Fashion – Hoots of a Night Al

Personalized Handwriting Disc Necklace from Sincerely Silver

July 14, 2019 8 Comments

Thank you to Sincerely Silver for gifting me a custom handwriting disc necklace!

Custom Handwritten Gold Disc Necklace with "life moves pretty fast" written in cursive

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

Gold Necklace with "life moves pretty fast" written on circle disk in front of pink hydrangeas

Just over thirteen years ago, I sat down to watch Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with a boy I’d had a crush on since middle school. Today, he’s my husband.

Louis and I had our first date on June 1, 2006. We were chatting on AIM one day, and he said Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was one of his favorite movies. I quickly agreed (even though I had never seen it.😂), so we made plans to watch it together. The rest is history.❤️

Woman smiling with closed mouth wearing black v-neck shirt and gold disk necklace

We have dubbed June 1, “Ferris Bueller Day” and make a point to watch it together that day each year. I love and totally agree when Ferris says life moves pretty fast. I already can’t believe it’s been 13 years since our first date! We’ve since married, lived in multiple cities, been on countless trips, and experienced so much life together. When the opportunity to collaborate with Sincerely Silver came up, I knew that quote would be perfect to commemorate on their handwriting disc necklace.

Gold Disc necklace that says "life moves pretty fast" dangling on gold chain from a bouquet of baby's breath flowers

These necklaces can be ordered in gold, silver, or rose gold, and have a perfect disc on a dainty, 18″ chain. The most special part of these necklaces though, is how they are customized. You can have whatever message you want added to the disc in personalized handwriting. This quote is special to me because of Louis, so I had him write “life moves pretty fast” for my disc. It was as simple as getting Louis to write the quote on a piece of paper, taking a picture with my phone, and emailing it to Sincerely Silver. The next thing I knew, it was engraved on my handwriting disc necklace!

Custom Handwritten Gold Disc Necklace with "life moves pretty fast" written in cursive in front of fiddle leaf fig

Isn’t this such a meaningful, precious idea? You could use the handwriting of anyone that’s important to you, or even your own handwriting to personalize your necklace. Have your child write “mom”, your spouse write “I love you”, sign your own name, or even take part of a message from a card someone wrote you in the past. The options are truly endless.

I can’t thank Sincerely Silver enough for creating such a special piece of jewelry for me. I know I will treasure it for years to come! If you’d like to create your own handwriting disc necklace, use promo code SINCERELY15 for 15% off your purchase! Let me know in the comments what you would get on your necklace!

Fashion

Global Purpose: Connect to Positive Change

March 7, 2017 4 Comments

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” -Anne Frank

And when you can improve the world on your weekly grocery shopping trip, why wouldn’t you? …but I’m getting ahead of myself. If you are blessed enough to live in the great state of Texas, you have graced the hallowed doors of H-E-B. Next time you’re there, head over to the H-E-B Blooms section and seek out the Global Purpose display. You won’t be disappointed.

Global Purpose is owned and operated by native-Texan Kaylynn Jordan and her husband Jon Jordan, and assists others in achieving more sustainable and humane practices. According to their company, they provide “education and income opportunities for women and children living in vulnerable communities, including India, Haiti, and Uganda.” Can you imagine impacting that many lives with your weekly trip to buy groceries?

Global Purpose was kind enough to send me a sari scarf, wooden bangles, and a drawstring bag from their Village Artisan line, and each item is beautifully handmade by women in India. I loved reading about some of their artisans and what an impact this opportunity has made in their communities. It’s not a coincidence that I’m sharing their mission on International Women’s Day. A quick story about one of their artists, Uzma shows the strong affect she has on her fellow artisans: “Not only does she teach the kantha stitch but she, with her life, teaches them to believe in themselves, to work hard and honestly, and to treat others with dignity and love.” Doesn’t that sound like the kind of person you want to support with your purchases?

If there is anyone that deserves attention today, it’s purchase with purpose companies like Global Purpose. They are directly impacting the lives of others by creating positive change in communities that need it. I’m so thankful I learned about their incredible work, and I cannot wait to purchase more of their items the next time I visit H-E-B. I hope you’ll do the same!

If you want to learn more about Global Purpose, you can find them online here:

Beauty, Fashion, Food, Travel

Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas!

December 16, 2016 No Comments

CHRISTMAS IS NINE DAYS AWAY. Yes, you read that right. It’s rapidly rushing towards us with no signs of slowing down, and I have about 33.7% of my shopping done and NOTHING gift wrapped. Yes, I know the true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but I also love the spirit of giving surrounding the holiday.

If you’re like me, and Christmas snuck up on you this year, I’m here to save the day. Below are 20 gift ideas on Amazon that should suit many of the people in your life. I grouped them into categories to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Thank goodness for Prime 2-day shipping, am I right? Happy Shopping!

