Thank You Notes: Coffee, Frida, and ANOTHER GIVEAWAY

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I love Fridays, I love thank you notes, and I love Jimmy Fallon’s Thank You Notes, so, naturally, Friday here on my blog means:

Jimmy’s Thank You Notes

Thank You Notes

I was running a bit behind, so I thought if you guys wouldn’t mind, I’d write out my weekly thank you notes. Do y’all mind?

Thank you, America… err.. corporate America, for not making a mattress sale out of September 11th.

“Stay vigilant.” Those words still echo within me 15 years later. They were the words meant to help keep us safe and aware of our current surroundings and our unknown future. They were the words that hit me like a ton of bricks while I watched (from my hotel window) downtown Chicago scurry to safety and loved ones. They were the words that made me look to my fellow Americans with a smidge of skepticism, but they were also the words that made me realize more.

During my vigilant state, I realized that though we were a nation of heartache and mourners we were a nation of builders and family. We built bridges with our neighbors, smiling at them because they too felt the same heartache we did. It made us say “Hello” and truly care about the answer to “How are you” In the days after the horrific attacks on our land, it was my vigilance that made me also see past fear and see that kindness sincerely matters.

The most beautiful scene that is a lifetime embedded memory: a small parade of kids from different backgrounds holding flags in unity. When you’re 20, pregnant, new to the city, this is a memory you hold on to. This gave me strength and hope. We are stronger together. We’re better when we unite.

We’re better when we’re more than red & blue, black & white, rich & poor. It’s true, America, and you know it. Let us not forget, let us remember not only the day it happened, but the days after that exemplified our unity. I shared my 9/11 story on my blog, but I know my story in no way compares to the stories of those who were there, lost loved ones, or who had to run for their lives. The pain I felt while sobbing for strangers with flyers looking for loved ones was excruciating, but I know it pales in comparison to any hurt or pain of those families. #LessHateMoreLove

A photo posted by Dean ?? (@mrs_aok) on Sep 11, 2016 at 3:02pm PDT

Thank you, hour in between picking up kids, for time with my teenager. Last Friday, we chatted over Starbucks. Can’t go wrong with a Starbucks date.

(She thought her drink was too pretty not to take a picture. 🙂 )

Speaking of Starbucks…

Thank you, Starbucks, for helping me cope through this 4-hour body meal plan. I don’t know what I’d do without YOU!!

Day 3 #4HourBody It’s been a while since my last confession here, so where shall I begin…. ? For starters I’ve lusted over my kiddos’ waffles, they looked so good. The butter melting over that hot bed of carbs with those beautiful syrup pockets!! I was strong- I held back. However, I fell prey to the seduction of the shiny green and voluptuous temptress- a grape. I ate a grape. One single grape, it was like eating a donut! Grapes are really good. ? Honestly, I’ve been really good with sticking to eating only my veggies & protein. BUT y’all know I’m all about my coffee. ☕️?

I can’t give up coffee with cream. Sure I could have a bulletproof coffee, but I’m just not there yet. This is my one treat. I look forward to my one cup in the morning and maybe one more in the afternoon. ☕️ I’m actually not having as hard of a time with this program as I thought I would. I think it’s because I’m eating (4x a day ?), and eating good. I cannot wait to see my results in a month’s time. But I promise I will not bombard you with a thousand pictures of my avocados and eggs or chicken and salad. ? ??

A photo posted by Dean ?? (@mrs_aok) on Sep 14, 2016 at 10:22am PDT

Thank YOU, for keeping my secret. 😉

Thank you, football season, for letting the crazies out again. Just kidding… (I know what you’re thinking… Dean, but you’re a football crazy gal. You’re right I am! Maybe my yard needs a star)  🙂

Thank you, blog perks! I’m now a Stitch Fix Influencer!! I’m super excited to share my first Stitch Fix reveal next week. Stitch Fix has me so excited that I already scheduled my next box with personal stylist (affiliate link) to be delivered NEXT WEEK!!! 🙂 (My husband told me to go for it because it’s my birthday soon 🙂 )

Two firsts today! ??? I just shared my first IG Story ? ANNNND I got my first @stitchfix box ??! I will share all the looks in a post soon. ? Want a box too, my referral link is in my bio ? ? #HappyMail

A photo posted by Dean ?? (@mrs_aok) on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:50pm PDT

 

You know what else I’m thankful for?

