Posted on

Capturing Couture ~ Made in the USA & Giveaway

Made in America

Last week I started my series “Made in America” with an explanation why it is important to me to shop American made products. Today I want to introduce you to a product that I adore and use pretty much every day.

You see, before Christmas I was looking for a new camera strap. Although the camera came with a strap, I was tired of ‘sporting’ the make and model. I wanted something comfortable and fashionable. That the product is made here in the United States is a bonus; I found that out after the fact 😉 …

Capturing Couture is not only making camera straps, wristlets, and camera bags here in the US; Erika and Lisa are exporting their products to Germany, Canada, South Africa, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Australia. Erika and Lisa brought fashion and functionality together.

I currently own three of their products and I am very happy with them. My hubby gifted me a beautiful camera bag and the matching camera strap for Christmas:

CC Camera Strap Capturing Couture Camera Bag

Last week I received my wristlet for my point-and-shoot camera:
Wristlet_CCI am telling you; I totally adore their products and I would like for you to check out Capturing Couture.

To make it easier, I am giving away a camera strap for your DSLR (from any of their gorgeous collections) or 2 Wristlets for your point-and-shoot.

All you have to do to win is to let me know which one you would like. You have until next Sunday, February 5th to post in the comment section. To have an extra entry, “Like” Capturing Couture on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Thank you for stopping by today and for your support of American made products.

Love & peace,

Iris

Posted on

Thankful Thursday ~ Water

“For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
~ Revelation 7:17 (ESV)

On Sunday afternoon my husband and I went out to take some photographs. Since we just went ‘down-town’, I did not take any water. We are usually taking each a bottle of water, but I totally forgot since I figured we would not be gone for a long time.

Not taking water was a huge mistake! Soon after getting out of the air-conditioned truck, I started pouring water (aka sweat). After 20 minutes my shirt was soaked. We ended up buying one bottle of water, but apparently it was not enough. Sunday night I could not go to sleep; I was so thirsty. I kept getting up to drink water. On Monday, both my husband and I felt horrible. Our bodies were dehydrated, and it took all day Monday to get hydrated.

This experience reminded me of the Word; how we sometimes don’t get refreshed through God’s Word. If we neglect to read at least a little each day, soon we feel horrible. We are tired, exhausted, and frustrated. But if we stay close to the Living Water, our days go better (even during stress times).

So this week, I am thankful for water; for physical water to hydrate the body properly and the Living Water that fills our souls.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: never forget to give your body and soul water on a daily basis.

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. LaughingLady
2. Moving with Thanks @Edwards Granddaughter
3. It Feels Like Chaos
4. Boys Are LOUD!
5. Jane @ Our Homeschool Journey
6. The Prison Of Her Soul
7. Heather@Becoming A Titus 2 Woman
8. Melanie @ M&M		 9. bp
10. Amy @ Little Adventures
11. Gen@Simply Cornish
12. Raise Them Up
13. Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand
14. I am Janujennifer
15. That’s Life
16. Tami @ The Next Step		 17. Shanda @ A Pause on the Path
18. Rich Faith
19. Jessica @ By Grace Alone
20. Inspirations from Phather Phil – Thankful Thursday: Bring My Spirit Rest
21. Stefanie
22. Tamara @ God’s Perfect Promises
23. Rocks @ Made to Worship

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

Get The Code

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.

Posted on

A Plan of Attack (or intentional living?)

I think tonight’s post will go in the category “rambling to myself”…

There is so much going on in my head that I have a hard time putting my thoughts into words (like I ever can put my thoughts into words – ha)…But I have to write it out somewhere 🙂 .

Several weeks ago, my dear friend Lynn gave me the following verse from Psalms:

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” ~ Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

Oh, I so delight myself in the Lord and His Word. There is so much beauty around us but we too often don’t take notice of it. We rush through life without stopping and seeing. I have been seeing the world through my lens for the past 2 years… Not only the immediate surroundings, but also when I watch movies, I see everything in frames (don’t ask).

Well, my friend Lori reviewed a book about photography and Scripture…I had thought about self-publishing a book like this for almost a year now. I wanted to combine scrapping and my photography. But why not use my photos in ‘just’ a book by itself. As I was reading Lori’s review, clicked on the link to see the book…I thought: I can do this. Sure, I am not a photographer like Lori Nordstorm, David DuChemin, or my husband, but I think I have some decent photos in my collection…

Tonight I took a plunge; I contacted ESV to see what I need to do in order to use their Scripture passages in a self-published photo-book through “Blurb“. We will see what they come back with 😛 …I really don’t want to make a huge profit of the book, but want to share my photos to encourage others to see the glory of His creation.

(told you I am rambling tonight – 😆 )…There might be something else in the works regarding my photography, which I am very excited about. I have to thank Debbie from Heart Choices about that. I will share with you when and if this comes to a conclusion.

Thanks for listening/reading my ramblings. Remember: You can’t realize your dreams if you don’t step out in faith…

Posted on

Thankful Thursday ~ Provision

For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ~ 2 Peter 1:11 (ESV)

In the month of October, my friend Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage is hosting Thankful Thursday — come join in…

Ha, and you thought I would no longer be around. I am 😉 — I just have become a bad blogger. Believe me, I have always something to be thankful for — daily.

Today I would like to share with you about God’s provision. Not only did He provide a way back to Himself in Christ Jesus, but also provides daily for my personal needs. Sure there are some ‘wants’ God has not provided as of today. I am content though — this has not always been the case. I truly believe that God will provide for some of the wants in His time. And if not, so be it…

Over the last several months I have changed my daily routine and it has done me good. I think that is why I have not been around much — at least blogging, FB or on Twitter. In my free time I have read a lot, prayed a lot. A great balance to my insanely hectic job 😆 (thankful that no one at my work knows about my personal blog) …

The greatest thing God provides every single day: His Love. Oh, where would I be without it? It is good to know that there is at least One who loves me unconditionally. Even when I mess up, I know that He will never tell me “enough now – I no longer love you” – oh what precious gift…

God also provided some opportunities for me to grow in my photography. I have met some incredible photographers last week. I just wish I could have been at the workshop the full 2 days. Maybe next time 🙂 .

What are you thankful for this week? Care to share? Head on over to Lynn’s blog to add your name to Mr Linky …

Thank you for stopping by today…Be blessed today and always,
grace_iris1