For Someone Who Needs to Relax…

1. Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Candle, Eucalyptus Spearmint

2. Toms Women’s Slipper Loafers

3. Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution

4. Spa & Resort Terry Velour Bathrobe

For the Fashionista…

5. Burberry Scarf

6. Zicac Women’s Fur Collar Batwing Cape

7. Sam EdelmanWomen’s Petty Ankle Boot

8. Fossil Jacqueline Stainless Steel Watch

For the Wannabe Chef…

9. Adjustable Bib Apron

10. Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

11. KitchenAid 6-Qt. Professional 600 Series Mixer

12. Cook it in Cast Iron

For the Beauty Lover…

13. Tarte Limited Edition Tarteist Toolbox Brush Set

14. Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

15. Pink Chevron Cosmetic Bag

16. The Original Beauty Blender

For the Jetsetter…

17. Eccolo Faux Leather Passport Case

18. Jessica Simpson Jewel Plaid Hardside Spinner Suitcase

19. Beats Studio Wireless Over-Ear Headphone

20. Eccolo World Traveler Style Journal

There you have it! 20 gift ideas at a variety of price points that will hopefully cover some of your shopping list! Regardless, remember it’s the thought that counts! Merry early Christmas!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on these links or make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small percentage of the profit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!

Fashion, San Antonio

Athleta – San Antonio, The Shops at La Cantera

November 1, 2016 4 Comments

Hey San Antonio, I have great news for you,

A brand new Athleta is open, it’s true!

It’s the first location in our great city,

And if you haven’t been yet, that’s a huge pity.

It’s at La Cantera on the North side of town,

And they seriously have the cutest clothes around.

The store floor is wood, the brick walls are white,

The vibe is friendly and casual, not at all uptight.

You’ll be greeted by a salesperson who can help you for sure,

If you’re in a workout rut, this place is the cure.

Their athletic-wear varies from bright to basic black,

And they have perfect styles from yoga to running around the track.

Whatever your needs, you’ll find the perfect clothes,

Need some nice outfits for leisure? They also have those.

Each piece is crafted with amazing detail and care,

And you can tell that in an instant by how comfortably they wear.

The Chaturanga tights were gifted to me nicely,

And it was amazing how they fit my body so precisely.

They are soft and stretchy and feel like a second skin,

As soon as I take them off, I want to put them on again!

The store is full of options for relaxing or exploring,

Whether you’re running a marathon or in bed snoring.

Grab a sweater or a sweatshirt, a dress or a tank,

And smile knowing that Athleta’s prices won’t break the bank.

The amazingness doesn’t stop at their clothing line,

Their community events are where they totally shine!

So check out their website or visit the store,

To see when they do free classes like yoga and more!

Once you experience their culture you’ll have to agree,

They really live their motto, the “Power of She.”

Want to be cute AND comfy? Take it from me,

Athleta is the place your dream outfits will be!

I received complimentary products for consideration, but, as always, all opinions are my own.

DIY, Fashion

My Experience with thredUP

July 12, 2016 10 Comments

I recently decided it was time to clean out my closet and get rid of some clothes I’ve had for far too long. I’m talking about the sweaters I’ve had since high school. The romper I bought “on a whim” and have never worn. The dress that went out of style three years ago. When I was done weeding out items, I had around five trash bags FULL of clothes, shoes, and accessories.

Most of the items I had were in great condition, so it seemed like a waste to just throw them away. After doing some research, I found thredUP. They are an online resale company offering gently used and like-new women’s and kid’s clothes and accessories. The best part is that you can send your used clothes to them, and they’ll pay you for them!

All you have to do is make a thredUP account and request a Clean Out Kit. They’ll mail you a large bag with a pre-paid shipping label and directions on what they’ll accept and how to ship your bag back. You can give it to your mail carrier or return it to a FedEx Office.

3.5

Once they receive your bag, they will review the included items, keep the ones they can resell, and pass on the rest to their textile recycling partners to be up-cycled. Then, they’ll pay you for the items they plan to resell! You can either use your credit in their shop, or request a Visa gift card.

I found the entire process very easy and surprisingly quick! thredUP has a Payout Estimator, where you can see if they’re currently accepting the brand/type of clothing you want to send, and about how much they’ll pay you for it. They accepted almost all of the brands I had, and any they didn’t accept, I donated to my local Goodwill.
4.5

Also, feel free to send things they say they won’t accept, just in case. For example, their website said they would not take clothes missing tags. However, I sent a suit jacket missing its tag, and they purchased it from me! They also accepted several of my items that were over 5 years old.

In total I sent two full thredUP bags and earned around $70 for about 30 items. Could I have earned more selling each item individually? Possibly. However, it would have taken way longer, and I may have never been able to sell them! With thredUP, I just mailed them away for free, and got paid almost immediately.

Overall, I was super pleased with my thredUP experience. If you want a Visa gift card instead, you do have to wait two weeks to be able to claim it, but I was able to do so and received it in the mail soon after.

If you want to shop on or sell anything to thredUP, you can use my referral link and get a $10 credit! They have women’s clothes, kid’s clothes, designer items, handbags, shoes, and more! Based on the quality of my clothes that they purchased, I’d bet most of their items are in great condition!

Have you ever used thredUP or a similar system to clean out your closet? I sure thought it was an easy way to earn some quick money!

Retro Siggy

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