if you feel so inclined,
go to the button over there,
on the left towards the top...
and donate.

but only if you feel so inclined.
i hope you do.
because kayte is an amazing person trying to do an amazing thing.
and this trip to africa will change so many girl's lives.
and these girls will change kayte's life as well.

what an amazing journey to be on,
to know your passion at such a young age
and to know that to follow your heart will mean a life of sacrifice and hard work -
but all for the most amazing causes -
for the sake of women around the globe.

so, again -
please donate.
even if just a little.
or go to her etsy shop and buy some girl power products.

and if you want to do more for days for girls,

go here.

our chapter is looking for not only help on our sewing nights -
but for help with materials and kit items.
a little goes a long way.

and we need to help.
changing the life of one girl may some day change life of many.
our small efforts will be met with great rewards...
even if those rewards are the simple acts of a young girl growing up happy,
growing up and going to school and eventually work -
not being isolated and deprived during her period.
not being disenfranchised because of her gender and her inherent biological functions.
not being forced into early marriages, fewer opportunities and poor hygiene.

so, help kayte.

help days for girls.

help our local chapter.

(or better yet, create a chapter wherever you are!)

something you didn't know about me, #5,403...

okay, this is late.
SO LATE.
it's been that kind of week -
so far.

anyhoo, this week's tid-bit of mystery is pretty straightforward - and fitting.
so when i was fifteen i decided i wasn't going to eat sugar for a year.
not thirty days, not sixty days...or even ninety days.
BUT FOR ONE WHOLE YEAR - birthday to birthday.
(gotta love the moderate approach of the teenage brain)
well, i did it.
i cheated once with a slice of pumpkin cheescake on thanksgiving.
and that was it.
and on my birthday the following year,
we had a slumber party (living at my dad's house)
and bought a mountain of sugar.
ice cream, cookies, cake...everything.

i had one cookie and felt sick.

the rest of the slumber party gorged themselves on it all -
and eventually felt sick.
i loved that year.
i've thought about doing it again.
and so, in keeping with christa's on-going personal challenge -
i'm going to make a babystep to make it to 30 days sugar free.
wish me luck.

ps: protein bars and protein shakes don't count!)

So, Charlie had a Princess Party.

she turned five this year and she has a laser focus on all things princess.
(and she's never seen most of the movies)
so, here's how we did it -
she and i went on pinterest and started pinning ideas -
and from there i told her everything would be a surprise.
and then i told her that she could invite ten girls and she made the list up with me -
lindsay and kayte were on the list, but of course -
(and came dressed up - love those girls!)

so, after polka-dot manicures,
all our princesses moved on to cupcakes and cookies and tea sandwiches.
there was lots of jewelry wearing and giggle making.

then there was coloring, cake eating and gift opening.
this pic was taken before she had opened a present -
and before all the girls had descended to help her sort the loot.
it was a cute little hive of girly excitedness.

what a fun, simple party.
and i might have to do a friday party again.
so much better than losing a whole saturday.
try it, so worth it.

check out the princesses.
love all of them for being such good sports.
i can't wait to see what she's into next year.