The Gentle Bath Company Giveaway!

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There's something about pampering yourself that makes the world feel like a softer, gentler place. Whether you're treating yourself or a loved one, the gift of care and pampering says, I love you. I appreciate you. You matter to me, and I wish for you to feel comfort and joy.

The weekend before I got engaged, I planned a special date weekend of pampering and fun for my soon-to-be-fiance. It even culminated in me fake-proposing at Cite, on the 70th floor of Lake Point Tower (Little did I know that he would be proposing to me not even a full week later. We were just on the same page, I guess!). Anyway, part of my gift to him was to set him up for his first massage at Lillie Ann's in West Loop. He absolutely loved it, and I think it made him feel surprisingly relaxed and special.

Sounds like the perfect gift, doesn't it? :)

Well, go figure... I have a wonderful giveaway for you today! Brenda from The Gentle Bath Company contacted me to set up a Valentine's Day Giveaway. That's right. She doesn't even know you, yet she wants to give you free stuff! What on earth could be better?

We're giving one awesome reader a One Hundred Roses Soak & Scrub Basket, designed to help you pamper yourself or a loved one this Valentine's Day. It retails at $60.00, but you're getting it for a whopping 0. That's right, people. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OFF.

You will win:
One Belaire Hand Towel in White (Valued at $14.95), a One-hundred Roses Exfoliating Sugar Scrub (Valued at $14.95), Self Magazine's Award Winning Bubble Bath (Valued at $9.95), a Natural Sea Wool Sponge (Valued at $6.95), a Bath Pillow in your chosen color (Valued at $8.95), and a Square Corn Husk Basket with Suede Handles also included (Valued at $9.95).

There are four ways to enter this giveaway.  
You can enter once, twice, three times, or four times. Whatever suits your fancy. To make my life a little easier, please leave a separate comment for each thing you do, because I use a random number generator to choose one of the comments as the winner.

1. Leave a comment telling us someone who YOU think deserves to be pampered this Valentine's Day! It could be your husband, your wife, your mother, or even yourself! Anything goes!

2. Like The Gentle Bath Company on Facebook, then leave a comment on this post saying, "I liked The Gentle Bath Company on Facebook!" I'm going to make this one verrryy easy for you by embedding the Facebook Like button below:

3. Like Createlive on Facebook, then leave a comment on this post saying, "I liked Createlive on Facebook!" If you've already liked Createlive on Facebook, that's fine - just leave a comment letting us know!

4. Send the URL to this giveaway to a friend or loved one, telling them to get in on the action! Then, leave a comment on this post saying, "I forwarded to a friend!"

Note: This giveaway will close at 12:00CST on Sunday, February 10th, so that the winner can hopefully have their box by February 14th!

...And They Lived Happily Ever After [Part One]

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FYI:  I have so many images and videos from this reception that are share-worthy... this is going to take a few posts.  Here are images of people (the bride and groom and guests)... I'll update on Monday with photos from the venue/decor and music, music, music!

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Jerry & Kara's wedding and love story.  This weekend, we hosted over 100 people in my parents' backyard for their reception!  

A few hours into the event, all of the kids gathered on the stage for a toast.  While the faces focused on the stage, Chris captured the reactions of the bride and groom and found the bride clapping...

The groom celebrating...

Special moments of affection...

Quiet whispers...

and holding hands.

This couple is so lovey...

and smiley!

As the toasts continued, our handsome photographer's focus shifted to the crowd.  They were all smiles.  By that, I mean that every single person in the crowd was smiling from ear to ear.  The happiness was contagious.  I know, it sounds like an exaggeration... but it's not. Here are the photos...

And of course, not to disappoint, here is the cake cutting photoshoot...

And here are a few extras...

P.S. Remember when I mentioned that Chris and I were singing at the reception?  Turns out I sang three songs... and I've got a total of six performances on tape.  I'll start sharing those videos first thing tomorrow morning.  I promise.

Full of shrimp and chips and 60 calorie cupcake and... love

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Last night my girlfriends and I each brought appetizers & wine to a friends and... well, I'm still full.  

Highlights:  Cajun shrimp.  "Secret Ingredient" Guacamole.  Taco bites.  Bruschetta.  Honey & Ricotta Dip.  And, of course, yesterday's cupcakes too! 

Trust me, that plate was just the beginning of my feast.

I feel full.

Full of shrimp and chips and 60 calorie cupcakes and... love.

And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.  Deuteronomy 8:10

How often are we able to catch those moments in which God fills not only our stomachs but also our hearts and souls?  It is one thing to remember to thank God when sitting down for a meal, when laying down for a good night's sleep, or when an obvious moment occurs - when we take a moment to see His work clearly.  Yet, while we may recognize Him in these instances, there is not a single moment in which He is not at work in our lives.  My prayer today is that I be more aware of this when I cannot see clearly - because I do not need to see His presence to know He is working.

Update regarding yesterday's cupcakes: They were a hit. I brought them to my girls gathering and everyone had at least one.   Seriously.  La Croix.  Who knew?  Probably Bill Nye... Bill! Bill. Bill.  Bill.  Bill! BILL!