Spotlight on Sponsors

Hello friends! My name is Natalie, and I am the potter and blogger behind NS Pottery. I have a heart for taking dirty clay and turning it into something beautiful and useful in everyday life. I strive to live for Christ every day, and hope that I can inspire others to do the same. On my blog, I talk a lot about my faith as well as my life as a potter. I hope you'll join me in my journey.

 {Check her blog out here!}

The blog of a girl who is a lily among thorns. She gave up living for herself so that her Lover could live through her. She owes Him her life. I'm pretty much your ordinary girl with an extraordinary hunger for beauty, which can only be found in Him. This blog is pretty much a diary of of my life through His story. 

{Check her blog out here!}

Hello! I am Sarah and I am a photographer & designer, from Colorado! I love Jesus with all my heart! I am very close to my family & I love to bake! :) I have an etsy shop: which has my photo prints & other handmade items for sale!

I run a blog called, "on the brightside"… and it is a really fun way for me to document so many things… it is where I share my photos & designs… what inspires me… & little pieces of my blessed life! It really is such a blessing to me! I would love to have you stop by sometime…

{Check her blog out here!}

Hi, friends! I'm Ashley, and I am a wife, mom of two and a daughter of the King. I love creating, decorating and pretty things, and of those passions was born my etsy shop, The Poppy Chain Boutique. I make vintage inspired jewelry and accessories, including custom orders. I also blog over at Embrace the Space, where I share my sweet family, favorite things, creations, thoughts and photos. I've been so inspired by Jennifer's blog and I'm honored to have a glimpse into her truly beautiful heart!

{Check her shop out here!}

Hi, I'm Jen. I'm a wife to Josh and new mama to Earnest. I am a collector. Beauty is abundant and my aim is to uncover it. I love thrift stores, garage sales, libraries and other places where time and stories are tucked away. I love photography, writing, sewing and other domesticities. I love Jesus Christ. I am inspired by strong coffee, urban spaces, anything vintage, nature by the people that have gone before me and the people that are holding my hand along the way. I am inspired by redemption. 

{Check her blog out here!}

"I am married to my high school sweetheart.  I live in downtown Chicago.  I work at a bakery.  I study communications at Moody Bible Institute.  Now, I blog."


{Check her blog out here!}

I'm Jen, and I blog over at Jennifer March. I love photography, fall, my dogs, and a cup of tea and a good book. I'm a student, a worker, and a believer. I write all about my life on my blog, as well as using it to try to make a positive difference in the world. Most recently God has led me to help those in extreme poverty, and I'm so excited to see where He leads me with this. I would love for you to come follow along on my journey with me.

{Check her blog out here!}

i'm perpetuating my own brand of individuality by combining the act of classy with the act of gangster, because when you're from where i'm from, you can do that. {okay, not quite.} i'm a twenty-year-old undergrad studying english lit and history. i love Jesus, reading & writing, and the color orange. i believe singleness is a gift even when it isn't easy, that faith is a journey, and that it isn't until i lose my life that i find it.

{Check her blog out here!}

Beka Fox. Mother of 2. Wifey to 1. My husband (aka-SUPERMAN) and I are in full-time ministry to a small-town in Iowa. We are directors to Master's Commission (http://floydmc.net)! I am a full time photographer & I love to sing & lead worship at my church. My blog is about Jesus, Family, my favorite things, & helping others. :) I enjoy meeting other people. 

{Check her blog out here!}

Hi! My name is Mary and I'm a graduate student at University of Florida! I am a student by day and well, a student by night but any time in between I am a craftaholic and blogger obsessed. I have found a passion in using my photography, crafts and new found love of writing to bring glory to and serve God so that He can become greater and I can become less. I strive to be an example of His love for me to others and hope that my blog will bring encouragement and joy to all who read it! 

{Check her blog out here!}

Hi there! My name is Breanne. I'm a young girl searching and discovering. I have a destination, but the journey is the beautiful part. As of May 21, I am a Mrs. to a wonderful man of God. I am a young wife learning how to live a Christ-centered life, and traveling the world with y husband Kendall. I am figuring out how to live with open hands and give my life to the least of these. We are trying to live overseas full-time but it has been quite a process. I journal about our life getting there and how Father is molding and shaping our hearts daily. You might get a glimpse of our daily lives with our new pup Benaiah. I'd love to meet you and for you to join along with us!

