A few weeks ago I took a poll in my Instagram stories asking for feedback on some custom Valentine's Day candy bar labels for Lindt's footlong candy bar I recently came across.

I loved the feedback I received...there were so many fun responses.
I ended up combining similar answers and the majority of responses that came through to create 11 different FREE WRAPPERS/LABELS for you to print and use as gifts + treats for Valentine's Day!

The selections include candy bar wrappers for teachers, principals, besties, coaches, friends, and more.

I found these GIANT FOOT-LONG Lindt Bars in my local grocery store for $5.99 - just happened to pass by them one day!! 

They really make a statement and the custom labels help to make them extra special + personalized to gift to the people you love!

I'm taking things a step further and gifting the chocolate bars to all three of my girls along with one of these ADORABLE + super soft stuffed animals that are filled with organic french lavender.

Have you seen these?  These cuties are so snuggly and weigh about 2-3 pounds and can also be heated up in the microwave for some added warmth for cuddle time.

This sweet puppy is for Ella but Ema is getting this adorable Koala Bear and Clara's puppy is sold out but here is one that's similar. 


Friends...as a mama who has struggled with anxiety issues my entire life and having two daughters that struggle as well...these are SUCH a perfect gift. The lavender creates calm, the heaviness of the animal creates security and the softness gives comfort. 

I love them so much I want to get one for myself. *wink*

So, whether you decide to just stick with the chocolate bars...
or add in a plush stuffed animal...
I really hope you're inspired to try at least one of these options.

You could even save the stuffed animal idea for EASTER!!!

Here's all you need to make the Customized Candy Bars Labels...

SUPPLIES
1 - Valentine's Day Lindt Bar Candy Bar Wrapper
1 - sheet of 8.5x11" white card stock
1 - 10.6 oz. Lindt Chocolate Bar <--- this link is from Amazon but I found mine for $5.99 at Publix
Clear Tape to secure wrapper on back
Ribbon (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Print Candy Bar Wrapper onto 8.5x11" white card stock.
2. Wrap around candy bar and secure with tape.
3. Crease edges for a nice finish.
4. Add a ribbon if you'd like to jazz it up a bit.

TIP: If you don't like the gold outer packaging unwrap it to find a plain silver foil wrapped candy bar inside.

Love you friends!!

PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
Subscribe here to have new blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

KEEPiNG iT REAL
There are soooo many different adorable plush stuffed animals to choose from I really don't know which one to pick for myself. Ha!! It took me forever to pick out the ones for the girls.

And honestly, Clara picked out a pink elephant at first and then traded it for the puppy because the elephant nose was a little awkward to snuggle with. (I didn't tell her what i was getting, I just gave her a few "stuffed animal" options to choose from and then when she realized what it was for she chose something she could really get cozied up to). *wink*

LIFE | Brown Sugar Moments

I seriously don't know how I get anything done lately.
Some days I am angry about it...
Other days I accept it…knowing I'm exactly where I should be.

Most of the time though…I'm in a constant state of juggling.
My juggling act can either be spot on or I'm dropping balls all over the place.

I read something recently about just focusing on one task a time until it is done and then you move on to the next focused task. Sounds easy enough, right?
I mean it even sounds completely logical.
However, I'm seriously doubting that women were wired to perform that way? Or maybe it's just me?

I believe we are either incredibly blessed or incredibly cursed by the fact that we are fantastic multi-taskers. So I guess it just depends on how you look at…

When I'm working...I've got my kids on my brain.
When I'm with my kids...work and deadlines are screaming for my attention.
And in either situation I've got dinner, house work, goals, blogging, deadlines, crafts I want to do, dreams I want to make come true, home decor changes I want to dive into, diy projects I want to tackle and random thoughts about life and people and family and fitness and faith and trials and…and…
all fighting for space in my brain.

Most days, I find myself ready to fight the good fight.
Then there are days like today that I want to kick the boxing gloves under the bed and pull the covers over my head and call "time out" or scream "uncle!"

Some days it feels like I am walking through molasses…
It's exhausting…and sticky…and frustrating…and messy.
Actually, molasses isn't all that appealing to look at either…and it isn't even remotely tasty.

