Charmed Life Registration

Inspired by Kelle Hampton, author of the blog, Enjoying the Small Things, and the book, Bloom, we have a swap opportunity involving charms.  For her birthday she had all of her lady friends celebrate the lives of women by bringing a charm to her birthday party to swap.

So, a couple weeks ago, Heidi made plans and called our friend who owns a restaurant while I sent out an e-mail and asked The Net to come. I asked each woman to bring a charm--something that would be given to another woman that night. Any charm that represented the celebration and power of women--a favorite memory, a word of advice, a symbol of strength. It was a stretch, sure, and could damn near head down the cheesy "Wind Beneath my Wings" road, but maybe...just maybe...it would be magic.

There was laughter and bruschetta and peach fizzy drinks named after my girl. There was wild, good energy that wafted through the room like the first spring breeze that sweeps through open windows. And slowly, chairs gathered. First a few, then a few more. Bodies crowded, quilts spread out, and soon, there it was...one beautiful circle. No Wind Beneath my Wings cue or all-call to prick fingers and share blood. It happened, just like that.

"Look, it's happening," Heidi says.

"I know...it's just like I imagined," I replied.

And the rest of the night was magic. The Net at its finest.

We shared, until 2 in the morning, our pains, our joys, our challenges. We cheered each other on. We cried and hugged and thanked each other for being there. We said "this is incredible" and "how come we don't do this more often?" and inside we knew it was really special, meant to be saved for moments like this.

There is no way to really explain what happened in that room. The way each woman told her story. The way everyone listened. The way it seemed every charm was hand-picked for its recipient. The way I didn't want the night to end.

They drew names out of a hat and shared why they chose a specific charm to represent their life.  Each woman carried a sentimental part of a woman's life, symbolized in those charms.  I absolutely love this idea and wanted to bring it to the blogging community.  Therefore sign-ups to be a part of this beautiful moment will start Thursday, July 15th.  We're going to have two-three writing challenges of sorts that you can choose to be a part of, but don't feel obligated to and the swap will consist of a charm under $20 (most are like $5) and a card.  I am so excited about this and I hope that if you're reading this, you are too!

<a href="http://kimberlyersk1ne.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m640/kimberlyerskine/charmedlife_zps31338095.jpg" alt="TheSimplicity" width="125" height="120" /></a>

Rules
- Be able to respond to e-mails within 48 hours of receipt
- Be able to purchase a charm valued at $20 or less (again, most are like $5)
- Be able to mail the charm and a card to your partner

Registration starts the 15th and runs for 2 weeks (July 29th)!

Saturday Morning Post: Fireworks, Fishbowls, & Goats Milk Shampoo

 

1// Went to the Crooked Tree and had a scrumptious red velvet cupcake.
2// A quote that I value, especially with my military career field.
3// We've thoroughly been enjoying nights out with friends and I can't wait to share my new outlook on this small town.
4// Fish bowls!
5// Holly and Blu are always running around like little kids. They definitely keep me on my toes and so far, everything is looking good from Blu's most recent vet visit.
6// Been working hard at the gym and building up tone and muscle.
7// Saving money this 4th by creating paper fan decor for the front porch.
8// It wouldn't be the 4th without having the opportunity to decorate my nails.  So glad to have had a few days off.
9// My recent trip to our outstanding Farmer's Market had me coming home with a 3 for $10 deal on goat's milk soap.  I've been trying the shampoo bar and I really love it.
10// The outdoor pool on base is open and I've been taking full advantage of the lap swim times.
11//  & 12// Red velvet cake and white cake with blue color from Michael's.  Look at that pigmentation- love it!
13// My plum Jelly cat bunny came in (a gift from Ryan) and I still have yet to name it.  I will forever be a kid at heart. I love stuffed animals.
14// My flag cake! The outside looked atrocious due to the frosting causing pieces of cake to crumble but the inside looked amazing!
15// Charmed life is a new swap that Jessica from Living La Vida Holoka and myself will soon have up and running.  Thursday there will be more information and the start of a 2-week registration.  The focus will be on women sharing their stories with one another and swapping a charm that represents an aspect of their life, a favorite memory, or anything significant to them.