{Check her blog out here!}

Hello friends! I'm Leigh & I write Very Loveleigh. I believe in turning off the television, opening a book, and wearing a smile. I am blessed to be called as a middle school teacher and live in a little house with a red door that I share with my husband and kitten, Moses. I love knitting, new friends, and above all, Jesus Christ.

{Check her blog out here!}

Hi I'm Heather, a happily married, adventure-seeking 20-something with a love for Jesus, traveling, intentional relationships, red wine, transparency, photography and all things lovely. I'm on a constant quest to find beauty in my life - even in the ordinary moments.

{Check her blog out here!}

Hi everyone! My name is Heather, and I'm a graduate student in Pittsburgh. I love coffee, fall walks, and organization. I'm learning that little things can bring the most joy, and happiness is a choice. Join me over at Relevant Notes for my random thoughts and ramblings on life.

{Check her blog out here!}

With my camera in one hand, sewing machine in the other and three kids running around my feet, I'm a big city girl, who'd frankly, like to get out of it. I hit the floor running in the morning after what should legally be declared a "nap", live on adrenaline, café con leche and the grace of God! I do a little bit of everything, love to eat, but only cook because I have mouths to feed. I'd rather be crafting or shooting something (you know what I mean). I am far from perfect...you'll see. Sophisticated Steps? Perhaps. Hobbling along with help from above and a little humor? Closer to the truth. ;)

{Check her blog out here!}

Goals...

Hi friends! I am over at my photography blog this evening. I have been doing a lot of planning lately and decided to be transparent about my goals for the future. I have been so blessed by many of you in regard to my photography. Thank you for your encouragement and support! It means so much to me.

You can go here to read my thoughts tonight. I'd love for you to add your two cents!

Thanksgiving is gone, Christmas is coming...

Is it just me, or is this year flying by super quickly? I can't believe Thanksgiving has already come and gone. This was my second Thanksgiving with Jonathan's family. He works a lot during the Holidays, so I can either be with him or my family. He wins. Still, I normally go see them for a few days before Thanksgiving and Christmas and then come back. This year I didn't get to go see them, but it made me even more thankful for such a wonderful family.

I miss my family, but I love my new family as well. I guess that's what happens when you get married. You make a new family together with new traditions.

I love my man! Also, please notice the stickers on my sweater. Haha. Apparently I went traipsing through the forrest or something...

Now moving on to Christmas!!!!

Yesterday I started on our Christmas decorations. I get so excited about putting up the Christmas tree and hanging the stockings every year. I love how cozy our home feels during this season. I used most of the things I bought and made last year, but I made a few new things too. Here's a few easy projects...

Glitter Candle Holders &  Pine Cone Garland

To make the glitter candle holder you will need a few glass containers, glue and glitter. I used 2 mason jars and some tea lights left over from our wedding. For the mason jars, I painted the inside with glue and sprinkled the glitter inside. For the tea lights, I put a layer of glue, sprinkled the glitter outside and waited for it to dry. Then I put on a top coat of glue to seal on the glitter. I love how they look on our little makeshift mantle.

Now the pine cone garland is the easiest thing to make. Just tie some pine cones a few inches apart with some twine. That's it! It's so incredibly simple. You can add a little glitter to the edges of the pine cones if you like as well. The more glitter the better, I say!

I also put up our tree and worked on putting decorations up through out the house. I'm sure this will be the first of many Christmas decor posts! I'm a little addicted to Christmas crafting.

My friend Ellen was so good to let us borrow one of her trees this year. Last Christmas we had a cute miniature tree. It was so small that I didn't need too many ornaments. I made the sheet music tree topper and the book page birds last year and I still love them! However, this tree has a lot of bare spots and I hope to fix that soon. I want to make some more ornaments soon if anyone has some cute ideas!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power 

and the glory and the victory and the majesty, 

for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. 

Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, 

and you are exalted as head above all. 

Both riches and honor come from you, 

and you rule over all. 

In your hand are power and might, 

and in your hand it is to make great 

and to give strength to all.

And now we thank you, our God, 

and praise your glorious name."

- 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Thankful...a year and a half

Today marks a year and a half of marriage for us. We feel like we've been married for much longer than that though. I guess we've grown up a lot since our wedding day. I am so thankful that the Lord saw fit to bring us together. I was thinking back on when we were "getting to know each other" and dating. It was such a giddy time for me. Jonathan was my first everything. He treated me like a treasure. He pursed my heart with gentlemanlike valor...and he won it.