But you know what…
As I was focusing on all of this and how life can feel like we are walking/swimming/sinking/drowning in molasses…
I started thinking about the sweet things that happen through my day too.
And that made me realize the glorious miracle that occurs when we just add a little sugar to all that molasses…
Do you already know?
Molasses + Sugar = Brown Sugar
Miracle!!

This revelation got me thinking a lot about "Brown Sugar Moments".
These would be moments filled with "sweetness" intentionally added or found or appreciated throughout our molasses-filled days/life.
Each of us has "molasses" to walk through…and the molasses is defined differently for each of us.
And guess what? The sugar is different for each of us too.
But regardless…adding the two together will always result in a Brown Sugar Moment.
So…I wanted to share a little bit of MY Brown Sugar Moments with you…

My Brown Sugar comes from the parts of my day when I slow down and put what matters most first and let the rest just fall away.

Like taking time to have picnics with Ella and her favorite stuffed animals…
those are always brown sugar moments for me.

We will carefully prepare for the picnics by selecting her favorite stuffed animals she'd like to have in attendance. We then go through this whole process of dressing each one for the occasion.

Some are adorned with Ear Rings (a ring on each ear)…not earrings. Ella's brilliant idea!

Every single one of them has to have at least one hair accessory…bow, barrette, ribbon, hair tie, headband, etc.

And a beaded necklace…of course.

Some are lucky enough to even get fancy shoes...

Or a cool pair of shades...

And for this particular picnic…Ella surprised me by creating a beautiful centerpiece. 

I just LOVE the presentation and her use of a Kraft Bag as the vase - she's so on trend! *wink*

When I'm fully engaged in these imaginative picnics…
I'm happy.
And Ella is happy.
And therein lies the brown sugar moments!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
This post started off with a full breakdown on my day…in timeline format.
I was so bored and overwhelmed by it, I removed it entirely from the post because I thought for sure you would be bored and overwhelmed too. If you really want to see a timeline of my day…I'll post it. But only if you ask! *wink*

ELLA STYLE | Summer Fun on the Play Set

This happy girl LOVES being outside on her swing set.
We've spent some extra hours out there this Summer and on this particular day...
she really wanted some of her friends out there to swing with her...

Turn up the sound button and PUSH PLAY! 
Watch the 15 second Instagram Video I created...
(I love that you can hear the birds chirping in the background).

1. Giggling over the fact that "Cinderella" just wouldn't sit still in her swing.

2. Oops! "Brownie" and her pink pony fell out of their swing too.

3. Growing up too fast - she doesn't use her hands anymore for walking up or down the slide.

4. Build-A-Bears - "Brownie" actually belongs to Clara but since Clara has outgrown Brownie she's allowed Ella to temporarily care for her. "Cinderella" was a gift from Grandpa and Grandma on Ella's trip to Illinois with her dad.

5. Being a bit shy for some reason with me taking photos! (she's usually asking/telling me to take pictures of her) Ha!!

6. Ella can stand up and swing now too - with much caution at this point.

7. Getting ready to jump in her swing after carefully positioning and re-positioning her friends on their own swings.

8. Cute video showcasing Ella's super sweet personality! I love how this turned out.

Ella Style:

Ella is wearing +GapKids White Bermuda Shorts, Glitter Graphic Ice Cream T-Shirt and her hair is styled in a side-braided pony tail - tied off with a snippet of red gingham ribbon. (Such a small, simple detail I've always loved using on my girls).

I really encourage you to capture the simple things that make up your every day...

Your favorite coffee mug...

the outside activities you do with your family...

your children's favorite play things...

or even the shoes you are constantly tripping over.

I promise... you will miss seeing those shoes left out one day. *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I typically go out in the mornings or after dinner with Ella...

this Florida heat is just too much in the middle of the day.

Ella's side-braided pony tail started coming out in the middle of playing.

I ended up re-doing it as a standard pony tail. (see photo 2)

Which by the way, Photo 2 is my favorite photo!

I think because it encapsulates everything we had going on that morning.

Ella's red cheeks, re-done hair, friends in the grass more often than in the swing

and her stuffed animals in her arms reminds me of how important they are to her - 

and how sweetly she cares for them and integrates them into her every day life.

She's such the sweetest!!