Good friends! Friends who inspire you with creativity and celebrate you. Like Vanessa, owner of the Etsy shop One of Rosa’s Petals. 🙂  Vanessa and I “met” not that long ago, and she’s been inspiring me with her creative drive to push her business to the next level (getting her items in stores) and being a kind & humble person through it all. Vanessa was so kind to help celebrate MY birthday, by giving away one of her fabulous necklaces to one of my friends. 🙂 Y’all probably remember my Frida necklace and that I might have a slight obsession with all things Frida, right? 🙂

Incase you don’t recall:

 

It’s DAY 1 of #CreativeMomLife hosted by my lovely friend @Linkouture and yours truly. ? Today’s prompt is About Me. I’m usually the worst when it comes to talking about myself. I know I blog about my life, which is cool, but ummm if you check my About Me page ::::crickets:::? Anyway, here goes nothing! 🙂

Hi. ?? I’m Dean. Dean is not my real name, however it’s what close friends and family call me. 🙂 ?Speaking of family… I’m married to my best friend. We’re about to celebrate 15 years of marriage. ???I have three kiddos that fill me with laughter and love each day. ?

I am a lover of many things but most importantly my family and friends.

✨I’m a believer in KINDNESS. I have faith that good will always prevail.

?Happy Mail is my love language.

⭐️I’m a misplaced Texan. I’ve lived in Germany, Texas, Illinois, South Carolina, and now Washington. ☕️Coffee, kindness, and L?VE fuel me.

? Writing, painting, and creating helped pull me out of the gray.

?As mentioned above I have a blog. Mrs. AOK, A Work In Progress, has been a creative outlet for me, and I LOVE IT!

??AOK are my initials.

? I’m a wannabe photographer.

✍️I love to write, doodle, Zentangle, watercolor, and try my hand at handlettering.

?I have a super obsession with notebooks, journals, markers, stamps, sugar skulls and all things Frida.

I’d love to hear about you! Share a little bit about yourself in the comments or join the challenge using the #CreativeMomLife. Do you have a friend who would like this challenge, tag ’em! Happy Friday and Happy July!!??

A photo posted by Dean ?? (@mrs_aok) on Jul 1, 2016 at 11:39am PDT

 

A photo posted by Dean ?? (@mrs_aok) on Jun 21, 2016 at 10:08pm PDT

 

A photo posted by Dean ?? (@mrs_aok) on Jun 27, 2016 at 11:33am PDT

 

Viva la vida! And Friday!! ? It’s Friday and I couldn’t be more thankful about that. ?

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I’m also thankful for women trailblazers who have set a path for us to create & educate. I love that there are women who are proudly inspired by other women & create with them in mind. ••••••••••••••••••••••

I’m forever inspired by the work of Frida Kahlo. I’m so thankful for this handmade necklace from @1_of_rosas_petals that I will probably wear daily. Maybe… I secretly hope some of Frida’s creative juice will pour into my sometimes blank canvas.

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Please make sure to check out @1_of_rosas_petals Etsy shop! I know you’ll ❤️ it! #prettylittlethings #flatlay

A photo posted by Dean ?? (@mrs_aok) on Mar 18, 2016 at 9:40am PDT

Enough about me, right?!?!
How do you get your hands.. or neck on one of these? Enter the giveaway below. 🙂

Apologies to my international friends, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only. Don’t worry I have a giveaway open to everyone coming up. 😉
a Rafflecopter giveaway

So, what are you thankful for this week?