I cherish those memories of being young and in love. Still, you know what? Today's memories are better. Though our dating years were sweet, the past year and a half has shown me the depth and meaning of sacrificial love. I tear up just thinking about how blessed I am. I have seen my husband's love for Christ and for me in a new way these past few months. He has supported me ever since the Lord led me to quit my job and start something new. He has taken on the full burden of providing for us and given up so much. He has helped me build and given me the tools I needed. All of this has been without a single complaint. I sometimes feel like I've become a burden, but then I see just how much he loves me and my worries melt into nothing in his arms. Marriage is such a beautiful thing.

Still, I won't pretend that we feel lovey-dovey all the time. We are two very different people and those differences get annoying sometimes. We are just a pair of sinful, imperfect souls, but love covers that. It has been a blessing to learn all these things in the past year and a half. I look forward to the rest of my life with my wonderful husband. I look forward to building a home, pouring our lives into ministry, teaching our children to love Jesus and walking together hand in hand on this journey. There isn't anyone else I'd rather be with. I only pray that I can be as much of a blessing to him as he is to me.

"An excellent wife is the crown of her husband." - Proverbs 12:4

When my husband looks back on our marriage I hope he can say that I have been a crown to him. I want to bring him honor and never shame. I want to be of great worth. I want to be a blessing. I'm excited about learning to do just that in the years to come!

I'm more in love with you today than ever babe!





PS: Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY to win the cute "elsie" cowl!

Sponsor in December!

 All sponsorships go to help rescue girls from sex trafficking.

Thank you all who have sponsored The Blair Affairs in the past few months. It has been a blessing to use this to help raise money for missions. From now on, I want to give all the proceeds to the organization I went with to Ethiopia (International Crisis Aid). I have never seen a better ministry overseas. They are doing so much, especially in regard to sex trafficking. I'd love for you to help me raise money in order to rescue these girls.

Each sponsor will get a spot like the one below, and a summary post.

Contact me for more details at jenchristine88@gmail.com 

PS: I just put up another session on my photography blog. It is my favorite session to date! It was themed "A Southern White Christmas." Here are a few!

To see more click HERE!

Giveaway from Compelled!

The lovely Rylie from Compelled is giving away the "Elsie" cowl to one of you guys! She is making these to raise money for her upcoming mission trips. She is the sweetest and I know it would mean the world to her if you helped her do what God has called her to do! If you want to help you can check out her shop here.

To Enter:

Be a follower of The Blair Affairs, visit Rylie's shop and leave a comment telling my your favorite design

Extra entries (separate comment for each):

Follow Rylie's blog

Follow me on twitter

Follow Rylie on twitter

Tweet about the giveaway

Follow The Blair Affairs on Bloglovin'

Blog about the giveaway

(leave a link in comments)

Winner will be chosen this Saturday!

The winner is Breeanna from a brilliant melody!

Fleeting

Life is ever fleeting, blowing by

It goes as quickly as the wind

The days pass like minutes

Soon they all will meet an end

When all my days are totaled

What will their measure be?

Did invest only a few days

Or all my life in eternity?

Few are the days on earth

Blink and they are done

Each day counts forever

No undoing what's been done

When my heart finds stillness 

For what purpose was it beating?

Was it for the one thing that matters

Or was my life merely fleeting?

NEEDTOBREATHE

A few months ago my sister told me some wonderful news. She said that my favorite band {NEEDTOBREATHE} was going to be close by in November. Oh mercy! I was so excited. Last week the long awaited date finally came! My soon to be sister-in-law picked us up and we headed to the concert. I think this was the first time I actually felt giddy about seeing a band live. I had high hopes and they did not disappoint. 

I'm sorry if you guys could care less about NEEDTOBREATHE, because the following photos will be entirely of them. Hehe.

The neat thing about NEEDTOBREATHE is that they are Christians. They are on a secular record label, but they just write about what is important to them. Their faith is a big part of who they are and it comes out in their music. They seemed very humble on stage. Thus, it made me love them even more! They literally rocked my socks off. I sang at the top of my lungs the whole time. At the very end they played "A Place Only You Can Go" acoustic. Oh. My. Goodness. You'd have to be there to know how spectacular is was. The only sad part is that my hubby couldn't come with us. He's the one that got me hooked on NEEDTOBREATHE in the first place. I guess we'll just have to go see them again! :)

If you haven't heard their music, just listen to this song. It's good. Promise!