas card list for the year. So I think we're at a winning advantage. 

All these opinions are my own. I love having photos printing. I love that photographs reach far more than a frame on the wall. If you want an amazing example of some lifestyle shutterfly examples. Check out one of my favorite blogs, The Jungalow. 

PS. Did you catch the secret? 

the season of more. more. more.

I really admire the minimalistic lifestyle. I’m drawn to it. I think there is so much beauty in the simplistic. But in my life, minimal is not a common way of life. When traveling for long bouts of time and coming back to a “reality” again, I often times have the opportunity to start fresh. I have far less clothes, I have far less furniture(if any at all) and everything still looks clean and uncluttered. I may have a random keepsake here and there but it’s minimal, it’s peaceful, it’s calm. This is my favorite feeling. Fast forward to 6 months and I have tripled my furniture, pictures on walls, vintage vases, and the list goes on. I seem to always find myself back to where I was.  In the "More" zone. 

Currently, my husband and I are at opposite ends. He would tell you otherwise, but he is in the "more" phase. I think because he has lived the minimalist lifestyle for so long and he's finally at a place to be standing still. Marriage does that to you. He now wants more. He has actually started hoarding furniture. He comes home with something he's stumbled upon and I have to look at him and tell him, "put it back where you found it." It actually stresses me out a bit. We don't have a lot of space to be adding non-functional furniture pieces or random lamps that aren't anything i'd ever have dreamed of having in my dream home. 

Then there is my mother. My mother (out of the goodness of her heart) sends us care packages. She usually sends us one-two a month. They are filled with randoms she finds from goodwill. My mom is a goodwill master. But sometimes it's too much. After her boxes, i end up having to buy more hangers or clear our drawers to store what she's send.  We only have so much space and in the back of my mind, I keep thinking that it's going to be a pain to move. Moving is something we'd like to do sooner rather than later. The more stresses me out. Especially during the holiday season. 

I remember working retail around this time and the goal was to sell as much as possible. The other goal was for me to not purchase anything. Then I'd do it anyways. Then the goal was let's see if I can not purchase anything this week or this day. But it never worked. I fall into the trap too. Then I get frustrated from the holiday corporation. That makes us believe that we need to buy more. We need those special edition christmas collection ornaments that looked almost identical from last years collection. What happened to breaking down what it means to be in the holidays. Family traditions. spending time together. being thankful for what we have. knowing that we are not alone and there are thousands of people who have far less than we do. hug your loved ones and send them more blessings this year. not more of something that will be out of season next year. 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6